JP2007050047A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely notify an acquisition procedure of a minor role optimal for a player, remove the burden such as peeling work when changing the game specifications or recycling and notify latest information by promptly responding to a change when progressing a game. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine notifies a player by deriving an optimal winning pattern (a type of the minor role and its frequency) in a CT game by a simulation and displaying it on an LCD 313, updates or re-derives the notification content with the progress of the game and, even if the player cannot win the target minor role as being indicated, notifies the optimal winning pattern under the present situation to stop the decrease in the net number of increased media to the minimum. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that uses medals, coins and the like as gaming media.

  Conventionally, in gaming machines, particularly pachislot machines, a predetermined number of medals are inserted and a start lever is operated to execute a lottery, and a plurality of rows (usually three rows) in which a plurality of symbols are displayed on the circumferential surface. The symbol variation reel (symbol row display means) is rotated.

  The symbol variable reels that have started to rotate by the start lever can be basically stopped at the time that the player intends by operating the corresponding stop buttons.

  Here, when the start lever is operated, the internal lottery is executed and the winning / losing is determined, and the player performs the stop operation of each symbol variable reel by the stop button and wins the internal lottery. The rights will be exercised when the symbols corresponding to the winning are available.

  The winning combination includes a small combination, a large combination, and a replay (replay), and a pre-set game medium payout is executed when the small combination is elected. Further, at the time of replay, it is considered that a payout equivalent to the game medium inserted for the game is made, and the right to replay is given without newly inserting a game medium.

  On the other hand, exercising the right of winning a major role is called a so-called bonus game (there is a regular bonus and a big bonus) from the normal gaming state after a predetermined game medium payout is executed for the role. , Transition to a predetermined number of special gaming states.

  Note that, when the player performs a stop operation using the stop button, slip control for a predetermined number of frames is executed according to the result of the internal lottery.

  In other words, when the stop button is operated at the stop timing of the symbol that stops only in the case of winning when the internal lottery is off, the stop operation is performed in order to avoid intentionally stopping at this symbol for the stop operation timing. The position is shifted (kicked off), and control is performed so as to stop at the off symbol arrangement.

  Here, when the internal lottery is won, even if the winning symbol does not stop at the stop operation timing operated by the player, if the winning symbol is within the predetermined number of symbols (currently a maximum of 4 frames slips), this hit is intentionally made. Control (shift) of shifting the stop position so that the symbols stop together.

  By kicking and pulling in, you can have consistency with the lottery results, and even if the timing of the stop operation is slightly shifted, you can align the winning symbols, allowing players to miss It is preventing in the range.

  By the way, as described above, winning / losing is determined by internal lottery, and when a predetermined condition is established in addition to a game specification in which winning symbols corresponding to the winning are aligned only in the case of winning (winning), this internal Some have special game specifications that allow a player to win a small role (symbol) aimed by a player regardless of the lottery (see Patent Document 1). Such a special game specification may be referred to as “two kinds of reams” or “chance time (CT)”, and is hereinafter simply referred to as “CT game”.

  The CT game is not limited in the number of games, and the total number of payouts may be limited. For this reason, if a small role with a large number of payouts is simply won, there is a case where the CT game has to be terminated when the fraction remains.

  More specifically, if the total number of payouts is 268 and the largest payout number of small roles is 15 (hereinafter referred to as “15 small roles”), more than 253 medals have been paid out. At the time, the CT game is determined to end. For this reason, if 15 small payouts are continuously awarded, 15 games × 17 games = 255, and the 13 medals that are the fraction cannot be removed.

  On the other hand, since there is no limit to the number of games, it is only necessary to continue to win small roles with a small number of payouts and reduce the fraction, but in this case, the number of inserted medals required to run the game will increase, resulting in As a result, the so-called net increase is reduced.

Considering this, when considering the best way of winning a small role for a player, suppose that the small number of 5 payouts (hereinafter referred to as “ If there are 5 small accolades), the 15 small accolades are won 16 times, the 5 small accolades are won twice, and 250 medal is obtained in 18 times. Is awarded once, the total payout number is 265 and the net increase is 208, and the most medals can be obtained in the CT game.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-134081

  However, as long as the above calculation result is always uniquely determined, the payout number of small roles may differ depending on the gaming machine, and the player is forced to perform troublesome calculation each time. Become. It is also possible to affix stickers or printed materials indicating the above calculation results to the surface of the gaming machine, but even in the present situation, a large amount of information related to gaming specifications is written and the player is notified more reliably. It is difficult to secure a space for this, and it is difficult to change the game specifications at the time of recycling.

  Furthermore, as the game progresses, if the type or number of small roles to be awarded changes, the stickers and printed materials must be searched for notations that meet some conditions from the list. Poor and unusable.

  In consideration of the above-mentioned facts, the present invention can surely notify the player of the optimal procedure for acquiring a small combination, and can eliminate troublesome work such as game specification change and stripping work during recycling. Furthermore, it is an object to obtain a gaming machine capable of notifying the latest information promptly in response to a change when the game is progressing.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a lottery for performing a lottery of a role on condition that a start instruction unit operable by a player, and that the start instruction unit is operated and a game medium necessary for one game is consumed. , A lottery result management unit for storing lottery results of the lottery unit, a combination symbol determination unit for storing a plurality of the combinations and a symbol arrangement corresponding to the combination, and the start instruction unit A symbol display unit for starting a variable display of a plurality of symbol sequences, a plurality of stop instruction buttons respectively corresponding to the plurality of symbol sequences, and the symbol sequence within a predetermined time after the stop instruction button is operated. Stop position adjustment control means for stopping display, and when the symbol array stopped and displayed on the symbol display portion shows a symbol array determined by the symbol design determining portion, it is a winning, the number corresponding to the winning combination Paying out game media A non-winning game machine that controls the execution of a normal gaming state in which a winning combination that is not won in the lottery is not referred to by referring to the lottery result management unit when the stop position adjustment control means operates A normal game execution means, and a winning combination is possible regardless of the result of the lottery, and the stop time of at least one symbol row is a challenge time gaming state in which the predetermined time is smaller than the normal gaming state. Challenge time game execution means for controlling execution, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied in the normal game state, the operation of the normal game execution means is stopped and the challenge time game execution means is operated, and the challenge time game state When the total number of payouts in the gaming state exceeds a predetermined specified value, the challenge time game execution means is stopped and the A game state control unit for executing the regular game execution means, and a derivation means for deriving the optimal number of winnings of each combination such that the net increase in the number of game media obtained by the player during the challenge time gaming state is maximized; A derivation instructing unit for instructing to execute the derivation unit at a predetermined time; and a notifying unit capable of notifying a derivation result of the derivation unit, the derivation unit after the time when the derivation unit is executed In the challenge gaming state, the optimal number of winnings of each of the winning combinations is derived, and the notification means notifies the derivation result by a symbol image corresponding to the winning combination and a change of the symbol image. It is said.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the unit payout in which the fraction with respect to the maximum payout total number is the smallest based on the maximum payout total number and the plurality of types of unit payouts under the special game executed when the predetermined condition is satisfied. The maximum acquisition information for displaying the combination of numbers is calculated (calculation means) and notified, but this maximum acquisition information may change as the game progresses.

  For this reason, the derivation instructing unit instructs to execute the derivation unit for the period after the predetermined period.

  In response to this derivation instruction, the derivation means performs derivation for the period and the subsequent period, and notifies by a symbol image to be awarded and a change in the symbol image. As a result, the player can obtain the latest information visually at any time through vision.

  The invention according to claim 2 displays the number of symbol images corresponding to the number of winnings derived from the change of the symbol image derived by the deriving means in the invention according to claim 1, and the symbol image The symbol image is erased every time a winning combination corresponding to is received.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, based on the derivation result of the initial derivation means, the symbol images for the number of times to be won are displayed, and the winning combination corresponding to the symbol image corresponding to the progress of the game is displayed. Erase every time. As a result, the player visually recognizes that the symbol image has disappeared visually, so that the player can recognize more quickly than the display of numbers or the like.

  The invention according to claim 3 displays a symbol image of a size corresponding to the number of winnings derived from the change of the symbol image derived by the deriving means in the invention according to claim 1, and the symbol image The symbol image is reduced in size every time a winning combination corresponding to is received.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, a symbol image having a size proportional to the number of times to be won is displayed based on the calculation result of the initial calculation means, and corresponds to the symbol image corresponding to the progress of the game. The size will be reduced for each winning combination. As a result, the player visually recognizes that the symbol image has disappeared visually, so that the player can recognize more quickly than the display of numbers or the like.

  As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to surely notify the player of the optimal procedure for acquiring a small combination, and it is possible to eliminate troublesome work such as game specification change and stripping work when recycling, Furthermore, it has the outstanding effect that the latest information can be alert | reported rapidly corresponding to the change in case a game is progressing.

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

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

  The decoration unit 304 has a display panel unit 312 on which a printed picture or character is transmitted and illuminated by turning on a backlight unit (not shown). In addition, as a part of the decoration part 304, a three-dimensional decoration lamp 304A is also provided in the left-right direction above the decoration part 304. In addition, speakers 305R and 305L are provided in the vicinity of the decorative lamp 304 for reproducing production sound and the like.

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

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

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

  The operation unit 306 has an upper portion protruding forward, a medal insertion unit 320 is provided at the right end of the upper surface of the protruding portion, and is pressed down from the left end of the upper surface when paying out credits in order. A settlement button 103, a single bet (insertion) button 352A, and a MAX bet (maximum input) button 352B. Further, a start lever 354, stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, and the like are provided in this order from the front left end of the protruding portion.

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

  The three reels 350 </ b> A, 350 </ b> B, and 350 </ b> C are rotated so that symbols can be seen sequentially from the display window 314. The direction of rotation appears to move from top to bottom in FIG.

  Here, among the symbols that can be seen from the display window 314 when the rotation is stopped, a line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the middle row, a line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the upper row, and a line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the lower row The combination of the symbols stopped on the five active lines of the two lines respectively connecting the centers of the symbols arranged on the two diagonal lines indicates the result of the game.

  Of the five lines, which line is the effective line is determined by the number of medals inserted, and when one medal is bet, the line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the middle row is the effective line. If three medals are bet, all lines are valid lines.

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

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

  Further, the operation timing by the start lever 354 is an internal lottery timing which will be described later, and the winning (winning) / off is determined by the operation of the start lever 354.

  Of the lines, a line aligned in a horizontal line in the upper row is used as a reference line for stop control (including slip control) to be described later. That is, stop control is performed based on the positional relationship between the reference line and the center line of the symbol located on the reference line.

  The reels 350A, 350B, and 350C do not stop between symbols, and are always controlled to stop at the symbol pitch.

  More specifically, if there is a stop operation when the center line of the first symbol on the reference line exceeds the reference line, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C cannot be reversed. The control for stopping the second symbol (less than the maximum symbol pitch) is a so-called bitter stop criterion immediately after the second symbol until the center line of the next second symbol coincides with the reference line.

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

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

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

  Further, a random number generator 120 and a random number latch circuit 122 are connected to the main control circuit 110. The main control circuit 110 controls the random number generator 120 in synchronization with the clock pulse input through the frequency divider 126 to sequentially generate random numbers, and the random number latch circuit 122 generates the random number. Latch and get the random number.

  In the pachislot machine 300, an internal lottery is performed by the main control unit 100 to determine whether a major role or a small role is won at the operation timing of the start lever 354. In the main control circuit 110, the start lever 354 is operated. Then, the random number value generated by the random number generator 120 is acquired by the random number latch circuit 122 (random number). Then, a lottery result is derived according to the random number.

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

  Here, there are small roles and big roles as roles. Of these, the major players have a challenge time (hereinafter referred to as “CT” as appropriate), a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB” as appropriate) and a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB” as appropriate). The degree of advantage for the player is different. A game corresponding to RB (hereinafter referred to as “RB game” as appropriate) is composed of a plurality of small role games, and a game corresponding to BB (hereinafter referred to as “BB game” as appropriate) It is configured to include an RB game that can be won a plurality of times within a range where the number of acquired medals does not exceed the upper limit. Therefore, as a matter of course, the RB game is more advantageous to the player than the small role game, and the BB game is more advantageous to the player than the RB game. A game corresponding to CT (hereinafter referred to as “CT game” as appropriate) is described later.

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

  Further, the main control unit 100 is connected to a reel position detection circuit 134 for detecting the rotational positions of the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. The positions of 350A, 350B, and 350C can be always grasped.

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

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

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

  In addition, when the internal lottery is won, even if the winning symbol does not stop at the timing of the stop operation operated by the player, if the winning symbol is within the predetermined time or the predetermined number of symbols, the winning symbol is intentionally placed on the active line. The stop position is shifted (retracted) so as to stop together.

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

  Here, in the slip control including kicking and pulling in as described above, the amount of slip (the number of sliding symbols) varies depending on the result of the internal lottery.

  The reels that have already stopped (generally, when the middle reel 350B is stopped, the left reel 350A is in a stopped state, and when the right reel 350C is stopped, the left reel 350A and the middle reel 350B are in a stopped state. ) Also varies depending on the state of the symbol arrangement (upper, middle, lower).

  Therefore, in the main control circuit, the stop operation timing by the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C (specification of the symbols to be bittered to the reference line) and the slip for each of the internal lottery results and the determined symbol rows A slip control table in which the number of frames is associated is stored, the corresponding slip control table is read based on the result of the internal lottery and the determined symbol sequence, and slip control is executed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Further, a speaker drive circuit 154 is connected to the sub-control unit 150, and controls the sound (sound effect) output from the speakers 305L and 305R.

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

  In particular, the LCD 313 may execute a notice effect related to the game in accordance with the result of the role lottery executed when the start lever 354 is operated. You can have a sense of expectation for winning in the game role drawing.

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

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

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

  The table selection unit 182 stores a role / symbol table (see FIG. 4) in which information indicating a role / symbol corresponding to a numerical value that can be acquired by the lottery unit 180 is stored for each gaming state of the pachislot machine 300. . The gaming state of the pachislot machine 300 includes, for example, normal game, during BB internal selection, during RB internal selection, normal game during BB operation, during RB internal selection during BB operation, RB game, during CT, etc. .

  In the table selection unit 182, information indicating the current gaming state (in general gaming, during RT game, in which the major role flag is established, in the major role (BB, RB, CT, etc.) is obtained from the gaming state control unit 186, and for each gaming state described above. A role / symbol table for which a role / symbol is to be determined is selected from the role / symbol table provided in.

  Based on the role / symbol table selected by the table selection unit 182, the winning role / symbol determination unit 184 displays the winning role (small role (including replay), major role (RB, BB, CT)) and the winning symbol. The determined winning combination and winning symbol are input to the gaming state control unit 186.

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

  The game program memory 188 stores data indicating a normal game program and data indicating a major game program. For example, in the normal game state, the normal game program data is read from the game program memory 188. In the case of the big game state, the big game program data is read according to the internal winning state of BB and RB and the respective game states of BB and RB, and processing is executed based on each program data. Also, the CT game may be processed by the big game, or a CT game program for controlling the CT game may be stored in the game program memory 188 separately from the big game.

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

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

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

  Based on the symbol arrangement of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C that have been stopped, the gaming state control unit 186 confirms whether or not a winning combination has been won. If the winning combination is a small winning combination, a predetermined payout is made and a winning combination is made. If the role is replay, replay control is executed. If the role is a big role, the game execution control unit 186A reads the big role game program from the game program memory 188. If the role is a CT game role, the CT game specification program is read. Executed.

  In addition, the regular bonus game program and the big bonus game program are separately stored in the major player program, and are selectively read based on the elected major player.

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

  On the other hand, in the big bonus program, a regular bonus game can be executed as a right exercise until the total number of payouts in the big bonus reaches a preset upper limit number, and the number acquired in the big bonus game reaches a preset upper limit number Then, even if the regular bonus game is being executed, the big bonus game ends. In the present embodiment, the winning probability of the small role in the big bonus game is almost the same as that in the normal game.

  In the CT game, at least one predetermined reel control, slip control (assistance in the stop control of the reels 350A, 350B, 350C) is completely prohibited, or control in which the assist in the stop control is more strictly limited than in the normal game In this state, one or more reels for which stop control is executed faithfully with respect to the timing when the player operates the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C are generated. Also, even if the start lever 354 is operated, the lottery is not executed, or even if the lottery is made, the gaming state control unit 160 ignores the determination result of the role / design (in other words, during the CT game) All the small roles flags are established), and it becomes possible to arrange the small role symbols purely by the player's operation technique. In the above embodiment, only the small role can be established without winning, but it is of course possible that the combination including not only the small role but also all the roles including the major role can be achieved without winning the role.

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

  Each flag is established by winning by internal lottery. Generally, the state of the small role flag disappears in one game (flag is not established) (invalidity of winning), but the state of the flag of the major role is then changed to each reel. 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped and the main character symbols are displayed in a predetermined arrangement on the display window 314, and are maintained until winning the main character (winning carry-over).

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

  Here, the above-described LCD 313 provides various information related to the game in addition to the function of displaying the notice effect related to the game in accordance with the result of the lottery executed when the start lever 354 is operated. ) Function.

  As one of the information related to the game, in the present embodiment, in the CT game, depending on the progress state of the game, the type and the number of small roles that maximize the net increase in the number of medals that can be obtained by winning a game in the CT game are determined. So that they can be notified appropriately.

  This is derived in advance by the types of small roles that can be won during the CT game, the number of payouts for each small role, and the prescribed number as the end condition of the CT game, and the winning pattern that is most advantageous to the player is searched. The notification is made based on the search result (see Table 1).

  For example, the number of payouts for the small role A is 15 (maximum value of the number of payouts for the small role in the present embodiment), the number of payouts for the small role B is 5, the maximum payout number is 268, and one game When the number of inserted games is 3, the CT game ends when the specified number of 268-15 sheets = 253 sheets is exceeded. What is necessary is just to acquire small part A (15 sheets) as a part.

  Therefore, in this case, since the start of the CT game, the small role A (15 pieces) is won 16 times (15 pieces × 16 = 240 pieces), and the small role B (5 pieces) is won twice (240 pieces + (5 pieces). (2 sheets × 2) = 250, and finally, a small combination A (15 sheets) is won.

  As a result, a total of 265 (250 + 15) is obtained, and when the number of inserted games (3 × 19 = 57) for the number of games is subtracted, the so-called net increase is 208.

  On the other hand, if you continue to win the small role A, it will exceed 253 in 17 times (15 x 17 = 255), and the net increase will be 255-(3 x 17) = 204, From the player's point of view, there is a loss of 4 cards.

  As described above, since the net increase differs depending on how the small role is awarded, as described above, the types of small roles that can be won in advance during the CT game, the number of payouts for each small role, By displaying (notifying) on the LCD 313 the number of winnings for each small role that maximizes the net increase in the number of medals obtained by the player during the CT game based on the number of winnings for each small role determined by the prescribed number of medals. It becomes possible to eliminate the disadvantage of the player.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the types of small roles determined based on Table 1 and the respective winning numbers are updated and notified of the remaining number of times according to the progress of the game under the CT game, that is, the winning status of the notified small role. It has a function to do.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram functionally showing the control in the sub-control unit 150 for notifying the types of small roles to be won and the number of winning times of each.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, from the main control unit 100 to the sub control unit 150, game execution information (starting lever operation information) as an A signal, medal payout number information as a B signal, and game state information (as a C signal) Here, stop position information (stop symbol information) is output as a D signal.

  In the present embodiment, the C signal is set to the CT game state when the symbol array in which the CT game is won is stopped and displayed on the symbol changing unit 316.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the C signal is input to the notification process activation determination unit 200, where it is determined whether or not the CT process is in progress. Then, an activation signal is output to the simulation execution unit 202. The notification process activation determination unit 200 may output the activation signal to the simulation execution unit 202 only once for each CT game, or may output the activation signal any number of times.

  A parameter memory 204 is connected to the simulation execution unit 202. The parameter memory 204 stores in advance information based on the game specifications (type of small role, number of payouts of each small role, prescribed number, number of medals used in the game), and is read out when the simulation is executed. It is supposed to be. In the parameter memory 204, the B signal is won and the number and total number of medals paid out are updated and stored. The game specifications are the relationship between the types of small roles and the number of payouts. In Tables 1 to 3, the payout numbers of the two types of small roles (A and B) are 15 and 5 respectively. It is a game specification.

  In addition, the simulation execution unit 202 creates a winning pattern table during the CT game as shown in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3.

  The winning pattern table is a list in which combinations of the number of winnings of each small role are associated with the total number of payouts by the combination. This winning pattern table is created so that the total number of payouts by the combination of the number of winnings does not exceed the remaining total number of payouts (that is, the specified number-the total number of payouts in the CT game) until reaching the specified number. Therefore, from the winning pattern table, the small winning combination pattern having the maximum total payout number and the minimum number of games is searched for by the combination of the winning numbers, and the winning number of the small role having the largest payout number in the winning pattern as the search result is searched. Is the number of wins for each small role that maximizes the net increase in the number of medals that the player obtains during the CT game after the simulation execution time.

  Note that if the number of medals used by a player is calculated in consideration of the number of medals used for one game, the net number of medals obtained by the player during the CT game after the simulation execution time is also calculated. Alternatively, the number of winnings of each small role that maximizes the net increase in the number of medals obtained by the player during the CT game after the simulation execution time may be searched.

  A winning pattern simulation method performed by the simulation execution unit 202 will be described below.

  First, increase the number of winnings for a small role by one. The priority of a small role that increases the number of winnings by one is higher for a small role with a smaller number of payouts. Here, in the case of “total number of payouts by combination of the number of winnings> (specified number−total number of payouts currently in the CT game)”, the number of winnings is increased by 1 compared to the small role that is trying to increase the number of winnings this time. The number of wins for a small role with one lower priority is incremented by 1, and the number of wins for all small roles with a smaller number of payouts than the small role whose number of winnings is increased by 1 is set to 0. Then, a determination is made again of “total payout number by combination of winning times> (specified number−current total payout number during CT game)” and the same processing is performed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the total payout number based on the combination of the number of winnings is within a predetermined range. This determination is made based on the total number of payouts based on the combination of the number of winnings ≦ (specified number of sheets—total number of payouts currently in the CT game). The largest payout number in the combination} <total payout number by combination of winning prizes ≦ (predetermined number−total payout number currently in the CT game) may be determined. If a positive determination is made, the number of winnings for each small role is stored.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the winning combination of only the small part with the largest number of payouts exceeds the specified number of sheets-the total number of payouts currently in the CT game. If a negative determination is made, the process returns to the beginning, and an affirmative determination is made. The creation of the winning pattern table for each small role ends.

  Accordingly, the parameters necessary for deriving the number of winnings of each small role that maximizes the net increase in the number of medals obtained by the player during the CT game after the creation of the winning pattern table and the simulation execution time are as follows: Are the specified number, the number of payouts of each small role, and the total number of payouts currently in the CT game. Also, if the CT game won this time has not been performed at the time of creating the winning pattern table, the current total number of payouts during the CT game is 0. It can be either with or without.

  Also, if the number of medals used for one game is taken into consideration in the creation of the winning pattern table, the number of winnings is calculated by calculating the total number of payouts by the combination of the number of winnings-(number of games x number of medals used for one game). It is possible to obtain a net increase in the number of combinations.

  The simulation result by the simulation execution unit 202 is sent to the winning small role type / count selection unit 206.

  In the winning small role type / number selection unit 206, the type of the small role that should be won and the number of times that the winning combination should be won are selected from the simulation result in the simulation execution unit 202.

  The selected small combination information (type / number of times) is sent to the notification information image creation unit 208. The notification information image creation unit 208 creates a notification information image as shown in FIG. 6 based on the selected small combination information and displays it on the LCD 313 via the display driver 210. Further, the small combination information includes the net increase number, and the net increase number can be displayed on the LCD 313.

  On the other hand, the reel drive information acquired by the reel drive information acquisition unit 212 based on the D signal is sent to the winning combination analysis unit 214.

  The winning small combination analyzing unit 214 analyzes the current stop state (that is, the stopped symbol) of the reels 350A, 350B, 350C, and sends the result (winning determination) to the winning small combination / number selecting unit 206. .

  In the case of the winning small role type / number selection unit 206, when the previously notified small role type wins, the number is decremented and the information is sent to the notification information image creation unit 208. As a result, the player can recognize in real time how many more small winnings should be won.

  Here, if the result of the winning determination is that the notified number of winnings has been exceeded, the winning small role / number selecting unit 206 instructs the simulation executing unit 202 to execute the simulation again, and the result Get.

  By the above notification, for example, the player can recognize the following.

  (1) The table 1 is a simulation in the case where neither the small role A nor the small role B is acquired (the number of acquisitions is 0). As the game progresses, for example, the small role A is 9 times, When B becomes one, the number of each small part does not exceed the target number, so the number of payouts at that time is 140, the net increase is 110, and the maximum number of payouts in subsequent games is 110 + 86 + 12 = It is 208 (including a net increment obtained by subtracting 3 inserted games from 15 of the final game), indicating that the game is progressing smoothly (see Table 2).

  (2) The table 1 is a simulation in the case where neither the small role A nor the small role B is acquired (the number of acquisition is 0). As the game progresses, for example, the winning number of the small role A is 7 times. When the number of wins for small role B reaches 3, the number of wins for small role B exceeds the desired number, so the number of payouts at that time is 120 and the net increase is 90, and the remaining CT games If each small role is won by an optimal number of times so that the net increase is maximized, the maximum net increase in subsequent games will be 90 + 100 + 12 = 202 (a net increment obtained by subtracting 3 insertions from 15 in the final game) It was found that the loss could be minimized (see Table 3).

  FIGS. 6A to 6C are other examples of notification on the LCD 313. In FIG. 6A, the symbol image 220 of the small role A and the symbol image 222 of the small role B are displayed as initial images. . The initial image is a state in which neither the small role A nor the small role B has won a prize after entering the CT game, and the number of small roles A (16) based on the result of executing the simulation according to Table 1. The symbol images 220 and 222 corresponding to the number of small roles B (two) are displayed.

  6B shows a display form after winning the small combination A from the state of FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6C shows winning of the small combination B from the state of FIG. 6B. It is a display form after having performed. That is, each time a prize is won, the symbol images 220 and 222 corresponding to the winning combination are deleted, and a visual countdown is performed.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

  First, the flow of normal games will be described.

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

  When the start lever 354 is operated, an internal lottery is performed by the lottery unit 180 simultaneously with this operation, and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C start rotating under the control of the reel drive control unit 194.

  The result of the internal lottery is transmitted from the winning combination / symbol determination unit 184 to the gaming state control unit 186. The gaming state control unit 186 updates and stores the flag state of the flag memory 192 according to the result of the internal lottery via the flag management control unit 190.

  Thereafter, when the player operates the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, the stop operation stops the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. However, according to the flag stored in the flag memory 192, the slip control is taken into consideration. Then, stop control of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is executed so that the corresponding symbol is pulled into the predetermined position or kicked off from the predetermined position. That is, the reel drive control unit 194 selects the stop control table according to the state of the flag stored in the flag memory 192 and the gaming state by the gaming state control unit 186, and the flag is established. In this case, the winning symbol can be stopped by an accurate pressing timing. Further, a slight shift in the stop operation timing is corrected by slip control. On the other hand, when the flag is not established, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are caused to slip even if they are pushed, so that they do not stop at the winning symbol.

  Next, when all the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped, a winning determination is made as to whether or not a winning is made based on the stopped symbols. When winning, the winning combination is also determined.

  If it is determined by this determination that the major player has won a prize, the bonus game control of the big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB) or CT game is executed (exercise of rights) in accordance with the stop symbol, When it is determined, predetermined payout control preset for the small combination is executed.

  In the above determination, if it is determined that the CT game combination is won, the CT game is executed from the next game. The CT game is a player intervention game specification, and prohibits the above-described slip control of at least one reel or reduces the width of the slip control from the normal game state, thereby stopping the player's stop buttons 356A, 356B, In this game, the driving of the reels 350A350B and 350C is stopped faithfully to the stop operation of 356C, and the small role symbols are arranged. Therefore, even if the start lever 354 is operated, the lottery results of the small roles can be arranged in the small role symbols by the player's operation technique regardless of the slip control.

  Here, an LCD 313 is provided above the display window 314 for viewing the rotation and stop states of the reels 356A, 356B, and 356C. Usually, an image such as a notice of a lottery result is displayed. During the CT game, the type of the small role that can maximize the net increase of medals obtained by the player in the CT game and the number of winnings for each type are notified.

  That is, during the CT game, all (or most) small role flags are established, and slip control of at least one reel is canceled (prohibited), or the width of the slip control is less than in the normal gaming state. Depending on the player's operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, the target small combination can be won.

  In other words, until the specified number is exceeded, there will be a slight difference in the net increase depending on the player's operation.

  For this reason, the net increase is determined by the types of all small roles that can be won in advance during the CT game, the number of payouts for each small role, the prescribed number of medals for which the CT game ends, and the number of medals inserted into the game. The winning pattern (the pattern with the largest net increase) that is the most advantageous to the player is derived from among them, and notification according to the progress of the game is executed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for informing the stop operation sequence and stop operation timing (so-called eye pressing) during the CT game. This flowchart is executed during the CT game.

  In step 250, as an initial operation, an optimal winning pattern is searched, and then the process proceeds to step 252 where the LCD 313 is guided and notified based on the search result (see, for example, FIG. 6A).

  The notification in the present embodiment employs a so-called visual notification means to the player. That is, for example, if the number of small roles to be won is indicated by displaying a number, the player must visually confirm the number and understand the meaning of the number, and how many more winnings should be made Judge whether it is good.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the number of symbol images 220 and 222 corresponds to the number of remaining winnings, the player can determine how many more winnings should be made directly from the observed image itself, etc. Judgment can be made. Therefore, it is possible to grasp information without a sense of incongruity without hindering the progress of each player's game (so-called routine work or operation timing).

  In the next step 254, it is determined whether or not one game is completed (for example, all reels are stopped), and if an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 256.

  In step 256, it is determined whether or not the result as reported can be obtained. In other words, if the number of winnings for each small role displayed as a picture image is less than or equal to the winning number, an affirmative determination is made, and if the number is exceeded, a negative determination is made.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 256, the process proceeds to step 258, where the small role acquisition amount of the current game is subtracted (counted down) and updated (for example, FIG. 6B or FIG. 6C). )), And proceeds to step 264.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 256, the process proceeds to step 260, where the current optimum winning pattern is re-searched, and then the process proceeds to step 262 to notify the re-search result ”and the process proceeds to step 264. .

  In step 264, it is determined whether or not the CT game has ended. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 254 and the above steps are repeated.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 264, it is determined that the CT game has ended, and this routine ends.

  As described above, an optimal winning pattern (a type of small role and its number) in a CT game is derived by simulation and visually displayed (notified) on the LCD 313 using the symbol images 220 and 222 to be awarded. In addition, the symbol image 220 or 222 corresponding to each winning combination according to the progress of the game is deleted one by one.

  This visual display improves the speed of player recognition. In addition, by updating or re-deriving the notification content according to the progress of the game, even if the player cannot win the target small role as instructed, the current optimal winning pattern is notified. Therefore, the decrease in the number of net increase can be minimized.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the number of symbol images 220 and 222 corresponding to the type of the small role (symbol images 220 and 222) and the number of winnings is displayed on the LCD 313. However, the display form is not limited to this.

  FIGS. 8A to 8C are other examples of notification on the LCD 313. The symbol images 220 and 222 to be awarded are displayed in a size proportional to the number of times the prize is received, and the size is reduced each time the prize is won. . Therefore, the displayed symbol images 220 and 222 are gradually reduced in size and finally deleted, so that the staging effect can be further enhanced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the symbol image of the object indicated by the name of the notification subject small role is used, such as the bell symbol image if the notification subject small role is the bell, and the watermelon image if watermelon, the symbol image. The form is not limited to this. For example, in a general pachislot machine, each small role is associated with a specific color, so if the color of the bell symbol displayed on the symbol variation unit 316 is yellow, the bell displayed on the LCD 313 is displayed. As the symbol image for notification, a symbol image other than the bell mainly yellow may be used. Furthermore, as long as the player can associate the small role to be notified, a symbol image displayed in the symbol variation 316 or a symbol image that has no relation to the name of the small role may be used.

  In addition, the main body 302 is provided with a derivation instructing unit that can be operated by the player, such as a button, and the net increase in the number of game media obtained by the player during the CT game is maximized when the derivation instructing unit is operated. The derivation of the number of winnings of the small role can also be executed. In this configuration, when the derivation instruction unit is operated, a signal instructing execution may be output to the simulation execution unit 202. As software control, the operation of the derivation instructing unit is constantly monitored, and when there is an operation of the derivation instructing unit, the number of winnings of each small role that maximizes the net number of game media obtained by the player during the CT game The derivation of In addition, when an execution instruction is received while any of the symbol sequences is fluctuating, the simulation execution unit 202 preferably executes after waiting for all symbol sequences to stop, but does not wait for all symbol sequences to stop. In this case, either before the change of all the symbol sequences or after the stop of all the symbol sequences may be regarded as the execution time.

It is a perspective view of the pachi-slot machine concerning this embodiment. It is the schematic of the control system of the pachislot machine which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed functionally the control system for the normal game control in the main control part which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a winning area map classified for each gaming state according to the present embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the sub-control part for alerting | reporting control to LCD which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the display form on LCD which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the alerting | reporting control in CT game which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the modification of the display form on LCD.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Main control part 150 Sub control part 152 Liquid crystal control circuit 186 Game state control part 194 Reel drive control part 200 Notification process starting determination part 202 Simulation execution part 204 Parameter memory 206 Prize winning small role type / number selection part 208 Notification information image creation part 210 Display driver 212 Reel drive information acquisition unit 214 Prize winning small role analysis unit 300 Pachislot machine (game machine)
313 LCD
314 Display window 354 Start lever 350A, 350B, 350C Reel 356A, 356B, 356C Stop button

Claims (3)

A start instructing unit operable by a player, a lottery unit for performing a lottery of a combination on the condition that the start instructing unit is operated and a game medium necessary for one game is consumed, and a lottery result of the lottery unit A lottery result management unit for storing a plurality of symbol combinations, a symbol symbol determining unit for storing a symbol arrangement corresponding to the symbol combination, and a change display of a plurality of symbol sequences triggered by the operation of the start instruction unit A symbol display unit to start; a plurality of stop instruction buttons respectively corresponding to the plurality of symbol strings; and a stop position adjustment control means for stopping and displaying the symbol strings within a predetermined time after the stop instruction button is operated. If the symbol array stopped and displayed on the symbol display portion shows the symbol array determined by the symbol design determining portion, a winning is won and the number of game media corresponding to the winning symbol can be paid out. A game machine
Normal game execution means for controlling execution of a normal gaming state in which a winning combination in the lottery is not awarded by referring to the lottery result management unit when the stop position adjustment control means is activated;
A challenge time game in which a winning combination is possible regardless of the result of the lottery, and the execution of a challenge time gaming state in which the predetermined time is smaller than the normal gaming state for a stop display of at least one symbol row Execution means;
When the predetermined condition is established in the normal game state, the operation of the normal game execution means is stopped and the challenge time game execution means is operated, and the total payout number in the game state is predetermined in the challenge time game state. A gaming state control unit that stops the challenge time game execution means and executes the normal game execution means when the prescribed value is exceeded,
Deriving means for deriving the optimal number of winnings for each combination so that the net increase in game media obtained by the player during the challenge time gaming state is maximized;
Derivation instruction means for instructing to execute the derivation means at a predetermined time;
Informing means capable of informing the derivation result of the derivation means,
The derivation means derives the optimal number of winnings for each combination for the challenge game state after the time when the derivation means is executed,
The notifying means notifies the derivation result by a symbol image corresponding to the combination and a change in the symbol image.   The change in the symbol image is an operation of displaying a symbol image corresponding to the number of winning times derived by the deriving means, and deleting the symbol image for each winning combination corresponding to the symbol image. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   In the operation of displaying a symbol image having a size corresponding to the number of winnings derived by the deriving means as the change in the symbol image, and reducing the symbol image for each winning of a role corresponding to the symbol image. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is provided.

Images