JP2005245592A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine which prevents a player from misoperating a stop button. <P>SOLUTION: A through hole 52g to insert the locking piece 35 of a solenoid 34 is provided on the side of a pedestal body 52 forming the stop button 11. The locking piece 35 inserted into the through hole 52g enters between a stop button operating section 40 and the pedestal 41 and prohibits the stop button operating section 40 from moving to a pressing position. The solenoid 34 is connected to a control circuit 20 controlling the slot machine 2, and the locking piece 35 prevents the player from misoperating the stop button by moving to a prohibiting position or permitting position in accordance with a signal from the control circuit 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine that is installed and used in a game arcade such as a pachinko parlor.

  In recent years, slot machines called pachislot machines have been widely installed and installed in game halls such as pachinko parlors. In a pachislot machine, a certain value is given to a medal as a game medium, and a medal obtained by playing a game (hereinafter referred to as a game) can be exchanged for various prizes. In the present specification, description will be made using a general medal as the game medium of the pachislot machine, but other game media such as coins and pachinko balls may be used.

  There are various types of pachislot machines, such as a start lever for starting a game, a bet button for betting credited medals, and a stop button for stopping a reel that is rotated by operating the start lever (game start operation). The operation buttons are attached.

  The pachislot machine is controlled by an electronic circuit equipped with a CPU, memory, and the like, and various game modes are constructed depending on the configuration of software stored in the memory. For example, the big bonus mode (hereinafter referred to as BB mode), regular bonus mode (hereinafter referred to as RB mode), or stop button operation order that makes it easy to obtain a winning by adjusting the probability of winning by electronic lottery is notified In addition, assist time mode (hereinafter referred to as “AT mode”) in which a winning can be obtained by operating the stop button in accordance with the notified order, and pull-in control for controlling the stop position of the reel within a certain range are known. Therefore, when a game is played in these special game modes, a large amount of rewards can be obtained as compared with a case where a game is played in the normal game mode. In the present specification, a state in which the winning combination is drawn by electronic lottery is referred to as winning, and a state in which symbols corresponding to the winning combination are prepared by operating the stop button is referred to as winning.

  In addition to the game mode described above, there are various situations (game situations) in the control of the pachislot machine performed by the electronic circuit. One of them is that even if the stop button itself can be operated, the electronic circuit will not accept the operation, and if the player operates the stop button in this situation, the electronic circuit However, since the operation is not accepted, the operation becomes invalid against the player's intention. In addition, if the player operates a plurality of stop buttons in succession and does not accept the stop button operation before the last stop button operation, the player will change the reel stop order intended by the player. . For example, there are three reels and stop buttons, and the player operates the stop buttons in the order of No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, and accepts the stop button operation only when the No. 1 stop button is operated. When the situation does not occur, the second and third reels are stopped, while the first reel continues to rotate. As a result, the reels are stopped in the second, third, and first order. It will change in turn order. Further, in a situation where the change of the stop order is directly connected to the success or failure of the prize, such as in the AT mode, the player is disadvantaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine that prevents an erroneous operation of a stop button by a player and improves the durability of the stop button.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the slot machine of the present invention is provided with a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer periphery and starting to rotate in response to a game start operation, and corresponding to each of these reels. A stop button that moves to the pressing position by pressing and stops the rotation of the corresponding reel, and a block that is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of stop buttons and prevents the stop button from moving to the pressing position. A movable member that is movable between a position and a permission position that permits movement of the stop button to the pressing position, and a control means that moves the movable member to one of the blocking position and the permission position. It is characterized by having.

  In addition, when the next game start operation is performed before a predetermined time elapses from the game start operation, the control means sets the movable member to the blocking position until a predetermined time elapses, It is preferable that the movable member is set to the permission position after elapse of time.

  In addition, a winning combination determining means for determining one of a winning combination and a plurality of winning combinations by lottery before the stop button is operated, and when a specific winning combination is drawn by the winning combination determining means, An operation order determining means for determining an operation order of the stop button that enables winning of a winning combination, and the control means determines the operation order of the stop button determined by the operation order determining means among the plurality of movable members. Based on this, it is preferable that only the movable member corresponding to the stop button to be operated is set to the permission position, and the remaining movable members are set to the blocking position.

  Further, the reels that rotate so that the symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery by the winning combination determining means stops on the winning line for determining whether or not the winning combination has won by the combination of the stopped symbols. Stop control means for controlling the stop is provided, and the control means is in a range in which a winning symbol corresponding to a specific winning combination drawn by the winning combination determining means is stopped by the stop controlling means on the winning active line. In some cases, it is preferable that the movable member is in the permitted position, and when the movable member is not in the range to be stopped, the movable member is in the blocking position.

  Further, it is preferable that the control means sets the movable member at the blocking position when a game medium required prior to the game start operation is not input.

  According to the slot machine of the present invention, a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery, provided in correspondence with each of the reels that start rotating in response to the game start operation, and pressed by pressing. A stop button that moves to a position and stops rotation of the corresponding reel, and a stop position that prevents movement of the stop button to the pressed position and a pressed position of the stop button that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of stop buttons A stop member that does not need to be pressed is provided by including a movable member that is movable between a permitted position that permits movement of the movable member and a control unit that moves the movable member to either the blocking position or the permitted position. On the other hand, the movable member is set to the blocking position so that the stop button cannot be pressed, and the movable member is permitted to the stop button that needs to be pressed. A manner, the order of the stop button can be be pressed, together with the erroneous operation of the stop button by the player is prevented, thereby enhancing the durability of the stop button to prevent operation of the unnecessary stop button. In addition, when the movable member is in the blocking position, even if the player presses the stop button, the stop button does not move to the pressing position, so that the slot machine does not accept the operation of the stop button. It is possible to notify the player by the touch. Note that the erroneous operation of the stop button by the player includes a change in the operation order of the stop button intended by the player and a mistake in pressing the operation order of the specific stop button by the player.

  In addition, when the next game start operation is performed before a predetermined time has elapsed from the game start operation, the control means places the movable member in the blocking position until the predetermined time elapses, and the predetermined time has elapsed. When the movable member is set to the permitted position later, the stop button does not function effectively unless a certain time elapses between the game start operation and the game start operation next to the game start operation (so-called 4.1). (Second rule) can prevent the player from pressing the stop button, prevent the player from erroneously operating the stop button, and prevent unnecessary operation of the stop button to increase the durability of the stop button Can do.

  In addition, a winning combination determination means for determining one of a winning combination and a plurality of winning combinations by lottery before the stop button is operated, and when a specific winning combination is drawn by the winning combination determination means, An operation order determining means for determining an operation order of stop buttons to be awarded, and the control means is a stop to be operated based on the operation order of the stop buttons determined by the operation order determining means among the plurality of movable members. By setting only the movable member corresponding to the button to the permitted position and the remaining movable members to the blocking position, it is possible to prevent the player from mistakenly pushing the operation order of the stop buttons determined by the operation order determining means. Can win a prize.

  In addition, the rotating reels of the rotating reels are stopped so that the symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery by the winning combination determining means stops on the winning line for determining whether or not a specific winning combination has won by the combination of the stopped symbols. Stop control means for controlling the stop is provided, and the control means moves the movable member when the winning symbol corresponding to the specific winning combination drawn by the winning combination determining means is within the range where the winning control line is stopped by the stop control means. The winning symbol is positioned in the range where the winning symbol is stopped on the winning line by the stop control means (so-called symbol pull-in range) by setting the movable member to the blocking position when it is not in the range to be stopped. When the player is playing, the stop button can be pressed and the range where the winning line is not stopped (so-called symbol drawing When winning symbols in capacity range) is located, it becomes impossible pressing the stop button can be provided reliably prize to the player.

  In addition, when the game medium required prior to the game start operation is not inserted, the movable member is placed in the blocking position, so that the game machine can be inserted into the slot machine, for example, when a game is not being performed. It is possible to prevent unnecessary operation of the stop button when the is not inserted and to enhance the durability of the stop button.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied. In the slot machine 2, a display window 5 is provided on the front door 4 of the housing 3, and reels 6 a, 6 b, and 6 c are rotatably incorporated in the back of the display window 5. As is well known, various symbols are arranged on the outer periphery of the reels 6a, 6b, 6c at a constant pitch, and when the reels 6a, 6b, 6c are stopped, three pieces per reel through the corresponding display window 5. A total of five winning active lines are set, with three horizontal lines and two diagonal lines obtained by combining the symbols of the reels 6a, 6b, and 6c one by one. Further, on the side of the display window 5, for example, an LCD panel 7 that displays an effect image or moving image or performs assist display in the AT mode is provided.

  Below the display window 5 and the LCD panel 7, an operation panel 8 is provided. The operation panel 8 corresponds to each of the MAX bet button 9, the 1 bet button 10, and the reels 6a, 6b, 6c. Various operation buttons such as stop buttons 11a, 11b, 11c, a start lever 12, and a payout button 13 are provided, which are provided and moved to a pressing position by pressing to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel. , 6b, 6c start to rotate in response to the operation of the start lever 12 (game start operation). The operation panel 8 is provided with a medal insertion slot 14 for inserting a medal (game medium) 80, and a medal payout opening 15 and a medal tray 16 are provided below the operation panel 8. A selector (not shown) for selecting an appropriate medal 80 and an illegal medal is incorporated in the back of the medal insertion slot 14, and the illegal medal is discharged to the medal tray 16 through the medal payout slot 15. . The selector similarly discharges medals 80 inserted at an inappropriate timing such as in the middle of the game or in a state where various operation buttons are pressed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a simplified internal configuration of the slot machine 2. The operation of the slot machine 2 is controlled by a control circuit 20 including a CPU 21 and a memory 22. The medal sensor 23 detects an appropriate medal 80 selected by the selector and outputs a medal detection signal to the CPU 21. In the slot machine 2, for example, when the number of medals 80 required for the game is 1 to 3, the off state in which the appropriate medals 80 inserted after the fourth are discharged to the medal tray 16 and the four medals 80 The payout button 13 is provided with a credit function that can be switched between an ON state in which an appropriate medal 80 inserted after the eye is detected by the medal sensor 23 and stored in the slot machine 2 up to 50 sheets (credit). This operation is switched between the on state and the off state each time. Further, when a winning is obtained as a result of the game and the credit function is on, the payout medal 80 is also credited, and the medal 80 credited when the payout button 13 is operated is paid out to the medal tray 16.

  When the MAX bet button 9 is operated with the medal 80 credited, the maximum number of bets 80 that can be bet is bet, and when the 1-bet button 10 is operated with the medal 80 credited, the number of operations depends on the number of operations. The number of medals 80 is bet. When the medal 80 is bet, the number of bet medals 80 is subtracted from the number of credited medals 80, and a winning line corresponding to the number of bet medals 80 is activated.

  The start signal sensor 24 provided in the control circuit 20 outputs a game start signal for starting a game to the CPU 21 in response to the operation of the start lever 12. Receiving the game start signal from the start signal sensor 24, the CPU 21 rotates the reels 6a, 6b, 6c based on the software stored in the ROM area of the memory 22 and starts game processing. The reels 6a, 6b, and 6c are attached to the rotation shafts of the stepping motors 25a, 25b, and 25c, and the stepping motors 25a, 25b, and 25c are connected to the reel drive controller 26 to control driving and stopping.

  The stepping motors 25a, 25b, and 25c rotate at a rotation angle corresponding to the number of pulses supplied from the reel drive controller 26. Accordingly, the reel drive controller 26 can control the rotation of the reels 6a, 6b and 6c by controlling the number of pulses supplied, and the position where the reels 6a, 6b and 6c stop when the pulse supply is cut off. Can be determined in advance. In addition, reflection signal portions 27a, 27b, and 27c indicating the reference position are integrally formed on each reel, and the photosensors 28a, 28b, and 28c pass through the reflection signal portions 27a, 27b, and 27c every rotation. Photoelectric detection. Detection signals from the photosensors 28a, 28b, and 28c are output to the CPU 21 as reset signals.

  Inside the CPU 21, a pulse counter is provided for each of the stepping motors 25a, 25b, and 25c, and the number of pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 25a, 25b, and 25c is counted. The count value of the pulse counter is cleared each time a reset signal is input and is up-counted again. Accordingly, each pulse counter is stored while the number of pulses corresponding to the rotation angle within one rotation of each reel 6a, 6b, 6c is sequentially updated.

  In the ROM area prepared in the memory 22, the number of pulses corresponding to the rotation angle from the reference position of each reel 6a, 6b, 6c and the respective symbols arranged on the reels 6a, 6b, 6c at a constant pitch. A symbol table is stored in association with a symbol code representing, and the CPU 21 monitors a count value of a pulse counter provided for each of the stepping motors 25a, 25b, and 25c, thereby enabling a preset winning validity. Identify which symbol is displayed above the line. In addition, the number of pulses required to stop a specific symbol on a preset winning effective line is calculated, and the specific symbol is stopped on a predetermined winning effective line. Therefore, the reels 6a, 6b that rotate so that a specific symbol stops on the winning line by the CPU 21, the memory 22, the stepping motors 25a, 25b, 25c, the reel drive controller 26, and the photo sensors 28a, 28b, 28c. , 6c functions as stop control means for controlling stop. Note that a RAM area serving as a working area is prepared in the memory 22 and used for temporary storage and rewriting of flags and data used for each game.

  The stop button operation unit 40 of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c moves to the pressed position when pressed. Moreover, the photo interrupter 43 which detects that the stop button operation part 40 moved to the press position was provided in the stop button 11a, 11b, 11c, and the stop button operation part 40 moved to the press position The photo-interrupter 43 that has detected is output a stop signal to the CPU 21.

  The reels 6a, 6b, and 6c that start rotating by the operation of the start lever 12 start the stop control by pressing the corresponding stop button operation portions 40 of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c. When a plurality of stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c are operated at the same time, only the reels 6a, 6b, and 6c corresponding to the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c with earlier timings are stopped and are operated completely simultaneously. The reels 6a, 6b and 6c are not stopped.

  Receiving the game start signal from the start signal sensor 24, the CPU 21 rotates the reels 6a, 6b, 6c and operates the electronic lottery unit 29 and the winning combination determining unit 30. Each time the game is started, the electronic lottery unit 29 acquires one random number value, and the winning combination determining unit 30 determines a winning combination or a loss corresponding to the random number value. Therefore, the CPU 21, the electronic lottery unit 29, and the winning combination determining unit 30 function as winning combination determining means for determining either a loss or a plurality of winning combinations by lottery before the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c are operated. To do.

  The winning combination determining unit 30 is provided with a plurality of winning tables individually prepared according to the game mode, and random numbers corresponding to a plurality of types of winning combinations and loses are assigned with predetermined probabilities, respectively. ing.

  The stop operation order determination unit 31 that operates when the winning combination determination unit 30 draws a specific winning combination, the operation order of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c that can win a winning symbol corresponding to the selected winning combination. Is determined by electronic lottery, and the CPU 21 and the reel drive controller 26 can win a winning symbol only when the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c are operated in the operation order determined by the stop operation order determination unit 31. Thus, stop control of the reels 6a, 6b and 6c is performed. Accordingly, the stop operation order determination unit 31 functions as an operation order determination unit that determines the operation order of the stop buttons that can win a winning symbol corresponding to a winning combination when a specific winning combination is drawn. .

  The AT transition lottery unit 32 that operates every time a game in the normal game mode is started performs an AT lottery to determine whether or not to shift from the normal game mode to the AT mode. The game mode is shifted to the AT mode for notifying the LCD panel 7 of the operation order of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c determined by the stop operation order determination unit 31 for a certain time.

  The ROM area of the memory 22 stores a payout table that determines the number of payout medals 80 for each type of winning combination. When the winning combination wins, the CPU 21 reads the payout table stored in the memory 22 and drives the medal payout unit 33. Based on the data from the CPU 21, the medal payout unit 33 pays out the payout medal 80 to the medal tray 16 or adds the number to the credited medal 80. The medal payout unit 33 may be a known means such as a hopper mechanism.

  The stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c are provided with solenoids 34a, 34b, and 34c corresponding to the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c, respectively. Lock pieces (movable members) 35a, 35b, and 35c are attached to the ends of the movable iron cores, and the lock pieces 35a, 35b, and 35c are linearly moved by solenoids 34a, 34b, and 34c. However, the solenoids 34a, 34b, 34c are not limited to this, and other known means such as other electric motors may be used as long as the lock pieces 35a, 35b, 35c are movable.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3 showing an exploded perspective view of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c and FIG. 4 showing a sectional view of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c, the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c and the solenoid 34a, The configuration of 34b and 34c will be described. However, since the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c are the same, hereinafter, the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c are collectively referred to as the stop button 11. Similarly, the solenoids 34a, 34b, and 34c and the lock pieces 35a, 35b, and 35c are referred to as a solenoid 34 and a lock piece 35, respectively. In addition, the solenoid 34 of FIG. 4 has shown the state which the movable iron core extended.

  The stop button 11 includes a stop button operation unit 40, a base 41, a coil spring 42, and a circuit board 45 on which a photo interrupter 43 and an LED 44 are mounted as a unit. The stop button operation unit 40 includes a substantially bottomed cylindrical pressing member 50 formed of a colored transparent resin material, and a substantially cylindrical receiving member 51 that holds the pressing member 50. A pair of tongue pieces 50b in which engagement holes 50a are formed are provided opposite to each other on the opening side end of the pressing member 50. The outer diameter of the end of the receiving member 51 on the pressing member 50 side is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the pressing member 50, and this end is accommodated in the end of the pressing member 50 on the opening side. It has become. And the press member 50 and the receiving member 51 are assembled | attached integrally by engaging with the latching claw 51a formed in the outer peripheral surface of the receiving member 51. FIG.

  Inside the receiving member 51, a cylindrical member having a tapered inner space that is narrowed from the end on the pressing member 50 side toward the end on the opposite side is provided. The LED 44 is inserted through the opening 51b provided at the end. Therefore, the receiving member 51 functions as a light guide using the LED 44 as a light source. Further, four ribs 51c are formed in the cross direction on the surface opposite to the pressing member 50 of the cylindrical member having a tapered inner space, and one of the ribs 51c includes a blocking piece 51d. The blocking piece 51d enters the detection groove of the photo interrupter 43 when the stop button operation unit 40 is pressed and moved to the pressed position, and detects that the stop button 11 has been operated. A recess 51e is formed in the rib 51c, and the coil spring 42 enters the recess 51e at the time of assembly to urge the stop button operation unit 40 in the direction opposite to the pressing.

  A locking claw 51f is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the receiving member 51 opposite to the pressing member 50. The locking claw 51f enters a recess (not shown) formed in the inner wall of the pedestal 41, which will be described later, and prevents the stop button operation unit 40 from being removed from the pedestal 41, and the operation direction of the stop button operation unit 40 is changed. It is regulated.

  The pedestal 41 includes a pedestal main body 52 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and a holding lid 53 for holding a circuit board 45 incorporated from the end of the pedestal main body 52 opposite to the receiving member 51, and is made of ABS resin or PC. Molded with resin material such as resin. A flange 52a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal main body 52 on the receiving member 51 side so as to contact the operation panel 8 and hold the stop button 11 in a predetermined position. A locking piece 52b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal main body 52 on the holding lid 53 side so as to abut against the rear surface of the operation panel 8 when attached to the operation panel 8 and prevent the stop button 11 from being removed. In addition, a holding portion 52c is formed inside the pedestal main body 52 to hold a coil spring 42 that is incorporated between the rear surface of the stop button operation portion 40, and an LED 44 is provided in an opening 52d provided at the center of the holding portion 52c. It is inserted.

  A pair of tongue pieces 52f provided with engagement holes 52e are formed at the end of the pedestal main body 52 on the holding lid 53 side so as to face each other, and the locking claws provided in the concave portion 53a of the holding lid 53 are provided. By locking 53b and the engagement hole 52e, the base body 52 and the holding lid 53 are integrated.

  A photo interrupter 43 and an LED 44 are mounted on the front surface of the circuit board 45 on which components can be mounted on both sides, and a connector 46 is mounted on the rear surface.

  The stop button operation unit 40 in which the pressing member 50 and the receiving member 51 are integrated is assembled to the base body 52 together with the coil spring 42. At this time, the end of the coil spring 42 on the receiving member 51 side is held in the recess 51e of the receiving member 51 by the holding portion 52c of the pedestal main body 52, and the stop button operation unit 40 is pressed. Energize in the opposite direction. Thereafter, the circuit board 45 and the holding lid 53 are assembled from the rear surface side of the pedestal main body 52, and the stop button 11 is completed.

  The completed stop button 11 is held on the operation panel 8 by the flange 52a, and the connector 47 from the control circuit 20 and the connector 46 of the circuit board 45 are connected. Further, a through hole 52g for inserting the lock piece 35 of the solenoid 34 is provided on the side surface of the pedestal main body 52, and the solenoid 34 is inserted into the operation panel 8 via the bracket 36 so as to be fitted into the through hole 52g. Retained.

  In accordance with a signal output from the CPU 21, the solenoid 34 has a blocking position that prevents the stop button operating unit 40 from moving to the pressing position of the lock piece 35 provided at the end of the movable iron core, and the stop button operating unit 40. Is moved to and from an allowed position that permits movement to the pressing position. Therefore, the CPU 21 and the solenoid 34 function as control means for moving the lock piece 35 to either the blocking position or the permission position. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking piece 35 inserted through the through-hole 52 g at the blocking position where the movable core of the solenoid 34 is in the protruding state (the position indicated by the solid line in the figure) is connected to the stop button operating unit 40, the base 41, and the like. The stop button operation unit 40 is prevented from moving to the pressed position. On the contrary, in the permission position (position indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure) where the movable core of the solenoid 34 is in the retracted state, the lock piece 35 is removed from the through hole 52g, and the stop button operation unit 40 is pressed. Allow to move to. If the lock piece 35 is always set to the blocking position when the game is not being played, it is possible to prevent a person who is not playing the game from operating the stop button 11 unnecessarily, thereby improving the durability of the stop button 11. Can be achieved. Accordingly, it is preferable to use a pull-type solenoid that normally has a movable iron core protruding from the solenoid 34 of the present embodiment and that houses the movable iron core only when a signal is sent.

  FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts schematically showing operations related to the stop button 11 and the solenoid 34 of the slot machine 2. The operation of the slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  The slot machine 2 into which the medal 80 is inserted from the medal insertion slot 14 credits the number of medals 80 necessary for the game according to the number of inserted medals 80 and discharges the remaining to the medal tray 16 or 50 The medal 80 is continuously credited up to the limit. Note that START in the figure indicates when the player starts using the slot machine 2, and as described above, the lock piece 35 is in the blocking position from before the START, and the stop button operation unit 40 moves to the pressing position. It is preventing that.

  By operating the MAX bet button 9 or the 1 bet button 10 in a state where the medal 80 is credited, the number of medals 80 corresponding to the operation is bet, and a winning effective line corresponding to the number of medals 80 bet. Is activated. Subsequently, by operating the start lever 12, a game start signal is output to the control circuit 20, and the reels 6a, 6b, 6c start to rotate.

  Further, at the same time when the reels 6a, 6b, 6c start to rotate, it is determined by the control circuit 20 whether or not 4.1 seconds (a fixed time) has elapsed since the previous operation of the start lever 12. Is called. This determination is a so-called 4.1 second rule provided so that the player does not receive excessive profits or losses by setting a fixed game interval to limit the maximum number of games per unit time.

  When the control circuit 20 determines that 4.1 seconds or more have elapsed since the previous operation of the start lever 12, the control circuit 20 outputs a signal to the solenoid 34 to set the lock piece 35 to the permitted position, and the stop button operation unit. Allow 40 to move to the pressed position. If it is determined that 4.1 seconds or more have not elapsed, the control circuit 20 delays the processing until 4.1 seconds have elapsed, and then outputs a signal to the solenoid 34 to place the lock piece 35 in the permitted position. The stop button operation unit 40 is allowed to move to the pressed position.

  Next, when the player operates the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c and the control circuit 20 confirms that all reels have stopped, the control circuit 20 stops the signal to the solenoid 34 and blocks the lock piece 35. The stop button operation unit 40 is again prevented from moving to the pressed position.

  In addition, it is determined whether or not a specific winning combination has won according to the combination of symbols stopped on the activated winning line, and the medal 80 is paid out according to the determination. Here, when the player finishes the game through the payout of the medal 80, the state in which the stop button operating unit 40 is prevented from moving to the pressed position is maintained.

  When the player continues the game, as shown by the connector A, the player returns to the previous stage of “medal bet” in FIG. 5 and the same procedure is repeated thereafter.

  As described above, according to the slot machine of the present invention, the stop button operation unit 40 moves to the pressed position when no game is played and when 4.1 seconds or more have not elapsed since the previous game. Can be informed to the player that the control circuit 20 is not accepting the operation of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c by the feeling of the pressing, and the player can be prevented from erroneous operation. be able to. Further, the operation of the LED 44 provided in the stop button 11 is interlocked with the operation of the solenoid 34. For example, when the stop button operation unit 40 is prevented from moving to the pressing position, it is turned off and allowed. If it is sometimes turned on, it is possible to notify the player not only by touch but also visually.

  The present invention may be applied to an AT mode game. Although omitted in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 20 of the slot machine 2 rotates the reels 6 a, 6 b, 6 c according to the operation of the start lever 12, and the electronic lottery unit 29 and the winning combination determining unit 30 The electronic lottery of any of the losers and the plurality of winning combinations is performed, and the AT shift lottery unit 32 performs the AT lottery. When the AT transition lottery unit 32 wins the AT lottery, the game mode is switched from the normal game mode to the AT mode in which the player is notified of the operation order of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c a certain number of times.

  In the AT mode, the player is notified of the operation order of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c via a display device such as the LCD panel 7. At the time of “stop button pressing permission” in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the stop operation order determination unit 31 determines not the lock pieces 35 a, 35 b, 35 c of the stop buttons 11 a, 11 b, 11 c at the permitted position all at once. Only the lock pieces 35a, 35b, 35c corresponding to the stop buttons 11a, 11b, 11c to be operated in accordance with the operated order are set to the permitted position, and the remaining lock pieces 35a, 35b, 35c are set to the blocking position. Since the player can only operate the stop button to be operated, the player can be prevented from erroneously operating the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c, and the player can be surely awarded a prize.

  Note that the present invention may be applied during pull-in control. In the pull-in control, for example, the reels 6a, 6b, and 6c in which 21 symbols are arranged are brake controlled while the five symbols 6a, 6b, and 6c move from the time when the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c are operated. Thus, the brake control start timing can be adjusted within a range in which the reels 6a, 6b, and 6c are rotated by four symbols when the stop is used as a reference. According to this pull-in control, the stop position is adjusted within the range of four symbols from the time when the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c are operated until the reels 6a, 6b, and 6c are stopped (withdraw). If the symbol corresponding to the winning combination elected electronically is included in the drawable range of this symbol, the symbol may be stopped on the winning line without giving the player a sense of incongruity. it can. Of course, when the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c are operated outside the range of the four symbols, that is, in a range where the symbols cannot be drawn, the game is lost.

  As described above, the pull-in control prevents the fluctuation of the period from the operation of the stop buttons 11a, 11b, 11c to the stop of the reels 6a, 6b, 6c, and does not give the player a sense of incongruity. However, if the symbol corresponding to the winning combination is not included in the pullable range, the winning combination according to the electronic lottery cannot be obtained. Therefore, an expert who can operate the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c at an appropriate timing while observing the movement of the symbols while the reels 6a, 6b, and 6c are rotating can surely obtain a prize, but is not used to it. This is not possible for effective players.

  Therefore, the present invention is applied to the pull-in control, and the lock button 35a, 35b, 35c corresponding to the case where the symbol corresponding to the winning combination electronically drawn is included in the pull-in range, the stop button is operated. Allow the part 40 to move to the pressing position, and stop the lock pieces 35a, 35b, 35c corresponding to when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination electronically drawn is not included in the retractable range in the blocking position If the button operation unit 40 is prevented from moving to the pressed position, the player can only use the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination electronically drawn is included in the retractable range. Since the operation cannot be performed, the player can be surely awarded a prize regardless of the skill of the player.

  However, completely filling a player's skill level is not necessarily a good game preference. For example, after a certain period of time has passed since normal pull-in control, transition to pull-in control to which the present invention is applied. It is preferable to leave a part related to the skill of the player to some extent, such as providing a case of performing a normal pull-in control and a case of performing a pull-in control to which the present invention is applied. At this time, the player may be notified of the control state of the current pull-in control by the LCD panel 7 or the like.

  In the embodiments described above, the stop button operation unit 40 is prevented from moving to the pressed position when no game is being performed. However, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The stop button operation unit 40 may be prevented from moving to the pressed position only when 80 is inserted and the game is being played. In this case, it is preferable to use a push-type solenoid that normally houses the movable iron core and projects the movable iron core only when a signal is sent. Further, if the stop button operation unit 40 is allowed to immediately move to the pressed position when the credited medal 80 is lost, for example, a game in which the medal 80 is newly added to continue the game. Since the operator may unnecessarily operate the stop buttons 11a, 11b, and 11c, it is preferable to keep the lock pieces 35a, 35b, and 35c in the blocking position for a certain period of time as shown in the flowchart of FIG. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the stop button of the slot machine has been described as an example. However, other buttons in the slot machine such as a MAX bet button, a payout button, or a stop bet button (not described in this specification) can be used. You may implement this invention in an operation button.

  Further, the present invention may be implemented not only in the slot machine but also in a table game machine installed in an amusement center, for example.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a slot machine. It is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the structure of a stop button. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a stop button. 6 is a flowchart (1/2) showing a part of the internal operation of the slot machine in a simplified manner. It is a flowchart (2/2) which simplifies and shows a part of internal operation | movement of a slot machine. 21 is a flowchart (1/2) showing a simplified part of the internal operation in another embodiment of the slot machine. 21 is a flowchart (2/2) showing a simplified part of the internal operation in another embodiment of the slot machine.

Explanation of symbols

2 slot machine 6 reel 7 LCD panel 8 operation panel 11 stop button 12 start lever 20 control circuit 21 CPU
22 memory 25 stepping motor 26 reel drive controller 28 photo sensor 29 electronic lottery unit 30 winning combination determining unit 31 stop operation order determining unit (operation order determining means)
34 Solenoid 35 Lock piece (movable member)
80 medals (game media)

Claims (5)

Plural types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery, and a plurality of reels that start rotating in response to a game start operation are provided corresponding to each of these reels, and the corresponding reels are moved to a pressing position by pressing. In a slot machine with a stop button to stop the rotation of
Provided corresponding to each of the plurality of stop buttons, and freely movable between a blocking position for blocking movement of the stop button to the pressing position and a permission position for allowing movement of the stop button to the pressing position. Movable members,
A slot machine comprising control means for moving the movable member to one of the blocking position and the permission position.   The control means sets the movable member to the blocking position until a predetermined time elapses when a next game start operation is performed before a predetermined time elapses from the game start operation, and a predetermined time elapses. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is set to the permission position after the operation. A winning combination deciding means for deciding one of a winning combination and a plurality of winning combinations by lottery before the stop button is operated;
An operation order determining means for determining an operation order of the stop button that allows winning of the winning combination when a specific winning combination is drawn by the winning combination determining means;
The control means sets only the movable member corresponding to the stop button to be operated based on the operation order of the stop buttons determined by the operation order determination means among the plurality of movable members to the permitted position, and the remaining The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is set to the blocking position. Stop the spinning reel so that the symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery by the winning combination determining means stops on the winning line for determining whether or not the winning combination has won by the combination of the stopped symbols. Comprising stop control means for controlling,
The control means sets the movable member to the permitted position when the winning symbol corresponding to the specific winning combination drawn by the winning combination determining means is within the range where the winning control line is stopped by the stop control unit, 4. The slot machine according to claim 3, wherein when the movable member is not in a range to be stopped, the movable member is set to the blocking position.   5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit keeps the movable member in the blocking position when a game medium required prior to a game start operation is not input. The slot machine described in.

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