JP2001009084A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rouse the interest of a player in a game by varying the development of the game by varying the discrimination condition of prize winning for each game by varying a selection condition in the case of selecting the combination to be validated at the time of game start as the display positions of symbols for prize winning discrimination corresponding to the result of lottery. SOLUTION: While an internal success state occurs, 'ready to win' is displayed when reels are stopped, and this is displayed while being stopped on the reels of a liquid crystal display part as well (S106-S109). Next, it is judged whether a success flag is a BB game success flag or not (S112) and when it is that success flag, the combination of symbols of BB game prize winning is displayed while being stopped on the reels so that it is judged whether a prize is really won in the BB game or not (S113). When no prize is really won in the BB game, the combination of symbols on a specified prize winning condition is aligned on the respective reels by nudging or respinning the respective reels (S114).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a function of notifying a player that an internal hit state has occurred.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, there is, for example, a slot machine. In a general slot machine, as shown in FIG. 1A, three reels 3, 4, and 5 are arranged behind a front panel 2 in three rows. Each reel 3 ~
Various symbols are drawn on the outer periphery of the display 5, and these symbols are illuminated from behind by a built-in light source (backlight) (not shown) provided for each reel, and each of the windows 6, 6 formed on the front panel 2. Observed via 7,8. Five winning lines are described in this window, and a slot machine game is performed based on whether or not a predetermined combination of symbols is arranged on any one of the winning lines.

A game is started when a medal is inserted into a slot by a player, and when a medal is inserted into the slot, all backlights are turned on as shown in FIG. If there is no player's medal insertion operation or the like for a certain period after the game is over, the backlight is completely turned off as shown in FIG. Each reel 3-5
Rotates according to the operation of the start lever by the player,
In each of the windows 6 to 8, a symbol is rotated and displayed in the column direction. When each of the reels 3 to 5 reaches a certain speed, the operation of each of the stop buttons provided corresponding to each of the reels 3 to 5 becomes effective.

A player operates each stop button while observing a moving symbol, stops the rotation of each of the reels 3 to 5, and attempts to stop and display a desired symbol on any one of the winning lines. The rotation of each of the reels 3 to 5 is stopped according to the operation timing of each stop button. If a predetermined symbol combination is displayed on any one of the winning lines during this stop, a winning according to the symbol combination is obtained.

The winning modes include a jackpot winning, a medium winning winning, a small hit winning, and the like. The big hit winning and the middle winning winning occur when a symbol "7" or three predetermined character symbols are arranged on a winning line. A special game such as a big bonus game (BB game) can be performed in a jackpot prize, and a regular bonus game (RB game) can be performed in a medium prize, and a large amount of coins can be obtained. In addition, a small hit prize is generated when a predetermined number of symbols such as "cherry" and "bell" are arranged on a prize line, and several medals can be obtained in the small hit prize. FIG. 3C shows a case where three symbols "Bell" are aligned on the central winning line, and in this case, the backlight blinks.

[0006] Such a winning mode is determined by a random number lottery performed immediately after the start lever is operated.
It is already determined before each reel is stopped by the player. This random number lottery is performed by a winning mode determination unit configured inside the gaming machine. When the jackpot winning is determined by the random number lottery, a display such as a notification lamp provided on the front panel of the device is turned on, and the player is notified that a jackpot winning has occurred (internal winning state) by the internal lottery of the machine. You. Thereafter, the rotation of each reel is stopped and controlled in accordance with the operation of the stop button by the player, and when the winning symbol combination determined by the random number drawing is stopped and displayed on the winning line, the player can actually experience the winning.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, the fact that a jackpot has been won by an internal lottery is reported to the player. Is performed simply by mechanically illuminating the notification lamp, so there is no interest in the game.

In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, a predetermined symbol combination called "reach eyes" is displayed when the rotation of each reel is stopped, so that the player is in a situation where a jackpot has been won by an internal lottery. Is suggested to.
However, it is a skilled person who is used to the game that can read that the symbol combination at the time of reel stop is the "reach eye" which is one of the methods of notifying the success of the jackpot. It was hard to read from the reel.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and includes a prize mode determining means for determining a prize mode of a game by random number drawing, and a variable mode for variably displaying various symbols. A display device, and variable display stopping means for stopping variable display of the variable display device, wherein a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means is stopped on the variable display device by the variable display stopping means. In a gaming machine that generates a specific winning mode when displayed, a symbol stopped and displayed on the variable display device by the variable display stopping unit even though the internal winning state of the specific winning mode has occurred in the winning mode determining unit. When the combination is not a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning mode, the internal display is stopped after the variable display of the variable display device is stopped by the variable display stop means. It is characterized by comprising an effect display device which performs effect display to inform the player of the state has occurred (Claim 1).

In this configuration, after the variable display of the variable display device is stopped by the variable display stop means, an effect display in which an internal hit state occurs is performed by the effect display device, and the internal hit state is given to the player. Be informed.

Further, according to the present invention, when the internal hit state occurs, the variable display device stops and displays a symbol combination indicating to the player that the internal hit state has occurred, and the effect display device has the internal hit state. When the variable display device stops, an effect display indicating to the player that the game has occurred is performed, and then the symbol combination corresponding to the particular winning mode or the symbol symbolizing this symbol combination is stopped and displayed to notify the above-mentioned information. (Claim 2).

In this configuration, when the variable display device is stopped, an effect display indicating to the player that an internal hit state has occurred is displayed on both the variable display device and the effect display device, and then the specific display is performed. When the symbol combination corresponding to the winning mode or the symbol symbolizing the symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the effect display device, the internal hit state is directly notified to the player.

According to the present invention, the effect display device performs a predetermined effect display after the variable display device stops, and then stops and displays a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning mode or a symbol symbolizing this symbol combination. (Chart 3).

In this configuration, the effect display device performs a predetermined effect display before a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning mode or a symbol symbolizing the symbol combination is stopped and displayed for direct internal notification. .

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the effect display device performs the above-described notification in an effect display mode according to a probability that a specific winning mode is selected by the winning mode determining means (claim 4). .

In this configuration, since the notification of the internal winning state is performed in the effect display mode according to the probability of the specific winning mode being selected, the player can select the specific winning mode from the effect display mode of the effect display device. Probability can be estimated.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the effect display device performs the above-mentioned notification even when no internal hit state occurs (claim 5).

In this configuration, even when the internal hit state does not occur, the effect display device displays a fake effect display, that is,
An effect display is performed as if an internal hit state had occurred.

Further, according to the present invention, the effect display device performs the effect display in a mode not synchronized with the variable display of the variable display device while the variable display device performs the variable display (claim 6). (Claim 7) is not performed.

In this configuration, while the variable display device is performing variable display, the effect display device performs or does not perform an effect display. Therefore, a new effect is displayed on the effect display by the effect display device after the variable display is stopped. Is added.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment in which a gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine will be described.

FIG. 2 shows a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG.

Behind the front panel 2 of the slot machine 1, three reels 3, 4, and 5 constituting a variable display device are rotatably provided. On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5, a symbol row including a plurality of types of symbols (hereinafter, referred to as symbols) is drawn. These symbols are displayed through the display windows 6, 7, and 8 on the front of the slot machine 1, respectively.
Observed individually. An insertion slot 9 for a player to insert a medal is provided on the lower right side of the display windows 6, 7, and 8.

Each of the reels 3 to 5 is configured as a rotating reel unit shown in FIG. 3, and is attached to a frame 51 via a bracket 52. Each of the reels 3 to 5 is configured by attaching a reel band 54 to an outer periphery of a reel drum 53. The above-mentioned symbol array is drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel band 54. Further, each bracket 52 is provided with a stepping motor 55, and each of the reels 3 to 5 is driven by the motor 55 to rotate.

The structure of each of the reels 3 to 5 is shown in FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. A lamp case 56 is provided inside the reel drum 53 behind the reel band 54, and back lamps 57a, 57b, and 57c are attached to the three rooms of the lamp case 56, respectively. These back lamps 57a to 57c are shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it is mounted on a board 58, and this board 58 is attached behind the lamp case 56. A photo sensor 59 is attached to the bracket 52. The photo sensor 59 is mounted on the reel drum 5
3 detects that the shielding plate 60 provided on the photosensor 3 passes through the photosensor 59 as the reel drum 53 rotates.

The lighting of each of the back lamps 57a to 57c is individually controlled by a lamp driving circuit 48 described later. Lighting of each of the back lamps 57a to 57c causes the reel band 5
Of the symbols drawn in FIG. 4, three symbols located at the front of each back lamp 57 are individually illuminated from behind, and three symbols are displayed on each of the display windows 6 to 8 respectively.

The display windows 6 to 8 shown in FIG.
Book (center L1 and upper and lower L2A, L2B) and diagonal 2
The winning line of the book (obliquely lower right L3A, obliquely upward right L3B) is described. Prior to the start of the game, when the player inserts one medal into the medal slot 9, only the central winning line L1 on each of the reels 3 to 5 is shown in FIG.
It is activated as shown in FIG. When two medals are inserted into the insertion slot 9, the upper and lower prize lines L
2A and L2B are added, and three horizontal winning lines L1 and L2
A and L2B are enabled as shown in FIG. When three medals are inserted into the insertion slot 9, all the winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and L
3B is activated as shown in FIG.

It should be noted that circles in FIG.
Represents the symbol drawn above. The activation of such a winning line is displayed to the player by turning on an activated line display lamp 23 (see FIG. 2) arranged at the end of each winning line.

On the lower left side of the display windows 6 to 8, 1B
An ET switch 10, a 2BET switch 11, and a MAX BET switch 12 are provided. When a medal is credited in the credit amount display unit 13,
Instead of inserting medals into the medal slot 9, these 1 BET
Switch 10, 2BET switch 11 and Max B
By operating each push button of the ET switch 12, one, two, and three medals are bet in one game, respectively. The number-of-credits display section 13 is composed of 7-segment LEDs of a number corresponding to the number of digits of the numerical value to be displayed, and displays the number of medals currently credited.

Below the BET switches 10 to 12, a credit / payment changeover switch (C / P switch) 1
4 and a start lever 15 are provided, and a stop button 16,
17 and 18 are provided. The credit / payout (PLAY CREDIT / PAY OUT) of the medal can be switched by operating the push button of the C / P switch 14.

The start lever 15 constitutes variable display starting means for starting the rotation display of each of the reels 3 to 5,
By operating the start lever 15, the reel 3,
4 and 5 rotations start simultaneously. Stop button 16, 1
Numerals 7 and 18 constitute variable display stopping means for stopping the rotation display of the reels 3, 4 and 5 for each column, and are arranged corresponding to the reels 3, 4 and 5. Each reel 3-5
When the rotation speed reaches a certain speed, each stop button 16
18 are activated, and the stop buttons 16 to 18 stop the rotation of the reels 3 to 5 in accordance with the push button operation of the player.

Further, a sound transmission hole 19 and a medal tray 20 are provided at the lower front part of the slot machine 1. The sound transmission hole 19 is for outputting sound generated from a speaker housed inside the device to the outside. The medal tray 20 stores medals paid out from a medal payout exit 21.
In addition, a payout display unit 22 is provided on the front upper portion of the slot machine 1 to indicate how many medals are paid out for each winning.

A liquid crystal display unit 24 is provided on the front panel 2 on the right of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5. The liquid crystal display unit 24 performs rotation display of three reels 3a, 4a, 5a corresponding to the reels 3, 4, 5, respectively. Liquid crystal display 2
4, when the internal hit state occurs, the stop buttons 16 to
After the variable display of each of the reels 3 to 5 is stopped by 18, an effect display device that performs an effect display for notifying a player that an internal hit state has occurred is configured.

FIG. 6 shows a circuit configuration including a control unit for controlling a game processing operation in the slot machine 1 of the embodiment and a peripheral device (actuator) electrically connected to the control unit.

The control section has a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") 30 as a main component, and further includes a circuit for sampling random numbers. The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU 31 for performing a control operation according to a preset program, and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 as storage means. The CPU 31 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 34 and a frequency divider 35 for generating a reference clock pulse, a random number generator 36 which is a random number generation means for generating a random number within a certain range, and an arbitrary random number extracted from the generated random numbers. A random number sampling circuit 37, which is a random number extracting means, is connected.

The main actuators whose operations are controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 30 include reels 3 and
Stepping motors 55 for rotating 4 and 5, hopper 38 for storing medals, liquid crystal display 24, speaker 3
9 and back lamps 57a to 57c. These are driven by a motor drive circuit 40, a hopper drive circuit 41, a display drive circuit 42, a speaker drive circuit 43, and a lamp drive circuit 48, respectively. These drive circuits 40 to
43 and 48 are connected via the I / O port of the microcomputer 30 to C
It is connected to PU31. Each stepping motor 55
Are excited in one or two phases by the motor drive circuit 40. When a drive signal of 400 pulses is supplied,
Rotate.

The main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 30 to generate a control signal includes a start switch 15S for detecting an operation of the start lever 15 and a medal insertion port 9 The inserted medal sensor 9S for detecting the inserted medal, and the C /
There is a P switch 14. There is also a photo sensor 59, and a reel position detection circuit 44 that receives the output pulse signal from the photo sensor 59 and detects the rotational position of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5.

The photo sensor 59 detects the shielding plate 60 each time the reels 3, 4, and 5 make one rotation, and generates a reset pulse. This reset pulse is applied to the reel position detection circuit 44.
Is given to the CPU 31 via the. In the RAM 33,
For each of the reels 3 to 5, a count value corresponding to a rotation position within the range of one rotation is stored, and upon receiving a reset pulse, the CPU 31 clears the count value formed in the RAM 33 to "0". . By this clear processing, the movement display of each symbol and each stepping motor 5 are displayed.
The deviation that occurs between the rotations of rotation No. 5 and rotation No. 5 is eliminated for each rotation.

Further, as the input signal generating means,
Reel stop signal circuit 45 and payout completion signal generation circuit 4
There are six. The reel stop signal circuit 45 includes a stop button 1
When 6, 17, 18 are pressed, the corresponding reel 3,
Generate a signal to stop 4,5. Further, the medal detection unit 47 counts the number of medals paid out from the hopper 38, and the payout completion signal generation circuit 46 converts the medal count value actually paid out inputted from the medal detection unit 47 into predetermined payout number data. When it has reached, a signal notifying the completion of the medal payout is output to the CPU 31.

In the ROM 32 shown in FIG. 6, the procedure of the game processing executed in the slot machine 1 is stored as a sequence program, and a winning probability table,
A symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, a notification selection lottery probability table, and the like are separately stored.

The winning probability table is stored in the sampling circuit 3
7 constitutes a random number classifying means for classifying the random numbers extracted in each of the winning modes, and stores data for dividing a random number in a certain range generated by the random number generator 36 into each of the winning modes. Such a winning probability table is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. A1 to a3, b1 to b in FIG.
3, c1-c3, d1-d3, e1-e3, f1-f
3, g1 to g3 are preset numerical data, and are used to partition the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 37 into each winning mode. This data is “a1 to g1” when the number of inserted medals is one, and “a1
In the case of three sheets, a combination of numerical values of "a3 to g3" is used.

These numerical values are usually expressed as "a <b <c <d <e <
f <g ”and the extracted random number value is a
If it is less than, it will be a jackpot winning (big hit) and "B
B "Winning flag is set. If the extracted random number value is equal to or larger than a and smaller than b, a medium winning prize (medium hit) is set, and the “RB” winning flag is set. If the extracted random number value is b or more and less than f, a small hit is won (small hit). In this case, if the value is b or more and less than c, a “watermelon” winning flag is set. Indicates a “bell” winning flag, a “four-cherry” winning flag is set when d is less than e, and a “two-cherry” winning flag is set when e is less than f. If the extracted random number value is equal to or more than f and less than g, a “replay” winning flag is set, and if the extracted random number value is equal to or more than g, a “losing” winning flag without winning is set.

That is, the winning mode is determined by which numerical range one sampled random number value belongs to, and is represented by a total of eight types of winning flags including "losing" and "replay". Here, the random number generator 36, the sampling circuit 37, the winning probability table, and the microcomputer 30 constitute winning mode determining means. Since various types of hits are generated with a probability according to the data setting of the winning probability table, the total medals within the business hours of one day are not extremely influenced by the skill of the player. Payment rates remain almost constant.

The types of game states include "RB operation", "regular game during BB operation", "general game", and "R".
There are five types of “general game in B inside hit” and “general game in BB inside hit”.

RB means the above-mentioned regular bonus game. In this RB game, a bonus game in which a plurality of high payout games are combined can be performed once.
“RB RUNNING” indicates a game state during this RB game, and either a loss or a JAC win occurs. BB means the above-mentioned big bonus game, and in this BB game, a set of a general game and the above-mentioned bonus game can be performed a plurality of times. "BB
The "operating general game" means this general game in the BB game, and in this general game, a small winning prize occurs with a high probability. The “general game” is a game state in which no winning has occurred. In the “general game with RB inside winning” and the “general game with BB inside winning”, each reel 3 has a RB winning flag and a BB winning flag set.
5 indicate that the predetermined winning symbol combination is not stopped and displayed, and the normal gaming state in which the RB game and the BB game have not yet entered.

In the present embodiment, the RB game and the BB game correspond to specific winning modes. The “general game with RB inside winning” and the “general game with BB inside winning” are determined by the prize mode determining means by the RB game or the BB game.
The winning mode of the game is determined, but the RB game or B
The symbol combination corresponding to the winning mode of the B game corresponds to an internal hit state in which the reels 3 to 5 cannot be stopped and displayed by operating the stop buttons 16 to 18. When this internal hit state occurs, as described later, the appearance of the "reach eye" is displayed when each of the reels 3 to 5 is stopped, and the liquid crystal display unit 24 displays this internal hit after each of the reels 3 to 5 is stopped. The status is reported to the player.

FIG. 8 conceptually shows the symbol table. The symbol table is for associating the rotation positions of the reels 3 to 5 with the symbols, and represents a symbol row by symbols. In this symbol table, a symbol code corresponding to the code number is displayed on each reel 3.
５5 are stored. The code numbers are sequentially assigned at a constant rotation pitch of each of the reels 3 to 5 based on the rotation position at which the reset pulse is generated. The symbol code indicates a symbol provided corresponding to each code number.

In the winning symbol combination table,
The symbol code of each winning symbol combination shown in the payout display section 22, the symbol code of the symbol combination constituting the above “reach eye” that suggests to the player that the flag of the occurrence of the specific game is established, each winning , A winning medal payout number, and the like. The winning symbol combination table includes the first reel 3, the second reel
It is referred to at the time of stop control of the reels 4 and the third reel 5 and at the time of confirming a winning after stopping all the reels.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine controlled by the microcomputer 30 in this embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the outline of this game processing.

First, the CPU 31 determines whether or not a medal has been inserted (see step 101 in FIG. 9). This determination is “YES” when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 9 and a detection signal is input from the medal sensor 9S or a signal is input from the BET switches 10, 11, and 12. Next, it is determined whether or not a start signal has been input from the start switch 15S by operating the start lever 15 (step 102).

If the determination is "YES", a winning determination (internal lottery) is performed by the winning mode determining means (step 103). As described above, the prize determination is generated by the random number generator 36, and it is determined which one of the prize groups belongs to the prize probability table (see FIG. 7) with one random number value specified by the sampling circuit 37. It is done by doing. The winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means is represented by the type of a winning flag.
"Loose", "Replay", "Two Cherry", "Four Cherry", "Bell", "Watermelon", "RB" and "B"
One of the eight winning flags of the eight types "B" is RAM
33 is set in a predetermined area.

Subsequent to the winning determination processing, the rotation processing of the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5 is performed (step 104), and the reels 3, 4, and 5 start rotating all at once. Next, along with the reel rotation processing, each of the reels 3a, 4a, 5a displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24 is displayed.
Is also started (step 105). The reels 3a to 5a of the liquid crystal display unit 24 start rotating at the same time as the reels 3 to 5 observed in the windows 6 to 8, however, the rotation display is performed asynchronously with the rotation display of the reels 3 to 5. For example,
The reels 3a to 5a of the liquid crystal display unit 24 are rendered and displayed with different rotation directions and rotation speeds from the reels 3 to 5 of the windows 6 to 8, and the reels 3 to 5 rotate in reverse while rotating forward, The reel rotates at a speed higher or lower than the speed of the reels 3-5.

Next, it is determined whether or not each of the stop buttons 16 to 18 has been turned ON by the player (step 10).
6) If an ON operation is detected for any of the stop buttons 16 to 18, stop control is performed for the corresponding reels 3, 4, and 5 (step 107). Also,
At the same time, the rotation of the reels 3a to 5a of the liquid crystal display unit 24 corresponding to the reels 3 to 5 for which the stop control has been performed is stopped (step 108). For example, when the stop of the reel 3 of the window 6 is controlled in step 107, this step 10
At 8, the rotation of the reel 3a of the liquid crystal display unit 24 corresponding to the reel 3 is stopped. At this time, the reels 3a to 5a
Is controlled to be the same as the stop display mode of the reels 3 to 5.

Next, all the reels 3 to 5
Is stopped (step 109). If all reels 3 to 5 are not stopped, step 1 is executed.
Returning to step 06, the above-described processing is repeated.

In the stop control processing of steps 106 to 109, when the winning flag is "losing", the reels 3 to 5 are stopped and controlled so that no winning symbol combination is aligned on any of the activated winning lines. Is done.

When the winning flag is "2 cherry", the first reel 3 is controlled to stop so that the symbol "cherry" stops on the activated pay line L1 of the first reel 3. When the winning flag is “4 cherry”, the activated pay lines L2A and L3A of the first reel 3 or the activated pay line L2 of the first reel 3 are used.
The first reel 3 is controlled to stop so that the symbol "Cherry" stops on B and L3B. When the winning flag is “bell” or “watermelon”, the reels 3 to 5 are controlled to stop so that the combination of the symbols “bell” and “watermelon” is aligned on one of the activated pay lines. .

When the winning flag is "RB" or "BB" and the operation timing of each of the stop buttons 16 to 18 is performed by the player in a timely manner, any one of the activated pay lines is displayed. The reels 3 to 5 are controlled to stop so that the symbol "7" or a predetermined character / symbol combination is aligned. Also, the winning flag is "RB", "BB"
However, if the symbol “7” or a predetermined character / symbol combination corresponding to the winning mode of the RB game or the BB game cannot be stopped and displayed on each of the reels 3 to 5 by operating the stop buttons 16 to 18 Is controlled so that the appearance of the "reach eye" indicating that the internal hit state has occurred is displayed when each of the reels 3 to 5 is stopped. At the same time, each of the reels 3a to 5
The display of “a” is also stopped and displayed in the same state as the “reach eyes” appearing on the reels 3 to 5 of the windows 6 to 8.

When all the reels 3 to 5 of the windows 6 to 8 and all the reels 3a to 5a of the liquid crystal display section 24 are stopped in steps 106 to 109,
It is checked with reference to the winning symbol combination table whether or not the display of the reels 3 to 5 when all reels are stopped matches any of the predetermined winning symbol combinations (FIG. 1).
0, step 110).

That is, the reel stop control is not all automatically performed by the machine, but the operation timing of the stop buttons 16 to 18 by the player is also required.
Even if the prize-winning flag is set as a result of the internal lottery, if the stop buttons 16 to 18 are not operated at a predetermined timing, no prize symbol combination is aligned on the activated prize line, and no prize is generated. This is because the symbol pull-in control performed at the time of the reel stop control is normally limited to four frames, and if no winning symbols exist in the four frames, the expected combination of winning symbols cannot be finally obtained.

If the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the reels 3 to 5 matches any of the symbol combinations in the winning symbol combination table, a winning is generated. Then, the hopper driving circuit 41 is controlled by the CPU 31, and the medals corresponding to the winning mode are paid out to the coin tray 20 by the hopper 38 (step 111).

For example, in the case of a small hit prize of "two cherries", two medals are paid out, and in the case of a small prize of "four cherries", four medals are paid out. In the case of the small win of "Bell", six medals are paid out, and in the case of the small win of "watermelon", eight medals are paid out. In the case of a "BB" or "RB" jackpot, 15 medals are paid out.

Next, it is determined whether or not the winning flag determined by the winning mode determining means is a winning flag of a specific winning mode of the BB game or the RB game (step 112). If it is not a winning flag, the game ends. If there is a winning flag in the specific winning mode, next, the symbol combination in the specific winning mode is stopped and displayed on the reels 3 to 5, and it is determined whether the BB game or the RB game has actually won. (Step 113). If the BB game or the RB game has actually won, the result of the determination is NO, the BB game or the RB game is executed, and the game ends.

Further, even if there is a winning flag of the specific winning mode, the symbol combination of the specific winning mode is not set on reels 3 to 5.
Is not displayed, the determination in step 113 is YES because the BB game or RB game has not actually won, and the process proceeds to the next step. Next, each of the reels 3a to 5a of the liquid crystal display unit 24 displays a predetermined effect display, for example, a symbol combination of a specific winning mode in which a BB game or an RB game is generated by performing nudge or respin. 5a (step 114).

In other words, when performing the nudge, the respective reels 3a to 5a move the third reel 5a by one frame from the state of the "reach eye" shown in FIG. ), The symbol combinations corresponding to the specific winning modes are arranged. When performing re-spin, for example,
From the state of the "reach eye" shown in FIG. 14A, the third reel 5a is moved by one rotation to arrange the symbol combinations corresponding to the specific winning mode shown in FIG.

When the symbol combinations corresponding to the specific winning modes are arranged on the reels 3a to 5a of the liquid crystal display unit 24 as described above, the player is notified of the internal hit state. Thereafter, one game is completed, and the above-described processing is repeated to perform a slot machine game.

According to this embodiment, as described above, after the rotation display of the reels 3 to 5 of the windows 6 to 8 is stopped, the effect display in which the internal hit state occurs is displayed on the liquid crystal display. This is performed on each of the reels 3a to 5a of the unit 24, and the internal hit state is notified to the player. For this reason, unlike a conventional gaming machine in which a notification lamp is simply mechanically turned on to notify the internal hit of a specific winning mode, a specific winning mode lottery result is notified to a player by an entertaining effect. .

In this embodiment, when the reels 3 to 5 of the windows 6 to 8 are stopped, an effect display indicating to the player that an internal hit state is occurring is displayed on the reels 3 to 5.
Is performed on both the reels 3a to 5a of the liquid crystal display unit 24, and a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning mode is stopped and displayed on each of the reels 3a to 5a. Be informed. That is, reels 3 to 5
Reels 3 to 5 indicating the internal hit state at the time of stop
Is carried over to the reels 3a to 5a, and the reel 3
In a to 5a, a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning mode is successively stopped and displayed, and the player is notified of the internal hit state which is one step lower than when the reels 3 to 5 are stopped.

For this reason, the result of the specific winning mode lottery is notified to the player by an entertaining effect, and the symbol combination itself corresponding to the specific winning mode appears on each of the reels 3 a to 5 a of the liquid crystal display unit 24. Thereby, the internal winning state of a specific winning mode is directly shown to the player. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if it is a beginner of the game in which the reach eyes cannot be read from the appearance of the reel, the internal hit state is generated by the effect display of each of the reels 3a to 5a of the liquid crystal display unit 24. Is easily understood, and the expectation of the game is raised.

Further, in this embodiment, before the symbol combination corresponding to the specific winning mode is stopped and displayed and the internal hit notification is made on the liquid crystal display unit 24, each of the reels 3a to 5a is nudged or re-spun. Thus, the notification of the internal hit state is performed with a higher interest. In the above embodiment, the predetermined effect display has been described using nudges and re-spins as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these effects. For example, after each of the reels 3a to 5a reversely rotates from the "reach eye" state, a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning mode is stopped and displayed, or the reel combination is specified at a slower speed from the "reach eye" state. Or a symbol combination corresponding to the winning mode of the game may be stopped and displayed.

Further, the notification of the internal hit state performed by the liquid crystal display section 24 may be configured to be performed in an effect display mode according to the probability that a specific winning mode is randomly selected by the winning mode determining means.

For example, if the probability that a particular winning mode is selected by lot is 100%, that is, if the specific winning mode is always selected, a symbol combination corresponding to the specific winning mode is determined by, for example, FIG. ), The above-described effect display mode in which stop display is performed appears on the liquid crystal display unit 24. In addition, when the probability that the specific winning mode is selected by lot is 50%, that is, when the specific winning mode is randomly selected and when the specific winning mode is not selected, FIG. ), A predetermined effect display is performed from the state of the “reach eye” shown in FIG. 3), and then the “reach eye” shown in FIG.

Therefore, when the player sees that the symbol combination shown in FIG. 11B is stopped and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24 after the predetermined effect display has been performed from the “reach eyes”, Estimate that an internal hit state has occurred and raise the expectation of the game. In addition, the player, FIG.
When a predetermined effect display is performed from the state of “reach eyes” shown in (a) and the “reach eyes” shown in FIG. , Become skeptical about whether an internal hit has occurred,
The game proceeds with half-doubt on whether the jackpot internal prize has been obtained.

In other words, by adopting such a configuration, the playability of the slot machine is enhanced, and the player can fully enjoy the game by being completely disappointed with the effect of the liquid crystal display unit 24.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, even when the internal hit state does not occur, the effect display is performed when the reels 3a to 5a have the internal hit state.
The liquid crystal display unit 24 may be configured to perform a fake effect display. That is, even if the internal winning notification of the “BB” winning flag is performed, the “BB” winning flag is not necessarily set by the internal lottery, and the internal winning notification of the “BB” winning flag is performed. Even if it is not, a configuration may be adopted in which the “BB” winning flag is not necessarily set by the internal lottery.

With such a configuration, the internal hit notification of the "BB" winning flag or the "RB" winning flag is performed with a predetermined degree of reliability, and the player plays a game on the assumption that an internal hit state has occurred. Even if it is, it is actually lost. Therefore, the player may come into contact with a result different from the predicted winning, which makes the game surprising and makes the game even hotter.

In the above-described embodiment, each of the windows 6 to 8
While the reels 3 to 5 are variably displaying, the liquid crystal display unit 2
The case where the effect display is performed in a mode in which the reels 3a to 5a do not synchronize with the reels 4a to 5a has been described. However, each window 6-8
While the reels 3 to 5 are variably displaying, the liquid crystal display unit 2
The effect display by the reels 3a to 5a at 4 may not be performed. With this configuration, the reels 3 to
While the variable display 5 is performed, the reels 3a to 5a perform or do not perform the effect display.
A new effect is added to the effect display by the reels 3a to 5a after the stop, and the interest of the game is further improved. In this case, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the effect display device for effect display for notifying the player of the occurrence of the internal hit state is provided by the three reels 3 of the liquid crystal display unit 24.
The case where the configuration is made of a to 5a has been described. However, the effect display device may have a configuration in which one reel is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24. In this case, since a combination of three symbols corresponding to a specific winning mode cannot be displayed, a symbol symbolizing this symbol combination, for example, the symbol "7" is stopped and displayed on one reel to notify the internal hit state. To do. In this case, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the effect display device is displayed on the reels 3 a to 5 a on the image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24.
However, the effect display device may be constituted by a mechanical reel having a drum structure similar to the reels 3 to 5 shown in FIGS. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the liquid crystal display unit 24 constituting the effect display device is arranged on the right side of the reels 3 to 5 as shown in FIG. 2 has been described, but as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal display unit 24 may be arranged below the liquid crystal display unit 5. 12 that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In each of these cases, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the case where the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other amusement equipment having a variable display device is provided. May be applied. Some of such gaming machines do not have a button for stopping the variable display, and each variable display section automatically stops sequentially for each variable display column. Even in such a case, by treating the device configuration for automatically stopping the variable display unit as a configuration corresponding to the above-described stop button, the same operation and effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, after the variable display of the variable display device is stopped by the variable display stop means, an effect display in which an internal hit state occurs is performed by the effect display device. Then, the internal hit state is notified to the player. For this reason, unlike a conventional gaming machine in which a notification lamp is simply mechanically turned on to notify a specific winning mode, a specific winning mode lottery result is notified to a player by an entertaining effect.

Further, at the time of stopping the variable display device, after the effect display indicating to the player that the internal hit state has occurred is performed on both the variable display device and the effect display device,
A symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning mode or a symbol symbolizing the symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the effect display device, so that the internal hit state can be notified to the player. In this configuration, a specific winning mode lottery result is notified to the player by an entertaining effect, and a symbol combination corresponding to the specific winning mode or a symbol symbolizing this symbol combination appears on the effect display device. Thus, the internal winning state of a specific winning mode is directly shown to the player. Therefore, according to this configuration, even a beginner of a game in which the reach eye cannot be read from the appearance of the reel, it is easily understood that the internal hit state is generated by the effect display of the effect display device, The expectation of is raised.

Further, before a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning mode or a symbol symbolizing this symbol combination is stopped and displayed and direct internal notification is performed, the effect display device performs a predetermined effect display. Then, the internal hit state is performed with higher interest.

Further, if the notification of the internal winning state is made in the effect display mode corresponding to the probability that the specific winning mode is selected by lottery, the player can determine the lottery probability of the specific winning mode from the effect display mode of the effect display device. Can be inferred. Therefore, for example, if the effect display mode is a mode in which the specific prize mode is randomly selected with a high probability, the player increases the sense of expectation of the game by understanding the meaning of the mode.

Further, if the effect display device performs a fake effect display even when the internal hit state does not occur, the player may come in contact with a result different from the predicted winning, and the game may have unexpectedness. Get out and you can get hotter.

If the effect display device performs or does not perform the effect display while the variable display device performs the variable display, a new effect is displayed on the effect display by the effect display device after the variable display is stopped. Is added, and the interest of the game is further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a lighting state of each reel back lamp in a conventional slot machine.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a rotating reel unit of the slot machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure of a rotating reel constituting the rotating reel unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a winning line described in a display window of the slot machine shown in FIG. 2 is sequentially activated.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main control circuit configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a winning probability table used in the game processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a symbol table used for a game process of the slot machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a first flowchart showing a game process performed by the slot machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing a game process performed by the slot machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an example of an effect display performed by the effect display device in the game processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to a modified example of the present embodiment, in which a position where a liquid crystal display unit constituting the effect display device is provided is different from the slot machine shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine 2 ... Front panel 3, 4, 5 ... 1st, 2nd, 3rd reel 6, 7, 8 ... Window 9 ... Medal slot 10, 11, 12 ... BET switch 13 ... Credit number display part 14 ... Credit / payout changeover switch 15... Start lever 16, 17, 18. Stop button 19... Sound-transmitting hole 20. Medal receiving tray 21. Medal payout exit 22. , L2A, L2B, L3A, L3B ... winning lines 57a, 57b, 57c ... back lamps

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A prize mode determining means for determining a prize mode of a game by random number lottery, a variable display device for variably displaying various symbols, and a variable display stop means for stopping the variable display of the variable display device. A gaming machine that generates the specific winning mode when a symbol combination corresponding to the specific winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means is stopped and displayed on the variable display device by the variable display stopping means; The symbol combination stopped and displayed on the variable display device by the variable display stop means, even though the internal winning state of the specific winning mode has occurred in the mode determining means, is a symbol combination corresponding to the specific winning mode. Otherwise, after the variable display of the variable display device is stopped by the variable display stopping means, the internal hit state occurs. Game machine characterized by comprising an effect display device which performs effect display to inform the player and. 2. The variable display device, when the internal hit condition occurs, stops and displays a symbol combination indicating to the player that the internal hit condition has occurred, and the effect display device has the internal hit condition. Performing a staging display that indicates to the player that a state is occurring is performed when the variable display device is stopped, and thereafter, a symbol combination corresponding to the specific winning mode or a symbol symbolizing this symbol combination is stopped and displayed. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification is performed. 3. The effect display device, after stopping the variable display device, performs a predetermined effect display, and then stops and displays a symbol combination corresponding to the specific winning mode or a symbol symbolizing the symbol combination. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The effect display device performs the notification in an effect display mode according to a probability that the specific prize mode will be selected by the prize mode determination means. The gaming machine according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect display device performs the notification even when the internal hit state does not occur. . 6. The effect display device according to claim 1, wherein the effect display device performs the effect display in a manner not synchronized with the variable display of the variable display device while the variable display device performs the variable display. Item 6. The gaming machine according to any one of Items 5. 7. The game according to claim 1, wherein the effect display device does not perform the effect display while the variable display device performs the variable display. Machine. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect display device includes at least one or more mechanical reels. 9. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect display device includes a liquid crystal display device that displays at least one reel. 10. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine.