JP2009011746A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine which can make players feel enjoyment by the diversified development of the game state after the end of a special game state. <P>SOLUTION: When rejecting the winning of a prescribed winning combination, the array of other fixed symbols different from the array of those corresponding to any of the winning combinations possibly won by a winning combination lottery means is made to line up on a valid line while the game is shifted to the second game state from the first game state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The game state after the end of the slot machine bonus.

In some conventional slot machines, after a special gaming state such as a bonus is completed, a transition is made to another gaming state such as a replay high probability gaming state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-015000 A

  In the conventional slot machine described above, in the replay high probability game state after the special game state is ended, it is determined whether or not the replay high probability game state is ended according to the stop operation of the player. there were. For this reason, after the special gaming state ended, the game progressed to monotonous because it was only returned to the normal gaming state through the replay high probability gaming state. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine that can entertain a player by developing a variety of gaming states after the special gaming state is completed. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, when a predetermined combination is not won, another predetermined different from the arrangement of symbols corresponding to any combination that can be selected by the combination lottery means. The arrangement of the symbols is aligned with the active line, and the gaming state is shifted from the first gaming state to the second gaming state.

Specifically, the slot machine according to the present invention is:
A slot machine having a plurality of rotatable reels with a plurality of symbols and a unit game in which a single process is performed until the processing based on the fact that the plurality of reels are stopped,
A role lottery means for performing a lottery process of a role used in the unit game;
Game control means for determining one of a plurality of gaming states that may have different benefits to be given to the player, and controlling the progress of the unit game based on the lottery result of the role lottery means,
The plurality of gaming states include a first gaming state and a second gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the first gaming state,
When the gaming state is the first gaming state and a predetermined combination is won by processing of the combination lottery means,
The game control means includes
If the predetermined combination is not won, the arrangement of certain symbols different from the symbol arrangement corresponding to any combination that can be drawn by the combination lottery means is aligned with the active line, and
The gaming state is shifted from the first gaming state to the second gaming state.

  The slot machine according to the present invention has a reel. This reel can be rotated or stopped based on the player's operation. For example, there is one in which a start signal is issued from the operation means when the player operates the operation means. It is preferable to control the reel to rotate based on the detection of the start signal. The control in this case is performed by the reel rotation control means. In some cases, a stop signal is issued from the operation means when the player operates the operation means. It is preferable to control the reel to stop based on the detection of the stop signal. The control in this case is performed by the reel stop control means.

  Each of the reels described above is provided with a plurality of symbols. When the reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not a predetermined combination is won according to the type of the symbols displayed in a stopped manner. If a prize is won, processing corresponding to the combination is performed. Thus, when the reel stops, processing based on the fact that the reel has stopped is performed. In the slot machine, a unit game is performed with a single process from the start of the reel rotation until the end of the process.

  The slot machine according to the present invention includes combination lottery means and game control means.

  The game control means controls the progress of the unit game described above. A unit game is played in a certain game state. The gaming state is preferably composed of a plurality of gaming states in which the benefits given to the player can be different. The game control means determines one game state from the plurality of game states based on the lottery result of the role lottery means described later, and controls so that the unit game is advanced in the one game state. Therefore, it is preferable that the game control means includes a game state storage means for storing information for identifying each of the plurality of game states.

  It is preferable that the plurality of game states include, for example, a first game state and a second game state. The second gaming state is a gaming state that can be more advantageous to the player than the first gaming state.

  The role lottery means performs a lottery process for a role used in a unit game. A plurality of types of roles are determined in advance. At least one type of combination is determined by the combination lottery process of the combination lottery means. Specifically, the types of winning combinations drawn by the winning combination lottery process include, for example, types such as a small role, a replaying role, and a special role.

  The small role is a role for paying out a predetermined number of game media. Examples of the game medium include medals. The re-game is a role that allows a re-game to be played while keeping the number of bets in the unit game that is currently being played, and without making a bet on a further predetermined number of game media.

  The special role is a role that shifts from the general gaming state to the special gaming state. The special gaming state is a gaming state in which the possibility of acquiring more game media than the number of game media that can be acquired in the general gaming state is high, and is a gaming state that is advantageous to the player. The special combination is, for example, a single bonus (hereinafter referred to as an SB combination), a regular bonus combination (hereinafter referred to as an RB combination), or a first type big bonus combination (hereinafter referred to as a first type BB combination). ), A challenge bonus combination (hereinafter referred to as a CB combination), and a second type big bonus combination (hereinafter referred to as a second type BB combination).

  The SB combination is a combination for shifting the game state of the unit game to a single bonus game state (ordinary character) (hereinafter referred to as SB game state). The RB combination is a combination for shifting the game state of the unit game to a regular bonus game state (first type special combination) (hereinafter referred to as an RB game state). The first type BB combination is a combination for shifting to a first type big bonus game state (a combination continuous action device related to a first type special combination) (hereinafter referred to as a first type BB game state). . The CB combination is a combination for shifting the gaming state of the unit game to the challenge bonus gaming state (second type special combination) (hereinafter referred to as CB gaming state). In the second type BB combination, the gaming state of the unit game is shifted to the second type big bonus gaming state (a combination continuous action device related to the second type special combination) (hereinafter referred to as a second type BB gaming state). It is a role to make it.

  When the above-described game control means does not win a predetermined winning combination, it aligns a certain symbol arrangement different from the symbol arrangement corresponding to the combination with the active line, and changes the gaming state from the first gaming state. Transition to the second gaming state. As described above, when the game control means does not win a predetermined combination, the game control means performs stop control of a plurality of reels so as to align a certain symbol arrangement different from the symbol arrangement corresponding to the combination on the effective line. Do. “An arrangement of other symbols different from the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to the roles” means not only “predetermined roles” but also all the roles to be drawn by the role lottery means. , Is constant. Therefore, it means not all of the out of line symbols but a certain line of symbols. In this way, by arranging a certain line of symbols, it is possible to indicate to the player that a predetermined combination has not been won or that a prize has not been won.

  Further, the game control means performs stop control of the plurality of reels so that a certain symbol arrangement is arranged in this way, and shifts the gaming state from the first gaming state to the second gaming state. As described above, the second gaming state is a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the first gaming state. In spite of the arrangement of outliers in this way, the game state is shifted to a game state advantageous to the player, so that the player can feel uncomfortable or strange, You will be attracted to the game and will be able to entertain yourself without getting bored.

The slot machine according to the present invention is
The combination includes a small combination for paying out game media, and a re-playing combination capable of performing the unit game without inserting a game medium,
The predetermined combination is the small combination,
It is preferable that the second gaming state is one of at least one re-playing high probability gaming state determined to be more easily won by the re-playing game than the first gaming state.

  The above-mentioned combination includes a small combination and a replay combination. The small role is a role for paying out game media. A re-game player is a player who can continue to play a unit game without inserting a game medium. The predetermined combination described above is a small combination. Therefore, winning a predetermined combination means winning a small combination, and by winning a predetermined combination, the number of game media corresponding to the small combination is paid out.

  Furthermore, the second gaming state is one gaming state of the replay high probability gaming state. There are at least one replay high probability game state, and the second game state is one of the replay high probability game states. In this way, by making the second gaming state one of the replay high probability gaming states, it is possible to make it easier to win the replaying role, and it is possible to provide a gaming state advantageous to the player, By shifting from the first gaming state to the second gaming state, the player can be pleased.

Furthermore, the slot machine according to the present invention is:
The replaying role includes at least a first replaying role and a second replaying role;
When the combination lottery means is in the first gaming state, a lottery process is performed so that the first re-playing combination and the second re-playing combination are elected,
The game control means includes
When winning the first re-playing role, maintaining the gaming state in the first gaming state; and
When winning the second replaying role, it is preferable to shift to the third gaming state different from the first gaming state and the second gaming state.

  The re-game players include at least a first re-game player and a second re-game player. When the game state is the first game state, the first re-game player and the second re-game player are used. A lottery process is performed so that the game combination is won by the combination lottery means.

  Furthermore, when winning the first re-playing role, the gaming state is maintained in the first gaming state. On the other hand, when winning the second re-gamer, the game is shifted to the third gaming state. This third gaming state is a gaming state different from the first gaming state and the second gaming state. By doing in this way, the second replaying role can have not only a role capable of replaying the unit game but also a role of changing the gaming state, so that the gaming state is developed in various ways. Can make the player hard to get bored.

Furthermore, the slot machine according to the present invention is:
The third gaming state is the replay high probability gaming state;
It is preferable that the second game state is a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the third game state.

The slot machine according to the present invention is
The plurality of gaming states include a special gaming state that may give the player a different benefit than the first gaming state;
The game control means includes
After the special gaming state ends, the first gaming state, the second gaming state, and the third gaming state are shifted to a fourth gaming state,
It is preferable that the fourth gaming state is shifted to the first gaming state after completion.

  As described above, after the special game state is completed, the game state is shifted to the first game state after passing through the fourth game state, so that the player can be interested in the development of the game.

Furthermore, the slot machine according to the present invention is:
The fourth gaming state is the replay high probability gaming state;
Preferably, the second gaming state is more advantageous to the player than the fourth gaming state.

  In this way, by changing the fourth gaming state to the re-gaming high probability gaming state, it is possible not only to increase the gaming state but also to increase the gaming state advantageous to the player, and to enter the first gaming state. Prior to the transition, a minimum guarantee can be made on the benefits to the player.

Furthermore, the slot machine according to the present invention is:
Informing means for informing information on the lottery result of the role lottery means,
When the gaming state is the second gaming state, it is preferable that information indicating that a predetermined combination is won is notified by the notification means.

  By notifying in this way, it is possible to easily obtain a profit in the second gaming state.

The slot machine according to the present invention is
The player can be operated in a plurality of operation modes, and includes an operation means for stopping the reel,
When the gaming state is the first gaming state,
When the operation mode of the operation means of the player is the first operation mode, the player is awarded the first re-game,
When the operation mode of the operation means of the player is a second stop operation mode different from the first operation mode, it is preferable that the player is awarded the second re-game.

  The operation means described above can be operated by a player in a plurality of operation modes, and is used to advance a unit game. Here, the operation mode means an operation method in which the operation means is operated by the player, and there are a plurality of types of operation methods.

  Specifically, when a plurality of stop switches are used as the operation means, there is an operation mode in which the order of operating these stop switches is changed. Specifically, when there are three stop switches, that is, a left stop switch, a center stop switch, and a right stop switch, the operation means is operated in the order of left → center → right, or right → center → There is a mode of operation in the order of the left side. In addition, in the case of these three stop switches, there are left side → right side → center, right side → left side → center, center → right side → left side, center → left side → right side. is there.

  Further, there is an operation mode in which the operation timing is different. This timing may be different timing with respect to the progress of the game. For example, when the reel is rotating, an operation mode that is operated at the timing when one symbol attached to the rotating reel is positioned at a certain position, or one symbol is positioned at one position. There is an operation mode in which the operation is performed at a timing when it is located at another position different from the above.

  Furthermore, when the operation means has a detection means that can detect the speed of operation, whether it is slow or strong, it is operated slowly, quickly, strongly, or weakly operated. Different “operation modes” can be made depending on the difference in the operation. Further, in the case where the operation means corresponds to a push operation such as a push button, a detection means capable of detecting the depth at which the button is pressed is provided, and differs depending on the difference in the depth at which the button is pressed. An “operation mode” can also be set. Furthermore, in the case where the operating means is compatible with a tilting operation like a lever, a detecting means for detecting the angle at which the lever is tilted is provided, so that a different “operation mode” is obtained depending on the difference in the tilted angle. You can also

  The various operation modes described above can determine the operation mode by obtaining a stop signal issued from the operation means or obtaining an output signal issued from a sensor provided in the operation means.

  In this manner, in the operation mode, the transition to the third gaming state can be prevented, so that the transition to the third gaming state can be prevented by the player's intention, and the player actively proceeds with the game. Can attract the player's interest.

  The game state after the end of the special game state can be developed in various ways to entertain the player.

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

<< Configuration of Slot Machine 10 >>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the front surface of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the slot machine 10.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 10 includes a box-shaped base portion 20 and a front door 40. The front door 40 is pivotally supported on the left side portion of the base portion 20 and is provided to be openable and closable on the front side of the base portion 20. FIG. 1 shows a state where the front door 40 is closed with respect to the base portion 20, and FIG. 2 shows a state where the front door 40 is opened approximately 180 degrees with respect to the base portion 20.

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

<Operational parts>
As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 41 extending in the horizontal direction is provided at the approximate center of the front side (player side) of the front door 40. On the front side of the operation panel 41, a start switch 42 and three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are provided. On the upper surface side of the operation panel 41, a 1-bet switch 62, a 2-bet switch 64, a maximum bet switch 66, and a medal slot 46 are provided. A receiving tray 48 for receiving medals paid out based on the result of the unit game is also provided at the lower portion of the front door 40. In the present specification, a game whose progress is determined by a display mode of symbols attached to three reels to be described later is referred to as a unit game. This unit game will be described in detail later.

The start switch 42 and the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are switches that are operated by the player to advance the unit game. When the player operates the start switch 42, rotation of three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R, which will be described later, is started. Further, when the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c, the reels 30L to 30R corresponding to the operated stop switches are stopped.
The functions of the 1 bet switch 62, the 2 bet switch 64, and the maximum bet switch 66 will be described later.

<Reel display window 51 and reels 30L, 30C, 30R>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a front frame 50 is formed on the front door 40. A reel display window 51 is formed at a substantially central portion of the front frame 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the three reels 30 </ b> L to 30 </ b> R are rotatably accommodated in the reel unit 28. The reel unit 28 has a front surface 29 open, and the player can visually recognize the type of symbols located on the front surface 29 of the reel unit 28, as will be described later. The reel unit 28 is supported by a support plate 26 fixed to the base portion 20. When the front door 40 is closed, the reel display window 51 is positioned in front of the front surface 29 of the reel unit 28. The reel display window 51 is covered with a transparent member, and when the front door 40 is closed, the player can select the types of symbols drawn on the three reels 30L to 30R via the reel display window 51. It can be visually recognized.

A plurality of types of symbols are attached to each of the three reels 30L to 30R. The types of symbols can be identified by the player, for example, the number “Red 7” or the fruit “Cherry”.
As will be described later, when the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped, nine symbols are stopped and displayed in the reel display window 51 so as to be visible.
An area formed by the reel display window 51 corresponds to a “symbol display area”.

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

<Reel display window 51 and winning lines L1 to L5>
As described above, the reel display window 51 is covered with a transparent member. As shown in FIG. 1, five winning lines L <b> 1 to L <b> 5 are drawn on the reel display window 51. By doing in this way, the player can visually recognize the type of symbol through the reel display window 51 and can also visually recognize the five winning lines L1 to L5 on the reel display window 51. .

  The winning line L1 is a middle straight line extending in the horizontal direction, the winning line L2 is an upper straight line extending in the horizontal direction, and the winning line L3 is a lower straight line extending in the horizontal direction. The winning line L4 is a straight line extending from the upper left to the lower right, and the winning line L5 is a straight line extending from the lower left to the upper right. In this specification, the position of the winning line L1 may be referred to as a middle stage, the position of the winning line L2 may be referred to as an upper stage, and the position of the winning line L3 may be referred to as a lower stage.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the five winning lines L1 to L5 are shown on the reel display window 51. However, if the winning line is clear to the player, the reel display window The winning line may not be drawn on 51.

<Bet switches 62, 64 and 66 and winning lines L1 to L5>
When a predetermined number or more medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 46 of the operation panel 41 described above, the number of medals inserted by a medal counter (not shown) is counted, and the number is stored as the number of credits. The 1-bet switch 62 described above is a switch for setting one medal out of the stored credits to be a game bet. Further, the 2-bet switch 64 is a switch for targeting two medals out of the number of credits for game betting, and the maximum bet switch 66 is a game betting for three medals out of the credit number. It is a switch for making it an object of.

  As described above, the five pay lines L1 to L5 are drawn on the reel display window 51. When the player operates the 1-bet switch 62, one of the five pay lines, for example, the pay line L1 is activated. When the 2-bet switch 64 is operated, three of the five winning lines, for example, winning lines L1 to L3 are activated. When the maximum bet switch 66 is operated, all five pay lines, that is, L1 to L5 are activated. In this way, the three bet switches 62, 64 and 66 function as valid line enabling means for determining the number of medals to be a target for betting and validating the pay lines L1 to L5.

<Effective line>
As described above, the three bet switches 62, 64, and 66 function as a game medium number setting unit that activates the pay lines L1 to L5 when operated by the player. When the player operates the 1-bet switch 62, the winning line L1 is activated. When the 2-bet switch 64 is operated, the winning lines L1 to L3 are activated. When the maximum bet switch 66 is operated, the winning line is displayed. All of L1 to L5 are activated. As described above, the activated winning line is referred to as an activated line.

  In the above-described example, an example is shown in which an effective line is determined according to the operation of the three bet switches 62, 64, and 66. However, the effective line depends on the gaming state described later and the betting number of medals. And those predetermined in advance. For example, when the gaming state is the same, it is preferable to set the same active line even if the betting number of medals is different. Specifically, in the normal general gaming state, regardless of whether the number of medals bet is one or three, all winning lines are valid, whereas in the special gaming state, the medal It is preferable that the number of bets is always 3 and one winning line is activated.

  The arrangement of symbols stopped on the active line is a target for determining whether or not a prize has been won. For example, when the arrangement of “red 7”-“red 7”-“red 7” is aligned on the above-described active line L1, it is determined that the winning combination of big bonus has been won. The type of combination will be described later. Further, when the arrangement of symbols that do not constitute a combination on the active line L1 stops, it is determined that no winning has been won. On the other hand, even if it is a winning line, when the winning line is not activated, the line of “red 7”-“red 7”-“red 7” is aligned on the winning line. However, the winning line is not subject to the determination as to whether or not the winning line has been won.

<Image display device 34>
An image display device 34 is provided on the upper portion of the front door 40. An effect image is displayed on the image display device 34. The effect image is an image that is displayed as the game progresses, and is mainly an image that includes various types of information related to the game. For example, in one unit game, lottery processing is performed by the role lottery means 120 described later. An effect image that suggests the lottery result is displayed on the image display device 34 based on the lottery result of the lottery process.

  A unit game played in the slot machine 10 is a game in which a single-stroke game can be repeated. This single-stroke game is called a unit game. The unit game will be described in detail later.

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

  In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the effect performed by the image display device 34 notifies information related to the lottery result. For example, information indicating that a predetermined combination is won is displayed on the image display device 34 by the combination lottery means 120 described later.

<Speaker 36>
As shown in FIG. 1, the speakers 36 are provided on both the left and right sides of the image display device 34 described above. The speaker 36 produces a voice effect as the game progresses. When a predetermined condition is satisfied in a sub-control board 52 described later, a sound corresponding to the condition is emitted from the speaker 36. For example, based on the lottery result of the lottery process performed by the role lottery means 120 described later, sound effects, music, etc. suggesting the lottery result are emitted from the speaker 36.

<Lamp 38>
The lamp 38 is provided in the upper part of the front door 40, as shown in FIG. The lamp 38 produces a light effect as the game progresses. When a predetermined condition is satisfied in a sub-control board 52 to be described later, the lamp 38 is turned on or blinked according to the condition. For example, based on the lottery result of the lottery process performed by the role lottery means 120 described later, the lamp 38 is lit in a predetermined color or a predetermined pattern according to the type of the role so as to suggest the lottery result. Or blink.

  In addition, the effect by light includes not only the lamp 38 described above but also a back lamp (not shown) arranged inside the three reels 30L, 30C, 30R.

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

<Setting switch 27>
A setting switch 27 is disposed on the back surface of the front door 40. The setting switch 27 is a switch operated by a person such as an administrator of the slot machine 10. A setting value for setting a lottery probability table used when performing a role lottery process by the role lottery means 120 described later is set by an operation by an administrator or the like.

  In order to set or change the set value, by operating another switch provided in the slot machine 10, the input from the setting switch 27 is accepted. A person such as an administrator sets the desired setting value by pushing the setting switch 27 at least once. For example, when the set value is 1 to 6, every time the setting switch 27 is pressed, “1” → “2” → “3” → “4” → “5” → “6” → “ It is preferable that the set value changes by 1 as in “1” →. In order to confirm the set value and store the set value, other switches provided in the slot machine 10 are operated. The determined set value is stored in a set value storage unit 170 described later.

<Main control board 32>
The main control board 32 is a control board for controlling the start and stop of the rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R and for controlling the entire game such as the progress of the game performed in the slot machine 10.

  The main control board 32 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) that performs arithmetic operations, a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) that stores a game program, and a RAM that temporarily stores each data. (Random access memory) (not shown).

  For example, the ROM stores a program for executing the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The RAM also stores variable values used in this program. These CPU, ROM, and RAM are electrically connected by an input / output bus so that data signals and address signals can be input / output.

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

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

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

  For example, the ROM stores an effect control program for controlling the effect shown in FIG. 9, and image data and audio data for the effect. The RAM also stores variable values used in the above-described effect control program. These CPU, ROM, and RAM are electrically connected by an input / output bus so that data signals and address signals can be input / output.

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

<Unit game in slot machine 10>
When the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R are stopped, symbols are positioned on the pay lines L1 to L5. The unit game in the slot machine 10 is a game in which the game result is determined by the arrangement of symbols positioned on the activated pay line. For this reason, the player visually recognizes the symbols on the rotating reels 30L, 30C and 30R, and determines that the sequence of symbols constituting the predetermined combination is optimal on the activated pay line. At this timing, the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated to stop the reels 30L, 30C or 30R.

  As will be described later, a plurality of types of roles are determined in advance. At least one type of combination is determined by the combination lottery process of the combination lottery means 120 described later. The determination of at least one type of combination is referred to as “winning”. In addition, depending on the combination lottery process, there is a case where any type of combination is not determined, and this case is referred to as “out”.

  The unit game played in the slot machine 10 is a game in which a single-stroke game can be repeated. This single-stroke game is called a unit game. The unit game starts when the player operates the start switch 42 and ends when the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are operated. From the player's point of view, the unit game is performed until the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R all stop after the start switch 42 is operated and the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R start to rotate. A single-stroke game. As described above, the unit game is started every time the player operates the start switch 42. In the present specification, when expressed as a unit game, there are a case where a unit game is repeated and a case where one unit game is meant.

  As described above, the unit game is started based on the player operating the start switch 42. More specifically, at the time of starting the unit game, when the player operates the start switch 42, a start signal is generated from the start switch 42, and the start signal generated from the start switch 42 is transmitted to the main control board 32. It is preferable to detect when. Further, the start time of the unit game may be a time when it can be visually recognized that the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R start to rotate.

  Further, as described above, the unit game is ended by operating the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c. More specifically, at the end of the unit game, the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped by operating the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c by the player, and the main control board 32 It is preferable that the end process such as a winning process is finished. The end point of the unit game may be when the main control board 32 detects that the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped. Furthermore, the end point of the unit game may be a time when it can be visually confirmed that the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped.

The types of the above-described combinations include, for example, small combinations, replay combinations, special combinations, and the like.
The small role is a role for paying out a predetermined number of medals. There are several types of small roles. In many cases, the small role is used as the name of the role using the types of symbols given to the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R. For example, the types of symbols include “watermelon”, “bell”, “cherry” and the like. For this reason, a small role in which the pattern “watermelon” is aligned on the effective line is referred to as a watermelon role, and a small role in which the pattern “bell” is aligned on the effective line is referred to as a bell role. Further, when the symbol “cherry” of the left reel 30L is stopped and displayed on the active line, it is assumed that a winning is made regardless of the types of symbols of the middle reel 30C and the right reel 30R. This role is called the cherry role.

  The re-game player is a player who can play the unit game again without maintaining a predetermined number of medals while maintaining the number of bets (the number of bets) in the currently played unit game. . In the present specification, a re-game combination is also referred to as a re-play combination or an RP combination, and a unit game performed when a re-play combination is won is referred to as a re-play (also referred to as re-play or RP).

  The special role is a role that can shift the game state of the unit game from the normal general game state to the special game state (a game advantageous to the player). Examples of the special combination include a single bonus (hereinafter referred to as SB combination), a regular bonus combination (hereinafter referred to as RB combination), and a first type big bonus combination (hereinafter referred to as first type BB combination). ), A challenge bonus combination (hereinafter referred to as CB combination), and a second type big bonus combination (hereinafter referred to as second type BB combination). As will be described later, the special game state includes a single bonus game state, a regular bonus game state, a first type big bonus game state, a challenge bonus game state, and a second type big bonus game state.

The SB combination is a combination for shifting the game state of the unit game to a single bonus game state (ordinary character) (hereinafter referred to as SB game state). When the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the SB combination is aligned with the active line, the gaming state of the unit game is shifted to the SB gaming state. When shifting to the SB gaming state, no medal is paid out. The unit game in the SB game state is a game in which a predetermined combination is won with a high probability, and ends with one unit game.
The RB combination is a combination for shifting the game state of the unit game to a regular bonus game state (first type special combination) (hereinafter referred to as an RB game state). When the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the RB combination is aligned with the active line, the gaming state of the unit game is shifted to the RB gaming state. When transitioning to the RB gaming state, no medal is paid out. The unit game in the RB game state is a game in which a predetermined combination is won with high probability. The RB gaming state ends when the number of unit games exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 12 times) or when a predetermined combination wins a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times).

  In the first type BB combination, the gaming state of the unit game is shifted to the first type big bonus gaming state (the continuous action device relating to the first type special combination) (hereinafter referred to as the first type BB gaming state). It is a role to make it. When the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the first type BB combination is aligned with the active line, the gaming state of the unit game is shifted to the first type BB gaming state. When shifting to the first type BB gaming state, no medal is paid out. The first type BB gaming state includes the gaming state of the RB gaming state described above, and at least one unit game can be performed in this RB gaming state. Moreover, in the 1st type BB game state of 1 time, it is a game state which can repeat RB game state of multiple times. The first type BB gaming state ends when the number of medals paid out in the first type BB gaming state reaches a predetermined number (for example, 300).

  The CB combination is a combination for shifting the gaming state of the unit game to the challenge bonus gaming state (second type special combination) (hereinafter referred to as CB gaming state). When the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the CB combination is aligned with the active line, the gaming state of the unit game is shifted to the CB gaming state. When shifting to the CB gaming state, no medal is paid out. When the gaming state becomes the CB gaming state, it is possible to change the stop control of a certain reel among the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R. Specifically, control is performed so that the reel is stopped within 75 milliseconds (usually 190 milliseconds) with reference to the time when the stop switch corresponding to the certain reel is operated by the player. Further, when the gaming state is changed to the CB gaming state, for a predetermined small combination, the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the predetermined small combination is aligned with the effective line regardless of the result of lottery processing by the combination lottery means 120 described later. be able to. The CB gaming state is ended by performing one unit game.

  In the second type BB combination, the gaming state of the unit game is shifted to the second type big bonus gaming state (a combination continuous action device related to the second type special combination) (hereinafter referred to as a second type BB gaming state). It is a role to make it. When the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the second type BB combination is aligned with the active line, the gaming state of the unit game is shifted to the second type BB gaming state. When shifting to the second type BB gaming state, no medal is paid out. The second type BB gaming state includes two gaming states, a CB high probability winning state in which the above-mentioned CB combination is won with a high probability and the above-described CB gaming state, and unit games can be performed in each of them. . In addition, when the gaming state shifts from the CB high probability winning state to the CB gaming state, the CB gaming state can be returned to the CB high probability winning state again. The second type BB gaming state ends when the number of medals paid out in the second type BB gaming state reaches a predetermined number (for example, 286). In addition, when the gaming state is the second type BB gaming state, if the above-mentioned SB combination or RB combination can be won by the lottery process of the combination lottery means 120, the SB combination or RB combination is won. Sometimes, the second type BB gaming state ends.

  Further, in addition to the gaming state described above, there is also a replay high probability gaming state. This re-game high probability game state is a game state determined so as to facilitate winning of the above-mentioned re-gamer, that is, a game state in which a winning combination probability of a re-gamer is increased to perform a role lottery process. Note that this replay high-probability gaming state is not an independent gaming state such as the normal general gaming state or the special gaming state described above, but a gaming state that can be superimposed on these gaming states. That is, a gaming state that is a normal general gaming state and a re-gaming high probability gaming state, or a gaming state that is a special gaming state and a re-gaming high probability gaming state can be achieved. Hereinafter, the re-gaming high probability gaming state may be referred to as an RT gaming state for the sake of simplicity.

  As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the transition to the replay high probability state is performed when the special game state ends or when the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped and are aligned on the active line. This is performed when the arrangement becomes a predetermined one, that is, when a predetermined combination is won, and there are a plurality of replay high probability game states.

<< Functions of Slot Machine 10 >>
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of main control functions in the slot machine 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 10 mainly includes an operation means 500, a game medium number setting means 600, a main control means 100, a sub control means 200, a symbol display means 400, and an effect means 300. including.

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

  As described above, the rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R starts by the signal issued from the start switch 42 to the main control means 100, and the trigger for starting the unit game described above is determined. A signal issued from the start switch 42 to the main control means 100 is referred to as a start signal.

  Further, the corresponding reel among the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R is stopped by a signal issued from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c to the main control means 100. Based on the fact that all of the three stop switches 44a to 44c are operated and all of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped, an opportunity to end the unit game is determined. A signal issued from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c to the main control means 100 is referred to as a stop signal. Thus, the unit game is started based on the start signal described above being issued, and the unit game is ended based on the stop signal being issued from the stop switch corresponding to the reel to be finally stopped.

  There are a plurality of types of operation modes for operating the three stop switches 44a to 44c. For example, the three stop switches 44a to 44c can be operated in different order and operation timing. Specifically, the operation can be performed in a different order, such as stop switch 44a → 44b → 44c or 44b → 44a → 44c.

  As described above, a stop signal is issued from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c to the main control means 100, and there are a plurality of types of operation modes for operating the stop switches 44a to 44c. For this reason, the stop signal is issued based on the operation mode, and the main control unit 100 that generates the stop signal obtains the operation mode by detecting the order in which the stop signal was issued and the timing at which the stop signal was issued. be able to.

<Game medium number setting means 600 (effective line making means)>
Similarly to the operation unit 500, the game medium number setting unit 600 is operated by the player, and issues a signal indicating that the game medium has been operated based on the operation of the player to the main control unit 100 described later. Based on a signal issued from the operation means 500 to the main control means 100, it is determined which one of the plurality of pay lines L1 to L5 is to be activated.

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

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

  Further, as described above, the five reel lines L1 to L5 are drawn on the reel display window 51. When the player operates the 1-bet switch 62, the pay line L1 is activated. When the 2-bet switch 64 is operated, the pay lines L1 to L3 are activated. When the maximum bet switch 66 is operated, L1 to L5 are validated. In this way, the three bet switches 62, 64 and 66 function as valid line enabling means for determining the number of medals to be a target for betting and validating the pay lines L1 to L5.

<Main control means 100 (game control means)>
In addition to the operation means 500 and the game medium number setting means 600 described above, the sub control means 200 and the symbol display means 400 are electrically connected to the main control means 100. The main control means 100 controls the entire game such as the progress of the game. The main control means 100 preferably comprises the main control board 32 described above.

  As described above, the operation means 500 is electrically connected to the main control means 100. A start signal is issued from the start switch 42 of the operation means 500 to the main control means 100. Thereby, it can be detected that the start switch 42 is operated by the player. A stop signal is issued to the main control unit 100 from each of the stop switches 44 a to 44 c of the operation unit 500. Thereby, the order and timing of the stop signal issued from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c can be detected.

  In addition, a game medium number setting means 600 is electrically connected to the main control means 100. A bet signal is issued to the main control means 100 from each of the 1 bet switch 62, the 2 bet switch 64 and the maximum bet switch 66 of the game medium number setting means 600. By detecting the issued bet signal, the number of medals to be bet and the setting of the effective line are controlled.

  The main control means 100 includes a combination lottery means 120, a reel drive control means 130, a symbol detection means 150, and an effective line storage means 160.

<Role lottery means 120 (role lottery means)>
The role lottery means 120 performs a lottery of predetermined types. As described above, there are types of combinations such as a small combination, a replay combination, and a special combination. As described above, the fact that at least one type of combination is determined by the combination lottery process of the combination lottery means 120 is referred to as “winning”, and the case where any type of combination is not determined is referred to as “out”.

  The small combination described above is a combination for paying out a predetermined number of medals. The re-playing role is a role that allows the re-playing to be performed without maintaining a predetermined number of bets in the unit game that has been played and without betting a further predetermined number of medals.

  In the present embodiment, there are nine types of small roles 1 to 9 as shown in FIG. Among these, the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the small role 1 is “red 7”-“bell”-“bell”, and the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the small role 2 is “VF”-“bell”-“bell”. The symbol sequence corresponding to the small role 3 is “card”-“bell”-“bell”, and the symbol sequence corresponding to the small role 5 is “bell”-“bell”-“bell”. Is. As shown in FIG. 11, only one of each of the symbols “7”, “VF”, and “card” is arranged on the reel 30L. Therefore, in order to win the above-mentioned small combination 1 to small combination 3, the player must always stop and operate the reel 30L. On the other hand, a plurality of symbols “bells” are arranged on each of the reels 30C and 30R. Further, the plurality of symbols “bells” are arranged so that the distance between adjacent ones is at a position separated by 5 frames at the maximum. For this reason, as will be described later, in this embodiment, the number of control frames is five. Therefore, even if the player operates the stop switch 44b or 44c at any timing, the reel 30C or 30R is pulled and controlled. By performing stop control, the symbol “bell” can be positioned on the activated pay line. Therefore, the player can position the symbol “bell” attached to each of the reels 30 </ b> C and 30 </ b> R on the activated pay line without performing a pushing operation. The reel 30L requires a pressing operation, and the reels 30C and 30R do not require a pressing operation. When a small role 1 to a small role 3 or a small role 5 is awarded, the player can feel a sense of tension. You can feel both a sense of security and reduce the game progress.

  As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned small combinations 1 to 3 are small combinations that are won in duplicate.

Further, in the present embodiment, there are four types of RP combination 1 to RP combination 4 as shown in FIG. The symbol sequence corresponding to these RP roles 1 is “RP”-“RP”-“RP”, and the symbol sequence corresponding to RP roles 2 is “red 7”-“RP”-“RP”. The symbol sequence corresponding to the RP role 3 is “VF”-“RP”-“RP”, and the symbol sequence corresponding to the RP role 4 is “card”-“RP”-“RP”. It is.
As described above, only one of the symbols “7”, “VF”, and “card” is arranged on the reel 30L (see FIG. 11). Therefore, in order to win the above-described RP2 to RP4, the player must always stop and operate the reel 30L. In contrast, a plurality of symbols “RP” are arranged on each of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. Further, the plurality of symbols “RP” are arranged such that the distance between adjacent ones is a maximum of 5 frames apart. Therefore, as will be described later, in this embodiment, since the number of control frames is five, the reel 30C or 30R is pulled in regardless of the timing at which the player operates the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c. By performing stop control by the control, the symbol “RP” can be positioned on the activated pay line. Therefore, the player can position the symbol “RP” attached to each of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R on the activated pay line without performing a pushing operation.

  By arranging the symbols as described above, for the RP combination 1, the player can win the RP1 combination without pressing the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. Therefore, the player can perform the stop operation with peace of mind when winning the RP combination 1. On the other hand, with respect to the RP role 2 to RP role 4, a pressing operation is required for the reel 30L, and the pressing operation is not required for the reels 30C and 30R. When winning the RP role 4, the player can feel both a sense of tension and a sense of security, and the progress of the game can be reduced.

  The above-mentioned special combination is a combination that shifts from the normal general gaming state to the special gaming state. The special gaming state is a gaming state in which there is a high possibility that more medals can be obtained than the number of medals that can be obtained in the unit game in the normal general gaming state, and is a gaming state that is advantageous to the player. As described above, the special combination includes, for example, the SB combination, the RB combination, the first type BB combination, the CB combination, and the second type BB combination. The SB combination is a combination for shifting the game state of the unit game to the SB game state. The RB combination is a combination for shifting the game state of the unit game to the RB game state. The first type BB combination is a combination for shifting the gaming state of the unit game to the first type BB gaming state. The CB combination is a combination for shifting the gaming state of the unit game to the CB gaming state. The second type BB combination is a combination for shifting the game state of the unit game to the second type BB game state.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the special combination includes five first type BB combinations and two types of RB combinations.

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

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

<Random number generator 122>
The random number generator 122 continuously generates random numbers in a predetermined positive integer range (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) at predetermined timings.
<Random number extraction means 124>
The random number extraction unit 124 extracts the random number generated by the random number generation unit 122 at a predetermined timing. For example, in the present embodiment, random numbers are extracted when the start switch 42 is operated by the player.

<Random number judging means 126>
The random number determination unit 126 checks the random number value extracted by the random number extraction unit 124 with a lottery probability table (probability table) stored in the probability table storage unit 128 described later, thereby corresponding to the region to which the random number value belongs. Decide which role to play.

<Probability table storage unit 128 (combination storage unit)>
The probability table storage means 128 has a lottery probability table in which lottery probabilities are stored in accordance with a plurality of gaming states and types of combinations.

  As described above, the gaming state of the unit game includes, for example, a normal general gaming state, an SB gaming state, an RB gaming state, a first type BB gaming state, a CB gaming state, a second type BB gaming state, and the like. The lottery probability table corresponds to these gaming states, the normal general gaming state probability table, the SB gaming state probability table, the RB gaming state probability table, the first type BB gaming state probability table, the CB gaming state probability table, the second It consists of a probability table such as a seed BB gaming state probability table.

  There is also a probability table for making a replay high probability gaming state. As described above, the replay high probability gaming state is not an independent gaming state such as a normal general gaming state or a special gaming state but a gaming state that can be superimposed on these gaming states. Specifically, the replay high probability game state includes a game state that is a normal general game state and a replay high probability game state, and a game state that is a special game state and a replay high probability game state. . Thus, the replay high probability gaming state is a gaming state superimposed on the normal general gaming state or the special gaming state as the gaming state, but the probability table is a normal general gaming state probability table or a special gaming state probability table. It is configured separately. Specifically, a general replay high probability game state probability table corresponding to a game state that is a normal general game state and a replay high probability game state, and a special game state that is a replay high probability game state It consists of a special replay high probability gaming state probability table corresponding to the gaming state.

  Each of these probability tables has, for example, a plurality of areas obtained by dividing an integer in the range of 0 to 65535 for each predetermined range. Each of the plurality of areas corresponds to a type of combination. For example, an integer in the range of 0 to 65535 can be used for an area corresponding to a small combination, an area corresponding to a re-playing combination, an area corresponding to an RB combination, an area corresponding to a first type BB combination, and an outage The area is divided into a plurality of areas such as the obtained area.

  The random number determination means 126 described above determines which of these areas the random number value extracted by the random number extraction means 124 is included in, and determines the type of the combination. For example, when the value of the random number extracted by the random number extraction unit 124 is included in the area corresponding to the first type BB combination, the random number determination unit 126 determines that the first type BB combination is won. Further, when the random number value extracted by the random number extraction unit 124 is included in the region corresponding to the detachment, the random number determination unit 126 determines that the detachment has occurred.

In addition, all probability tables such as a normal general gaming state probability table, an SB gaming state probability table, an RB gaming state probability table, a first type BB gaming state probability table, a CB gaming state probability table, a second type BB gaming state probability table, etc. It is not necessary to provide an area corresponding to all the combinations. It is only necessary to provide an area only for a winning combination that can be won in the gaming state. For example, when the gaming state is the RB gaming state, the RB gaming state probability table includes these roles so that the SB combination, the RB combination, the first type BB combination, the CB combination, and the second type BB combination are not won. Do not provide an area corresponding to. In addition, when the gaming state is the first type BB gaming state, in the first type BB gaming state probability table, the SB combination, the first type BB combination, the CB combination, and the second type BB combination are not won. Do not provide areas corresponding to these roles. Furthermore, when the game state is the second type BB game state, the second type BB game state probability table corresponds to these roles so that the first type BB combination and the second type BB combination are not won. Avoid providing areas.
In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the unit gaming state is changed to a normal general gaming state, a first type BB gaming state, an RB gaming state, a special chance time gaming state (hereinafter referred to as SP-CT gaming state). ), Chance time gaming state (hereinafter referred to as CT gaming state), and AR gaming state.

  Of these, each of the SP-CT gaming state and the AR gaming state is a re-probability high-probability gaming state, and any of the SP-CT gaming state and the AR gaming state is more reproducible than the general normal gaming state. It is a gaming state with a high probability of winning a game player. The AR gaming state is a gaming state that has a higher probability of winning the re-gamer than the SP-CT gaming state. In this way, the AR gaming state can be changed to a gaming state with a high probability of winning a re-gamer, and a gaming state that is most advantageous to the player can be achieved.

The CT gaming state is a gaming state in which the probability of winning a re-game player is the same as the normal general gaming state.
A gaming state such as an SB gaming state, a CB gaming state, or a second type BB gaming state may be provided.

  In the present embodiment, since the gaming state is as described above, the probability table is the normal general gaming state probability table, the first type BB gaming state probability table, the RB gaming state probability table, and the SP-CT gaming. It has at least a state probability table, a CT gaming state probability table, and an AR gaming state probability table.

  At least one type of combination is determined by the combination lottery process of the combination lottery means 120 described above. The determination of at least one type of combination is referred to as “winning”. In addition, the fact that any type of combination is not determined by the combination lottery process is referred to as “out”.

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

<Reel rotation control means 132>
The reel rotation control means 132 issues a rotation control signal to the motors 86a, 86b and 86c when it detects a start signal issued from the operation means 500, preferably the start switch 42 described above. As will be described later, the motor 86a drives the left reel 30L, the motor 86b drives the middle reel 30C, and the motor 86c drives the right reel 30R. When the reel rotation control means 132 detects the start signal, it issues a rotation control signal to these three motors 86a, 86b and 86c. With the rotation control signal, the three reels 30L to 30R start to rotate. This process is executed in step S15 shown in the flowchart of FIG.

<Reel stop control means 134>
The reel stop control unit 134 stops the motor 86a, 86b or 86c based on the timing when the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c is operated by the player and the result of the lottery process of the above-mentioned combination lottery unit 120. A control signal is issued to stop the left reel 30L, middle reel 30C, or right reel 30R.

  As described above, when the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c is operated by the player, a stop signal is issued from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c. The reel stop control means 134 detects a stop signal issued from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c.

  When the reel stop control unit 134 detects a stop signal issued from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c, the reel stop control unit 134 obtains a candidate symbol determined by the symbol detection unit 150 described later from the symbol detection unit 150. As will be described later, this candidate symbol is at least one symbol selected as one that can be positioned at the rotation reference position when the reel 30L, 30C, or 30R is stopped. Note that the at least one or more symbols are symbols for the number of control frames described later. In the present embodiment, the rotation reference position is preferably the pay line L3 as will be described later.

Hereinafter, the number of control frames and candidate symbols will be described.
The reel stop control means 134 controls the reels 30L, 30C and 30R to stop after a certain amount of rotation after the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated. However, if the time until the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped is too long, the mode until the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped becomes unnatural. For this reason, the time from when the stop signal issued from the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c is detected until the reel stops is set to 190 milliseconds or less in principle. As described in the CB gaming state described above, when the gaming state becomes the CB gaming state, the stop control can be changed for certain reels among the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. . Control is performed so that the reel is stopped within 75 milliseconds with reference to the time when the stop signal issued from the stop switch corresponding to the certain reel is detected.

  Further, when the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotating at a constant speed, it is necessary that the player can generally identify the symbols attached to the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. For this reason, the rotation speeds of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are determined so that the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R do not rotate more than 80 revolutions per minute.

  In the case of a general slot machine, the number of symbols attached to each of the reels 30L, 30C and 30R is 21.

  Thus, the first control condition is that stop control is performed so that the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R with 21 symbols stop within 190 milliseconds after the stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are operated. From the second control condition that the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are controlled to rotate so as not to rotate more than 80 rotations per minute, the reels 30L to 30R are stopped after the stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are operated. Until then, the number of symbols that can pass through the rotation reference position most often (hereinafter referred to as the maximum number of passing symbols) is four. The number of symbols that can pass through the rotation reference position includes a symbol that is passing through the rotation reference position when the stop switch is operated.

  In this specification, the sum of the maximum number of passing symbols and the symbol where the reel is stopped and positioned at the rotation reference position is referred to as the number of control frames. As described above, the maximum number of passing symbols is four. Further, the number of symbols positioned at the rotation reference position when the reel is stopped is one. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of control frames is 5. The number of symbols corresponding to the number of control frames is a symbol that may be located at the rotation reference position, and is a candidate symbol determined by the symbol detection means 150 described later.

  The reel stop control means 134 uses the reels 30L, 30L, and 44C so that the number of symbols passing through the rotation reference position is equal to or less than the maximum number of passing symbols, based on when the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated. Stop control of 30C and 30R is performed. The rotation reference position is preferably the winning line L3, for example. When the rotation reference position is the winning line L3, after the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated, the reels are stopped so that the number of symbols passing through the winning line L3 is less than or equal to the maximum passing symbol number. Take control. In other words, in the above-described example, the reel stop control unit 134 operates from the time when the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated until the number of symbols passing through the pay line L3 reaches four, the reels 30L, 30C and 30R. Is controlled to stop the reels 30L, 30C and 30R.

  In this embodiment, the reference rotation reference position is preferably one of the winning lines L1 to L3 extending in the horizontal direction. If attention is paid to one of the reels 30L, 30C and 30R, the number of symbols passing through the winning lines L1 to L3 from when the stop switch is operated until the reel stops is The same is true for any winning line. For example, the number of symbols passing through the pay lines L1 to L3 from when the stop switch 44a is operated until the reel 30L is stopped is the same in any pay line.

  In addition, the reel stop control means 134 controls the stop of the left reel 30L, the middle reel 30C, or the right reel 30R based on the result of the lottery process of the above-mentioned role lottery means 120.

  For example, when a predetermined winning combination is won by the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120, the reel stop control means 134 is easily arranged on the winning line in which the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is activated. In addition, stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R is performed. That is, if the symbol corresponding to the winning combination is included in the candidate symbols determined by the symbol detecting means 150, the symbol 3 is set so that the symbol is positioned on the activated winning line. Stop control of the reels 30L, 30C and 30R is performed. In this way, the reel stop control is performed as “pull-in control” so that the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to the selected predetermined combination is aligned on the activated pay line.

  On the other hand, when no winning combination is won by the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120, that is, when the winning combination is lost, the reel stop control means 134 validates the arrangement of symbols corresponding to any of the winning combinations. Stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R is performed so that they are not aligned on the winning line. That is, the three reels 30L are arranged so that even if the symbols constituting the candidate symbols determined by the symbol detecting means 150 are positioned on the activated pay line, the symbols corresponding to any of the combinations are not arranged. , 30C and 30R are stopped. In this way, the reel stop control is performed as “kicking control” so that the symbols corresponding to any of the winning combinations are not aligned on the activated pay line.

<Design stop position storage means 136>
The reel stop control means 134 includes a symbol stop position storage means 136.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R are stopped, nine symbols are positioned on the winning line regardless of whether or not a winning combination is won. As described above, nine symbol stop positions are defined in the region (design display region) formed by the reel display window 51. When the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped, one symbol is positioned at each of the nine symbol stop positions.

  The symbol stop position storage means 136 stores these nine symbol stop positions. As will be described later, the rotation angles of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are obtained by counting the number of pulse signals emitted from rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c described later. For this reason, nine symbol stop positions are also represented by values corresponding to the number of pulse signals, and the values are stored in the symbol stop position storage means 136.

In this way, the symbols can be positioned at a certain number of symbol stop positions in the region (symbol display region) formed by the reel display window 51, and the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R can be stopped.
The processing in the reel stop control means 134 described above is executed in the reel stop control processing in step S18 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

<Design detecting means 150 (symbol position detecting means)>
When the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotating, the symbol detection means 150 detects a symbol that is passing through the rotation reference position or a symbol that may be located at the rotation reference position. As described above, the symbol that may be located at the rotation reference position is a candidate symbol, and is a symbol that may be located at the rotation reference position when the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped. Further, the symbol detection means 150 detects a symbol that is stopped and positioned at the rotation reference position when the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped.

  When the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotating, the symbol detection means 150 detects a symbol based on the fact that a stop signal is issued from the operation means 500. The process of the symbol detection means 150 when the reels 30L, 30C and 30R are rotating is performed as follows.

  In response to the player operating the operation means 500, for example, the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c, stop signals are issued from the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c. When the player operates the left stop switch 44a, a stop signal is issued from the stop switch 44a, and when the player operates the center stop switch 44b, a stop signal is issued from the stop switch 44b and the right stop switch 44c is operated. When operated, a stop signal is issued from the stop switch 44c.

  When detecting the stop signal issued from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c, the symbol detecting means 150 detects the signal issued from the rotation angle sensor of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch. Specifically, the left stop switch 44a corresponds to the reel 30L, and when the stop switch 44a is operated by a player, a signal generated from the rotation angle sensor 83a for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30L. Is detected. Further, the reel 30C corresponds to the central stop switch 44b, and when the stop switch 44b is operated by the player, a signal emitted from the rotation angle sensor 83b for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30C is detected. . Further, the right stop switch 44c corresponds to the reel 30R, and when the stop switch 44c is operated by the player, a signal emitted from the rotation angle sensor 83c for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30R is detected. . As will be described later, the signals generated from these rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b or 83c generate signals indicating the number of pulses corresponding to the rotation angle of one revolution of the reels 30L, 30C and 30R. By detecting a signal emitted from the rotation angle sensor 83a, 83b or 83c, the rotation position from the rotation reference position of the reels 30L, 30C and 30R can be obtained.

  The symbol detection means 150 stores a symbol correspondence table (not shown) that defines the correspondence between symbol numbers and symbols corresponding to symbol numbers. As described above, in the present embodiment, 21 symbols are attached to each of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R along the circumferential direction of the reel. The symbol number is a number from 0th to 20th attached to each of these symbols in order to identify the 21 symbols attached to the reel. The correspondence between the symbol number and the symbol corresponding to the symbol number is, for example, that the 0th symbol of the left reel 30L is “Plum”, the 8th symbol is “Replay”, and the 19th symbol The symbol is a “bell”, and the symbol correspondence table stores 21 symbols from 0th to 20th for each of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R.

  Further, the symbol detection means 150 is configured to determine the pulse number-symbol number correspondence relationship between the number of pulses indicated by the signals emitted from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c and the 0th to 20th symbol numbers. A symbol number correspondence table (not shown) is also stored.

  As described above, when the stop switch is operated by the player, the symbol detection means 150 detects a signal emitted from the rotation angle sensor 83a, 83b or 83c corresponding to the operated stop switch. By detecting a signal emitted from the rotation angle sensor 83a, 83b or 83c, the number of pulses counted by the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b and 83c is obtained. Next, the symbol number can be obtained from the number of pulses with reference to the above-described pulse number-symbol number correspondence relationship. The symbol number obtained in this manner indicates the symbol number of the symbol that is passing through the rotation reference position, for example, the winning line L3. Furthermore, a symbol is obtained from the symbol number by referring to the symbol correspondence table described above.

  By doing in this way, the symbol detection means 150 can obtain the symbol in the middle of passing the rotation reference position, for example, the winning line L3, when the stop switch is operated. Furthermore, as described above, in the present embodiment, the number of control frames is the sum of the maximum number of passing symbols and the symbol where the reel is stopped and positioned at the rotation reference position. After obtaining the symbol in the middle of passing through the rotation reference position, the symbols corresponding to the number of control frames can be obtained by referring to the symbol correspondence table. As described above, in this specification, symbols for the number of control frames are referred to as candidate symbols. The reel stop control means 134 described above obtains a candidate symbol by the symbol detection means 150 and starts reel stop control corresponding to the operated stop switch. The candidate symbols obtained by the symbol detection means 150 are referred to when the reel stop control means 134 described above performs pull-in control or kick-off control.

  As described above, by obtaining the candidate symbol by the symbol detecting unit 150, the position of the candidate symbol with respect to the rotation reference position can be determined. That is, it is possible to determine how far a predetermined symbol included in the candidate symbol is with respect to the rotation reference position.

  The symbol detection means 150 also obtains a symbol positioned at the rotation reference position, for example, the winning line L3 when the reel 30L, 30C or 30R has already stopped. This process starts with a reel that is stopped among the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R from a pulse number storage device (not shown) that stores the number of pulses indicated by the signals generated from the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c. The number of pulses corresponding to is read, the symbol number is obtained from the number of read pulses, and the symbol located at the rotation reference position is obtained from the obtained symbol number. After obtaining the symbol located at the rotation reference position, further symbols other than the rotation reference position can be obtained by referring to the symbol correspondence table. For example, when the left reel 30L is already stopped, first, a signal emitted from the rotation angle sensor 83a is detected to obtain a symbol positioned on the winning line L3. Furthermore, by referring to the symbol correspondence table, symbols positioned on the winning lines L1 and L2 can also be obtained.

  The symbols of the reels that have already stopped are referred to when the above-described reel stop control means 134 performs pull-in control or kick-off control. When a predetermined combination is won by the lottery process of the combination lottery means 120, the reel stop control unit 134 determines the winning combination from the already stopped reel symbol and the reel candidate symbol to be stopped. The reels that are about to be stopped are controlled so that the symbols corresponding to are aligned on the activated pay line. If no winning combination is won by the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120, the reel stop control means 134 displays the symbols of the reels that have already stopped and the candidate symbols of the reels to be stopped. Therefore, stop control of the reel to be stopped is performed so that the arrangement of symbols corresponding to any of the combinations does not align on the activated pay line.

  The symbol detection by the symbol detection means 150 is executed when the reel stop control process in step S18 in FIG. 4 is performed, and the result of symbol detection is also referred to in the winning process in step S20 in FIG.

<Effective line storage means 160>
As described above, any one of the five winning lines L1 to L5 is validated by the game medium number setting means 600 (valid line creating means). The effective line storage unit 160 stores the winning line activated by the game medium number setting unit 600 (effective line forming unit) as an effective line.

  For example, when the player operates the 1-bet switch 62, the winning line L1 is validated, and the valid line storage unit 160 stores the winning line L1 as the valid line. When the 2-bet switch 64 is operated, the winning lines L1 to L3 are validated, and the valid line storage unit 160 stores the winning lines L1 to L5 as valid lines. When the maximum bet switch 66 is operated, L1 to L5 are validated, and the valid line storage unit 160 stores the winning lines L1 to L5 as valid lines.

<Set value storage means 170>
The set value storage unit 170 stores the set value indicated by the signal generated from the set value setting unit 700. For example, when the set value is 1 to 6, the set value storage unit 170 stores one of the values 1 to 6. The setting value stored in the setting value storage unit 170 is read when the lottery probability table stored in the probability table storage unit 128 is selected.
The set value stored in the set value storage unit 170 is transmitted to the sub-control unit 200 described later at a predetermined timing.

<Design display means 400>
The symbol display means 400 includes three reels 30L, 30C and 30R. In the present embodiment, as described above, each of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R has a predetermined number, for example, 21 symbols arranged along the reel rotation direction.
The reel 30L includes a motor 86a for rotating the reel 30L and a rotation angle sensor 83a for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30L. The reel 30C includes a motor 86b for rotationally driving the reel 30C and a rotation angle sensor 83b for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30C. The reel 30R includes a motor 86c for rotationally driving the reel 30R and a rotation angle sensor 83c for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30R. In the present embodiment, the central portions of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are connected to the rotation shafts of the motors 86a, 86b, and 86c, and when the motors 86a, 86b, and 86c are rotated once, the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are also rotated. Rotate once.

  In the present embodiment, each of motors 86a, 86b and 86c is a stepping motor. A motor drive circuit (not shown) for driving the motors 86a, 86b and 86c is electrically connected to each of the motors 86a, 86b and 86c. The motor drive circuit is electrically connected to the main control means 100.

  When a pulse signal is supplied from the main control unit 100, the motor drive circuit generates a drive signal based on the supplied pulse signal, and issues the generated drive signal to each of the motors 86a, 86b, and 86c. The motor drive circuit generates a drive signal so that the motor 86a, 86b, or 86c rotates by a rotation angle corresponding to the number of pulses of the pulse signal supplied from the main control unit 100. In the present embodiment, one rotation of the motor 86a, 86b or 86c, that is, 360 degrees is divided into 400 steps equally. That is, when a pulse signal composed of 400 pulses is supplied from the main control means 100 to the motor drive circuit, the motor drive circuit generates a drive signal so that the motor 86a, 86b or 86c rotates once.

  The rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c include a counter (not shown) that counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal supplied from the main control means 100 to the motor drive circuit. The rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b and 83c emit a signal indicating the number of pulses counted by the counter. The rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c include initialization means (not shown) for initializing the number of pulses counted by the counter. The initialization unit initializes the number of pulses when the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R reach a certain rotation reference position in the rotation direction. Therefore, each time the reels 30L, 30C and 30R reach a certain rotation reference position, the number of pulses counted by the counter is initialized. This fixed rotation reference position becomes the origin in the rotation direction of each of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. As described above, the origin in the rotation direction of each of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R is preferably the rotation reference position described above, for example, the winning line L3.

  With the above-described configuration, the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c can emit signals indicating the number of pulses corresponding to the rotation angle of one revolution of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. As described above, in this embodiment, one rotation of the motor 86a, 86b, or 86c is divided into 400 steps equally. Therefore, when the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are positioned at the rotation reference position, signals indicating that the counted number of pulses is 0 are generated from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c. Further, when the reels 30L, 30C and 30R are at the rotational position rotated by 90 degrees from the rotation reference position, a signal indicating that the counted number of pulses is 99 is generated from the rotational angle sensors 83a, 83b and 83c. It is done.

  The symbol display means 400 also includes a pulse number storage device (not shown) that stores the counted number of pulses for each of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. The number of pulses stored in the pulse number storage means is constantly updated when the reels 30L, 30C and 30R are rotating. Accordingly, the number of pulses is updated until the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R are completely stopped. Therefore, when any of the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R is stopped, for the stopped reels, The number will be stored. When the reels 30L, 30C and 30R are stopped, the number of pulses stored in the pulse number storage device is read out.

  Thus, the rotation position from the rotation reference position of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R can be obtained from the signals generated from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c. The above description is for conceptually explaining signals generated from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c. The slot machine 10 does not detect signals emitted from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c for the purpose of obtaining the rotation positions of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. As will be described later, in order to obtain a symbol number, a symbol corresponding to the symbol number, or to obtain a predetermined symbol position, signals emitted from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b and 83c are detected.

  As described above, the symbol detection unit 150 stores a symbol correspondence table (not shown) that defines the correspondence between symbol numbers and symbols corresponding to symbol numbers. Further, a pulse number-symbol number correspondence relationship indicating the correspondence between the number of pulses counted by the counters of the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c and the 0th to 20th symbol numbers is predetermined. In this way, the symbol detection means 150 first obtains the number of pulses counted by the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c by detecting signals emitted from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c. . Next, a symbol number is obtained from the number of pulses using the above-described pulse number-symbol number correspondence relationship. The symbol number obtained in this way indicates the symbol number of the symbol positioned in the rotation reference position, for example, the winning line L3. Furthermore, a symbol is obtained from the symbol number by using the symbol correspondence table described above. In this manner, a symbol positioned at the rotation reference position, for example, the winning line L3 can be obtained.

  When any one of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R is stopped, the number of pulses stored in the pulse number storage device described above is read for the stopped reel, and the number of pulses described above is read. The symbol number is obtained from the number of read pulses using the symbol number correspondence, and the symbol is obtained from the symbol number by using the symbol correspondence table described above.

  The symbol detecting means 150 obtains the symbol positioned on the winning line L3 in this way, and the processing in the symbol detecting means 150 is performed when the reel is rotating and when it is stopped. Regardless of this, if it is performed when the reel is rotating, a candidate symbol that may stop at the winning line L3 can be determined. Further, if it is performed when the reel is stopped, the symbol that is stopped and positioned on the winning line L3 can be determined.

<Sub-control means 200>
As described above, the sub control unit 200 is electrically connected to the main control unit 100, and various signals and information generated from the main control unit 100 are supplied to the sub control unit 200.

  The various signals and information issued from the main control unit 100 include a signal indicating a lottery result of a lottery process performed by the winning lottery unit 120, a stop signal indicating that the stop switch 44a, 44b, or 44c is operated, and the like. is there. These signals are transmitted from the main control means 100 by processing such as step S14 or S17 in the flowchart of FIG.

  The sub-control means 200 receives these signals and controls effects performed by the effect means 300 described later.

  The sub-control means 200 is preferably composed of the sub-control board 52 described above. The sub control unit 200 includes an information transmission unit 270.

<Information transmission means 270>
The information transmitting unit 270 transmits information related to the effect to the effect unit 300. When it is determined to produce an effect by the effect determining means (not shown), information related to the effect performed by the effect means 300, such as image data, is transmitted to the effect means 300. On the other hand, when it is determined not to produce an effect, information relating to the effect is not transmitted to the effect means 300.

<Direction means 300>
In the production means 300, notification of information related to the game is performed as production. In the present embodiment, an effect for notifying information related to a unit game is performed by the effect means 300.

  The effect unit 300 is electrically connected to the information transmission unit 270 of the sub-control unit 200 described above. The production means 300 notifies the player of the information emitted from the information transmission means 270 so that the player can recognize it. The effect unit 300 is preferably composed of the image display device 34, the speaker 36, or the lamp 38. It is preferable that the game for notifying the information related to the game described above is performed by the image display device 34. As described above, the effect is controlled and advanced by the sub-control means 200.

<< Control processing >>
Below, the control performed in the main control means 100 (main control board 32) and the sub control means 200 (sub control board 52) mentioned above is demonstrated. 4 to 8 are subroutines for executing control processing in the main control means 100. FIG. 9 is a subroutine for executing control processing in the sub-control means 200.

  In the following, the slot machine 10 is started in advance, and in the main control unit 100 described above, after starting processing such as initialization of various variables used for control, the slot machine 10 operates normally. It shall be. Further, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 and FIG. 9 show only one example for executing the control processing in the main control means 100 and the sub control means 200, and are limited to this processing procedure. Absent.

<Control in main control means 100>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control in the main control means 100.
First, the inserted number is determined based on a signal generated by the player operating the above-described 1-bet switch 62, 2-bet switch 64, or maximum bet switch 66 (step S11). This inserted number indicates the number of medals targeted for betting for one game, and is not only the number of medals targeted for betting after being temporarily accumulated as the number of credits described above, It also includes the number of medals that have been inserted through the medal insertion slot 46 and are directly bet.

  Further, as described above, the 1-bet switch 62, the 2-bet switch 64 or the maximum-bet switch 66 also has a function of enabling the winning line, and when the player operates the 1-bet switch 62, the winning line L1 is Enabled. When the 2-bet switch 64 is operated, the pay lines L1 to L3 are activated. When the maximum bet switch 66 is operated, L1 to L5 are validated.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the start switch 42 has been operated by the player (step S12). This determination process is determined based on whether or not a start signal is issued from the start switch 42. When it is determined that the start switch 42 is not operated (NO), the determination process in step S12 is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the player has operated the start switch 42 (YES), a role lottery process by the role lottery means 120 shown in FIG. 5 described later is called and executed (step S13).

  Next, a signal indicating the result of the winning lottery process by the winning lottery means 120 (hereinafter referred to as a lottery result signal) is transmitted to the sub-control means 200 (step S14). Thereafter, rotation control of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R is started by the reel rotation control means 132 of the reel drive control means 130 described above (step S15).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c has been operated by the player (step S16). This determination process is determined by whether or not a stop signal is issued from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c. When it is determined that the stop switch 44a, 44b, or 44c is not operated (NO), the determination process in step S16 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the player has operated the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c (YES), a signal indicating that the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c has been operated (hereinafter referred to as a stop signal). Is transmitted to the sub-control means 200 (step S17), and based on the operation of the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c, a stop control subroutine shown in FIG. Stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R is executed by the stop control means 134 (step S18).

In the process of step S17 described above, the stop signal is transmitted to the sub-control unit 200 every time the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c is operated. By doing in this way, the sub-control means 200 can obtain the order in which the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated.
After performing the process of step S18 described above, it is determined whether or not all of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped (step S19). The motor 86a for driving the reel 30L, the motor 86b for driving the reel 30C, and the motor 86c for driving the reel 30R excite all phases of these motors, Can be stopped. For example, when each of the motors 86a, 86b and 86c is driven by three-phase excitation, the motors can be stopped by exciting all three phases of each motor simultaneously. The determination process in step S19 described above is a process for determining whether or not the excitation control for stopping the motor is performed on all of the three motors 86a, 86b, and 86c.

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S19 that all the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are not stopped, that is, at least one of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R is stopped. If it is determined that there is not (NO), the process returns to step S16 described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that all of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R have stopped (YES), a winning process subroutine shown in FIG. 8 to be described later is called to execute the winning process of the unit game performed this time. (Step S20), and this subroutine is finished. For example, when the RB combination is won, the process of step S20 is shifted to the RB gaming state, and when winning a small combination such as a watermelon combination, processing such as paying out the number of game media corresponding to the combination is performed. If no winning combination is won, no processing related to winning is performed.

<Role drawing process>
FIG. 5 shows a role lottery processing subroutine called and executed in step S13 of the subroutine of FIG. 4 described above. This process is a process executed by the combination lottery means 120 described above. The gaming state described below is stored as a flag or variable value, and the gaming state can be obtained by reading the flag or variable value.

  First, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is a normal general gaming state (step S21). When it is determined that the gaming state is the normal general gaming state (YES), the normal general gaming state probability table is selected (step S22). The normal general gaming state probability table is stored in the probability table storage unit 128 of the random number determination unit 126 described above. This normal general gaming state is one of the gaming states that are not the replay high probability gaming state, and corresponds to the “third gaming state”.

  When it is determined in step S21 described above that the gaming state is not the normal general gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the first type BB gaming state (step S23). When it is determined that the gaming state is the first type BB gaming state (YES), the first type BB gaming state probability table is selected (step S24). The first type BB gaming state probability table is also stored in the probability table storage unit 128 of the random number determination unit 126 described above.

  When it is determined in step S23 that the gaming state is not the first type BB gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the RB gaming state (step S25). When it is determined that the gaming state is the RB gaming state (YES), the RB gaming state probability table is selected (step S26). The RB gaming state probability table in the second type BB is also stored in the probability table storage unit 128 of the random number determination unit 126 described above.

  When it is determined in step S25 that the gaming state is not the RB gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is a special chance time gaming state (hereinafter referred to as SP-CT gaming state) ( Step S27). When it is determined that the gaming state is the SP-CT gaming state (YES), the SP-CT gaming state probability table is selected (step S28). The SP-CT gaming state probability table is also stored in the probability table storage unit 128 of the random number determination unit 126 described above. This SP-CT gaming state is one of the re-gaming high probability gaming states, and is a gaming state that is easily won by the re-gamer, and corresponds to the “fourth gaming state”.

  When it is determined in step S27 that the gaming state is not the SP-CT gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is a chance time gaming state (hereinafter referred to as a CT gaming state) (step). S29). When it is determined that the gaming state is the CT gaming state (YES), the CT gaming state probability table is selected (step S30). This CT gaming state probability table is also stored in the probability table storage unit 128 of the random number determination unit 126 described above. This CT gaming state is one of the gaming states that are not the re-gaming high probability gaming state, and corresponds to the “first gaming state”.

  When it is determined in step S29 that the gaming state is not the CT gaming state (NO), the AR gaming state probability table is selected (step S31). This AR gaming state is one of the re-gaming high-probability gaming states, is the gaming state with the highest probability of winning the re-gamer, and corresponds to the “second gaming state”.

  After executing the process of step S22, S24, S26, S28, S30 or S31 described above, the random number extraction means 124 extracts a random number (step S32). The random number determination means 126 collates the data of the probability table selected in each process of step S22, S24, S26, S28, S30 or S31 with the value of the random number extracted in the process of step S32, and determines the type of the combination. Determine (step S33).

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the processing when the gaming state is another gaming state such as the second-type BB gaming state is omitted, but the gaming state is not the same as the gaming state described above. Even in the state, a lottery process may be performed by selecting a probability table corresponding to the gaming state.

<Reel stop control process>
FIG. 6 shows a reel stop control process subroutine called and executed in step S18 of the subroutine of FIG. 4 described above.
First, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is a normal general gaming state (step S41). The gaming state is determined by executing a winning process subroutine shown in FIG. When it is determined that the gaming state is the normal general gaming state (YES), based on the result of the lottery process of the role lottery means 120 and the timing when the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c is operated by the player, Stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R is performed (step S42), and this subroutine is finished.

  Specifically, in the process of step S42, when any of the winning combinations is not won by the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120, that is, when the player is off, the player can stop the stop switch 44a at any timing. , 44b or 44c, the stop control of the reels 30L, 30C or 30R, so-called kicking control described above, is performed so that the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to any of the combinations is not aligned on the activated pay line. Do.

  Further, when any of the winning combinations is won by the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120, and the player operates the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c at a predetermined timing, it corresponds to the winning combination. Stop control of the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R, so-called pull-in control described above, is performed so that the symbols are aligned on the activated pay line. The predetermined timing is when the number of frames from the symbol corresponding to the winning combination to the activated winning line is within the number of control frames described above.

  On the other hand, when the player operates the stop switch 44a, 44b, or 44c at a timing other than the predetermined timing described above, even when one of the winning combinations is won by the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120. Performs stop control and kick control of the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R so that the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is not aligned on the activated pay line.

  When it is determined that the gaming state is not the normal general gaming state in the determination process of step S42 described above (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the first type BB gaming state (step S43). When it is determined that the gaming state is the first type BB gaming state (YES), the process proceeds to the above-described step S42. When it is determined in the determination process in step S43 that the gaming state is not the first type BB gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the RB gaming state (step S44). Even when it is determined that the gaming state is the RB gaming state (YES), the process proceeds to the above-described step S42. When it is determined in the determination processing in step S44 that the gaming state is not the RB gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the AR gaming state (step S45). Even when it is determined that the gaming state is the AR gaming state (YES), the process proceeds to the above-described step S42.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S45 that the gaming state is not the AR gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the SP-CT gaming state (step S46). When it is determined that the gaming state is the SP-CT gaming state (YES), a predetermined small combination is won by the combination lottery process that is called and executed in the process of step S13 of FIG. 4 described above. It is determined whether or not there is (step S47). The predetermined small roles are the three small roles 1 to 3 described above, and the determination in step S47 is based on whether or not one of the three small roles 1 to 3 is selected. is there.

  If it is determined in the determination process of step S47 that the predetermined small role is won (YES), the symbol corresponding to the winning small role among the three small roles 1 to 3 is valid. It is determined whether or not it is possible to stop the converted pay line, that is, whether or not it can be drawn (step S48). That is, in this determination process, the number of frames from the symbol corresponding to the winning small combination of the three small combinations 1 to 3 to the activated winning line is within the above-mentioned number of control frames. This is a process for determining whether or not there is. When it is determined in the determination process of step S48 that the symbol corresponding to the winning small combination among the three small combinations 1 to 3 can be stopped on the activated winning line (YES), Stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R, so-called pull-in control is performed so as to stop at the winning line where the symbol corresponding to the selected small combination is activated (step S49), and this subroutine is finished.

  By performing the pull-in control process of step S49, when winning the small role 1, the winning arrangement in which the symbol arrangement "7"-"bell"-"bell" corresponding to the small role 1 is activated is activated. The three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R are controlled to stop so as to align with the line. In addition, when the small role 2 is won, the three reels 30L and 30C are arranged so that the line of symbols corresponding to the small role 2 “VF”-“bell”-“bell” is aligned with the activated pay line. Alternatively, 30R is controlled to stop. Further, when winning the small role 3, the three reels 30L, 30C are arranged so that the line of symbols corresponding to the small role 3 "card"-"bell"-"bell" is aligned with the activated pay line. Alternatively, 30R is controlled to stop.

  When it is determined that the symbol corresponding to the predetermined small combination won in the process of step S48 cannot be stopped on the activated winning line (NO), that is, among the three small combinations 1 to 3 When it is determined that the number of frames from the symbol corresponding to the selected small role to the activated winning line is greater than the number of control frames described above, the symbol sequence “RP”-“RP”-“Bell Are controlled to stop the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R, that is, pull-in control is performed (step S50), and this subroutine is terminated.

  This symbol sequence “RP”-“RP”-“bell” is not a symbol sequence corresponding to any of the roles, but an outlier symbol sequence (see FIG. 12). Therefore, even if the arrangement of symbols “RP”-“RP”-“Bell” can be aligned with the activated winning line, it does not mean that the player has won any combination. However, as will be described later, the game state can be shifted from the SP-CT gaming state to the AR gaming state by aligning the symbols “RP”-“RP”-“Bell” to the activated winning line. it can. Hereinafter, this symbol arrangement “RP”-“RP”-“bell” may be referred to as an AR entry point.

  Further, as shown in the symbol arrangement on each of the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R (see FIG. 11), all the symbols “RP” attached to the left reel 30L are arranged within at least five frames. . All the symbols “RP” attached to the middle reel 30C are also arranged within at least 5 frames. Further, all the symbols “bells” attached to the right reel 30R are also arranged within at least 5 frames. As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of control frames is five, and all of the symbols “RP” attached to the left reel 30L and the middle reel 30C and the symbol “bell” attached to the right reel 30R. All of "" are arranged so as to be within the number of control frames. By arranging the symbols in this way, when one of the three small roles 1 to 3 is won, the player does not win the three small roles 1 to 3 When the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated at the timing, that is, at the timing at which the symbols corresponding to these small roles 1 to 3 cannot be drawn, the symbol arrangement “RP”-“RP The three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R can be stopped and controlled so that “bell” is aligned with the activated winning line.

  By executing the processes of steps S47 to S50 described above, the winning lottery means 120 is selected when one of the three small roles 1 to 3 is won by the lottery process. When the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c at the timing when the winning combination 1, the winning combination 2 or the winning combination 3 is won, that is, the symbols corresponding to these playing 1 to 3 When the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c at a timing at which the player can pull in, the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R are controlled to stop so that the winning combination is won. On the other hand, even though one of the three small roles 1 to 3 is won by the lottery process of the role lottery means 120, the winning small role 1, the small role 2 or the small role 3 is won. As described above, when the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c, as shown above, the symbol arrangement “RP”-“RP”-“bell” is aligned with the activated pay line. The three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R are controlled to stop.

By controlling in this way, when one of the small roles 1 to 3 can be won, the number of medals corresponding to these combinations is paid out, and the symbol arrangement “RP” "-" RP "-" Bell "are aligned with the activated pay line, the gaming state is shifted from the SP-CT gaming state to the AR gaming state, as will be described later. Since this AR gaming state is a replay high probability gaming state, it can be advantageous to the player.
The above three small combinations 1, small combinations 2 or small combinations 3 correspond to “predetermined combinations”. In addition, the symbol sequence corresponding to the small role 1 “7”-“bell”-“bell”, the symbol sequence corresponding to the small role 2 “VF”-“bell”-“bell”, and the small role 3 Corresponding symbol sequences “card”-“bell”-“bell” correspond to a sequence of symbols corresponding to a predetermined combination. Furthermore, the symbol sequence “RP”-“RP”-“Bell” corresponds to “another fixed symbol sequence different from the symbol sequence corresponding to any combination that can be drawn by the combination lottery means”. .

  Furthermore, the SP-CT gaming state corresponds to the “first gaming state”, and the AR gaming state corresponds to the “second gaming state”.

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S47 that the predetermined small role is not won (NO), other control is executed (step S51), and this subroutine is terminated. There are cases where it is determined that a predetermined small combination has not been won, and when a combination different from the predetermined small combination has been won or removed. When a combination different from the predetermined small combination is won, in the process of step S51, pull-in control or kicking control is executed according to the timing when the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b or 44c. On the other hand, when it is off, kicking control is executed in the process of step S51. The pull-in control and kick-off control in step S51 are the same processes as those in step S42 described above.

  When it is determined that the gaming state is not the SP-CT gaming state in the determination processing in step S46 described above (NO), a subroutine of CT gaming state stop control processing described later is called and executed (step S52). Exit the subroutine.

<CT gaming state stop control process>
FIG. 7 shows a subroutine of the CT gaming state stop control process that is called and executed in step S52 of the subroutine of FIG. 6 described above. This subroutine is a process for stopping and controlling the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R when the gaming state is the CT gaming state.

  First, it is determined whether or not the order in which the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are operated by the player is forward pressing (step S61).

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the player stops the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R by operating the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c. The order of operating the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c is 44a → 44b → 44c, 44a → 44c → 44b, 44b → 44a → 44c, 44b → 44c → 44a, 44c → 44a → 44b, There are six ways of 44c → 44b → 44a. Of these, the order of operation such as 44a → 44b → 44c is referred to as so-called forward pressing. Of these six orders, five orders other than the forward push are referred to as irregular pushes. The determination in step S61 described above is processing for determining whether or not the player has operated the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c in the order of 44a → 44b → 44c. The above-described forward pressing corresponds to the “first operating mode”, and the irregular pressing corresponds to the “second operating mode”.

  If it is determined in the above-described determination processing in step S61 that the order operated by the player is forward pressing (YES), it is determined whether or not the RP combination is won in duplicate (step S62). The RP combination includes four RP combinations 1 to 4 (see FIG. 12). The combination lottery means 120 performs a lottery process so that these four RP combination 1 to RP combination 4 are won in duplicate. That is, the winning lottery means 120 executes a lottery process so that any of the four RP winning combinations 1 to 4 can be won simultaneously when winning the RP winning combination.

  When it is determined in the process of step S62 described above that the four RP roles 1 to 4 are duplicated (YES), of the four winning RP roles 1 to 4 It is determined whether or not it can be drawn to win any of the three RP roles 2 to 4 (step S63). That is, it is determined whether or not the number of frames from the symbol corresponding to each of the three RP combinations 2 to 4 to the activated winning line is within the above-described number of control frames. The symbol sequence corresponding to RP role 2 is “Red 7”-“RP”-“RP”, and the symbol sequence corresponding to RP role 3 is “VF”-“RP”-“RP”. The symbol sequence corresponding to the RP combination 4 is “card” − “RP” − “RP”. Hereinafter, the arrangement of these symbols may be referred to as a falling eye.

  When it is determined in the above-described determination processing in step S63 that it is possible to draw in any one of the three RP roles 2 to 4 (YES), the three RP roles 2 to RP roles The lead-in control is performed so as to win any one of the four RP combinations (step S64), and this subroutine is terminated. By controlling in this way, the arrangement of the symbols “red 7”-“RP”-“RP”, “VF”-“RP”-“RP” or “card”-“RP”-“ RP "can be aligned. As will be described later, when any one of the three RP combinations 2 to 4 is awarded, the gaming state is returned from the CT gaming state to the normal general gaming state.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S63 that it cannot be drawn to win any one of the three RP roles 2 to 4 that have been won in duplicate, not only these RP roles but others The kicking control is performed so as not to win any of the winning combinations (step S65), and this subroutine is terminated.

  If it is determined in the above-described determination processing in step S62 that the four RP combination 1 to RP combination 4 are not redundantly selected (NO), other control is executed (step S66), and this subroutine is terminated. . In addition, the other control of this step S66 performs the process similar to step S42 shown in the above-mentioned FIG. That is, kick control is performed when the player is off, and pull-in control or kick control is performed according to the timing at which the stop switch 44a, 44b, or 44c is operated when one of the roles is won.

  If it is determined in step S61 that it is not a forward press, it is determined whether or not the RP combination is won in duplicate (step S67). This determination is the same determination process as in step S62 described above. As described above, there are four RP combinations 1 to 4 in the RP combination, and the combination lottery means 120 performs a lottery process so that these four RP combinations 1 to 4 can be won.

  If it is determined in the process of step S67 described above that the four RP roles 1 to 4 are duplicated (YES), of the four winning RP roles 1 to 4 RP It is determined whether or not a single RP combination 1 can be drawn in so as to win (Step S68). That is, it is determined whether or not the number of frames from the symbol corresponding to the RP combination 1 to the activated winning line is within the above-described number of control frames. The symbol sequence corresponding to RP combination 1 is “RP”-“RP”-“RP”.

  If it is determined in the determination process of step S68 that it is possible to draw in to win the RP combination 1 (YES), the drawing is controlled to win in the RP combination 1 (step S69), and this subroutine is executed. finish. By controlling in this way, the arrangement of symbols “RP”-“RP”-“RP” can be arranged in the effective line. As will be described later, when the RP combination 1 is won, the gaming state is maintained in the CT gaming state.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S68 that it is not possible to draw in to win the duplicate winning RP combination 1 (NO), not only these RP combinations but also any other combination The kicking control is performed so as not to win a prize (step S70), and this subroutine is finished.

  If it is determined in the determination process in step S62 that the four RP combination 1 to RP combination 4 are not duplicated (NO), it is determined whether a predetermined small combination is won (step). S71). The predetermined small roles are the three small roles 1 to 3 described above, and the determination in step S71 is based on whether or not one of the three small roles 1 to 3 is won. is there. Note that the determination in step S71 is the same determination as in step S62 described above.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S71 that a predetermined small role has been won (YES), the symbol corresponding to the winning small role among the three small roles 1 to 3 is valid. It is determined whether or not it is possible to stop the converted pay line, that is, whether or not it can be pulled in (step S72). That is, in this determination process, the number of frames from the symbol corresponding to the winning small combination of the three small combinations 1 to 3 to the activated winning line is within the above-mentioned number of control frames. This is a process for determining whether or not there is. If it is determined in step S72 that the symbol corresponding to the winning combination among the three small combinations 1 to 3 can be stopped on the activated winning line (YES), Stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R, so-called pull-in control is performed so as to stop at the winning line in which the symbol corresponding to the selected small combination is activated (step S73), and this subroutine is finished.

  By executing the pull-in control process in step S73, when winning the small combination 1, the winning arrangement in which the symbol arrangement "7"-"bell"-"bell" corresponding to the small combination 1 is activated is activated. The three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R are controlled to stop so as to align with the line. In addition, when the small role 2 is won, the three reels 30L and 30C are arranged so that the line of symbols corresponding to the small role 2 “VF”-“bell”-“bell” is aligned with the activated pay line. Alternatively, 30R is controlled to stop. Further, when winning the small role 3, the three reels 30L, 30C are arranged so that the line of symbols corresponding to the small role 3 "card"-"bell"-"bell" is aligned with the activated pay line. Alternatively, 30R is controlled to stop.

  When it is determined that the symbol corresponding to the predetermined small combination won in the process of step S72 described above cannot be stopped on the activated winning line (NO), that is, among the three small combinations 1 to 3 When it is determined that the number of frames from the symbol corresponding to the selected small role to the activated winning line is greater than the number of control frames described above, the symbol sequence “RP”-“RP”-“Bell Are controlled to stop the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R, that is, pull-in control is performed (step S74), and this subroutine is terminated.

  This symbol sequence “RP”-“RP”-“bell” is not a symbol sequence corresponding to any of the roles, but an outlier symbol sequence (see FIG. 12). Therefore, even if the arrangement of symbols “RP”-“RP”-“Bell” can be aligned with the activated winning line, it does not mean that the player has won any combination. However, as will be described later, the gaming state can be shifted from the CT gaming state to the AR gaming state by aligning the symbols “RP”-“RP”-“Bell” to the activated winning line.

  Further, as shown in the symbol arrangement on each of the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R (see FIG. 11), all the symbols “RP” attached to the left reel 30L are arranged within at least five frames. . All the symbols “RP” attached to the middle reel 30C are also arranged within at least 5 frames. Further, all the symbols “bells” attached to the right reel 30R are also arranged within at least 5 frames. As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of control frames is five, and all of the symbols “RP” attached to the left reel 30L and the middle reel 30C and the symbol “bell” attached to the right reel 30R. All of "" are arranged so as to be within the number of control frames. By arranging the symbols in this way, when one of the three small roles 1 to 3 is won, the player does not win the three small roles 1 to 3 When the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated at the timing, that is, at the timing at which the symbols corresponding to these small roles 1 to 3 cannot be drawn, the symbol arrangement “RP”-“RP The three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R can be stopped and controlled so that “bell” is aligned with the activated winning line.

  By executing the processing of steps S71 to S74 described above, when the winning combination lottery means 120 is selected and one of the three small combinations 1 to 3 is selected, When the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c at the timing when the winning combination 1, the winning combination 2 or the winning combination 3 is won, that is, the symbols corresponding to these playing 1 to 3 When the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c at a timing at which the player can pull in, the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R are controlled to stop so that the winning combination is won. On the other hand, even though one of the three small roles 1 to 3 is won by the lottery process of the role lottery means 120, the winning small role 1, the small role 2 or the small role 3 is won. As described above, when the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c, as shown above, the symbol arrangement “RP”-“RP”-“bell” is aligned with the activated pay line. The three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R are controlled to stop.

  By controlling in this way, when one of the small roles 1 to 3 can be won, the number of medals corresponding to these combinations is paid out, and the symbol arrangement “RP” "-" RP "-" Bell "are aligned with the activated pay line, the gaming state is shifted from the CT gaming state to the AR gaming state, as will be described later. Since this AR gaming state is a replay high probability gaming state, it can be advantageous to the player.

  The above three small combinations 1, small combinations 2 or small combinations 3 correspond to “predetermined combinations”. In addition, the symbol sequence corresponding to the small role 1 “7”-“bell”-“bell”, the symbol sequence corresponding to the small role 2 “VF”-“bell”-“bell”, and the small role 3 Corresponding symbol sequences “card”-“bell”-“bell” correspond to a sequence of symbols corresponding to a predetermined combination. Furthermore, the symbol sequence “RP”-“RP”-“Bell” corresponds to “another fixed symbol sequence different from the symbol sequence corresponding to any combination that can be drawn by the combination lottery means”. .

  Furthermore, the CT gaming state corresponds to the “first gaming state”, and the AR gaming state corresponds to the “second gaming state”.

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S71 that the predetermined small role is not won (NO), other control is executed (step S75), and this subroutine is terminated. There are cases where it is determined that a predetermined small combination has not been won, and when a combination different from the predetermined small combination has been won or removed. When a winning combination different from the predetermined small combination is won, in the process of step S75, pull-in control or kicking control is executed according to the timing when the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b or 44c. On the other hand, when it is off, kicking control is executed in the process of step S51. The pull-in control and kick-off control in step S75 are the same processes as those in step S42 described above.

<Winning process>
FIG. 8 shows a winning process subroutine called and executed in step S20 of the subroutine of FIG. 4 described above.

  First, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is a normal general gaming state (step S81). When it is determined that the gaming state is the normal general gaming state (YES), it is determined whether or not the first type BB combination has been won (step S82). The winning of the first type BB combination is executed by the process of step S42 in FIG.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S82 that the first type BB combination has been won (YES), the first type BB gaming state is started (step S83), and the process proceeds to step S111 described later. The process of step S83 is performed by changing the value of the flag or variable that determines the first type BB gaming state. As a result of the processing in step S83, the gaming state shifts from the normal general gaming state to the first type BB gaming state, and from the next unit game to be performed, the gaming state becomes the first type BB gaming state.

  If it is determined in the determination process of step S82 that the first type BB combination has not been won (NO), it is determined whether or not the RB combination has been won (step S84). When it is determined that the RB combination has been won (YES), the RB gaming state is started (step S85), and the process proceeds to step S111 described later. The process of step S85 is performed by changing the value of the flag or variable that determines the RB gaming state. As a result of the processing in step S85, the gaming state shifts from the normal general gaming state to the RB gaming state, and the gaming state becomes the RB gaming state from the unit game to be performed next.

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S84 that the RB combination has not been won (NO), it is determined whether or not a so-called ceiling has been reached (step S86). In step S86, when the game state is the normal general game state, the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120 is performed in a unit game of a predetermined number of times or more, for example, in a unit game of 777 or more continuously. This is a process for determining whether or not the first type BB combination has been won.

  If it is determined in step S86 that the ceiling has been reached (YES), the CT gaming state is started (step S87), and the process proceeds to step S111 described later. The processing in step S87 is performed by changing the value of a flag or variable that determines the CT gaming state. By the processing in step S87, the gaming state is changed from the normal general gaming state to the CT gaming state, and the gaming state is changed to the CT gaming state from the next unit game to be performed.

  When it is determined in step S86 that the ceiling has not been reached (NO), other processing, such as variable initialization, is performed (step S88), and processing is performed in step S111 described later. Transfer.

  When it is determined in the above-described determination processing in step S81 that the gaming state is not the normal general gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the first type BB gaming state (step S89). It is determined whether or not a condition for ending the first type BB gaming state is satisfied (step S90). As described above, the termination condition of the first type BB gaming state is that the number of medals paid out in the first type BB gaming state has reached a predetermined number (for example, 300).

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S90 that the condition for ending the first type BB gaming state is satisfied (YES), the SP-CT gaming state is started (step S91), and the process proceeds to later-described step S111. . The processing in step S91 is performed by changing the value of a flag or variable that determines the SP-CT gaming state. By the process of step S91, the gaming state is shifted from the first type BB gaming state to the SP-CT gaming state, and the gaming state is changed to the SP-CT gaming state from the next unit gaming.

  When it is determined that the condition for ending the first type BB gaming state is not satisfied (NO), other processing, for example, processing such as variable initialization is executed (step S92), and step S111 described later is performed. Move processing to.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S89 that the gaming state is not the first type BB gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the RB gaming state (step S93). When it is determined that the gaming state is the RB gaming state (YES), it is determined whether or not a condition for ending the RB gaming state is satisfied (step S94). As described above, the termination condition of the RB gaming state is that the number of unit games exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 12 times) or that a predetermined combination has won a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times). is there.

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S94 that the condition for ending the RB gaming state is satisfied (YES), the process proceeds to step S91 described above, and when it is determined that the condition for ending the RB gaming state is not satisfied ( For NO), the process proceeds to step S92 described above.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S93 that the gaming state is not the RB gaming state (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the SP-CT gaming state (step S95). When it is determined that the gaming state is the SP-CT gaming state (YES), it is determined whether a condition for ending the SP-CT gaming state is satisfied (step S96). The termination condition of the SP-CT gaming state is that the number of unit games exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 15 times) in the SP-CT gaming state after finishing the first type BB gaming state. In the SP-CT gaming state after finishing the gaming state, the number of unit games exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 10 times).

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S96 that the condition for ending the SP-CT gaming state is satisfied (YES), the CT gaming state is started (step S97), and the process proceeds to step S111 described later. The process in step S97 is performed by changing the value of a flag or variable that determines the CT gaming state. By the processing in step S97, the gaming state is shifted from the SP-CT gaming state to the CT gaming state, and the gaming state is changed to the CT gaming state from the next unit game to be performed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the determination process in step S96 that the condition for ending the SP-CT gaming state is not satisfied (NO), it is determined whether or not the AR entry has been aligned (step S98). . As described above, the AR entry point is the symbol sequence “RP”-“RP”-“Bell”, and the symbol sequence “RP”-“RP”-“Bell” is validated in step S98. This is a determination as to whether or not the winning line is aligned.

  If it is determined in the determination process in step S98 that the AR entry points have been aligned (YES), the AR gaming state is started (step S99), and the process proceeds to step S111 described later. The process in step S99 is performed by changing the value of a flag or variable that determines the AR gaming state. By the process of step S99, the gaming state is shifted from the SP-CT gaming state to the AR gaming state, and the gaming state is changed to the AR gaming state from the next unit game to be performed.

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S98 that the AR entry points have not been aligned (NO), other processes such as variable initialization are executed (step S100), which will be described later. The process moves to step S111.

  When it is determined that the gaming state is not the SP-CT gaming state in the determination process of step S95 described above (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the CT gaming state (step S101). When it is determined that the gaming state is the CT gaming state, it is determined whether or not the AR entry has been aligned (step S102). The determination in step S102 is a determination as to whether or not the symbol arrangement “RP”-“RP”-“bell” is aligned with the activated pay line.

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S102 that the AR entry points have been aligned (YES), the AR gaming state is started (step S103), and the process proceeds to step S111 described later. The process in step S99 is performed by changing the value of a flag or variable that determines the AR gaming state. By the processing in step S103, the gaming state is changed from the CT gaming state to the AR gaming state, and the gaming state is changed to the AR gaming state from the next unit game to be performed.

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S102 that the AR entry points cannot be aligned (NO), it is determined whether or not the fall points are aligned (step S104). As described above, the falling point is a sequence of symbols corresponding to RP role 2 to RP role 4, and the sequence of symbols corresponding to RP role 2 is “red 7” − “RP” − “RP”. , The symbol sequence corresponding to RP role 3 is “VF”-“RP”-“RP”, and the symbol sequence corresponding to RP role 4 is “card”-“RP”-“RP”. .

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S104 that the falling points are aligned (YES), the normal general gaming state is started (step S105), and the process proceeds to step S111 described later. The process of step S105 is performed by changing the value of the flag or variable that determines the normal general gaming state. As a result of the processing in step S105, the gaming state shifts from the CT gaming state to the normal general gaming state, and from the next unit game to be performed, the gaming state becomes the normal general gaming state.

When it is determined in the determination process in step S104 that the falling points are not aligned (NO), other processes such as variable initialization are executed (step S106), and the process proceeds to step S111 described later. Move processing.
When it is determined that the gaming state is not the CT gaming state in the determination process of step S101 described above (NO), it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the AR gaming state (step S107). When it is determined that the gaming state is the AR gaming state (YES), it is determined whether a condition for ending the AR gaming state is satisfied (step S108). The termination condition of the AR game state is that the number of unit games exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 60 times).

  If it is determined in step S108 that the condition for ending the AR gaming state is satisfied, the CT gaming state is started (step S109), and the process proceeds to step S111 described later. The process in step S109 is performed by changing the value of a flag or variable that determines the CT gaming state. By the process of step S109, the gaming state is changed from the AR gaming state to the CT gaming state, and the gaming state is changed to the CT gaming state from the next unit game to be performed.

  When it is determined in step S108 that the conditions for ending the AR gaming state are not satisfied, other processing, for example, processing such as variable initialization, is executed (step S110). Move processing.

  When it is determined that the gaming state is not the AR gaming state in the determination processing of steps S83, S85, S87, S88, S91, S92, S97, S99, S100, S103, S105, S106, S109, S110, and step S107 described above. In (NO), a process of paying out the number of medals according to the type of winning combination is performed (step S111), and this subroutine is terminated.

<Overview of game progress>
By executing the processing described above, the change in the gaming state in the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment is as follows.

  First, when the slot machine 10 is activated, the gaming state becomes a normal general gaming state. When the gaming state is the normal general gaming state, the combination lottery means 120 performs a lottery process so that each combination shown in FIG. 12 can be won. When the gaming state is the normal general gaming state, when the first type BB combination 1 to the first type BB combination 5 which are the first type BB combination 5 are won and awarded, By the processing of step S83 in FIG. 8, the gaming state shifts to the first type BB gaming state (see arrow (A) in FIG. 10). Also, when the game state is the normal general game state, when the RB combination 1 to RB combination 2 which are two RB combinations can be won and won, the process of step S85 in FIG. 8 described above. Thus, the gaming state shifts to the RB gaming state (see arrow (B) in FIG. 10).

  When the gaming state is the first type BB gaming state and the number of medals paid out reaches a predetermined number (for example, 300), the first type BB gaming state termination condition is satisfied, The seed BB gaming state is terminated (see step S90 in FIG. 8). Further, when the gaming state is the RB gaming state, the number of unit games exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 12 times) or a predetermined combination wins a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times). The RB gaming state termination condition is satisfied, and the RB gaming state is terminated (see step S94 in FIG. 8).

  When the first type BB gaming state or the RB gaming state ends, the gaming state shifts to the SP-CT gaming state by the process of step S91 in FIG. 8 (arrows (C) and (D) in FIG. 10). reference). When the gaming state is the SP-CT gaming state and the AR entry points can be aligned, the gaming state is shifted to the AR gaming state by the process of step S99 of FIG. 8 described above (arrow in FIG. 10). (See (E)). In addition, when the gaming state is the SP-CT gaming state, when the AR entry cannot be aligned, the gaming state is maintained in the SP-CT gaming state. The AR entry point described above is a symbol arrangement “RP”-“RP”-“Bell”, and the gaming state is shifted to the AR gaming state by aligning the symbol arrangement with the activated winning line. Can do. Note that, as described above, the symbol sequence “RP”-“RP”-“bell” is not a symbol sequence corresponding to a role, but one of the symbols that are out of place.

  Furthermore, when the gaming state becomes the SP-CT gaming state through the first type BB gaming state, the number of unit games exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 15 times), so that the SP-CT gaming state And the SP-CT gaming state is terminated (see step S96 in FIG. 8). In addition, when the gaming state changes to the SP-CT gaming state through the RB gaming state, the number of unit games exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 10 times), so that the SP-CT gaming state end condition Is satisfied and the SP-CT gaming state is terminated (see step S96 in FIG. 8).

  By ending the SP-CT gaming state, the gaming state shifts to the CT gaming state by the process of step S97 in FIG. 8 described above (see arrow (F) in FIG. 10). When the gaming state is the CT gaming state and the AR entry points can be aligned, the gaming state is shifted to the AR gaming state by the process of step S103 of FIG. 8 described above (arrow (G in FIG. 10). )reference). As described above, the symbol arrangement is “RP”-“RP”-“bell”, and the gaming state can be shifted to the AR gaming state by aligning the symbol arrangement with the activated pay line. .

  When the gaming state shifts from the SP-CT gaming state or the CT gaming state to the AR gaming state and the gaming state is the AR gaming state, the number of unit games exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 60 times). Thus, the AR gaming state termination condition is satisfied, the AR gaming state is terminated, and the gaming state shifts to the CT gaming state by the process of step S109 in FIG. 8 described above (see arrow (H) in FIG. 10). ).

  In addition, when the gaming state is the CT gaming state, when the falling points are aligned, the gaming state is shifted to the normal general gaming state by the process of step S105 of FIG. 8 described above (arrow (FIG. 10)). I)). As described above, the falling point is a sequence of symbols corresponding to RP role 2 to RP role 4, and the sequence of symbols corresponding to RP role 2 is “red 7” − “RP” − “RP”. , The symbol sequence corresponding to RP role 3 is “VF”-“RP”-“RP”, and the symbol sequence corresponding to RP role 4 is “card”-“RP”-“RP”. .

  As described above, the falling points are a sequence of symbols corresponding to the RP combination 2 to the RP combination 4, but the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the RP combination 1 is not a falling point. When the gaming state is the CT gaming state and the symbols corresponding to the RP combination 1 are aligned, the gaming state is maintained in the CT gaming state by the process of step S106 in FIG. 8 described above.

  Furthermore, when the player stops the three reels 30L to 30R and operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c in the order of 44a → 44b → 44c, The stop control of the three reels 30L to 30R is performed so that the above-described RP combination 2, RP combination 3 and RP combination 4 are won by the process of step S64 in FIG. On the other hand, when the player stops the three reels 30L to 30R and operates the order in which the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated with an irregular push different from the forward push, In step S69 of FIG. 7, the three reels 30L to 30R are controlled to stop so that the above-described RP combination 1 is won. In this way, whether or not to win the RP role 2, RP role 3 or RP role 4 or RP 1 role is determined by the pressing order of the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c. By doing this, the gaming state can be maintained in the CT gaming state, and the player can determine the possibility of shifting to the AR gaming state advantageous to the player.

  Furthermore, by stopping the three reels 30L to 30R by irregular pressing, it is possible to align the AR entry by the process of step S74 of FIG. 7 described above, and to shift to the AR gaming state advantageous to the player. It can be determined by the player's intention.

  In this way, the progress of the game changes depending on the order in which the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated. Therefore, the player can feel as if the game is proceeding according to the player's own intention. You can move in and keep your game from getting bored.

  Furthermore, when the gaming state is a normal general gaming state, when the player has not won the first type BB role in a unit game of a predetermined number of times continuously, for example, in a unit game of 777 times or more continuously. The gaming state shifts to the CT gaming state by the process of step S87 of FIG. 8 described above that satisfies the ceiling condition (see arrow (J) in FIG. 10).

<Sub-side control processing>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of notification effect processing executed by the sub-control means 200. This process is a process that is called and executed every predetermined time from the main routine that executes the main process executed by the sub-control means 200. By this subroutine, whether or not the notification effect is performed by the effect means 300 and the content of the notification effect are determined.

  First, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is an AR gaming state (step S121). This determination can be made by receiving from the main control means 100 information regarding the gaming state of the unit game currently being performed. The gaming state of the unit game is determined by the winning process in step S20 shown in FIG. 4, and is transmitted from the main control unit 100 to the sub-control unit 200 as information regarding the gaming state of the unit game currently being performed.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S121 that the gaming state is the AR gaming state, a notification lottery process for determining whether or not the effecting means 300 performs notification is executed (step S122). It is determined whether or not notification is made by the production means 300 based on the result of the notification lottery process (step S123). When it is determined that notification is to be made by the production means 300, the production means 300 notifies the information relating to the winning lottery result (step S124), and this subroutine is terminated.

  The notification performed in the process of step S124 described above is a notification by means of notification means, particularly when the gaming state is the AR gaming state, information indicating that the small role 1, the small role 2 or the small role 3 has been won. Is preferred. By giving such notification, when the gaming state is the AR gaming state, the player focuses on the small role 1, the small role 2 or the small role 3 and the small role 1, the small role 2 or the small role Since the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c can be operated at a timing such that 3 wins, the number of medals can be surely increased.

  In the above-described example, the case where whether or not to notify is determined only by the notification lottery process is shown. However, the number of unit games performed after entering the AR gaming state, or the mini game is performed by the rendering means 300. Depending on the result of the mini game or the like, it may be determined whether or not to notify. By processing in this way, it is possible to perform various developments and progress, and it is possible to make the player difficult to get bored. In addition, the contents of the production can be changed according to these notification lottery processes, the number of unit games, the result of the mini game, and the like. Even in this way, various production contents can be developed in a wide variety, and the player can be made more difficult to get bored.

  When it is determined in step S121 described above that the gaming state is not the AR gaming state, an effect process corresponding to the gaming state is executed (step S125), and this subroutine is terminated.

2 is a front view showing a front surface of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 shows an internal structure of the slot machine 10. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of main functions in the slot machine 10. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control in main control means 100. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the lottery process which is called and performed by step S13 of the subroutine of FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of reel stop control processing that is called and executed in step S18 of the subroutine of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of CT gaming state stop control processing that is called and executed in step S52 of the subroutine of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a winning process subroutine that is called and executed in step S20 of the subroutine of FIG. 4; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine of notification control processing executed in sub-control means 200. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a game state. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | sequence of the symbol attached | subjected to each of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. It is a figure which shows the kind of combination and the arrangement | sequence of the symbol corresponding to a combination.

Explanation of symbols

10 slot machine 30L, 30C, 30R reel 42 start switch 44a, 44b, 44c stop switch 100 main control means (game control means)
120 role lottery means 122 random number generation means 124 random number extraction means 126 random number determination means 128 probability table storage means (role storage means)
130 Reel drive control means 132 Reel rotation control means 134 Reel stop control means 136 Symbol stop position storage means 160 Effective line storage means 200 Sub control means (effect control means)
300 Directional means

Claims (8)

A slot machine having a plurality of rotatable reels with a plurality of symbols and a unit game in which a single process is performed until the processing based on the fact that the plurality of reels are stopped,
A role lottery means for performing a lottery process of a role used in the unit game;
Game control means for determining one of a plurality of gaming states that may have different benefits to be given to the player, and controlling the progress of the unit game based on the lottery result of the role lottery means,
The plurality of gaming states include a first gaming state and a second gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the first gaming state,
When the gaming state is the first gaming state and a predetermined combination is won by processing of the combination lottery means,
The game control means includes
If the predetermined combination is not won, the arrangement of certain symbols different from the symbol arrangement corresponding to any combination that can be drawn by the combination lottery means is aligned with the active line, and
A slot machine that shifts the gaming state from the first gaming state to the second gaming state. The combination includes a small combination for paying out game media, and a re-playing combination that allows the unit game to be played without inserting the game media,
The predetermined combination is the small combination,
2. The slot according to claim 1, wherein the second gaming state is one of at least one re-playing high probability gaming state determined to be more easily won by the re-gamer than the first gaming state. Machine. The replaying role includes at least a first replaying role and a second replaying role,
The combination lottery means performs a lottery process so that the first re-playing combination and the second re-playing combination are won in the first gaming state,
The game control means includes
When winning the first re-playing role, maintaining the gaming state in the first gaming state; and
3. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein when winning the second re-playing role, a transition is made to a third gaming state different from the first gaming state and the second gaming state. The third gaming state is the replay high probability gaming state,
The slot machine according to claim 3, wherein the second gaming state is a gaming state that is more advantageous to a player than the third gaming state. The plurality of gaming states include special gaming states that may give a player a benefit different from the first gaming state;
The game control means includes
After the special gaming state ends, the first gaming state, the second gaming state, and the third gaming state are shifted to a fourth gaming state,
5. The slot machine according to claim 4, wherein after the fourth gaming state is ended, the slot machine is shifted to the first gaming state. The fourth gaming state is the replay high probability gaming state,
The slot machine according to claim 5, wherein the second gaming state is more advantageous to the player than the fourth gaming state. Informing means for informing information on the lottery result of the role lottery means,
The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein when the gaming state is the second gaming state, information indicating that a predetermined combination is won is notified by the notification unit. The player can be operated in a plurality of operation modes, and includes an operation means for stopping the reel,
When the gaming state is the first gaming state,
When the operation mode of the operation means of the player is the first operation mode, the player is awarded the first re-game,
4. The slot machine according to claim 3, wherein when the operation mode of the operation means of the player is a second stop operation mode different from the first operation mode, the second re-game is won.

Images