JP2005224620A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine, which allows the player to discriminate a time lag between the operation of a stop button and the stopping of a reel by auditory sense. <P>SOLUTION: The slot machine comprises a plurality of reels 2a, 2b and 2c, stop button switches 7a, 7b and 7c for stopping their corresponding reels, a reel control means for controlling the delayed stopping of the reels to generate a time lag, the maximum value of which is previously determined, between the operation of the stop button switches 7a, 7b and 7c and the stopping of the reels 2a, 2b and 2c, a sound generating means for generating a sound for a notification, and a sound generation control means for controlling the sound generation. The sound generation control means is designed to start or stop generating the sound in response to the operation of the stop button switches 7a, 7b and 7c or the stopping of the reels 2a, 2b and 2c, or momentarily generate the sound in response to the operation of the stop button switches 7a, 7b and 7c or the stopping of the reels 2a, 2b and 2c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  According to the present invention, after a plurality of reels representing a plurality of symbols are rotated, each reel is individually stopped by operating a stop button switch, and according to symbols arranged on a predetermined stop line. The present invention relates to a slot machine that determines whether or not there is a prize.

  In general, in a slot machine, if a stop button switch is operated after rotating a plurality of reels representing a plurality of symbols, a short beep is generated to inform the player that the operation is effective. To do.

  Also, in recent slot machines, when all reels are started at the same time by operating the start lever, an internal lottery is performed by the control unit in the slot machine, and when the internal lottery is won, a specific symbol for winning is displayed on the stop line. The reel pull-in stop control is performed so that the reel stops, and when the lottery is out of the internal lottery, the reel stop control is performed at a predetermined short timing.

  When the stop button switch is operated, the pull-in stop control is performed so that if the corresponding symbol is located within several frames before the effective stop line, the symbol is stopped on the stop line. If not, the reel is controlled to stop after sending the maximum number of symbols regulated by law. Between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the reel stop timing, A time lag corresponding to several symbols is generated. The maximum value of this time lag is regulated by law to prevent the player from feeling an unnatural reel stop operation.

  By the way, in this type of slot machine, the result of the internal lottery is unknown to the player, so even if the internal lottery is won, if the specific symbol for winning is not aligned on the stop line, the player will be halfway May stop the game or change the game machine.

  Therefore, the applicant of the present invention previously activated the notification means such as a lamp when the internal lottery in the control unit has been won, and the notification means until the specific symbol arrangement for winning is aligned on the stop line. A slot machine was proposed in which the operation of (2) is continued (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-80235

However, in the slot machine, a notification means such as a lamp notifies that the internal lottery has been won, so not only the player himself but also the surrounding people are informed that the internal lottery has been won.
The reel of a slot machine rotates at a speed that allows a symbol passing through the symbol display window to be barely recognized by a skilled person, so even if it is known that an internal lottery has been won, for general players It is difficult to stop the target symbol on the stop line.
For this reason, the notification means will continue to operate until the specific symbol arrangement for winning is aligned on the stop line, and there is a problem that the player is concerned about the surrounding eyes and cannot concentrate on the game. It was.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problem, and provides a slot machine capable of hearing the time lag between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the stop timing of the reel, so that only the player himself can The purpose is to make it possible to recognize that the internal lottery has been won.

  The slot machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of reels each representing a plurality of symbols, a stop button switch for each reel for stopping each reel, an operation timing of the stop button switch, and a reel stop timing. And a reel control means for performing a pull-in stop control of a reel that generates a time lag with a maximum value between the sound generating means for generating a sound for notification, and the sound generation by the sound generating means Sound generation control means for controlling the operation is further provided. The sound generation control means starts the sound generation operation of the sound generation means in response to the operation of the stop button switch, and stops the sound generation operation of the sound generation means in response to the stop operation of the reel.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a slot machine includes a plurality of reels each representing a plurality of symbols, a stop button switch for each reel for stopping each reel, an operation timing of the stop button switch, and a reel stop timing. And a reel control means for performing a pull-in stop control of a reel that generates a time lag with a maximum value between the sound generating means for generating a sound for notification, and the sound generation by the sound generating means Sound generation control means for controlling the operation is further provided. The sound generation control means causes the sound generation means to instantaneously generate sound according to the operation of the stop button switch, and causes the sound generation means to instantaneously generate sound according to the stop operation of the reel.

  In the slot machine of the present invention, the sound generation operation is started according to the operation of the stop button switch and the sound generation operation is stopped according to the stop operation of the reel, or the sound generation operation is instantaneously performed according to the operation of the stop button switch. Since the sound generation operation is instantaneously performed according to the stop operation, the player can determine the size of the time lag between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the stop timing of the reel by hearing with the duration of the sound and the generation interval of the instantaneous sound. Can be determined. Therefore, when the time lag determined by hearing becomes large enough to reach the maximum value, the player is controlled to stop the drawing of the reel so that a specific symbol for winning is stopped on the stop line in the internal lottery. Can be recognized by hearing. This will not stop the game halfway through without knowing that the internal lottery has been won, or move to another slot machine, and only the player can recognize the per lot of the internal lottery. You can concentrate on the game without worrying.

  Furthermore, the skilled person can skillfully operate the stop button switch so that the target symbol stops on the stop line with reference to the time lag between the stop button switch operation timing and the reel stop timing. There is also an effect.

FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a slot machine 1 in which the present invention is implemented.
This slot machine 1 is provided with three reels 2a, 2b, and 2c each having a plurality of symbols displayed on the peripheral surface. A symbol display window 3, a medal deposit number display 4, a medal insertion on the front of the machine body. A mouth 5, a start lever 6, stop button switches 7a, 7b, 7c, a medal insertion switch 8, a settlement switch 9, a medal discharge port 10, a medal tray 11, and the like are provided.

Three reels 2a, 2b, 2c are located in the symbol display window 3, and the rotational state of each reel 2a, 2b, 2c can be seen through the symbol display window 3, and the reels 2a, 2b, 2c. Are stopped, the symbols for the three frames of each reel are arranged in line on the upper, middle, lower and diagonal stop lines L _{1 to} L ₅ .
These stop lines L _{1 to} L ₅ are sequentially activated in accordance with the number of inserted medals. When one medal is inserted, the central stop line L ₁ is replaced with two medals. when it is turned on the three stop lines L ₁ ~L _3, stops the line L ₁ ~L ₅ of five when the three medal is inserted, respectively valid, aligned on an effective stop line If the combination of symbols is a winning combination, a predetermined number of medals are paid out.

  The start lever 6 is for starting the three reels 2a, 2b and 2c all at once, and the stop button switches 7a, 7b and 7c are for stopping the reels 2a, 2b and 2c, respectively.

  The medal slot 5 is a place where a large number of medals are inserted prior to the start of the game, or one or a plurality of medals are inserted for each game. The medal tray 11 accommodates medals discharged from the medal outlet 10 upon medal payout or settlement.

  This slot machine 1 employs a credit system that allows a game to be executed by consuming stored medals previously deposited in the machine, and the number of stored medals is digitally displayed on the deposited number display 4. Is done. The medal insertion switch 8 is for instructing to consume the stored medals and set the number of medal insertions when the game is executed, and medals according to the number of operations are automatically inserted. The settlement switch 9 settles the stored medals and releases the number of medals to be returned to the medal tray 11.

In the machine body of the slot machine 1, a first sounding means 26 and a second sounding means 27 (both shown in FIG. 2) are provided.
When the first sounding means 26 starts the reels 2a, 2b, 2c and then presses the stop button switches 7a, 7b, 7c, the first sounding means 26 makes a short beep (hereinafter referred to as "first sound"). Is generated instantaneously to notify the player of the operation timing of the stop button switches 7a, 7b, 7c.

  The second sound generation means 27 generates a sound having a tone different from the first sound (hereinafter referred to as “second sound”), and starts a sound generation operation at substantially the same timing as the first sound, and the corresponding reel When is actually stopped, the sounding operation is stopped. This second sound informs the player of the time lag between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the reel stop timing.

FIG. 2 shows a main circuit configuration example of the slot machine 1.
In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a control unit comprising a CPU 16, ROM 17, RAM 18, and random number generator 23, and an input port 20, an output port 21, a display interface 22, etc. are connected to the CPU 16 via a bus 19. .

The ROM 17 stores fixed data such as a program indicating a control procedure of machine operation and a symbol arrangement table of each reel 2a, 2b, 2c.
The CPU 16 is a main body of control / calculation, reads / writes data from / to the RAM 18 according to the program of the ROM 17 and fixed data, and controls a series of operations of input / output units.

  The random number generator 23 outputs an arbitrary integer value at a predetermined time interval, and the CPU 16 takes in the random value and executes a lottery as will be described later.

  The start lever 6, the stop button switches 7a to 7c, the medal insertion switch 8 and the like are connected to the input port 20, and the detection signal and the electric signal by the operation are taken into the CPU 16 through the input port 20 and the bus 19.

  The bus 19 is connected to a reel driving unit 24, a hopper driving unit 25, a first sounding unit 26, and a second sounding unit 27 through an output port 21, and a display interface 22 is used for display. A circuit 28 is connected. A command from the CPU 16 is transmitted to each of these outputs via the bus 19 and the output port 21 or the display interface 22.

  In response to the command from the CPU 16, the reel driving unit 24 controls the operation of each reel driving stepping motor 29 (shown in FIG. 3), and the hopper driving unit 25 drives a hopper (not shown) inside the fuselage. Then, a predetermined number of medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 10 to the medal tray 11.

Similarly, in response to a command from the CPU 16, the first sounding means 26 generates a first sound when the stop button switches 7a to 7c are operated, and the second sounding means 27, after the stop operation, the corresponding reel 2a. The second sound is generated until ˜2c actually stops.
The display circuit 25 causes the deposit number indicator 4 and the like to display.

  FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration example of the reel driving unit 24 and the function of the CPU 16 together. This figure shows only the circuit configuration of the reel 2a (the same applies to the other reels 2b and 2c).

  In the figure, the reel drive unit 24 receives a clock signal, generates a drive pulse p, supplies the drive pulse p to the stepping motor 29, and drives the reel 2a. A start command and a stop command are given to the reel drive unit 24 from the reel control unit 30 of the CPU 16.

  When a medal is inserted and the start lever 6 is operated, a start signal is input to the reel control unit 30, and the reel control unit 30 issues a start command to operate the reel driving unit 24.

The start signal is also given to the lottery unit 31 in the CPU 16.
The lottery unit 31 is for determining whether or not to perform the pull-in stop control so that the combination of symbols for winning a prize is established on a valid stop line. The lottery unit 31 receives the start signal and outputs the random number generator 23. Then, it is determined whether or not the random number value is included in the range of the random number value stored in the ROM 17, and the result is output to the reel control unit 30.

  The drive pulse p is given to the counter unit 32 of the CPU 16 and counted. The count value of the counter unit 32 is reset by a reset signal output when the reel 2a rotates once. The symbol detection unit 33 refers to the symbol arrangement table of the reel 2a in the ROM 17 from the count value of the counter unit 32, and determines which symbol on the reel 2a is located on an effective stop line. 30 and the determination unit 34.

  When the stop button switch 7a is operated, a stop signal is input to the reel control unit 30 correspondingly. When receiving the stop signal, the reel control unit 30 refers to the determination result of the lottery unit 31 and the detection result of the symbol detection unit 33, and issues a stop command to the reel drive unit 24 at a timing according to the determination result. 29 is stopped.

  Specifically, when the lottery unit 31 performs a lottery control so that the combination of symbols for winning a prize is established, the drawing stop control is performed before the stop line in which the corresponding symbol is valid when the stop signal is received. If it is located within several frames, the reel 2a is controlled to stop so that the symbol stops on the stop line. If not, the reel 2a is sent after sending a symbol having the maximum number of frames regulated by law. Control to stop. When the internal lottery is off and normal stop control is performed, the reel 2a is controlled to stop at a predetermined short timing.

The determination unit 34 determines whether the symbol stopped on the effective stop line is a symbol for winning, and outputs the determination result.
The lottery result by the lottery unit 31 is also transmitted to the reel control units of the second and third reels 2b and 2c, and the same stop control as described above is performed by the reel control unit according to the lottery result.

  FIG. 4 shows the control procedure by the CPU 16 in step 1 (indicated by “ST1” in the figure) to step 15, and FIG. 5 shows the operation timing of the sounding means 26 and 27. The operation of the slot machine 1 will be described below according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  First, the CPU 16 determines the insertion of medals in step 1. When a medal is inserted from the medal slot 5 or a stored medal is automatically inserted by operating the medal insertion switch 8, the determination in step 1 is “YES”, and the CPU 16 operates the start lever 6 in step 2. To wait.

  When the start lever 6 is operated, the determination in step 2 is “YES”, and the CPU 16 starts all the reels 2a to 2c at the same time in step 3, and then performs the internal lottery of the above-described contents in step 4. After that, the system waits for the pressing operation of the stop button switches 7a to 7c (step 5).

  When any one of the stop button switches 7a to 7c is pressed, Step 5 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 16 instantaneously makes the first sound 26 by the first drive signal i1 shown in FIG. And the second drive signal i2 is turned on to start the second sound generation operation by the second sound generation means 27 (steps 6 and 7).

  In subsequent step 8, the lottery result is checked, and if the internal lottery is successful, step 8 is “YES”, and the reel control unit 30 of the CPU 16 issues a stop command based on the pull-in stop control described above to the reel drive unit 24. (Step 9).

  Further, when the lottery result is “out of”, step 8 becomes “NO”, the process proceeds to step 10, and the reel control unit 30 outputs a stop command to the reel drive unit 24 according to the operation timing of the stop switch. .

  When the reel is stopped by a stop command from the reel control unit 30, the CPU 16 turns off the second drive signal i2 and stops the second sound generation operation by the second sound generation means 27 (step 11).

In the subsequent step 12, it is checked whether or not all the reels 2a to 2c are stopped, and the operations in steps 5 to 12 are repeated until all the reels 2a to 2c are stopped.
When all the reels 2a to 2c are stopped and the determination in step 12 is "YES", the CPU 16 next checks whether or not a combination of symbols for winning is established on a valid stop line (step 13). .

When the combination of symbols for winning is established on the valid stop line, step 14 is “YES”, and the CPU 16 drives the hopper driving unit 25 to pay out a predetermined number of medals, and then plays the game. End (step 15).
If the combination of symbols for winning is not established, step 14 is “NO” and the game is ended as it is.

  In this embodiment, in response to the pressing operation of the stop button switches 7a to 7c, the first sound by the first sounding means 26 is instantaneously generated, thereby notifying the operation timing of the stop button switches 7a to 7c. Further, the sound generation operation of the second sound by the second sound generation means 27 is continued until the reels 2a to 2c are stopped after the operation of the stop button switches 7a to 7c. Although the time lag between the reel stop timing is notified, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to generate a drive signal having a timing as shown in FIG. Good.

  In the example of FIG. 6A, the first drive signal i1 is turned on in response to the pressing operation of the stop button switch, the sound generation operation of the first sound generation means is started, and the first drive is performed by the reel stop operation. The signal i1 is turned off to stop the sounding operation of the first sounding means, and the second sounding means is instantaneously sounded by the second drive signal i2.

6 (2) and 6 (3) are examples in the case where a single sounding means is used. In the example of FIG. 6 (2), the drive signal i is turned on in response to the pressing operation of the stop button switch. Then, the sound generation operation of the sound generation means is started, and in response to the reel stop operation, the drive signal i is turned off to stop the sound generation operation of the sound generation means.
In the example of FIG. 6 (3), in response to the pressing operation of the stop button switch, the sound generation means is instantaneously sounded by the drive signal i, and the sound is sounded again by the drive signal i in response to the reel stop operation. The means is sounded instantaneously.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine with which this invention was implemented. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of a slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of a reel drive part, and the function of CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control by a control part. It is a time chart which shows the timing of sounding operation | movement. It is a time chart which shows the timing of the sound generation operation | movement in another Example.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine 2a~2c reel 7a~7c stop button switch 15 the control unit 26 first sound generating means 27 second sound generating means L ₁ ~L ₅ Stop Line

Claims (2)

A plurality of reels each representing a plurality of symbols, a stop button switch for each reel for stopping each reel, and a maximum value is defined between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the reel stop timing. In a slot machine provided with reel control means for performing pull-in stop control of a reel that causes a time lag,
A sound generation means for generating a sound for notification; and a sound generation control means for controlling a sound generation operation of the sound generation means, wherein the sound generation control means is configured to generate a sound generation operation of the sound generation means in response to an operation of the stop button switch. A slot machine which starts the sound generation operation of the sound generation means in response to the stop operation of the reel. A plurality of reels each representing a plurality of symbols, a stop button switch for each reel for stopping each reel, and a maximum value is defined between the operation timing of the stop button switch and the reel stop timing. In a slot machine provided with reel control means for performing pull-in stop control of a reel that causes a time lag,
A sound generation means for generating a sound for notification; and a sound generation control means for controlling a sound generation operation of the sound generation means. The sound generation control means instantly turns the sound generation means in response to an operation of the stop button switch. A slot machine that causes the sound generation means to instantaneously generate sound according to the stop operation of the reel.

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