JP2003310827A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that an area which the display of the state of a game machine and the guiding display of game operations occupy on a front surface panel is large since they are displayed by lighting of LEDs at the top of a casing or various kinds of lamps and LEDs provided on the front surface panel in a conventional game machine. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a light source control means for controlling the light emission of a start lever LED 39 provided in the inside of a start lever 35 according to the number of residual times of regular bonuses in 'BB (big bonus)'. The number of residual times of the regular bonuses in 'BB' is displayed by the light emitting mode of the start lever 35 controlled by this light source control means. The light source control means comprises a microcomputer 70 and an LED driving circuit 83. Display by the light emitting mode of the start lever 35 can be used as an alternative to the display part, etc., of the number of possible times of the regular bonuses in 'BB' which has been provided on the front panel 21, etc., in the prior art. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine provided with a light source for displaying a state of a game machine and a guide for game operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, there are, for example, those shown in Patent Document 1 below and the slot machine shown in FIG.

The slot machine game is a medal slot 14
It is started when a medal is inserted into the coin, but before the medal is inserted, the medal insertion lamp 9 provided on the front panel 2
"INSART MEDAL" lights up to indicate that medals can be inserted. In this state, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 14, the medal insertion lamp 9
Turns off, and the game start display lamp 10 blinks "START". This blinking display indicates that the start lever 3 can be received and the reels 15, 16 and 17 can be rotated.

The activated pay line display lamps 8a to 8e are turned on according to the number of medals inserted into the slot 14. That is, when the number of inserted medals is one, the lamp 8a in the center is
Lights up, indicating that only one medal has been inserted and the central pay line L1 has been activated. Further, when the number of inserted medals is two, the lamps 8b and 8c above and below are additionally lit to indicate that two medals have been inserted and three horizontal pay lines L1, L2A and L2.
Display that B has been activated. Further, when the number of inserted medals is 3, all the lamps 8a to 8e are turned on,
It indicates that three medals have been inserted and that all five pay lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and L3B have been activated.

When the player operates the start lever 3, the reels 15 to 17 start to rotate and the game start display lamp 10 is turned off. The player has a spinning reel 15
Stop button 4 while observing the design drawn on ~ 17.
The user operates 6 to try to stop the desired symbol combination on any winning line. The rotations of the reels 15 to 17 are stopped according to the operation timings of the stop buttons 4 to 6, but the rotations of the reels 15 to 17 are automatically stopped when this operation is not performed even after a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds. To do.

When a predetermined symbol combination is prepared on the activated winning line when the reels 15 to 17 are stopped, a winning occurs, and the winning indicator lamp 11 blinks "WIN" to display the winning occurrence. After that, a payout sound is emitted, a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out, and the prize display lamp 11 is turned off. Further, when the reels 15 to 17 are stopped and the symbol combination of the re-play is complete on the activated pay line, the re-play display lamp 13 lights up as "FREE GAME" to display that it is the re-play. When the start lever 3 is operated as a replay and the reels 15 to 17 start rotating, the replay display lamp 13 is turned off. In addition, the light emission mode of the upper decoration lamp 7 is changed as a game state indicator according to the game state.

When one game is finished in a short time and the next game is to be started immediately, the game interval display lamp 12 lights up as "WAIT", and the next game can be started. There is no display, that is, the rotation of the reels 15 to 17 is not operable. This display is lit until a fixed time (usually 4.1 seconds) elapses until the game can be played next time. BGM (background music) may be output in synchronization with the lighting of the lamp. While the game interval display lamp 12 is on, the operation of the start lever 3 cannot be accepted. The game interval display lamp 12 which has been turned on once goes out when a predetermined game interval (normally 4.1 seconds) elapses, indicating that the game can be started.

The stop positions of the reels 15 to 17 are such that the symbols corresponding to the winning mode determined by the lottery inside the machine are stopped on the activated winning line based on the operation timing of the stop buttons 4 to 6. Stop display is controlled. In other words, when the symbols stopped and displayed according to the operation timings of the stop buttons 4 to 6 are not the symbols corresponding to the winning mode determined by the internal lottery, the symbols in the predetermined range, for example, the subsequent 4 frames If a symbol corresponding to the winning mode is present in the symbols up to the minute, reel pull-in control is performed in which the symbol is pulled up to the winning line and stopped and displayed.

[0009]

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-5-337254 (paragraphs [0022] to [0029])

[0010]

However, in the conventional slot machine 1, the display lamps 8 to 13 for displaying the state of the gaming machine and the guidance of the gaming operation are arranged on the front panel 2, and the panel It occupies a considerable amount of space. Therefore, although there are other game machine states and operation guides to be displayed on the front panel 2, it is difficult to add these lamps further, and at present, only limited display items are displayed. Similarly, it is difficult to provide a device other than the display lamp.

Further, the range of arrangement of the respective lamps 8 to 13 is wide and wide on the left and right on the panel 2, and the display by these may be carried out in quick succession according to the flow of the game. Therefore, it is necessary for the player to frequently move the wide-angle viewpoint in order to confirm these displays while performing a game operation, which causes a feeling of fatigue.

Further, since most of the slot machines for displaying the state of the machine and the guidance of the game operation display similar items in a display format of similar arrangement, the player is Already becoming chronic, interest in display has diminished.

[0013]

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and starts variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols and variable display of the symbols by the variable display means. The variable display starting means, the winning mode determining means for determining the winning mode of the game by random number lottery for each game, and the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the variable displaying means according to the winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means are controlled. In a gaming machine configured to include a stop display control means and a game processing control section for executing a special game in which a game advantageous to a player can be performed a plurality of times when the special game prize mode is determined by the prize mode determination means, The variable display starting means is composed of a translucent operation section and a light source for causing the operation section to emit light from the inside.
It is characterized by further comprising light source control means for controlling the light emitting state of the light source according to the number of times of the special game to display the state of the gaming machine or the guide display of the game operation.

With such a configuration, the light source controls the light emission according to the number of special games, and the player can recognize the remaining number of special games by this light emission mode. In addition, the operation of the gaming machine is guided by the light emitting mode of the light source.

Further, the invention is characterized in that the light source comprises a light emitting diode which emits a plurality of different colors or a plurality of light emitting diodes which emits a different color.

According to such a configuration, as the light emission control of the light source by the light source control means, for example, lighting / blinking control and light emission color control are added, and the number of light emission modes is increased to broaden the display range.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, a first embodiment in which a gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine will be described.

FIG. 2 shows a slot machine 2 according to this embodiment.
It is a front perspective view of 0.

Behind the front panel 21 of the slot machine 20 are three reels 22, 2 constituting variable display means.
3, 24 are rotatably provided. Each reel 22-
A plurality of types of symbols (hereinafter referred to as symbols) are drawn on the outer peripheral surface of 24. Three of these symbols are respectively observed through the display windows 25, 26, 27 on the front of the slot machine 20.

Each of the reels 22 to 24 is constructed as a rotary reel unit shown in FIG. 3, and is attached to the frame 52 via a bracket 53. Each reel 22
Nos. 24 to 24 are configured by attaching a reel band 55 to the outer periphery of the reel drum 54. The above-mentioned symbol array is drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel band 55. Each bracket 53 is provided with a stepping motor 56, and the reels 22 to 24 are driven by the motors 56 to rotate.

The structure of each reel 22-24 is shown in FIG. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. A lamp case 57 is provided inside the reel drum 54 behind the reel band 55, and back lamps 58a, 58b, 58c are attached to the three chambers of the lamp case 57, respectively. These back lamps 58a to 58c are shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it is mounted on a substrate 59, and this substrate 59 is attached behind the lamp case 57. A photo sensor 60 is attached to the bracket 53. This photo sensor 60 is used for the reel drum 5.
It is detected that the shield plate 61 provided on the No. 4 passes the photo sensor 60 as the reel drum 54 rotates.

The back lamps 58a to 58c are controlled to be turned on by a lamp drive circuit 81 which will be described later. By lighting each of the back lamps 58a to 58c, among the symbols drawn on the reel band 55, three symbols located at the front part of each of the back lamps 58 are individually illuminated from behind, and the respective display windows 25 to 27 are displayed. Three symbols are projected on each.

The display windows 25 to 27 shown in FIG.
Three winning lines (horizontal L1 and upper and lower L2A, L2B) and two diagonal lines (diagonal right downward L3A, diagonal right upward L3B) are shown. Prior to the start of the game, when the player inserts one medal into the medal insertion slot 28, the center pay line L1 on each reel 22-24.
Only enabled. Also, insert two medals into the slot 28
When it is thrown in, the winning lines L2A and L2 above and below
B is added, and three horizontal pay lines L1, L2A and L
2B is activated. In addition, the three medals insertion slot 28
All winning lines L1, L2A, L2
B, L3A and L3B are enabled.

On the lower left side of the display windows 25-27,
A 1 BET switch 30, a 2 BET switch 31 and a max BET switch 32 are provided. When the medals are credited, instead of inserting the medals into the medal insertion slot 28, these 1BET switches 30, 2B are used.
Each push button operation of the ET switch 31 and the max BET switch 32 causes one piece for each game,
Two and three medals are bet.

Below the BET switches 30 to 32, medals are credited / dispensed (PLAY CREDIT / PAY OU).
Credit / settlement changeover switch (C / P)
Switch) 34 is provided. C / P switch 34
A start lever 35 which constitutes a variable display starting means is provided on the right side of the above, and stop buttons 36, 37 and 38 which constitute a variable display stopping means are provided in the central portion of the equipment on the right side. Start lever 35 and stop button 36-
An LED is embedded in 38 as a light source.

As shown in FIG. 5, the start lever 35
Is a transparent or semi-transparent grip 35 having a hollow spherical shape.
a is formed by being fitted into the cylindrical shaft 35b. LE that emits light of multiple colors is provided inside the grip 35a.
D39 is provided, and is connected to an external power source by an electric wire through the inside of the shaft 35b. Further, a sleeve 40 and a hemisphere 41 are fitted in the shaft 35b, and the outer spherical surface of the hemisphere 41 abuts on a spherical seat 43 of a pedestal 42 attached to the housing of the slot machine 20 to slide.

The start lever 35 is held in the horizontal position by the restoring force of the elastic spring 44, and can be swung by the sliding movement of the hemisphere 41. A start switch 35s is provided near the rear end of the shaft 35b. The start switch 35s detects displacement of the shaft 35b due to the swing of the start lever 35 and outputs a detection signal. In the present embodiment and each of the embodiments described later, the case of using the LED 39 that emits light of a plurality of colors will be described, but the same operational effect can be obtained by using a plurality of LEDs that emit light of different colors. .

By operating the lever of the start lever 35,
The rotation of the reels 22 to 24 simultaneously starts. The stop buttons 36 to 38 constitute variable display stop means for stopping the rotation display of the reels 22 to 24 for each column, and are arranged corresponding to the reels 22 to 24. Each reel 22
When the rotation speed of ~ 24 reaches a constant speed, the operation of each stop button 36-38 is validated, and each stop button 36-38 is activated.
38 is each reel 22 to in response to the push button operation by the player.
Stop rotation of 24.

A sound transmission hole 45 and a medal tray 46 are provided in the lower front portion of the slot machine 20. The sound transmission hole 45 is provided in the speaker 6 which will be described later and is housed inside the device.
The sound generated from 3 is output to the outside. The medal receiving tray 46 is for accumulating medals paid out from the medal payout opening 47. In addition, a payout display section 48 is provided on the upper front portion of the slot machine 20 to show how many medals are paid out for each winning.

FIG. 6 shows the slot machine 20 of this embodiment.
2 shows a circuit configuration including a control unit for controlling the game processing operation in and a peripheral device (actuator) electrically connected to the control unit.

The control section has a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") 70 as a main constituent element, and a circuit for random number sampling is added thereto. The microcomputer 70 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 71 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM (read-only memory) 72 and a RAM that are storage means.
(Read / write memory) 73 is included.
The CPU 71 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 74 that generates a reference clock pulse and a frequency divider 75, a random number generator 76 that generates a random number in a certain range, and a random number sampling circuit 77 that extracts an arbitrary random number from the generated random numbers.
Are connected.

The reel 22 is a main actuator whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 70.
There are stepping motors 56 that rotationally drive .about.24, a hopper 62 that stores medals, a speaker 63, a back lamp 58, and a start lever LED 39 built in the start lever 35. These are a motor drive circuit 78, a hopper drive circuit 79, a speaker drive circuit 80,
It is driven by the lamp drive circuit 81 and the LED drive circuit 83. These drive circuits 78 to 83 are connected to the microcomputer 7
It is connected to the CPU 71 through the 0 I / O port. Here, the microcomputer 70 and the LED drive circuit 83 constitute a light source control means. Further, each stepping motor 56 is excited by the motor drive circuit 78 in the 1-2 phase, and each of the stepping motors 56 makes one rotation when a drive signal of 400 pulses is supplied.

As the main input signal generating means for generating the input signal necessary for the microcomputer 70 to generate the control signal, the start switch 35S for detecting the operation of the start lever 35 and the insertion through the medal insertion slot 28 are used. There are the inserted medal sensor 28S for detecting the medals that have been played and the C / P switch 34 described above. In addition, the photo sensor 60,
There is also a reel position detection circuit 84 which receives the output pulse signal from the photo sensor 60 and detects the rotational position of each reel 22-24.

The photo sensor 60 is provided for each reel 22, 23, 2
The shield plate 61 is detected and a reset pulse is generated each time 4 rotates once. This reset pulse is given to the CPU 71 via the reel position detection circuit 84. The RAM 73 stores the count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range for each of the reels 22 to 24, and C
Upon receiving the reset pulse, the PU 71 clears this count value formed in the RAM 73 to "0". By this clearing process, the deviation generated between the moving display of each symbol and the rotation of each stepping motor 56 is eliminated for each rotation.

Further, as the above-mentioned input signal generating means,
Reel stop signal circuit 85 and payout completion signal generation circuit 8
There is 7. The reel stop signal circuit 85 includes a stop button 3
When 6, 37, 38 are pressed, the corresponding reel 22,
A signal for stopping 23 and 24 is generated. Further, the medal detection unit 86 counts the number of medals paid out from the hopper 62, and the payout completion signal generation circuit 87 uses the medal count value actually paid out from the medal detection unit 86 as the predetermined payout number data. When it reaches, the CPU 71 outputs a signal notifying that the medal payout is completed.

This slot machine 20 is stored in the ROM 72.
In addition to the sequence of the game processing executed in 1. being stored as a sequence program, a winning probability table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table and the like are stored separately.

The winning probability table is based on the sampling circuit 7
It is used to divide the random numbers extracted in 7 into each winning mode, and stores data for partitioning a random number within a certain range generated by the random number generator 76 into each winning mode. Such a winning probability table is configured as shown in FIG. 7, for example. A1 to a3, b1 to b3, c1 to c in FIG.
3, d1 to d3, e1 to e3, f1 to f3, g1 to g3
Is numerical data set in advance, and is used when the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 77 are divided into winning modes. This data is “a1 to g1” when the number of inserted medals is 1, “a2 to g2” when the number of medals is 2 and 3
In the case of a sheet, a combination of numerical values of "a3 to g3" is used.

These numerical values are usually "a <b <c <d <e <
The extracted random number value is set to a magnitude relationship of “f <g” and a
If it is less than, it will be a jackpot prize (a big hit) and "BB
(Big bonus) ”The winning flag is set. If the extracted random number value is equal to or greater than a and less than b, a medium-winning prize (medium hit) is determined, and an "RB (regular bonus)" winning flag is set. If the extracted random number value is greater than or equal to b and less than f, a small win is awarded (small hit). In this case, b
If it is less than or equal to c, the "watermelon" winning flag is set, and c
If it is equal to or more than d, a "bell" winning flag is set, if it is d or more and less than e, a "4 cherry" winning flag is set, and if it is e or more and less than f, a "2 cherry" winning flag is set. Further, if the extracted random number value is f or more and less than g, a "replay" winning flag is set, and if it is g or more, a "miss" winning flag without winning is set.

In other words, the winning mode is determined by which numerical value range one sampled random number value belongs to, and is represented by a total of eight types of winning flags including "miss" and "replay". Here, the random number generator 76, the sampling circuit 77, the winning probability table, and the microcomputer 70 constitute winning mode determining means for determining the winning mode of the game by random number lottery.

However, during the CT period described later,
Even if a small hit prize is determined by this prize mode determination means,
The above-mentioned small hit prize winning flag is controlled so as not to stand. That is, during the CT period, the small winning prize lottery is not performed, and the lottery is performed only for the bonus prize (BB, RB prize) and the replay.

The symbol table is conceptually shown in FIG. This symbol table is for each reel 22-24
The rotation position and the symbol are associated with each other, and the symbol string is represented by a symbol. In this symbol table, symbol codes corresponding to code numbers are stored for each reel 22 to 24. Code numbers are sequentially assigned at constant rotation pitches of the reels 22 to 24 with reference to the rotation position at which the reset pulse is generated. The symbol code indicates a symbol provided corresponding to each code number.

The winning symbol combination table also includes
The symbol code of each winning symbol combination shown on the payout display portion 48, the symbol code of the symbol combination forming the "reach eye" that indicates to the player that the flag for the occurrence of the specific game is established, and each winning are shown. The winning determination code, the number of winning medal dividends, and the like are stored. The winning symbol combination table is referred to when the stop display of the first reel 22, the second reel 23, and the third reel 24 is controlled, and when the winning confirmation after all reels are stopped is confirmed.

Reel position detection circuit 84, reel stop signal circuit 85, motor drive circuit 78, stepping motor 5
6 and the microcomputer 70 constitute stop display control means. The stop display control means includes stop buttons 36 to 38.
Is detected by the reel stop signal circuit 85, and the symbols displayed on the activation line at this operation timing are not the symbols according to the winning mode, but the subsequent four frames displayed subsequently on the activation line. When there is a symbol corresponding to the winning mode among the symbols of, the control is performed to draw this symbol onto the activation line of the display windows 25 to 27. At this time, the motor drive circuit 78 and the stepping motor 56 are controlled by the microcomputer 70 while the types of symbols displayed in the display windows 25 to 27 are grasped by the reel position detection circuit 84, and the reels 22 to
The rotation control of 24 is performed.

The microcomputer 70 also constitutes stop display control interruption means. This stop display control interruption means operates when a specific condition is satisfied, that is, when a random number lottery described later is won, and responds to the winning mode by the stop display control means until a predetermined ending condition is satisfied. The stop display control of the symbol is, for example, the first stop reel and the second stop
Suspend about the stop reel. In the present embodiment, the predetermined ending condition is, for example, until a game is played 150 times or until 200 medals are paid out, whichever comes first. The stop display control by the stop display control means is suspended until the end condition is satisfied.

In the slot machine called the CT machine according to the present embodiment, the stop display control interrupting means interrupts the stop display control of symbols by the stop display controlling means only for the small hit winning mode. Further, even during the CT period, the stop display control means performs the third display while the stop display control interruption means suspends the stop display control of the symbols according to the winning mode for the first stop reel and the second stop reel. The stop reel is controlled to pull in symbols up to four frames.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine controlled by the microcomputer 70 in this embodiment will be described.

9 and 10 are flow charts showing the outline of this game process.

First, as a result of the previous game, a replay (replay) occurs, and whether or not there is automatic insertion of medals is determined by the CPU 7
1 (see step 101 in FIG. 9).
If there is this automatic insertion, then the game medals corresponding to the insertion request are automatically inserted (step 102), and the CPU 71
A control signal is output from the LED drive circuit 83 to the start lever LED 39 to control lighting or blinking (step 103).

On the other hand, when there is no automatic insertion, whether or not the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 28 and a detection signal is output from the medal sensor 28s, or
The CPU 71 determines whether or not the BET switches 30, 31, 32 are operated by the player and the signals from these switches are output (step 104).
When it is recognized that a medal has been inserted, the medal insertion number counter is incremented by 1 (step 105). next,
The start lever LED 39 is turned on or blinked by the light source control means (step 103). As the start lever 35 emits light, the slot machine 20
Is displayed to indicate that the game can be started.

Next, by operating the start lever 35,
It is determined whether or not there is a start signal input from the start switch 35S (step 109). If this determination is "Yes", then it is determined whether the time from the start of the previous game to the start of the present game (hereinafter referred to as the game interval) is 4.1 seconds or more (step 110). If the game interval is less than 4.1 seconds, the game start waiting time is exhausted until 4.1 seconds have elapsed (step 111). next,
The prize determination is performed by the prize mode determination means. That is, the random number for lottery generated by the random number generator 76 is extracted by the sampling circuit 77 (step 112), and the probability lottery process is performed (step 113).

In the probability lottery process, as described above, it is determined to which prize group one random value specified by the sampling circuit 77 belongs in the prize probability table (see FIG. 7). Done by The winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means is represented by the type of the winning flag.
"Replay", "2 cherry", "4 cherry",
A winning flag of any one of eight types of “bell”, “watermelon”, “RB” and “BB” is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 73.

As a result of this probability lottery process, "BB"
If the winning flag is set and the BB internal hit occurs,
Subsequently, a lottery for CT games is conducted. This CT game lottery is similar to the above-mentioned probability lottery process for determining the winning mode.
The random number generated by the random number generator 76 is the sampling circuit 77.
It is performed by being extracted by. Then, the sampled random number value is compared with the specific value in magnitude relation, and, for example, when the sampled random number value is smaller than the specific value, it is won and the lottery result is determined. Winning the result of this lottery is equivalent to the establishment of the specific condition.

C performed when such a specific condition is satisfied
The T game continues to be performed after the BB game ends. In the CT period, the probability lottery process for determining the winning mode in step 113 has the result of the lottery of the small hit prize nullified as described above, and the so-called bonus prize (BB, RB prize) and replay. Only done.

Next, a predetermined area of the RAM 73 in which the rotational positions of the reels 22 to 24 are written is initialized at the start of reel rotation (step 114), and subsequently, the reels 22 to 24 are rotationally driven by the stepping motor 56. To be done. Next, it is determined whether or not any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 has been turned on (step 11).
5). If the ON operation has not been performed, it is determined whether or not the automatic stop timer has reached 0 (step 11).
6). This automatic stop timer is a stop button 36-38
Is for automatically stopping the reels 22 to 24 after a lapse of a predetermined time when no operation is performed for a predetermined time.

When any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is turned on or when the automatic stop timer becomes 0, next, stop display control processing is performed in accordance with the game state, the winning request, the number of control frames, the symbol position, etc. Is performed (step 11
7).

The game state is the RAM 7 shown in FIG. 11 (a).
It is stored in a 1-byte area called the game state status 3 and the game state at that time is indicated by the hexadecimal data of 01 to 06. There are six types of gaming states: "RB in operation", "BB in operation", "general game", "BB inside hit", "RB inside hit" and "CT period".

"In operation of RB" represents the game state during the RB game. In this RB game, a high payout game in which a high payout is awarded can be played once. "BB in operation" represents a game state during a BB game, and in this BB game, a general game and the above high payout game can be set a plurality of times. "In general game" represents a game state in which no winning of BB or RB has occurred.

"Inside BB winning" means that the BB winning flag is set, but the predetermined winning symbol combinations are not stopped and displayed on the reels 22 to 24, and the BB is not yet generated. ing. Although the RB winning flag is set for “inside RB”, each reel 22 to
A predetermined winning symbol combination is not stopped and displayed on 24, and represents an ordinary gaming state in which no RB has occurred yet.

As described above, "during CT period" is BB,
Although the lottery for the winning combination of the RB and the replay is performed, it represents the gaming state in which the lottery for the small winning combination is invalidated.

The winning request is also sent to the RAM 7 shown in FIG. 11 (b).
3 hit request flag storage areas are stored. This area also consists of 1 byte, and the hit request flag is "CT
There are eight types: “no BB”, “BB with CT”, “RB”, “replay”, “watermelon”, “bell”, “4 cherries” and “2 cherries”. Here, "BB without CT" is a hit request flag that is set when there is an internal hit of BB in the probability lottery process of step 113 and it is missed in the subsequent lottery of the CT game. "B with CT
“B” is a winning request flag that is set when there is an internal winning of BB in the probability lottery process and the winning is also made in the subsequent CT game lottery.

The order of symbols for which the stop display control is prioritized is stored in the ROM 72 as a table, as shown in FIG. FIG. 14A is a priority table of winning combinations that are preferentially drawn in on the activated winning line during a general game, and the priority order is determined in the order of replay, small hit, and BB / RB game. The number of control frames is the number of frames within the pull-in controllable range by the stop display control means, and in the table, each winning combination is set to 4 frames.

FIG. 11B is a pull-in priority table during the CT period. During the CT period, watermelon, bell,
The winning combination of the small hit prize is controlled in the order of 4 cherries and 2 cherries. During the CT period, the winning request flag for the small win is invalidated, so the reel pull-in process during the CT period is performed only in accordance with this pull-in priority data. That is, unlike in the normal gaming state, it is not performed to pull in the symbols in the winning mode in accordance with the winning request for the small win.

The symbol positions are the reels 22 to 22 written in the area of the RAM 73 initialized in step 114.
24 position data. This symbol position is the data of the symbol currently existing on each activation line, and is stored as the symbol code shown in FIG.

In the stop display control process, first, the current game state is referred to, and the priority table according to the game state is selected. That is, the table shown in FIG. 12A is selected during the normal game, and the table shown in FIG. 12 is selected during the CT period.
The table shown in (b) is selected. Next, the symbol position is referred to, and the symbol at that time on the activation line of the first stop reel is grasped. If this symbol is not a symbol that corresponds to the winning request, it is determined whether or not there is a symbol that corresponds to the winning request within the range of 4 control frames. If the symbol corresponding to the winning request is within the range of four frames, it is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 73 so that the first stop reel rotates by the number of frames, and
The stop request flag for the stop reel is set.
The stop display control means stops the rotation of one reel in response to the setting of the stop request flag. However,
During the CT period, stop display control is not performed for the first stop reel and the second stop reel.

In the description of this embodiment, CT
During the period, the reels for which the stop display control by the stop display control means is interrupted will be described as the first stop reel and the second stop reel, and the reels for which the stop display control is performed will be described as the third stop reel, but the stop display control is interrupted. However, the number and types of reels and the number and types of reels on which stop display control is performed are not limited to these. For example, the reel for which the stop display control is interrupted is the third stop reel, and the reels for which the stop display control is performed are the first stop reel and the second stop reel.
It may be a stop reel.

Next, it is determined whether or not all reels have stopped (step 118 in FIG. 10). If the second stop reel and the third stop reel are not yet stopped,
The process returns to step 115, and the above process is repeated.

This step 115 through stop display control
The reel stop display control processing of 118 is performed, for example, as follows during the normal game.

For example, when the ON operation of the first reel stop button 36 is detected, the first reel stop button 36 is detected.
When is operated by the player, the number of drive pulses supplied to the stepping motor 56 of the first reel 22 is read from the RAM 73 and is associated with the rotational position of the first reel 22. When the rotation position of the first reel 22 is known, the three symbols appearing in the observation window 25 are grasped as symbol codes by comparison with the symbol table (see FIG. 8).

In this case, when the hit flag of the big hit is set, it is checked whether or not there is a symbol constituting the big hit on the activated winning line of the observation window 25. Similarly, when the winning flags for medium hits and small hits are set, it is checked whether or not there are symbols constituting the medium hits and small hits on the activated winning line of the observation window 25. When there is a symbol corresponding to the winning flag on the activated pay line, the CPU 71 immediately stops the first reel 22.

When the symbol corresponding to the winning flag does not appear on the activated winning line of the observation window 25 by the above checking process, what happens when the first reel 22 is further rotated by the number of control frames. Check if a different symbol appears. If there is a symbol corresponding to the winning flag in this, the first position up to that frame position
The reel 22 is rotated and stopped there. This pull-in control process is performed by the second reel 23 and the third reel 23 described below.
The same process is performed during each stop display control process of the reel 24.

Next, when the stop button 37 of the second reel 23 is turned on, a stop display control process of the second reel 23 is performed. In this stop display control process, first, assuming that the 21 symbols of code numbers 0 to 20 are stopped on the pay line L1 in the center of the observation window 26 while the second reel 23 is rotating, it is effective. The combination with the symbol of the first reel 22 which has already stopped on the award winning line is read. The rotation code indicating that the third reel 24 is rotating is read. Although the second reel 23 is also rotating, it is assumed that the second reel 23 will be stopped by the above processing, and thus is not read as a rotation code.

When the symbol code combinations are read in this way, the winning symbol combination table described above is referred to, and the second reel 23 has 21 rotational positions for the symbols determined by stopping the first reel 22. When the game is stopped at, it is sequentially judged what kind of winning may occur on the activated winning line. For example,
If the first reel 22 is stopped as shown in FIG. 13 (a), assuming 21 stop positions of the second reel 23, the symbol combination pattern at that time is checked. For example, as shown in FIG.
If the player stops at the code number “5” in the center of the observation window 26, the pay lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A,
The symbol combination on L3B is as shown in FIG.

The arrow on the third reel 24 is a rotation code indicating that the third reel 24 is rotating. However, depending on the stop position of the third reel 24, a big hit "A-A-A" winning or winning on the winning line L1. There is a possibility that a small hit prize of "EEE" will be generated on the line L2B. Therefore, with respect to the code number "5" of the second reel 23, a prediction flag of a big hit and a prediction flag of a small hit are set as shown in FIG. The presence or absence of such a prediction flag indicates whether the second reel 23
Are checked for all code numbers, and these data are written in the RAM 73.

The predictive flag data written in the RAM 73 in this manner is referred to when the stop display control of the second reel 23 is performed. That is, the stop button 3 of the second reel 23
When 7 is operated, the prediction flag corresponding to the code number of the second reel 23 is referred to, and when a big hit is predicted, the big hit symbol is stopped on the activated winning line. The stop display control of the second reel 23 is executed.

Next, when the ON operation of the stop button 38 of the third reel 24 is detected, the stop display control process of the third reel 24 is performed. In this stop display control process,
Since the first reel 22 and the second reel 23 have already stopped and the symbol combinations thereof have been specified, the possibility of winning a prize is determined for each code number of the third reel 24 with respect to these symbol combinations. The winning prediction flag is set similarly to the table shown in FIG.

This prediction flag data is also referred to when the stop button 38 of the third reel 24 is operated, and when a big hit is predicted, the big hit symbol will be stopped on the activated winning line. The stop display control of the third reel 24 is executed. During the stop display control process of the third reel 24, the first reel 22, which has already stopped,
The reel stop position is controlled so that not only a winning according to the winning flag is obtained by a combination with the symbol of the second reel 23 but also a winning different from the winning flag is not obtained.

During the CT period, the reel stop process by the stop display control means during the general game is as follows.
This is not done for the stop reel and the second stop reel. That is, as in the above example, the first stop reel is the first
When the reel 22 and the second stop reel are the second reel 23,
Each of the reels 22 and 23 immediately stops when the ON operation of the stop buttons 36 and 37 is detected. That is, the reels 22 and 23 are stopped only in response to the player's timing of pressing the stop buttons 36 and 37, and the pull-in control by the stop display control means is not performed. However, even during the CT period, stop display control for pulling up to the number of control frames is performed for the third stop reel.

When the reel stop display control processing as described above ends, next, the winning retrieval processing is performed (FIG. 10, step 119). In this winning prize search processing, the kind of symbol combination actually aligned on the activated winning line and the kind of winning flag won by the probability lottery processing are matched. Then, it is determined whether or not the winning flag is normal (step 120). If the determination result is not normal, for example, if the winning symbol is a watermelon flag even though the bell symbol combinations are aligned on the activated winning line, an illegal error is displayed (step 121).

If the winning flag is normal, then it is determined whether the number of winning coins is 0 or not (step 122). If the winning number is not 0, the game medals are stored or paid out depending on the state at that time (step 12).
3). In other words, when the game is played with credits, the number of credits is increased by the number of medals obtained by winning, and when the game is being played by inserting medals into the medal slot 28, it is won by winning. The selected number of medals are paid out to the medal tray 46.

Next, it is determined whether or not the winning mode is the re-game winning (step 124), and in the case of the re-game winning, the automatic insertion request is set (step 125). And
Next, initialization at the end of one game, for example, the area of the RAM 73 used in the game is initialized (step 12
6) One game ends.

In this embodiment, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 28, in step 103, the start lever 35 is turned on or blinks so that the operation of the start lever 35 can be accepted. It is displayed that the slot machine 20 is ready to start playing. Therefore, by displaying at a unique position apart from other display devices, a display having a high visual effect can be obtained. On the other hand, since it is displayed on the start lever 35, the display can be confirmed without moving the viewpoint during the game. In addition, since the display is in a format that the conventional slot machine does not have, it can be differentiated from other models. Further, the game start display lamp conventionally provided on the front panel 21 can be omitted, and another device can be provided in this space.

In the first embodiment, the start lever LED 39 provided on the start lever 35 is controlled to emit light to display the game startable state. Next, the light emitting mode of the start lever 35 displays the number of inserted medals. A second embodiment will be described.

Since the slot machine 20 according to the present embodiment has the same structure as the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment, the description of the structure will be omitted and the operation controlled by the microcomputer 70 will be described. It should be noted that the same or corresponding portions as those of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and described.

FIG. 15 shows the microcomputer 7 in this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the game processing of the slot machine 20 controlled by 0. First, it is determined whether medals have been inserted by automatic insertion or insertion into the medal insertion slot 28 by the player (step 130). When no medals have been inserted, the player waits for insertion, and when medals have been inserted, it is determined whether the number of inserted medals is one (step 131). When the number of inserted sheets is one, the start lever LED 39 emits green light (step 13).
2). If the number of inserted sheets is not one, then it is judged whether it is two sheets (step 133), and if the number of inserted sheets is two, the start lever LED 39 emits blue light (step 134). If the number of inserted sheets is not two, that is, three, the start lever LE is
D39 emits red light (step 135).

The light emission of the start lever 35 is controlled by the CPU.
This is performed by outputting a control signal from 71 to the LED drive circuit 83. Therefore, the number of inserted medals is displayed by the color of the light emitted from the start lever 35, and it is displayed that one medal has been inserted by green emission, two medals by blue emission, and three medals have been inserted by red emission. Is recognizable.

The number of medals inserted is displayed by the light emission mode of the start lever 35, and when the game can be started,
Next, it is determined whether the start lever 35 is operated (step 136). When the operation of the start lever 35 is recognized, an internal lottery is performed by the prize mode determination means, and an internal winning combination is determined (step 137). When the internal winning combination is decided, the reels 22 to 24 start to rotate (step 138), and the stop buttons 36 to 38 are then started.
The operation waits for (step 139). When any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped by the stop display control means (step 140). After that, until all the reels 22 to 24 are stopped, the reel stop display control means performs the reel stop display control for each reel (step 141), and when all the reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not a winning is generated (step 142). ).

If no winning has occurred, one game ends and the process returns to the first step 130. If a winning has occurred, a predetermined number of medals according to the winning mode is paid out. (Step 143). Thereafter, when it is recognized that the predetermined number of medals have been paid out (step 144), one game ends and the process returns to the initial step 130. However, when the generated winning is a bonus winning, the process returns to step 130 after the end of each bonus game.

In the slot machine 20 according to the present embodiment as described above, since the number of inserted medals is displayed by the light emission mode of the start lever 35, the activated winning line and the number of inserted medals are displayed together. Eliminates the need for line indicator lamps. Therefore, another device can be provided in the space excluding the activation line display lamp.

Further, since the number of inserted medals is displayed at a peculiar position apart from other display devices, the display has a high visual effect. On the other hand, since it is displayed on the operation switch, the viewpoint can be moved during the game. You can check the display without it. Moreover, since the display format is not available in the conventional slot machines, it can be differentiated from other models.

Next, a third embodiment for displaying the game interval of each game will be described.

The slot machine 20 according to this embodiment also
Since the structure is the same as that of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment, the description of the structure is omitted and the microcomputer 70
The operation controlled by will be described. It should be noted that the same or corresponding portions as those of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and described.

FIG. 16 shows the microcomputer 7 in this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the game processing of the slot machine 20 controlled by 0. First, it is determined whether or not medals have been inserted by automatic insertion or insertion into the medal insertion slot 28 by the player (step 150). When no medals have been inserted, the player waits for insertion. When medals have been inserted, it is determined whether the start lever 35 is blinking (step 151). If the start lever 35 is not blinking, the start lever 35 is controlled to emit light in a red blinking state indicating that the game cannot be started, that is, the operation signal of the start lever 35 cannot be received (step 152). The emission control of the start lever 35 is CP
This is performed by outputting a control signal from the U71 to the LED drive circuit 83.

Next, it is judged whether the game interval is 4.1 seconds or more (step 153), and when the game interval is 4.1 seconds or more, the start lever 35 is lit in green (step 154), and the start lever. The operation of 35 is awaited. The green light emitted from the start lever 35 corresponds to the start lever 3
It is possible to receive the operation signal of 5 and the reel 2
2 to 24 indicate that the rotation can be started. On the other hand, if the determination in step 153 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 1 with the start lever 35 still blinking in red.
Proceed to 55. In step 155, the start lever 3
If the 5 ON operation is not recognized, the process proceeds to step 151.
Then, the above process is repeated.

When the ON operation of the start lever 35 is recognized in step 155, it is determined whether the game interval at this time is 4.1 seconds or more (step 15).
6). Even at this time, if the game interval is less than 4.1 seconds, the start lever 35 blinks yellow (step 1
57), the game waits until the game interval reaches 4.1 seconds (step 158). If the game interval becomes 4.1 seconds after the digestion time elapses or if it is determined in step 156 that the game interval is 4.1 seconds or more, the start lever 35 is lit in red (step 159), Display the start of the game.

When the start lever 35 is lit in red, the internal winning combination is subsequently determined by the internal lottery of the prize mode determining means (step 160), and the reels 22 to 22.
24 starts rotating (step 161) and waits for operation of the stop buttons 36 to 38 (step 162). When any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped by the stop display control means (step 163). After that, until all the reels 22 to 24 are stopped, the reel stop display control means performs the reel stop display control for each reel (step 164), and when all the reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not the winning is generated (step 165). ).

If no prize is generated, one game is over and the process returns to the first step 150. If a prize is generated, a predetermined number of medals according to the prize mode is paid out. (Step 166). Thereafter, when it is recognized that the predetermined number of medals have been paid out (step 167), one game ends and the process returns to the initial step 150. However, if the generated winning is a bonus winning, the process returns to step 150 after the end of each bonus game.

In the slot machine 20 according to the present embodiment as described above, depending on the light emission mode of the start lever 35, the game startable state in which the operation of the start lever 35 can be accepted or the game interval of 4.1 seconds is displayed. It
Therefore, the "WAIT" conventionally provided on the front panel 21
Since the indicator lamp is not required, other device can be installed in the space where this is excluded.

Also, by displaying at a peculiar position away from other display devices, it becomes a display with a high visual effect, while on the other hand, since it is displayed on the start lever 35 which transmits a game start signal, it is displayed during operation. The display can be confirmed without moving the viewpoint. Moreover, since the display format is not available in the conventional slot machines, it can be differentiated from other models.

Next, the start lever 35 is controlled to emit light in accordance with the progress of the automatic stop timer for the reels 22-24.
A fourth embodiment will be described in which a guideline for the time until the reels 22 to 24 are automatically stopped is displayed according to the light emission mode.

The slot machine 20 according to this embodiment also
Since the structure is the same as that of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment, the description of the structure is omitted and the microcomputer 70
The operation controlled by will be described. It should be noted that the same or corresponding portions as those of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and described.

FIG. 17 shows the microcomputer 7 in this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the game processing of the slot machine 20 controlled by 0. First, it is determined whether medals have been inserted by automatic insertion or insertion into the medal insertion slot 28 by the player (step 170). If no medals have been inserted, the player waits for insertion. If medals have been inserted, it is next determined whether the start lever 35 has been operated (step 171). When the operation of the start lever 35 is recognized, an internal lottery is performed by the prize mode determining means to determine an internal winning combination (step 17).
2). Internal winning combination is decided and reels 22-2
4 starts rotating (step 173), the automatic stop timer is turned on, and the start lever 35 is illuminated in green (step 174). In the present embodiment, the set time of the automatic stop timer is set to 30 seconds, and after 30 seconds, all the reels 22 to 24 that are rotating are stopped by the automatic stop processing.

Next, any of the stop buttons 36 to 3
It is determined whether or not No. 8 has been operated (step 175). If any of the stop buttons 36-38 is operated,
The rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped by the stop display control means (step 176), and subsequently it is determined whether or not all reels 22 to 24 are stopped (step 177). If all the reels are not stopped and the operation of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is not recognized in step 175, the process is step 178.
Then, it is determined whether 10 seconds have elapsed from the start of rotation of the reels 22 to 24, that is, whether the count of the automatic stop timer has reached 10 seconds (step 178). If the automatic stop timer has passed 10 seconds, the start lever 35
Lights up in orange (step 179).

At step 178, the automatic stop timer is set to 10
If the second has not elapsed, the process returns to step 175, and the stop button 36-corresponding to the spinning reels 22-24.
It is again determined whether 38 has been operated. Also, step 1
After the processing of 79, it is next determined whether 20 seconds have elapsed from the start of rotation of the reels 22 to 24, that is, whether the count of the automatic stop timer has reached 20 seconds (step 180).
If the automatic stop timer has passed 20 seconds, the start lever 35 is illuminated in red (step 181).
If the automatic stop timer has not reached 20 seconds in step 180, the process returns to step 175 and the spinning reel 2
It is again determined whether the stop buttons 36 to 38 corresponding to 2 to 24 have been operated. Further, after the processing of step 181, it is next determined whether 30 seconds have elapsed from the start of rotation of the reels 22 to 24, that is, whether the count of the automatic stop timer has reached 30 seconds (step 182). If the automatic stop timer has passed 30 seconds, all the reels that are rotating are stopped by the automatic stop processing (step 18).
3), the start lever 35 is turned off (step 18)
4).

That is, 0 to 0 after the reel starts rotating.
The start lever 35 lights up in green for 10 seconds, and the start lever 35 lights in orange for 10 to 20 seconds after the reel starts to rotate, and 20 to 30 seconds after the reel starts to rotate. Indicates that the start lever 35 is lit in red and a guide for the time until automatic stop is displayed. Of course, if the appropriate stop buttons 36 to 38 are operated and all the reels 22 to 24 are stopped during that time, the start lever 35 will move to step 184 regardless of the lighting color.
Is turned off with.

When all the reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not a winning has occurred (step 185). If no winning has occurred, one game is over and the process returns to the first step 170. If a prize has been generated, a predetermined number of medals according to the winning mode is paid out (step 186), and then it is recognized that the predetermined number of medals have been paid out ( (Step 187) One game ends, and the process returns to the first step 170. However, if the generated winning is a bonus winning, the process returns to step 170 after the end of each bonus game.

In the slot machine 20 according to the present embodiment as described above, the start lever 35 is controlled to emit light as time elapses until the reels 22 to 24 are automatically stopped. Therefore, the player can grasp the time until the reels 22 to 24 are automatically stopped by identifying the light emission mode of the start lever 35 to some extent.

Further, due to the peculiarity that the display accompanying the elapse of such an automatic stop timer, which has not been seen in other slot machines in the past, is performed by the light emitting mode of the start lever 35, a highly visual effect can be produced. Therefore, differentiation from other models can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, the light emission mode is controlled by controlling the light emission color of the start lever 35, but the light emission mode may be controlled by flashing control or the like. In this case, the blinking interval of the start lever 35 is changed stepwise as the automatic stop timer of the reels 22 to 24 elapses, and a guideline for the time until the automatic stop is displayed. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

Next, a description will be given of a fifth embodiment in which the start lever 35 is controlled to emit light according to the number of paid-out medals and the number of paid-out medals is displayed according to the light emission mode when paying out the payout medals for winning.

The slot machine 20 according to this embodiment also
Since the structure is the same as that of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment, the description of the structure is omitted and the microcomputer 70
The operation controlled by will be described. It should be noted that the same or corresponding portions as those of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and described.

FIG. 18 shows the microcomputer 7 in this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the game processing of the slot machine 20 controlled by 0.

First, it is determined whether or not medals have been inserted by automatic insertion or insertion into the medal insertion slot 28 by the player (step 190). When no medals have been inserted, the player waits for insertion, and when medals have been inserted, it is determined whether the start lever 35 has been operated (step 191). When the operation of the start lever 35 is recognized, an internal lottery is carried out by the prize mode determining means and an internal winning combination is determined (step 192). When the internal winning combination is decided, the reels 22 to 24 start to rotate (step 193) and the operation waits for the stop buttons 36 to 38 (step 194). When any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped by the stop display control means (step 195). After that, all reels 22-2
4 is stopped until reel stop display control means performs reel stop display control (step 196),
When all reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not a winning is generated (step 197).

If no winning has occurred, one game ends and the process returns to the first step 190. If a winning has occurred, the start lever 35 is controlled to emit light according to the winning mode. (Step 198). For example, when "BB" or "RB" in which the number of payouts is 15 is generated, the start lever 35 is controlled to blink in red, and when eight small winning combinations are generated, it is controlled to blink in green and controlled to be 4 When the following small wins occur, blinking is controlled in orange. Then, while the start lever 35 remains in such a light emitting mode, a predetermined number of medals according to the winning mode is paid out (step 199). After that, when it is recognized that a predetermined number of medals have been paid out (step 200), the light emission control of the start lever 35 is ended (step 201), one game is ended, and the process is initially step 190. Return to. However, if the generated winning is a bonus winning, the process returns to step 190 after the end of each bonus game.

In the slot machine 20 according to the present embodiment as described above, since the winning occurrence and the medal payout number are displayed by the light emitting mode of the start lever 35, the front panel 21 which has previously displayed the winning occurrence and the medal payout number. No need for the "WIN" lamp and the medal payout number display section. Therefore, another device can be provided in the space excluding these display lamps.

[0115] Further, since it is displayed at a peculiar position away from other display devices, the display has a high visual effect, and since it is a display format which is not available in the conventional slot machines, it can be differentiated from other models. .

Next, a sixth embodiment in which the light emission of the start lever 35 is controlled according to the ending condition of the CT section will be described.

The slot machine 20 according to this embodiment also
Since the structure is the same as that of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment, the description of the structure is omitted and the microcomputer 70
The operation controlled by will be described. It should be noted that the same or corresponding portions as those of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and described.

FIG. 19 shows the microcomputer 7 in this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the game processing of the slot machine 20 controlled by 0. First, it is determined whether medals have been inserted by automatic insertion or insertion into the medal insertion slot 28 by the player (step 210). If no medals have been inserted, the player waits for insertion. If medals have been inserted, it is next determined whether the start lever 35 has been operated (step 211). When the operation of the start lever 35 is recognized in step 211, an internal lottery is performed by the prize mode determination means to determine an internal winning combination (step 212).

As a result of this probability lottery process, "BB"
When the winning flag is set and the BB internal hit occurs (step 213), subsequently, the same CT game lottery as that described in the first embodiment is performed (step 21).
4). Next, when the internal winning combination is determined, the reels 22 to 2
4 starts rotating (step 215) and waits for operation of the stop buttons 36 to 38 (step 216). When any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped by the stop display control means (step 217). afterwards,
Until all the reels 22 to 24 are stopped, reel stop display control is performed for each reel by the stop display control means (step 218), and when all the reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not a winning is generated (step 219).

If no winning has occurred, one game ends and the process returns to the first step 210. If a winning has occurred, a predetermined number of medals according to the winning mode is paid out. (Step 220). When it is recognized that a predetermined number of medals have been paid out (step 221), it is determined whether or not the generated winning is "BB". If "BB", the BB game is executed (step 223). . When the "BB game" is completed, it is determined whether or not the CT game is won as a result of the lottery in step 214 (step 224). If the CT game is won, the CT game is played subsequently to the "BB game" (step 225). The outline of this CT game is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 226, the end condition of the CT game is initialized. In this embodiment, the CT game is initially set to end when the number of games during the CT period reaches 150, or the number of medals acquired reaches 200, whichever is earlier. next,
It is judged whether the remaining number of available games x in the CT game has become less than 100 times or the number of remaining medal obtainable sheets y has become less than 100 (step 227). If this determination is “No”, the start lever 35 is lit in green (step 228) and the process proceeds to step 232 to wait for medal insertion.

Further, the determination in step 227 is "Yes".
In the case of, next, it is judged whether the remaining number of possible games x has become less than 50 times or the number of remaining medal obtainable sheets y has become less than 50 (step 229). If this determination is "No", the start lever 35 is illuminated in yellow (step 230), and the process proceeds to step 232 to wait for medal insertion. In addition, the determination in step 229 is “Y
In the case of "es", the start lever 35 is lit in red (step 231), and the process proceeds to step 232 to wait for a medal insertion.

That is, the green lighting of the start lever 35 in the processing of steps 227 to 231 indicates that the remaining number of possible games x during the CT game is 100 to 149 times or the number of remaining medal acquisition y is 100 to 200 sheets. Is displayed. Similarly, the yellow lighting of the start lever 35 indicates that the remaining playable number x is 50 to 99 times or the remaining medal acquisitionable number y is 50 to 99, and the starting lever 35 is lit in red. Indicates that the remaining playable number x is 0 to 49 times or the remaining medal obtainable number y is 1 to 49.

When the insertion of medals is recognized in step 232, it is next determined whether or not the start lever 35 has been operated (step 233). When the operation of the start lever 35 is recognized, an internal lottery is performed by the prize mode determination means to determine an internal winning combination in the CT game (step 234). When the internal winning combination is determined, the reels 22 to 24 start rotating (step 235) and the operation waits for the stop buttons 36 to 38 (step 23).
6). When any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped by the stop display control means (step 21).
7). However, this stop display control process is performed by the third reel 24.
The first reel 22 and the second reel 23 are not performed.

When the stop of all reels is recognized in step 238, it is next determined whether or not a winning is generated (step 239). If no prize has been generated, one CT game is over and the remaining available game count x is 1.
It is subtracted (step 242). If a winning has occurred, a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the winning is paid out (step 240), and the remaining medal obtainable number y is subtracted by the paid-out number (step 241), and then at step 242. The remaining number of possible games x is subtracted by 1. After this,
In step 243, it is determined whether x≤1 or y≤0, and when either condition is satisfied, the CT game ends. If none of the conditions is satisfied, the process returns to step 227 and the processes of steps 227 to 243 are repeated for each game.

In the slot machine 20 according to the present embodiment as described above, the start lever 35 is controlled to emit light as the CT game progresses, and depending on the light emission mode, the number of remaining games in the CT game and the number of remaining medals that can be obtained are ended. The condition is displayed. In addition, since information about CT games can be displayed without securing a space for installing a new display on the front panel 21, the front panel 21
Other devices can be provided in such spaces. Also,
On the contrary, it is possible to display the information about the CT game even in a slot machine where it is difficult to secure a space for installing a new display device or the like.

Also, by displaying at a peculiar position away from other indicators, it becomes a display with a high visual effect, and because it is displayed on the operation switch, the end condition is displayed without moving the viewpoint during the CT game. Can be confirmed. Moreover, since the display format is not available in the conventional slot machines, it can be differentiated from other models.

Next, the start lever 35 is controlled to emit light as the BB game progresses, and "B
A seventh embodiment for displaying the number of remaining regular bonus games in "B" will be described.

The slot machine 20 according to this embodiment also
Since the structure is the same as that of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment, the description of the structure is omitted and the microcomputer 70
The operation controlled by will be described. It should be noted that the same or corresponding portions as those of the slot machine 20 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and described.

FIG. 21 shows the microcomputer 7 in this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the game processing of the slot machine 20 controlled by 0.

First, it is determined whether or not medals have been inserted by automatic insertion or insertion into the medal insertion slot 28 by the player (step 250). When no medals have been inserted, the player waits for insertion, and when medals have been inserted,
Next, it is determined whether the start lever 35 has been operated (step 251). When the operation of the start lever 35 is recognized, an internal lottery is performed by the prize mode determining means to determine an internal winning combination (step 252). When the internal winning combination is determined, the reels 22 to 24 start rotating (step 253) and the operation waits for the stop buttons 36 to 38 (step 254). When any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped by the stop display control means (step 255). After that, all reels 22 ~
Reel stop display control by the stop display control means is performed for each reel until 24 is stopped (step 25).
6) When all reels are stopped, it is judged whether or not a winning is generated (step 257).

If no winning has occurred, one game ends, and the process returns to the first step 250. If a winning has occurred, a predetermined number of medals according to the winning mode is paid out. (Step 258). When it is recognized that the predetermined number of medals have been paid out,
It is determined whether the generated prize is "BB" (step 2
59), in the case of "BB", the BB game is played (step 260). If "BB" has not occurred, "R
It is determined whether "B" has occurred (step 261),
When "RB" has occurred, the RB game is played (step 262). The outline of the game processing of the "BB game" is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 263, the ending condition of the "BB game" is initialized. In this embodiment, B
"BB" is initially set to end when the number of general games in B reaches 30 times or the regular bonus (RB game) is performed 3 times in BB, whichever is earlier.

Next, the number of possible regular bonuses is 3
If it is the third time (step 264), if it is the third time, the start lever 35 is lit in green (step 265) and the player waits for a medal insertion (step 269). If the determination in step 264 is “No”, then
It is judged whether the number of times the regular bonus is possible is two (step 266), and if it is two, the start lever 3
5 is lit in orange (step 267) and the player is on standby for inserting medals (step 269). Also, step 2
If the determination in 66 is “No”, that is, if the number of times the regular bonus is possible is one, the start lever 35 is lit in red (step 268) and the player waits for a medal (step 269).

That is, in the processing of steps 264 to 268, the green lighting of the start lever 35 indicates that the regular bonus possible number is three times, and the orange lighting of the start lever 35 indicates the regular bonus possible number of times. Is displayed twice. Similarly,
The red lighting of the start lever 35 indicates that the number of times the regular bonus is possible is one.

When the insertion of medals is recognized in step 269, it is next determined whether or not the start lever 35 has been operated (step 270). When the operation of the start lever 35 is recognized, an internal lottery is performed by the prize mode determining means to determine an internal winning combination (step 27).
1). When the internal winning combination is determined, the reels 22-24 start rotating (step 272) and the stop button 36-
The operation waits for No. 38 (step 273). When any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped by the stop display control means (step 274). After that, the reel stop processing is performed by the stop display control means until all the reels 22 to 24 are stopped.

When the stop of all reels is recognized in step 275, it is next determined whether or not a winning is generated (step 276). If no prize has been generated, the normal game in "BB" is finished by one game, the remaining number of games is decremented by 1 (step 279), and it is determined whether the number of remaining games is 0 (step 280). If the number of remaining games is not 0, the process returns to step 264, and if the number of remaining games is 0, "BB" is finished.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 276 that a prize has been generated, a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the prize are paid out (step 277), and subsequently, the generated prize is a regular bonus. It is determined whether there is any (step 278). If it is not a regular bonus, the normal game in "BB" ends by one game, the remaining number of games is decremented by one in step 279, and step 28
At 0, it is determined whether the number of remaining games is 0. If the number of remaining games is not 0, the process returns to step 264, and if the number of remaining games is 0, "BB" is finished.

If it is determined in step 278 that the generated winning is a regular bonus, the regular bonus is executed.

In this regular bonus, the conditions for ending the regular bonus are initially set (step 281). In the present embodiment, the regular bonus is initially set to end when the number of times of playing the jack game in the regular bonus reaches 12 times or the winning of the jack game occurs 12 times, whichever is earlier. Is set.

Next, it is judged whether or not a medal has been inserted (step 282), and when the insertion is recognized, the start lever 3
The operation waits for No. 5 (step 283). When the operation of the start lever 35 is recognized, an internal lottery is performed by the prize mode determining means to determine an internal winning combination (step 284). When internal winning combination is decided, reels 22-24
Starts rotating (step 285) and the stop button 3
The operation waits for operations 6 to 38 (step 286). When any of the stop buttons 36 to 38 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped by the stop display control means (step 287). After that, reel stop processing is performed by the stop display control means until all reels 22 to 24 are stopped (step 28).
8).

When the stop of all reels is recognized in step 288, it is next determined whether or not a winning is generated (step 289). If you have a prize,
A predetermined number of medals corresponding to the winning is paid out (step 290), and subsequently, the winning number of winnings of the jack game set to 8 in step 281 is decremented by 1 (step 291), and is changed to 12 in step 281. The number of remaining games of the set jack game is also decremented by 1 (step 292). If no winning has occurred in step 289, one game of the jack game is finished at that point, and the remaining number of games of the jack game is decremented by one in step 292.

Next, it is judged whether the number of remaining winnings in the jack game is 0 (step 293) or the number of remaining games in the jack game is 0 (step 294), and either judgment is "Yes". If it is ",
One regular bonus in "B" is finished, and the regular bonus possible number set to 3 in step 263 is decremented by 1 (step 295). Step 293
If all the determinations in step 294 are “No”, the process returns to step 282, and one regular bonus is continued until the end condition is reached.

When one regular bonus is finished and the regular bonus possible number is decremented by 1 in step 295, it is determined whether the remaining regular bonus possible number is 0 (step 296). This judgment is “Yes”
In the case of, the “BB game” ends, and in the case of “No”, the process proceeds to step 264.

In the slot machine 20 according to the present embodiment as described above, the start lever 35 is controlled to emit light during the "BB game", and the number of remaining regular bonuses is displayed depending on the light emission mode. Therefore, it is possible to provide another device in the space without requiring the display section for the number of times of regular bonus in "BB" which is conventionally provided on the front panel 21 or the like.

[0146] Further, by displaying at a peculiar position away from other display devices, a display with a high visual effect is obtained, while
Since it is displayed on the start lever 35, the display can be confirmed without moving the viewpoint during BB. Moreover, since the display format is not available in the conventional slot machines, it can be differentiated from other models.

As described above, according to the present invention, the light source provided in the variable display starting means of the gaming machine is controlled to emit light in accordance with the number of special games, and the number of remaining special games is based on this light emission mode. Is displayed, or guidance display for game operation is displayed. Therefore, the player can recognize the light emission mode of the light source, recognize the remaining number of special games, and receive the guidance display of the operation of the game machine.

Further, it is possible to omit a display device or the like which has been displaying the state of the gaming machine up to now, and to provide another device or the like in the empty area.

Further, since the display format is based on the light emitting mode of the light source provided in the variable display starting means, it is a display format which has not been found in a general game machine up to now, and a display effect with a high visual effect is provided. it can. Further, since each display is made on the variable display starting means, each display can be confirmed without moving the viewpoint during the game.

[0150]

According to the present invention, since the light source provided in the variable display starting means of the gaming machine is controlled to emit light according to the number of special games, the player identifies the light emitting mode of the light source and the special game. It is possible to recognize the remaining number of times and receive a guidance display for operating the gaming machine.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a conventional general slot machine.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a rotary reel unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of reels constituting a rotary reel unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the start lever of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main control circuit configuration of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 8 is a view showing a symbol table used for game processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing a game process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing contents of a storage area secured in the RAM of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a attraction priority table used in the game processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a relation of symbol codes assigned to and read from the respective spinning reels in the game processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a hit prediction flag table used in the game processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a game process of the slot machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a game process of the slot machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a game process of the slot machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing game processing of the slot machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing game processing of the slot machine according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a CT game process in the slot machine according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing game processing of the slot machine according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the big bonus game in the game processing of the slot machine according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 ... Slot machine 21 ... Front panel 22, 23, 24 ... First reel, second reel, third reel 25, 26, 27 ... Display window 28 ... Medal insertion slot 30, 31, 32 ... BET switch 33 ... Credit number Display unit 34 ... Credit / payment changeover switch 35 ... Start levers 36, 37, 38 ... Stop button 39 ... Start lever LED 45 ... Sound transmission hole 46 ... Medal tray 47 ... Medal payout port 48 ... Payout display unit 50 ... Payout number of medals Display sections L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, L3B ... Winning line 70 ... Microcomputer 71 ... CPU (central processing unit) 72 ... ROM (read only memory) 73 ... RAM (readable / writable memory) 83 ... LED drive circuit

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yuki Inamura             25, 3-1, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Kazuyuki Yanagi             25, 3-1, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Tamio Abe             25, 3-1, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Shingo Matsuda             25, 3-1, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Masaka             25, 3-1, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Rie Aoki             25, 3-1, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, a variable display start means for starting variable display of the symbols by the variable display means, and a winning mode for determining a winning mode of a game by random number lottery for each game. The determination means, the stop display control means for controlling the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the variable display means according to the winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means, and the special game winning mode are determined by the winning mode determining means. In a gaming machine configured to include a game processing control unit that executes a special game in which a game advantageous to a player can be performed a plurality of times, the variable display start means includes a translucent operation unit and this operation unit. A light source for emitting light from inside, and a light source control means for controlling the light emitting state of the light source according to the number of times of the special game to display the state of the gaming machine or the guide display of the game operation. Game machine and said. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the light source control means changes a blinking interval of the light source according to the number of times of the special game. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode that emits a plurality of different colors or a plurality of light emitting diodes that emit a different color. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the light source control means changes the emission color of the light source according to the number of times of the special game. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine.