JP2002085637A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that a player merely passively observes the notification presentation of an internal winning mode in the past, and there has been a limit in the interest enjoyed by the player from the notification presentation. SOLUTION: In a prescribed game state, a 'tap-tap' lamp 24 is turned on. While the lamp 24 is turned on, whether a 1BET switch 10 is set on by the player or not is judged (step 121). Whether the lamp 24 is kept on or not is confirmed (step 122). If the lamp 24 is kept on, a 'tap-tap' presentation is turned on (step 123), and patterns corresponding to the internal winning mode are presented by back lamps 57a-57c stored in reels 3-5, and the internal winning mode is notified to the player. Then, whether the game state is a BB internal hit or not is judged (step 124). If yes, a hit display lamp 25 is turned on (step 125).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a notification effect means for notifying a player of an internal winning mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, there is, for example, a slot machine. In a general slot machine, three reels are arranged in three rows behind a front panel. Various symbols are drawn on the outer periphery of each reel, and these symbols are illuminated from behind by a built-in light source (backlight) provided for each reel and observed through each window formed on the front panel. Is done. Five winning lines are described in this window, and a slot machine game is performed based on whether or not a predetermined combination of symbols is arranged on any one of the winning lines.

A game is started when a medal is inserted into a slot by a player. Each reel rotates according to the operation of the start lever by the player, and a symbol is rotated and displayed in a row direction in each window. When each reel reaches a certain speed, the operation of each stop button provided corresponding to each reel becomes effective. The player operates each stop button while observing the moving symbol, stops the rotation of each reel, and attempts to stop and display the desired symbol on any one of the winning lines. The rotation of each reel stops in accordance with the operation timing of each stop button. If a predetermined symbol combination is displayed on any one of the winning lines during this stop, a winning according to the symbol combination is obtained.

The winning modes include a jackpot winning, a medium winning winning, a small hit winning, and the like. The big hit winning and the middle winning winning occur when three symbols or a predetermined character symbol are arranged on the winning line. A special game such as a big bonus game (BB game) can be performed in a jackpot prize, and a regular bonus game (RB game) can be performed in a medium prize, and a large amount of coins can be obtained. In addition, a small hit prize is generated when a predetermined number of symbols such as "cherry" and "bell" are arranged on a prize line, and several medals can be obtained in the small hit prize.

[0005] Such a winning mode is determined by a random number lottery performed immediately after the start lever is operated.
It is already determined before each reel is stopped by the player. This random number lottery is performed by a winning mode determination unit configured inside the gaming machine. When the jackpot internal winning mode is determined by the random number lottery, the backlight of each reel is turned on in a predetermined mode, the notification lamp provided on the front panel of the device is turned on, and the jackpot internal winning mode is set by the internal lottery of the machine. Is announced to the player. Thereafter, the rotation of each reel is stopped and controlled in accordance with the operation of the stop button by the player, and when the symbol combination of the internal winning mode determined by the random number lottery is stopped and displayed on the winning line, the player can actually experience the winning.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, the announcement effect of the internal prize mode is performed according to the procedure of a program stored in a memory inside the gaming machine. Therefore, conventionally, the player merely passively watches the announcement production of the internal prize mode, and there is a limit to amusement enjoyed by the player by the announcement production.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a prize mode determining means for determining an internal prize mode of a game by random number drawing, and a prize mode determining means for determining the internal prize mode. And a presentation effect means for notifying the player of the internal prize mode by performing an effect in accordance with the internal prize mode performed, in which the operation of the player is involved in the notification presentation by the notification procedural means. It is characterized by having an involved means.

[0008] According to this configuration, the player can be involved in the notification production by the production participation means.

[0009] For example, when the effect involved means is a notice effect trigger means for causing a notice effect by the notice effect means in response to an operation of the player, the notice effect is started in response to an operation of the player.

[0010] In the case where the effect involved means is a notice effect varying means for changing the notice effect by the notice effect means according to the operation of the player, the notice effect changes according to the operation of the player.

[0011] When the player actively participates in the notification effect as described above, the effect of the notification effect is further enhanced.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment in which a gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG.

Behind the front panel 2 of the slot machine 1, three reels 3, 4, and 5 constituting a variable display device are rotatably provided. On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5, a symbol row including a plurality of types of symbols (hereinafter, referred to as symbols) is drawn. These symbols are displayed through the display windows 6, 7, and 8 on the front of the slot machine 1, respectively.
Observed individually. An insertion slot 9 for a player to insert a medal is provided on the lower right side of the display windows 6, 7, and 8.

Each of the reels 3 to 5 is configured as a rotating reel unit shown in FIG. 2, and is attached to a frame 51 via a bracket 52. Each of the reels 3 to 5 is configured by attaching a reel band 54 to an outer periphery of a reel drum 53. The above-mentioned symbol array is drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel band 54. Further, each bracket 52 is provided with a stepping motor 55, and each of the reels 3 to 5 is driven by the motor 55 to rotate.

The structure of each of the reels 3 to 5 is shown in FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. A lamp case 56 is provided inside the reel drum 53 behind the reel band 54, and back lamps 57a, 57b, and 57c are attached to the three rooms of the lamp case 56, respectively. These back lamps 57a to 57c are shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it is mounted on a board 58, and this board 58 is attached behind the lamp case 56. A photo sensor 59 is attached to the bracket 52. The photo sensor 59 is mounted on the reel drum 5
3 detects that the shielding plate 60 provided on the photosensor 3 passes through the photosensor 59 as the reel drum 53 rotates.

The lighting of each of the back lamps 57a to 57c is individually controlled by a lamp driving circuit 48 described later. Lighting of each of the back lamps 57a to 57c causes the reel band 5
Of the symbols drawn in FIG. 4, three symbols located at the front of each back lamp 57 are individually illuminated from behind, and three symbols are displayed on each of the display windows 6 to 8 respectively. In addition, these back lamps 57a to 57c
Constitutes a notification effect means for performing an effect in accordance with the internal prize mode determined by the prize mode determination means described later and notifying the player of the internal prize mode.

The display windows 6 to 8 shown in FIG.
Book (center L1 and upper and lower L2A, L2B) and diagonal 2
The winning line of the book (obliquely lower right L3A, obliquely upward right L3B) is described. Prior to the start of the game, when the player inserts one medal into the medal insertion slot 9, only the central winning line L1 on each of the reels 3 to 5 is shown in FIG.
It is activated as shown in FIG. When two medals are inserted into the insertion slot 9, the upper and lower prize lines L
2A and L2B are added, and three horizontal winning lines L1 and L2
A and L2B are enabled as shown in FIG. When three medals are inserted into the insertion slot 9, all the winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and L
3B is activated as shown in FIG.

It should be noted that the circles in FIG.
Represents the symbol drawn above. Such activation of the pay line is displayed to the player by turning on an activated line display lamp 23 (see FIG. 1) arranged at an end of each pay line.

On the lower left side of the display windows 6 to 8, 1B
An ET switch 10, a 2BET switch 11, and a MAX BET switch 12 are provided. When a medal is credited in the credit amount display unit 13,
Instead of inserting medals into the medal slot 9, these 1 BET
Switch 10, 2BET switch 11 and Max B
By operating each push button of the ET switch 12, one, two, and three medals are bet in one game, respectively. The number-of-credits display section 13 is composed of 7-segment LEDs of a number corresponding to the number of digits of the numerical value to be displayed, and displays the number of medals currently credited.

Below these BET switches 10 to 12, a credit / payment changeover switch (C / P switch) 1
4 and a start lever 15 are provided, and a stop button 16,
17 and 18 are provided. The credit / payout (PLAY CREDIT / PAY OUT) of the medal can be switched by operating the push button of the C / P switch 14.

The start lever 15 constitutes variable display starting means for starting the rotation display of each of the reels 3 to 5,
By operating the start lever 15, the reel 3,
4 and 5 rotations start simultaneously. Stop button 16, 1
Numerals 7 and 18 constitute variable display stopping means for stopping the rotation display of the reels 3, 4 and 5 for each column, and are arranged corresponding to the reels 3, 4 and 5. Each reel 3-5
When the rotation speed reaches a certain speed, each stop button 16
18 are activated, and the stop buttons 16 to 18 stop the rotation of the reels 3 to 5 in accordance with the push button operation of the player.

Further, a sound transmission hole 19 and a medal tray 20 are provided in the lower part of the front of the slot machine 1. The sound transmission hole 19 is for outputting sound generated from a speaker housed inside the device to the outside. The medal tray 20 stores medals paid out from a medal payout exit 21.
In addition, a payout display unit 22 is provided on the front upper portion of the slot machine 1 to indicate how many medals are paid out for each winning.

The front panel 2 on the right side of each of the reels 3, 4, 5 is provided with a "flap" lamp 24 and a hit display lamp 25. The “flick” lamp 24 constitutes lighting means that is lit when in a predetermined gaming state. In the present embodiment, the “tattering” lamp 24 is used when the internal winning combination determined by the prize mode determining means described later is a loss, or when any internal winning combination is won, but the player's stop button is pressed. 16
In the case where the operations of Nos. To 18 are not appropriate and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination cannot be stopped and displayed, and the winning combination is missed, the light is turned on as will be described later in a gaming state in which a subsequent lottery is won.

In this embodiment, when the 1-BET switch 10 is operated by the player when the "tattering" lamp 24 is lit, the 1-BET switch 10 switches to the internal winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means. The button is also used as a “tapping button” for causing the announcement effect means to perform an effect corresponding to the instruction.
The 1-BET switch 10 and the "battling" lamp 24, which are also used as the "battling" button, constitute a presentation effect trigger means for performing the presentation effect by the notification production means in accordance with the operation of the player. In addition, the present invention constitutes an effect participation means for involving the operation of the player in the notification effect by the notification effect means.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration including a control unit for controlling a game processing operation in the slot machine 1 of the embodiment, and a peripheral device (actuator) electrically connected to the control unit.

The control section has a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) 30 as a main component, and further includes a circuit for sampling random numbers. The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU 31 for performing a control operation according to a preset program, and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 as storage means. The CPU 31 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 34 and a frequency divider 35 for generating a reference clock pulse, a random number generator 36 as random number generation means for generating random numbers within a certain range, and an arbitrary random number extracted from the generated random numbers. A random number sampling circuit 37, which is a random number extracting means, is connected.

The main actuators whose operations are controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 30 include reels 3 and
There are stepping motors 55 for rotating 4 and 5, a hopper 38 for storing medals, a speaker 39, a rattling lamp 24, a hit display lamp 25, and back lamps 57a to 57c. These are a motor drive circuit 40, a hopper drive circuit 41, and a speaker drive circuit 43, respectively.
And a lamp drive circuit 48. These drive circuits 40, 41, 43, and 48
It is connected to the CPU 31 via the / O port. Each stepping motor 55 has one
Two-phase excitation is performed, and each of them makes one rotation when a drive signal of 400 pulses is supplied.

A main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 30 to generate a control signal includes a start switch 15 S for detecting operation of the start lever 15 and a medal slot 9. There is an inserted medal sensor 9S for detecting a medal, a C / P switch 14 and a 1-BET switch 10 described above. Also,
There is also a photo sensor 59, and a reel position detecting circuit 44 that receives the output pulse signal from the photo sensor 59 and detects the rotational position of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5.

The photo sensor 59 detects the shielding plate 60 each time the reels 3, 4, and 5 make one rotation, and generates a reset pulse. This reset pulse is applied to the reel position detection circuit 44.
Is given to the CPU 31 via the. In the RAM 33,
For each of the reels 3 to 5, a count value corresponding to a rotation position within the range of one rotation is stored, and upon receiving a reset pulse, the CPU 31 clears the count value formed in the RAM 33 to "0". . By this clear processing, the movement display of each symbol and each stepping motor 5 are displayed.
The deviation that occurs between the rotations of rotation No. 5 and rotation No. 5 is eliminated for each rotation.

Further, there are a reel stop signal circuit 45 and a payout completion signal generating circuit 46 as the above-mentioned input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 30 to generate a control signal. The reel stop signal circuit 45
When the stop buttons 16, 17, 18 are pressed, a signal for stopping the corresponding reels 3, 4, 5 is generated. Also,
The medal detection unit 47 counts the number of medals paid out from the hopper 38, and the payout completion signal generating circuit 46 determines that the medal count value actually paid out input from the medal detection unit 47 reaches the predetermined payout number data. At this time, a signal notifying the completion of the medal payout is output to the CPU 31.

The ROM 32 stores, as a sequence program, a procedure of a game process executed by the slot machine 1, and stores a winning probability table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, and the like, separately. .

The winning probability table is stored in the sampling circuit 3
7 constitutes a random number classifying means for classifying the random numbers extracted in each of the winning modes, and stores data for dividing a random number in a certain range generated by the random number generator 36 into each of the winning modes. Such a winning probability table is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. A1 to a3, b1 to b in FIG.
3, c1-c3, d1-d3, e1-e3, f1-f
3, g1 to g3 are preset numerical data, and are used when the random number extracted by the sampling circuit 37 is divided into each winning mode. This data is “a1 to g1” when the number of inserted medals is one, and “a1
In the case of three sheets, a combination of numerical values of "a3 to g3" is used.

These numerical values are usually expressed as “a <b <c <d <e <
f <g ”and the extracted random number value is a
If it is less than, it will be a jackpot winning (big hit) and "B
B "Winning flag is set. If the extracted random number value is equal to or larger than a and smaller than b, a medium winning prize (medium hit) is set, and the “RB” winning flag is set. If the extracted random number value is b or more and less than f, a small hit is won (small hit). In this case, if the value is b or more and less than c, a “watermelon” winning flag is set. Indicates a “bell” winning flag, a “four-cherry” winning flag is set when d is less than e, and a “two-cherry” winning flag is set when e is less than f. If the extracted random number value is equal to or more than f and less than g, a “replay” winning flag is set, and if the extracted random number value is equal to or more than g, a “losing” winning flag without winning is set.

That is, the winning mode is determined by which numerical range one sampled random number belongs to, and is represented by a total of eight types of winning flags including "losing" and "replay". Here, the random number generator 36, the sampling circuit 37, the winning probability table, and the microcomputer 30 constitute a winning mode determining unit that determines the internal winning mode of the game by random number lottery. Since various types of hits are generated with a probability according to the data setting of the winning probability table, the total medals within the business hours of one day are not extremely influenced by the skill of the player. Payment rates remain almost constant.

There are five types of game states determined by the prize mode determining means, namely, "RB in operation", "BB in operation", "Normal game", "RB inside hit" and "BB inside hit". There are types. RB is the regular
It means a bonus game, and in this RB game, a bonus game in which a plurality of JAC games are combined can be performed once. “RB RUNNING” indicates a game state during this RB game, and either a loss or a JAC win occurs. BB means the above-mentioned big bonus game, and in this BB game, a set of a general game and the above-mentioned bonus game can be performed a plurality of times. “BB operation in progress” indicates a gaming state during the BB game. “Normal game” is a game state in which no winning has occurred. "RB inside hit", "BB
In the "inside hit", the normal game state in which the RB winning flag and the BB winning flag are raised, but the predetermined winning symbol combination is not stopped and displayed on each of the reels 3 to 5, and the RB game and the BB game have not yet entered. Represents that.

The symbol table is conceptually shown in FIG. The symbol table is for associating the rotation positions of the reels 3 to 5 with the symbols, and represents a symbol row by symbols. In this symbol table, a symbol code corresponding to the code number is displayed on each reel 3.
５5 are stored. The code numbers are sequentially assigned at a constant rotation pitch of each of the reels 3 to 5 based on the rotation position at which the reset pulse is generated. The symbol code indicates a symbol provided corresponding to each code number.

In the winning symbol combination table,
The symbol code of each winning symbol combination shown in the payout display unit 22, the symbol code of the symbol combination forming the “reach eye” that suggests to the player that the flag of the occurrence of the specific game is established, and each winning is shown. A winning determination code, a winning medal payout number, and the like are stored. This winning symbol combination table is referred to at the time of stop control of the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5, and when performing a winning confirmation after stopping all the reels.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine controlled by the microcomputer 30 in this embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are main flowcharts showing the outline of the game processing.

First, the CPU 31 determines whether or not a medal BET has been placed (step 101 in FIG. 8).
reference). This determination is “YES” when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 9 and a detection signal is input from the medal sensor 9S or a signal is input from the BET switches 10, 11, and 12. Next, it is determined whether or not a start signal has been input from the start switch 15S by operating the start lever 15 (step 102).

If the determination is "YES", a probability lottery process is performed by the winning mode determination means (step 10).
3). In the probability lottery process, one random value generated by the random number generator 36 and specified by the sampling circuit 37 is
The determination is made by determining which winning group belongs to the winning probability table (see FIG. 6). The internal prize modes determined by the prize mode determination means are “losing”, “two cherries”, “four cherries”, “bell”, “watermelon”, “replay”, “RB” and “BB”. Are written in the RAM 33 and temporarily stored as any one of the eight types of winning flags.

Next, the first reel 3, the second reel 4, the third
The reels 5 are rotated (step 104), and the reels 3, 4, and 5 start rotating simultaneously. Subsequent to the reel rotation processing, stop control of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5 is performed (step 105). When the reel stop control process ends, next, a winning determination process is performed (step 106). In this winning determination process, whether or not the display when all reels are stopped is a predetermined winning symbol combination is determined with reference to a winning symbol combination table.
If the display at the time of stopping all reels is a predetermined winning symbol combination, it is determined that a winning has occurred. That is, not all the reel stop control is performed by the machine, but also the operation timing of each of the stop buttons 16 to 18 by the player is determined. If the player does not perform any of the operations of .about.18 at a predetermined timing, no winning symbol combination is arranged on the activated winning line, and no winning occurs.

Next, a lighting selection process of the "flick" lamp 24 is performed (step 107). The content of the lighting selection process is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In this lighting selection process, first, in step 1
In the winning determination process 06, it is determined whether or not a winning has occurred (see step 116 in FIG. 10). If a winning has occurred, this lighting selection process ends without performing anything. On the other hand, if no prize has been generated in the prize determination in step 106, that is, if the winning combination has been lost, or if the winning combination has been missed, then the "tattering" lamp 24 is turned on. A lottery process is performed (step 117). This lighting lottery process
This is performed so that the “flick” lamp 24 is turned on with a probability of 1/100.

Next, it is determined whether or not a win has been made in the lighting lottery process, that is, whether or not a 1/100 probability lottery has been won (step 118). If no win is made, the lighting selection process of the “flick” lamp 24 is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the winning is achieved, the CPU 31
Control of the lamp driving circuit 48
After the lamp 24 has been turned on (step 119),
The lighting selection process ends.

When the lighting selection process of the "flick" lamp 24 is completed, it is determined again whether or not a winning has occurred in the winning determination process of step 106 (see step 108 in FIG. 8). ). If no prize has been generated, the determination result in step 108 is “NO”, and the process returns to the first step 101. If the result of the winning determination in step 108 is that the game is a replay game (re-game), the process proceeds to step 102 in which the start lever 1
The process returns to the operation waiting process 5 (step 109). When a prize is not a replay game, the CPU 31 controls the hopper drive circuit 41, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the coin tray 20 by the hopper 38 (FIG. 9, FIG.
Step 110).

For example, in the case of a small hit prize of "2 cherries", two medals are paid out, and in the case of a small prize of "4 cherries", four medals are paid out. In the case of the small win of "Bell", six medals are paid out, and in the case of the small win of "watermelon", eight medals are paid out. In the case of a "BB" or "RB" jackpot, 15 medals are paid out.

Next, it is determined whether or not a BB game has occurred (step 111). If a BB game has occurred, the BB game is executed (step 112). If the BB game has not occurred, it is determined whether the RB game has occurred next (step 113).
If the RB game has occurred, the RB game is executed (step 114). Thereafter, the above processing is repeated, and a slot machine game is performed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of a notification effect process performed as an interrupt process when the game process shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is performed.

First, in a state where the “tattering” lamp 24 is lit, the 1-BET switch 10 is turned on by the player.
It is determined whether or not has been turned on (see step 121 in FIG. 11). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the "flick" lamp 24 is being lit (step 122).
When the “flick” lamp 24 is on,
"Tata-Katatake" production is turned on (step 123),
Back lamps 57a-57 built in each reel 3-5
The effect of the pattern according to the internal winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means by c is performed, and the internal winning mode is notified to the player. Next, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is hitting inside the BB (step 124), and if the hitting is inside the BB, the hit display lamp 25 is turned on (step 125).

According to the present embodiment, the announcement of the internal prize mode by the back lamps 57a to 57c built in each of the reels 3 to 5 is performed by the 1-BET switch 10 constituting the "flick" button. It starts in response to a player's operation. As described above, when the player takes an action and actively participates in the notification effect, the effect of the notification effect is further enhanced, and a sense of game can be given. As a result, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment,
The player will fully experience the fun of the game, that is, the announcement effect.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the "slap button" is used also as the 1-BET switch 10 has been described. However, a dedicated "slap button" may be separately provided. In the above-described embodiment, the announcement effect of the internal winning mode is the reel 3
Although the description has been given of the case where the operation is performed by the back lamps 57a to 57c built in the devices 5 to 5, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notification effect may be performed by the effect sound emitted from the speaker 39, or the effect sound of the speaker 39 may be emitted together with the flash effect by the back lamps 57a to 57c. In each of these cases, the same operation and effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Next, another embodiment in which the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine will be described.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the slot machine 27 according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a main control circuit configuration of FIG. In addition,
12 and 13, the same or corresponding portions as those in FIGS. 1 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The slot machine 27 according to the present embodiment comprises:
In the point that there is no "flicking" lamp 24, the 1BET switch 10 has only the original 1BET switch function and is not shared with the "flicking" button, and the stop button 26 is provided. And the slot machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. The stop button 26 is a button for stopping the operation in which the back lamps 57a to 57c built in the respective reels 3 to 5 are lit in a roulette shape by a pressing operation of the player. The stop button 26 constitutes a notification effect varying means for changing the notification effect by the notification effect means in accordance with the operation of the player, and the effect involvement means for involving the operation of the player in the notification effect by the notification effect means. Make up.

In the slot machine 27 according to the present embodiment, eight back lamps 57a to 57c around the middle back lamp 57b of the second reel 4 are provided.
An announcement effect is performed by roulette composed of. The light emission of each of the back lamps 57a to 57c is performed by the back lamp 57a on the upper stage of the first reel 3, the back lamp 57a on the upper stage of the second reel 4, the back lamp 57a on the upper stage of the third reel 5, and the back lamp 57b on the middle stage of the third reel 5. ,
Back lamp 57c at the lower part of third reel 5, second reel 4
The lower back lamp 57c, the lower back lamp 57c of the first reel 3, and the middle back lamp 57b of the first reel 3 are sequentially turned on to rotate in a roulette shape.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the first half of the outline of the game processing of the slot machine 27 according to the present embodiment. The latter half of the game processing is shown in the same manner as the flowchart of FIG.

In the slot machine 27 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 31 first determines whether or not a medal BET has been placed (see step 131 in FIG. 14).
Next, it is determined whether or not a start signal has been input from the start switch 15S by operating the start lever 15 (step 132). If this determination is "YES", a probability lottery process is performed by the winning mode determination means (step 133). Next, the reels 3 to 5 are rotated (step 134).
The stop control of steps # 5 to # 5 is performed (step 135).

When the reel stop control processing is completed, next, a notification effect processing is performed (step 136). This notification effect process is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, the lighting of each of the back lamps 57a to 57c of each of the reels 3 to 5 is controlled by the control processing of the lamp drive circuit 48 of the CPU 31, and the roulette frame is advanced by one (see FIG. 15, step 141). Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the stop button 26 has been pressed.
Is determined (step 142). If the pressing operation of the stop button 26 is not detected, then it is determined whether or not the current lighting position of the roulette wheel is the final stop position of the notification effect pattern predetermined according to the internal winning mode.
The determination is made by U31 (step 143). If it is not the final stop position, the process returns to step 141 to advance the roulette piece. When the above processing is repeated and the lighting of each of the back lamps 57a to 57c rotates in a roulette shape and the roulette lighting piece position advances to the final stop position of the predetermined notification effect pattern, the notification effect process ends. I do.

On the other hand, if the push operation of the stop button 26 is detected in step 142, then it is determined whether or not the current lighting position of the roulette is a stop position of the predetermined announcement effect pattern. Is determined (step 14
4). If it is not at the stoppable position, the roulette piece is advanced by one (step 145), and the piece is advanced until it reaches the stoppable position. When the lighting piece position of the roulette reaches the stoppable position, the notification effect processing is finished before the lighting piece position advances to the final stop position of the predetermined notification effect pattern.

When the notification effect processing is completed, it is next determined whether or not the display when all reels are stopped is a predetermined winning symbol combination (step 137). It returns to the first step 131. Next, if the result of the winning determination in step 137 is that the game is a replay game, the process returns to the operation waiting process for the start lever 15 in step 132 (step 138). When a prize is not a replay game, a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the coin tray 20 as shown in step 110 of FIG.
To Step 114 are performed.

According to the present embodiment, the announcement effect of the internal prize mode by the roulette of the back lamps 57a to 57c is stopped in response to the operation of the stop button 26 by the player. As described above, when the player takes an action and actively participates in the notification effect, the effect of the notification effect is further enhanced, and a sense of game can be given.
As a result, even with the slot machine 27 according to the present embodiment, the player can fully experience the interest of the game, that is, the announcement effect.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the stop button 26 for stopping the roulette is provided as a dedicated button has been described, but the stop button 26 may be used also as another button. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the notification effect of the internal winning mode is performed by the back lamps 57a to 57a.
Although the description has been given of the case where the recording is performed by the roulette wheel 57c, the present invention is not limited to this.
Various announcement effects can be performed, for example, by using the effect sound of (1). In the above-described embodiment, the case where the notification effect is stopped by operating the stop button 26 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the effect speed of the notification effect may be changed according to the operation of the player. A change may be given to the announcement effect. In each of these cases, the same operation and effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, the effect of the notification effect can be further enhanced because the player can be involved in the notification effect by the effect participation means. As a result, the player fully experiences the fun of the game effect of the announcement effect, and the interest enjoyed by the player by the announcement effect is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rotating reel unit of the slot machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of a rotating reel constituting the rotating reel unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which a winning line described in a display window of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1 is sequentially activated.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main control circuit configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a winning probability table used in a game process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a symbol table used in a game process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a first flowchart showing a game process of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a second flowchart showing a game process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a rattling lamp lighting selection process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the notification effect processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a main control circuit configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a first flowchart showing a game process of the slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the notification effect processing of the slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 27: slot machine 2: front panel 3, 4, 5: first, second, third reels 6, 7, 8: window 9: medal slot 10: 1 BET switch, 11: 2 BET switch 12: max BET Switch 13: Credit amount display section 14: Credit / payment changeover switch 15 ... Start lever 16, 17, 18 ... Stop button 19 ... Sound transmission hole 20 ... Medal receiving tray 21 ... Medal payout exit 22 ... Payout display section 23 ... Validation line Indication lamps 24: "Tatashitatake" lamp 25: Hit indicator lamp 26: Stop button L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, L3B ... Winning lines 57a, 57b, 57c ... Back lamps

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A prize mode determining means for determining an internal prize mode of a game by random number lottery, and an effect according to the internal prize mode determined by the prize mode determine means is notified to the player. A gaming machine comprising: a notification production means, comprising: a production participation means for involving a player's operation in a notification production by the notification production means. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect participating means is a notification effect trigger means for performing a notification effect by the notification effect means in response to an operation of a player. 3. The notification effect trigger means is determined by the lighting means which is lit when a predetermined game state is provided, and by the prize mode determining means when operated by a player when the lighting means is lit. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a button for causing the notification effect means to perform an effect according to the internal winning mode. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect participating means is a notification effect varying means for changing a notification effect by the notification effect means in accordance with an operation of a player. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the notification effect changing means includes a button for stopping the notification effect by the notification effect means when operated by a player. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine.