JP2004166971A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a player from losing interest by giving the player a certain thrill even if the occurrence of a random number is reported. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine 10 has three reels 20 for varyingly displaying symbols that are driven by a stepping motor 21, a stop button 34 directing a stop of varying display to stop and a drawing section carrying out a lot drawing for winning or failing to win a combination . a special random number generating means 72 generating random numbers within a range corresponding to all random number divisions set for each pattern stopping mode in a prescribed combination, a random number extraction means extracting random numbers generated at a prescribed time when a player is making game operations and a second drawing section made up of a winning judgment section 64 judging which random number division a random number extracted corresponds to, and a timing display means 38 reporting the time when a random number corresponding at least to some random number divisions from a plurality of random number divisions is being generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

表１に示すように、当該判別用テーブルには、「ＢＢ」、「ＲＢ」、「小役（チェリー、プラム、ベル）」、「ＲＰ」および「外れ」の各項目毎に乱数の区分が記憶されている。そして、入賞判定処理部６４は、遊技者が始動レバー３３を操作した瞬間に入力された操作信号に基いて、そのとき一般乱数発生手段７１から出力された乱数がどの区分に対応するかを判別し、その遊技操作が賞に当選したか、あるいは落選（外れ）であったかを判定するようになっている。
【００７９】
特に「小役」については、「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」の全てを含むグループとして「小役」が設定されている。当該グループとしての「小役」の乱数区分は、本実施形態においては、「５４０〜２６５３９」が採用されている。
【００８０】
すなわち、一般乱数発生手段７１が発生する乱数が「５４０〜２６５３９」の範囲内のものである場合には、一旦グループとしての「小役」に当選するのである。そして、一旦「小役」に当選した後に、「小役」の構成要素である「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」の内のいずれであるかについては、別途設けられた特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数に基いて決められる。
【００８１】
具体的には、一般乱数発生手段７１を用いた抽選で「小役」に当選すると、特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数によって、「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」のいずれかが決められるようになされている。
【００８２】
かかる特殊乱数発生手段７２は、「０」から「２５５」までの数値が循環的に変化するようになされている。本実施形態においては、「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」のそれぞれについての乱数区分として、表２および図４に示すように、「チェリー」は「０〜１２７」、「プラム」は「１２８〜２２３」、「ベル」は「２２４〜２５５」がそれぞれ設定されている。
【００８３】
なお、「チェリー」とは、有効ラインの左側に「チェリー」図柄が停止し得る図柄停止態様であり、「プラム」とは、有効ラインに３つの「プラム」図柄が揃い得る図柄停止態様であり、「ベル」とは、有効ラインに３つの「ベル」図柄が揃い得る図柄停止態様であり、これらは、リール停止制御の制御内容によっていずれかが実行されるようになっている。
【００８４】
【表２】

かかる特殊乱数発生手段７２は、乱数値が一般乱数発生手段７１の場合よりも相当遅い時間ピッチで変化するようになされている。本実施形態においては、一般乱数発生手段７１は、数値変化（「０〜３５５３５」）の１サイクルが「１／３００００」秒（０．０３３ｍｓｅｃ）に設定されているのに対し、特殊乱数発生手段７２は、数値変化（「０〜２５５」）の１サイクルが０．５秒以上（本実施形態では２．５６秒）に設定されている。
【００８５】
なお、表１および表２には、備考欄に各項目毎の「乱数の個数」および「確率（％）」を記載しているが、これらの数値はＲＯＭ６８に記憶されている訳ではなく、参考のために示している。
【００８６】
以下、賞成立の仕組みについて具体例を挙げて説明する。図４に示す例では、通常遊技モードにおいて、始動レバー３３が操作された直後に一般乱数発生手段７１が「１８５００」という乱数を発生させた状態を模式的に示している。この乱数値「１８５００」は「５４０」〜「２６５３９」を範囲とする「小役」に対応するため、入賞判定処理部６４は、このときの始動レバー３３の操作で「小役」に当選したと判定するのである。
【００８７】
そして、一般乱数発生手段７１によって「小役」に当選したと判定されると、今度は、特殊乱数発生手段７２が用いられて小役の内の「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」の内のいずれに当選するかが決められる。この決定は、遊技者が例えば左ストップボタン３４Ｌを操作した時点での特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生している乱数値によって行われる。図４に示す例では、遊技者が左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦したとき特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生した乱数が「２５０」であり、これによって「ベル」に当選したことを例示している。
【００８８】
但し、ここで賞に当選してもリール表示窓１５の有効ラインに図柄が揃わなければ賞成立とはならない。そして賞に当選すると、ステッピングモータ２１が駆動制御部６１からの制御信号に基いて当該賞当選を成立させるように停止する、いわゆる引込み制御（例えばストップボタン３４を操作した時点でリール表示窓１５の４コマ手前以内に目的の図柄が位置しているような場合、当該図柄を停止ラインＬにまで強制的に引き込むような制御）が実行されるため、通常の集中力でストップボタン３４を操作する限り賞が成立する。賞に当選していない場合には、これとは逆に図柄が合わないように制御される。
【００８９】
因みに、「ベル」は、５コマ間隔以内で全リール２０全周に配置されているため、引き込み率は１００％であり、したがって、「ベル」に当選すれば、どのタイミングでストップボタン３４を操作しても賞が成立することになる。
【００９０】
そして、一般乱数発生手段７１のみで決まる賞（「ＢＢ」賞、「ＲＢ」賞、「ＲＰ」賞）や、一般乱数発生手段７１および特殊乱数発生手段７２の二段階で決まる賞（小役の「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」）のいずれかの賞が成立した場合にはその種類に応じて所定のフラグ（制御装置内で実行される各種の処理の内のどの処理を実行するかを決めるための目印）が付与される（いわゆるフラグが立つ）。この状態で第２の遊技処理である図柄合せの当り・外れが入賞判定処理部６４により判定され、当った場合（すなわち賞が成立した場合）にのみ予め設定された枚数のメダルを払い出すための制御信号がメダル送出機構４３ａ（図２）に向けて出力され、これによるメダル送出機構４３ａの駆動で所定枚数のメダルがメダル貸出装置４３から受け皿４４に払い出される。払い出されるメダルの枚数（配当）は、本実施形態においては表１に示すように設定されている。また、通常遊技モードで小役に当選した場合に立ったフラグは、小役が成立したか否かに拘らず１ゲーム（始動レバー３３を操作してからストップボタン３４の押釦完了までを１ゲームという）が終了した時点で消滅する。
【００９１】
特別賞（ＢＢ賞またはＲＢ賞）が成立した場合にはメダルの払い出しが行われ、遊技モードは通常遊技モードから遊技者に有利な特別遊技モード（ＢＢ遊技モードまたはＲＢ遊技モード）に変更され、所定の条件が満足されるまでの間この特別遊技モードで遊技が行われることになる。
【００９２】
前記ＲＢ遊技モードは、ボーナスゲームを１回のみ行うことができる遊技モードである。ボーナスゲームとは、非常に高い確率（例えば９０％）に設定された賞成立（一般的には、ＲＰ図柄が揃うことで賞成立とされる。ここでのＲＰ成立は通常遊技モードでのＲＰとは異なる。）で１５枚のメダルの払い出しを受けるゲームを８ゲームまで実行し得るものである。因みに賞成立が８ゲームに満たない場合であっても、当り外れを合わせて１２ゲームが消化されるとボーナスゲームは終了する。
【００９３】
前記ＢＢ遊技モードは、前記ボーナスゲームを例えば３回実行するか、あるいは非常に高い確率（例えば７５％）で小役に入賞するように設定された小役ゲームを３０回実行するかのいずれかが満足されるまでゲームを継続し得るように設定された遊技モードである。なお、ＢＢ遊技モードにおける小役ゲーム実行中にＲＰ図柄が揃うと（この場合のＲＰ成立は通常遊技モードでのＲＰとは異なる。）、１５枚のメダルの払い出しを受けた上でボーナスゲームに移行するようになされている。
【００９４】
前記役物制御処理部６５は、遊技が特別遊技モードに設定されている場合に、この特別遊技モードの終了を判定するものである。特別遊技モードについては、その種類に応じて固有の終了条件（例えばＢＢ遊技モードの場合、ゲームの継続数が例えば３０回になればこの遊技モードが終了となる等）が予め設定されてＲＯＭ６８に記憶されており、この終了条件が満たされた時点で特別遊技モードが終了と判定され、立っていた特別賞フラグが倒される（特別賞フラグの付与が中止される）。
【００９５】
前記タイミング報知処理部６６は、遊技の実行中に予め設定された所定の条件（以下、特殊遊技条件という）が成立したときに、それを判別して特殊乱数発生手段７２から発せられた乱数の値を報知するように制御するものであり、特殊遊技実行条件の成立でタイミング報知処理部６６からタイミング表示手段３８に向けて制御信号が出力され、これによってタイミング表示手段３８が乱数の発生に同期して動作するようになされている。また、遊技者には、タイミング表示手段３８が動作したときの乱数値が何であり、この乱数値が発生しているときにゲーム操作を行うとどの賞に当選するかを予め知らせてある。
【００９６】
具体的には、特殊遊技実行条件が成立することによって特殊遊技モードが設定され、一般乱数発生手段７１によって「小役」に当選したことを前提としてタイミング報知処理部６６からの制御信号によって発光器３８ａが発光するようになされている。この発光は、表３に示すように、特殊乱数発生手段７２の乱数発生に同期しながら右から左に向けて順次移動していくようになっている。
【００９７】
【表３】

特殊乱数発生手段７２は、乱数の数値変化の１サイクルが０．５秒以上であるため、遊技者が把握できる程度の乱数発生間隔であり、当該乱数値の変化を表３に示すように表示すれば、遊技者が当該表示を視認しながらストップボタン３４の押釦タイミングをとることが容易になり、これによって所望の乱数にヒットさせることが可能になる。
【００９８】
すなわち、本実施形態においては、特殊遊技モードが設定されている間に「小役」に当選すれば、タイミング表示手段３８の発光器３８ａの発光が右端のものから順番に左隣の発光器３８ａに向けて移っていき、左端の発光器３８ａが発光した後は右端の発光器３８ａに戻り、以後かかる発光の移動が繰り返されるようになっているため、遊技者は発光の移動を目で追うことができるとともに、所望の発光器３８ａの発光にタイミングに合わせてストップボタン３４を押釦操作することができ、これによって「チェリー」や「プラム」に比して有利な（メダルの払い出し枚数の多い）「ベル」を積極的に狙うことができる。
【００９９】
そして、特殊遊技モードによるゲーム実行が予め設定された所定回数を過ぎると、特殊遊技モードは解除されるようになっている。
【０１００】
（第１実施形態）
以下、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理について説明する。第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理は、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了した後の複数ゲームについて実行され得る。具体的には、ＢＢ遊技モードによる遊技が開始されるに当り（あるいは終了した時点に当り）確率が１／２の抽選が行われ、これに当ると特殊遊技実行条件が成立して特殊遊技モードが設定される。この特殊遊技モードにおいて小役に当選すると当選タイミングが報知される。特殊遊技モードは所定回数（例えば１００回）設定される。
【０１０１】
以下、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理について図５を基に詳細に説明する。図５は、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理の一実施形態を示すフローチャートである。このフローチャートは、ＢＢ遊技モードによる遊技が終了した直後から実行されるものである。したがって、当該フローチャートに入るまでにＢＢ遊技モードが終了した直後であることが予め判別されている。
【０１０２】
すなわち、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了するとタイミング報知のためのフローがスタートされ、まず、ステップＳ１で当選のタイミング報知を報知するか否かの抽選が実行される。この抽選の当選確率は１／２に設定されている。ついで、この抽選の結果が当選か否かが判別され（Ｓ２）、当選の場合には特殊遊技モードであることを示すフラグが立てられ（オンされ）た上で（Ｓ３）、残回数カウンタＮに初期値の「１００」が設定され（Ｓ４）、引き続き始動レバー３３が操作されたか否かが判別される（Ｓ５）。これに対し、ステップＳ２で非当選の場合にはステップＳ３およびステップＳ４が実行されることなくステップＳ５に飛ばされる。
【０１０３】
そして、ステップＳ５で始動レバー３３が操作されたＹＥＳのときには、入賞判定処理部６４において先に表１および図３を基に説明したような一般乱数発生手段７１を用いる抽選処理が実行される（Ｓ６）。ついで、この抽選で小役に当選したか否かが問われ（Ｓ７）、小役に当選した場合には、特殊遊技モードフラグがオンされているか否かが判別される（Ｓ８）。
【０１０４】
そして、小役に当選している場合には、ステップＳ９において当選タイミングの報知が開始され、特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数に基いてタイミング表示手段３８（図１）の発光器３８ａは、表３に示すように、右端のものから順番に左に向かって点灯が移動していく。したがって、遊技者は、どの発光器３８ａが点灯しているかによって特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生した乱数値を知ることができるとともに、所望の小役（例えばベル）に当選するタイミングを知ることができ、このタイミングに合わせてストップボタン３４を操作し得るようになる。
【０１０５】
ついで、最初のストップボタン３４（本実施形態では３つストップボタン３４Ｌ，３４Ｃ，３４Ｒの内の左ストップボタン３４Ｌを最初に押釦するように決められている。）が押釦される（Ｓ１０）と、小役の振り分け抽選が行われ（Ｓ１１）、現に押釦したときに点灯していた発光器３８ａに対応するベルなどの小役の賞成立が予定される。
【０１０６】
ついで第２番目のストップボタン３４の押釦（Ｓ１２）、および第３番目のストップボタン３４の押釦（Ｓ１３）が完了すると、引き込み制御との関連で前記賞成立が予定されていた小役が略１００％の確率で成立し、タイミング表示手段３８によるタイミング報知が終了する（Ｓ１４）。
【０１０７】
引き続きステップＳ１５において特殊遊技モードフラグが立っているか（オンであるか）否かが問われ、フラグが立っている場合にはつぎのステップＳ１６で残回数カウンタＮから１が減ぜられる（Ｎ＝Ｎ−１）。ついで、残回数カウンタＮが「０」であるか否かが問われ（Ｓ１７）、「Ｎ＝０」の場合（すなわち１００回のタイミング報知が完了した場合）には特殊遊技モードフラグが下ろされ（クリアされ）た（Ｓ１８）のちステップＳ１９が実行される。
【０１０８】
そして、上記ステップＳ１５で特殊遊技モードフラグが立っていないと判別された場合、および前記ステップＳ１７で残回数カウンタＮが「０」でない場合には、いずれもステップＳ１９に飛ばされる。
【０１０９】
また、上記ステップＳ７の抽選において小役に当選しなかった場合には、ステップＳ２５において全ストップボタン３４が押釦されたか否かが問われ、全ストップボタン３４の押釦が検出された後、ステップＳ８〜ステップＳ１８がスキップされてステップＳ１９に飛ばされる。
【０１１０】
ステップＳ１９においては、実際の各リール２０Ｌ，２０Ｃ，２０Ｒの図柄の配列が当りになっているか否か、すなわち賞が成立しているか否かが問われる。賞成立と判別された場合には、どの賞が成立しているかや、成立した賞に対応したメダルを払い出す等の入賞判定処理が実行され（Ｓ２０）、引き続きステップＳ２１で設定された遊技モードが継続中であるか否かなどの所定の役物制御処理が実行される。
【０１１１】
この役物制御処理において特殊遊技モードフラグが立っているか否かが問われ、特殊遊技モードフラグが立っている場合にはステップＳ５に戻される一方、同フラグが下ろされている場合、すなわち当選タイミングがタイミング表示手段３８により報知されつつ行う遊技が合計１００回実行されてしまった場合にはリターンに移行して通常の遊技処理に戻される。
【０１１２】
このように、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理においては、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了した後の遊技において１／２の確率で当選タイミングを報知する報知モード（特殊遊技モード）に当選するようになされており、しかも、このタイミング報知モード（特殊遊技モード）に設定されると、実質的に小役に１００回当選するまで当該報知モードが継続されるため、遊技者は、小役の内でも配当が最も多い「ベル」賞を容易に狙うことが可能になり、これによってより多くのメダルを獲得することができる。したがって、「チェリー」賞や「プラム」賞ばかりが成立することにより思うようにメダルを増やし得ないという不満が解消される。
【０１１３】
（第２実施形態）
以下、第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理について説明する。第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理は、ＢＢ遊技モードでの小役ゲームの実行中にＲＰ図柄（ボーナスゲームシフト図柄）に当選した際に実行される。すなわち、第２実施形態は、ボーナスゲームが３回消化されてしまえば、小役ゲーム数が多く残った状態でＢＢ遊技モードが終了し、これによって遊技者がより多くのメダルを獲得する機会を逸失してしまうことに鑑み、遊技者のかかる機会損失を救済するためのものであり、ＢＢ遊技モードでの最後（３回目）の小役ゲーム中にＲＰ図に当選しても、これが成立しないようなリール制御が実行されるタイミングを報知するものである。そしてこのタイミングが報知されると、遊技者はこの報知に従ってＲＰ成立を避けることができ、これによっていわゆるリプレイ外しが成功することになる。
【０１１４】
すなわち、ＢＢ遊技モードでの最後（３回目）の小役ゲームの実行中に、ＲＰ図柄に当選した際、所定の確率（例えば１／２の確率）で抽選が行われ、これに当選すると、第１実施形態と同様、特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数の発生状況がタイミング表示手段３８によって表示されるようになっている。
【０１１５】
図６は、リール表示窓１５におけるＲＰ図柄の配列状態（図柄停止態様）を示すＲＰ図柄配列図であり、（イ）は下段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列１、（ロ）は上段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列２、（ハ）は中段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列３、（ニ）は左上から右下に掛けてＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列４、（ホ）は左下から右上に掛けてＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列５、（ヘ）はＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃わない配列６をそれぞれ示している。また、表４は、ＲＰ図柄の各配列に対応した乱数区分を示すテーブルである。これらは、リール停止制御の制御内容によっていずれかが実行されるようになっている。
【０１１６】
【表４】

【０１１７】
表４に示す例では、乱数値が「０〜１５９」の場合に配列１〜配列５のいずれかの配列でＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う（ＲＰが成立する）ようにリールが停止制御されるのに対し、乱数値が「１６０〜２５５」の場合は、配列６の配列でＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃わないようにリールが停止制御される。すなわち、特殊乱数発生手段７２が「１６０〜２５５」の範囲内の乱数を発生した時点に遊技者がストップボタン３４を操作すれば、ＲＰ図柄が揃わない、いわゆるリプレイ外しを成功させることができる。
【０１１８】
かかるリプレイ外しを遊技者に誘導するために、本実施形態においては、ＲＰ図柄に当選した場合、特殊乱数発生手段７２の発生乱数に対応して発光器３８ａの発光が、表５に示すように、右から順番に切り換っていくようにし、これによってＲＰ外しを行い得るタイミングを遊技者に報知するようにしている。
【０１１９】
【表５】

【０１２０】
したがって、遊技者がこの報知に基いてタイミングを取りながらストップボタン３４を操作することによりＲＰが成立することはなく、いわゆるリプレイ外しが行われ、これによってボーナスゲームに移行することなくＢＢ遊技モードでの小役ゲームが続行される。
【０１２１】
因みに、本実施形態においては、乱数値の表示は、表５に示すように６区分であるため、発光器３８ａの設置個数は図１に示す８個に代えて６個とされるのが通常であるが、８個のままとした上で電気的なスイッチングによりいずれか２個が点灯しないようにしてもよい。
【０１２２】
以下、図７を基に第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理についてさらに詳細に説明する。図７は、第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理のフローを示すフローチャートである。なお、このフローチャートにおいては、特別遊技モードの最後の（例えば３回目の）小役ゲームに突入した時点からスタートされるものを示している。
【０１２３】
まず、ステップＳ３０において、タイミング報知を報知するか否かの抽選が実行される。この抽選の当選確率は１／２に設定されている。ついで、この抽選の結果が当選か否かが判別され（Ｓ３１）、当選の場合にはタイミングを報知することを示すフラグ（タイミング報知フラグ）が立てられ（オンされ）た上で（Ｓ３２）、ステップ３３へ移行する。これに対し、ステップＳ３１で外れの場合には、タイミング報知フラグがオンされることなくステップＳ３３へ飛ばされる。
【０１２４】
ついで、ステップＳ３３で始動レバー３３が操作されたか否かが判別され、始動レバー３３の操作が検出されると、一般乱数発生手段７１を用いた抽選処理が実施される（Ｓ３４）。この抽選の結果ＲＰ図柄（ボーナスゲーム図柄）に当選したか否かが問われ（Ｓ３５）、当該抽選に当選しなかった場合には、リターンに飛ばされて小役ゲームが続行されるのに対し、ＲＰ図柄に当選した場合には以下のタイミング報知処理が実行されることになる。
【０１２５】
すなわち、ステップＳ３５でＲＰに当選すると、タイミング報知フラグがオンであるか（立っているか）否かが問われ（Ｓ３６）、当該フラグが立っている場合には先に表５に基いて説明したような発光器３８ａによるタイミング報知が実行され（Ｓ３７）た後にステップＳ３８に移るのに対し、当選タイミングフラグが立っていない場合にはステップＳ３７をスキップしてステップＳ３８へ飛ばされる。
【０１２６】
そして、ステップＳ３８では、ストップボタン３４の内、まず最初に左ストップボタン３４Ｌが操作されるが、このとき遊技者は、表５に示す発光器３８ａの発光移動を視認してタイミングを取りながらＲＰを成立させるかＲＰ外しにするかを選択することができる。すなわち、ＲＰを成立させようと思えば、最右側〜最左側から２番目までの発光器３８ａが点灯しているときに左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦すればよく、ＲＰ外しを行おうとすれば最左側の発光器３８ａが点灯するタイミングに合わせて左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦すればよい。
【０１２７】
ついで、ステップＳ３９において、特殊乱数発生手段７２からの乱数値に応じたＲＰ図柄のリール停止配列の種類がリール停止制御選択テーブル（表４）から選択される。例えば遊技者が最左側の発光器３８ａが点灯しているタイミングで左ストップボタン３４Ｌ押釦した場合（表５参照）には、特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数は「１６０〜２５５」の内のいずれかであるため、ＲＰ図柄は、表４および図６の（ヘ）に示すＲＰ外しの配列６が選択されることになる。
【０１２８】
そして、ステップＳ４０では左リール２０Ｌの引き込み制御が実行され、ステップＳ４１で２番目のストップボタン３４が押釦されると、これに対応したリール２０の引き込み制御が実行され（Ｓ４２）、ステップＳ４３で３番目のストップボタン３４が押釦されると、これに対応したリール２０の引き込み制御が実行される（Ｓ４４）。これらステップＳ４０，４１，４３における引き込み制御によって、遊技者が左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦したときに点灯していた発光器３８ａに対応する配列で３つのリール２０Ｌ，２０Ｃ，２０Ｒが停止する。
【０１２９】
ステップＳ４４の引き込み制御が完了すると、タイミング報知処理が終了し（Ｓ４５）、その後リターンに移る。なお、ステップＳ３５で一般乱数発生手段７１による抽選の結果ＲＰ図柄に当選しなかった場合には、ステップＳ４６において全てのストップボタン３４が押釦された後にリターンへ飛ばされる。
【０１３０】
以上詳述したように、第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理によれば、遊技モードがＢＢ遊技モードに設定された状態で一般乱数発生手段７１による抽選の結果ＲＰ図柄に当選した場合、ＲＰを成立させるか、あるいはＲＰを成立させない、いわゆるＲＰ外しを行うかを遊技者の判断に委ねることが可能になるため、ゲームがより面白味の増したものになるとともに、ＲＰ外しを効果的に行うことにより、ＢＢ遊技モードを通じてより多くのメダルを獲得することが可能になる。
【０１３１】
なお、第２実施形態においては、特殊乱数発生手段７２として第１実施形態で用いられるものが共用されているが、こうする代わりに、第１実施形態のものとは別に第２実施形態専用の特殊乱数発生手段を採用してもよい。
【０１３２】
（第３実施形態）
以下、第３実施形態のタイミング報知処理について説明する。第３実施形態のタイミング報知処理は、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理の変形例というべきものであり、ＢＢ賞に基づく特別遊技モードの小役ゲームにおいて、特殊遊技モードが設定される態様である。
【０１３３】
すなわち、第１実施形態においては、一般乱数発生手段７１による抽選でＢＢ賞が成立したとき、当該ＢＢ賞に基く特別遊技モードが終了した後の所定回数のゲームにおいて、小役に当選した状態で特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生した乱数値を表示するようにし、乱数値と小役の構成要素である「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」との対応関係から所望の賞（例えば「ベル」を成立させ得るようになされているが、本実施形態においては、特別遊技モードの小役ゲームにおいて「小役」に当選した場合、その都度所定の確率（例えば１／２の確率）で特殊乱数発生手段７２の発生乱数を表示するようにしている点が第１実施形態と相違している。
【０１３４】
具体的には、ＢＢの特別遊技モードの小役ゲームにおいて「小役」賞に当選した上で１／２の確率の抽選に当選する都度タイミング報知モードが設定され、表３に示すように、発光器３８ａの点灯が特殊乱数発生手段７２の発生する乱数値に応じて所定の時間ピッチで右から左へ移っていくようになされている。
【０１３５】
第３実施形態のタイミング報知処理によれば、ＢＢ賞成立による特別遊技モードにおいて、小役の当選でより有利な「ベル」賞を成立させる確率が大幅に上昇し、これによって特別遊技モードでの遊技が遊技者をより満足させ得るものになる。
【０１３６】
（第４実施形態）
第４実施形態の当選タイミング報知処理は、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了した直後のゲームにおいて、所定の確率（例えば１／１０の確率）で当選した場合、１回だけＢＢ賞またはＲＢ賞の当選に対応した一般乱数発生手段７１による乱数発生のタイミングを報知するものである。
【０１３７】
この場合、本実施形態においては、一般乱数発生手段７１の乱数発生周期（「０〜６５５３５」を１周として乱数が循環発生される場合の１周に費やされる時間）が略１０秒に設定される。そして、ＢＢ入賞として乱数の「０〜３００」が割り当てられ、ＲＢ入賞として乱数の「３０１〜５００」が割り当てられ、その他（外れを含む）として乱数の「５０１〜６５５３５」が割り当てられる。
【０１３８】
そして、「０〜５００」の範囲内の乱数が発生されているときに発光器３８ａ（この場合発光器３８ａは１つのみが採用される）が発光するように当該発光器３８ａの発光タイミング設定される。
【０１３９】
したがって、特別入賞（ＢＢ入賞およびＲＢ入賞の双方）に対応した乱数が発生している時間は０．０７６秒（１０秒÷６５５３６×５０１＝０．０７６秒）となり、１０秒間の内の発光器３８ａが点灯した０．０７６秒の間に左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦すれば、ＢＢ入賞またはＲＢ入賞に当選することができる。
【０１４０】
なお、一般乱数発生手段７１の乱数発生の周期は、１０秒であることに限定されるものではなく、状況に応じて１０秒以下にしてもよいし、１０秒を越えてもよい。また、一般乱数発生手段７１の本来的な乱数発生周期である「１／３００００秒」をそのまま採用し、その代わり一般乱数発生手段７１が３００００回循環する度に発光器３８ａを発光させるようにしてもよい。このようにすれば、発光器３８ａは１秒間に１回瞬間的に発光するため、遊技者は発光器３８ａの発光にタイミングを合わせて左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦操作することができ、これによってＢＢあるいはＲＢ入賞を狙うことが可能になる。
【０１４１】
本発明は、前記の実施形態に限定されるものではなく、以下の内容をも包含するものである。
【０１４２】
（１）上記の第１〜第３実施形態においては、小役当選の度に当該小役の要素である「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」の内の配当枚数が多い「ベル」への当選を誘導するために、特殊乱数発生手段７２（図４）が「ベル」に対応した乱数（「２３４〜２５５」）を発生している間だけ１つの発光器３８ａ（他の発光器３８ａは消灯したままとするか、あるいは当初から発光器３８ａを１つのみ採用する）を、表６に示すような発光タイミングで発光させるようにしてもよい。また、これとは逆に、普段は発光器３８ａを発光させるようにしておき、タイミング報知のときに発光器３８ａを消灯させるようにしてもよい。
【０１４３】
【表６】

すなわち、表６に示すように、特殊乱数発生手段７２が「ベル」当選に対応した乱数２２４〜２５５を発生している間のみ、発光器３８ａを発光させるようにしているため、結局、２．５６秒に１回、０．３２秒間だけ発光器３８ａが点灯するため、遊技者はこの点灯タイミングに合わせて左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦操作することにより、「ベル」に当選させることができる。
【０１４４】
そして、各リール２０Ｌ，２０Ｃ，２０Ｒに「ベル」の図柄を最大５コマ間隔で設けておけば、一旦「ベル」に当選すれば４コマ前の図柄を有効な停止ラインＬに引き込む引込み制御が実行されることにより、各ストップボタン３４Ｌ，３４Ｃ，３４Ｒの全てを押釦すれば、必ず図柄の「ベル」が揃うベル賞が成立することになる。
【０１４５】
かかるタイミング報知を行うことにより、特殊遊技モードにおいて、遊技者にとって有利な配当を受けることができる「ベル」に１００％の確率で入賞させることが可能となり、遊技者にさらなる満足感を与えることができる。
【０１４６】
（２）上記の実施形態においては、始動レバー３３を操作したときに各種の抽選が実行されるようになされているが、本発明は、始動レバー３３の操作時に抽選が行われることに限定されるものではなく、メダル投入口３１からメダルが投入された時点、ＢＥТボタン３２が押釦された時点、あるいは各ストップボタン３４Ｌ，３４Ｃ，３４Ｒの内のいずれかが最初に押釦された時点などに抽選が実行されるようにしてもよい。、
【０１４７】
（３）上記の第１実施形態においては、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了した直後に１／２の確率でタイミング報知を行うか否かの抽選が実行されるようにし、当該抽選に当選した場合のみ以後の複数ゲームについてタイミング報知が行われるようにしているが、本発明は、前記確率が１／２であることに限定されるものではなく、例えば、１／５〜１／２の範囲内の確率を採用したり、あるいはそれ以外の確率を採用してもよい。
【０１４８】
ストップボタン３４が押釦された時点で一般乱数発生手段７１から乱数が抽出されて抽選が実行される場合、そのストップボタン３４以降に押釦されるストップボタン３４が押釦された時点で特殊乱数発生手段７２から乱数が抽出されるようにする必要がある。
【０１４９】
（４）上記の第１実施形態においては、賞当選のタイミング報知を行う遊技モードは１００ゲームとされているが、１００ゲームに限定されるものではなく、１００ゲーム未満であってもよいし、１００ゲームを超えてもよい。また、１／１の確率、すなわちＢＢ遊技モードの終了後、無条件に特殊遊技モードが設定されるようにしてもよい。
【０１５０】
（５）上記の第１実施形態においては、小役賞当選のタイミングを報知するタイミング報知は、ＢＢ遊技モードの終了後が要件とされているが、本願発明は、ＢＢ遊技モード終了後がタイミング報知の要件とすることに限定されるものではなく、ＲＢ遊技モードの終了後や通常遊技モード時にタイミング報知を行うようにしてもよい。
【０１５１】
（６）上記の第３実施形態において、小役に当選する毎にタイミング報知を行うか否かを抽選するのではなく、ＢＢ成立時に所定の確率（例えば１／２）で抽選を行い、当選すればＢＢ遊技モードの全小役ゲームに特殊遊技モードを設定するようにしてもよい。これはいわゆる「ノーマルビッグ」に対するいわゆる「スーパービッグ」というものである。
【０１５２】
（７）上記の各実施形態においては、タイミング表示手段３８の制御は、メイン制御部６０によって行われるようになっているが、こうする代わりにメイン制御部６０から出力される各種の信号を受けて機能するサブ制御部を設け、このサブ制御部によってタイミング表示手段３８のタイミング表示を制御するようにしてもよい。
【０１５３】
この制御を行うために、メイン制御部６０に設けられているタイミング報知処理部６６をサブ制御部へ移し、このタイミング報知処理部６６によりタイミング表示手段３８が制御される。タイミング制御を行うために用いられる特殊乱数発生手段７２（第１〜第３実施形態）は、メイン制御部６０にのみ設けるケースと、メイン制御部６０およびサブ制御部の双方に設けるケースとがある。
【０１５４】
特殊乱数発生手段７２がメイン制御部６０にのみ設けられた場合には、特殊乱数発生手段７２が乱数を発生させる都度、当該乱数をサブ制御部へ向けて出力する必要がある。
【０１５５】
これに対し、メイン制御部６０およびサブ制御部の双方に同一構成の特殊乱数発生手段７２をそれぞれ設けた場合には、例えば電源を立ち上げたときに、メイン制御部６０からサブ制御部へ向けて１回だけ乱数値を出力し、この乱数値を始点にしてサブ制御部の特殊乱数発生手段７２を駆動させるようにすれば、二つの特殊乱数発生手段の同期が執れて、以後、メイン制御部６０からサブ制御部へ向けて乱数信号を出力することなくタイミング表示手段３８によるタイミング表示を制御することができる。
【０１５６】
（８）上記の第１〜第３実施形態において、特殊乱数発生手段７２を、乱数発生の周期（乱数発生間隔）が異なる第１特殊乱数発生手段と第２特殊乱数発生手段とで構成し、第１特殊乱数発生手段は、始動レバー３３が操作された時点から左ストップボタン３４Ｌが押釦されるまでの間（すなわち遊技者が遊技操作を行っている遊技実行期間）の乱数抽出に使用する一方、第２特殊乱数発生手段は、左ストップボタン３４Ｌの押釦が終了してからつぎの始動レバー３３の操作までの間（すなわち遊技者が遊技操作を行っていない遊技非実行期間）の乱数発生に使用するようにしてもよい。
【０１５７】
そして、第１特殊乱数発生手段７２は、第２特殊乱数発生手段より乱数発生周期の長いものが採用される。因みに本実施形態においては、第１特殊乱数発生手段は、「０〜２５５」の乱数を１周が０．５秒以上で発生させるのに対し、第２特殊乱数発生手段は、「０〜２５５」の乱数を１周が略１／３００００秒で発生させるものが採用されている。
【０１５８】
このように、特殊乱数発生手段７２を第１特殊乱数発生手段と第２特殊乱数発生手段７２とで構成することにより、始動レバー３３の操作で開始され、左ストップボタン３４Ｌの押釦で終了となる第１特殊乱数発生手段の発生乱数の発生状態が、第１特殊乱数発生手段より乱数発生速度の速い、すなわち第１特殊乱数発生手段と同期していない第２特殊乱数発生手段に影響されるため、第２特殊乱数発生手段は、その乱数発生状況が各回毎で不規則なものとなる。従って、第１特殊乱数発生手段のみでは遊技者が所望の賞に対応した乱数が発生するタイミングを知得することができるという不都合が生じるが、第１および第２特殊乱数発生手段を用いることによりかかる不都合を確実に防止することができる。
【０１５９】
以上、特殊乱数発生手段７２を第１および第２特殊乱数発生手段で構成することに関し、メイン制御部６０のみでタイミング制御が行われる場合について説明したが、サブ制御部が採用される場合であって、サブ制御部に特殊乱数発生手段が設けられていない場合には、メイン制御部６０の第１特殊乱数発生手段が発生した乱数の値は、サブ制御部のタイミング報知処理部へ向けて出力され、これによってタイミング表示手段３８によるタイミング表示制御が実行される。
【０１６０】
これに対し、サブ制御部にもメイン制御部６０のものと同様の第１特殊乱数発生手段（特殊乱数発生手段７２）が設けられている場合には、左ストップボタン３４Ｌが操作されたときにメイン制御部６０側の第１特殊乱数発生手段で発生した乱数値がサブ制御部側の第１特殊乱数発生手段へ向けて出力され、以後、この乱数値を初期値としてサブ制御部側の第１特殊乱数発生手段も乱数を発生させるように構成される。これによってメイン制御部６０側の第１特殊乱数発生手段とサブ制御部側の第１特殊乱数発生手段とは互いに同期しながら同一の乱数を発生することになる。
【０１６１】
（９）上記の実施形態においては、タイミング表示手段３８として複数の発光器３８ａが横方向に並設されてなるものを例に挙げて説明したが、本発明のタイミング表示手段は、複数の発光器３８ａを横方向に並設してなるものに限定されるものではなく、各種のタイミング表示手段を挙げることができる。
【０１６２】
まず、タイミング表示手段の第１変形例として、円形発光器３８ｂ（図１）を挙げることができる。この円形発光器３８ｂは、中心角が等しい複数の単位発光器からなり、これらの単位発光器が時計回りあるいは反時計回りに順番に点灯していくことによりストップボタン３４の操作タイミングを報知するものである。図１に示す例では、円形発光器３８ｂは、中央パネル１４のリール表示窓１５より上部の左右対称位置および同下部の貯留メダル枚数表示器３５ａより左側の位置のいずれかに設けられる。
【０１６３】
第２変形例のタイミング表示手段は、各ストップボタン３４Ｌ，３４Ｃ，３４Ｒの内のいずれか（例えば左ストップボタン３４Ｌ）が兼用される。具体的には、左ストップボタン３４Ｌの上面は光透過材料によって形成されるとともに、内部に発光器が内装され、タイミング報知は発光器の点滅によって行われる。そして、左ストップボタン３４Ｌが光るタイミングに合わせて当該左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦すれば、所望の結果（「ベル」所当選やＲＰ外しのリール停止制御）に当選するようになっている。
【０１６４】
第３変形例のタイミング表示手段は、当該タイミング表示手段として、リール表示窓１５の上方位置の中央部に設けられた複数桁の７セグメントＬＥＤ３８ｃが採用される。そして、この７セグメントＬＥＤ３８ｃに特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数の値そのものが数値表示されるようになっている。
【０１６５】
第４変形例のタイミング表示手段は、スピーカ３７が当該タイミング表示手段として採用されている。そして、このスピーカ３７から出力される音声によってタイミングが報知されるようになっている。例えば、スピーカ３７から所定の時間ピッチで「ポン、ポン、ポン、ポン、パン」というような音声が出力され、「パン」の音声が出力されるタイミングに合わせてストップボタン３４を操作することにより所定の結果に当選するようになっている。
【０１６６】
【発明の効果】
本発明の遊技機は、少なくとも所定の役に対しては、図柄停止態様が複数用意されており、且つ、該所定の役における各図柄停止態様毎に設定された乱数区分の全てに対応する範囲内で乱数を発生する乱数発生手段と、遊技者による所定の遊技操作時点で発生している乱数を抽出する乱数抽出手段と、抽出された乱数が何れの乱数区分に対応するかを判定する判定手段からなる第２の抽選処理手段を備えて構成され、さらに複数の乱数区分のうちの少なくとも一部の乱数区分に対応する乱数が発生している時点を報知する報知手段を備えてなるものであるため、抽選で所定の役に当選していることを前提として報知されるタイミングで遊技者が所定の遊技操作を行えば、その役における複数種類の図柄停止態様のうち、遊技者の意図する（タイミングが報知されている）特定の図柄停止態様を第２の抽選処理により選択することができる。
【０１６７】
従って、例えば遊技者にとって有利な図柄停止態様が第２の抽選処理によって選択されるタイミングと、それより有利さが劣るかあるいは不利な図柄停止態様が第２の抽選処理によって選択されるタイミングとが、タイミング報知で識別可能となるような報知態様が採用されていれば、遊技者は、かかるタイミング報知を利用して有利な図柄停止態様が選択されるように所定の遊技操作を行うことができる。このように、遊技進行に対する遊技者の意図介入が可能となるため、遊技の興趣性を従来にも増して向上させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明のタイミング報知制御が採用された遊技機の一実施形態を示す正面図である。
【図２】図１に示す遊技機の内部構造を説明するための説明図である。
【図３】遊技機の制御手段の一実施形態を示すブロック図である。
【図４】判別用テーブルと一般乱数発生手段との関係および一般乱数発生手段と特殊乱数発生手段との関係を説明するための説明図である。
【図５】第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理の一実施形態を示すフローチャートである。
【図６】リール表示窓におけるＲＰ図柄の配列状態を示すＲＰ図柄配列図であり、（イ）は下段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列１、（ロ）は上段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列２、（ハ）は中段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列３、（ニ）は左上から右下に掛けてＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列４、（ホ）は左下から右上に掛けてＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列５、（ヘ）はＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃わなかった配列６をそれぞれ示している。
【図７】第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理のフローを示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０ 遊技機 １１ ケーシング
１２ ケーシング本体 １３ 蓋体
１４ 中央パネル １５ リール表示窓
１６ 下部膨出部 １７ 棚部
１８ 上部膨出部 ２０ リール（可変表示手段）
２０Ｌ 左リール ２０Ｃ 中リール
２０Ｒ 右リール ２１ ステッピングモータ
２１Ｌ 左ステッピングモータ
２１Ｃ 中ステッピングモータ
２１Ｒ 右ステッピングモータ
３０ 表装機器 ３１ メダル投入口
３２ ＢＥТボタン ３３ 始動レバー
３４ ストップボタン（停止指示手段）
３４Ｌ 左ストップボタン
３４Ｃ 中ストップボタン ３４Ｒ 右ストップボタン
３５ 表示器 ３５ａ 貯留メダル枚数表示器
３５ｂ 賞メダル払出枚数表示器
３５ｃ ゲームカウント表示器
３６ 清算ボタン ３７ スピーカ
３８ タイミング表示手段（報知手段）
３８ａ 発光器 ３８ｂ 円形発光器
４０ メダル移送・収容構造 ４１ メダルガイド
４２ ホッパー ４３ メダル貸出装置
４３ａ メダル送出機構 ４４ 受け皿
４４ａ メダル排出口 ４５ メダル投入センサ
４６ メダル貸出センサ ５０ 制御手段
６０ メイン制御部 ６１ 駆動制御部
６２ 図柄停止判別部 ６３ ＢＥТ検出部
６４ 入賞判定処理部（入賞判定処理部）
６４ａ 抽選処理部
６５ 役物制御処理部 ６６ タイミング報知処理部
７１ 一般乱数発生手段 ７２ 特殊乱数発生手段
Ｌ 停止ライン[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is configured so that a fluctuating symbol is stopped and displayed by performing a predetermined game operation after a valuable material such as a medal is inserted, and it is determined whether a prize is established or not based on the display result. The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a slot machine described in JP-A-2001-170252 has been known. In this gaming machine, each symbol in a plurality of rows (usually three rows) is changed by operating a start lever by inserting a medal which is a valuable resource, and each symbol changing by successively operating a stop button. Is stopped, and whether or not a prize is established is determined based on the arrangement of the displayed symbols. The basic structure is not particularly novel, but a predetermined game condition is satisfied. The device is designed so that even a beginner can easily obtain a medal in the state.
[0003]
Usually, in a gaming machine, three reels arranged side by side by a player operating a start lever start rotating around an axis, and each of three stop buttons provided corresponding to each reel is pushed by a push button. The corresponding reel stops when operated.
[0004]
Then, the player presses the stop button so as to stop the desired symbol at a predetermined position of the display window while visually observing the plurality of symbols displayed on the peripheral surface of the reel. The push button operation is referred to as eye pressing), and the desired symbol can be displayed at a predetermined position by eye pressing as long as the timing at which the desired symbol comes out is learned.
[0005]
However, if the game is advanced only by eye pressing, there is an inconvenience that the frequency of winning a prize will be greatly different between skilled and beginners, so in recent gaming machines, immediately after the player operates the start lever, A lottery using random numbers is executed, and the reels are controlled so that the symbols are aligned only when the lottery is won (called a prize winning) (a so-called perfect probability method). It should be noted that the fact that the symbols are actually completed is referred to as the establishment of a prize corresponding to the prize.
[0006]
As for the application technology based on the perfect probability method, the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-170252, that is, a random number generating means (a numerical value from “0” to “65535” is set at a predetermined time pitch (1. Extraction means for arbitrarily extracting random numbers from the random numbers generated in (88 msec), and random number classification means for dividing the random numbers extracted by the random number extraction means into various prizes. A gaming machine is known which is provided with a notifying means for sequentially informing a player of a random number generated by a random number generating means.
[0007]
According to the gaming machine described in the above publication, the random number generated by the random number generating means is sequentially notified to the player by the random number notifying means, so that the player can generate the random number at the timing of generating the desired winning mode. By operating the start lever in accordance with the random number generation timing, a medal can be obtained with a high probability.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-170252 A
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the gaming machine described in the above publication, an extremely long time of 18.8 seconds is set for the numerical value of the random number to change by “1”. There is a problem that an enormous amount of time is required, which rather detracts from interest.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and even if the generated random numbers are reported, it is possible to prevent the player from waking up by giving a certain degree of thrill to the player. It aims to provide a new and innovative gaming machine.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols for each column, a stop instruction means for instructing a stop of the variable display for each column, and prior to stopping all columns of the variable display, Lottery processing means for performing a lottery as to whether or not to win the role, wherein the variable display means is configured to be controlled to be stopped based on a symbol stop mode predetermined according to the type of the winning role. In a gaming machine, a plurality of symbol stop modes are prepared for at least a predetermined combination, and within a range corresponding to all of the random number divisions set for each symbol stop mode in the predetermined combination. Random number generating means for generating random numbers, random number extracting means for extracting random numbers generated at the time of a predetermined game operation by the player, and determining means for determining which random number category the extracted random numbers correspond to. The second lottery And management means, characterized in that the random number corresponding to at least a portion of the random number segment is further provided with a notification means for notifying the time of occurring of the plurality of random segment.
[0012]
According to the present invention, if a player performs a predetermined game operation at a timing when it is informed that a predetermined combination has been won by a lottery, the player is selected from among a plurality of types of symbol stop modes in the combination. A specific symbol stop mode intended (timing is notified) is selected by the second lottery process.
[0013]
For example, the timing at which a symbol stop mode that is advantageous to the player is selected by the second lottery process, and the timing at which a less advantageous or disadvantageous symbol stop mode is selected by the second lottery process, If a notification mode that can be identified by notification (timing notification) by the notification unit is adopted, the player can perform a predetermined game operation such that an advantageous symbol stop mode is selected using the timing notification. Will be performed. In this way, the interest of the game is improved in that the intentional intervention of the player in the progress of the game is possible.
[0014]
The "second lottery" according to the present invention corresponds to the "lottery using special random number generating means" according to the "embodiment of the invention".
[0015]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the notification by the notification means is performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0016]
According to the present invention, in the course of the game in which the timing notification is not performed, the timing notification can be performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied, so that the second lottery processing unit performs the lottery. As compared with the case where the timing notification is always executed, a more exciting feeling can be provided, and a sharp game performance can be realized.
[0017]
The scene in which the predetermined condition is satisfied may be during the normal game mode in which a normal game is performed, or may be shifted from the normal game mode when a special prize is established. The game may be in a special game mode in which a game can be played under advantageous conditions.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 2, the notification by the notification means is configured to be performed over a predetermined game period.
[0019]
According to the present invention, for example, the notification period is set in a predetermined game period from the normal game mode in which the special game mode ends and the mode shifts, or the notification period is set in a predetermined game period in the middle of the normal game mode. Or the notification period may be set in another manner.
[0020]
Then, the player can execute his or her intended game development throughout this notification period. For example, by actively aiming for a high payout combination (prize) during the notification period, more medals can be obtained.
[0021]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, in the second lottery process, a plurality of types of payout modes prepared for a predetermined combination and having different payouts are sorted. Is a lottery process for
[0022]
According to the present invention, a plurality of types of symbol stop modes prepared for a predetermined combination (in the embodiment of the invention, "small win") are symbol stop modes in which payouts are different from each other. Performs a predetermined game operation using the timing notification so as to aim at a symbol stop mode which is advantageous to the player and has a high payout.
[0023]
In the invention according to claim 5, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the second lottery process is for distributing game transition / non-transition in a special game mode including two types of game contents. Is a lottery process.
[0024]
According to the present invention, in the symbol stop mode prepared for a plurality of types for a predetermined combination (in the embodiment of the invention, “bonus game shift”), when the predetermined combination is established, the content of the game starts from the next time. Is switched, and the symbol stop mode is such that the game content at that time is maintained because the predetermined combination is not established, and the player uses the timing notification. Thus, a predetermined gaming operation is performed as necessary so as to aim at the symbol stop mode, in which the predetermined combination is not established (there is a case where the special game mode is effectively used and the player is effectively exhausted.)
[0025]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the random number generating unit is configured to execute at least a period from the start of notification by the notification unit until the predetermined game operation is performed. , A random number generation mode having a different random number generation interval is interposed in a period other than the above.
[0026]
According to the present invention, the random number generation mode in at least the period from the start of the notification by the notification unit to the execution of the predetermined game operation is different from the random number generation mode in the period excluding this period. Therefore, when viewed as a whole during the former period and the latter period, the random number generation situation becomes irregular without a uniform cycle each time, so the player It is not possible to know the timing at which a desired random number is generated in the period, and therefore, the game is advantageously advanced using the timing that the player has learned in the game mode in which the timing notification is not performed. Problems are resolved.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 7 is a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols for each column, a stop instruction means for instructing a stop of the variable display for each column, and prior to stopping all the columns of the variable display, Lottery processing means for performing a lottery as to whether or not to win the role, wherein the variable display means is configured to be controlled to be stopped based on a symbol stop mode predetermined according to the type of the winning role. In the gaming machine, the lottery processing means includes a random number generating means for generating a random number within a range including all of the random number divisions set for each combination, and a random number generated at a predetermined game operation time by the player. Random number extracting means for extracting, and determining means for determining which random number section the extracted random number corresponds to, and a random number corresponding to at least a part of the random number sections of the plurality of random number sections is generated. Notify when Those characterized by comprising further comprising a knowledge unit.
[0028]
According to this invention, the same functions and effects as those of the first invention can be obtained. The "lottery" according to the present invention corresponds to the "lottery using general random number generating means" in the "embodiment of the invention".
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Prior to the description of the timing notification control of the gaming machine according to the present invention, the gaming machine itself as a basis thereof will be described first. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a gaming machine employing the timing notification control of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a state in which a lid is closed, and FIG. 2 is a gaming machine. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing the internal structure of FIG. As shown in these figures, the gaming machine 10 is a gaming machine that matches symbols on the peripheral surface of a reel (variable display means) 20 described later by inserting a medal, which is a valuable resource, into a box-shaped casing 11. Are formed by interior and exterior of various devices for use.
[0029]
The casing 11 includes a rectangular parallelepiped casing main body 12 (FIG. 2) and a lid 13 attached to the front surface of the casing main body 12 so as to be openable and closable. The lid 13 is rotatably supported around a hinge shaft (not shown) provided at an upper and lower position of a left edge portion of the casing 11 in FIG. 1, and is normally closed as shown in FIG.
[0030]
The casing main body 12 includes main components of mechanical structures including various driving parts necessary for advancing the game, and the lid 13 has a player playing the game. Various mechanical and electrical structures for operation and display necessary for execution are mounted.
[0031]
Such a gaming machine 10 includes three (three rows) reels 20 (left reel 20L, middle reel 20C, and right Reel 20R), provided on the front surface side of the lid 13 and used for various game operations of the player, and a front mounted device 30 for notifying the game result, and both the casing body 12 and the lid 13. It has a basic configuration including a medal transfer / housing structure 40 (FIG. 2) provided for storing and receiving medals, and control means 50 for controlling the progress of the game.
[0032]
The peripheral surface of each of the reels 20 is equally divided over the entire circumference, and each frame is provided with a plurality of types of symbols including letters, numbers, figures, characters, and the like. In the present embodiment, the symbols are two types of specific symbols (first specific symbol and second specific symbol) and four types of non-specific symbols (first non-specific symbol, second non-specific symbol, and third non-specific symbol). And a fourth non-specific symbol), which are appropriately selected and arranged on the left reel 20L, the center reel 20C, and the right reel 20R, respectively.
[0033]
Each of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R is provided with three stepping motors 21 (left stepping motor 21L, middle stepping motor 21C, and right stepping motor 21R) which are respectively disposed in the casing main body 12 so as to correspond to axial positions (FIG. 2). When the stepping motors 21L, 21C, 21R are driven, the reels 20 in the corresponding row rotate around the axis.
[0034]
On the other hand, the lid 13 has a center panel 14 provided slightly above the center in the vertical direction, and a rectangular reel display window 15 is provided in the center panel 14. Then, through the reel display window 15, the peripheral surfaces of the reels 20L, 20C, 20R can be visually recognized. The width of the reel display window 15 is set slightly wider than the total width of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R whose lateral dimensions are arranged side by side, and the three symbols of the vertical dimensions are each of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R. Are dimensioned to be able to be displayed.
[0035]
The lid 13 is provided with a lower bulging portion 16 formed by bulging a lower portion from a substantially central portion in the vertical direction toward the front, and a position above the reel display window 15 in the forward direction. There is provided an upper bulging portion 18 formed by bulging toward.
[0036]
The front-mounted device 30 includes a medal slot 31, a BE button 32, a start lever 33, a stop button 34, a display 35, a clearing button 36, a speaker 37, a timing display means (notification means) 38, Consists of
[0037]
The medal insertion slot 31 is provided at the right position of the shelf 17 formed in the lower bulging portion 16, and the BEＢ button 32 is provided at the left position of the shelf 17. The starting lever 33 is provided at an upper position on the front surface of the lower bulging portion 16, and the stop button 34 is directed to the right of the starting lever 33 and toward the front position of the lower bulging portion 16 in the horizontal direction. Three are arranged side by side.
[0038]
Further, three display devices 35 are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction at a position below the reel display window 15 of the central panel 14, and a clearing button 36 is provided at a left position of the starting lever 33. Further, the speakers 37 are provided as a pair at both ends of the upper bulging portion 18. Further, the timing display means 38 is provided above the reel display window 15 of the center panel 14.
[0039]
The medal insertion slot 31 is for inserting a medal in advance when executing a game. Hereinafter, a method of playing a game by inserting medals one by one is referred to as a medal insertion method. One or three medals can be inserted. When three or more medals are inserted, the extra medals are stored and consumed when the BE 操作 button 32 is pressed.
[0040]
The BE @ button 32 is pushed in place of the insertion of three medals, and the operation of this push button consumes three stored medals stored in advance. That is, one push-button operation of the BE @ button 32 corresponds to three medals. Hereinafter, a method of consuming a stored medal and playing a game is referred to as a credit method.
[0041]
Incidentally, medals are stored when medals are paid out when a prize is established or when extra medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 31. However, an upper limit is set for the number of stored medals (for example, 50), and medals exceeding the set upper limit are paid out to the player's hand (that is, the tray 44).
[0042]
The start lever 33 is operated after a medal is inserted from the medal slot 31 in the case of the medal insertion system, and after the BE 押 button 32 is pressed in the case of the credit system. By this operation, each of the reels 20L, 20C, 20R starts rotating.
[0043]
The stop button 34 stops the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R that are rotating by operating the start lever 33. The stop button 34L corresponding to the left reel 20L and the middle stop corresponding to the center reel 20C. It comprises a button 34C and a right stop button 34R corresponding to the right reel 20R. By pressing any one of the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R, the corresponding reel 20 stops.
[0044]
The display 35 is for displaying a numerical value of a plurality of digits by arranging a plurality of so-called 7-segment LEDs in parallel. Consists of
[0045]
The stored medal number display 35a displays the current stored number of medals stored in the gaming machine 10 in advance, and the award medal payout number display 35b displays the number of medals paid out when a prize is established. The game count display 35c displays the number of games in a bonus game described later.
[0046]
The clearing button 36 is for clearing the stored medals at the time when the push button is operated and receiving a payout. Such a settlement button 36 is generally pushed at the end of a game, but may be pushed in the middle of a series of games (between the end of one game and the start of the next game). No problem.
[0047]
The speaker 37 is for emitting various sound effects, and specifically, a winning sound output when a prize is established, or when the BEＢ button 32, the start lever 33, or the stop button 34 is operated. An operation sound is output to the device.
[0048]
The timing display means 38 relates to timing notification, and displays a random number generation state to notify a player of a timing of a game operation (operation timing of the stop button 34). The timing display means 38 is provided with a total of eight light emitters 38a, four of which are arranged side by side on the left and right across a 7-segment LED indicating a three-digit number, in the upper center of the central panel 14. . Then, by being set to a special game mode (game mode for notifying the winning timing) described later, light emission sequentially moves from the rightmost light emitter 38a to the left light emitter 38a, and which light emitter 38a emits light. Depending on whether you are doing, you can recognize the value of the random number obtained at that time.
[0049]
The medal transfer / housing structure 40 is provided in the casing main body 12 and on the back side of the lid 13 so as to be shared, respectively, and is provided corresponding to the medal slot 31 (FIG. 1) as shown in FIG. The medal guide 41, a hopper 42 for accommodating a plurality of medals, a medal lending device 43 for lending medals, and a receiving tray 44 for receiving medals from the medal lending device 43 are provided. The medals derived from the medal lending device 43 are discharged to a receiving tray 44 provided at the lowermost end of the lid 13 through a medal discharge opening 44a (FIG. 1).
[0050]
The medal guide 41 is for guiding the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 31 to the hopper 42, and a medal insertion sensor 45 for detecting the passage of the medals is provided in the middle thereof.
[0051]
The hopper 42 is for storing a predetermined number of medals in advance after estimating the maximum number that will be paid out when a prize is established. The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 31 are also stored in the hopper 42 via the medal guide 41.
[0052]
The medal lending device 43 has a medal sending mechanism 43a that takes in and sends out the medals stored in the hopper 42 one by one. The medal sending mechanism 43a uses a sending motor (not shown) as a driving source. By rotating the not-shown disk by driving the sending motor, a plurality of medals provided on the same circumference of the disk are provided. The medals are taken one by one into the medal intake hole and sent out. A medal lending sensor 46 for detecting the passage of medals is provided at an appropriate position of the mechanism, and the number of lent medals is recognized by a detection signal of the medal lending sensor 46.
[0053]
Hereinafter, a game (play) by the gaming machine 10 configured as described above will be described. In this game, basically two stages of game processing are executed for each play. The game process of the first stage is a lottery process based on the random number generation of the general random number generating means 71 (FIG. 3) executed immediately after the player operates the starting lever 33 and the like, and the game process of the second stage is The symbol matching process of the reels 20L, 20C, 20R in the reel display window 15 by the player pressing the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R.
[0054]
Only in the case of winning in the first stage lottery process, in the second stage symbol matching process, it is possible to match the symbols by swinging the arm based on the probability set in advance advantageously. I have. Therefore, if the lottery is lost in the first stage lottery process, the symbols will not match even if the arm is shaken in the second stage symbol matching. Conventionally, the result of the lottery process in the first stage has not been notified to the player, so that the player may be enthusiastic about symbol matching in the second game process in which the symbol cannot match. Recently, the lottery process is notified to the player by some method, so that the player's emphasis is changed by this notification.
[0055]
Based on such a game process, winning in the first stage lottery process is called a prize winning, and the arrangement of the symbols of the reels 20L, 20C, 20R displayed on the reel display window 15 in the second stage symbol matching. The winning is determined when the winning matches with the predetermined arrangement of the winning symbols in the stop line L.
[0056]
In the medal insertion method, when playing a game, first, a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 31, and then the start lever 33 is operated to rotate each of the reels 20 (reels 20L, 20C, 20R). Then, by pressing the stop buttons 34 (stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R) in an arbitrary order, the reels 20L, 20C, 20R stop in order according to the push button timing.
[0057]
When the rotation of each reel 20 is stopped, a total of nine symbols are displayed on the reel display window 15 on the stop line L extending in the horizontal direction for each of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R. become. Either winning or non-winning is determined according to the arrangement state of these nine symbols.
[0058]
The arrangement of the winning / non-winning symbols is set in advance in relation to the number of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 31. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, in a three-row, three-column matrix composed of nine symbol display positions displayed on the reel display window 15, two horizontal rows and two diagonal lines, rising right and rising left, are displayed. A total of five stop lines L that can be activated in a row are preset.
[0059]
In the present embodiment, when one medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 31 (that is, when one bet is placed), one stop line L at the center is set as an active line, and two medals are inserted. When two bets are placed, the upper, middle, and lower three stop lines L, L, L are set as active lines. When three bets are placed, all five stop lines L, L, L, L are set. , L are effective lines.
[0060]
In a state where all the reels 20L, 20C, 20R are stopped by the push button operations of the respective stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R, the combination of the symbols formed on the activated line is changed to a predetermined symbol for award establishment. A prize is established by matching the combination (hereinafter, this state is referred to as symbols are aligned).
[0061]
In the present embodiment, the following are adopted as types of awards. That is, a big bonus (hereinafter, referred to as BB) prize in which the first specific symbol is aligned with the activated line (for example, aligned with "7-7-7") or a regular bonus (hereinafter, referred to as RB) prize in which the second specific symbol is aligned with the activated line. Etc., and a small role prize in which a small role can be established. In any case, the BB prize, the RB prize, and the small role prize cannot be established unless the lottery using the random number in the first stage is performed.
[0062]
In addition to these awards, there is a replay (RP). This RP is a so-called replay of the game, and when a predetermined RP symbol is set in the normal game mode, the game can be executed again without inserting a medal. The various functions (“bonus game shift (shift)” and “bonus game prize”, which will be described in detail later) in connection with the special game mode. It has been made. Note that various prizes, replays, bonus game transitions, and the like are collectively referred to as “roles”.
[0063]
The payout of medals is performed when the small role prize is established and when a special prize such as the BB prize or the RB prize is established. When the special prize is established, for example, after paying out 15 medals, the game mode is changed from the normal game mode to a special game mode in which a small combination can be established under advantageous conditions. Because For example, when a BB prize, which is a kind of special game mode, is established, a BB game mode, which is a game condition extremely advantageous to a player, is set. When the RB prize is established, an RB game mode which is inferior to the BB game mode but more advantageous than the normal game mode is set.
[0064]
Hereinafter, the drive control and the game control of the gaming machine 10 as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the control means 50 of the gaming machine 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the control unit 50 includes a main control unit 60 that controls the overall driving of the gaming machine 10 and a read-only ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a control program for the main control unit 60. 68, a readable / writable RAM 69 for temporarily storing various data, a general random number generating means 71 for sequentially generating numerical values in the range of "0 to 65535" at extremely short time intervals, and a general random number generating means 71 And a special random number generating means 72 for sequentially generating a numerical value in the range of “0 to 255” at a longer time interval than in the case of (1).
[0065]
A predetermined detection signal is input to the main control unit 60 from various devices, a random number is input from the general random number generation unit 71 or the special random number generation unit 72, and the detection signal and the data in the ROM 68 are input to the main control unit 60. Further, a predetermined control signal is output from the main control unit 60 based on random numbers from the random number generating means 71 and 72, whereby the gaming machine 10 operates.
[0066]
The main control unit 60 includes a drive control unit 61, a symbol stop determination unit 62, a BE @ detection unit 63, a winning determination processing unit 64, a character control processing unit 65, and a timing notification processing unit 66. .
[0067]
The drive control unit 61 controls the drive of various devices provided in the gaming machine 10, and detects a start start detection signal from the start lever 33 and that the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R have been pressed. A detection signal indicating that the settlement button 36 has been pressed, a detection signal indicating that the settlement button 36 has been pressed, and the like are input.
[0068]
When the detection signal from the starting lever 33 is input to the drive control unit 61, the drive control unit 61 outputs a drive signal for driving each of the stepping motors 21L, 21C, and 21R. The reels 20L, 20C, 20R are rotated by driving the stepping motors 21L, 21C, 21R.
[0069]
When any one of the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R is pressed, the drive control unit 61 outputs a drive stop signal to the stepping motor 21 corresponding to the operated stop button 34. ing. The output of the drive stop signal causes the target stepping motor 21 to stop (for example, when the left stop button 34L is pressed, the left stepping motor 21L stops). Accordingly, each row of the reels 20L, 20C, 20R is sequentially stopped in the order in which the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R are pressed.
[0070]
When the settlement button 36 is pressed, the detection signal is input to the drive control unit 61, and the medal lending device 43 is driven by the drive signal from the drive control unit 61, and the stored medals are transferred to the receiving tray 44. It is to be discharged to.
[0071]
When the spinning reels 20L, 20C, 20R are stopped, the symbol stop judging section 62 judges three symbols located in the reel display window 15 for each of the reels 20L, 20C, 20R. Is what you do. For this discrimination, a series of sequence numbers are given to the symbols on the reels 20L, 20C, 20R, and a symbol sensor 47 for detecting each sequence number located in the reel display window 15 (FIGS. 2, 3). Is provided. On the other hand, the ROM 68 stores a comparison table of sequence numbers and symbols for the respective reels 20L, 20C, and 20R.
[0072]
After the stop button 34 is pressed and the reels 20L, 20C, 20R are stopped, the symbol stop determination unit 62 immediately compares the detection signal from the symbol sensor 47 with the comparison table, and displays the reel display window. It is determined which symbol is displayed at which position in the 15 rows and 3 columns matrix.
[0073]
The BE @ detection unit 63 detects the bet amount of the player (the number of inserted medals (1 to 3) from the medal insertion slot 31 or the push-button operation of the BE Т button 32). The bet amount of the player is determined based on the detection signal and the push button signal from the BE @ button 32. The determined bet amount (BE / number signal) is output to the winning determination processing unit 64.
[0074]
The winning determination processing unit 64 determines whether or not a special prize such as a BB prize or an RB prize has been established based on the result of the currently executed game (that is, a special prize such as a BB game mode or an RB game mode from the next game). It is determined whether or not the mode is changed to the game mode) and whether or not the small winning prize has been established. The combination of the symbol stored in the ROM 68 and the symbol detected by the symbol stop determination unit 62 Is determined when the combination of the symbols on the pay line based on the bet amount detected by the BE @ detection unit 63 matches the combination of the symbols with the winning.
[0075]
In addition, the winning determination processing unit 64 is provided with a lottery processing unit 64a that controls the first-stage game processing in order to ensure probabilistic fairness and enhance the interest of the game. The random number generated by the general random number generating means 71 at the moment when the player operates the starting lever 33 is input to the lottery processing section 64a. Each time the player executes the game, the random number generator 64a The prize winning / non-winning is determined at a predetermined probability based on the random number generated in the step (1).
[0076]
In the present embodiment, the general random number generating means 71 is configured by a counter whose value increases at a predetermined time pitch from “0” to “65535” in steps of “1”, and returns to “0” when the value reaches “65535”. Have been. Then, the number issued by the general random number generating means 71 at the moment when the player operates the starting lever 33 is adopted as the random number obtained at that time. One cycle in which the random number generated by the counter starts from “0” and returns to “0” is set to “1/30000” seconds.
[0077]
Table 1 shows the contents of the hit determination table stored in the ROM 68 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the hit determination table and the general random number generating means 71. is there.
[0078]
[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, in the discrimination table, the classification of random numbers for each item of “BB”, “RB”, “small role (cherry, plum, bell)”, “RP”, and “miss” It is remembered. Then, based on the operation signal input at the moment when the player operates the starting lever 33, the winning determination processing unit 64 determines which section the random number output from the general random number generating means 71 corresponds to at that time. Then, it is determined whether the gaming operation has won a prize or has been lost (missed).
[0079]
In particular, for "Small win", "Small win" is set as a group including all of "Cherry", "Plum" and "Bell". In the present embodiment, “540 to 26539” is adopted as the random number division of “small win” as the group.
[0080]
That is, when the random number generated by the general random number generation means 71 is in the range of “540 to 26539”, the player is once elected to “small win” as a group. After winning the small role once, a special random number generation means provided separately is used to determine which of the components of the small role is cherry, plum, or bell. 72 is determined based on the generated random number.
[0081]
Specifically, when "Small win" is won in the lottery using the general random number generating means 71, one of "Cherry", "Plum" and "Bell" is determined by the random number generated by the special random number generating means 72. It has been made to be.
[0082]
The special random number generating means 72 is configured so that the numerical value from “0” to “255” changes cyclically. In the present embodiment, as shown in Table 2 and FIG. 4, “Cherry” is “0 to 127” and “Plum” is “Random” for each of “Cherry”, “Plum”, and “Bell”. 128 to 223 ”and“ bell ”are set to“ 224 to 255 ”, respectively.
[0083]
Note that “cherry” is a symbol stop mode in which the “cherry” symbol can stop on the left side of the activated line, and “plum” is a symbol stop mode in which three “plum” symbols can be aligned on the activated line. , "Bell" is a symbol stop mode in which three "bell" symbols can be aligned on an active line, and one of these is executed depending on the control content of the reel stop control.
[0084]
[Table 2]

The special random number generating means 72 is configured so that the random number value changes at a time pitch considerably slower than that of the general random number generating means 71. In the present embodiment, the general random number generation unit 71 sets one cycle of the numerical value change (“0 to 35535”) to “1/30000” seconds (0.033 msec). Reference numeral 72 indicates that one cycle of the numerical value change (“0 to 255”) is set to 0.5 seconds or more (2.56 seconds in the present embodiment).
[0085]
In Tables 1 and 2, “Remarks” lists “number of random numbers” and “probability (%)” for each item. However, these numerical values are not stored in the ROM 68. Shown for reference.
[0086]
Hereinafter, the mechanism of winning a prize will be described with a specific example. In the example shown in FIG. 4, in the normal game mode, a state where the general random number generating means 71 generates a random number “18500” immediately after the start lever 33 is operated is schematically shown. Since the random number value “18500” corresponds to “small win” having a range of “540” to “26539”, the winning determination processing unit 64 has won “small win” by operating the starting lever 33 at this time. Is determined.
[0087]
Then, when it is determined by the general random number generation means 71 that the player has won the “small win”, the special random number generation means 72 is used to select “cherry”, “plum” and “bell” in the small wins. The winner is determined. This determination is made based on the random number value generated by the special random number generating means 72 when the player operates the left stop button 34L, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 4, when the player presses the left stop button 34L, the random number generated by the special random number generation means 72 is "250", which indicates that the "bell" has been won.
[0088]
However, even if the prize is won here, the prize will not be established unless the symbols are aligned with the activated line of the reel display window 15. When a prize is won, the stepping motor 21 is stopped based on a control signal from the drive control unit 61 so as to establish the prize, so-called pull-in control (for example, when the stop button 34 is operated, the reel display window 15 When the target symbol is located within four frames before, the control for forcibly drawing the symbol to the stop line L is executed. Therefore, the stop button 34 is operated with normal concentration. As long as the prize is established. If no prize has been won, on the contrary, control is performed so that the symbols do not match.
[0089]
By the way, since the "bell" is arranged on the entire circumference of all the reels 20 within the interval of 5 frames, the pull-in rate is 100%. Therefore, when the "bell" is won, the stop button 34 is operated at any timing. Even so, a prize will be established.
[0090]
An award determined by only the general random number generating means 71 (“BB” award, “RB” award, “RP” award), or an award determined by two steps of the general random number generating means 71 and the special random number generating means 72 (the small role When any of the prizes of “Cherry”, “Plum” and “Bell” is established, a predetermined flag (which processing among various processings executed in the control device is executed) according to the type of the prize is executed. (A mark for deciding) is given (a so-called flag is set). In this state, the winning / missing of the symbol matching, which is the second game processing, is determined by the winning determination processing unit 64, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out only when the winning is achieved (that is, when the prize is established). Is output to the medal sending mechanism 43a (FIG. 2), and a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the medal lending device 43 to the tray 44 by driving the medal sending mechanism 43a. The number of payout medals (payout) is set as shown in Table 1 in the present embodiment. In addition, the flag that stands when the small role is won in the normal game mode indicates that one game (one game from the operation of the start lever 33 to the completion of the pressing of the stop button 34) is performed regardless of whether the small role is realized. Disappears at the end of the process.
[0091]
When a special prize (BB prize or RB prize) is established, medals are paid out, and the game mode is changed from the normal game mode to a special game mode (BB game mode or RB game mode) advantageous to the player, Until a predetermined condition is satisfied, a game is played in this special game mode.
[0092]
The RB game mode is a game mode in which a bonus game can be performed only once. A bonus game is a prize that is set to a very high probability (eg, 90%) (generally, a prize is established when RP symbols are aligned. Here, the RP is established in the normal game mode. Up to eight games can be executed in which 15 medals are paid out. By the way, even if the prize formation is less than 8 games, the bonus game ends when the 12 games are completed including the hits and misses.
[0093]
In the BB game mode, either the bonus game is executed, for example, three times, or the small win game set to win the small win with a very high probability (for example, 75%) is executed 30 times. Is a game mode that is set so that the game can be continued until is satisfied. Note that if the RP symbols are aligned during the execution of the small role game in the BB game mode (RP formation in this case is different from the RP in the normal game mode), the payout of 15 medals is made and the bonus game is started. The transition has been made.
[0094]
When the game is set to the special game mode, the accessory control processing section 65 determines the end of the special game mode. With respect to the special game mode, an end condition specific to the type (for example, in the case of the BB game mode, the game mode is ended when the continuation number of the game reaches, for example, 30 times) is preset in the ROM 68 and stored in the ROM 68. When the end condition is satisfied, the special game mode is determined to be ended, and the standing special prize flag is defeated (the addition of the special prize flag is stopped).
[0095]
When a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as a special game condition) set in advance during execution of a game is established, the timing notification processing unit 66 determines that the predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as a special game condition) is satisfied. When the special game execution condition is satisfied, a control signal is output from the timing notification processing unit 66 to the timing display means 38, whereby the timing display means 38 synchronizes with the generation of a random number. It has been made to work. In addition, the player is informed in advance what the random number value is when the timing display means 38 operates, and which prize will be won if the game operation is performed while the random number value is generated.
[0096]
More specifically, the special game mode is set when the special game execution condition is satisfied, and the light emitting device is controlled by the control signal from the timing notification processing unit 66 on the assumption that the general random number generating means 71 wins the "small win". 38a emits light. As shown in Table 3, this light emission sequentially moves from right to left in synchronization with the random number generation of the special random number generation means 72.
[0097]
[Table 3]

The special random number generating means 72 displays the random number change interval as shown in Table 3 because the random number change cycle is 0.5 second or longer, so that the random number generation interval is such that the player can grasp it. Then, it becomes easy for the player to take the timing of pressing the stop button 34 while visually confirming the display, thereby making it possible to hit a desired random number.
[0098]
That is, in the present embodiment, if the player wins the "small role" while the special game mode is set, the light emitting devices 38a of the timing display means 38 emit light in order from the rightmost light emitting device 38a to the left. After the leftmost light emitting device 38a emits light, the light returns to the rightmost light emitting device 38a, and since the movement of the light emission is repeated thereafter, the player follows the movement of the light emission with eyes. The stop button 34 can be pressed in synchronization with the desired light emission of the light emitter 38a, which is advantageous over "cherry" and "plum" (the number of medals paid out is large). ) We can aim at "bell" positively.
[0099]
Then, the special game mode is released when the game execution in the special game mode exceeds a predetermined number of times set in advance.
[0100]
(1st Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the timing notification processing of the first embodiment will be described. The timing notification process of the first embodiment can be executed for a plurality of games after the BB game mode ends. Specifically, when the game in the BB game mode is started (or when the game is completed), a lottery with a probability of 1/2 is performed, and when this is achieved, the special game execution condition is satisfied and the special game mode is established. Is set. When a small role is won in this special game mode, a winning timing is notified. The special game mode is set a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times).
[0101]
Hereinafter, the timing notification processing of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the timing notification process according to the first embodiment. This flowchart is executed immediately after the end of the game in the BB game mode. Therefore, it is determined in advance that the BB game mode has been completed immediately before the flow chart is entered.
[0102]
That is, when the BB game mode ends, a flow for timing notification starts, and first, in step S1, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to notify the timing notification of the winning. The winning probability of this lottery is set to 1/2. Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the lottery is a win (S2). In the case of a win, a flag indicating the special game mode is set (turned on) (S3), and the remaining number counter N Is set to the initial value "100" (S4), and it is determined whether or not the starting lever 33 has been operated (S5). On the other hand, in the case of no winning in step S2, the process skips to step S5 without executing steps S3 and S4.
[0103]
If YES in step S5, the lottery process using the general random number generation means 71 described above with reference to Table 1 and FIG. 3 is executed in the winning determination processing unit 64 (YES in step S5). S6). Next, it is asked whether or not the small combination has been won in this lottery (S7). If the small combination has been won, it is determined whether or not the special game mode flag is turned on (S8).
[0104]
If the small winning has been won, the notification of the winning timing is started in step S9, and based on the random number generated by the special random number generating means 72, the light emitter 38a of the timing display means 38 (FIG. 1) As shown in Table 3, the lighting moves from left to right in order. Therefore, the player can know the random number value generated by the special random number generating means 72 based on which light emitter 38a is lit, and can know the timing of winning a desired small role (for example, a bell). Then, the stop button 34 can be operated at this timing.
[0105]
Next, when the first stop button 34 (in the present embodiment, the left stop button 34L among the three stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R is determined to be pressed first) is pressed (S10). A small lottery lottery is performed (S11), and a prize for a small role such as a bell corresponding to the light emitting device 38a that is lit when the button is actually pressed is scheduled.
[0106]
Next, when the push button (S12) of the second stop button 34 and the push button (S13) of the third stop button 34 are completed, about 100 small roles for which the award is to be established in relation to the pull-in control are performed. %, The timing notification by the timing display means 38 ends (S14).
[0107]
Subsequently, in step S15, it is asked whether the special game mode flag is set (is on) or not. If the flag is set, 1 is subtracted from the remaining number counter N in the next step S16 (N = N). -1). Next, it is asked whether the remaining number counter N is "0" (S17). If "N = 0" (that is, if 100 timing notifications have been completed), the special game mode flag is lowered. After (cleared) (S18), step S19 is executed.
[0108]
If it is determined in step S15 that the special game mode flag is not set, and if the remaining number counter N is not "0" in step S17, the process is skipped to step S19.
[0109]
If the small lottery is not won in the lottery in step S7, it is determined whether or not all the stop buttons 34 have been pressed in step S25. Step S18 is skipped and the process skips to Step S19.
[0110]
In step S19, it is determined whether or not the actual arrangement of the symbols on the reels 20L, 20C, 20R is a hit, that is, whether or not a prize is established. If it is determined that a prize has been established, a prize-winning process, such as determining which prize has been established or paying out a medal corresponding to the established prize, is executed (S20), and subsequently the game mode set in step S21. A predetermined accessory control process such as whether or not is continued.
[0111]
In this accessory control process, it is determined whether or not the special game mode flag is set. If the special game mode flag is set, the process returns to step S5. If the flag is set, ie, the winning timing Is executed by the timing display means 38 while the game is executed 100 times in total, the process returns to the normal game process.
[0112]
As described above, in the timing notification process of the first embodiment, in the game after the BB game mode ends, the game is won in the notification mode (special game mode) in which the winning timing is reported with a probability of 1/2. In addition, when the timing notification mode (special game mode) is set, the notification mode is continued until the small role is substantially won 100 times. Therefore, the player can pay a dividend even in the small role. It is possible to easily aim for the most “Bell” award, and thereby to gain more medals. Therefore, the dissatisfaction of not being able to increase medals as desired by the achievement of only the "Cherry" prize and the "Plum" prize is solved.
[0113]
(2nd Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the timing notification processing according to the second embodiment will be described. The timing notification process according to the second embodiment is executed when an RP symbol (bonus game shift symbol) is won during execution of the small win game in the BB game mode. That is, in the second embodiment, if the bonus game has been completed three times, the BB game mode ends with a large number of small win games remaining, thereby providing a chance for the player to acquire more medals. In consideration of the loss, this is to remedy the loss of opportunity for the player, and even if the player wins the RP diagram during the last (third) small role game in the BB game mode, this does not hold. This is to notify the timing at which such reel control is executed. Then, when this timing is notified, the player can avoid the establishment of the RP according to this notification, whereby the so-called replay removal succeeds.
[0114]
That is, during the execution of the last (third) small win game in the BB game mode, when the player wins the RP symbol, a lottery is performed with a predetermined probability (for example, a probability of 1/2). As in the first embodiment, the generation state of random numbers generated by the special random number generation unit 72 is displayed by the timing display unit 38.
[0115]
FIG. 6 is an RP symbol arrangement diagram showing an arrangement state of RP symbols in the reel display window 15 (symbol stop mode). FIG. 6A shows an arrangement 1 in which RP symbols “R” are arranged in the lower row, and FIG. An array 2 in which RP symbols "R" are aligned, (c) is an array 3 in which RP symbols "R" are aligned in the middle row, (d) is an array 4 in which RP symbols "R" are aligned from upper left to lower right, (e) Indicates an array 5 in which RP symbols “R” are aligned from the lower left to the upper right, and (f) indicates an array 6 in which RP symbols “R” are not aligned. Table 4 is a table showing random number divisions corresponding to each array of RP symbols. Either of these is executed depending on the control content of the reel stop control.
[0116]
[Table 4]

[0117]
In the example shown in Table 4, when the random value is "0 to 159", the reels are stopped and controlled such that the RP symbols "R" are aligned in any of the arrays 1 to 5 (RP is established). On the other hand, when the random value is "160 to 255", the reels are controlled to stop so that the RP symbols "R" are not aligned in the array of array 6. That is, if the player operates the stop button 34 when the special random number generating means 72 generates a random number in the range of “160 to 255”, the RP symbols are not aligned, that is, so-called replay removal can be successfully performed.
[0118]
In order to guide the player to remove such a replay, in the present embodiment, when the RP symbol is won, the light emission of the light emitter 38a corresponding to the generated random number of the special random number generation means 72 is set as shown in Table 5, , In order from the right, thereby informing the player of the timing at which the RP can be removed.
[0119]
[Table 5]

[0120]
Therefore, if the player operates the stop button 34 while taking the timing based on this notification, the RP will not be established, and so-called replay removal will be performed, so that in the BB game mode without shifting to the bonus game. The small role game is continued.
[0121]
Incidentally, in the present embodiment, since the display of the random number value is divided into six as shown in Table 5, the number of the light emitters 38a is usually set to six instead of the eight shown in FIG. However, it is also possible to leave eight of them and not to light any two of them by electrical switching.
[0122]
Hereinafter, the timing notification processing according to the second embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a timing notification process according to the second embodiment. Note that this flowchart shows a process that is started from the point of entry into the last (for example, the third) small role game in the special game mode.
[0123]
First, in step S30, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to notify the timing notification. The winning probability of this lottery is set to 1/2. Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the lottery is a win (S31). In the case of a win, a flag (timing notification flag) indicating that the timing is to be notified is set (turned on) (S32). Move to step 33. On the other hand, in the case of a miss in step S31, the process jumps to step S33 without turning on the timing notification flag.
[0124]
Next, in step S33, it is determined whether or not the starting lever 33 has been operated. When the operation of the starting lever 33 is detected, a lottery process using the general random number generating means 71 is performed (S34). It is asked whether or not the RP symbol (bonus game symbol) has been won as a result of the lottery (S35). If the lottery has not been won, the player is skipped to return and the small role game is continued. , When the RP symbol is won, the following timing notification processing is executed.
[0125]
That is, when the RP is won in step S35, it is determined whether or not the timing notification flag is on (is standing) (S36). If the flag is on, it has been described based on Table 5 above. After the timing notification by the light emitting device 38a is executed (S37), the process proceeds to step S38. If the winning timing flag is not set, the process skips step S37 and skips to step S38.
[0126]
Then, in step S38, among the stop buttons 34, the left stop button 34L is operated first. At this time, the player visually recognizes the light emission movement of the light emitter 38a shown in Table 5 and sets the RP while taking the timing. Can be selected to be established or to remove the RP. That is, if the RP is to be established, the left stop button 34L may be pressed when the second to the second light emitters 38a from the rightmost to the leftmost are lit, and if the RP is to be removed, the leftmost is required. The left stop button 34L may be pressed in accordance with the timing at which the light emitter 38a is turned on.
[0127]
Next, in step S39, the type of the reel stop array of the RP symbol corresponding to the random number value from the special random number generating means 72 is selected from the reel stop control selection table (Table 4). For example, when the player presses the left stop button 34L at the timing when the leftmost light emitter 38a is turned on (see Table 5), the random number generated by the special random number generating means 72 is one of "160 to 255". Since it is either one, the sequence 6 without RP shown in Table 4 and (f) of FIG. 6 is selected as the RP symbol.
[0128]
Then, in step S40, the pull-in control of the left reel 20L is executed. When the second stop button 34 is pressed in step S41, the corresponding pull-in control of the reel 20 is executed (S42). When the second stop button 34 is pressed, the corresponding pull-in control of the reel 20 is executed (S44). By the pull-in control in these steps S40, S41, S43, the three reels 20L, 20C, 20R are stopped in the arrangement corresponding to the light emitter 38a that was lit when the player pressed the left stop button 34L.
[0129]
When the pull-in control in step S44 is completed, the timing notification process ends (S45), and then returns to the return. If the RP symbol is not won as a result of the lottery by the general random number generating means 71 in step S35, the flow returns to the return after all the stop buttons 34 are pressed in step S46.
[0130]
As described in detail above, according to the timing notification processing of the second embodiment, if the game mode is set to the BB game mode and the general random number generating means 71 wins the RP symbol as a result of the lottery, the RP is established. It is possible to rely on the player's judgment whether to make the RP or not to establish the RP, so-called RP removal, so that the game becomes more interesting, and by effectively removing the RP , It is possible to acquire more medals through the BB game mode.
[0131]
In the second embodiment, the special random number generating means 72 used in the first embodiment is used in common. However, instead of this, a special random number generating means 72 dedicated to the second embodiment is provided separately from the first embodiment. Special random number generating means may be employed.
[0132]
(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, the timing notification processing according to the third embodiment will be described. The timing notification process according to the third embodiment is a modification of the timing notification process according to the first embodiment, and is a mode in which a special game mode is set in a small game in a special game mode based on a BB prize. .
[0133]
That is, in the first embodiment, when the BB prize is established by the lottery by the general random number generation means 71, in a state where the small win is won in a predetermined number of games after the end of the special game mode based on the BB prize. The random number value generated by the special random number generating means 72 is displayed, and a desired prize (for example, “Bell”) is determined based on the correspondence between the random number value and the constituents of the small role “Cherry”, “Plum”, and “Bell”. However, in the present embodiment, when a "small win" is won in a small play game in the special game mode, a special random number is generated with a predetermined probability (for example, 1/2 probability) each time. The difference from the first embodiment is that the generated random numbers of the generating means 72 are displayed.
[0134]
Specifically, a timing notification mode is set each time a small win is won in the small win game in the special game mode of the BB and then the lottery with a probability of 1/2 is won, as shown in Table 3. The lighting of the light emitter 38a is shifted from right to left at a predetermined time pitch according to the random number value generated by the special random number generating means 72.
[0135]
According to the timing notification processing of the third embodiment, in the special game mode based on the establishment of the BB prize, the probability of establishing the more advantageous "bell" prize by winning the small role greatly increases, and thereby, in the special game mode. The game can make the player more satisfying.
[0136]
(Fourth embodiment)
The winning timing notification process according to the fourth embodiment corresponds to the winning of the BB prize or the RB prize only once when the game is won with a predetermined probability (for example, a probability of 1/10) in the game immediately after the BB game mode ends. This is to notify the timing of the random number generation by the general random number generation means 71.
[0137]
In this case, in the present embodiment, the random number generation cycle of the general random number generation means 71 (the time spent in one round when random numbers are circulated with “0 to 65535” as one round) is set to approximately 10 seconds. You. Then, random numbers “0 to 300” are assigned as the BB prize, random numbers “301 to 500” are assigned as the RB prize, and random numbers “501 to 65535” are assigned as the other (including deviation).
[0138]
The light emission timing of the light emitter 38a is set so that the light emitter 38a (in this case, only one light emitter 38a is employed) emits light when a random number in the range of "0 to 500" is generated. Is done.
[0139]
Therefore, the time during which the random number corresponding to the special winning (both the BB winning and the RB winning) is generated is 0.076 seconds (10 seconds ÷ 65536 × 501 = 0.076 seconds), and the light emitting device within 10 seconds If the left stop button 34L is pressed during 0.076 seconds when 38a is turned on, it is possible to win a BB winning or an RB winning.
[0140]
Note that the cycle of random number generation by the general random number generation means 71 is not limited to 10 seconds, and may be 10 seconds or less depending on the situation, or may exceed 10 seconds. Further, the original random number generation period of the general random number generation means 71, ie, “1/30000 seconds” is adopted as it is, and instead, the light emitter 38a emits light every time the general random number generation means 71 circulates 30,000 times. Is also good. In this way, the light emitter 38a emits light instantaneously once a second, so that the player can operate the left stop button 34L by pressing the left stop button 34L in synchronization with the light emission of the light emitter 38a. Alternatively, it becomes possible to aim for the RB prize.
[0141]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but also includes the following contents.
[0142]
(1) In the above-described first to third embodiments, each time a small role is won, “Belle”, which has a larger number of payouts among “Cherry”, “Plum” and “Bell”, which are elements of the small role, One light emitter 38a (other light emitters 38a) only while the special random number generating means 72 (FIG. 4) is generating a random number ("234 to 255") corresponding to "Bell" in order to induce the winning of the game. May be turned off, or only one light emitting device 38a may be used from the beginning) at a light emission timing as shown in Table 6. Conversely, the light emitting device 38a may normally emit light, and the light emitting device 38a may be turned off at the time of timing notification.
[0143]
[Table 6]

That is, as shown in Table 6, the light emitting device 38a emits light only while the special random number generating means 72 generates the random numbers 224 to 255 corresponding to the "bell" winning. Since the light emitter 38a is turned on once every 56 seconds for 0.32 seconds, the player can win the "bell" by pressing the left stop button 34L in accordance with this lighting timing.
[0144]
If a "bell" symbol is provided on each of the reels 20L, 20C, 20R at intervals of a maximum of five frames, once the "bell" is won, a pull-in control for drawing the symbol four frames earlier into the effective stop line L is performed. By executing this, if all of the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R are pressed, a bell prize in which the symbols "bells" are always formed is established.
[0145]
By performing such timing notification, in the special game mode, it is possible to win the “Bell”, which can receive an advantageous payout for the player, with a probability of 100%, thereby giving the player a further sense of satisfaction. it can.
[0146]
(2) In the above embodiment, various lotteries are executed when the start lever 33 is operated. However, the present invention is limited to the case where the lottery is performed when the start lever 33 is operated. Instead, the lottery is performed when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 31, when the BEТ button 32 is pressed, or when any one of the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R is pressed first. May be executed. ,
[0147]
(3) In the above-described first embodiment, a lottery for determining whether or not to perform timing notification with a probability of 1/2 is performed immediately after the BB game mode ends, and only when the lottery is won, Although the timing notification is performed for a plurality of games, the present invention is not limited to the case where the probability is 1/2, for example, the probability within a range of 1/5 to 1/2. May be adopted, or other probabilities may be adopted.
[0148]
When the random number is extracted from the general random number generation means 71 at the time when the stop button 34 is pressed, and the lottery is executed, the special random number generation means 72 is generated at the time when the stop button 34 pressed after the stop button 34 is pressed. Need to be able to extract random numbers from
[0149]
(4) In the above-described first embodiment, the game mode for informing the timing of the prize winning is 100 games, but is not limited to 100 games, and may be less than 100 games. It may exceed 100 games. Further, the special game mode may be set unconditionally after the probability of 1/1, that is, after the end of the BB game mode.
[0150]
(5) In the above-described first embodiment, the timing notification for notifying the timing of winning the small role prize is required after the end of the BB game mode. However, the present invention is the timing notification after the end of the BB game mode. The notification is not limited to the requirement of the notification, and the timing notification may be performed after the RB game mode ends or in the normal game mode.
[0151]
(6) In the above-described third embodiment, a lottery is performed at a predetermined probability (for example, 1/2) when BB is established, instead of performing a lottery to determine whether or not to perform timing notification each time a small role is won. If so, the special game mode may be set for all the small role games in the BB game mode. This is a so-called "super big" to a so-called "normal big".
[0152]
(7) In each of the above embodiments, the control of the timing display means 38 is performed by the main control unit 60. Instead of this, various signals output from the main control unit 60 are received. A sub-control unit functioning as a sub-control unit may be provided, and the timing display of the timing display means 38 may be controlled by the sub-control unit.
[0153]
In order to perform this control, the timing notification processing section 66 provided in the main control section 60 is moved to the sub-control section, and the timing display section 38 is controlled by the timing notification processing section 66. The special random number generating means 72 (the first to third embodiments) used for performing the timing control may be provided only in the main control unit 60 or may be provided in both the main control unit 60 and the sub control unit. .
[0154]
When the special random number generating means 72 is provided only in the main control unit 60, each time the special random number generating means 72 generates a random number, it is necessary to output the random number to the sub control unit.
[0155]
On the other hand, when the special random number generation means 72 having the same configuration is provided in both the main control unit 60 and the sub control unit, for example, when the power is turned on, the main control unit 60 By outputting the random number only once, and driving the special random number generator 72 of the sub-control unit with this random number as the starting point, the two special random number generators are synchronized, The timing display by the timing display means 38 can be controlled without outputting a random number signal from the control unit 60 to the sub-control unit.
[0156]
(8) In the first to third embodiments, the special random number generating means 72 is constituted by first special random number generating means and second special random number generating means having different random number generation periods (random number generation intervals), The first special random number generating means is used for random number extraction during a period from when the start lever 33 is operated to when the left stop button 34L is pressed (that is, a game execution period in which the player is performing a game operation). The second special random number generating means generates a random number during a period from the end of the pressing of the left stop button 34L to the next operation of the starting lever 33 (that is, a game non-execution period in which the player is not performing a game operation). You may use it.
[0157]
The first special random number generation means 72 has a longer random number generation cycle than the second special random number generation means. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the first special random number generating means generates a random number of “0 to 255” in one round in 0.5 second or more, while the second special random number generating means generates a random number of “0 to 255”. Is generated in approximately 1/30000 seconds in one round.
[0158]
In this way, by configuring the special random number generating means 72 by the first special random number generating means and the second special random number generating means 72, the operation is started by operating the start lever 33 and is ended by pressing the left stop button 34L. Since the generation state of the generated random numbers of the first special random number generation means is influenced by the second special random number generation means which is faster in the random number generation speed than the first special random number generation means, that is, not synchronized with the first special random number generation means. In the second special random number generating means, the random number generation state becomes irregular each time. Therefore, there is an inconvenience that the player can know the timing at which a random number corresponding to a desired prize is generated by using only the first special random number generating means. However, such a problem is caused by using the first and second special random number generating means. Inconvenience can be reliably prevented.
[0159]
As described above, the case where the special random number generating means 72 is constituted by the first and second special random number generating means has been described in the case where the timing control is performed only by the main control unit 60, but the case where the sub control unit is employed. If the special random number generation means is not provided in the sub control unit, the value of the random number generated by the first special random number generation means of the main control unit 60 is output to the timing notification processing unit of the sub control unit. Thus, the timing display control by the timing display means 38 is executed.
[0160]
On the other hand, when the first special random number generating means (special random number generating means 72) similar to that of the main control section 60 is provided in the sub control section, when the left stop button 34L is operated. The random number value generated by the first special random number generation means of the main control unit 60 is output to the first special random number generation means of the sub control unit side. One special random number generating means is also configured to generate a random number. Thus, the first special random number generation means on the main control unit 60 side and the first special random number generation means on the sub control unit side generate the same random number in synchronization with each other.
[0161]
(9) In the above-described embodiment, the timing display means 38 is described as an example in which a plurality of light emitters 38a are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. The devices 38a are not limited to those arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, but may include various timing display means.
[0162]
First, as a first modification of the timing display means, there is a circular light emitter 38b (FIG. 1). The circular light emitter 38b is composed of a plurality of unit light emitters having the same central angle, and these unit light emitters are lit sequentially in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to notify the operation timing of the stop button 34. It is. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the circular light emitter 38b is provided at one of a position symmetrical above the reel display window 15 of the central panel 14 and a position leftward of the stored medal number display 35a below the same.
[0163]
Any one of the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R (for example, the left stop button 34L) is also used as the timing display means of the second modification. Specifically, the upper surface of the left stop button 34L is formed of a light-transmitting material, and a light emitting device is provided therein, and the timing is notified by blinking of the light emitting device. When the left stop button 34L is pressed in synchronization with the timing at which the left stop button 34L shines, a desired result ("Bell" place winning or reel stop control without RP) is won.
[0164]
In the timing display means of the third modified example, a multi-digit seven-segment LED 38c provided at the center of the reel display window 15 is used as the timing display means. The value of the random number generated by the special random number generating means 72 is numerically displayed on the 7-segment LED 38c.
[0165]
In the timing display means of the fourth modified example, the speaker 37 is employed as the timing display means. The timing is notified by the sound output from the speaker 37. For example, a sound such as “pong, pong, pong, pong, pan” is output from the speaker 37 at a predetermined time pitch, and the stop button 34 is operated in accordance with the timing at which the “pan” sound is output. A predetermined result is won.
[0166]
【The invention's effect】
The gaming machine of the present invention is provided with a plurality of symbol stop modes for at least a predetermined combination, and a range corresponding to all of the random number divisions set for each symbol stop mode in the predetermined combination. Random number generating means for generating random numbers within the game, random number extracting means for extracting random numbers generated at the time of a predetermined game operation by the player, and determination for determining which random number category the extracted random numbers correspond to And a notifying means for notifying a point in time when a random number corresponding to at least a part of the plurality of random number sections is generated. Therefore, if the player performs a predetermined game operation at a timing that is notified on the premise that the predetermined combination has been won by lottery, the player's intention is selected from among a plurality of types of symbol stop modes in the combination. (Ta Timing can select a particular symbol stop mode) is informed by the second lottery process.
[0167]
Therefore, for example, the timing at which a symbol stop mode that is advantageous to the player is selected by the second lottery process and the timing at which a less advantageous or disadvantageous symbol stop mode is selected by the second lottery process are determined. If a notification mode that can be identified by the timing notification is adopted, the player can perform a predetermined game operation using the timing notification so that an advantageous symbol stop mode is selected. . As described above, since the intention of the player can be intervened in the progress of the game, the interest of the game can be improved more than before.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a gaming machine employing timing notification control of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal structure of the gaming machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of control means of the gaming machine.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between a discrimination table and a general random number generation unit and a relationship between a general random number generation unit and a special random number generation unit;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a timing notification process according to the first embodiment.
6A and 6B are RP symbol arrangement diagrams showing an arrangement state of RP symbols in a reel display window, wherein FIG. 6A shows an arrangement 1 in which RP symbols “R” are arranged in a lower row, and FIG. Arrangement 2, array (c) is an array 3 with RP design "R" in the middle, (d) is array 4 with an RP design "R" from top left to bottom right, and (e) is from bottom left to top right. 5 shows the sequence 5 in which the RP symbols “R” are aligned, and FIG. 6F shows the sequence 6 in which the RP symbols “R” are not aligned.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a timing notification process according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 gaming machine 11 casing
12 Casing body 13 Lid
14 Center panel 15 Reel display window
16 Lower bulge 17 Shelf
18 Upper bulging part 20 Reel (variable display means)
20L Left reel 20C Middle reel
20R Right reel 21 Stepping motor
21L left stepping motor
21C Medium stepping motor
21R right stepping motor
30 Front equipment 31 Medal slot
32 BEТ button 33 Start lever
34 stop button (stop instruction means)
34L left stop button
34C Middle stop button 34R Right stop button
35 display 35a Number of stored medals display
35b Prize medal payout number display
35c game count display
36 Settlement button 37 Speaker
38 Timing display means (notification means)
38a light emitter 38b circular light emitter
40 medal transfer / housing structure 41 medal guide
42 Hopper 43 Medal lending device
43a medal sending mechanism 44 saucer
44a medal outlet 45 medal insertion sensor
46 medal lending sensor 50 control means
60 Main control unit 61 Drive control unit
62 Symbol stop determination unit 63 BE @ detection unit
64 Winning determination processing section (winning determination processing section)
64a Lottery processing unit
65 Accessory control processing unit 66 Timing notification processing unit
71 General random number generating means 72 Special random number generating means
L stop line

Claims (7)

Variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols for each column;
Stop instruction means for instructing the stop of the variable display for each column;
Prior to stopping all rows of the variable display, a lottery processing means for performing a lottery to determine whether or not to win the role,
In the gaming machine, the variable display means is configured to be controlled to be stopped based on a symbol stop mode predetermined according to the type of the winning combination,
At least for a predetermined combination, a plurality of symbol stop modes are prepared,
Also, random number generating means for generating random numbers within a range corresponding to all of the random number divisions set for each symbol stop mode in the predetermined combination, extracting random numbers generated at the time of a predetermined game operation by the player A random number extracting means, and a second lottery processing means comprising a determining means for determining which random number category the extracted random number corresponds to;
Notifying means for notifying a point in time when a random number corresponding to at least a part of the random number sections of the plurality of random number sections is generated,
A gaming machine further comprising: The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the notification unit is configured to be performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the notification by the notification means is configured to be performed over a predetermined game period. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second lottery process is a lottery process for distributing payout modes in which a plurality of types are prepared for a predetermined combination and each of which has a different payout. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second lottery process is a lottery process for distributing game transition / non-transition in a special game mode including two types of game contents. 5. The random number generation means is configured to interpose random number generation modes having different random number generation intervals at least during a period excluding a period from the start of notification by the notification unit to the time when the predetermined game operation is performed. Item 6. A gaming machine according to any one of Items 1 to 5. Variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols for each column;
Stop instruction means for instructing the stop of the variable display for each column;
Prior to stopping all rows of the variable display, a lottery processing means for performing a lottery to determine whether or not to win the role,
In the gaming machine, the variable display means is configured to be controlled to be stopped based on a symbol stop mode predetermined according to the type of the winning combination,
The lottery processing means includes a random number generating means for generating a random number within a range including all of the random number divisions set for each combination, a random number extracting means for extracting a random number generated at the time of a predetermined game operation by the player , And determination means for determining which random number category the extracted random numbers correspond to,
Notifying means for notifying a point in time at which a random number corresponding to at least a part of the random number sections of the plurality of random number sections has been generated,
A gaming machine further comprising:

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