JP2006034554A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a game machine which increases the hope of a game player by enabling a performance using reels and shutters to be executed. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine 100 is equipped with four lines of reels 106a to 106d which are arranged in a cabinet 102, and can variably display a plurality of symbols required for a game, a display window 108 having a size enough to make four lines of the reels visible, and a masking plate (shutter) 110 which is arranged on both or either one of the right and left end sections of the display window, and is movable in parallel. Four lines of the reels are constituted to be integrally reciprocatable in the width direction of the cabinet. Four lines of the reels move based on conditions which are pre-designated, and at least one line of the reels located on either one of the right and left sides is arranged on the outside of the display window. Also, the shutter 110 is constituted to cover the end section of the display window on the opposite side from the direction in which the reels have moved, by moving in response to the movement of the reels. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a variation display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game.

  Conventionally, a casing having a front door that can be opened and closed, a reel that is arranged inside the casing and can display a plurality of symbols necessary for a game, and a front that can visually recognize a variable display section A display machine on the front of the door is used, and the display window uses a slot machine (rotating game machine) that displays a part of multiple symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface for all reels in the housing. It has been.

  In such a conventional slot machine, after a player inserts a predetermined number of medals into the slot machine, when the player operates the start lever, a plurality of reels rotate at the same time. When the player operates the stop switch corresponding to each reel, the rotation of each reel is stopped according to the operation, and a part of the symbol drawn on the reel is displayed in the display window. When the displayed symbols become a predetermined combination, a prize is awarded and medals are paid out.

  In the current mainstream slot machines, the possibility of winning is determined by a lottery using random numbers performed simultaneously with the operation of the start lever. Therefore, in such a slot machine, it is determined whether or not the player may win a prize before operating the stop switch corresponding to each reel. In addition to the possibility of winning (the winning is confirmed internally), the symbol of the reel when each reel stops is a combination of symbols according to the winning. It is determined on the condition that they meet.

  In addition, the current mainstream slot machines have a plurality of types of winnings, and when a specific winning is made, a larger number of winnings can be made after paying out medals a predetermined number of times compared to the normal state. It becomes a state. This state is called a big bonus (BB) or a regular bonus (RB).

In addition, in the current mainstream slot machines, a display is provided on the upper part of the surface facing the slot machine player in order to produce the game by notifying the player of the progress conception of the game and the confirmation of the internal prize. The progress of the game is also notified using a light or a liquid crystal display device.
Patent Document 1 discloses a slot machine having four reels.
JP 2000-225229 A

In the conventional slot machine, a game is played by combining the symbols of a plurality of reels, but each reel is always arranged in a display window. Therefore, even if the game progresses, the variation mode of the variation display unit that the player is playing is only the rotation and stop of the reel. Even if the player recognizes the state of the big bonus, the regular bonus, etc. according to the progress of the display device or the game, there is no significant change in the display mode of the reel that is the main game target, and the game performance of the game itself is improved. There is a limit to raising it.
An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above problems.

  In the present invention, it is possible to visually recognize the case, the four rows of reels arranged inside the case and capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for the game, and the four rows of reels. A display window provided on the front surface of the casing, and a parallel-movable blindfold disposed on either the left or right side of the display window, and the four rows of reels, The four rows of reels are moved based on a predesignated condition, and at least one row of reels positioned on either of the left and right sides is configured to reciprocate integrally along the width direction of the housing. The blindfolding plate is arranged outside the display window, and the blindfold moves in parallel in the left-right direction in accordance with the movement of the reel, and covers the end of the display window on the side opposite to the moving direction of the reel. A gaming machine configured as described above is provided.

  In the present invention, it is assumed that the blindfold plate is movably attached to the left and right of the display window, or is attached to the left and right sides of a reel holder that holds the four rows of reels. It is also suitable. In addition, it is also preferable that the blindfold plate is provided with a display means.

  The present invention further includes four stop switches for stopping each of the four rows of reels, and the four stop switches can be operated in correspondence with the reels visible in the display window. It is also preferable that each of these is configured to change the lighting state depending on whether it can be used to stop the reel.

  In the present invention, it is also preferable that the change of the lighting state changes whether to turn on or not, and the change of the lighting state changes a lighting color.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, when a game is performed by combining the symbols of a plurality of reels, the reels can be moved based on a predesignated condition. Therefore, the player can clearly know that the specific condition has been achieved by moving the reel. In addition, the variation display mode that the player is playing is diversified, the change in the state of the game is dramatic, compared to the case where there is no movement of the reel, the game is improved, and the player's expectation Can be increased.

  Moreover, in the gaming machine of the present invention, since the four rows of reels are visible, the player can recognize the entire reel and play a game. Also, by using a blindfold, the space visible from the display window after the reel has moved can be closed, so that the player can move the reel without showing a configuration unrelated to the game inside the housing, This makes it difficult for the player to obtain information on the internal structure of the gaming machine and helps prevent fraud.

  Furthermore, when changing the lighting state depending on whether each of the stop switches can be used to stop the reel, the player can easily determine which stop switch can be used to stop the reel. It can be recognized, and erroneous operation of the player's stop switch can be prevented.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the figure, corresponding constituent elements will be described with the same reference numerals.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the slot machine 100 in the present embodiment. A front door 104 that can be opened and closed is disposed in the housing 102. Inside the housing 102, there is provided a variable display section (or reel) 106 in which reels 106a to 106d capable of variable display of a plurality of symbols necessary for a game are arranged. On the front surface of the front door 104, a display window 108 having a size capable of visually recognizing all of the reels 106a to 106d is provided.

  The front door is provided with a medal insertion slot 128, a medal payout slot 120, and a tray 122, and accepts insertion of medals by the player and pays out medals to the player. When the player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 128, the inserted number display LED 130 is turned on according to the number. When the number of inserted medals reaches a specified number (for example, 3), the player can start a game with the start switch 112. When the player inserts medals exceeding the prescribed number, the medals are stored in a medal storage device (not shown), and the credit display LED 134 displays the number of medals exceeding the prescribed number as a credit.

  When the player operates the start switch 112 after inserting the prescribed number of medals, the reels 106a to 106d simultaneously rotate at a constant rotation speed (for example, 80 rotations / minute). The direction of rotation is the direction in which the symbols visible to the player move from top to bottom. The stop switches 116a to 116d correspond to the reels 106a to 106d, respectively, and accept an input operation for stopping each corresponding reel from the player. Each of the stop switches 116a to 116d is provided with a plurality of LEDs (not shown) that show different emission colors. As a result, the player can stop each of the stop switches 116a to 116d with the stop switch being valid and stopping the corresponding one of the reels 106, or the stop switch is invalid and stopping the reel. You can know if you can't.

  In the present invention, a blindfold (shutter) is further provided on the left and right sides of the display window. The shutter 110 according to the present embodiment includes a left shutter 110 a provided on the left side of the display window 108 and a right shutter 110 b provided on the right side of the display window 108. In FIG. 1, the shutters 110a and 110b are both arranged on the back surface of the front door 104 so as to be on the left and right outside of the observation window 108. It is configured to be slidable so that it can be covered. The shutter 110 opens and closes according to the gaming state of the slot machine. For example, in a general game, one of the left and right shutters 110 is closed and the reels 106a or 106d are no longer game targets, and the left and right shutters are opened from the general game and all the reels 10a to 10d are game targets. The shutter opening / closing operation is performed in accordance with the left / right movement of the reel 106, as will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the slot machine of the present embodiment. The display window 108 is sized so that the player can observe all four reels 106a to 106d. When the four reels 106a to 106d are games, the shutters 110a and 110b are both disposed on the back surface of the front door 104.

  FIG. 3 is an internal front view of the slot machine of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the front door 104 of the slot machine 100 is opened. A rail 144 is fixed to a member 140 that internally connects the left and right side plates of the housing 102, and a reel holder 142 is attached to the rail 144. It is mounted movably. Stepping motors (not shown) for driving and rotating the reels 106a to 106d are mounted on the reel holder 142 side by side so that the rotation axes are aligned in the left-right direction of the slot machine 100. Is fixed to each rotating shaft of the stepping motor. In this way, the reel holder 142 integrally holds the reels while holding the reels individually rotatable.

  A block 146 for slidingly holding the rail 144 is attached to the lower portion of the reel holder 142. The member 140 is attached with an electric actuator 148 for sliding the reel holder 142 along the rail 144, and the left and right positions of the reels 106a to 106d inside the housing can be changed.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a mechanism for sliding a reel in the slot machine of the present embodiment. The rail 144 attached to the member 140 includes a front rail 144a and a rear rail 144b. The block 146 that slides and holds the rail includes blocks 146a and 146b that slide and hold the front rail 144a, and a block 146c that slides and holds the rear rail 144b. The electric actuator 148 has a moving part 148a having a concave part, and a convex part 142c provided at the lower part of the reel holder 142 is engaged with the concave part. The electric actuator 148 moves the moving unit 148a under the control of the control device 150 (FIG. 9), and drives the reel holder 142 that is slidably attached to the member 140. The arms 142a and 142b of the slide holder 142 are used to engage the shutters 110a and 110b, respectively, and to interlock the opening / closing of the shutter with the movement of the reel. In FIG. 4, the drive means of the reel holder 142 is described as an electric actuator 148. However, in the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, various drive means such as actuators such as motors, electromagnetic solenoids, hydraulic cylinders, and pneumatic cylinders are used. Can be used. Also, inside each reel 106a-d, a background illumination 106g for transmitting and illuminating a symbol visually recognized through the display window 108 from the inner surface side of the reel 106a-d is fixed to the reel holder. The background light 106g can be turned on or blinked, and for example, the player can be notified of the pressing order of the reels 106a to 106d.

  FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration near the display window when the reel is slid to the right in the slot machine of the present embodiment. The left end portion of the display window 108 in FIG. 5 is covered by a shutter 110 a, and the shutter 110 b disposed on the right side of the display window 108 is disposed on the back surface of the front door 104. When the reel 106 is slid to the right, the reel 106d at the right end is hidden behind the front door 104. Therefore, only the reels 106 a to 106 c are arranged in the display window 108. At this time, the shutter 110a covers the left end portion of the display window 108. This prevents the player from seeing the inside through the display window 108. The shutter 110a can be provided with a display for notifying the player of the game state and a display device 110c.

  In the present embodiment, when the reel 106 moves to the right, the shutter 110a moves from the left side of the display window 108, and the space generated at the left end of the display window 108 due to the movement of the reel 106 or the interior of the housing. The shutter 110a covers the left end of the display window 108. For this purpose, the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment is provided with an arm 142a provided on the reel holder 142 and an arm receiving portion 110g (FIG. 8) of the shutter 110a.

  FIG. 6 is a front view showing a configuration near the display window when the reel 106 is slid to the left in the slot machine of the present embodiment. Since the moving direction of the reel 106 in FIG. 5 is reversed, the shutter 110a is hidden behind the front door 104, and the shutter 110b moves from the right side of the display window 108 to cover the right end portion of the display window 108. Therefore, only the reels 106 b to 106 d are arranged in the display window 108, and the leftmost reel 106 a is arranged on the back surface of the front door 104. It can be understood that the shutter 110b covers the right end portion of the display window 108 so that the space generated at the right end of the display window 108 and the inside of the housing cannot be viewed by inverting the case where the reel 106 is moved to the right. .

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how the reel 106 and the stop switch 116 are made to correspond in the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment. When the reel 106 is in the center as shown in FIG. 2, the reels 106a to 106d correspond to the stop switches 116a to 116d, respectively (FIG. 7a). When the reel is moved to the right as shown in FIG. 5, two ways of correspondence are possible (FIG. 7b). That is, with the reels 106a to 106c corresponding to the stop switches 116a to 116c, a method of disabling the stop switch 116d (first correspondence method, symbol A in FIG. 7b), and reels 106a to 106c. Is made to correspond to the stop switches 116b to 116d, and the stop switch 116a is invalidated (second correspondence, symbol B in FIG. 7b). Similarly, when the reel is moved to the left as shown in FIG. 6 (FIG. 7c), the stop switch 116a is invalidated (first way of handling, symbol A in FIG. 7c) and the stop switch 116d. Can be made invalid (second way of dealing, symbol B in FIG. 7c).

  In the present invention in which the reel 106 moves to the left and right, each of the stop switches 116a to 116d can be used to stop the reel in order to make it easy for the player to understand how the stop switch 116 and each of the reels 106 correspond to each other. The lighting state is changed depending on whether or not. In the present embodiment, an LED that can be lit (internal illumination LED) is provided inside the button for operating the stop switch 116. This LED can be lit in different colors using, for example, a red light emitting diode and a blue light emitting diode. When the reels are arranged in the center and four reels are used in the game, each of the reels 106a to 106d corresponds to each of the stop switches 116a to 116d. At this time, each button of the stop switches 116a to 116d emits red light when the stop operation from the player cannot be accepted, and emits blue light when the stop operation from the player can be accepted. Be controlled. The case where the stop operation from the player cannot be accepted is when the corresponding reel is already stopped, when a certain time has not elapsed since the previous game, or when the stop switch is disabled. The time when the stop operation from the player can be received is when the corresponding reel is rotating and can be stopped by the stop operation from the player. When the reel is moved to the right and three reels are used for a game, the stop switch is disabled when the reel is moved to the right to perform the first correspondence (FIG. 7b, A). Since the button 116d cannot accept a reel stop operation, it is always in a red lighting state. Further, when the second correspondence is performed by moving the reel to the right (FIG. 7b, B), the disabled button of the stop switch 116a is always lit in red. The same applies when the reel is moved to the left.

  FIG. 8 is a rear view showing the inside of the front door in the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment. A mechanism for the shutter 110 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The shutters 110 a and 110 b are attached to the display window 108 so as to be slidable into the display window 108 from the left and right sides from the back of the front door 104. Each of the shutters 110a and 1110b has a door (not shown) in the lower part, and can slide on the slide rail 110e. The upper ends of the shutters 110a and 110b are guided by a slide guide 110f. On the back surfaces of the shutters 110a and 110b, arm receiving portions 110g each having a protruding portion extending in the direction of the back surface of the slot machine 100 are disposed. The shutters 110a and 110b are connected to the front door 104 by a spring 110h. The shutters 110a and 110b are biased so as to be pulled outward in the left and right directions of the display window 108 so as to be opened when the arm receiving portion 110g and the arms 142a or 142b (FIG. 4) are not engaged. Yes.

  The arm receiving portions 110g of the shutters 110a and 110b engage with the arms 142a or 142b of the reel holder 142 shown in FIG. 4 when the reel 106 moves to the left and right. When both the shutters 110a and 110b as shown in FIG. 2 are open, the arm receiving portions 110g of the respective shutters are arranged so as to be inside the reel holder arms 142a and 142b.

  When the reel 106 moves to the right (FIG. 5), the arm 142a engages with the arm receiving portion 110g of the shutter 110a to pull the shutter 110a into the display window 108, and the shutter 110a covers the left end portion of the display window. At this time, the arm 142b is not engaged with the arm receiving portion 110g of the shutter 110b, and the shutter 110b does not cover the display window 108 by the action of the spring 110h. When the reel 106 moves to the left (FIG. 6), the arm 142b engages with the arm receiving portion 110g of the shutter 110b and pulls the shutter 110b into the display window 108, and the shutter 110b moves to the display window. Cover the right edge. At this time, the arm 142a is not engaged with the arm receiving portion 110g of the shutter 110a, and the shutter 110a does not cover the display window 108 by the action of the spring 110h.

  The operation of the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment when the game progresses will be described with reference to FIG. 1 again. An effective line (not shown) is set in the display window 108. This effective line is a line for determining whether or not a combination of reel symbols visible from the display window is a predetermined combination. When four reels are used in a game, for example, the upper line, the middle upper line, the middle lower line, the lower line, etc. extend in the left-right direction over the range of the reel symbols visible from the display window. And 4 lines are set. When three reels are used in the game, three effective lines are set, for example, an upper line, a center line, a lower line, and the like. In addition, the effective lines are further set to two lines, a diagonal direction in the upper right and lower left and a diagonal direction in the upper left and lower right. This active line may be increased or decreased depending on the number of medals to be played.

  When the symbols on the reels 106a to 106d, 106a to 106c, or 106b to 106d are in a predetermined combination, a winning state is entered, and the player wins a medal according to the combination. Also, depending on the combination of reel symbols, the player can play the game again without inserting medals. On the other hand, if a predetermined combination is not obtained in any active line, medals for the game are collected. Even if the combination of reel symbols in a plurality of active lines becomes a predetermined one, an upper limit may be set on the number of medals that a player can acquire (for example, a maximum of 15 medals).

  When winning and acquiring medals, a predetermined number of medals are stored in the medal storage device, and the acquired number is displayed on the acquired number display LED 132 and the credit display LED 134 provided on the front door 104. The acquired number display LED 132 displays the number of medals acquired by the player in the game, and is reset to 0 when a medal is inserted for the next game. When the display number of the credit display LED 134 indicates one or more, the stored number of medals is paid out from the medal payout slot 120 to the tray 122 when the settlement button 126 is operated. A predetermined number (for example, 50) of medals can be stored in the medal storage device, and when the number of credited medals exceeds the predetermined number, the medals are paid out from the medal payout port 120 to the tray 122.

  In addition, on the front surface of the front door 104 below the display window 108, a bet switch 114a for inserting medals used for the game one by one within the credited range, and a game used for the game within the credited range. A max bet switch 114b is provided for inserting medals up to the maximum allowable multiplier (for example, 3).

  Although not shown, a card unit is attached to the slot machine 100, and a gaming medium medal lending operation can be performed by inserting a valuable medium such as a prepaid card. In this case, the card-type slot machine 100 can be credited to the credit unit in the same manner as a game medal is inserted into the slot machine 100. Also, a card-type slot machine 100 in which a card unit is attached to the slot machine 100 and a hopper of the main body of the slot machine 100 is operated by a gaming medal lending operation to lend a predetermined number of medals to the tray 122. It is good.

  In the present embodiment, the front door 104 is provided with punching portions 124 a and 124 b so that sound effects are emitted from the speaker 124 (FIG. 9) provided inside the front door 104.

  In addition, a display device 118 for notifying the player of the state of the game is provided on the front upper portion of the front door 104. The display device 118 is further used for displaying the number of medals paid for winning, navigating the subsequent game state, and displaying for assisting (assisting) the game.

  Inside the housing 102, a hopper for paying out game medals as a prize is disposed at a position communicating with the medal payout opening 120. In addition, a control device 150 (FIG. 9) for electrically controlling the slot machine 100 is provided inside the housing 102.

  FIG. 9 shows a block of a circuit that controls the gaming operation of the slot machine 100. The control device 150 is provided in the housing 102. As shown in FIG. 9, the control device 170 includes a CPU 170, a ROM 174, a RAM 172, and a random number generation unit 162 for setting the probability of occurrence of a bonus game.

  The ROM 174 stores a program for determining the procedure of the game and associated processing, data such as a winning probability table for determining a lottery probability, and data used for display on the display device 118. The processing program is a sequence program, and the CPU 170 operates together with the RAM 172, drives each element of the slot machine through various necessary circuits, and receives input from the player through various switches and sensors, The game of the slot machine 100 proceeds.

  Connected to the CPU 170 are switches such as a bet switch 114a, a max bet switch 114b, a start switch 112, a medal insertion sensor 128b, a settlement switch 126, and a setting key switch 160.

  The setting key switch 160 is used to switch the operation mode of the slot machine 100 between a game mode in which a game is possible and a setting mode in which a setting for changing the number of payout medals for the game is changed. The random number generator 162 generates hardware-like pseudo-random numbers. The random number generator 162 generates a random number clock signal as a crystal oscillator clock, and counts up the clock pulses generated by the random number clock generator 164 to a certain value. A counter register (not shown) to be reset, and a sampling circuit 166 that performs sampling based on the operation of the player's start switch 112 based on the value of the register and transmits the sample to the CPU 170 are provided. The random number generator 162 generates a pseudo-random number by sampling the counter value that repeats counting up and reset at a moment when the start switch 112 is activated, and returns it to the CPU 170. The CPU 170 refers to the winning probability table stored in the RAM 172 using this random number.

  Further, the CPU 170 has a selector 128a for selecting whether to accept the medal inserted from the medal slot 128 of the front door 104 as it is or to eject it from the medal payout slot 120, and the inserted medal. A medal insertion sensor 128b to be detected individually is connected. A hopper driving circuit 152 for the hopper motor 154 is connected to the CPU 170. The hopper motor 154 manages medals, and discharges medals paid out from a hopper that pays out medals acquired by the player based on a command from the CPU 170. The discharged medals are paid out from the medal payout port 120 to the tray 122. The hopper is also provided with a medal payout sensor 156 in order to count the actual payout number of medals. The medal payout sensor 156 is connected to the CPU 170 and sends a signal to the CPU 170 that detects the actual payout of medals. . The CPU 170 is connected with an inserted number display LED 130, an acquired number display LED 132, and a credit display LED 134 via an LED drive circuit 136, and a speaker 124 that forms a production sound is connected via a speaker drive circuit 124C.

  Further, the CPU 170 includes a reel driving circuit 106e for driving each stepping motor that rotates and supports the four reels 106a to 106d, and a reel rotation detection circuit 106f that generates a rotation pulse indicating the rotation of the reel. Is connected. Further, a stop button control circuit 116e that performs control to change the emission color of the internal illumination LED of the button corresponding to the stop switch 116a to 116d depending on whether the stop switch 116a to d is enabled or disabled, and a stop switch A CPU 170 is connected to a stop signal generation circuit 116f that generates a stop signal for each of the stop switches 116a to 116d in response to an operation by the player when it is valid. Further, an actuator drive circuit 148 b that drives an electric actuator 148 that controls the movement of the reel holder 142 is further connected to the CPU 170.

  The reel driving circuit 106e is connected to a stepping motor for driving the reels 106a to 106d to rotate. The control device 150 supplies driving pulses to each stepping motor based on the control of the CPU 170 or stops the supply. As a result, the reels 106a to 106d are rotated or stopped. The rotation pulse generated by the reel rotation detection circuit 106f is generated as one pulse when the reel rotated by the motor is in a predetermined direction. This rotation pulse is used to reset an internal counter that counts drive step pulses sent to the stepping motor and increments the value. As a result, the actual reel rotation is synchronized with the reset timing of the internal counter. After the reel starts to rotate and once the rotation pulse is synchronized with the internal counter, the control device 150 refers to the internal counter to determine the rotational position of the reel.

  In the slot machine 100, the CPU 170 of the control device 150 controls the electric actuator 148 according to the program, so that all the reels 106a to 106d are arranged at the center where the player can see from the display window 108 (FIG. 2), or the reel 106 is To move the reel 106a-c to the display window 108 and cover the left end of the display window 108 with the shutter 110a (FIG. 5), or move the reel 106 to the left to display the reels 106b-d. The right end portion of the display window 108 can be covered with the shutter 110b by being arranged in the window 108.

  On the outer surface of each reel, a symbol that can be observed by the player is printed. The figure has patterns such as watermelon pattern, “BAR” character string, bell pattern, cherry pattern, “Replay” character string, “7” character, “JAC” character, etc. It is variously colored and is arranged in the circumferential direction at a certain angle, and is described on each reel, for example, 21 symbols in a direction that the player can read when the reel is stopped.

  The slot machine 100 idles the reel only for a short time (for example, a maximum of 0.19 seconds) from the timing when the stop switches 116a to 116d are operated, idles the reel by a predetermined number of symbols, and then stops. be able to. By this idling, for example, the stop position of each reel 106 can be adjusted within a range of a maximum of 4 symbols. This stop position is controlled by a method using a table stored in the ROM 174. The slot machine 100 can adjust the deviation between the timing at which the stop switch is operated and the actual reel stop timing, and at this time, the table can be used to combine the reel symbols into a specific combination ( It is possible to control so as not to be in a specific combination (so-called “slip” control).

  In the game of the slot machine 100, in order to shift to a bonus game in which a predetermined symbol arrangement (small role) for paying out medals and the number of medals to be paid out by the slot machine 100 are increased and the player gets more medals. There are predetermined symbol arrangements. The bonus game includes, for example, a regular bonus game and a big bonus game. In these games, there is a specific arrangement (combination) that leads to the payout of medals. Whether or not these small roles or roles are actually formed is not necessarily determined by the player's skill, but the possibility of forming a role is determined by the lottery function of the slot machine, and when there is a possibility of the formation, With the combination of the symbols on the reel, a small role or combination is established and a prize is awarded. When there is no possibility of a winning combination due to the lottery function, the slot machine 100 does not allow the player to operate the stop switch 116 at any timing so that the winning combination is not performed using the slip control. Stop. In addition, when there is a possibility that a winning combination is established by the lottery function, if the operation timing of the stop switch 116 of the player is within a certain range, the reel is stopped at a position where the winning combination is achieved by using the pull-in control. You can also. The slot machine 100 is configured to balance the consumption and acquisition of medals by a game by using a stochastic operation such as a lottery and these controls, so that the player can be entertained moderately.

  For example, in the case of an operation that uses all four reels of the reels 106a to 106d, the reel 106a is “cherry” and the other reels 106b to 106d are arbitrary as combinations that become small roles. There are combinations in which all of the reels 106a to 106d are "watermelons" and all of the reels 106a to 106d are "bells". There is also a combination in which all of the reels 106a to 106d are “replayed” and the game can be played again without requiring a medal. Of these reels 106a to 106d, the player can also visually recognize the reels 106a to 106c (FIG. 5) and the reels 106b to 106d (FIG. 6). The left, center and right reels can be combined with the left reel being cherry, the other reels can be any combination, the left, middle and right reels can all be watermelons, the left, middle, A small role with a combination of medals such as a combination where all the right reels become bells, or a small role that can be played again without requiring medals because all of the left, middle and right reels are replayed. It can be.

  For example, the combination of shifting to the regular bonus game may be a combination of four (BAR) lines (in the case of four columns) or three (in the case of three columns) arranged in an active line. In the regular bonus game, for example, even when the max bet switch 114b is pressed, the number of medals is one. The medals are paid out when “replay” character strings are arranged on all the reels visible to the player, and only 15 medals are paid out each time. Regular bonus games are limited to 12 games and can be played continuously until the “replay” character strings are arranged 8 times. During this time, the reels are pulled in and controlled so that “replay” characters are aligned. In order to enable such an operation, a winning probability table used for a lottery performed by operating a start switch can be used for a regular bonus.

  For example, the combination of shifting to the big bonus game can be a combination in which “7” is arranged in four (in the case of four columns) or three (in the case of three columns) active lines. In the big bonus game, for example, a game called a small role game in which the probability of a small role is higher than a normal game can be played up to 30 times. Then, of the 30 small-combination games, the game is shifted to a game (jack game) similar to the regular bonus game by using a combination in which “replay” characters are aligned on all reels visible to the player. In the jack game, as in the regular bonus game, even when the max bet switch 114b is pressed, the number of medals is one, and 15 medals are paid out when all the reels visible to the player have “replay” character strings. . If the jack game is the first or second time in the big bonus game, even if the jack game ends, the game returns to the small role game again and maintains the big bonus game. The big bonus game continues until the 30 small role games are finished or until the third jack game is finished. In the big bonus game, the reels are controlled so that “replay” characters are aligned, as in the regular bonus game.

  In the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, another aspect can be adopted as the aspect of the big bonus game. As an example of this mode, if the player presses the stop switch 116a-d in the order in which the stop switches 116a-d are pushed, and the player operates the stop switch 116a-d according to this notification, for example, the symbol “bell” is displayed on the player. It is possible to perform control to assist the player so that a predetermined number (for example, 15) of medals are paid out on all the visible reels. The assist and jack game can be combined to make a big bonus game.

  Whether the reel 106 of the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment is in the center and four reels are used in the game or whether the three reels are used in the game by moving to the right or left depends on these regular bonus games and big games. It can be switched when it becomes a bonus game. In the present embodiment, a predesignated condition for controlling the left / right movement of the reel is that a regular bonus or a big bonus flag is established. Further, the emission color of the buttons corresponding to the stop switches 116a to 116d is controlled in accordance with the left / right movement of the reel. The CPU 170 notifies the stop button control circuit 116e of a signal indicating the left and right positions of the reel or a signal indicating a predesignated condition for controlling the reel (for example, a signal notifying the establishment of a regular bonus or a big bonus flag). Send. In response to this, the stop button control circuit 116e controls the light emission color of the button depending on whether the first correspondence method or the second correspondence method.

  Next, a processing procedure of the slot machine 100 will be described. First, the slot machine 100 that is not playing checks whether or not a prescribed number of medals are multiplied. When the prescribed number of medals are being applied, the input of the start switch 112 can be accepted. When receiving the operation input of the start switch 112, the control device 150 commands the random number generator 162 (FIG. 9) to perform sampling. The random number generator generates a random number at that timing and transmits the random number to the control device 150. Then, control device 150 checks whether any flag is established at that time. In the present embodiment, the flag refers to information in the storage unit indicating what state the game is in, and is stored as a truth value in a flag register provided in the CPU 170 or a flag memory in the RAM 172. ing. After the established flag can be determined, the control device 150 uses the table corresponding to the flag among the winning probability tables stored in the ROM 174 to call the data of the table referred to by the generated random number. The winning probability table stored in the ROM 174 stores, as a table, information indicating which winning state the random number has generated over the range of values that can be generated by the random number generator 162 and whether or not the winning has been won. When this table data indicates a winning state, the control device 150 establishes a flag indicating the winning state or sets a flag that has already been established if the flag can be established through appropriate prohibition processing. Processing such as failure is performed.

  This flag determines the subsequent processing of the slot machine by lottery. After the lottery, the slot machine 100 makes necessary notifications to the player through the display device 118 according to the state of the game, controls the rotation of the reel 106, controls the left and right positions of the reel 106, and sets the stop switch 116. The button emits light, and the speaker 124 performs a process of producing a production sound. For example, when the flag indicating the winning combination for the small role is not established, the reel 106 is controlled so as to prevent the player from stopping the combination of symbols that become the small role on the active line. When the flag indicating the winning of the game is established, the reel 106 is controlled so as to allow the player to stop the combination of symbols serving as the small role on the active line by the stop switch, or the pull-in control is actively performed. Do. Further, when the flag for the bonus game is established, the reels are controlled so that a special symbol arrangement (reach eyes) is possible, or the pull-in control is actively performed, and the player is flagged through the display device 118. Announcement according to the establishment of. The bonus game flag is not reset in one game, and the counter counts the number of games after the flag is established, the number of games after the start of the bonus game, the number of games in which a combination with payout during the bonus game is established, etc. Referring to the value of the memory for the game, it remains established until a predetermined number of games elapses. On the other hand, in a game that is not a bonus game, the small role flag is reset when all of the reels 106 are stopped and the game ends, and is not established.

  In addition, the slot machine 100 does not perform stop control based on the random number lottery of the reels 106 used in the game, except when the active line and the lottery result permit the replay and the big bonus game winning. Therefore, during the challenge time game, a player who can make full use of the so-called push technique can obtain many medals.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, changes and combinations can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention. .

  For example, in another embodiment, the blindfold plate may be attached to both the left and right sides of the reel holder. In this case, since the blindfold moves with the movement of the reel holder, it is possible to prevent the inside from being viewed through the display window with a simple structure. Even in this case, it is also preferable to arrange the display devices 110c and 110d for notifying the progress of the game on the blindfold board.

  In yet another embodiment, in other embodiments of the present invention, the lighting and extinguishing of the button of the stop switch is controlled in accordance with whether the stop switch is valid or invalid. Also good. For example, since it is possible to recognize at a glance that the reel is not compatible with a stop switch that is turned off, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of the player's stop switch.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the slot machine of embodiment of this invention. The partial front view of the slot machine of embodiment of this invention. The internal front view of the slot machine of embodiment of this invention. The exploded perspective view which shows the mechanism which slides the reel in the slot machine of embodiment of this invention. In the slot machine of embodiment of this invention, the front view which shows the structure of the display window vicinity when a reel is slid to the right. The front view which shows the structure of the display window vicinity when a reel is slid to the left in the slot machine of embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the corresponding | compatible aspect of a reel and a stop switch in the slot machine of embodiment of this invention. The rear view which shows the inside of the front door in the slot machine of embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the circuit which controls the game operation | movement of the slot machine of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Slot machine 102 Case 104 Front door 106 Reel 108 Display window 110 Shutter 112 Start switch 116 Stop switch 118 Display device

Claims (7)

A housing,
4 rows of reels arranged inside the housing and capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for the game;
A display window provided on the front surface of the housing, the size of which is capable of visually recognizing the four rows of reels;
A parallel-movable blindfold arranged on either the left or right side of the display window
The four rows of reels are configured so as to be integrally reciprocable along the width direction of the housing, and the four rows of reels move on either of the left and right sides based on a predesignated condition. At least one row of reels positioned is disposed outside the display window;
The gaming machine is configured to translate in the left-right direction in accordance with the movement of the reel and to cover the end portion of the display window on the side opposite to the direction in which the reel moves.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the blindfold is movably attached to the left and right of the display window.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the blindfold plate is attached to both right and left sides of a reel holder that holds the four rows of reels.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a display means is provided on the blindfold board. Further comprising four stop switches for stopping each of the four rows of reels;
The four stop switches can be operated corresponding to the reels visible in the display window, and each of the stop switches is configured to change the lighting state depending on whether or not it can be used to stop the reels. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is provided.   The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the change of the lighting state is to change between lighting and non-lighting.   The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the change of the lighting state is to change a lighting color.

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