JP2006000452A - Slot machine and control method and control program for slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the players to enjoy the sense unavailable in the conventional type by carrying out the announcement or the notice to the effect that the game state is ready for winning the bonus roles with the highly unpredictable performance mode without relying on changes in the display mode of the display device and the stop mode of the symbol variation in the slot machine in which the electronic lottery is carried out pertaining to the establishment of the roles before the derivation of the result of the games. <P>SOLUTION: With the condition that the game state is ready for winning the bonus roles, the operation of setting the betting conditions with a bet button is disabled temporarily. Thus, the bet freeze performance is accomplished making the players feel as if the malfunctioning of the machine were caused instantaneously or temporarily. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine, a slot machine control method, and a slot machine control program in which an electronic lottery regarding the formation of a winning combination is internally performed before a game result is derived.

  In general, the slot machine has a symbol display means for displaying and stopping a symbol for each column, a display window for mainly observing the symbol variation display by the symbol display means, and a symbol variation by the symbol display means. A start lever for starting display, a plurality of stop buttons arranged to correspond to the symbol variation sequence, and a symbol variation display by the symbol variation means to stop display, and prior to operation of the start lever And a bet button operated to set betting conditions.

  In such a slot machine, a lottery regarding the formation of a winning combination is performed when the start lever is operated. When the lottery is finished, the variable display of symbols in all columns is started in the display window. Thereafter, when the stop button is sequentially pushed by the player, the symbols variably displayed in the display window are sequentially stopped and displayed in accordance with the order of the push. When all symbols in the row are stopped and displayed, the combination of the symbols that have been displayed in the betting line activated by the operation of the bet button (hereinafter simply referred to as “active line”) The player is given a profit corresponding to the type of the winning combination on condition that the combination of symbols indicating the winning combination of the established combination is matched.

  Here, “to push” refers to the act of observing the symbol variation display in the display window and pressing the stop button in anticipation of the timing at which the symbol to be stopped appears in the display window.

  Currently, there are two types of symbol display means, one using a mechanical reel and one using a simulation reel. The mechanical reel slot machine is provided with a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols drawn along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface. By mechanically rotating and stopping these reels, symbol variation display and Stop indication is achieved. On the other hand, the simulation slot machine is provided with a display device that electrically displays a symbol such as a liquid crystal display device, and the variation of the symbol is displayed by electrically controlling the driving of the display device. And a stop indication is achieved.

  In such a slot machine, when a specific winning combination is established, the profit granting according to the weight of the winning combination is not completed once, and a special advantage advantageous to the player over the basic gaming state for a predetermined period of time. It is comprised so that it may transfer to a gaming state.

  Examples of the winning combination that allows the transition to the special gaming state include a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB”) combination and a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB”) combination.

  Here, the “RB combination” is a winning combination in which a JAC game that gives a relatively large profit to the player can be continuously performed a predetermined number of times. On the other hand, “BB role” is a winning combination that allows a plurality of sets of the above JAC games, and grants a right to perform a small role game that gives a relatively small profit to a player a plurality of times between each set. It is a winning combination. In the following description, when both “RB combination” and “BB combination” are collectively referred to as “bonus combination”.

  As described above, in the slot machine, the combination of symbols indicating the winning combination is only on the effective line only when the winning combination is won and the winning combination is established internally. In other words, the game state is such that a bonus combination can be won only when a winning combination is established in the combination formation lottery. Therefore, information regarding whether or not the bonus combination is established internally and the game state is in a state where the bonus combination can be won is one of the important factors in proceeding with the game. However, since the above winning combination lottery is executed electronically inside the machine, the player has no direct way of knowing whether or not the lottery result, in particular, whether or not the bonus winning combination has been established internally.

  Recently, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, many slot machine manufacturers have made various efforts. As a typical example, for example, a slot machine proposed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 can be cited.

  In addition to the display window, the slot machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a liquid crystal display device (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) that displays information related to game effects. The player can predict the result of the winning combination lottery by giving a change to the display content of the displayed information at a set time interval in units of the number of games in which one game is from the start of change to the stop of change. Thus, it is configured to maintain the player's expectation for the game over a plurality of games. Specifically, a boxing battle between the character as the main character and the character as the opponent is displayed as an animation on the display surface of the LCD. At this time, the type of the character that is the opponent is changed in a certain cycle with the number of games as a unit.

  On the other hand, in the mechanical reel slot machine disclosed in Patent Document 2, by giving a change to the stop mode of the rotating reel, the player is informed that the winning state is possible, thereby giving the game a sense of expectation. It is configured to enhance the fun of gaming. Specifically, as a result of the above winning combination lottery, a bonus combination is internally established, and when the bonus combination winning state is reached, the stepping step related to the rotating reel to be stopped at the end is performed. A one-phase excitation signal is given to the motor, and its rotation is stopped while vibrating the reel up and down, so that the player is informed that the game state is in a state where the bonus combination can be won. The “reach state” means a state in which a winning combination is established if one more symbols are aligned along the above-mentioned effective line.

JP 2001-321486 A

JP 2002-136650 A

  However, the notification or notification mode of each lottery winning result of the slot machines according to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above does not generate a player's intention but lacks surprise, and the following problems are pointed out Has been.

  In Patent Document 1, a winning combination lottery is performed each time a trigger signal indicating that the start lever has been operated, and information displayed on the LCD is displayed based on an internal winning combination established in the lottery. The content is determined. Therefore, the display content of the information displayed on the LCD changes every winning combination lottery (in other words, every game). In such an effect, the story cannot be sufficiently developed until the player understands the meaning of the game in a certain cycle with the number of games as a unit. As a result, the prediction of the result of the above-mentioned winning combination lottery, in particular, a bonus combination is established internally, so that it is not possible to predict whether or not it is in a gaming state in which a bonus combination can be won, and the player is relatively long There may be many cases where the sense of expectation for a game cannot be maintained until the number of games is exhausted.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, the vibration mode of the rotating reel is uniquely determined. Therefore, as the number of games is increased, the player's sense of expectation for the notification of the bonus winning winning gaming state due to the reel vibration is diminished. As a result, when the last reel stops rotating, the player's attention cannot be directed to the reel vibration notification, and the game may become monotonous.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and is notifying or notifying that the game state is in a state where a bonus combination can be won without depending on the change of the display mode of the display device or the stop mode of symbol fluctuation. Providing a slot machine, a slot machine control method, and a slot machine control program that can match a player with a sense that cannot be experienced with conventional models. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the case of a general slot machine, if the bonus combination is not won in spite of the fact that the bonus combination is won in the winning combination lottery, Paying attention to the fact that the game state is such that a bonus combination can be won with the flag indicating that it has been established internally turned on, provided that the gaming state is a state where a bonus combination can be won, The betting condition setting operation freeze operation may be performed so as to make the bet condition setting operation impossible and cause the player to think that a malfunction of the machine has occurred momentarily or temporarily. I was inspired by that.

  The specific invention based on this idea is as follows.

  The invention according to the first aspect includes a symbol display means for performing variable display and stop display of a plurality of types of symbols for each column, a start operation means for starting the variable display of symbols by the symbol display means, A plurality of stop operation means for stopping and displaying the symbol variation display by the symbol display means, and an operation for setting a betting condition prior to the start operation means being operated. A slot machine comprising a betting condition setting means and a winning combination lottery means for performing an internal lottery regarding the establishment of a winning combination when the start operation means is operated. When the state is such that a bonus combination can be won, the operation for temporarily disabling the betting condition setting means when the betting condition setting means is operated during a time period in which the betting condition can be set. Including the stage.

  The invention according to the second aspect comprises a symbol display means for performing variable display and stop display of a plurality of types of symbols for each column, a starting operation means for starting a variable display of symbols by the symbol display means, A plurality of stop operation means for stopping and displaying the symbol variation display by the symbol display means, and an operation for setting a betting condition prior to the start operation means being operated. A method for controlling a slot machine comprising: a betting condition setting means to be performed, and a winning combination lottery means for performing an internal lottery regarding the formation of a winning combination when the start operation means is operated, In this control method, when the gaming state is a state in which a bonus combination can be won, the operation is temporarily disabled when the betting condition setting means is operated during a time period in which the betting condition can be set. Including the step of order to.

  The invention according to the third aspect comprises a symbol display means for performing variable display and stop display of a plurality of types of symbols for each column, a start operation means for starting the variable display of symbols by the symbol display means, A plurality of stop operation means for stopping and displaying the symbol variation display by the symbol display means, and an operation for setting a betting condition prior to the start operation means being operated. A program for controlling a slot machine comprising a betting condition setting means and a winning combination lottery means for performing an internal lottery regarding the establishment of a winning combination when the start operation means is operated, When the gaming state is such that a bonus combination can be won, the control program is operated when the betting condition setting means is operated in a time zone in which the betting condition can be set. Includes a procedure for temporarily disabled, this procedure is performed by a computer.

  In the inventions according to the first to third aspects, the lighting control and the operation sound are set to the normal state during the betting condition setting operation freeze effect that temporarily disables the operation of the betting condition setting means. It is preferable to be different. In this case, the player can easily understand that the above-mentioned freeze phenomenon is a notification or notification of a bonus role winning game state, and as a result, the player can It is not expected to fall into a mess.

  In the present invention, when the gaming state is a state in which a bonus combination can be won, when the betting condition setting means is operated during a time zone in which the betting conditions can be set, the operation is temporarily disabled. At this time, the player may think that the malfunction of the machine may have occurred for a moment or temporarily, but this is actually a notification or announcement that this is a game state in which a bonus combination can be won. To come to understand. Therefore, notification or notification that the gaming state is in a state in which a bonus combination can be won can be performed in an unexpectedly stunning manner without depending on the change in the display mode of the display device or the pattern variation stop mode. This makes it possible to match the player with a feeling that is not possible with conventional models.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
[Appearance configuration]
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment includes a housing 2 having a box shape with an open front surface, and the housing 2 can be opened and closed. And a front door 3 attached to the front door 3.

  A front panel 4 is mounted on the front face of the center portion of the front door 3. A display window 5 is formed in the main part of the front panel 4. The display window 5 is mainly for observing the three rotating reels 6L, 6C, 6R in the housing 2, and a plurality of types of reels are provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R. The pattern is drawn along the circumferential direction. Three of these symbols are observed through the display window 5. In particular, the display window 5 and the reels 6L, 6C, 6R face the upright with respect to the player on the front panel 4.

  On the left side of the display window 5, five betting line display lamps 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E are provided. These betting line display lamps 7A to 7E are lighted to indicate betting lines activated in one game. On the other hand, on the right side of the display window 5, there are provided a start lamp 8, an insertion instruction lamp 9, a replay lamp 10, an assist time (hereinafter referred to as “AT”) notification lamp 11 and a game overlamp 12. The start lamp 8 is a lamp that lights or blinks when the game can be started. The insertion instruction lamp 9 is a lamp that is lit when a medal can be inserted into the slot machine 1. The replay lamp 10 is a lamp that lights up when a replay winning combination is established as a result of the game. The AT notification lamp 11 is a lamp that is turned on when the gaming state shifts to AT. The game overlamp 12 is a lamp that lights up when the game is over. These lamps 8 to 12 are arranged in this order from the upper side to the lower side of the front panel 4.

  Here, “AT” is a gaming state in which reference information for supporting the establishment of a winning combination of a small role established internally in the winning combination lottery is announced. Note that the specific processing contents of the AT are not important elements in the present invention, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted below.

  On the display window 5, five betting lines 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, and 13E passing through the window surface of the display window 5 are provided.

  Below the display window 5, a payout number display 14, a game number display 15, and a credit display 16 are provided. The payout number display 14 is a display that displays the number of medals to be paid out to the player and the number of credits given to the player as a profit when a winning occurs. The game number display unit 15 is a display unit that displays the number of small role games and JAC games in the BB game, the number of JAC games in the RB game, the number of AT games, and the like. The credit display 16 is a display that displays the number of credits. These indicators 14-16 are 7 segment indicators, and are arranged on the front panel 4 from left to right in this order. In the following description, “BB game” and “RB game” are collectively referred to as “bonus game”.

  Here, the “credit” is the number of medals stored in the slot machine 1 as a valuable value owned by the player.

  An upper panel 17 is attached to the upper part of the front door 3. An LCD 18 is provided at the center of the upper panel 17. The LCD 18 is a means for displaying information related to game effects (hereinafter simply referred to as “game effect information”), and when a winning combination is established internally as a result of a lottery regarding the establishment of a winning combination. The symbol indicating the winning of the role and the effect information for assisting the pressing are displayed. Instead of the LCD 18, an LED display device or an EL display device may be adopted to display the game effect information. A pair of speakers 19 </ b> A and 19 </ b> B are attached to the upper panel 18 on both the left and right sides of the LCD 18. These speakers 19A and 19B are for generating sound effects according to the game situation. On the other hand, a lower panel 20 is attached to the lower part of the front door 3. On the lower panel 20, a model name, an image design, and the like are printed, and a medal payout port 21 and a medal tray 22 are provided below the model name.

  An operation unit 23 is provided between the front panel 4 and the lower panel 20. The operation unit 23 includes a medal slot 24, a bet button 25, a start lever 26, stop buttons 27L, 27C, and 27R, and a credit / settlement switching button 28. The medal slot 24 is arranged on the right side of the upper surface of the operation unit 23. The bet button 25 is a button used to set how many medals inserted from the insertion slot 24 are to be betted, and is arranged at an intermediate position between the start lever 26 and the left stop button 27L on the upper surface of the operation unit 23. Has been. The start lever 26 is a lever used when starting a game, and the stop buttons 27L, 27C, 27R are buttons used when stopping the rotation of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R. Specifically, when the left stop button 27L is operated, the rotation of the left reel 6L is stopped. When the middle stop button 27C is operated, the rotation of the middle reel 6C is stopped. When the right stop button 27R is operated, the rotation of the right reel 6R is stopped. These stop buttons 27L, 27C, and 27R are arranged corresponding to the reels 6L, 6C, and 6R in the front center portion of the operation unit 23. On the other hand, the start lever 26 is disposed on the left side of the stop buttons 27L, 27C, 27R on the front surface of the operation unit 23. The credit / settlement switching button 28 is a button for switching between the manual insertion mode and the credit mode of medals, and is disposed on the left side of the start lever 26 in front of the operation unit 23.

  When a game is played in the manual insertion mode, it is necessary to insert a medal into the insertion slot 24 while the insertion instruction lamp 9 is lit or blinking. Therefore, the betting line that is activated differs depending on the number of inserted medals. Specifically, when one medal is inserted, the first betting line 13A extending horizontally in the middle of the display window 5 is activated, and this one line 13A becomes a betting target. At this time, the betting line display lamp 7A at the left end of the first betting line 13A is turned on. When two medals are inserted, in addition to the first betting line 13A, the second betting line 13B and the third betting line 13C extending horizontally in the upper and lower stages of the display window 5 are activated. 13C is a betting target. At this time, in addition to the betting line display lamp A being lit, the betting line display lamps 7B and 7C at the left end of the second betting line 13B and the third betting line 13C are lit. When three medals are inserted, in addition to the first betting line 13A, the second betting line 13B, and the third betting line 13C, the fourth betting line 13D and the fifth betting line 13E on the diagonal line of the display window 5 are displayed. Is activated, and these five lines 13A to 13E are to be wagered. At this time, in addition to lighting of the betting line display lamps 7A to 7C, the betting line display lamps 7D and 7E at the left end of the fourth betting line 13D and the fifth betting line 13E are lit. In this slot machine 1, the maximum number of medals bet is three.

  In such a manual insertion mode, when a winning is achieved due to a combination of symbols indicating a winning on the activated betting line, that is, the effective line, the number of coins corresponding to the type of winning combination The medal is paid out from the payout opening 21 to the tray 22.

  On the other hand, the betting line activated in the credit mode varies depending on the number of times the bet button 25 is pressed. Specifically, when the bet button 25 is pressed once, the first betting line 13A is activated, and this one line 13A becomes a betting object. In other words, one medal is a bet target. Therefore, the betting line display lamp 7A is turned on. When the bet button 25 is pressed twice, the first betting line 13A, the second betting line 13B, and the third betting line 13C are activated, and these three lines 13A to 13C become betting targets. In other words, two medals are betable. Therefore, the betting line display lamps 7A to 7C are lit. When the bet button 25 is pressed three times, the first betting line 13A, the second betting line 13B, the third betting line 13C, the fourth betting line 13D and the fifth betting line 13E are activated. Lines 13A to 13E are to be wagered. In other words, three medals are to bet. Therefore, the betting line display lamps 7A to 7E are turned on. In the slot machine 1, four or more operations are invalid.

  In such a credit mode, when a combination of winning symbols is obtained on the above-mentioned effective line, and the winning is achieved, the number of medals to be paid out within a range not exceeding the upper limit of credit is stored in the slot machine 1 as credit. When the upper limit of credit is exceeded, the number of medals exceeding the upper limit are paid out from the payout opening 21 to the tray 22.

  When the number of medals to be bet is set according to the procedure of the manual insertion mode or the credit mode, the control device 100 (see FIG. 7) takes in the medals for the set bet number. The condition for starting the game is established by taking in the medal. At this time, the start lamp 8 is turned on or blinks. When the start lever 26 is operated in the operating state of the start lamp 8, the control device 100 rotates all the reels 6L, 6C, 6R all at once.

  When the stop buttons 27L, 27C, and 27R are pressed, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operation is stopped. When all of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R stop rotating, if one of the winning combinations is aligned on the active line, the control device 100 gives a predetermined profit according to the type of winning combination to the medal input mode. It is given to the player in a manner according to the game.

  Referring to FIG. 2, between the left side area of LCD 18 and speaker 19A and between the right side area of LCD 18 and speaker 19B, a desired game history among a plurality of game history images displayed on LCD 18 is displayed. A total of four switching buttons K and F for switching and displaying images are arranged in the vertical direction. The LCD 18 has a large width so that the left and right side edges are adjacent to the speakers 19 </ b> A and 19 </ b> B, the upper edge is adjacent to the upper edge of the front door 3, and the lower edge is the upper edge of the display window 5. It has a very large display surface with a vertical dimension that is large enough to be adjacent. Therefore, display contents that could not be displayed at a time in the past are displayed at the same time. Specifically, a menu screen for switching to various game history images is displayed in the one-third area, and an effect image using a character or the like is always displayed in the remaining two-third areas. The above-mentioned game history image menu is a graph showing the maximum number of BB games won, the number of BB wins per day, the number of RB wins, the number of games played from the previous BB game to the present, the number of payouts and the number of payouts The table or the explanation about the game can be exemplified. These exemplified menus are displayed in advance on the LCD 18. The switching button K includes a first cursor movement button K1 for moving the cursor in the advancing direction on the display screen and a cursor on the display screen in order to select a desired menu from the plurality of menus. A second cursor movement K2 for moving in the returning direction is included. On the other hand, the switching button F includes a determination button F1 for determining whether or not to switch to the game history image having the menu contents indicated by the cursor moved by the cursor movement buttons K1 and K2, and the switched game history image based on the switching history image. A cancel button F2 for returning to the previous image is included.

[Internal configuration]
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the housing 2, the reels 6L, 6C, 6R, stepping motors SML, SMC, SMR, which are driving sources of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R, a hopper 30, and a probability setting box 31 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the reels 6L, 6C, 6R are arranged in the center of the housing 2, and the locations where the hopper 30 and the probability setting box 31 are installed are based on the reels 6L, 6C, 6R. It has been decided. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotating shaft 61 of each reel 6L, 6C, 6R is rotatably supported by a bracket 32 in the housing 2, and the end of each rotating shaft 61 is each stepping motor. It is coupled to the output shafts of SML, SMC and SMR.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the hopper 30 is a means for storing and releasing medals, and is attached to the bottom surface of the housing 2 below the reels 6L, 6C, 6R. On the other hand, the probability setting box 31 is attached to the bottom surface of the housing 2 on the left side of the hopper 30.

[Electrical configuration]
Referring to FIG. 7, control device 100 is a microcomputer, and includes CPU 1001, RAM 1002, ROM 1003, clock pulse generation circuit 1004, random number generator 1005, motor drive control circuit 1006, lamp drive control circuit 1007, and display drive. A control circuit 1008, an LCD drive control circuit 1009, a sound output control circuit 10010, and a hopper drive control circuit 10011 are provided.

  The CPU 1001 serves as a control center of the slot machine 1 and performs various controls according to programs stored in the ROM 1003. Examples of the control target of the CPU 1001 include stepping motors SML, SMC, SMR, various lamps 7A to 7E, 8 to 12, various displays 14 to 16, LCD 18, speakers 19A and 19B, and a hopper 30. Control signals for these control elements are respectively sent through a motor drive control circuit 1006, a lamp drive control circuit 1007, a display drive control circuit 1008, an LCD drive control circuit 1009, a sound output control circuit 1009, and a hopper drive control circuit 10011. Given from the CPU 1001.

  The CPU 1001 includes operation signals for the bet button 25, the start lever 26, the stop buttons 27L, 27C, and 27R and the credit / settlement switching button 28, the sensing outputs of the medal insertion detection sensor 200 and the medal discharge detection sensor 300, and rotation. A rotational position detection signal of the position detection circuit 400 and switching signals of the key switch SW1, the probability setting switch SW2, and the reset switch SW3 are given.

  The operation signals of the stop buttons 27L, 27C, and 27R are subjected to predetermined processing by the reel stop signal processing circuit 500 and then input to the CPU 1001 as reel stop signals.

  The medal insertion detection sensor 200 is a sensor for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 24, and is provided in association with the medal insertion slot 24. On the other hand, the medal discharge detection sensor 300 is provided in association with the medal discharge position of the hopper 30, and the sensing signal is subjected to a predetermined process by the medal discharge completion signal processing circuit 600 and then the medal discharge completion signal. As input to the CPU 1001.

  The rotational position detection circuit 400 is a circuit for detecting the rotational position of each of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R, and includes an optical sensor provided in association with each of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R, and each stepping motor SML, A rotary encoder provided in the vicinity of SMC and SMR is included. When the rotation of each reel 6L, 6C, 6R stops, the CPU 1001 identifies the type of stop symbol of each reel 6L, 6C, 6R on the effective line based on the detection signal of the rotation position detection circuit 400. To do.

  The key switch SW1, the probability setting switch SW2, and the reset switch SW3 are built in the probability setting box 31. The key switch SW1 is a switch for switching between the game mode and the probability setting mode. On the other hand, the probability setting switch SW2 is a switch for switching the setting value of the winning probability in the lottery regarding the formation of the winning combination, and the switching signal is sent to the CPU 1001 only when the probability setting mode is set by the key switch SW1. Input is accepted.

  In order to start the game, when the start lever 26 is operated by the player and the operation signal is input, the CPU 1001 passes through the motor drive control circuit 1006 to start the rotation of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R. A start signal is output to the stepping motors SML, SMC, SMR. As a result, the symbols 6L, 6C, and 6R start to change in the display window 5. On the other hand, in order to stop the rotation of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R, when the stop button 27L, 27C, 27R is pressed by the player and the operation signal is input, the CPU 1001 corresponds to the operated stop button. In order to stop the rotation of the reel, a stop signal is output to the stepping motors SML, SMC, SMR via the motor drive control circuit 1006. As a result, the variation of the symbols of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R in the display window 5 is sequentially stopped.

  The RAM 1002 interfaces with the CPU 1001 and functions as a working area for the CPU 1001. Therefore, in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 1002, the CPU 1001 writes and reads the values of flags and variables necessary for controlling the game and symbol variation.

  The ROM 1003 stores a game program for controlling the slot machine 1 to pay out medals, initial values of variables used in the game program, and a data group indicating a correspondence relationship between a combination of symbols and a random number. Yes. In this slot machine 1, if a bonus combination is not made despite the fact that a lottery regarding the formation of a combination is won and a bonus combination is established internally, that the bonus combination is established internally. The flag shown is kept ON, thereby creating a gaming state in which a bonus combination can be won. The game program temporarily disables the betting condition setting operation by the bet button 26 on the condition that the bonus combination winning game state is possible, thereby causing the player to malfunction the machine 1 momentarily or temporarily. It is programmed to produce a bet-freeze effect that seems to have occurred. Therefore, in this gaming program, when the gaming state is a state in which a bonus combination can be won, the operation is temporarily performed when the bet button 25 is operated in a time zone in which the betting conditions can be set. Procedures for disabling are included. This procedure is executed by the control device 100 as a microcomputer.

  The release timing of the bet freeze effect is defined by the number of pressing operations of the bet button 25. Specifically, when the game interval time has elapsed and the game condition has been set so that a bonus combination can be won when the game interval time is set, the number of times the bet button 25 is pressed. Until the predetermined number of times (three times in the first embodiment) is reached, the CPU 1001 does not accept the operation content, and when the number of times the bet button 25 is operated reaches the predetermined number, the CPU 1001 Subsequent operations of the bet button 25 are accepted. Thus, the procedure for canceling the bet freeze effect is also executed by the control device 100 functioning as a microcomputer.

  The clock pulse generation circuit 1004 is a circuit for generating a reference clock pulse, and supplies the generated reference clock pulse to the CPU 1001.

  The random number generator 1005 is a means for generating a random number used for electronic lottery concerning the formation of a winning combination and a symbol stop display mode, and for extracting an arbitrary random number from the generated random number. To supply. For example, when a command for generating a random number is given from the CPU 1001 to the random number generator 1005 when the winning combination lottery is performed internally, the random number generator 1005 generates a random number within a predetermined range, and the value of the random number is calculated. The signal shown is output. When a random number is input from the random number generator 1005, the CPU 1001 searches a data group stored in the ROM 1003 and assigns a numerical value corresponding to the combination to a variable in order to determine a combination of symbols corresponding to the random number. To do.

  The lamp drive control circuit 1007 generates a lamp drive signal based on an instruction signal from the CPU 1001, and supplies the generated lamp drive signal to the various lamps 7A to 7E and 8 to 12. As a result, the various lamps 7A to 7E and 8 to 12 are turned on to notify the predetermined event.

  The display device drive control circuit 1008 generates a display device drive signal based on an instruction signal from the CPU 1001, and supplies the generated display device drive signal to the various displays 14-16. As a result, the various indicators 14-16 display a predetermined event.

  The LCD drive control circuit 1009 generates an LCD drive signal based on an instruction signal from the CPU 1001 and supplies the generated LCD drive signal to the LCD 18. As a result, the LCD 18 displays various game effect information on the display surface.

  The sound output control circuit 10010 generates a sound output signal based on the instruction signal from the CPU 1001, and gives the generated sound output signal to the speakers 19A and 19B. As a result, the speakers 19A and 19B emit sound effects according to the game situation.

  The hopper drive control circuit 10011 generates a hopper drive signal based on an instruction signal from the CPU 1001, and gives the generated hopper drive signal to the hopper 30. As a result, the hopper 30 releases the stored medals to the tray 22.

[Control flow]
Hereinafter, the flow of control of the slot machine 1 will be described on the assumption that the game is progressed in the above-described credit mode.

  Referring to FIG. 8, first, CPU 1001 of control device 100 waits for the betting line to be activated and the betting to be completed (step S1). When the betting line is activated by pushing the bet button 25 to insert a medal into the slot machine 1, the CPU 1001 determines that the betting is completed and waits for the start lever 26 to be operated (step S2). . At this time, the start lamp 8 is turned on.

  When the start lever 26 is operated, the CPU 1001 performs a lottery regarding the establishment of a winning combination (step S3). This lottery is performed electronically inside the machine 1. When a bonus combination is established internally, the CPU 1001 determines a winning symbol for this bonus combination. On the other hand, when a small combination is established internally, the CPU 1001 determines a winning symbol for this small combination.

  Here, the “small role” is a role in which only a profit is given to the player without generating a bonus game or a replay game.

  When the winning combination lottery ends, the CPU 1001 determines whether or not the lottery is won in the lottery (step S4). If the lottery is won, the CPU 1001 determines whether or not the winning combination is a bonus combination (step S5). At this time, if the internal winning combination is a bonus combination, the CPU 1001 turns on a flag indicating that the bonus combination is internally established and that the bonus combination can be won (step S6). The bonus combination establishment flag that is turned on is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 1002. Thereafter, the CPU 1001 shifts the processing to step S7.

  In the determination process of step S4, if the winning combination lottery is not won, the CPU 1001 moves the process to step S7 without performing the series of steps S5 and S6. If the internal winning combination is not a bonus combination in the determination process of step S5, the CPU 1001 moves the process to step S7 without performing the process of step S6.

  In step S7, the CPU 1001 starts to rotate the reels 6L, 6C, 6R. As a result, the variable display of the symbols of the reels 6L, 6C, 6R is started in the display window 5.

  When the reels 6L, 6C, and 6R start to rotate, the CPU 1001 presses the stop buttons 27L, 27C, and 27R, completes the pushing operation, and all the reels 6L, 6C, and 6R stop rotating. (Step S8 and step S9). At this time, when the stop buttons 27L, 27C, and 27R are pressed, the CPU 1001 sequentially stops the rotation of the reels 6L, 6C, and 6R according to the pressing order. As a result, in the display window 5, changes in the symbols of the rotating reels 6L, 6C, 6R are sequentially stopped and displayed.

  When the pressing of the stop buttons 27L, 27C, and 27R is completed and the rotation of all the reels 6L, 6C, and 6R is stopped, the CPU 1001 determines whether or not a bonus winning combination has been established (step S10). Here, when the symbols indicating the winning combination of the BB are arranged on the active line and it is determined that the winning combination of the bonus combination is established, the CPU 1001 turns off the bonus combination establishment flag (step S11). When this plug is turned off, the CPU 1001 gives a profit corresponding to the winning of the bonus combination (step S12). Thereafter, the CPU 1001 performs bonus game processing (step S13). When the bonus game process ends, the CPU 1001 shifts the process to step S16. On the other hand, if it is determined that the bonus combination winning pattern is not available on the active line and the bonus combination winning is not established, the CPU 1001 shifts the processing to step S14. Note that the contents of the bonus game process are the same as the conventionally known process contents, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S14, the CPU 1001 determines whether or not a small role winning is achieved. Here, when the symbols indicating the winning of the small role are aligned on the active line and it is determined that the winning of the small role has been established, the CPU 1001 gives a profit corresponding to the small role (step S15). Thereafter, the CPU 1001 shifts the processing to step S16. On the other hand, if the winning of the small role has not been established, the CPU 1001 regards it as a loss and moves the process to step S16.

  Referring to FIG. 9, when the process proceeds to step S <b> 16, the CPU 1001 waits for a game interval time (for example, OO seconds) to elapse.

  When the game interval time has elapsed and the betting conditions can be set, the CPU 1001 waits for the bet button 25 to be operated in that time slot (step S17).

  When the bet button 25 is operated, the CPU 1001 refers to a predetermined memory area of the RAM 1002 and determines whether or not the bonus combination establishment flag is ON and the gaming state is a state where a bonus combination can be won. It discriminate | determines (step S18). Here, if the bonus combination establishment flag is turned on and it is determined that the bonus combination winning game is possible, the CPU 1001 starts bet freeze control (step S19). Thereafter, the CPU 1001 waits for the pressing operation of the bet button 25 to be performed three times including the operation of the bet button 25 that has triggered the start of the bet freeze control (step S20). During this time, the CPU 1001 controls the light emission mode of a light-emitting lamp (not shown) built in the bet button 25 and the operation sound of the bet button 25 so as to be different from the normal state. When the number of operations of the bet button 25 reaches 3, the CPU 1001 cancels the bet freeze control (step S21). Thereafter, the CPU 1001 waits for the bet to be completed (step S22). When the betting is completed, the CPU 1001 returns the process to step S2 (see FIG. 8) again and waits for the start lever 26 to be operated. On the other hand, as a result of referring to a predetermined memory area of the RAM 1002, if the bonus combination establishment flag is not turned on and it is determined that the gaming state is a state in which a bonus combination cannot be won, the CPU 1001 Without performing the processes of steps S19 to S21, the process proceeds to step S22, and after waiting for the bet to be completed, the CPU 1001 returns the process to step S2.

[Action / Effect]
In the first embodiment, in order to achieve a bet freeze effect that causes the player to have an illusion that a malfunction has occurred in the machine 1 momentarily or temporarily, a bet button in a game state in which a bonus combination can be won The betting condition establishment operation by 25 is temporarily disabled. Thus, in a manner different from the notification or notification of the winning combination lottery result by the LCD 18, it is possible to perform a surprising effect that the gaming state is in a state where a bonus combination can be won. As a result, it is possible to give the player a feeling that cannot be experienced with conventional models.

  Further, in the bet freeze effect in which the operation of the bet button 25 is temporarily disabled, the light emission control of the light emitting lamp built in the bet button 25 and the operation sound of the bet button 25 are the normal state. Are set differently. Therefore, the player can easily understand that the above-mentioned freeze phenomenon is a notification or notification of a bonus role winning gaming state. As a result, the player does not fall into a confused state due to the occurrence of the freeze phenomenon.

<Embodiment 2>
The feature of the slot machine 1 according to the second embodiment is that the release condition of the bet freeze effect is defined by a time factor. Specifically, referring to FIG. 10, when the gaming state is a state where a bonus combination can be won, the bet freeze time (XX in this embodiment 2) after the start of the bet freeze control is started. When the bet button 25 is operated, the CPU 1001 accepts the operation of the bet button 25. When the bet is completed, the CPU 1001 shifts the processing to step S2 and waits for the operation of the start lever 26. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. For example, in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 described above, the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine that employs a mechanical reel system. However, the present invention is applied to a slot machine that employs a simulation reel system. However, the object of the present invention can be sufficiently achieved. This means that the present invention does not ask the form of the symbol display means. It goes without saying that various design changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims attached to the present specification.

  The present invention performs notification or notification that the gaming state is in a state in which a bonus combination can be won without depending on the change of the display mode of the display device or the stop mode of symbol variation in a surprisingly rich production mode. A slot machine and a slot machine in which an electronic lottery regarding the establishment of a role is internally performed before a game result is derived because a player can taste a sense that cannot be tasted with conventional models. This is useful as a control method for the above and a control program for the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the slot machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a front view of a slot machine. It is a side view of a slot machine. It is a top view of the slot machine. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a slot machine, Comprising: The state which opened the front door is shown. It is a side view which cuts and shows a part of slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of a game. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of game control, showing the continuation of FIG. 9. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the bet freeze processing operation | movement of the slot machine which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine 6A, 6C, 6R rotating reel 25 bet button 26 start lever 27L, 27C, 27R stop button 100 control device 1001 CPU
1002 RAM
1003 ROM

Claims (3)

Provided in correspondence with the symbol variation sequence, symbol display means for performing variable display and stop display of a plurality of types of symbols for each column, start operation means for starting symbol variation display by the symbol display means, and A plurality of stop operation means for stopping and displaying the symbol variation display by the symbol display means, a betting condition setting means operated to set a betting condition before the start operation means is operated, A slot machine having a winning combination lottery means for performing an internal lottery regarding the establishment of a winning combination when the operating means is operated,
This slot machine
When the gaming state is a state where a bonus combination can be won, means for temporarily disabling the betting condition setting means when the betting condition setting means is operated during a time period in which the betting conditions can be set. A slot machine characterized by including. Provided in correspondence with the symbol variation sequence, symbol display means for performing variable display and stop display of a plurality of types of symbols for each column, start operation means for starting symbol variation display by the symbol display means, and A plurality of stop operation means for stopping and displaying the symbol variation display by the symbol display means, a betting condition setting means operated to set a betting condition before the start operation means is operated, A method for controlling a slot machine having a winning combination lottery means for performing an internal lottery regarding the establishment of a winning combination when an operation means is operated,
This control method is
If the gaming state is such that a bonus combination can be won, a step for temporarily disabling the betting condition setting means when the betting condition setting means is operated during a time period in which the betting conditions can be set. A slot machine characterized by including. Provided in correspondence with the symbol variation sequence, symbol display means for performing variable display and stop display of a plurality of types of symbols for each column, start operation means for starting symbol variation display by the symbol display means, and A plurality of stop operation means for stopping and displaying the symbol variation display by the symbol display means, a betting condition setting means operated to set a betting condition before the start operation means is operated, A program for controlling a slot machine having a winning combination lottery means for performing an internal lottery regarding the establishment of a winning combination when an operation means is operated,
This control program
When the gaming state is a state in which a bonus combination can be won, a procedure for temporarily disabling the betting condition setting means when the betting condition setting means is operated during a time period in which the betting conditions can be set. Including
This procedure is executed by a computer. A slot machine control program.

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