JP2006015169A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve inconvenience of producing a small winning at a considerably high probability if a skilled hand tactfully operates a stop button during a challenge time (CT) period. <P>SOLUTION: A reel stop processing by a stop display control means in a regular game is not executed on a second stop reel and a third stop reel during the CT period. That is to say, the respective reels immediately stop at a timing of detecting an ON operation of the stop button. The stop display control is executed on a first stop reel during the CT period, however, the number of control pieces of drawing-in control executed in that case is 1 or 0 which is smaller compared with the number of control pieces of 4 in the regular game. This constitution thus reduces the probability of producing the small winning during the CT period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a function of drawing a symbol corresponding to a winning mode within a predetermined number of ranges and displaying it in a stopped state, and a function of interrupting the stop display control.

  Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, there is a slot machine called a CT (challenge time) machine, for example. In a general slot machine, when a start lever is operated by a player, a plurality of reels are rotated, and rotation of each reel is stopped by a stop button operation. At this time, when a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on the display window, a winning occurs, and the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out to the player. The stop position of the rotating reel is controlled so that the winning pattern specified by the internal lottery of the gaming machine is stopped and displayed on the display window. That is, the symbol displayed on the display window when the stop button is operated is not the symbol corresponding to the winning mode, but the symbol corresponding to the winning mode is present in, for example, four frames displayed following the display window. In this case, the reel control for drawing the symbol is performed so that the symbol corresponding to the winning mode is stopped and displayed on the display window.

  However, in a CT machine, when a specific condition is satisfied, for example, the symbol stop display control for the small winning prize combination is interrupted for some reels, and the stop position of the rotating reel is determined by the player's stop button. It is determined only according to the operation timing. Even during this CT period in which the stop display control is interrupted, the drawing-in control of the symbols for four frames is performed for the other reels. For this reason, for other reels for which the stop display control is not interrupted, even if the player operates the stop button at the earliest timing of 4 frames, the symbol of the small winning prize is drawn and displayed in the window. The

According to such a CT machine, a game result corresponding to the skill level of the player can be obtained while maintaining a certain level of game win / loss equality for game beginners and skilled players. Such a CT machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP-A-1-238888

  However, in the above conventional gaming machine, where a small hit prize is not generated unless it is usually won by lottery inside the machine, in the CT period, if a stop button is operated well, a small win prize is generated with a considerably high probability. Resulting in. For this reason, when a skilled player plays a game, medals are paid out more than necessary, and a loss is given to the game store side. Moreover, it becomes advantageous for a game expert and the equality of a game will be impaired. Accordingly, the expected value of the general gaming state classification is determined to be, for example, 0.9 or less according to the rules for manufacturing this type of gaming machine.

  Here, the expected value is a value indicating how many payouts can be expected for one medal inserted in the game, and is expressed by the following equation.

  Expected value = lottery data / 16384 × number of acquired medals / number of inserted medals ×

            Withdrawal data / 9261

  In this equation, 16384 is the entire range of random numbers used in the internal lottery of the winning mode, and the lottery data is data indicating the range assigned to each winning mode among the random numbers. The number of inserted medals is the number of medals inserted into the machine during the game, and the number of acquired medals is the number of medals that can be acquired by the player according to each winning mode. 9261 is the total number of combinations of symbols displayed on each of the three reels. Since 21 symbols are drawn per reel, this value is 21 × 21 × 21. The pull-in data is the number of combinations in which a certain winning pattern is drawn.

  This expected value is determined in advance for each gaming state section, and the CT period belongs to this general gaming state section. Therefore, it is necessary to set the expected value to 0.9 or less as described above.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. A winning mode determining means for determining a winning mode of a game by random lottery, a variable display device that variably displays various symbols in a plurality of columns, and this variable Variable display stopping means for stopping variable display of symbols by the display device for each column, and a predetermined number of symbols according to the winning mode determined by the winning mode determining unit according to the operation timing of the variable display stopping unit Stop display control means for drawing the variable display device to stop display within the range of, and stop display of symbols according to the winning mode by the stop display control means for a predetermined number of games when a specific condition is satisfied In a gaming machine configured to include control interrupting means for interrupting control for a part of the display columns of the variable display device, the control interrupting means is for the small winning prize mode. The symbol stop display control by the stop display control means is performed according to the second stop display row of the variable display device that is stopped according to the second stop operation of the variable display stop means and the third stop operation of the variable display stop means. The third stop display sequence of the variable display device to be stopped is interrupted, and the stop display control means performs the second stop display sequence and the third stop by the control interrupting means according to the small win winning mode. While the display sequence is interrupted, the variable display stop is stopped by the control interrupting means as compared with the case where the stop display control of the symbols according to the small winning pattern is not interrupted for the second stop display sequence and the third stop display sequence. The number of symbols drawn in the first stop display row of the variable display device that is stopped in response to the first stop operation of the means is changed to 1 or 0.

  With this configuration, while the stop display control is suspended for the second stop display row and the third stop display row, the first stop display row for which the stop display control is not suspended is compared with the time when the stop display control is not suspended. By reducing the number of symbols drawn by the stop display control means to one or zero, the value of the pull-in data in the expression representing the expected value becomes smaller, and accordingly, the expected value also becomes smaller. The probability is less than the value determined for the state category, and the chance of winning a small win is reduced. Accordingly, payout of game media is suppressed, and loss on the game store side can be prevented. In addition, the game characteristic that is advantageous to the skilled player of the game is corrected, and the equality of the game between the beginner and the expert is ensured.

  According to the present invention as described above, the stop display control by the stop display control means for the second stop display row and the third stop display row is suspended while the suspension display control is suspended by the control suspension means, compared to when it is not suspended. By reducing the number of symbols drawn by the stop display control means to 1 or 0 for the first stop display sequence in which the display control is not interrupted, the value of the drawn data is reduced and the expected value is also reduced. The probability of winning a small win is reduced. Accordingly, payout of game media is suppressed, loss at the game store side can be prevented, and game characteristics that are advantageous to game experts are corrected, and game equality between beginners and experts is ensured. .

  Next, an embodiment in which the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine called a CT machine will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

  Three reels 3, 4 and 5 constituting a variable display device are rotatably provided behind the front panel 2 of the slot machine 1. On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5, a symbol row composed of a plurality of types of symbols (hereinafter referred to as symbols) is drawn. Three of these symbols are observed through the display windows 6, 7, 8 in front of the slot machine 1. In addition, on the lower right side of the display windows 6, 7, and 8, a slot 9 for a player to insert medals is provided.

  Each reel 3 to 5 is configured as a rotary reel unit shown in FIG. 2, and is attached to a frame 51 via a bracket 52. Each of the reels 3 to 5 has a reel band 54 attached to the outer periphery of the reel drum 53. The symbol row is drawn on the outer circumferential surface of the reel band 54. Each bracket 52 is provided with a stepping motor 55, and each of the reels 3 to 5 is rotated by driving the motor 55.

  The structure of each of the reels 3 to 5 is shown in FIG. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. A lamp case 56 is provided inside the reel drum 53 behind the reel band 54, and back lamps 57 a, 57 b, 57 c are respectively attached to the three rooms of the lamp case 56. These back lamps 57 a to 57 c are mounted on a substrate 58 as shown in FIG. 3B, and the substrate 58 is attached to the back of the lamp case 56. A photo sensor 59 is attached to the bracket 52. The photo sensor 59 detects that the shielding plate 60 provided on the reel drum 53 passes through the photo sensor 59 as the reel drum 53 rotates.

  Each of the back lamps 57a to 57c is controlled to be lit by a lamp driving circuit 48 described later. When the back lamps 57a to 57c are turned on, among the symbols drawn on the reel band 54, three symbols located at the front of each back lamp 57 are individually illuminated from behind, and the display windows 6 to 8 are illuminated. Three symbols are projected on each.

  In addition, in the display windows 6 to 8 shown in FIG. 1, three horizontal lines (center L1 and upper and lower L2A, L2B) and two diagonal lines (diagonal downward L3A, diagonally upward L3B) are marked. Prior to the start of the game, when the player inserts one medal into the medal slot 9, only the central winning line L1 on each reel 3 to 5 is activated as shown in FIG. 4 (a). The When two medals are inserted into the insertion slot 9, upper and lower winning lines L2A and L2B are added to this, and three horizontal winning lines L1, L2A and L2B are activated as shown in FIG. Is done. When three medals are inserted into the insertion slot 9, all winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and L3B are activated as shown in FIG.

  Note that the circles in the figure represent symbols drawn on the reels 3 to 5. The activation of such a winning line is displayed to the player when an enabling line display lamp 23 (see FIG. 1) arranged at the end of each winning line is turned on.

  A 1 BET switch 10, a 2 BET switch 11, and a Max BET switch 12 are provided on the lower left side of the display windows 6-8. When medals are credited in the credit amount display section 13, instead of inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 9, one push operation of these 1 BET switch 10, 2 BET switch 11 and Max BET switch 12 is performed once. One, two and three medals are bet on the game, respectively. The credit number display unit 13 is composed of a number of 7-segment LEDs corresponding to the number of digits of the numerical value to be displayed, and displays the number of medals currently credited.

  Below these BET switches 10-12, a credit / payment changeover switch (C / P switch) 14 and a start lever 15 are provided, and stop buttons 16, 17, 18 is provided. By pressing the C / P switch 14, the credit / payout of medals (PLAY CREDIT / PAY OUT) can be switched.

  By the lever operation of the start lever 15, the rotation of the reels 3, 4, and 5 starts simultaneously. The stop buttons 16, 17, 18 constitute variable display stop means for stopping the rotation display of each reel 3, 4, 5 for each column, and are arranged corresponding to each reel 3, 4, 5. Yes. When the rotation speeds of the reels 3 to 5 reach a certain speed, the operation of the stop buttons 16 to 18 is validated. The stop buttons 16 to 18 are activated according to the player's push button operation. Stop rotating.

  In the slot machine according to the present embodiment, for the first stop reel to be stopped first and the second stop reel to be stopped next, stop display control by stop display control means described later is performed during the CT period. Interrupted. That is, the first stop reel and the second stop reel are immediately stopped only according to the operation timing of the stop buttons 16 to 18 of the player. On the other hand, for the third stop reel to be stopped last, stop display control by the stop display control means is performed even during the CT period. That is, the third stop reel is controlled so as to stop and display symbols corresponding to winning combinations that can be generated by a combination of symbols that the first and second stop reels stop and display. However, at this time, the number of symbols to be controlled is reduced as described later.

  In addition, a sound transmission hole 19 and a medal tray 20 are provided at the lower front portion of the slot machine 1. The sound transmission hole 19 is for outputting sound generated from a speaker housed inside the device to the outside. The medal tray 20 stores medals paid out from the medal payout opening 21. In addition, a payout display section 22 showing how many medals are paid out for each winning is provided in the upper front portion of the slot machine 1.

  A liquid crystal display unit 24 is provided on the right front panel 2 of each reel 3, 4, 5. The liquid crystal display unit 24 is a display device that displays the rotation of the reels 3, 4, 5, displays a game history, and provides effects during a bonus game.

  FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration including a control unit that controls a game processing operation in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment and a peripheral device (actuator) electrically connected thereto.

  The control unit includes a microcomputer 30 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) as a main component, and is configured by adding a circuit for sampling random numbers. The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU 31 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 that are storage means. The CPU 31 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 34 and a frequency divider 35 that generate a reference clock pulse, a random number generator 36 that generates a random number within a certain range, and a random number sampling circuit 37 that extracts an arbitrary random number from the generated random numbers. Is connected.

  The main actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 30 include stepping motors 55 for rotationally driving the reels 3, 4, 5, a hopper 38 for storing medals, a liquid crystal display unit 24, a speaker 39, and a back lamp. There are 57. These are driven by a motor drive circuit 40, a hopper drive circuit 41, a display drive circuit 42, a speaker drive circuit 43, and a lamp drive circuit 48, respectively. These drive circuits 40 to 43 and 48 are connected to the CPU 31 via the I / O port of the microcomputer 30. Each stepping motor 55 is energized by the motor drive circuit 40 in the 1-2 phase, and rotates once when a 400-pulse drive signal is supplied.

  The main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 30 to generate a control signal includes a start switch 15S for detecting the operation of the start lever 15 and a medal inserted from the medal slot 9. The inserted medal sensor 9S for detecting the C / P switch 14 described above. There is also a photo sensor 59 and a reel position detection circuit 44 that receives the output pulse signal from the photo sensor 59 and detects the rotational position of each reel 3, 4, 5.

  The photo sensor 59 detects the shielding plate 60 and generates a reset pulse every time each reel 3, 4, 5 rotates once. This reset pulse is given to the CPU 31 via the reel position detection circuit 44. The RAM 33 stores a count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range for each of the reels 3 to 5. When the CPU 31 receives the reset pulse, the count value formed in the RAM 33 is stored as “ Clear to 0 ”. By this clearing process, the deviation generated between the movement display of each symbol and the rotation of each stepping motor 55 is eliminated every rotation.

  Further, the input signal generating means includes a reel stop signal circuit 45 and a payout completion signal generating circuit 46. The reel stop signal circuit 45 generates a signal for stopping the corresponding reels 3, 4, 5 when the stop buttons 16, 17, 18 are pressed. Further, the medal detection unit 47 counts the number of medals paid out from the hopper 38, and the payout completion signal generation circuit 46 determines that the medal count value actually paid out inputted from the medal detection unit 47 is the predetermined payout number data. When it reaches, the CPU 31 outputs a signal notifying the completion of the medal payout.

  The ROM 32 stores game processing procedures executed in the slot machine 1 as a sequence program, and stores a winning probability table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, and the like.

  The winning probability table is used to divide the random number extracted by the sampling circuit 37 into each winning mode, and stores data for dividing a predetermined range of random numbers generated by the random number generator 36 into each winning mode. Such a winning probability table is configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example. In the figure, a1 to a3, b1 to b3, c1 to c3, d1 to d3, e1 to e3, f1 to f3, g1 to g3 are preset numerical data, and the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 37 are represented by each. Used when partitioning into a winning mode. This data uses a combination of numerical values “a1 to g1” when the number of inserted medals is one, “a2 to g2” when two, and “a3 to g3” when three. It is done.

  These numbers are usually set to a magnitude relationship of “a <b <c <d <e <f <g”, and if the extracted random number value is less than a, it becomes a big win (big hit) and “BB” is won. A flag stands. Also, if the extracted random value is greater than or equal to a and less than b, it becomes a middle win (medium hit) and the “RB” winning flag is set. In addition, if the extracted random number value is not less than b and less than f, a small winning prize (small hit) is obtained. Is a “bell” winning flag, a “four cherry” winning flag is set when d is less than e and a “two cherry” winning flag is set when e is less than f. Further, if the extracted random value is greater than or equal to f and less than g, a “replay” winning flag is set, and if it is not less than g, a “losing” winning flag without winning is set.

  In other words, the winning mode is determined by which numerical value range one sampled random number value belongs to, and is represented by a total of eight types of winning flags including “losing” and “replay”. Here, the random number generator 36, the sampling circuit 37, the winning probability table, and the microcomputer 30 constitute a winning mode determining means for determining the winning mode of the game by random lottery.

  However, during the CT period, even if the small winning prize is determined by the winning mode determining means, the winning flag for the small winning prize is controlled so as not to stand. In other words, in the CT period, the lottery for the small winning prize is not performed, and the lottery is performed only for the bonus prize (BB, RB prize) and the replay.

  The symbol table is conceptually shown in FIG. This symbol table associates the rotational positions of the reels 3 to 5 with the symbols, and represents a symbol row with symbols. In this symbol table, a symbol code corresponding to the code number is stored for each reel 3 to 5. The code number is sequentially given for each fixed rotation pitch of each of the reels 3 to 5 with reference to the rotation position where the reset pulse is generated. The symbol code indicates a symbol provided corresponding to each code number.

  Further, in the winning symbol combination table, symbols constituting “reach eyes” that indicate to the player that a symbol code of each winning symbol combination shown in the payout display section 22 and a flag indicating that a specific game has occurred are established. A combination symbol code, a prize determination code representing each prize, a prize medal payout number, and the like are stored. This winning symbol combination table is referred to when the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5 are controlled to stop and when a winning confirmation is made after all reels are stopped.

  The reel position detection circuit 44, the reel stop signal circuit 45, the motor drive circuit 40, the stepping motor 55, and the microcomputer 30 constitute stop display control means. This stop display control means detects the operation timing of the stop buttons 16 to 18 by the reel stop signal circuit 45, and the symbol displayed on the enable line at this operation timing is not a symbol corresponding to the winning mode but the enable When there is a symbol corresponding to the winning mode among the symbols for four frames displayed subsequently on the line, control is performed to draw the symbol onto the activation line of the display windows 6-8. At this time, while the type of symbols displayed in the display windows 6 to 8 is grasped by the reel position detection circuit 44, the motor drive circuit 40 and the stepping motor 55 are controlled by the microcomputer 30, and the rotation control of the reels 3 to 5 is performed. Is called.

  The microcomputer 30 also constitutes control interruption means. This control interruption means operates when a specific condition is satisfied, that is, when a random number lottery described later is won, and according to a predetermined condition, symbol stop display control according to the winning mode by the stop display control means Is interrupted for the first stop reel and the second stop reel. In the present embodiment, the predetermined condition is that until a predetermined number of games are played or until a predetermined number of medals are paid out, whichever comes first is achieved. The stop control by the stop display control means is interrupted until this condition is satisfied.

  In the slot machine called a CT machine according to the present embodiment, this control interruption means interrupts the symbol stop display control by the stop display control means only for the small winning prize mode. In addition, during the CT period, the stop display control unit performs the third stop reel while the symbol stop display control according to the winning mode is interrupted for the first stop reel and the second stop reel by the control interrupt unit. For example, the number of symbols to be drawn is reduced from 4 frames to 1 frame or 0 frame as described later.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine controlled by the microcomputer 30 in this embodiment will be described.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the outline of this game process.

  First, replay (replay) occurs as a result of the previous game, and the CPU 31 determines whether or not there is an automatic insertion of medals (see step 101 in FIG. 8). If there is this automatic insertion, next, game medals for the insertion request are automatically inserted (step 102). On the other hand, if there is no automatic insertion, the player next inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 9 and waits for a detection signal to be input from the medal sensor 9S (step 103). Alternatively, the player waits for the BET switches 10, 11, and 12 to be operated and to input signals from these switches. Up to three medals can be inserted during a general game, and one medal can be inserted in a bonus game during a BB game or an RB game.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a start signal is input from the start switch 15S by operating the start lever 15 (step 104). If this determination is “YES”, it is then determined whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the previous game (step 105). If 4.1 seconds have not elapsed, the game start waiting time is consumed until 4.1 seconds have elapsed (step 106). When 4.1 seconds have elapsed, the winning determination is performed by the winning mode determining means. That is, the random number for lottery generated by the random number generator 36 is extracted by the sampling circuit 37 (step 107), and the probability lottery process is performed (step 108).

  As described above, this probability lottery process is performed by determining to which winning group a single random value specified by the sampling circuit 37 belongs to a winning probability table (see FIG. 6). . The winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means is represented by the type of winning flag, and is “losing”, “replaying”, “2 cherry”, “4 cherry”, “bell”, “plum”, “ Any one of eight types of “RB” and “BB” is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 33.

  As a result of the probability lottery process, when the “BB” winning flag is set and the BB internal hit occurs, the CT game lottery is subsequently performed. The lottery of the CT game is also performed by extracting the random number generated by the random number generator 36 by the sampling circuit 37 in the same manner as the probability lottery process for determining the winning mode. Then, the sampled random number value is compared in magnitude with the specific value. For example, when the sampled random number value is smaller than the specific value, the winning result is determined and the lottery result is determined. The fact that the lottery result is won corresponds to the fact that the specific condition is satisfied.

  The CT game that is performed under such a specific condition is continued after the end of the BB game. In this CT period, the probability lottery process for determining the winning mode in step 108 is invalidated as a result of the lottery result of the small hit prize as described above, so-called bonus winning (BB, RB winning) and replaying. Only done.

  Next, a predetermined area of the RAM 33 in which the rotational positions of the reels 3 to 5 are written is initialized at the start of the reel rotation (step 109), and subsequently, the reels 3 to 5 are rotationally driven by the stepping motor 55. Next, it is determined whether or not any of the stop buttons 16 to 18 has been turned on (step 110). If it is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the automatic stop timer has become zero (step 111). The automatic stop timer is for automatically stopping the reels 3 to 5 after a predetermined time has elapsed when the stop buttons 16 to 18 are not operated for a predetermined time.

  When any one of the stop buttons 16 to 18 is turned on or the automatic stop timer reaches 0, the number of symbols to be drawn on the activation line, that is, the number of sliding frames is determined by the stop display control means. (Step 112). The number of sliding symbols is determined from the gaming state, the winning request, the number of control symbols, the symbol position, and the like.

  The gaming state is stored in a 1-byte area called a gaming state status in the RAM 33. There are six game states: “RB in operation”, “BB in operation”, “general game”, “inside BB inside”, “inside RB inside”, and “during CT period”.

  “RB in operation” represents a gaming state during an RB game. RB means a regular bonus game. In this RB game, a bonus game in which a plurality of high payout games are combined can be played once. “BB in operation” represents a gaming state during the BB game. BB means a big bonus game. In this BB game, a general game and the above-described bonus game can be set a plurality of times. “In general game” represents a gaming state in which neither BB nor RB winning has occurred.

  “Inside BB hit” indicates a general gaming state in which the BB winning flag is set but a predetermined winning symbol combination is not stopped and displayed on each reel 3 to 5 and has not yet entered the BB game. . “Inside RB” means that the RB winning flag is set, but the predetermined winning symbol combination is not stopped and displayed on each reel 3 to 5 and the general gaming state has not yet entered the RB game. .

  “During CT period” represents a gaming state in which the lottery of the winning combination for the BB, RB game and replay is invalidated, but the lottery of the small winning combination is invalidated. There are two types of small winning prizes: a plum that is generated with a set of plum symbols on the activation line, a bell that is generated with a set of bell symbols, a two-cherry and a four-cherry that are generated with a set of cherry symbols.

  The winning request is also stored in the hit request flag storage area of the RAM 33. This area also consists of 1 byte, and the hit request flags include “BB without CT”, “BB with CT”, “RB”, “Replay”, “Bell”, “Plum”, “4 Cherry” and “2” There are 8 types of “cherry”. Here, “BB without CT” is a hit request flag that is set when there is an internal hit of the BB in the probability lottery process of step 108 and is lost in the subsequent lottery of the CT game. “BB with CT” is a hit request flag that is set when there is an internal hit of the BB in the probability lottery process and a win is given in the subsequent lottery of CT games.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the number of control frames is stored as a table in the RAM 33 in accordance with the order of symbols for which pull-in control is prioritized. FIG. 4A is a drawing priority order table in a general game. In the general game, the priority order is determined in the order of replay, small hit, and BB / RB game. This priority order is a priority order of winning combinations that are drawn preferentially on the activation line. The number of control frames is the number of frames in a range that can be pulled in and controlled by the stop display control means. In a general game, each winning combination is set to 4 frames.

  FIG. 5B is a drawing priority table during the CT period. During the CT period, the small winning combination is controlled in the order of plum, bell, four cherries, and two cherries. The number of control frames is set to 1 frame for plum and bell, 4 cherries, and 0 frame for 2 cherries. A control frame number of 0 means that pull-in control is not performed.

  The symbol position is the position data of each reel 3 to 5 written in the area of the RAM 33 initialized in step 109. This symbol position is data of a symbol present at that time on each activated line, and is stored as a symbol code shown in FIG.

  In determining the number of sliding symbols, first, the current gaming state is referred to, and a priority table corresponding to the gaming state is selected. That is, the table shown in FIG. 10A is selected in the general gaming state, and the table shown in FIG. 10B is selected in the CT period. Next, the control frame number of the winning combination corresponding to the winning request is referred from the selected table. Thereafter, the symbol position at that time is referred to, and the symbol at that time is grasped on the activation line of the first stop reel. If this symbol is not a symbol corresponding to the winning request, it is determined whether or not there is a symbol corresponding to the winning request within the range of the reference control frame number. If the symbol corresponding to the winning request is within the range of the number of control frames, the number of frames from the activation line to the symbol is determined as the number of sliding frames.

  Next, the number of sliding frames is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 33 so that the first stop reel (rotating drum) rotates by the number of sliding frames determined in this way (step 113). However, during the CT period, since the stop display control is not performed for the first stop reel and the second stop reel, Step 112 and Step 113 are not executed. Thereafter, a stop request flag for the first stop reel is set (step 114). The stop display control means stops the rotation of one reel in response to the stop request flag being set.

  Next, it is determined whether or not all reels have stopped (FIG. 9, step 115). If the second reel and the third reel have not yet stopped, the process returns to step 110, and the above processes are repeated.

  The reel stop process in steps 110 to 115 by the stop display control means is performed, for example, as follows during the general game.

  For example, when the on operation of the first reel stop button 16 is detected, the drive pulse supplied to the stepping motor 55 of the first reel 3 when the first reel stop button 16 is operated by the player. The number is read from the RAM 33 and associated with the rotational position of the first reel 3. When the rotational position of the first reel 3 is known, three symbols appearing in the observation window 6 are grasped as symbol codes by contrast with the symbol table (see FIG. 7).

  In this case, when the winning flag for the big hit is set, it is checked whether or not there is a symbol constituting the big hit on the activated pay line of the observation window 6. Similarly, when the winning flag for medium hit and small hit is set, it is checked whether or not there are symbols constituting the medium hit and small hit on the validation pay line in the observation window 6. When there is a symbol corresponding to the winning flag on the activated winning line, the CPU 31 immediately stops the first reel 3.

  If the symbol corresponding to the winning flag does not appear on the validation winning line of the observation window 6 by the above check process, the first reel 3 is further rotated by the number of control frames (4 symbols). Check what symbols appear. If there is a symbol corresponding to the winning flag, the number of sliding frames up to that frame position is reached. The first reel 3 is rotated by the number of sliding frames and stopped there. This pull-in control process is performed in the same manner during the stop control process for the second reel 4 and the third reel 5 described below.

  Next, when the stop button 17 of the second reel 4 is turned on, a stop control process for the second reel 4 is performed. In this stop control process, in the state where the second reel 4 is rotating, first, it is assumed that 21 symbols of code numbers 0 to 20 stop on the winning line L1 at the center of the observation window 7 and are activated. A combination with the symbol of the first reel 3 that has already stopped is read on the winning line. In addition, a rotation code indicating that the third reel 5 is rotating is read. Although the second reel 4 is also rotating, since it is assumed that the second reel 4 is stopped by the above processing, it is not read as a rotation code.

  When the symbol code combination is read in this way, the above-described winning symbol combination table is referred to, and the second reel 4 stops at 21 rotational positions with respect to the symbols determined by stopping the first reel 3. At this time, it is sequentially determined what kind of winning is likely to occur on the activated winning line. For example, if the first reel 3 is stopped as shown in FIG. 11A, the symbol combination pattern at that time is checked assuming 21 stop positions of the second reel 4. For example, if the second reel 4 stops at the code number “5” in the center of the observation window 7 as shown in FIG. 5B, the symbols on the winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, and L3B The combination is as shown in FIG.

  The arrow of the third reel 5 is a rotation code indicating that it is rotating, but depending on the stop position of the third reel, “AAA” is a big hit win on the pay line L1, and “ There is a possibility that a small hit prize of “E-E-E” may occur. Therefore, for the code number “5” of the second reel 4, as shown in FIG. 12, a big hit prediction flag and a small hit prediction flag are set. Presence / absence of such a prediction flag is checked for all code numbers of the second reel 4, and these data are written in the RAM 33.

  The prediction flag data written in the RAM 33 in this way is referred to when the second reel 4 is stopped. That is, when the stop button 17 of the second reel 4 is operated, the prediction flag corresponding to the code number of the second reel 4 is referred to. The stop control of the second reel 4 is executed so that the symbol of the big hit stops.

  Next, when an on operation of the stop button 18 of the third reel 5 is detected, a stop control process for the third reel 5 is performed. In this stop control process, since the first reel 3 and the second reel 4 are already stopped and the symbol combination is specified, for each symbol number of the third reel 5 with respect to these symbol combinations. The possibility of winning is determined, and a winning prediction flag is set in the same manner as the table shown in FIG.

  The prediction flag data is also referred to when the stop button 18 of the third reel 5 is operated. When a big hit is predicted, the third reel is set so that the symbol of the big hit stops on the activated pay line. 5 stop control is executed. At the time of the stop control process of the third reel 5, not only a winning according to the winning flag is obtained by a combination with the symbols of the first reel 3 and the second reel 4 which are already stopped, but a winning different from the winning flag is obtained. The reel stop position is controlled so as not to be generated.

  Such reel stop processing by the stop display control means during the general game is not performed for the first stop reel and the second stop reel during the CT period. That is, as in the above example, when the first stop reel is the first reel 3 and the second stop reel is the second reel 4, the turn-on operation of the stop buttons 16 and 17 is detected for each of the reels 3 and 4. Stop immediately at the timing. That is, the reels 3 and 4 are stopped only in accordance with the timing of pressing the stop buttons 16 and 17 by the player, and the pull-in control by the stop display control means is not performed.

  Further, during the CT period, the stop display control is performed for the third stop reel, and the number of control frames of the pull-in control performed at this time is 1 or 0 as shown in FIG. This is smaller than the number of control frames 4 in the middle. Therefore, for example, when the third stop reel is the third reel 5 as in the above example, there is no symbol corresponding to the winning combination on the activated winning line of the display window 8 at the timing when the stop button 18 is operated. In this case, it is determined whether or not there is a symbol corresponding to the winning combination within the range of one frame or zero frame from the activation line.

  For example, when plums are aligned on the first reel 3 and the second reel 4, or when bells are aligned, the pulling control of the plums or bells to one frame is controlled. In other words, even if there is no plum or bell on the activation line at the operation timing of the stop button 18, if these symbols exist within the range of the number of control frames of one frame, the third reel 5 is displayed by the stop display control means. Is slid by one frame and a prize for a plum or bell is generated. However, since the number of control frames for the two cherries and the four cherries is 0, such pull-in stop display control is not performed.

  When the reel stop control process is completed, a winning search process is performed (step 116 in FIG. 9). In this winning search process, the type of combination of symbols actually arranged on the activated winning line is matched with the type of winning flag won by the probability lottery process. Next, it is determined whether or not the winning flag is normal (step 117). If the determination result is not normal, for example, if the combination of bell symbols is aligned on the activated pay line but the win flag is a plum flag, the medal payout number display lamp on the front panel 2 is illegally displayed. An error is displayed (step 118).

  If the winning flag is normal, it is next determined whether or not the winning number is 0 (step 119). If the number of winning prizes is not 0, game medals are stored or paid out according to the state at that time (step 120). In other words, when the game is played with credit, the number of credits is increased by the number of medals won by winning, and when the game is played with the medal being inserted into the slot 9, it is won by winning. The number of medals is paid out to the tray 20.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the winning mode is a re-game winning (step 121), and in the case of a re-game winning, an automatic insertion request is set (step 122). Next, initialization at the end of one game, for example, the area of the RAM 33 used in the game is initialized (step 123), and one game is ended.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the stop display control in the small win winning mode is interrupted for the first stop reel and the second stop reel during the CT period. During the CT period, the number of symbols to be drawn is reduced from 4 frames to 1 frame or 0 frame for the third stop reel. Therefore, the probability of occurrence of the small winning prize mode during the CT period is lower than that of a conventional CT machine, and the number of game medals paid out is reduced. In other words, the expected value in the CT game becomes smaller as the value of the pull-in data in the equation becomes smaller, and falls within 0.9 or less, which is the value determined for the general gaming state category. For this reason, the loss of the game store can be prevented, and the equality of the game between the beginner and the expert can be ensured.

  In the description of the above embodiment, the first stop reel and the second stop reel are referred to as the reels for which the stop control by the stop display control means is interrupted during the CT period, and the third stop reel is referred to as the stop control. However, the number and type of reels for which stop control is interrupted and the number and type of reels for which stop control is performed are not limited thereto. For example, a reel for which stop control is interrupted may be a third stop reel, and a reel for which stop control is performed may be a first stop reel and a second stop reel.

  In the above description of the embodiment, the variable display device has been described as rotating reels 3 to 5, but the variable display device is not limited to this, and for example, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display device, a light emitting diode A device such as (LED) or electroluminescence may be used as the variable display device.

  In each of these cases, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

It is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rotary reel unit of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the rotation reel which comprises the rotation reel unit shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a winning line written on a display window of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1 is sequentially activated. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main control circuit configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the winning probability table used for the game processing of the slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the symbol table used for the game processing of the slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a first flowchart showing a gaming process of the slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing a gaming process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the pull-in priority table used for the game process of the slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship of symbol codes assigned to each rotary reel and read in the gaming process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the hit prediction flag table used for the game process of the slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine 2 ... Front panel 3, 4, 5 ... 1st, 2nd, 3rd reel 6, 7, 8 ... Window 9 ... Medal slot 10, 11, 12 ... BET switch 13 ... Credit number display part 14 ... Credit / settlement changeover switch 15 ... Start lever 16, 17, 18 ... Stop button 19 ... Sound hole 20 ... Medal tray 21 ... Medal payout port 22 ... Dividend display unit 23 ... Activation line display lamp 24 ... Liquid crystal display unit L1 , L2A, L2B, L3A, L3B ... winning line

Claims (1)

Winning mode determination means for determining the winning mode of the game by random number lottery, a variable display device that variably displays various symbols in a plurality of columns, and variable display stop that stops variable display of symbols by this variable display device for each column And a stop display for drawing and displaying the symbols corresponding to the winning mode determined by the winning mode determining unit within the predetermined number of ranges in the variable display device according to the operation timing of the variable display stopping unit. In accordance with a control unit and a predetermined condition when a specific condition is established, the stop display control of symbols according to the winning mode by the stop display control unit is interrupted for a part of the display columns of the variable display device. In a gaming machine configured with control interruption means,
The control interrupting means stops the symbol stop display control by the stop display control means in response to the second stop operation of the variable display stop means only for the small winning prize mode. 2 stop display rows and the third stop display row of the variable display device to be stopped in response to the third stop operation of the variable display stop means,
The stop display control means is configured so that the control interrupting means interrupts the symbol stop display control according to the small winning pattern with respect to the second stop display string and the third stop display string. Stop in response to the first stop operation of the variable display stop means, compared to when the stop display control of the symbol according to the small winning pattern is not interrupted for the second stop display row and the third stop display row A gaming machine, wherein the number of symbols drawn in the first stop display row of the variable display device is changed to 1 or 0 by changing.

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