JP2011239809A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine which has a ceiling function for relieving a player and suppresses a decline in an operation rate right before closing, that might occur due to the ceiling function.SOLUTION: The slot machine 1 includes: a ceiling state generation means 46 for generating a ceiling state; a period determination means 471 for determining whether or not it is a period before closing, whose end is the closing time; a ceiling switch button 69 that a player can operate in order to invalidate the generation of the ceiling state; a ceiling invalidation means 472 for setting a ceiling invalid state in which the ceiling state is not generated when the ceiling switch button 69 is operated in the period before closing; and a bonus probability change means 48 for increasing the internal winning probability of a bonus hand in the ceiling invalid state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine having a so-called ceiling function for relieving a player when a bonus combination is not won internally for a long period of time.

  Conventionally, there is known a slot machine having a so-called ceiling function for relieving a player when a bonus combination is not won internally for a long period of time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For slot machines with a ceiling function, the ceiling state with an increased play rate is compulsory, such as the RT state that increases the internal winning probability of the replay role and the AT state that informs information that assists the winning of the specific role There is a slot machine that generates.

  Such a ceiling function is a function for relieving a player who has not been able to generate a bonus state for a long period of time, but even if a ceiling state occurs, the internal winning probability itself of the bonus combination remains unchanged. is there. If a ceiling condition with a high payout rate occurs as described above, the consumption of medals is reduced, the game can be continued without spending many medals, and the internal winning of the bonus combination can be waited slowly. That is, the ceiling function is a function for relieving the player by suppressing the investment required until the bonus combination is won internally.

  However, in the slot machine having the conventional ceiling function, the number of games required until the bonus combination is won internally is not shortened even if a ceiling condition occurs. There is a need. For this reason, when a ceiling condition occurs just before the closing time, it is not uncommon for the player to feel disappointed because the closing time comes before the bonus combination is won internally. In order to avoid such a situation in advance, there are many players who hesitate to play when the store closing time approaches, and as a result, there is a problem that the operating rate immediately before closing the store is lowered.

Japanese Patent No. 4149700

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is a slot machine having a ceiling function for relieving a player, which is likely to occur due to the ceiling function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine that can suppress a decrease in rate.

The present invention includes a symbol variation display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement in a plurality of symbol display areas,
Game start operation means operated by the player to start the game with the game medium inserted;
An internal lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from a plurality of types of combinations including a small combination, a replay combination, and a bonus combination when the game start operation unit is operated;
A stop operation means operated by a player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the symbol variation display means;
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 a winning has occurred based on a combination of symbols stopped and displayed in each symbol display area of the symbol variation display means;
A profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning when the winning determining means determines that a winning has occurred;
Bonus state generating means for generating a bonus state that increases the internal winning probability of the small role in response to winning of the bonus role,
Inter-bonus data that aggregates bonus-to-bonus data that is game data corresponding to the length of the game period that has passed without the bonus combination being determined as the internal winning combination after the start of business on that day or after the end of the previous bonus state Aggregation means;
A slot having a ceiling state generating means for generating a ceiling state for improving the winning frequency of at least one of a small combination and a replay combination when the bonus data reaches a predetermined upper limit value. In the machine
A period determining means for determining whether or not it is a period before closing which is a predetermined game period with the closing time as the end;
Ceiling invalidation operation means operable by a player to invalidate the occurrence of the ceiling state;
A ceiling invalidating means for setting a ceiling invalid state in which the ceiling state does not occur when the ceiling invalidating operation means is operated in a state determined by the period determining means as being in the first half of the closing period;
The slot machine further comprises bonus probability changing means for increasing a probability that a bonus combination is determined as the internal winning combination in the ceiling invalid state (claim 1).

  In the game of the slot machine of the present invention, the ceiling state occurs when the data between bonuses reaches the upper limit value. If this ceiling condition occurs, the winning frequency of any one of the small combination and the replay combination is improved, so that the decrease of the game medium is reduced or the game medium is increased. After the occurrence of the ceiling condition, it is possible to carefully wait for the internal winning of the bonus combination while suppressing the investment of game media.

  On the other hand, when the store is in the first half of the closing period, the ceiling invalid state in which the ceiling state does not occur but the internal winning probability of the bonus combination is high can be set according to the player's preference. In other words, in the period before the closing of the game hall close to the closing time, whether the player wishes to generate the ceiling state or to increase the internal winning probability of the bonus combination instead of the ceiling state. Can be selected.

  If the ceiling invalid state is set in the period before the store closing, it is possible to avoid the unfortunate situation of closing the store in the ceiling state with a certainty by the player himself. If there is a guarantee that this unfortunate situation will not occur, the game can be continued with confidence until the store closes. Further, if the ceiling invalid state is set, the internal winning probability of the bonus combination is improved and the expectation for the bonus combination is increased, which is a profit for the player.

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.
The bonus-to-bonus data is monotonous depending on the number of games, such as the number of games executed, the total number of game media inserted into the game, the total number of game media payouts according to winnings, and the number of winning combinations. An increasing number can be adopted. A difference number (absolute value) obtained by subtracting the number of inputs from the number of payouts may be used as the bonus data. The difference number (absolute value) increases as the game period that has passed without the bonus combination being determined as the internal winning combination is longer.

In addition, in the ceiling ineffective state, comprising a ceiling enabling operation means operable by a player to set a ceiling effective state in which the ceiling state can occur,
The inter-bonus data aggregation means interrupts the aggregation of the inter-bonus data when the ceiling invalid state is set,
When the ceiling validating operation means is operated in the ceiling invalid state and the ceiling valid state is set, it is preferable to resume the calculation of the data between bonuses using the value at the time of setting the ceiling invalid state as an initial value. (Claim 2).

  In this case, once the ceiling invalid state is set, the ceiling valid state can be reset. When the ceiling valid state is reset, the aggregation of the bonus data is restarted with the value at the time of setting the ceiling invalid state as an initial value, so that there is little disadvantage for the player. The player of the slot machine of the present invention can select the ceiling invalid state without hesitation.

An arrival time predicting means for predicting an arrival time at which the inter-bonus data reaches the upper limit based on an increase degree of the inter-bonus data per unit time;
In the state determined by the period determination means as being in the first half of the closing period, it is preferable that the ceiling invalid state can be set and display means for displaying the predicted arrival time. (Claim 3).
In this case, it is possible to determine whether it is advantageous to set the ceiling invalid state or to generate the ceiling state based on the displayed arrival time.

Further, it is preferable that the expected value of the number of game media that can be acquired by the player does not decrease when the ceiling valid state is switched to the ceiling invalid state.
In this case, it is possible to further reduce the disadvantage on the player side according to the switching to the ceiling invalid state. Thereby, the switch to the ceiling invalid state can be promoted, and the game can be continued until the store is closed. More preferably, the expected value may be maintained without fluctuation before and after switching to the ceiling invalid state.

  The slot machine of the present invention is a slot machine having a ceiling function for relieving a player, and has an excellent characteristic capable of suppressing a decrease in the operating rate immediately before closing, which may occur due to the ceiling function. It is a slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an appearance of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining the winning line in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a development view showing a developed arrangement of symbols arranged on the outer periphery of the reel in the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the role of a slot machine, a winning symbol, and profit in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine in the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the internal winning combination lottery table in Example 1. FIG. The front view which shows the screen before a shop closing displayed when it reaches in the first half of a shop closing in Example 1. FIG. The front view which shows the ceiling invalid screen displayed in a ceiling invalid state in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the ceiling invalidation process for setting the ceiling invalid state in Example 1. FIG.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
Example 1
This example relates to a slot machine 1 having a so-called ceiling function for relieving a player when a bonus combination is not won internally for a long period of time. The contents will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the external configuration of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIG. A front side portion on the player side in the slot machine 1 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 includes a liquid crystal display unit 53, a pair of left and right speakers 520, and a decorative lamp unit 56 arranged above the symbol display window 11. A base 100 that forms the base of the slot machine 1 is formed below the symbol display window 11. On the right side of the symbol display window 11, a payout amount display portion 551 and a credit display portion 552 are arranged. The number-of-payout display unit 551 is a display unit that displays the number of medals (game media) to be paid out at the time of winning a prize. The credit display unit 552 is a display unit that displays the number of credits that is the number of medals credited (stored) by the credit function.

  The base portion 100 is formed so as to protrude relatively 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.

The operation surface 14 includes a bet button 64 for inserting medals into the game, a settlement button 65 for paying out credited medals, and a medal insertion slot 630 for directly inserting medals. Has been placed.
On the operation panel 13, in order from the left, a start lever 62 (game starting operation means) for starting the symbol variation of the reel 21, a stop button 61 (stop operation means) for stopping the symbol variation, and a ceiling invalid A ceiling switching button 69 for setting a state or the like is arranged.

  The bet button 64 is a button for inserting a predetermined number of medals out of credited medals. In the normal state limited to 3 BETs (three betting games) and the RT state which is a ceiling state, a 3-bet signal indicating the number of throws 3 is generated according to the operation of the bet button 64. On the other hand, in a bonus state limited to 1 BET (single betting game), a 1 bet signal is generated in response to the operation of the bet button 64. However, when the remaining credit is insufficient, a bet signal corresponding to the remaining credit is generated, and when the credit is zero, no bet signal is generated.

  The ceiling switching button 69 is an operation button that constitutes a ceiling invalidation operation means and a ceiling validation operation means. The ceiling switching button 69 is set to be operable in a period before closing for 2 hours from the set time of 21:00 to the closing time (23:00). When the ceiling switching button 69 is first operated during the period before closing the store, a ceiling invalid state in which the ceiling state does not occur is set instead of the ceiling valid state in which the ceiling state can occur. If the ceiling switching button 69 is operated again during the setting of the ceiling invalid state, the ceiling effective state can be switched.

  The start lever 62 is an operation lever that generates a game start signal that is a control signal for the reel 21 in accordance with the player's operation. In the slot machine 1, when a predetermined number of medals are inserted by direct insertion of medals or operation of the bet button 64, the start lever 62 is set to an effective state. When the replay winning combination is won, a state is set in which a medal is directly inserted or a medal is automatically inserted without a betting operation, that is, a state where the next game can be started.

  The symbol display window 11 is a display window including symbol display areas 110L, C, and R. Each of the symbol display areas 110L, C, and 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 symbol display window 11 is formed of a transparent resin plate so that the symbol 20 can be seen from the player side.

  In the symbol display area in which nine symbols 20 are 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 shown in FIG. 2, the winning line in this example is composed of five lines including horizontal winning lines 211 to 213 and diagonal winning lines 214 and 215. In the slot machine 1 of this example, all five pay lines are always set to be valid regardless of the number of BETs for the game.

  Reels 21L, C, and R constituting the symbol variation display means 2 are arranged on the back side of the symbol display areas 110L, C, and R, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the reels 21 </ b> L, C, and R are rotary reels having a cylindrical shape and 21 symbols 20 arranged on the outer peripheral surface thereof at substantially constant intervals. 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.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stop button 61 is an operation button that generates a fluctuation stop signal that is a control signal for the reel 21 in accordance with the player's operation. 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.

The speaker 520 and the decorative lamp unit 56 are rendering means for rendering a game with sound or light.
The liquid crystal display unit 53 includes a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display unit 53 can display various effect screens including a pre-store closing screen 70 and a ceiling invalid screen 71 which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

Next, the role of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described.
In the slot machine 1 of this example, as shown in FIG. 4, four types of small combinations such as a bonus combination (BB1 combination, BB2 combination), 15-sheet combination, and a replay combination are set. In FIG. 4, the name of each combination is shown in the left column, the winning symbol that is a combination of the symbols 20 corresponding to each symbol is shown in the middle column, and the profit given to the player according to the winning is shown in the right column. The profit in the “3BET” column is a profit when winning in the normal state and the RT state which is the ceiling state. The profit in the “1 BET” column is a profit when winning in a bonus state.

  As the bonus state, a BIG1 state triggered by the BB1 role and a BIG2 state triggered by the BB2 role are set. The BIG1 state and the BIG2 state differ only in the role that triggers the occurrence, and share other game specifications. The bonus state ends when the medals are paid out when the number of medals paid out exceeds 400, which is the specified payout number (specified grant number).

  Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIG. For the control unit 3 that controls the overall operation of the slot machine 1, in addition to the above-described configuration, the inserted medal detection unit 63 that detects a medal inserted directly through the medal slot 630 (FIG. 1), the reel 21 A reel driving unit 22 constituting the symbol variation display means 2, a reference position detecting unit 66 for detecting the rotational position of the reel 21, a medal paying unit 54 for paying out medals, a payout number display unit 551 and a credit number display unit 552 are included. Various display units 55, a set value operation unit 68 for setting a set value representing the player's degree of advantage, an audio output unit 52 for controlling the speaker 520, and the like are electrically connected.

  The inserted medal detection unit 63 is a detection unit for a medal inserted directly 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 unit 630. In the slot machine 1 of this example, when a predetermined number of medals are inserted by direct insertion of medals or operation of the bet button 64, the start lever 62 is set to an effective state and a new game can be started. It becomes a state.

The reel driving unit 22 includes a stepping motor (not shown) that can be controlled in units of steps, and is a driving unit that rotationally drives the reel 21 by the rotational driving force of the stepping motor.
The reference position detection unit 66 is a detection unit that detects the passage of the reference position piece for each of the reels 21L, 21C, and R and outputs a detection signal.

The medal payout unit 54 is a payout unit that pays out a predetermined number (see FIG. 4) of medals in accordance with winning.
The set value operation unit 68 is an operation unit for changing set values of 6 stages having different internal winning probabilities such as bonus combinations using the setting key 680.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3 includes a CPU 31, ROM 33 and RAM 34 as memory means, an I / O unit 32 as an input / output interface, and a random number extraction unit 35 that extracts random numbers for internal winning combination lottery. And a random number generator 350 for generating random numbers. The CPU 31 executes a software program read from the ROM 33 to thereby execute an internal lottery unit 41 for lottering an internal winning combination, a flag erasing unit 410 for controlling a flag corresponding to the internal winning combination, and a display control unit 42 for controlling the reel 21. , A winning determination means 43 for determining a winning symbol, a profit giving means 44 for paying out medals in accordance with the winning of a small role, a bonus state generating means 451 for controlling a bonus state, a bonus state ending means 452, an RT state which is a ceiling state A ceiling state generating means 46 for generating a period, a period determining means 471 for determining whether it is a period before closing, a ceiling invalidating means 472 for setting a ceiling invalid state, and a bonus probability changing means 48 for increasing the internal winning probability of a bonus combination. A function as arrival time prediction means 49 for predicting the arrival time reaching the ceiling (upper limit value) It is realized.

  In a storage area of the RAM 34 which is a memory means, a first game number counter 341 as an inter-bonus data totaling means for counting the number of games between bonuses (inter-bonus data), the number of no-ceiling games executed under a ceiling invalid state A second game number counter 342 for counting the remaining payout number counter 343 for counting the number of remaining medal payouts until the bonus state ends.

In the first game number counter 341, the initial value of the number of games between bonuses is set to zero at the start of business on that day and at the end of the bonus state. The number of games between bonuses is incremented by one game every time the game is executed until the bonus combination is won internally. However, in the state where the ceiling invalid state is set, the addition of the number of games between bonuses is interrupted, and thereafter, the addition of the number of games between bonuses is resumed when the ceiling invalid state is canceled and the ceiling valid state is restored.
The second game number counter 342 is set to an initial value zero for the number of ceilingless games when the ceiling invalid state is set. The number of ceilingless games is incremented by one game each time the game is executed in a ceiling invalid state.

  In the remaining payout counter 343, when a bonus combination is won, 400 sheets, which is a predetermined payout, is set as an initial value of the remaining payout. The number of remaining payouts is decremented by 1 each time a medal is paid out under the bonus state.

The ROM 33, which is a memory means, stores an internal winning combination lottery table (FIG. 6) applied to the internal winning combination lottery and a reel control table (not shown) applied to the reel 21 stop control.
The reel control table is a data table in which stop positions that can be stopped on the winning line are defined.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the internal winning combination lottery table is a lottery table in which winning random numbers for each combination are defined among the random numbers for internal winning combination lottery of 0 to 65535. The internal winning combination lottery table includes a table applied to a normal state, a table applied to a bonus state (not shown), and a table applied to an RT state that is a ceiling state (not shown).

  The table for the bonus state is the most advantageous table having a high internal winning probability for each small role. The table for the RT state is an advantageous table in which the internal winning probability of the replay combination is set high and the payout rate is set to almost 100%.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the table applied to the normal state includes a first table applied to a ceiling valid state in which a ceiling state can be generated, and a second table applied to a ceiling invalid state in which the ceiling state is invalidated. There is a table. The difference between the first table and the second table is in the number of winning random numbers for the bonus combination. In the figure, among the columns corresponding to each table, the left column in the vertical direction indicates the number of winning random numbers, and the right column indicates the internal winning probability in the denominator (x of 1 / x).

  Comparing the first table and the second table, the winning random number of the BB1 combination and the BB2 combination is increased by three in the second table, and the internal winning probability of the bonus combination is increased. In the first table and the second table, the payout rates representing the expected value of the number of medals that can be obtained by the player are set equal. Thereby, at the time of switching from the ceiling effective state to the ceiling invalid state, the payout rate is maintained without being lowered. The normal state and RT state tables are prepared for each set value, and the higher the set value, the higher the internal winning probability of the bonus combination. FIG. 6 illustrates a table of setting value 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the internal lottery means 41 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 41 collates the random numbers for internal winning combination lottery against the winning random numbers of each combination specified in the internal winning combination lottery table (for example, FIG. 6), and determines the internal winning combination. The internal lottery means 41 selects and uses any of the internal winning combination lottery tables according to the gaming state. The random numbers for the internal winning combination lottery are random numbers extracted by the random number extraction unit 35 from random numbers (0 to 65535) generated by the random number generation unit 350.

  The flag erasure unit 410 is a unit that controls the internal winning flag. The flag erasure unit 410 sets an internal winning flag of a role other than the bonus combination to an off state (zero) before starting the next game regardless of whether or not the game is won for the first time. Reset. Therefore, if each combination other than the bonus combination is not won in the internal winning game, all will be missed. On the other hand, for the bonus combination flag corresponding to the bonus combination, the flag establishment state is sequentially carried over to the next game until winning, and is reset to the off state according to the winning.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the display control means 42 is a means for starting the symbol fluctuation of the reel 21 in response to the game start signal and stopping the symbol fluctuation of the reel 21 in response to the fluctuation stop signal. The display control means 42 inputs a control pulse to the stepping motor that constitutes the reel driving unit 22 and rotates the stepping motor by one step for each pulse. The display control means 42 counts the number of control pulses input to the reel driving unit 22, that is, the number of steps rotated by the stepping motor. In particular, the display control means 42 of this example counts the number of steps generated after the most recent detection signal by resetting the number of steps to zero each time the detection signal of the reference position piece of each reel 21 is fetched.

  The display control means 42 performs so-called pull-in control in which symbols within a predetermined pull-in range determined by rules (rules for game machine authorization and type verification, etc.) are stopped on the winning line. In this example, a range corresponding to 4 symbols is set as the pull-in range. The display control means 42 determines the stop position by collating the number of steps when the variable stop signal is taken into the reel control table in which the stop position that can be stopped on the winning line is defined. The display control means 42 pulls the symbol corresponding to the established flag to the determined stop position and stops the reel 21.

  The winning determination means 43 is a means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the three reels 21L, 21C, 21R is a predetermined winning symbol. Specifically, the winning determination means 43 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 43 takes in the number of steps of each corresponding stepping motor (reel drive unit 22) after each reel 21L, C, R stops. The winning determination means 43 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 44 is a means for giving a medal in accordance with the winning of a small role. For example, the profit granting unit 44 pays out 15 medals when it is determined that a winning combination of 15 sheets is determined in a normal state.

The bonus state generating means 451 is a means for generating a bonus state in response to winning of the BB1 combination or the BB2 combination. The bonus state generation means 451 generates a bonus state after setting an initial value of 400 to the remaining payout number of the remaining payout number counter 343 when the winning determination means 43 determines that the bonus combination is won.
The bonus state ending means 452 is a means for ending the bonus state when the number of medals paid out in the bonus state exceeds the prescribed payout number. Bonus state ending means 452 ends the bonus state when the remaining payout number of the remaining payout number counter 343 reaches zero.

  The ceiling state generation means 46 is a means for generating a ceiling state when the number of games between bonuses reaches 1000 games of the ceiling (upper limit value). The ceiling state of this example is an RT state in which the table for the RT state having a high internal winning probability of the replay combination and a high payout rate is applied to the internal lottery.

The period determination means 471 is a means for determining whether or not it is a period before closing from 21:00 as a set time to 23:00 as a closing time. The period determination unit 471 determines whether the current time taken from an internal clock (not shown) is in the first half of the closing period by comparing with the set time.
The ceiling invalidating means 472 is a means for setting a ceiling invalid state in which the ceiling state does not occur in accordance with the valid operation of the ceiling switching button 69 under the ceiling valid state. In the ceiling invalid state, counting of the number of games between bonuses is interrupted, and the internal winning probability of bonus combination is increased by bonus probability changing means 48 described later. In the slot machine 1 of this example, a ceiling invalid flag that is turned on when the ceiling is invalid is set.

  The bonus probability changing means 48 is means for switching the internal winning combination lottery table from the first table to the second table (see FIG. 6) when the ceiling invalid state is set. In accordance with the switch to the second table, the internal winning probability of the bonus combination is increased.

  The arrival time predicting means 49 is a means for predicting the arrival time for reaching 1000 games in which the number of games between bonuses is the ceiling (upper limit value). The arrival time predicting means 49 calculates an increase speed representing the increase degree of the bonus data per minute based on the fluctuation amount of the number of games between bonuses in the past 10 minutes. Then, when the increased speed is maintained, a required time until the number of games between bonuses reaches the ceiling is calculated, and the required time is predicted by adding the required time to the current time.

  The liquid crystal display unit 53 connected to the control unit 3 has a function as the display unit 7 that displays the arrival time together with the fact that the ceiling invalid state can be set. The liquid crystal display unit 53 as the display means 7 displays a pre-store closing screen 70 (FIG. 7) displayed in the ceiling effective state and a ceiling invalid screen 71 displayed in the ceiling invalid state.

  A screen 70 before closing shown in FIG. 7 is a display screen displayed during the first half of the closing time under the ceiling effective state. The pre-closing screen 70 includes a display field 701 indicating that the ceiling invalid state can be set, an inter-bonus data display field 702 for displaying the number of games between bonuses which is the counter value of the first game number counter 341, It is a screen on which a time display field 703 for displaying time and arrival time in two upper and lower stages is arranged.

  A ceiling invalid screen 71 shown in FIG. 8 is a display screen displayed under a ceiling invalid state. The ceiling invalidation screen 71 includes a display column 711 for displaying that the ceiling is invalid, a bonus data display column 712 for displaying the number of bonus games for which counting has been interrupted in accordance with the ceiling invalidation, and a second game. It is a screen on which a ceilingless data display field 713 for displaying the number of ceilingless games that is the counter value of the number counter 342 is arranged.

The operation of the slot machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of ceiling invalidation processing.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the ceiling invalidation process, first, it is determined whether or not the set time is 21:00, that is, whether or not the current time is in the first half of the closing period (S101). When it is determined that it is a period before closing (S101: YES), the ceiling switching button 69 is enabled so that it can be operated (S102), and before the closing including the display of “ceiling invalidation OK!” The screen 70 (FIG. 7) is displayed (S103).

  When the ceiling switching button 69 is operated (S104: YES), the flag state of the ceiling invalid flag indicating the ceiling invalid state is determined (S105). If the ceiling invalid flag is off, that is, the ceiling is valid (S105: NO), the internal winning combination lottery table applied to the internal lottery is switched from the first table to the second table (see FIG. 6) (S106). ), The ceiling invalid flag is switched to the ON state (S107). Thus, the ceiling invalid state is set, and the ceiling invalid screen 71 (FIG. 8) is displayed (S108).

  On the other hand, if the ceiling invalid flag is in the on state, that is, the ceiling invalid state in step S105 (S105: NO), the internal winning combination lottery table is switched from the second table to the first table (S116), and the ceiling invalid The flag is reset to the off state (S117). Thereby, the ceiling effective state is reset, and the pre-store closing screen 70 (FIG. 7) including the display of “ceiling invalidation OK!” Is displayed again (S118).

  In the game of the slot machine 1 of this example configured as described above, the ceiling enabled state or the ceiling disabled state is selected according to the player's preference in the period before closing after the set time of 21:00. it can. When the ceiling invalid state is selected, the counting of the number of games between bonuses is interrupted and the ceiling state does not occur, while the benefit of increasing the internal winning probability of the bonus combination can be enjoyed. That is, in the game of the slot machine 1, in the period before closing the store, it is possible to select whether to leave the possibility of the ceiling state or to increase the internal winning probability of the bonus combination instead of the ceiling state according to the player's preference.

  When the possibility of occurrence of the ceiling state is selected, the number of games until the bonus combination is won internally cannot be shortened, but the number of medals inserted can be suppressed if the ceiling state occurs. When the improvement of the internal winning probability of the bonus combination is selected, it is not possible to receive the benefit of the ceiling state, while the number of games until the bonus combination is won internally can be reduced and the game can be settled within a relatively short time. In addition, if the ceiling invalid state is set, it is possible to avoid the unfortunate situation of closing the store when the ceiling occurs, so it is possible to motivate the player to continue the game during the time just before closing. . According to the slot machine 1 of this example, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the operation rate in the time zone just before closing.

  In this example, it is determined whether or not it belongs to the first half of the closing period in accordance with a comparison between the current time of the internal clock and the set time, but the determination condition for the period before closing is not limited to this example. For example, it may be determined that the period before closing when the cumulative number of games reaches a predetermined number or when the number of inserted medals reaches a predetermined number.

  Moreover, this example is an example in which 21:00, which is two hours before the closing time, is set as the set time that is the beginning of the period before closing. It is preferable to set a time at which the remaining time until closing is worrisome and a certain amount of remaining time is secured as the set time. The set time is preferably a time when at least half of the business hours have elapsed. For example, if the closing time is 23:00, the time belonging to the time zone from 19:00 (4 hours before the closing time) to 22:00 (1 hour before the closing time) can be set as the set time. Furthermore, the time belonging to the time zone from 21:00 (2 hours before the closing time) to 21:30 (one and a half hours before the closing time) may be set as the set time.

  In this example, the ceiling state is generated when the number of games between bonuses reaches the upper limit, but the condition for generating the ceiling state is not limited to this example. For example, the ceiling state may be generated when the data between bonuses such as the cumulative number of medals inserted after the bonus state ends or the difference number (the number of payouts and one input) reaches the ceiling (upper limit). . In short, the bonus data may be game data that can detect that the disadvantage on the player side exceeds the threshold value.

In this example, the RT state having a high internal winning probability of the replay role is adopted as the ceiling state. It is not limited to the RT state, and any ceiling state may be used as long as it is advantageous for the player. For example, an AT state in which information for assisting the winning of a specific combination is notified to the player may be adopted as the ceiling state. In the AT state, even if there is no change in the internal winning probability of the specific combination, the winning frequency of the specific combination is substantially improved.
Further, in this example, by increasing the internal winning probability of the bonus combination in the ceiling invalid state, the payout rate is maintained without lowering when switching from the ceiling valid state to the ceiling invalid state. In addition to the bonus combination, the internal winning probability of any combination may be increased in a ceiling invalid state.

  In this example, the second table shown in FIG. 6 is set as the internal winning combination lottery table applied to the ceiling invalid state. Two or more types of tables having different internal winning probabilities for bonus combinations may be set as the table for the ceiling invalid state. For example, when the number of games between bonuses when the ceiling invalid state is set is larger than a threshold value, a table having a higher internal winning probability of bonus combination may be selected. Alternatively, it may be determined by lottery which table is applied when setting the ceiling invalid state.

  In this example, the ceiling state is generated immediately when the number of games between bonuses reaches the ceiling (upper limit). Alternatively, the ceiling state may be generated when a specific symbol is stopped and displayed after the number of games between bonuses reaches the ceiling.

  As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as in the first embodiment, but these specific examples merely disclose an example of the technology included in the scope of claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be construed as limited by the configuration, numerical values, or the like of the specific examples. The scope of the claims includes techniques obtained by variously modifying or changing the specific examples using known techniques, knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 11 Symbol display window 110 Symbol display area 2 Symbol fluctuation display means 21 Reel 20 Symbol 3 Control part 341,342 Game number counter 343 Remaining payout number counter 35 Random number extraction part 41 Internal lottery means 410 Flag erasure means 42 Display control means 43 winning determination means 44 profit giving means 451 bonus state generating means 452 bonus state ending means 46 ceiling state generating means 471 period determining means 472 ceiling invalidating means 48 bonus probability changing means 49 arrival time predicting means 53 liquid crystal display section 61 stop operating means (Stop button)
62 Game start operation means (start lever)
70 Screen before closing 71 Invalid ceiling screen

Claims (4)

A symbol variation display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement in a plurality of symbol display areas;
Game start operation means operated by the player to start the game with the game medium inserted;
An internal lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from a plurality of types of combinations including a small combination, a replay combination, and a bonus combination when the game start operation unit is operated;
A stop operation means operated by a player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the symbol variation display means;
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 a winning has occurred based on a combination of symbols stopped and displayed in each symbol display area of the symbol variation display means;
A profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning when the winning determining means determines that a winning has occurred;
Bonus state generating means for generating a bonus state that increases the internal winning probability of the small role in response to winning of the bonus role,
Inter-bonus data that aggregates bonus-to-bonus data that is game data corresponding to the length of the game period that has passed without the bonus combination being determined as the internal winning combination after the start of business on that day or after the end of the previous bonus state Aggregation means;
A slot having a ceiling state generating means for generating a ceiling state for improving the winning frequency of at least one of a small combination and a replay combination when the bonus data reaches a predetermined upper limit value. In the machine
A period determining means for determining whether or not it is a period before closing which is a predetermined game period with the closing time as the end;
Ceiling invalidation operation means operable by a player to invalidate the occurrence of the ceiling state;
A ceiling invalidating means for setting a ceiling invalid state in which the ceiling state does not occur when the ceiling invalidating operation means is operated in a state determined by the period determining means as being in the first half of the closing period;
A slot machine, comprising: bonus probability changing means for increasing a probability that a bonus combination is determined as the internal winning combination in the ceiling invalid state. In the ceiling invalid state, a ceiling activation operation means operable by a player to set a ceiling effective state in which the ceiling state can occur,
The inter-bonus data aggregation means interrupts the aggregation of the inter-bonus data when the ceiling invalid state is set,
When the ceiling validating operation means is operated in the ceiling invalid state and the ceiling valid state is set, the aggregation of the bonus data is resumed with the value at the time of setting the ceiling invalid state as an initial value. The slot machine according to claim 1. Arrival time predicting means for predicting the arrival time at which the bonus data reaches the upper limit based on the increase degree of the bonus data per unit time;
A display means for displaying that the ceiling invalid state can be set and a predicted arrival time in a state determined by the period determination means to be in the first half of the closing period; The slot machine according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein when the ceiling valid state is switched to the ceiling invalid state, an expected value of the number of game media that can be acquired by a player does not decrease.

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