JP2013070841A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for executing a predetermined informing performance corresponding to an investment amount until a winning state, such as a jackpot and a bonus, results during winning, and for executing a predetermined informing performance corresponding to the number of successive winning times in a game state except winning.SOLUTION: The number of loaded game media and the number of put-out game media are totaled each for each acquisition. When a difference obtained by subtracting a cumulative total value of the number of put-out game media from a cumulative total value of the number of loaded game media becomes not less than the number of lending units for indicating the number of lendable game media per predetermined unit price (S4), the unit price is added to the investment amount for storage (S5), and notification is performed while following a notification pattern (S14) corresponding to the investment amount (S12) in transition of the game state from a game state, where the game funds are spent, to a bonus game.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine that notifies gaming funds that have been invested before winning a big hit or bonus.

  In general, gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines make use of visual effects using lights and displays such as LEDs and liquid crystal displays, and auditory effects using sounds such as sounds and sound effects. Thus, a device has been devised to increase the willingness to invest by providing a game effect that suggests to the player the possibility of a big hit or a bonus (hereinafter simply referred to as “hit”) (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition to a game effect that suggests the possibility of winning, for example, the number of games between hits is counted, and a predetermined lottery is performed when a hit occurs within a predetermined number of games. There is also a gaming machine that performs a predetermined game effect that praises a so-called continuous game (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-319141 A JP 2008-006143 A

By the way, there is a competitive spirit between players competing for which one will generate a quick win with little investment.
Because of this kind of competitiveness, how much game money is spent per game is the most important concern for the players around.
However, in the game production that praises the continuity of hits as described above, although the number of games spent from the previous hit to the current hit can be known, it is possible to know the investment amount invested until the hit. could not.

In particular, the investment amount invested to the point varies depending on the characteristics of the gaming machine. For example, a gaming machine with a low base (ratio of the number of payouts to the number of game media input) invests per game. Since gaming machines with a high base and a high base have a small investment amount per game, it has been difficult to estimate the investment amount from the number of games to the winning.
Also, since the number of games spent from the previous hit to this hit is the number of games that are not reset even if the player is changed during that time, the number of games spent until each hit is not calculated. Moreover, there was no way to know from the outside how much money each individual invested.

In addition, the above-mentioned game effects that praise the continuity of hits are usually performed during hits, and no gaming machines that provide praise for continuity in game states other than hits have been proposed. It was.
Further, the game effects as described above are effects intended for the player who plays a game on the gaming machine, and therefore lacks appeal to surrounding players and the like.

  The present invention has been proposed in order to solve such a conventional problem, and performs a predetermined notification effect corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the hit of a big hit or a bonus while hitting the hit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that performs a predetermined notification effect corresponding to the number of consecutive times in a gaming state other than being hit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention is provided with a predetermined notification means, and is a gaming machine that reaches a predetermined winning state through a gaming state in which gaming funds are thrown, and an investment up to the winning state is achieved. Corresponding to the calculation means for calculating the amount, the number of rented units indicating the number of game media that can be lent per predetermined unit price, the investment amount calculated by the calculation means, and the investment amount that the notification means performs in the winning state Storage means for storing a predetermined notification pattern, game management means for transitioning a gaming state based on a predetermined condition, input number indicating the number of game media input to the gaming machine, and payout from the gaming machine A number of payouts indicating the number of game media, and a number-of-payments acquisition means for acquiring as the game progresses, and the calculation means subtracts the cumulative value of the payout numbers from the cumulative value of the input numbers When the amount exceeds the lending unit number, the unit price is added to the investment amount, the storage means updates and stores the investment amount to which the unit price is added, and the notification means is the game management means. Is configured to perform notification according to the notification pattern corresponding to the investment amount stored in the storage means when the gaming state is shifted from the gaming state in which the gaming funds are invested to the winning state.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, a predetermined notification effect corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the hit of a big hit or a bonus is performed while hitting, and a predetermined notification effect corresponding to the consecutive number of hits is won. By performing in a game state other than the inside, the investment amount and the number of consecutive hits can be identified from outside the machine.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the external appearance of a gaming machine. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the internal structure of a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the control signal output to a production | presentation control part from a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the investment amount determination process performed in an effect control part. It is a flowchart which shows the continuous hit determination process performed in an effect control part. The light output pattern is shown, (a) is a flowchart showing the light output pattern setting process executed in the effect control unit, (b) is a chart showing the relationship between the investment amount and the light output pattern, c) is a chart showing the relationship between the number of consecutive hits and the light output pattern. The sound output pattern is shown, (a) is a flowchart showing the sound output pattern setting process executed in the effect control unit, and (b) is a chart showing the relationship between the investment amount and the sound output pattern.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
There are various types of gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines. In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a slot machine will be described.

The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a general revolving game machine capable of obtaining a medal as a game medium by rotating a plurality of reels, but reaches a hit state called a bonus game. Normal game in which a predetermined notification effect corresponding to the investment amount invested in the bonus game is performed during the bonus game, and a predetermined notification effect corresponding to the continuous number of bonus winnings is performed in a gaming state other than during the bonus game By doing this, the investment amount and the number of consecutive bonus wins can be identified from outside the aircraft.
Hereinafter, the configuration of each part of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[Slot machine body]
1 is a schematic perspective view showing an appearance of the slot machine, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the slot machine.

  As shown in these drawings, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment constitutes a spinning-type gaming machine that can acquire medals as game media by rotating a plurality of reels 41a, 41b, and 41c. Yes.

  The slot machine 1 includes a housing 1b that is open on the front side and a front door 1a that covers the front side of the housing 1b so that the front side can be opened and closed. Inside the slot machine 1 is a central processing unit such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. A main control unit 10 configured as a computer having a storage unit, an effect control unit 20 that controls notification units such as LEDs 8a to 8e and a speaker 9 in accordance with commands from the main control unit 10, and necessary machines and devices are stored. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front door 1 a is a door body that is attached to the casing 1 b of the slot machine 1 through a hinge or the like so as to be opened and closed. Thus, the front portion of the slot machine 1 is configured.

As operation means, a medal slot 2 for inserting medals, a bet button 2a for throwing credited medals into the game, a start lever 3 for starting rotation of each reel 41a, 41b, 41c, and each rotating Three stop buttons 5a, 5b, 5c and the like for stopping the reels 41a, 41b, 41c are provided.
The credited medal is a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 2 (inserted medal) or a medal paid out as a result of winning a prize (winning medal), and is a RAM (not shown) in the main control unit 10. The stored medals are stored in the memory, and up to 50 medals are stored as credit medals.

Further, the front door 1a is provided with a display window 6 on the upper side of each operation means for allowing the symbols displayed on the reels 41a, 41b, 41c to be visually recognized.
Moreover, LED8a-8e is incorporated in the upper part of the front door 1a. Each LED 8 is composed of a full color LED, and functions as a notification unit according to the present invention by being lit in various emission colors.
In addition, a speaker 9 for outputting sound such as sound and sound effects is provided at the lower part of the front door 1a, and functions as a notification means according to the present invention, like the LED 8.
These notification means are driven and controlled by an effect control unit 20 that operates based on a control signal output from the main control unit 10.

In the center of the housing 1b, a drum unit 4 including reels 41a, 41b, and 41c, a motor (not shown) that rotates each of the reels 41a, 41b, and 41c, a sensor that detects a rotation position, and the like is provided.
In addition, a medal payout device 7 for storing and paying out medals is provided at the lower part of the housing 1b. The medal payout device 7 is provided with a hopper 7a for storing medals. The medal inserted from the medal slot 2 is detected by the medal selector 2b and guided to the hopper 7a.

  In the slot machine 1, the main control unit 10 controls each device such as the drum unit 4 and the medal payout device 7 based on the signal from each operation means and the signal from the medal selector 2 b as follows. Slot machine game progresses.

Specifically, when a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 2, the inserted medal is detected by the medal selector 2 b, and the detection signal is input to the main control unit 10. When the bet button 2 a is operated, the operation signal is input to the main control unit 10. The main control unit 10 monitors the number of medals that can be played from the number of inputs of these signals and also monitors the operation of the start lever 3.
When the start lever 3 is operated when the number of tokens that can be played is reached, the main control unit 10 controls the drum units 4 to rotate to rotate the reels 41a, 41b, and 41c.

Further, when the start lever 3 is operated, the main control unit 10 performs an internal lottery that determines a winning object of the current game from among a plurality of lottery objects.
The lottery for the internal lottery includes a bonus combination that will be transferred to bonus games, a re-playing combination (replay) that can be played without medals in the next game, and a predetermined number of winning medals. There is a small role that is not given any gaming value.

In the internal lottery, a winning value of a random number assigned in advance for each of the lottery objects is compared with a random value acquired from a predetermined random number counter at the timing of operation of the start lever 3, thereby determining the winning object in the game. Decide for each game.
Further, when each of the stop buttons 5a, 5b, and 5c is pressed, the main control unit 10 rotates based on this operation timing so as to stop at a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning object determined by the internal lottery. Stop control of each reel 41a, 41b, 41c is performed.

  Also, the main control unit 10 determines the combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed on the reels 41a, 41b, and 41c, and determines that the combination is stopped with the combination of symbols corresponding to the small role, Then, control for paying out a predetermined number of medals is performed, and winning medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 7b.

Further, the main control unit 10 operates as a game management unit, and changes the gaming state based on the combination of symbols of the stopped reels 41.
For example, when it is determined that the bonus combination is won in the internal lottery and the combination of the bonus symbols corresponding to the bonus combination is stopped, the gaming state is changed to the bonus game.
During this bonus game, the main control unit 10 monitors the number of winning medals paid out, and when a predetermined number or more medals are paid out, the bonus game is terminated and the gaming state is a gaming state in which gaming funds are thrown. Transition during a normal game.
When it is determined that the combination of bonus symbols is not stopped in the game won for the bonus combination, the gaming state is changed to the bonus internal winning that is a gaming state in which the winning of the bonus combination is carried over from the next game onward.
In cases other than the above, the main control unit 10 maintains the gaming state during a normal game that is a gaming state in which game funds are thrown.

In the slot machine 1, in the slot machine game as described above, the main control unit 10 outputs a predetermined control signal to the effect control unit 20 at a predetermined game timing, so that the effect control unit 20 follows the control signal. The LED 8 and the speaker 9 are driven and controlled to perform a predetermined game effect.
Here, the control signal output from the main control unit 10 to the effect control unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing control signals output from the main control unit 10 to the effect control unit 20, and in this embodiment, six control signals are output from the main control unit 10 as shown in FIG. It has become so.
The insertion signal is a signal indicating the number of inserted medals inserted into the slot machine 1 for each game, the payout signal is a signal indicating the number of winning medals to be paid out from the slot machine 1 due to the small role winning, and the winning signal is , A signal indicating a small role winning.
Further, the internal winning signal is a signal indicating the winning object of the internal lottery (the type of the lottery object that has been won in the game and is any of a small role, a replaying role, a bonus role, or a lose). The signal indicating the stop of the bonus symbol, and the credit signal is a signal indicating the number of stored medals stored in the RAM in the main control unit 10.

In addition to these control signals, control signals indicating operation means operated by the player, such as a bet button operation signal, a start lever operation signal, and a stop button operation signal, and a bonus game end indicating the end of the bonus game. There is a control signal indicating a transition of a gaming state such as a signal.
These control signals are input to the effect control unit 20 at predetermined game timings such as start lever operation, stop button operation, bonus internal winning, bonus game start, bonus game end, and the like.

[Direction control unit]
The effect control unit 20 is configured as a computer including a central processing unit such as a CPU and storage means such as a ROM and a RAM, and is connected to the main control unit 10 so as to be capable of data communication, and is input from the main control unit 10. Based on the signal, the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM to control driving of the LED 8 and the speaker 9 so that the LED 8 is lit and displayed in a predetermined output pattern. Output sound.

  Specifically, for example, when a bonus signal indicating the stop of the bonus symbol is input from the main control unit 10, the effect control unit 20 turns on the LED 8 based on the light output pattern during the bonus game stored in the ROM. At the same time, a predetermined sound / sound effect is output from the speaker 9 based on the sound output pattern during the bonus game stored in the ROM.

Further, the effect control unit 20 controls the drive of the LED 8 and the speaker 9 to bonus the effect of the notification pattern (light sound output pattern) corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the bonus game, which is a feature of the present invention. While performing during the game, the effect of the notification pattern (light output pattern) corresponding to the number of consecutive bonus winnings is performed during the normal game.
In order to produce such a notification pattern, the effect control unit 20 calculates the investment amount invested by one player until the bonus game, and stores the notification pattern corresponding to this investment amount, In addition, the number of consecutive bonus winnings is calculated based on the calculated investment amount, and a notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive winnings is stored.
Furthermore, in order to manage the investment amount for each player, the end of the game is monitored for each player.
Hereinafter, means for realizing such an operation will be described in detail.

[Calculation of investment amount and notification pattern corresponding to investment amount]
First, the effect control unit 20 operates as a calculation means, and calculates the investment amount invested up to the bonus game in order to produce the notification pattern corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the bonus game.
This calculation does not directly calculate the investment amount invested up to the bonus game from the cash spent on the game, but from the number of inserted medals inserted into the slot machine 1 and the number of winning medals paid out from the slot machine 1 This is a method of indirectly obtaining the investment amount invested in 1. This can be done by directly calculating the investment amount invested up to the bonus game based on the sales signal or lending signal output from the medal lending machine, etc. After acquiring a predetermined number of medals, etc., the medals will not be rented, and the game will shift to a game using the acquired medals, so during this time sales signals and rent signals will not be output, This is because it is not possible to obtain an investment amount related to a substantial investment of throwing the acquired medal into the slot machine 1.

  For this reason, in order to indirectly determine the investment amount invested in the slot machine 1 from the number of inserted medals and the number of winning medals, the effect control unit 20 operates as a number of inputs / outputs and inputs from the main control unit 10 The number of inserted medals and the number of winning medals are obtained based on the inserted signal and the payout signal, respectively, and these are accumulated, and the difference obtained by subtracting the accumulated value of the winning medals from the accumulated value of the inserted medals is calculated. To do.

During normal gaming, which is a gaming state in which game funds are thrown, for example, three medals are inserted for each game, and as a result, a small winning prize is awarded with a predetermined winning probability (for example, 1/6). This is a gaming state in which the winning medals are paid out, and the gaming state has almost no return on the investment per game.
In such a gaming state, on average, the cumulative number of inserted medals exceeds the cumulative number of winning medals, and as the game progresses, the difference (cumulative number of inserted medals minus winning medal number (Cumulative value) will expand.

In order to continue the game in such a game state, it is necessary to purchase medals to compensate for the difference.
Further, medals can be purchased at a predetermined unit price, for example, 1000 yen.
For these reasons, whenever the difference between the cumulative number of inserted medals and the cumulative number of winning medals is the common multiple of the number of medals that can be purchased in units of 1000 yen (the number of loaned units), It can be estimated that the person bought a medal for 1,000 yen.
That is, the present invention determines that the player has spent a predetermined unit price every time the difference between the number of inserted medals and the number of paid outs reaches a common multiple of the number of medals that can be purchased at a predetermined unit price. The predetermined unit price is added to the investment amount, and such addition is repeated until a bonus signal is input, thereby calculating the investment amount invested up to the bonus game.
Note that the number of lent medals that can be purchased at a predetermined unit price is stored in advance in the ROM of the effect control unit 20, and the calculated investment amount is sequentially stored in the RAM of the effect control unit 20. It has become so.

In addition, a notification pattern (light output pattern and sound output pattern) corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the bonus game is stored in the ROM of the effect control unit 20.
FIG. 7B shows a light output pattern to be performed by the LED 8 corresponding to the investment amount. For example, if the investment amount invested up to the bonus game is within 1000 yen, the LED 8 is lit in red. If it is within 2000 yen, the LED 8 is lit in blue, if it is within 3000 yen, the LED 8 is lit in green, and if it exceeds 3000 yen, the LED 8 is lit in yellow.
The light output pattern is executed as a light effect during the bonus game by being referred to by the CPU of the effect control unit 20 during the bonus game.

FIG. 8B shows the sound output pattern of the sound effect output from the speaker 9 corresponding to the investment amount. For example, if the investment amount invested up to the bonus game is within 1000 yen. , Output a sound effect "Phi Phi", if it is within 2000 yen, output a sound effect "Phi Phi", if within 3000 yen, output a sound effect "Phi Phi" If the output exceeds 3000 yen, no sound effect is output.
This sound output pattern is executed as a sound effect during the bonus game by being referred to during the bonus game by the CPU of the effect control unit 20.
The sound output pattern executed during the bonus game is given priority over the bonus game start sound (fanfare sound). For example, when a bonus signal is input, the above sound output pattern is output first. Subsequently, a bonus game start sound can be output.

  In this way, by performing the light / sound output pattern corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the bonus game as an effect during the bonus game, how much the bonus game was spent? Can be known not only by the player playing the game in the slot machine 1 but also by other players, and the expectation of the game can be enhanced.

Also, this light / sound output pattern corresponds only to the investment amount without corresponding to the number of games that increase as the game progresses.
Thereby, it is possible to compare gaming machines on a scale of investment amount.
In other words, if the light / sound output pattern is made to correspond to the number of games that increase with the progress of the game, the game machines can be compared with each other on the scale of the number of games, but the number of games that can be played differs per number of units lent In the case of each other, even if the investment amount is the same, the number of games is different, so it was impossible to determine from the outside how much money was actually spent. Therefore, by making the light / sound output pattern correspond to the investment amount as in the present invention, even among gaming machines having different number of games that can be played per number of rented units, the investment with the highest interest of the player You can compare on a scale of money.

[Calculation of the number of times per continuous and notification pattern corresponding to the number of times per continuous]
In addition, during the normal game, the effect control unit 20 calculates the number of consecutive bonus wins in order to produce a notification pattern (light output pattern) corresponding to the number of consecutive bonus wins.
This calculation is performed with reference to the above-described investment amount, and whenever the investment amount invested up to the bonus game is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the number of consecutive hits indicating the continuity of the bonus winning is updated by one. It is a method.

Specifically, when the investment amount when the bonus signal is input is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (for example, 3000 yen or less), the effect control unit 20 updates the number of consecutive hits by 1 and updates the bonus signal. Regardless of whether there is an input or not, when the investment amount exceeds a predetermined amount, the number of consecutive hits is managed by resetting the number of consecutive hits to zero.
The calculated number of consecutive hits is stored in the RAM of the effect control unit 20.

In addition, a notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits is stored in the ROM of the effect control unit 20.
FIG. 7C shows a light output pattern to be performed by the LED 8 corresponding to the number of times per continuous. For example, if the number of times per continuous is 0, the LED 8 is not turned on, and if it is once, the LED 8 is red. If it is 2 times, LED8 is moved and blinked in blue. If it is 3 times, LED8 is moved and blinked in green. If it is 4 times, LED8 is moved and blinked in yellow. Then, it is made to move and blink in rainbow colors (an output pattern in which red, blue, green, and yellow are repeatedly lit in a short time).
The moving blinking is a so-called running light output pattern in which the LEDs 8 are lit in the order of the LEDs 8a to 8e.
This light output pattern is referred to during the normal game by the CPU of the effect control unit 20, so that it is executed as a light effect during the normal game.

In this way, by performing the light output pattern corresponding to the number of times per consecutive as an effect during the normal game, how many times the amount of the multiple bonus games that have been continuously generated is spent, Not only the player playing the game in the slot machine 1 but also other players can be known, and the expectation for the game can be enhanced.
Further, by performing such an effect during the normal game, it is possible to make the effect during the normal dry game gorgeous.

Further, this light output pattern corresponds to the number of consecutive hits determined based on the investment amount without corresponding to the number of games that increase as the game progresses.
Thereby, it is possible to compare gaming machines with a scale of investment amount.
In other words, if the light output pattern is made to correspond to the number of games that increase as the game progresses, the game machines can be compared with each other on the scale of the number of games. In this case, since the number of games is different even if the investment amount is the same, it has been impossible to determine from the outside how many times the actual amount of money has been spent. Therefore, as in the present invention, by making it correspond to the number of consecutive times obtained based on the light output pattern, even among gaming machines having different number of games that can be played per number of rented units, It can be compared on the scale of investment amount of interest.

In this embodiment, only the light notification pattern is used as the notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits. However, a sound notification pattern (sound output pattern) may be provided (for example, while the reel 41 is rotating). Sound effects vary depending on the number of consecutive hits).
In addition, a notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits can be performed not only during a normal game but also during a bonus game.

[Monitoring of game end for each player]
In addition, the notification pattern corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the bonus game as described above and the notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive bonus winnings are limited to one player who has actually invested game funds. When the player who has invested game funds finishes the game and is replaced with a new player, a notification pattern corresponding to the investment amount invested by the new player is adopted. It has become.
In order to realize such an operation, the game funds invested in the game must be managed for each player, so the effect control unit 20 monitors the end of the game for each player.
The end of a game is that if the player does not perform an input operation for a predetermined time, or if the internal operation of the slot machine 1 is not detected for a predetermined time and the number of stored medals credited at that time is zero, the game The person is considered to have finished the game.

Specifically, the production control unit 20 operates as a storage number monitoring unit and a non-working time counting unit, and monitors the number of credits based on a credit signal input from the main control unit 10, and also includes an insertion signal or a payout signal. When the number of credits is zero when the non-operating time reaches the predetermined time, the player who has invested the game has finished the game. And the investment amount stored in the RAM at that time is reset to zero.
By monitoring the end of the game for each player in this way, the game funds invested in the game can be managed for each player.
In other words, even if the players are replaced, the game funds that each player has invested in one gaming machine are not accumulated, and can be managed as game funds for each player. Game funds can be calculated accurately. As a result, the notification pattern notifies the investment amount for one player only.

  The operation of the effect control unit 20 as described above is realized by the CPU executing a program (stored in the ROM) according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, the flow of the operation of the effect control unit 20 will be described with reference to these flowcharts.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main program for realizing the features of the present invention. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, and 8A relate to a subroutine called from the main program. It is a flowchart.
Specifically, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 represents the process of monitoring the calculation of the investment amount and the end of the game based on the control signal input from the main control unit 10, and the calculation shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 7A and FIG. 8A show processing for setting the notification pattern corresponding to the calculated investment amount and the number of consecutive wins. It is what you represent.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6, 7 (a), and 8 (a).

The effect control unit 20 monitors the control signal input from the main control unit 10 and branches the process according to the type of the control signal (S1, S11, S18, S22).
First, it is monitored whether the input control signal is an input signal or a payout signal (S1). This monitoring has two purposes: the first is for calculating the investment amount and the other is for monitoring the end of the game.

  Specifically, since the number of inserted medals and the number of winning medals are indispensable for calculating the investment amount, the input signal and the payout signal are monitored in order to obtain these.

Further, in order to monitor the end of the game, it is necessary to detect the presence or absence of an input operation by a player or the presence or absence of a predetermined internal operation.
The insertion signal is a signal generated as a result of the player's medal insertion operation, and the payout signal is a result of an internal lottery based on the operation of the start lever 3, and a predetermined small role is won, and the winning medal is paid out. This signal is a signal generated as a result of an operation by the player and an internal operation of the slot machine 1, and when this signal is input, exactly one player is playing a game. It is a signal indicating that.
By monitoring the input signal or the payout signal from the characteristics of the input signal and the payout signal, the slot machine 1 can detect the inputs after a predetermined time has elapsed after detecting these inputs. It can be regarded as being in a non-operating state. In other words, the effect control unit 20 monitors the input signal or the payout signal as a trigger for starting time counting of the non-operation time.

  Next, when the effect control unit 20 detects the input of the input signal or the payout signal (S1-Yes), the non-working time during the time counting is reset to zero each time it is detected (S2). This is because the input signal or the payout signal is input before the predetermined time elapses because it can be considered that the game operation is frequently performed by the player.

Subsequently, in order to calculate the investment amount, a value obtained by subtracting the difference between the number of inputs (cumulative value) and the number of payouts (cumulative value) from the number of loan units (X = number of loan units− [number of inputs−number of payouts]) ) Is calculated (S3).
The number of insertions (number of medals) and the number of payouts (number of winning medals) are the sum of each time the input signal and the payout signal are input from the main control unit 10, and the number of loan units is stored in the ROM in advance. Refer to the value.
The number of lending units indicates the number of medals that can be lent in a predetermined unit price, for example, 1000 yen. For example, in the case of a game hall where the lending fee per medal is 20 yen, the number of lent units is 50 pieces. Become.

In addition, since the number of lending units is a value that changes in accordance with the difference in lending fee per medal, for example, one lending unit number is selected from a plurality of lending unit numbers stored in advance in the ROM. A predetermined switch (for example, a DIP switch) that can be selected can be provided in the effect control unit 20, and an administrator such as a store clerk of the game hall can select the number of loan units corresponding to the rental fee of the game hall.
Further, by operating predetermined operation means (start lever 3, stop button 5 and the like), it is possible to directly input and set the number of lending units.

Next, the calculated value (X) is compared with zero (0) (S4), and if the calculated value (X) is equal to or less than zero (0) (S4-Yes), the player determines the number of loaned units. It is assumed that the medal (for example, 50) of minutes is spent on the game, the unit price (for example, 1000 yen) is added to the investment amount, and the investment amount is updated (S5).
In this case, the cumulative number of inputs and payouts is further reset to zero, and a new loan unit number (for example, 50 cards) is calculated using the formula (X = number of loan units− [number of inputs−number of payouts]). (S6).
In other words, in this embodiment, each time the difference between the number of inputs (cumulative value) and the number of payouts (cumulative value) reaches the number of loan units, the cumulative value of the input number and the cumulative value of the number of payouts are reset. It is.

When the calculated value (X) is compared with zero (0) and the calculated value (X) is less than zero (0), the value (X) is carried over to the difference after reset. .
For example, when a value (X) obtained by subtracting the difference (for example, 52 sheets) between the number of inputs and the number of payouts from the number of lending units (for example, 50 sheets) is less than zero (0) (for example, -2 sheets), The difference after reset (number of inputs-number of payouts) starts from the difference carried over (for example, 2 sheets), not from zero (0 sheets).
This makes it possible to calculate an accurate investment amount with no excess or deficiency.
In addition to this configuration, each time the difference reaches a common multiple of the number of loaned units without resetting the cumulative value of the number of inputs and the cumulative value of the number of payouts, the player receives medals for the number of loaned units. It can also be configured that the investment amount is renewed by assuming that the game is spent and adding a unit price (for example, 1000 yen) to the investment amount.

  On the other hand, if the calculated value (X) is not equal to or less than zero (0) (S4-No), it is considered that medals for the number of lending units have not yet been consumed, and the process proceeds to S10.

When the investment amount is updated, the effect control unit 20 monitors the updated investment amount (S7), and if the updated investment amount exceeds a predetermined amount (for example, 3000 yen) (for example, 3000 yen). 4000 yen) (S7-Yes), and further, it is determined whether or not the continuous production indicating that the notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits is being output is being performed (S8). If the continuous production is being performed (S8-Yes). , The continuous production ends.
This is because the continuous production (notification pattern corresponding to the number of times per continuous) corresponds to the number of times per continuous, and as described above, the investment amount when the bonus signal is input is predetermined as the number of times per continuous. Because it is a value that is updated by plus 1 when the amount is less than (for example, 3000 yen or less), and is reset to zero when the investment amount exceeds a predetermined amount regardless of the input of a bonus signal, Regardless of whether a bonus signal is input or not, if the updated investment amount exceeds a predetermined amount (for example, 4000 yen), the meaning of outputting the notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits is lost. Is to end.

On the other hand, if the updated investment amount does not exceed the predetermined amount (S7-No), and even if the updated investment amount exceeds the predetermined amount (S7-Yes), it is not in the continuous production (S7-Yes) (S8-No), since there is no need to end the continuous production, the process proceeds to S10.
In S10, the non-working time is started based on the input of the input signal or the payout signal, and the process is terminated.
Note that such processing from S2 to S10 is executed during a normal game in which no bonus signal is detected.

Next, when the control signal input from the main control unit 10 is not an input signal or a payout signal (S1-No), the effect control unit 20 detects a bonus signal (a signal indicating the stop of the bonus symbol) ( S11-Yes), the investment amount stored in the RAM at that time is determined as the investment amount invested up to the bonus game (S12).
As a result, a notification pattern corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the bonus game is uniquely determined, and an investment amount that is used as a determination material for determining whether to update or reset the number of consecutive hits by one is determined. The

Next, the effect control unit 20 executes a continuous hit determination process for calculating the number of consecutive hits based on the calculated investment amount (S13).
This continuous hit determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the continuous hit determination process, first, it is determined whether the calculated investment amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount or an amount exceeding the predetermined amount (S30).
If the calculated investment amount exceeds the predetermined amount (for example, 4000 yen) (S30-No), then the number of consecutive hits stored in the RAM is reset to zero (S31), The process ends.
On the other hand, if the calculated investment amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (eg, 3000 yen) (S30-Yes), the number of consecutive hits stored in the RAM at that time is determined (S32), and the number of consecutive hits is determined. If it is zero (S32-Yes), the number of consecutive hits is set to one (S33), and the process is terminated. If the number of consecutive hits stored in the RAM is not zero (S32-No), the number of consecutive hits is updated by 1 (S34), and the process is terminated.
By executing such processing, the number of consecutive wins increases each time a bonus is won by investing a small investment amount, and the number of consecutive wins is reset when the investment amount exceeds a predetermined amount on the way. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the continuous Chang characteristics of bonus winning based on the investment amount.

Next, the effect control unit 20 sets the notification pattern based on the calculated investment amount and the number of consecutive hits updated in the consecutive hit determination process following the consecutive hit determination process (S13). An output pattern setting process is executed (S14).
The light sound output pattern setting process will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 8 (a).
In the light sound output pattern setting process, a notification pattern for effects performed during the bonus game and a notification pattern for effects performed during the normal game are set.

Specifically, in the light sound output pattern setting process, a light output pattern and a sound output pattern corresponding to the calculated investment amount are set as a notification pattern of the effect performed during the bonus game (S40, S50), and the normal game A light output pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits is set as a notification pattern of the effect performed inside (S41), and the process is terminated.
The setting in this case means, for example, setting an identifier that can specify an output pattern such as an effect number in the RAM. This identifier is referred to by the CPU in each gaming state, and an output pattern corresponding to this identifier. Is loaded from the ROM, it is executed as an effect during the bonus game and the normal game.

Next, after the light sound output pattern setting process (S14), the effect control unit 20 stores the calculated investment amount and the bonus game (for example, the serial number in the order of occurrence) in association with each other in the RAM, and the bonus. A history of the investment amount spent for each game is created (S15).
Then, the calculated investment amount is reset to zero (S16), and the investment amount is calculated to prevent the investment amount from being updated during the bonus game (because the input signal and the payout signal are input during the bonus game). Is interrupted (S17), and the process is terminated.
The calculated investment amount may be reset when a bonus end signal described later is detected.

  Next, when the control signal input from the main control unit 10 is not an input signal or a payout signal (S1-No) and is not a bonus signal (S2-No), the effect control unit 20 is not operating time during timekeeping. And the number of credits are monitored to execute a process for determining the end of the game.

Specifically, it is determined whether or not the non-working time when the time measurement is started in S10 has passed a predetermined time (S18).
If the non-working time has elapsed for a predetermined time or more (S18-Yes), it is determined that the game has not been continuously performed for a predetermined time or more, and the credit number at that time is further determined (S19). ).
The number of credits can be determined, for example, by referring to a value stored in advance in the RAM based on a credit signal input from the main control unit 10 at each operation timing of the start lever 3.
If there is no credit, that is, if the number of credits is zero (S19-No), the non-working time has continued for a predetermined time or more and there are no credited medals, so that the game has ended. Determine (S20). On the other hand, if there is a credit number of one or more medals (S19-Yes), the process ends without determining the end of the game.

This determination is based on the following reason.
When a player leaves the seat temporarily due to a break, etc., he / she must leave the seat without paying out the credited medals even if the non-working time may exceed a predetermined time. Is common. Then, even if the non-working time has elapsed for a predetermined time or more, if there is a credit, it is estimated that the user is temporarily away.
However, if the non-working time has continued for a predetermined time or more and there are no credited medals, it is difficult to think of it as a mere temporary leave, and there is no possibility that the game is not finished.
When it is determined that the game has ended, the investment amount stored in the RAM for the player is reset to zero, and if the continuous production is in progress, the production is terminated (S21), Exit.

  Next, the production control unit 20 is not a control signal input from the main control unit 10 (S1-No), not a bonus signal (S2-No), and is not in operation during timing. When the predetermined time has not elapsed (S18-No), it is monitored whether or not the bonus game is over.

The end of the bonus game can be monitored, for example, by detecting whether or not a bonus end signal that is a control signal indicating the end of the bonus game is input.
When the input of the bonus end signal is detected, the calculation of the investment amount suspended during the bonus game (S17) is resumed (S23), and the process is terminated.

  Next, the production control unit 20 is not a control signal input from the main control unit 10 (S1-No), not a bonus signal (S2-No), and is not in operation during timing. If the control signal indicating the end of the bonus game is not input without the predetermined time elapse (S18-No) (S22-No), other processing according to the other input control signals is executed. (S24), all processes are terminated.

  By executing the processing based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 as described above, the end of the game is determined for each player while calculating the investment amount based on the control signal input from the main control unit 10. In addition to monitoring, the number of consecutive hits can be calculated based on the calculated investment amount, and a notification pattern corresponding to the investment amount and the number of consecutive hits can be set.

As a result, the light / sound output pattern corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the bonus game is performed as an effect during the bonus game, and the light output pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits is performed as the effect during the normal game. The slot machine can be used to determine how much money the bonus game has won or how many times the bonus games that have occurred in succession have been won. 1 can be known not only by the player playing the game in 1 but also by other players, and the expectation for the game can be enhanced.
Further, by performing the light output pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits as an effect during the normal game, it is possible to make the effect during the normal game that is tasteless and dry.

  Furthermore, by monitoring the end of the game for each player, the game funds invested in the game can be managed for each player, so the medals earned in one slot machine can be thrown into other slot machines. Even in a game hall that allows a table-moving game to perform a game, it is possible to perform a notification effect by a light / sound output pattern based on the investment amount for each player.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the predetermined notification effect corresponding to the investment amount invested up to the bonus game is performed during the bonus game, and the number of consecutive bonus winnings is also supported. A predetermined notification effect can be performed during a normal game.

  The preferred embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention has been described above, but the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

For example, in this embodiment, the investment amount at the time when the bonus signal (signal indicating the stop of the bonus symbol) is detected is determined as the investment amount invested up to the bonus game. When the signal is detected, the investment amount can be determined. In other words, the winning state according to the present invention may be either a bonus game or a bonus internal winning, which is the gaming state of the slot machine.
In the present embodiment, the winning state is a bonus game, but it may be AT (assist time) or ART (assist replay time).

Further, the light / sound output pattern (notification pattern) may be any output pattern as long as the investment amount and the number of consecutive hits can be distinguished from outside the apparatus.
In this embodiment, the slot machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine or other game machines, and when applied to a pachinko machine, the winning state is referred to as a big hit. .

  Further, as a gaming machine that can store game media to be loaded into a gaming machine in advance, a slot machine has been described as an example. However, a gaming machine that can store gaming media to be loaded into a gaming machine in advance is a pachinko machine. By monitoring the presence / absence of game balls stored in the upper and lower dishes using detection means such as a proximity sensor, it is possible to provide storage number monitoring means.

  In the present embodiment, in order to make the notification pattern correspond to the game funds thrown by one player, the end of the game for each player is monitored. It is also possible to correspond to the cumulative value of game funds invested by the player.

  The present invention can be suitably used for a gaming machine that reaches a winning state such as a big hit or a bonus by throwing game funds.

1 slot machine 2 medal slot 3 start lever 4 drum unit 5 (5a-5c) stop button 6 display window 7 medal payout device 8 (8a-8e) LED (notification means)
9 Speaker (notification means)
10 Control unit (game management means)
20 production control unit (calculation means, storage means, access count acquisition means, storage number monitoring means, non-operating time counting means)

Claims (4)

A gaming machine which has a predetermined notification means and reaches a predetermined hit state through a gaming state in which game funds are thrown,
A calculation means for calculating the investment amount up to the hit state;
A storage for storing a predetermined number of lending units indicating the number of game media that can be lent per predetermined unit price, an investment amount calculated by the calculation unit, and a predetermined notification pattern corresponding to the investment amount performed by the notification unit in the hit state Means,
Game management means for changing the gaming state based on a predetermined condition;
A number-of-interests acquisition means for acquiring, as the game progresses, an input number indicating the number of game media input to the gaming machine and a payout number indicating the number of game media paid out from the gaming machine;
The calculating means includes
When the difference obtained by subtracting the cumulative value of the number of payouts from the cumulative value of the inputs is equal to or greater than the number of loan units, the unit price is added to the investment amount,
The storage means updates and stores the investment amount to which the unit price is added,
The notification means notifies the notification according to the notification pattern corresponding to the investment amount stored in the storage means when the game management means transitions the gaming state from the gaming state in which the gaming funds are thrown to the winning state. A gaming machine characterized by what it does. In a gaming machine capable of preliminarily storing gaming media to be thrown into the gaming machine,
A storage number monitoring means for monitoring the number of stored game media stored;
A non-operation time measuring means for measuring a non-operation time indicating a non-operation state of the gaming machine based on the presence or absence of an input operation by a player or the presence or absence of a predetermined internal operation,
When the predetermined time has elapsed and the number of stored game media is zero, it is considered that the game by the player has ended, and the investment amount stored in the storage means is zero. A gaming machine characterized by being reset to. The storage means
When the game management means changes the gaming state from the gaming state in which the gaming funds are thrown to the winning state, the number of consecutive hits indicating the number of consecutive winning states when the investment amount stored is less than or equal to a predetermined amount Plus 1 update and remember,
Storing a predetermined notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits performed by the notification means;
The notification means includes
A notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits is performed in the gaming state in which the game funds are thrown, and when the investment amount exceeds the predetermined amount, the notification pattern corresponding to the number of consecutive hits is terminated. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2. Without making the notification pattern correspond to the number of games that increase as the game progresses, the investment amount, or the number of consecutive hits determined based on the investment amount,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, with the investment amount as a scale, it is possible to compare gaming machines having different number of games that can be played per number of lending units.

Images