JPH0810383A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the display function of a line indicator installed for displaying an effectuated prize line or the prize line providing a prize. CONSTITUTION:Openings 3 are arranged on a symbol display window 5 in a matrix of 3-row and 3-column. When reels are rotated in the deep parts of the openings 3 and stopped, symbols are observed through the respective openings 3. Three prize lines 6a-6c for horizontally combining three symbols appearing in the openings 3, two prize lines 7a, 7b for obliquely combining them, and three prize lines 8a-8c for vertically combining them are set. Line indicators 10a-10c, 11a, 11b, 12a-12c are attached on one end of each prize line, respectively. Each line indicator contains a diffuse transmitting window cover, and red and green light emitting diodes arranged in the deep part. The red and green light emitting diodes are independently and, further, simultaneously lighted and flashed to switch the coloring pattern of the line indicator.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine having a display for displaying a combination line of symbols.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the most common slot machine using three reels, when all reels stop, three symbols appear in the symbol display window for each reel, and a total of nine symbols are observed. To be done. With respect to these 9 symbols, a combination of symbols referred to in the prize determination is preset by three horizontal and two diagonal winning lines.

The number of winning lines activated at the time of winning determination is determined by the number of medals inserted prior to the start of the game. For example, when one medal is inserted, only the center one of the three horizontal medals is activated, two lateral medals are added, three lateral cues are added, and two diagonals are added.
When the three reels stop, the winning determination is made by the combination of the symbols on the activated winning lines.

In general, lamps are installed at both ends or one end of the pay line. These lamps are turned on according to the number of inserted medals, and the activated pay lines are displayed to the player. Furthermore, when the game is played and winning determination is performed, among the activated winning lines,
The winning line lamp where the winning is obtained blinks and the player is informed accordingly.

[0005]

As described above, the lamp provided at the end of the pay line has two types of display, that is, the display of the activated pay line and the display of the pay line in which the win is obtained. Is used for. However, in the conventional slot machines, since only one lamp is embedded at the end of each pay line, only two types of display, lighting and blinking, can be displayed, and the display pattern is monotonous. In particular, when a prize is obtained, it is preferable to provide a highly appealing display so that the player can be satisfied and it can be demonstrated to other players, but it is provided at the end of the prize line. A sufficient display effect could not be obtained only by turning on or blinking the lamp.

In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention has improved the line indicator provided at the end of the pay line so that various indications with high appeal can be made by the line indicator. The purpose is to provide a slot machine.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention incorporates at least two kinds of luminous bodies having different luminescent colors into a line indicator used for displaying a winning line, each of which emits light by itself. By making both of them emit light, it is possible to change the display color. As such a light emitter, a light emitting diode is preferable from the viewpoint of cost and life, and in this case, a favorable color mixing effect can be obtained by installing a diffuse transmissive window cover in front of the light emitting diode.

Further, the present invention is more effective in making the display of the pay line easier to understand when it is applied to a large number of set pay lines. For example, as described in claim 3, symbol display This is suitable for a slot machine in which a total of 9 symbols in 3 rows and 3 columns are displayed in the window and three pay lines are set horizontally, two diagonal lines, and three win lines are set vertically. Further, as a display form by the line display of the present invention, if the coloring pattern is changed according to the type of winning, for example, when a special winning is obtained, a unique display with a high effect effect can be performed. become able to.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1 showing the external front of a slot machine using the present invention, a front panel of a game machine main body 2 is
A symbol display window 5 is provided in which rectangular openings 3 of the same size are arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns. Behind each opening 3, a reel having a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged on the outer periphery is provided, and each reel is rotatable. Then, when these nine reels are stopped, one symbol is observed through each opening 3. Therefore, in this slot machine, the vertical arrangement of symbols also differs for each game depending on the reel stop position.

The combination of symbols to be judged for winning is three horizontal winning lines 6a, 6b, 6c and two diagonal lines.
In addition to the book pay lines 7a, 7b, three vertical pay lines 8a, 8b, 8c are used. Then, when one medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 9 prior to the start of the game, the pay lines 6a to 6c are activated, and when two medals are inserted, two more win lines 7a and 7b.
Is activated, and three pay lines 8a to 8c are activated when three coins are loaded.

The symbol display window 5 is further provided with a line display 10a so as to be positioned at one end of each of the winning lines.
-10c, 11a, 11b, 12a-12c are incorporated. As shown in FIG. 2, each of these line indicators includes a diffused / transmissive window cover 15 incorporated on the same surface as the symbol display window 5 and two types of light emitters disposed behind the window cover 15. That is, it is composed of a red light emitting diode 16 and a green light emitting diode 17. Window cover 15
For example, it can be made of white acrylic resin. Further, the red light emitting diode 16 and the green light emitting diode 17 are respectively mounted on the substrate 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the red light emitting portion 19 and the green light emitting portion 20 are formed on a common IC chip 21, and these are mounted on the transparent resin cover 2.
Those coated with 2 may be used instead of the above red light emitting diode 16 and green light emitting diode 17. Further, it is advantageous to use a light emitting diode as a light emitting body from the viewpoints of assembling space and life, but other light emitting bodies such as a lamp may be used.

The front panel further includes a start lever 2
4, a saucer 25 is provided. When the start lever 24 is operated after the medal has been inserted, the nine reels provided at the back of the nine openings 3 rotate all at once. These reels are automatically stopped one after another at random timing after a predetermined time has passed. Then, when all the reels are stopped, the winning determination is performed according to the winning line activated according to the number of inserted medals. When a winning is obtained on any of the winning lines, the number of medals corresponding to the type of winning is paid out to the tray 25.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the electrical construction of the slot machine. The medal sensor 28 inputs a medal detection signal to the CPU 30 each time it detects a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 9. The CPU 30 supplies a display signal to the display driver 31 in response to the medal detection signal, whereby the line display devices 10a to 10c, 11a, 11b, 12a.
~ 12c is driven. The display signal from the CPU 30 is
A signal for individually driving the red light emitting diode 16 and the green light emitting diode 17 is included.

The start signal generator 32 inputs a start signal to the CPU 30 when the start lever 24 is operated. However, when no medals have been inserted, this start signal is ignored and the reel does not rotate. When a start signal is input to the CPU 30 after inserting 1 to 3 medals, the CPU 30 activates the motor driver 33, which causes the 9 reels 34a to 3a.
Stepping motors 35a to 35 provided for every 4i
The drive pulse is supplied to i.

The reels 34a to 34i are driven by being directly connected to the stepping motors 35a to 35i, and the amount of rotation thereof can be identified by the number of drive pulses supplied to the stepping motors 35a to 35i. Therefore, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 35a to 35i is counted by the winning determination unit 36, and the reels 34a to 34i.
Each time 34i passes the reference position, sensors 37a-3
If the count value of the drive pulse supplied to the corresponding stepping motor is reset by the reset signal obtained from 7i, the rotational position within one rotation of the stepping motor can be sequentially monitored. Furthermore, each reel 34a
Since it is known in advance how the symbols are arranged from the reference position for each ~ 34i, the rotational position when the stepping motor is stopped is based on the count value of the drive pulse and the type of the symbol appearing in the opening 3 Can be specified.

The winning determination unit 36 receives the data of the activated winning lines from the CPU 30 and determines whether or not a winning is obtained for each winning line. Then, when there is a winning, a winning signal indicating the type of winning and a line signal indicating the winning line in which the winning is obtained among the activated winning lines are input to the CPU 30. Input to the CPU 30. It should be noted that when a winning is obtained on a plurality of winning lines at the same time, all winning is valid, and each winning signal and line signal are input to the CPU 30.

When a prize is generated, the CPU 30 inputs a display signal for prize display to the display driver 31.
As a result, the line indicators 10a to 10c, 11a, 11b, 12 which are lit corresponding to the number of inserted medals are displayed.
Among a to 12c, the one corresponding to the winning line for which the winning is obtained is switched to the winning display drive pattern. Further, the number of medals according to the type of winning obtained by driving the medal payout device 38 is paid out to the tray 25. The RAM 39 is used as a memory for temporarily storing various data obtained during the game processing, such as the number of inserted medals, and the ROM 40 stores a sequence program for game processing and a display drive program for a line display. Memory.

The display function of the slot machine will be described. The insertion of the first medal is the medal sensor 28.
When detected by, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Each green light emitting diode 17 of each of the line indicators 10a to 10c is continuously lit, and three horizontal winning lines 6a, 6b,
Display to the player that 6c has been activated. 2 more
When the insertion of the second medal is detected by the medal sensor 28, the green light emitting diode 17 is turned on for the line indicators 11a and 11b, and two diagonal pay lines 7 are provided.
Display that a and 7b are activated. When the insertion of the third medal is detected, the line display 12a ...
The green light emitting diode 17 of 12c is also turned on. Even if four or more medals are inserted, they are returned to the tray 25 as they are. Also, after inserting 1 to 3 medals, return button 9a
When (Fig. 1) is operated, all the inserted medals are returned, and at the same time, all the line indicators are turned off.

When the start lever 24 is operated after inserting one to three medals, the start signal generator 32 causes the CP
A start signal is input to U30. As a result, the nine reels 34a to 34i start rotating all at once. At the same time, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
30 reads a display program for displaying that the reel is rotating from the ROM 40, and drives the line display in accordance with the display program. The display while the reel is rotating is performed by blinking the green light emitting diode 17 which is continuously lit at that time, and it is possible to confirm the activated pay line even while the reel is rotating.

When a predetermined time elapses after the reel is started, the CPU 30 generates a stop signal for stopping the stepping motors 35a to 35i at random timing, and inputs this to the motor driver 33. As a result, the nine reels 34a to 34i are stopped one after another. When all the reels stop, the winning determination unit 36 receives the data of the activated winning line from the CPU 30, and determines whether or not the winning has been obtained for the winning line.
When no winning is obtained on any of the activated winning lines, the winning determination unit 36 determines the CPU.
A losing signal is input to 30, and all the line indicators are turned off to end the game.

When a win is obtained on any of the activated pay lines, it is first determined whether the win is a jackpot win or a normal win. The jackpot prize has a much lower probability of occurrence than the normal prize, but about 2 to 20 medals are paid out in the normal prize, whereas a large number of medals of, for example, 1000 or more are obtained in the jackpot prize. Will be paid out.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the pay line 7b
When the combination of symbols “7-7-7” is obtained, this is the jackpot winning. Then the CPU
30 reads the jackpot winning display program from the ROM 40 and changes the drive pattern of the line display 11b provided corresponding to the winning line 7b. As a result, the red light emitting diode 16 and the green light emitting diode 17 forming the line display 11b are individually turned on and off, and simultaneously turned on and off. As a result, the line indicator 11b is alternately red-lit, green-lit, and yellow-lit.

When the jackpot occurs, the coloring display pattern is maintained during the period when a large amount of medals are paid out, not only giving a great satisfaction to the player but also to the surrounding players. It will also be a demonstration display of winning a prize. When a normal winning is obtained, the red light emitting diode 16 and the green light emitting diode 17 of the line display corresponding to the corresponding winning line blink alternately. When the winning is obtained on a plurality of winning lines among the activated winning lines, the respective line indicators perform the above display. For the winning line for which no winning is obtained, the line indicator is turned off.

As described above, by changing the color display pattern by the line display portion according to the type of winning, the effect of the effect can be greatly improved as compared with the case of simply lighting and blinking the one-color lamp. . In addition, since the window cover 15 has a diffuse transmission property, the entire window cover 15 develops each color, so that the red light emitting diode 1
Even when 6 and the green light emitting diode 17 are turned on at the same time, a sufficient color mixing action can be obtained, and almost uniform yellow color development can be obtained. Further, particularly in the above-described 9-reel type slot machine, the total number of winning lines becomes eight, which makes it difficult for the player to grasp the winning line. However, the application of the present invention can provide the activated winning line and the winning line. It is easy to identify the winning line.

The present invention has been described above according to the illustrated embodiment, but appropriate modifications can be made in carrying out the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, two types of light emitting diodes that emit different colors are used as the light emitters constituting the line display. However, three or more types of light emitting diodes that emit different colors may be used, or instead of the light emitting diodes. It is also possible to use a lamp or the like.
Further, these line indicators may be provided at both ends of the pay line. Further, even in the drive display of the activated display of the winning line or the winning display when the winning is obtained, various display modes such as the blinking cycle and the switching of the coloring pattern can be selected.

Further, even in the form of the slot machine itself, for example, a reel stop button is incorporated so that the player can decide the stop timing of the reel, or 3 reels per reel from the vertically long opening as in the conventional case.
The present invention can also be applied to a three-reel type slot machine in which individual symbols can be observed. further,
A slot that enables a so-called bonus game in which a game is played by using one reel at a time when a specific symbol combination such as "7-7-7" is obtained on the activated pay line. The present invention can be applied to a machine.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, since at least two kinds of light emitters having different colors are used for the line indicator for displaying the winning line, these are used alone, and both are simultaneously used. By lighting it, you can display with various coloring patterns during the game,
The effect of the slot machine game can be greatly improved. Further, by disposing a diffused and transmissive window cover on the front surface of these light emitters, the color lights from the respective light emitters are sufficiently mixed, and good color display can be obtained. Also,
It is possible to change the coloring pattern of the luminous body in various ways according to the type of winning prize obtained, so that not only the player can be satisfied but also an effective demonstration to the surrounding players. It can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external front view of a slot machine using the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of a line display device.

FIG. 3 is a main part perspective view showing another example of the line display.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing display processing up to reel rotation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing display processing after reel rotation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Game console body 3 Opening 5 Symbol display window 6a-6c Winning line 7a, 7b Winning line 8a-8c Winning line 10a-10c Line indicator 11a, 11b Line indicator 12a-12c Line indicator 30 CPU 31 Display driver 34a ~ 34i reel 36 winning determination section

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A slot machine having a line indicator for displaying a winning line defining a combination of symbols to be determined for winning among a plurality of symbols displayed in a symbol display window, wherein the line indicator is A slot machine comprising at least two types of light emitters having different emission colors. 2. The line display is composed of a window cover having a diffused transmission property and at least two light emitting diodes arranged in the back of the window cover and having different emission colors. The slot machine described in 1. 3. The symbol display window displays 9 symbols arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, and the combination line has a total of 8 symbols each including 3 symbols vertically, horizontally and diagonally. 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is set. 4. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the line display displays a different coloring pattern according to the type of winning obtained on the corresponding winning line. .