JP2001062034A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine capable of changing the number of medals betted beforehand together with the number of winning lines before an end of a game and appropriately coping with betting operation error of a player as well. SOLUTION: Based on pressing of a medal addition button 42 by the player, by control of a betting number change means 55, the number of the medals betted before starting the game is increased even afterwards only before stopping rotation of one of drums 30a-30c together with the number of the winning lines selected based on the number of the medals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a plurality of drums each having a plurality of symbols drawn on its outer peripheral surface and arranged side by side in a coaxial manner, and one or more winning lines are selected in advance in accordance with the number of medals bet. The present invention relates to a slot machine that determines a payout according to the arrangement of symbols stopped on the pay line in a game in which the drums are stopped after being rotated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventionally known slot machine has a drum section in which three drums each having a plurality of symbols drawn on an outer peripheral surface are coaxially arranged side by side, and one to three medals are provided. By operating the starting lever after throwing, the drums rotate all at once. An observation window is provided on the front side of the main body so that each drum can be seen from outside.

[0003] Each drum is provided with a corresponding stop switch, and by pressing these switches, the rotating drum stops. When all the drums are stopped and one game is completed, when a predetermined symbol is arranged on a winning line selected as valid in advance, a winning is achieved, and a predetermined winning is determined according to the symbol arrangement at that time. The number of medals was paid out to players.

[0004] By the way, conventionally, for one game,
It is possible to bet multiple medals of three or less at a time, and the number of valid prize lines is selected in advance in accordance with the number of medals bet, thereby increasing or decreasing the chance of winning in each game. And a payout corresponding to an increase or decrease of the winning opportunity can be obtained.

More specifically, in FIG. 4, when one medal is inserted, only a pay line extending in the horizontal direction of the center is selected, and when two medals are inserted, three horizontal lines (upper, middle, lower) are inserted. When a pay line extending in the direction is selected and three cards are inserted, a total of five lines including two oblique pay lines are selected.

[0006]

However, in the conventional slot machine as described above, after the operation of first determining the number of medals to be bet for each game, once in the game, the number of medals to be wagered is increased. Even before the rotation of the drum, it was impossible to change the number of medals bet.

Therefore, for example, in a model of a type in which a bet is placed on one medal each time the medal insertion button is pressed once, the player intends to press the medal insertion button three times, but actually presses only two times. Even if there is no such bet, the player will not be able to bet again at a later time, and the player will have discomfort.

In particular, in this type of machine, unless three medals are bet, a transition is made to a special game state (generally called a bonus game) in which a game can be played in a more advantageous game state than usual. In some cases, the random number lottery may not be executed, which may further degrade the entertainment.

[0009] In addition, as in the above-mentioned model, in a model of a type in which three medals are bet each time the medal insertion button is pressed once, although three medals are actually inserted, However, there may be situations where the medal is caught in the middle of the insertion path or the medal discriminating machine does not recognize it well, but it is not possible to cope well in such a case, fading the interest of the player in the game It was also the cause.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to change the number of medals bet beforehand together with the number of winning lines before the end of the game, It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine capable of appropriately coping with an operation failure such as a player's betting operation error and a mismatch between the number of medals and the number of winning lines.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems The gist of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object lies in the following inventions. [1] Drum (30a-
30c) are arranged side by side in a coaxial manner, and one or more winning lines (17) according to the number of medals bet.
Is selected in advance, and the drums (30a to 30c) are rotated and then stopped.
7) In the slot machine (10) that determines a payout according to the arrangement of the symbols stopped above, the number of medals bet before the start of the game together with the number of the winning lines (17) selected based on the number of medals. A slot machine (10) comprising a bet amount changing means (55) that can be changed before the game is over.

[2] The slot machine (10) according to [1], wherein the bet amount changing means (55) is set so as to be able to cope only with the addition of the number of medals and the number of the winning lines (17). ).

[3] When the number of medals bet before the start of the game and the number of the winning lines (17) selected based on the number of medals do not correspond to each other, the bet amount changing means (55) The slot machine (10) according to [1] or [2], wherein the slot machine is set so as to be able to correct each other.

[4] If the number of medals bet before the start of the game and the number of the prize lines (17) selected based on the number of medals do not correspond to each other, the fact is determined based on the number of the prize lines (17). The slot machine (10) according to [3], further comprising abnormality notification means (56) for notifying the number separately from the number display.

The present invention operates as follows. According to the slot machine (10) of the present invention, the number of medals bet before the start of the game is determined along with the number of the pay lines (17) selected based on the number of medals, and the bet amount changing means (5).
5) can be changed before the end of the game.

Accordingly, the number of medals that the player intends to bet on his own is actually small,
Even if the player notices after the rotation of 0a to 30c), the number of medals can be appropriately added later, and the operation error of the player betting medals can be easily corrected.

Further, if the bet amount changing means (55) is set so as to be able to cope only with the addition of the number of medals and the number of winning lines (17), for example, the drums (30a to 30c) which are stopped first can be set. After watching the symbols, it is possible to eliminate a situation where the player reduces the number of bets.

Further, the number of medals bet before the start of the game and a winning line (1) selected based on the number of medals.
If the numbers in 7) do not correspond to each other, the bet amount changing means (55) may be set so as to correct them so that they correspond to each other.

In such a case, in particular, in a model in which three medals are bet each time the medal insertion button is pressed once, the medals are caught in the middle of the insertion path,
The player himself can easily cope with a situation in which the medal discriminating machine has failed to recognize the situation.

Further, when the number of medals bet before the game starts and the number of the winning lines (17) selected based on the number of medals do not correspond to each other, the fact is determined by the number of the winning lines (17). If the abnormality notification means (56) for notifying the player separately is provided, such a fact can be surely notified to the player.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a slot machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the slot machine 10, one or a plurality of winning lines are selected in advance according to the number of medals bet, and when each of the drums is stopped after rotating, the symbols are stopped according to the arrangement of the symbols stopped on the winning line. It is a game machine that determines a payout.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10
Is provided with first to third stop buttons 12a, 12b, 12c in the center of the front of a vertically long box-shaped casing (machine body) 11. A lever-type start switch 13 is arranged on the left side of these. First to third stop buttons 1
A front panel (front side of the machine body) 14 is provided above the 2a, 12b, and 12c, and an observation window 15 fitted with a transparent glass plate is provided at the center of the front panel 14.
a, 15b and 15c are established.

The first to third cylindrical drums 30a, 30a, 30b are provided on the back surfaces of the observation windows 15a, 15b, 15c.
b and 30c are coaxially disposed adjacent to each other in the lateral direction, and are rotatably supported. As shown in FIG. 1, the first to third drums 30a, 30b, 30c are directly fixed to the output shafts of the first to third pulse motors 31a, 31b, 31c, respectively, and rotate independently of each other. It is set to drive.

First to third drums 30a, 30b, 30
"Cherry", "Lemon", "Bell"
Picture, etc., number "7", alphabet "BAR"
Symbols composed of characters such as are arranged at substantially constant intervals. Here, the numeral “7” is a pattern for eye-catching, which is used as a reference symbol by the player when eye-catching is performed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the observation windows 15a, 15
On the surface of b, 15c, a medal slot 16 (see FIG. 2)
A plurality of winning lines 17 selected according to the number of medals inserted through are drawn. Each winning line 17
The effective display lamps 18 are arranged at both ends of the.
7 is selected.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the front left side of the slot machine 10, a medal insertion button 41 and a medal addition button 42 are provided side by side. Medal insertion button 4
Reference numeral 1 denotes a switch that determines the number of medals to be bet for each game, out of the number of credits displayed on the credit number display unit 44 described later.

The medal addition button 42 displays the number of medals bet before the start of the game (before the rotation of each of the drums 30a, 30b, 30c) together with the number of the winning lines 17 selected based on the number of medals before the end of the game. Is a switch that can be added only before stopping the rotation of any one of the drums 30a, 30b, 30c. In the present embodiment, it is possible to cope only with the addition, but it may be configured so that the number of medals can be reduced.

The observation windows 15a, 15b, 15c
On the right side of, there are provided a inserted medal display section 43, a credit number display section 44, and a right use display section 45.
The medal slot 16 is provided inside the box-shaped housing 11.
Medals to be placed by the player and detected one by one,
A medal detection sensor 46 that outputs a detection signal each time one medal is detected, and a medal counter 47 that counts the detection result of the medal detection sensor 46 are also provided.

The counting result of the medal counter 47 is set so that up to three coins are displayed on the inserted medal display part 43, and the number exceeding three is displayed on the credit number display part 44. The right consumption display unit 45 displays a special game state (generally, a bonus) in which a winning pattern in which a predetermined specific symbol is aligned on a pay line appears to be a big hit, and a game can be performed in a game state more advantageous than usual. When the game has shifted to a special game state called a game), the number of times the right has been consumed is displayed.

In the lower part of the front of the slot machine 10, there are provided a discharge port 19 for medals paid out as a prize and a receiving tray 20 for receiving medals paid out from the discharge port 19. In addition, various illumination devices 21 are arranged in the upper front part of the slot machine 10.

Further, inside the slot machine 10, in addition to a control circuit board constituting the control device 50 described below, an illuminating means 61 for irradiating light to the front side of each of the drums 30a to 30c (see FIG. 3). A medal payout device 48 (see FIG. 1) for counting medals to be paid out as a payout, and a power supply unit and the like are stored.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of the slot machine 10. As shown in FIG. The control device 50 is a slot machine 1
0 is a circuit part that controls various operations of the
(Central processing unit), ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory) and the like. In addition to the first to third stop buttons 12a, 12b, 12c and the start switch 13, various buttons 41, 42, various display units 43, 44, 45, and the like are connected to the control device 50.

The control device 50 includes a first driving device for rotating the first to third drums 30a, 30b, 30c.
To the third pulse motors 31a, 31b, 31c are connected via a driver circuit (not shown). Further, the control device 50 includes first to third drums 30a, 30b,
A sensor (not shown) which is arranged near 30c and detects the rotation angle of each drum is also connected.

The control device 50 includes a game state setting means 51 for changing the game state during the game, and each pulse motor 3.
A rotation control means 52 for controlling the rotation speeds and stop positions of 1a to 31c, a number display control means 53 for controlling the display in the inserted medal display section 43 and the number of credits display section 44, and according to the number of medals bet. Winning line 17
And a winning line selecting means 54 for selecting a winning line.

Further, the control device 50 forms the basis of the present invention and includes a bet number changing means 55 for changing the number of medals bet before the start of the game and the number of the pay lines 17, and the number of medals bet before the start of the game. Win line 1 selected based on
An abnormality notification means 56 for notifying the fact when the numbers 7 do not correspond to each other.

The game state setting means 51 changes the setting of the game state in the slot machine 10, and has a function of switching between a winning state, a switching state, and a non-winning state. Here, the winable state refers to a state in which a winning pattern, which is a condition for shifting to a special game state in which a game can be played under more advantageous conditions than usual, can appear as a stop mode.

In this winning state, the symbols on the rotating drums 30a to 30c are observed, and the stop button is pressed to aim at the symbols so that the desired symbols stop on the pay line 17; By pressing, a winning pattern can be made to appear.

The switching state is to change the tendency of a pattern appearing as a stop mode in order to make the player recognize that the time to shift to the winning state has approached a certain range, and to set a predetermined notice. This refers to a state where a pattern or the like occasionally appears. Furthermore, the winning impossible state refers to a state in which a winning pattern is set not to appear. The game state setting means 51 includes a random number generator and the like (not shown), and causes the winning state and the switching state to appear with a predetermined appearance probability.

The rotation control means 52 controls each pulse motor 31
a driving circuit for driving each of the pulse motors 31a to 31c and, at the set position, based on information from a sensor for detecting a rotation angle. To 30c is stopped. However, stop button 12a ~
Since it is unnatural to stop the drum at a position significantly deviating from the timing at which the button 12c is pressed, in this case, the drum is stopped at a position other than the set position.

The number display control means 53 is based on the detection result of the medal detection sensor 46 and the counting result of the medal counter 47, and displays the number of medals in the inserted medal display section 43 and the number of credits in the credit number display section 44. The display of the number of sheets is controlled. Here, the counting result of the medal counter 47 is set to be displayed on the inserted medal display section 43 up to three, and the number of credits exceeding three is displayed on the credit number display section 44.

The payout received by the player can be selected by a predetermined operation to actually receive the payout as a medal or to suspend the payout as a credit. In the latter case, control is performed so that the number of credits is added by the number of medals to be paid and displayed on the credit number display unit 44. Of course, when ending the game while leaving the credit medal,
The number of medals displayed on the credit number display section 44 can be returned.

The pay line selection means 54 is adapted to input a medal to the medal slot 16 or to operate the medal slot button 41 in accordance with the number of medals bet by operating the medal insertion button 41.
And executes control to turn on the effective display lamps 18 arranged at both ends of the selected pay line 17. More specifically, in FIG. 4, when one bet is placed on the medal, only the pay line 17 extending in the lateral direction of the center is selected. 17 are selected, and when three bets are placed, a total of five winning lines 17 including two diagonal winning lines are set to be selected.

The bet amount changing means 55 determines the number of medals bet before the start of the game (before the rotation of the drums 30a to 30c) based on the number of medals.
7 and any one of the drums 30 before the end of the game.
The additional control is executed only before the rotation of a to 30c is stopped.

The bet amount changing means 55 sets the number of medals to be bet to one based on the operation of the medal addition button 42.
It is set so that it can be added one by one. However, when three medals have already been bet, the medal addition button 42 is set so as not to be operated. The same applies to the case where even one of the drums 30a to 30c stops rotating.

Further, the number of medals bet before starting the game and the winning line 1 selected based on the number of medals.
If the numbers 7 do not correspond to each other, the bet amount changing means 55 can correct them so as to correspond to each other. Specifically, when the abnormality notification unit 56 described below detects that the number of the pay lines 17 is small relative to the number of medals, the bet amount changing unit 5
5 is set so that the number of selected pay lines 17 can be increased in accordance with the number of medals actually inserted based on the operation of the medal addition button 42.

The abnormality notification means 56 detects a situation where the number of the pay lines 17 is smaller than the number of medals bet,
A control for notifying such a fact by sound or light using a speaker or an illumination device 21 or the like is executed. Here, as a situation that does not correspond to each other, the medal
Or get caught in the middle of the insertion path
Although it is conceivable that the counting was not successful in step 8, the abnormality notifying means 56 sets the number of medals actually inserted into the medal slot 16 and the number of credits displayed on the credit number display section 44 within each range. The setting is made so that the number of times the medal insertion button 41 is operated and the number of lit effective display lamps 18 can be compared and determined for each game.

Next, the operation will be described. Slot machine 10
In the standby state after the power is turned on,
When one to three medals are inserted from the player, the winning line 17 is selected according to the number of medals inserted without operating the medal insertion button 41 at first, and the selected prize is activated. The effective indicator lamps 18 at both ends of the line 17 are turned on.

More specifically, in FIG. 4, under the control of the winning line selection means 54, when one medal is inserted, only the winning line 17 extending in the lateral direction of the center is selected, and when two medals are bet, the upper line is displayed. When the three betting lines 17 extending in the horizontal direction are selected and three bets are placed, a total of five winning lines 17 including two diagonal winning lines are selected.

When the start switch 13 is operated after a medal is inserted, the first to third drums 30a, 30a
b and 30c rotate simultaneously. Thereafter, when the stop button 12c is pressed, the drums 30a to 30c corresponding to the pressed switch stop. All drums 30
When a to c is stopped, the selected pay line 17 is selected.
When a predetermined symbol is aligned above, medals of the number corresponding to the combination assigned to the symbol are paid out from the outlet 19 to the tray 20 as a payout.

For such a payout, the player can select whether the payout is actually received as a medal or the payout is held as a credit. In the latter case, the number of credits added by the number of medals to be paid is displayed on the credit number display section 44.

In the second and subsequent games to be performed thereafter, the player operates within the range of the number of credits displayed on the number-of-credits display section 44 and not more than three.
By pressing the medal insertion button 41, the next game can be performed without inserting a real medal. That is, each time the medal insertion button 41 is pressed once, one medal is consumed.
Thus, the number of credits is subtracted and displayed one by one. Of course, the game may be started by inserting one to three medals into the medal insertion slot 16.

During the game, the player determines the number of medals bet before starting the game, along with the number of pay lines 17 selected based on the number of medals, before the game ends.
As long as the rotation of the three drums 30a to 30c is stopped, it can be added later.

That is, each time the player presses the medal addition button 42 once, only when the player is within the predetermined period,
Under the control of the betting number changing means 55, the number of medals to be bet is added one by one, and the number of the winning lines 17 selected accordingly increases. But already 3 medals
If one bet or even one drum 30a-30
When the rotation of c is stopped, the medal addition button 42 cannot be operated.

As described above, since the number of medals to be betted can be added later, the player has noticed after the rotation of each of the drums 30a to 30c that the number of medals which the player intends to bet is actually small. Even in this case, the number of medals can be appropriately added later, and the operation error of betting medals of the player can be easily corrected.

If the number of medals actually bet before the start of the game and the number of the winning lines 17 selected based on the number of medals do not correspond to each other, this is notified by the abnormality notification means 56. The fact is detected, and such a fact is notified by sound or light by a speaker or an illumination device 21 or the like.

As described above, when a situation occurs in which the number of the winning lines 17 is smaller than the number of medals bet,
The bet amount changing means 55 can correct the mutual bet. That is, the bet amount changing means 55
According to the operation of the medal addition button 42 by the player, the number of selected pay lines 17 can be increased in accordance with the number of medals actually inserted.

Therefore, the player himself can easily cope with a situation in which the medal is caught in the medal insertion slot 16 on the way of the insertion path or the medal dispenser 48 does not count well.

When a winning pattern with a specific symbol appears as a stop mode during the game, a special game state is entered, and thereafter, the game is played under extremely advantageous conditions until a predetermined release condition is satisfied. The game proceeds to a so-called bonus game in which 300 to 400 medals are paid out in total. Here, the state where the symbols of “777” are aligned on the center line is set as the winning pattern.

The game state setting means 51 switches the game state between a winning state, a switching state, and a non-winning state. For example, a winning state is formed at an appropriate timing so that a bonus game appears with a probability of several hundredths.

Normally, the gaming state is set to a non-winning state. When the game in such a state is performed a predetermined number of times and the time to shift to the winning state approaches, the gaming state setting means 51 changes the gaming state to a switching state and sets a predetermined notice pattern or the like as a stop mode. Occasionally appear, changing the appearance tendency. Further, the game state setting means 51
Changes the gaming state to a winning state after the switching state is continued for a certain period of time or the like.

Subsequently, when a winning pattern appears due to eye pressing or the like, the game state setting means 51 shifts the game state to the special game state and starts the bonus game. When the game is shifted to the bonus game, the number of times the right has been used is displayed on the right usage display unit 45.

The slot machine according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the slot machine can cope only with the case where the number of medals to be betted is added for each game. You may comprise so that the number of medals etc. can also be reduced.

In the inserted medal display section 43, the number of medals to be betted can be added only before the rotation of any one of the drums 30a to 30c is stopped before the end of the game. If any of the drums 30a to 30c to be stopped last is still rotating, the number of medals may still be added.

[0064]

According to the slot machine of the present invention,
Since the game machine has betting number changing means that can change the number of medals bet before the start of the game together with the number of the winning lines selected based on the number of medals before the end of the game, the medal that the player intends to bet by himself is provided. Even if it is noticed after the rotation of each drum that the number is actually small, the number of medals can be appropriately added later, and the operation error of the player betting medals can be easily corrected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view showing an observation window of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Slot machine 11 ... Box-shaped housing 12a-12c ... Stop button 13 ... Start switch 14 ... Front panel 15a-15c ... Observation window 16 ... Medal slot 17 ... Winning line 18 ... Effective display lamp 30a-30c ... Drum 41 ... Medal insertion button 42 ... Medal addition button 43 ... Introduction medal display part 44 ... Credit medal display part 45 ... Right expenditure display part 46 ... Medal detection sensor 47 ... Medal counter 48 ... Medal dispenser 50 ... Control device 51 ... Game state Setting means 52 ... Rotation control means 53 ... Number display control means 54 ... Winning line selection means 55 ... Bet number change means 56 ... Abnormality notification means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of drums having a plurality of symbols drawn on an outer peripheral surface thereof are coaxially arranged side by side in a coaxial manner, and one or a plurality of winning lines are selected in advance according to the number of medals bet, and each of the drums is rotated. In a slot machine that determines a payout in accordance with the arrangement of each symbol stopped on the pay line in the game to be stopped after the game, the medal number betted before the game is started is selected based on the medal number. A slot machine comprising betting number changing means that can be changed before the end of the game together with the number of wagers. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein said bet amount changing means is set so as to be able to cope only with the addition of the number of medals and the number of pay lines. 3. When the number of medals bet before the start of the game and the number of the winning lines selected based on the number of medals do not correspond to each other, the bet amount changing means corrects them so as to correspond to each other. 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is set to be possible. 4. When the number of medals bet before the start of the game and the number of the winning lines selected based on the number of medals do not correspond to each other, the fact is notified separately from the display of the number of the winning lines. 4. The slot machine according to claim 3, further comprising an abnormality notification unit that performs the abnormality notification.