JP2002052123A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interesting slot machine whose game state can be changed under various conditions. SOLUTION: This slot machine performs the processing of deciding whether or not to allow the generation of at least small role winning before the display results of plural variable display parts are led out, is provided with an AT(assist time) state for reporting that it is decided to allow the generation of the small role winning beforehand and generates (SD5-SD17) the AT state corresponding to a drawn result at the time of ending a big bonus (SD3-SD4). The AT state is ended when the maximum number of times of continuous games is reached (YES in SD8) or when a big bonus winning flag is set (YES in SD9). The maximum number of times of the continuous games which is the ending condition is provided for plural forms (SD14-16).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine, and more particularly, to a slot machine having a variable display device having a plurality of variable display portions whose display states can be changed, wherein display results of the plurality of variable display portions are derived and displayed. Thus, the present invention relates to a slot machine in which a predetermined prize is generated when one game is completed and the display results of the plurality of variable display units have a predetermined display mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional slot machine of this type, a predetermined prize is generated when, for example, a display result of a plurality of variable display portions has a predetermined display mode. When a prize is generated, the player is provided with valuable values such as credits and coins, and / or advantageous game values such as replay games (replay games). Further, a special game state, such as a big bonus game, which is more advantageous to a player than a normal game state, is established when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the special game state ends when another predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0003] Since the special game state is advantageous to the player, once the special game state is entered, many prizes are generated, and the amount of valuable value paid out to the player increases.

On the other hand, the normal game state is disadvantageous for the player as compared with the special game state, and the game is played at a payout ratio in a predetermined range lower than the special game state. If the player continues to play at this payout ratio, the amount of valuables owned by the player used for the game will be greater than the amount of valuables paid out according to the game result, and therefore, if viewed over a long period of time, Decreases.

[0005] A special technique called an AT (Assist Time) state is a technique for preventing a decrease in the value of the player's possession in the normal game state according to the skill of the player, thereby improving the interest of the game. There is a slot machine in which a gaming state is introduced. In a general slot machine, after inputting the number of bets, it is determined in advance whether or not a winning is to be permitted using a random number generated internally when the start lever is pressed, and the determined result is Therefore, the variable display of the variable display section is stopped and controlled. The player cannot know the result of this internal determination.

[0006] The AT state is a game state in which a player is notified of a prize accompanied by a payout of valuable value, which is called a small role, out of prizes which are determined in advance to be permitted by the internal lottery. . When it is determined from the notification that the small lottery prize is allowed to be generated as a result of the internal lottery, the player attempts to push the display in order to obtain a display mode for generating the small role. Therefore, according to the skill of the player, it is possible to align the display result of the variable display device with the display mode for generating a small role at a relatively high rate, and as a result, the value of the player's possession in the AT state decreases. Can be prevented according to the skill of the player. This AT
The state ends when an end condition that a predetermined number of games end is satisfied.

[0007]

However, in this type of conventional slot machine, the predetermined number of games, which is the end condition of the AT state, is set to one type, and therefore, the timing at which the game state changes is not determined. There was a problem that it was unusual and lacked interest.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a highly entertaining slot machine in which a game state can be changed under various conditions.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units whose display states can be changed, and a display result of the plurality of variable display units is derived and displayed. When a game is completed, a predetermined prize is generated when a display result of the plurality of variable display units is in a predetermined display mode, and a gaming state of the slot machine is controlled. Game control means, and at least pre-determination means for preliminarily determining whether or not to allow the occurrence of a small winning combination before the display results of the plurality of variable display portions are derived. A small portion notification game state for notifying that the occurrence of the winning combination has been determined in advance, wherein the game control means generates the small portion notification game state when a predetermined start condition is satisfied;
It is possible to control to end the small-portion notification gaming state by establishment of a predetermined end condition different from the start condition, and as the end condition, a condition element of reaching a maximum continuous game in the small-portion notification game state. , And the maximum number of continuous games is plural.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the game control means starts when a predetermined condition is satisfied and ends when another predetermined condition is satisfied. It can be controlled and controlled to a special game state advantageous to the player, and the start condition is that the special game state has ended.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the special game state is a big bonus game.

The present invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In addition to the configuration of the invention described in any one of the above, the end condition further includes a condition element of deciding that the occurrence of the special game state is allowed by the pre-determining means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the present invention, when at least one of the plurality of condition elements included in the end condition is satisfied, the small part notification is issued. The game state is ended.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the small-portion notification game state ends when a certain condition element among the plurality of condition elements is satisfied. In such a case, an unsatisfied condition element carryover prohibiting unit that prohibits the unsatisfied condition elements other than the certain condition element from being carried over to the subsequent game and prolonging the duration of the small role notification game state in the subsequent game is prohibited. It is further characterized by including.

The present invention according to claim 7 provides the invention according to claims 1 to 6
In addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of the above, further includes a lottery means for performing a lottery to determine which of the plurality of aspects to generate, the lottery means, at a timing related to the end of the special game state It is characterized by performing a lottery.

The present invention described in claim 8 provides the invention according to claims 1 to 7
In addition to the configuration of the invention described in any one of the above, the player can input a bet number, which is a number corresponding to the magnitude of the value of the player's possession betting on the game result of the one game, within a predetermined range. The game further includes bet number input means, and in the small-portion notification game state, it is predetermined that the small-medium winning is allowed by the predetermined means in a game with a maximum bet number within at least the predetermined range. It is characterized by notifying that.

The present invention described in claim 9 provides the invention according to claims 1 to 8
In addition to the configuration of the invention described in any one of the above, in the small-portion notification gaming state, the slot machine continuously notifies that the small-portion notification gaming state is being performed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the notification of the small role notification game state, the game in which the end condition is satisfied is ended. It is characterized by terminating at a point in time.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is determined in advance by the determining means whether or not to allow at least the occurrence of the small winning combination. Then, when it is determined in advance that the occurrence of the small win is permitted in the small win notification gaming state started by the establishment of the predetermined start condition, the fact is notified. The small portion notification game state ends when a predetermined end condition is satisfied. The end condition includes a condition that the maximum number of continuous games is reached in the small portion notification game state, and the maximum number of continuous games is plural. Therefore, since there are a plurality of advantageous gaming states called the small role notification gaming state, the interest of the game is improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the game control means can control the special game state, and the condition that the special game state ends is provided. As a start condition, a small portion notification game state is started. When the special game state ends, the player can play the game with a sense of expectation that the small part notification game state will start.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the small-prize notification game state is started with the condition that the big bonus game is ended as a start condition. Therefore, at the end of the big bonus game, it is possible to play the game with a sense of expectation that the small portion notification game state will be started.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention as set forth in any of claims 1 to 3, the small-portion notification game state may allow the occurrence of a special game state. Ends when determined in advance. The special game state and the small part notification game state do not overlap with each other.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect of the present invention, a small part notification is provided when at least one of a plurality of condition elements included in the end condition is satisfied. The gaming state ends. It is possible to avoid that the small part notification game state continues for a long time and the ejaculation property becomes too high.

According to the present invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, some of the condition elements included in the end condition are satisfied, and the small part notification game state is set. When the game is over, the unfulfilled condition element carryover prohibiting means prohibits the carryover of the unfulfilled condition element from prolonging the duration of the small role notification game state in the subsequent games. It is possible to prevent the small value notification game state from being prolonged and giving the player an excessive value.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the small lottery is notified by the lottery means at the timing related to the end of the special game state. Any of the maximum number of continuous games in a plurality of modes is randomly selected as the maximum number of continuous games in the gaming state. Since the lottery is performed at an easy-to-understand time, which is a timing related to the end of the special game state, it is possible to reduce the player's distrust of the lottery of the maximum number of continuous games in the small role notification game state.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention as set forth in any of claims 1 to 7, at least the maximum number that can be input by the bet amount input means in the small portion notification game state. In the game based on the number of bets, if it is determined in advance that the occurrence of the small winning combination is permitted, the fact is notified. It is most advantageous for the player at the maximum bet.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, during the small-portion notification game state, the notification to that effect is continuously performed. Therefore, it is easy for the player to determine whether or not it is in the small role notification game state.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the notification of the small portion notification gaming state is provided by the condition that the small portion notification gaming state ends. The game ends when the established game ends. Therefore, the player in the small portion notification gaming state does not know whether or not the small portion notification gaming state ends in the game until the end of each game.

[0029]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The slot machine according to the present embodiment has the above-described A as an example of the small role notification game state.
It has a T state. FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a slot machine 1 as an example of a slot machine according to the present invention. At a predetermined location on the front side of the slot machine 1, a display window 71 is provided. Inside this display window 71,
A left variable display section 5L, a middle variable display section 5C, and a right variable display section 5R for allowing a player to visually recognize identification information such as a symbol variably displayed by the variable display device 70 are provided.
The left variable display unit 5L, the middle variable display unit 5C, and the right variable display unit 5R are each configured to be able to variably display a symbol in three upper and lower stages.

Around the variable display sections 5L, 5C and 5R,
Various display lamps and indicators are provided. For example,
The image display unit 177a is a display unit that displays a game state, a player's coin acquisition status, and the like by interchanging a predetermined character or the like, thereby improving the convenience of the game and enhancing the effect of the game. The display unit 78 is a display for introducing a winning symbol. Also, the replay lamp 75
Is a lamp that lights when a replay game described later is possible.

Further, in the slot machine 1, a game switching button 16, a coin insertion slot 18 into which coins of an example of a valuable value can be inserted, a start lever 12 operated when starting a game, and a bet number for setting the number of bets. Single BET button 73 and MAX BET button 74, variable display section 5
An operation panel 15 and the like on which stop buttons 9L, 9C, and 9R operated by a player to stop and control the L, 5C, and 5R are provided. The operation panel 15 has a left operation enable lamp 11L capable of independently emitting three display areas each having a donut shape surrounding each of the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R in different display colors, and a middle operation enable. A lamp 11C, a right operation effective lamp 11R,
An operation effective lamp 14 capable of emitting light in the entire area of the operation panel 15 except for one area is provided.

In the slot machine 1, it is possible to play a coin game in which a game is played by inserting coins, and a credit game using credits.

In the case of a coin game, when a player plays a game, a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 18 when the insertion instruction lamp 19 is lit or blinking. When one or more coins are inserted, the start lamp 72 is turned on. This indicates that the start lever 12 is in a start state in which the start lever 12 can be operated.

If the start lever 12 is operated while the start lamp 72 is lit, the variable display device 70 is variably started, and a plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed on the variable display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R. When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the variable display, the left stop button 9L and the middle stop button 9
C, the pressing operation of the right stop button 9R is enabled.
When the player presses any one of the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, the variable display of the corresponding variable display section is stopped. There is no restriction on the order in which the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R are pressed, and the player can arbitrarily select them.

On the other hand, the player operates the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9
When R is not pressed, each of the variable display units 5L, 5C, and 5R is, for example, 5
Automatically stop sequentially in the priority order of L, 5C, 5R.

In the case of a coin game, the player inserts one coin from the coin insertion slot 18 and starts the start lever 12.
By pressing, only the hit line in the middle horizontal row in the variable display units 5L, 5C, and 5R is activated. This is called a single bet game. The activated hit line is called an activated line. This activated line is displayed when the activated line display lamp 21 is turned on. Paying out a predetermined number of coins, such as the above-mentioned small winning combination, when the symbol displayed when the variable display device 70 is stopped has a predetermined specific display mode on the middle horizontal row of one effective line. , Etc., and a predetermined game value can be given. In particular, when a predetermined special display mode is set, coins are paid out and a big bonus game or a regular bonus game described later can be started.

The player inserts two coins into the coin slot 18
When the start lever 12 is depressed in the state of being inserted, the horizontal lines in the variable display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R are activated, and the activated lines are displayed by the activated line display lamps 21 and 22. When the display result when the variable display device 70 is stopped becomes a predetermined specific display mode on any one of the three effective lines, a state in which a predetermined game value can be provided. This is called a three-bet game. In the coin game, the insertion instruction lamp 19 is turned off when the maximum bet amount is reached (one in the regular bonus game, three in the other cases).

Further, when the player presses the start lever 12 with three coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 18, three horizontal rows and two diagonally diagonal rows in the variable display portions 5L, 5C, and 5R are displayed. A total of five hit lines are valid, and these valid lines are valid line display lamps 21 and
2 and 23. When a predetermined specific display mode is set on any of the five activated lines, a predetermined game value can be given. This is called a three-bet game.

Note that the effective line display lamps 21 and 2
The two effective line display lamps 22 also serve as small portion winning notification lamps in the AT state. That is, as a result of the internal lottery, it is determined in advance that the winning of the small winning combination is permitted, and when the small winning is to be notified, the start line 12 is operated and the activated line display lamp 21
Of the three lamps 22, at least the one corresponding to the small role is displayed blinking, and as a result, the player internally obtains a lottery result allowing the occurrence of the small role prize, and You can know what kind is. At this time, at the same time as operating the start lever 12,
A different sound effect is generated than when the small part notification is not performed.
Therefore, the player knows that the small winning combination has been won internally, and can press the variable display unit to stop at a symbol corresponding to the small winning combination. Note that “small role” does not include occurrence of a special game state such as a big bonus game or a bonus game, or occurrence of a replay game,
A prize that involves only the payment of value.

When all of the variable display units are stopped, the flashing effective line display lamp for the small role notification is turned off.
Instead, if there is a prize, the activated line display lamp corresponding to the activated line with the winning symbols starts blinking.

In the slot machine of this embodiment, as will be described later, when notifying a small win, the lottery using a random number is used to deal with a small win of the active line display lamps 21 and 22 that has not been internally won. The control is performed such that the operating lamp may be turned on. That is, there are cases where two lamps blink, a lamp corresponding to the small winning combination that has actually been internally won and a lamp corresponding to the small winning combination that has not been internally won. In this case, the player does not know which of the minor roles has been elected internally, so the player must select which minor role to perform the eye-catching, and luck is introduced into the game. The interest of the game is improved.

In the slot machine of this embodiment,
Regarding whether to turn on a lamp corresponding to a small winning combination that has not been internally won, a random number value varying in the range of 0 to 16 is extracted and a lottery is performed. When the extracted random number value is 0, the upper lamp of the effective line display lamp 22 is additionally blinked when the extracted random number value is 1, and when the extracted random number value is 1, the lower lamp of the effective line display lamp 22 is additionally blinked. Since the corresponding lamp is determined when the random number value is 0 to 2, the lamp corresponding to the small role that is internally won,
The lamp determined to additionally flash may coincide. At this time, control is performed such that there is only one blinking lamp.

The blinking speed of each lamp at this time is:
This is twice the speed of blinking these lamps by winning. This is because the active line display lamps 21 and 2
This is to clearly show that the small portion notification is being performed because the small portion notification lamp 2 is also used as the small portion notification lamp. Note that a small portion notification lamp may be provided as a dedicated lamp, or may be used as a lamp different from the activated line display lamps 21 and 22.

The relationship between the number of inserted coins and the number of active lines in this case is an example, and is not limited to the above-described relationship.

Next, the credit game will be described.
A credit game is a game in which coins are inserted in advance and accumulated as credits in the slot machine 1, or coins given as prizes are accumulated in the slot machine 1 as credits, and the coins are not inserted every time. This is a game in which a game is played using accumulated credits. The player can switch from the coin game to the credit game by pressing the game switching button 16 once. When the game switch button 16 is pressed while the credit game is selected, the game can be switched to the coin game.

In the case of a credit game, the slot machine 1 has a maximum value of 50 coins as a credit.
The game can be started in the state stored in the game.
The number of credits added and stored in the slot machine 1 in accordance with the insertion of the coin is displayed on the credit display 26. When the stored number of credits reaches the limit number, the insertion instruction lamp 19 is turned off to notify that no more coins can be accepted.

In the credit game, the one-bet game is performed by pressing the one-bet button 73 as an example of the bet-number input operating means once, and the one-bet game is performed by pressing the one-bet button 73 twice. By pressing the single BET button 73 three times or pressing the MAX BET button 74 once, the three-bet game described above is achieved. In the regular bonus game to be described later, a single BET button 7
Regardless of how many times the 3 or MAXBET button 74 is pressed, the game is automatically set to a single bet game. If the MAXBET button 74 is pressed when the credit amount is less than the value of three coins, the maximum bet amount that can be selected with the remaining credit amount is set. For example, if the number of credits has only the value of one coin remaining, a game of one bet is set, and if the number of credits has only the value of two coins remaining, unless the credit is a regular bonus game A game of two bets is set.

Next, the relationship between the operation of the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R and the operation of the slot machine 1, and the occurrence of reach will be described. For example, first left stop button 9
When L is pressed, the display color of the left operation valid lamp 11L changes to the operation invalid color, and the variable display of the left variable display section 5L ends soon. Next, when the middle stop button 9C is pressed, the display color of the middle operation valid lamp 11C changes to the operation invalid color, and then the variable display of the variable display section 5C ends. Reach is established when the same combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on the active line formed by the two variable display units at the stage when the variable display of the left variable display unit 5L and the middle variable display unit 5C is completed. I do. That is, the left variable display unit 5R is displayed on the remaining variable display unit (in this case, the right variable display unit 5R) on the active line.
L, a state in which a corresponding prize can be generated when the same winning symbol stopped on the middle variable display portion 5C is stopped is called reach.

When the reach is established, the image display unit 1
This is reported by an image 77a, a notification sound by the speaker 28, or the like. Thereafter, if the stop button 9R is pressed in a state where the left variable display unit 5L and the middle variable display unit 5C are stopped, the variable display of the variable display unit 5R is ended, and the final display result is derived and displayed. .

In the figure, reference numeral 25 denotes a game number display, which displays the value of a big bonus game counter or a bonus game counter, which will be described later, and can switch and display the number of currently executed big bonus games and regular bonus games. Is configured. Reference numeral 27 denotes a number-of-payouts display for displaying the number of coins to be awarded when a prize is established. In the case of a coin game, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of coins are paid out from the coin payout port 29 to the coin storage tray 30 when a winning is achieved, and in the case of a credit game, the number of coins does not exceed the storage upper limit. Is stored as credits. If there is a winning exceeding the upper limit of the memory, coins exceeding the upper limit are paid out in the coin storage tray 30.

A front panel 2 is provided below the display window 71 on the front side of the slot machine 1, and a predetermined key is inserted into the locking device 3 and the front panel 2 is rotated clockwise to operate the front panel. 2 is released, and the front panel 2 can be opened. Further, when the big bonus game described later is ended, the game cannot be continued again unless a reset is performed. The reset is performed by inserting a predetermined key into the locking device 3 and rotating the game counterclockwise. It can be done manually by operating in the direction. When the reset operation is manually performed, the operation of the locking device 3 in the counterclockwise direction is detected by the reset switch 4, and the slot machine 1 is reset based on the detection output, so that the game can be played again. It is also possible to automatically reset (auto reset) by setting.

A speaker 28 is provided on the back side of the coin storage tray 30 for generating a sound effect at the time of winning, a big bonus game, or the like, or generating an alarm sound at the time of an abnormality.

Above the display window 71 on the front side of the slot machine 1, a plurality of game effect lamps 24 for notifying the player by a predetermined blinking that a big bonus game can be generated are provided. Is provided. Whether or not to allow the generation of the big bonus game is determined in advance by the control inside the slot machine 1 at the time of operating the start lever 12 as described above. A display result for generating a big bonus game with an extremely high probability is obtained. However, in the variable display section, since the symbols can be stopped only within a predetermined number of symbol ranges from the timing when the player pressed the stop button, the variable display section may not be able to be stopped with such a display result depending on the operation timing of the stop button. In that case, no big bonus game occurs. But in this case,
The result of the predetermined determination of the big bonus prize is maintained as it is, and the control is performed so that the result of the determination is reflected in the next and subsequent games until the occurrence of the big bonus game.

The game effect lamp 24 is lit or blinked in a predetermined manner even when a big bonus game or a regular bonus game occurs. In the figure, 20
Is a game over lamp, which is lit or flashed when the slot machine is stopped (game over). In addition, during the AT state, the AT lamp 76A is turned on.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the slot machine 1. The control circuit is provided on a control board (not shown) and includes a control unit (including a microcomputer) 45 as a control center. The control unit 45 has a function of controlling the operation of the slot machine 1 as described below. The control unit 45 is composed of, for example, an LSI of several chips, and includes a CP capable of executing a control operation in a predetermined procedure.
U46 and RO for storing the operation program of CPU 46
M47 and a RAM 48 in which necessary data can be written and read out are included. Further, an I / O port 49 for ensuring signal consistency between the CPU 46 and an external circuit.
An initial reset circuit 51 that supplies a reset pulse to the CPU 46 when the power is turned on, a clock generation circuit 52 that supplies a clock signal to the CPU 46, and a clock generation circuit 5
2 includes a pulse frequency dividing circuit (interrupt pulse generating circuit) 53 for frequency-dividing the clock signal from 2 and periodically providing an interrupt pulse to the CPU 46, and an address decode circuit 54 for decoding address data from the CPU 46.

The CPU 46 can execute the operation of the interrupt control routine in accordance with the interrupt pulse periodically given from the pulse dividing circuit 53. The address decode circuit 54 decodes address data from the CPU 46, and stores the data in the ROM 47, the RAM 48, the I / O port 4
9. A chip select signal is given to the sound generator 50, respectively.

The CPU 46 provides control signals to the above-described reel drive motor and various display lamps in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 47 and in response to the input of each control signal described below.

Probability setting switch 44, key switch 4
3. When the reset switch 4 is operated, the respective operation signals are transmitted to the I / O through the switch / sensor circuit 55.
Input to the O port 49. By the key switch 43,
Switching between the game mode and the probability setting mode is performed, and the input of the probability setting switch 44 is accepted only in the probability setting mode. The operation of pressing the game switching button 16, the operation of the single BET button 73, the operation of the MAXBET button 74, and the operation of pressing the start lever 12 are the game switching switch 17 and the single BET switch 7, respectively.
6, detected by the MAXBET switch 77 and the start switch 13, and the detection output is input to the I / O port 49 via the switch / sensor circuit 55.

The detection signals of the left stop button 9L, the middle stop button 9C, and the right stop button 9R are detected by the left stop switch 10L, the middle stop switch 10C, and the right stop switch 10R, and the coin inserted through the coin slot 18 is detected. Is detected by the inserted coin sensor 36, and when the coin is paid out by the coin payout motor 38 (see FIG. 2), the payout coin is detected by the payout coin sensor 39, and the surplus coin storage tank 41 is filled with the stored coins. Is reached, the effect is detected by the full tank sensor 42, and the reels 6L, 6C, 6R rotate and the reference values of the respective reels (notches or the like are formed).
Are detected by the left, middle, and right reel position sensors 8L, 8C, 8R, and respective detection signals are input to the I / O port 49 via the switch / sensor circuit 55.

The control unit 45 outputs a control signal to the following various devices. First, through the motor circuit 56, left, middle,
A reel drive control signal (step signal for a stepping motor) is output to each of the right reel drive motors 7L, 7C, and 7R. A coin payout control signal is output to the coin payout motor 38 via the motor circuit 57. A solenoid excitation control signal is output to the flow path switching solenoid 33 via the solenoid circuit 58. A display control signal is output to the number-of-games display 25, the credit display 26, and the number-of-payouts display 27 via the LED circuit 59. Through the lamp circuit 60, the game effect lamp 24, the insertion instruction lamp 19, the activated line display lamps 21, 22, 23, the game over lamp 20, the start lamp 72, the replay lamp 75, the AT middle lamp 76A, left, middle, and right operations A lamp control signal is output to each of the effective lamps 11R, 11C, 11L and the operation effective lamp 14. A sound generation control signal is output to the speaker 28 via the sound generator 50 and the amplifier 61. Note that a predetermined DC current is supplied from the power supply circuit 62 to the various devices and control circuits described above.
The RAM 48 is configured to be supplied with a current for storing data from the backup power supply 63. Further, the control unit 45 is connected to a liquid crystal drive circuit 103 for controlling the liquid crystal display 177 via the I / O port 49. The liquid crystal drive circuit 103 is a circuit for driving and controlling the liquid crystal display 177 according to a control signal output from the control unit 45. The controller 45 controls the liquid crystal driving circuit 1
03, a control signal for displaying an image is transmitted, and the liquid crystal drive circuit 103 controls display of an image to be displayed on the image display section 177a of the liquid crystal display 177 according to the control signal.

FIG. 3 is a development view showing symbols (symbol marks) as identification information drawn on the outer periphery of each of the reel (left reel) 6L, the reel (middle reel) 6C, and the reel (right reel) 6R. . “Left” in FIG. 3 is a left reel 6L.
Is a diagram showing a symbol drawn on the outer periphery of the middle reel 6C.
"Right" is a diagram showing a symbol drawn on the outer periphery of the right reel 6R.

For example, in the case of the middle reel 6C,
For each symbol number from "0" to "5", "watermelon",
"Cherry", "Bell", "JAC", "BAR",
Each symbol of "with pattern 7" is drawn on the outer periphery of the reel correspondingly. Other symbols include "white 7" corresponding to the symbol number "20" on the middle reel 6C. In the case of the left reel 6L and the middle reel 6C, the types of symbols drawn around them are the same, but the arrangements are different.

Here, among the combinations of these symbols, the combinations (combinations) in which a predetermined prize is generated during a normal game are as follows. In the following description, the symbol is the left reel 6
L, center reel 6C, and right reel 6R.

(1) Big Bonus Game 1: White 7, White 7, White 7 (2) Big Bonus Game 2: Patterned 7, Patterned 7, Patterned 7 (3) Big Bonus Game 3: BAR, BAR, BAR (4) Replay: JAC, JAC, JAC (5) Small role 1 (pay 10): watermelon, watermelon, white 7 (6) Small role 2 (pay 10): watermelon, watermelon, with pattern 7 (7) ) Small part 3 (pay 10): watermelon, watermelon, BAR (8) Small part 4 (pay 6): bell, bell, bell (9) Small part 5 (pay 3): cherry, optional, optional normal The contents of these various “roles” during the game state will be described. FIG. 4 shows the probability of displaying a combination of symbols corresponding to these combinations in the normal gaming state.

When the display results of the above (1) to (3) are obtained, 15 coins are paid out, and the "big bonus game" can be performed until a predetermined end condition occurs. In the slot machine of this embodiment, there is no difference in the game content between (1) to (3).

During the big bonus game, JAC-J
AC-JAC combination (referred to as JACIN prize), white 7
-JAC-JAC combination or patterned 7-JAC
When the combination of -JAC occurs, a predetermined number of regular bonus games can be played. In the regular bonus game, only a single-bet game is allowed, and a prize is generated with an extremely high probability in the game, and 15 coins are paid out. Since the regular bonus game occurs a plurality of times during the big bonus game, the value of the player's possession is greatly increased by the big bonus game.

When the display result of (4) is derived and displayed, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the start lever 12 is enabled without consuming coins or credits, and the variable display is started again. It is possible. This is called a “replay game”. The bet amount when the replay game is performed is set to be the same as the bet amount when the replay symbols are prepared.

The above-mentioned (5) to (9) are so-called "small wins". These small wins occur not only during the normal gaming state but also during the big bonus game, but their occurrence probability is different from that during the normal gaming state. Of these small roles, (5) to (7) are subject to AT notification. In the case of the combination of (9), when "Cherry" stops on the left reel 6L, three coins are paid out per activated line regardless of the appearance of other reels. As described above, "Cherry" generates a winning regardless of the outcome of the center reel and the right reel, and is therefore called a single symbol.

Referring to the symbol arrangement of FIG. 3, the number of symbols existing between one JAC symbol and the next JAC symbol is four at maximum in the middle and right reels. Therefore, no matter what timing the player pushes,
The JAC symbol can be pulled into any of the symbol stop positions divided into three stages in the vertical direction.

Further, on the right reel, the number of symbols existing between the BAR, the white 7 and the patterned 7 is at least six, which exceeds four drawable symbols. Therefore, if the timing of the operation of the right stop button 9R by the player is bad, these symbols cannot be drawn in, and even if there is an internal winning of a small winning combination, the small winning symbols may not be aligned. On the other hand, in the AT state, as described above, the fact that the occurrence of the small role prize is permitted and the type thereof are notified, so that the player can make the eye-catching, and the small-part prize winning can be made as compared with the case where the eye-catching is not performed. The chance of dropping is reduced.

After the end of the big bonus game, a lottery regarding whether to enter the AT state and how long the AT state is to be maintained in the AT state (maximum number of continuous games in the AT state) is internally performed. The game state is set to the AT state when the lottery is won.

As a result of the internal lottery, it is determined that the small win is to be made, and if this is notified to the player together with the type of the small win, the player obtains the display result of the small win. I'm going to look at it. As a result, although depending on the skill of the player, it is possible to increase the rate of obtaining the small role prize as compared with the case where the eye-catching is not performed. In this embodiment,
The AT state is set when the number of games played after the AT state exceeds a predetermined number (one of 30, 70, and 90) that can be changed for each AT state and determined by lottery. Alternatively, if the big bonus game is internally won in the AT state and the big bonus winning flag is set, the process ends when the earlier one of the end conditions is satisfied.

As described above, in the slot machine 1, as one of the end conditions of the AT state, the condition element that the maximum number of continuous games has been reached in the AT state is defined. Since a plurality of modes are defined and one of the maximum number of continuous games in the plurality of modes is selected according to a random number, the number of games in which the AT state continues until the end of each AT state is not constant. Can provide certain games. Furthermore, the AT state ends when the condition element relating to the number of games determined by the lottery performed at the end of the big bonus game or the condition element of the big bonus win, whichever comes first, ends the AT state. Even when the conditions are set, the end time of the AT state is diversified. Furthermore, if the AT state ends at a timing when the AT state should not end under the conditions related to the number of games, the player can know that the big bonus game has been internally won, and therefore the interest of the game is further increased improves.

Note that, for example, 30 games are set as the maximum number of continuous games, and if the big bonus game is internally won when 20 games are consumed in the AT state, the AT state ends at the end of the game. In this case, the condition element of ending 30 games has not been satisfied yet, but even in this case, the unfulfilled condition element will not be carried over and the remaining 10 elements will be retained after the big bonus game ends. Control for executing the AT state for the game is not performed.

Since one of a plurality of condition elements included in the end condition is a condition relating to the number of games, the game in the AT state is provided to any player fairly by the number of times corresponding to the lottery. it can.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the lottery probability of each winning combination (big bonus, replay game, small winning, etc.) in the normal gaming state will be described.

FIG. 4 shows, in order from the top, the big bonus lottery probability, the small role (1) lottery probability, the small role (2) the lottery probability, the small role (3) the lottery probability in the three-betting game in the normal gaming state. The small part (4) lottery probability, the small part (5) lottery probability, and the replay lottery probability are set by the probability setting switch 4
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each of “set value 1” to “set value 6” according to FIG.

When the big bonus is selected by lottery, the big bonus winning flag is set, and the big bonus is easily generated by the reel-in control.

As is clear from FIG. 4, in the case of three bets,
Except for small wins (1) to (4) and replay, the probability increases as the number of settings increases from “set value 1” to “set value 6”. In the present embodiment, the “base game” means a game excluding a game performed during the big bonus game.

In FIG. 4, the row of “Replay” shows the probability that a replay game “JAC” will be aligned on the activated line and that a replay game will occur.

In FIG. 4, the lottery probabilities of the small wins (small wins (1) to (3)) targeted for the small win notification in the three-betting game are all 1 when the set value is 1, for example. / 10.
639 ≒ 1/10. Therefore these small roles (1)
The probability that any one of ~ (3) will be drawn will be 3 x 1/10 =
It is almost equal to 3/10. In other words, if it is assumed that a small lottery is drawn and the winning is determined in advance, and only the small role notification lamp corresponding to the small role is displayed blinking, if the player can surely press the eye, Ten payouts can be received once per 10/3 game. On the other hand, if it is assumed that a game of three bets is always performed, the value consumed as the number of bets per 10/3 game is 10/3 × 3 = 1 in terms of the number of coins.
It becomes 0 (sheets). In other words, if the push can be made surely, the valuable value consumed as the bet amount and the valuable value paid out to the player by winning the small role are substantially equal, and as a result, the player possesses the value in the AT state. The value can be expected to be almost unchanged.

On the other hand, if the type of the small win that has been internally won is not known, even if one of the above three types of small wins is aligned, the above-mentioned three small wins are won. You can only get a small role once in three games. As a result, 3 × 1 /
A small role can only be obtained with a probability of 10/3 = 1/10. Therefore, in this case, the value possessed by the player decreases.

Therefore, by performing the small role notification as in the present embodiment, the decrease in the value of the player's possession can be reduced, depending on the skill of the player, as compared with the case where the small role is not notified. . Also, the small role notification is performed only in the case of three bets, so that when the three bet is selected, it is more advantageous for the player than in other cases.

The game arcade can provide games having different game characteristics by appropriately setting the set values of the slot machine 1 in the range of “set value 1 to set value 6”.

FIGS. 5 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the control unit 45. The contents of the flowchart will be described below for each processing procedure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing procedure of the processing performed by control unit 45. First, at SA1, setting of a set value and processing at the time of power-on are performed at the beginning of the game.

Next, at SA2, a BET process is performed in which the player inputs the number of bets. In this BET processing, the player inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 18 or
1 credit bet button 73 if in credit game mode
Alternatively, the MAXBET button 74 is pressed to specify the number of bets in the range of 1 to 3, and the gaming machine performs a process of updating the value of the insertion number counter provided internally according to the number of bets. The player can switch between the credit game mode and the coin game mode by operating the game switching button 16 among them.
Details of the BET processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

After the process of SA2, the process proceeds to SA3, and in response to the operation of the start lever 12 by the player, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not a prize is to be generated and which prize is to be generated. Processing is performed. Details of the lottery process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Further, the flow advances to SA4, where a reel rotation process is performed. This reel rotation processing means that after the player operates the start lever 12, the rotation of the left reel 6L, the middle reel 6C, and the right reel 6R of the variable display device 70 is started, and the speed is gradually increased to a constant speed. This is processing for causing rotation.

Next, in SA5, a process of stopping the corresponding reel in response to the operation of the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R by the player is performed. In this process, when the player operates the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, a symbol according to the lottery result previously performed in SA3 is set within four drawable ranges from the symbol displayed at that timing. If there is, a pull-in process for stopping the reel at the symbol is performed. If there is no symbol according to the lottery result in the drawable range, a process of stopping at a lost symbol is performed. It should be noted that if the lottery result is a loss, a process of stopping the reels with the loss symbol is always performed.

When all the reels have been stopped in this way, the process proceeds to SA6, and a winning determination process for determining whether or not a winning has been made according to the stopped symbol is performed. In this process, when the reels are actually stopped, it is determined whether or not the display result obtained on the pay line is a combination of the winning symbols.

Subsequently, in SA7, when it is determined that a prize has occurred in SA6, a value (coin) according to the prize is paid out, and the processing relating to this game is ended.

Referring to FIG. 6, details of the BET processing of FIG. 5 will be described. First, in SB1, it is determined whether or not the AT winning flag is set. This AT winning flag is set to SD17 at the end of the big bonus when the random number value of the AT determination random number extracted in SD5 of FIG. 8 described later is determined to be a value within the range of the AT winning. This flag is set. If the AT winning flag is set, the control proceeds to SB5; otherwise, the control proceeds to SB2.

At SB2, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is in the AT state. This determination can be made based on the state of the during-AT game number counter (0 or not).
If not in the AT state, the BET processing ends. If it is in the AT state, the AT in-game counter is updated in SB3. What is the AT game counter?
This is a counter for counting the number of games played during the AT state. The value of the number-of-AT-games counter is used to determine whether to end the AT state, as described later. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, at the time of winning in the AT state, the maximum number of continuous games constituting the end condition is set in the number-of-AT-games counter, and is decremented by one each time one game is consumed in the AT game. Is done. Then, when the value of the number-of-AT-games counter becomes 0, it is determined that the AT state should be ended.

However, the maximum number of continuous games set at the time of winning the AT is stored, and the number of games during AT counter is incremented by one for each game, and the value is compared with the stored maximum number of continuous games. Alternatively, it may be determined that the processing is completed when they match.

At SB4 after SB3, 1 is added to the number of games displayed on the game number display 25, and the process proceeds to SB9. As described above, the game number display 25 displays the number of digested games in the AT, and does not display the number of remaining games in the AT. The player cannot know when the AT state ends, and for example, when the 30 games and 70 games are completed,
As to whether or not the T state is continued, attention is paid to the display of the game number display 25, so that the player's sense of expectation can be increased and the interest of the game can be improved.

In order to achieve the same effect, even if it is determined that the AT state should be continued for 70 games, the game number display 25 first displays, for example, "30" and displays A method may be used in which the countdown is displayed one by one at the end of each game, and "40" is displayed again at the end of the thirty games to continue the countdown.

Alternatively, as the number of games continuing the AT state, for example, any of 30, 70, and 90 is determined by lottery as in the present embodiment, and if the number of games is determined to be 30 games, each game in the AT state is determined. Each time the game ends, 1 /
The control may be such that a lottery is performed to determine whether to end the AT state with a probability of 30 (the reciprocal of the determined number of games).

At SB9, a process of accepting a bet amount input by the player is performed until the BET by the player is completed. The game mode switching process is also performed in this step. When it is determined that the input of the number of bets by the player has been completed, the BET processing ends.

If it is determined in SB1 that the AT winning flag is set, a process of deleting this AT winning flag is performed in SB5. Here, if the AT winning flag is immediately deleted, the processing of SB3 and SB4 is performed as a result of the determination of SB1 from the next time, and the number of games in the AT state is updated and displayed.

After SB5, a notification that the AT state is being made is made in SB6. This notification is made by using various lamps provided in the gaming machine and the AT lamp 76A and simultaneously generating an AT notification sound. By notifying that the player is in the AT state in this way, if the big bonus winning flag is set during the AT state and the AT state ends as described above, the player immediately knows that. be able to.

Further, at SB7, an AT game number counter is set. In this embodiment, the value set in the number-of-AT-games counter is SD in FIG.
This is the number of games set in 14, 15, or 16. It is possible to determine whether to end the AT state by decrementing the value of the number-of-AT-games counter by one in SB3 and determining whether the value has become 0.

Subsequently, at SB8, the game number display 2
1 is displayed in 5. Thereafter, the number of AT games displayed on the game number display 25 is incremented by one at SB4. At first, "1" is displayed on the game number display 25, so that the player can determine that the AT state has been reached, but cannot know how many games the AT state lasts. However, since the player knows that the number of games in the AT state is any one of the 30 games, 70 games, and 90 games, at the time of ending the 30 games after entering the AT state, and ending the 70 games Sometimes, it is not known whether the AT state ends at that time unless the 31st game or the 71st game starts. Therefore, at that time, the player has an increased sense of expectation as to whether or not the AT state is further continued, and the interest of the game can be improved.

After SB8, the above-described processing of SB9 is performed, and the BET processing ends. In this SB9,
A process of lighting the activated line is performed according to the bet number input by the player.

Next, the details of the lottery process shown at SA3 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. At the beginning of the lottery process, it is first determined whether or not the start lever 12 has been operated in SC1, and the process waits until the start lever 12 is operated. When the player operates the start lever 12, the process proceeds to SC2, in which a process of extracting and storing a winning determination random number value prepared for a winning lottery is performed. As the winning determination random number, there are two types, a random number generated by hardware and a random number generated by software, and either one is used.

Next, the process proceeds to SC3, in which a table corresponding to the number of bets and the game state inputted by the player (for example, in the case of the normal game state, a range of random numbers in which a prize is generated according to the probability shown in FIG. Table) and SC2
Is compared with the winning determination random number value extracted in. Then, as a result of this comparison, it is determined in SC4 whether or not the winning has been achieved, and if no winning has been achieved, the processing is terminated. If there is a prize, the prize is a big bonus prize, a bonus prize, a small role (1) as described above.
It is also determined which of the winning of (5) and the replay winning. However, here, it is not determined whether or not the state is the AT state. The determination as to whether to enter the AT state is made at the end of the big bonus.

If there is a winning, a winning flag corresponding to each winning is set in SC5. Further, in SC6, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is in the AT state. If A
If it is not in the T state, the process ends. That is, when not in the AT state, the following processes of SC7 to SC11 are not executed.

In the AT state, first, in SC7, it is determined whether or not the winning determined in SC4 is any of the notification target small roles in the AT, that is, any of the small roles (1) to (3). Is determined. If the winning is not one of the small wins (1) to (3), the winning is not notified even in the AT state, and thus this process is ended. In addition, winning is AT
Even in the case of winning of the small roles (1) to (3), which are the notification objects in the middle, whether or not this game is a game of three bets is determined in SC8. In this case, the lottery process is terminated without notification. That is, in the present embodiment, the notification of the winning is made only in the case of the game of three bets and only in the case of winning of the small roles (1) to (3). By notifying only when the maximum number of bets is three in this way, the player is most advantageous to bet three even during the AT state.

Next, in SC9, in addition to the lamp for notifying the small combination corresponding to the actual lottery result, the lamps corresponding to the other small combinations are added, and the lamps corresponding to the two small combinations at the same time. A determination is made as to whether to flash. The determination here is also performed by extracting a random number value prepared for this determination, and the probability is also predetermined by the relationship between the probability and the number of small wins and the number of small wins to be announced. ing.

When notifying two small wins at the same time, a process of blinking the notification lamps of the small win actually won in SC10 and other small wins is performed. If two small wins are not notified at the same time, a process of blinking the notification lamp of the small win actually won in SC11 is performed. When the process of SC10 or SC11 ends, the lottery process ends.

When two small roles are announced at the same time as described above, only one of the winning combinations can actually occur. Therefore, even if it is pushed, the probability of winning will be halved, and not only the skill of the player but also "luck" will be included as an element of the game.

In the SC10, there is a problem in which the small portion winning notification lamp blinks in addition to the small portion actually won, but this determination is made by extracting a random value prepared for that. It is. As a result of this determination, the small win actually won may be selected as another small win to be blinked. In this case, in the present embodiment, similarly to the processing of SC11, only the notification lamp of the small winning combination that has actually been won is made to blink.

Instead of such a method, when a small winning combination to be notified is won, only the notification lamp corresponding to the small winning combination may be made to blink. In addition, even if a small role to be notified has been won, the notification may not be made at a certain probability. In that case, whether or not to notify is determined by a lottery process using random numbers in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the coin payout process. First, at SD1, it is determined whether or not there is a payout in this game. That is, if there is any prize with payout, it is determined that there is a payout, and S
In D2, the number of coins corresponding to the winning is paid out. In the case of the credit game mode, the process of adding to the credit corresponding to the paid-out coin is performed instead of paying out the coin.

After the payout and the payout of a predetermined number of coins are completed, or when there is no payout with payout, the SD
At 3, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition for terminating the big bonus game is established by this game. If it is determined that the big bonus game has not ended, the control proceeds to SD7, and if it is determined that the big bonus game has ended, the control proceeds to SD4.

If it is determined that the big bonus has ended, an AT-determined random number value, which is a random number fluctuating in a range of 0 to 3 and used for a lottery for determining whether or not to enter the AT state in SD4, is extracted. In accordance with whether the extracted AT determination random number value is 0 to 3 in SD6, S
Control branches to D13, SD14, SD15 and SD16, respectively.

In SD13, a process for not winning the AT is performed, and the flow advances to SD18. In SD14, SD15, and SD16, the AT state that occurs is 30 games, 70 games,
It is decided to continue the game and 90 games, respectively. This game number is set in the AT game number counter in SB7 of FIG. 6 described above. Thereafter, the control proceeds to SD17, where the AT winning flag is set, and further proceeds to SD18.

On the other hand, if the big bonus is not over, SD
If it is determined in step 3, a determination is made in SD7 as to whether the current game state is AT. If it is not during the AT, the control proceeds to SD18 described later. If it is during the AT, a determination is made in SD8 as to whether or not the maximum number of continuous games set as the number of games in the AT state has been reached. Specifically, an initial value is set in SB7 of FIG. 6, and it is determined whether or not the value of the AT game number counter decremented by one in SB3 for each game in the AT state is equal to 0. If it is determined that the maximum number of continuous games has not been reached (the value of the number-of-AT-games counter is not 0), it is further determined whether or not the big bonus winning flag is set in SD9, and the flag is set. If not, the control proceeds to SD18.

When it is determined in SD8 that the maximum number of continuous games has been reached (the value of the number-of-AT-games counter is 0), or when it is determined in SD9 that the big bonus winning flag is set. Is SD1
At 0, a process for terminating the in-AT notification performed by the generation of the lamp and the predetermined sound during the AT state is performed.

After SD10, the process of clearing the AT game number counter is performed in SD11 and the display of the game number display is erased in SD12, and the control proceeds to SD18.

SD18 includes SD7, SD12, SD1
3 and control are transferred from SD17. Here, the JACIN winning flag is deleted, the small role winning flag is deleted,
Then, the small part notification lamp is turned off, and the payout process ends.

Since the AT game number counter is cleared here, even if the AT state is ended before the initially set maximum continuous game count is reached, for example, because the big bonus winning flag has been set. After the big bonus game is generated and ended, the AT game is not performed again for the remaining number of games.

In SD9, the process of ending the AT-in-progress notification is performed only when the big bonus winning flag is set. However, for example, even if the big bonus winning flag is set as a result of the lottery process performed in SA3 in FIG. 5 during the AT state, the symbol for generating the big bonus is generated in the reel stop process (SA5) of the game. Is obtained as a display result, SA5
The processing of clearing the big bonus winning flag is performed in the processing of (1). Therefore, in that case, the judgment in SD7 is YE
S, the determination in SD8 is NO, and the determination result in SD9 is NO, so that the AT state does not end.

In order to solve such an inconvenience, in the present embodiment, although not shown, the process of ending the in-AT notification also in the big bonus winning game during the AT and clearing the AT game number counter is performed. .

Next, modifications and features of the embodiment described above will be enumerated below. (1) In the above-described embodiment, “BA” is displayed on the active line of the variable display device 70 as a game state advantageous to the player.
R, BAR, BAR "," White 7, White 7, White 7 "or" Patterned 7, Patterned 7, Patterned 7 "and a maximum of a predetermined number of regular bonus games are provided. The game has been described as an example.

However, the “special gaming state advantageous to the player” is not limited to this. For example, the probability of occurrence of a game called “single bonus game” increases, and “concentration state” in which “single bonus game” occurs intensively may be included in “advantageous game state for player”. it can.

(2) In the AT state, either the first condition that the maximum number of continuous games set by the first lottery is reached or the second condition that the big bonus has been won in the AT state. The process is terminated when the earlier condition is satisfied. However, the first and second conditions may be configured in various ways other than the above.

(3) Whether or not to enter the AT state may be determined before the occurrence of the big bonus, instead of being determined after the end of the big bonus game. For example, SC5
Set the big bonus winning flag with
It is conceivable to determine whether to set the winning flag and how to set the number of games in the AT state. For example, when the variable display result is “BAR, BAR, BAR”, the state shifts to the AT state after the end of the big bonus game.
In the case of "white 7, white 7, white 7", it may be configured not to shift to the AT state.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, control is performed so as not to be in the AT state during the big bonus game. However, even during the big bonus game, A is set during periods other than the regular bonus.
Control for enabling the T state may be performed. In this case, the lottery for determining whether or not the state is the AT state may be performed simultaneously with the big bonus winning. Also, the lottery may not be performed, and even during the big bonus game, control may be performed such that the AT state is always maintained during periods other than the regular bonus.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, in the AT state, when there is a predetermined determination of the small role to be notified, the notification is always made to that effect. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
Notification may or may not be performed at a predetermined probability.

(6) In the embodiment described above, the state of the AT game number counter is used to determine whether or not the game is in the AT state. But instead or in addition,
It is also possible to determine whether or not an AT is in progress by using an AT flag that is cleared when the maximum number of continuous games set when the AT lottery is won or when the big bonus winning flag is set. Good.

(7) The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0133]

Specific Example of Means for Solving the Problems A slot machine 1 has a variable display device having a plurality of variable display portions whose display states can be changed, and the display results of the plurality of variable display portions are derived and displayed. As a result, a slot machine in which a predetermined prize is generated when one game is completed and the display results of the plurality of variable display portions are in a predetermined display mode is configured. For example, the predetermined display mode is configured by a display mode in which “BAR, BAR, BAR”, “watermelon, watermelon, watermelon” and the like are arranged on the effective line of the variable display device 70. The control unit 45 constitutes a game control means for controlling a game state of the slot machine.

According to SC2, SC3, SC4, and SC5 of FIG. 7, there is provided a pre-determining means for preliminarily determining whether or not to allow the occurrence of a small winning combination before the display results of the plurality of variable display portions are derived. It is configured. SD5 in FIG.
The control is shifted to any one of SD14, SD15, and SD16 by the lottery in SD6, and starts when the AT winning flag is set in SD17, and ends when the control shifts to SD10 as a result of the determination in SD8 or SD9. The state (game state in which the processes of SC7 to SC11 in FIG. 7 are performed) constitutes a small role notification game state for notifying that the small decision winning is permitted by the predetermined means in advance. ing. SD5 in FIG.
The control shifts to one of SD14, SD15, and SD16 by the lottery of SD6, the AT state is started by setting the AT winning flag in SD17, and the control shifts to SD10 as a result of the judgment in SD8 or SD9, and the AT When the state ends, the game control means generates the small portion notification game state when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and generates the small portion notification when a predetermined end condition different from the start condition is satisfied. It is disclosed that control for ending the gaming state is possible.

Further, SD8 in FIG. 8 discloses that the end condition includes a condition element of reaching the maximum number of continuous games in the small portion notification gaming state. The maximum number of continuous games is SD6, SD14,
It is disclosed that there are a plurality of modes of the maximum number of continuous games due to a plurality of types as indicated by SD15 and SD16.

The big bonus prize may be determined as a result of the lottery in SC4 in FIG. 8 and the generated big bonus may end as a result of the determination in SD3 in FIG. It is disclosed that it is possible to control and control a special game state which is advantageous for a player which starts when a predetermined condition is satisfied and ends when another predetermined condition is satisfied. In addition, when it is determined in SD3 of FIG. 8 that the big bonus game has ended, SD4 to SD4
It is disclosed that the start condition is that the special game state has been completed by performing the processing in step 17 to enter the AT state.

When the determination results of YES in SD7, NO in SD8 and YES in SD9 are obtained, SD1 is obtained.
When the notification during AT is completed at 0 and the number-of-AT-games counter is erased at SD11, the end condition further includes a condition element of determining that the special game state is allowed to be generated by the predetermined means. It is disclosed.

After a determination of YES is made in SD7 of FIG. 8, the determination of SD10 is made in both cases where a determination result of YES is obtained in SD8, and when a determination result of NO is obtained in SD8 and a determination result of YES is obtained in SD9. The in-AT notification is ended and the number-of-AT-game counter is erased in SD11 to terminate the small-portion notification game state when at least one of the plurality of condition elements included in the end condition is satisfied. Is disclosed.

When a determination result of YES is obtained in SD9 of FIG. 8, the notification during the AT is completed in SD10, and SD1 is performed.
Since the AT game number counter is erased at 1, the AT game number counter thereafter becomes zero and does not enter the AT state, so that a certain condition element among the plurality of condition elements is satisfied. When the small-portion notification game state ends, it is prohibited to carry over an unsatisfied condition element other than the certain condition element to a subsequent game and prolong the duration of the small-portion notification game state in a subsequent game. An unsatisfied condition element carryover prohibiting means is configured.

SD5 and SD6 in FIG. 8 constitute a lottery means for performing a lottery to determine which of the plurality of modes is to be generated, and the lottery is performed when it is determined in SD3 that the big bonus is completed. By
It is disclosed that the lottery means performs a lottery at a timing related to the end of the special game state.

The coin slot 18 of FIG. 1 and one bet
The button 73 and the MAXBET button 74 allow the player to input a bet number, which is a number corresponding to the value of the value owned by the player who bets on the game result of the one game, within a predetermined range. Be composed. Also, S in FIG.
SC9-SC only when it is determined that the bet is three in C8
By executing the processing of No. 11, it is determined in advance in the small notification game state that the small determination winning is permitted by the predetermined determination means in the game with the maximum bet number within the predetermined range. It is disclosed that a notification is given.

At SB6 in FIG. 6, the notification during AT is started, and in SD10 in FIG. 8, the control for ending the notification during AT is performed. It is disclosed to continuously notify that the player is in the notification game state.

The payout is completed in SD1 and SD2 in FIG.
Unless the game is over, the determination from SD7 to SD9 is not made, and therefore the notification during AT in SD10 is not finished. It is disclosed that the game is ended when the game in which is established is ended.

[0144]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, in the small role notification game state, it is possible to suppress the omission of the small role, so that it is possible to suppress the decrease in the value of the player's possession according to the skill of the player, and at the same time, the advantageous game of the small role notification game state Since there are multiple states,
A variety of changes in the game state occur, and the interest of the game is improved.

According to the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, when the special game state is completed, the player can further know whether or not the small part notification game state is started. In addition, the expectation of the player at the end of the special game state can be increased, and the interest of the game can be enhanced.

According to the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, at the end of the big bonus game, it is possible to play with a sense of expectation that the small-portion notification game state will be started. The interest of the game can be further enhanced.

According to the fourth aspect, in addition to the effects related to the first to third aspects, since the special game state and the small part notification game state do not occur at the same time, it is possible to maintain an appropriate shotiness.

According to the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect relating to the fourth aspect, it is possible to prevent the small role notification game state from continuing for a long time and to prevent the ejaculation from becoming too high, and to maintain the appropriate ejaculation.

According to the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, it is possible to prevent the small value notification game state from being prolonged and from giving an excessive value to the player, and to maintain a proper ejaculation.

According to the seventh aspect, in addition to the effects of the first to sixth aspects, it is possible to reduce a player's distrust of the lottery of the maximum number of continuous games when the small-prize notification gaming state occurs.

Regarding claim 8, in addition to the effects of claims 1 to 7, it is most advantageous for the player when the maximum bet amount is obtained, and is most advantageous when the player inputs the maximum bet amount and plays the game. It is possible to play a game in an appropriate gaming state.

With respect to claim 9, claims 1 to 8
In addition to the effects described above, it is easy for the player to determine whether or not the player is in the small role notification game state, and it is possible to perform an interesting game after correctly recognizing that the small role notification game state is being played.

According to the tenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the ninth aspect, in the small-portion notification game state, the notification ends after the game result is completely output, and before the game result is completely output. The inconvenience that the notification ends can be reliably prevented. Until the end of each game, the player does not know whether or not the small-port notification game state ends in the game, and maintains a sense of expectation as to whether or not the small-port notification game state will continue until the end of each game. Can be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a slot machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a development view showing a symbol drawn on the outer periphery of the reel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each winning lottery probability for each bet number for each of set values 1 to 6 set by a probability setting switch.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an overall process of the game control performed by the control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a BET processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a lottery process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a payout processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a slot machine, 5L, 5C and 5R are variable display units,
6L, 6C, 6R are reels, 9L, 9C, 9R are stop buttons, 11L is a left operation enable lamp, 11C is a middle operation enable lamp, 11R is a right operation enable lamp, 12 is a start lever, 14 is an operation enable lamp, 15 Is the operation panel, 16
Is a game switching button, 24 is a game effect lamp, 28 is a speaker, 45 is a control unit, 70 is a variable display device, 73 is 1
A sheet BET button 74 is a MAXBET button.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A variable display device having a plurality of variable display units whose display states are changeable, wherein one game is ended by displaying and displaying the display results of the plurality of variable display units,
A slot machine in which a predetermined prize is generated when a display result of the plurality of variable display units is in a predetermined display mode, wherein a game control means for controlling a gaming state of the slot machine, And a pre-determining means for pre-determining whether or not to allow the occurrence before the display results of the plurality of variable display portions are derived. The small control notification game state for notifying that it has been determined, wherein the game control means generates the small combination notification game state when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and a predetermined end condition different from the start condition. It is possible to control to end the small portion notification game state by the establishment of, the termination condition includes a condition element that reaches the maximum number of continuous games in the small portion notification game state,
The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the maximum number of continuous games is plural. 2. The game control means can be controlled and controlled to a special game state which is advantageous for a player which starts when a predetermined condition is satisfied and ends when another predetermined condition is satisfied. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the special game state has ended. 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the special game state is a big bonus game. 4. The ending condition according to claim 1, wherein the ending condition further includes a condition element of deciding that the occurrence of the special game state is allowed by the pre-determining means. Slot machine. 5. The slot machine according to claim 4, wherein the small-portion notification gaming state is terminated when at least one of a plurality of condition elements included in the termination condition is satisfied. 6. When the small portion notification gaming state ends due to the fulfillment of a certain condition element among the plurality of condition elements, an unfulfilled condition element other than the certain condition element is carried over to a subsequent game. 6. The slot machine according to claim 5, further comprising an unfulfilled condition element carryover prohibition unit for prohibiting prolonging the duration of the small role notification game state in a game after that. 7. A lottery means for selecting which one of the plurality of modes is to be generated, wherein the lottery means performs a lottery at a timing related to the end of the special game state. Claims 1 to 6
The slot machine according to any of the above. 8. The game apparatus further includes a bet number input unit that allows the player to input a bet number, which is a number corresponding to the value of the value of the player owned by the player who bets on the game result of the one game, within a predetermined range, In the small-portion notification gaming state, a notification is given that the small-unit prize is allowed to be generated by the predetermined means in advance in a game with the maximum bet number within the predetermined range. The slot machine according to claim 1. 9. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein during the small-portion notification game state, the slot machine continuously notifies the small-portion notification game state. The described slot machine. 10. The slot machine according to claim 9, wherein the notification that the small-portion notification gaming state is in progress ends when the game in which the end condition is satisfied ends.