JP2006305061A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine which enables players to visually recognize a prescribed array of figures accurately and easily by achieving a higher visual recognizability of the prescribed array thereof when reels are stopped and also enables not only the mere use of the establishment of the prescribed array thereof for announcement but also the alteration of the game state or the awarding of a profit to players by achieving the establishment of other arrays of figures different from the prescribed array thereof simultaneously with the establishment of the prescribed array thereof when the reels are stopped. <P>SOLUTION: Valid lines and invalid lines are demarcated in a pattern display area and when the array of figures on the valid lines presents that of figures corresponding to the winning combination won by the lottery of a role lottery means, the array of figures on the invalid lines presents that of figures for decoration which can make the players recognize the winning of the winning combination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine in which a game result is determined by a combination of symbols attached to a plurality of reels.

When the slot machine can arrange the symbol arrangement corresponding to the winning combination in the lottery process on the active line, the slot machine gives the player a profit corresponding to the winning combination as winning. Therefore, the player must perform a stop operation so that the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is aligned on the active line. However, it is often difficult for a player to know that a predetermined combination has been won by lottery processing. For this reason, in the conventional slot machine, in order to notify the player that a predetermined combination has been won by the lottery process, when the reels are stopped, a so-called reach pattern is displayed. .
JP 2004-283193 A

  However, when the reels stop, even if the reach is displayed by the arrangement of symbols, it merely informs the player that the winning combination has been won, and the game state can be changed by itself, It did not give any benefit to the person. In addition, since the symbols called reach eyes are rarely arranged on a straight line such as an effective line, the visibility is low and the player may overlook that the reach eyes are displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and the object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of the arrangement of predetermined symbols when the reels are stopped, so that the player can accurately and easily determine the predetermined arrangement. In addition to being used for mere notification that the arrangement of the predetermined symbol is established, when the reel is stopped, the arrangement of the predetermined symbol is established, Another object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine that can change a gaming state or give a player a benefit by establishing an arrangement of another symbol different from the predetermined symbol arrangement.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an effective line and an invalid line are defined in the symbol display area, and the arrangement of the symbols on the effective line corresponds to the winning combination lottered by the winning lottery means. When the symbols are arranged, the symbols on the invalid line are arranged so that the player can recognize that the winning combination has been won.

Specifically, the slot machine according to the present invention is:
It is a slot machine in which the progress of a slot game is determined by the manner in which symbols are displayed when a plurality of rotatable reels each having a plurality of symbols attached thereto are stopped based on the player's operation. And
Game control means for selecting one type of game among a plurality of types of games including a general game and a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the general game, and performing this as the slot game;
A role lottery means for performing a lottery of a type of a role based on the type of game selected by the game control means;
When the plurality of reels are stopped, a symbol display means is formed with a symbol display area for stopping and displaying a plurality of symbols of symbols attached to each of the plurality of reels.
Reel control means for controlling the rotation or stop of the plurality of reels according to the player's operation;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not a winning combination has been won according to the display mode of the symbols when a plurality of reels are stopped, and
The symbol display area has a plurality of symbol stop positions, and when the plurality of reels are stopped, one of the plurality of symbols is positioned at each of the plurality of symbol stop positions,
In the symbol display area, a predetermined number of symbol stop positions among the plurality of symbol stop positions are arranged so as to correspond to each of the plurality of reels, and
At least one active line and at least one invalid line are configured by a combination of a predetermined number of symbol stop positions among the plurality of symbol stop positions, and the valid line and the invalid line are , One symbol stop position is selected for each of the plurality of reels, and a set of these symbol stop positions is configured as a combination of the predetermined number of symbol stop positions;
In the winning determination means, the arrangement of symbols stopped and displayed on the active line is a target for determining a winning combination as a display mode of the symbols, and the symbols of the symbols stopped and displayed on the invalid line are displayed. Arrangement is not subject to the determination of winning a role,
When the plurality of reels are stopped by the reel control means and the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the active line becomes the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to the winning combination lottery by the combination lottery unit, the invalidity An array of symbols arranged on a line is an array of ornamental symbols that does not correspond to the combination that is drawn by the combination lottery means, and the decorative pattern that allows the player to recognize that the winning combination has been won The plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the plurality of reels so that the arrangement is as follows.

  The slot machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of reels, and each of the plurality of reels can be rotated or stopped based on a player's operation. Further, a plurality of symbols are attached to each of the plurality of reels. In the slot game performed in the slot machine according to the present invention, the progress of the game is determined by the display mode of the symbols when the plurality of reels are stopped.

  The slot machine according to the present invention includes game control means. The game control means selects one type of game among a plurality of types of games including general games and special games, and performs control so that the selected game is performed as the slot game described above. The special game described above is a game that is more advantageous to the player than the general game.

  The slot machine according to the present invention also includes a role lottery means. The combination lottery means draws the combination of types based on the type of game selected by the game control unit described above.

  The slot machine according to the present invention also includes a symbol display means. A symbol display area is formed in the symbol display means. In the symbol display area, when a plurality of reels are stopped, a predetermined plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed so as to be visible to the player. As described above, each of the plurality of reels is provided with a plurality of symbols, and when one reel stops, a predetermined number of symbols are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area. A predetermined number of symbols for one reel are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area, and for a plurality of reels, a predetermined plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area. Thereby, the player can visually recognize a predetermined plurality of symbols located in the symbol display area. The progress of the slot game described above is determined by the display mode of a predetermined plurality of symbols positioned in the symbol display area.

  For example, when there are three reels and three symbols are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area for each of the reels, a total of nine symbols are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area for all three reels. The The player can visually recognize the nine symbols stopped and displayed in this symbol display area. In addition, when there are four reels and three symbols for each reel are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area, a total of twelve symbols for all four reels are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area. The

  The slot machine according to the present invention also includes reel control means. The reel control means controls the rotation or stop of the plurality of reels according to the player's operation. For example, it includes operation means that can be operated by a player, and the reel control means receives a signal corresponding to the player's operation from the operation means, and controls rotation or stop of a plurality of reels according to the signal. Can do.

  The slot machine according to the present invention also includes a winning determination means. The winning determination means determines whether or not the winning combination has been won according to the display mode of the symbols when a plurality of reels are stopped. As described above, the symbol display mode is a mode of displaying a plurality of predetermined symbols located in the symbol display area. It is determined whether or not the winning combination is won by the winning determination means, and the progress of the slot game is determined.

  The symbol display area described above has a plurality of symbol stop positions. Further, when the plurality of reels are stopped, one of the predetermined plurality of symbols described above is positioned at each of the plurality of symbol stop positions in the symbol display area. For example, when nine symbols stop positions are displayed in the symbol display area and a plurality of reels are stopped, and nine symbols are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area, the nine symbol stop positions are displayed. One symbol out of the nine symbols is located at one symbol stop position, and the other one of the nine symbol stop positions is out of the nine symbols. One other symbol is located.

  Further, in the symbol display area described above, a predetermined number of symbol stop positions among the plurality of symbol stop positions are arranged so as to correspond to each of the plurality of reels. For example, when there are three reels and three symbols for each of the reels are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area, the symbol display area has nine symbol stop positions and nine symbols in the symbol display area. Is stopped. As described above, one of nine symbols is located in each of the nine symbol display areas. For one reel, three symbols are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area, so three symbol stop positions out of nine symbol stop positions in the symbol display area are three symbols for one reel. This is the symbol stop position of the symbol.

  In the symbol display area, an effective line and an invalid line are defined. There are at least one active line and at least one invalid line. Each of the effective lines is configured by a combination of a predetermined number of symbol stop positions among a plurality of symbol stop positions. Specifically, one symbol stop position is selected for each of a plurality of reels, and the selected set of symbol stop positions is configured as a combination of a predetermined number of symbol stop positions.

  For example, it is assumed that there are three reels and three symbols are stopped and displayed in the symbol display area for each of the reels. The three reels are referred to as reel L, reel C, and reel R, the three symbol stop positions for reel L are P11, P12, and P13 in order along reel L, and the three symbol stop positions for reel C are reels. P21, P22, and P23 are sequentially set along C, and the three symbol stop positions for the reel R are sequentially set as P31, P32, and P33 along the reel R. In such a case, the symbol stop position P13 is selected for the reel L, the symbol stop position P21 is selected for the reel C, and the symbol stop position P31 is selected for the reel R. The combination of the selected symbol stop positions P13, P21 and P31 is configured as an effective line. In the case of this example, the effective line does not follow a single straight line.

  Further, when the symbol L is selected for the reel L, the symbol stop position P22 is selected for the reel C, and the symbol stop position P33 is selected for the reel R, the symbol stop positions P11 and P22 are selected. And the combination of P33 is configured as an effective line. In the case of this example, the effective line is along one straight line, and the visibility can be improved.

  Similarly, each invalid line is configured by a combination of a predetermined number of symbol stop positions among a plurality of symbol stop positions. Specifically, one symbol stop position is selected for each of a plurality of reels, and the selected set of symbol stop positions is configured as a combination of a predetermined number of symbol stop positions.

  As described above, the combination of the symbol stop positions constituting the valid line and the invalid line may be selected and combined for each of the plurality of reels. The shape of the effective line and the ineffective line configured by combining the symbol stop positions may be any shape, but it is preferable that the shape is along a single straight line. By arranging the effective line and the invalid line along one straight line, it is possible to make it easier for the player to visually recognize the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the effective line and the invalid line.

  As described above, the winning determination means determines whether or not a winning combination has been won. This winning determination means is a target for determining whether or not a winning arrangement is made using the symbol arrangement stopped and displayed on the active line. On the other hand, the arrangement of symbols stopped and displayed on the invalid line is not a target for determining whether or not a winning combination has been won.

  For example, it is assumed that the symbol arrangement “bell”-“bell”-“replay” corresponds to a predetermined combination, and the symbol arrangements “7”-“7”-“7” correspond to any combination. This is one that does not, and is one of the out-of-sequence symbols. When the arrangement of the symbols “bell”-“bell”-“replay” is arranged on the effective line, it is determined that the effective line has been won, because it is determined whether or not the winning line has been won. On the other hand, even if an array of symbols “BELL”-“BELL”-“REPLAY” is arranged on the invalid line, the invalid line is not subject to the determination as to whether or not a prize has been won.

  In addition, when the arrangement of the symbols “7”-“7”-“7” is arranged on the active line, the effective line is a target for determining whether or not a prize has been won, but this arrangement of symbols is an outlier arrangement. It is determined that there was no winning because there is.

  When multiple reels are stopped by the reel control means and the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the effective line becomes the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to the winning combination selected by the combination lottery, the symbols arranged on the invalid line This arrangement is a decorative pattern arrangement. Thus, when a plurality of reels are stopped, the symbol arrangement on the active line becomes the symbol arrangement corresponding to the winning combination, and the symbol arrangement on the invalid line becomes the ornamental symbol arrangement. Each of the plurality of reels is provided with a design.

  The above-mentioned ornamental symbol arrangement is an ornamental symbol arrangement that does not correspond to the combination drawn by the combination lottery means, and that the player has won the winning combination by the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the active line. This is an arrangement of symbols that can be recognized by.

  By doing in this way, not only can the player visually recognize the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the active line, but it can be understood that the winning combination has been won by the winning lottery means, on the invalid line Even when the player visually recognizes the arrangement of the symbols arranged side by side, it is possible to grasp that the winning combination is won by the arrangement of symbols arranged on the active line.

  In addition, the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the winning combination drawn by the winning lottery means is an arrangement of symbols that are not generally used in a slot machine that has existed in the past, or an arrangement of symbols that are used for so-called small roles. Is preferred. For example, it is preferable to arrange symbols such as “bell”-“bell”-“replay” on the effective line. By doing so, there is a possibility of surprise the player when winning this role.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the invalid line is generally regarded as an effective line in the existing slot machine. For example, it is preferable to use a middle straight line extending in the horizontal direction as the invalid line. By doing so, the player tries to visually recognize the arrangement of the symbols arranged in the invalid line according to the conventional habits, so that the player can easily misunderstand.

  Furthermore, when the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the active line becomes the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to the winning combination lottered by the combination lottery means, the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the invalid line is changed from the existing slot. It is preferable that the machine generally corresponds to a bonus combination. For example, it is preferable that the arrangement of symbols arranged on the invalid line is an arrangement of symbols such as a big bonus combination such as “7”-“7”-“7”. By doing so, the player can visually recognize the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the invalid line and misunderstand that they have won the bonus combination, and further, according to the winning combination arranged on the actual active line Since the game state is changed, the operation is different from that when the bonus combination is won, and the possibility that the player can be surprised or surprised can be increased.

  When the reel is stopped by the reel control means and the arrangement of symbols arranged on the invalid line becomes an arrangement of symbols corresponding to the winning combination lottery by the combination lottery means, It is preferable that the plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the plurality of reels so that the arrangement of symbols arranged in a row is a symbol arrangement that does not correspond to a combination that can be drawn by the combination lottery means.

  Even when the reel is stopped by the reel control means and the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the invalid line becomes the arrangement of the symbol corresponding to the winning combination lottery by the combination lottery means, An arrangement of symbols that do not correspond to a combination that can be selected by the combination lottery means is arranged.

  By doing so, a player who visually recognizes the arrangement of the symbols arranged in the invalid line may misunderstand that he has won the winning role even though it is an invalid line, and may give the player an unexpected feeling. it can.

  In particular, it is preferable that the invalid line is generally regarded as a valid line in a slot machine that has existed in the past. By doing in this way, since a player tries to visually recognize the arrangement | sequence of the symbol lined up in the invalid line by the conventional habit, it can raise the possibility of making a player misunderstand.

  All of the plurality of reels are stopped by the reel control means, and at least one of the symbols arranged on the effective line is preferably different from the other symbols.

  For example, it is preferable that all of the plurality of reels stop and the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the effective line is an arrangement of symbols such as “bell”-“bell”-“replay”. As in this example, the symbol “replay” is different from other symbols “bell”. In this way, it was decided to win the role by arranging the symbol arrangement different from the symbol arrangement generally recognized as a winning combination in the existing slot machine, why won? It is possible to give the player a question of whether or not, or give the player an unexpected feeling.

  It is preferable that a role corresponding to the arrangement of symbols arranged on the effective line is a role for shifting to the special game.

  By doing so, the player can be further surprised and surprised at winning the winning combination.

  When the reels are stopped, the visibility of the predetermined symbol arrangement can be improved so that the player can accurately and easily recognize the predetermined symbol arrangement, and that the predetermined symbol arrangement has been established. The game state is changed not only for notification but also when the predetermined symbol arrangement is established when the reels are stopped, and at the same time, another symbol arrangement different from the predetermined symbol arrangement is established. Or give a profit to the player.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<< Configuration of Slot Machine 10 >>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the front surface of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the slot machine 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 10 includes a box-shaped base portion 20 and a front door 40. The front door 40 is pivotally supported on the left side portion of the base portion 20 and is provided to be openable and closable on the front side of the base portion 20. FIG. 1 shows a state where the front door 40 is closed with respect to the base portion 20, and FIG. 2 shows a state where the front door 40 is opened approximately 180 degrees with respect to the base portion 20.

<Front side of front door 40>
The front door 40 is attached to the base unit 20 so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the front surface of the base unit 20 when closed. As shown in FIG. 1, a member related to operation and a member related to display are mainly provided on the front surface of the front door 40. A control circuit board is mainly provided on the back surface of the front door 40.

<Operational parts>
As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 41 extending in the horizontal direction is provided at the approximate center of the front side (player side) of the front door 40. On the front side of the operation panel 41, a start switch 42 and three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are provided. On the upper surface side of the operation panel 41, a 1-bet switch 62, a 2-bet switch 64, a maximum bet switch 66, and a medal slot 46 are provided. A tray 48 for receiving medals paid out based on the game result is also provided at the lower part of the front door 40.

  The start switch 42 and the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are switches that are operated by the player to advance the game. When the player operates the start switch 42, rotation of three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R described later is started. Further, when the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c, the reels 30L to 30R corresponding to the operated stop switches are stopped.

  The functions of the 1 bet switch 62, the 2 bet switch 64, and the maximum bet switch 66 will be described later.

<Reel display window 50 and reels 30L, 30C, 30R>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a reel display window 50 is formed at a substantially central portion of the front surface of the front door 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the three reels 30 </ b> L to 30 </ b> R are rotatably accommodated in the reel unit 28. The reel unit 28 has a front surface 29 open, and the player can visually recognize the type of symbols located on the front surface 29 of the reel unit 28, as will be described later. The reel unit 28 is supported by a support plate 26 fixed to the base portion 20. When the front door 40 is closed, the reel display window 50 is positioned in front of the front surface 29 of the reel unit 28. The reel display window 50 is covered with a transparent member, and when the front door 40 is closed, the player visually recognizes the types of symbols drawn on the reels 30L to 30R via the reel display window 50. be able to.

  A plurality of types of symbols are attached to each of the three reels 30L to 30R. The types of symbols are those that can be identified by the player, such as the number “7” or the fruit “cherry”. As will be described later, when the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped, nine symbols are stopped and displayed in the reel display window 50 so as to be visible.

<Reels 30L, 30C, 30R and stop switches 44a, 44b, 44c>
The left reel 30L corresponds to the left stop switch 44a, the middle reel 30C corresponds to the center stop switch 44b, and the right reel 30R corresponds to the right stop switch 44c. Thus, when the player operates the left stop switch 44a, the left reel 30L stops, when the player operates the center stop switch 44b, the middle reel 30C stops, and the player presses the right stop switch 44c. When operated, the right reel 30R stops.

<Reel display window 50 and winning lines L1 to L4>
As described above, the reel display window 50 is covered with a transparent member. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, four winning lines L <b> 1 to L <b> 4 are drawn on the reel display window 50. By doing so, the player can visually recognize the type of symbol through the reel display window 50 and can also visually recognize the four winning lines L1 to L4 on the reel display window 50. .

  The winning line L1 is a lower straight line extending in the horizontal direction, and the winning line L2 is an upper straight line extending in the horizontal direction. The winning line L3 is a straight line extending from the lower left to the upper right, and the winning line L4 is a straight line extending from the upper left to the lower right.

<Pattern stop positions P11 to P33>
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged front view of the reel display window 50 described above. FIG. 3 shows a state where all of the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped and the symbol is stopped at a predetermined stop position. As described above, a plurality of types of symbols are attached to each of the three reels 30L to 30R. In the present embodiment, when all of the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped, three symbols are stopped and displayed for one reel, and nine symbols are stopped and displayed on the entire reel display window 50. . The position where these nine symbols are stopped and displayed is referred to as a symbol stop position.

  In FIG. 3, the symbols are indicated by nine white circles, three symbols Z11, Z12, and Z13 are stopped and displayed for the left reel 30L, and three symbols Z21, Z22, and Z23 are displayed for the middle reel 30C. Stopped, and for the right reel 30R, three symbols Z31, Z32 and Z33 are stopped. The symbol includes, for example, an image indicating the number “7” and an image indicating the fruit “cherry”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the symbol stop positions are indicated by nine black circles, and the three symbol stop positions for the left reel 30L are referred to as P11, P12 and P13 in order from the bottom, and the three symbols for the middle reel 30C. The stop positions are referred to as P21, P22, and P23 in order from the bottom, and the three symbol stop positions for the right reel 30R are referred to as P31, P32, and P33 in order from the bottom.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, for the left reel 30L, the symbol Z11 stops at the symbol stop position P11, the symbol Z12 stops at the symbol stop position P12, and the symbol Z13 stops at the symbol stop position P13. For the middle reel 30C, the symbol Z21 stops at the symbol stop position P21, the symbol Z22 stops at the symbol stop position P22, and the symbol Z23 stops at the symbol stop position P23. For the right reel 30R, the symbol Z31 stops at the symbol stop position P31, the symbol Z32 stops at the symbol stop position P32, and the symbol Z33 stops at the symbol stop position P33.

  The state shown in FIG. 3 is a state where “one of the plurality of symbols is located at each of the plurality of symbol stop positions when the plurality of reels are stopped”. The nine symbol stop positions P11 to P33 described above correspond to “a plurality of symbol stop positions”.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, when all the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped and the symbol is stopped at the symbol stop position, it is determined that the substantially central portion of the symbol is positioned at the symbol stop position. However, the symbol stop position may be a position where the position of the stopped symbol can be specified, and may be an end portion such as a lower end portion of the stopped symbol.

  The winning lines L1 to L4 described above are configured by combining three symbol stop positions among the nine symbol stop positions P11 to P33. Specifically, the winning lines L1 to L4 are configured by selecting one symbol stop position for each of the three reels 30L to 30R and connecting the three selected symbol stop positions.

  In the case of the winning line L1, the symbol stop position P11 is selected for the left reel 30L, the symbol stop position P21 is selected for the middle reel 30C, the symbol stop position P31 is selected for the right reel 30R, and these are combined. A winning line L1 is formed by connecting these three symbol stop positions P11, P21, and P31.

  In the case of the winning line L2, the symbol stop position P13 is selected for the left reel 30L, the symbol stop position P23 is selected for the middle reel 30C, the symbol stop position P33 is selected for the right reel 30R, and these are combined. A winning line L2 is formed by connecting these three symbol stop positions P13, P23 and P33.

  In the case of the winning line L3, the symbol stop position P11 is selected for the left reel 30L, the symbol stop position P22 is selected for the middle reel 30C, the symbol stop position P33 is selected for the right reel 30R, and these are combined. A winning line L3 is formed by connecting these three symbol stop positions P11, P22 and P33.

  In the case of the winning line L4, the symbol stop position P13 is selected for the left reel 30L, the symbol stop position P22 is selected for the middle reel 30C, the symbol stop position P31 is selected for the right reel 30R, and these are combined. A winning line L4 is formed by connecting these three symbol stop positions P13, P22 and P31.

<Bet switches 62, 64 and 66 and winning lines L1 to L4>
When a predetermined number or more medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 46 of the operation panel 41 described above, the number of medals inserted by a medal counter (not shown) is counted, and the number is stored as the number of credits. The 1-bet switch 62 described above is a switch for setting one medal out of the stored credits to be a game bet. Further, the 2-bet switch 64 is a switch for targeting two medals out of the number of credits for game betting, and the maximum bet switch 66 is a game betting for three medals out of the credit number. It is a switch for making it an object of.

  As described above, the four reel lines L1 to L4 are drawn on the reel display window 50. When the player operates the 1-bet switch 62, one of the four pay lines, for example, the pay line L1 is activated. When the 2-bet switch 64 is operated, two of the four pay lines, for example, the pay lines L1 and L2 are activated. When the maximum bet switch 66 is operated, all four pay lines, that is, L1, L2, L3 and L4 are activated. As described above, the three bet switches 62, 64, and 66 function as a selection unit that determines the number of medals to be a game bet and activates the pay lines L1 to L4.

<Effective line>
As described above, the three bet switches 62, 64, and 66 function as a selection unit that activates the pay lines L1 to L4 when operated by the player. When the player operates the 1 bet switch 62, the pay line L1 is activated, when the 2 bet switch 64 is operated, the pay lines L1 and L2 are activated, and when the maximum bet switch 66 is operated, the pay line All of L1 to L4 are activated. As described above, the activated winning line is referred to as an activated line.

  The combination of symbols stopped on the active line is subject to determination as to whether or not a prize has been won. For example, when the symbol arrangement of “bell”-“bell”-“replay” corresponds to a predetermined combination, “bell”-“bell”-“replay” is placed on the above-mentioned effective line L1. When the symbols are arranged, it is determined that the winning combination has been won. Further, when the combination of symbols that do not constitute a combination on the active line L1 is stopped, it is determined that no winning is made. On the other hand, even if it is a winning line, when the winning line is not activated, the arrangement of symbols such as “bell”-“bell”-“replay” is aligned on the winning line. Even if there is, the winning line is not subject to the determination of whether or not the winning line has been won.

  As will be described later, the winning determination means 160 determines whether or not a combination of symbols stopped on the active line has won. That is, the winning determination means 160 determines whether or not a winning is made with the arrangement of symbols stopped and displayed on the active line as an object of determining a winning combination.

<Invalid line M>
In FIG. 3, the middle straight line extending in the horizontal direction is indicated by a broken line. This straight line is a line indicating the invalid line M. Unlike the winning lines L1 to L4, the invalid line M is not drawn on the reel display window 50, but is intended to be shown virtually.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the winning lines L1 to L4 are indicated by lines drawn on the reel display window 50. However, even if the winning lines L1 to L4 are not drawn on the reel display window 50, the winning lines L1 to L4 are shown to the player. It is only necessary to be displayed so that it can be visually recognized and can be clearly shown as being activated. Further, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 described above, the invalid line M is shown as a virtual line, but the invalid line M is drawn on the reel display window 50 and displayed so as to be clearly shown to the player. Also good.

  Unlike the valid line, the combination of symbols stopped on the invalid line M is not subject to the determination of whether or not a prize has been won. For example, when the symbol arrangement of “bell”-“bell”-“replay” corresponds to a predetermined combination, “bell”-“bell”-“replay” is placed on the invalid line M described above. Even if the arrangement of the symbols is complete, it is not considered as a target for determining whether or not a prize has been won. That is, the arrangement of symbols stopped on the invalid line M is not subject to determination by the winning determination unit 160 described later.

  The invalid line M described above is configured by combining three symbol stop positions among the nine symbol stop positions P11 to P33. Specifically, the invalid line M is configured by selecting one symbol stop position for each of the three reels 30L to 30R and connecting the three selected symbol stop positions.

  The invalid line M selects the symbol stop position P12 for the left reel 30L, selects the symbol stop position P22 for the middle reel 30C, selects the symbol stop position P32 for the right reel 30R, and combines these. An invalid line M is formed by connecting these three symbol stop positions P12, P22, and P32.

  In FIG. 3, only one invalid line M is shown, but as described above, the invalid line may be any combination of one symbol stop position selected for each of the three reels 30L to 30R. For example, the symbol stop position P13 may be selected for the left reel 30L, the symbol stop position P22 may be selected for the middle reel 30C, the symbol stop position P33 may be selected for the right reel 30R, and these may be combined to form an invalid line. Alternatively, the symbol stop position P11 may be selected for the left reel 30L, the symbol stop position P23 may be selected for the middle reel 30C, the symbol stop position P33 may be selected for the right reel 30R, and these may be combined to form an invalid line.

  In particular, it is preferable that a winning line that is generally recognized among players as an active line of a slot machine is an invalid line M. In this way, the player tries to grasp the game result as an effective line in spite of being a disabled line M according to daily habits, so there is a possibility that the player can be mistaken.

<Image display device 34>
An image display device 34 is provided on the upper portion of the front door 40. An effect image is displayed on the image display device 34. The effect image is an image that is displayed as the game progresses, and is mainly an image that includes various types of information related to the game.

  There are two types of effect images displayed on the image display device 34: one that displays various types of information in the form of characters, and the other that displays in the form of drawings other than characters. The information displayed in the character mode is mainly used for allowing the player to visually recognize various information directly. In this case, a symbol that visually represents a word as a means for transmitting human intention and emotion, such as a numerical value, alphabet, hiragana, katakana, and kanji, is used as the character. Further, the information displayed in the graphic form is mainly used for indirectly making the player visually recognize various kinds of information. In this case, an image of a character indicating a creature such as a person or an animal, a pseudo life form such as a robot, or an image indicating other machinery, a building, a landscape, or the like is included.

<Base part 20>
The base body portion 20 shown in FIG. 2 is assembled with wood or the like, and is formed in a box shape with an open front surface. A power supply unit 22 for supplying power to various devices mounted on the slot machine 10 and a medal payout device 24 including a hopper for storing medals are provided in the lower portion inside the base body portion 20. A support plate 26 is provided above the power supply unit 22 and the medal payout device 24. The support plate 26 supports a reel unit 28 that rotatably accommodates the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. Furthermore, a main control board 32 that controls the game played in the slot machine 10 as a whole is provided in the upper part inside the base body 20.

<Main control board 32>
The main control board 32 is a control board for controlling the start and stop of the rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R and for controlling the entire game such as the progress of the game performed in the slot machine 10. The main control board 32 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) for performing arithmetic operations, a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) that stores a game program, and a RAM (Temporarily storing each data). Random access memory) (not shown). For example, the ROM stores a program for executing a program shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to be described later. The RAM also stores variable values used in this program. These CPU, ROM, and RAM are electrically connected by an input / output bus so that data signals and address signals can be input / output.

  The main control board 32 is electrically connected to the bet switches 62, 64 and 66 described above. When the player operates the bet switches 62, 64 and 66, a bet instruction signal is issued from each of the bet switches 62, 64 and 66 to the main control board 32.

  Further, the main control board 32 is electrically connected to the above-described start switch 42 and the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c. When the player operates the start switch 42 or the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c, an operation signal is issued from the start switch 42 or the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c to the main control board 32. When a signal is issued from the start switch 42 to the main control board 32, the main control board 32 controls the rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R. When a signal is issued to the main control board 32 from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c, the main control board 32 stops the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch among the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R. Take control.

<Sub control board 52>
As shown in FIG. 2, the sub control board 52 is disposed on the upper part of the back surface of the front door 40. The sub-control board 52 is a board that mainly controls effects during the game. For example, control is performed such that an effect image is displayed on the image display device 34, a sound effect or music is emitted from the speaker 36, and the lamp 38 is turned on or blinked. The sub-control board 52 includes a CPU (not shown) that performs calculations, a ROM (not shown) that stores effect programs and effect data, and a RAM (not shown) that temporarily stores each data. Including. The RAM stores variable values used in the effect program. These CPU, ROM, and RAM are electrically connected by an input / output bus so that data signals and address signals can be input / output.

  The sub control board 52 is electrically connected to the main control board 32 by a harness (not shown). The main control board 32 transmits commands, information, and the like to the sub control board 52. The above-described main control board 32 controls the entire game in an integrated manner, while the sub control board 52 belongs to the lower level of the main control board 32 and is based on commands, information, etc. sent from the main control board 32. To control the entire production.

<Games in the slot machine 10>
A game in the slot machine 10 is a game in which a game result is determined by a combination of symbols determined by stop positions of the plurality of stopped reels 30L, 30C, or 30R. The player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c so that the combination of symbols to be stopped on the active line becomes a combination of symbols constituting a predetermined role, and turns the reels 30L, 30C or 30R. Stop. The combination is determined by a lottery process of the combination lottery means 120 described later. As will be described later, the lottery process determines winning or losing, and winning means that at least one type of combination is determined from a plurality of types of combinations.

In addition, a game performed in the slot machine 10 is performed each time the player operates the start switch 42, and a game that can be repeated as a single process from the start of rotation to the stop of rotation of the plurality of reels 30L, 30C, or 30R. It is. This single-stroke game is called a unit game.
The types of the above-mentioned combinations include, for example, special combinations, small combinations, and replay combinations. The special role is a role that can shift from a normal game to a special game (a game advantageous to the player). The special combination includes a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as BB combination) and a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as RB combination).

  The above-mentioned BB combination is a combination to shift to a BB game which is one of special games. This BB game is a game that can be transferred to a privilege game a plurality of times. This privilege game is a game that performs a game in which a predetermined role is won with high probability, and is a game that can give a player a privilege that increases the possibility that the player will acquire more medals. In this BB game, the privilege game can be repeated until a predetermined end condition is satisfied, for example, until the number of medals to be paid out exceeds a predetermined number.

  In addition, the RB combination is a combination to shift to the RB game that is one of the special games. This RB game is a game in which a game corresponding to a privilege game during the BB game is played, that is, a game in which a predetermined role is won with a high probability is performed a predetermined number of times under a certain condition.

  Further, the small combination is a combination for paying out a predetermined number of medals. A small role has a plurality of types of roles, and the name of the role is often used by using the types of symbols attached to the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R. For example, the types of symbols include “watermelon”, “bell”, “cherry” and the like. For this reason, a small role in which the pattern “watermelon” is aligned on the effective line is referred to as a watermelon role, and a small role in which the pattern “bell” is aligned on the effective line is referred to as a bell role. Further, when the symbol “cherry” of the left reel 30L is stopped and displayed on the active line, it is assumed that a winning is made regardless of the types of symbols of the middle reel 30C and the right reel 30R. This role is called the cherry role.

  Furthermore, the re-game role is a role that allows a re-game (hereinafter referred to as “replay” or “RP”) that maintains the number of bets (the number of bets) in the currently played game.

<< Functions of Slot Machine 10 >>
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of main control functions in the slot machine 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 10 mainly includes an operation unit 500, a main control unit 100, and a symbol display unit 400.

<Operating means 500>
The operation means 500 is operated by the player, and issues a signal indicating that the operation has been performed to the main control means 100 described later based on the player's operation. The operation means 500 preferably includes a start switch 42 and stop switches 44a to 44c. When the start switch 42 is operated by the player, the start switch 42 issues a signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated to the main control means 100 described later. Further, when each of the stop switches 44a to 44c is operated by the player, the stop switch 44a to 44c issues a signal indicating that it has been operated to the main control means 100 described later.

  As described above, a single process game that is performed after a plurality of reels 30L, 30C, or 30R is rotated and then stopped is referred to as a unit game. The signals issued from the start switch 42 to the main control means 100 start the rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R, thereby determining the start timing of the unit game. A signal issued from the start switch 42 to the main control means 100 is referred to as a start signal.

  In addition, the corresponding reels among the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped by a signal issued from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c to the main control means 100, and a trigger for ending the unit game is determined. A signal issued from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c to the main control means 100 is referred to as an end signal. Accordingly, the unit game is started based on the start signal being issued, and the unit game is ended based on the end signal being issued.

<Selection means 600>
Similarly to the operation means 500, the selection means 600 is operated by the player, and issues a signal indicating that the operation has been performed based on the player's operation to the control means 100 described later. Based on a signal issued from the operation means 500 to the control means 100, it is determined which one of the plurality of pay lines L1 to L4 is to be activated.

  The selection means 600 may be anything that is operated by the player. The selection means 600 is preferably composed of the 1-bet switch 62, the 2-bet switch 64, and the maximum bet switch 66 described above.

  The number of medals to be bet on the game is determined by a signal issued from the 1-bet switch 62, 2-bet switch 64 or maximum bet switch 66 to the main control means 100. For example, one medal is targeted for a game bet by a signal issued from the 1 bet switch 62 to the main control unit 100, and two medals are received by a signal issued from the 2 bet switch 64 to the main control unit 100. Are bets for gaming, and three medals are targeted for gaming bets by a signal issued from the maximum bet switch 66 to the main control means 100.

<Main control means 100 (game control means)>
In addition to the operation means 500 described above, the symbol display means 400 is electrically connected to the main control means 100. The main control means 100 controls the entire game such as the progress of the game and issues a control signal to the symbol display means 400. The main control means 100 preferably comprises the main control board 32 described above.

  As described above, the operation means 500 is electrically connected to the main control means 100. An end signal is issued to the main control means 100 from each of the stop switches 44 a to 44 c of the operation means 500. By detecting the order and timing of the end signals generated from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c, the main control means 100 can obtain a plurality of types of operation modes of the three stop switches 44a to 44c.

  The main control means 100 is composed of a combination lottery means 120, a reel drive control means 130, a symbol detection means 150, and a winning determination means 160.

<Role lottery means 120 (lottery means)>
The role lottery means 120 performs a lottery of a predetermined role. As described above, the combination includes a special combination, a small combination, and a replay combination.

  The special role is a role that shifts from the normal game to the special game. A special game is a game that has a higher possibility of acquiring more medals than the number of medals that can be acquired in a normal game, and is a game that is advantageous to the player. In general, the special combination includes a BB combination (Big Bonus) and an RB combination (Regular Bonus). These BB combination or RB combination is a combination to shift to BB game or RB game, which is one of special games.

  The small combination is a combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out. As described above, there are a plurality of types of small roles such as a watermelon role, a bell role, and a cherry role. When a small combination is drawn by lottery processing, one type of small combination is determined. The number of medals to be paid out is preset in accordance with the type of the small role.

  Furthermore, the re-game player can play the current game while maintaining the number of medals inserted in the previous game (the number of bets), that is, a player who can play the game again. is there.

  The role lottery means 120 includes, for example, a random number generation means 122, a random number extraction means 124, and a random number determination means 126. The random number generation means 122 generates a random number for a lottery (such as a hardware random number). The random number extraction unit 124 extracts the random number generated by the random number generation unit 122. The random number determination means 126 determines the presence / absence of a winning combination and the winning combination based on the random number value extracted by the random number extracting means 124. The role lottery means 120 constitutes “lottery means”, and “lottery processing” is performed.

  The “lottery process” is a lottery process for determining whether a game is won or missed. Specifically, it is executed in step S13 of FIG.

<Random number generator 122>
The random number generator 122 continuously generates random numbers in a predetermined positive integer range (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) at predetermined timings.

<Random number extraction means 124>
The random number extraction unit 124 extracts the random number generated by the random number generation unit 122 at a predetermined timing. For example, in the present embodiment, random numbers are extracted when the start switch 42 is operated by the player.

<Random number judging means 126>
The random number judging unit 126 collates the random number value extracted by the random number extracting unit 124 with a probability table stored in a judgment collation data storage unit (not shown), thereby corresponding to the region to which the random number value belongs. To decide.

  There are a plurality of types of probability tables, for example, a normal game probability table (not shown) and a replay high probability game probability table (not shown). The process of selecting this probability table is performed before the lottery process in step S13 of FIG.

  It is assumed that “winning” is selected by the role lottery means 120 when the above-mentioned role lottery means 120 wins the BB role, the RB role, the bell role, the watermelon role, the cherry role, or the replaying role. Further, it is assumed that when the lottery process results in a winning that is not the above-mentioned winning combination, “losing” is selected by the winning lottery means 120.

<Reel drive control means 130>
The reel drive control means 130 performs rotation control and stop control of the three reels 30L to 30R based on the start signal issued from the start switch 42 and the end signal issued from the stop switches 44a to 44c. . The reel drive control unit 130 includes a reel rotation control unit 132 and a reel stop control unit 134. The reel drive control means 130 constitutes “reel drive control means”.

<Reel rotation control means 132>
The reel rotation control means 132 issues a rotation control signal to the motors 86a, 86b and 86c when it detects a start signal issued from the operation means 500, preferably the start switch 42 described above. As will be described later, the motor 86a drives the left reel 30L, the motor 86b drives the middle reel 30C, and the motor 86c drives the right reel 30R. When the reel rotation control means 132 detects the start signal, it issues a rotation control signal to these three motors 86a, 86b and 86c. With the rotation control signal, the three reels 30L to 30R start to rotate. This process is executed in step S14 of a subroutine shown in FIG.

<Reel stop control means 134>
The reel stop control means 134 issues a stop control signal to the motor 86a, 86b or 86c when it detects an end signal issued from the operation means 500 described above, preferably from the stop switches 44a to 44c. As described above, the left reel 30L corresponds to the stop switch 44a, the middle reel 30C corresponds to the stop switch 44b, and the right reel 30R corresponds to the stop switch 44c. That is, when an end signal is issued from the stop switch 44a, the reel stop control means 134 issues a stop control signal to the motor 86a that drives the left reel 30L to stop the left reel 30L. When an end signal is issued from the stop switch 44b, a stop control signal is issued to the motor 86b that drives the middle reel 30C to stop the middle reel 30C. Further, when an end signal is issued from the stop switch 44c, a stop control signal is issued to the motor 86c that drives the right reel 30R to stop the right reel 30R. These processes are executed in step S16 of a subroutine shown in FIG.

  The reel stop control means 134 is configured such that when the above-described random number determination means 126 refers to a game probability table (not shown) based on the random number value and the winning combination is determined, the winning combination is won. Then, stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R is performed.

  When a predetermined combination is won by the above-mentioned combination lottery means 120, in order to make it easy to match the combination of symbols corresponding to the combination on the active line, any combination is won. If not, the reel stop control means 134 performs stop control of the three reels 30L to 30R so that combinations of symbols corresponding to any of the combinations are not aligned on the effective line. That is, when the player operates the stop switches 44a to 44c, the reels 30L to 30R are not controlled immediately and the reels 30L to 30R are actually stopped after the stop switches 44a to 44c are operated. In the meantime, the reels 30L to 30R are controlled to rotate by a predetermined number of symbols. Performing reel stop control so that the symbol arrangement corresponding to the winning combination is aligned on the active line is called “pull-in control”, and the symbol arrangement corresponding to any of the combinations is not aligned on the effective line. The reel stop control is referred to as “kicking control”.

<Design detecting means 150>
The symbol detection means 150 detects a symbol that reaches or can reach a certain rotation reference position based on the end signal issued from the operation means 500. That is, in response to the player operating the operation unit 500, the reel drive control unit 130 starts stop control of the left reel 30L, the middle reel 30C, or the right reel 30R. The symbol detection means 150 detects a symbol that may stop at a certain rotation reference position when controlling the reels 30L to 30R by detecting the symbol located at the certain rotation reference position described above. That is, it is possible to detect a symbol that has reached or can reach a certain rotation reference position.

  Even if the reel 30L, 30C or 30R is stopped immediately, even if it is immediately braked, it takes a predetermined time to stop. May not be able to stop at the rotation reference position. That is, even in the case of “a symbol reaching a certain rotation reference position”, the reel may not be stopped so that the symbol is located at a certain rotation reference position. In such a case, the reel stop control means 134 described above controls stop of the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R so that “a symbol that can reach a certain rotation reference position” is located at a certain rotation reference position.

  Here, detecting a symbol specifically means obtaining a symbol number of a stop control table (not shown) stored in advance. The stop control table stores a symbol number and stop information for symbols attached to each of the three reels of the left reel 30L, the middle reel 30C, and the right reel 30R. The symbol number is a numerical value indicating the position of the symbol arrangement on the reel, and is a numerical value indicating the position from the reel reference position along the circumferential direction of the reel, with a certain position on the reel as the reel reference position. The stop information is information used to stop the reels 30L to 30R, and the reels 30L to 30L are positioned so as to be positioned at a fixed reference position in the reel rotation direction, for example, on the winning line L1. This is information used to stop-control 30R.

  In addition, the symbol detection means 150 detects the type of symbols stopped on the active line for the reels that have already stopped. The symbol “stopped” on this active line means that, in principle, the effective line is located at the approximate center of the symbol, but when the reel stops, the correspondence between the active line and the symbol is played. If the person can be recognized, the positional relationship is not limited to this.

  As will be described later, the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c generate signals corresponding to the angles at which the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotated. The symbol number can be obtained based on this signal. Furthermore, the symbol detection means 150 stores a symbol correspondence table (not shown) that defines the correspondence between symbol numbers and symbol types corresponding to symbol numbers. By obtaining a symbol number based on the signals generated from the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c and searching the symbol correspondence table, the type of symbol corresponding to the symbol number can be obtained.

  The symbol detection by the symbol detection means 150 is executed when the reel stop control process in step S16 in FIG. 5 is performed.

<Winning determination means 160>
The winning determination unit 160 determines whether or not a winning combination has been won according to the display mode of the symbols when the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped.

  In the winning determination means 160, the arrangement of symbols stopped and displayed on the active line is a target for determining whether or not a winning combination has been won. On the other hand, the arrangement of symbols stopped and displayed on the invalid line is not a target for determining whether or not a winning combination has been won.

  Therefore, even if the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to the winning combinations drawn by the winning lottery means 120 is arranged on the invalid line, it is not determined whether or not a prize has been won, and as a result, they are arranged on the invalid line. There will be no winnings in the design arrangement.

<Design display means 400>
The symbol display means 400 includes reels 30L, 30C and 30R. On each of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R, a predetermined number, for example, 21 symbols are arranged along the rotation direction of the reel.

  The reel 30L includes a motor 86a for rotating the reel 30L and a rotation angle sensor 83a for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30L. The reel 30C includes a motor 86b for rotationally driving the reel 30C and a rotation angle sensor 83b for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30C. The reel 30R includes a motor 86c for rotationally driving the reel 30R and a rotation angle sensor 83c for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30R.

  The rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c emit signals corresponding to the angles at which the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotated. When the reels 30L to 30R are at a predetermined rotational position in the rotation direction, the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c generate signals corresponding to the angles rotated from the origin. For example, the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are divided into one rotation, that is, 360 degrees, equally divided into 400 steps. In this case, the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c emit signals indicating steps from 0 to 399 according to the angles at which the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotated. Specifically, when the reels 30L to 30R are located at the origin, a signal indicating the 0th step is issued, and when the reels 30L to 30R are at a rotational position rotated by 90 degrees from the origin, a signal indicating the 99th step. To emit. In this way, it is possible to obtain how much the reels 30L to 30R are rotated from the origin based on the signals generated from the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c. The above description is for conceptually explaining the signals emitted from the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c. In the slot machine 10, the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83r are used to obtain the positions of the reels 30L to 30R. Instead of detecting a signal emitted from 83c, detection is performed in order to obtain a symbol number or a symbol type or to specify a predetermined symbol position, as will be described later.

  As described above, the symbol detection means 150 stores a symbol correspondence table (not shown) that defines the correspondence between symbol numbers and symbol types corresponding to symbol numbers. Here, for example, when 21 symbols are attached to one reel along the circumferential direction, the symbol number is set to a reel reference position with a certain position on the reels 30L to 30R as a reel reference position. The arranged symbol is the symbol in frame 0. The first frame design, the second frame design,... In this order along the circumferential direction with reference to this origin, and the last 21st design as the 20th frame design. The symbol correspondence table stored in the symbol detection means 150 stores the correspondence between this symbol number and the symbol type corresponding to this symbol number. For example, for the left reel 30L, the symbol correspondence table shows that the 0th frame is the symbol “Plum”, the 8th frame is the symbol “Replay”, and the 16th frame is the symbol “Blue cherry”. Remember.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to search the symbol correspondence table based on signals emitted from the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c and acquire the symbol type. For example, the symbol number of the reel 30L at the position of the winning line L1 is obtained based on the signal generated from the rotation angle sensor 83a, and the type of the symbol positioned at the position of the winning line L1 can be obtained from the symbol number. . By doing in this way, regardless of whether the reels 30L to 30R are rotating or stopped, the types of symbols positioned on the effective lines L1 to L4 and the effective lines L1 to L4 It is possible to identify the types of symbols that can be stopped.

<< Control processing >>
Below, the control performed in the main control means 100 (main control board 32) mentioned above is demonstrated. 5 and 6 are subroutines for executing control processing in the main control means 100. FIG.

  In the following, the slot machine 10 is started in advance, and in the main control unit 100 described above, after starting processing such as initialization of various variables used for control, the slot machine 10 operates normally. It shall be. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 show only one example for executing the control process in the main control unit 100, and the process procedure is not limited to this.

<Control in main control means 100>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control in the main control means 100.

  Based on the signal generated by the player operating the 1-bet switch 62, 2-bet switch 64 or maximum bet switch 66 described above, the number of inserted sheets is determined (step S11). This inserted number indicates the number of medals targeted for betting for one game, and is not only the number of medals targeted for betting after being temporarily accumulated as the number of credits described above, It also includes the number of medals that have been inserted through the medal insertion slot 46 and are directly bet.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the start switch 42 has been operated by the player (step S12). When it is determined that the start switch 42 is not operated, the process of step S12 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the start switch 42 has been operated, the lottery process is executed by the role lottery means 120 (step S13).

  Next, rotation control of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R is started (step S14).

  Next, it is determined whether any of the three stop switches 44a to 44c has been operated by the player (step S15). When it is determined that any of the three stop switches 44a to 44c is not operated, this determination process is repeated. When it is determined that any of the three stop switches 44a to 44c has been operated, a subroutine shown in FIG. 6 to be described later is called, and one of the reels 30L to 30R corresponding to the operated stop switch is selected. Stop control is performed (step S16).

  Next, it is determined whether or not all of the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped (step S17). When it is determined that all the reels 30L to 30R are not stopped, the process returns to step S15 described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that all the reels 30L to 30R are stopped, it is determined whether or not the combination of symbols corresponding to any combination has stopped on the active line, that is, whether or not any combination has been won. Judgment is made (step S18). When it is determined that a winning combination is won, a process corresponding to the winning combination is executed (step S19). For example, when winning a small role or the like, the payout process of the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is performed, and when winning a replay, the same number of medals inserted in the game is automatically inserted. .

  When it is determined in step S18 that no winning combination has been won, or when the process of step S19 is executed, this subroutine is terminated.

<Reel stop control process>
FIG. 6 is a subroutine for reel stop control processing that is called and executed in step S16 of FIG. 5 described above.

  First, the rotation angle position of the reel corresponding to the stop switch operated by the player among the stop switches 44a to 44c is detected (step S21). As described above, the left reel 30L corresponds to the left stop switch 44a, the middle reel 30C corresponds to the center stop switch 44b, and the right reel 30R corresponds to the right stop switch 44c. The left reel 30L corresponds to the rotation angle sensor 83a, the middle reel 30C corresponds to the rotation angle sensor 83b, and the right reel 30R corresponds to the rotation angle sensor 83c. Therefore, in the process of step S21 described above, when the left stop switch 44a is operated by the player, the rotation angle position of the left reel 30L is detected based on the signal emitted from the rotation angle sensor 83a, and the center stop switch When the rotation angle sensor 44b is operated, the rotation angle position of the middle reel 30C is detected based on a signal emitted from the rotation angle sensor 83b. When the right stop switch 44c is operated, the rotation angle sensor 83c is operated. Then, the rotational angle position of the right reel 30R is detected.

  It is determined whether or not the stop switch operation by the player is the first stop operation in the unit game being performed this time (step S22). In the present embodiment, there are three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R with symbols, so that the stop operation by the stop switches 44a to 44c is the third stop operation from the first stop operation. Until the operation.

  In the process of step S22, when it is determined that the operation of the stop switch 44a by the player is not the first stop operation in the unit game currently being performed, that is, the second or third stop operation, the player has already stopped. The type of the symbol that is stopped and displayed on the active line for the reel being played is acquired (step S23). Symbol arrangement data that defines the correspondence between the rotation angle position and the symbol type is stored in advance in symbol arrangement storage means (not shown) of the main control means 100. In the process of step S23, the rotation angle position of the reel is obtained from the signal issued from the rotation angle detection sensor of the already stopped reel, and the symbol stored in the symbol array storage means from the value of the rotation angle position. The sequence data is searched to obtain the type of symbol that is stopped and displayed on the active line.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S22 described above that it is the first stop operation in the game currently being performed, or when the process of step S23 is executed, the combination corresponding to the winning symbol of the adjacently arranged symbols is used. It is determined whether or not it is won (step S24).

  The adjacent arrangement symbol means a symbol arranged on the reel so that the winning symbol and the decorative symbol are adjacent to each of the left reel 30L, the middle reel 30C, and the right reel 30R. The winning symbol means a symbol constituting an arrangement of symbols corresponding to the winning combination that can be selected by the winning lottery means 120. For example, when the symbol arrangement of “bell”-“bell”-“replay” corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, the symbol “bell” or the symbol “replay” is the winning symbol. Also, the decorative symbol is a symbol array that does not correspond to the symbol drawn by the symbol lottery means 120, and allows the player to recognize that a winning combination has been won by the symbol sequence arranged on the active line. The symbol which comprises the arrangement | sequence of the symbol to obtain. The winning symbol and the decorative symbol will be described in detail later.

  The determination process of step S24 described above is a process of determining whether or not the result of the lottery process by the combination lottery means 120 is won for the combination corresponding to the winning symbol constituting the adjacent arrangement symbol.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S24 that the winning combination corresponding to the winning symbol constituting the adjacently placed symbol is won, the winning symbol is positioned on the active line, and the decorative symbol is positioned on the invalid line. Then, it is determined whether or not the reel can be stopped (step S25).

  When it is determined that the reel can be stopped so that the winning symbol is positioned on the active line and the decorative symbol is positioned on the invalid line, the reel is controlled to be stopped by pull-in control (step S26). This subroutine is finished. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reel cannot be stopped so that the winning symbol is positioned on the active line and the decorative symbol is positioned on the invalid line, the reel stop control is performed by the kicking control (step S27) This subroutine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the winning combination corresponding to the winning symbol of the adjacently arranged symbols is not won in the determination process in step S24 described above, the lottery result of the winning lottery means 120 and the reels when the stop switch is operated are displayed. Based on the rotational position, reel stop control is performed by either pull-in control or kick-off control (step S28), and this subroutine is terminated.

  The processing in this step S28 is performed when a combination other than the combination corresponding to the winning symbol constituting the adjacently arranged symbol is won by the lottery processing of the winning symbol lottery means 120, and the reel when the stop switch is operated When the symbol corresponding to the combination can be positioned on the effective line according to the rotation position of the symbol, the pull-in control is performed. When the symbol corresponding to the combination cannot be positioned on the effective line, the kicking control is performed. . Further, when no winning combination is won by the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120, that is, when the winning combination is missed, the kicking control is performed so that the symbol arrangement corresponding to the winning combination is not aligned with the active line.

<Specific example>
FIG. 7 shows a specific example in which nine symbols are positioned at nine symbol stop positions P11 to P33 when the reel stop control subroutine of FIG. 6 is executed and the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped. An example is shown. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the winning line is a line when L1 is validated to be a valid line, and the invalid line M is a middle straight line extending in the horizontal direction as in FIG. 3.

  In FIG. 7, each of the nine symbols is shown by a rectangle, and the contents of each symbol are shown with a name inside the rectangle. Further, nine symbol stop positions P11 to P33 are shown on each symbol.

  In FIG. 7A, when all three reels 30L to 30R are stopped, an arrangement of symbols “bell”-“bell”-“replay” is arranged on the effective line L1, and an invalid line M is arranged on the invalid line M. , "7"-"7"-"7" shows a state where the arrangement of symbols is arranged. That is, “bell” is positioned at the symbol stop position P11 of the effective line L1, “bell” is positioned at the symbol stop position P21, and “replay” is positioned at the symbol stop position P31. Further, “7” is positioned at the symbol stop position P12 of the invalid line M, “7” is positioned at the symbol stop position P22, and “7” is positioned at the symbol stop position P32.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the symbol arrangement “bell”-“bell”-“replay” corresponds to a predetermined role, and the symbol arrangements “7”-“7”-“7” It does not correspond to any combination, and is one of the out-of-order symbol arrangements. In addition, a symbol that does not win in both the effective lines L2 and L4 is located in the symbol stop position P13, a symbol that does not win in the effective line L2 is located in the symbol stop position P23, and a symbol that is not in the symbol stop position P33 Assume that a symbol that does not win a prize is located on both lines L2 and L3.

  When the symbol stopped at the symbol stop position is viewed along the reel, “7” is positioned at the symbol stop position P12 and “bell” is positioned at the symbol stop position P11 for the reel 30L. The symbol “7” at the symbol stop position P12 is the decorative symbol described above, and the symbol “bell” at the symbol stop position P11 is the above-described winning symbol. For this reel 30L, the symbol “7” at the symbol stop position P12 and the symbol “Bell” at the symbol stop position P11 constitute an adjacently arranged symbol.

  Similarly, for the reel 30C, “7” is positioned at the symbol stop position P22, and “Bell” is positioned at the symbol stop position P21. The symbol “7” at the symbol stop position P22 is the decorative symbol described above, and the symbol “bell” at the symbol stop position P21 is the above-described winning symbol. For this reel 30C, the symbol “7” at the symbol stop position P22 and the symbol “Bell” at the symbol stop position P21 constitute an adjacently arranged symbol.

  Further, for the reel 30R, “7” is positioned at the symbol stop position P32 and “Replay” is positioned at the symbol stop position P31. The symbol “7” at the symbol stop position P32 is the decorative symbol described above, and the symbol “replay” at the symbol stop position P31 is the above-described winning symbol. For this reel 30R, an adjacently arranged symbol is constituted by the symbol “7” at the symbol stop position P32 and the symbol “Replay” at the symbol stop position P31.

  Since the arrangement of the symbols “BELL”-“BELL”-“REPLAY” corresponding to the predetermined combination is arranged on the effective line L1, the combination is won. On the other hand, in the invalid line M, an array of symbols “7”-“7”-“7” not corresponding to the combination is arranged. As described above, the invalid line M is not a target for determining whether or not a prize has been won.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the symbol arrays “7”-“7”-“7” are symbol arrays that do not correspond to any combination. However, in a general slot machine, the symbol arrangement “7”-“7”-“7” is widely recognized by players as a symbol arrangement corresponding to the role of so-called big bonus. Further, it is widely recognized by players that the middle straight line extending in the horizontal direction as the invalid line M in the present embodiment can be made an effective line in a general slot machine.

  For this reason, when the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped, the player is likely to first see a symbol positioned on the invalid line M that can be conventionally activated. In addition, there is a high possibility of visually recognizing that the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the invalid line M is a symbol arrangement of “7”-“7”-“7” corresponding to the conventional big bonus combination. . On the other hand, on the active line L1, there is an array of symbols “BELL”-“BELL”-“REPLAY” corresponding to a predetermined combination. Actually, the gaming state changes by winning the predetermined combination. To do. However, the player may have an illusion that the gaming state has changed due to the arrangement of symbols “7”-“7”-“7” on the invalid line M.

  As described above, on the effective line L1, the symbol array “BELL”-“BELL”-“REPLAY” corresponding to a predetermined combination is arranged, and a predetermined combination is won. Due to the winning, in the game to be performed thereafter, the game state changes according to the predetermined combination. At this time, the player who was paying attention to the arrangement of the symbols “7”-“7”-“7” arranged in the invalid line M by performing an operation different from that in the case of winning the conventional big bonus combination. Can give surprises, surprises and questions.

  In particular, the arrangement of symbols arranged on the effective line L1 is preferably an arrangement in which at least one symbol is different from other symbols, such as “bell”-“bell”-“replay”. By using such an arrangement of symbols, it is difficult for the player to think that the player has won a certain role, and the player can be surprised or surprised. Furthermore, it is preferable that such a symbol arrangement corresponds to a special role such as a BB role or an RB role. It is possible to make it seem as if the bonus game was suddenly started in the game after such an arrangement of symbols is arranged on the active line, and the player can be further surprised and surprised.

  FIG. 7B shows a state where the symbols “Cherry”-“ANY”-“ANY” are arranged on the invalid line M when all the three reels 30L-30R are stopped. Here, “ANY” means that any symbol may be used. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the symbol arrangement “cherry”-“ANY”-“ANY” corresponds to a predetermined combination.

  In the symbol stop position P11, a symbol that does not win in both the effective lines L1 and L3 is located. In the symbol stop position P21, a symbol that does not win in the effective line L1 is located, and in the symbol stop position P33. Assume that a symbol that does not win a prize is located on both the active lines L1 and L4. Furthermore, symbols that do not win in both the effective lines L2 and L4 are located in the symbol stop position P13, symbols that do not win in the effective line L2 are located in the symbol stop position P23, and symbols in the symbol stop position P33 Assume that a symbol that does not win a prize is located on both the active lines L2 and L3.

  As described above, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7B, the invalid line M has an array of symbols “cherry”-“ANY”-“ANY”. The symbol arrangement of “cherry”-“ANY”-“ANY” is an arrangement of symbols corresponding to a predetermined combination, but since the symbols are arranged on the invalid line M, what is the target of determining whether or not a prize has been won? Don't be. Moreover, the arrangement | sequence of the symbol corresponding to a role is not located in any of the effective lines L1-L4. As described above, even if the symbol arrangement corresponding to some combination is arranged on the invalid line M, the symbol arrangement corresponding to the combination is not arranged in any of the effective lines L1 to L4.

In the example described above, attention is paid to L1 among the effective lines L1 to L4, and the case where the straight line extending in the horizontal direction immediately above the effective line L1 is set as the invalid line M is shown. In this case, it is necessary to arrange these symbols on the reels 30L to 30R so that the winning symbol is positioned one frame below the decorative symbol. On the other hand, for example, when paying attention to the effective line L2, when arranging an arrangement of symbols corresponding to some role on the effective line L2, and arranging an ornamental symbol on the invalid line M, one frame below the winning symbol It is necessary to arrange these symbols on the reels 30L to 30R so that the decorative symbols are located on the side. Furthermore, when the effective line L2 is set as an invalid line, and an arrangement of symbols corresponding to some role is arranged on the effective line L1, and a decorative symbol is arranged on the invalid line M, two frames below the decorative symbol. It is necessary to arrange these symbols on the reels 30L to 30R so that the winning symbols are positioned in the reels 30L-30R.
As described above, the decorative symbols and the winning symbols may be arranged on the reels 30L to 30R in accordance with how to set the effective line and the invalid line.

2 is a front view showing a front surface of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 shows an internal structure of the slot machine 10. 4 is a front view showing four winning lines L1 to L4 and an invalid line M of the reel display window 50. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of main control functions in the slot machine 10. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control in main control means 100. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the control process of a reel stop called and performed by step S16 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the symbol located in a symbol display position, when the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R stop.

Explanation of symbols

10 slot machine 30L, 30C, 30R reel 42 start switch 44a, 44b, 44c stop switch 100 main control means 120 role lottery means 122 random number generation means 124 random number extraction means 126 random number determination means 130 reel drive control means 132 reel rotation control means 134 Reel stop control means 160 Winning judgment means 400 Symbol display means

Claims (4)

It is a slot machine in which the progress of a slot game is determined by the manner in which symbols are displayed when a plurality of rotatable reels each having a plurality of symbols attached thereto are stopped based on the player's operation. And
Game control means for selecting one type of game among a plurality of types of games including a general game and a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the general game, and performing this as the slot game;
A role lottery means for performing a lottery of a type of a role based on the type of game selected by the game control means;
When the plurality of reels are stopped, a symbol display means is formed with a symbol display area for stopping and displaying a plurality of symbols of symbols attached to each of the plurality of reels.
Reel control means for controlling the rotation or stop of the plurality of reels according to the player's operation;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not a winning combination has been won according to the display mode of the symbols when a plurality of reels are stopped, and
The symbol display area has a plurality of symbol stop positions, and when the plurality of reels are stopped, one of the plurality of symbols is positioned at each of the plurality of symbol stop positions,
In the symbol display area, a predetermined number of symbol stop positions among the plurality of symbol stop positions are arranged so as to correspond to each of the plurality of reels, and
At least one active line and at least one invalid line are configured by a combination of a predetermined number of symbol stop positions among the plurality of symbol stop positions, and the valid line and the invalid line are The symbol stop position is selected one by one for each of the plurality of reels, and a set of these symbol stop positions is configured as a combination of the predetermined number of symbol stop positions,
In the winning determination means, the arrangement of symbols stopped and displayed on the active line is a target for determining a winning combination as a display mode of the symbols, and the symbols of the symbols stopped and displayed on the invalid line are displayed. Arrangement is not subject to the determination of winning a role,
When the plurality of reels are stopped by the reel control means and the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the effective line becomes the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to the winning combination lottery by the combination lottery unit, the invalidity An array of symbols arranged on a line is an array of ornamental symbols that does not correspond to the combination that is selected by the combination lottery means, and the decorative pattern that allows the player to recognize that the winning combination has been won The slot machine is characterized in that the plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the plurality of reels so as to be arranged as follows.   When the reel is stopped by the reel control means and the arrangement of the symbols arranged on the invalid line becomes the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to the winning combination lottery by the combination lottery means, The plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the plurality of reels so that the arrangement of symbols arranged in a row becomes an arrangement of symbols that does not correspond to a combination that can be drawn by the combination lottery means. Item 1. The slot machine according to Item 1.   2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein all of the plurality of reels are stopped by the reel control means, and at least one of the symbols arranged on the effective line is different from the other symbols.   4. The slot machine according to claim 3, wherein a combination corresponding to an arrangement of symbols arranged on the active line is a combination for shifting to the special game.

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