JP2019115496A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To maintain and increase interest in a game regardless of setting of a game machine.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a control board for controlling progress of a game, the control board having a setting unit for setting any one of two or more setting values, a first flag that has an impact on the game result depending on presence or absence of an instruction, and a second flag that has no impact on the game result depending on presence or absence of the instruction. The control board controls so as to display an instruction to be adopted when the first flag is established, even when the game is progressed by establishment of the second flag.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6B

Description

  The present invention relates generally to control technology for gaming machines, and more particularly, to control technology for controlling the progress of gaming in a gaming machine such as a slot machine provided with a spinning unit.

  Conventionally, in a gaming machine such as a drum-type gaming machine (slot machine) (hereinafter collectively referred to as a "gaming machine"), a high probability gaming mode is realized by attracting a rare role during a game and establishing a rare pattern. Transition to a bonus game by winning a jackpot symbol and winning a jackpot symbol, or a transition to a normal game by having a bonus game completed by playing a predetermined game or receiving a predetermined payout, etc. A lot of ingenuity has been made to change the gaming state by a predetermined opportunity in the game and improve the interest for the game, and further improve the interest for the game by navigation control such as push order navigation, AT, and ART. The

  On the other hand, in recent years, new types of gaming machines are widely used to manage and control three gaming status sections, which are roughly classified into "normal section", "favorable section" and "standby section".

  Generally speaking, the normal section is positioned as a section where it is not possible (or not permitted) to play a game relating to an instruction function (a navigation function such as push order navigation), and the advantageous section is a game relating to the instruction function It is positioned as a section where it can be done (that is, it permits). The standby section is a section that is in the middle of the normal section (that is, winning is not determined).

  Navigation can not be performed in the normal section, but bonus drawing such as big bonus (BB) and regular bonus (RB) can be performed. In addition, in the game during the internal winning of the bonus drawing and in the game other than the bonus segment A transition lottery to an advantageous section is performed (in this case, it is not possible to make a difference due to setting that can be set for each gaming machine individual, so that so-called lottery by common lot common to all settings is performed. The winning probability of the transition lottery is set to 1/17500 or more except when it is zero.

  In addition to pushing order navigation being performed in the advantageous section, at least a part of the section is set as the Chang zone (CZ), or ART lottery or bonus (BB, RB) extraction is performed in the section, or It is possible to carry out a lottery etc. for continuously operating devices (middle bonus MB, challenge bonus CB) of the second kind special role which is positioned as a petit bonus or mini bonus ending with a payout exceeding a predetermined number of sheets such as 13 or 14 (Conversely, there is also a choice not to implement all or part of them).

Here, the ART lottery can be said to be a lottery for generating an advantageous state that assists in winning a specific combination pattern.
In addition, MB (middle bonus) is generated or activated at a specific outcome, and in the next game, a small bonus must be paid (or with a high probability). It is a bonus game. Typically, the process is ended by the payout of a prescribed number of game media or the like (or may be ended when a bonus is established). Alternatively, it can be said that it is an advantageous state activated by the specific combination establishment and ended by the payout of the specified number of sheets or the establishment of the bonus combination.
CB (challenge bonus) is also a mini bonus similar to MB.

  In addition, it is not possible to make a difference by setting that can be set for each gaming machine individual in ART lottery, ART-related mode transition drawing, and additional drawing (that is, extraction related to ART) in the advantageous section. A common lottery will be held. Further, an upper limit (1500 G as an example) of the number of games that can be continued is set in the section, and as an end condition of the section, in addition to the upper limit (limiter) of the number of games, some restrictions are removed. Any conditions can be adopted. Then, when the advantageous section ends, all flags and the like related to the instruction function are reset.

  In such a new type of gaming machine, there are many cases where a so-called main control board (main board) is provided with an instruction function (Patent Document 1).

  In other words, Patent Document 1 is a gaming machine that can improve security without impairing the game property, and a process of determining whether (the main control CPU of) the main board is to shift to the AT state. , And the AT game number lottery process including the process of transitioning to the AT state, and the case of transitioning to the AT state, winning the winning number defining the specific symbol combination (combination) by execution of the winning number lottery process And an instruction information display process for displaying an instruction number as instruction information on the operation mode of the stop button recommended for deriving the specific symbol combination in the variation game by controlling the payout display unit And a gaming machine configured to be able to execute.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2017-093552

  However, in a conventional gaming machine including a new type of gaming machine, it is common that the player's instruction follows the instruction in a state where the instruction function is activated (instruction state) and the outcome of the game is affected. Yes, if there is a flag with a setting difference, there is a disadvantage that if the player continues the instruction operation while the instruction function of the gaming machine is operating, the setting of the gaming machine will be relatively easily understood. there were. That is, when the player determines that the setting of the gaming machine is low, the desire to continue the game is lowered, and the game is interrupted by this, so that the operation rate of the gaming machine is lowered. Based on these facts, when the setting difference is remarkable, the setting estimation by the player becomes easier.

  Therefore, it is desirable to develop a gaming machine in which the setting of the gaming machine is not easily understood even if the player continues the instruction operation while the instruction function of the gaming machine is operating.

  Therefore, the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention is a gaming machine having a control board for performing control regarding the progression of the game, and the control board is configured to set any one of two or more setting values. While having a setting unit to set, it has a plurality of first flags that affect the result of the game by the presence or absence of the instruction and a second flag that does not affect the result of the game by the presence or absence of the instruction; Is characterized in that, even when the game is advanced by the establishment of the second flag, control is performed to display an instruction to be adopted when the first flag is established.

  According to the gaming machine and the like according to the present invention, even if the player continues the instruction operation while the instruction function of the gaming machine is activated, the setting of the gaming machine can not be easily understood, and as a result, regardless of the setting. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that does not reduce the operating rate.

It is an explanatory view explaining the appearance of the game machine in one embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view explaining the appearance of the game machine in one embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view explaining an internal structure of a game machine in one embodiment of the present invention, and a situation of a power supply box. It is an explanatory view explaining a functional block of a game machine in one embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view explaining an example of control of a game state of a game machine in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the control flow of the game machine in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the control flow of the game machine in one embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view explaining an example of arrangement of a rotation reel symbol of a game machine in one embodiment of the present invention, etc. It is an explanatory view which illustrates a setting table of a gaming machine in an embodiment of the present invention as an example. It is an explanatory view which illustrates an example setting table of a game machine used as a model case in one embodiment of the present invention.

  A mode for carrying out a game machine or the like according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The "rolling drum" is also referred to as "rotary reel".

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) is a front view of the gaming machine, and FIG. 1 (B) is a right side view of the gaming machine.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the gaming machine 100 is roughly divided in terms of its mechanism, it can be attached to the case 101 with its front face open and the opening face of the case 101 openable by hinges or the like. And a front door 102. On the front surface portion of the front door 102, buttons, a display unit and the like for a player to play a game are disposed as described later.

  A display unit 1021, an illumination unit, and a speaker unit are disposed on the top of the front door 102 located on the front of the gaming machine 100. A display window 103 is provided in the middle of the front door 102. The player can visually observe the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of rotating reels housed inside the housing 101 from the display window 103.

  More specifically, the rotating reels are composed of a first rotating reel 1041, a second rotating reel 1042 and a third rotating reel 1043 each of which is rotatably provided, and a plurality of predetermined outer peripheral surfaces of each reel are provided. The symbol of is attached. The player can view the three vertical symbols attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of the first rotating reel 1041, the second rotating reel 1042, and the third rotating reel 1043 from the display window 103, and from the first rotating reel A total of nine symbols can be visually recognized three by three vertically to the third rotating reel. The display window 103 may be configured to show four or more vertical symbols.

A game medium (medal) insertion slot 105, a MAX BET button 106, and a status display unit (not shown in FIG. 1) are arranged on the upper surface of the table which is located in the middle of the front door 102 and provided projecting to the front. It is done.
In addition, on the front of the table provided in a projecting manner, there are a start lever 107, 1 BET button 108, a settlement button 109, a first rotation reel stop button 110, a second rotation reel stop button 111, and a third rotation reel stop button 112. It is arranged. In the lower part of the front door 102, a gaming medium (medal) tray 115 provided with a payout opening for gaming media (medal) is attached.

The display unit 1021 disposed at the upper center of the front door 102 is typically a liquid crystal display (LCD), and displays effects by images or the like to the player, displays information, and the like.
In addition, the speaker unit and the lighting unit can be provided at arbitrary positions on the left and right of the display unit 1021. The display effect of the game can be enhanced by the display unit 1021, the speaker unit, and the lighting unit.

  The rotating reels provided inside the housing 101 are typically constituted by three pieces (the first rotating reel 1041, the second rotating reel 1042, the third rotating reel 1043) as described above, and have a reel-like shape And is rotatably disposed by a rotary reel drive unit including a stepping (pulse) motor. The rotating reels in rotation can be independently stopped by pressing the first rotation reel stop button 110, the second rotation reel stop button 111, and the third rotation reel stop button 112. In addition, a lamp is built in each rotating reel stop button, and the built-in lamp lights up when it becomes possible to operate the spinning stop button. Further, when the rotating reel stop button is pressed, the lamp is turned off (or changed to another color), and the operation of the rotating reel stop button is not received.

  The number of rotating reels may be more than three (for example, four).

  In the display windows where the symbols of the first rotating reel 1041, the second rotating reel 1042, and the third rotating reel 1043 can be checked, the symbols of the rotating reels are effective according to the number of medals (bet number) inserted by the player. The effective line which is the sequence which becomes is set. The number of medals (the number of bets) may be fixed at MAX (for example, three), and the valid line may be fixedly set with respect to the MAX value.

  The combination of the winning combination determined by the lottery process to be described later and the symbol of the corresponding rotating reel is prescribed in advance, and it is determined whether the predetermined symbol combination is aligned on the effective line, and the symbol combination is It is determined to be a prize when it is aligned on the effective line.

  A medal insertion slot 105 provided at the middle of the front door 102 and provided on the upper surface of the projectingly provided table is for inserting a predetermined number of medals before the start of the game. After inserting a medal or pressing the BET button, when the start lever 107 is operated, the first rotating reel 1041, the second rotating reel 1042, and the third rotating reel 1043 rotate, and the game is started and the lottery is performed. It will be.

  The 1 BET button 108 is for automatically inserting one medal stored in the gaming machine 100 and betting one medal on one game. By pressing the 1 BET button 108, it is not necessary to insert one medal from the medal insertion slot 105. When betting two medals, the 1 BET button 108 is pressed twice. When betting three medals at a time, it is convenient to press the MAX BET button 106 described below.

  The MAX BET button 106 is for automatically inserting three medals stored inside the gaming machine 100 and betting three medals on one game. With the MAX BET button 106, it is not necessary to insert three medals from the medal insertion slot 105 or to press the 1 BET button 108 three times.

  The settlement button 109 is for paying out the internally stored (credited) medals from the medal payout opening to the medal tray 115 for settlement.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the upper surface of a console provided in the middle of the front door 102 and projecting from the front. FIG. 2A is a top view of the gaming machine 100 including the top of the table, and it can be seen that the medal insertion slot 105, the MAX BET button 106, and the status display unit 201 are arranged on the top of the table.
FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the status display unit 201 disposed on the upper surface of the table.

  In FIG. 2B, the status display unit 201 is provided with a plurality of 7-segment LEDs for displaying the number of medals and the like as numerals, and various LEDs for notifying the player of the use state of the gaming machine 100 and the like.

  The number of inserted medals LED 2011 displays the number of medals bet at the present time. As an example, when one medal is bet, the "1 BET" LED is lit, and when the second medal is bet, the "2 BET" LED is further lit and the third medal is betted. When it does, "3 BET" LED lights up further.

  The insertable LED 2012 is an LED indicating that it is possible to insert a medal at present. The weight LED 2013 is an LED indicating that the medal can not be inserted at present. The start LED 2014 is an LED indicating that a game is currently started. The re-play LED 2015 is an LED indicating that it is a re-play.

  The payout number display 7 segment LED 2016 displays the payout number at the time of winning. As an example, each time a medal is actually paid out, it can be calculated by counting back from the total number of payouts.

  The stored medal number display 7 segment LED 2017 is an LED for displaying the number of medals currently stored.

  FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the gaming machine and the appearance of the power supply box according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to this configuration, but as shown in FIG. 3A, the power supply box 301 inside the front of the gaming machine 100 is set to change the winning probability in addition to the power switch 3011. A key 3012 and a select switch 3013 are disposed.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the setting key 3012 of FIG. The setting key 3012 includes a cylinder 3012 a and a keyhole 3012 b. When changing the setting value of the winning probability, first insert a key (operation key) into the keyhole 3012b and rotate it from the OFF position to the ON position to change the setting state, and press the select switch 3013. Increment the setting value. After the highest setting value, it returns to the lowest setting value again. As an example, in the case of a gaming machine provided with six setting values, “1” → “2” → “3” → “4” → “5” → “5” → “6” → “1” → “2” → Change as follows. In addition, the setting value sequentially changed by the select switch can be configured to be sequentially displayed and confirmed on the payout number display 7-segment LED 2016 as an example.
Further, the select switch 3013 can also function as an error release switch for releasing an error state generated in the gaming machine in a setting change impossible state (a state where the keyhole is in the “OFF” position).

  FIG. 4 illustrates functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A series of characteristic operations of the gaming machine 100 described later are realized by individual operations of hardware described below, and coordinated operations of the hardware and software.

The gaming machine includes a main control board 41 and a sub control board 42 connected via a wiring (harness) as a control configuration in one embodiment, and is housed in the housing 101.
The main control board 41 is a kind of board computer, a CPU 411 which performs arithmetic processing, device control of the gaming machine 100, etc., a rewritable RAM 412 which temporarily stores data as a working area of a program, and the gaming machine A ROM 413 storing 100 control programs and a lottery table for gaming lottery processing, a control unit 414 for controlling a data communication bus, etc., inputs from buttons and switches, outputs to various LEDs, etc., and rotating reels An input / output unit 415 for driving a unit or the like is provided.

  The main functions of the main control board 41 are to perform lottery processing, control of rotating reels, display of gaming status (gaming status), etc., and are designed to perform processing operations based on rules and standards regarding gaming machines. ing.

  The sub control board 42 is a kind of board computer, and has a CPU 421 that performs arithmetic processing, controls the display unit 481, etc., a rewritable RAM 422 that temporarily stores data as a work area of a program, and the display unit 481 , A lighting unit 482, a program for controlling the speaker unit 483 and a ROM 423 for storing various data, a control unit 424 for controlling a data communication bus and the like, an input / output unit 425 for driving lighting and the like, a display unit 481 And a sound source IC 427 storing a sound source for causing the speaker 482 to generate sounds, sound effects and the like.

  The main function of the sub control board 42 is an effect based on the extraction result determined by the main control board. Specifically, the ROM 423 of the sub control board 42 stores effect data including image data for performing various effects by the display 481, the illumination unit 482, and the speaker unit 483. The content of the effect is determined from the effect data stored in the ROM according to the signal output from the ROM, and the display unit 481, the illumination unit 482, and the speaker unit 483 are driven based on the effect content.

  The effects produced by the display unit 481, the illumination unit 482, and the speaker unit 483 as described above are stored as a computer program in the ROM 423 or the like, and realized by being called to the RAM 422 or the like by the CPU 421 and executed appropriately. Be done.

  Next, the input / output system of the main control board 41 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, first, the main control board 41 sets the BET button 451 (including the 1 BET button and the MAX BET button), the settlement button 452, the start lever 453, and the first rotation reel stop button via the input / output unit 415. It is configured that the pressing of the second rotating reel stop button 455 and the third rotating reel stop button 456 can be read out.

  Further, on the main control board 41, through the input / output unit 415, the weight LED 461 of the status display unit 46, the insertable LED 462, the replay LED 463, the start LED 464, the number of inserted LEDs 465, the number of payouts 7 segments LED 466, the number of stored medals 7 The segment LEDs 467 are connected, and are configured to perform lighting control of various LEDs and display control of numbers to be output to each display.

Further, selector unit 457 includes an insertion sensor and a solenoid (not shown), and reads out a signal from the insertion sensor provided in medal insertion slot 105 through input / output unit 415, and the authenticity of the inserted medal, etc. Check the
In addition, the solenoid of the selector unit 457 operates so that the medal is returned even if the medal is inserted, for example, when the specified number of medals are inserted or the start lever 107 is operated. Function to prevent

  The setting key 471 of the power supply box 47 has a function of changing the payout rate for each setting by providing a stage to the winning probability of each combination of the extraction table in the extraction during the game. The setting of the winning probability can be performed in six stages as an example. The main control board 41 can manage setting values set by the setting key 471 through the input / output unit 415. More specifically, turning on the setting key turns the main control board into a setting changeable mode, and pressing the select switch 472 sends a signal pressed to the main control board, and the main control board manages The set value being incremented is incremented (or decremented). The select switch 472 of the power supply box 47 is a switch for changing the setting value to forward feed (or reverse feed) when setting is possible (setting ON) with the setting key 471. When setting is not possible (OFF), When an error or the like occurs in the gaming machine, initialization of the CPU 411 or the like of the main control board 41 can be performed. The power switch 473 is for supplying power to the gaming machine.

  The rotation reel unit 43 includes a first rotation reel drive unit 431 and a second rotation reel drive unit 432 including stepping motors for respectively rotating the first rotation reel 1041, the second rotation reel 1042, and the third rotation reel 1043. , And a third rotary reel drive unit 433 which can be controlled to independently rotate and / or stop each rotary reel. In addition, a first rotation reel position sensor 434, a second rotation reel position sensor 435 and a third rotation reel position sensor 436 for detecting the position during rotation of each rotation reel, and an index corresponding to each sensor (see FIG. 4) is provided.

For example, the predetermined position of the rotating first rotating reel is detected by the first rotating reel position sensor 434, and stepping is performed from the predetermined position (index position) of the first rotating reel detected by the first rotating reel position sensor 434 By counting the number of pulses that have driven the motor, it is possible to obtain positional information of the first reel. Similarly, with regard to the second and third rotating reels, position information of the respective rotating reels can be obtained by the second and third rotating reel position sensors 435 and 436.
In this way, it is possible to control the display of symbols based on the result of the lottery process described later.

  The hopper unit 44 is for paying out medals at the time of winning, and although not shown, a predetermined number of medals are paid out by a hopper driving unit and a payout sensor.

  In addition, an external relay terminal (not shown in FIG. 4) is provided, and the main control board 41 is connected to a data lamp (not shown in FIG. 4) for displaying gaming data provided outside, It serves as a terminal for transmitting a signal from the control board 41 to the data lamp.

  The programs or software necessary for the implementation of the present invention are usually installed or stored in the memories such as the ROMs 413 and 423 and all or one of them is stored in the memories such as the RAMs 412 and 422 as needed when executing the programs or software. It is read out as a software module of the unit, and operation is executed in the CPUs 411 and 421.

  Note that the execution of calculations need not necessarily be performed by a central processing unit such as a CPU, and an auxiliary calculation device such as a digital signal processor (DSP) (not shown) may be employed.

[Drawing process]
The lottery process in the gaming machine 100 is executed based on a program and a table stored in the ROM 413 of the main control board 41 when the start lever is operated, as an example. In addition to the lottery processing program, the ROM 413 stores a winning probability table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, and the like. The win probability table divides the random numbers generated by the random number generation unit (not shown) and stores them in association with various wins and “no win”. By referring to the generated random number data and the winning probability table etc., various winnings or losings for the game are determined.

  At this time, if the result of the lottery process is out of control, control is performed so that a predetermined symbol is not aligned, or conversely, if the result of the lottery process is hit, the stop button is pressed at a predetermined timing, etc. There is also a case where it is controlled such that a predetermined symbol is aligned on condition of. These controls are called "slip control" or "retraction control". As an example, if there is a rule that "stop the reel within 0.19 seconds after pressing the stop button", the number of frames that can be slipped back from the rotational speed of the reel (the number of symbols) Is determined. Then, after various winnings, if the predetermined symbols are aligned, the medals corresponding to the winning symbols are paid out.

[Basic concept of the present invention (control of gaming state)]
The gaming machine in one embodiment of the present invention performs the basic operation as described above, but with reference to FIG. 5, a control example of the gaming state as the basic operation of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the gaming state (playing status) of the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention is roughly divided into a regular section 502, an advantageous section 501 and a standby section 503, and these are selected according to the progress of the game. Control of the gaming state is performed.
The standby section 503 is generated during transition from the normal section 502 to the advantageous section 501 (during transition), and as described above, is a section during internal winning (that is, winning is not determined). Below, the transition conditions etc. of the normal area 502 and the advantageous area 501 are mainly explained in full detail.

The normal section 502 is a section in which a game related to an instruction function (as one example, a navigation function such as push order navigation) can not be performed (that is, it is not permitted). The game proceeds in accordance with the basic operation of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. When transition condition (1) described later is satisfied, the gaming state transitions to the advantageous section.
In the normal section 502, it is possible to attract a small part, a rare part, a chance part or a bonus by playing a game (extraction on a main board by start lever operation).

  Here, the bonus includes regular bonus (RB), big bonus (BB) and the like, and it is possible to adopt a winning probability according to a set value that can be set for each gaming machine individual.

The advantageous section 501 is a section in which a game related to the instruction function can be performed (that is, permitted). Then, when transition condition (2) described later is satisfied, the process returns from the advantageous section 501 to the normal section 502.
In the advantageous section 501, in addition to the game related to the instruction function such as "AT (assist time)" and "ART (assist replay time)" and advantageous to the player, the "BB (big It is possible to cause the player to play an advantageous game such as bonus), “RB (regular bonus)”.
In one embodiment of the present invention, it is a game related to an instruction function such as "AT (assist time)" or "ART (assist replay time)" in the sense that the game is advantageous to the player in the advantageous section 501. Thus, a game advantageous to the player can be regarded as a bonus game.
The bonus game ends by clearing predetermined conditions such as paying out a predetermined number of payouts of the game medium.

Next, transition conditions between each game section (playing state) in FIG. 5 will be described in detail.

(Transition condition (1))
As an example, the transition from the normal section 502 to the advantageous section 501 can be controlled so as to shift to the advantageous section 501 implemented for each game.

  In the case of winning the transition to the advantageous section 501, it is possible to win a specific bonus or assign a rare role. The rare combination is a combination of "cherry" and "watermelon" combinations that are stopped by stopping at a predetermined symbol combination or position. Depending on the pattern combination etc., there is a rare role such as "weak watermelon" or "strong watermelon". As an example, when it is judged that the advantageous section transition extraction according to the winning combination is performed by letting the player hold the rare role at the time of the start lever operation (if necessary, stop with a predetermined symbol), the normal section 502 to the advantageous section 501 Can be transferred to

  Although the present invention is not limited to this, with regard to the winning probability of “transition lottery to an advantageous section”, a setting difference is not provided by a setting value for each gaming machine individual (in this case, all) Setting common lottery is used).

(Transition condition (2))
Control can be performed to transition from the advantageous section 501 to the normal section 502 by, for example, digesting a predetermined number of games CZ_MAX_G (as an example, 1500 G) determined in advance. In addition, if a game relating to the instruction function implemented during the advantageous section 501 affects the payout, any condition on the premise that a bonus game or one or more maximum winning navigation games are implemented during the section. It is also possible to control to shift to the normal section 502 in

[Characteristic control of the present invention]
Next, an exemplary gaming flow in a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be picked up and further specifically described with reference to FIG. 6A. FIG. 6A exemplifies the operation flow until the ART is terminated by operating the ART by extraction after transition from the normal section to the advantageous section.
Further, the characteristic control of the present invention also appears in the flow of FIG. 6B described later.

  In step S601 in FIG. 6A, the gaming machine in the game, which has shifted from the normal section to the advantageous section, is subjected to a lottery (ART lottery) process in the advantageous section in step S602.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S603, and the result of ART lottery in the previous step is referred to. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S604. If it is Yes (Yes), the process proceeds to step S605 to perform ART Processing is performed.

  In step S604, it is determined whether or not the advantageous section has ended. If the determination is No, the process returns to step S602. If the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S607 and transitions to the normal section.

  In step S606, it is determined whether or not the game in the ART game mode has ended (as an example, the criterion as to whether the defined G number has been consumed is adopted), and in the case of No, the game count number is appropriately incremented (or The process returns to step S605, but if Yes, the process proceeds to step S607 as an example (the present invention is not limited to the control of necessarily ending the advantageous interval when the number of ART specified games is digested).

  FIG. 6B is a detailed flow in step S605 (ART processing) of FIG. 6A. Although the invention is not limited in this regard, the characterizing control of the invention can be carried out in various advantageous states other than ART processing.

  When the process is started in step S651 of FIG. 6B, the process proceeds to step S652, and it is determined whether the ART end condition is satisfied (for example, a determination criterion such as end flag being set or a predetermined number of games has been taken) is adopted. If yes, the process proceeds to step S 662 to end the processing as the present flow, but if No, the process proceeds to step S 653.

  In step S653, it is determined whether or not one game has progressed by performing lottery or the like, and it is determined whether or not a winning combination has been made. If yes, the process proceeds to step S654, but if no, the process proceeds to step S660.

In step S 654, it is determined whether or not the bonus game has been a push replay.
"Pushing order replay" is a replaying game accompanied by a so-called "pushing order navigation" in which the gaming machine requests the player to operate the rotating reel stop button in accordance with the pushing order. Normal Replay (so-called "Normal Rep") without push order navigation is not included here.

If NO in step S654, the process advances to step S660, but if YES, the process advances to step S655.
In step S660, processing in the case of playing a combination other than push order replay (small commercials and normal reps are also included here) and processing in the case of a loss (such as rendering processing) are performed. The details of the same steps are omitted because they are not the essence of the present invention. After the step, the process proceeds to step S661.

[Features of the Invention]
Here, the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that at least two types of replay roles are prepared for replay. One is a replay in which the player is disadvantaged if the rotation reel stop button is not stopped according to the push order navigation (also referred to as “push order replay” or “push order rep”), and the other is no instruction (Hereinafter, also simply referred to as normal replay, and included in replay in step S660).

  Push-order replay is a replay game in which the outcome of the game is affected by the presence or absence of an instruction (whether the player can stop each reel in the pushing order according to the instruction of the gaming machine). It is a replay game that does not affect the result of the game.

  Also, as an example, these replays are distinguished and managed by a flag acquired at the time of the lottery processing performed in step S653. In one embodiment of the present invention, these flags are normally provided in the condition device for each combination of push order (6 in the case of 3 reels) in addition to the normal replay. An example is shown in the following table.

[6] The option fall fall rep (replay) is a penalty such as canceling an advantageous mode if the player does not answer correctly in push-to-play replay performed when this flag is assigned (or when this flag is established). The purpose is to Of course, the present invention is not limited to these meanings.
Then, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pushing order “1 → 2 → 3” is assigned to the 6-option falling trip 1 flag, and the pushing order “1 → 3 → 2” is assigned to the 6-option falling trip 2 flag A push order "2 → 1 → 3" is assigned to the 6 choice fall trip 3 flag, a push order "3 → 1 → 2" is assigned to the 6 choice fall fall 4 flag, and the 6 choice fall trip 5 flag The push order “2 → 3 → 1” is assigned to the, and the push order “3 → 2 → 1” is assigned to the 6-option fall trip 6 flag.
Also, it is assumed that there is no instruction display in normal replay.

  In step S655, it is determined whether or not the player has correctly operated the button in accordance with the push order navigation, and processing is appropriately performed (for example, when the button operation is correctly performed, the symbol combination having a large number of payouts is stopped or the RT state Keep the symbol combination stopped etc.). In addition, rendering processing is appropriately performed as necessary. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S661.

  In step S661, the game is incremented, and the process returns to step S653.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 8, a specific game specification example which can be said to be suitable in the above-described gaming machine having the characteristic function of the present invention will be described. Of course, the specific specifications and the like described later do not limit the present invention, and merely show specific examples for easy understanding of the present invention.

  FIG. 7A shows an arrangement example of the rotating reel symbol of the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. Although the present invention is not limited to this symbol arrangement, at least the symbol arrangement as shown in FIG. 7 enables game state control that makes full use of the features of the present invention described above.

  In FIG. 7A, the numbers at the left end (the first column) represent index numbers, and the second column from the left represents the names of symbols attached on the first rotating reel, and the third from the left The row of represents the name of the symbol given on the second rotating reel, and the fourth row from the left represents the name of the symbol given on the third rotating reel. Although the names of symbols ("watermelon", "bell", "BAR", etc.) are given in the drawings, in reality, designed symbols corresponding to the respective names are given.

  And give a specific meaning such as a symbol or a symbol symbol to a characteristic stop symbol (for example, a symbol symbol such as a chance eye or reach eye to be described later in addition to the jackpot symbol) to make the progress of the game more interesting can do.

  FIG. 7B shows a pay line in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. In (B) of the figure, the effective line is set at the middle of each of the first rotation reel 701a, the second rotation reel 701b, and the third rotation reel 701c (they are just in a straight line).

  Further, although not shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to set a so-called “chance” as needed. The chance eye is not a bonus winning design or a rare character design, but it is not a complete loss eye, and refers to a product with high expectation for winning a bonus etc. and transition from a normal section to an advantageous section.

  Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to set a so-called “reach eye” as needed. The reach eye refers to a stop symbol (surrounded eye) that appears when a bonus game is won during a game in the normal game mode (but the winning symbol has not been aligned yet), and is a type of bonus game notification method. It is.

(Setting example of gaming machine in one embodiment of the present invention)
In the above, the gaming machine in one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail and multifacetedly, but with reference to FIG. 8 here, the gaming machine serving as a model case in one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. While comparing, a specification example (setting table example) of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Comparison with setting example of gaming machine as model case in one embodiment of the present invention)
First, in order to further understand the features of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, various replays in the gaming machine as a model case in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. A comparison is made with the setting table for making it possible.

In the setting table shown in FIG. 9, the win probability of normal replay (without indication display) is 1 / 32.30 (approximately 3.1%) for setting 1 and 1 / 35.48 for setting 2. (About 2.8%), 1 / 38.37 (about 2.6%) in the case of setting 3, 1 / 46.55 (about 2.1%) in the case of setting 4, 1 in the case of setting 5 /59.74 (about 1.7%), and in the case of setting 6, it is set so as to be 1 / 83.49 (about 1.2%).
That is, in principle, there is a setting difference in the winning probability of normal replay (without indication display).
Then, the setting difference in this case is a gap of 2.5 to 2.6 times between the highest probability (setting 1) and the lowest probability (setting 6). If there is this difference, some players may feel the difference in the setting itself.
Even in the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, although there is a setting difference with regard to the winning probability of the normal replay, the feature is that the apparent winning probability is changed by the device described later to make the setting difference unclear. ing.

(Handling of "Normal Replay" in FIG. 8 (A) and FIG. 8 (B))
The example of the setting table shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is the normal replay and the six options fallover replay 1 to 4 of the example of the setting table as the model case in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. This setting table is an example of a setting table showing the apparent winning probability, not the actual winning probability, which is set by changing the execution role of the instruction display without changing the actual winning probability of 6.
Specifically, although the winning probability of “normal replay” in FIGS. 8A and 8B is “0” regardless of the set value, actually, the winning probability is the same as that of FIG. In the normal replay, the same instruction display as in the 6-option fall down replay 1 to 6 is performed.
By this, in the gaming machine in one embodiment of the present invention, the normal replay probability of having a setting difference is incorporated into the replay probability with the other indication display, and the setting difference of the normal probability existing in the normal replay itself. Control to look substantially smaller.

That is, the apparent hit probability (1 / 6.34) of the 6-option fall RIP 1 in the case of setting 1 in FIG. 8A is the same indication as that of the 6-option fall RIP 1 even during normal replay In the example of the setting table which is a model case according to the embodiment of the present invention, the same as the winning probability (1 / 7.90) of the 6-option falling lip 1 in the case of setting 1, the normal replay in the case of setting 1 is performed. It is the total value (sum) with the probability (1 / 32.30).
Similarly, the apparent hit probability (1 / 6.46) of the 6-option fall lip 1 in the case of setting 2 in FIG. 8A is the setting 1 in the example of the setting table serving as a model case in the embodiment of the present invention. The total value (sum) of the winning probability (1 / 7.90) of the 6 options fall fall 1 in the case of (1) and the winning probability (1 / 35.48) of the normal replay in the case of the setting 1 is the same (setting The same applies to the method of calculating the winning probability of the fall lip in the case of 3 to 6).

  In other words, even if it is the case that the game is progressed by the establishment of the flag that does not affect the result of the game by the presence or absence of the instruction, it is adopted when the flag having the effect on the result of the game is established by the presence or absence of the instruction Control to display an instruction to

  Further, the apparent winning probability (1 / 7.59) of the 6-option fall lip 1 in the case of setting 1 in FIG. 8B is the same as that of any of the 6-option fall lips 1 to 6 even during normal replay. In the case of setting 1 in the example of the setting table which is a model case according to the embodiment of the present invention by performing the indication display, the winning probability (1 / 7.90) of the 6 choice fall lip 1 and the normal in the case of setting 1 as well. Sum value with the value (1 / 32.30 / 6) divided by the number of combinations (that is, 6) of the indicated combinations of replay probability (1 / 32.30). It is (total).

  Similarly, the apparent hit probability (1 / 7.61) of the 6-option fall lip 1 in the case of setting 2 in FIG. 8B is the setting 1 in the example of the setting table serving as a model case in the embodiment of the present invention. There is an indication that the win probability (1 / 7.90) of the 6 option fall lip 1 in the case of 1 and the win probability (1 / 35.48) of the normal replay in the case of the setting 1 as well. The total value (sum) with the value (1 / 35.48 / 6) divided by the number of combinations of 6) (that is, 6) (calculation of winning probability of falling lip in case of setting 3 to 6) The same applies to the method).

  And in FIG. 9, a setting table for causing various replays of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is specifically and exemplarily shown. The setting table shown in the figure is a setting example of various replay occurrence probability tables in the operation flow description of FIG. 6B (although the present invention is not limited to this, the table is a lottery performed in step S653 Referenced in the process).

  As already described, there are six possible ways of pushing the three reels at the time of the six options fall down replay 1 to 6 (when the reel number is 1 to 3 from the left, 1 → 2 → 3, 1) → 6 → 2 → 2 → 1 → 3 → 3 → 1 → 2 → 2 → 3 → 1 → 3 → 2 → 1). First, in the example of the setting table shown in FIG. The probability that the push order display of “1 → 2 → 3” is made in setting 1 is 1 / 6.34 (about 15.8%), and the push order display of “1 → 2 → 3” is made in setting 2 The probability of being displayed is 1 / 6.46 (approximately 15.5%), and the probability that the push order display of “1 → 2 → 3” is made in setting 3 is 1 / 6.55 (approximately 15.3%) In the setting 4, the probability that the pressing order display of “1 → 2 → 3” is made is 1 / 6.75 (about 14.8%), and in the setting 5, “1 → 2 → 3” The probability of being displayed in the order of pressing is 1 / 6.97 (about 14.3%), and the probability of displaying the order of pressing 1 → 2 → 3 in setting 6 is 1 / 7.21 (approximately It turns out that it is 13.9%).

  Similarly, the probability that another push order display is made is as set in the same table. In FIG. 8 (A), regardless of the setting, the 6 options fall down lips 2 to 6 are uniformly set to 1 / 7.90 (about 12.7%).

  Although the apparent winning probability of the normal replay in FIG. 8A is “0” regardless of the setting, in the instruction display when the normal replay occurs, the 6-option fall Replay 1 occurs in each setting. By incorporating in the instruction display of the case, even if the replay is successful, it appears that the 6-option fall replay 1 appears to be successful, and succeeds in making the actual setting difference appear smaller.

  Next, in the example of the setting table shown in FIG. 8B, the probability that the pressing order display of “1 → 2 → 3” is made in setting 1 is 1 / 7.59 (approximately 13.2%). In the setting 2, the probability that the pressing order display of "1 → 2 → 3" is made is 1 / 7.61 (about 13.1%), and in the setting 3, the pressing order display of "1 → 2 → 3" The probability of being made is 1 / 7.63 (about 13.1%), and in setting 4, the probability that the push order display of “1 → 2 → 3” is made is 1 / 7.68 (about 13.0%) In the setting 5, the probability that the pressing order display of “1 → 2 → 3” is made is 1 / 7.73 (about 12.9%), and in the setting 6, the pressing order of “1 → 2 → 3” The probability of being displayed is 1 / 7.77 (about 12.9%).

  Similarly, the probability that another push order display is made is as set in the same table. In FIG. 8 (B), the 6-option fall ripples 2 to 6 are set in the same manner as the 6-option fall ripple 1 regardless of the setting.

  Although the apparent winning probability of normal replay in FIG. 8B is “0” regardless of the setting, the instruction display when normal replay occurs is 6 options fall down replays 1 to 6 in each setting. By incorporating in the indication display when it occurs, it usually appears that even if the replay is successful, it appears that any of the 6-option fall replays has been successful, making it possible to make the actual setting difference appear smaller.

  Although the present invention is not limited to this, it is desirable that these setting tables be adopted alternatively for each model.

  More specifically, the fact that the actual setting difference has been reduced will be described. In the setting table shown in FIG. Between (Setting 1) and the lowest probability (Setting 6), it is about 1.13 to 1.14 and there is almost no difference due to setting. Similarly, in the setting table shown in FIG. 8B, the difference in setting between the highest probability (setting 1) and the lowest probability (setting 6) with regard to the apparent hit probability of the 6 choice fall trips 1 to 6 is So, it is about 1.02 times, and there is almost no difference depending on the setting.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the variation in the probability of occurrence of replay with instruction display due to the setting difference is suppressed, it is difficult for the player to realize the setting of the gaming machine, which is favorable.

(Other variations)
In another embodiment of the present invention, the process of combining the apparent probability of each of the replay with the indication display and the normal replay need not be fixed to the setting 1, but may be randomly selected. Further, in the case of a gaming machine in which the role of rare (watermelon, cherries, etc.) is replayed, an instruction may be issued to the main control board so as to display the outcome of the replay symbol alignment.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the combination to be the subject of the invention is not necessarily limited to the replay, and other winning combinations such as pushing order bell, common bell, etc. may be targeted.

  Furthermore, in addition to the example of the setting table shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the distribution of the probability that the setting value differs between the even value and the odd value, or the low setting value (1 It is also possible to adjust so that the distribution of the probability which is respectively different by (3) and the high setting value (4 to 6).

  The embodiment of the gaming machine and the like according to the present invention has been described above based on the specific example, but the embodiment of the lottery processing and device control of the present invention is a storage medium on which a program is recorded As an example, an embodiment as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, a memory card, and the like can be taken.

  Also, the implementation form of the program is not limited to application programs such as object code compiled by a compiler and program code executed by an interpreter, and may be a form such as a program module incorporated in an operating system. good.

  Furthermore, the program does not necessarily have to carry out all the processing only in the CPU on the control board, and an expansion board added to the board or another processing unit (DSP etc.) mounted on the expansion unit as needed. ) May be configured to be implemented partially or entirely.

  These features are mutually exclusive with respect to all the constituent elements described in the specification (including the claims, the abstract, and the drawings) and / or all steps of all the disclosed methods or processes. Except for the combination which is

  Also, each of the features described in this specification (including the claims, abstract, and figures) serves the same purpose, an equivalent purpose, or an analogous purpose, unless explicitly denied. Alternative features can be substituted. Thus, unless expressly stated to the contrary, each of the disclosed features is only an example of a generic series of identical or equivalent features.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to any specific configuration of the above-described embodiment. The present invention comprises all novel features or combinations thereof described herein (including claims, abstracts and figures), or all novel methods or process steps described, or Can be extended to combinations of

100 gaming machines (slot machines)
101 case 102 front door 103 display window 105 medal insertion port 107 start lever 108 1 BET button 109 settlement button 115 medal tray (receiver)
41 main control board 42 sub control board 43 rotation reel unit 431 first rotation reel drive unit 432 second rotation reel drive unit 433 third rotation reel drive unit 434 first rotation reel position sensor 435 second rotation reel position sensor 436 third Rotating reel position sensor 44 Hopper unit 454 First rotating reel stop button 455 Second rotating reel stop button 456 Third rotating reel stop button 47 Power supply section

Claims (3)

A gaming machine having a control board for controlling the progress of a game,
The control board is
While having a setting unit for setting any one of two or more setting values,
It has a plurality of first flags that affect the outcome of the game by the presence or absence of the instruction, and a second flag that does not affect the outcome of the game by the presence or absence of the instruction,
The control board is characterized in that even when the game is advanced by the establishment of the second flag, the control board is controlled to display an instruction to be adopted when the first flag is established. Gaming machine. The plurality of first flags are provided for each setting of the gaming machine and for each combination of instructions,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the establishment probability of each setting of the second flag is added to the establishment probability of each one of the combinations of the instructions. The plurality of first flags are provided for each setting of the gaming machine and for each combination of instructions,
The establishment probability for each setting of the second flag is divided according to the number of combinations of the instructions, and is added to each establishment probability for each setting and each combination of the instructions. The gaming machine according to claim 1.