JP2006239248A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To motivate a player to repeatedly play games by letting the player select a mode of the presentation display of information related to the games to reflect the liking and wish of the player, and thereby diversifying the mode of the presentation display. <P>SOLUTION: A game machine 1 has a display means 4 for displaying circumferentially arranged images. The game machine 1 is characterized by a reading means 19 for reading identification information from a game object 90 in which the identification information is stored, a changing means for changing the arrangement of symbols in the circumferentially arranged images when the identification information is read by the reading means 19, and a display control means for displaying the circumferentially arranged images, in which the arrangement of patterns was changed by the changing means, in the display means 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having display means for displaying a circumferential array image in which a plurality of symbols are arrayed in the circumferential direction.

  Conventionally, there has been a gaming machine that displays a game image (for example, a variable display image or a playing card image of a plurality of symbols) and can play a game using the game image. Some gaming machines of this type notify the player of information related to the contents of the game and information related to changes in the contents of the game using a specific determined effect image. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a variable display game (video slot) in which a plurality of symbols (also referred to as symbols) are variably displayed by using game media such as medals and coins, and a winning combination is determined by a combination of symbols that are stopped. A game machine (hereinafter referred to as a conventional machine) that can perform a change (transition) to a variable display game (also referred to as a free game) a predetermined number of times without requiring a game medium by stopping display of a specific symbol. ) Is disclosed.

JP 2003-180908 A

  However, although the conventional machine is notified of the transition, only a specific effect image (a stop display of a specific symbol) determined in advance in the gaming machine is notified. Therefore, even if the production is performed, the content of the production is scarce and monotonous, so if the player repeats the game, he gets tired gradually and is motivated to continue playing the game It was difficult to add.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and allows a player to select a mode for effect display of information related to a game and reflect the player's preference and hope, thereby displaying the effect display. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be motivated to cause a player to repeatedly play a game by changing a mode.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a gaming machine having display means for displaying a circumferential array image in which a plurality of symbols are arranged in the circumferential direction, the game machine storing identification information for self-other identification Reading means for reading the identification information from the article, changing means for changing the arrangement of the symbols in the circumferential array image when the reading information can be read by the reading means, and the post-change circumference in which the arrangement has been changed by the changing means And display control means for displaying the array image on the display means.

  In this gaming machine, when the identification information is read from the gaming article, a circumferential arrangement image in which the symbol arrangement is changed is displayed, so the circumferential arrangement is determined depending on whether or not the player reads the gaming article. The image changes. Therefore, the player can select whether to display the pre-change or post-change peripheral arrangement image depending on whether or not to read the game article.

  The display control means causes the display means to display a symbol specifying image for specifying a symbol corresponding to at least one game content of the number of games, the number of payouts, and the payout rate among a plurality of symbols in the circumferential array image. You may do it.

  In such a gaming machine, a relationship is created between the symbol and the game content in the circumferential array image, and the game content is notified to the player by displaying the symbol specific image.

  The changing unit may change the arrangement according to an arrangement pattern corresponding to the identification information read by the reading unit among a plurality of arrangement patterns associated with the identification information.

  In such a gaming machine, there are more choices of circumferential array images selected by the player.

  The display control means may display the post-change peripheral array image after displaying the peripheral array image before the array change and the symbol moving image indicating the movement state of each symbol constituting the peripheral array image. Good.

  In such a gaming machine, a movement occurs in the change display of the arrangement of symbols constituting the circumferential arrangement image, so that the player can easily grasp the change in the arrangement.

  In the circumferential array image, numerical patterns are arranged in each of the divided areas obtained by dividing the circular area of the wheel used in the roulette game, the circular area of the dart board used in the dart game, and other circular areas in the circumferential direction. You may make it have a structure.

  This makes it easier for the player to grasp the arrangement of the numerical symbols and also makes it easier to grasp changes in the arrangement.

  Also, the game progress control means for controlling the progress of the game in the normal game mode that requires a game medium to start the game and the special game mode that does not require a game medium to start the game, and the transition from the normal game mode to the special game mode. A transition means for shifting to a game mode, and a symbol specifying image for specifying a symbol corresponding to the number of games in the special game mode among a plurality of symbols in the circumferentially arranged image is displayed on the display means. Also good.

  In such a gaming machine, when the identification information is read from the gaming article, the arrangement of the circumferential arrangement image is changed, and an option is given to the player. Further, the symbol corresponding to the number of games in the special game mode is specified by the symbol specifying image, and the number of games is notified to the player.

  According to the present invention, the player is allowed to select a mode for effect display of information related to the game, and the player's preference and hope are reflected, thereby giving the player a change in the mode of effect display. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can be motivated to repeat the above.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
The slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is a coin-insertion type gaming machine that requires insertion of a game medium such as money or coins to start a game. In the slot machine, a normal variable display game (hereinafter referred to as a normal game) is started by insertion of a game medium by a player and a predetermined start operation, and a special game starts when a certain transition condition is established following the normal game. Is done. A game mode in which a normal game is performed is a normal game mode, and a game mode in which a special game is performed after shifting from the normal game mode is a special game mode. The special game according to the present embodiment is a free game in which a variable display game is started without newly inserting a game medium. When the slot machine shifts to the special game mode, in order to notify the player of the number of free games (hereinafter referred to as the number of free games), an effect of displaying a circumferential array image, a symbol specific image, and the like is performed. Yes. Hereinafter, the configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described.

(Overall configuration of slot machine)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the slot machine. The slot machine 1 is configured to perform a variable display game (also referred to as a slot game) using a variable display image of a plurality of symbols. Further, the slot machine 1 includes a figure installation unit 19 on which a figure 90 can be set as will be described later.

  The slot machine 1 has a main display 3 provided with a liquid crystal display device on the front surface of the housing 2. In addition, the upper portion of the main display 3 has a sub display 4 that is also provided with a liquid crystal display device.

  The main display 3 has a total of nine variable display portions 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, and 3I arranged in three columns. The main display 3 has a variable display image (mechanical type) as if a plurality of symbols move from top to bottom on the variable display portions 3A to 3I in both the normal game mode and the special game mode. The reel image displayed as if the reels of the reel are rotating is displayed. As shown in FIG. 1, since the slot machine 1 has nine variable display sections 3A to 3I, a total of eight effective lines are shown in the vertical and horizontal three rows of each variable display section 3A to 3I and the diagonal arrangement is seen. A line is set.

  The sub-display 4 is a display means in the present invention. As will be described in detail later, when a condition for shifting to the special game mode is satisfied, the roulette image as a circumferential array image in the present invention imitating a wheel used in a roulette game. 100 is displayed. Subsequently, a symbol specifying image 106 that appears to specify a numerical symbol corresponding to the symbol in the present invention is displayed as if the knife thrown by the adventurer hits the roulette image 100. The arrangement display of the roulette image 100 is changed depending on whether or not the figure 90 is set in the figure installation unit 19. In addition, an image not directly related to the variable display game such as an explanation of the game content is displayed on the sub display 4.

  Further, the slot machine 1 is provided with a substantially horizontal operation panel 11 below the main display 3. The operation panel 11 is provided with a figure installation unit 19, a coin insertion slot 6, a bill insertion slot 7, a spin switch 8, a 1 BET switch 9, and a maximum BET switch 10.

  The figure installation unit 19 has a pedestal mounting part 19 a fixed to the surface of the operation panel 11 and a reading part 19 b. This pedestal mounting portion 19a has a thick disc-shaped recess corresponding to the shape of the pedestal portion 91 in the figure 90 (see FIG. 4) to be described later, and the pedestal portion 91 can be fitted and mounted in the recess. It can be done. The reading unit 19b is disposed in a recess of the pedestal mounting unit 19a and includes an IC chip reader / writer 19c (see FIG. 2).

  The coin insertion slot 6 is provided for the player to insert coins for betting on the game, and has an inserted coin sensor 6a (see FIG. 2) that outputs a signal indicating coin insertion. Moreover, the banknote insertion slot 7 is provided in order for a player to insert a banknote, and has an inserted banknote sensor 7a (see FIG. 2) that outputs a signal indicating the insertion of a banknote. The spin switch 8 is provided for the player to perform an operation for starting display of the variable display image, that is, for starting the game. The 1BET switch 9 is provided to perform a setting for betting one coin by one operation. The maximum BET switch 10 is provided for setting to bet the maximum number of coins that can be bet on one game by one operation.

  Further, the slot machine 1 is provided with a coin payout opening 13 and a coin receiving portion 14 for storing the paid out coin at the bottom of the housing 2. Furthermore, speakers 12L and 12R are provided on the left and right sides of the coin payout opening 13, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the slot machine 1 mainly showing the internal configuration. The slot machine 1 has a plurality of components centering on a microcomputer 31.
The microcomputer 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 34. The CPU 32 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 34, inputs signals from each part of the control panel 11 via the I / O port 39, and inputs / outputs signals to / from other components. The operation of the entire machine 1 is controlled. The RAM 33 stores data and programs used when the CPU 32 operates. For example, random numbers sampled by a sampling circuit 36 described later are temporarily held after the game is started. The ROM 34 stores a program executed by the CPU 32 and permanent data, and stores, for example, a game content determination table (not shown) as will be described later.

  The slot machine 1 includes a random number generator 35, a sampling circuit 36, a clock pulse generation circuit 37, a frequency divider 38, and a data storage unit 41. The random number generator 35 operates according to an instruction from the CPU 32 to generate a random number within a certain range. The sampling circuit 36 extracts an arbitrary random number from the random numbers generated by the random number generator 35 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 32, and inputs the extracted random number to the CPU 32. The clock pulse generation circuit 37 generates a reference clock for operating the CPU 32, and the frequency divider 38 inputs a signal obtained by dividing the reference clock at a constant period to the CPU 32. The data storage unit 41 stores a figure presence / absence arrangement pattern table 50 and a figure ID arrangement pattern table 51 described later.

  Further, the slot machine 1 includes a touch panel 61, a hopper drive circuit 63, a hopper 64, a payout completion signal circuit 65, and a coin detection unit 66. The slot machine 1 has an image control circuit 81, a sound control circuit 72, and an IC chip reader / writer 19c.

  The touch panel 61 is provided so as to cover the display screen of the main display 3, detects the position of the part touched by the player's finger, and inputs a position signal corresponding to the detected position to the CPU 32. The hopper driving circuit 63 drives the hopper 64 according to the control of the CPU 32, and the hopper 64 performs an operation for paying out coins by winning, and pays out coins from the payout opening 13 to the coin receiving portion 14. The coin detection unit 66 measures the number of coins paid out by the hopper 64 and notifies the payout completion signal circuit 65 of data of the measured number value. The payout completion signal circuit 65 inputs data on the number of coins from the coin detection unit 66, and inputs a signal notifying completion of coin payout to the CPU 32 when the number reaches the set number of pieces of data. To do.

The image control circuit 81 controls image display on each of the main display 3 and the sub display 4 to display a variable display image of a plurality of symbols on the main display 3, and displays a circumferential array image, a symbol specific image, and the like on the sub display 4. To display.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image control circuit 81 includes an image control CPU 81a, a work RAM 81b, a program ROM 81c, an image ROM 81d, a video RAM 81e, and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 81f.
The image control CPU 81a is based on parameters set by the microcomputer 31 and is displayed on the main display 3 in accordance with an image control program (related to display on the main display 3 and sub display 4) stored in advance in the program ROM 81c. (Variable display image, stop symbol image displayed when variable display stops) and an image displayed on the sub-display 4 are determined.

  The work RAM 81b is configured as a temporary storage unit when the image control CPU 81a executes the image control program. The program ROM 81c stores an image control program, various selection tables, and the like. The image ROM 81d stores dot data for forming an image. In the present embodiment, the dot data includes symbol image data indicating each symbol used in a normal game and a free game, image data of a circumferential array image, and the like. The video RAM 81e is configured as a temporary storage unit when an image is formed by the VDP 81f. The VDP 81f has a control RAM 81g, forms an image according to the display contents of the main display 3 and the sub display 4 determined by the image control CPU 81a, and outputs the formed images to the main display 3 and the sub display 4. .

  The sound control circuit 72 (see FIG. 2) inputs sound signals for outputting sound from the speakers 12L and 12R to the speakers 12L and 12R. From the speakers 12L and 12R, for example, sound for exciting the game is output before the game starts or at an appropriate time during the game.

  The IC chip reader / writer 19c includes an antenna unit, a transmission / reception unit, and the like, and operates as a reading unit in the present invention. The IC chip reader / writer 19c is connected to the CPU 32 via the I / O port 39, and stores data from the IC chip 93 built in the base portion 91 of the figure 90 attached (set) to the figure installation unit 19. The read information (figure ID, etc.) is read and input to the CPU 32, and predetermined information is written to the IC chip 93 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 32.

(Figure structure)
As shown in FIG. 4, the figure 90 includes a pedestal 91 and a figure main body 92, and further includes an IC chip 93 that stores a figure ID.
The pedestal portion 91 has a size corresponding to the pedestal mounting portion 19a of the figure installation unit 19, is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a zenith portion 91a, and has a configuration in which an IC chip 93 is fitted and fixed to an open end portion. is doing.
The figure main body 92 has a leg portion 92a fixed to the zenith portion 91a of the pedestal portion 91, and a doll portion 92b formed so as to stand upright from the leg portion 92a and shaped like a witch or a warrior. It is configured.
The IC chip 93 stores a unique figure ID for each figure 90. The figure ID consists of a four-digit number and represents a unique identification number that distinguishes each figure (identifies itself). In the figure 90, the player can distinguish the character type by the shape of the figure main body 92, and the slot machine 1 can distinguish individual figures by the figure ID. The figure 90 according to the present embodiment is a “warrior” and the figure ID is “0002”. The figure 90 corresponds to the game article in the present invention, and the figure ID corresponds to the identification information in the present invention.

(Operation contents of slot machine)
In the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 32 operates as the game progress control means in the present invention, and controls the progress of the game in the normal game mode and the special game mode. The CPU 32 controls the progress of a variable display game that is started by using a game medium such as money or coins in a normal game mode, and controls the progress of a free game that does not require the use of a game medium in a special game mode. When shifting to the special game mode, a circumferential arrangement image for informing the player of the number of free games is displayed, but when the figure 90 is set, the arrangement of the numerical symbols in the circumferential arrangement image is changed. Yes. Thereby, the player can use the figure 90 to make an arrangement of numerical symbols according to his / her preference. The first operation content of the slot machine 1 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the main process from the start to the end of the game in the slot machine 1 divided into blocks. 8 and 9, the step is abbreviated as S.

(Main process)
As shown in FIG. 8, when the main process is started, the slot machine 1 proceeds to step 1 to perform a figure ID reading process. When the figure ID reading process starts, the IC chip reader / writer 19c operates as a reading means in the present invention, reads the figure ID from the figure 90 set in the figure installation unit 19, and inputs it to the CPU 32. When the figure ID is input, the CPU 32 sets the figure presence flag, which is a determination element for determining whether the figure ID can be read, to store the read figure ID in the RAM 33, and proceeds to the subsequent step 2. When the figure ID is not input to the CPU 32 (when the figure ID cannot be read), the initial value “0” is set. In addition, when the figure ID is input, the CPU 32 may cause the sub-display 4 to display an effect image that instructs the image control circuit 81 to notify the change of the roulette image 100 as the circumferential array image.

  When proceeding to step 2, a start acceptance process for requesting the player to start a game is started, and when proceeding to step 3, a lottery process is performed. When the lottery process is started, the CPU 32 performs a stop symbol determination process, a winning / non-winning determination process, and a winning mode determination process similar to the free game lottery process described later. Here, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the transition condition to the special game mode is satisfied (for example, whether or not a special symbol is determined as the stop symbol), and when determining that the transition condition is satisfied, determines whether or not the transition to the special game mode is possible. “1” is set to the transition condition flag as an element, and “2” is set when the condition is not satisfied. When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 4, the normal game process is started, and the CPU 32 displays a variable display image on the main display 3 and also displays a stop symbol image. When a prize is won, a predetermined payout is performed. When proceeding to the subsequent step 5, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the bonus game transition condition is satisfied. Here, when “1” is set in the transition condition flag, the CPU 32 determines that the transition condition is satisfied, operates as a transition means in the present invention, performs the bonus game process of step 6, and sets “2” in the transition condition flag. When "" is set, it is determined that the transition condition is not satisfied, and the main process ends. Next, details of the bonus game process will be described with reference to FIG.

(Bonus game processing)
When the bonus game process is started, the process proceeds to step 61 as shown in FIG. 9, and a free game number determination process is performed. When the free game number determination process starts, the CPU 32 operates as a game content determination means, and determines the number of free games (game content) to be played in the special game mode. Here, the CPU 32 instructs the random number generator 35 to generate a certain range of random numbers. Further, the CPU 32 instructs the sampling circuit 36 to extract an arbitrary random number from the random numbers generated by the random number generator 35, sets the random number as a search key, and stores game contents (not shown) stored in the ROM 34. The corresponding free game number is acquired with reference to the determination table. The game content determination table is a table that stores game determination elements (for example, “0 times”, “10 times”, and “20 times”) that are the number of free games and random numbers in association with each other. That is, the CPU 32 operates as a game content determination means, and determines the game content (the number of free games) by acquiring (specifying) one game determination element from among a plurality of game determination elements. As will be described later, a numerical symbol corresponding to the game content (number of free games) determined by the CPU 32 is specified from a plurality of numerical symbols by the symbol specifying image 106 (see FIG. 14). . The game content is not limited to the number of free games, but the number of payouts (number of game media to be paid out when winning) and the payout rate (number of game media to be paid out for the number of game media used for one game) In this case, the game determining factors are, for example, “payout number is 10”, “payout number is 20”, “payout rate is 10 times”, “payout rate is 20 times ". Also, different types of game determination elements can be stored in one game content determination table. For example, “the number of free games is 10”, “the number of dividends is 10”, “the number of free games is 20 times” "," Dividend rate is 20 times ". In this case, by setting a random number as a search key, the number of free games is acquired in some cases, and the number of payouts and the payout rate are obtained in other cases. Furthermore, the number of free games, the payout rate and the number of payouts are combined as game determining factors, such as “the number of free games is 10 times and the payout rate is 10 times”, “the number of free games is 20 times and the number of payouts is 20”, etc. You can also

  In the subsequent step 62, the process branches depending on whether or not the CPU 32 has read the figure ID. Here, when “9” is not set in the figure present flag, it is determined that the figure ID cannot be read. In this case, steps 63 to 65 are executed. On the other hand, when “9” is set in the figure present flag, it is determined that the reading can be performed, and the CPU 32 operates as the changing means in the present invention, and the steps to be executed are changed to step 66 to step 68. Thus, the arrangement of the numerical symbols in the roulette image 100 is changed by changing the step to be executed depending on whether or not reading has been performed.

First, each process from step 63 to step 65 performed when it is determined that the figure ID cannot be read will be described.
When the process proceeds to step 63, a figureless array pattern specifying process is performed. When the figureless arrangement pattern specifying process is started, the CPU 32 refers to the figure presence / absence arrangement table 50 (FIG. 5) to obtain an arrangement pattern corresponding to the figure presence flag (“0”). The figure presence / absence arrangement table 50 referred to here includes a figure existence / non-existence item 50a as a main key and an arrangement pattern item 50b associated with the figure existence / non-existence as shown in FIG. An array pattern is acquired by setting a set value (“0”) as a search key. In addition, the arrangement of symbols in each arrangement pattern is as shown in FIG. 0-No. The order of the numbers up to 11 is “0”, “10”, “20”, “0”, “10”, “20”, “0”, “10”, 20 ”,“ 0 ”,“ 10 ”, 20 ”.

  When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 64, an array pattern effect process is performed. When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 65, a game content specifying effect process is performed. The array pattern effect process and the game content specifying effect process are the same as the processes executed in step 67 and step 68, and will be described later.

Next, each process from step 66 to step 68 performed when it is determined that the figure ID can be read will be described.
In step 66, an array pattern change process is performed. When the arrangement pattern changing process is started, the CPU 32 operates as a changing means in the present invention, and refers to the figure presence / absence arrangement table 50 (FIG. 5) to display the changed arrangement pattern according to the figure presence flag (“9”). get. The array pattern after the change acquired here is “A pattern”, and as shown in FIG. 0-No. The order of the numbers up to 11 is “0”, “0”, “0”, “0”, “10”, “10”, “10”, “10”, “20”, “20”, “ 20 "and" 20 ".

  When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 67, an array pattern effect process is performed. When the array pattern effect process is started, the CPU 32 operates as a display control unit in the present invention, and as a post-change-peripheral array image in which the array is changed according to the array pattern (A pattern) acquired by instructing the image control circuit. The roulette image 109 is displayed. The roulette image 109 has a configuration in which numerical symbols are arranged in divided areas obtained by equally dividing a circular area of a wheel used in a roulette game in the circumferential direction. In the arrangement pattern effect process, for example, as shown in FIG. 14A, a roulette image 109 as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the sub-display 4 together with logo images 105 “FREE GAME” and “CHANCE”. It has become.

  Subsequently, when proceeding to step 68, game content specifying effect processing is performed. When the game content specifying effect process is started, the CPU 32 instructs the image control circuit 81 to display an image in which the roulette appears to rotate as shown in FIG. A knife image 103 that appears to be thrown by a person is displayed on the sub-display 4.

  Thereafter, the CPU 32 operates as a display control means in the present invention to instruct the image control circuit 81 to set the free game number determined in the free game number determination process (step 61) among the plurality of numerical symbols in the roulette image 109. A symbol specifying image 106 that specifies the corresponding number symbol (any one number symbol equal to the number of free games) is displayed on the sub-display 4. As shown in FIG. 14C, the symbol specifying image 106 is a knife image 103 that appears to specify the numeral symbol “20” on the roulette image 109, and logo images 107 “FREE GAME” and “20”. The character image 102 appears to make the character look happy with both hands up, and the player is notified that the number of free games is 20 times. Note that the character image 102 appearing in the symbol specific image may correspond to the outer shape of the figure main body 92 of the figure 90.

  As described above, in this slot machine 1, the arrangement pattern of the roulette image 100 is changed by setting the figure 90, and the roulette image 109 after the change is displayed, so that the player can play the roulette before and after the change. Which of the images 100 and 109 is to be displayed can be selected depending on whether or not the figure 90 is read.

  In the slot game 1, “0” is also included as a numerical symbol. In other words, an off symbol is provided as a symbol corresponding to the number of games (game content), and an effect of specifying the off symbol as the game content after the effect of informing that the transition condition to the special game mode is established (out of effect) Can also be done. Such an effect contrary to the player's expectation can give the player a sense of tension and further increase the fun of the game. Further, the pose (motion effect) of the human character in the symbol specific image is changed in accordance with the content determined as the game content (the number of free games in the present embodiment), and the motion in accordance with the player's emotion is displayed. In this way, it is possible to improve the fun of the game.

  When the processing proceeds to the subsequent step 69, free game processing is started, and free game lottery processing and scroll processing for the number of times determined in the free game number determination processing (step 61) are performed.

When the free game lottery process starts, a stop symbol determination process, a winning / non-winning determination process, and a winning mode determination process are performed. When the stop symbol determination process is started, the CPU 32 instructs the random number generator 35 to generate a certain range of random numbers, extracts an arbitrary random number from the generated random numbers, and displays a symbol determination table (not illustrated) from the random numbers. ) And a stop table (a table in which the code number of the symbol and the stop symbol are stored in association with each other) and the variable display portions 3A to 3I are stopped and displayed. Get the stop symbol.
When the subsequent winning determination process is started, the CPU 32 refers to a winning determination table in which either a symbol pattern to be won in association with each combination of codes No. or a symbol pattern that does not win (no winning) is registered so as to be distinguishable. When it is determined whether or not the winning mode is determined, the CPU 32 obtains a payout according to the winning mode with reference to a mode table in which a payout is registered in association with the symbol pattern (winning mode) to be won.

When the subsequent scroll processing starts, the CPU 32 displays the symbols variably on the variable display portions 3A to 3I of the main display 3 and displays the stop symbols determined in the symbol determination processing, and the payout obtained in the winning mode determination processing. Payout coins equivalent to.
When the processing proceeds to the subsequent step 70, the CPU 32 clears the figure present flag which sets an initial value “0” in the figure present flag, and the bonus game process is ended.

  In the slot machine 1 that executes the first operation content described above, the roulette image 100 in which a plurality of numerical symbols are arranged in the circumferential direction is displayed, and when the figure 90 is set (the figure is displayed by the IC chip reader / writer 19c). When the ID can be read), the arrangement of the numerical symbols in the roulette image 100 is changed. Therefore, in this slot machine 1, it becomes possible for the player to select the roulette image 100 using the figure 90. Furthermore, since the roulette image 100 before and after the change is displayed according to the player's preference, the display mode of the roulette image 100 is not monotonous, and it is possible to motivate the player to repeat the game. Become.

  In addition, the slot machine 1 uses the sub-display 4 to display a symbol specifying image 106 that specifies a number symbol corresponding to the number of free games (game determination information) determined as game content from among a plurality of number symbols in the roulette image 100. Is displayed. Therefore, a relationship is created between the number symbol and the number of free games (game contents) in the roulette image 100, and the player can easily identify (understand) the number of free games by displaying the symbol specific image 106. it can. In this slot machine 1, the number of free games is equal to the number of numbers, but for example, the number of free games determined as game content is 1/10, 1/100 of the number of numbers. It may be arranged in an array image.

  In the slot machine 1, the symbol specific image is displayed after the transition to the special game mode by the CPU 32 and before the start of the free game process (step 69). Before, the number of free games is notified to the player by a circumferential array image including the modified circumferential array image.

  Next, the second operation content of the slot machine 1 will be described. The second operation content is different from the operation content of the bonus game process in the first operation content. Therefore, with reference to FIG. 10, the difference from the bonus game process in the first action content will be mainly described.

  When the bonus game process is started, the process proceeds to step 71 as shown in FIG. 10, and the free game number determination process is performed in the same manner as the bonus game process in the first action content (hereinafter referred to as the first bonus game process). Proceed to step 72. In step 72, the process branches depending on whether “9” is set in the figure present flag. If “9” is not set in the figure presence flag, the CPU 32 proceeds to Steps 73 to 75, and performs the figureless arrangement pattern specifying process, the arrangement pattern effect process, and the game content specifying process as in the first bonus game process. After that, the process proceeds to step 79 where the free game process is started.

  On the other hand, if "9" is set in the figure present flag, the process proceeds to step 76, and the CPU 32 operates as a changing means and reads by the IC chip reader / writer 19c among a plurality of arrangement patterns associated with the figure ID. A change array pattern determination process is performed to change the array according to the array pattern corresponding to the figure ID. Here, the CPU 32 sets the figure ID stored in the RAM 33 as a search key, and refers to the figure ID array pattern table 51 (see FIG. 6) stored in the data storage unit 41 to provide an array corresponding to the figure ID. Get the pattern. The figure ID array pattern table 51 referred to here has a figure ID item 51a as a main key and an array pattern item 51b associated with the figure ID as shown in FIG. By setting it as a search key, an array pattern is acquired. Since the figure ID stored in the figure 90 according to the present embodiment is “0002”, “B pattern” is acquired as the array pattern. In the B pattern, as shown in FIG. 0-No. The order of the number symbols up to 11 is “0”, “0”, “10”, “10”, “20”, “20”, “0”, 0 ”,“ 10 ”,“ 10 ”,“ 20 "," 20 ".

  In the subsequent steps 77 and 78, the same processing as the first bonus game processing is performed, and the processing proceeds to the subsequent step 79. After the free game processing is completed, the processing proceeds to step 80 and the figure presence flag is cleared. The bonus game process ends.

  In the slot machine 1 that executes the second operation content described above, when the figure 90 is set, the arrangement of the numerical symbols is changed according to the arrangement pattern corresponding to the figure ID read by the IC chip reader / writer 19c. ing. Therefore, the player can change to the roulette image 100 corresponding to the figure 90 by replacing the figure 90, and the choice of the roulette image 100 increases. In particular, since the number pattern arrangement pattern is changed by the figure ID stored in the figure 90, it is possible to motivate the player to play the game repeatedly in expectation of a game with various arrangement patterns. Therefore, it becomes possible to stimulate the collection desire of the figure 90 and provide new enjoyment.

  Next, the third operation content of the slot machine 1 will be described. The third operation content is partially different from the operation content of the bonus game process in the first and second operation content. Therefore, with reference to FIG. 11, the description will focus on differences from the bonus game process in the first and second action contents.

  When the bonus game process starts, the process proceeds to step 81 as shown in FIG. 11, and the CPU 32 operates as the changing means in the present invention as in the first bonus game process, and whether or not “9” is set in the figure presence flag. The process is branched depending on what. Then, if “9” is not set in the figure presence flag, the CPU 32 proceeds to Step 83 to Step 85 and performs the figureless array pattern specifying process, the array pattern effect process, and the game content specifying process as in the first bonus game process. After being performed, the process proceeds to step 89 where the free game process is started.

  On the other hand, if “9” is set in the figure presence flag, the process proceeds to step 86, the figure having arrangement pattern specifying process is performed in the same manner as the first bonus game process, and the process proceeds to step 87.

  In step 87, symbol movement effect processing is performed. When the symbol movement effect process is started, the CPU 32 operates as the display control means in the present invention and instructs the image control circuit 81. First, the roulette image 100 before the arrangement change as shown in FIG. The sub-display 4 displays a numerical symbol arrangement relating to the pattern. Next, the CPU 32 instructs the image control circuit 81 to display a symbol movement image 108 indicating the movement state of the numerical symbols constituting the roulette image 100 on the sub-display 4 as shown in FIG. Further, the CPU 32 instructs the image control circuit 81 to display the roulette image related to the A pattern corresponding to the changed post-peripheral array image on the sub-display 4 as shown in FIG. To do.

When proceeding to the subsequent steps 88, 89 and 90, similarly to the first and second bonus game processes, the game content specifying effect process, the free game process, and the figure presence flag clear are performed, and the bonus game process ends.

  The slot machine 1 that executes the third operation content described above exhibits the same action as the slot machine 1 that executes the first operation content. Further, in the slot machine 1, the process of changing from the roulette image 100 before the arrangement change to the roulette image 109 after the arrangement change can be notified to the player by an image effect that seems to move the numerical symbol. Can easily recognize the change in the arrangement of the roulette image 100 by the set of the figure 90. In addition, although the case where the number pattern arrangement pattern is changed to “A pattern” in the third operation content has been described as an example, the arrangement pattern corresponding to the figure ID (for example, B pattern or (C pattern) may be changed.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the gaming machine is a gaming machine capable of executing a game performed using a playing card image of a playing card game or a mahjong tile image of a mahjong game. May be. Further, a gaming machine in which display means including a liquid crystal display device or the like is provided in a slot machine having a plurality of mechanical reels.

Further, the plurality of symbols constituting the circumferential array image are not limited to numeric symbols, but may be alphabet symbols, Greek character symbols, other character symbols, and word symbols.
Further, the circumferential array image is not limited to a pattern in which a plurality of numerical symbols are arranged in the circumferential direction of a circular area imitating a wheel of a roulette game, but a circular area imitating a dart board of a dart game, and other circles The shape area is equally divided in the circumferential direction to form a fan-shaped divided area, and a figure in which numerical symbols are arranged in the divided area, an elliptical area, or a polygonal (hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) area in the circumferential direction, etc. It may be a design in which a divided region is formed by dividing and a numerical symbol is arranged in each divided region.

  Further, the game article according to the present invention is not limited to the figure, and is a card (member card used permanently by a player or a house card temporarily used by a player), cassette, or other article. Also good. Further, the manner in which the identification information is stored in the game article is not limited to the IC chip that can read data in a non-contact type, and may be a contact type data storage unit. Also, there is no data storage means such as a memory, and information having an information storage function such as sticking a sticker printed with a bar code or a two-dimensional code, or printing or engraving directly on a game article A display part may be provided and the game article may store game-related information. The two-dimensional code is also referred to as a two-dimensional barcode, for example, a QR code (registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED). This two-dimensional code includes a large amount of information obtained by encoding data several tens to several hundred times as many as a barcode. When the information display unit is provided as described above, a barcode reader or the like is provided as a reading unit instead of the above-described IC chip reader / writer.

  Furthermore, the game medium required for starting the game is not limited to money or coins, but may be an information storage medium such as a prepaid card or a magnetic card. In this case, the money stored in the information storage medium A game is started by setting and using a predetermined value from information and credits.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a slot machine that is a first embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention; FIG. It is a block diagram of a slot machine mainly showing an internal configuration. It is a block diagram which shows an example of an internal structure of an image control circuit. It is a partially broken front view of a figure. It is a figure which shows an example of a figure presence / absence arrangement pattern table. It is a figure which shows an example of a figure ID arrangement pattern table. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between an arrangement | sequence pattern and the arrangement | sequence of a symbol. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the main process from a slot game start to completion | finish. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the bonus game process which concerns on 1st operation | movement content. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the bonus game process which concerns on 2nd operation | movement content. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the bonus game process which concerns on 3rd operation | movement content. It is a figure which shows the outline of the circumference arrangement | sequence image which concerns on the symbol arrangement | sequence before a change. It is a figure which shows the outline of the circumference arrangement | sequence image (A pattern) which concerns on the symbol arrangement | sequence after a change. It is a figure which shows an example of the image displayed by an arrangement | sequence pattern effect process and a game content specific effect process. It is a figure which shows an example of the image displayed by a symbol movement effect process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine, 3 ... Main display, 4 ... Sub-display 19 ... FIG. Installation unit, 19c ... IC chip reader / writer 32 ... CPU, 90 ... FIG. ..IC chip 100 ... circumferential arrangement image image, 101 ... numeric symbol (design), 106 ... design specific image, 108 ... design moving image

Claims (6)

A gaming machine having a display means for displaying a circumferential arrangement image in which a plurality of symbols are arranged in the circumferential direction,
Reading means for reading the identification information from the game article storing identification information for self-other identification;
Changing means for changing the arrangement of the symbols in the circumferential array image when the identification information can be read by the reading means;
A display control means for displaying on the display means the changed post-peripheral array image that has undergone the array change by the changing means.   The display control means displays, on the display means, a symbol specifying image that specifies a symbol corresponding to at least one of the game content, the number of payouts, and the payout rate among a plurality of symbols in the circumferential array image. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:   The said change means performs the said arrangement change according to the arrangement pattern corresponding to the identification information read by the said reading means among the several arrangement patterns matched with the said identification information. The gaming machine described.   The display control means displays the post-change peripheral array image after displaying the peripheral array image before the array change and the symbol movement image indicating the movement state of each symbol constituting the peripheral array image. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   In the circumferential array image, a numerical pattern is arranged in each of the divided areas obtained by dividing the circular area of the wheel used in the roulette game, the circular area of the dart board used in the dart game, and other circular areas in the circumferential direction. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gaming machine has a configuration as described above. Game progress control means for controlling the progress of the game in a normal game mode that requires a game medium to start a game and a special game mode that does not require the game medium to start the game;
A transition means for transitioning from the normal game mode to the special game mode by establishing a transition condition;
3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the display means displays the symbol specifying image that specifies a symbol corresponding to the number of games in the special game mode among a plurality of symbols in the circumferential array image.

Images