JP2003117052A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems generated when an optional button for arbitrarily switching the auxiliary representation is additionally mounted separately from operation levers and operation switches necessary for game progression, that it is necessary to secure a space exclusively used for the optional button in a casing of a slot machine, or to newly design the casing. SOLUTION: Two operation detecting switches of a stop switch 171 and an optional switch 191 are mounted inside of a stop button, and an auxiliary control means 250 is provided with an auxiliary representation switching controlling means 257 for switching an operating condition of an auxiliary representation control means 251 when the operation of the stop button is detected during the stop of a reel corresponding to the stop button.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a start lever or a start button is operated, rotation of a plurality of reels is started, and when a stop button is operated, rotation of a reel corresponding to each stop button is stopped and all reels are stopped. There is provided a slot machine in which the required number of medals and the like are appropriately paid out by the combination of the symbols stopped at.

This slot machine is often used in FIG.
As shown in, the operation plate 110 is provided substantially in the center of the front,
The operation plate 110 is a slot machine 100 provided with a credit medal button 113, a start lever 115, three stop buttons 121, 122, 123, a medal insertion slot 111, a payout button 117, and the like. And the operation plate 110
A front plate 140 is provided above the front plate.
A reel window 141 is provided for each of the three reels.
The reels are arranged so that the individual symbols can be seen, and in recent years, in many cases, an auxiliary game effect device 153 such as a liquid crystal display plate is provided on the right side of the reel window 141 or the like.

Further, a lower panel 131 is provided below the operation plate 110 in the slot machine 100.
A medal payout opening 133, a medal receiving cup 135, and the like are provided below the 131. In addition, a winning line is drawn on the front plate 140, an effective lamp 143 for displaying an effective line in the winning line, a credit number display 147 for displaying the number of credit medals, and a special game such as a bonus game. A game state display lamp 145 for displaying the progress of the special game is provided when
An effect display lamp 151 that flashes and effects during a special game or the like is provided above.

The effect display lamp 151 may be provided not only above the front plate 140 but around the front plate 140. In these slot machines 100, the number of lines to be activated lines in the winning line is determined by the number of inserted medals, and two, three, or ten cards are selected depending on the combination of three symbols stopped on the activated line. The required number of medals such as or 15 will be paid out.

Further, in these slot machines 100,
In addition to the normal game that pays out the required number of medals according to the combination of symbols stopped on the activated line, when a specific symbol combination is aligned on the activated line, a special medal payout probability is increased. A special game in which the game is played a predetermined number of times is started. In these slot machines 100, a microcomputer incorporated in a housing controls a reel motor drive and a game when paying out medals.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control mechanism using this microcomputer receives signals from various sensors and switches to progress the game, that is, the effective lamp 143.
Has a main control means 200 for controlling the start and stop of rotation of the reel in accordance with the lighting of the button and the operation of the button, the determination of the stop symbol, the payout of medals, and the like, and the sounding device 155 according to the state of the game. The effect display lamp 151 and the auxiliary control means 250 for controlling the auxiliary game effect device 153 are provided so that the microcomputer is connected to other microcomputers and various devices.

The microcomputer serving as the main control means 200 has functions as a winning control means 210, a reel stop control means 220, a main game control means 230, and an operation control means 240, and is mainly used in the slot machine 100. The microcomputer that performs the essential control for the progress of the game and that is the auxiliary control unit 250 is a lighting device that controls the sound control unit 253 that controls the sounding device 155 such as a speaker and the effect display lamp 151 that is incorporated in the upper panel. The function as the control means 255, and further the auxiliary game production device 153 such as a liquid crystal display board.
It has a function of controlling the effect as the auxiliary effect control means 251 for controlling.

This main control means 200, when a signal for detecting the insertion of medals is input from the medal sensor 161 provided in the medal insertion slot 111 or the medal button sensor 163 incorporated in the credit medal button 113, the main game is executed. Effective lamp 1 according to the number of inserted medals by the general game control means 231 or the special game control means 233 in the control means 230
The control of turning on the light 43 to start the game is started so that the player can play the game.

When the start switch 165 incorporated in the start lever 115 detects that the start lever 115 is operated, the reel drive control means 241 in the operation control means 240 causes the first reel motor 181 to the third reel motor 181.
The drive of the reel motor 183 is started, and the winning control means 2
In 10, the random number is extracted by the random number generating means incorporated in the lottery means 211 by the lottery means 211, and the random number value extracted by the lottery result determination means 215 is compared with the numerical value of the determination table, and the lottery is performed. In accordance with the result, the scheduled stop symbols of each reel are stored in the lottery result determination means 215.

When any one of the first stop button 121 to the third stop button 123 is operated, the first stop switch 171, the second stop switch 172, or the second stop switch 172 incorporated in each stop button is operated. The reel stop control means 22 corresponding to the stop switch that outputs the detection signal is detected by the detection signal input to the main control means 200 from the stop switch incorporated in the operated stop button of the 3 stop switches 173.
Stop with 0.

The reel stop control means 220 detects the origin position of each of the first to third reels based on the signals from the first origin sensor 176, the second origin sensor 177 and the third origin sensor 178, and each reel motor. The reel position determination means 221 detects the rotational position of each reel based on the number of drive pulses output to the stop pulse, and when the stop button is operated, the scheduled stop is stored in the lottery result determination means 215 of the reel corresponding to the stop button. For example, when the symbol exists within a few frames from the bottom of the reel window 141, the stop position designating means 225 controls the reel motor to stop on the effective line.

Then, the first reel motor 181 is stopped by a signal from the first stop switch 171, and the second reel motor 182 is stopped by a signal from the second stop switch 172.
Stop the third reel motor 183 in response to a signal from the third stop switch 173, and when all reel motors are stopped, the winning determination means 235 will stop the symbols on the activated line. It is determined whether or not the combination is a combination of winning symbols, and when the winning symbols are aligned, the hopper drive control means 245 drives the hopper device 185 in accordance with the winning symbols, and the required number of sheets corresponding to the winning prize. Pay out medals. The count value of the credit medal counter may be increased instead of paying out medals.

Furthermore, when a combination of specific symbols for starting a special game such as a big bonus or a regular bonus during the general game is aligned on the activated line, the special game control means 233 thereafter specially gives a special game time. Play the game and display the progress of the special game on the game status display lamp 145
Is displayed, and when the special game is finished, the game which is a general game is advanced by the general game control means 231.

When a special game is being played, the lighting control means 255 of the auxiliary control means 250 controls blinking of the effect display lamp 151 in accordance with the progress of the special game, and the sound control means 253 causes the sounding device 155. To control the music and voice to be played from the player to entertain the game,
Further, the auxiliary effect control device 251 drives the auxiliary game effect device 153 to perform effect in accordance with the progress of the game.

Incidentally, the driving of the auxiliary game effect device 153 by the auxiliary effect control means 251 is not limited to during the special game, and the special game is won by the lottery of the winning control means 210, If the combination of specific symbols to start the special game is not aligned on the activated line,
Even during the normal game, there is a case where an operation for displaying a result of the lottery is performed in accordance with the result of the lottery by the winning control means 210.

In recent years, as shown in FIG. 5, an option button 127 is provided on the operation plate 110, and a game explanation and a game state are given to the auxiliary game effect device 153 such as a liquid crystal display plate provided beside the reel window 141. In addition to displaying, etc., it is possible to display a menu screen etc. by operating the option button 127, and only perform a normal operation of performing a certain display mode in accordance with the lottery result, the winning determination result or the progress of the special game. Alternatively, there is also a slot machine 100 that allows the player to selectively switch the display by switching the display of the auxiliary game effect device 153 according to a menu by operating the option button 127.

The liquid crystal display plate used as the auxiliary game effect device 153 is not limited to the right side of the reel window 141, but is provided at an appropriate position on the front panel such as below the reel window 141 or above the reel window 141. Some are provided on the upper surface of the operation plate 110.

[0019]

As described above, an option button is provided on the operation plate or the like to switch the display of the auxiliary game effecting device to display an indication of the lottery result or the like, or a display at the time of winning. In the slot machine that can switch the mode, not only the fun of aligning reel stop symbols but also the enjoyment such as predicting the internal winning is given to the player by selectively changing the display content according to the intention of the player. You can

However, since this option button is additionally provided in addition to the conventional operation levers and operation switches necessary for the progress of the game, a dedicated space for the option button is arranged in the chassis of the slot machine, In addition, there is a drawback in that it is necessary to newly design the housing, and additional labor is required for manufacturing the housing.

[0021]

According to the present invention, in a slot machine (100) having a main control means (200) and an auxiliary control means (250), two stop switches and option switches are provided inside a stop button. An operation detection switch is provided, the stop switch is connected to the main control means (200), the optional switch is connected to the auxiliary control means (250), and the auxiliary control means (250) indicates that the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped. An auxiliary effect switching control means (257) for switching the operating state of the auxiliary effect control means (251) when detecting the operation of the stop button is provided.

As described above, when the stop button for stopping the reel is operated while the reel is stopped, the operation state of the auxiliary effect control means (251) in the auxiliary control means (250) for controlling the effect is changed. Auxiliary effect switching control means (257) for switching the auxiliary control means (250)
Since it is installed in the auxiliary game production device (253) without adding a new option switch to the outer surface of the housing
It is possible for the player to arbitrarily switch the display of.

Further, since a stop switch and an option switch are provided inside the stop button and the stop switch is connected to the main control means (200) as in the conventional case, the function and configuration of the main control means (200) are different from those in the conventional case. While being the same,
A new function can be added to the slot machine (100) by improving only the auxiliary control means (250). The auxiliary effect switching control means (257) operates the auxiliary effect control means (251) when any of the stop buttons is continuously operated or when the stop button is continuously pressed. It is preferable to switch the state.

In this way, if the operation of the auxiliary effect control means (251) is switched by continuous operation or continuous pressing, the auxiliary effect control can be performed even if the stop button is inadvertently operated while the game is not being played. It is possible to prevent changing the operating state of the means (251). In addition, all three stop buttons (121, 122, 123) are provided with two detection switches (171, 172, 173, 191, 192, 193),
When any one of the stop buttons is operated continuously or when it is detected that the button is continuously pressed, the operation state of the auxiliary effect control means (251) is switched, and the auxiliary effect switching control means (257) controls all the stop buttons. There is a case in which the operation detection of the auxiliary effect control means (251) is performed according to the operated stop button.

As described above, after the operation of the auxiliary effect control means (251) is switched by any of the stop buttons, the operation of the auxiliary effect control means (251) is switched according to the operation of all the stop buttons. For example, it becomes easy for the player to select many kinds of auxiliary effects by properly using the three stop buttons.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A slot machine 100 according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, each of the first to third stop buttons 121 to 123 is provided with two operation detection switches such as a photo interrupter. Then, one of the two operation detection switches incorporated in the first stop button 121 is the first stop switch 171, the other is the first option switch 191, and one of the two operation detection switches incorporated in the second stop button 122. As the second stop switch 172, the other as the second option switch 192, and one of the two operation detection switches incorporated in the third stop button 123 as the third stop switch 173 and the other as the third option switch 193. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the control mechanism of the slot machine 100 has a medal sensor as in the conventional case.
161, medal button sensor 163, start switch 165
And the first stop switch 171 to the third stop switch 1
73 main control means 2 for inputting signals from the payout switch 167 and the first origin sensor 176 to the third origin sensor 178
00, the main control means 200 controls the effective lamp 143, the first reel motor 181 to the third reel motor 183, the game status display lamp 145, the hopper device 185, etc., and is essential for the progress of the game. The control is performed, and further, the auxiliary control means 250 is controlled to perform an effect in accordance with the game, as in the conventional case.

Of course, the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment inputs the signals from the first option switch 191 to the third option switch 193 to the auxiliary control means 250,
The auxiliary control means 250 is added with a function as auxiliary effect switching control means 257. In this way, each of the first stop button 121 to the third stop button 123 is provided with two operation detection switches, and one of the detection switches incorporated in each stop button 121, 122, 123 is used as a stop switch and the other is an option switch. Therefore, while the connection to the main control means 200 and the function of the main control means 200 are completely the same as the conventional one, the function of the auxiliary effect switching control means 257 is added to the auxiliary control means 250,
By connecting the first option switch 191 to the third option switch 193 to the auxiliary control means 250, the player can arbitrarily display the display of the auxiliary game effect device 153 without adding a new switch button on the surface of the housing. It becomes possible to perform the operation of selecting.

Then, this auxiliary effect switching control means 257
When the signal from the medal sensor 161 is input to the main control means 200 or the signal from the medal button sensor 163 is input and the effective lamp 143 is turned on and the main control means 200 starts the control of the game, the auxiliary effect is produced. The control means 251 is provided with a predetermined display in accordance with the lottery result in the prize control means 210 and the prize determination result by the prize determination means 235.
In addition to performing the normal operation of 153, even if a signal from the first option switch 191 to the third option switch 193 is input, the control for switching the operating state of the auxiliary effect control means 251 is not performed, and the auxiliary effect control means 251 is controlled. Is for causing the auxiliary game effect device 153 to perform a predetermined effect display in accordance with the lottery result of the winning control means 210.

Further, in the auxiliary effect switching control means 257, the reel stop control means 220 in the main control means 200 stops all reel motors 181, 182, 183, and the winning determination means 235 makes a winning determination, depending on the combination of the stopped symbols. When the main control means 200 finishes controlling the progress of the game by paying out the required number of medals or crediting the credit medal counter, and the main control means 200 does not control the progress of the game, the first option switch 191. When the signal from the third option switch 193 is input, the operation state of the auxiliary effect control means 251 is switched.

The operation state of the auxiliary effect control means 251 can be switched when the first stop button 121 is continuously operated for a short time such as by double-clicking, or when the first stop button 121 is 1 second or longer. When the first option switch 191 detects that the button is pushed continuously, the operation of the auxiliary effect control means 251 is controlled so as to display the menu screen on the auxiliary game effect device 153.

When it is detected that the first stop button 121 is operated while the menu screen is displayed, the operation of the auxiliary effect control means 251 is changed so as to switch the display of the menu, and the second Stop button 122
When it is detected that is operated, the operation of the auxiliary effect control means 251 is changed so as to switch to the display of the menu contents displayed on the menu screen, and the third stop button 123
When it is detected that is operated, auxiliary effect control means
The auxiliary effect switching control means 257 controls the operation switching of the auxiliary effect control means 251 so that the auxiliary game effect device 153 finishes the menu display and the special display based on the menu display by returning 251 to the normal operation.

After displaying the menu screen, the first screen is displayed.
Option switch 191 to third option switch 193
When the input signal from is not input within a predetermined time such as about 1 minute, the auxiliary effect control means 251 is returned to the normal operation, and the menu display by the auxiliary game effect device 153 or the special display based on the menu display is ended. In this way, when switching the auxiliary effect control means 251 from the normal operation, it is performed when the repeated operation or the continuous pressing of the first stop button 121 is detected, and thus the stop button is inadvertently operated when not playing the game. Even auxiliary game production device 153
It is possible to prevent switching of the display of.

Further, after the menu screen is displayed by the signal from the first option switch 191 incorporated in the first stop button 121, the first display switching of the menu screen is performed.
Even if the stop button 121 is operated, the selection of the menu and the end of the menu display are performed by a signal from the second option switch 192 or the third option switch 193 incorporated in the second stop button 122 or the third stop button 123. Even if a push-type stop button is used, the operation can be facilitated by dividing the function for each stop button.

The first option switch 191 in which the display of the first menu screen is incorporated in the first stop button 121.
Not only in the case of performing the signal based on the signal from, but also in the case of performing based on the input signal from the option switch incorporated in another stop button, such as the signal from the third option switch 193 incorporated in the third stop button 123. .

In addition, the option switches are not limited to the three stop buttons, and when the menu display or selection contents are simple, it is sufficient to incorporate only one option switch in any one of the stop buttons. Sometimes. Then, any one of the stop buttons, or two or three stop buttons, each having two operation detection switches, is incorporated into the auxiliary effect switching control means 257.
Thus, when switching the operation state of the auxiliary effect control means 251, even if the main control means 200 is not controlling the progress of the game, it is stopped when the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped. When a signal from an option switch incorporated in a stop button for stopping the reel is input to the auxiliary control means 250, the operation state of the auxiliary effect control means 251 may be switched.

As described above, two operation detection switches are incorporated in any one or all of the stop buttons to be the first stop button 121 to the third stop button 123, and one operation detection switch is used as a stop switch. The slot machine 100 using the other operation detection switch as an optional switch is a slot machine 100 in which a liquid crystal display is arranged above or below the reel window 141 as the auxiliary game effect device 153, or a transparent liquid crystal panel or transparent E.
It may be suitable as the slot machine 100 in which the L panel is arranged so as to overlap the reel window 141.

Further, in these slot machines 100, an effect corresponding to the movement of the reel may be performed on the liquid crystal display or the EL display in synchronization with the rotation of the reel or before and after the rotation of the reel. The effect contents at this time correspond to each reel and stop button.
That is, after the player operates the start lever 115, each stop button is operated as a stop switch when it is first operated, and when the same button is operated subsequently, it is operated as an option switch. , It is possible to correspond to the effect of the liquid crystal display or the EL display.

For example, when a pseudo reel effect imitating a reel is performed in the liquid crystal display or the EL display, the stop switch can be used to stop the pseudo reel.

[0040]

The present invention described in claim 1 is a slot machine in which the display of the auxiliary game effect device can be switched by operating the stop button when the reels are not rotating, so that the game operation is possible. It is not necessary to provide a button switch other than the necessary buttons, and a new function can be added without changing the switch on the surface of the housing.

In the present invention, one stop button is provided with a stop switch and an option switch, and the stop switch is connected to the main control means and the option switch is connected to the auxiliary control means. With this operation, signals can be sent to both the main control means and the auxiliary control means at the same time, and when the auxiliary control means performs the effect based on the signal from the option switch, the effect can be performed without delay.

Further, according to the present invention described in claim 2, the operation state of the auxiliary effect control means when the operation is repeated for a short time which is different from the operation of the normal stop button or when the pressing is continued. Therefore, the display of the auxiliary game effect device is not accidentally switched or the display of the auxiliary game effect device is inadvertently switched, and the display can be switched according to the intention of the player.

The present invention according to claim 3 is 3
Since the switching operation of the auxiliary game control means is performed by the individual stop buttons, the player can easily operate even a wide variety of switching operations.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a stop button used in a slot machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control mechanism of a slot machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external front view of a slot machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control mechanism of a conventional slot machine.

FIG. 5 is an external front view showing another example of the conventional slot machine.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 100 slot machine 110 operation plate 111 medal slot 113 credit medal button 115 start lever 117 payout button 121 to 123 stop button 127 option button 131 lower panel 133 medal payout 135 medal receiver 140 front plate 141 reel window 143 Effective lamp 145 Game status display lamp 147 Credit number display 151 Production display lamp 153 Auxiliary game production device 155 Sounding device 161 Medal sensor 163 Medal button sensor 165 Start switch 167 Dispensing switch 171 to 173 Stop switch 176 to 178 Origin sensor 181 to 183 Reel motor 185 Hopper devices 191 to 193 Option switch 200 Main control means 210 Winning control means 211 Selection means 215 Lottery result determination means 220 Reel stop control means 221 Reel position determination means 225 Stop position designating means 230 Main game control means 231 General game control means 233 Special game control means 235 Winning determination means 240 Operation control means 241 Reel drive control means 245 Hopper drive control means 250 Auxiliary control means 251 Auxiliary effect control means 253 Sound control means 255 Lighting control means 257 Auxiliary effect switching control means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Main control means for controlling the progress of the game,
In a slot machine having auxiliary control means for controlling effects during game progress, etc., one stop button has two operation detection switches, a stop switch and an option switch, and the stop switch is the main control means. Connected, the option switch is connected to the auxiliary control means, and when the operation of the stop button is detected by the option switch while the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped, the auxiliary effect control means switches the operating state of the auxiliary effect control means in the auxiliary control means. A slot machine characterized in that the control means is provided in the auxiliary control means. 2. The auxiliary effect switching control means switches the operating state of the auxiliary effect control means when any of the stop buttons is continuously operated or when the stop button is continuously pressed. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is a slot machine. 3. The three stop buttons each have two detection switches, and the auxiliary effect switching control means detects when any one of the stop buttons is continuously operated or when it is continuously pressed. The operation state of the auxiliary effect control means is switched, the operation detection of all the stop buttons is performed, and the operation change of the auxiliary effect control means is performed according to the operated stop button. Slot machine.