JP2003093577A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine preventing a game player from being humiliated due to a piece of information to be kept in a secret becoming known to others by informing only the game player about the same. SOLUTION: The game machine comprises a segment to be operated (laver parts or button parts) including a start lever 6, 1BET button 15a, 2BET button 15b and a maximum BET button 15c that are operated by the game player individually and a CPU (central processing unit) 17a as a drive controlling means for controlling drives of each of electromagnets (not shown in the figure), wherein each of electromagnets works as a load providing means for providing each part in the segment to be operated with a load.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises variable display means in which a plurality of variable display portions for variably displaying a plurality of symbols are arranged, and a symbol combination stopped and displayed at a predetermined position of the variable display means is a winning mode. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that gives a player a privilege corresponding to the winning mode when a winning combination is achieved by becoming a "role" corresponding to.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a so-called slot machine is known. This slot machine has "plum""bell""watermelon""cherry"
A plurality of variable display portions such as reels that variably display a plurality of symbols such as "7" and "BAR" are arranged in parallel. In each variable display section, in the display area where approximately 3 to 4 symbols can be displayed, each symbol appears and disappears so as to flow in a predetermined direction. It is extremely difficult for the player to individually identify each symbol that appears and disappears in the display area.

In the variable display means in which a plurality of such variable display units are arranged in parallel, a pay line is provided so as to straddle each variable display unit. The variable display of each variable display unit is stopped according to the timing when the corresponding stop button is pressed, and 3 to 4 symbols are stopped and displayed in each display area. However, the stop of the variable display is controlled not only according to the timing of pressing the stop button by the player, but also according to the lottery result of the lottery means for lottery the winning mode. By such control, arbitrary symbols are intentionally drawn to the pay line on each variable display part,
The variable display stops after being kicked off intentionally to a position off the pay line.

Specifically, in the slot machine, a plurality of winning modes such as "big hit", "medium hit", "small win" and the like are predetermined. These winning modes are internally won by lottery by the lottery means, and the corresponding symbols are present on the winning line when the stop button is pressed, or a predetermined number of symbols on the upstream side in the variable display direction. When it is inside (within the pull-in range), a control called "pull-in" is executed. When such "drawing in" is carried out, the variable display is stopped after the symbol corresponding to the winning mode is drawn in on the predetermined winning line. However, if the corresponding symbol is not within the pull-in range when the stop button is pressed, it is not pulled in. On the other hand, despite not having won the internal winning, it is likely that the corresponding symbol will exist on or near the pay line when the stop button is pressed, and that a specific symbol combination called a “win” will be established on the pay line. There are times. In such a case, a control called "kick-off" is performed to stop the rotation of the reel so as not to stop the symbol on the pay line.

Therefore, no winning combination will be established on the winning line unless some winning mode is internally won in the lottery by the lottery means. A prize is won only when a predetermined winning mode is internally won and a corresponding winning combination is established on the winning line. Here, when a "bell combination" made up of three "bells" is established on an effective pay line and a "small hit" is won, a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the type. However, of the “small hits”, when a prize called “replay” wins, the medals are not paid out, but the game can be redone under the same medal insertion condition. In addition, if "BARR" which consists of three "BAR" and "red7" which consists of three "RED7" are established on the valid winning line and "Mid-win" and "Big hit" are won, After that, the game state is switched from the general game state to the special game state for a predetermined period.
For example, in the special game state that is switched due to the winning of the "big hit", the "middle hit" and the "small hit" are internally won with a much higher probability than in the normal game state.

In the slot machine having such a configuration,
Regardless of whether it is in the general game state or the special game state, if no internal winning is achieved in any of the winning modes, the above-mentioned "kick-off" is executed and the winning is avoided.
Therefore, if the player does not win the prize, is it due to the failure of the cause, or
In the first place, it was not possible to judge whether any of the winning modes was due to the internal win not being made.

[0007] Therefore, there is known a slot machine for informing a player of the occurrence of internal winning or missing. In such a slot machine, the player can judge that the reason for the failure is due to the failure to be notified by being notified of the occurrence of the internal winning or the failure when the winning is not successful. Further, by not being notified, it can be determined that the reason for the failure is due to not having internally won the prize.

[0008]

By the way, in general,
A player who is less skilled in "sticking" has a more difficult time in achieving a winning combination, so that the period until the carry-over is eliminated becomes longer and the number of missed items increases.
For this reason, it would be embarrassing to let others know that the carry-over cannot be eliminated for a long period of time, or that many missed items will occur. However, if the notification of the carry-over, internal winning or missing is made flashy by light emission or pronunciation like the above-mentioned slot machine, it will be humiliated by surrounding people to realize the failure. It can happen.

The present invention has been made in view of the above background. The purpose of the present invention is to inform the player of the information that he / she wants to keep secret, so that the information is known to others. It is to provide a game machine that can avoid the humiliation of a player.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an operation accepting means for accepting an operation of a player necessary for the progress of a game, and a plurality of symbols are variably displayed. Variable display means provided with a plurality of variable display portions, stop control means for performing stop control of the variable display for each variable display portion, and stop display at a predetermined position of the variable display means by the stop control. The symbol combination determining means for determining the symbol combination, and the privilege granting means for imparting a privilege corresponding to the winning mode to the player when the winning is achieved by the combination of the symbol combination corresponding to the winning mode In the gaming machine, as the operation receiving means, one having an operated portion operated by the player and a load resistance applying means for applying a load resistance to the operated portion is used, and the load resistance applying means Drive In which characterized in that a drive control means for controlling.

In this gaming machine, the drive control means controls the load resistance applying means for applying load resistance to the operated portion of the operation receiving means, thereby making it difficult for the player to operate the operated portion. Make it easy. Then, by changing the operability of the operated portion in this manner, it becomes possible to notify the player of predetermined information.
Since only the player who actually operates the operated part can notice the change in the operability of the operated part,
This predetermined information will be secretly notified only to the player. Therefore, even when the information that the player wants to keep secret such as carryover, internal winning or the occurrence of omission is notified as the predetermined information, the information is only notified to the player, and is known to others. The humiliation of the player due to being taken away is avoided. Furthermore, the player is given the joy of being able to secretly know whether or not there is a carry-over, internal winning or missing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine of the first aspect, the load resistance changing means for changing the load resistance exerted when the load resistance applying means is driven is provided. .

In this gaming machine, in addition to allowing the player to judge the presence or absence of information notification only by the presence / absence of load resistance with respect to the operated portion of the operation receiving means, the information is notified according to the strength of the load resistance. It is possible to judge the contents of the information contained to some extent. Therefore, it is possible to notify information of more various contents.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, a lottery means for lottering a predetermined winning mode is provided, and the variable display is performed so that the stop control is executed based on the lottery result. The stop control is configured, and the drive control means is configured to control the drive of the load resistance application means based on the lottery result.

In this gaming machine, it is possible to generate a prize only when a winning occurs by controlling pulling in or kicking a desired symbol on the basis of the lottery result by the lottery means. Moreover, for example, by controlling the drive of the load resistance imparting means based on the result of the lottery, such as driving the load resistance imparting means when a win occurs by lottery, is the reason for the failure to win the prize? It is also possible for the player to judge whether it is due to a failure to win.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine of the third aspect, the drive control means is configured to control the drive of the load resistance applying means based on the determination result by the symbol group determination means. It is characterized by.

In this gaming machine, by controlling the drive of the load resistance applying means based on the result of the lottery and the determination result of the symbol combination that is stopped and displayed, it is possible to notify the occurrence of the missed item. . The player can promptly determine that the reason for the non-establishment of the prize is due to the failure or failure to win, based on only the presence or absence of the notification. On the other hand, for example, when the occurrence or non-winning of the winning is notified based on only the lottery result, it is necessary to determine the reason for the non-winning of the winning in consideration of the presence or absence of the notification and the presence or absence of the winning. Therefore, it takes a longer time to judge the reason why the winning is not established, as compared with the case where the occurrence of the missed item is notified. Therefore, in this gaming machine, the player can promptly determine the reason why the winning is not established, as compared with the case where the drive of the load resistance applying means is controlled based on only the lottery result.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the third or fourth aspect, the lottery means for performing lottery for a plurality of types of winning modes is used, and at least 1
If one specific winning mode is won by a lottery by the lottery means, a winning carry-over means for carrying over the winning is established until the winning is realized, and the load resistance giving means based on whether or not the winning is carried over. The drive control means is configured to control the drive of the.

In this gaming machine, the winning of a specific winning mode such as "middle hit" or "big hit" is not invalidated by only one drop, but is carried over until the winning is achieved. In particular,
For example, when some winning mode is won by a lottery by a lottery means and a winning flag corresponding to the winning mode is established, the winning flag of the winning mode such as "small hit" is irrespective of whether the game is won or not. It is common to release it at the end of. However, the winning flag of a specific winning mode such as "middle winning" or "big winning" is established once it is established until the symbol combination corresponding to the specific winning mode is established and the winning occurs. It keeps it as it is.
With such a configuration, it is possible to eliminate the situation where the player loses a great deal of damage by invalidating the winning of the specific prize mode by only one drop like the “small hit”, and it is possible to eliminate the damage. it can. Further, by controlling the driving of the load resistance imparting means based on the presence / absence of carryover, it is possible to notify the player of the occurrence of the winning of the specific winning mode. Therefore, even though the specific winning mode is won, the player may be absorbed in the "touch" of the "winning" corresponding to the winning mode with a comparatively small profit, such as the "winning" corresponding to the "small hit". It is also possible to eliminate damage to the player suffered by moving to another game machine.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the third, fourth or fifth aspect, it is necessary to drive the load resistance applying means based on the lottery result, the determination result, the presence / absence of carryover or a combination thereof. Even in such a case, the drive control means is configured so as to execute the control for generating the time when the drive is not performed with a predetermined probability.

In this gaming machine, the occurrence of a win or carryover is not necessarily notified by the operation receiving means,
Even if they occur, there is a case where the notification is not given. In such a configuration, even if the notification is not given by the operation receiving means, "the possibility of winning or carrying over is not completely denied just because it is not notified by chance."
It will be possible to make the player have the hope. Therefore, even if the operation accepting unit does not notify the player, it is possible to make the player hope for winning or carrying over.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the third, fourth or fifth aspect, the load resistance applying means should not be driven based on the lottery result, the determination result, the presence or absence of carryover, or a combination thereof. Even in such a case, the drive control means is configured so as to perform the control for generating the drive at a predetermined probability.

In this gaming machine, even if there is no winning or carryover, it is possible to occasionally notify as if it had occurred. With such a configuration, it is possible to make the player feel as if a dropout had occurred and to tighten the player's spirit.

The invention of claim 8 relates to claim 1, 2, 3,
In the gaming machine of 4, 5, 6 or 7, as the load resistance applying means, one driven by the magnetic force of an electromagnet is used.

In this gaming machine, the structure can be simplified as compared with the case where the load resistance applying means is driven by hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, a motor, a weight or the like.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of a slot machine as a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied will be described below. First, the basic configuration of the slot machine according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. The slot machine 1 has a box-shaped housing 2, a front panel 3 attached to the front side of the housing 2 so as to be openable and closable, and the like. The front panel 3 has a display window 4, a medal insertion slot 5, a start lever 6, a stop button unit 70, a credit settlement button 8, a speaker 9, and a medal payout slot 10a, which form part of variable display means described later. A saucer 10, a liquid crystal display unit 11, a line display unit 12, a game display unit 13, a count display unit 14, a BET operation unit 15, and the like are provided.

The stop button units 70 are provided as operation receiving means arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction.
It is composed of two stop buttons 70a, 70b, 70c, 70c, 70c, 70c, 70c, and 70c, and those having a lamp function are used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal structure of the slot machine 1. Inside the housing 2, three reels 16a, 16 having a plurality of designs printed on the outer peripheral surface thereof are provided.
b and 16c are incorporated. Also, CPU and ROM
A main control circuit board 17 having an electronic circuit formed of various other electronic components, a medal payout device 18 having a medal hopper 18a capable of accommodating a large number of medals, a setting operation section 19 having a reset switch 19a and a stage setting key switch 19b, The internal speaker 20 and the like are also incorporated.

The reset switch 19a and the stage setting key switch 19b are used to set a lottery table, which will be described later, to one with a high winning probability of "big hit" or "medium hit" or to one with a low winning probability. Is. While the stage setting key switch 19b is pushed down to the ON position,
When a main switch (not shown) is turned on, the control in the step setting mode is executed. In this stage setting mode, each time the reset switch 19a is pressed, the stage mode is sequentially changed toward, for example, 1 to 6, and the lottery tables of the respective winning probabilities are set as those in the normal gaming state. . The display of the step mode is
It is displayed on the payout display unit.

The reels 16a, 16 serving as variable display portions
b and 16c (hereinafter, also referred to as a left reel, a middle reel, and a right reel) are rotationally driven by a reel drive motor (not shown) including a stepping motor. Each of these reels is shown in FIG.
21 kinds of 7 types of patterns shown in (g) are printed in a predetermined order. Hereinafter, these symbols will be referred to as “red 7”, “blue 7”, “BAR”, “watermelon”, “bell”, “cherry”, and “plum”, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a detailed front view showing a part of the front panel 3. In the figure, the reels 16a, 16
The symbols for about 3 frames at the predetermined rotation positions of b and 16c are visible through the display window 4. In the display window 4, five pay lines that cross the reels 16a, 16b, 16c are drawn, and the upper row side by side, the middle row side by side, the lower row side by side, the right diagonal upper row, and the right diagonal lower row are combined. Is shown. When a predetermined winning combination is established on these pay lines, the player is provided with a privilege such as paying out medals to the medal tray or allowing replay. Although the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment has five winning lines, the number of winning lines may be smaller or larger than this.

The line display section 12 includes a 1MEDAL lamp 12a, two 2MEDALs lamps 12b, two 3MEDALs lamps 12c and a start lamp 12d.
And so on. The 1 MEDAL lamp 12a is arranged on an extension line of the pay lines lined up in the middle row among the five pay lines in the display window 4. Also two 2
The MEDALS lamps 12b are arranged side by side in the upper row,
It is arranged on the extension of the winning line in the lower row.
In addition, the two 3MEDALS lamps 12c are respectively arranged on the extension lines of the winning lines that are diagonally upper right and diagonally lower right.

The count display unit 14 includes a credit display unit 14a, a bonus count display unit 14b, a payout display unit 14c and the like. Also, the BET operation unit 1
5 is a 1-BET button 15a, 2 as an operation receiving means
A BET button 15b (located on the back side of 15a in the figure), a max BET button 15c, and the like are provided.

The game display section 13 includes a replay lamp 13a, a winning lamp 13b, and a game over lamp 13
d, BB (big bonus, the same below) lamp 13e,
RB (regular bonus, same below) lamp 13f,
It is equipped with a medal insertion lamp 13g and the like. When a "small hit" is won because "bells" are lined up on the winning line, the winning lamp 13b is illuminated. . In addition, when the "big hit" or "medium hit" is won, the winning lamp 13
b together with the BB lamp 13e and the RB lamp 13f
Is lit. Further, in the state before the game is started, and when there are less than 50 medal credits, which will be described later, the medal insertion lamp 13g blinks to notify the player that medals can be inserted.

When a player inserts a medal (not shown) into the medal insertion slot 5, the medal falls through the passage (not shown) into the medal hopper 18a (see FIG. 2). In this passage, a drop opening for dropping a medal smaller than a regulation and returning it to the medal payout slot 10a (see FIG. 1), blocking passage of the medal and returning it to the medal payout slot 10a, or permitting it to the medal hopper. A medal block solenoid for sending in, a medal insertion sensor including a photo sensor for detecting passing medals one by one, and the like are provided. The medal detection signal output from the medal insertion sensor that has detected a medal is sent to the main control circuit board 17 (see FIG. 2).

After the inserted medals are detected by the medal insertion sensor and fall into the medal hopper 18a for official acceptance, the 1MEDAL lamp 12a is illuminated and the start lamp 12d is blinked. Illumination of the 1MEDAL lamp 12a indicates that, out of the five pay lines, only one pay line lined up in the middle row is activated. If the "role" is not established on the winning line thus activated, the prize is not won even if the role is established on another winning line.

When the player operates the start lever 6 (see FIG. 1) while the start lamp 12d is blinking, the reels 16a, 16b and 16c start rotating. However, the smaller the number of effective winning lines,
The odds of winning are low. Therefore, the player usually increases the winning probability before operating the start lever 6.
Further insert medals.

When another medal is thrown in and officially accepted, in addition to the one 1MEDAL lamp 12a, the two 2MEDALs lamps 13b are lighted. As a result, in addition to the middle-row side-by-side pay lines, the upper-row side-by-side and lower-row side-by-side pay lines are also effective. When one more medal is thrown in and officially accepted, the two 3MEDALs lamps 13c are also turned on and all five pay lines are activated.

When the medals are further inserted, the display of the credit display portion 14a which has been "0" until then,
Each time you add one, the number will increase by one. The maximum medal credit is 50, and when the medal credit reaches 50, the medal block solenoid operates and no more medals can be accepted.

When the player operates the start lever 6 as the operation receiving means, the CPU of the main control circuit board 17 first causes the start lamp 12d.
Blinking is turned off and reels 16a, 16b, 16c
The rotation drive of is started. Reels 16a, 16b, 16
Each of the predetermined rotational positions of c is detected by a reel position sensor such as an encoder (not shown). A random number generation circuit (not shown) generates a random number at a predetermined cycle and outputs it as a random number signal. CPU of main control circuit board 17
Compares the data of the random number signal sent immediately after the start of reel rotation with the lottery table stored in the ROM. This lottery table associates each random number with the winning mode (“small hit”, “middle hit”, “big hit”) and “out”. By being associated in this way, various winning modes are internally won with a predetermined probability, and “off” occurs with a predetermined probability. Therefore, the combination of the random number generation circuit and the CPU constitutes a lottery means.

Next, the main control circuit board 17 uses the reel 1 based on the output signal from each reel position sensor.
Regarding the rotation speeds of 6a, 16b, and 16c, it is determined whether or not the rotation speeds of the reels 6a, 16b, and 16c have risen to a predetermined speed and have been stabilized. Buttons 70a, 70b,
Even if 70c (see FIG. 1) is operated, the rotation stop position of the corresponding reel cannot be made appropriate. Therefore, the CPU of the main circuit board 17 is configured so that the reels 16a, 16
The output signals from the stop buttons 70a, 70b, 70c are not accepted until the rotational speeds of b, 16c rise to a predetermined speed and stabilize. Then, when the rotation speed is stabilized, the stop buttons 70a, 70b, 7
The 0c lamp is turned on to inform the player that these buttons can be operated.

When the stop button 70a, 70b, 70c is pressed by the player, the rotation of the reels 16a, 16b, 16c is properly stopped by the main control circuit board 17 based on the pressing timing and the lottery result. Controlled. The main control circuit board 17 has a function as stop control means for stopping and controlling the variable display of each reel. Specifically, this stop control is performed as follows. That is, the symbol corresponding to the internally won winning mode is not on the winning line that is valid when the stop buttons 70a, 70b, 70c are pressed, and, for example, 4 on the rotation upstream side of this.
When it is within the pull-in range for the frame, the stop control called "pull-in" is executed. As a result, the rotation of each reel 16a, 16b, 16c is stopped after the symbol corresponding to the winning mode is drawn onto the winning line. In addition, even if “out” is selected by lottery, if some kind of “win” is likely to be achieved on the effective pay line, a stop control called “kicking off” is executed. By this "kicking off", the reel 16 is limited to, for example, four frames.
a, 16b, 16c are additionally rotated, and their "role"
The pattern corresponding to is skipped from the winning line. When the rotation of the reels 16a, 16b, 16c is stopped, the medal insertion lamp 13g is immediately blinked, and the medal can be inserted. Note that this “kicking off” is an expression that emphasizes the player's consciousness to the last, but the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment is strictly configured to realize this “kicking off” by “pulling in”. Has been done. Specifically, if “out” is confirmed without internally winning any of the winning modes, the “winning part” is displayed on the effective winning line.
Pull in a design that does not hold. To the player's eyes, this pull-in appears as "kick-off", in which a pattern that can establish a "role" is kicked off, so from the player's point of view, this pull-in becomes "kick-off".

The main control circuit board 17 can determine a symbol combination arranged on each pay line when the reels stop rotating, based on such "pull-in" and "kick-off". Therefore, it also has a function as a symbol group determination means. When a predetermined "winning part" is established on an effective winning line, a winning is achieved, and the replay lamp 13a, winning lamp 13b, BB lamp 13e,
Among the RB lamps 13f, the one corresponding to the "winning part" is lit. In addition, the medal lamp at the position corresponding to the winning line in which the "winning" is achieved blinks. For example, when "bells" are lined up on the pay line lined up in the lower row, the prize lamp 13b is turned on and two 2MEDALs are displayed.
Among the S lamps 12b, the one on the lower side in the figure blinks.

When the winning is achieved, the above-mentioned count display section 1
The number of medals paid out corresponding to the winning mode is displayed on the 4th payout display portion 14c, and the medal credits on the credit display portion 14a are increased accordingly. However, when the number of the medal credits being increased reaches 50, the remaining medal is paid out by the medal payout device 18 instead of further increasing the medal credit.

When the player presses the 1 BET button 15a with the medal credit being 1 or more,
The 1 MEDAL lamp 12a is turned on, and 1 is subtracted from the medal credit. This allows
The pay lines in the middle row will be activated. Also, when the medal credit is 2 or more, the 2BET button 15b described above is used.
When is pressed, the 1MEDAL lamp 12a and the two 2MEDALs lamps 12b are turned on, and 2 is subtracted from the medal credit. As a result, the three pay lines of the middle row side by side, the upper row side by side, and the lower row side by side are activated. When the max BET button 15c is pressed while the medal credit is 3 or more, the 1 MEDAL lamp 12a and the 2 MEDAL lamps 12a are pressed.
The LS lamp 12b and the two 3MEDALs lamps 12c are lit, and 3 is subtracted from the medal credit. As a result, all five pay lines are activated. However, when the medal credits are smaller than the number of pressed BET buttons, only the pay lines corresponding to the medal credits are activated.
The BET of medals can be accepted by inserting 1, 2, or 3 medals.

1 MEDA by inserting medals and BET
When the L lamp 12a, the 2MEDALS lamp 12b or the 3MEDALS lamp 12c is lit, then the start lamp 12d blinks and the start lever 6 can be operated. In addition, a card unit is attached to the slot machine 1, and when a valuable medium such as a prepaid card is inserted into the slot machine 1, medals credits are added by the number corresponding to the consideration, or medals are paid to a medal tray. You can let them out.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a part of an electric circuit of the slot machine 1. As illustrated, the slot machine 1 includes a sub control circuit board 21 in addition to the main control circuit board 17. In the figure, the main control circuit board 17 includes a CPU 17a, a clock generation circuit 17b, a ROM 17c, a RAM 17d, and a random number generation circuit 1.
7e, a data sending circuit 17f, a sending timing control circuit 17g, an input port 17h, an output port 17i and the like.

The clock transmission circuit 17b outputs a clock signal of a predetermined frequency to the CPU 17a. Further, the ROM 17c stores various control programs and data such as a lottery table to be described later, and outputs these to the CPU 17a. In addition, the RAM 17d
Temporarily stores the variable data calculated by the CPU 17a. In addition, the random number generation circuit 17e
Generates a random number every predetermined period and outputs the data to the CPU 17a.

The CPU 17a has an input port 17h.
Via the 1BET button 15a, 2BET button 15b, MAX BET button 15c, start lever 6, stop buttons 70a, 70b, 70c, credit settlement button 8, step setting key switch 19b, reset switch 19a, medal insertion sensor 22, Output signals from the reel position sensor (left) 25, the reel position sensor (middle) 26, and the reel position sensor (right) 27 are input. Further, output signals from the medal payout sensor 23 and the medal full sensor 24 are also input.

The medal payout sensor 23 detects the medals paid out from the medal payout device 18 one by one, and outputs a detection signal to the CPU 17a. CPU 17a
Adjusts the number of medals to be paid out by the medal payout device 18 by stopping driving of a medal payout motor described later based on an output signal from the medal payout sensor 23.

When the medal full sensor 24 detects the upper limit of the medal accommodation level in the medal hopper 18a, it outputs a full signal to the CPU 17a. When the CPU 17a receives the full signal, the CPU 17a temporarily suspends various controls and causes the liquid crystal display unit 11 to display information about the medal full error.

The CPU 17a, via the output port 17i, the reel drive motor 28 (left), the reel drive motor (middle) 29, the reel drive motor 30 (right), the medal payout motor 18b of the medal payout device 18, Medal block solenoid 31, 1MEDAL lamp 12a,
2 MEDALS lamp 12b, 3 MEDALS lamp 1
2c, start lamp 12d, replay lamp 13a,
Winning lamp 13b, game over lamp 13d, BB
Lamp 13e, RB lamp 13f, medal insertion lamp 1
3g, credit display portion 14a, bonus count display portion 14b, payout display portion 14c, stop buttons 70a, 70
A control signal is output to each of b and 70c. The output timing information signal is output to the data sending circuit 17f according to the progress of the game. The output timing information signal output to the data sending circuit 17f is temporarily stored here, and then based on the output signal from the sending timing control circuit 17g, the data input circuit 21i of the sub control circuit board 21. Is output to. The control signals from the CPU 17a to the stop buttons 70a, 70b, 70c are for turning on the lamps in the stop buttons.

The sub control circuit board 21 is arranged on the back side of the front panel 3, and in addition to the data input circuit 21i, the CPU 21a, the clock generation circuit 21b, and the image R.
An OM 21c, a RAM 21d, a voice ROM 21e, a voice LSI 21f, a display circuit 21g, an amplifier circuit 21h, a control ROM 21j and the like are provided.

In the sub control circuit board 21, the output timing information signal input to the data input circuit 21i is output to the CPU 21a. On the other hand, the clock generation circuit 21b outputs a clock signal of a predetermined frequency to the CPU 21a. In addition, the image RO
The M21c stores various control programs and image data, and outputs them to the CPU 21a as needed. The RAM 17d is the CPU 21a.
The variable data calculated by is temporarily stored. The voice ROM 21e stores various voice data, and if necessary, stores these voice data in the voice LS.
Output to I21f.

The CPU 21a reads the image data corresponding to the output timing information signal received for image from the data input circuit 21i from the image ROM 21c and outputs it to the display circuit 21g. Further, the audio output command signal corresponding to the output timing information signal is output to the audio LSI 21f.

The display circuit 21g includes the CPU 21a.
After applying the specified processing to the image data received from
Output to the liquid crystal display unit 11. By this output, the effect image according to the progress status of the game, the symbol corresponding to the internally won winning mode, and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11.

The voice LSI 21f has the CPU 21
The voice data corresponding to the voice output command signal received from a is read from the voice ROM 21e and output to the amplifier circuit 21h.

The amplifier circuit 21h is a voice LSI 21.
After the audio data received from f is subjected to a predetermined process, it is output to the speaker 9 and the internal speaker 20 via the volume adjusting circuit 32a of the volume voice adjusting board 32. With this output, a sound corresponding to the progress of the game is output from the speaker 9 or the internal speaker 20.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of switching the game state in the slot machine 1. As shown in the figure, the gaming states that occur in the slot machine 1 are the normal gaming state at the normal time and the regular bonus (R
B) called "medium hit" and big bonus (B
It is roughly classified into a special game state which is switched by a "big hit" prize called B). Further, this special game state is classified into an RB state generated by an RB winning combination and a BB state generated by a BB winning combination. Further, this BB state may be a non-RB state during BB or a RB state during BB. Immediately after turning on the main power source (not shown), the normal game state is entered. In this general gaming state, various "small hits", RBs, and BBs are internally won with a predetermined probability.

When an RB wins in the general gaming state, the gaming state is switched to the RB state. In this RB state, even 2BET button 15b and MAXBET button 15
Even if c is pressed, a game called a jack game is executed in which it is regarded as 1 BET and only the middle-row side-by-side pay lines are activated. In the RB state, only the winning mode of "winning" and "off" are defined, and the lottery table dedicated to the jack game for internally winning this "winning" with an extremely high probability is used. For this reason, there is a very high probability that the “win” will be awarded (JA
A lot of medals will be paid out after winning C. When the "winning" is won 8 times in the RB state, or when the jack game is executed 12 times in total, the game state is returned to the normal game state.

On the other hand, if the BB wins in the general game state,
The gaming state is first switched to the non-RB state during BB. In the BB non-RB state, the above-mentioned lottery table dedicated to the BB non-RB that allows the RB and various "small hits" to be internally won with an extremely high probability is used. Therefore, RBs and "small hits" are awarded with a very high probability, and a large amount of medals are paid out. When an RB wins in the BB non-RB state, the game state shifts to the BB mid RB state, and the above-described jack game is provided. Then, when the cumulative number of game executions in the non-RB state during BB (cumulative within one BB) reaches 30, or when the third RB state during BB ends, the game state changes from the BB state to the general game. It is returned to the state.
In such a BB state, in addition to winning one to three times of RBs, a "small hit" wins with a high probability under the non-RB state in the BB, so that it is better than the RB state in the "middle win". A lot of medals are paid out.

In the general game state, the above-mentioned lottery table is used to win RBs and BBs with a much lower probability than the "small hit". Therefore, if these internal wins are invalidated due to missing, the player The damage incurred will be extremely large. For this reason, the missing RBs and Bs
For B, the internal winnings are carried over until the prize is won. However, even if they are carried over, a lottery for "small hits" is carried out, and if the "small wins" are internally won, the "small wins" will be given rather than the "pull-in" of the symbol corresponding to the RB or BB. The "drawing" of the corresponding symbol is given priority. Specifically, for example, when the winning flag of BB is carried over, if the bell small hit is won and the winning flag is established, first, the design of the "bell role" corresponding to the bell small hit Withdrawal is given priority, and after the end of the game, regardless of whether or not there is a win for the bell win, only the win flag for the bell win is released.

Table 1 shown below shows the relationship among the gaming state in the slot machine 1, the winning mode, the "win", and the number of paid-out medals.

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, in the normal game state, "cherry combination" composed of "cherry-ANY-ANY", "watermelon combination" composed of "watermelon-watermelon-watermelon", "bell-bell-bell" 4 types of "small hits" are individually defined for each of the "bell role" of "" and the "plum role" of "plum-plum-plum". Also, "Blue 7 role" consisting of "Blue 7-Blue 7-Blue 7"
Alternatively, the BB corresponding to the “red 7 role” consisting of “red 7-red 7-red 7” is defined. Furthermore, "BAR-BAR-B
An RB corresponding to a "BAR combination" composed of "AR" is defined. The above "ANY" indicates that any pattern may be used.

When any of the "cherry role", "watermelon role", "bell role", and "plum role" is established on the winning line and the "small hit" is won, two, five, eight One or zero medals are paid out. Note that when the "plum combination" is established, the medals are not paid out, but the game can be redone under the same medal insertion condition.

On the other hand, when an RB or an RB in BB wins by winning the "BAR combination" in the general state or the "PLUM combination" in the BB state on the valid winning line, 15 medals are awarded. After being paid out (including addition of medal credits, the same applies hereinafter), the gaming state is switched to the RB state or the BB mid-RB state. In addition, "Red 7" and "Blue 7"
When BB is won when the "winning" is established on the valid winning line, first, 15 medals are paid out, and then the gaming state is switched from the normal gaming state to the BB non-RB state. In the BB non-RB state, the RB in the BB (middle hit) corresponding to the "plum combination", the "cherry part", the "watermelon part", or the "small hit" corresponding to the "bell part".
Has been defined.

As described above, the "plum" consisting of "plum", "plum" and "plum" is "small hit (replay small hit)" in the normal game state and "win (jack)" in the RB state. And the "medium hit" in the BB non-RB state (see Table 1). Further, the main control circuit board 17 for performing control for giving a privilege to the player, such as paying out medals or switching the game state from the normal game state to the special game state, based on the establishment of a prize, Together with the medal payout device 18 and the like, it constitutes a privilege giving means.

Next, the characteristic structure of this slot machine will be described. This slot machine is provided with the start lever 6, stop buttons 70a, 70b, 70c and 1BET.
Button 15a, 2BET button 15b, Max BET
It is provided with a plurality of operation receiving means such as the button 15c. Then, some or all of them function as information notifying means for notifying the occurrence of internal winning and the like. Specifically, these are provided with a load resistance applying means (not shown) for applying a load resistance to a lever portion or a button portion as an operated portion operated by the player, and the load resistance applying means is the above-mentioned Main control circuit board 1
The drive is controlled by 7. That is, the main control board 17 functions as drive control means. When the main control circuit board 17 determines that the player should be notified of information based on a predetermined control, the load resistance applying means is driven to apply load resistance to the lever portion and the button portion. Therefore, the main control circuit board 17 constitutes an operation acceptance means together with the start lever 6 and the like.

In the slot machine having such a structure, when the load resistance applying means is driven, it becomes difficult for the player to operate the operated portion. When the operation becomes difficult in this way, the player is informed of the occurrence of internal winning and the like. It is only the player who actually operates the lever that can find it difficult to operate the operated part, so the internal winning is secretly notified to the player. Will be. Even if the operation acceptance means such as the start lever 6 informs of information that should be kept secret such as occurrence of internal winning, the player does not understand the information to the surrounding people and fails such as omission. The humiliation caused by being known to others is avoided. Furthermore, it is possible to enjoy the fact that only you can secretly know whether or not carryover has occurred.

Next, a description will be given of the slot machine of each embodiment in which a more characteristic configuration is added to this slot machine. [First Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a part of a main control circuit board of a slot machine according to the first embodiment. As shown, the CPU 17 of the main control circuit board (17)
a is connected to the start lever 6 via the output port 17i.
It is connected to the 1-BET button 15a, the 2-BET button 15b, and the MAX-BET button 15c. Output port 1
The start lever 6, 1BET button 15a, 2BET button 15b, and max BET button 15c can be controlled by transmitting a control signal via 7i.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a conventional start lever. The start lever 6 includes a lever portion 601, which is an operated portion, a tubular lever support 602,
Lever pin 603, spring receiving pin 604, coil spring 6
05, a washer 606, an E ring 607, a sensor cover 608, a transmissive photo sensor 609, and the like. A through hole 610 is formed near the middle of the shaft of the lever portion 601, and an engaging groove 611 is formed on the peripheral surface of the shaft near the tip of the shaft. On the other hand, the cylindrical lever support 602 is formed with two through holes 612 and 613 at positions where the side can be skewered. The shaft portion of the lever portion 601 is the lever support 6
02, the lever pin 603 has three through holes 61 of the lever support 602 and the lever portion 601.
The lever portion 601 is swingably supported about the lever pin 603 by being inserted into the holes 0, 612, and 613.

The spring receiving pin 604 is formed in a tubular shape having a blade protruding portion at the tip thereof, and is inserted into the shaft of the lever portion 601 which is swingably supported by the lever support 602 from the blade extending portion side. The coil spring 605 and the washer 606 are inserted from above. E-ring 6 above
07 is engaged with the engaging groove 611 of the shaft so as to be located further outside the washer 606 on the shaft. Inside the cylinder of the lever support 602, a not-shown receiving portion that receives the spring receiving pin 604 inserted into the shaft is formed, and the coil spring 605 uses the washer 606 as a base and the E ring 607 as the base to receive the spring receiving pin 604. Is urged toward this receiving part.
Due to this urging, the spring receiving pin 604 causes the lever support 6 to move.
It fits tightly to the receiving part inside 02. When the lever portion 601 is swung by the player's lever operation and the tip side of the shaft is tilted, the spring receiving pin 604.
Also, by tilting its posture, the close contact with the receiving portion is partially released. Further, the coil spring 605 is contracted as the posture of the spring receiving pin 604 is tilted. When the player releases the lever portion 601 in this state, the contracted coil spring 605 urges the spring receiving pin 604 so that the spring receiving pin 604 closely contacts the receiving portion, so that the lever portion 601 is returned to its original position. Be done. Therefore, the lever portion 6
01 is a coil spring 6 when released from the player regardless of whether the player swings the normal posture up or down.
The urging force of 05 restores the original posture.

The sensor cover 608 is a transmissive photosensor 609 formed in a Japanese katakana "U" shape.
Is accommodated inside and is connected to the lever support 602. By this connection, as shown in FIG. 20A, the tip of the shaft of the lever portion 601 is positioned so as to block the optical path of the transmissive photosensor 609. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 20B and 20C, the lever portion 60
When 1 is swung up or down, the posture of the shaft 1 is inclined so that the tip of the shaft is retracted from the optical path blocking position of the transmissive photosensor 609. That is, the lever portion 601
When is rocked up or down by the player,
The light path of the transmissive photosensor 609, which has been blocked until then, is opened, and the light receiving portion of the sensor detects the light from the light emitting portion. Then, the transmissive photo sensor 6
09 transmits the light detection signal to the main control circuit board 17, whereby the CPU 17a recognizes the start lever operation by the player.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the conventional BET operating unit 15. As shown in the figure, the BET operation unit 15 is set to 1
The BET button 15a, the 2BET button 15b, and the max BET button 15c are integrally formed as a unit. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the max BET button 15c. In the figure, Max BE
The T button 15c includes a button portion 150 that is an operated portion, a case portion 151, a coil spring 152, and bottom lid portions 153 and 155.
Etc. The coil spring 152 includes a button part 150 inserted into the case part 151 and a case part 1
It is arranged so as to intervene between the bottom lid portion 152 connected to 51 and serves to urge the button portion 150 depressed by the player to return it to its original position.
A light shielding plate 154 is provided upright on the back surface of the button part 150 so as to pass through the inside of the case part 151 and penetrate the through hole of the bottom lid part 152. A transmissive photosensor 155 is fixed to the outer surface of the bottom lid portion 152 so as to be located near the through hole. When the player presses the button portion 150, the light shielding plate 154 projects from the through hole to a position where the light blocking plate 154 blocks the optical path of the transmissive photosensor 155 accordingly. By blocking this optical path, the CPU
The pressing operation on the max BET button 150c is recognized by 17a. Although the description is omitted, the 1 BET button 15a and the 2 BET button 15b are also the maximum BET.
It has almost the same structure as the button 150c.

In order for the player to swing the lever portion 601 shown in FIG. 19 or press the button portion 150 shown in FIG. 21, the coil spring 605 shown in FIG. 19 and the one shown in FIG. The coil spring 152 must be contracted. On the other hand, the coil springs 605 and 152 apply load resistance to the lever portion 601 and the button portion 150, respectively, as the coil springs 605 and 152 contract. Therefore, the conventional start lever 6 and B
The ET button is also provided with a load resistance for the lever portion 601 and the button portion 150 which are the operated portions.
However, the load resistance applying means according to the present invention does not always apply a substantially constant load resistance to the operated part like the coil springs 605 and 152, and
Based on the control of the drive control means, the application of the load resistance to the operated part is turned on / off, or the value of the load resistance is changed.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a part of the start lever of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. This start lever is provided with load resistance applying portions 615 above and below the transmissive photosensor 609. The two load resistance applying units 615 each include a support plate 616 to which an electromagnet 617 is fixed. The support plate 616 is shown in FIG.
4 guide rails 618, 619, 6
20, 621 are provided so as to project, and are inserted into the four through holes formed in the operating plate 622, respectively. 2 for each guide rail
The two stopper portions 623 and 624 are formed, and the operating plate 622, through which the guide rail 618 is inserted through the through hole, is supported by each guide rail so as to be movable between both stoppers. The permanent magnet 62 is provided on one surface of the operating plate 622.
5 is fixed, which faces the electromagnet 617 on the support plate 616 as shown in FIG. The support plate 616 and the operating plate 622 are connected by two coil springs 626 and 627 so as to attract each other, but the operating plate is caught by the stopper 624 on the tip end side of the guide rail so that the magnets (617 and 625) are attracted to each other. The distance is kept so that they do not touch. The permanent magnet 625 on the working plate 622 is
The south pole is brought into contact with the operating plate while the north pole is supported by the support plate 6
It is fixed so as to be opposed to the electromagnet 617 on the sixteen.

When the operating plate 622 is in the position shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 10, the tip of the shaft of the lever portion 601 is brought into contact with the operating plate 622 regardless of whether the player swings the lever part 601 up or down. There is nothing to do.
On the other hand, the end of the electromagnet 617 on the side of the operating plate 622 is set to N
When a current for making a pole is applied, as shown in FIG. 11, the operating plate 622 causes the transmissive photosensor 610 to move by the repulsive force between the N pole of the permanent magnet 625 and the N pole of the electromagnet 617.
Move to the position where you touch. In this way, the operating plate 622
When the lever portion 601 is swung in the state of moving, the tip of the shaft comes into contact with the operating plate 622 before it goes out of the optical path of the transmissive photosensor 610. In order to swing the lever portion 601 to a position where the tip of the shaft is removed from the optical path, the player operates the lever portion 601 with such strength that the moving force of the shaft tip can overcome the repulsive force between the N poles. It is necessary to operate the lever, which makes it difficult to operate the lever.

The permanent magnets 625 and the electromagnets 617 may not repel the N poles but the S poles. Further, instead of using the repulsive force of the magnetic force to provide the load resistance, the attractive force of the magnetic force may be used to provide the load resistance. Instead of providing the actuating plate 622 as shown, a permanent magnet or an electromagnet may be directly fixed to the tip of the shaft of the lever portion 601 to repel it. However, since the tip of the shaft of the lever portion 601 is extremely thin and is not suitable for fixing a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, there is a possibility that the permanent magnet may be peeled off due to the frequent vertical movement of the lever portion 601 accompanying the operation. is there. Therefore, when the permanent magnet or the electromagnet is directly fixed to the tip of the shaft, it is necessary to improve the fixability of the tip of the shaft by increasing the size of the shaft and eventually the start lever itself. On the other hand, in the method of providing the actuating plate 622, the permanent magnet or the electromagnet can be fixed to the actuating plate 622 which can secure a large fixing surface instead of the tip of the shaft which is not excellent in fixing property, so that the shaft is enlarged. Compared with the case, the entire start lever can be downsized.

Further, as shown in the figure, the repulsive force of the electromagnet is used to impart load resistance to the operated portion,
You may make it apply load resistance to an operated part using the force of a hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder, a weight drive, a motor drive, etc. However, when using a hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder, a weight drive, or a motor drive, the installation space for the cylinder, weight, motor, etc. is larger than the electromagnet, which is a demerit in that the structure is complicated and the operation acceptance means is large. Occurs.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a part of the max BET button of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. In the figure, a permanent magnet 156 is fixed to the back surface of the button portion 150 so as to be located inside the coil spring 152, and an electromagnet 157 is fixed to the inner surface of the bottom lid portion 153 so that it is also located inside the coil spring 152. Has been done.
Although the electromagnet 157 and the permanent magnet 156 do not repel each other when no current is applied to the electromagnet 157, when the current is applied, as shown in FIG.
The N pole of 6 and the N pole of the electromagnet 157 repel each other and the button portion 1
It becomes difficult to press the button 50.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the main part of the control performed during the normal game by the CPU 17a of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. In the illustrated control, first, after waiting until a medal insertion operation or a BET operation is performed (step 1, hereinafter the step is referred to as S), the acceptance processing is executed (S2). By this reception processing, the pay line IL becomes effective in accordance with the number of inserted medals and the number of medals BET, and the credit display 14a.
The display of is changed. Next, the operation of the start lever 6 is monitored (S3), and if there is no lever operation (N in S3), the control is looped to S2. By this loop, additional medal insertion and BET are confirmed, and when there is an addition, the pay line IL, the credit display, etc. are increased. When the start lever 6 is operated by the player (Y in S3),
The start lever 6, 1BET button 15a, 2BE
It is determined whether or not the electromagnets of the T button 15b and the max BET button 15c (hereinafter referred to as electromagnets) are being excited (S4).

Here, if excitation is in progress (S
4 Y), a resistance load is applied by repulsion of magnetic force to the immediately preceding lever operation or BET operation, which means that some kind of notification has been given. After such notification, the excitation of each electromagnet is stopped (S5), and then the general lottery process is performed (S6). If the excitation is not in progress (N in S4), it is not necessary to stop the excitation, and therefore the general lottery process is performed as it is.

In the general-purpose lottery process, various winning modes and "miss" are randomly selected with a probability suitable for the general gaming state. This lottery is carried out even if the internal winning has been carried over due to the RB or BB missing. After the lottery, the reels 16a, 16b, 16c are started to rotate (S7), and then it is determined whether or not there is an internal winning of the winning mode and whether or not the RB or BB is carried over.
8, S9).

In these judgments, when neither internal winning nor carry-over has occurred (N in both S8 and S9),
By the kick-off reel stop process (S10), after each reel 16a, 16b, 16c is stopped at a rotation position that does not establish a "win" on the effective pay line IL, the necessity of "false alarm" Is determined (S11). The false report is that the notification is made as if the condition is satisfied even though the condition to be notified is not satisfied. The first embodiment is configured to generate this false alarm with a probability of less than 10 [%]. When it is determined that the "false alarm" is necessary (Y in S11), excitation of each electromagnet is started (S12), and then the series of control flow ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the "false alarm" is not necessary (N in S11), the series of control flow ends without the excitation of each electromagnet being started.
Therefore, when it is determined that there is neither internal winning nor carryover, and there is no need for “false alarm”, the next game is started without exciting each electromagnet. For this reason,
No notification will be given at the time of lever operation or BET operation of the next game. On the other hand, even if both internal winning and carryover are not performed, if it is determined that "false alarm" is necessary with a probability of less than 10%, each electromagnet is excited and the lever of the next game is activated. Some kind of notification will be given during operation or BET operation.

On the other hand, if there is either internal winning or carryover (setting of carryover flag), (S8 or S9
Y), the pull-in control must be executed for each spinning reel instead of the kick-off control. Therefore, in this case, pull-in reel stop processing is performed (S1).
5). In the pull-in reel stop processing, the reels 16a, 16b, such that the constituent symbols of the "winning" corresponding to the internal winning or carried-over winning modes are drawn within the pull-in range of the four frames on the upstream side in the reel rotation direction, The rotation of 16c is stopped. At this time, when there are both internal winning and carryover, the composition pattern of the "win" corresponding to the internally won winning mode takes precedence over the composition of the "winning" corresponding to the carried over winning mode. Be drawn in.

As described above, when there is either internal winning or carryover, the drawing reel stop processing is performed, but the flow up to this processing is slightly different between internal winning and carryover. Specifically, if there is an internal winning (S8
Y), prior to the pull-in reel stop processing (S15),
The necessity of notification is determined (S13). In the first embodiment, it is determined that the notification is necessary with a probability of 80% or more. Then, when it is determined that the electromagnet is necessary (Y in S13), excitation of each electromagnet is started (S14), and then the pull-in reel stop process is performed.
Further, if it is determined that it is not necessary (S13N), the pull-in reel stop process is performed without the excitation being started. On the other hand, if there is a carry-over instead of an internal winning (Y in S9), the pull-in reel stop process is directly performed without determining the necessity of notification. In other words, when carryover is carried out, excitation of each electromagnet is not performed, whereas when there is internal winning, 8
Excitation is performed on each electromagnet with a probability of 0% or more,
Notification will be given at the time of lever operation or BET operation in the next game.

When the rotation of each reel is stopped by the pull-in reel stopping process, it is next determined whether or not there is a winning (S).
16). Here, if there is no winning (S16
N), next, it is determined whether or not carryover occurs due to RB or BB being missed (S17), and if there is no carryover, the carryover flag is set as it is (S1).
A series of control flow ends in 8). On the other hand, if the winning is established (Y in S16), it is then determined whether or not the type is replay (S19), and if it is replay (Y in S19), the control flow is the above S3. Is forced to loop. By this loop, the next game is started under the same medal insertion conditions as the last time. If it is not a replay (N in S19), next, after the number of medals payout processing according to the type is performed (S20),
It is determined whether or not it is an RB or BB prize (S2
1). If neither of the prizes is won (S21
N), the series of control flow ends. Also,
If one of the prizes is won (Y in S21), RB
Alternatively, the BB establishment flag is set (S22), and
If the carry-over flag is being set, it is released (Y in S23, S24), and then the series of control flow ends.

In the above control, the execution start of the excitation for each electromagnet is the general lottery process in S6 except for the judgment of the "false alarm" in S11 and the necessity of the notification in S13. To become dependent on the occurrence of internal winning in. Therefore, in the slot machine of the first embodiment, basically, when the internal winning occurs by the lottery, the excitation of each electromagnet is started, and the notification is given at the next game lever operation or BET operation. .
That is, the occurrence of internal winning in the previous game is notified by exciting each electromagnet.

In the slot machine having the above-described structure, based on the fact that the winning is not established in the previous game, it is difficult to perform the lever operation and the BET operation in the next game by exciting the respective electromagnets, and the "internal winning" Was occurring. "
By notifying the effect to the player, it is possible to determine that the failure to win the prize in the previous game is due to the failure. In addition, when the winning is not established in the previous game, and in the next game, it is easy to perform the lever operation and the BET operation by stopping the excitation of the electromagnets, and the game that "the internal winning has not occurred" is played. By notifying the player, it is possible to determine that the failure to win the prize in the previous game is due to a failure to win. In addition, even if internal winning has not occurred in the previous game, it has occurred with a probability of less than 10 [%].
By falsely notifying the effect, the player's spirit can be tightened. Furthermore, even if internal winning occurs in the previous game, 2
By not performing the notification that “the internal winning has occurred” with a probability of less than 0 [%], a situation occurs in which the notification is not performed even if the winning is achieved. Then, based on the occurrence of such a situation, it should be noticed to the player that there is a case where the notification that “it has occurred” may not be made even if the internal winning is won, and the sense of value is given to the notification. You can also

[Embodiment 2] This Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3 described later.
The basic configuration of the slot machine according to the first embodiment is similar to that of the slot machine according to the first embodiment, but the control content is slightly different. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a main part of control performed during a normal game by the CPU 17a of the slot machine according to the second embodiment. Although it is almost the same as the flowchart of FIG. 14, even if it is determined in the above S9 that "there is a carryover (the carryover flag is set)", "there is an internal winning"
The difference is that the necessity of notification is determined in the same manner as when the determination is made (S13), and excitation of each electromagnet is started according to the determination result. That is, each electromagnet is excited based not only on the occurrence of internal winning, but also on the occurrence of carryover (including continuation). Therefore, in addition to the occurrence of internal winning in the previous game, the occurrence of carryover is also notified.

Here, in the case of carry-over, notification is frequently made (basically, continuously) until the winning of the carried-over RB or BB is established. On the other hand, in the case of internal winning, the next game only once is notified except for RB and BB. Therefore, the player is informed of the carry-over of the RB or the BB depending on whether the situation in which the lever operation or the BET operation becomes difficult to perform frequently occurs in a continuous state, or occurs in a single shot. It can be distinguished to some extent whether or not the internal winning of the small hit in the game is notified. In this slot machine with the above configuration, in addition to the fact that "internal winning has occurred" in the previous game,
It is possible to notify to some extent that "there is a missing RB or BB".

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a main part of control performed during a normal game by the CPU 17a of the slot machine according to the third embodiment. As shown, in this flowchart, S1 through S1
The flow up to 2 is exactly the same as the flow chart of FIG. The flow after S13 is different. Specifically, if there is either internal winning or carryover (Y in S8 or S9), the pull-in reel stop control is directly executed without determining the necessity of notification (S13).
The flow after that is almost the same as that of FIG. 15, but the necessity of notification is determined after the winning is established (Y in S14) and the carry-over flag is set (S21, S22), and the determination result The point that each electromagnet is excited is different. In such control, except for false report (Y in S11) and notification non-execution (N in S23), notification is performed by lever or button based on missing. In other words, the occurrence of the missed item in the previous game is notified by levers or buttons.

In the above-described structure, unlike the slot machine of the second embodiment, which is different from the slot machine of the second embodiment, which allows the player to judge whether or not the player has missed the winning combination by notifying that "the internal winning has occurred" and whether or not the winning is achieved. , It is possible to make the judgment of missing only by the notification. Therefore, as compared with the slot machine of the second embodiment, it is possible for the player to promptly determine the reason why the winning is not established. Also in this slot machine, by letting the player judge whether or not the missed points frequently occur in a continuous or near-like state, it is a small hit or a carry-over RB or BB that is carried over. It can be judged to some extent.

Next, in the slot machine according to the third embodiment,
A specific example slot machine having a more characteristic configuration will be described. [Specific Example] As described above, in the slot machine of the above-described third embodiment, the player can distinguish to a certain extent the winning mode that has been missed based on the occurrence frequency of the missed game, that is, the small hit and the other. However, when the winning of RB or BB is achieved with a relatively small number of carryovers, it becomes difficult to distinguish them. Further, if carryover continues for a long period of time, the player may become accustomed to the poor operability of the levers and buttons, and it may be difficult to notice the carryover notification. Therefore, the slot machine of this specific example is configured to suppress the occurrence of these problems by providing the following characteristic configuration.

The characteristic structure will be described below. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a part of the main control circuit board of the slot machine according to the specific example. As shown in the figure, the CPU 17a of the main control circuit board (17) has
A voltage adjusting circuit 17j is connected via the output port 17i, and the start lever 6, 1BET button 15a,
The power supply voltage to the electromagnets of the 2BET button 15b and the MAXBET button 15c is the voltage adjustment circuit 17
It is adjusted by j. As you know,
The magnetic force generated by the electromagnet increases as the power supply voltage increases. Therefore, in the slot machine according to the present specific example, by adjusting the power supply voltage to each electromagnet, it is possible to adjust the degree of difficulty in lever operation and button operation. Specifically, the degree of deterioration of operability can be adjusted in two stages by switching the power supply voltage in two stages of low voltage and high voltage.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the main part of the control performed during the normal game by the CPU 17a of the slot machine according to this example. As shown, in this flowchart, S1 through S11, and S
The flow from 13 to S23 is exactly the same as the flow chart of FIG. S12, S24, S25 and S26
16 is different from that in FIG. Specifically, the above S
If it is determined in 23 that the notification is necessary with a probability of 80 [%] (Y), then it is determined whether or not the winning mode that was missed immediately before is a small hit (S24). Then, if it is a small hit (Y in S24), the excitation to each electromagnet by the low voltage is started, while there is no small hit (in other words, carryover has occurred) (S
At 24, N), excitation of each electromagnet by a high voltage is started. If it is determined that the false alarm is necessary after the kick-off reel stop control (Y in S11), either low voltage or high voltage is selected as the voltage for each electromagnet (S12). Then, the control is S25 or S2.
By being looped to 6, the selected voltage is excited in each electromagnet.

In the above construction, when RB or BB is missed, the degree of deterioration in the operability of the lever or button is higher than when the small hit is missed.
In either case, the operability is poor, but the former case is more difficult to operate. Therefore, the player can easily determine whether the small hit is missed or the RB or BB is missed (occurrence of carryover) according to the degree of deterioration of operability. . Further, even if carry-over of RBs and BBs continues for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user is used to the operation because the lever operation and the button operation are significantly deteriorated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which it becomes difficult to notice the carry-over notification due to the continuation of carry-over.

The slot machine in which the predetermined information is notified by making it difficult to operate the levers and buttons has been described above. On the contrary, the drive of the load resistance applying means is stopped and the levers and buttons are operated. It is also possible to notify predetermined information by facilitating the operation. Further, although the slot machine using a medal has been described, a slot machine of a type in which a pachinko ball is used instead of the medal to perform a game may be used. Further, it may be a slot machine in which a recording medium such as a card is inserted and a game specified by recorded information on the recording medium is played. Further, the start lever may be omitted and the start of the game may be accepted based on the input of the BET number. Further, the slot machine having the variable display means including the reel 16 and the display window 4 has been described.
The present invention can be applied to a gaming machine provided with an RT, a liquid crystal, an LED, an electroluminescence device, and the like. In a CRT or the like, a variable display section is an area in which each symbol is variably displayed on the display screen.

[0099]

According to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to avoid the humiliation of the player caused by the fact that the information desired to be kept secret is known to others. It has the excellent effect of being able to. Further, there is also an excellent effect that it is possible to give the player the pleasure of being able to secretly know whether or not there is a carry-over, internal winning or missing.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, there is an excellent effect that information of more various contents can be notified.

Further, in particular, according to the invention of claim 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, the winning is caused only when the winning occurs, and moreover, the reason why the winning is unsuccessful is due to being missed. There is an excellent effect that it is possible for the player to judge whether it is something.

Further, in particular, according to the invention of claim 4, the player can promptly determine the reason why the winning is not established, as compared with the case where the drive of the load resistance giving means is controlled only on the basis of the lottery result. It has an excellent effect.

Further, in particular, according to the invention of claim 5, even if the winning of the specific winning mode is invalidated or the specific winning mode is won, the other winning modes are won. There is an excellent effect that it is possible to eliminate the damage to the player suffered by immersing himself in the "pushing" of the corresponding pattern or moving to another game machine.

Further, in particular, according to the invention of claim 6, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to make the player hope for winning or carrying over even if the notification is not made by the operation receiving means.

Further, in particular, according to the invention of claim 7, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to make the player feel as if a dropout has occurred, and to keep the player's mind tight.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, there is an excellent effect that the structure can be simplified as compared with the case where the load resistance applying means is driven by hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, a motor, a weight or the like. .

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an internal structure of the slot machine.

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3G are schematic views showing symbols attached to respective reels of the same slot machine.

FIG. 4 is a detailed front view showing a part of the front panel of the slot machine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a part of an electric circuit of the slot machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of switching game states in the same slot machine.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a part of a main control circuit board of the slot machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a part of a start lever of the slot machine.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a guide rail and an operating plate of the start lever.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the movement of the tip of the shaft accompanying the swing of the start lever.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the movement of the tip of the shaft when the electromagnet is driven.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a MAX BET button of the slot machine.

FIG. 13 is the same Max B when the electromagnet is driven.
Sectional drawing which shows a part of ET button.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a main part of control performed during a normal game of the slot machine.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a main part of control performed during a general game of the slot machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a main part of control performed during a general game of the slot machine according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a part of a main control circuit board of the slot machine.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a main part of control performed during a normal game of the slot machine.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a conventional start lever.

20 (a) to 20 (c) are explanatory views showing an optical path blocking state of the photo sensor accompanying the swing of the start lever.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a conventional BET operation unit 15.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing a Max BET button of the BET operation unit 15.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 slot machine (gaming machine) 2 housing 3 front panel 4 display window 5 medal slot 6 start lever (operation accepting means) 8 credit settlement button 9 speaker 10 medal tray 10a medal payout slot 11 liquid crystal display 12 line display 13 game Display unit 14 Count display unit 15 BET operation unit 15a 1 BET button (operation accepting means) 15b 2 BET button (operation accepting means) 15c Max BET button (operation accepting means) 16a, b, c Reel (variable display unit) 17 Main control circuit Substrate (drive control means, design group determination means, lottery means, winning carryover means) 18a medal hopper 19 setting operation section 20 internal speaker 21 sub control circuit board 22 medal insertion sensor 23 medal payout sensor 24 medal full sensor 25, 26, 27 reel Position sensor 28, 29 30 reel drive motor 31 medals block solenoid 32 volume voice adjusting substrate 70 STOP button unit 70a, b, c stop button (stop operation means)

Claims (8)

[Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. An operation accepting means for accepting an operation of a player necessary for the progress of a game, a variable display means provided with a plurality of variable display sections for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, and each variable display section. Against the stop control means for performing stop control of the variable display, the symbol combination determination means for determining the symbol combination stopped and displayed at the predetermined position of the variable display means by the stop control, and the symbol combination in the winning mode In a gaming machine provided with a privilege granting means for granting a privilege according to the winning mode to a player when a winning is achieved by corresponding role, an operated part operated by the player as the operation accepting means. And a load resistance applying means for applying a load resistance to the operated portion, and a drive control means for controlling the drive of the load resistance applying means is provided. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising load resistance changing means for changing the load resistance exhibited when the load resistance applying means is driven. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a lottery means for lottering a predetermined prize mode, and configuring the variable display stop control so as to execute the stop control based on the lottery result. A game machine characterized in that the drive control means is configured to control the drive of the load resistance applying means based on the lottery result. 4. The game machine according to claim 3, wherein the drive control means is configured to control the drive of the load resistance applying means based on the determination result by the symbol group determination means. Machine. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein as the lottery means, a lottery for a plurality of kinds of winning modes is used, and when at least one specific winning mode is won by a lottery by the lottery means, the prize is won. Even if it is missed, it is provided with a winning carryover means to carry over the winning until it is established, and the drive control means is configured to control the drive of the load resistance applying means based on the presence or absence of carryover of the corresponding election. Characteristic gaming machine. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 3, 4 or 5, even if it is necessary to drive the load resistance applying means based on the lottery result, the determination result, the presence or absence of carryover, or a combination thereof, the drive is not driven. A game machine characterized in that the drive control means is configured to perform a control for generating a time with a predetermined probability. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 3, 4 or 5, even if the load resistance applying means should not be driven based on the lottery result, the determination result, the presence or absence of carryover, or a combination thereof. A game machine characterized in that the drive control means is configured to perform a control for generating a time with a predetermined probability. 8. A gaming machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the load resistance applying means is driven by magnetic force of an electromagnet.