JP2002355361A - Method for notifying control status of slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify the winning of an internal drawing to a game player only. SOLUTION: For this slot machine, whether a reel pull-in stop is so controlled that a combination for symbols regarding the winning on an effective stop line may be established is determined by the internal drawing. The slot machine has a first sounding means 26 and a second sounding means 27 to notify a time lag between the operation timing for stop button switches 7a to 7c by the game player and the stop timing for the reel through the sense of hearing. When the stop button switches 7a to 7c are depressed, the first sounding means 26 starts a sounding motion. When the reel stops, the first sounding means 26 stops the sounding motion. At the same time, the second sounding means 27 instantly performs a sounding motion.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method in which a plurality of reels on which a plurality of symbols are displayed are rotated, and then the respective reels are individually stopped by operating a stop button switch. The present invention relates to a slot machine that determines the presence or absence of a prize according to a symbol.
In a slot machine that performs a pull-in stop control of a reel so that a combination of symbols related to winning is established on an effective stop line, an operation timing of a stop button switch by a player and a reel stop timing generated by the symbol pull-in stop control of the reel. The method relates to a method of notifying a player of the time lag by appealing to a player's hearing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in a slot machine, when a plurality of reels on which a plurality of symbols are displayed are rotated and then a stop button switch is operated, a short beep sounds and the operation is effective. To the player.

In recent slot machines, when all reels are started simultaneously by operating a start lever, an internal lottery is performed by a control unit in the slot machine. When the lottery is won, a specific symbol related to a winning is stopped. The pull-in stop control of the reel is performed so as to stop on the line, and when the lottery is not performed, the reel stop control is performed at a predetermined short timing.

[0004] The pull-in stop control is performed so that, when the stop button switch is operated, if the corresponding symbol is located within a few frames before the stop line, the symbol stops on the stop line. The stop control of the reel is performed, and a time lag corresponding to several frames of symbols occurs between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the stop timing of the reel. The maximum value of this time lag is regulated by law so that the player does not feel an unnatural reel stop operation.

By the way, in this kind of slot machine,
Since the result of the internal lottery is unknown to the player,
Even if a lottery has been won, the player may stop the game midway or change the machine to be played if the specific symbols related to the winning are not aligned on the stop line.

[0006] Therefore, the applicant of the present invention previously activates a notifying means such as a lamp when an internal lottery in the control unit is hit, until the specific symbol arrangement for winning is aligned on the stop line. A slot machine has been proposed in which the operation of the notification means is continued (Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-802).
No. 35).

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned slot machine, the fact that the internal lottery has been won is notified by a notifying means such as a lamp, so that not only the player himself / herself but also the surrounding people have been selected. Will be informed. Slot machine reels, if you are an expert,
The symbols passing through the symbol display window rotate at a speed that is barely recognizable, so even if it is known that the internal lottery has been won, for the general player, the target symbol is stopped on the stop line It is difficult. As a result, the notification means continues to operate for a long time until the specific symbol arrangement related to the winning is aligned on the stop line, and the player is concerned about the surrounding eyes and cannot concentrate on the game. Was.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and has as its object to provide a control status notifying method of a slot machine which can notify only a player himself that an internal lottery has been won. And

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a slot machine control status notifying method, in which a plurality of reels on which a plurality of symbols are displayed are rotated, and then the respective reels are individually stopped by operating a stop button switch. In a slot machine provided with a determination unit for determining the presence or absence of a winning according to symbols arranged on a predetermined stop line and a symbol pull-in stop control unit for each reel, a player operates a stop button switch by a player. The time lag between the timing and the reel stop timing caused by the reel symbol pull-in stop control is appealed to the player's hearing and reported.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the magnitude of the time lag is notified by appealing to the auditory sense of the player so as to be recognized by the duration of the sound.

According to the invention of claim 3, the magnitude of the time lag is notified by appealing to the auditory sense of the player so that the magnitude of the time lag can be recognized by the instantaneous sound generation interval.

[0012]

In the control status notifying method according to the present invention, the time lag between the operation timing of the stop button switch by the player and the reel stop timing caused by the reel symbol pulling stop control is reported to the auditory sense.
The player can recognize whether or not the internal lottery has been won according to the magnitude of the time lag by the reel pull-in stop control.

In the control status notification method according to the second aspect of the present invention, the magnitude of the time lag can be determined based on the duration of the sound, and in the control status notification method according to the third aspect of the invention, the instantaneous sound generation interval can be determined.

[0014]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine 1 according to the present invention. This slot machine 1 has three reels 2a, each of which has a plurality of symbols displayed on its peripheral surface.
2b and 2c, a symbol display window 3, a medal deposit number display 4, a medal slot 5, a start lever 6, a stop button switch 7a, 7b, 7c, a medal slot switch 8, a settlement switch 8 9, a medal discharge port 10, a medal tray 11, and the like are provided.

The symbol display window 3 has three reels 2 each.
When the reels 2a, 2b, 2c are stopped, the rotation state of each reel 2a, 2b, 2c can be seen through the symbol display window 3, and when the reels 2a, 2b, 2c are stopped, three frames of each reel are displayed. symbol of the upper, middle, so that the arrayed in a line down, diagonal on each stop line L ₁ ~L _5. These stop lines L _{1 to} L ₅ are sequentially activated according to the number of inserted medals. When one medal is inserted, the central stop line L ₁ is replaced by two medals. When three medals are inserted, three stop lines L _{1 to} L ₃ are activated, and when three medals are inserted, five stop lines L _{1 to} L ₅ are activated. If the combination of the symbols is a winning combination, a predetermined number of medals are paid out.

The starting lever 6 includes three reels 2a, 2
The stop button switches 7a, 7b and 7c are for simultaneously starting the reels 2a, 2b and 2c, respectively.

The medal slot 5 is a place where a large number of medals are inserted or one or a plurality of medals are inserted for each game prior to the start of the game. The medal tray 11 accommodates medals discharged from the medal outlet 10 at the time of payout or settlement of medals.

The slot machine 1 employs a credit system in which a game can be executed by consuming stored medals deposited in the machine in advance. Is digitally displayed.
The medal insertion switch 8 is for instructing to set a medal insertion number by consuming stored medals during execution of a game, and medals corresponding to the number of operations are automatically inserted. The settlement switch 9 adjusts the stored medals and releases the medals to be returned to the medal tray 11.

A first sound generator 26 and a second sound generator 27 (both shown in FIG. 2) are provided in the body of the slot machine 1. The first sounding means 26,
After the reels 2a, 2b, 2c are started, when the stop button switches 7a, 7b, 7c are pressed, a short beep (hereinafter referred to as a "first sound") is instantaneously generated, and the game is played. The user is notified of the operation timing of the stop button switches 7a, 7b, 7c.

The second sounding means 27 generates a sound of a tone different from the first sound (hereinafter referred to as "second sound"), and starts sounding operation at substantially the same timing as the first sound. When the corresponding reel actually stops, the sound generation operation is stopped. The second sound notifies a player of a time lag between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the stop timing of the reel.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a main circuit configuration of the slot machine 1. In the figure, 15 is a control unit,
CPU 16, ROM 17, RAM 18, random number generator 23
The CPU 16 has an input port 20, an output port 21, and a display interface 22 via a bus 19.
Etc. are connected.

The ROM 17 stores a program indicating a control procedure of the machine operation and fixed data such as an arrangement table of symbols of the respective reels 2a, 2b, 2c. CP
U16 is a main body of control / calculation, reads and writes data to and from the RAM 18 according to the program and fixed data in the ROM 17, and controls a series of operations of each input / output unit.

The random number generator 23 outputs an arbitrary integer value at predetermined time intervals, and the CPU 16 takes in the random number value and executes a lottery as described later.

The starting lever 6, the stop button switch 7a-
7c, the medal insertion switch 8 and the like are connected to the input port 20, respectively.
It is taken in.

The bus 19 is connected to a reel driving unit 24, a hopper driving unit 25, a first sound generating means 26, and a second sound generating means 27 via an output port 21, respectively. The display circuit 28 is connected via the display. The command from the CPU 16 is transmitted to the bus 19
And the output port 21 or the display interface 2
2 to each of these outputs.

In response to a command from the CPU 16, the reel driving unit 24 operates the stepping motor 2 for driving each reel.
9 (shown in FIG. 3), the hopper drive unit 25 drives a hopper (not shown) inside the machine body, and discharges a predetermined number of medals from the medal outlet 10 to the medal tray 11.

Similarly, in response to a command from the CPU 16, the first sounding means 26 generates a first sound when the stop button switches 7a to 7c are operated, and the second sounding means 27 responds after the stop operation. The second sound is generated until the reels 2a to 2c actually stop. The display circuit 25 performs a display operation of the deposit number display 4 and the like.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the reel drive unit 24 and the function of the CPU 16 together. FIG. 2 shows only the circuit configuration of the reel 2a (the same applies to the other reels 2b and 2c).

In the figure, a reel drive unit 24 receives a clock signal, generates a drive pulse p, and supplies the drive pulse p to a stepping motor 29 to drive the reel 2a. A start command and a stop command are given to the reel drive unit 24 from the reel control unit 30 of the CPU 16.

When medals are inserted and the start lever 6 is operated, a start signal is input to the reel control unit 30, and the reel control unit 30 issues a start command to operate the reel drive unit 24.

The start signal is also given to a lottery section 31 in the CPU 16. The lottery unit 31 determines whether or not to perform the pull-in stop control so that a combination of symbols for winning is established on a valid stop line. The random number value obtained is fetched, it is determined whether or not the random number value is included in the range of the random number value stored in the ROM 17, and the result is output to the reel control unit 30.

The driving pulse p is given to the counter 32 of the CPU 16 and counted. This counter section 32
Are reset by a reset signal output when the reel 2a makes one revolution. Symbol detector 33
The reel control unit 30 and the determination unit refer to the symbol arrangement table of the reel 2a in the ROM 17 from the count value of the counter unit 32 and determine which symbol on the reel 2a is located on the effective stop line. 34.

When the stop button switch 7a is operated, a stop signal is input to the reel control unit 30 in response to the operation. When this stop signal is received, the reel control unit 30
With reference to the determination result of the lottery section 31 and the detection result of the symbol detection section 33, a stop command is issued to the reel drive section 24 at a timing corresponding thereto, and the operation of the stepping motor 29 is stopped.

More specifically, in the case where the lottery in the lottery section 31 is performed and the pull-in stop control is performed so that the combination of the symbols related to the winning is established, when the stop signal is received, the corresponding symbol is valid stop. If the symbol is located within a few frames before the line, the reel 2a is stopped and controlled so that the symbol stops on the stop line. Otherwise, after the symbol of the maximum number of frames regulated by law is sent. ,
The reel 2a is controlled to stop. In addition, when performing a normal stop control after the lottery is removed, the reel 2a is controlled to stop at a predetermined short timing.

The determination section 34 determines whether or not the symbol stopped on the effective stop line is a symbol for winning, and outputs a result of the determination. The lottery unit 3
The lottery result by No. 1 is also transmitted to the reel control units of the second and third reels 2b and 2c, and the same stop control as described above is performed by the reel control unit according to the lottery result.

FIG. 4 shows the procedure of control by the CPU 16 from step 1 (indicated by "ST1" in the figure) to step 15
FIG. 5 shows the operation timings of the sound generators 26 and 27. Hereinafter, the operation of the slot machine 1 will be described in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 16 determines in step 1 whether a medal is to be inserted. When a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 5 or a stored medal is automatically inserted by operating the medal insertion switch 8, the determination in step 1 is “YES”, and the CPU 16 operates the start lever 6 in step 2. To wait.

When the starting lever 6 is operated, step 2 is executed.
Is "YES", and the CPU 16 proceeds to step 3
To start all the reels 2a to 2c all at once, and after performing the lottery described above in step 4, waits for the pressing operation of the stop button switches 7a to 7c (step 5).

If any one of the stop button switches 7a to 7c is pressed, step 5 becomes "YES" and the CPU 1
6, the first sounding means 26 instantaneously generates a first sound by the first drive signal i1 shown in FIG. 5, turns on the second drive signal i2, and the second sounding means 27 The sounding operation of the second sound is started (steps 6 and 7).

In the following step 8, the lottery result is checked. If the lottery is successful, step 8 is "YE
S ", the reel control unit 30 of the CPU 16 outputs a stop command based on the above-described pull-in stop control to the reel drive unit 24 (step 9).

If the lottery result is "losing", step 8 becomes "NO" and the routine proceeds to step 10, where the reel controller 30 issues a stop command in response to the operation timing of the stop switch. Output to

When the reel is stopped by the stop command from the reel control unit 30, the CPU 16 turns off the second drive signal i2 and stops the sounding operation of the second sound by the second sounding means 27 (step 11). ).

In the following step 12, all the reels 2a
2c is checked to see if all reels 2
The operations of steps 5 to 12 are repeated until a to 2c stop. When all the reels 2a to 2c have stopped and the determination in step 12 is "YES", the CPU
16 checks whether or not a combination of symbols related to winning is established on an effective stop line (step 13).

If the combination of symbols related to winning is established on the effective stop line, step 14 is executed.
Is "YES", and the CPU 16 drives the hopper drive unit 25 to pay out a predetermined number of medals, and then ends the game (step 15). On the other hand, when the combination of the symbols related to the winning is not established, step 14
Becomes “NO”, and the game is ended as it is.

In this embodiment, the stop button switches 7a to 7
c, the first sounding means 26
A sound is generated instantaneously, which causes the stop button switch 7a
7c, and stops the sounding operation of the second sound by the second sounding means 27.
7C, the operation is continued until the reels 2a to 2c stop, thereby informing the time lag between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the stop timing of the reels. A drive signal having a timing as shown in FIG. 6 may be generated to cause two or a single sounding means to sound.

In the example of FIG. 6 (1), the first drive signal i1 is turned on in response to the pressing operation of the stop button switch, the sounding operation of the first sounding means is started, and the first sounding means is started by the reel stop operation. The first driving signal i1 is turned off to stop the sounding operation of the first sounding means, and the second driving signal i2 is used to stop the second sounding operation.
Sounding means is instantaneously sounded.

FIGS. 6 (2) and 6 (3) show an example in which a single sounding means is used. In the example of FIG. 6 (2), a drive signal is generated in response to a pressing operation of a stop button switch. i is turned on to start the sounding operation of the sounding means, and in response to the stop operation of the reel, the drive signal i is turned off to stop the sounding operation of the sounding means. Further, in the example of FIG. 6 (3), in response to the pressing operation of the stop button switch, the sounding means is instantaneously sounded by the drive signal i, and again sounded by the drive signal i in response to the reel stop operation. The means is sounded instantaneously.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, the time lag between the operation timing of the stop button switch by the player and the stop timing of the reel caused by the reel pull-in stop control is notified to the player's hearing. Therefore, the player can recognize whether or not an internal lottery has been won according to the magnitude of the time lag by the reel pull-in stop control. This will not only stop the game or move to another slot machine without knowing that the lottery has been won, but also allow only the player to recognize the lottery, so pay attention to the surrounding eyes. You can focus on the game without having to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation timing of the stop button switch and the reel stop timing by the player can be determined by the duration of the sound, and in the third aspect of the invention, by the generation interval of the instantaneous sound. You can see the time lag between them.

Further, the expert skillfully operates the stop button switch so that the target symbol stops on the stop line by referring to the time lag between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the stop timing of the reel. There is also an effect that can be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a reel driving unit and functions of a CPU.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of control by a control unit.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the timing of a sound generation operation.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a sounding operation timing in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 slot machine 2a~2c reel 7a~7c stop button switch 15 the control unit 26 first sound generating means 27 second sound generating means L ₁ ~L ₅ Stop Line

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. After rotating a plurality of reels on which a plurality of symbols are displayed, each of the reels is individually stopped by operating a stop button switch, and a prize is won according to the symbols arranged on a predetermined stop line. In a slot machine provided with a determination means for determining the presence or absence of a symbol, and a symbol pull-in stop control means for each reel, an operation timing of a stop button switch by a player and a reel stop timing generated by the symbol pull-in stop control of the reel are described. A method for reporting the control status of a slot machine in which a time lag between the two is appealed to the player's hearing and reported. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time lag is reported by appealing to the player's hearing so that the magnitude of the time lag can be recognized by the duration of the sound. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time lag is noticed by appealing to the player's hearing so that the magnitude of the time lag can be determined by the instantaneous sound generation interval.