JP2008245818A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend the variations of performances and to enable a player to fully feel the enjoyment of a game by effectively utilizing a space. <P>SOLUTION: A slot machine 1 includes: a plurality of reels; stepping motors 22a, 22b and 22c provided corresponding to the plurality of reels for respectively rotating the corresponding reels; a rotary drum device board 23; a main control board 16 for controlling the entire slot machine and supplying rotary drum control signals for driving the plurality of main reels to the rotary drum device board 23; and a sub control board 47 for executing control for the performance of a game and supplying rotary drum performance signals for driving the plurality of main reels to the rotary drum device board 23 in a prescribed case. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a medal gaming machine such as a slot machine, a pachinko gaming machine or a sparrow ball gaming machine, or a ball gaming machine such as an arrangement ball installed in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor.

  Some slot machines, which are one type of gaming machine, have the following configurations. That is, the slot machine has a plurality of first reels displaying a plurality of types of symbols arranged side by side, a first reel group for displaying the game result of the game by a combination of symbols when stopped, and a plurality of types of symbols. As many second reels as the number of the first reels are arranged side by side, and the second reel for performing the effect in the game by at least one of the combination of the rotation or the stop operation or the symbols at the time of the stop. There are provided a group, a start switch for starting each first reel, and a stop switch provided in the same number as the number of the first reels for stopping the rotation of the corresponding first reel.

  In this slot machine, the diameter of each first reel is smaller than the diameter of each second reel, and when viewed from the front side, a second reel group is disposed above the start switch and the stop switch. The first reel group is arranged on the side away from the two reel group with respect to the start switch and the stop switch.

  In addition, the slot machine includes a winning lottery means for drawing a winning combination when the start switch is operated, a first reel stop control means, and a second reel operation control means. The first reel stop control means controls to stop the first reel corresponding to the stop switch when the stop switch is operated based on the result of the winning lottery by the winning lottery means, and the winning lottery means If any of the winning combinations is won, the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination within the range of the maximum number of moving symbols until the first reel stops after the stop switch is operated becomes an active line. It is controlled to stop.

  On the other hand, the second reel stop control means starts each second reel in response to the start switch being operated, and corresponds to the second switch corresponding to the stop switch in response to the stop switch being operated. The reels are controlled to stop based on the result of lottery by the winning lottery means and the stopped state of the first reel by the first reel stop control means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-351026 A (Claim 1, FIG. 1)

In the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, an effect reel is provided in addition to the game reel. However, since all are reels, the type of effect is the same, There is a problem of lack of variation. Each of the game reel and the effect reel illuminates from behind the plurality of reels having a substantially cylindrical shape, the plurality of stepping motors for rotating them, and the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface of each reel. Multiple backlamps are needed. Therefore, the front door of the slot machine requires a lot of space for attaching these, and there is a problem that other rendering devices cannot be attached accordingly. As a result, various effects cannot be performed and the interest of the game cannot be improved.
The above inconveniences apply not only to slot machines but also to other gaming machines such as medal gaming machines other than slot machines, pachinko gaming machines, sparrow ball gaming machines, and ball ball gaming machines such as arrangement balls.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can solve the above-described problems.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gaming machine according to claim 1 is provided with a plurality of main reels and a plurality of main reels corresponding to the plurality of main reels and driving the corresponding main reels. And a first control means for controlling the entire gaming machine, supplying a first control signal for driving the plurality of main reels to the driving means, and controlling for the production of the game, In a predetermined case, the driving means has a second control means for supplying a second control signal for driving the plurality of main reels.

  The invention according to claim 2 relates to the gaming machine according to claim 1, and is provided corresponding to the plurality of main reels, and each of the plurality of main reels for instructing to stop rotation of the corresponding main reels. A stop button and a start lever for instructing start of simultaneous rotation of the plurality of main reels, wherein the plurality of main reels have a plurality of types of symbols drawn on each outer peripheral surface; The control means invalidates the operation of the start lever for a predetermined time in a predetermined condition as a result of operating all or a part of the plurality of stop buttons, and the second control means The second control signal is supplied to the driving means within time.

  According to the present invention, since different types of effect means can be provided in the space where the effect reel is provided, the effect variations are widened as compared with the conventional case. Further, for a player, in a predetermined case, a plurality of main reels provided for the original purpose of the game as to whether or not the symbols are aligned are used for the purpose of production. For this reason, a player's expectation increases, a production effect can be fully exhibited, and the interest of the game can be improved.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration of a slot machine 1 that is one of gaming machines according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of a front door 3 of the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. It is a rear view. 3 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the housing 2 of the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment can be opened and closed by a casing 2 whose overall shape is substantially rectangular, and a hinge mechanism 4 (see FIG. 2) so as to close the opening of the casing 2. And an attached front door 3.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a rotating device 12 is fixed on the upper surface of the shelf plate 11 that is installed between the side plate 2 a and the side plate 2 b, slightly closer to the lower end from the center in the housing 2. The spinning device 12 includes a left reel 21a, a middle reel 21b, and a right reel 21c. The left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c all have a substantially cylindrical shape, and are arranged side by side so that each of them can rotate and the rotation shafts are located on substantially the same straight line. On each outer peripheral surface of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c, a plurality of types of symbols are drawn at substantially equal intervals, one or several, depending on the winning combination. However, the symbol arrangement differs between the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c. These left reel 21a, middle reel 21b and right reel 21c correspond to the “main reel” in claims 1 and 2.

  Here, the winning combination will be described. In general, the winning combination includes a special combination, a specific combination, a small combination, and a replay. The special role is a role for shifting to a special game that is different from the normal game and is advantageous to the player. When a special combination is won in a lottery for a combination in a normal game, and the combination of symbols of the special combination is stopped on the active line, that is, on the condition that the special combination is won, a transition is made from the normal game to the special game. The special game is a game that has a larger expected medal number than the normal game and is advantageous to the player.

  The special game includes, for example, a BB (Big Bonus) game and an RB (Regular Bonus) game. In these special games, the upper limit number of games is determined in advance. Therefore, the player aims to obtain more medals by making the maximum number of winning games as much as possible by making maximum use of the upper limit number of special games.

  The specific combination (SB (single bonus)) is a combination for shifting to one special game. The small combination is a combination for paying out a predetermined number of medals to the player, and for example, a plurality of types are provided. Replay is a role that gives a player the right to replay while maintaining the number of medals inserted in the previous game.

  Stepping motors 22a, 22b, and 22c (see FIG. 4) are coupled to the rotation shafts of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c shown in FIG. The left reel 21a, middle reel 21b, and right reel 21c are driven and rotated by corresponding stepping motors 22a, 22b, and 22c, respectively. Back lamps (not shown) for illuminating a plurality of vertically continuous symbols from the back are fixed to the inner circumferences of the left reel 21a, middle reel 21b, and right reel 21c, respectively. Although not shown in FIG. 3, a rotating device substrate 23 (see FIG. 4) is fixed on the upper surface of the rotating device 12.

  A hopper device 13 is fixed below the rotating device 12 and substantially at the center of the upper surface of the bottom plate 2 c of the housing 2. The hopper device 13 stores a medal (not shown) inserted from a medal insertion port 31a (see FIG. 1) drilled in the console 3a of the front door 3, and pays out a medal at the time of a prize payout or the like. . An overflow tank 14 is fixed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 2c on the right side of the hopper device 13 in the drawing. The overflow tank 14 stores medals overflowing from the hopper device 13. On the other hand, a power supply device 15 is fixed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 2c on the left side of the hopper device 13 in the drawing.

  A main control board 16 is fixed to the back plate 2 d of the housing 2 above the rotating device 12. The main control board 16 controls each part of the slot machine 1. The main control board 16 is mainly configured by a microcomputer having a central processing unit (CPU) 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, an interface (I / F) circuit 64, and the like.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a console 3 a is formed integrally with the front door 3 so as to protrude toward the player side slightly from the front center of the front door 3 toward the lower end. The front door 3 is made of, for example, hard plastic. In the vicinity of the right end of the step 3aa of the console 3a in the figure, a medal insertion portion 31 is formed. In the approximate center of the medal insertion part 31, a medal insertion port 31a for a player to insert a medal is provided.

  On the other hand, a 1-bet button 32 and a Max-bet button 33 are fitted in two through holes (not shown) drilled at a predetermined distance in the vicinity of the left end of the step 3aa of the console 3a. The 1-bet button 32 and the max-bet button 33 are for instructing the number of medals to bet on one game of the slot machine 1. That is, when the player presses the 1-bet button 32, one medal is bet on the game from the medals stored internally. Similarly, when the player presses the max bet button 33, the maximum number (usually three) of medals is bet on the game from the medals stored internally.

  A settlement button 34 is fitted in a through hole (not shown) drilled near the left end of the console 3a. The checkout button 34 instructs to cancel and pay out medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 31a for use in the game, and allows the main control board 16 to settle and pay out medals stored internally. It is for instructing.

  Further, on the console 3a, a start lever 35 is fixed on the right side of the settlement button 34 in the drawing. The start lever 35 is for instructing the start of simultaneous rotation of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c constituting the above-described spinning device 12. The start lever 35 includes a swingable operating rod having an operation knob having a spherical shape at the tip. In a state where the start lever 35 is not operated by the player, the operating rod holds a posture perpendicular to the front of the console 3a (off state). When the player holds the operation knob and tilts the operation rod in either the up, down, left, or right direction, the start lever 35 is turned on. Thereafter, when the player releases his / her hand from the operating rod, the operating rod is returned to its original position by the biasing force of a built-in spring (not shown), and the start lever 35 is turned off again.

  Further, stop buttons 36a, 36b, and 36c are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the approximate front center of the console 3a. Stop buttons 36a, 36b and 36c correspond to the arrangement of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b and the right reel 21c, respectively, and the corresponding left reel 21a, middle reel 21b or right reel 21c respectively. For instructing to stop the rotation of each.

  On the other hand, a key hole 37 into which a key (not shown) for unlocking the front door 3 is inserted is formed near the right end of the console 3a in the drawing. When an administrator or the like of the slot machine 1 inserts a predetermined key into the key hole 37 and performs an unlocking operation, the front door 3 attached to the housing 2 is opened forward by the hinge mechanism 4 with the hinge mechanism 4 as an axis. be able to. On the other hand, when the administrator or the like of the slot machine 1 closes the front door 3 to the housing 2 side and presses the vicinity of the key hole 37 of the front door 3 to the housing 2 side, it is automatically locked.

  A middle panel unit 41 is attached above the console 3a. In the middle of the middle panel unit 41, a transparent display window 41a having a substantially rectangular shape is formed corresponding to the rotary drum device 12 fixedly provided in the middle of the housing 2. Therefore, the player can use the display window 41a to move the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 21a, 21b, and 21c from the display window 41a in a state where the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c that constitute the spinning device 12 are stopped. The design of 3 rows and 3 columns can be visually observed.

  Side lamps 42 a and 42 b are attached to the left and right of the middle panel unit 41. Further, an upper panel portion 43 is provided above the middle panel unit 41. The upper panel portion 43 is generally composed of an upper lamp 43a, sound emitting portions 43b and 43c, an image display portion 43d, and the like. The upper lamp 43 a is attached to the center of the upper end of the front door 3.

  The side lamps 42a and 42b and the upper lamp 43a each incorporate a high-intensity light emitting diode (LED) or the like. A sub-control board 47 (see FIGS. 2 and 4), which will be described later, turns on or blinks the side lamps 42a and 42b and the upper lamp 43a, respectively, in order to produce an effect appealing to the player's vision in the event of a reach or a big hit. .

  The sound emitting parts 43 b and 43 c are attached to the upper part of the middle panel unit 41 in the vicinity of the left and right ends 3 b and 3 c of the front door 3. The sound emitting units 43b and 43c incorporate speakers 43ba and 43ca (see FIG. 2), respectively. A sub control board 47 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4), which will be described later, emits sound effects and musical sounds selected according to the progress of the game in order to produce an effect appealing to the player's hearing during the game. And 43c.

  An image display unit 43d is provided between the sound emitting unit 43b and the sound emitting unit 43c. The image display unit 43d includes a display such as a liquid crystal panel or a plasma display panel (PDP), for example. Sub-control board 47 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4), which will be described later, provides an effect such as giving a story to the game or inducing an expectation by implying an internal winning result to the player. A moving image or a still image selected in accordance with the progress of the game is displayed on the image display unit 43d.

  On the other hand, a lower panel 44 is attached below the console 3a. On the lower panel 44, for example, a picture of an appearing character is drawn in order to make the player recognize the model type of the slot machine 1 or the like.

  Further, a tray unit 45 is formed integrally with the front door 3 below the lower panel 44, that is, at the lower end of the front door 3. A tray 45 a for storing medals is formed integrally with the front door 3 from the right end to the vicinity of the left end of the tray unit 45 in the drawing. Of the back plate 45b of the tray unit 45, sound emitting portions 45c and 45d are provided in the vicinity of the left and right ends of the tray 45a. The sound emitting units 45c and 45d incorporate speakers 45ca and 45da (see FIG. 2), respectively. A sub control board 47 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4), which will be described later, outputs sound effects and musical sounds selected according to the progress of the game in order to produce an effect appealing to the player's hearing during the game. And 45d.

  Further, at the center of the back plate 45b of the tray unit 45, a medal is discharged at the time of winning a prize, or a medal that has been dropped as inappropriate by a medal selector 50 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) described later is discharged. A medal payout port 45e is formed. The medal payout opening 45e has a substantially rectangular shape. Near the left end of the tray unit 45, an ashtray 46 is provided for smoking by the player.

  Next, the configuration of the rear side of the front door 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to the respective portions in FIG. A sub control board 47 is fixed near the upper end of the back surface of the front door 3, that is, on the back side of the image display unit 43d shown in FIG. The sub control board 47 mainly controls each part attached to the front door 3 with respect to the effect of the game. The sub-control board 47 is mainly configured by a microcomputer having a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, an interface (I / F) circuit 74, and the like. The ROM 72 stores in advance various effect patterns such as a normal effect content and a wait effect content, which will be described later. This ROM 72 can be referred to as effect pattern storage means.

  In the vicinity of both ends of the sub-control board 47, speakers 43ba and 43ca constituting the sound emission parts 43b and 43c, respectively, are attached. A reel illumination unit 48 constituting the middle panel unit 41 is attached below the sub control board 47 and above the display window 41a. The reel illumination unit 48 includes, for example, a cold cathode fluorescent tube or the like, and illuminates the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c. On the other hand, a central display board 49 constituting the middle panel unit 41 is attached below the display window 41a.

  A medal selector 50 is attached near the left end of the central display substrate 49 in the drawing, that is, on the back side of the medal insertion portion 31 shown in FIG. The medal selector 50 is a device that determines and distributes the suitability of medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 31. When the medal selector 50 determines that the inserted medal is appropriate, the medal selector 50 supplies a medal acceptance signal to the main control board 16 via the central display board 49. Each time the main control board 16 receives a medal acceptance signal, it adds credits and internally stores medals.

  A medal guide 51 is provided on the right side of the medal selector 50 in the drawing. The medal guide unit 51 guides an appropriate medal selected and detected by the medal selector 50 to the hopper device 13 fixed to the housing 2. A flow chute 52 is provided below the medal selector 50. The flow chute 52 guides dropped medals or foreign matters that are excluded as inappropriate by the medal selector 50 to the medal payout opening 45e formed in the back plate 45b of the tray unit 45 of the front door 3. Further, a medal payout passage 53 is provided integrally with the flow chute 52. The medal payout passage 53 comes into contact with a medal discharge port (not shown) of the hopper device 13 fixed to the housing 2 in a state where the front door 3 is locked, and the medal paid out from the hopper device 13 is received. Then, it guides to the medal payout exit 45e. A speaker 45ca constituting the above-described sound emitting unit 45c is attached to the medal payout passage 53 on the right side in the figure. On the other hand, in the vicinity of the lower left end of the rear surface of the front door 3 in the drawing, a speaker 45da that constitutes the above-described sound emitting portion 45d is attached.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the side lamps 42a and 42b and the upper lamp 43a are simply indicated as “lamps” for convenience. In the main control board 16, the CPU 61 reads out the system program and the slot machine game program stored in advance in the ROM 62, executes them using the RAM 63, etc., and executes the spinning device board 23, the sub control board 47, the central display The whole slot machine 1 is centrally controlled by supplying a control signal including a predetermined command to the board 49 and the power supply board 81 to perform distributed control. Further, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the main control board 16 supplies, for example, an “H” level switching signal to the multiplexer 24 described later, thereby supplying a circuit supplied from the sub control board 47. The supply of the trunk effect signal to the spinning device substrate 23 is permitted.

  The I / F circuit 64 controls timing when signals are transmitted / received between the main control board 16, the sub control board 47, the spinning device board 23, the central display board 49, and the power supply board 81. I do. However, between the main control board 16 and the sub control board 47, transmission of signals from the main control board 16 to the sub control board 47 is performed, but transmission of signals from the sub control board 47 to the main control board 16 is not performed. Not done.

  In the central display board 49, the 1-bet button 32, the max-bet button 33, the settlement button 34, the start lever 35, the stop buttons 36a, 36b and 36c, etc., which are attached to the console 3a of the front door 3, are respectively operated. It functions as a relay board that receives various signals generated thereby and transfers them to the main control board 16. In addition, the central display board 49 receives the medal acceptance signal output from the medal selector 50 and transfers it to the main control board 16, so that the number of medals inserted into the medal insertion unit 31, the insertion of foreign objects, and the like. Notify the occurrence of clogging.

  In the sub control board 47, the CPU 71 reads a program, data, and the like stored in advance in the ROM 72, and controls each part of the front door 3, particularly for the player. The ROM 72 stores in advance a program, data, and the like necessary for an effect during a game (such as a notification effect indicating the possibility of winning a role). The data stored in the ROM 72 in advance includes moving image data such as characters, characters and backgrounds displayed on the image display unit 43d, and still image data. On the other hand, the RAM 63 is used when the CPU 71 or the like performs various controls or creates an image, and temporarily stores data and the like. The data stored in the RAM 73 includes image data to be displayed based on the data read from the ROM 72.

  Thereby, the sub control board 47 drives the side lamps 42a and 42b, the upper lamp 43a, and the sound emitting parts 43b, 43c, 45c and 45d when the control signal related to the effect is supplied from the main control board 16. Then, by providing the image display unit 43d with moving image data or still image data related to the effect, an effect appealing to the player's vision and hearing is performed. In addition, the sub-control board 47 rotates the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c in order to produce an effect using the rotating device 12 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A rotation effect signal including (excitation) pulse data is supplied to a multiplexer 24 described later.

  The rotating device board 23 is supplied with a rotating drive from the main control board 16 via the multiplexer 24 in order to control the rotation, braking and stopping of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b and the right reel 21c. Four phases are supplied to the stepping motors 22a, 22b, and 22c based on the rotation control signal including (excitation) pulse data or the rotation effect signal including rotation drive (excitation) pulse data supplied from the sub-control board 47, respectively. The drive pulse signal is supplied, and a back lamp (not shown) is turned on, turned off, or blinked.

  For example, when the switching signal supplied from the main control board 16 is at the “L” level, the multiplexer 24 supplies the spinning device control signal supplied from the main control board 16 to the spinning device board 23, and the switching signal is In the case of the “H” level, the rotation effect signal supplied from the sub control board 47 is supplied to the rotation apparatus board 23. The multiplexer 24 is provided, for example, on the spinning device substrate 23.

  The power supply board 81 is formed with a power distribution circuit (not shown) that distributes various power supply voltages generated by the power supply apparatus 15 to the hopper device 13 and other parts, and is necessary for the operation of the slot machine 1 from this power distribution circuit. Supply the correct power. Further, when a control signal indicating that the medal payout should be paid out is supplied from the main control board 16, the power supply board 81 controls the hopper device 13 to pay out the medal.

  Next, an operation performed by the slot machine 1 having the above configuration will be described. This slot machine 1 enters a standby state when a prize is won in the previous game and the payout of medals is completed, or when a loss is confirmed in the previous game. In this state, when either the 1-bet button 32 or the max-bet button 33 is pressed by the player, a medal is bet on the game from the medal (credit) stored inside, and the game starts. In this case, the main control board 16 supplies an “L” level switching signal to the multiplexer 24. Accordingly, the multiplexer 24 supplies the spinning device control signal supplied from the main control board 16 to the spinning device board 23.

  When the main control board 16 detects the operation of the start lever 35 in the game start state, the main control board 16 starts to rotate the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c all at once. Simultaneously with this operation, for example, the main control board 16 obtains one random number after internally generating a random number, and based on the region to which the obtained random number in the role lottery table stored in the ROM 62 belongs, The presence / absence of a winning combination and the winning combination are determined.

  In the above-mentioned role lottery table, a special role winning area, an SB winning area, a small role winning area, a replay winning area, a non-winning (losing) area, etc. are set at a predetermined ratio with respect to the random numbers that can be acquired. ing. That is, in the combination lottery table, the relationship between the random number value and each combination is defined. Then, the combination of the area including the random number value acquired by the main control board 16 becomes the winning combination as a result of the combination lottery, and the main control board 16 stores the lottery result in the RAM 63 and A control signal related to the effect is transmitted to the sub-control board 47 together with information indicating the result, for example, information indicating which combination has been selected, information indicating what configuration combination selection table is used, and the like.

  When the sub-control board 47 receives the control lot-related table information used in the lottery of the game transmitted from the main control board 16, information on the winning combination, etc., and the control signal related to the presentation, the sub-control board 47 The medium production pattern (normal production content) is selected from the ROM 72. Thereby, the sub control board 47 drives the side lamps 42a and 42b, the upper lamp 43a, and the sound emitting units 43b, 43c, 45c, and 45d based on the selected effect pattern, and also displays the moving image related to the effect on the image display unit 43d. By supplying image data or still image data, an effect appealing to the visual and auditory sense of the player is performed. For example, the sub control board 47 turns on or blinks the side lamps 42a and 42b and the upper lamp 43a, displays a moving image or a still image on the image display unit 43d, or emits sound units 43b, 43c, and 45c. And sound effects and musical sounds are emitted from 45d.

  Next, when the player presses the stop buttons 36a, 36b and 36c in an arbitrary order, the main control board 16 sequentially responds to the corresponding left reel 21a, middle reel 21b or right reel 21c. Stop. Thus, the player can make each of the reels 21a, 21b and 21c from the display window 41a of the middle panel unit 41 constituting the front door 3 in a state where the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b and the right reel 21c are stopped. The design of 3 rows and 3 columns drawn on the outer peripheral surface of can be visually observed.

  In such a state, when a “chance eye” or “reach eye” appears in a plurality of symbols visible from the display window 41a, the main control board 16 performs switching to be supplied to the multiplexer 24. While changing the signal from the “L” level to the “H” level and supplying it, the sub-control board 47 is notified that the “chance eye” or “reach eye” has appeared. While the switching signal is changed from the “L” level to the “H” level, the multiplexer 24 supplies the spinning device effect signal supplied from the sub-control board 47 to the spinning device board 23.

  Here, the “chance” indicates to the player the possibility of winning the bonus winning, and refers to an appearance that appears even if a specific small role is missed or lost. On the other hand, “reach eyes” refers to outcomes that do not appear during normal games, for example, outcomes that indicate that a specific game is executed after the next game. These “chance eyes” and “reach eyes” displayed symbols corresponding to the “chance eyes” or “reach eyes” when the corresponding left reel 21a, middle reel 21b or right reel 21c stopped for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, or the right reel 21c, which is in the stopped state, starts rotating again. The state where the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, or the right reel 21c is stopped is referred to as “weight”. This “wait” time is from several seconds to about 30 seconds.

  The sub-control board 47 notified of the appearance of “chance eyes” or “reach eyes” from the main control board 16 selects an effect pattern (weight effect contents) from the ROM 72 based on this notification. Thereby, the sub-control board 47, for example, the rotating drum drive (excitation) pulse data for reversing one of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c in a stopped state based on the selected effect pattern. Is generated and supplied to the multiplexer 24.

  As a result, the spinning device substrate 23 is supplied from the sub-control substrate 47 via the multiplexer 24, for example, reverses any one of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c in a stopped state at a low speed. Four-phase drive to each of the stepping motors 22a, 22b, and 22c based on the rotation effect signal including rotation drive (excitation) pulse data for controlling rotation, forward rotation and reverse rotation at a predetermined cycle, and the like. A pulse signal is supplied, and a back lamp (not shown) is turned on, turned off, or blinked. Therefore, any one of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c in the stopped state performs reverse rotation, rotation at a low speed, repetition of normal rotation and reverse rotation in a predetermined cycle, and the like. Therefore, the player can recognize that the “chance eyes” or “reach eyes” have appeared.

  When the “wait” time ends, the main control board 16 changes the switching signal supplied to the multiplexer 24 from the “H” level to the “L” level and supplies it. Therefore, the multiplexer 24 again supplies the spinning device control signal supplied from the main control board 16 to the spinning device board 23.

  Next, when the main control board 16 detects that all the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c have stopped, the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c are stopped. It is determined whether or not the combination of symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of 21a, middle reel 21b and right reel 21c matches any of the symbol combinations related to the winning combination stored in the RAM 63.

  As a result of the determination, among the symbol combinations drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, and the right reel 21c, the symbol combination that matches any of the symbol combinations related to the winning combination is stopped. In some cases, the main control board 16 determines a winning corresponding to the combination of symbols, and adds a medal with the number of payouts corresponding to the type of winning combination to the credit. At this time, if the credit exceeds the upper limit due to the payout of the winning prize, the main control board 16 operates the hopper device 13 and pays out the excess medal from the medal payout opening 45e to the tray unit 45.

  At the same time, the main control board 16 transmits information regarding the confirmed winning combination to the sub-control board 47. When the sub-control board 47 receives the information on the winning combination transmitted from the main control board 16, the sub-control board 47 selects the effect pattern corresponding to the winning combination from the ROM 72 based on this information. Thereby, the sub-control board 47 lights or blinks the side lamps 42a and 42b and the upper lamp 43a based on the selected effect pattern, displays a moving image or a still image on the image display unit 43d, or The sound emitting units 43b, 43c, 45c and 45d release sound effects and musical sounds.

  As described above, the player of the slot machine 1 sequentially operates the 1 bet button 32 or the max bet button 33, the start lever 35, and the stop buttons 36a, 36b, and 36c, so that the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, A game operation for rotating and stopping the right reel 21c is performed. As a result, the player must make sure that none of the predetermined combinations among the three rows and three columns of symbols that can be viewed from the display window 41a matches any of the symbol combinations related to the winning combination. Lost bet medal. On the other hand, if any of the predetermined combinations among the three rows and three columns of the above symbols matches one of the symbol combinations related to the winning combination, the player has won a prize and bet You can earn more medals.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the multiplexer 24 is provided in the front stage of the spinning device board 23, the rotation control signal supplied from the main control board 16 to the multiplexer 24, and the sub control board 47. The rotation effect signal supplied from is input. The spinning device 12 is controlled based on the rotation effect signal supplied from the sub-control board 47 only in the “wait” state in which “chance eyes” or “reach eyes” appear.

  Therefore, unlike the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to provide the same type of effect reel as the game reel (main reel). Therefore, a different type of space is provided in the space where the effect reel is provided. Producing means (in the case of the present embodiment, an image display unit 43d) can be provided. Thereby, the variation of production spreads compared with the past. In addition, the player does not recognize that the “chance eyes” or “reach eyes” have appeared, simply by stopping the corresponding left reel 21a, middle reel 21b, or right reel 21c, but reverse rotation, low speed Thus, it can be recognized with sufficient interest by repeating rotation, forward rotation and reverse rotation in a predetermined cycle. As a result, the player's expectation can be enhanced, the effect of the performance can be fully exhibited, and the interest of the game can be improved.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the design can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is included in the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the left reel 21a, the middle reel 21b, or the right reel 21c is driven by the corresponding stepping motors 22a, 22b, and 22c has been described. It may be driven by.

In the above embodiment, the main control board 16 supplies the switching signal to the multiplexer 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sub-control board 47 may supply the switching signal to the multiplexer 24. .
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the spinning device 12 is based on the rotation effect signal supplied from the sub-control board 47 only in the “wait” state where the “chance eyes” or “reach eyes” appear. Although the example which controls is shown, it is not limited to this. For example, even when inside (after the bonus is established) or when the main control board 16 decides to perform some effect, the operation of the start lever 35 is invalidated for a predetermined time and supplied from the sub-control board 47 within this predetermined time. The rotating device 12 may be controlled based on the rotation effect signal.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a gaming machine such as the slot machine 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is not limited to a medal gaming machine, a pachinko gaming machine, or a slot machine. The present invention can also be applied to other game machines such as a sparrow ball game machine and a ball game machine such as an arrangement ball.

It is a front view showing an appearance configuration of a slot machine 1 which is one of the gaming machines according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing an internal configuration of a front door 3 of the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal configuration of a housing 2 of the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine, 2 ... Housing, 2a, 2b ... Side plate, 2c ... Bottom plate, 2d ... Back plate, 3 ... Front door, 3a ... Console, 3aa ... Step part, 3b, 3c ... End part, 4 ... Hinge Mechanism: 11 ... Shelf plate, 12 ... Spinner device, 13 ... Hopper device, 14 ... Overflow tank, 15 ... Power supply device, 16 ... Main control board (first control means), 21a ... Left reel, 21b ... Middle reel 21c ... Right reel, 22a, 22b, 22c ... Stepping motor (driving means), 23 ... Rotating device substrate (driving means), 24 ... Multiplexer, 31 ... Medal slot, 31a ... Medal slot, 32 ... 1 bet Button 33, Max bet button 34, Check button 35, Start lever 36 a, 36 b, 36 c Stop button 37 Key hole 41 Middle panel unit 41 a Display window 42 a 42b ... side lamp, 43 ... upper panel part, 43a ... upper lamp, 43b, 43c ... sound emitting part, 43ba, 43ca ... speaker, 43d ... image display part, 44 ... lower panel, 45 ... saucer unit, 45a ... saucer, 45b ... back plate, 45c, 45d ... sound emitting unit, 45ca, 45da ... speaker, 45e ... medal payout port, 46 ... ashtray, 47 ... sub-control board (second control means), 48 ... reel illumination unit, 49 ... Central display board, 50 ... medal selector, 51 ... medal guide section, 52 ... flow chute, 53 ... medal payout passage, 61, 71 ... CPU, 62, 72 ... ROM, 63, 73 ... RAM, 64, 74 ... I / F circuit, 81 ... power supply device substrate

Claims (2)

Multiple main reels,
Drive means provided corresponding to the plurality of main reels, respectively, for driving the corresponding main reels;
First control means for controlling the entire gaming machine and supplying a first control signal for driving the plurality of main reels to the drive means;
And second control means for supplying a second control signal for driving the plurality of main reels to the driving means in a predetermined case. A gaming machine characterized by that. A plurality of stop buttons which are provided corresponding to the plurality of main reels and instruct to respectively stop rotation of the corresponding main reels;
A start lever for instructing start of simultaneous rotation of the plurality of main reels,
The plurality of main reels have a plurality of types of symbols drawn on each outer peripheral surface,
The first control means invalidates the operation of the start lever for a predetermined time in the case of a predetermined condition as a result of operating all or a part of the plurality of stop buttons,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second control means supplies the second control signal to the driving means within the predetermined time.

Images