JP2009131517A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine providing a game player with checkered chances and excellence in amusement in a game by realizing a hot zone with great anticipation and a cold zone with hopeless anticipation while a stock function of a bonus flag is not premised. <P>SOLUTION: The slot machine 1 is provided with a first-RT state generating means 431 for generating a first-RT state, a second-RT state generating means 432 for generating a second-RT state according to a stop display of a second specified pattern, a flag alarm means 441 capable of executing a flag alarm action of an internal winning flag corresponding to the second specified pattern, an alarm lottery means 443 for deciding whether the flag alarm action is executed or not through a lottery and a specified performance executing means 46 for executing a specified performance. An alarm control means 442 executes the flag alarm action when its execution is decided. The specified performance executing means 46 executes the specified performance in a game period until the flag alarm action is executed when its execution is decided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine that generates a gaming state in which the winning probability of a replay combination is increased.

  Conventionally, a slot machine having an internal lottery means for determining an internal winning combination by lottery is known. As such a slot machine, there is also a slot machine in which an internal winning flag indicating that a winning combination determined as an internal winning combination can be won. In this slot machine, the internal winning flag corresponding to a small role including a replay role is erased at the end of the game determined as the internal winning role regardless of whether or not a prize is won, The corresponding internal winning flag is often carried over to the next game until winning.

  If the internal winning flag is handled as described above, the small combination that has not been won in the game determined as the internal winning combination is lost as it is. On the other hand, once a bonus combination is won internally, the internal winning state can be maintained until winning. Therefore, a slot machine that once stocks the bonus flag established according to the internal winning of the bonus combination and regulates the bonus combination winning, and releases the bonus flag when the predetermined number of games is consumed (bonus winning combination) Has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In a slot machine having such a stock function, for example, a plurality of stages of game numbers are set as selection targets for the predetermined number of games, and the selection probabilities differ for each stage. In this slot machine game, depending on the selection probability at each stage, the stocked bonus flag is likely to be released, and a highly anticipated game period, so-called hot zone, and bonus flag may be released A game period with a low probability and low expectation, a so-called cold zone can be formed.

  However, the conventional slot machine described above has the following problems. In other words, this slot machine is premised on the stock function that once stocks the bonus flag, and in the slot machine without the stock function, a hot zone with a high expectation or a cold zone with a low expectation is not formed, and the game is monotonous. There is a risk that it will not be possible to secure enough entertainment.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-236064

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, realizes a hot zone with high expectation and a cold zone with low expectation without assuming the stock function of the bonus flag, and is rich in undulations, The aim is to provide a slot machine with high interest in gaming.

The present invention comprises a symbol variation display means comprising a plurality of variation display units that variably display a plurality of types of symbols in a symbol display area according to a predetermined arrangement;
Game start operation means operated by the player to start the game;
When the game start operation means is operated with a game medium inserted, an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from a plurality of types of winning combinations is executed, and an internal winning corresponding to the internal winning combination is executed. Internal lottery means for establishing a flag;
A stop operation means operated by the player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the variation display unit;
When the stop operation means is operated, a display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination within a predetermined pull-in range and stopping and displaying it in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means is a predetermined winning symbol;
In a slot machine comprising: a profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning symbol when the winning determining unit determines that the symbol is a winning symbol;
When the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means in the normal state is the first specific symbol, a first RT state in which the internal winning probability of the replay combination is set to the first probability is generated, and the first RT First RT state generating means for returning to the normal state when the first predetermined number of games is consumed in the state;
When the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means in the normal state is the second specific symbol, the internal winning probability of the replay combination is set to a second probability higher than the first probability, and the first RT A second RT state generating means for generating a second RT state that is more advantageous to the player than the state, and returning to the normal state when the second predetermined number of games is consumed in the second RT state;
Flag notifying means capable of executing a flag notifying operation for notifying the player of the establishment of the internal winning flag of the combination corresponding to the second specific symbol;
Notification control means for causing the flag notification means to execute a flag notification operation;
Notification lottery means for determining by lottery whether or not to perform a flag notification operation in response to the return from the first RT state to the normal state;
Special effect execution means for executing a special effect for suggesting that execution of the flag notification operation is determined by the notification lottery means,
When the notification lottery means determines the execution of the flag notification operation, the notification control unit causes the flag notification unit to perform a flag notification operation according to the establishment of the internal winning flag corresponding to the second specific symbol in the normal state. Is configured to run
The special effect execution means executes the special effect within a game period until the flag notification operation is executed after returning to the normal state when the notification lottery means determines the execution of the flag notification operation by lottery. The slot machine is configured to be configured as described above (claim 1).

  In the slot machine of the present invention, the first RT state and the second RT state can occur in addition to the normal state. The first RT state occurs when the first specific symbol is stopped and displayed in the normal state, and is terminated when the first predetermined number of games is consumed. The second RT state occurs when the second specific symbol is stopped and displayed in the normal state, and ends when the second predetermined number of games is consumed. The second RT state is a gaming state that has a higher internal winning probability of the replay role than the first RT state and is advantageous to the player side.

  The slot machine includes the flag notification unit capable of executing a flag notification operation, the notification lottery unit for lottering whether to execute the flag notification operation, the notification control unit for controlling the flag notification unit, And the special effect execution means for executing the special effect. The notification lottery means determines by lottery whether or not to execute the flag notification operation every time the first RT state returns to the normal state. When the notification lottery means determines the execution of the flag notification operation, the notification control means sets a flag to the flag notification means according to the establishment of the internal winning flag of the combination corresponding to the second specific symbol in the normal state. The notification operation is executed.

  Furthermore, when the execution of the flag notification operation is determined, the special effect execution means executes the special effect within the game period after the return to the normal state until the flag notification operation is executed. Here, if the flag notification operation is performed as described above, the possibility that the second RT state can be generated by stopping and displaying the second specific symbol is increased. Therefore, the special effect executed during the game period from the return to the normal state until the flag notification operation is performed suggests that the expectation for the second RT state advantageous to the player is high. Can be.

  In the slot machine, a so-called hot zone having a high expectation can be generated in accordance with the execution of the special effect suggesting that the expectation for the second RT state is high. Furthermore, the special effect can be executed according to a lottery result by the notification lottery means. Therefore, in the slot machine, a hot zone with high expectation for the second RT state is generated at a random cycle, and a game with rich undulations is realized.

  As described above, according to the slot machine of the present invention, a hot zone having a high expectation and a cold zone having a low expectation are generated without assuming a stock function for stocking a bonus flag which is an internal winning flag for a bonus combination. And the fun of the game can be enhanced by the undulating game characteristics.

The slot machine of the present invention may be a slot machine in a narrow sense using medals and coins as game media, or a parrot (R) using pachinko balls as game media.
Further, the advantageous degree of the first RT state may be higher than the normal state or lower than the normal state. Preferably, the degree of advantage of the first RT state is set to the same level as the normal state. Furthermore, the payout rate in the first RT state can be set to 100% or more.

  In addition, the second symbol may be a winning symbol of any combination, or a missing symbol of any combination. Regardless of whether the second symbol is a winning symbol or a missing symbol, a role corresponding to the second symbol is present.

In the normal state and the first RT state, the payout rate indicating the ratio of the number of payouts with respect to the number of game media inserted is set to less than 100%, and in the second RT state, the payout rate is set to 100% or more. (Claim 2).
In this case, the player's expectation for the second RT state is further increased, and the effect of the special effect is further enhanced. Then, the player's expectation in the hot zone triggered by the special performance can be further enhanced.

The notification lottery means may determine by lottery whether or not to execute a flag notification operation in response to the return from the second RT state to the normal state (claim 3).
In this case, the flag notification operation can be executed even when the second RT state returns to the normal state.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
(Example 1)
This example is an example related to the slot machine 1 that generates a gaming state in which the winning probability of the replay combination is increased. The contents will be described with reference to FIGS.
The slot machine 1 of this example includes three variable display portions 21 (hereinafter referred to as reels 21) that display a plurality of types of symbols in a symbol display area 110L, C, R in accordance with a predetermined arrangement. A means 2, a game start operation means 62 (hereinafter referred to as a start lever 62) operated by a player to start a game, and a plurality of when a start lever 62 is operated with a game medium inserted. An internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from among the types of winning combinations is executed, and the internal lottery means 42 for establishing an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination and the change display of symbols by the reel 21 are stopped. And a stop operation means 61 (hereinafter referred to as stop button 61) operated by the player, and a symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination when the stop button 61 is operated in advance. A winning for determining whether the combination of the display control means 45 that is drawn within the set pull-in range and stopped and displayed in the symbol display area 110 and the symbol that is stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means 2 is a predetermined winning symbol. The slot machine includes a determination unit 49 and a profit granting unit 47 that grants a profit corresponding to the winning symbol to the player when the winning determination unit 49 determines that the symbol is a winning symbol.

When the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means 2 in the normal state is the first specific symbol, the slot machine 1 has the first RT state in which the internal winning probability of the replay role is set to the first probability. The combination of the first RT state generating means 431 that is generated and returns to the normal state when the first predetermined number of games is consumed in the first RT state and the symbol that is stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means 2 in the normal state is the second. In the case of a specific symbol, the internal winning probability of the replay role is set to a second probability higher than the first probability to generate a second RT state that is more advantageous to the player side than the first RT state, A second RT state generating means 432 for returning to the normal state when the second predetermined number of games is consumed in the 2RT state, and an internal hit for the role corresponding to the second specific symbol; Flag notification means 441 capable of executing flag notification operation for notifying the player of the establishment of the flag, notification control means 442 for causing the flag notification means 441 to perform flag notification operation, and return from the first RT state to the normal state In response to the notification lottery means 443 for determining whether or not to execute the flag notification operation, and a special effect for executing a special effect for indicating that the flag lottery operation is determined by the notification lottery means 443 Execution means 46.
When the notification lottery unit 443 determines to execute the flag notification operation, the notification control unit 442 performs the flag notification operation on the flag notification unit 441 according to the establishment of the internal winning flag corresponding to the second specific symbol in the normal state. Is executed.
When the notification lottery means 443 determines the execution of the flag notification operation by lottery, the special effect execution means 46 executes the special effect within the game period after the return to the normal state until the flag notification operation is executed. To do.
Hereinafter, this content will be described in detail.

  First, the combination of the slot machine 1, the internal winning combination, and the winning combination will be described with reference to FIGS. In the slot machine 1 of this example, as shown in FIG. 3, two types of BIG bonus combination (BB combination), which is an opportunity for a BIG bonus game (BB game), and an opportunity combination for a single bonus game (SB game), 2 There are set types of SB combination, small combination such as 10-sheet combination, and replay combination.

  In FIG. 3, the left column shows the names of the respective roles, the middle column shows the winning symbols that are combinations of the respective symbols 20, and the right column shows the benefits (profits) to be given to the player according to the winnings. It is. In the slot machine 1, an internal winning combination by the internal lottery means 42 becomes an internal winning combination. When a winning symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination is established along the winning line, the winning combination becomes a winning combination. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this example, when the winning symbol corresponding to the SB combination cannot be established along the winning line despite the internal winning flag corresponding to the SB combination being established, Instead of a symbol, a missing symbol that is stopped and displayed on the winning line is set.

  Next, the playability of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described. In the slot machine 1, in addition to the normal state, the two types of BIG bonus games, and the two types of second RT states A and B, the first RT state and the SB game can occur. Here, the second RT states A and B are gaming states that are advantageous to a player who has increased the winning probability of the replay role. On the other hand, the first RT state is a gaming state in which the internal winning probability of the replay role is slightly higher than the normal state and becomes the first probability, and it is difficult for the player to distinguish from the normal state. This is a game state that is potentially generated for a person. The SB game is a gaming state that occurs only in the next game in which the SB combination wins, and the internal winning probability of the eight-piece combination is only slightly higher than the normal state. It is almost equivalent to the normal state.

  As a first specific symbol that triggers the occurrence of the first RT state, a missing symbol of the SB role (see FIG. 3) is set. In addition, 100 games are set as the first predetermined number of games that is a condition for ending the first RT state. As the second specific symbol that triggers the occurrence of the replay time in the second RT state, the winning symbol for the SB role (the triggering symbol for the second RT state A) and the winning symbol for the ten-card role (the triggering symbol for the second RT state B) Is set. In addition, 100 games are set as the second predetermined number of games as the end condition of the second RT state A, and 3000 games are set as the second predetermined number of games as the end condition of the second RT state B.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the winning symbol of 10 sheets, the symbol “cherry” is defined only for the right reel 21 </ b> R, and the other reels 21 are arbitrary symbols. On the other hand, in the right reel 21R, as shown in FIG. 4, symbols “cherry” are arranged at intervals of six symbols. Therefore, according to the pull-in control of the display control means 45 for stopping the reel 21 in the pull-in range corresponding to the four symbols, the winning symbol of the ten-piece combination is always displayed in the symbol display window when the internal winning flag of the ten-piece combination is established. 11 can be stopped.

  Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this example, in a game in which the internal winning flag for the SB combination is established by a combination of the pull-in control by the display control means 45 and the symbol arrangement on each reel 21, Either one of the SB missed symbols can always be stopped and displayed. The details of the pull-in control by the display control means 45 will be described in detail later.

  In the slot machine 1 of this example, when the BIG bonus game returns to the normal state, the flag notification operation of the internal winning flag corresponding to the SB combination is executed. Further, when returning from the first RT state or the second RT state to the normal state, whether or not to execute the flag notification operation of the internal winning flag corresponding to the SB combination is determined by lottery. Furthermore, when the execution of the flag notification operation is determined by the lottery, a special effect for notifying the player of the fact can be performed prior to the flag notification operation. Therefore, in the game of the slot machine 1, a so-called hot zone that has a high possibility of occurrence of the second RT state and high expectation can occur according to the special performance.

  Next, the slot machine 1 of this example has an external configuration as shown in FIG. In the slot machine 1, the front portion facing the player is formed by a front frame body 10 having a substantially rectangular symbol display window 11 provided substantially at the center. The front frame 10 is configured by arranging a liquid crystal display unit 53, a pair of left and right speakers 520, and a decorative lamp unit 56 on the upper side of the symbol display window 11. The front frame 10 has a base 100 that forms the base of the slot machine 1 below the symbol display window 11. On the right side of the symbol display unit 11, a credit display unit 551 and a payout amount display unit 552 are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 100 is formed so as to protrude relatively toward the player with respect to the symbol display window 11 located behind the player. The base portion 100 has a table-like operation surface 14 at the upper end adjacent to the symbol display window 11, a medal tray 15 for paying out medals at the lower end, and a space between the operation surface 14 and the medal tray 15. An operation panel 13 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation surface 14 has a bet button 64 for betting a credited (stored) medal, a credit settlement button 65 for paying out a credited medal, and a bet on a game. A medal insertion slot 630 for inserting medals is arranged. On the operation panel 13, a start lever 62 for starting the symbol variation of the reel 21 and a stop button 61 for stopping the symbol variation are arranged.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bet button 64 is a button for designating 3 bets, which is the maximum bet number, as the number of game bets. The bet button 64 basically generates a 3-bet signal representing the number 3 of game bets in response to an operation by the player. However, when the remaining credit is 2 or 1, a 2-bet signal or 1-bet signal is generated, and when the credit is zero, a bet signal is not generated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the start lever 62 is an operation lever that generates a game start signal, which is a control signal for the reel 21, at a timing when the player operates. In the slot machine 1, the start lever 62 is set to the valid state on the assumption that a medal is inserted directly or a bet is bet by operating the bet button 64.

  The stop button 61 is an operation button that is generated at a timing when a player operates a variable stop signal that is a control signal of the reel 21. The stop button 61 of this example is a combination of a left stop button 61L corresponding to the left reel 21L, a middle stop button 61C corresponding to the middle reel 21C, and a right stop button 61R corresponding to the right reel 21R.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the symbol display window 11 is a display window including symbol display areas 110L, C, and R. Each symbol display area 110L, C, R is a symbol display area for three symbols. In the entire symbol display window 11, symbol display regions for nine symbols arranged in a two-dimensional matrix composed of three rows and three columns are formed. The entire symbol display window 11 is formed of a transparent resin plate so that the symbol 20 can be seen from the player side. For the nine symbols 20 arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, winning lines 211 to 215 that are the arrangement direction of winning symbols to be awarded are set. As the winning lines, there are horizontal winning lines 211 to 213 and diagonal winning lines 214 and 215.

  On the back side of each symbol display area 110L, C, R, reels 21L, C, R constituting the symbol variation display means 2 are respectively arranged as shown in FIGS. The reels 21L, 21C, and 21R are rotary reels having a substantially cylindrical shape and 21 symbols 20 arranged on the outer peripheral surface thereof at a substantially constant interval. Each reel 21L, C, R has a reference position piece (not shown) at one reference position in the rotation direction. The reference position piece is a member as a detected piece detected by a reference position detection unit 66 described later. The reel 21 may be an image-type reel that displays the symbols on the liquid crystal display in place of the rotary reel of this example.

The speaker 520 and the decorative lamp unit 56 are rendering means for rendering a game with sound or light.
The credit display unit 551 is a display unit that displays the number of medals credited (stored) by the credit function.
The payout number display unit 552 is a display unit that displays the number of payout medals at the time of winning a prize.

  The liquid crystal display unit 53 includes a liquid crystal display as shown in FIGS. The liquid crystal display unit 53 can display various effect screens for producing games. In the normal state and the first RT state, an effect screen 70 is displayed as shown in FIG. On this effect screen 70, various effect images are displayed as the game progresses. In the second RT state A and B, as shown in FIG. 6, a mode display field 711 indicating the second RT state is arranged at the top, and a game number display field 712 for displaying the remaining number of games in the second RT state and A display screen 71 is displayed in which a medal number display field 713 for displaying the number of medals acquired during the occurrence of the 2RT state is arranged at the bottom. On the display screen 71, similar to the display screen 70, various effect images are displayed as the game progresses.

Next, the slot machine 1 of this example has a mechanical configuration as shown in FIG.
A control board 3 that controls the overall operation of the slot machine 1 and each part that is electrically connected to the control board 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For the control board 3, in addition to the above-described configuration, the inserted medal detection unit 63 for detecting a medal inserted as a game medium, the reel 21 together with the reel 21, and the rotation of the reel 21 constituting the symbol variation display means 2 A reference position detection unit 66 for detecting a position, a medal payout unit 54 for paying out medals, various display units 55 including a credit display unit 551 and a payout number display unit 552, a decorative lamp unit 56, and a set value representing the player's degree of advantage The set value operation unit 68 for setting the sound, the audio output unit 52 for controlling the speaker 520, and the liquid crystal display unit 53 are electrically connected.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inserted medal detection unit 63 is a detection unit for medals inserted from the medal insertion port 630. The inserted medal detection unit 63 outputs an insert signal every time a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 630. In the slot machine 1 of this example, when the medal is inserted through the medal insertion slot 630 or when three medals are bet according to the operation of the bet button 64, the start lever 62 is in an effective state. It becomes a state where the game can be started.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reel driving unit 22 includes a stepping motor (not shown) that can be controlled in units of steps, and is a means for rotationally driving the reel 21 by the rotational driving force of the stepping motor. The stepping motor rotates by one step for each control pulse fetched from the control board 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reference position detector 66 is a detector that detects the passage of the reference position piece for each of the reels 21L, 21C, and R and outputs a detection signal.
As shown in FIG. 1, the medal payout unit 54 is configured to pay out a predetermined number of medals to the medal tray 15 under the control of the control board 3.
As shown in FIG. 1, the set value operation unit 68 is an operation unit for changing a set value for setting the winning probability of a bonus combination or the like in six stages using a setting key 680.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control board 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 33 and a RAM 34 as memory means, and an I / O unit 32 as an input / output interface. The CPU 31 executes a software program read from the ROM 33 to thereby extract a random number extraction means 48 for extracting a random number for internal lottery, a winning determination means 49 for determining a winning symbol, and a profit for giving a player a profit in accordance with the winning Giving means 47, display control means 45 for controlling the reel 21, internal lottery means 42 for drawing an internal winning combination, flag control means 41 for controlling an internal winning flag, the first RT state generating means 431 and the second RT state generating means Game state transition means 43 including 432, flag notification means 441 for executing flag notification operation, notification control means 442 for controlling flag notification operation, notification lottery means 443 for determining whether or not to execute flag notification operation, and special effects Each function as the special effect execution means 46 for executing is implemented.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the ROM 33 as the memory means stores a winning random number table used by the internal lottery means 42 for lottery of the internal winning combination. The winning random number table is a data table that defines winning random numbers for each winning combination. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, different winning random number tables are set for each gaming state. FIG. 4A is a winning random number table applied to the normal state. FIG. 5B is a winning random number table applied to the first RT state. FIG. 5C is a winning random number table applied to the second RT states A and B. FIG. 4D is a winning random number table applied to the SB game. FIGS. 7B to 7D are diagrams showing only winning random numbers that are additionally set in the winning random number table of FIG.

  In the winning random number table of FIG. 5B, only two winning random numbers are newly added as winning random numbers for the replay role, and the internal winning probability of the replaying role is almost the same as in the normal state. .3 (first probability). Therefore, the first RT state is almost the same as the advantageous degree of the normal state to which the winning random number table of FIG. In the winning random number table of FIG. 10C, a lot of winning random numbers are newly added as winning random numbers for the replay role, so that the internal winning probability of the replaying role is from 1 / 7.3 to 1 / 1.3 ( 2nd probability). Therefore, the second RT states A and B are gaming states advantageous to the player side as compared to the normal state to which the winning random number table of FIG. Furthermore, in the winning random number table of FIG. 10D, only one winning random number for 8 winning combinations is additionally set. Therefore, the SB game is in a gaming state in which the player's degree of advantage is almost the same as the normal state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the random number extraction means 48 is a means for extracting a random number for internal lottery from a predetermined range of random numbers generated by a random number generation means (not shown). The random number extraction means 48 of this example extracts a random number using the change start signal of the start lever 62 as a trigger signal and inputs it to the internal lottery means 42. Note that the random number generation means of this example generates an integer that falls within the range of 0 to 65535 as a random number for internal lottery.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the internal lottery means 42 is a means for determining an internal winning combination by internal lottery and establishing an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination. The internal lottery means 42 determines the internal winning combination by collating the random numbers for internal lottery with the winning random numbers of the respective roles specified in the winning random number table. The internal lottery means 42 of this example selectively uses one of the winning random number tables shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D according to the gaming state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the flag control means 41 is a means for controlling an internal winning flag representing a state in which the corresponding winning combination can be won. The flag control means 41 is in an off state (zero) until the next game is started, regardless of whether or not the internal winning flag of the role other than the BB winning combination is won in the game in which the internal winning flag is established for the first time. Reset to). According to such control of the flag control means 41, when each winning combination other than the BB winning combination is not won in the internal winning game, all are lost. On the other hand, regarding the internal winning flag of the BB combination, the established state of the internal winning flag is sequentially carried over to the next game until winning. As described above, in a game in which the SB combination is won internally, the winning symbol for the SB combination or the missing symbol for the SB combination (see FIG. 3) can always be stopped and displayed.

  The game state transition means 43 includes a first RT state generation means 431 and a second RT state generation means 432, and is a means for shifting to various game states such as a BB game, a first RT state, and a second RT state. In the gaming state transition means 43, a state flag for controlling the gaming state of the slot machine 1 is set. The state flag includes a BB game flag corresponding to the BB game, a first RT flag corresponding to the first RT state, a second RT flag corresponding to the second RT state, an SB game flag corresponding to the SB game, and the like. The second RT flag includes a second RT flag A corresponding to the second RT state A and a second RT flag B corresponding to the second RT state B.

  The game state transition means 43 switches the BB game flag to an on state according to the winning of the BB combination, and turns off the BB game flag when the cumulative payout number of medals in the BB game exceeds a prescribed number of 465. Reset to state. The game state transition means 43 as the first RT state generation means 431 switches the first RT flag to the on state in accordance with the stop indication of the SB combination missing symbol (see FIG. 3) which is the first specific symbol, and 100 games. Reset to off after digestion. Further, the game state transition means 43 as the second RT state generation means 432 switches the second RT flag to the on state in accordance with the stop display of the winning symbol of the SB combination or the winning combination of 10 sheets which is the second specific symbol. Then, after the predetermined number of games are digested, the game is reset to the off state.

  The game state transition means 43 generates a BB game when the BB game flag is on, and generates an SB game when the SB game flag is on. The first RT state generating means 431 generates the first RT state when the first RT flag is in the on state. The second RT state generation means 432 generates the second RT state A or the second RT state B when the second RT flags A and B are in the on state. On the other hand, the game state transition means 43 generates a normal state when all of the BB game flag, the SB game flag, the first RT flag, and the second RT flags A and B are in the off state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the winning determination means 49 is a means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the three reels 21L, 21C, 21R is a predetermined winning symbol. Specifically, the winning determination means 49 determines the winning combination according to the combination of symbols stopped on the winning lines 211 to 215 set so as to cross the three reels 21L, 21C, 21R. The winning determination means 49 takes in the number of steps related to the stepping motor (reel driving unit 22) corresponding to each reel 21L, C, R after each reel 21L, C, R stops. The winning determination means 49 obtains the type of the symbol 20 stopped on the winning lines 211 to 215 based on the number of steps, and determines whether or not a winning combination is established for the combination of the symbols 20.

  The profit granting means 47 is a means for paying out medals in accordance with winning. The profit granting means 47 controls the medal payout unit 54 so as to pay out the number of payouts (see FIG. 3) according to the type of winning combination to the player.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display control unit 45 is a unit that controls symbol variations of the reels 21 </ b> L, C, and R via the reel driving unit 22. The display control means 45 starts the symbol fluctuation of the reel 21 in response to the game start signal and stops the symbol fluctuation of the reel 21 in response to the fluctuation stop signal. The display control means 45 inputs a control pulse to the stepping motor constituting the reel driving unit 22 and rotates the stepping motor by one step for each pulse. The display control means 45 counts the number of control pulses input to the reel drive unit 22, that is, the number of steps rotated by the stepping motor. In particular, in this example, the number of steps generated after the most recent detection signal can be counted by resetting the number of steps of each reel 21 to zero each time a reference position piece detection signal is received by the reference position detection unit 66. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display control means 45 stops the reel 21 within a pull-in range determined by rules (rules regarding the recognition of the gaming machine and the type test, etc.) after the stop operation of the stop button 61. To implement. In this example, a range corresponding to four symbol fluctuations is set as the pull-in range. The display control means 45 can calculate the symbol currently displayed on each reel 21L, C, R (the symbol located on the winning line) based on the number of steps.

  The display control means 45 calculates the bita symbol which is the symbol 20 instantaneously located on the winning line 212 based on the number of steps at the time of fetching the fluctuation stop signal, and compares it with the stop table stored in the ROM 33. The display control means 45 acquires the number of drawn symbols specified for the bita symbol, pulls in the symbols for the number of drawn symbols, and stops the reel 21.

  The notification lottery unit 443 is a unit that determines whether or not to cause the flag notification unit 441 to execute the flag notification operation by lottery. The notification lottery means 443 performs a lottery to determine whether or not to execute the flag notification operation in response to the return from the first RT state or the second RT state to the normal state. Instead of this example, the lottery of the flag notification operation according to the return from the first RT state to the normal state is performed, while the flag notification operation is not executed according to the return from the first RT state to the normal state. It may be configured. The notification lottery means 443 performs the lottery at the time of return from the first RT state (second RT state) to the normal state, the transition to the first RT state (second RT state), the first RT state (second RT). Various timings can be set, such as during the occurrence of a state.

  The special effect execution means 46 is a means for executing the special effect prior to the flag notification operation for the internal winning flag of the SB combination. The special effect execution means 46 of this example executes a special effect indicating that it is in the hot mode in accordance with the transition from the first RT state or the second RT state to the normal state when the notice lottery means 443 is selected. . The special effect of this example is an effect of displaying the special effect screen 72 shown in FIG. The special effect screen 72 is a screen including a mode display field 721 for displaying a character string “CHANCE TIME !!”.

  The flag notification unit 441 is a unit that executes a flag notification operation when the internal winning flag of the SB combination is established. Specifically, the flag notification unit 441 displays a flag notification screen 73 shown in FIG. 9 on the liquid crystal display unit 53 to notify that the internal winning flag for the SB role has been established. This figure is a diagram illustrating a flag notification screen 73 for notifying the internal winning flag of SB combination 1 (see FIG. 3). This flag notification screen 73 includes a mode display column 721 that indicates that the mode is hot by the character string “CHANCE TIME !!!” and a flag notification column 722 that displays a winning symbol corresponding to the internal winning flag. This is a combined screen.

  The notification control unit 442 is a unit that causes the flag notification unit 441 to perform a flag notification operation. The notification control unit 442 controls the flag notification unit 441 so that when the lottery by the notification lottery unit 443 is won, the flag notification operation is executed during the normal state returned from the first RT state or the second RT state.

Next, the operation of the slot machine 1 of the present example configured as described above will be described using the state transition diagram of FIG.
In the slot machine 1 of this example, after the end of the BB game ((1) in the figure, hereinafter referred to as BB game (1). The other game states are also described in the same manner), the normal state (2 ), The flag notification operation of the internal winning flag of the SB role is performed. First, in the normal state (2), when 10 winning combinations are won internally, 10 winning combinations can be won without missing as described above. The winning symbol of 10 winning combinations is the second specific symbol that triggers the occurrence of the second RT state B. Therefore, when 10 winning combinations are won, the second RT state B (3) having a high internal winning probability of the replay winning combination as high as 1 / 1.3 and advantageous to the player side occurs over 3000 games.

  When the SB combination is won internally in the normal state (2), a flag notification operation (see FIG. 9) of the internal winning flag is executed. When the SB combination can be won according to the flag notification operation, first, only one game SB game is executed. Here, the winning symbol of the SB role is the second specific symbol that triggers the occurrence of the second RT state A. Therefore, when the SB combination wins, the second RT state A (4) that has a high internal winning probability of the replay combination of 1 / 1.3 and is advantageous to the player side occurs over 100 games.

  On the other hand, if the SB combination is missed due to the stop display of the SB combination missing symbol in spite of the flag notification operation, the internal winning flag of the SB combination is reset to the off state. Here, the missing symbol of the SB role is the first specific symbol that triggers the occurrence of the first RT state. Therefore, if the SB combination is missed, the first RT state (5) having the same degree of advantage as the normal state occurs over 100 games.

  When the number of continuing games has expired in the second RT state (3), (4), or when 100 games have been consumed in the first RT state (5), the lottery for flag notification operation by the notification lottery means 443 is performed. The When the lottery is won, the state shifts to a normal state (1 of 6) in which the flag notification operation (see FIG. 9) of the internal winning flag of the SB role can be executed. At this time, during the transition to the normal state (1 of 6), a special effect (see FIG. 8) by the special effect executing means 46 is executed. According to this special effect, the player can recognize that he / she is in a hot zone where there is a high possibility of transition to the second RT state, and the expectation can be enhanced.

  On the other hand, if the lottery by the notification lottery means 443 is not selected, the normal state (2 of 6) in which the flag notification operation is not executed is entered. In the normal state (1 of 6) and (2 of 6), the state shifts to the second RT state (3), (4) according to the winning combination of the SB role or 10 sheets, or the SB role is missed. Accordingly, the operation continues until the first RT state (5) is entered.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this example, a hot mode with a high expectation and a cold mode with a low expectation can be realized without assuming a stock function for stocking bonus flags. Thereby, in the slot machine 1, the game nature which is full of ups and downs is implement | achieved, and the interest of a game is high.

  In this example, the SB role missing symbol is set as the first specific symbol, but instead, a combination of other symbols, such as a winning symbol of any role, is set as the first specific symbol. You can also In this example, the winning symbol for the SB role and the winning symbol for the 10-sheet role are set as the second specific symbol, but instead, a winning symbol such as the 8-board role or the 5-sheet role is set. You can also.

  In the case where the winning symbol for the SB combination is set as the second specific symbol as in this example, the following points are advantageous. That is, in the game itself in which the SB role is won, there is no payout of medals. Therefore, if a SB game triggered by this SB role is generated potentially, the player side is not noticed and shifts from the normal state to the second RT state. There is an advantage that can be made.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a mechanical configuration of the slot machine in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an appearance of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the role of a slot machine, a winning symbol, and a privilege in Example 1. FIG. The expanded view which expands and shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of the reel in Example 1. FIG. The front view which shows the production | presentation screen in the normal state and 1st RT state in Example 1. FIG. The front view which shows the effect screen in the 2nd RT state in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a winning random number table according to the first embodiment. The front view which shows the special effect screen by the special effect in Example 1. FIG. The front view which shows the flag alerting | reporting screen by flag alerting | reporting operation | movement in Example 1. FIG. The transition diagram which shows a mode that the gaming state in Example 1 changes.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 110 Symbol display area 2 Symbol fluctuation display means 21 Symbol display part (reel)
22 reel drive unit 20 design 3 control board 41 flag control means 42 internal lottery means 43 gaming state transition means 431 first RT state generation means 432 second RT state generation means 441 flag notification means 442 notification control means 443 notification lottery means 45 display control means 46 Special effect executing means 47 Profit giving means 48 Random number extracting means 49 Prize determination means 53 Liquid crystal display 61 Stop operation means (stop button)
62 Game start operation means (start lever)

Claims (3)

A symbol variation display means comprising a plurality of variation display units for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols in a symbol display area according to a predetermined arrangement;
Game start operation means operated by the player to start the game;
When the game start operation means is operated with a game medium inserted, an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from a plurality of types of winning combinations is executed, and an internal winning corresponding to the internal winning combination is executed. Internal lottery means for establishing a flag;
A stop operation means operated by the player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the variation display unit;
When the stop operation means is operated, a display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination within a predetermined pull-in range and stopping and displaying it in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means is a predetermined winning symbol;
In a slot machine comprising: a profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning symbol when the winning determining unit determines that the symbol is a winning symbol;
When the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means in the normal state is the first specific symbol, a first RT state in which the internal winning probability of the replay combination is set to the first probability is generated, and the first RT First RT state generating means for returning to the normal state when the first predetermined number of games is consumed in the state;
When the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means in the normal state is the second specific symbol, the internal winning probability of the replay combination is set to a second probability higher than the first probability, and the first RT A second RT state generating means for generating a second RT state that is more advantageous to the player than the state, and returning to the normal state when the second predetermined number of games is consumed in the second RT state;
Flag notifying means capable of executing a flag notifying operation for notifying the player of the establishment of the internal winning flag of the combination corresponding to the second specific symbol;
Notification control means for causing the flag notification means to execute a flag notification operation;
Notification lottery means for determining by lottery whether or not to perform a flag notification operation in response to the return from the first RT state to the normal state;
Special effect execution means for executing a special effect for suggesting that execution of the flag notification operation is determined by the notification lottery means,
When the notification lottery means determines the execution of the flag notification operation, the notification control unit causes the flag notification unit to perform a flag notification operation according to the establishment of the internal winning flag corresponding to the second specific symbol in the normal state. Is configured to run
The special effect execution means executes the special effect within a game period until the flag notification operation is executed after returning to the normal state when the notification lottery means determines the execution of the flag notification operation by lottery. A slot machine characterized by being configured to do so.   In the normal state and the first RT state, the payout rate indicating the ratio of the number of payouts to the number of game media inserted is set to less than 100%, and in the second RT state, the payout rate is set to 100% or more. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein:   The said notification lottery means is comprised so that it may determine by lottery whether flag notification operation | movement is performed according to the return from the said 2nd RT state to a normal state, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The described slot machine.

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