JPH10277246A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even unskilled person to clearly recognize and play CT while enabling even skilled person to fully enjoy the CT game. SOLUTION: This game machine is constituted to be provided with variable display devices 4L, 4C, 4R for displaying variably a plurality of patterns necessary for games and a control means 20 for controlling these variable display. The configuration to display in the stoppage of the variable display is determined by the control means 20. While the variable display is controllably stopped on the basis of the determination, the determination is not carried out in a period from the establishment of a predetermined generation requirement to the establishment of a predetermined release requirement in the game, or in spite of the determination the variable display is constituted to stop in response to the operation of stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R by a player, while a predetermined situation is reached during the period, alarm means 9L', 9C', 9R', 11, 15 for reporting the situation to the player are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game, and control means such as a microcomputer for controlling variable display of the variable display device. The present invention relates to a slot machine, a pachinko gaming machine, and other gaming machines provided with a game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a gaming machine called a slot machine or a pachislot machine is a variable display device or reel mechanically constructed by arranging a plurality of rotating reels representing a plurality of symbols in a front display window. It has a variable display device electrically configured by displaying the upper symbol on the screen, and in response to the start operation of the player, the control means drives the variable display device to rotate each reel, and after a predetermined time, When the rotation of each reel is sequentially stopped automatically or by the player's stop operation, when the symbols of each reel appearing in the display window have a specific combination (winning symbol), a game such as a coin is played. While paying out media gives the player a profit, in current mainstream machines, when the spinning reel stops, the winning symbols are aligned on the active line of the display unit. Inside If you hit the winning in the sense it is (specifically, when was elected in the lottery by the random extraction of a microcomputer). This is because if the symbol at the time of stop is determined only by the stop operation (timing) of the player, the result of the game (win / loss) is determined by the skill of the player, and only the skill of the player is emphasized, and the soundness of the game is enhanced. This is to solve the problem that the management of the coin payout rate and the like from the gaming machine becomes difficult for the gaming machine as well as the game machine is damaged.

[0003] Accordingly, a gaming machine of a type that allows a player to perform a stop operation (for example, a slot machine having a stop button)
However, if the player does not win, no matter how the player performs the stop operation, the winning symbols cannot be aligned on the activated line. That is, it is a gaming machine in which the skill of the player is unlikely to appear in the result of the game.

[0004]

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

Therefore, a gaming machine has been developed which can obtain a game result in accordance with a player's stop operation under a certain condition. One example is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-74391. In a slot machine as described above (including a so-called pachislo machine), when a specific condition is achieved during a game, stop control by random number lottery is performed for a predetermined number of games for a part or all of a plurality of reels. During the suspension period (hereinafter referred to as “challenge time” and abbreviated as “CT”) during the suspension period, the display mode (symbols) when the reels are stopped at the timing of the stop operation of the player Is determined),
Since the skill of the player is reflected in the game result and the stop control by the random number lottery is performed as before in the period other than the CT period, even a player with a small skill can secure a certain amount of winning. As a result, the slot machine has become a gaming machine that balances playability and equality. Hereinafter, the game during the “CT” period is referred to as “CT game”.

More specifically, "CT" is a period during which variable symbols can be aligned when variable display is stopped in response to a player's stop operation, regardless of whether random number lottery or the like is determined. Also, during the “CT” period, a small prize that is easy for the player to obtain is not determined, and a large prize that is difficult for the player to obtain, for example, a special prize (BB) and a special prize (RB) described later. There is also a method of making the judgment. The “CT” starts when a predetermined generation condition is satisfied and ends when a predetermined release condition is satisfied.

[0007] However, even when the above-mentioned gaming machine is provided with "CT", the player, especially a beginner, is not allowed to use C.
Even if T is not clearly recognized, or even if it is recognized, the “CT game” tends to end without taking advantage of the advantage.

[0008] As one of the regulations for gaming machines,
Since there is an upper limit to the profit that the player can obtain in one game, that is, the number of game media, if a skilled person obtains a large amount of profits immediately after the start of CT, the end of CT will be closer and the CT end will be closer. If you end up too early, you will lose interest in CT.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an unskilled person with C
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that allows a player to clearly recognize T and play a game, and also allows a skilled person to sufficiently enjoy a CT game.

[0010]

A first aspect of the present invention is a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game,
In a gaming machine provided with control means for controlling the variable display of the variable display means, the control means determines a mode to be displayed when the variable display is stopped, and controls the variable display based on the determination. During the period from the time when the predetermined occurrence condition is satisfied during the game to the time when the predetermined release condition is satisfied, the variable display is stopped in accordance with the player's stop operation without performing the determination. And a notifying means for notifying a player of a predetermined situation during the period.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a gaming machine having a variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game and control means for controlling the variable display of the variable display device, It is determined whether the mode to be displayed when the variable display is stopped is a winning that gives a profit to the player or a non-winning that does not give a profit, and when the winning is determined, the timing of the stop operation of the player Control of the operation of the variable display device so that when the variable display is stopped, the display mode of the winning is displayed regardless of the timing of the stop operation of the player when it is determined that the winning is deviated. However, during the period from when the predetermined occurrence condition is satisfied to when the predetermined release condition is satisfied, even if it is determined to be out,
The variable display is controlled to be stopped in accordance with the timing of the player's stop operation, and a notifying means for notifying the player of a predetermined situation during the period is provided. .

In the third aspect, the predetermined situation is that the release condition is approaching to be satisfied.

In a fourth aspect, the predetermined situation is that the player's loss exceeds a predetermined amount.

[0014] In a fifth aspect, the predetermined situation is that the detachment continues a predetermined number of times.

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

In a seventh aspect, the notifying means comprises visual display means for notifying a gaming state by visual display or sound generating means for notifying by a sound, and the control means includes a control means for controlling the time when the predetermined condition is reached. And a notifying means for performing a predetermined notifying operation.

In an eighth aspect, the notifying means comprises a visual display means for notifying a game state by visual display or a sound generating means for notifying by a sound, and the visual display means when a predetermined situation is reached. Or a notification control unit that causes the sound generation unit to perform a predetermined notification operation.

In the ninth aspect, the notifying means is configured to notify the player of a stop operation that is advantageous to the player before the release condition is satisfied, in addition to the fact that a predetermined condition has been reached.

In the tenth aspect, the cancellation condition is that a net additional number obtained by subtracting the number of game media consumed for the game from the number of game media obtained by the player during the period reaches a predetermined number. That is.

In the eleventh aspect, the cancellation condition is that the number of games during the period reaches a predetermined number.

In another aspect of the present invention, the prize includes a special increase prize for giving the player a relatively large profit, and a special prize for giving the player a relatively small profit, and the control means includes: When a special increase prize is decided during the period, C
At the end of the T period, the player enters a gaming state in which a profit corresponding to the special winning prize can be obtained. On the other hand, when the special prize is determined during the CT period, the CT period is interrupted and the player receives the special prize. After the game state ends, the interrupted period is restarted as a game state in which a profit is obtained.

In still another aspect, a gaming machine includes 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.
There is provided a sound generating means capable of generating a plurality of types of sounds, wherein the sound generating means generates a sound according to the display mode when the variable display is stopped.

In the present invention, the variable display device only needs to move and display a plurality of symbols (symbols).
This includes those having a mechanical structure for rotating and driving a reel provided with a symbol array on the outer peripheral surface, or those which electrically move and display symbols such as liquid crystal, LED, and CRT. Further, the control means may be configured to determine whether or not a winning is achieved by random number extraction or the like, and to execute stop control of variable display based on the determination result, and the microcomputer of the gaming machine is preferably used. Used.

When a plurality of symbol columns to be variably displayed are provided, C
In the T period, the control unit can switch to the stop control according to the player's stop operation for all or at least one symbol row.

The conditions for generating the CT are, for example, that a lottery is performed every time a later-described “general game” is performed, and that a winning is performed at the start or end of the later-described “RB game”. At the start or end of the “BB game” described later, a lottery is performed to win, and a predetermined winning probability is set in each lottery. When a lottery is performed each time a general game is performed, the winning of the CT game is defined as the winning of the BB game and the RB game at the time of determining the winning of a random value extracted by random number sampling performed for determining the winning of the general game. A winning combination may be set. In such a combination winning, a CT game is started after the BB game or the RB game ends.

[0026]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, during a 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 above-described lottery by random number extraction). Then, the variable display is stopped and controlled based on the determination. However, during the CT period from when a predetermined occurrence condition is satisfied during a game to when a predetermined release condition is satisfied, the variable display is stopped in response to the player's stop operation without performing the above determination. Therefore, the player can perform the stop operation such as pressing the stop button in a timely manner so that the desired winning symbols can be aligned when the variable display is stopped. For this reason, the game result reflects the skill of the player.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control means comprises:
It is determined by an appropriate method whether the mode to be displayed when the variable display of the variable display device is stopped is a prize that gives a profit to the player or a non-prize that does not give a profit. Then, when it is determined that the winning, the display mode of the winning according to the timing of the stop operation of the player, when it is determined to be out,
The operation of the variable display device is controlled so that a display mode that is not present is displayed when the variable display is stopped, regardless of the timing of the stop operation of the player. Here, when a predetermined generation condition is satisfied, a CT period is set. During this period, the control means makes a decision. However, if it is determined to be out, the variable display is stopped in accordance with the timing of the stop operation of the player. . Therefore, the player can align the desired winning symbols when the variable display is stopped by the timing of the stop operation such as pressing the stop button, and can obtain a game result according to the skill of the player.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, during the CT period,
When a predetermined situation is reached, the notification means notifies the player of the situation. The notified conditions are, for example, that the CT release condition is satisfied, that is, the end of CT is approaching, that the loss of the player exceeds a predetermined amount, and that the disconnection continues for a predetermined number of times.
When any of them occurs, the notification content of the notification means changes, so that the player can be notified of the CT status. By such notification, the player recognizes that the CT game is about to end, that his / her loss is large, that no prize will be won for a while, and that the player devises a stop operation so that the CT game can be continued. It is possible to take measures according to the situation, such as terminating the game so that the loss does not increase further.

As the notification means, for example, liquid crystal, CR
Visual display means such as T and LED, or sound generating means for notifying by sound such as a buzzer or a speaker are preferably used. When these notification means are used, when a predetermined situation is reached, a predetermined notification operation (blinking of a light emitter, generation of a specific sound, etc.) is made to the notification means by a signal from the control means of the gaming machine. , Let the player recognize.

The notifying means may include not only the above-mentioned visual or audible means but also a notifying control unit for controlling the driving of these means. That is, the notification means:
When a predetermined situation is reached, the game machine may be driven by a CPU provided as a notification control unit separately from the microcomputer of the gaming machine.

Further, the notifying means notifies the player of an advantageous stop operation (for example, an operation order of a plurality of stop buttons corresponding to a plurality of reels) before the release condition is satisfied, that is, before the end of CT. In this case, even an unskilled player can advantageously execute a CT game. Further, the notification means may notify that there is a winning to start a BB game, an RB game, or the like as a result of the determination by the internal lottery.

If the condition for canceling the CT is that the “net increase” obtained by subtracting the number of game media consumed for the game from the number of game media obtained by the player reaches a predetermined number, Is notified by the notification means, 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. Further, when the cancellation condition is that the number of games in the CT period reaches a predetermined number, by notifying it by the notification means, when the player wants to increase the number of game media, a small profit can be obtained. It is possible to increase the number of winnings in order to focus on acquiring 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 determined as a result of the internal lottery winning determination performed during the CT game. When the BB game or the RB game is won, when the number of games in the CT game reaches a predetermined number,
One or a combination of two or more conditions selected from when the net increase in the number of game media during the CT game reaches a predetermined number is selected. Among the above cancellation conditions, for example, BB
Even if there is a winning of the game or the RB game and the BB game or the RB game starts and the control means resumes the variable display stop control based on the internal lottery, after the operation of the BB or the RB ends, the CT game May be set to restart. It is also possible to set so that the CT game is not restarted when the BB game ends, and the CT game is restarted when the RB game ends.

In particular, the types of prize are special increase prize ("BB" described later) which gives the player a relatively large profit,
Two or three special prizes ("RB" described later) that give a relatively small profit to the player ("SB" described later)
Is added)), when the control means determines the special increase prize (BB) during the CT period, the CT period ends and the game state is set such that the player can obtain a profit corresponding to the special increase prize (BB), When a special prize (RB) is determined during the CT period, the CT period is interrupted to set a gaming state in which a profit corresponding to the special prize (RB) is obtained for the player,
After the end of the gaming state, the interrupted CT is restarted. Thereby, the player can enjoy the CT game regardless of the skill.

Further, in a gaming machine having 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, a plurality of types of sounds can be generated. By providing a sound generating means, when the variable display is stopped, by generating a sound according to the display mode, the player can not only visually check what display mode has been generated for each game, but also , Can also be identified by hearing. Also, since the sound heard by the player also corresponds to the type of winning, the pattern which is difficult to visually recognize can be distinguished by sound, and the interest of the game combined with the original effect of the sound further excites the interest of the game. .

[0036]

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

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

FIG. 4 shows a symbol row used in the gaming machine 1. These symbols are drawn on the surface of a sheet forming the circumferential surfaces of the three rotating reels 4L, 4C, 4R disposed 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 front lower part of the display window on the front of the cabinet 2 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range.

At the lower right side of the display window 3R, there is provided a medal slot 6 for inserting medals of game media. Above the medal slot 6, a credit display section 7A for displaying the number of medals currently credited and a payout section 7A are provided. A payout display section 7B for displaying the number of medals issued is provided. Each display is composed of 7 segment LEDs. The display means is not limited to the LED, but may be an LCD (liquid crystal) element or any other means.

On the lower left side of the display window 3L, an insertion button 17 for inserting a credited medal for a game.
And a C / P switch 8 for switching the credit / payout of medals obtained by the player with a push button operation.

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

In the lower front part of the cabinet 2, a medal payout opening 12 and a medal receiving unit 1 for storing the paid out medals.
3 are arranged. At the lower right of the medal payout opening 12, there is provided a sound generator 10 composed of a number of sound output holes. Through the sound generator 10, a sound is emitted to the outside from a speaker 15 (FIG. 2) disposed inside the cabinet 2. Speaker 1
5 can output a plurality of types of sounds, and is used as a notifying means in the gaming machine 1.

Above the display window on the front of the cabinet, there is provided a display surface 16 on which a payout table indicating how many medals are paid out for winning is displayed. 11 is formed. The effect section 11 is composed of a large number of LEDs, and can perform various effects and display information by operations such as lighting, blinking, and turning off.
The operation of the effect section 11 is also used as a notification means in the gaming machine 1.

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

In this case, the control means is constituted by the microcomputer 20 as a main component and a circuit for sampling random numbers added thereto. The microcomputer 20 performs a control operation according to a preset program,
Including a ROM 22 and a RAM 23 as storage means;
A clock pulse generation circuit 24 and a frequency divider 25 for generating a reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 26 and a random number sampling circuit 27 for generating random numbers to be sampled are connected to U21. In addition, as means for random number sampling, in the microcomputer 20, that is, the CPU
Alternatively, the random number sampling may be executed on the operation program 21. In that case, the random number generator 26 and the random number sampling circuit 27 can be omitted, or
It is also possible to leave it 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, which is used for determining random number sampling performed each time the start lever 5 is operated.

The ROM 22 further stores data for generating a plurality of types of sounds, data for determining sounds to be generated based on the stop symbols when the reels are stopped, and informs the player of the status of the CT game as notification means. Data for determining a sound to be generated in accordance therewith is stored.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 2, the main actuators whose operations are controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 20 include stepping motors 14L, 14C, 14R for rotating the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, respectively.
A hopper (including a drive unit for paying out) 30 for storing medals of game media, display units 7A and 7B, stop buttons 9L, 9C and 9R, a light source of the production unit 11, and a speaker 15. The motor drive circuit 31, the hopper drive 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 includes a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 6 or a credit by pressing an insertion button 17. Sensor 6S for detecting a medal inserted from the start, a start switch 5S for detecting operation of the start lever 5, a C / P switch 8, and a reel stop for generating a stop signal in response to an operation of each stop button 9L, 9C, 9R. The reel position detection circuit 35 that supplies a signal for detecting the position of each reel to the CPU 21 in response to a pulse signal from the signal circuit 34 and the reel rotation sensor, and the count value of the medal detection unit 33 (payout from the hopper 30) When the specified number of medals reaches the specified number data, a signal for detecting the completion of the medal payout is supplied to the CPU 21. That there is a payout completion signal circuit 36.

In the circuit of FIG. 2, the random number generator 26
A random number belonging to a predetermined numerical range is generated, 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 extracted random number belongs to a predetermined winning area stored in the storage unit in the ROM 22,
A signal is generated based on the determination result.

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. Reel 4
A reset pulse is obtained from L, 4C, 4R 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 the count value corresponding to the rotation position within the range of one rotation for each of the reels 4L, 4C, and 4R.

The controller determines the stop position of each of the reels 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, the reels 4L,
4C and 4R are respectively stopped. The data for winning determination stored in the ROM 22 includes a winning symbol combination table for associating a winning combination of symbols, the number of winning medals, and a winning determination code representing the winning, It is referred to when controlling each of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R and when confirming a winning after stopping all the reels.

The data for determining the sound generated based on the stop symbol when the reel is stopped, which is stored in the ROM 22, includes a winning symbol combination table and a table for relating the type of sound. With this table, the type of sound is determined by winning confirmation after stopping all reels.

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

FIG. 3 shows a general game, a special increase prize game (hereinafter, referred to as a BB game), a special prize game (hereinafter, referred to as an RB game), and a challenge time game (hereinafter, a game state) which are game states performed in the gaming machine 1. , CT games).

In this gaming machine 1, a general gaming state is set at the start of the game, and each time the start lever 5 is operated, random number sampling is performed, and the most advantageous combination of the BB game and the CT game and the combination of the RB game and the CT game are most advantageous. , BB games,
It is determined whether any one of the RB game, the CT game, and the accessory has been won or lost.

The prize determination for determining the occurrence of the CT game may be performed each time the general game is played, each time the BB game is generated or completed, and each time the RB game is generated or completed.

The BB game is the most advantageous state for the player generated by the winning symbol "7-7-7", and is up to 30.
This is a gaming state in which a prize winning is generated consecutively and a large number of medals can be obtained, and is the same state as the RB game described below occurs three times. During BB game, BB game, RB game and C
The winning determination of the T game is not performed, and only the winning determination of the accessory is performed. When the winning symbol "7-7-7" is generated in the gaming machine 1, the winning symbol "7-7-" is output from the speaker 15.
The sound set for "7" is generated. By this sound, the player can know that the BB game is started.

The RB game is a game state generated by a stop symbol "BAR-BAR-BAR", in which a state in which a winning of a character is liable to occur continuously continues up to 12 times. During the RB game, as in the BB game, the winning determination of the BB game, the RB game, and the CT game is not performed, and only the winning determination of the accessory is performed. When the winning symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR” is generated in the gaming machine 1, a sound set for the winning symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR” is generated from the speaker 15. By this sound, the player can know that the RB game is started.

[0062] 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. By this sound, the player can know that not only the BB game but also the CT game can be performed.

In the CT game, the reels are stopped based on the player's stop operation. In the gaming machine 1, every time the start lever 5 is operated, random number sampling is performed.
The winning determination of the B game and the RB game is performed, and when a prize is won, the control unit performs stop control of the reels according to the winning. The winning determination of the CT game and the accessory is not performed.

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, the RB game, or the CT game ends, the game returns to the normal game. When a combination of the BB game or the RB game and the CT game is won, the game is shifted to the CT game when the BB game or the RB game ends. If the BB game is won during the CT game, the CT game ends and the BB game is started. CT wins when RB game is won during CT game
The game is interrupted, the RB game is interrupted, and when the RB game ends, the remaining CT games are restarted.

The CT game is completed after a predetermined number of games are played 150 times in the gaming machine 1. The CT game ends when a predetermined net increase in medals and 200 in the gaming machine 1 are obtained.

When the number of games in the CT game approaches 150 or the number of net additions approaches 200, and the end of the CT game approaches, the stop button 9 which is a notification means of the gaming machine 1 is notified.
L, 9C, 9R, staging unit 11 and speaker 15 provide a notification to notify the player of the situation. The three stop buttons are brightened or darkened so that the player can operate the stop buttons in an order that is advantageous to the player, and the rendering unit 11 displays a display that alerts the player. And
The speaker 15 generates a special sound.

Further, since the winning symbols are not aligned and the payout is not performed in the CT game, when the number of medals consumed by the player reaches a considerable amount, the number of medals consumed by the When the number of medals obtained exceeds 30, the notification means notifies the player of the situation in which such a disadvantage has occurred.

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

The intervals at which the symbols of the "grapes" 40, "JAC" 41 and "orange" 42, which are the accessory symbols in the symbol row on the reel 4L, appear are almost 5 or 6.

The intervals at which the respective symbols of "grape" 40, "JAC" 41 and "orange" 42, which are the accessory symbols in the symbol row on the reel 4C, are 3, 4 or 5.

The intervals at which the symbols of the "grapes" 40, "JAC" 41 and "orange" 42, which are the accessory symbols of the symbol row on the reel 4R, are almost four, and in rare cases are five.

As described above, the symbols 40, 41 of the reel 4R
And 42 appear at equal intervals closer to the other two reels, so that the reels 4L and 4C
When the stop button 9R of the reel 4R is operated after the stop of the symbols, the symbols are easily aligned.

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

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control means in the CT game. In this flowchart, the counter N indicates the allowable number of increase in the net number of medals, and the initial value is 200. The counter N is incremented when a medal is inserted and decremented when a medal is paid out. When the counter N reaches 0, the CT game ends. The counter T indicates the number of remaining games allowed in the CT game. The initial value is 150. The counter T is decremented by one each time the game is performed.
When it reaches 0, the CT game ends.

When the player wins the CT game and enters the CT game state, the staging unit 11 serving as the notification means and the stop buttons 9L and 9
C, 9R is "Situation 1" which indicates the normal state of CT game
Is displayed (step 1). The aspect of "Situation 1" will be described later.

When a medal is inserted, 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 lever 5 is operated to operate the start switch 5S (step 4). Reel 4L, 4
C, 4R are rotated (step 5). Set counter T to 1
Subtraction is performed (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 stopped symbol is determined, and the payout of medals is executed (step 10). The counter N is subtracted by the number of paid medals (step 11).

Next, it is determined whether or not the condition for canceling the CT game is satisfied (step 12). The conditions for canceling the CT game are as follows: when the BB game or the RB game is won according to the random number determination and the winning symbols “7-7-7” or “BAR-BAR-BAR” are completed, the number of games in the CT game is reduced. The counter is set when the number of counters reaches 150 and the counter T is 0, and when the net number of the game media during the CT game reaches 200 and the counter N is 0.

When none of these release conditions is satisfied, that is, when the determination result is "NO", it is determined whether the counter N is 230 or more (step 13). This judgment is based on the number of medals consumed for the game
If the determination is "YES", that is, if the counter N is 230 or more, the display of the effect unit 11, the display of the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, and the sound from the speaker 15 are notified. , "Situation 2" where disadvantage is occurring
And inform the player (step 14). The aspect of “situation 2” will be described later.

If the determination in step 13 is "NO", 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 remaining number of CT games is nearing the end when the counter T is 9 or less and the result of the determination is "NO", the display of the effect section 11 and the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, which are notification means, are provided.
Is displayed and the sound from the speaker 15 is changed to a state of "Situation 3" informing that the number of times that the game can be played is reduced and the CT game is approaching the end (step 17). The aspect of "Situation 3" will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 15 that the counter N is 49 or less and the determination result is "NO", the display and stop buttons 9L, 9C, and 9R of the effect section 11, which are notification means, are provided.
Is displayed and the sound from the speaker 15 is changed to a state of "Situation 4" informing that the net increase number approaches the upper limit and the CT game is approaching the end (step 18). "Situation 4"
Will be described later.

If the release condition is satisfied in step 12 and it is determined "YES", then the release condition is set to BB
It is determined whether the game has been won (step 19). If it is determined to be "YES", the BB game is executed (step 20), and the counters N and T are set to 0 after the end (step 2).
3, 24 and 25), resumption of general games (step 26)
And the CT game ends.

If the determination in step 19 is "NO", it is next determined whether or not the RB game has been won (step 21). If "YES" is determined, the RB game is executed (step 22), and after the RB game ends, the process returns to step 2 to resume the CT game. Counter N when resuming CT game
And the value of the counter T are values before the RB game is started.

If the result of the determination in step 23 is "NO", that is, if neither BB nor RB has been won, it is determined whether the counter N is 0 (step 23), and if "YES", The counter T is set to 0 (step 24), the normal game is restarted (step 26), and the CT game ends. When the determination result of step 24 is "NO", the counter T is always set to 0.
Therefore, the counter N is set to 0 (step 25),
Since the general game is restarted (step 26), the CT game ends.

The "state 1,""state2," and "state 3" of the notification means in steps 1, 14, 17, and 18 described above.
Each notification mode of “Situation 4” is set according to the purpose of notification.

The mode of "Situation 1" is to inform the player that the game is a CT game, and the general game, the BB game, and the RB
Make the state different from the game. For example, changing the blinking state of the production unit 11, blinking all the stop buttons,
Or produce different sounds.

In the situation of “Situation 2”, the number of medals consumed by the player greatly exceeds the number of medals obtained by winning,
Informing that loss has occurred,
Is changed from "Situation 1" to draw the player's attention. Further, if the stop button 9R of the reel 4R is operated after the reel 4L and the reel 4C have stopped, the symbols can be easily aligned, so that only the stop button 9L is blinked, or the order in which the stop buttons light up is the stop button 9L first, then the stop button. The operation sequence of the stop button is taught by using the button 9C and finally the stop button 9R. Further, a sound different from "Situation 1" is generated to call attention.

The state of "Situation 3" notifies that the remaining number of times that the CT game can be played is approaching the end, and makes the blinking state of the rendering unit 11 different from "Situation 1" or the same as "Situation 2". Then, the player instructs the order of the stop buttons to be operated in the order in which the stop buttons are lit so that the player can achieve many symbol prizes with a limited number of games, or generates a sound different from "Situation 1". The state of “Situation 3” may be the same as the state of “Situation 2”, but, for example, the blinking speed of the staging unit 11 is increased, or the blinking speed of the stop button or the changing speed of the stop button is changed. Alternatively, the target information may be reported as a mode different from “Situation 2”, such as generating a different warning sound.

The state of "Situation 4" indicates 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 directing unit 11 is changed to "Situation 1", "Situation 2" and In order to make it different from "Situation 3" or to increase the number of games to increase the chances of winning BB and RB by random number extraction, teach the operation order of stop buttons that are difficult to win symbols in the order in which the stop buttons glow. , "Situation 1", "Situation 2", and "Situation 3". As described above, when the stop button 9L of the reel 4L is operated after the reel 4R and the reel 4C have stopped, even if the reel 4R and the reel 4C have the same pattern, the reel 4
Since the symbol interval of L is so long that it is difficult to align the symbols, only the stop button R is blinked, or the stop button is lit up in order of the stop button 9R, then the stop button 9C, and finally the stop button 9L. And the operation sequence of the stop button.

[0094] Such notification allows the player to know the order in which the stop button is pressed, or to use the notified information to enjoy the CT game with his / her ingenuity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration used in the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a relationship diagram of a plurality of game states performed in the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a symbol row of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a CT game of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a CT game of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the slot machine according to the embodiment after a release condition of a CT game is satisfied.

[Explanation 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 section, 7B: payout display section, 8: C / P switch, 9
L, 9C, 9R: stop button, 10: sound generator, 11: director, 12: medal payout slot, 13: medal receiver, 14
L, 14C, 14R: stepping motor, 15: speaker, 16: display surface, 20: microcomputer, 21: CPU,
22 ROM, 23 RAM, 24 clock pulse generator, 25 frequency divider, 26 random number generator, 27 random number sampling circuit, 30 hopper, 31 motor drive circuit, 32 hopper drive circuit, 33: a medal detection unit, 34: a reel stop signal circuit, 35: a reel position detection circuit, 36: a payout completion signal circuit, 37: a light source drive circuit, 38: a sound output circuit.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A game machine comprising variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game, and control means for controlling the variable display of the variable display means, wherein the control means controls the variable display. Determine the mode to be displayed when stopping,
The variable display is stopped and controlled based on the determination.However, during the period from when a predetermined occurrence condition is satisfied during a game to when a predetermined release condition is satisfied, the determination is not performed, and the player performs a stop operation. A gaming machine configured to stop the variable display in response thereto and to have a notifying means for notifying a player of a predetermined situation during the period. 2. A gaming machine comprising: a variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game; and control means for controlling the variable display of the variable display device, wherein the control means comprises a variable display device. It is determined whether the mode to be displayed at the time of stoppage is a prize that gives a profit to the player or a non-prize that does not give a profit. When the display mode is determined to be off, the operation of the variable display device is controlled such that the off display mode is displayed when the variable display is stopped, regardless of the timing of the player's stop operation. During the period from when the occurrence condition is satisfied to when the predetermined release condition is satisfied, the variable display is controlled to be stopped in accordance with the timing of the stop operation of the player even if it is determined to be out. With, game machine characterized by comprising an informing means for informing it to the player when it is in a predetermined situation during the time period. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the satisfaction of the cancellation condition is approached. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined condition is that a player's loss exceeds a predetermined amount. 5. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined condition is that said disengagement continues a predetermined number of times. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined situation occurs, the notification content of the notification means changes. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means comprises visual display means for notifying a gaming state by visual display or sound generating means for notifying by a sound. A gaming machine, wherein the control means causes the notification means to perform a predetermined notification operation when the predetermined situation is reached. 8. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means includes a visual display means for notifying a gaming state by a visual display or a sound generating means for notifying by a sound.
A game controller comprising: a notification control unit that causes the visual display unit or the sound generation unit to perform a predetermined notification operation when the predetermined situation is reached. 9. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means is configured to perform a stop operation which is advantageous to a player before said release condition is satisfied, in addition to said predetermined condition. A gaming machine characterized by being notified. 10. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the cancellation condition is that the number of game media consumed for the game is subtracted from the number of game media acquired by the player during the period. Gaming machine in which the net increase in number obtained by the game reaches a predetermined number. 11. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the cancellation condition is that the number of games during the period reaches a predetermined number. 12. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the winning is a special increase winning that gives a relatively large profit to the player and a special winning winning that gives a relatively small profit to the player. The control means, when the special increase winning is determined during the period, the period is ended, and a game state in which a profit corresponding to the special increasing winning is obtained for the player for the player, When the special prize is determined during the game, the period is interrupted to a gaming state in which a profit corresponding to the special prize is obtained for the player, and after the gaming state ends, the interrupted period is restarted. A gaming machine. 13. A gaming machine having variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game and control means for controlling variable display of said variable display means, wherein a plurality of types of sounds can be generated. A game machine comprising a sound generating means, wherein the sound generating means generates a sound according to a display mode when the variable display is stopped.