JP2004033796A - Game table - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game table which performs direction to enable a player to gradually have expectation to a bonus prize winning when a player is playing. <P>SOLUTION: This game table has a function to perform mutually relating continuous direction with different contents spread on a plurality of continuous games in a game condition other than a bonus game. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

According to the present invention, a game medium (medals, balls, etc.) is inserted, a reel (reel) composed of a plurality of types of patterns is moved (rotated), and when it stops, the stopped pattern is displayed on a reel pattern display window. The present invention relates to a gaming table (slot machine, pachinko, game machine, etc.) in which a prize is determined from a combination and a player enjoys receiving a refund of a predetermined game medium.

Taking a slot machine as an example, a conventional slot machine has a plurality of different kinds of patterns arranged on reels, for example, three reels, and rotates all the reels simultaneously at the start of the game. Next, when all the reels are stopped, a winning is determined based on a combination of patterns between the respective reels, and medals or the like are paid out according to the winning. Also, in recent years, slot machines are widely known in which bonuses such as bonus games in which many medals can be acquired are set as rules so that players can play games with expectations. The bonus game bonus is that a predetermined number of medals are paid out when the combination of pictures between the reels becomes, for example, “7-7-7” when the reels stop, and thereafter, Is set in a high probability state to give the player an opportunity to obtain many medals. Although this bonus game is a good opportunity for players to win a large number of medals, the probability of entering the bonus game is low, so sometimes even if you play a very large number of games, the bonus game won There was no variance, and conversely, there were variations such as winning a bonus game continuously at short game intervals.

A recent slot machine uses a microcomputer (CPU) so that all winning combinations including a losing game occur evenly without variation, that is, the payout rate is almost constant. In general, control is performed to determine a combination of pictures that may win. In the slot machine driven by the control of the CPU, an internal lottery is performed at the same time as a player starts a game and operates a start lever, and when the lottery is won (in the case of an internal prize), the pattern of the internal prize is displayed. The combination is determined, and a so-called effect of actively notifying the player as internal winning information is performed. In addition, a pseudo-internal prize notification is given to give a sense of expectation and prevent a player from playing the game. It should be noted that the types of effects include those based on reach eyes, which will be described later, and those that provide an effect that the player can enjoy the game by using lighting / flashing of backlights and lamps, sound effects, and the like.

The main timing of the production in the game is when the start lever is operated or when each reel stops, and usually, these production types are used alone or in combination. Similarly, the operation is performed once or plural times at different timings. In addition, the effect in the conventional slot machine is completed in one game, or is performed between games that are continuously performed, such as when an announcement lamp is activated and turned on. Even though there was no change, the contents were not related to each other, and produced the same contents about the internal state. Therefore, for example, even if an effect with a sense of expectation to shift to the bonus game is made, the effect is finished in the next game, and the bonus winning expectation disappears, or the player abruptly wins the bonus game as it is. However, there is a drawback that the player does not have a sense of incongruity, or the effect that does not change as in the operation of the notification lamp has little effect on increasing the player's expectation of winning a bonus.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems of the prior art, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a player with an expectation of winning a bonus while playing a game. The purpose of this is to provide a gaming table where the effects can be gradually provided.

In other words, when you play a game, the effect starts at a certain time, and the effect changes continuously over multiple games and shows a pattern related to each other, so that you expect strong prize winning. In addition, there is a need to provide an amusement machine that allows the player to enjoy the process of finally shifting to the bonus game when winning inside the bonus. The effect of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “continuous effect”) refers to a notification that has a different content and is mutually related to expect a bonus prize between a plurality of consecutive games. By performing the effect on the player, it is possible to give the player an expectation of winning a bonus.

The present invention has been made to solve this problem. According to the present invention, a plurality of reels each having a plurality of types of patterns are provided, a game medium is inserted, and a plurality of rows are formed by a game start operation. At the same time as starting the movement of the reels on the reel pattern display window, the control unit determines whether or not a prize is won by an internal lottery, and stops each reel with a predetermined pattern based on the internal lottery for the stopping operation corresponding to each reel. A game console that controls and stops the combination to be displayed on the reel picture display window, determines a winning based on the combination of pictures on the stopped reel picture display window, and pays out a predetermined number of game media. It is characterized in that it includes a function of performing a continuous production that has different contents and is related to each other over a plurality of games.

Furthermore, the continuous production is started at least before the operation of the notification lamp for notifying that the bonus has been internally won is performed.

Furthermore, the continuous production is performed at least based on the production content of the previous game and the production content of the previous game, or the production content of the previous game and the internal information of the gaming table in the previous game. In this case, the effect is one of the effects derived from the effect contents of the game.

Further, the continuous production is performed by a lottery in a game in which the bonus is not internally won, the game in which the bonus is internally won, when a predetermined number of games have elapsed from the game in which the bonus is internally won, and a game in which the bonus is internally won. It is characterized in that it is started at least at one timing of the winning by the subsequent lottery.

Further, in the continuous production when the bonus is internally won, at least the control for increasing the number of sliding frames of the reel stop control with the progress of the game or the data table for performing the control for the reel stop is related to the bonus pattern. Multiple data tables are provided in stages, from data tables with few reach eyes to data tables that clearly indicate that the bonus has been internally won, and as the game progresses, data tables with few reach eyes for this bonus pattern are used The control is started by any one of the control from the control to the data table in which it is determined that the bonus is internally won.

Further, in the continuous production in a case where the bonus is not internally won, at least the control for increasing the number of sliding frames of the reel stop control with the progress of the game or the data table for performing the control for the reel stop is related to the bonus pattern. As the game progresses, a plurality of data tables are provided from the data table with few reach eyes to the data table where the player is expected to have an internal prize in the bonus but it is not certain whether or not the bonus is internally prized. From the control using a data table in which few reach eyes on the bonus pattern appear, from the control using the data table, it is expected that the bonus is expected to be internally won, but it is not certain whether the bonus is internally won or not. For any one of the controls using up to the table Characterized in that it is started Ri.

Furthermore, the continuous effect is a continuous effect at least by any one of the image display device, the sound effect generator, the vibration generator device, and the light emitting device.

Furthermore, by providing a gaming machine characterized by being a slot machine having each of the above features, the problem to be solved by the present invention can be achieved.

According to the present invention, in a plurality of successive games, by providing effects having different contents and mutually related, the player is expected to receive a bonus prize, and furthermore, a bonus that does not cause discomfort It is possible to shift to a prize, to provide a gaming machine that has a high desire to play and has a high expectation.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking a slot machine as an example of an embodiment of the present invention as an example.

<Appearance of slot machine>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. In the center of the slot machine main body 100 shown in FIG. 1, three reels (left reel 101, middle reel 102, right reel 103) in which a plurality of types of patterns including a specific pattern are arranged on each outer peripheral surface are stored. , And can be rotated inside the main body 100. As for the patterns of the reels 101 to 103, three patterns are displayed in the vertical direction for each reel from the reel pattern display windows 115 to 117 on the front of the main body 100 so that the player can see them. Therefore, when the reel is stopped, a total of nine (3 × 3) patterns are displayed to the player in the reel pattern display windows 115 to 117.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a notification lamp for notifying a player of a state in which each bonus (Big Bonus: BB, Regular Bonus: RB) has been internally won as internal information as a result of the internal lottery by random numbers. Reference numeral 105 denotes a Win lamp for notifying a player that a combination of pictures stopped in the reel picture display windows 115 to 117 is a winning. Reference numeral 106 is a start lamp for notifying the player that the game has started. Reference numeral 107 is a weight ramp for notifying a player that the current game is on standby when the time from the start of the previous game to the start of the current game is equal to or less than a specified value. Reference numeral 108 denotes a replay lamp that informs the player that the next game is a replay (replay) when the combination of the symbols stopped in the reel symbol display windows 115 to 117 wins the replay combination.

Reference numeral 109 is a credit display for displaying to the player that the player has credited, for example, a maximum of 50 medals obtained by the player. Reference numeral 110 is a medal insert lamp, which is a lamp for urging a player to insert a medal for starting a game. Reference numeral 111 denotes an image display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT, which gives a sense of expectation such as a bonus prize by a continuous effect, or internal information of a gaming machine, and information of a game. The progress information and the like are displayed to the player using characters and the like according to each game state. Reference numeral 112 is a three-color, three-digit, seven-segment display device for performing an effect to increase the number of games such as BB and RB, or an expectation of the game. Reference numeral 113 denotes a payout display for displaying the number of medals paid out when the combination of the symbols stopped in the reel symbol display windows 115 to 117 is a winning combination.

Reference numeral 114 denotes a lamp for displaying a winning pay line, for displaying the position of the pay line corresponding to the number of inserted medals and the pay line of the pictures aligned in the reel picture display windows 115 to 117. Is an effective line display lamp. Here, the effective lines for which the pictures aligned with the reel picture display windows 115 to 117 are determined to be a prize are generally one horizontal line in the middle row when one medal is inserted, and the middle row when two medals are inserted. Three lines, two horizontal lines plus two horizontal lines, plus three medals, five additional lines with diagonal lines from upper left to lower right and diagonal lines from lower left to upper right It becomes a line. Reference numeral 118 is a medal slot into which a player inserts medals when starting a game. Reference numerals 119, 120 and 121 are credit bet buttons for credits, 119 is a button for maximum three medals, 120 is a button for maximum two medals, and 121 is a button for one medal, and each button is operated. Thereby, one to three medals can be inserted (bet) into the gaming machine from one displayed on the credit indicator 109 in one game.

Reference numeral 122 denotes a payment button for clearing and discharging medals stored in the credit display 109, and whether or not to store up to, for example, 50 medals obtained by the player in winning in the slot machine body. This is a credit / payment button that doubles as both credit switching buttons for switching. Reference numbers 123 to 125 are stop buttons for stopping the reels 101 to 103, and are provided corresponding to the respective reels. That is, the left reel stop button 123 corresponds to the left reel 101, the middle reel stop button 124 corresponds to the middle reel 102, and the right reel stop button 125 corresponds to the right reel 103. Reference numeral 126 denotes a start lever for starting a game. When this operation is performed, each of the reels 101 to 103 starts rotating simultaneously, and at the same time, a prize-winning part that wins a prize in the inside of the gaming machine (control unit). Is determined by random number determination.

Reference numeral 127 is a sound hole for outputting a sound of a speaker provided inside the gaming machine, and generates a sound effect according to each gaming state. Reference numeral 128 is a medal payout port at the time of winning, and the paid out medal is accumulated in the receiving tray 129. Reference numeral 130 denotes a display plate (odds panel) displaying the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to each winning combination. Reference numerals 131 and 132 denote flicker display lamps, which are decorative lamps for turning on / off / flashing the internal lamps according to the respective game states to enhance the game. Here, reference numeral 131 denotes light for irradiating the player with light, and reference numeral 132 denotes each game state for the entire game hall. Reference numeral 133 is used to stop (impossible) the operation of functions such as notification, effects, and services, stop roulette by a backlight, and stop or switch other effect operations by operation of the player. A stop switch.

The stop switch 133 enables or disables the operation of a predetermined function as described below, selectively enables (for example, alternately) enables or disables the operation of a predetermined function, or performs a predetermined operation. Needless to say, it can be used as a switch for switching the operation (content) of the function. Examples of the above-mentioned predetermined functions include a performance including a performance of a backlight imitating a roulette, a performance by an electronic roulette display device or a digital display device (rotation of a digital number), and an operation of a stop button by a player. By the rotation and display of the reel of the reel device for the effect provided separately from the reel stop device in which each reel stops on the reel pattern display window, or the effect by the combination of these, or the loss by the internal lottery of the gaming table Including a small role or BB or RB to notify the internal winning, a function to display the number of game media inserted by the player during a predetermined number of games, and payout by winning during the predetermined number of games A function to display the number of game media issued and from when the stop button is operated by the player until each reel is stopped and displayed on the reel picture window A function to display the number of moving pieces of the moved pattern, a function to display the number of winnings of a winning combination during a predetermined number of games, a function to display a slump graph during a predetermined number of games, and a reel pattern display window. Service functions such as a notification function, a staging operation function, and a demonstration function, such as a function of displaying a combination of reach reaching the internal winning of a bonus or a big bonus when displayed above.

<Backlight>
The three reels 101, 102, and 103 stored inside the reel picture display windows 115 to 117 shown in FIG. 1 are incorporated in one reel mount as shown in FIG. Corresponding to the positions (9 locations) where the pictures are displayed on the reel picture display windows 115 to 117 when each reel is stopped, three pictures are selectively illuminated from the back side of each reel based on the control. The backlight configured as described above is attached. Reference numerals 200, 201, and 202 shown in FIG. 2 denote backlight 210 (typically three left reels) so as to illuminate from behind the respective symbols displayed on reel symbol display windows 115 to 117 when the reels stop. (A part corresponding to the pattern No. 210 is denoted by reference numeral 210) is a board (printed board) arranged in the vertical direction. The backlight includes L1, L2, and L3 of the left substrate 200 as the backlight of the left reel 101, L4, L5, and L6 of the central substrate 201 as the backlight of the central reel 102, and the backlight of the right reel 103. A total of nine sets of backlights of L7, L8, and L9 of the right substrate 202 are provided. As the light source of these backlights, any type can be used as long as it can illuminate a pattern, such as an LED or a normal lamp, from behind, and express the effect to the player. As described above, various effects are performed based on the progress of the game by the operations of turning on / off / flashing the backlights L1 to L9 described above. For example, the whole game is enlivened by the effect of imitating roulette. In the embodiment of the present invention, as described later, a pattern of a continuous effect is displayed using the backlight.

<Configuration of control unit>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit in the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 200 is a control unit for controlling the entire game, reference numeral 201 is a sub-control unit 201 for controlling decorative lamps, sound effects, and the like for enlivening the entire game, and reference numeral 202 is a reference numeral in FIG. A liquid crystal control unit 202 controls the liquid crystal 111.

(Control unit 200)
A portion indicated by reference numeral 10 is a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as MainCPU), which is the center of the control operation of the slot machine in the present embodiment, and exchanges control signals and data with the peripheral portion via the bus 30. Do. Reference numeral 11 denotes a random number generator used for a lottery such as a winning combination (including a loss) in each game, and is connected to the Main CPU 10 via the bus 30. Reference numeral 12 denotes a medal sensor for detecting a game medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 118, and reference numeral 13 denotes a signal of the stop button 123 to 125 pressed by the player to stop each reel or a stop switch 133. , A stop button switch for detecting the input of the start lever 126, and a reference numeral 15 for detecting that any one of the credit bet buttons 119 to 121 is pressed. Reference numeral 16 denotes an overflow sensor for detecting that the number of medals overflowing from the hopper tank attached to the hopper that pays out the medals to the auxiliary tank exceeds a specified amount, and these are input interfaces. 17, via the bus 30, the MainCPU 0 to be connected.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a program for controlling a framework portion and the like of the slot machine in this embodiment, and a control for performing stop control of the reels 101 to 103. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM (random access memory), which stores a work area of a program, variable data, and the like. The ROM 18 and the memory of the RAM 19 It is connected to the Main CPU 10 through the main CPU 10. Reference numeral 20 denotes a motor control unit for rotating or stopping the reels 101 to 103, and reference numeral 21 denotes a hopper control unit for paying out medals. These are connected via the bus 30 via the input / output interface 22. It is connected to MainCPU10.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a notification lamp 104 for notifying the player that the bonus is internally won as internal information, and a Win lamp for notifying the player that the combination of the symbols stopped on the reel symbol display window is a winning. 105, a start lamp 106 for notifying the player that the game has been started, a weight lamp 107 for notifying the player that the elapsed time since the previous game is less than or equal to a prescribed value when the game is started, , A replay lamp 108 for notifying a player that the player has won a replay game, a credit indicator 109 for displaying the remaining number of stored medals, and an insert lamp for urging the player to insert medals. 110, a 3-digit 7-segment display 112 for displaying the game status such as the number of bonuses, etc. A payout display 113 for displaying the number of medals to be used, and a valid line display lamp 114 for displaying a valid pay line corresponding to the number of medals inserted into the gaming table. The main CPU 10 is connected to the main CPU 10 via the bus 30 and the output interface 24, and is turned on / off / blinks under the control of the main CPU 10. Therefore, the player can confirm the progress of the game by referring to these lamps. In addition to the control contents of the lamp control unit 23 described above, control of illumination for illuminating the reels 101 to 103 from above or below, control of lighting / flashing / extinguishing of a backlight for illuminating a picture from behind, or decoration. There is no problem even if the flicker display lamp 132 and the like are controlled.

(Sub control unit 201)
The reference numeral S10 receives a signal from the control unit of the Main CPU 10 from the output interface 25 at the input interface S16, and controls the transfer of data such as control signals to and from its peripheral parts corresponding to each game state via the bus S30. A microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as a SubCPU). Reference numeral S11 denotes a read-only memory (ROM), which includes lamps of the slot machine in the present embodiment, a program for controlling sound effects, music such as BGM, control data, and the like. Reference numeral S12 denotes a random access memory (RAM), which stores a program work area and variable data. The ROM S11 and the memory of the RAM S12 are connected to the SubCPU S10 via the bus S30. Have been.

Reference numeral S13 denotes a control unit that controls lighting, blinking, and extinguishing of a backlight that illuminates the picture of the reel from behind, and controls illumination that illuminates the reels 101 to 103 from above or below. These are output interfaces. It is connected to the SubCPU S10 via the bus S30 via S15. It goes without saying that the control of the illumination for illuminating the reels 101 to 103 from above or below may be performed through the inverter board when the power is turned on, in addition to the control unit S13. That is, the control may not be performed by the SubCPUS10. Reference numeral S14 is a lamp control unit that controls lighting / flashing / extinguishing of lamps such as the flicker display lamp 132 at the time of winning a bonus or according to each game state, or for decoration, and includes an output interface S15. It is connected to the SubCPUS10 via the bus S30. Reference numeral S19 denotes a speaker, which amplifies control signals and data passed from the SubCPUS10 by the amplifier of S18 via the output interface S17, and outputs respective sound effects and BGM according to instructions from the SubCPUS10.

(Liquid crystal controller 202)
Reference numeral L10 denotes a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as LcdCPU) which receives a signal from the control unit of the SubCPU S10 from the output interface S20 via the input interface L11 and transfers control data for controlling the LCD (liquid crystal) L18 via the bus L30. ). Here, depending on the state of the SubCPUS10, a signal from the output interface 25 by the MainCPU10 may be directly received via the input interface S16, the bus S30, and the output interface S20 of the SubCPUS10. Reference numeral L12 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), which includes control data for controlling an LCD (Liquid Crystal), and reference numeral L13 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), which controls the LcdCPUL10. ROML12 and RAML13 are connected to the LcdCPUL10 via a bus L30.

Reference numeral L14 is a video display processor (VDP), which is a microprocessor for controlling an LCD (liquid crystal) image. Reference numeral L15 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), which stores image data for controlling an image. Reference numeral L16 is a RAM (random access memory), which is used as a work area for controlling the VDPL 14. These ROML15 and RAML16 memories are directly connected to the VDPL 14. Reference numeral L18 is a liquid crystal display (LCD), that is, a liquid crystal display device. This liquid crystal display device is connected to the VDPL 14 via the output interface L17. In FIG. 3, it is needless to say that the SubCPU and its related memory portion may be included in the MainCPU as long as the program capacity and the response time are not hindered.

<Explanation of terms>
Some special terms used in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
"Vita push"
In order to stop a certain pattern at a predetermined position, the player visually operates the stop button when the pattern to be stopped passes the predetermined position.
"Reel stop control" and "Number of sliding frames"
When the stop button is operated by the player and the reels are stopped (by the control unit of the game console), control is performed such that a pattern corresponding to a flag indicating a winning combination such as a bonus is aligned, or the flag is established. This refers to controlling the stop position of the reels so as not to align the roles. In general, when a flag of a certain winning combination is established, it is possible to align the patterns constituting the winning combination by virtue of pressing, but, for example, if the corresponding pattern is located four patterns before the winning line, Even if the stop button is operated during the operation, the reel can be advanced by "4" symbols by the reel stop control, and the corresponding symbol can be won. In this case, the number of sliding frames is “4”.

"Flag establishment and retention"
When the internal winning combination is determined by the random number generated by the random number generator, the flag is said to be established, and the flag is internally set (set). Therefore, when the flag of the predetermined winning combination is established, the corresponding combination can be aligned on the activated pay line depending on the operation timing of the stop button by the player. In addition, only when the flag related to the bonus pattern is established or the like, the flag established normal state is maintained in the game after the flag is established until the combination of the corresponding patterns is completed, and the bonus is set to the bonus. You will be given the opportunity to win. This is called "flag holding".

"Take away"
When the flag of a certain winning combination is established (internal winning state), it means that the player cannot arrange the winning combination on the activated pay line. Here, if a certain winning combination is a small combination, the flag is not held after the next game, so that the opportunity for medal acquisition is lost.
"Difference counter"
A counter that counts the difference between the number of medals to be inserted into the gaming table by the player to play the game and the number of medals paid out by winning, and when the value of this counter reaches a predetermined value, the state of the game is determined. For example, regarding the winning of a small role, it has a function of transitioning between a state of “high probability” and a state of “low probability”. More specifically, even if an internal prize has been won, the number of prize winning combinations cannot be increased. When the counter value reaches a predetermined value, the game state is set to “high” by the “number difference counter”. Probability state ", the winning probability of the small role is increased, and the medal loss of the small role that was previously lost is corrected (relieved). Further, in the "high probability state", when the number of winnings increases and the payout medals increase, the value of the counter reaches a predetermined value, and the state shifts to the "low probability state" of the small role.

"<Table method> in pull-in control"
Several types of stop pattern data (data tables) are prepared in advance, and these tables are referred to according to the situation, and "reel stop control" is performed with the "number of sliding frames" within a predetermined range according to the stop pattern data. One method of reel control. "Reach eyes"
In the case of a game having an internal prize, if the combination of the corresponding patterns is not aligned, a predetermined combination different from the normal combination is displayed on the reel pattern display window to perform the "reel stop control", and the "reach Inform the player. When the player sees the reach-related information regarding the bonus prize, it is presumed that the player is in the bonus internal prize state, and the stop button is pressed (striking) so that the bonus symbols are aligned on the reel symbol display window.

<Outline of game operation>
Hereinafter, an outline of a game using the slot machine shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The game starts when a player inserts medals through the medal insertion slot 118 and operates the start lever 126. When the game starts, the three reels 101, 102, and 103 start rotating, and after the rotation speed of each reel reaches a predetermined speed, the operation of the stop buttons 123 to 125 provided corresponding to each reel is performed. Once activated, the player depresses these buttons to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel. When each reel 101 to 103 stops, if the combination of the symbols stopped on the activated pay line determined by the number of inserted medals corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, the number of medals according to the type of winning is received 129. One game is paid out.

<General game progress>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the progress of the general game of the slot machine as described above. Hereinafter, a flow of a game of a general slot machine using three reels will be described with reference to FIG. The same applies to other slot machines having a plurality of reels.

Step S101: (medal insertion)
Depending on the player's selection, one to three game medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 118, or a credit bet button (a maximum of three medals button 119, a maximum of two medals button 120, and a single medal button 121). And press it. At this time, the activated line display lamp 114 is turned on in accordance with the number of game medals to be dropped, thereby notifying (displaying) to the player that the game can be played. If there is no medal insertion, the process waits until a medal is inserted in a loop.
Step S102: (Start lever ON)
When the start lever 126 is operated, the start lever sensor 14 is turned on, and the main CPU 10 detects the acceptance of the start operation and starts the game.

Step S103: (Random number lottery)
Simultaneously with the operation of the start lever 126 by the player, the control unit obtains a random number value from the random number generator 11, compares the value with a winning table stored in the ROM 18, and determines an internal winning. The types of internal prizes include bonus games such as BB and RB, various types of small wins, and losses.
Step S104: (Information 1 of internal information)
Since the type of the internal prize is determined in step S103, the information is notified in consideration of the reliability. Here, the means for informing includes lamps such as a backlight, sound effects, an image display device, and the like. When a bonus is internally won, a notification lamp may be used for notification.

Step S105: (all reel rotation)
The rotation of all the reels 101, 102 and 103 is started.
Step S106: (Operation of stop button of first reel)
The player operates one of the stop buttons 123 to 125 to stop the corresponding reel.
Step S107: (1st reel rotation stop)
In step S106, the reel corresponding to the stop button operated by the player stops rotating.
Step S108: (Notification of internal information 2)
The internal prize information is notified as in step S104. Alternatively, for example, when a pattern constituting an internal winning combination appears on the activated pay line of the stopped first reel, it is possible to produce an effect such as turning on and blinking a backlight in a sense of increasing expectation. it can.

Step S109: (Stop button operation of the second reel)
The player operates a stop button corresponding to a reel selected by the player among the two reels being rotated.
Step S110: (Stopping rotation of the second reel)
In step S109, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop button operated by the player is stopped.
Step S111: (Notification of internal information 3)
The internal prize information is notified as in step S104. Alternatively, for example, when a combination of pictures constituting a winning combination is in a reach state, a staging effect such as emitting a special sound effect can be provided to notify the player of the state.
Step S112: (Operation of stop button on third reel)
The player operates a stop button corresponding to one reel being rotated.
Step S113: (Third reel rotation stop)
In step S112, the reel corresponding to the stop button operated by the player stops rotating.

Step S114: (winning judgment)
It is determined whether or not a combination of pictures corresponding to the winning is aligned on the activated pay line. That is, since a combination of pictures corresponding to winning is stored in the ROM 18 as a winning table, a winning judgment is made by comparing the winning table with a combination of pictures on the pay line. Here, if a prize has been won, the process proceeds to step S115, and if not, the process proceeds to step S116. In the above description, a case where a winning is determined based on a plurality of patterns is described as "combination of patterns". For example, a case where a winning is achieved only with one pattern represented by a "cherry" pattern is also described. Winning determination is performed in exactly the same way.
Step S115: (medal payout)
As a result of the winning determination in step S114, a predetermined number of medals according to the type of winning are paid out to the medal tray 129 from the medal payout opening 128.
Step S116: (Notification of Internal Information 4)
The internal prize information is notified as in step S104. Alternatively, as an example, it is possible to perform an effect such as notification of information on a winning combination that has been missed or notification using a special sound effect when a bonus pattern is prepared. It should be noted that the notification of the internal information 1 to 4 need not always be performed in one game, and it is needless to say that the notification can be performed at any timing other than the notification of the internal information 1 to 4.

<Progress of the game in the embodiment of the present invention>
The continuous production in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to two more examples. Note that the first example shows a form of a continuous effect 1 (linked effect) in which the effect performed in the currently executed game is derived from the effect contents performed in the previous game execution. Further, the following example shows a form of a continuous effect 2 (linked effect) in which the contents of the effect performed in the current game are determined from the contents of the effect performed in the previous execution of the game and the internal information of the game console. Show.

(Continuous production 1)
The continuous effect 1 is an example of a continuous effect 1 (linked effect) in which the effect performed in the currently executed game is derived from the effect contents performed in the previous game execution. This will be described in detail using a control flow. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 5 is the same as FIG. 4 except that the notification of the internal information is performed only after the random number lottery. Therefore, the overlapping portions (S101 to S103 = S201 to S203, S105 to S107 = S205-S207, S109-S110 = S208-S209, S112-S115 = S210-S213) will be omitted, and only step S204 (corresponding to the position of step S104 in FIG. 4) will be described.

Step S204: (Notification of internal information)
When the continuous production is started, the content of the production performed in the current game is determined by lottery based on the content of the continuous production performed in the previous game. When a continuous effect is not performed, an effect similar to that of the conventional game progress flowchart shown in FIG. 4 can be performed. Here, the types of the continuous effects to be notified and the contents of the effects will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

演 The production contents of the continuous production 1 will change depending on the game state (A, B) shown in FIG. Here, in this example, the gaming state “A” is a bonus internal winning state, and the gaming state “B” is a bonus internal non-winning state. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the effect of the previous game is as follows: in the case of the game state A, no effect, E1, E2, E3, E4, and in the case of the game state B, no effect, E1, E2, E3. In order to produce in the current game, the present performance is determined by the lottery among E1, E2, E3, and E4 based on the production result of the previous game, without the “drafting effect” production. As shown in FIG. 7, these rendering operations are performed by combining the rendering content of “E1”, “E2”, and “E3”, which are the types of continuous rendering, with 3 × 3 = 9 patterns on the reel pattern display window. Is turned on or off. In FIG. 7, “square” indicates a lighting state, and “black filled square” indicates a light-off state. For example, a pattern such as "E1" may be turned on / off for a player for about 850 milliseconds, and the effect "E4" is an operation (lighting) of a notification lamp. In the effect to be drawn in FIG. 6, “double circle”, “circle”, and “cross” respectively indicate the lottery probability that the effect is selected, and “cross” has the lottery probability of “0” and the effect is selected. Means not. “Double circle” and “circle” have lottery probabilities greater than 0 and less than 1. The degree of the lottery probability of “double circle” and “round” is 0 <(lottery probability of “round”) <(lottery probability of “double circle”) <1.

Next, the display contents of the continuous effect in the gaming state “A” (in the bonus internal winning state) will be described. First, if the player is currently playing the nth game and the effect in the (n-1) th game has not been performed, the effect in the nth game is obtained from the “result of the previous game” in FIG. Looking at the horizontal axis of "No effect", any one of effects "E1", "E2", "E3", "E4", or "No effect" is selected by lottery. Among them, the probability that the effect “E1” is selected is higher than the probability that another effect (including “no effect”) is selected. If “E1” is selected as a result of the lottery, the effect in the nth game is “E1”, and the continuous effect is started here.

Next, when the effect “E1” is selected in the n-th game, the effects in the (n + 1) th game are the same as those in FIG. 6 for the effects “E1”, “E2”, “E3”, and “E4”. Either one or “no effect” will be selected by lottery, and the probability that the effect “E2” will be selected is higher than the probability that another effect (including “no effect”) is selected, For example, here, “E2” is selected by lottery as the effect in the (n + 1) th game, and the effect is performed. Hereinafter, considering the effect selected by lottery after the (n + 2) game based on the probability, the effect of the (n + 2) game is “E3”, and the effect of the (n + 3) game is “E3”. E4 ".

From the above, the change in the content of the effect in the “game state A” generally changes from “no effect” → “E1” → “E2” → “E3” → “E4”, and finally, the notification lamp is activated. Then, the player is notified of the bonus internal winning state. In the above description, the case where an effect is selected based on the probability is shown. In addition, as an example where a low probability is selected, for example, “no effect” → “E1” → “E2” → “ There is also a case where the player is notified of the bonus internal winning state by following a route such as “No effect” → “E3” → “E4”.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a plurality of continuous games, when different types of effects are successively performed in a predetermined order and related as described above, the player wins a bonus prize. You can play while enjoying the game with a sense of expectation.

On the other hand, as for the display contents of the continuous effect in the gaming state “B” (in the bonus internal non-winning state), the effect “E4” is not selected as shown in FIG. This means that the notification lamp is not activated because the bonus flag is not established. However, even in the non-winning state inside the bonus as described above, by performing the above-described continuous effect, it is possible to give the player an expectation of the bonus prize, and the effect in the gaming state “B” is also the present invention. It is an example within the range.

In this example, the description of using the backlight to turn on and off the continuous effect is described with reference to FIG. 7. However, this is an example, and a variety of lighting, blinking, and turning off states may be used. It goes without saying that you can do it. In addition, continuous performance should be performed using lamps other than the backlight, an image display device, a vibration generating device that applies vibration to the operation unit of the game console, or a device that can appeal to the five senses of the player such as voice. Can be.

In the above example, the effect content to be performed in the next game is selected by lottery. However, for example, continuous performance performed in a continuous game such as “E1” → “E2” → “E3” → “E4” A method may be used in which the content of the effect is fixed independently of the lottery and determined uniquely.

(Continuous production 2)
The continuous effect 2 is an example of a continuous effect (interlocked effect) that determines the content of the effect performed in the current game from the effect contents performed in the previous execution of the game and the internal information of the game console. Hereinafter, the control flow (only the continuous production) of the example of the continuous production 2 will be described in detail using the control flow shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the insertion of a medal, the operation of a start lever, the operation of a stop button, and the like will be omitted. In addition, it goes without saying that the continuous production of this example may be incorporated into the game at any timing.

Step S301: (Lottery Winning?)
A lottery is performed to determine whether or not to start a continuous production. The lottery can be carried out by using a random number lottery for determining an internal winning combination or a separately provided random number lottery for continuous production. When the lottery is won, the process proceeds to step S303 to start a continuous effect. On the other hand, if the lottery has not been won, the process proceeds to step S302.
Step S302: (Bonus internal prize?)
Even if the lottery is not won, when the bonus is awarded inside the bonus, the continuous production is started as in the case where the lottery is won. Here, if no bonus internal prize has been won, the continuous production is not started.

Step S303: (“Level 1” production)
The continuous production of “level 1” is started, and the corresponding image is displayed on the liquid crystal. As a specific example, a scene is shown in which a large cruise ship leaves the port of Japan via Hawaii, New York, and London for its final destination, Paris.
Step S304: (Small role internal prize?)
In a game in which a “level 1” image is displayed, when a small winning combination having a small number of payout medals is internally won, the “level 1” image is continuously displayed in the next game. This is because it is appropriate to perform one continuous game more than one game in consideration of one game spent by the player in winning a small role, and if the same level of continuous production is performed, the player is notified of the previous game. Is based on the reason for giving information that the player has been in the small role internal winning state.

Steps S305 to S310:
Steps S305, 307, and 309 are the same as step S303 except that the contents displayed on the liquid crystal screen are different depending on the “level”, and steps S306, 308, and 310 perform the same processing as step S304. The contents displayed on the liquid crystal screen at “levels 2 to 4” are as follows.
"Level 2": Scenery of a cruise ship arriving in Hawaii.
“Level 3”: A scene of a cruise ship arriving in New York.
"Level 4": A view of a cruise ship arriving in London.

Step S311: Bonus internal prize?
It is determined whether or not the bonus has been internally won. If the bonus has been internally won, the process proceeds to step S312. On the other hand, if the bonus has not been internally won, for example, the cruise ship may sink or be distressed. To stop the continuous production.
Step S312: “Level 5” production The scenery of arriving near Paris, which is the final destination of the cruise ship, is displayed on a liquid crystal screen, and information indicating that a bonus has been internally awarded is notified to the player. At this time, "bonus winning!" May be displayed on the screen. Further, the types of bonuses (RB, BB, etc.) that have been internally won may be displayed on the liquid crystal screen.
Step S313: Winning in the small role?
The same processing as in step S304 is performed.

Step S314: Notification lamp lighting?
It is determined whether or not the notification lamp is in operation and is in a state such as lighting / flashing. If the notification lamp is operating, the process proceeds to step S315; otherwise, the process returns to step S312. The production "Level 5" is repeated again.
Step S315: End of continuous production In step S314, the announcement lamp is activated and the bonus internal winning state is determined, so the continuous production is ended.

Step S316: Bonus winning?
In the game, it is determined whether or not a combination of bonus pictures such as “7-7-7” is aligned on the activated pay line, and if so, the process proceeds to step S317. If the combination of bonus pictures is not completed, step S316 is repeated until the combination is completed.
Step S317: Payout of medals A predetermined number of medals are paid out to the player by a bonus prize.
Step S318: Bonus Winning Effect An effect that notifies the player that a bonus has been won is executed. Specifically, the game is energized by display on the liquid crystal screen, generation of sound effects and vibrations, lighting and blinking of lamps, and the like, and a notification is given to enhance the sense of superiority. After that, the control for executing the state of winning with a high probability only for a predetermined number of games is started.

In the above example, in order to determine the content of the continuous production, the small winning combination internal winning information in the previous game was used, but in addition to the above, as the internal information of the gaming table, the state of the difference number counter (high probability, low probability ), Actual winning combinations of small wins, types of winning small wins, and the like can be appropriately calculated to determine the content of the continuous effect. Furthermore, here, the value of “level” is increased with the progress of the game, but in order to further increase the sense of expectation of the game, the LCD screen is set to “down” once during continuous production. It can also be displayed. Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the continuous production starts at “level 1”, but depending on the type of the bonus flag that has been established, for example, the continuous production immediately starts at “level 2” or “level 3”. You may do it. Further, the level value may be increased after one game elapses as in the example of the continuous effect 2, or otherwise, for example, may be performed every elapse of a predetermined number of games. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it goes without saying that the present invention further includes the following items.

(1) The continuous performance is notified using the backlight and the liquid crystal, but in addition to this, it is particularly effective if it can appeal to the human senses, such as sound effects such as voice synthesis, a vibration device, and a seven-segment display. There is no limitation, and these devices can be combined. As a specific example, in the case of using a sound effect, the “E1” state in the continuous effect 1 is “Doremi” of the scale, the “E2” state is “Faso” of the same scale, the “E3” state is “Rashi”, or When using lamps, three lamps “E1”, “E2”, and “E3” are arranged below the notification lamps as indicators, and the indicator lamps corresponding to the type of production are turned on, or a vibrating device is used. For example, there is a method of changing the degree of vibration of the operation unit according to the type of the effect.
(2) The timing for starting the continuous production is as follows: (a) the game selected by lottery when the bonus has not been won, (b) the game in which the bonus has been internally won, and (c) the predetermined number of games from the bonus internal winning game. A game selected by lottery in the game after the lapse, and in the game after the bonus internal winning game (d).
(3) The type of continuous production, the set number of “levels”, and the probability of occurrence of continuous production can be arbitrarily set in view of the purpose of increasing the expectation of the game.

(4) In a bonus internal winning state, when a continuous effect is started, a bonus may be won at a stage before the end of the continuous effect, and the game may have a lack of interest. Therefore, the following method can be employed to avoid such inconveniences and to construct game characteristics so as to win a bonus game after the end of the continuous production.

As a first method, in the initial stage of the continuous production, the “number of sliding frames” is controlled so that the bonus pattern is aligned only by “bitter pressing”. In this case, since it is quite difficult to align all the patterns for every three reels by "bitter pushing", "missing" often occurs. Then, as the continuous production level advances, the “slip number of frames” of the reel stop control is gradually increased, that is, the bonus picture pull-in rate is changed from “bad to good”. With this method, it becomes easier to draw the bonus pattern onto the activated pay line gradually, and thus many players will achieve the bonus prize after the end of the continuous production.

As another method, a plurality of reel control data tables to be used in the continuous production are prepared, and as for the contents of each of them, "rearranged eyes" in which the reach eyes relating to the bonus pattern hardly appear even though the inside of the bonus is won. The control is performed by using a “chance eye” that is expected to receive a bonus internal prize but it is not certain whether or not the bonus internal prize has been won, and an “iron plate” that indicates that the bonus internal prize is surely received. Here, for example, a data table of “barley eyes” is used in the initial stage of the continuous production, a data table of “chance eyes” is used in the middle stage of the continuous production, and a data table of “iron plate” is used in the latter half of the continuous production. , With change. Then, the player cannot easily determine the winning flag in the early middle stage in which the continuous production is being performed, so that it is difficult to recognize that the player has internally won the bonus. Therefore, under the bonus internal winning state, in order to construct the game characteristics such that the bonus game is won after the end of the continuous production, either one of these two methods is employed, or a combination thereof is used. Many changes can be made.

(5) The timing for performing the continuous production can be performed at any timing other than that shown in the flowchart. As an example, when individual reels stop, when all reels stop, timing that does not hinder the game, or a combination of a plurality of these timings may be used.
(6) The continuous effect described in the continuous effect 1 and the continuous effect 2 is performed in the game before the activation of the bonus notification lamp, but may be performed regardless of the operation of the notification lamp. Further, in order to increase the sense of expectation of the game, it is also possible to perform a continuous effect during the bonus.
(7) In the embodiment of the present invention, the effect is controlled so that the effect changes every time one game is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same effect is maintained / notified in several consecutive games. Or, it is also possible to perform a plurality of effects even in one game, and to notify the second class such as “level 2” and “level 3”.
(8) In the embodiment of the present invention, the continuous effect has been described based on the establishment of the internal flag of the winning with the expectation of the bonus winning, but when there is a winning combination that can hold the flag other than the bonus, Needless to say, a continuous production can be similarly set for the winning combination.

As described above in detail according to the embodiments of the present invention, according to the present invention,
By providing a game console that has a function of performing continuous effects that are related to each other and that are different from each other across multiple consecutive games, it is possible for players to play games with a sense of expectation We can provide a game console that can do it. That is, according to the present invention, an effect in which the effect of the previous game is derived from the effect of the previous game is performed, or the effect of the previous game and the inside of the game console in the previous game are performed. The player can increase the fun and expectation of the game by the continuous production that the content of the production in this game is derived from the information.

Taking reel stop control as an example of a specific continuous production, if a bonus is internally won, a continuous production by reel stop control of increasing the number of sliding frames of the reel stop control with the progress of the game, The data table for controlling the reel stop is provided in a stepwise manner (a plurality of data tables) from a data table in which the reach pattern relating to the bonus pattern hardly appears to a data table in which it is known that the bonus is internally won. Then, there is a continuous production effect in which control is sequentially performed from a data table in which the reach image related to the bonus pattern hardly appears to a data table in which it is determined that the bonus is internally won.

Further, taking as an example the reel stop control when the bonus is not internally won, the number of sliding frames of the reel stop control is increased with the progress of the game, similarly to the case where the bonus is internally won. Performing control and stopping the control in the middle of continuous production or performing internal control in the data table, which is expected to be awarded internally as a bonus from the data table where the reach table related to the bonus pattern hardly appears There is a plurality of data tables in which a chance is uncertain whether or not there is a certainty, and as the game progresses, from the control using the data table in which the reach eyes related to the bonus picture hardly appear, the internal prize is sequentially won in the bonus. Are not sure if they are internally winning the bonus And controls the continuous production which Yansu first to use until the data table that appears, increase the expectation of winning of the player, it can be as interesting a game.

These continuous effects according to the present invention are not only based on reel stop control, but also as described above, such as an image display device (LCD, CRT, EL, an array of LEDs, etc.), a sound effect generator, a vibration generator, and the like. Needless to say, the present invention can be implemented by a device, a light emitting device, or the like. In addition, the timing of starting the continuous production is a predetermined number of games elapsed from the time of winning by lottery in a game in which the bonus is not internally awarded, the time of the game in which the bonus is internally awarded, or the game in which the bonus is internally awarded. And the time of winning by lottery after the game in which the bonus is internally won.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with the slot machine, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a gaming table provided with a rotating reel in a hitting game machine such as a pachinko or a game machine. Absent.

It is a perspective view of the slot machine of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a backlight according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of a slot machine control part of an embodiment of the invention. It is a flow chart which shows production control of a general slot machine. It is a flowchart for explaining the continuous production by the backlight in the case of the continuous production 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the mutual effect of the effect between continuous games in the continuous effect 1 in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the lighting on / off pattern of the backlight at the time of the continuous production of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the continuous production by the liquid crystal of the continuous production 2 in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

10 MainCPU
11 random number generator 12 medal sensor 13 stop button switch 14 start lever sensor 15 credit bet button 16 overflow sensor 17 input interface 18 ROM
19 RAM
Reference Signs List 20 motor control unit 21 hopper control unit 22 input / output interface 23 lamp control unit 24 output interface 25 output interface 30 bus S10 SubCPU
S11 ROM
S12 RAM
S13 Backlight S14 Upper display lamp S15 Output interface S16 Input interface S17 Output interface S18 Amplifier S19 Speaker S20 Output interface L10 LcdCPU
L11 ROM
L12 RAM
L13 VDP
L14 ROM
L15 output interface L16 LCD
100 slot machine 101 left reel 102 middle reel 103 right reel 104 notification amplifier 105 win lamp 106 start lamp 107 weight lamp 108 replay lamp 109 credit indicator 110 insert lamp 111 liquid crystal display 112 three-color three-digit seven-segment display 113 payout display Unit 114 effective line display lamp 115 left reel pattern display window 116 middle reel pattern display window 117 right reel pattern display window 118 medal slot 119 medal maximum three-button button 120 medal maximum two-button button 121 medal one-button button 122 medal Settlement button / credit switch button 123 Left reel stop button 124 Middle reel stop button 125 Right reel stop button 126 Start lever 127 Sound hole 128 Medal payout exit 29 medal tray 130 odds panel 131 flicker indicator (lower)
132 Flicker indicator lamp (upper)
133 stop switch 200 left backlight board 201 middle backlight board 202 right backlight board 210 backlights L1 to L9 backlights corresponding to each of the pictures seen from the reel picture display window

Claims (8)

A plurality of reels composed of a plurality of types of pictures are provided in a plurality of rows, game media is inserted, and the reels in the plurality of rows are started to move on the reel picture display window by a game start operation, and at the same time, a prize is won by internal lottery of the control unit. It is determined whether or not the reels are stopped, and for each stop operation corresponding to each reel, the respective reels are stopped and controlled so as to display the predetermined pattern combination based on the internal lottery on the reel pattern display window, and stopped. A gaming table that determines a winning from a combination of pictures on the reel picture display window and pays out a predetermined number of game media,
A game console characterized by including a function of performing a continuous effect that has different contents and is related to each other over a plurality of continuous games. The game console according to claim 1, wherein the continuous production starts at least before an operation of a notification lamp for notifying that a bonus has been internally won is performed. The continuous production is at least a production in which the production content in the current game is derived from the production content in the previous game, or the production content in the previous game and the internal information of the game console in the previous game. The game console according to claim 1, wherein the content of the effect in the game is one of effects produced. The continuous production is performed by a lottery in a game in which a bonus is not internally awarded, the game in which the bonus is internally awarded, when a predetermined number of games have elapsed from the game in which the bonus is internally awarded, and after the game in which the bonus is internally awarded. The gaming table according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the game is started at least one of timings of winning by lottery. The continuous production when the bonus is internally won, at least,
Control to increase the number of sliding frames in reel stop control as the game progresses,
Alternatively, a plurality of data tables for controlling the reel stop are provided in a stepwise manner from a data table in which the reach pattern relating to the bonus pattern hardly appears to a data table in which it is known that the bonus has been internally won. , Starting from the control using the data table in which the reach pattern relating to the bonus pattern hardly appears, to the data table using the data table in which it is known that the bonus has been internally won. The game console according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the game console is used. The continuous production when the bonus is not internally won, at least,
Control to increase the number of sliding frames in the reel stop control with the progress of the game,
Alternatively, the data table that controls the reel stop may be expected from the data table that rarely appears to reach the bonus picture from the data table that the bonus is internally won, but the chance is uncertain whether the bonus is internally won or not. From the control using the data table in which the reach pattern related to the bonus pattern hardly appears with the progress of the game. 5. The control according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control is started by any one of the control using a data table in which a chance is not certain whether or not an internal prize has been won. The gaming table described in. The method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous effect is at least one of an image display device, a sound effect generator, a vibration generator device, and a light emitting device. The gaming table described. The gaming table according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gaming table is a slot machine.

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