JP2001095972A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game apparatus wherein the capacity of a software and a hardware required for controlling the kinds and positions of symbols, which are fixedly displayed by each display means, can be reduced, and at least the possibility of winning by means of symbols that winning conditions can be independently achieved can be maintained until a final fixed display of the display means. SOLUTION: Symbols (pictures of bell, plum, watermelon, and cherry, and letters of '7', 'BAR', 'RP') are displayed successively on the outer periphery of a left reel 14a and a right reel 14c in the same arrangement at regular intervals in the peripheral directions. Symbols of the same number as the reel 14a and reel 14c (pictures of bell, plum, and watermelon, and letters of '7', 'BAR', 'RP') are displayed successively on the outer periphery of a middle reel 14b at regular intervals. In the arrangement in the reel 14b, cherry is not included and symbols of the reel 14b differ from those of the reel 14a and reel 14c.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention can reduce the amount of software and the amount of hardware required for controlling the type and position of a symbol, and can reduce the number of display means such as three symbol display reels. The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that can expect a prize until the fixed display of the last display means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A slot machine as an example of a conventional gaming machine is generally as follows.

That is, three reels having a large number of symbols on the outer periphery are provided, and after a medal is inserted, the reel is rotated at a speed at which the plurality of outer peripheral symbols can be generally identified by operating a start lever or the like. The lottery for each prize is performed above.

[0004] Thereafter, the player sequentially operates the stop buttons corresponding to the respective reels, stops the reels in that order, and fixes and displays the symbols. If the player wins a prize having a relatively small profit for the player (a prize based on a combination of a large number of symbols displayed on the reels) and wins the inside, the prize is almost certainly won by controlling the reel stop position. Prizes that provide significant benefits to players (combinations of relatively small numbers of symbols displayed on reels)
And wins at a relatively high rate by controlling the reel stop position. The reel stop position is controlled by pulling the corresponding symbol to a position required for winning (for example, on an active line) and stopping within a certain period of time after the player operates the stop button corresponding to each reel. It is to let.

[0005] Prizes with relatively small profits include, for example,
Replays (the next game can be replayed under the same conditions without inserting medals again) and payout of a predetermined number of medals (for example, dozens or less) are given. For example, a prize for starting a game in which a larger number of medals can be obtained, such as (BB) and a regular bonus (RB), can be given. In any case, when a prize is won, processing according to the content of each prize is performed.

In a case where the fixedly displayed symbols are awarded, generally, certain symbols are fixedly displayed on three reels, respectively, and three specific symbols formed by one specific symbol on each reel are displayed on a straight line. ("Specific symbol-Specific symbol-
Specific symbol "). In addition, in order to increase the number of winning combinations among all combinations of symbols in the slot machine to a certain number or more, a symbol capable of achieving the winning condition by itself is provided, and one of the single winning symbols is fixedly displayed. In this case, it is normal that the winning condition is achieved when “winning symbol-arbitrary symbol-arbitrary symbol” is performed.

The mainstream slot machines are mainly limited by the following rules and the like. A: The number of symbols arranged on each reel is 21 or less. B: There must be seven or fewer types of symbols. C: The rotation speed of the reel must not exceed 80 rotations per minute. Therefore, it should not be less than 60 seconds / 80 rotations = 0.75 (seconds / 1 rotation). When the number of rotations per minute is the maximum and the number of symbols on one reel is the maximum of 21, the time required for rotation of one frame is 0.75 seconds / 21 frames = 35.7 ms. D: The time from when the stop button for stopping the rotation of the reel is pressed to when the reel is stopped must not exceed 190 ms. Even when the time required for one frame rotation is minimized as described above, the number of frames proceeding during 190 ms is 190 ms / 35.7 ms = 5.32 frames. If 1/10 frame is passed, the next symbol is 1
Since the symbol is the first symbol, the number of frames that can be controlled after pressing the stop button is substantially five including the pressed position. E: The number of reels must be three or more. Reel left,
The order of stopping reels in the case of three middle, right, left,
Middle, right; right, middle, left; middle, left, right; middle, right, left;
Left, right, and middle; right, left, and middle. F: The number of winning symbol combinations exceeds 11% of all symbol combinations and does not exceed 40%. Therefore, when the number of symbols per reel is 3 and the number of symbols per reel is 21, the number of combinations of all the symbols is 21 × 21 × 21 = 9261.
The number of winning symbol combinations is 9261 × 0.11 =
It needs to exceed 1018.71 ways.

When a certain symbol, for example, "Plum" is stopped one by one on the activated line of each reel ("Plum-Plum-Plum"), it is determined that a prize is won, and left, middle, and left.
When five “plums” are provided on each reel on the right, 5 × 5 × 5 = 125 combinations of winning combinations. Similarly, four kinds of symbols that can be awarded, for example, “plum”, “orange”, “bell”, and “watermelon”
If 5 reels are provided on each reel, the number of symbols on each reel becomes 20 closer to the maximum number of symbols by itself. However, the number of winning symbol combinations is still 125 × 4 = 500. It's just the street.

However, a symbol that can attain the winning condition by itself (a symbol that attains the winning condition only by one fixed symbol being displayed regardless of the combination with the symbol displayed by another reel) For example, if two "cherry" are provided on the left reel, the winning condition is achieved by "cherry (single winning symbol) -arbitrary symbol-arbitrary symbol". Therefore, the number of winning symbol combinations is 2 × 21 × 21 = 882 patterns.

Therefore, in practice, in order to increase the number of winning symbol combinations to 1019 or more, it is necessary to provide such symbols that can achieve the winning conditions by themselves. G: Program capacity

[0011] In order to ensure that the symbols required for winning are almost or assuredly aligned when a lottery is won and an internal hit is made, and to reliably prevent a prize not having an internal hit from being won. The arrangement of the symbols on each reel is appropriately set, and the stop of each reel is controlled.

However, if the program capacity has an upper limit based on the above rules or a practical upper limit due to cost, etc., it is difficult to sufficiently perform the reel stop control in the above six stop orders. Therefore, conventionally, the normal reel stop order by the player, such as "left, middle,
The arrangement of symbols and reel stop control must be adopted with emphasis on the stop order of "right", and if stopped in any other order, the player will stop in the order of "left, middle and right" Was generally disadvantaged for

In addition, when there is a restriction such as the above-mentioned "f" on the ratio of the number of combinations of winning symbols, it is necessary to adopt a symbol which can achieve the winning condition by itself as described above. . However, if such a single winning symbol is provided on the middle or right reel and a winning condition can be achieved by "arbitrary symbol-single winning symbol-arbitrary symbol" or "arbitrary symbol-arbitrary symbol-single winning symbol", When three symbols other than the single winning symbol are arranged in the stop order of “left, middle, right”, which is the order in which many players normally stop, the single winning symbol on the middle or right reel is an obstacle. Since the program capacity is insufficient, the single winning symbol is provided only on the left reel. Therefore, in the "left, middle, right" stop order in which many players stop the reels, when no single winning symbol is displayed on the left reel, and when two reels are stopped, the "Plum If one more symbol does not have to be aligned before winning, such as "Plum-" or "Per-Bell-", it turns out that nothing will win before the last right reel stops. At that point, the interest of the player is lost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has as its object to control the types and positions of symbols which are fixedly displayed by each display means. It is possible to reduce the capacity of software and hardware resources such as control programs required in the above, and at least until the final display means fixed display, at least the possibility of winning by a symbol that can achieve the winning condition alone. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine such as a slot machine.

[0015]

A game device according to the present invention comprises three display means for sequentially and continuously displaying a plurality of symbols in a predetermined arrangement, and sequentially stops the continuous display on each of the display means. Display fixing means for displaying symbols in a fixed manner, wherein the type and the position of the symbols fixedly displayed by the respective display means attain a predetermined prize condition, and the prize corresponds. A game machine for executing a game, wherein the symbol is displayed on both sides of a position where the symbol is fixedly displayed by the central display means, which is one of the three display means, and the symbol is displayed on both sides of the remaining two display means. Are fixedly displayed, the arrangement of the symbols displayed by the outer display means is the same, and the symbols displayed by the outer display means are simply displayed by being fixedly displayed. The symbols displayed by the central display means do not include the symbols capable of achieving the winning conditions by themselves, and the display fixing means includes a symbol fixedly displayed by each display means. The type and the position can be controlled based on the arrangement of the symbols on each display means (claim 1).

In the case where the continuous display of symbols is sequentially stopped and fixedly displayed on the three display means, the order in which the fixed display is performed is six, but the arrangement of the symbols displayed by both outer display means is as follows. Since they are the same, there are three fixed display orders when the arrangement of symbols is focused on, that is, the first, second, or last fixed display order of the central display means. Therefore, the amount of software such as a control program and the amount of hardware resources necessary for controlling the type and position of the symbol fixedly displayed by each display means by the display fixing means based on the arrangement of the symbols in each display means. Capacity is greatly reduced. Thereby, the reduced amount is directed to software for other purposes (for example, a program for winning, particularly for producing a winning with a large profit, or producing an expectation for such winning, etc.). To realize a gaming device capable of attracting more player's interest, and to control the game more sophisticatedly or more precisely (for example, a sufficient amount that does not cause disadvantage to the player regardless of the fixed display order of the display means). Stop control), or cost reduction can be realized.

In addition, of the six fixed display orders, any of the four outer display means performs the fixed display last (except for the last two fixed display orders of the center display means). In the prize, a prize that can achieve a winning condition by a combination of the type and position of the symbol fixedly displayed by each of the three display means (for example, a specific symbol is fixedly displayed on each of the three display means, The first and second displays indicate that there is no prize possibility for the prize that achieves the prize condition by displaying three specific symbols, one by one specific symbol, on each display means in a straight line. Even if it becomes clear at the time when the means performs the fixed display, the last fixedly displayed symbol on the outer display means includes a symbol capable of achieving the winning condition by itself. There is a possibility of winning a prize in the prize. Therefore, in these four fixed display orders, it is expected that at least a symbol that can attain the prize winning condition alone is expected until the last display means is fixedly displayed. Until the display, the player's interest in winning can be continued.

In a normal case, the arrangement of operation sections such as operation buttons for causing the display means to perform fixed display corresponds to the arrangement in which the symbols are fixedly displayed by the respective display means (the central display means has The operation buttons corresponding to the both outer display means are arranged on both sides of the corresponding operation button), so that the fixed display of one of the outer display means is performed first and last, and the fixed display of the center display means is 2 Only the second two types are performed, and in any of them, at least the winning condition can be achieved independently until the final display means is fixedly displayed.

The above three display means for sequentially and continuously displaying a plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined arrangement, and the method for stopping the continuous display on each of the display means and for displaying the symbols in a fixed manner. A preferred example of a gaming machine having a display fixing means for executing a game in which a type and a position of a symbol fixedly displayed by each of the display means attain predetermined prize conditions and a prize corresponds to the prize. A plurality of symbols in a predetermined arrangement are displayed on the outer peripheral surface, and a rotatably supported rotator capable of allowing a player to visually recognize one or more of the symbols in a rotation stopped state, and rotating the rotator Three display devices (display means) each including a rotary drive device for driving, and a display fixing device (display fixing device) for sequentially stopping each of the rotating bodies which are rotationally driven and fixedly displaying symbols. Slot machine in which the type of the symbol and the stop position in each rotating body stopped by the display fixing device achieve predetermined prize winning conditions and the prize corresponds. Claim 2).

The symbol means a figure, a picture, a character, a sign, and the like. Examples of the symbol include a picture such as a plum, a watermelon, a cherry, and a bell;
The letter "R" and the letter "RP" can be exemplified.

The display means for sequentially and successively displaying the plurality of types of symbols in the predetermined arrangement includes, in addition to a rotating body driven and rotated by a rotary driving device such as a stepping motor as in the preferred example, For example, a video display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel may be used. The gaming machine has three such display means, and each display means can independently display one set of symbol groups. In the case of the rotating body, the symbol groups displayed on each rotating body can be displayed independently of each other by rotating the three rotating bodies independently of each other. In the case of using a video display device, for example, three sets of symbols may be independently displayed on one video display device to provide three display units.

A general example of the rotating body is a reel on which various symbols are displayed one by one in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface.

The display of the display content by the display means can be said to be a fixed display as long as the display content is displayed in a fixed state at least for a time at which the player can visually recognize it. The number of symbols fixedly displayed by the display means is preferably two or more. Particularly preferably 3
It is.

When the type of the symbol fixedly displayed by the display means such as the rotating body or the video display device and the stop position thereof attain a predetermined winning condition, this corresponds to a winning of the game.

Of the three display means, one is a central display means and the other two are outer display means. On both sides of the position where the symbol is fixedly displayed by the central display means,
There are positions where symbols are fixedly displayed by both outer display means.

As an example of the manner in which the symbols are displayed in this manner, two or three or more symbols fixedly displayed by the outer display means and the central display means are all arranged in a row in a certain direction. There can be mentioned a case where these three symbol strings are in a parallel state (claim 3). As a more specific example, three rotating bodies having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface on which a large number of symbols are displayed are juxtaposed adjacently coaxially, and are displayed to a player by the rotating bodies via a symbol display window or the like. The positions of the symbols (for example, three at a time) are also adjacent to each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating body.

The arrangement of the symbols displayed by the outer display means is the same, and the arrangement of the symbols displayed by the central display means is different from that of the outer display means. The same arrangement refers to a reference position of the arrangement (for example, the position of the first symbol of the arrangement) or a reference of the arrangement when the arrangement is circulating, such as when the symbols are arranged on a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. Symbols (eg, the first symbol in the array) can also mean identical.

The display fixing means can control the type and position of the symbol fixedly displayed by each display means based on the arrangement of the symbols on each display means. Such a display fixing means, for example, in response to a stop signal by a stop button operated by the player or a stop signal generated when a predetermined time elapses in a non-operation state of the player, the rotating body as described above A rotary driving device such as a stepping motor that is driven to rotate may be stopped at a required timing, or a symbol display by a video display device may be fixedly displayed at a required timing. For this purpose, for example, a controller inside the gaming machine stops the above-mentioned rotating body so that a specific symbol is located at a specific position under a specific condition (or a symbol by a video display device is specified under a specific condition). In other cases, the movement of the symbols by the rotating body or the video display device may be stopped in response to a stop signal at a fixed timing.

As the specific condition, the achievement of an internal hit condition for all prizes or some prizes can be exemplified. Such internal hit conditions can be arbitrarily determined. For example, random number sampling is performed in each game, and the obtained internal sampling value is a value within a specific range, thereby achieving the internal hit condition (that is, lottery). It is also possible to determine the achievement of the internal hit condition based on the display content fixedly displayed by the display means during the game. Except when there is only one internal hit target prize, an internal hit condition can be set for each of a plurality of types of internal hit target prizes.

When such an internal hit condition is achieved, it is possible to set an internal hit state and execute the game processing. The internal hit state is set by determining whether or not the internal hit condition has been achieved. If the internal hit condition has been achieved, the internal hit state is set by, for example, setting an internal hit state by setting a corresponding flag. Things. When there are a plurality of types of internal hit target awards, and internal hit conditions are set for each of them, a flag provided for each can be set.

When the internal hit condition is set, for example, the internal hit condition is received from the time when a stop signal is received from a stop button operated by the player (or a predetermined time has elapsed after the player has not operated). The required symbol is fixedly displayed at a position required for winning on condition that the deviation until the symbol (required symbol) corresponding to the prize specified at the specified position is displayed at the specific position is within a predetermined range (so-called, so-called). Retraction). Also, when the internal hit state is set, a prize symbol (unnecessary symbol) other than the target of the internal hit is set.
The position of the fixed display of the unnecessary symbol can be shifted within a predetermined range from the time when the stop signal is received so that the symbol does not stop at the position where the prize is won. As described above, the display fixing means can control the required symbols to be fixedly displayed at the winning position and the unnecessary symbols to be shifted from the winning position based on the arrangement of the symbols on each display means.

By setting the internal hit state and performing the game processing as described above, for example, it is possible to increase the rate of winning the prize or to make the winning almost certain, that is, to achieve a high prize. Rationalization. The internal hit state can be released, for example, after one game is over, or can be continued until the internal prize is won, depending on the number of times, time, and other conditions. It can be continued only within a predetermined period.

In the present specification, "substantially certain" refers to a certainty of, for example, 70% or more, preferably 80% or more, more preferably 90% or more, and includes the case of being certain.

The high winning rate can be realized by, for example, the above-mentioned so-called pull-in when the internal hit condition is achieved. If the appearance rate of the corresponding symbol in the arrangement of the symbols in the display means is high, it is possible to win a higher rate, and the corresponding symbol is
If they are arranged evenly within the permissible range of so-called pull-in deviation, a prize can be surely or almost certainly won.

In the game executed in the gaming machine of the present invention, the type and the position of the symbol fixedly displayed by the display means by the display fixing means attain a predetermined winning condition, and the winning of the game corresponds. The presence or absence of a prize and the type of the prize are indicated to the player by the type and position of the symbol fixedly displayed by the display means.

The prize winning conditions include, for example, a case where one predetermined symbol fixedly displayed by three display means is arranged in a predetermined manner (for example, a case where the symbols are arranged on a predetermined straight line). it can. The predetermined symbols are usually the same symbol, but two or three
It can also be a combination of different symbols.

Another example of the prize-winning condition is when one predetermined symbol fixedly displayed by two adjacent display means is arranged in a predetermined manner (for example, when the predetermined symbols are arranged on a predetermined straight line). ).

As another winning condition, there is a case where a symbol capable of achieving the winning condition by itself is fixedly displayed by any of the outer display means. The single winning symbols may be of two or more types. Regardless of the combination with the symbol displayed by another display means, only one of the symbols is fixedly displayed (for example, "single winning symbol-arbitrary symbol-arbitrary symbol" or "arbitrary symbol-arbitrary symbol- Single winning symbol ") The winning condition is achieved.

The presence or absence of a prize and the type of the prize can be determined by providing a prize determining means for determining the type and position of the symbol fixedly displayed by each display means to determine whether or not a predetermined prize condition is met. Can be determined. It should be noted that the winning condition does not always need to be constant. Winning conditions and prize contents can be changed as appropriate.

The prize given to the player by winning is, for example, payout of game media such as medals and coins,
Addition of game medium reservation information (credit), addition of value information such as the number of possible replays (replays), start of a special game with more favorable conditions for the player, or a combination of two or more of them be able to. The prize at which the special game is started may be one type or two or more types. The content of the special game may be one type or two or more types. It may be possible to shift from the special game to a special game of the same type or a different type.

A special game is a game that is generally advantageous to a player, such as having a higher winning probability than a general game. A general game is a game that is normally played without special conditions. As the special game, for example, only one medal (an example of a game medium) can be inserted, and an SB (single bonus), SB which can win a prize for paying out a predetermined number of medals at a high rate.
(Regular Bonus) that can be repeated a predetermined number of times, BB (Big Bonus) that can repeat an RB a predetermined number of times, and the like. A possible CT (Challenge Time), a 10-times bonus that the SB winning probability is about 10 times during a predetermined period, and the like can be cited.

The internal hit target prizes are BB, RB, SB, replays, and small articles for paying out ten or more medals (for example, orange,
(Eg, plums, bells, cherries, etc.), the particular prize may be, for example, BB only, or BB and RB, which is a prize having a large profit for the player and which is difficult to win in one game. , Can be arbitrarily selected.

[0043]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a slot machine as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
Is a block diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the slot machine, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the appearance of the slot machine. FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the outline of a processing operation from a game start to an internal hit flag setting. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing operation for selecting a reel stop control method in the first reel stop. FIG. 5 is an arrangement diagram of symbols on each reel and a payout table showing payouts for each combination of winning symbols.

(1) The front of the slot machine that the player faces will be described with reference to FIG.

Hit lamps 10 are provided at three places (left, right and center) at the upper end.

At a slightly upper portion of the center in the vertical direction, three symbol display windows 12 arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction are provided.
At each corresponding position inside the slot machine, three reels, that is, a left reel 14a, a middle reel 14b, and a right reel 14c are supported rotatably independently of each other about a horizontal rotation axis.

As shown in FIG. 5, symbols (bell, plum, watermelon, and cherry, picture "7" and "7") are provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel 14a and the right reel 14c (both outer display means). BAR "and" RP "are displayed in the same arrangement in order at a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction. Next to the last "RP" is the first bell. As shown in FIG. 5, the same number of symbols as the left reel 14a and the right reel 14c (each picture of a bell, a plum, and a watermelon, and
"7", "BAR", "RP" characters. ) Are displayed in order at the same constant distance as described above in the circumferential direction. Next to the last “RP” is the first plum. Medium reel 14
The arrangement of the symbols in b differs from that of the left reel 14a and the right reel 14c, including that no cherry is included.

When the left reel 14a, the center reel 14b, and the right reel 14c are stopped, any three consecutive symbols in the respective symbol groups are displayed at upper, middle, and lower positions in the symbol display window 12. You. The player can visually recognize these symbols. The left reel 14a, the middle reel 14b, and the right reel 14c are rotationally driven and stopped and held by separate stepping motors (one example of a rotary driving device, not shown).

The symbol display window 12 has a left reel 14
a, a line 16 indicating an alignment position that is valid in accordance with the number of paid medals (1 to 3) in the winning determination regarding the three symbols displayed while the middle reel 14b and the right reel 14c are stopped. Five (lines) are drawn. At the left end of each line 16, an effective line lamp 18 indicating which line 16 is effective according to the number of paid medals is provided. In this example, when the paid-in medal is one, "1ME
The lighting of the effective line lamp 18 of "DAL" indicates that the central horizontal line 16 is effective, and the medal is 2
In the case of one sheet, "1MEDAL" and two "2MEDAL"
Lighting of the effective line lamp 18 of "S" indicates that all three horizontal lines 16 are valid, and the medal is 3
In the case of one sheet, the effective line lamp 18 of "3MEDALS"
The lighting of all the effective line lamps 18 including that indicates that all the lines 16 including the diagonal lines 16 are effective. The player sees what symbols on the left reel 14a, the middle reel 14b, and the right reel 14c are located on the activated line 16 indicated by the activated line lamp 18, and sees the result of the game (whether a winning or not). , And the type of winning prize). The result of the game is also notified by lighting or blinking of the hit lamp 10, sound output from the speaker 20, and the like.

In order to pay in medals, it is necessary to insert medals from the medal insertion slot 22 provided in the right part of the upper and lower central portions, or to press the BET button 24 when there is a medal reserved in the slot machine. Pay the number. B
The ET button 24 is provided to the left of the medal slot 22.

All the reels (the left reel 14a, the middle reel 14b, and the right reel 14)
A start lamp 26 (START) that is turned on to indicate that the rotation of c) can be started is provided.
Below the button 24, a left reel 14a and a middle reel 14b
And a start lever 28 for simultaneously starting the rotation of the right reel 14c.

Below the left reel 14a, the middle reel 14b and the right reel 14c, the respective reels 14 are rotating, and the respective rotations are stopped by the stop buttons 30a and 30.
b, three stop lamps 32a, which are turned on to indicate that the stop can be performed by pressing the 30c.
32b and 32c (STOP) are provided. The stop buttons 30a, 30b, and 30c are provided below the stop lamps 32a, 32b, and 32c, respectively.
a, three reels corresponding to the center reel 14b and the right reel 14c.

Above the medal insertion slot 22, there is provided a medal insertion lamp 34 (INSERT MEDALS) which blinks to indicate that a medal can be inserted. Above it, the number-of-reserved-sheets indicator 38 is displayed in order from the top.
(CREDIT) and payout number display 40 (PAYOU)
T) is provided.

A medal receiving portion 42 is provided at the lower end.
A medal payout opening 44 is provided above the central portion, and the speaker 20 is provided on the right side thereof.

(2) Next, an outline of the configuration of the slot machine will be described mainly with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

The control unit 50 controls the execution of the game, peripheral devices, etc., and the processing for reading and writing various data.
U (central processing unit), RAM, ROM in which programs and various data for executing a game, controlling peripheral devices, and the like are written, and input / output interfaces for connection with peripheral devices (not shown). ), And realizes the functions of the above-described display means, display fixing means, internal hit setting means, and winning determination means in cooperation with peripheral devices and the like as necessary.

The medal insertion lamp section 34a blinks the medal insertion lamp 34 in response to a blink instruction signal given from the control section 50 when a medal can be inserted.

The medal detection unit 51 detects a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 22 and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 50.

The BET button 24 is pressed once for each medal when betting a medal held in the slot machine, and outputs a signal to the control unit 50 each time it is pressed.

The start lamp unit 26a turns on the start lamp 26 in response to a lighting instruction signal given from the control unit 50 when the rotation of all the reels (the left reel 14a, the middle reel 14b, and the right reel 14c) can be started. Turn on.

The start lever 28 moves the left reel 14a and the middle reel 14 in a state where rotation of all reels can be started.
When the rotation of the b and the right reel 14c is started at the same time, a rotation start signal is output to the control unit 50 when pressed.

The stop lamp section 32 is provided with the left reel 14
a, when the center reel 14b and the right reel 14c are rotating and the rotation can be stopped by pressing the stop buttons 30a, 30b and 30c, the left reel 14a, the center reel 14b and the right reel 14c The stop lamps 32a, 32b, and 32c are turned on by a lighting instruction signal provided from the control unit 50.

Stop button section 30 (stop button section)
When stopping the spinning reel 14, each reel 1
4 for each stop button 30a.
A stop signal for stopping the corresponding reel 14 is output to the control unit 50 by pressing the 30b / 30c.

The effective line lamp section 18a turns on the corresponding effective line lamp 18 according to a lighting instruction signal given from the control section 50 in accordance with the number of medals bet.

The reel unit 14 includes a left reel 14a, a middle reel 14b, and a right reel 14c, three stepping motors for rotatingly driving or stopping and holding the respective reels, and a stepping motor drive signal from the control unit 50. A drive circuit for driving these stepping motors and a reset signal output unit for outputting a reset signal to the control unit 50 at a fixed rotation position are provided (not shown). The control unit 50 controls each reel (the left reel 1
4a, each rotation of the middle reel 14b and the right reel 14c), for example, by counting the number of pulses of the stepping motor drive signal from the point of receiving the reset signal,
Based on the symbol arrangement on the left reel 14a, the center reel 14b, and the right reel 14c, the position of each symbol can be grasped. Since the arrangement of the symbols on the left reel 14a and the right reel 14c is the same, it is possible to make the procedure of controlling the reel stop for grasping the symbol position and stopping the required symbol at the required position the same.

The hit lamp unit 10a turns on or off the hit lamp 10 according to a lighting instruction signal or a blink instruction signal given from the control unit 50.

The audio output section 52 outputs audio from the speaker 20 according to the audio output signal output from the control section 50.

The reserved number display section 38a displays a number corresponding to the number according to a display signal output from the control section 50 in accordance with the number stored in the control section 50 as the number of medals retained in the slot machine. Hold number display 3
8 is displayed.

The medal payout section 44a outputs medals corresponding to the number of medals from the medal payout exit 44 according to a payout signal output from the control section 50 in accordance with the number of medal payouts calculated by the control section 50 in accordance with the result of the game. Pay out.

The number-of-payouts display section 40a displays a number corresponding to the number of payouts according to a display signal output from the control section 50 in accordance with the number of medals paid out calculated by the control section 50 in accordance with the result of the game. Display at 40.

(3) Next, the outline of the game execution processing operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

In step S1, the control unit 50 determines whether or not a medal has been paid. When medals can be inserted and one or three medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 22 when the medal insertion lamp 34 is blinking, or when one or more medals are held and the If one or more medals are paid out by pressing the BET button 24 when it is displayed, the determination in step S1 is Y (YES). As a result, the start lamp 26 is turned on (S2), and the activated line lamp 18 is turned on in accordance with the number of inserted medals.
Proceed to.

When the start lever 28 is depressed, the step S3 becomes Y, and the control unit 50 turns off the start lamp 26 in the next step S4, and simultaneously controls the left reel 14a, the middle reel 14b and the right reel 14c in a step S5. Rotate. Further, in step S6, BB (Big Bonus) and RB, which are special games under advantageous conditions for the player.
(Regular Bonus): For the prize (small item) that is relatively small in profit for other players, such as watermelon, bell, cherry, etc. or replay (RP), the control unit 50 performs a lottery to determine whether or not an internal hit has occurred. In this example,
All awards are internal hit target awards. The lottery is performed by executing random number sampling, and determining whether or not a winning has occurred and the type of the prize based on data obtained by writing the obtained sampling value in the ROM. If the internal winning of any prize is achieved by lottery (S7-Y), a flag corresponding to the prize is set (S8).

Next, the control unit 50 turns on all the stop lamps 32a, 32b and 32c. After that, the player presses the stop buttons 30a and 30 at appropriate timing.
When the control unit 50 detects a stop signal output by pressing the buttons b and 30c (or by continuing the inoperative state without pressing the stop buttons 30a, 30b and 30c for a predetermined time), the control unit 50 An output signal of a stop sound generated at the time of the reel stop operation is output to the audio output unit 52, and the audio output unit 52 outputs a stop sound from the speaker 20 in response thereto. Next, the control unit 50 stops the stepping motor of the corresponding reel.

In the payout table shown in FIG. 5, combinations of winning symbols (in each column, the symbols at the left, middle, and right positions are the left reel 14a, the middle reel 14b, and the right reel 14c).
Shows each symbol in. ) And the payout for each winning. BB and RB in payout table
Indicates the start of the big bonus and the regular bonus, respectively, and each number indicates the number of medals paid out by winning. The cherries present on the left reel 14a and the right reel 14c are symbols that can achieve the winning condition by themselves. The combination with the cherry may be any symbol ("ANY").

The left reel 14 out of the six reel stop orders
a and the right reel 14c perform the fixed display last (except for the two types in which the stop order of the middle reel 14b is the last). Even if it is found at the time when the first and second reels have stopped that there is no possibility of winning due to the combination of symbols, the left reel 14 which stops last is stopped.
A or the right reel 14c may win the prize by displaying the symbol "Cherry" that can achieve the prize winning condition alone. Therefore, the player's interest in winning can be continued until the last reel stops. In a normal case, the left reel 14a and the right reel 14c are stopped first and last due to the arrangement of the reels and the arrangement of the corresponding stop buttons.
Since b is stopped between them, in any of them, at least the cherry winning condition can be achieved until the last reel stops.

(3-1) Left reel 14a and right reel 14
Since the arrangement of the symbols of c is the same, the six stop orders of the left reel 14a, the middle reel 14b, and the right reel 14c in terms of the arrangement of the symbols can be classified into the following three. Stop mode 1: Left, Middle, Right; Right, Middle, Left Stop mode 2: Middle, Left, Right; Middle, Right, Left Stop mode 3: Left, Right, Middle; Right, Left, Middle

Any of the stop buttons 30a, 30b
If 30c is pressed (S9-Y) and it is the first (first) pressed stop button (S10-Y),
If it is the stop button of the middle reel 14b (S11
-Y), the stop mode 2 is selected (S12), and when the stop button is not the stop button of the middle reel 14b (S11-N),
The stop mode 1 or 3 is selected (S13). Stop control when the control unit 50 stops the stepping motor of the corresponding reel in response to the first press of the stop button is performed according to the selected stop mode. Medium reel 14b
In other words, the arrangement of the symbols on the left reel 14a and the right reel 14c is the same, so that in the first reel stop, the stop modes 1 and 3 are controlled to be stopped by the same program.

In the second and third reel stops, in the stop mode 2, both the second and third stop reels are either the left reel 14a or the right reel 14c. In the case of the stop mode 1 or 3, the second stop reel is the middle reel 14b or the left reel 14a or the right reel 1
4c, the stop mode 1 or the stop mode 3 is selected and the stop is controlled.

As described above, the six reel stop orders can be controlled in the three stop modes, so that the amount of software such as a control program and the hardware resources necessary for performing the reel stop control are reduced. Capacity is greatly reduced. As a result, a gaming device that can attract the player's interest by allocating the reduced amount to software for another purpose can be realized, control can be made more sophisticated or accurate, or Cost reduction can be realized.

(3-2) The stop control of the first reel by the control unit 50 will be described focusing on the bell. When the control unit 50 stops the stepping motor of the corresponding reel in response to the first stop button press, the reel is stopped by stop control according to the stop mode. If the flag indicating that the inside of the bell has been hit is not set (S14-N), the control unit 50 receives a stop signal due to the pressing of the stop button (or left for a predetermined period of time), and then the control unit 50 If the bell winning condition is to be achieved when stopping at the timing of (1), the reels are advanced one by one until no winning is achieved (S16). If the flag indicating that the bell is in the internal hit state is set (S14-Y), the control unit 50 receives the stop signal due to the pressing of the stop button or the like, and then the bell is necessary for winning. If the difference until the position is reached is within the specified stop time, the reel is stopped so that the bell is displayed at the required position (S15). That is, the bell is drawn into the required position of the symbol display window 12.

(3-3) Left reel 14 by control unit 50
a, stop control of the middle reel 14b and the right reel 14c
According to the above-mentioned stop mode 1, 2, or 3, the operation is performed according to the presence or absence of the internal hit flag.

The reel corresponding to the control unit 50 (the left reel 1
4a, when the stepping motor of the center reel 14b or the right reel 14c) is stopped, it indicates that an internal winning state of any prize such as BB, RB, watermelon, bell, cherry, replay (RP), etc. If none of the flags is set, the control unit 50 stops the reel at a fixed timing after receiving a stop signal due to the pressing of the stop button (or leaving for a predetermined time). If the winning condition of the prize is to be achieved, the reel is advanced by one frame (extra rotation by one symbol). If any of the prizes is still to be won, the reels are repeatedly fed until the winning is no longer achieved.

In this case, the left reel 14a and the middle reel 1
Since the combination of the symbols related to the winning is not displayed on the activated line 16 with the 4b and the right reel 14c stopped, the process returns to step S1.

When a flag indicating that any of the awards is in an internal hit state is set, the control unit 5
0 is defined as a difference between a point at which a stop signal is received due to pressing of the stop button 30a, 30b, 30c and the like and a point at which a symbol required for winning a prize in an internal hit state reaches a position required for winning. When the time is within the time, the left reel 14a is set so that the symbol is displayed at a required position.
The center reel 14b and the right reel 14c are stopped. That is, the symbol is drawn into a required position of the symbol display window 12. In this way, when the internal hit state is set, the winning rate of the prize is increased or the winning rate is increased so that the winning is almost assured. If it is not within the prescribed stop time, the reels are fed one by one and stopped as necessary so that no other prize is won.

When the third reel stops, the control unit 50
Grasps the types and arrangement of the symbols on the activated line 16 indicated by the activated line lamp 18 and determines whether or not a winning has occurred, and determines the type of the winning prize. At that time, the player also knows whether or not a prize has been won, and the type of the prize that has been won.

When it is determined that a winning is achieved, the control unit 50 instructs the medal paying unit 44a to pay out a predetermined number of medals, for example, according to the contents of the prize, and displays a number corresponding to the number of medals to the payout number display unit 40a. Is displayed on the payout number display section 40a, and the flag indicating the internal winning of the prize is cleared. Next, if the prize does not start the special game, the process returns to step S1. If the prize starts the special games BB and RB, the hit lamp 10 blinks and the sound effect output from the speaker 20 outputs. It is notified that a prize for starting each special game has been won, and the game shifts to the special game.
Return to 1.

When it is determined that there is no winning in the case where the BB flag is not set, the internal hit flags for all awards except the BB flag are cleared. Next, returning to step S1, the game is repeated.

The BB internal hit flag is kept set until the BB wins. However, in a game in which the player returns to step S1 without winning the BB when the BB flag is present, the lottery in step S6 is not performed. Alternatively, for example, the lottery may be performed only for all or a part of the small items.

The present invention may be implemented using software instead of means using electric or electronic circuits or mechanical means, or using electric or electronic circuits or using mechanical instead of means using software. It may be performed by a specific means.

[0092]

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, when the continuous display of symbols is sequentially and fixedly displayed on the three display means, the fixed display order when paying attention to the arrangement of the symbols is three. The amount of software such as a control program and the amount of hardware resources required for controlling the type and position of the symbol fixedly displayed by each display means are greatly reduced. As a result, a gaming machine that can attract the player's interest by allocating the reduced amount to software for another purpose can be realized, control can be made more sophisticated or accurate, or Cost reduction can be realized. Also, in any of the four fixed display orders in which any of the outer display means performs the fixed display last, at least the symbols which can attain the prize winning condition alone until the fixed display of the last display means is reached. Is expected, the player's interest in winning can be continued until the fixed display of the last display means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a slot machine.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the appearance of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing operation from a game start to an internal hit flag setting.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing operation for selecting a reel stop control method in a first reel stop.

FIG. 5 is an arrangement diagram of symbols on each reel and a payout table showing payouts for each combination of winning symbols.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A display device comprising: three display means for sequentially displaying a plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined arrangement sequentially; and a display for fixing the symbols in a fixed manner by sequentially stopping the continuous display on each of the display means. A gaming machine having a display fixing means, wherein a type and a position of a symbol fixedly displayed by each of the display means achieve a predetermined winning condition and execute a game corresponding to a winning, One of three display means
On both sides of the position where the symbols are fixedly displayed by the central display means, there are positions where the symbols are fixedly displayed by the remaining two outer display means, respectively. The arrangement of the symbols to be displayed is the same, and the symbols displayed by both outer display means include symbols which can achieve the prize winning condition independently by being fixedly displayed, and are displayed by the central display means. Does not include a symbol that can achieve the winning condition by itself, and the display fixing means can control the type and position of the symbol fixedly displayed by each display means based on the arrangement of the symbols in each display means. A gaming device characterized by being able to. 2. A plurality of types of predetermined symbols are displayed on an outer peripheral surface, and one or two of said symbols are displayed in a rotation stopped state.
The three display devices including a rotatably supported rotatable body, a rotatable driving device for rotatably driving the rotatable body, and each of the rotatably driven rotatable bodies, which can be visually recognized by the player, are sequentially displayed. A display fixing device for stopping and displaying the symbols in a fixed manner, wherein the type of the symbol and its stop position in each rotating body stopped by the display fixing device achieve predetermined prize conditions and prize. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a corresponding slot machine. 3. Two or three or more symbols fixedly displayed by the outer display means and the center display means are all arranged in a row in a certain direction, and these three symbol rows are arranged in parallel. The gaming device according to claim 1.