JP2001054613A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of displaying another display during the time from the start to the end of operation of a variable display device for displaying the figure necessary for the game, so that the monotony while the result of the game being performed by the variable display device is waited can be eliminated, and capable of performing the game for the player while seeing the display. SOLUTION: A game machine 1 is provided with variable display devices 4L, 4C, 4R variably displaying a plurality of figure lines necessary for the game, a control means for controlling the variable display of the variable display devices, a plurality of stop buttons 14L, 14C, 14R provided in correspondence to the plurality of figure lines and operated by a player for stopping the variable display of the respective figure lines, and a display 6 for displaying another display than the game due to the variable display of the variable display devices. Another display is started when one or two or more out of the plurality of stop buttons 14L, 14C, 14R are operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[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 medium such as a coin is removed. Paying out gives the player a profit,
In current mainstream models, when the spinning reel stops, the winning symbols are aligned on the active line of the display,
When a prize is won in the internal processing of the gaming machine (specifically,
When a lottery is won by random number extraction by the 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] In such a gaming machine, the control of determining a symbol to be displayed when the variable display is stopped and the control of stopping the variable display with such a symbol are performed by a microcomputer. It was difficult to predict what would happen, and it was only necessary to wait for a game result until the variable display actually stopped. Therefore, a gaming machine has been proposed in which some display is provided in addition to such a game to compensate for the lack of the game.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-206328 discloses a game display which is operated in conjunction with the occurrence of a predetermined hit state. Thus, an invention is disclosed in which even after the big hit state of the gaming machine ends, the lingering sound can be enjoyed for a certain time, and the probability of occurrence of the hitting of the gaming machine is increased. This game display is manufactured separately from the game console, and a support member is fixed to a mounting plate on which a push button switch is mounted above the game console.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-10385 discloses that
There is disclosed a slot machine in which a sub-display is provided in addition to a main display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, a control is performed to interrupt a set time in which a game can be performed without coin insertion, and a game is executed on the sub-display. The sub-display is provided above the main display.

[0006]

However, in the gaming machine described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-206328, the time from the occurrence of a hit state of the gaming machine to the end of the state is determined by the time required for the gaming machine. Is to activate the game display provided separately, and the game display does not operate until the result of the game of the gaming machine itself is obtained, so waiting from the start of the game until the result is obtained is different from the conventional one Not something.

Also, in the slot machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-10385, a game is played on the sub display unit during a service time that occurs after the end of a normal game. Since the sub-display unit does not operate when the main display unit to be operated is operating, there is no difference from the related art in that there is a monotony of waiting until a result is obtained from the start of the game.

As described above, according to the conventional gaming machine, even if display means is provided in addition to the variable display device for the game, the player is variably displayed from the start to the end of the original game. Look at the symbol and when other display means are activated,
I was looking at other active display means.

An object of the present invention is to provide another display to the player from the start to the end of the operation of the variable display device for displaying symbols required for the game, and to wait for the result of the game performed on the variable display device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine which eliminates the monotony of the game and allows a player to play a game while watching the display.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of symbol arrays required for a game, control means for controlling the variable display of the variable display device, and A plurality of stop buttons provided correspondingly and operated by the player to stop the variable display of each symbol row,
A display device for performing a display different from the game by the variable display of the variable display device, wherein the different display is operated by one or more of the plurality of stop buttons. It is characterized by starting when.

As the variable display device and the display means, an electric display device such as a liquid crystal display, a CRT, and an LED, or a mechanical display device having a rotating reel structure used in a conventional slot machine or the like can be used. The display means displays various characters, graphics, moving images, blinking light, and the like that can be expressed by such a display device. Another indication is "big hit"
Sign, a sign indicating promotion of "big hit",
There are a display meaning "big hit", a display meaning "losing", a display expecting "big hit", and the like, which can be stored in advance as data in a storage device of a microcomputer, for example.

In the embodiment, the other display is controlled by the control means or by the display control unit which determines the display content in response to a display command from the control means.

[0013]

In the gaming machine of the present invention, at the time of a game, the control means controls the variable display of a plurality of symbol rows on the variable display device. Then, depending on the symbol displayed when the variable display is stopped, the game result appears as a winning or a non-winning (so-called "losing"). Variable display of each symbol column,
The player can stop by operating the stop button corresponding to each symbol row. The control of the variable display by the control means determines a symbol to be displayed when the variable display is stopped according to the game result, and when the stop button is operated to stop as described above, the symbol row is stopped so that the symbol is stopped. Is to control the variable display.

A display different from the game with such a variable display is performed by the display means. This separate display is started when one or two or more of the plurality of stop buttons are operated. That is, when the variable display of one or more symbol rows corresponding to the stop button for which the stop operation has been performed is stopped, for example, a display for performing another game is started. Thereby, the player can enjoy a game with a display different from the variable display of the plurality of symbol rows on the variable display device.

The player operates the operation unit to stop the variable display at an appropriate time. At this time, the player who looks at the operation unit performs the variable display on the variable display device, the display on the display means, and the operation. The operation units to be operated are viewed almost simultaneously. Therefore, if the display position of the display unit is set between the display position of the variable display device and the operation unit, it is possible to see the display of the display unit simply by moving the line of sight of the variable display to the operation unit. . According to this, the movement of the player's eyes does not increase even if the display of the display means is added, and the player can concentrate on the game.

The display means can also display an image determined in relation to the variable display control. This is a display necessary for performing another game, or a display indicating a state of control performed in accordance with the content of the game result determined by the control means (winning or losing, type of winning, etc.). Things. The determination of the display image is performed by the control unit. Alternatively, when the display unit itself includes a display control unit that determines a display image in accordance with a display command from the control unit, the display control unit performs the processing.

When the display image of the display means changes with the progress of the variable display of the variable display device, the player feels that the game result has changed with time, and has an expectation for the result. You can continue.

In the case where the display image is a sign display for predicting a game result, that is, a combination of symbols when the variable display is stopped, the player looks at the sign display and predicts a result such as "big hit". Because it is possible, the interest of the game increases.

In the case where the game using the variable display device can be continuously performed two or more times, and the indication means for predicting the start of the game after the second time appears on the display means, the variable display device is used. Even if the first game is completed, the player can look at the indication displayed on the display means, predict the start of the second and subsequent games, and expect the next game.

In the case where a display required for a game different from the game using the variable display device is performed as the display image, the player may, at the same time as or before or after the game of the original variable display, You can enjoy another game.

The other game on the display means is controlled in association with the game result of the variable display or independently controlled. This is performed without consuming a game medium such as a coin, but may be set so that consumption of a coin or the like is required as a condition for starting another game or winning. Further, if the display contents of the display means for performing another game can be changed, an effect is obtained as if the game contents were changed without changing the gaming machine itself.

The display means performs a display associated with the variable display control during the variable display of the original game, and displays the game separately from the variable display control when the variable display is stopped. Even if the game result is determined to be "losing", another game is started by the display means when the variable display is stopped, so that another game can be enjoyed.

Also, by displaying a history indicating the number or rate of occurrence of a prize or a loss in each game as an image to be displayed on the display means, the player can win the game machine which is about to start the game. It is possible to judge whether or not the game console is easy to go out.

If the display means has a display surface inclined upward, and the display surface is arranged below the variable display position of the variable display device and above the operation section,
When the player looks at the variable display of the variable display device, the display surface of the display means and the operation unit are simultaneously seen, and the user can obtain information on the display means and operate the operation unit while watching the variable display.

[0025]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 is a gaming machine for playing games using coins, medals, tokens, or the like as a game medium. Hereinafter, the slot machine 1 will be described as using coins.

At the front of the cabinet 2 forming the entire slot machine 1, a horizontally long rectangular display window 3 formed as a substantially vertical plane is provided.
A number of pay lines 15 are provided diagonally and diagonally. Numerical indications connecting these pay lines (3, 2, 1, from the top)
2, 3) are provided on the left and right of the display window 3. These winning lines are 1-BET switch 9, 2-BE described later.
By operating the T switch 10 and the maximum BET switch 11, one, three, and five switches are activated, respectively.

Inside the cabinet 2, three rotating reels 4L, 4C, 4R are arranged side by side, and a symbol sheet depicting a symbol displayed on the display window 3 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of each rotating reel. ing. These rotary reels constitute a variable display device.

A substantially horizontal pedestal portion 5 is formed below the display window 3 of the cabinet 2, and a liquid crystal display screen 6 formed as an upwardly inclined surface is provided at the center thereof. The liquid crystal display screen 6 displays information related to variable display control of the variable display device by the control means described later.

On the right side of the liquid crystal display screen 6, there is provided a bucket type coin insertion slot 7 into which a large amount of coins can be inserted at one time.
A changeover switch 8 is provided between the liquid crystal display screen 6 and the coin insertion slot 7 for automatically replenishing coins to a credit unit (not shown). By inserting coins exceeding the creditable number of coins as game media into the coin slot 7 and operating the changeover switch 8, coins inside the bucket of the coin slot 7 are automatically credited, and coins as game media are The number of credits can be maintained so as not to be less than a predetermined number.

On the left side of the liquid crystal display screen 6, one push button operation causes one of the credited coins to be displayed.
A 1-BET switch 9 for betting only cards on the game,
2-BET switch 1 for betting only 2 cards on the game
0, a maximum BET switch 11 for betting the maximum number of coins that can be bet on one game,
By operating these BET switches, the predetermined activation line 15 is activated as described above.

A start lever 12 for rotating the reels 4L, 4C and 4R by the operation of the player and starting the movement of the symbol of the display window 3 is provided at a predetermined position on the left side of the front portion of the substantially horizontal pedestal portion 5. It is attached so that it can rotate freely in the angle range.

At the center of the front portion of the substantially horizontal pedestal portion 5, at a position below the liquid crystal display screen 6, three rows of symbols moving the display window 3 are stopped by the player to stop the symbols.
The stop buttons 14L, 14C, 14R are provided.

On the left side of the start lever 12, there is provided a C / P switch 16 for switching the credit / payout of coins obtained by the player by a push button operation. By the switching of the C / P switch 16, coins are paid out from the coin payout opening 17 at the lower front, and the paid out coins are stored in the coin receiving portion 18.

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

In this case, the control means is constituted by a microcomputer 20 as a main component, and a circuit for random number sampling added thereto. The microcomputer 20 performs a control operation according to a preset program.
And a ROM 22 and a RAM 23 as storage means,
A clock pulse generating 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 the CPU 21. As a means for random number sampling, the microcomputer 20 has a
The random number sampling may be executed on the operation program of the PU 21. In that case, the random number generator 26
The random number sampling circuit 27 can be omitted, or can be left as a backup for the random number sampling operation.

The ROM 22 of the microcomputer 20 stores information and data necessary for executing a process of displaying a plurality of display images on the liquid crystal display screen 6 in addition to game control of the slot machine.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 2, the main actuators whose operations are controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 20 include stepping motors 19L, 19C, 19R for rotating the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, respectively, and payouts. A hopper (including a drive unit for paying out) 30 for storing coins, a liquid crystal display 6 ′ having the above-described liquid crystal display screen 6, and a payout driving unit (not shown) from the coin slot 7 to the credit unit And a motor drive circuit 31, a hopper drive circuit 32, and a liquid crystal drive circuit 3, respectively.
3. It is connected to the output terminal of the CPU 21 via a payout drive circuit (not shown) from the coin slot to the credit section. These drive circuits receive a control signal such as a drive command output from the CPU 21 and control the operation of each actuator.

As a main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 20 to generate a control signal, the microcomputer 20 detects a coin which is inserted into the coin insertion slot 7 and is a credited game medium. Coin sensor 7
S, start switch 12S for detecting operation of start lever 12, 1-BET switch 9, 2-BET switch 10, maximum BET switch 11, C / P switch 1
6. Reel stop signal circuit 28 for generating a stop signal in response to operation of each stop button 14L, 14C, 14R, for detecting the position of each reel by receiving a pulse signal from the reel rotation detector of the variable display device. A reel position detection circuit 34 for supplying a signal to the CPU 21 and a hopper 30
A payout completion signal circuit 36, which supplies a signal for detecting the completion of coin payout to the CPU 21 when the count value of the coin detecting unit 35 for detecting coins paid out from the coin reaches the designated number data, is input to the CPU 21. Connected to the end.

In the circuit of FIG. 2, the random number generator 26
A random number belonging to a predetermined numerical range is generated, and the sampling circuit 27 samples one random number at an appropriate timing after the start lever 12 is operated. It is determined whether the sampled random number belongs to a predetermined winning area stored in a storage unit in the ROM 22. If the random number belongs to the winning area, a "winning request signal" is generated.

After the rotation of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R is started, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 19L, 19C, 19R 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, and 4R for each rotation, and these pulses are input to the CPU 21 via the reel position detection circuit 34. 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.

In order to associate the symbols with the rotational positions of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R as described above, the symbol table is RO.
It is stored in M22. Further, the ROM 22 stores a winning symbol combination table. In the winning symbol combination table, a winning symbol combination, a winning coin payout number, and a winning determination code representing the winning are associated with each other. The winning symbol combination table is reel 4
It is referred to when controlling the L, 4C, and 4R, and when confirming a winning after stopping all reels.

The ROM 22 displays a "routine pattern" to be described later on the liquid crystal display screen 6 before the "winning request signal" is generated, and displays a special pattern after the "winning request signal" is generated. A program to be executed, a plurality of display image data including a routine pattern and a special pattern, and data indicating a criterion for selecting an image to be displayed from these are stored.

FIG. 3 shows a processing procedure for controlling the driving of the liquid crystal display 6 'to display the information determined in relation to the control of the variable display device on the liquid crystal display screen 6. This processing is performed by the C of the microcomputer 20 which is the game control means of the slot machine 1.
This is executed by the PU 21, but when the display means itself such as the liquid crystal display 6 ′ is provided with a CPU as a display control unit, the CPU issues a display command from the CPU 21 as a game control means (for example, The display image may be determined according to the type of winning or a display command corresponding to the loss.

In FIG. 3, when the power of the gaming machine (slot machine 1) is first turned on (step 1), the CPU as the control means displays a "routine pattern" on the liquid crystal display screen 6 (step 2). . When the player performs a predetermined operation, that is, inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 7, operates the 1-BET switch 9, the 2-BET switch 10, or the maximum BET switch 11, and then operates the start lever 12. Then, the reels 4L, 4C, and 4R rotate to start variable display (step 3). At this time,
Wins based on random numbers extracted by random number sampling
A non-winning determination is made (step 4). Then, it is determined whether or not a "winning request signal" has occurred (step 5), and a display image on the liquid crystal display screen 6 is determined according to the determination result. That is, if the "winning request signal" has not been generated, a specific pattern for "losing" is selected (step 6). When a "winning request signal" is generated, it is determined whether or not the "winning request signal" corresponds to "big hit" (step 7). If "NO", a specific pattern for "winning" is selected. (Step 8)
If "YES", a specific pattern for "big hit" is selected (step 9). Then, the selected pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6 (step 10), and when the player operates the stop buttons 14L, 14C, 14R (step 11), the rotating reels 4L, 4C, 4 are rotated.
For R, stop control is performed according to the timing of generation of the winning request signal and the reel stop signal resulting from the operation of each stop button (step 12), and the process ends. In this case, the change of the symbol on the liquid crystal display screen 6 occurs during the rotation of each reel as the variable display device, that is, while the symbol on the display window 3 is moving.

In the present invention, the liquid crystal display screen 6 is provided between the display window 3 on which variable display is performed and the positions of the stop buttons 14L, 14C, 14R operated to stop variable display. No extra eye movement is required to view the liquid crystal display screen 6. In other words, the movement of the line of sight need only move back and forth between the variable display and the stop button.
Therefore, by looking at the liquid crystal display screen 6, the timing of pressing the stop button does not shift.

In the above processing, the variable display in step 3 is realized by the CPU 21 sending a drive signal to the motor drive circuit 31 to drive the stepping motors 19L, 19C, 19R to rotate the reels 4L, 4C, 4R. Is done. The winning determination in step 4 is realized by sampling a random number from the random number generator 26 at an appropriate timing and determining to which group the value of the extracted random number belongs in the winning probability table. And
When it is determined that a winning is achieved, the CPU 21 sends a signal for controlling the stop of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R to the symbol display position corresponding to the type of winning, to the motor drive circuit 31. Thereby, the stop control of step 11 is realized.

The CPU 21 sends an reel stop control signal based on the winning determination to the motor drive circuit 31;
The operation of transmitting a pattern display signal based on the selection of the “specific pattern” displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6 of the liquid crystal display 6 ′ to the liquid crystal drive circuit 33 is performed at the same time. Therefore, the specific pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6 during the stop control of the rotating reel. The “specific pattern” will be described later in detail.

When the CPU 21 determines that a prize has been won,
A coin payout command signal corresponding to the type of winning is supplied to the hopper drive circuit 32 to pay out a predetermined number of coins from the hopper 30. At that time, the coin detection unit 35 counts the number of coins paid out from the hopper 30 and when the counted value reaches the specified number data, the payout completion signal circuit 36 inputs a payout completion signal to the CPU 21. . Accordingly, the CPU 21 stops driving the hopper 30 via the hopper drive circuit 32, and ends the coin payout process.

As described above, the slot machine 1 of the embodiment
Then, the CPU as the control means determines the occurrence of the "winning request signal", and according to the result, a predetermined "big hit" or "hit" symbol is aligned on the winning line or the "losing" symbol is displayed. Reel 4L, 4C, 4
In addition to performing the stop control of R, the display of the liquid crystal display screen 6 is controlled so as to display a specific pattern in which the player can anticipate the occurrence of “big hit”, “hit” or “losing”.

On the other hand, when the liquid crystal display 6 'itself has a CPU as a display control section, the CPU 21 as the game control means determines whether the player has a "big hit", " A command to display on the liquid crystal display screen 6 a specific pattern in which the occurrence of "hit" or "losing" can be predicted is sent to the CPU of the liquid crystal display 6 '. In response, the CPU of the liquid crystal display 6 ′ determines a display image and displays it on the liquid crystal display screen 6.

Next, the "routine pattern" and the "specific pattern" displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6 of the liquid crystal display 6 '.
Will be described with an example.

FIGS. 4 and 6 show the reels 4L, 4C, 4R.
Shows an example of a display image of the liquid crystal display screen 6 before the image is rotated,
5 and 7 show examples of display images on the liquid crystal display screen 6 when the reels 4L, 4C, 4R of the display window 3 are rotating.

In FIG. 4, an example of a routine pattern “game description” is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6. In this routine pattern, when the rotation of the reel is started, the color of the background changes as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, “explanation when a reach occurs” with high reliability of another example of the routine pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6. When the rotation of the reel is started, this routine pattern disappears from the screen as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 8 to 12 show examples of “specific patterns” sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6.

After a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of rotation of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, a "cow group" as shown in FIG. The display image of this "cow herd" shows that the cowboy expectation for the big hit is higher than the normal reach when the state where two "7" s are aligned in the display window (reach) appears.
This is a sign that you can expect to reach "reach".

After that, as shown in FIG. 9, a "cowboy straddling a horse" appears. For example, when the rotation of the left reel 4L and the center reel 4C is stopped, the symbol display in the display window 3 is displayed on the left and center. 7 "are aligned, and the display image on the liquid crystal display screen 6 is displayed as" Cowboy is wrestling with rampaging horse "shown in FIG.

Thereafter, when the display when the right reel 4R stops does not become a specific winning symbol (combination), the display image on the liquid crystal display screen 6 is displayed as shown in FIG. And the player loses the prize. On the other hand, when the display when all the reels stop is a specific winning symbol (for example, a state in which three “7” are aligned), the display image on the liquid crystal display screen 6 is “Cowboy The display changes to "a state of victory from a state of riding a horse", and the player obtains a profit corresponding to the winning.

By displaying the specific pattern as a moving image on the liquid crystal display screen 6, the player feels that the cowboy is not shaken off the rampage horse, which leads to a prize. Therefore, the player performs the stop button operation seriously, and the player looks at the liquid crystal display screen 6 and hopes that the cowboy will not be shaken off the horse until all the reels stop, and finally the cowboy is shaken down. I feel like I missed a prize. In this way, the player plays the game while being nervous with the specific pattern appearing on the liquid crystal display screen 6 and the expectation for his or her own game result, thereby eliminating the monotony of the conventional game.

As described above, even when watching such a display screen, the timing of the operation of the stop button by the player does not shift, and the concentration on the game does not decrease. Further, since the movement of the line of sight does not increase, the fatigue does not increase.

If the player is given a chance to play a game that does not require the insertion or consumption of coins as a service game or a bonus game after the rotation of the reels is stopped, a sign to inform the start of such a game is as follows: FIG.
May be displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6, and the subsequent moving image may be displayed until the end of the game. When such a sign is displayed, the player predicts the start of the service game with the display image on the liquid crystal display screen 6 and feels good.

In the slot machine 1 of the above embodiment, three reels 4L, 4C and 4R, which are mechanical variable display devices, are used as variable display devices. An electrically variable display device such as the above may be used.

The slot machine 1 has a liquid crystal display 6 'as a display means, but instead of the liquid crystal display, an electric display in which a number of dot display devices such as a CRT-like video display and LEDs are arranged. The same effect as the display image of the above embodiment can be performed by a display device or a mechanical display device such as a rotating reel structure that stops and displays an arbitrary picture among a plurality of pictures. Further, a display image for recognizing a good game state or a dangerous state for a player may be realized by an abstract display (for example, blinking of a lamp) other than characters or pictures.

In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal display screen 6
Although the control state of the variable display corresponding to the result of the original game is displayed, an image in which another game can be performed may be displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6. In this case, data of a display image for another game and an execution program are stored in the ROM 22 of the microcomputer 20. And
The CPU 21 executes the processing shown in FIGS.

In FIG. 13, when the power of the gaming machine is first turned on (step 21), the CPU as a control means is turned on.
Displays the "routine pattern" on the liquid crystal display 6 (step 22). Here, when the player performs a predetermined operation, that is, the player inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 7 and
BET switch 9, 2-BET switch 10 or maximum B
When the start lever 12 is operated after the ET switch 11 is operated, the reels 4L, 4C, 4R rotate to start variable display (step 23). At this time, winning / non-winning is determined based on random numbers extracted by random number sampling (step 24). Then, it is determined whether or not a "winning request signal" has occurred (step 25), and the display mode of winning or non-winning is determined according to the determination result, as in the processing of FIG.

However, in the process of FIG. 13, the display image of the liquid crystal display 6 'is a pattern in which a plurality of games can be executed as separate games. That is, if the "winning request signal" has not been generated in the determination in step 25, the CPU selects a pattern for "game 1" (step 26), and if the "winning request signal" has been generated,
It is determined whether the "winning request signal" corresponds to a "big hit" (step 27). If "NO", a pattern for "game 2" is selected (step 28), and "YE" is selected.
If S ", a pattern for" game 3 "is selected (step 29). As "game 1", "game 2", and "game 3", different games such as games in which the pattern appearing on the liquid crystal display screen 6 is the same but the winning probability is different, or the pattern appearing and the winning probability are different are different. It is set in advance.

Next, it is determined whether the conditions for starting the game selected as described above are satisfied (step 3).
0). Arbitrary conditions such as stop of one reel, stop of two reels, stop of all reels, elapse of a predetermined time, and the like are set in advance as start conditions.

When the start condition is other than "stop all reels", the game displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 'is started while the reels are rotating, and the game based on the original variable display and the liquid crystal display 6' are performed. Will be played at the same time.

When the start conditions are satisfied in the above determination, the condition shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, a process for displaying the selected game pattern on the liquid crystal display screen 6 is performed (step 3).
1) Run the game based on it. Then, a winning determination of this game is performed (step 32). This prize determination may be a determination of a prize or a non-prize by random number sampling and a type of prize as in the case of the original game, but a special prize determination may be prepared for this game.

When it is determined that a winning is achieved, a winning process is performed (step 33). This means that a specific winning mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 ', and the reels 4L, 4
This may be the same as the processing when the specific symbols of C and 4R are aligned with the winning line, or may be processing determined separately therefrom. On the other hand, if it is determined that no winning is made, a non-winning process is performed (step 34). That is, the liquid crystal display screen 6
A specific non-prize mode is displayed. After that, the stop buttons 14L, 1 for the rotating reels 4L, 4C, 4R.
When an ON signal from 4C or 14R is detected (step 3
5) Stop control is performed (step 36), and the process ends.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a display image of another game played on the liquid crystal display 6 'in connection with the game using the reels 4L, 4C, 4R. In this example, three reels 4L, 4C, 4R for performing variable display of the original game are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6.
Similarly, images of three moving symbol arrays 6L, 6C and 6R for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols are displayed.

Another game in this example is the reels 4L, 4C, 4
When the rotation of R is stopped, the symbols arranged along the activated winning line 15 are in a winning mode (for example, “BONUS-BAR”).
−BAR ”), which is a“ bonus game ”started when the game is completed. At this time, a predetermined number of coins are paid out to the player as a predetermined profit corresponding to the winning mode. Then, when the “bonus game” starts, the three symbol arrays 6L, 6C, 6
R is variably displayed.

At a point in time when a predetermined time has passed, each symbol row 6
The movement of L, 6C, 6R stops. At this time, when a specific symbol “DOUBLE” is located on the center line 15 ′, a predetermined number of coins are paid out to the player again. Therefore, the player has a "bonus game"
You will be given the opportunity to double the profit you get from winning the original game.

The above-mentioned "bonus game" liquid crystal display screen 6
As a condition for stopping the three symbol arrays 6L, 6C, 6R variably displayed on the stop button 14L, 1
It is also possible to include the operations of 4C and 14R. By setting in this manner, the player can be involved in performing the stop button operation for winning the game variably displayed on the display window 3 and the game variably displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6.

As described above, the display of the variable display control state of the original game or the display image for another game is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 'as an example of the display means in the present invention. In addition, a history of past game results, that is, an image indicating the number of occurrences or the rate of occurrence of a prize or a loss in a game that has already been consumed may be displayed. For this reason, a display switching button is provided at an appropriate place in front of the slot machine of FIG. 1 (for example, below the display window), and when the player presses it at any time during the game, the liquid crystal display screen 6 is displayed. Is switched to the display of the number of occurrences or the rate of occurrence of winning or loss, and when the player presses the button again, the screen returns to the previous screen. By the above-mentioned history display, the player can determine whether or not the gaming machine which is about to start the game is a platform that is easy to hit.

As an image showing such a game history, for example, a winning or a loss rate (for example, 1
% Of the number of winnings or losses that are assumed to occur in the game of 000 times) is displayed in an analog form in a bar graph as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 or a pie graph as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, it can be digitally displayed by numbers as shown in FIG. These calculations for display are performed by the microcomputer of the slot machine 1 or the CPU (if any) of the liquid crystal display 6 itself.

More specifically, in the example of FIG. 16, “7” is used as a symbol (symbol) constituting a winning symbol combination.
"BAR", "bell" (figure), "Cherry" (figure)
Are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 6 with respect to these symbols and other symbols (symbols that are "losing"). The bar graph representing the remaining rate (%) for each symbol is, as shown in FIG. 17 as an example of symbol "7", when the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on or reset, the portion lit or brightly displayed is 100%. State (FIG. 17)
A), during the repetition of the game, every time a state where the symbol combination at the time of stopping the three rotating reels 4L, 4C, 4R becomes a big hit of “7-7-7” occurs, 10
The lighting or bright portion decreases by% (FIG. 17B
~ D). Also, in the pie chart of FIG. 18 as well, the lighting or emphasizing portion representing the remaining rate (%) of each symbol decreases every time a big hit occurs. The same applies to other symbols.

In the digital display shown in FIG. 19, the number representing the remaining rate (%) changes for each symbol.

In each of the above embodiments, the display position of the display means for performing the display determined in association with the variable display control of the variable display device as the main game is determined by the variable display position as the main game and the operation performed by the player. It is set between the positions of the stop button, which is the operation unit to perform, so that the player can see the display on the display means while watching the variable display for playing the main game, and smoothly operate the operation unit. Can be operated.

As described above, with the newly added display means,
The player is the main game because the benefit of being able to display a lot of information related to the control of the variable display is obtained and the movement of the player's line of sight is not increased by looking at the display of the newly added display means. It is possible to concentrate on the game of the variable display device, and the timing of the operation of the stop button by the player is not disturbed by the display of the newly added display means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a 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 FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a part of the control operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display image on a liquid crystal display screen before variable display according to the embodiment.

5 is a view showing an example of a display image on a liquid crystal display screen after the start of variable display corresponding to the display example of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a display image on the liquid crystal display screen before the start of variable display according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a display image on a liquid crystal display screen after the start of variable display corresponding to the example of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a sign pattern displayed on a liquid crystal display screen after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of variable display according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a pattern that appears following the sign pattern of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a pattern displayed on a liquid crystal display screen corresponding to a specific variable display state.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a pattern displayed on the liquid crystal display screen when the display when the variable display is stopped is not a specific winning symbol.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a pattern displayed on the liquid crystal display screen when the display when the variable display is stopped is a specific winning symbol.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when another game is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart following FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a display image of another game played on the liquid crystal display screen of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a state in which the remaining rate of each symbol is displayed as a bar graph on the liquid crystal display screen of the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a change in bar graph display for one symbol of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a case where the remaining rate of one symbol is displayed in a pie chart.

FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which the remaining rate of each symbol is displayed by a numeral on the liquid crystal display screen of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Slot machine, 2. Cabinet, 3. Display window,
4L, 4C, 4R: reel, 5: substantially horizontal base, 6: liquid crystal display screen, 6 ': liquid crystal display, 7: coin slot, 8
... Changeover switch, 9 ... 1-BET switch, 10 ... 2-
BET switch, 11 ... Maximum BET switch, 12 ... Start lever, 12S ... Start switch, 14L, 1
4C, 14R: stop button, 15: winning line, 1
6 ... C / P switch, 17 ... Coin payout exit, 18 ... Coin receiving part, 19L, 19C, 19R ... Stepping motor, 20 ... Microcomputer, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 2
3 RAM, 24 clock pulse generation circuit, 25 frequency divider, 26 random number generator, 27 random number sampling circuit, 28 reel stop signal circuit, 30 hopper, 31
... Motor drive circuit, 32 ... Hopper drive circuit, 33 ... Liquid crystal drive circuit, 34 ... Reel position detection circuit, 35 ... Coin detection unit, 36 ... Payout completion signal circuit.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of symbol columns required for a game, control means for controlling variable display of the variable display device, and a plurality of symbols provided in correspondence with the plurality of symbol columns. A plurality of stop buttons operated by the player to stop the variable display of the row, and display means for performing a display different from the game by the variable display of the variable display device, the different display is the plurality of A game machine which is started when one or two or more of the stop buttons are operated. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said another display is controlled by said control means. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said another display is controlled by a display control unit which determines display contents in accordance with a display command from said control means.