JP2013107015A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine enabling selection of a storage area from which game information is deleted by a simple operation.SOLUTION: When a bet button is operated during a setting mode, game information stored in a first storage area and game information stored in a second storage area of a RAM are deleted, and then setting of a pay-out rate is altered to setting selected at this point of time. On the other hand, when a start lever is operated in the process of the setting mode, only the game information stored in the first storage area of the RAM is deleted, and then setting of the pay-out rate is altered to setting selected at this point of time. The storage area from which the game information is deleted can thus be selected by the simple operation such as operating the bet button or operating the start lever when altering the setting.

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine used in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor.

  In the slot machine, a game is started when a medal is inserted into a medal insertion slot or a bet is operated by operating a bet button and then a start lever is operated. When the game is started, a winning combination lottery is performed to determine one of a plurality of types of winning combinations or a loss, and the reel starts to rotate. The reel is stopped by operating a stop button, and processing according to the combination of symbols displayed when the reel stops is executed, and one game is completed.

  In addition to the game mode for playing games, the slot machine has a setting change mode for changing the winning probability of winning the winning combination in the winning combination lottery. The winning probability can be changed by confirming the winning probability selected by performing the confirming operation. Generally, a start lever is operated when performing a confirmation operation (the start lever is also used as an operation member for performing a game start operation and an operation member (confirmation operation unit) for performing a confirmation operation). )

  The slot machine also has a working memory. In this working memory, the progress of the game, such as a winning flag indicating that the winning combination lottery is won, the current gaming mode, and the number of games played in the current gaming mode, etc. And game information for controlling execution is temporarily stored. Normally, when the above-described winning probability is changed (when the setting is changed), all game information stored in the working memory is erased. However, in the slot machine, there is a DIP switch. In some cases, the storage area for deleting the game information can be selected from the working memory (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2002-177578 A

  However, although the device described in Patent Document 1 can select a storage area for erasing game information, the cost is increased by providing a DIP switch, and the operation for selecting the storage area for erasing game information is troublesome. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and provides a gaming machine capable of selecting a storage area for erasing game information from a working memory with a simple operation and capable of reducing costs. It is an object.

  In order to achieve the above object, the slot machine of the present invention performs a winning combination lottery to determine one of a plurality of types of winning combinations or a winning combination, and a winning combination is determined by the winning combination lottery. In a slot machine that has a setting change means for changing the winning probability to be changed, switches from the game mode to the setting change mode, selects the winning probability and then performs a confirming operation to confirm the winning probability. Any one of a start lever for starting a game, a bet button for betting a credited medal, and a stop button for stopping the rotation of the reel is set as a confirmation operation unit that is also used for the confirmation operation. And the setting change means changes the winning probability when the set confirmation operation unit is operated during the setting change mode. In addition, a plurality of types of game information having a plurality of storage areas and temporarily storing a plurality of types of game information including at least one of past game results and current game states in a storage area corresponding to the type of game information. A memory and storage control means for erasing the game information stored in the storage area when the winning probability is changed, wherein the storage control means operates the confirmation operation section under a predetermined condition The range of the storage area to be erased is different depending on whether the confirmation operation unit is operated under a condition other than a predetermined condition.

  According to the present invention, a storage area for deleting game information can be selected from the working memory by a simple operation such as whether or not a confirmation operation unit for confirming a winning probability is operated under a predetermined condition.

It is an external view of a slot machine. It is an external view of the slot machine showing a state where the lower door is opened. It is explanatory drawing of the operation member operated when making it transfer to setting change mode or in setting change mode. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that RAM is divided into several storage area and the game information of the predetermined kind is memorize | stored in each storage area. It is a flowchart which shows the flow in which the game information corresponding to the kind of finalizing operation part operated at the time of a setting change is erase | eliminated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 10 includes a storage box 12 and a front door 14. The storage box 12 has an opening formed on the front surface, and various components constituting the slot machine 10 are stored therein. The front door 14 includes an upper door 14a and a lower door 14b. The upper door 14a and the lower door 14b are pivotally attached to the front surface of the storage box 12, and are held openably and closably between an open position and a closed position.

  A display window 16 is provided on the upper door 14a. A first reel 18a, a second reel 18b, and a third reel 18c are provided in the back of the display window 16. A plurality of kinds of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first to third reels 18a to 18c, and three symbols per reel are displayed through the display window 16 when the reels stop. In the slot machine 10, a total of five straight winning lines, each of which is a combination of the symbols of each reel, are set, three horizontally and two diagonally. And when the 1st-3rd reel 18a-18c stops, it is alert | reported whether the winning combination won by the combination of the symbol stopped on the winning line.

  Moreover, the display device 20 is provided in the upper door 14a. The slot machine 10 has a game mode in which a game is played by rotating the first to third reels 18a to 18c, and a setting mode (setting change mode) for changing the setting of the payout number ratio (payout rate) to the bet number. I have. In the setting mode, the payout rate setting is displayed on the display device 20. In the slot machine 10, six stages of settings 1 to 6 are prepared as the payout rate settings, and the display device 20 has any of the numerical values “1” to “6” corresponding to the settings 1 to 6. Is displayed.

  The lower door 14 b is provided with a medal insertion slot 22 for inserting medals, a payout opening 24 for paying out medals, and a tray 26 for storing medals paid out from the payout opening 24. The lower door 14b is provided with a bet button 30, a start lever 32, a first stop button 34a, a second stop button 34b, and a third stop button 34c.

  The bet button 30 functions as an operation member for betting a credited medal in the game mode, and functions as a confirming operation unit for confirming the selected payout rate in the setting mode. The start lever 32 functions as an operation member for starting the game in the game mode, and functions as a confirming operation unit for confirming the selected payout rate in the setting mode, similarly to the bet button 30. As described above, the functions assigned to the operations of the bet button 30 and the start lever 32 are different between the game mode and the setting mode. On the other hand, the stop buttons 34a to 34c function only in the game mode, and are operated when stopping the reels 18a to 18c.

  When the slot machine 10 inserts the medal insertion slot 22 medal or operates the bet button 30 in the game mode, the medal is bet and the start lever 32 is activated. When the activated start lever 32 is operated, the game is started accordingly.

  When the game is started, a winning combination lottery is performed to determine one of a plurality of types of winning combinations or a loss, and the reels 18a to 18c start to rotate all at once. Thereafter, each of the stop buttons 34a to 34c is activated, and after the activation, when the stop buttons 34a to 34c are operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button is stopped. Then, when all the reels stop, one game is finished, and as a result of this game, the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery wins (the symbol corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery wins a prize) When it is stopped on the line), the processing associated with the winning combination won is executed.

  The slot machine 10 is provided with a replay, a small role, and a BB (Big Bonus) as winning combinations. When the replay is won, the next game can be performed without betting medals. Further, when the small combination wins, the number of medals corresponding to the type of the small combination won is paid out from the payout opening 24 to the tray 26. Furthermore, when BB wins, it shifts to BB mode which is one of the game modes.

  The BB mode is a mode in which a winning probability of a predetermined small combination (probability determined by a winning combination lottery) is set higher than other game modes described later, and ends when a predetermined number of medals are paid out. If the replay and small role cannot be won in the game of the winning lottery, the right to win will be lost (so-called losing), and BB will win the game of the time of winning the winning lottery. Even if it is not possible to win, the right to win will be carried over to the next game.

  The slot machine 10 is provided with a normal mode, a first RT (replay time) mode, and a second RT mode (disadvantage mode) in addition to the BB mode described above as the game mode. The normal mode is a mode in which the replay winning probability is set to be higher than that in the second RT mode. The normal mode is shifted to after the second RT mode ends, and ends when the BB wins.

  The first RT mode is a mode in which the winning probability of replay is set higher than that in the second RT mode, as in the normal mode, and the type of the small combination won in the winning combination lottery can be notified to prevent the loss of the BB mode. After the game is over, the game is finished, and when the BB wins or the first predetermined number of games (for example, 100 times) are played, the game ends. The second RT mode is shifted to after the end of the first RT mode, and is ended when the BB wins or when a game is performed a second predetermined number of times (for example, 1000 times) greater than the first predetermined number of times.

  The second RT mode is the most disadvantageous for the player among the game modes because the winning probability of a given small role is lower than that of the BB mode and the winning probability of replay is lower than that of the normal mode or the second RT mode. is there. In addition, since the second RT mode does not end unless the BB wins or the second predetermined number of games more than the first RT mode are executed when the transition is made before the transition to the normal mode or when the transition is made to the first RT mode. During this time, the game is played in the second RT mode (the player feels that the second RT mode is in the normal state and the normal mode is in the chance state). On the other hand, the second RT mode is ended when a second predetermined number of games are played even if the BB does not win, and the game mode is shifted to a more advantageous game mode (normal mode in the present embodiment). For this reason, the player can play a game with expectation as the number of games in the second RT mode approaches the second predetermined number.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, behind the lower door 14b, a key switch 40 operated when shifting to the setting mode, a power switch 42 for turning on / off the power, and setting of a payout rate are selected. A setting selection button 44 is provided. The slot machine 10 turns on the key switch 40 by inserting the setting change key 46 into the key switch 40 and turning it, and shifts to the setting mode by turning on the power switch 42 in this state.

  When the setting selection button 44 is pressed in the setting mode, the payout rate setting is sequentially selected in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → setting 3 → setting 4 → setting 5 → setting 6 → setting 1. . Then, after selecting the setting of the payout rate in this way, when the user operates either the bet button 30 or the start lever 32, the selected setting is confirmed and changed to the confirmed setting. Thereafter, when the setting change key 46 is rotated to turn off the key switch 40, the game mode is entered.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a control unit (winning role determination unit, setting change unit, storage control unit) 50 that centrally controls each unit of the slot machine 10 is provided inside the slot machine 10. In addition to the display device 20 described above, the bet button 30, the start lever 32, the stop buttons 34a to 34c, the key switch 40, the power switch 42, and the setting selection button 44, the control unit 50 is connected to the memory 52.

  The memory 52 is provided with a ROM 54 and a RAM 56. The ROM 54 stores a game execution program, game execution data, various setting information, and the like used in the game execution process. The control unit 50 controls the slot machine 10 based on the game execution program and the game execution data. Drive control of each part is performed. The ROM 54 is provided with a plurality of lottery tables corresponding to the setting of the payout rate, and the control unit 50 performs the winning combination lottery using the lottery table corresponding to the current setting of the payout rate.

  The RAM 56 is a working memory for temporarily storing a plurality of types of game information including at least one of the current gaming state and the past gaming state, and the remaining number of games in the first RT mode and the remaining number in the second RT mode. The number of games, setting of payout rate, error history, etc. are stored as game information. The RAM 56 includes a plurality of storage areas, and game information of a predetermined type is stored in each storage area.

  In the present embodiment, the RAM 56 is a non-volatile memory (for example, a flash memory) that can electrically record and erase data and can store stored data even when energization is stopped (the power of the slot machine 10 is turned off). Memory). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the RAM 56 is provided with first, second, and third storage areas 56a, 56b, and 56c, and the remaining games in the first RT mode are provided in the first storage area 56a. The number of remaining games in the second RT mode is stored in the second storage area 56b, and the payout rate setting and error history are stored in the third storage area 56c.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the power switch 42 is turned on while the key switch 40 is turned on, the control unit 50 shifts the slot machine 10 to the setting mode. In the setting change mode, the control unit 50 starts displaying the setting of the selected payout rate and starts monitoring whether or not the bet button 30 or the start lever 32 is operated.

  When the bet button 30 is operated during the setting mode, the control unit 50 erases the game information stored in the first storage area 56a of the RAM 56 and the game information stored in the second storage area 56b. Thereafter, the control unit 50 changes the setting of the payout rate to the setting selected at this time (setting displayed on the display device 20) (rewrites the contents of the third storage area 56c of the RAM 56).

  On the other hand, when the start lever 32 is operated during the setting mode, the control unit 50 erases only the game information stored in the first storage area 56a of the RAM 56 and stores it in the second and third storage areas 56b and 56c. The played game information is retained without being erased. Thereafter, the control unit 50 changes the payout rate setting to the setting selected at this time.

  Further, when the key switch 40 is turned off during the setting mode, the control unit 50 shifts the slot machine 10 to the game mode, and refers to the RAM 56 at the time of the mode shift, and the progress of the game is recorded. If so, the game is resumed from the interrupted state. That is, when the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is stored in the second storage area 56b of the RAM 56, the game is resumed from the middle of the second RT mode. On the other hand, when the game intermediate result is not stored, the control unit 50 starts a new game in the normal mode.

  As described above, the slot machine 10 can select a storage area for deleting game information from the working memory by a simple operation such as operating a bet button or operating a start lever when changing the setting. In addition, since the bet button and start lever used in the game mode are also used for selecting a storage area for erasing game information, a dedicated operation member for selecting a storage area for erasing game information is provided. Cost.

  In addition, as described above, the slot machine 10 approaches a more advantageous state as the number of remaining games in the second RT mode decreases, so if the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is erased at the time of setting change, the player's interest is enhanced. However, according to the slot machine 10, the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is maintained without being erased by operating the start lever to change the setting. Can be prevented. Further, when it is desired to erase the remaining number of games in the second RT mode due to circumstances at the game store side, it is convenient because the remaining number of games in the second RT mode can be erased by operating the bet button to change the setting.

  In addition, the detailed structure of this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change suitably. For example, the number of storage areas provided in the RAM, the number and type of game information to be stored in each storage area, and the type of fixed operation section operated at the time of setting change and the type of RAM storage area to be erased when the setting is changed The correspondence with numbers can be changed as appropriate. Then, by changing these, it is possible to freely set the relationship between the type of the confirmed operation unit operated at the time of setting change and the type and number of game information to be deleted at this time.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the example in which whether or not to erase the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is selected depending on which confirmation operation unit is operated when the setting is changed, but the present invention is not limited to this. Is not to be done. Whether to erase the remaining number of games in the first RT mode may be selected depending on which confirmation operation unit is operated when the setting is changed.

  In this case, the remaining number of games in the second RT mode may be stored in the first storage area of the RAM, and the remaining number of games in the first RT mode may be stored in the second storage area of the RAM. In addition, the type of game information stored in each storage area of the RAM is the same as in the above embodiment, and when one confirmation operation unit (for example, a bet button) is operated at the time of setting change, the first and second of the RAM The game information stored in both storage areas is erased, and when the other confirming operation unit (for example, start lever) is operated at the time of setting change, the game information stored in the second storage area of the RAM is erased. May be.

  Similarly, correspondence between the number and type of game information stored in each storage area of the RAM and the type and number of storage areas of the RAM to be erased when the setting is changed, and the type of the confirmed operation unit operated when the setting is changed Whether to erase the remaining number of games in the BB mode may be selected depending on which confirmation operation unit is operated when the setting is changed by changing the relationship. Furthermore, if one confirmation operation part is operated at the time of setting change, the remaining number of games in both the first and second RT modes is erased, and if the other confirmation operation part is operated at the time of setting change, Whether or not to erase two or more types of game information collectively depending on which confirmation operation unit is operated when changing the setting, such as holding the remaining number of games in both the first and second RT modes without erasing them. You may choose.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the bet button and the start lever are used as the confirmation operation unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, whether the predetermined game information (game information stored in the second storage area of the RAM in the above embodiment) is erased depending on which of the bet button and the stop button is used as a confirmation operation unit and is operated. You may choose whether or not. Alternatively, the start lever and the stop button may be used as a confirmation operation unit, and the selection may be performed depending on which of these is operated. Of course, when a plurality of stop buttons are provided, the selection may be performed depending on which stop button is operated.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which two types of selection are performed depending on which one of the two confirmation operation units is operated has been described, but three confirmation operation units may be provided to perform three or more selections. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to perform three types of selection depending on which one of the bet button, start lever, and stop button is operated, or three types of selection depending on which of the three stop buttons is operated. . Further, five selections may be made depending on which of the bet button, the start lever, and the three stop buttons is operated. This is convenient because it is possible to select whether or not to delete more types of game information.

  Further, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which it is determined whether or not to delete predetermined game information based on a condition such as which type of the confirmation operation unit operated at the time of setting change. The present invention is not limited to this. Whether or not to delete the predetermined game information may be determined based on whether or not conditions other than those in the above embodiment are satisfied.

  In this case, for example, when the game mode immediately before the setting change is either the first RT mode or the second RT mode, the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is retained without being erased, and the game mode immediately before the setting change is the first game mode. When neither the first RT mode nor the second RT mode is used, it is determined whether or not to delete predetermined game information based on the gaming state immediately before the setting change, such as deleting the remaining number of games in the second RT mode. It is possible.

  Furthermore, when the payout rate setting is the same before and after the setting change (when the setting is changed to the same setting), the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is retained without being erased. If the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is erased or the payout rate setting is changed to setting 1, the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is retained without being erased. Otherwise, the second RT mode is retained. Whether or not to delete the predetermined game information may be determined based on the setting of the payout rate before and after the setting change, such as deleting the remaining number of games.

  In addition, when the BB mode ends, the progress of the game is once stopped, and a stop-stop function is provided so that the game store clerk cannot resume the game until this state is released, and the enable / disable of the stop-stop function is switched. In a slot machine that is capable of playing, if the stop hitting function is enabled, the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is retained without being erased, and if the stop hitting function is disabled, the second RT mode It may be possible to erase the remaining number of games.

  Of course, the conditions of the above embodiment (which confirmation operation part was operated at the time of setting change), other conditions (game state immediately before the setting change, setting of the payout rate before and after the setting change, and stop function) It is also possible to combine two or more conditions based on whether or not they are validated, and delete predetermined game information only when all the combined conditions are satisfied. In this case, for example, the game mode immediately before the transition to the setting mode is the second RT mode, and only in the case where one confirming operation unit (for example, a bet button) is operated when the setting is changed, For example, the remaining number of games may be retained without being erased.

  Further, the remaining number of games in the second RT mode may be retained without being erased only when the setting is changed to the same setting and one of the determination operation sections is operated when the setting is changed. Furthermore, the remaining number of games in the second RT mode may be held without being erased only when the stop-hitting function is activated and one of the finalizing operation units is operated when the setting is changed. Note that the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is deleted only when the setting is changed to the same setting, the stop hitting function is enabled, and one of the finalizing operation sections is operated when the setting is changed. For example, three or more conditions may be combined.

  Further, the type of game information to be erased based on the conditions of the above embodiment, other conditions, or a combination of a plurality of conditions (type of game area from which game information is erased in the storage area of the working memory) It is also possible to decide In this case, for example, when the setting is changed to setting 1, the remaining number of games in the first RT mode is deleted and the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is retained, and when changed to setting 2, the first RT If the number of remaining games in the mode is retained and the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is erased and changed to setting 3, both the number of remaining games in the first and second RT modes are erased and changed to setting 4. In such a case, it is conceivable that the type of game information to be deleted is determined based on the setting of the payout rate after the setting is changed, such as holding both the remaining number of games in the first and second RT modes.

  Further, if the game mode immediately before the setting change is the first RT mode and one of the confirmation operation sections is operated at the time of the setting change, the remaining number of games in the first RT mode is retained without being erased, and immediately before the setting change. If the game mode is the first RT mode and the other confirming operation unit is operated when the setting is changed, the remaining number of games in the first RT mode is erased, and the game mode immediately before the setting change is the second RT mode. And, when one confirmation operation part is operated at the time of setting change, the remaining number of games in the second RT mode is retained without being erased, the game mode immediately before the setting change is the second RT mode, and the setting change Sometimes, when the other confirmation operation unit is operated, the remaining number of games in the second RT mode may be deleted. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and the type and number of conditions to be combined and the type of game information to be deleted when the conditions are satisfied can be changed as appropriate.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a slot machine that includes a mechanical reel and actually rotates the reel. However, for example, a slot machine that rotates a reel on a liquid crystal display or a game ball is used. The present invention may be applied to a slot machine used as a game medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine 20 Display apparatus 30 Bet button 32 Start lever 34a, 34b, 34c Stop button 40 Key switch 42 Power switch 44 Setting selection button 46 Setting change key 50 Control part (winning role determination means, setting change means, storage control means)
52 memory 56 RAM (working memory)
56a, 56b, 56c Storage area

Claims (1)

A game mode comprising a winning combination determining means for determining one of a plurality of types of winning combinations or losing by performing a winning combination lottery, and a setting changing means for changing a winning probability of the winning combination winning in the winning combination lottery. In the slot machine where the winning probability is changed by switching to the setting change mode, selecting the winning probability and performing the confirming operation to confirm the winning probability,
One of a start lever for starting a game, a bet button for betting a credited medal, and a stop button for stopping the rotation of a reel is set as a confirmation operation unit that is also used for the confirmation operation. The setting change unit changes the winning probability when the set confirmation operation unit is operated during the setting change mode,
A working memory that has a plurality of storage areas and temporarily stores a plurality of types of game information including at least one of past game results and current game states in a storage area corresponding to the type of game information;
Storage control means for erasing the game information stored in the storage area when the winning probability is changed,
The storage control means is characterized in that the range of storage areas to be erased differs depending on whether the confirmation operation unit is operated under a predetermined condition and when the confirmation operation unit is operated under a condition other than the predetermined condition. Slot machine.

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