JP2006150070A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain an automatic stop function of pattern fluctuation to lengthen a service life of a driving means for pattern fluctuation, and to avoid winning a prize by automatic stop to allow a player to recognize the importance of stop operation and to prompt the quick progress of a game. <P>SOLUTION: In automatic stop control in the case of no operation of stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C even after the lapse of 30 seconds from the start of driving reels 350A, 350B, 350C after internal prize winning is determined by combination lottery, automatic stop control is forbidden. A player who does not operate the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C can thereby be urged to recognize the importance of operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that uses medals, coins, gaming balls, and the like as gaming media, and more specifically, based on a starting operation, a pre-set role lottery is executed, A gaming machine that uses a start operation as a trigger to change a symbol variation sequence composed of a plurality of symbol groups, and based on a stop operation, stops the varying symbol variation sequence and notifies the result of the winning lottery It is about.

  Conventionally, in a gaming machine, particularly a pachislot machine, a predetermined number of gaming media are inserted and a start lever is operated to execute a winning lottery (winning / losing) of the game and a plurality of winnings on the circumferential surface. A plurality of rows (generally, three rows) of symbol variation reels displaying the symbol are rotated to start a so-called symbol variation pattern effect.

  The symbol change reel (symbol change pattern production) that has started rotating by the operation of the start lever described above is stopped almost at the time the player intends by operating the stop button provided corresponding to each. Is done.

  Here, when the internal lottery is executed at the time of operating the start lever and the winning / losing is decided, and the player performs the stop operation of each symbol variable reel by the stop button and wins the internal lottery. When the symbols corresponding to the winning are complete, the prize is won and the rights are exercised.

  Further, when the result of the internal lottery is off, the symbol variation reel is stopped by performing so-called slip control so as not to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination.

  Even if the result of the internal lottery is a win, if the symbol variable reel is not stopped and displayed with the symbol corresponding to the winning combination, no winning is made and the above right is not exercised.

  On the other hand, when the player does not operate the stop button, if this symbol variation pattern effect continues for a predetermined time (generally 30 seconds), each symbol variation reel is automatically stopped even if the stop button is not operated. I am doing so.

Here, when the automatic lottery is won, if the internal lottery is won, there is a symbol corresponding to the winning (hereinafter referred to as “winning symbol”) at a position that can be pulled in by slip control even during the automatic stop. Then, stop control is executed so that a winning is achieved (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-79809 A

  However, as a game specification for pachislot machines, the operation of the stop button by the player is an important operation that affects the flow of the game, and this stop operation will confirm the intention of winning the player for the first time. . For this reason, winning the winning symbol at the time of automatic stop is contrary to the main point of the game.

  Therefore, the automatic stop function should be abolished, but if the operation button is not operated due to the abolishment of this automatic stop function, not only will the progress of the game be stagnant, but the motor that is driving the symbol variable reel will rotate. There is a problem that the motor continues to be driven and the motor life is shortened.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention extends the life of the driving means for symbol variation by maintaining the symbol variation automatic stop function and avoids winning by automatic stop, thereby stopping the player. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a gaming machine that can recognize the importance of the game and promote the rapid progress of the game.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a pre-set role lottery is executed based on the starting operation, and the starting means is used as a trigger to drive a symbol variation sequence composed of a plurality of symbol groups by the driving means. It is a gaming machine that changes by force and stops the changing symbol variation sequence based on a stop operation, and notifies the result of the combination lottery, and after the symbol variation sequence starts to fluctuate, An automatic stop control means for automatically stopping the symbol variation sequence based on a preset result of lottery when the stop operation is not performed for a predetermined time, and the combination corresponding to the variation of the symbol variation sequence Automatic stop control prohibiting means for prohibiting automatic stop control by the automatic stop control means when the result of the lottery is winning.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when there is a start operation, the winning lottery is executed based on the start operation. In addition, using this starting operation as a trigger, a plurality of symbol variation sequences are varied by the driving force of the driving means. The fluctuating symbol variation sequence is stopped by a stop operation, and the result of the winning lottery is notified.

  Here, when there is no stop operation, when a predetermined time elapses, the symbol variation sequence is automatically stopped by the automatic stop control means based on the preset lottery result set in advance. Thereby, the lifetime of a drive means can be extended and it can avoid that progress of a game stagnates.

  On the other hand, the automatic stop control prohibiting means prohibits the automatic stop control by the automatic stop control means when the winning lottery result corresponding to the variation of the symbol variation sequence is a win.

  In other words, the winning of the lottery can be recognized by the player by recognizing the importance of the stop operation by confirming the win (notification by the stop symbol of the symbol variation sequence) only after the player's intention (stop operation).

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus further includes notification means for notifying execution of the automatic stop control prohibiting means.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the notification means notifies the prohibition of the automatic stop control, thereby prompting the player to perform a stop operation and avoiding a long time use fluctuation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachi-slot machine 300 includes a main body 302 and an operation / decoration portion 303 as an opening / closing cover provided on the front surface of the main body 302.

  The operation / decoration unit 303 can be classified into a decoration unit 304, an operation unit 306, and a payout unit 310 from the top.

  The decoration unit 304 has a display panel unit 312 on which a printed picture or character is transmitted and illuminated by turning on a backlight unit (not shown). In addition, as a part of the decoration part 304, a three-dimensional electric decoration part 304A surrounding the decoration part 304 in an arch shape is also provided.

  The display panel unit 312 of the decoration unit 304 includes a liquid crystal display device 313 for displaying a moving image for presentation and a display window 314 for displaying a rotating display symbol. The display window 314 includes a transparent region that is integrally formed with the display panel unit 312.

  Inside the display window 314, there is disposed a symbol variation portion 316 configured with three spinning reels 350A, 350B, and 350C as main portions.

  In addition, at the bottom of the display window 314, a 7-segment display 315A for displaying the number of paid-out mendal, which is a game medium of the pachislot machine 300, a display for setting the remaining number of jack games and the game state (six levels), etc. A section 315B and a 7 segment display section 315C for displaying the number of credits are provided.

  The operation unit 306 has an upper portion protruding forward, a medal insertion unit 320 is provided at the right end of the upper surface (table 306A) of the protruding portion, and a cancel button 355, one sheet in order from the upper left end. A bet (insertion) button 352A and a maximum bet (maximum input) button 352B are provided. Further, a credit refund button 103, a start lever 354, stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, and the like are provided in this order from the front left end of the protruding portion.

  The payout unit 310 includes a medal discharge port 326 and a tray 328 that receives a medal discharged from the medal discharge port 326.

  By rotating the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, the symbols can be seen sequentially from the display window 314, and the symbols that are stopped in the central row of the display windows 314 are the basic stop symbol lines (effective lines). It becomes. This basic stop symbol is for when one medal is bet (inserted), and up to three medals can be bet in a single game. In this case, stop along the top and bottom lines. The symbols that are stopped and the symbols that are stopped on the two diagonal lines are sequentially adopted as combination stop symbol lines (effective lines) according to the number of medals invested.

  The stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are provided below the symbol changing unit 316 and correspond to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. That is, the rotation of the corresponding reels 350A, 350B, and 350C can be stopped by operating the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C by the player.

  Further, by operating (tilting) the start lever 354 provided on the left side of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, the reels 350A, 350B, 350C start to rotate. This rotation is normally such that the three reels 350A, 350B, 350C start rotating simultaneously.

  Further, the operation timing by the start lever 354 is a lottery timing, and hitting (winning) / off is determined by operating the start lever 354.

  Here, when the lottery is a win (role winning), the flag is established, and when the winning symbols are gathered after that, the player can acquire the number of medals according to each symbol, and is advantageous to the player according to the symbols. It becomes a gaming state. There are two types of winning (winning): big bonus (big bonus (hereinafter referred to as BB), regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as RB)) and small role, each of which has a different degree of advantage to the player. .

  The BB is configured to include an RB that can be won multiple times within the gaming state in a range in which the acquired number does not exceed a preset upper limit number. Naturally, the BB is more for the player than the RB. It becomes a more advantageous gaming state.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a control block diagram for controlling the operation of the pachislot machine 300.

  The control system of the pachislot machine 300 is configured with the main control unit 100 as the center, and the main control unit 100 identifies medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 320, and the number and types of medals inserted (incorrect or And a stop button 356A, 356B, 356C, a MAX bet button 352B, and a single bet button 352A corresponding to the start lever 354 and the above-described reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, respectively. In addition, a settlement button 103 for returning a medal stored (credited) inside the gaming machine when the game is stopped is connected via a sensor (not shown) that detects an operation state.

  The main control unit 100 also includes a main control circuit 110 including a CPU. The main control circuit 110 mainly includes a RAM 128 that temporarily stores game progress and the like, and various programs. A stored ROM 130 is connected, and a clock pulse generation circuit 124 that generates a clock pulse that is a reference for the operation of the main control circuit 110 is connected via a frequency divider 126.

  In addition, a random number generator 120 and a random number sampling circuit 122 are connected to the main control circuit 110. The main control circuit 110 controls the random number generator 120 in synchronization with the clock pulse input through the frequency divider 126 to sequentially generate random numbers, and the random number sampling circuit 122 generates the random numbers. Get random numbers and sample them.

  In the pachislot machine 300, an internal lottery is performed by the main control unit 100 to determine whether a major role or a small role is won at the operation timing of the start lever 354. In the main control circuit 110, the start lever 354 is operated. Then, the random number sampling circuit 122 is instructed to acquire, sample, and output a random number, thereby deriving a lottery result according to the random number input from the random number sampling circuit 122.

  If the internal lottery is a win (combination), the player can win the number of medals according to each symbol when the winning symbols are obtained by the stop operation by the subsequent stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C. The gaming state is advantageous to the player according to the symbol.

  Here, there are small roles and big roles as roles. Among these, the major players include a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB” as appropriate) and a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB” as appropriate), and the degree of advantage to the player differs in the game corresponding to each. A game corresponding to RB (hereinafter referred to as “RB game” as appropriate) is composed of a plurality of small role games, and a game corresponding to BB (hereinafter referred to as “BB game” as appropriate) The game includes an RB game that can be won a plurality of times within a range in which the acquired number does not exceed a preset upper limit number. Therefore, as a matter of course, the RB game is more advantageous to the player than the small role game, and the BB game is more advantageous to the player than the RB game.

  In addition, a motor drive circuit 132 is connected to the main control unit 100, and the motor drive circuit 132 includes left (L), middle (C), and right (R) reel motors 106A, 106B, Each of the left, middle, and right reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is connected via 106C.

  Further, a reel position detection circuit 134 for detecting the rotational positions of the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is connected to the main controller 100. In the main controller 100, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are connected. The position of can be grasped at any time.

  Further, in the pachislot machine 300, the symbol variation by the symbol variation unit 316 is started at the operation timing by the start lever 354. When the start lever 354 is operated, the main control unit 100 operates the motor drive circuit 132. The reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C are respectively started to rotate, and the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated, and the three stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are operated on the basis of the subsequent operations. The rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is stopped.

  Here, in the main control unit 100, when the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is stopped based on the stop operation by the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, the slip control of a predetermined number of frames is performed according to the result of the internal lottery. Is supposed to run.

  In other words, when the stop button 356A, 356B, 356C is operated at the stop timing at which the symbol that stops only on the winning line is stopped on the active line when the internal lottery is off, intentionally avoiding the stop at this symbol Therefore, control is performed so that the stop position is shifted (kicked off) and stopped at the off symbol arrangement.

  Also, when the internal lottery is won, even if the winning symbol does not stop at the stop timing operated by the player, if the winning symbol is within the predetermined number of symbols, the winning symbol is intentionally stopped on the active line. Performs control to shift (pull in) the stop position.

  By kicking and pulling in the above, it is possible to make the internal lottery result and the game result uniform, and even if the stop operation timing is slightly shifted, it is possible to align the winning symbols, It prevents people from being lost.

  The main control unit 100 is connected to a hopper drive circuit 136 for operating a hopper 138 provided inside the pachislot machine 300. The hopper 138 stores medals, and the main control unit 100 pays out medals from the hopper 138 via the hopper drive circuit 136 in accordance with the stop pattern specified by the output from the reel position detection circuit 134. Executed.

  Further, a medal detection sensor 140 that detects medals paid out from the hopper 138 is disposed in the vicinity of the hopper 138 and is connected to the main control unit 100 via a payout completion signal circuit 142. The payout completion signal circuit 142 determines whether or not the payout is completed based on the detection signal from the medal detection sensor 140, and generates a payout completion signal when it is determined that the payout is completed. Is input.

  When the payout completion signal is input from the payout completion signal circuit 142, the main control unit 100 ends the medal payout by the hopper 138 via the hopper driving circuit 136.

  Further, a display lamp drive circuit 144 is connected to the main control unit 100, and the 7-segment display unit 315A, the display unit 315B, the 7-segment display unit 315C, and the activation line described above are connected via the display lamp drive circuit 144. The display lamp 146 is controlled to be turned on and off.

  On the other hand, a sub-control unit 150 is connected to the main control unit 100, and the main control unit 100 inputs a command signal indicating a control state at any time to the sub-control unit 150. In the present embodiment, as communication between the main control unit 100 and the sub control unit 150, only one-way communication from the main control unit 100 to the sub control unit 150 is executed, and the sub control unit 150 performs main communication. Communication with the control unit 100 cannot be performed at all.

  A liquid crystal control circuit 152 is connected to the sub-control unit 150, and the liquid crystal control circuit 152 controls a display state of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 313 provided for production.

  Further, a lamp driving circuit 156 is connected to the sub-control unit 150, and is provided inside the lamp 112 incorporated in the decorative lamp 304A and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C via the lamp driving circuit 156. The light emission of the backlight 158 and the like that emit light toward the positions facing the symbols on the peripheral surfaces of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C displayed on the display window 314 is controlled.

  Furthermore, a speaker drive circuit 154 is connected to the sub-control unit 150 and controls the output of sound (sound effect) from the speakers 305L and 305R (denoted as “305” in FIG. 2).

  The sub-control unit 150 executes notification effects by the LCD 313, the speakers 305L and 305R, the backlight 158, the lamp 112 built in the decoration lamp 304A, and the like according to the control state of the pachislot machine 300 of the main control unit 100.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing a control system for normal game control in the main control unit 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The main control unit 100 is configured to include a lottery unit 180, and an operation signal indicating that the start lever 354 has been operated is input to the lottery unit 180. The lottery unit 180 executes an internal lottery with the operation of the start lever 354 after a predetermined number of medals have been inserted (bets) as a trigger.

  The lottery unit 180 acquires a random value in synchronization with the operation of the start lever 354, and sends the random value to the winning combination / symbol determination unit 184 via the table selection unit 182.

  The table selection unit 182 obtains information on the current gaming state from the gaming state control unit 186, and selects a table for determining a combination / symbol.

  Any of the selected pattern tables is sent to the winning combination / symbol determination unit 184.

  In the winning combination / symbol determining unit 184, based on the table, the winning combination / symbol determining unit 184 determines the winning combination (small role (including replay), major role (RB, BB)) and winning symbol, The determined winning combination and winning symbol are sent to the gaming state control unit 186.

  The gaming state control unit 186 is connected to a gaming program memory 188 in which data indicating various programs corresponding to the gaming state of the pachislot machine 300 is stored. The game state control unit 186 mainly controls the game state by reading and executing game program data corresponding to the game state from the game program memory 188 as appropriate by the game execution control unit 186A.

  The game program memory 188 stores data indicating a normal game program and data indicating a major game program. For example, in the normal game state, the normal game program data is read from the game program memory 188. In the case of the big game state, the big game program data is read according to the internal winning state of BB and RB and the respective game states of BB and RB, and processing is executed based on each program data.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 100 is configured to include a reel drive control unit 194. Based on the start operation of the start lever 354, after a lapse of 4.1 seconds from the end of the previous game, the motor drive unit 132 is provided. Then, the reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C are driven to start rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  Further, the reel drive control unit 194 performs stop control for stopping the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C based on the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C.

  Position detection sensors 198A, 198B, and 198C are attached to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, respectively, and are connected to the reel drive control unit 194 via the reel position detection circuit 134. The reel drive control unit 194 recognizes the respective rotation positions of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, stops the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C in consideration of the slip control, and stops the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C that have stopped. The symbol array is sent to the gaming state control unit 186.

  Here, according to the symbol arrangement of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C that have been stopped, the gaming state control unit 186 confirms whether or not a winning combination has been won. If the game is a replay, the replay control is executed, and if it is a big game, the game execution control unit 186A reads the big game game program from the game program memory 188 and executes it.

  It should be noted that the regular bonus game program and the big bonus game program are separately stored in the major player program, and are selectively read based on the elected major player.

  In the regular bonus program, a maximum of 12 games (maximum number of games) can be executed in the state that the lottery probability of the small role is higher than the lottery probability during the normal game as the right exercise. The regular bonus game ends when the player wins a maximum of eight times (maximum number of winnings) during any of these 12 games.

  On the other hand, in the big bonus program, a regular bonus game can be executed with high probability as an exercise of rights, and even if the regular bonus game is being executed if the number obtained in the big bonus game reaches a preset upper limit number The big bonus game ends. In the present embodiment, the winning probability of the small role in the big bonus game is almost the same as that in the normal game.

  In addition, a flag memory 192 is connected to the gaming state control unit 186 via the flag management control unit 190, and the internal winning state of the combination corresponding to the winning result of the internal lottery described above is managed by the state of the flag. Yes.

  Each flag is established by winning by internal lottery. Generally, the state of the small role flag disappears in one game (the flag is not established), but the state of the flag of the major role is thereafter set to each reel 350A, 350B, 350C. Is stopped and displayed on the display window 314 in a predetermined arrangement, and is maintained until winning the winning role.

  Note that the flag memory 192 is connected to the reel drive control unit 194 described above, and the state of the flag stored in the flag memory 192 is based on the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C by the reel drive control unit 194. This is applied as a parameter for pull-in or kick-out slip control during stop control.

  In the reel drive control unit 194, even if a predetermined time (30 seconds) elapses after the start lever 354 is operated and the reels 350A, 350B, 350C start to rotate (strictly, after reaching the steady speed). When the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are not operated, the operation is automatically stopped.

  Here, in the reel drive control unit 194 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the time condition of 30 seconds elapses, a condition for game progression such as a winning combination lottery is set as the automatic stop condition.

  That is, when the winning lottery corresponding to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C currently changing is a loss (flag is not established), the automatic stop control is executed. On the other hand, when the winning lottery is won (flag is established), the automatic stop control is prohibited.

  FIG. 4 shows details for drive control of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C in the reel drive control unit 194.

  The gaming state control unit 186 is connected to the drive management unit 250, and the drive management unit 250 maintains consistency between the gaming state and the driving states of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  In addition, an operation signal from the start lever 354 is input to the drive management unit 250, and when the start lever 354 is operated, the drive management unit 250 sends a drive / stop signal output unit 252. A signal instructing the start of driving is output.

  When receiving a drive start instruction, the drive / stop signal output unit 252 outputs a drive signal to the motor drive circuit 132.

  On the other hand, the reel position detection circuit 134 that detects the rotational positions of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is connected to the position adjustment calculation unit 254.

  The position adjustment calculation unit 254 calculates slip amounts (position adjustment amounts) related to the stop positions of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C based on the stop instruction signal from the stop instruction unit 256 and the flag information from the flag memory 192. .

  The calculation result data of the slip amount is sent to the slip control unit 258, and the stop timing is delayed based on the number of slip frames (the slip amount is not required when slipping is not required, so the delay amount becomes 0). The signal is sent to the drive / stop signal output unit 252.

  Stop instructions 356A, 356B, and 356C are connected to the stop instruction section 256, and a stop instruction signal is normally output based on the operation timing of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C.

  On the other hand, the start lever 354 is connected to the automatic stop control unit 260. A timer 262 is connected to the automatic stop control unit 260, and when a predetermined time (30 seconds) elapses after the driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is started (strictly, after reaching the steady speed) A signal equivalent to that when the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are operated is output to the stop instruction unit 256. As a result, the stop instruction unit 256 activates the position adjustment value calculation unit 254.

  Here, in the present embodiment, a flag memory 192 is connected to the automatic stop control unit 260. As a result, the flag information from the flag memory 192 is input to the automatic stop controller 260.

  That is, the automatic stop control unit 260 issues an automatic stop instruction to the stop instruction unit 256 described above in consideration of not only the time condition by the timer 262 but also the state of the flag (winning / losing by the lottery). . More specifically, if the player has lost the role lottery, when the 30 seconds have elapsed, an automatic stop instruction is executed to the stop instruction unit 256 (execution permission), and the role lottery is won. If there is, the automatic stop instruction to the stop instruction unit 256 is not executed even after 30 seconds have elapsed (execution prohibited).

The operation of this embodiment will be described below.
(Normal game flow)
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart showing the flow of normal game state processing by the main control unit 100.

  First, in step 200, the completion of the betting operation is waited, and in the next step 202, the operation of the start lever is waited.

  That is, in the state where the medal is credited (or the medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit 320), the betting of the medal is completed by the operation of the single bet button 352A or the max bet button 352B, or the medal When a bet is completed by inserting medals from the insertion unit 320, the start lever 354 can be operated.

  In the next step 204, a winning combination in the game is determined by internal lottery, and then the process proceeds to step 206 to determine whether or not a major player has been won as a result of the internal lottery. If it is determined that it is necessary to update the stock information, the process proceeds to step 208, the stock information update process is executed, and then the process proceeds to step 210.

  In the stock information update process, the stock information is updated according to the type of major player. In addition, when other big actors are not stocked as stock information at the time of execution of the stock information update processing routine, the number of RT games until the winning big actor can be won is set by lottery and the gaming state is set to RT Set to game state.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 206, the flag status information of each small role is updated and stored as necessary according to the result of the internal lottery, and then the process proceeds to step 210.

  In step 210, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is executing RT. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 212 to subtract (decrement) the number of RT games once. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 214 to determine whether or not the number of RT games is zero.

  If the determination in step 214 is affirmative, the game state is shifted to step 216 to set the game state to the inside of the bonus in order to enter a game state in which the major player can win a prize, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step 218.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 214, the gaming state remains under execution of RT and the process proceeds to step 218.

  In step 218, reel rotation is started, and then the process proceeds to step 220 to execute a reel stop processing routine for the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, and then the process proceeds to step 222.

  That is, in the main control unit 100, when the start lever 354 is operated, a winning / losing lottery is performed simultaneously with this operation, and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C start rotating under the control of the reel drive control unit 194. To do.

  Thereafter, when the player operates the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, the stop operation stops the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. Depending on the state of various flags stored in the flag memory 192, In consideration of the slip control, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are controlled to stop so that the corresponding symbol is drawn into a predetermined position or kicked from the predetermined position. That is, when any one of the flags is established, the winning symbol can be stopped at an accurate eye-pressing timing. Further, a slight shift in the stop operation timing is corrected by slip control. On the other hand, if none of the flags is established, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are caused to slip even if they are pushed, so that they do not stop at the winning symbol.

  In step 222, as a result of the reel stop process as described above, a winning determination is performed to determine whether or not the stop symbol is a winning symbol. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 224, and the winning combination is determined as a result of the winning determination. It is determined whether or not it is determined that the game has been performed. If the determination is negative, the normal game state process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 224 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 226, where predetermined medal payout control preset according to the winning combination is executed, and then, the process proceeds to step 228.

  In step 228, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is a major player. If the determination is negative, the normal gaming state process is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 230 to execute a bonus game start process routine, and then proceeds to step 232 to execute a bonus game process.

  In other words, when it is determined that the big player has won a prize, a bonus game of a big bonus or a regular bonus is executed (exercise rights) in accordance with the stop pattern, and then the process proceeds to step 234.

  Here, in the bonus game start processing routine (step 230), the stock number of the major player who won the prize is decremented. If there is a stock of a big actor based on the stock information after decrement, the number of RT games to be executed before the next major executive can win is set by lottery, and the type of major actor to be executed next time is determined. To do.

  In step 234, it is determined whether or not there is a stock of the next major actor. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 236 to execute the number of RT games set by the bonus game start process. Then, the gaming state is set to RT, and then the normal gaming state process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 234, the normal gaming state process is terminated without executing the process of step 236.

  By the way, in the game flow described above, there are operations of the start lever 354 and operations of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C as operations that the player intervenes.

  Among these, the operation of the start lever 354 instructs the start of the game, and the game does not proceed unless the start lever 354 is operated.

  On the other hand, the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are in a state where the game has already started and the role lottery has been executed, and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotating (symbol fluctuation), and this state continues for a long time. This is not preferable because it shortens the life of the reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C that drive the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  For this reason, the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 30B even after 30 seconds have elapsed since the reels 350A, 350B, 350C have started to be driven (strictly speaking, after the rotational speed of the reels 350A, 350B, 350C has stabilized) When there is no operation of 356C, control which stops automatically was performed.

  In this case, in the prior art, in the automatic stop control, when the winning lottery is won internally, if there is a notification symbol at the retractable position, it stops at the notification symbol indicating that the winning lottery is won. Thus, when the winning lottery is lost, it is controlled to stop at the notification symbol indicating the winning.

  However, in the role lottery, there is a willingness to win (align the symbols) only after the player's operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C. It is necessary to appeal the importance of the operation of 356A, 356B, 356C.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the winning combination lottery is internally won, even if the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are not operated even after 30 seconds have elapsed since the start of driving the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, The automatic stop control is prohibited. That is, when the internal winning is made, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped by operating the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C.

  A reel automatic stop control routine mainly including processing related to automatic stop when the stop button is not operated in the reel drive control including automatic stop prohibition control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 6 shows the flow from the start to the stop of the reels 350A, 350B, 350C, which was not described in detail in the flow of the flowchart of FIG. For this reason, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 270, the automatic stop prohibition flag F is reset (0) (initialized), and then the routine proceeds to step 272 where it is determined whether or not the start lever 354 is pressed (operated).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 272, the routine proceeds to step 274, where a winning lottery (internal) is executed, and then the routine proceeds to step 276 to an automatic stop counter (not shown) provided in the automatic stop control unit 260. A count value corresponding to 30 seconds is set, and the process proceeds to step 278.

  In step 278, it is determined whether or not the internal lottery has been lost. If a negative determination is made, it is determined that the internal lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step 280, and the automatic stop prohibition flag F is set (1). Control goes to step 282. If an affirmative determination is made in step 280, the process proceeds to step 282. In step 282, reel rotation processing is executed, and the process proceeds to step 284.

  In step 284, it is determined whether or not the automatic stop prohibition flag F is set (1). If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 286 and the count value until the automatic stop is decremented (-1). Then, the process proceeds to step 288.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 284, automatic stop is prohibited, so the automatic stop count value is not decremented and the routine proceeds to step 288.

  In step 288, it is determined whether or not the automatic stop counter has become 0, that is, whether or not 30 seconds have elapsed, and if a negative determination is made, it is determined that it is not the automatic stop time, and the process proceeds to step 290, where the stop button 356A, It is determined whether 356B and 356C have been pressed (operated). If a negative determination is made in step 290, the process returns to step 282 and the above process is repeated (reel rotation continues).

  Further, when an affirmative determination is made at step 290, the routine proceeds to step 292. Further, when an affirmative determination is made in step 288, the process also proceeds to step 292.

  If the determination in step 290 is affirmative, the reel stop process is executed in step 292 due to the player's intention, and if the determination in step 288 is affirmative, the automatic stop timer has expired. Ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, 30 seconds have elapsed after the internal winning is determined by the role lottery and the reels 350A, 350B, 350C start driving (strictly, after reaching the steady speed). However, in the automatic stop control when the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are not operated, the automatic stop control is prohibited when the internal winning is made, so the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are not operated. The importance of the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C can be urged to the player.

  Further, when the winning lottery is lost (a winning lottery with more opportunities than the winning), the automatic stop process is still performed, so the life of the reel motors 106A, 106B, 106C is not shortened.

  In this embodiment, when automatic stop is prohibited, this automatic stop prohibition information is not actively notified to the player, and the player itself knows that the reels 350A, 350B, 350C continue to fluctuate. (In other words, it can be said that the fluctuations in the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C continue to be notified), the internal lottery is won and the stop is urged, but the liquid crystal display (LCD) etc. A message indicating that the change is not automatically stopped because it has been won may be displayed, or the speaker 305L, 305R may be used to actively notify through hearing.

It is a perspective view of the pachi-slot machine concerning this embodiment. It is an operation control block diagram of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed functionally the control system mainly having the normal game in the main control part. It is a block diagram which shows the automatic stop function in a reel drive control part in detail. It is a control flowchart which shows the whole flow of a game. It is a flowchart which shows the reel automatic stop control routine which mainly made the process regarding the automatic stop which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

132 motor drive circuit 134 reel position detection circuit 186 gaming state control unit 192 flag memory 194 reel drive control unit 250 drive management unit 252 drive / stop signal output unit 254 position adjustment calculation unit 256 stop instruction unit 258 slip control unit 260 automatic stop control (Automatic stop control means, automatic stop control prohibition means)
262 timer 300 pachislot machine (game machine)
313 Liquid crystal display device 314 Display window 350A, 350B, 350C Reel 354 Start lever 356A, 356B, 356C Stop button

Claims (2)

Based on the start operation, a pre-set role lottery is executed, and the start operation is used as a trigger to change the symbol variation sequence composed of a plurality of symbol groups with the driving force of the driving means, and to the stop operation. Based on this, the gaming machine that stops the fluctuating symbol variation sequence and informs the result of the winning lottery,
Automatic stop control means for automatically stopping the symbol variation sequence based on the preset lottery result when there is no stop operation for a predetermined time after the symbol variation sequence starts to vary; ,
Automatic stop control prohibiting means for prohibiting automatic stop control by the automatic stop control means when the result of the combination lottery corresponding to the variation of the symbol variation row is winning;
A gaming machine having.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying execution of the automatic stop control prohibiting means.

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