JP2010178887A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of achieving an informing form which functions as the assist of spot pressing for a beginner and can be useful for estimating a game state for an expert. <P>SOLUTION: A temporary operation detector 62 for detecting proximity or contact to a stop switch 50 and outputting a detection signal is provided, and in the case of assuming that the operation detector 51 of the stop switch 50 has outputted the detection signal at the detection signal output timing of the temporary operation detector 62, a pattern array set to be visible from a pattern display window 13 when the rotation of a rotary reel 40 corresponding to the stop switch 50 relating to the detection is stopped on the basis of the control of a game controller is displayed at an image display part 67 as a virtual stop spot. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  This invention determines whether or not a win is made, and when a predetermined winning combination is won, a gaming machine that wins when the winning symbols are aligned in a predetermined manner by stopping the rotating reel by operating a stop switch It is about.

  In this type of gaming machine, for example, a slot machine, there is a large difference in the number of medals earned by winning depending on whether or not the stop reel can be pressed with a good timing when stopping the rotating reel. Conventionally, various gaming machines formed so as to assist so-called pressing according to effects have been devised. For example, in Patent Document 1, a gaming machine that notifies a stop timing shift with respect to a winning combination after a stop operation is stored in Patent Document 2, and a player's operation timing trap (time interval) is stored. A gaming machine that notifies the stop operation timing at a notification timing in consideration of the above is disclosed.

JP 2003-320073 A JP 2005-211491 A

  The invention of the present application focuses on proximity to or contact with the switch, not actual operation of the stop switch, functions as an auxiliary to the beginner, and is a judgment material for predicting the gaming state for the advanced player. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of realizing a notification form to be obtained.

Each invention described in each claim has been made to achieve the above-described object, and the features of each invention will be described below using the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings. In addition, the code | symbol in parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(Claim 1)
The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points.
That is, the invention according to claim 1 is a plurality of rotating reels (40) displaying a plurality of symbols around the periphery installed in the casing, and the symbols of the rotating reels (40) are visible from the front side. A display window (13), a start switch (30) for starting rotation of each rotary reel (40), and a plurality of stop switches (50) for stopping the rotation of each rotary reel (40). An operation detection device (press sensor 51) for detecting that each stop switch (50) is operated and outputting a detection signal; an image display unit (67) capable of displaying a predetermined image; In addition to performing a lottery for the determination of whether or not to win the winning combination consisting of a combination of symbols, rotating the rotating reel (40) based on the operation of the start switch (30), the lottery result of the winning determination and Operation of each stop switch (50) Based on the detection signal from the intelligent device (51), from the game control device (21) for controlling the rotation stop of the rotary reel (40) corresponding to the stop switch (50), from the game control device (21) And at least an effect control device (22) for controlling the display of the image display unit (67) based on the output signal, as a result of the lottery determination of the winning determination, a predetermined winning combination is won, With all the rotating reels (40) stopped, the symbols constituting the winning combination of each rotating reel (40) visible from the symbol display window (13) are stopped in a predetermined winning manner to win a prize. Thus, the present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a profit is given to a player in accordance with winning.

Here, the “profit” given to the player includes not only the payout of game media such as medals and game balls, but also the transfer to advantageous games such as score addition and bonus games.
And, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, any stop switch (50) to the extent that a human finger is close to any stop switch (50) or the operation detection device (51) does not detect the operation. A temporary operation detection device that detects a temporary operation on the stop switch (50) and outputs a detection signal is provided at a position where it can be detected that the contact is made (hereinafter referred to as a temporary operation). Further, the production control device (22) has an operation for specifying the detection signal output timing of the temporary operation detection device in the positional relationship between the symbols displayed on the rotating reel (40) and the rotating reel (40). Based on the operation position specified by the position specifying means (120) and the operation position specifying means (120), the display design determining means (140) capable of displaying a predetermined symbol arrangement on the image display section (67). And are provided. Then, the display symbol determination means (140), when it is assumed that the operation detection device (51) has output a detection signal at the timing when the temporary operation detection device has output a detection signal, stop switch related to the detection When the rotating reel (40) corresponding to (50) stops rotating based on the control of the game control device (21), the symbol arrangement set to be visible from the symbol display window (13), It can be determined as a virtual stop event based on temporary operation, and when at least one of the stop switches (50) is temporarily operated, the symbol display window is displayed when the stop switch (50) is operated at the same timing. The symbol arrangement that will stop at (13) can be displayed as a virtual stop point on the image display section (67).

Here, the “temporary operation detection device” may be an operation unit operated by a player in the stop switch (50) or a proximity sensor or a contact sensor (52) provided in the vicinity of the stop switch (50). In addition, here, the proximity detection range when the proximity sensor is provided is a range in which proximity detection can be performed almost simultaneously with the case where the operation detection device (51) is detected in a normal stop operation (switch pressing). It is preferable to set so that a detection signal is output when a finger comes close to the operation part of the stop switch (50) or the vicinity of the stop switch (50).
In the present invention, a temporary operation detection device may be provided for all of the plurality of stop switches (50), or a temporary operation detection device may be provided for any one of the stop switches (50). In addition, even if provisional operation detection devices are provided for all stop switches (50), the virtual stop appearance display does not have to be performed for all rotating reels (40). There may be a case where it is displayed or not displayed according to the operation order of (50).

Further, the number of image display units (67) may be one, or a plurality of image display units (67) may be provided according to the number of rotating reels (40). Alternatively, a single virtual stop point may be displayed on the single image display unit (67), and the single image display unit (67) corresponds to a plurality of rotating reels (40). A virtual stop event may be displayed.
Further, in the present invention, at a predetermined time, as a virtual stop event, during temporary operation of the stop switch (50), a pattern different from the pattern arrangement that will stop when the stop switch (50) is operated at the same timing The arrangement may be displayed.
According to the present invention, it is possible to cause the image display section (67) to display the symbols on the rotating reel (40) that can be stopped at the same timing as the operation without operating the stop switch (50). Therefore, before the actual stop, it is possible to know which symbol is stopped when the stop switch (50) is operated.

(Claim 2)
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the invention according to claim 1, the virtual stop / out display is executed by a temporary operation of the stop switch (50). During rotation of the display target reel, which is the rotary reel (40) set as, each time a temporary operation is performed on the stop switch (50) corresponding to the display target reel, the rotation is performed based on the timing of the temporary operation. It is displayed on the image display unit (67) and is continuously displayed on the image display unit until a predetermined display reset trigger is met even after the display target reel related to the temporary operation stops rotating. And

In the present invention, the display target reel may be singular or plural. Further, the “predetermined display reset opportunity” is an opportunity to delete all displayed virtual stop events, and corresponds to other display target reels that are rotating when there are a plurality of display target reels. The temporary operation to the stop switch (50), the rotation stop of all the rotating reels (40), the operation for the next game (medal insertion, start switch operation, etc.), the elapse of a certain time, etc. can be performed.
According to the present invention, while the display target reel is rotating, the display content is switched every time the stop switch (50) is temporarily operated. That is, until the display target reel is stopped, the virtual stop appearance based on the temporary operation is displayed any number of times, so that it is possible to practice the operation timing that does not fail. Further, even after the display target reel is stopped, the virtual stop appearance display of the display target reel is maintained, so that the symbol arrangement related to the virtual stop output display and the stop when the display target reel is actually stopped are displayed. It is possible to easily compare the pattern arrangement with the pattern.

(Claim 3)
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the display symbol determination means (140) is provided with a temporarily operated stop switch (50) in a specific gaming state. The symbol arrangement different from the symbol arrangement that would stop in the symbol display window when operated at the same timing as the temporary operation can be determined as a virtual stop appearance to be displayed on the image display unit (67), When the virtual stop appearance displayed on the image display unit (67) is different from the actual stop appearance displayed on the symbol display window (13) when the stop switch (50) is operated at the same timing It is characterized in that the internal state of the gaming machine can be notified by forming so that there is.

Here, the “specific game state” may be an internal winning of a specific winning combination or a latent period of a specific advantageous game. According to the present invention, if an advanced user who can always operate the stop switch (50) at the same timing, the display output is performed when the stop switch (50) is operated at the same timing as the temporary operation. The internal state of the gaming machine can be sensed by comparing the eyes with the actual stop appearances according to whether or not they match.
(Claim 4)
The invention described in claim 4 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in claim 1 or 2.

  That is, in the invention according to claim 4, the display symbol deciding means (140) provides a temporary provision to any one of the stop switches (50) when a predetermined winning combination is won as a result of the lottery of the winning judgment. When the timing of the operation is a timing at which the symbols constituting the winning combination can be stopped in the winning mode when the stop switch (50) is operated at the same timing, the image display unit (67 ) Is displayed in a virtual stop position, and the timing of the temporary operation is a timing at which the symbols constituting the winning combination cannot be stopped in the winning mode, the virtual image is displayed on the image display unit (67). It is formed so as not to display the stop appearance, and the timing for stopping the symbols constituting the winning combination in the winning mode is notified depending on whether or not the virtual stop appearance is displayed on the image display section (67). Possible It is characterized by that.

In the present invention, “not displaying the virtual stop appearance” includes both the case where nothing is displayed on the image display unit (67) and the case where display other than the virtual stop appearance is displayed.
According to the present invention, when a virtual stop appearance is displayed when the stop switch (50) is temporarily operated, if the stop switch (50) is pressed at the same timing, the symbols constituting the winning combination are valid. It is possible to notify that it can be stopped on the winning line, and the player stops the winning symbol on the effective winning line by pressing the stop switch (50) at the same timing as the temporary operation timing. be able to.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
In other words, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that functions as an aid to beginners for beginners and can realize a notification form that can be used as a judgment material for predicting a gaming state for advanced players.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing input, control and output of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external front view showing the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a stop switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an embodiment of the present invention and is a flowchart showing an outline of virtual stop appearance display control. It is embodiment of invention and is a figure which shows the specific example of a virtual stop appearance display. It is an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing a specific example of virtual stop appearance display.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a slot machine as an example of a gaming machine.
(Slot machine 10)
As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 includes a rectangular box-shaped casing 11 that opens on the front side, and a front door 3 that can open and close and lock the front opening of the casing 11.
Inside the casing 11, a reel unit 60 having three rotating reels 40 is installed at the upper part of the opening, and a hopper unit 65 for storing medals and paying out medals at the time of winning etc. is provided at the lower part of the opening. Is provided. A control device 20 for controlling the overall operation of the slot machine 10 is disposed above the reel unit 60.

The front door 3 is a plate-like door that is rotatably attached to the housing 11 via a hinge (not shown) in the horizontal direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an upper panel 12 facing the player is provided above the front door 3, and in the center of the upper panel 12, the symbols of the three rotary reels 40 are provided. Is displayed. The lower side of the symbol display window 13 is an operation unit provided with operation switches for operating the slot machine 10, and a medal slot 14 is provided at the right end of the operation unit.
(Control device 20)
Although not shown, the control device 20 is configured around a CPU and includes a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. Here, the number of CPUs is not limited to one and may be controlled by two or more CPUs. Further, the CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and the like may be integrated to form a one chip. Then, the CPU performs various controls by reading the program stored in the ROM. As the control device 20, as shown in FIG. 1, a game control device 21 and an effect control device 22 are provided.

The game control device 21 is for controlling the rotation and stop of the rotary reel 40 by operating the start switch 30 and the stop switch 50. The effect control device 22 is for controlling the effect display device 66 such as a lamp or a speaker.
(Input stage)
As shown in FIG. 1, the input unit of the control device 20 is connected to the following parts: a closing switch 15, a bet switch 16, a settlement switch 17, a start switch 30, a stop switch 50, an index sensor 41, and a contact sensor 52. ing.
As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion switch 15 is a switch built under the medal insertion slot 14 and is used to detect an inserted game medal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bet switch 16 is a switch located below the symbol display window 13, and is used to reduce the number of medals stored as credits and replace them with medals. Here, the credit is for storing medals in the gaming machine in advance exceeding the maximum number of inserted medals (three) that can be inserted for one game. The number of medals inserted in excess of the maximum number of inserted medals is displayed on a credit display unit (not shown), and the value displayed on the credit display unit is subtracted each time the bet switch 16 is pressed. ing.
As shown in FIG. 2, the settlement switch 17 is a switch located obliquely below the symbol display window 13, and is used for paying out medals stored as credits.

As shown in FIG. 2, the start switch 30 is a lever that is positioned obliquely below the symbol display window 13 and starts driving the reel unit 60.
The stop switch 50 is for stopping the driving of the reel unit 60. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the stop switch 50 is composed of three button switches 50A, 50B, and 50C corresponding to the three reels 40 of the left reel 40A, the middle reel 40B, and the right reel 40C. One is arranged below each rotary reel 40. Then, the operation of the stop switch 50 corresponding to the rotating reel 40 is set so that the corresponding rotating reel 40 stops rotating.

  The index sensor 41 is a detection unit for detecting the rotation of each rotary reel 40, and is a light shielding sensor provided on the support frame of the reel unit 60, although not particularly illustrated. Specifically, the index sensor 41 is a side-view U-shaped sensor having a detection unit composed of a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit, and the start index formed on the reel drum of each rotary reel 40 described later, It arrange | positions in the position which a light-receiving part and a light emission part pinch | interpose. The index sensor 41 is provided corresponding to each of the three rotary reels 40, and sends an ON or OFF signal to the control device 20 when the start index of each rotary reel 40 passes through the detection unit. To do.

The contact sensor 52 is a detection unit provided in each stop switch 50, which will be described below together with details of the stop switch 50.
(Stop switch 50)
Here, the structure of the stop switch 50 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the stop switch 50 is fixed to the front surface of the operation portion 3A of the front door 3, and is installed in the casing 53 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The switch body 54 is energized. On the inner side of the casing 53 (inside the slot machine 10), a pressing sensor 51 as an operation detecting device having a light receiving portion 51A and a light emitting portion 51B is provided, and a light shielding piece is provided at an inner end portion of the switch body 54. 54A is formed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the press sensor 51 normally detects that the light-shielding piece 54A is out of the position between the light-receiving unit 51A and the light-emitting unit 51B, and the light-receiving unit 51A detects the light beam from the light-emitting unit 51B. 3B, when the switch body 54 is pressed and the light-shielding piece 54A is positioned between the light-receiving unit 51A and the light-emitting unit 51B, and the light-receiving unit 51A stops sensing as shown in FIG. The switch is formed to be ON. That is, when the push sensor 51 detects the light shielding piece 54A, the “stop switch 50 is turned on”.

In the illustrated example, the push sensor 51 is a light shielding sensor, but may be a magnetic sensor or a contact sensor as long as the movement of the switch body 54 can be detected.
Further, in the present embodiment, a contact sensor 52 as a temporary operation detecting device is provided on the front surface of the switch main body 54, that is, on the surface that is touched and pressed by the player. The contact sensor 52 includes a detection unit provided on the operation surface of the switch main body 54 and a sensor substrate that is provided inside the game machine and connected to the detection unit (not shown). When a change in capacitance due to contact is detected, a detection signal is output from the sensor substrate, and the sensor is turned on. Here, the spring 55 has a biasing force such that the switch body 54 does not move only by touching the contact sensor 52 with a pressing force sufficient to detect contact. When lightly touching the surface, the contact sensor 52 is turned on, but the stop switch 50 is not turned on.

The contact sensor 52 outputs a detection signal (ON signal) to the effect control device 22, and a predetermined virtual stop appearance display effect is performed based on this signal. It will be described later.
(Output stage)
As shown in FIG. 1, the reel unit 60, the hopper unit 65, and the effect display device 66 are connected to the output stage of the control device 20.
The reel unit 60 includes three stepping motors (not shown) fixed or supported on a frame, and three rotary reels 40 (left reel 40A, middle reel 40B, fixed to the motor shaft of each stepping motor. And right reel 40C). Each rotating reel 40 includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape attached around the rotating drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape. Further, although not shown in particular, a protrusion-shaped start index capable of shielding the light emitting / receiving portion of the index sensor 41 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hopper unit 65 is a payout storage device provided inside the housing 11, and pays out medals to the player based on the game result, and credits based on the operation of the checkout switch 17. It is for refunding medals.
The effect display device 66 performs various effects such as notifying a player of a prize or the like under the control of the effect control device 22. Specifically, the effect display device 66 includes an image display unit 67, a lamp 68, and a speaker 69. As shown in FIG. 2, the image display part 67 is a window part provided on the side of the symbol display window 13, and uses a LED, a dot matrix, a liquid crystal screen, etc. to display a prize notification and other effects. Is for. The lamp 68 and the speaker 69 are used for notifying a winning or the like by turning on or blinking a light emitter and outputting a sound.

(Game control device 21)
Next, the game control device 21 will be described in detail.
The game control device 21 is for controlling a game played by the slot machine 10. The game control device 21 functions as each means of winning lottery means 70, reel control means 80, and winning determination means 90.
Here, the winning lottery means 70 is for performing a lottery to determine whether or not to win, and the reel control means 80 rotates and stops the rotating reel 40 by operating the start switch 30 and the stop switch 50. Is for controlling. The winning determination means 90 is for determining whether or not a winning is achieved when all the rotating reels 40 are stopped, that is, whether or not the winning symbols are aligned on a predetermined effective winning line.

The winning line is a line indicating the arrangement of symbols that can be visually recognized from the symbol display window 13, although not shown in particular, and includes three horizontal lines, an upper line, a middle line, and a lower line, and a line that rises to the right. In total, five diagonal lines, two diagonal lines, are provided. In addition, the effective winning line is a line that is effective for winning out of the winning lines, and which winning line is determined according to the gaming state and the number of inserted medals.
When the slot machine 10 operates the start switch 30 on condition that a medal is inserted or the bet switch 16 is pressed, or on the condition that a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous game at the time of “Replay”, the winning lottery means A lottery for winning determination is performed at 80, the reel control unit 90 drives the reel unit 60, and the three rotary reels 40 start rotating.

Thereafter, when one of the stop switches 50 is operated and the press sensor 52 is turned on, the rotation of the rotary reel 40 corresponding to the operated stop switch 50 is stopped. When all three stop switches 50 have been operated, all the rotations of the three rotary reels 40 are stopped. At this time, when a combination of symbols related to winning is stopped in a winning manner on a predetermined effective pay line in the symbol display window 13, a predetermined number of medals are paid out via the hopper unit 65. Instead of paying out medals, credit may be given.
Here, the winning lottery means 70 reads the numerical value of the loop counter by the count extracting means (not shown) at the operation timing of the start switch 30, and sets the numerical value and the numerical value counted by the loop counter as the entire area. The winning determination table defining the winning area is compared with the winning area corresponding to the winning area to which the extracted count data belongs.

In the winning, there is a small role winning with a payout of game medals due to winning, a special winning that shifts to a special gaming state due to winning, and there is no payout of gaming medals, but the game will be played again without newly inserting gaming medals. "Replay" that can be performed. In addition, in the winning, a duplicate winning that is treated as if a plurality of winning combinations are won at the same time is set. In this case, a plurality of winning combinations are assigned to a single winning area, and the plurality of winning combinations are called duplicate winning combinations. The combination of overlapping winning combinations may be a small winning combination and a small winning combination, or a combination of a small winning combination and a special winning combination.
When the lottery result is won for any combination, a winning flag corresponding to the winning is established. When a duplicate winning combination is won, a winning flag is established for all the winning combinations. When the lottery result is a special win, a special win flag is established. During the special win flag, a combination of stop symbols of the rotating reel 40 of the reel unit 60 is set to a predetermined special win symbol (for example, And a special game advantageous to the player, such as a regular bonus game (RB) or a big bonus game (BB), is started on the condition that the game matches the one with three “7” s on the effective pay line ”. When shifting from the normal game to the special game, the winning determination table used for the lottery of the winning determination is switched from the winning determination table for the normal game to the winning determination table for the special game. The winning determination table for special games is different from the winning determination table for normal games, and the number of payouts due to winning increases as the winning probability of a specific winning combination increases when shifting to special games. To do.

Note that if the special winning flag is established by lottery, but the combination of the stop symbols of the rotating reel 40 does not match the special winning symbol, the right to establish the special winning flag is carried over to subsequent games. Has been. On the other hand, the winning flag of the small role is not carried over to the next game of the right to establish the winning flag if the winning flag is not awarded in the game in which the winning flag is established.
Whether or not the corresponding winning symbol can be aligned on the effective winning line while any of the winning flags is established depends on the timing of the stop switch 50 when the rotation speed of the rotating reel 40 is constant. is there. Specifically, since the rotary reel 40 is set to stop within 190 ms after operating the stop switch 50, it can be stopped as it is after operating the stop switch 50, or can be stopped within 190 ms. If the winning symbol on the circumference of the rotary reel 40, for example, four consecutive retractable symbols from the stop symbol, includes a corresponding winning symbol, delay the time until stopping. Then, the rotating reel 40 pulls the winning symbol on the effective winning line and stops. On the other hand, when the corresponding winning symbol is not included in the four retractable symbols, the winning symbol cannot be drawn on the effective winning line and stopped. Specifically, when the reel control means 80 stops the rotating reel 40 and the lottery result of the winning lottery means is lost, the symbols of the three rotating reels 40 are not aligned in any winning manner. In the case where the kick control is performed as described above, and the lottery result is a win for a predetermined winning combination, the kick and pull-in control is performed so that the symbols of the three rotating reels 40 are in the winning mode related to the win as much as possible.

  The above stop control is performed using a stop table. The stop table refers to the number of frames rotated from a predetermined symbol to stop the rotating reel 40 according to the operation timing of the stop switch 50, the arrangement of symbols displayed on the reel tape, and other predetermined conditions. Each is defined on the table. When the winning flag is established at the time of receiving the operation signal of the stop switch 50, the reel control means 80 is previously stopped on the table so that the symbols corresponding to the winning flag are aligned on the effective winning line. The stop position is determined using the winning stop table in which is set. Further, when the winning flag is not established, the stop position is determined by using the stop table for losing in which the stop position is set in advance on the table so that no winning symbol is aligned on the effective winning line. Then, a stop signal for stopping the driving of the stepping motor is output at a timing at which the rotating reel 40 can be stopped at the determined stop position.

(Production control device 22)
The effect control device 22 receives various signals from the game control device 21 and controls the display of the effect display device 66. Specifically, the effect control device 22 is for causing the effect accompanying the game to be performed based on the output signal from the game control device 21, the operation signal of the start switch 30 and other operation means, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the virtual stop appearance display control means 100 is provided at least.
Although not particularly illustrated, the effect control device 22 is a storage means for storing a plurality of effect data for causing the effect display device 66 to perform a predetermined effect display, according to a predetermined condition from the plurality of effect data. An effect determining means for selecting effect data to be executed is provided. Then, based on the effect data determined to be executed by lottery or the like according to the game state, a moving image or a still image is displayed on the effect display unit 67, the lamp 68 is blinked in a predetermined pattern, or a sound is output from the speaker 69. Is output.

(Virtual stop event display control means 100)
Based on the detection signal from the contact sensor 52 provided in the stop switch 50, the virtual stop appearance display control means 100 displays a predetermined virtual stop appearance on the image display section 67 as a virtual stop appearance display section. Is for. Here, “virtual stop output” means that the stop switch 50 is pressed at the detection timing of the contact sensor 52 (that is, the press sensor 51 is turned ON). This is an arrangement of stop symbols that can be viewed from the symbol display window 13 of the rotary reel 40 corresponding to the stop switch 50 that is stopped by a pressing operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the virtual stop appearance display control means 120 includes a detection signal receiving means 110, a symbol position specifying means 120, a stop display table 130, and a display symbol determining means 140.
(Detection signal receiving means 110)
The detection signal receiving means 110 is for receiving detection signals from the index sensor 41 and the contact sensor 52.
(Operation position specifying means 120)
Based on the detection signal from the index sensor 41, the operation position specifying means 120 is a position of the rotating reel 40 when receiving the detection signal from the contact sensor 52, that is, a predetermined reference of the rotating reel 40 when the contact operation is performed. This is for specifying a position grasped from a rotation angle from the point (hereinafter referred to as an operation position).

  Specifically, although not shown in particular, the operation position specifying means 120 counts the number of transmission pulses (number of steps) for rotating the stepping motor on which the rotary reel 40 is attached, and detects it from the index sensor 41. A counter that clears the count to 0 each time a signal is received, and a symbol determination table that defines each area of the symbol displayed on the reel tape, with the number of steps required to rotate the rotating reel 40 as a whole range. ing. In the symbol determination table, for example, when the number of steps required to make one rotation of the rotating reel 40 is 504 and 21 symbols are displayed on the reel tape, the symbol at the start index position is symbol number 0. Symbol A arranged at the position of symbol number 0 on the reel tape has a range of 492 to 12 steps, symbol B arranged at the position of symbol number 1 has a range of 13 to 36 steps, position of symbol number 3 The area of each symbol corresponding to symbol numbers 0 to 20 is defined, for example, symbol A arranged in the range of 37 to 60 steps. Then, the operation position specifying means 120 compares the count number of the counter when receiving the detection signal from the contact sensor 52 with the symbol determination table, and specifies the symbol area to which the count number belongs as the operation position of the rotary reel 40. To do.

(Stop display table 130)
The stop display table 130 includes a set of three symbols positioned in the symbol display window 13 among symbols displayed on the rotating reel 40 in accordance with the operation position of the rotating reel 40 specified by the operation position specifying means 120. The stop appearance data is defined.
Specifically, in the stop display table 130, the detection signal receiving unit 110 receives the detection signal from the contact sensor 52 for each operation position (that is, the symbol position) of the rotary reel 40 in accordance with the lottery result of the winning determination. When the stop switch 50 is turned on at the same timing, the three symbols that stop in the upper, middle, and lower stages of the symbol display window 13 conform to the stop table that the reel control means 80 uses for the stop control of the rotary reel 40. Is set. That is, the stop display table 130 is provided for each operation position according to the lottery result of the win determination and the number of contact operation of the rotary reel 40 for each of the three rotary reels 40A, 40B, and 40C. The three symbols corresponding to each operation position are obtained when the contact operation timing that is the detection signal reception timing from the contact sensor 52 is the press timing that is the detection signal reception timing from the press sensor 51. It is set on the assumption that stop control is performed using a stop table based on the above conditions.

  For example, the detection signal from the contact sensor 52 is displayed on the stop display table 130 when the symbol “A” is included in the symbol constituting the winning combination in the first operation reel (the first reel 40 operated first). Symbols “U”, “A”, and “B” are set in the upper, middle, and lower stages of the symbol display window 13 as stop outcome data when the number of steps received is included in the symbol “A” area. It is assumed that In this case, the symbols “U”, “A”, and “B” are the first stop operation reels (first stop operation first) that the reel control means 80 acquires when the symbol “A” is included in the symbols constituting the winning combination. On the stop table provided corresponding to the rotating reel 40), the same stop pattern that is determined when the detection signal from the press sensor 51 is received at the timing of receiving the detection signal from the contact sensor 52 It is set to become.

(Display symbol determination means 140)
The display symbol determining means 140 is for determining a virtual stop appearance to be displayed on the image display section 67 based on the position information of the rotating reel 40 specified by the operation position specifying means 120 and the stop display table 130. .
Specifically, the display symbol determination means 140 acquires the stop display table 130 corresponding to the establishment status of the winning flag when the gaming state corresponds to a predetermined trigger for executing the virtual stop appearance display.
Here, the rotation reels 40 (hereinafter referred to as display target reels) to be subjected to the virtual stop appearance display may be all the rotation reels 40, a specific rotation reel 40, for example, only the left reel 40A, or first. Alternatively, only the rotary reel 40 that has been contacted second or last may be used. Furthermore, when a predetermined winning symbol is included in the stop symbol of the first stop reel (rotary reel 40 that has stopped rotating first), the last contact operation is performed with the rotary reel 40 that has been contacted next. The rotating reel 40 may be set to be a display target reel.

Then, the operation position of the display target reel specified by the operation position specifying means 120 when the detection signal is received from the contact sensor 52 is compared with the acquired stop display table 130, and the stop display table 130 corresponding to the operation position is displayed. Are determined as virtual stop events related to display (hereinafter referred to as display events). Then, based on the determined display appearance, a predetermined symbol arrangement (virtual stop appearance) is displayed on the image display section 67.
(Virtual stop event display control)
Next, an example of the flow of the virtual stop appearance display control of the slot machine 10 having the above configuration will be described based on the flow of FIG.

First, in step 100 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the rotating reel 40 has started rotating. Here, the start of rotation of the rotary reel 40 may be determined by receiving an operation signal of the start switch 30 or may be determined by a reel motor drive start signal. If the rotating reel 40 does not start rotating, the process returns to step 100. If the rotating reel 40 starts rotating, the process proceeds to the next step 101.
In step 101, it is determined whether or not a stop appearance display effect is to be executed. Whether or not there is a stop-out display is the result of the lottery of the winning lottery means 70, whether or not it is a specific game section (for example, BB, RT, AT), and the stop status of the rotating reel 40 (there is a reel that has already stopped rotating). Whether or not the winning symbol is included in the stop symbol), the result of the execution lottery regarding whether or not to perform the display, and the like. When the stop appearance display effect is not executed, the control is terminated as it is. When the stop appearance display effect is executed, the process proceeds to the next step 102.

In step 102, a predetermined stop display table 130 based on the lottery result is acquired. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 103.
In step 103, the contact sensor 52 is activated. Specifically, the contact sensor 52 can output the detection signal, or the detection signal output from the detection signal receiving unit 110 can be received as valid. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 104.
In step 104, it is determined whether or not the contact sensor 52 of any stop switch 50 corresponding to the display target reel is turned on. If the contact sensor 52 is not turned on, the process returns to step 104. If the contact sensor 52 is turned on, the process proceeds to the next step 105.

In step 105, the operation position specifying means 120 specifies the operation position of the rotating reel 40 when the operation signal of the contact sensor 52 is received. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 106.
In step 106, the display symbol determination means 140 determines the display output by comparing the acquired stop display table 130 with the specified operation position. Then, the process proceeds to next Step 107.
In step 107, based on the determined display result, a virtual stop result is displayed on the image display unit 67. In addition, when the display output based on the previous contact operation is displayed, the display is switched to the display output related to the determination. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 108.

In step 108, it is determined whether or not all display target reels have stopped rotating. If all the display target reels are not stopped, the process returns to step 104. If all the display target reels are stopped, the process proceeds to the next step 109.
In step 109, the contact sensor 52 is disabled. Specifically, the contact sensor 52 cannot output the detection signal, or the detection signal receiving unit 110 does not receive the output detection signal as valid. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 110.
In step 110, it is determined whether or not all the rotary reels 40 have stopped rotating. If all the rotating reels 40 are not stopped, the process returns to step 110, and if all the rotating reels 40 are stopped, the process proceeds to the next step 111.

In step 111, the virtual stop event displayed on the image display unit 67 is reset. And control is complete | finished.
As described above, according to the control flow of FIG. 4, the virtual stop appearance display is performed each time the contact sensor 52 of the stop switch 50 corresponding to the display target reel is turned on while the display target reel is rotating. , Switch to the one according to the timing. That is, as long as the display target reel is not stopped, it can be displayed again and again. If any stop switch 50 is touched to display a virtual stop result and then the stop switch 50 is pressed to stop the reel to be displayed, the next display target When the stop switch 50 corresponding to the reel is touched, a virtual stop event is displayed according to the timing. When all the display target reels stop rotating, the detection of the contact sensor 52 becomes invalid, and when all the rotating reels 40 stop, the display on the image display unit 67 is erased (reset).

In the above flow, the contact sensor 52 is turned on until all the rotating reels 40 are stopped, and then the contact sensor 52 (not limited to that of the same stop switch 50) is turned on. The virtual stop result relating to the previous contact operation is displayed so as to remain displayed, but only until the display target reel related to the contact operation is stopped, the virtual stop of the display target reel is stopped. The outcome may be displayed.
Conversely, the virtual stoppage may be displayed (not reset) even after all the rotating reels 40 have stopped. In the case of forming in this way, when there are a plurality of reels to be displayed, it is preferable that a plurality of virtual stop points corresponding to the plurality of rotating reels 40 can be displayed on the image display section 67. For example, when the display-compatible reels are all reels, the display area of the image display unit 67 can be divided into three, and the virtual stop points of each rotary reel 40 can be displayed respectively. Alternatively, three image display units 67 may be provided corresponding to each rotary reel 40. The displayed virtual stoppage is reset by, for example, the operation of the bet switch 16, the start switch 30, and the checkout switch 17, and when these operations are not performed, the rotation stop of the all-reel reel 40 is stopped for a certain time. It can be automatically reset after elapse.

(Auxiliary push with virtual stop appearance display)
Subsequently, a specific example of the virtual stop appearance display will be described.
First, an example in which the virtual stop appearance display is used as an aid for pushing will be described with reference to FIG. The reels to be displayed are all reels.
As a result of the lottery determination, it is assumed that BB is won. When the stop switch 50A is first touched, the virtual stop appearance of the left reel 40A is displayed on the image display unit 67 according to the timing. Next, when the left reel 40A is stopped by pressing the stop switch 50A, as shown in FIG. 5, in order from the top, “7” constituting the BB winning symbol, “Bell” constituting the bell winning symbol, replay winning Assume that each symbol of “replay” constituting the symbol is stopped. Next, when the stop switch 50B is touched, the virtual stop appearance of the middle reel 40B is displayed on the image display unit 67 according to the timing. If the displayed result is not what you want (for example, “7”, “Bell”, and “Replay” do not line up on the active line), touch the stop switch 50B again and this time, it will match the timing. Since the virtual stop appearance is displayed, the timing can be confirmed any number of times without stopping the middle reel 40B. For example, when the stop switch 50B is touched, as shown in FIG. 5, “Replay”, “7”, and “Cherry” are displayed in order from the top in the positions indicating the upper, middle, and lower stages of the symbol display window 13 in the image display section 67. If it is displayed, it can be seen that if the stop switch 50B is pressed at the contact timing, “7” of the middle reel 40B can be stopped in the middle stage (that is, on the lower right effective winning line). Therefore, the player may press down the stop switch 50B at an appropriate timing. Similarly, for the left reel 40C, a virtual stop point is displayed when the stop switch 50C is touched, so that even a beginner with poor pushing skills can perform the stop operation with good timing. It will be.

In the above example, after the start switch 30 is pressed, the winning notification may be separately performed using the lamp 68, the speaker 69, or the like.
Here, the above-mentioned example assists so that the symbol related to the winning combination can be stopped on the effective winning line at the time of winning the specific winning combination. It may be possible to assist so that the advantageous game period can be maintained as much as possible by preventing the stop symbol arrangement as a condition from winning as much as possible. For example, in an advantageous game period (for example, replay time (RT)) that starts at a specific start opportunity such as the end of a BB game and ends by winning a specific winning combination, a specific winning combination that is a condition for the end of the gaming period is effectively won It can be used as an aid to not aligning on the line (so-called puncture removal).

(Winning symbol notification by virtual stop appearance display)
Further, an example in which the virtual stop appearance display is used as the outcome notice effect will be described with reference to FIG.
The outcome announcement effect here refers to the outcome displayed on the image display unit 67 as a virtual stop outcome, and the output of the rotating reel 40 that is actually stopped when the stop switch 50 is pressed at the same timing. A case where the eyes are different from each other is provided to notify the gaming state such as inside the BB. However, this is a notification form suitable for an advanced person who has excellent skill in pressing and can be surely stopped at a target position.
As a specific example, for example, when a special winning combination BB and a small watermelon are set as overlapping winning combinations, and the symbol of “watermelon” is won independently, a specific rotating reel 40 When (for example, the first stop operation reel) stops at the pressed position (no slip) and the BB is repeatedly won, if the same reel as the specific rotating reel 40 is pressed at the same timing, 1 It is assumed that a stop table is provided that stops by a top slide. On the other hand, when the virtual stop display control unit 100 acquires the stop display table 130, the virtual stop display control unit 100 is set to acquire the stop display table 130 when the watermelon is won alone even when the BB and the watermelon are won simultaneously. .

  Then, the virtual stop appearance display based on the contact operation of the stop switch 50 corresponding to the specific display target reel is “watermelon” at a position indicating the upper stage of the symbol display window 13 in the image display section 67 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. Here, if the corresponding display target reel is stopped by pressing the stop switch 50 that has been touched at the same timing, and if the watermelon is elected alone, “watermelon” stops at the upper stage, and BB If the watermelon is won, the “watermelon” stops in the middle. That is, when the displayed virtual stoppage does not match the symbol of the rotating reel 40 that is actually stopped and displayed, the internal state (in this case, the inside of the BB) can be known.

In the above-described example, when the stop display table 130 is acquired, the stop display table 130 may be set to be acquired when the BB and the watermelon are selected and won even when the watermelon is won alone.
Further, the outcome announcement effect is not limited to that performed when the duplicate winning combination is won as described above. For example, as the stop display table 130, the stop display table conforming to the stop table (with the same number of sliding frames) having a symbol array that actually stops when the stop switch 50 is pressed at the contact timing is used as the stop output data. 130 and a stop display table 130 that does not conform to the stop table having different symbols as stop output data (the number of sliding frames is different) from the symbol that actually stops when the stop switch 50 is pressed at the contact timing. Depending on whether or not the game state is in the BB, or whether or not the transition to a specific advantageous game is determined and during the so-called latent period until the advantageous game is started, the stop display table 130 can be used properly. Even if it forms in this way, the player can know an internal state by the difference in the virtual stop appearance display when aiming at the same symbol at the same timing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, before the stop switch 50 is pressed (that is, before the rotating reel 40 is stopped), the symbol that will stop if the stop switch 50 is pressed at that timing is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably assist the pushing. Further, even when the stop switch 50 is touched at the same timing according to the internal state, the virtual stop appearance displayed can be made different, so that an advance notice effect can be given to advanced players. Furthermore, since the contact sensor 52 is provided as a temporary operation detection device, the timing at which the contact sensor 52 is turned on is almost the same as the timing when the stop switch 50 is actually pressed, and the displayed virtual stop appearance is certain. Sexuality can be secured.

  By the way, in the above-described embodiment, when performing the appearance notice effect, the virtual stop appearance is always displayed when the stop switch 50 corresponding to the rotation reel 40 set as the display target reel is operated. Even if it has been formed, but the execution of the notice announcement effect has been decided, if the predetermined condition is not met, the virtual stop notice is displayed even if the stop switch 50 of the display target reel is touched. You can avoid it. For example, if the contact operation timing of the stop switch 50 is not a timing at which the winning symbol can be stopped on the effective winning line, even if the stop switch 50 is contacted, for example, the image display unit 67 displays a variable display. The virtual display is not displayed on the image display unit 67 by preventing the displayed symbol from being stopped or displaying nothing or displaying an image other than the symbol array. For the display outcome determined by the display symbol determination means 140, it is determined whether or not the winning symbol is included in a position where a winning is possible. Based on the display event, the virtual stop event display is performed, and if the winning symbol is not included, the determination is canceled and the determination other than the virtual stop event as described above is performed. That's fine. Even in such a case, if the contact operation of the stop switch 50 is repeated until the virtual stop appearance is displayed, it is possible to practice pushing the eye.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the contact sensor 52 is provided as the temporary operation detection device to display the virtual stop result, but a proximity sensor may be provided instead of the contact sensor 52. The proximity sensor can detect a change in heat or magnetic field within a predetermined range of the detection unit, and can be switched on when the detection level is equal to or higher than a certain reference. In this case, the proximity sensor is configured to output a detection signal when the player's finger is close to the stop switch to such an extent that the finger of the player can operate the stop switch (for example, about 5 to 10 mm from the button surface). preferable. Otherwise, the timing and deviation when the actual pressing operation is performed will occur. When using a proximity sensor, even if you do not touch the stop switch 50, the virtual stop appearance will be displayed just by bringing your finger close to it, so you will accidentally press the switch trying to contact the contact sensor 52 Trouble can be prevented.

Here, when a proximity sensor is used, the detection unit may be provided in the vicinity of the stop switch 50. For example, it can be installed on the upper side or the lower side of the stop switch 50 and not far away from the switch portion. If it is a proximity sensor, it is possible to detect almost the same timing as the operation without providing the sensor detection part in the operation part of the stop switch 50 that is moved by the operation, so the electrical connection between the detection part and the sensor board There is an advantage that becomes easy.
The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine other than a slot machine, such as a parrot gaming machine that uses a pachinko ball as a gaming medium to perform a game similar to a slot machine.

10 Slot machine 13 Symbol display window
20 Control device 30 Start switch
40 turn reel 50 Stop switch
51 Press sensor (operation detection device) 52 Contact sensor (temporary operation detection device)
66 Display device 67 Liquid crystal display device (virtual stop output display)
70 Winning lottery means 80 Reel control means
90 Winning judgment means 100 Virtual stop appearance display control means
110 Detection signal receiving means 120 Operating position specifying means
130 Stop display table 140 Display design determining means

Claims (4)

A plurality of rotating reels that display a plurality of symbols around the inside of the housing;
A symbol display window that allows the symbol of the rotating reel to be visually recognized from the front side;
A start switch for starting rotation of each rotary reel;
A plurality of stop switches for stopping the rotation of each of the rotating reels;
An operation detection device that detects that each stop switch has been operated and outputs a detection signal;
An image display unit capable of displaying a predetermined image;
A lottery for determining whether or not the winning combination consisting of a predetermined symbol combination is won, and rotating the rotating reel based on the operation of the start switch, the lottery result of the winning determination and each stop switch Based on a detection signal from the operation detection device, a game control device that controls rotation stop of the rotary reel corresponding to the stop switch,
Based on an output signal from the game control device, at least an effect control device that controls the display of the image display unit,
As a result of the lottery of the winning determination, the symbols constituting the winning combination of each rotating reel visible from the symbol display window in a state where a predetermined winning combination is won and a plurality of the rotating reels are all stopped. In a gaming machine in which a winning is achieved by stopping in a predetermined winning mode, and a profit is given to the player in accordance with the winning,
At a position where it is possible to detect that a human finger has come close to any stop switch or that the operation detection device has touched any stop switch to such an extent that no operation is detected (hereinafter referred to as temporary operation), A temporary operation detection device that detects a temporary operation and outputs a detection signal is provided.
In the production control device,
Based on the operation position specifying means for specifying the detection signal output timing of the temporary operation detecting device in the positional relationship between the rotating reel and the symbols displayed on the rotating reel, and the operation position specified by the operating position specifying means. And a display symbol determining means capable of displaying a predetermined symbol arrangement on the image display unit,
When the display symbol determining means assumes that the operation detection device outputs a detection signal at a timing when the temporary operation detection device outputs a detection signal, the rotating reel corresponding to the stop switch related to the detection is the game The symbol arrangement that is set to be visible from the symbol display window when the rotation stops based on the control of the control device can be determined as a virtual stop point based on a temporary operation,
When at least one of the stop switches is temporarily operated, a symbol array that will stop in the symbol display window when the stop switch is operated at the same timing is displayed as a virtual stop point in the image display unit. A gaming machine characterized in that it can be displayed.   The virtual stop appearance display is a stop switch corresponding to the display target reel during rotation of the display target reel, which is a rotating reel set so that virtual stop output display is executed by temporary operation of the stop switch. Each time a temporary operation is performed, the image is displayed on the image display unit based on the timing of the temporary operation, and even after the display target reel related to the temporary operation stops rotating, a predetermined display reset trigger occurs. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is continuously displayed on the image display unit until the condition is met.   The display symbol determination means, in a specific gaming state, a symbol array different from the symbol array that will stop in the symbol display window when the temporarily operated stop switch is operated at the same timing as the temporary operation, The virtual stop event displayed on the image display unit can be determined, and the virtual stop event displayed on the image display unit is displayed on the symbol display window when the stop switch is operated at the same timing. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine can be informed of an internal state of the gaming machine by forming the game machine so that it may be different from an actual stoppage. In the case where a predetermined winning combination is won as a result of the lottery of the winning determination, the display symbol determining means determines that the timing of the temporary operation for any one of the stop switches is that the stop switch is operated at the same timing. If it is the timing when the symbols constituting the winning combination can be stopped in the winning mode, the virtual display is displayed on the image display unit, and the timing of the temporary operation constitutes the winning combination If it is the timing when the symbol cannot be stopped in the winning mode, it is formed so as not to display the virtual stop result on the image display unit,
3. The timing for stopping a symbol constituting a winning combination in a winning mode can be notified depending on whether or not a virtual stoppage is displayed on the image display unit. Game machines.

Images