JP2001112916A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate a timely stop switch operation in a slot machine. SOLUTION: In a special prize mode, a left pattern belt 12 is rotated at a low speed and the remaining two are rotated at a high speed in dividually at constant speed (figure 8 (a), thin line is low speed and thick line is high speed). Since the rotation speeds of the three pattern belts 12 are different, it is recognized that the special prize mode is started. When the left pattern belt 12 is stopped by the operation of a player, the speed of a center pattern belt 12 is changed from high to low (figure 8 (b)), and when the center pattern belt 12 is stopped, a right pattern belt 12 is slowed down (figure 8 (c)). Thus the player can confirm a pattern potted on the pattern belt 12 rotated at the low speed and perform a stop switch operation at an appropriate timing. Even a person with poor moving object sight, a person not laying frequently and a beginner, etc., easily establish a special prize by the timely stop switch operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention belongs to the technical field of gaming machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a gaming machine in which a symbol is fluctuated and then displayed statically, and when a prize combination is established by the statically displayed symbol (when a prize is won), a prize value such as a medal is given to a player. There is a slot machine.

[0003] Among the slot machines, in a slot machine of a type commonly called a pachislot, a symbol can be displayed in a stationary manner by a player operating a stop switch. More specifically, the pachi-slot has three drums (reels) on which a plurality of symbols are drawn, a start switch (start switch) for instructing the start of rotation of the drum (that is, the start of symbol change display), and each drum. Corresponding 3
When the start switch is operated, the drums rotate simultaneously.When the stop switch is operated, the drum corresponding to the operated stop switch is stopped. If the prize combination is established by the symbol facing the player (the symbol displayed), a medal is paid out. That is, if the player operates the stop switch at an appropriate timing, the possibility that a winning combination is established increases.

In the case of a pachislot, the number of payouts differs depending on the type of prize combination. However, a prize combination with a large number of payouts (for example, a combination of 15 payouts) is not established unless a special mode is set (which player However, even if the stop switch is operated at the correct timing, the control device does not fulfill its role.) Whether the special mode is set or not is determined, for example, by a determination executed when the start switch is operated. Then, the fact that the judgment was successful (became the special mode) has been notified to the player by displaying the symbol stationary in an arrangement commonly called a reach eye.

[0005]

In the normal mode before the special mode (special prize mode) described above, the player is more interested in whether or not to enter the special prize mode than when winning is established or not. The operation of the switches is relatively sloppy.

On the other hand, when the special prize mode is set, a bonus game capable of establishing a special prize can be executed up to a set number of times on the assumption that a specific prize combination (special prize) is established. That is, an extremely large number of medals can be obtained. However, there is a problem here. Since the formation of a special prize is indispensable for executing the bonus game, if the stop switch cannot be operated (usually called eye pressing) at an appropriate timing while observing the symbols displayed in a variable manner, First, you can't run a bonus game. Although it was not difficult for people with good visual acuity (usually young people), it was extremely difficult for the elderly and those who did not play pachislot frequently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it possible for a person who has not been able to perform conventional eye pressing.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
The gaming machine described above, after variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols in each of a plurality of variable regions, a symbol display means for statically displaying a symbol in each variable region, and a start switch for starting the variable display of the symbols. A stop switch for causing the symbol to be displayed in a static manner, and starting the variation display of the symbol in each of the variation ranges in response to the operation of the start switch, and the operated stop switch each time the stop switch is operated. Display control means for statically displaying a symbol in the fluctuation range corresponding to
A payout means for giving a prize value to a player when a prize combination is established by the symbols displayed in a stationary manner, and a mode for determining whether or not to enter a special prize mode for permitting the establishment of a specific prize combination (hereinafter referred to as a special prize) in the prize combination. In a gaming machine having setting means, when in the special prize mode, a speed reduction means for lowering the fluctuation speed in the fluctuation display of the symbol in any or all of the plurality of fluctuation ranges as compared with the non-special prize mode. It is characterized by having.

[0009] The symbol display means provided in this gaming machine includes:
The configuration is not limited as long as the symbols can be statically displayed in each of the variable regions after a plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed in each of the plurality of variable regions. The variable area is an area in which the symbols are displayed in a variable manner and displayed statically. For example, in the case of a structure using a drum or belt on which the symbols are drawn,
The portion of the drum or belt facing the player is the fluctuation range, and when an image display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display panel is used, the fluctuation range is set on the screen. Examples of the pattern variation include scroll display by rotation of a drum or a belt, display similar to scroll performed by a CRT, a liquid crystal display panel, or the like, but are not particularly limited. In short, it is only necessary that the pattern seen by the player changes, and it does not matter whether the change is regular or not, and whether the change is fast or slow. The number of symbols to be statically displayed is not particularly limited as long as it is one or more in each variation range.

The start switch and the stop switch need only be operable by the player, and there are no restrictions on the structure, shape, installation location, and the like. However, the stop switch corresponds to each of a plurality of fluctuation ranges. For example, if the symbol display means has a structure in which a plurality of drums or belts are juxtaposed, one stop switch is provided for each drum or the like. desirable.

The display control means starts the symbol variation display in each variation area in response to the operation of the start switch (the symbol display means starts, for example, the rotation of the drum). The symbols are displayed statically in the fluctuation range corresponding to the created stop switch (for example, the rotation of the drum is stopped). This display control means can be realized as one function of a control device having a CPU.

The payout means gives a prize value to the player when a prize combination is established by the symbols displayed in a stationary manner.
The establishment or non-establishment of this prize combination is determined by whether or not the arrangement of the symbols along the prize line validated according to the number of bets such as medals is one of the prize combinations, similarly to a known method. I just need. Of course, another method may be used.

The delivery of the prize value by the payout means may be carried out by paying out a value medium such as a medal or a game ball (pachinko ball) as in the past, or a card or the like which records the number or points of the value medium. May be issued. Alternatively, the above-mentioned score and the like may be notified and stored in a computer of a game store or the like, and a prize corresponding to the score or the like may be delivered according to a report from the player.
In short, it is only necessary that the premium value (game value) corresponding to the establishment of the prize combination be provided to the player.

[0014] Among a plurality of types of prize combinations, there is a specific prize combination serving as a special prize, and the special prize is not established in a normal game state (normal mode), but is permitted only in the special prize mode. The mode setting means determines whether or not to enter the special prize mode. The mode determination processing by the mode setting means may be performed according to a known technique, and may be determined based on, for example, whether or not a random number value acquired upon operation of a start switch matches a hit value. In addition, it is also possible to use a plurality of hit values, change the number of hit values used for determination depending on conditions (change the probability of hit), and the like. This mode setting means can also be realized as one function of the control device described above.

The speed reduction means reduces the variation speed in the symbol variation display in any or all of the plurality of variation ranges when in the special prize mode as compared with the non-special mode. For example, if there are three drums (there are three fluctuation areas), the rotation speed of one, two or all three of them is made lower than the rotation speed in the normal mode. This reduction in the rotation speed makes it easy to determine the symbols displayed in a fluctuating manner, so that it is easy to operate the stop switch (push) at an appropriate timing. Therefore, even a person who is not excellent in dynamic visual acuity (for example, an elderly person) or a person who does not play games frequently can easily establish a special prize by pushing and execute a bonus game.

Further, since the fluctuation speed is lower than in the normal mode, the player can immediately recognize that the state is different from the normal state, that is, the special prize mode has been set. In the conventional pachislot gaming machine, the fact that the special prize mode has been entered has been notified to the player by statically displaying the symbols in an arrangement commonly called a reach eye. However, the arrangement of the symbols serving as reach eyes differs depending on the type of pachislot, and since there are many types of reach eyes even for one model, it is difficult for the player to remember the reach eyes for each model. For this reason, for example, services such as displaying a list of reach eyes at an appropriate position on the front part of the gaming machine have been provided, but if the player plays the game while looking at the list of reach eyes, it is not possible to concentrate on the game and it is troublesome there were.

However, as described above, the gaming machine according to claim 1 can indicate that the special prize mode has been entered by decreasing the fluctuation speed, so that the player using this gaming machine memorizes the reach eyes. You don't have to wait or look at your reach list, so you can focus on the game and not bother.

This speed reduction means can also be realized as one function of the above-described control device, or can be a circuit different from the control device (for example, a circuit for reducing the power supplied to the motor). By the way, when the fluctuation speed is reduced only in a part of the fluctuation region, for example, three drums (the fluctuation region is 3
Location), if one or two of them are lower than the rotation speed in the normal mode, and the rotation speeds of the other drums are high, the rotation speed of the low-speed drum is not considered. Even if it is easy to push, it is as difficult as before for a high-speed drum.

Therefore, in the gaming machine according to the second aspect, the speed reduction means reduces the fluctuation speed in any one of the fluctuation regions until the symbol is statically displayed in all of the plurality of fluctuation regions. The following is a description of a specific example. For example, 3
When the number of drums is provided, if the rotation speed of one drum is reduced first, and the drum is stopped (still display), the rotation speed of one or both of the remaining two drums is reduced. . When the rotation speeds of the two drums are reduced, they may be stopped according to the operation of the stop switch. When the rotation speed of one drum is reduced, the rotation speed of the remaining drum is reduced when the drum is stopped. As in this example, if at least one of the fluctuation speeds of the unstopped fluctuation range is reduced,
Since the player only needs to push the fluctuation range where the fluctuation speed is low, the special prize can be easily established.

In addition, it is possible to mix the fluctuation range of the low-speed fluctuation and the fluctuation range of the high-speed fluctuation in the early stage of the start of the fluctuation, so that the special prize mode can be more clearly indicated. As described above, the eye-catching becomes easier by reducing the fluctuation speed. However, there is a possibility that the eye-catching may not be performed easily even for some people (particularly for the elderly).

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in order to cope with such a problem, the speed reduction means reduces the variation speed in accordance with the number of games in which the special prize has not been continuously established in the special prize mode. For example, if the fluctuation speed is reduced by one step in the special prize mode, but the prize is not established even if a large number of games (for example, 20 games) are executed, it is considered that the fluctuation speed is still too high for the player. Can be Therefore, in this case, the fluctuation speed is further reduced by one step (two steps for convenience). By doing so, even a person who was difficult to look at in the first stage becomes easy to look.
If the special prize is still not established during some games,
Further, the fluctuation speed may be reduced.

The rotational speed reduced in this manner may be maintained in the bonus game. In the bonus game, the rotational speed is returned to, for example, one step lower level or the level in the normal mode, and is continuously changed several times (for example, It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which if the special prize is not established in the bonus game (5 times), the speed is reduced.

[0023]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine 50 as a gaming machine has a symbol display device 10 corresponding to symbol display means.
It has. The symbol display device 10 includes three symbol belts 1
2 are arranged side by side, and a plurality of types of symbols (A, B, C...) Are printed on the surface of each symbol belt 12. The part of each symbol belt 12 facing the player (A,
B, C,... J) correspond to the respective fluctuation ranges, and the symbols are variably displayed by the rotation of the symbol belt 12 and are statically displayed by stopping.

The upper half of the front of the slot machine 50 has a transparent display window 52 facing the front of the symbol display device 10.
Is covered with a front cover 54 having Further, the front cover 54 is provided with bet display areas 56 a to 56 e arranged in a vertical line on the left side of the display window 52. The display window 52 has three horizontal prize lines 53.
a, 53b, 53c and two prize lines 53 along the diagonal line
d and 53e are displayed, and the respective prize lines 53a to 53e are displayed.
The left end of e is connected to the bet display areas 56a to 56e, respectively.

Below the front cover 54, a dish door 59 having an upper plate 57 for storing game balls (pachinko balls) to be supplied to the slot machine 50 as game media is provided on the main body side of the slot machine 50. It is attached to open and close like a door. Behind the dish door 59, the game ball capturing device 6
1 (not shown in FIG. 1), the game balls (pachinko balls) thrown into the upper plate 57 by the game ball taking-in device 61 can be taken into the slot machine 50.

A credit switch 70 is attached to the left end of the plate door 59 (left side of the upper plate 57). Dish door 5
9, a bet switch 60a for selecting the number of game balls to be inserted in one game (the number of bets);
60b and 60c are attached. When the bet switch 60a is turned on, three units (one unit is five in this embodiment) of game balls are turned on, and when the bet switch 60b is turned on, one unit of game balls is turned on, and when the bet switch 60c is turned on, two units of game balls are turned on. Each ball is taken into the slot machine 50 as a betting ball.

It is also possible to play a game after the gaming balls are taken into the slot machine 50 as credits. When playing a credit game, the player may turn on the credit switch 70. As a result, the credit game can be executed, and if a game ball has been inserted into the upper plate 57 (or if the game ball is inserted), the slot machine 50 takes in the game ball as a credit and the number of the taken game balls ( (The number of credits) is displayed in the credit display area 71. If the number of credits changes with the execution of the game, the credit display area 7
The display of 1 is also changed. In order to stop the credit game, the credit switch 70 may be turned off. In that case, a number of game balls corresponding to the number of credits are paid back to the upper plate 57, for example.

In the case of a credit game, three units are set according to the on operation of the bet switches 60a, 60b and 60c.
Units or two credits are deducted. Then, valid prize lines 53a to 53e are determined according to the operated bet switches 60a to 60c.

In this embodiment, the bet switch 60b (1
Prize line 5 crossing the center of the symbol display device 10
3a (lines B, E, and H in FIG. 1) are made valid, and if the bet switch 60c, the two upper and lower prize lines 53b,
53c (A, D, G and C, F, J), three prize lines 53a to 53c are made effective, and the bet switch 6
If it is 0a (3 units), two prize lines 53 are further diagonal
A total of five prize lines 53a to 53e are also effective, including d and 53e (A, E, J and C, E, G).

The bet display area 56 connected to the award lines 53a to 53e validated in this way.
a to 56e are displayed by light emission. Award line 5 validated
Only the bet display areas 56a to 56e of 3a to 53e are illuminated, and the bet display areas 56a to 56e of the invalid award lines 53a to 53e are not illuminated.

At the front edge of the upper plate 57, a start switch 62 for instructing the start of a game (ie, the start of rotation of each symbol belt 12 of the symbol display device 10) and each symbol belt of the symbol display device 10 are provided. Stop switches 64a, 64b, and 64c for stopping the switch 12 are attached. The start switch 62 corresponds to a start switch, and the stop switches 64a, 64b, 64c correspond to stop switches.

Below the upper plate 57, there is disposed a lower plate 66 used when the upper plate 57 is full. As shown in FIG. 2, the three symbol belts 12 of the symbol display device 10 are arranged side by side, and
2 and the driven pulley 73. A stepping motor 74 is disposed inside each driving pulley 72, and its output shaft is connected to the center of the driving pulley 72. When the stepping motor 74 rotates, the driving pulley 72 rotates. Then, the symbol belt 12 also rotates by friction with the driving pulley 72. Further, the driven pulley 73 also rotates due to friction with the symbol belt 12.

The configuration of the control system of the slot machine 50 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. The control device 40 which is the center of this control system includes a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, random number counter,
It is a microcomputer having an input / output port and the like.
It also functions as mode setting means and speed reduction means.

The controller 40 includes a bet switch 60a
60c, a credit switch 70, a start switch 62, a stop switch 64a to 64c, a switch such as a rotation amount sensor 31, an origin sensor 33, and other sensors, and the control device 40 can acquire these detection signals.

The control device 40 is also connected to devices such as a credit display area 71, a drive circuit 75 for a stepping motor 74, a game ball capturing device 61, and a payout device 42. Display and operation can be controlled. Although FIG. 3 shows only one stepping motor 74 and one drive circuit 75 (one set), one set of the stepping motor 74 and one drive circuit 75 is provided for each symbol belt 12. ing.

The rotation amount sensor 31 and the origin sensor 33 are sensors for determining the rotational position of the symbol belt 12, that is, the position of each symbol on the symbol belt 12. As shown in FIG. 4, a number of small holes 12a are provided at equal intervals along one edge of the symbol belt 12, and one origin mark 12b is provided at the other edge.

The teeth 35a of the gear 35 rotatably held on a shaft (not shown) are meshed with the small holes 12a of the symbol belt 12, and when the symbol belt 12 rotates, the gear 35 also rotates in synchronization. Also, on the inner side (axial side) of the teeth 35a,
A large number of passing holes 35b
Are provided at an equal pitch. Then, a rotation amount sensor 31, which is a photocoupler in which a light emitting element (a light emitting diode in the present embodiment) 31a and a light receiving element (a phototransistor in the present embodiment) 31b, forms an optical path from the light emitting element 31a to the light receiving element 31b. It is arranged at a position corresponding to the passage hole 35b.

For this reason, the gear 35 rotates with the rotation of the symbol belt 12, and the portion between the passage hole 35b and the passage hole 35a turns on and off the light from the light emitting element 31a to the light receiving element 31b. The output of 31 changes in a pulse shape. The control device 40 can calculate the rotation amount of the symbol belt 12 based on the pulse signal of the rotation amount sensor 31.

Since the rotational position of the symbol belt 12 is counted by the gear 35 and the rotation amount sensor 31, for example, the driving pulley 72 for driving the symbol belt 12 and the symbol belt 12
Even if the gear slips, the gear 35 and the symbol belt 12 do not slip (step out), so that the rotational position of the symbol belt 12 can be counted very accurately.

In this embodiment, the gear 35 and the rotation amount sensor 31
However, for example, a rotary encoder or the like that rotates in synchronization with the gear 35 may be used as the rotation amount sensor. In short, it is only necessary to use a set of a rotating body that does not step out due to slipping on the symbol belt 12 or the like and a signal generating means that generates a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation of the rotating body. This configuration is applicable not only to a belt but also to a rotary display such as a drum.

On the other hand, corresponding to the origin mark 12b, the origin sensor 3 which is a photocoupler similar to the rotation amount sensor 31 is used.
Three are arranged. The design belt 12 is translucent as a whole, but the origin mark 12b is printed with ink containing aluminum, for example, and does not transmit light. Therefore, when the origin mark 12b passes through the position of the origin sensor 33, the output level of the origin sensor 33 changes.
Can be detected. By the way, although the purpose and function will be described later, the lengths of the origin marks 12b of the respective symbol belts 12 are different from each other, and data relating to the lengths is stored in the ROM of the control device 40.

FIG. 4 shows only one symbol belt 12 and the corresponding gear 35, rotation amount sensor 31 and origin sensor 33, and FIG. 3 also shows one rotation amount sensor 31 and one origin sensor 33. Each of the design belts 12 is shown in FIG.
5, a set of the rotation amount sensor 31 and the origin sensor 33).

The control device 40 executes various control processes regarding the execution of the game in the slot machine 50.
Among them, only the processing closely related to the present invention will be described. First, when the slot machine 50 is started, the control device 40 executes a belt discriminating process as a part of the process at the time of starting.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the belt discriminating process,
The control device 40 sends a signal from the drive circuit 75 to the stepping motor 7.
By starting the supply of the pulse power to No. 4, the rotation of the left symbol belt 12 is started (S101). On this occasion,
So-called trapezoidal control is performed, and the stepping motor 74 gradually accelerates. When the stepping motor 74 is accelerated to the set rotation speed, the stepping motor 74 is rotated at a constant speed (S102). The control device 40
After the stepping motor 74 is rotated at a constant speed, it waits until the level of the detection signal from the origin sensor 33 changes to the detection level (S103). If the detection signal reaches the detection level, the origin mark 12b is determined based on the continuation time. Is calculated, and by comparing this with the length data stored in the ROM, it is determined whether or not the correct symbol belt 12 is worn (S104). If the collation result is not correct (S105: NO), the control device 40 stops the rotation of the symbol belt 12 and performs an error process such as reporting an abnormality with a lamp or a buzzer sound (S1).
06).

If the collation result is correct (S105: YE
S), the control device 40 stops the rotation of the left symbol belt 12, rotates the middle symbol belt 12 and performs the same collation (S 107), rotates the right symbol belt 12 and performs the same collation. (S108), the process returns. Even when the symbol belt 12 is stopped, trapezoidal control is performed, and the stepping motor 74 gradually decelerates and stops.

As described above, at the time of startup, it is confirmed whether or not the symbol belt 12 is attached to a correct position. Therefore, even if the symbol belt 12 is erroneously attached due to, for example, repair of the symbol display device 10, the cause is as follows. There is no worry that the symbol display will be random. The slot machine 50 includes the control device 40
The game can be executed after the startup process or the like by.

The game processing executed by the control device 40 when executing the game is as shown in FIG.
0 waits for any of the bet switches 60a to 60c to be turned on (S301), and when any of the bet switches 60a to 60c is turned on, the game balls of a unit number corresponding to the operated bet switches 60a to 60c are taken. Is loaded into the loading device 61 (S302). Alternatively, if a game ball has been taken in as a credit in advance, the credit is subtracted.
In addition, the bet switches 60a to 60 operated at this time
Effective prize lines 53a to 53e are also set according to 0c.

When the start switch 62 is turned on (S303: YES), the control device 40 stores the random number value of the random number counter at that time in the RAM (S3).
04). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the bonus flag F1 is set to 1 (S305). If this is not 1, it is determined whether or not the hit flag F2 is set to 1 (S306). If the hit flag F2 is not 1, it is determined whether or not the random number value stored in the RAM matches the hit value (S3).
07).

If the determination is incorrect (S307: NO),
The three patterning belts 12 are rotated by operating the three stepping motors 74 (S308). Then, a belt stop process in the normal mode is executed (S309). In the belt stop process, the process of stopping the symbol belt 12 (accurately, the stepping motor 74) corresponding to the stop switch 64a to 64c operated every time any one of the stop switches 64a to 64c is turned on is repeated three times. Then, the three symbol belts 12 are stopped.

However, in the belt stop processing in the normal mode, the control device 40 controls the stop switches 64a to 64d.
The timing from the operation of 64c to the stop of the symbol belt 12 is appropriately controlled, and a prize combination to be a special prize (in this embodiment, the prize line 53a to which the symbol "7" is effective)
53e is not allowed. Specifically, the control device 40 determines when the origin mark 12b provided on the symbol belt 12 has passed the origin sensor 33 (when the output level of the origin sensor 33 has returned from the detection level to the non-detection level). And the present position of the symbol "7" of each symbol belt 12 is calculated based on the number of output pulses of the rotation amount sensor 31, and at least one symbol "7" of the symbol belt 12 is an effective prize line 53a. The stop of the symbol belt 12 is controlled so as not to stop at ~ 53e. Therefore, in the normal mode, a prize combination serving as a special prize is not established.

Further, since the control device 40 can accurately determine the current position of the symbol "7" and the other symbols in this manner, when the symbol belt 12 is stopped, the symbols are accurately displayed on the prize line 53a. To 53e. Of course, the position of each symbol when the symbol belt 12 is stopped can also be accurately recognized.

In the belt stop processing, three design belts 12
Is stopped, the control device 40 activates the active prize line 53a.
It is determined whether or not a prize combination (in this case, other than the special prize) is established based on the three symbols along the lines 53 to 53e (S3).
14) If the prize combination is established, the payout device 42
, The number of game balls corresponding to the established prize combination is discharged as prize balls (S316, in the case of a credit game, the number of credits is added for the prize balls and the display of the credit display area 71 is updated). After S316 or when the prize combination is not established (S314: NO),
The control device 40 returns to S301.

On the other hand, if the determination is a hit (S30)
7: YES), the control device 40 sets the hit flag F2 to 1 (S310), and proceeds to S311. Also, when the hit flag F2 has already been set to 1 (S3
06: YES), and the process proceeds to S311.

In S311, the control device 40 operates the three stepping motors 74 to operate the three design belts 1.
Start rotation of 2. Next, the control device 40 executes a belt stop process in the special prize mode (S312). As shown in detail in FIG. 7, in the belt stop processing in the special prize mode,
First, the three design belts 12 are accelerated by the trapezoidal control described above, and the left design belt 12 has a lower rotation speed (hereinafter referred to as low speed) than the rotation speed in the normal mode, and the remaining two belts are in the normal mode. Each is rotated at a constant speed at the same rotation speed (hereinafter, referred to as high speed) (S401). This state is shown in FIG. The arrow in FIG. 8 indicates the rotation direction of the symbol belt 12, and the thickness of the line indicates the rotation speed (the thin line is low speed, and the thick line is high speed).

Since the rotational speed of the three symbol belts 12 is slow, the player can immediately recognize that the normal state is different, that is, the special prize mode is set. Therefore, there is no need to memorize the reach eyes or look at the list of reach eyes, so that the player can concentrate on the game only and does not have to worry. If the rotation speed of the symbol belt 12 is slow, a sticker or the like for explaining that the special prize mode is set may be put on an appropriate position of the slot machine 50 or posted in a game store. Even a serious player (a so-called beginner) can surely recognize that the special prize mode has been entered.

In this embodiment, the left symbol belt 12 is rotated at a low speed and the remaining two are rotated at a high speed. However, two belts may be rotated at a low speed, one belt may be rotated at a high speed, and all three belts may be rotated at a low speed. Good. Next, the control device 40 controls the stop switches 64a to 64a.
64c is operated (S402).
If any of them is operated (S402: YES), the symbol belt 12 corresponding to the operated stop switches 64a to 64c is stopped (S403). In the special prize mode, a prize combination to be a special prize is allowed. Therefore, when the player operates the stop switches 64a to 64c, the control device 40 stops the corresponding symbol belt 12 without special intention. The same applies to the following processing.

Subsequently, the control device 40 determines whether or not the stopped design belt 12 is the left design belt 12 (S4).
04). If the left design belt 12 is stopped (S404: YES), it is determined whether the middle design belt 12 is rotating or stopped (S405), and if the middle design belt 12 is rotating (S405). (S405: rotation), and change the rotation speed from high speed to low speed (S406).
Return to 02. FIG. 8B shows a state in which the left symbol belt 12 is stopped and the symbol belt 12 is at a low speed.

If the left symbol belt 12 is not stopped (S404: NO), the controller 40 determines whether the left symbol belt 12 is rotating (S40).
7). The left design belt 12 is rotating (S407: rotating)
If so, the process returns to S402, but if the left symbol belt 12 has already been stopped (S407: stop), the process returns to S4.
It is determined whether or not the stop at 03 is the middle symbol belt 12 (S408).

When the stopped pattern belt 12 is stopped (S408: YES) or when the stopped pattern belt 12 is already stopped (S405: stopped), the control device 40 determines that the right pattern belt 12 has been stopped. It is determined whether it is rotating or stopped (S409). Here is the right design belt 1
If 2 is rotating (S409: rotation), the rotation speed is changed from high speed to low speed (S410). FIG. 8C shows a state in which the left and right symbol belts 12 are stopped and the right symbol belt 12 is set at a low speed.

The stopped pattern belt 12 is stopped.
Is not true, that is, in the case of the right design belt 12 (S4
08: NO), if the inner design belt 12 is rotating (S4).
11: Rotation) Return to S402. On the other hand, when the middle symbol belt 12 is already stopped (S411: stop) or when the right symbol belt 12 is already stopped in S409 (S409: stop), the three symbol belts 12 are stopped.
Have been stopped, the process returns from the stop processing (special prize mode) to the game processing. FIG. 8D shows a state in which the left, middle, and right symbol belts 12 are stopped.

As described above, first, the left design belt 12 is rotated at a low speed (S401), and when it is stopped, the middle design belt 12 is rotated at a low speed (S404 to S40).
6) When this is stopped, the right symbol belt 12 is rotated at low speed (S408 to S410), so that the player can easily recognize the symbol drawn on the symbol belt 12 rotating at low speed. This makes it easy to operate the stop switches 64a to 64c at appropriate timing. Therefore, even a person who is not excellent in dynamic visual acuity (for example, an elderly person), a person who does not frequently play, a beginner, and the like, presses the three symbols "7" in any of the valid prize lines 53a to 53e by pressing. It is easy to stop the belt 12 (establish a special prize).

Referring back to FIG. 6, after stopping the three symbol belts 12 in the belt stop processing (special prize mode), the control device 40 first sets the three symbol belts 12 along the effective prize lines 53a to 53e.
It is determined whether or not a prize combination serving as a special prize is established by the three symbols (S313).

If the special prize combination has not been established (S313: NO), it is determined whether another prize combination has been established (S314). If the prize combination has been established, the prize ball is discharged. (S316, in the case of a credit game, the credit amount is added for the prize ball and the display of the credit display area 71 is updated). After S316 or when the prize combination is not established (S314: N
O), the control device 40 returns to S301.

If a prize combination to be a special prize has been established (S313: YES), the bonus flag F1 is set to 1 and the hit flag F2 is set to 0 (S315). Eject the prize ball (S
316, if the credit game, the credit amount is added for the prize ball and the display of the credit display area 71 is updated), S30
Return to 1.

When the special prize is established, the bonus flag F1 is set.
Is set to 1, so that an affirmative determination is made in the next S305, and the bonus game is executed (S317). The special prize mode is maintained even in the bonus game, and the control device 40
Allows the formation of the special prize, and the symbol belt 12 is also rotated at a low speed. In the case of the present embodiment, the bonus game is a set of 12 games and is repeated three sets. However, in each set, if the special prize is established eight times (including the special prize that triggered the start of the bonus game in the first set), the set ends. When the third set ends (that is, when the bonus game ends), the bonus flag F1 is set to 0.

As described above, according to the slot machine 50 of this embodiment, a determination for mode switching is a hit, and a game in which a special prize can be established with a specific symbol (in the embodiment, symbol "7") is possible. In this state, the symbol belt 12 is rotated at a low speed, so that the player can see the symbol drawn on the symbol belt 12 rotating at a low speed and operate the stop switches 64a to 64c at an appropriate timing. . Therefore, even a person who is not excellent in dynamic visual acuity (for example, an elderly person), a person who does not frequently play, a beginner, and the like, presses the three symbols "7" in any of the valid prize lines 53a to 53e by pressing. It is easy to stop the belt 12 (establish a special prize).

Further, for example, only the left symbol belt 12 is rotated at a low speed, and the other symbol belts 12 are rotated at a high speed, so that the rotation speed is slowed down. You can tell immediately that it has become. Therefore, there is no need to memorize the reach eyes or look at the list of reach eyes, so that the player can concentrate on the game only and does not have to worry.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a process (S501) of determining whether or not a set number of games (for example, 20) has been executed since the special prize mode has been executed, and a case where the set number of games have been executed. Further, a process (S502) of setting the rotation speed of the symbol belt 12 at a low speed to a lower speed can be inserted at an appropriate position in the stop process (special prize mode) or the game process. In this way, if the player enters the special prize mode and only lowers the rotation speed by one step, it becomes easy for even a player whose rotation speed is still too high to push the eye.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described according to the examples and the modifications, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a structure of a symbol display device of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a mechanism for detecting a rotation amount of a symbol belt of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a belt determination process executed by the control device of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a game process executed by the control device of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a stop process (special award mode) executed by the control device of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the stop of the symbol belt and the change of the rotation speed by the stop processing (special prize mode).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a processing example for further reducing the rotation speed when a special prize is not established continuously up to a set number of times.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Symbol display device (symbol display means) 12 ... Symbol belt (variable area) 40 ... Control device (display control means, mode setting means, speed reduction means) 42 ... Payout device (payout means) 50 ... Slot machine (game machine) ) 53a-53e: Prize line 62: Start switch (start switch) 64a-64c: Stop switch (stop switch)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A symbol display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols in each of a plurality of variable regions and then statically displaying a symbol in each of the variable regions, a start switch for starting the variable display of the symbols, A stop switch for statically displaying the symbol, and a variable display of the symbol in each of the variable areas is started according to the operation of the start switch, and each time the stop switch is operated, the operated stop switch is Display control means for statically displaying a symbol in the corresponding fluctuation range, payout means for giving a prize value to a player when a prize combination is established by the statically displayed symbol, and a specific prize combination in the prize combination (special prize) A mode setting means for deciding whether or not to enter a special prize mode that allows the establishment of the special prize mode. Game machine characterized by comprising a speed reduction means for reducing than when it is not 該特 award mode change rate in variable display of the symbols in any or all of the. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the speed reduction means controls the fluctuation speed in any one of the fluctuation regions until the symbol is statically displayed in all of the plurality of fluctuation regions. A gaming machine characterized by being lowered. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the speed reduction unit reduces the fluctuation speed in accordance with the number of games in which the special prize has not been successfully established in the special prize mode. A gaming machine.