JP2001218891A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To let a player participate about if a direction is provided or not. SOLUTION: This slot machine is provided with a specific time-to-time interval counting means 71 for counting time from a first time to a second time (from the time when a first medal is charged to the time when a special prize set is won, for example) among times when a player makes operation or when events caused by operation of a player occur, a direction pattern memory means 73 memorizing plural sorts of direction patterns related to directions outputted when specific conditions are satisfied, a direction pattern selecting means 74 to select the direction pattern from the direction pattern memory means 73, and a direction outputting means 75 to output a direction, and when a value based on result of counting by the specific time-to-time interval counting means 71 satisfies a specific condition (to be within a specific time, for example), a direction such as notice for a small prize set won is outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine for generating a specific game mode or outputting a specific effect.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various lotteries are performed inside a slot machine. For example, an effect pattern for notifying a player of the possibility of winning a role is selected by lottery. Then, effects are performed during the game by various methods based on the selected effect pattern.

In the slot machine, a lottery of a role is performed in order to determine a winning or a non-winning of a role. The lottery of the above-mentioned effect pattern reflects the result of the lottery of the role. Therefore, for example, when a role is won, an effect pattern with an effect is selected with a relatively high probability. On the other hand, when no role has been won, an effect pattern with no effect is selected with a high probability. Therefore, the player can estimate to some extent the possibility of winning a combination based on the presence / absence, type, frequency, and the like of the effect.

Further, for example, there is known a slot machine which shifts to a special game by winning a special role and generates a game mode advantageous to a player under a certain condition in a normal game after the special game is completed. ing. In this slot machine, it is determined by lottery whether or not to generate a game mode advantageous to the player.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, whether or not to perform an effect, the type of the effect, whether or not to generate a game mode advantageous to a player, etc. are all determined by:
It depended solely on the lottery performed inside the slot machine. Then, for example, when an effect pattern for performing an effect is selected by lottery, a predetermined effect is uniformly performed according to the selected effect pattern.

Here, there are a wide variety of players from beginners to advanced players. Therefore, if the effects considered to be average are performed uniformly, it becomes difficult for a beginner to understand the contents of the effects. On the other hand, if it is easy to understand the contents of the production, there is a problem that the advanced player feels unsatisfactory.

[0007] During a game in a game mode that is advantageous to the player, the degree of advantage varies depending on the skill of the player and the like. However, there is a problem in that whether or not to generate a game mode advantageous to the player itself is determined only by the lottery, and therefore, it depends only on the luck.

[0008] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to allow the player to participate in the presence or absence of an effect, to generate a game mode advantageous to the player, and to determine the game skill and character of the player. The purpose is to be able to perform a production that matches the type of the person.

[0009]

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by the following means. (Claim 1) The invention according to claim 1 is a method of measuring a specific time between a first time and a second time during operation of a player or occurrence of an event caused by operation of the player. Means, and a specific game mode generating means for generating a specific game mode when a value based on the measurement result of the specific time measuring section satisfies a predetermined condition.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the specific point-in-time measuring means is configured to perform, for example, a special game from a first time point to a second time point during operation of the player or occurrence of an event resulting from the operation of the player. The elapsed time from the start to the end of is measured. And the specific game mode generating means, when the value based on the measurement result of the specific time measuring means satisfies a predetermined condition,
For example, when the elapsed time from the start to the end of the special game is within a predetermined time, a specific game mode, for example, a game mode that is advantageous for the player is generated. Therefore,
It is possible to play a game that reflects the operation of the player or the length of the elapsed time based on the operation.

(Claim 2) The invention according to claim 2 is a specification for measuring an elapsed time from a first time point to a second time point during operation of a player or occurrence of an event caused by operation of the player. Point-to-time measurement means, effect pattern storage means for storing a plurality of types of effect patterns relating to the effect output when a predetermined condition is satisfied, effect pattern selecting means for selecting an effect pattern from the effect pattern storage means, Based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection means, and effect output control means for controlling the output of the effect,
When a value based on the measurement result of the specific point-in-time measuring means satisfies a predetermined condition, control is performed so as to output an effect.

[0012] In the invention according to claim 2, the specific point-in-time measuring means, for example, when power is turned on, from the first time point to the second time point during operation of the player or occurrence of an event resulting from the operation of the player. The elapsed time from the later insertion of the first medal to the winning of the first special role is measured. Then, when the value based on the measurement result of the specific point-in-time measuring means satisfies a predetermined condition, for example, when the elapsed time from the first medal insertion to the first special role winning is within a predetermined time, an effect is produced. Control to output. Specifically, during a special game which is shifted by winning a special role, an effect such as notifying the winning of the specific small role is performed.

When performing an effect, the effect pattern selecting means selects an effect pattern from the effect pattern storage means,
The effect output control means controls to output an effect based on the selected effect pattern. Therefore, it is possible to perform an effect reflecting the operation of the player or the length of the elapsed time based on the operation.

(Claim 3) The invention according to claim 3 is a specification for measuring an elapsed time from a first time point to a second time point during operation of a player or occurrence of an event caused by operation of the player. Point-to-time measurement means, effect pattern storage means for storing a plurality of types of effect patterns related to the effect to be output when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the effect pattern storage means based on the measurement results of the specific time point measurement means And an effect output control means for controlling the output of the effect based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selecting means.

[0015] In the invention according to claim 3, the specific point-in-time measuring means is provided, for example, from the first time point to the second time point during the operation of the player or the occurrence of an event resulting from the operation of the player. The elapsed time from when the medal is inserted by the user to when the stop switch is operated is measured.

The effect pattern selecting means selects an effect pattern from the effect pattern storage means based on the measurement result of the specific time measuring means. For example, if the elapsed time from the insertion of the medal to the operation of the stop switch is long, the effect pattern for beginners is selected, and if the elapsed time is short, the effect pattern for advanced users is selected.
Then, the effect output control means controls to output an effect based on the selected effect pattern. Therefore, it is possible to perform an effect reflecting the operation of the player or the length of the elapsed time based on the operation.

(Claim 4) The invention of claim 4 is based on claim 1.
The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specific point-in-time measuring means sets a specific operation time of the player as a first time point, and a time when a special role is won in a lottery of a role or the special time. The elapsed time is measured with the time when the special role is won as the second time point. In the invention according to claim 4, the elapsed time from the specific operation of the player to the winning or winning of the special combination is measured. Therefore, for example, when the elapsed time is short, it is possible to perform an effect or the like that is advantageous to the player.

(Claim 5) The invention of claim 5 is based on claim 1.
5. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific point-in-time measuring unit is configured to control the first time of the player. 6.
The elapsed time is measured by setting the time of the operation as a first time and the time of the second operation as a second time. In the invention of claim 5, the elapsed time from the first operation to the second operation of the player is measured. So, for example,
Depending on the length of the measured elapsed time, it is possible to perform an effect or the like corresponding to the game speed of the player.

(Claim 6) The invention of claim 6 is the invention of claim 1
6. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the specific point-in-time measuring means sets a start time of the special game as a first time point and sets an end time of the special game as a second time point, Is measured. In the invention according to claim 6, the elapsed time from the start to the end of the special game is measured. Therefore, for example, when the elapsed time is short, it is possible to perform an effect or the like that is advantageous to the player.

(Claim 7) The invention of claim 7 is based on claim 1.
7. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a measurement content display means for displaying the measurement content of said specific time measurement means in a manner recognizable by a player. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the measurement content of the measurement unit for the specific time is displayed by the measurement content display unit. Therefore, the player can play the game while observing the elapsed time between specific points in time by looking at the measurement content displayed on the measurement content display means.

(Claim 8) The invention of claim 8 is the invention of claim 2
The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a game control means for controlling a progress of the game; and a production control means for performing a control relating to a performance during the game. The effect control means includes the specific time measuring means, the effect pattern storage means, the effect pattern selection means, and the effect output control means.

In the invention of claim 8, the game control means for controlling the progress of the game and the performance control means for controlling the performance during the game are separate bodies, for example, a main control board and a sub control. And a substrate. Therefore, by separating the part that controls the progress of the game from the part that controls the performance during the game, even if the storage capacity of the memory for the performance increases, the storage capacity of the memory for the progress of the game is compressed. And so on. Therefore, it is possible to give a margin to the storage capacity of the game progress memory and the like.

(Claim 9) The invention of claim 9 is based on claim 8
Wherein the effect output control means controls to start output of the effect when receiving an effect output request signal. According to the invention of claim 9, for example, even when the effect pattern relating to the effect to be output is selected by the effect pattern selecting means, the effect is not output immediately based on the effect pattern, but the effect is produced. It is controlled to output an effect when it is time to start. This makes it possible to select an effect pattern when it is determined to output an effect, and to wait for an output request signal to be received, so that an effect can be output at an appropriate time.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the slot machine according to the eighth aspect, the effect control means outputs an effect based on information transmitted from the game control means. An effect output timing control means for determining a timing is provided. In the tenth aspect, the effect output timing control means determines the output time of the effect based on the information transmitted from the game control means. Therefore, there is no need to transmit information on the output timing of the effect from the game control means to the effect control means. Therefore, the processing load on the game control means can be reduced.

(Claim 11) According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the slot machine according to any one of the fourth to tenth aspects of the present invention, the player Game result storage means for storing a predetermined game result expressed based on the operation of, the game results stored in the game result storage means, and a value based on the measurement result of the specific time measurement means When a predetermined condition is satisfied, control is performed so as to output an effect.

In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the game result storage means stores a predetermined game result developed based on the operation of the player. Then, when the value based on the game result and the measurement result of the specific time measuring means satisfies a predetermined condition, control is performed so as to output an effect. Therefore, it is possible to perform an effect that reflects both the operation of the player or the length of elapsed time based on the operation and the game results. Therefore, an effect suitable for the skill, type, and the like of the player can be performed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the slot machine according to any one of the fourth to tenth aspects of the present invention, the player is Game result storage means for storing a predetermined game result expressed based on the operation of, the effect pattern selecting means, the game result stored in the game result storage means, and the specific time measurement means The effect pattern is selected from the effect pattern storage means on the basis of the measurement result.

In the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the game result storage means stores a predetermined game result developed based on an operation of the player. Then, an effect pattern is selected based on the game results and the measurement result of the specific point-in-time measuring means, and the effect is output. Therefore, it is possible to perform an effect that reflects both the operation of the player or the length of elapsed time based on the operation and the game results. Therefore, an effect suitable for the skill, type, and the like of the player can be performed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the slot machine according to any one of the second to tenth aspects, the effect pattern storage means stores a plurality of effect patterns. A plurality of pattern data tables are provided, and the effect pattern selecting means selects an effect pattern from the predetermined effect pattern data table, and stores a predetermined game result that is expressed based on a player's operation during the game. Game result storage means to be put,
Based on the game results stored in the game results storage means and the measurement results of the specific time measuring means, a game level judgment means for judging the skill level of the player, and a judgment result of the game level judgment means. An effect pattern data table switching means for switching the effect pattern data table used for selecting an effect pattern on the basis of the effect pattern data table.

[0030] In the invention of claim 13, the game result storage means stores a predetermined game result developed based on the operation of the player. The game level judging means judges the skill level of the player based on the game results and the measurement results between the specific points in time. The effect pattern storage means is provided with a plurality of effect pattern data tables, and the effect pattern data table switching means is adapted to select effect pattern data to be used for selecting an effect pattern based on the determination result of the game level determining means. Switch tables. The effect pattern selecting means selects an effect pattern from a predetermined effect pattern data table, and the effect output control means controls an effect output based on the selected effect pattern.

Therefore, the game level of the player is determined based on the game result and the measurement result between the specific points in time, for example, the winning ratio of the winning combination and the operation time interval of the operation switch, and the effect pattern corresponding to the game level is determined. Can be selected.

[0032]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of control of a slot machine in the present embodiment. The control means 50 of the slot machine 10 is a means for integrally controlling the entire slot machine 10 including the progress of the game of the slot machine 10 and the effects. The control means 50 performs C
A PU, a ROM for storing programs necessary for the progress of the game, data for production, and the like, and a RAM for temporarily storing the data and the like when the CPU performs various controls. Is provided.

On the output side (right side in the figure) of the control means 50, peripheral devices such as a motor 32 described below are electrically connected. The motor 32 is for rotating the reel 31 and is connected to a rotation center of the reel 31.
It is controlled by the game control means 60.

The reel 31 has a ring shape, and a plurality of types of symbols (symbols constituting a winning combination) are provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
Is printed on the reel tape. In this embodiment, three reels 31 are provided in parallel. Each reel 31 is arranged so that three vertically consecutive symbols can be seen from a display window (not shown) provided on the front panel of the slot machine 10. Then, when the reel 31 is rotated by the motor 32, the symbol on the reel 31 is moved and displayed in the display window at a predetermined speed in the vertical direction.

The winning combinations include, for example, special combinations such as big bonuses, plural types of small combinations, and replays (replaying combinations). The special role is a role to shift from a normal game to a special game (a game advantageous to the player). The small combination is a combination for paying out a predetermined number of medals. Furthermore, the replay is a role that enables the player to perform a re-game while maintaining the bet number (the bet number of medals) in the game.

The combinations of the symbols on the reel 31 corresponding to the above various combinations are predetermined. When the combination of the symbols stopped on the activated line matches the symbol combination of the predetermined combination when all the reels 31 are stopped, the combination is won and the medal is paid out. Profit is given to the player. For example, when the symbol combination "7"-"7"-"7", which is a combination of the symbols constituting the special combination, stops on the activated line, the special combination is won.

Here, for example, five effective lines are set in a portion including the display window of the front panel. This effective line is composed of three lines in the upper, middle, and lower stages in the horizontal direction, and two lines in the diagonally downward and rightward directions. Then, the three symbols continuous from above and below the reel 31 seen from each display window are located on three effective lines in the upper, middle, and lower rows in the horizontal direction. The activated line is activated according to the number of inserted medals. When one medal is inserted, one effective line in the middle stage in the horizontal direction is used. When two medals are inserted, three effective lines in the horizontal direction are used.
In the case of a sheet, all five effective lines are activated.

The speaker 34 outputs a predetermined sound in order to perform various effects during the game. Also,
In the present embodiment, the image display device 35 includes a liquid crystal display or the like that displays a color image, and is provided in a front panel of the slot machine 10 so as to be visible to a player. The image display device 35 displays various images when performing an effect during a game.
Furthermore, the measurement content display means 36 displays the measurement content of the later-described specific time measurement means 71 so that the player can recognize it. Note that the image display device 35 may also serve as the measurement content display means 36.

Further, peripheral devices such as a medal sensor 45 described below are electrically connected to the input side (the left side in the figure) of the control means 50. The medal insertion slot 44 is a portion where a player inserts medals for a game. The medal sensor 45 is a sensor that detects a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 44 and the like. The bet switch 43 indicates the number of bets (the number of medals bet) within the range of the credit by the player.
This is a switch that is operated when inputting.

The start switch 41 is a switch operated when the player starts the rotation of the reel 31. The stop switch 42 is a switch that is arranged in parallel for each reel 31 independently and is operated by a player when the rotation of each reel 31 is stopped.

In the normal game, the player inserts medals through the medal slot 44 to activate the activated line,
The start switch 41 is turned on. Thereby, each reel 31 is started. Then, the player presses the stop switch 42 to stop the rotation of the reel 31. Then, when the combination of the symbols on the reels 31 stopped on the activated line matches a predetermined combination of symbols of some combination, a winning is achieved, and medals are paid out in accordance with the established combination.

During each game, various effects such as sound output from the speaker 34 and the image display 3
5 is displayed. Further, the effects include a notification effect of the possibility of winning the role. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the elapsed time between specific points in the game is measured, and an effect is performed according to the measurement result. This will be described later.

The control means 50 comprises: a game control means 60;
An effect control means 70 is provided. (Game Control Means) The game control means 60 performs control directly related to the progress of the game, and includes the following lottery lottery means 61 and the like. The game control means 60 is not limited to the following.

(Position Lottery Means) The role lottery means 61 performs lottery of a role (special role such as big bonus, small role or replay). The role lottery means 61 includes, for example, a random number generating means (hard random number or the like) for a role lottery, a random number extracting means for extracting a random number generated by the random number generating means, and a random number value extracted by the random number extracting means. There is provided determination means for determining the presence or absence of a winning combination and determining the winning combination.

The random number generation means of the combination lottery means 61 generates random numbers in a predetermined area (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal system). The random number extracting means extracts the random number generated by the random number generating means at a predetermined time, in this embodiment, when the start switch 41 is turned on by the player. The determining means determines the combination corresponding to the area to which the random value belongs by comparing the random number value extracted by the random number extracting means with the lottery table. For example, if the extracted random number value belongs to the special combination winning area, it is determined that the special combination has been won, and if it belongs to the non-winning area, it is determined that it has not been won.

(Reel Stop Control Unit) The reel stop control unit 62 is in a game state (normal game state, special game state, etc.).
And the lottery result of the role lottery means 61 and the stop switch 4
From the timing at which the reel 31 is turned on, the reel 31
Is stopped, and the reel 31 is controlled to stop at the determined position. The game control means 60 is provided with a stop position determination table. The stop position determination table is provided in accordance with the lottery result of the combination lottery means 61 and the game state, and determines the stop position of the reel 31 based on the operation timing of the stop switch 42.

The reel stop control means 62
A predetermined stop position determination table corresponding to the lottery result 1 is selected, and when the stop switch 42 is turned on, the stop position of the reel 31 is determined by referring to the stop position determination table based on the timing. I do. And
The reel stop control means 62 controls the drive of the motor 32 to control the reel 31 to stop at a predetermined position.
When any role is won by the role lottery means 61,
The combination of the symbols on the reel 31 corresponding to the winning combination is controlled so as to stop on the activated line as much as possible. Also,
In the case of non-winning in the lottery of the role lottery means 61, the reel 3 is set so that any combination of symbols of the role does not stop on the activated line.
1 is controlled to stop.

(Payout Means) When the reel 31 stops, the payout means 63 is a combination of symbols stopped on the activated line and is a combination of symbols of some combination. The control is performed so that a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the player. When the above-mentioned replay is won, the control is performed so that the number of medals inserted in the game is automatically inserted without paying out medals.

(Control Effect for Effect) On the other hand, the effect control means 70 performs, among the controls of the slot machine 10, particularly the control relating to the effect, and includes the following specific time measuring means 71 and the like. The effect control means 70 is not limited to the following.

(Specific time measuring means) The specific time measuring means 71 measures the elapsed time from the first time to the second time during the operation of the player or the occurrence of an event resulting from the operation of the player. It is to measure. Here, “when the player operates” means, for example, when the player inserts medals from the medal insertion slot 44, when the bet switch 43 is operated, when the start switch 41 is operated, or when each stop switch 42 is operated. Is mentioned. The “when an event occurs due to the operation of the player” includes, for example, when the reel 31 is started or stopped, when the role is selected by the role lottery means 61, when a role is won, or when a combination of specific symbols appears. Time, or the start or end of a special game.

Further, the first time point and the second time point may be each time of operation of the player, or each time of occurrence of an event caused by operation of the player. An example in which both the first time point and the second time point are at the time of a player's operation is, for example, the first time point.
There is a case where the time point is when a medal is inserted (or when the bet switch 43 is operated) and the second time point is when the last stop switch 42 is operated. Further, as an example in which both the first time point and the second time point are times when an event resulting from the operation of the player occurs, for example, the first time point is the start time of the special game, and the second time point is the end time of the special game. It is time.

Further, as an example in which one of the first time and the second time is at the time of operation of the player and the other is at the time of occurrence of an event caused by the operation of the player, for example, the first time is a slot machine. There is a case where the first medal is inserted after the power is turned on and the second time is when the special role is first won after the power is turned on.

(Measurement result storage means) Measurement result storage means 7
Numeral 2 is for storing the measurement result by the specific time measuring means 71 in a predetermined memory (RAM or the like). Since the measurement result is referred to when determining whether or not to perform a specific effect, the measurement result is held.

(Effect Pattern Storage Means) The effect pattern storage means 73 stores a plurality of effect patterns relating to the effect reflecting the result of measurement by the specific time measurement means 71. In the present embodiment, three types of effects (first effect to third effect) are provided as effects reflecting the measurement results of the specific point-in-time measuring means 71, and three types of effects corresponding to these effects, respectively. Pattern data table 73a
To 73c are provided. That is, the effect pattern data table 73 storing the effect patterns of the first effect.
a, an effect pattern data table 73b storing an effect pattern of a second effect, and an effect pattern data table 73c storing an effect pattern of a third effect.

(Effect Pattern Selection Means) The effect pattern selection means 74 selects an effect pattern from a predetermined effect pattern data table 73a in the effect pattern storage means 73. First, as a selection method,
There is a case where the selection is made in accordance with the measurement result of the measurement unit 71 between specific times, and a second case where the selection is made by performing a lottery based on the measurement result.

Here, when the selection is made in accordance with the measurement result of the specific time measuring means 71, when the effect pattern is selected,
The effect pattern corresponding to the measurement result is specified with reference to the measurement result of the specific time measuring means 71, and the effect pattern is selected. When the selection is made by lottery, a predetermined random number generating means (soft random number or the like) is used. And
One of the effect patterns is selected according to a predetermined effect pattern selection probability. As a specific method, a method equivalent to the above-described lottery means 61 is used.

(Production output control means) Production output control means 7
Numeral 5 controls the output of the effect based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selecting means 74. A speaker 34 and an image display device 35 are used as peripheral devices for outputting the effect.

(Game result storage means) Game result storage means 7
Reference numeral 6 denotes a memory for storing a predetermined game result that is expressed based on a player's operation during the game.
M and the like. Here, as game results,
For example, the following are mentioned. However, it is not limited to these.

(1) The number of winning special roles in the past. Here, when there are a plurality of winning modes of the special combination, it may be stored for each mode. (2) The number of medals acquired by a player who is playing a special game in the past. (3) Cumulative number of games since power-on. (4) The number of games from the end of the previous special game to the time when the special role is won this time. Further, the difference between the number of games and the number of games from the end of the special game two times before to the time when the last special role is won. (5) Changes in the past payout rate (the number of medals).

(6) The number of games during the game with the privilege, the number of acquired medals, and the like when the player performs the game with the privilege under a certain condition after the end of the special game. (7) The number of games in which the game has been continued in the case where a game (concentrated role) in which the winning probability of the specific role is high is provided. (8) Number of winnings and winnings of various roles. Furthermore, the winning ratio for the winning of the small role (how much ratio could be won at the time of winning the small role). (9) Whether or not a specific symbol combination has appeared when the reel 31 is stopped, and the number of appearances. (10) Game speed per unit time (number of digestive games per unit time). (11) lottery of a role, lottery of an effect pattern, lottery of a predetermined data table, lottery of a reel stop control pattern, etc.
The result of some lottery performed inside the slot machine 10.

(Game Level Judging Means) The game level judging means 77 judges the skill level of the player based on the game results stored in the game result storing means 76 and the measurement result of the specific time measuring means 71. Is what you do. First, of the game results stored in the game result storage means 76,
For example, the skill level of the player is determined based on the winning ratio of the winning combination of the small winning combinations and the game results such as the game speed per unit time. Specifically, it is determined that the higher the winning ratio is, the higher the skill of the player is, and the higher the game speed per unit time is, the higher the skill of the player is.

Secondly, among the measurement results of the specific point-in-time measuring means 71, for example, each of a medal insertion operation (operation of the bet switch 43), an operation of the start switch 41, and an operation of each of the stop switches 42. The elapsed time between operations is counted, and when the elapsed time is long or when it is considered that the operation is being performed appropriately, it is determined that the skill level of the player is low.

Here, the case where it is considered that the user is appropriately operating is, for example, the following case. It is assumed that a predetermined small win has been won by the role lottery means 61 and that the small win has become possible. That is, if the symbol of the small combination of the two stopped reels 31 stops on the activated line, and if the symbol of the small combination stops on the activated line when the last reel 31 (still rotating) is stopped, the small combination is stopped. It is assumed that a role has been won. At this time, when the last reel 31 is stopped, the stop switch 4 is stopped at such a timing that the symbol of the small role cannot be clearly stopped on the activated line.
2 is turned on. In the present embodiment, of the three types of beginner, intermediate, and advanced, it is determined to which level the player who is currently playing belongs. Also,
This determination is always made during the game, and the determination result is updated as needed so that the player can quickly respond even if he or she is replaced.

(Effect pattern data table switching means) The effect pattern data table switching means 78 is an effect pattern data table 73b used for selecting an effect pattern based on the judgment result of the game level judging means 77.
Is to be switched. In this embodiment,
The effect pattern data table 73b includes three effect pattern data tables 73b-1 (for beginners), 73b-2 (for intermediate users), and 73b-3 (for advanced users) according to the determination result of the game level determining means 77. For).

Then, until then, the game level judging means 7
7 determines that the player is a beginner and uses the effect pattern data table 73b-1, but the player is replaced, and based on the player's playing results and measurement results, May be determined to be a person. In this case, the effect pattern data table switching means 78 switches from the effect pattern data table 73b-1 to the effect pattern data table 73b-3.

Next, in the slot machine 10, effects (first effect to third effect) reflecting the measurement results for a specific time point are taken.
Will be described. (First Effect) The first effect is an effect performed under certain conditions when the special role is first won after the power of the slot machine 10 is turned on. After the power of the slot machine 10 is turned on, the specific point-in-time measuring means 71 starts measuring time with a first time point when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 44 as a first time point. The time when the special combination first wins is set as the second time point, and the elapsed time from the first time point to the second time point is measured. When the elapsed time is within a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes), the first effect is performed during the special game.

Here, the special game will be outlined. First, when the special combination of symbols stops on the active line,
After the winning of the special combination and the payout of the predetermined number, the game is shifted to a special game different from the normal game. In the special game, first, the game is shifted to the general game during the special game. Then, during this normal game, when the combination of the symbols of the shift combination for shifting to the bonus game is stopped on the activated line, the game is shifted to the bonus game.

In the bonus game, the gaming state is such that a predetermined winning combination is won with a high probability. When the number of games played in the bonus game reaches the specified number of times, or when the number of winnings in the bonus game reaches the specified number of times, the bonus game is terminated and the game is shifted to the general game in the special game again. As described above, during the special game, the general game and the bonus game are repeated, and when the number of games in the general game reaches the specified number of times, or the number of transitions from the general game to the bonus game becomes the specified number of times. At the end of the current bonus game, the special game is ended, and the normal game is returned again.

The first effect is an effect of notifying a player when a specific small role is won in a general game during a special game. Although various forms are possible as a method of notification, it is sufficient to use the image display device 35 or the like so that the player can recognize that the specific small role has been won. When the transition to the special game is made, the effect pattern selecting means 74 selects the effect pattern of the general game from the effect pattern data table 73a. Here, the effect pattern data table 73a includes an effect pattern for notifying the winning of a specific small role in an ordinary game during a special game, and an effect pattern for not informing.

The control means for effect 70 determines whether or not a medal is to be inserted from the medal slot 44 first after the power of the slot machine 10 is turned on among the measurement results stored in the measurement result storage means 72. Refer to the elapsed time until the special role is won. When it is determined that the time is within the predetermined time (60 minutes in the present embodiment), the first effect of notifying the winning of the specific small role is performed in the general game during the special game. On the other hand, if it is determined that the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, the general game during the special game,
Do not notify the winning of a particular small role. Then, when it is determined that the first effect is to be performed, the effect pattern selecting means 74 selects an effect pattern for notifying the winning of the specific small role in the general game during the special game from the effect pattern data table 73a. . On the other hand, effect pattern selecting means 7
4, when it is determined not to perform the first effect,
Select an effect pattern that does not notify the winning of the particular small role.
The effect output control unit 75 outputs effects such as sound output by the speaker 34, image display by the image display device 35, and lighting of lamps, etc., in a general game during a special game, based on the selected effect pattern. Control.

By performing the first effect described above,
If the winning of the specific small role is notified in the general game during the special game, the player is less likely to miss the selected special small role, which is advantageous for the player. In addition, the elapsed time from the first medal insertion after the power supply of the slot machine 10 is displayed by the measurement content display means 36 described above,
Allow players to recognize elapsed time.

(Second Effect) The second effect is an effect mainly performed using the image display device 35 during a normal game. The specific point-in-time measuring means 71 sets an arbitrary time among a medal insertion by the player, an operation of the bet switch 43, an operation of the start switch 41, and an operation of each stop switch 42 as the first time, the second time, and the second time. As a time point, the elapsed time between each operation, the elapsed time from the insertion of the medal to the last operation of the stop switch 42, and the like are continuously measured for a predetermined number of games. This measurement result is stored in the measurement result storage means 72.

The effect control means 70 adds up the measurement results of the elapsed time for a predetermined number of games, and calculates, for example, an average value. The game level judging means 77 judges the skill level of the player based on the result of the calculation and the game results (such as the winning ratio of winning the small role) stored in the game result storing means 76. As described above, it is determined which of the three levels, beginner, intermediate, and advanced, belongs to.
The effect pattern data table switching means 78 outputs the effect pattern data table 7 corresponding to the skill level of the player.
3b (73b-1 to 73b-3).

The effect pattern selecting means 74 selects an effect pattern by lottery using the effect pattern data table 73b selected by the effect pattern data table switching means 78. Effect output control means 75
Controls to output an effect such as image display by the image display device 35 during the normal game based on the selected effect pattern.

For example, in the effect pattern data table 73b-1 for beginners, there are more effect patterns for notifying the possibility of winning a special role than the effect patterns of the other effect pattern data tables 73b. When the player is a beginner, such an effect is performed more frequently so that the player is not bored.
Further, when the small role is won, the effect pattern for notifying the winning of the small role may be increased. On the other hand, in the effect patterns of the effect pattern data table 73b-3 for advanced users, many effect patterns for outputting more advanced effects are provided. According to the second effect described above, an effect suitable for the skill level of the player can be performed, so that an appropriate effect can be performed for players of various game levels.

(Third Effect) The third effect is an effect performed under certain conditions after the end of the special game. When the transition to the special game is made, the specific time measuring means 71 sets the start time of the special game as a first time point and the end time of the special game as a second time point, and the elapsed time from the first time point to the second time point Is measured, and the measurement result is stored in the measurement result storage means 72. Then, when returning to the normal game again after the end of the special game, the effect control means 70 determines whether or not the normal game is a normal game with an effect under certain conditions.
The effect control means 70 determines whether or not the elapsed time from the start to the end of the special game stored in the measurement result storage means 72 is within a predetermined time, and determines that it is within the predetermined time. At this time, the normal game with the third effect is performed under a certain condition (for example, on condition of 100 games), and when the predetermined time is exceeded, the normal game without the third effect is performed.

In the case where it is determined by the effect control means 70 that the normal game with the third effect is to be performed, when the small role is won in the normal game, the effect pattern selecting means 74 sets the effect pattern data table From 73c, an effect pattern for notifying the winning of the small role is selected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal game without the third effect is to be performed, the effect pattern selecting means 74 determines the role lottery means 61.
Even when the small role is won, an effect pattern that does not notify the winning of the small role is selected. By performing the third effect described above, the player can reduce the number of missed small winning combinations during the normal game in which the small winning is notified.

Next, taking the first effect as an example, the flow of the effect will be described based on a flowchart. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are flowcharts illustrating the flow of the first effect. FIG. 3 is a flowchart following FIG. First, in step S1 of FIG.
When the power is turned on, the process proceeds to step S2, and the game control means 60 continues to detect the first input signal from the medal sensor 45 after the power is turned on. When this signal is detected, it is determined that a medal has been inserted first after the power of the slot machine 10 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the specific time measuring means 7
1 is the first time when the medal is inserted,
Start measuring elapsed time. Next, in step S4,
After the power is turned on, the game control means 60 continues to detect the winning of the special combination until the special combination wins first (the combination of the symbols constituting the special combination stops on the activated line). When the gaming control means 60 detects the first special role winning,
Proceeding to step S5, the specific point-in-time measuring means 71 ends the measurement with the first special combination winning time as the second time point.
That is, after the start of the measurement, the measurement unit 71 for the specific time continues the measurement until the first winning of the special combination is detected. Then, in step S6, the measurement result storage unit 72
Then, the elapsed time from the first time point to the second time point is stored.

Next, proceeding to step S7, the game control means 60 starts a special game. As described above, a special game is a game in which a general game during a special game, which is a game aiming to win a small role, and a bonus game in which the winning of a predetermined role occurs with a high probability until a predetermined termination condition is satisfied. It is.

In the next step S8, the game control means 6
0 determines whether or not the specific small combination has been won during the general game of the special game. If the specific small win has been won, the process proceeds to step S9, and if not, the process proceeds to step S11. Further, in step S9, the control means for effect 70
The measurement result by the specific time measuring means 71 (step S3
It is determined whether or not the elapsed time from step S5 to step S5) is within a predetermined time (60 minutes in the present embodiment). This determination is made by referring to the measurement results stored in the measurement result storage means 72. When it is determined that the time is within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S10, and when it is determined that the time is not within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S11.

When the process proceeds to step S10, that is, when the special role is won within a predetermined time after the first medal insertion after the power is turned on, a first effect which is advantageous to the player is performed. That is, in a general game during a special game, when a specific small role is won, an effect of notifying the player to that effect is performed. Therefore, step S
In 10, the effect pattern selecting means 74 selects an effect pattern with a first effect from the effect pattern data table 73a. Then, in step S12, the effect output control means 75, based on the selected effect pattern,
Control the output of the effect. Thereby, when the specific small role is won in the general game during the special game, an effect to notify the effect is performed, so that the player can reduce the loss of the specific small role.

On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S11, that is, when the specified small combination has not been won, or when the measured elapsed time is not within the predetermined time even if the specified small combination has been won (first time). When the special combination does not win within a predetermined time after the insertion of the medal, the effect pattern selecting means 74 selects the first effect-free effect pattern from the effect pattern data table 73a. Then, in step S12, the effect output control means 75 controls the output of the effect based on the selected effect pattern. As a result, when the process proceeds to step S11, even when the specific small role is won in the general game during the special game, the fact is not notified to the player.

In the next step S13, the game control means 60 determines whether or not a special game end condition is satisfied.
When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the processing according to this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the special game end condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S8.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the game control means 60 and the effect control means 70 are provided in one control means 50. However, in the second embodiment, although not shown, the game control means 60 and the effect control means 70 are separately provided. That is, the main control board having the game control means 60 and the sub-control board having the effect control means 70 are separately configured, and both boards are electrically connected so that information can be exchanged. At this time, each substrate has a CP
U, ROM, RAM and the like are provided. The rest is the same as the first embodiment.

In this way, the load on the storage capacity of the main control board can be reduced. That is,
Since the storage capacity of one board has a certain limit, by giving the effect data and programs output from the image display device 35 and the like to the sub-control board side, the storage capacity on the main control board side can be provided with a margin. You can have. In particular, when an image is displayed by the image display device 35, a large amount of image data is required. However, it is possible to prevent the storage capacity of the main control board from being overwhelmed by the image data.

The game control means 60 is provided with the above-mentioned first control.
Is transmitted to the effect control means 70 for the effect, the second effect, and the third effect. (1) Transmission and Reception of Information Related to First Effect The gaming control means 60 transmits information indicating that a medal has been inserted first after power-on, and information indicating that a special role has been initially awarded after power-on. It is transmitted to the effect control means 70. The effect control means 70 receives the information and controls the measurement by the specific time measuring means 71. In the general game during the special game, the lottery means 6 of the game control means 60
When the specific small role is won in 1, the information is transmitted to the effect control means 70. The effect control means 70 receives this information and controls the effect of notifying the winning of the particular small role.

(2) Transmission and Reception of Information Related to the Second Performance The game control means 60 operates the information that the medal has been inserted by the player, the information that the bet switch 43 has been operated, and the start switch 41 that has been operated. The effect information and the information that each stop switch 42 has been operated are transmitted to the effect control means 70. The effect control means 70 receives the information and controls the measurement by the specific time measuring means 71.

(3) Transmission and Reception of Information Related to Third Performance The game control means 60 includes information indicating that a special game has started,
And information indicating that the special game has ended,
Send to 0. The effect control means 70 receives the information and controls the measurement by the specific time measuring means 71.

The effect output control means 75 controls the output of the effect to start when the effect output request signal is received. For example, even when the effect pattern is selected by the effect pattern selecting means 74, the effect is not output immediately based on the effect pattern, but is output when it is time to start the effect. To control. Thereby, even if the timing of selecting the effect pattern and the output start time of the effect are shifted in time, the effect pattern can be selected regardless of the output start time of the effect.

Here, the effect output request signal may be transmitted from the main control board to the sub-control board. Alternatively, the effect control means 70 may be provided with effect output timing control means for determining the output time of the effect based on the information transmitted from the game control means 60. If the effect output timing control means is provided in the effect control means 70,
Since it is not necessary to transmit information on the output timing of the effect from the main control board to the sub-control board, the control burden on the main control board is reduced. Thereby, the game control means 60 only needs to sequentially transmit the information to be transmitted to the effect control means 70 to the effect control means 70 sequentially, without having to consider the transmission timing. Therefore, the control burden of the game control means 60 can be reduced. Also,
The game control means 60 can transmit information at any time.

[0092] Even when the main control board and the sub control board are formed separately as described above, there is only one power supply unit. That is, the power supply source of the main control board and the sub control board is common.

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the specific point in time is measured by the specific point in time measuring means 71, and the measurement result is used in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments. . However, in the third embodiment, a specific game mode generating unit that generates a specific game mode when the measurement result of the specific time measuring unit 71 satisfies a predetermined condition is provided. That is, in the third embodiment, the measurement result is not reflected in the effect but in the game mode.

As a specific game mode, for example, a normal game after the end of a special game is to generate a game mode that is advantageous to the player under certain conditions. Specifically, the specific time point measuring means 71 measures an elapsed time from the start of the special game (first time point) to the end of the special game (second time point). If the elapsed time (the time required for the special game) is within a predetermined time, the normal game after the end of the special game has a predetermined number of games (for example, 100 games), for example, the replay winning probability is smaller than that of the normal game. The game mode is set to be significantly higher.

In this game mode, replays are frequently won, and the number of non-winning games is significantly smaller than usual. Therefore,
The player can wait for the winning of the special role without reducing the number of medals possessed. By setting in this manner, as in the case of the third effect, the player works to shorten the game time during the special game, and as a result, the operating rate of the slot machine 10 can be increased. Become like

In this case, two lottery tables used by the combination lottery means 61 during a normal game may be provided. One is a normal lottery table, and the other is a lottery table in which the winning probability of replay is increased. Then, when generating the above-mentioned game mode, the latter lottery table may be used. When the game in this specific game mode has reached the predetermined number of games, the game may be switched to a normal lottery table.

As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
The following various modifications are possible. (1) For example, in the first effect, the second effect, and the third effect, a plurality of effects can be simultaneously performed instead of performing any one of these effects. Specifically, when performing the first effect and the second effect at the same time,
Two counters for measuring time are provided in the specific time measuring means 71. After the power of the slot machine 10 is turned on by the first counter, time measurement is started with the first medal insertion as a first time point, and the measurement is ended with the first time a special role is won as a second time point. . This elapsed time is stored in the measurement result storage means 72 as a first measurement result.

At the same time, the measurement is started by the second counter with the medal insertion as the first time point, and the measurement is terminated with the last operation of the stop switch 42 as the second time point. This elapsed time is stored in the measurement result storage means 72 as a second measurement result. Then, the first effect may be performed based on the first measurement result, and the second effect may be performed based on the second measurement result.

(2) For the first effect and the third effect,
Direction pattern data tables 73a and 73c respectively
Has an effect pattern with an effect and an effect pattern without an effect. However, without being limited to this, the effect pattern data tables 73a and 73c may be provided with only effect patterns for performing the first effect and the third effect, respectively. Then, when the value based on the measurement result of the specific time measuring unit 71 satisfies a predetermined condition, and in the present embodiment, when the elapsed time is within a predetermined time, the effect control unit 70 performs the first effect and the A third effect may be performed. In addition, when the value based on the measurement result of the specific point-in-time measurement unit 71 does not satisfy the predetermined condition, and in the present embodiment, when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time, the effect control unit 70 performs the first effect or the first effect. Do not perform the production of 3. At this time, the effect pattern selecting means 74
In such a case, it is only necessary that the effect pattern is not selected, and only a general effect prepared in advance is uniformly performed.

[0100]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
It is possible to play a game that reflects the operation of the player or the length of the elapsed time based on the operation. (Claim 2, Claim 3) According to the invention of claim 2 or claim 3, it is possible to perform an effect reflecting the operation of the player or the length of elapsed time based on the operation.

(Claim 4, Claim 5, Claim 6) According to the invention of claim 4, claim 5, or claim 6, an effect or the like advantageous to the player is performed by the length of the measured elapsed time. Or an effect or the like that matches the player's playing speed or the like. (Claim 7) According to the invention of claim 7, the player can play the game while observing the elapsed time between specific points in time by looking at the measurement content displayed on the measurement content display means.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the portion for controlling the progress of the game and the portion for controlling the effect during the game are separated, so that the storage capacity of the effect memory and the like is increased. However, since the storage capacity of the game progress memory or the like is not pressed, the storage capacity of the game progress memory or the like can be given a margin.

(Claim 9) According to the invention of claim 9, it is possible to select an effect pattern when it is decided to output an effect, and to wait until an output request signal is received. Production can be output at appropriate times. (Claim 10) According to the invention of claim 10, there is no need to transmit information on the output timing of the effect from the game control means to the effect control means. Therefore, the processing load on the game control means can be reduced.

(Claim 11 and Claim 12) According to the invention of claim 11 or claim 12, an effect reflecting both the operation of the player or the length of elapsed time based on the operation and the actual game results. Will be able to do it. Therefore, it is possible to perform an effect or the like that matches the skill and type of the player. (Claim 13) According to the invention of claim 13, the game level of the player is determined from the result of the game and the measurement result between the specific points in time, for example, the winning ratio for winning the combination and the operation time interval of the operation switch. The user can select an effect pattern that matches the game level.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of control of a slot machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a first effect.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a first effect, and is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 slot machine 31 reel 32 motor 34 speaker 35 image display device 36 measurement content display means 41 start switch 42 stop switch 43 bet switch 44 medal slot 45 medal sensor 50 control means 60 game control means 61 role lottery means 62 reel stop control Means 63 payout means 70 effect control means 71 specific time measuring means 72 measurement result storage means 73 effect pattern storage means 73a, 73b, 73c effect pattern data table 74 effect pattern selecting means 75 effect output control means 76 game result storing means 77 Game level determination means 78 Effect pattern data table switching means

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A specific time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from a first time to a second time during operation of a player or occurrence of an event caused by operation of the player, A slot machine comprising: a specific game mode generating unit that generates a specific game mode when a value based on a measurement result of the measuring unit satisfies a predetermined condition. 2. A specific time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from a first time to a second time during operation of the player or occurrence of an event resulting from the operation of the player; An effect pattern storage unit that stores a plurality of types of effect patterns related to an effect to be output when satisfied, an effect pattern selection unit that selects an effect pattern from the effect pattern storage unit, and an effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection unit. And an effect output control means for controlling the output of the effect, based on the control, when the value based on the measurement result of the specific point-in-time measuring means satisfies a predetermined condition, is controlled to output an effect. And a slot machine. 3. A specific time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from a first time to a second time during the operation of the player or the occurrence of an event caused by the operation of the player; Effect pattern storage means for storing a plurality of effect patterns relating to an effect to be output when satisfied, and effect pattern selecting means for selecting an effect pattern from the effect pattern storage means based on a measurement result of the specific point-in-time measuring means. And a production output control means for controlling production output based on the production pattern selected by the production pattern selection means. 4. One of claims 1 to 3
In the slot machine described in the paragraph, the specific point-in-time measuring means sets a specific operation of the player as a first point in time, and sets a time when a special role is won by lottery of a role or a time when the special role is won in a second time. A slot machine that measures elapsed time as a point in time. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
In the slot machine described in the paragraph, the specific point-in-time measuring means measures an elapsed time by setting a first operation time of the player as a first time point and a second operation time as a second time point. Slot machine to do. 6. Any one of claims 1 to 5
3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific time measuring means measures an elapsed time with a start time of the special game as a first time point and an end time of the special game as a second time point. Machine. 7. One of claims 1 to 6
The slot machine according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a measurement content display unit that displays the measurement content of the specific time measurement unit so that the player can recognize the measurement content. 8. Any one of claims 2 to 7
The slot machine according to the item, provided with a separate game control means for controlling the progress of the game, and a control means for effect for controlling the effect during the game, the effect control means, the specific time A slot machine comprising an interval measurement unit, the effect pattern storage unit, the effect pattern selection unit, and the effect output control unit. 9. The slot machine according to claim 8, wherein the effect output control means controls to start outputting the effect when receiving an effect output request signal. . 10. The slot machine according to claim 8, wherein the effect control means includes an effect output time control means for determining an effect output time based on information transmitted from the game control means. A slot machine comprising: 11. The slot machine according to claim 2 or claim 4 cited in claim 2, wherein a predetermined game developed based on a player's operation during the game. A game performance storage means for storing a performance, a game performance stored in the game performance storage means, and when the value based on the measurement result of the specific time measurement means satisfies a predetermined condition, an effect A slot machine characterized by controlling output. 12. The slot machine according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the predetermined game is developed based on an operation of a player during the game. The game pattern storage means for storing results, the effect pattern selection means, the game results stored in the game results storage means, based on the measurement results of the specific time measurement means, the effect pattern A slot machine wherein an effect pattern is selected from storage means. 13. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the effect pattern storage unit has a plurality of effect pattern data tables storing a plurality of effect patterns. The effect pattern selecting means selects an effect pattern from the predetermined effect pattern data table, and stores a predetermined game result that is expressed based on a player's operation during the game, a game result storage means, Based on the game results stored in the storage means, and a measurement result of the specific point-in-time measurement means, a game level judgment means for judging the skill of the player, based on the judgment results of the game level judgment means, Effect pattern data table switching means for switching the effect pattern data table used for selecting effect patterns; Slot machine characterized by Rukoto.