JP3787251B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention starts a plurality of symbol sequences all at once in response to a player's game start operation and starts a variable display in which each symbol on the symbol sequence moves along a certain direction. In accordance with the player's stop operation, and the slot machine in which the winning or losing is determined by a combination of symbols arranged on a predetermined winning line for each symbol row. The present invention relates to a slot machine that is controlled based on an internal lottery result.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional slot machine, three reels with a plurality of symbols drawn on the peripheral surface are accommodated in an aligned state, and a symbol display window is provided at a position corresponding to each reel on the front of the aircraft. It is formed. Each reel is started simultaneously by a game start operation by the player.
Normally, the reel after starting rotates at a high speed in a direction in which each symbol on the reel moves from the top to the bottom in the symbol display window, and sequentially stops in response to individual stop operations.
[0003]
At each symbol display window, five winning lines, upper, middle, lower, and diagonal, are formed according to the stop display position of each symbol. When each reel is stopped, Three symbols are stopped and displayed in accordance with the position of each winning line. When a predetermined symbol is arranged on any of the activated pay lines at this time, a winning is awarded, and the player is given a privilege such as paying out a predetermined number of medals. In particular, when a specific symbol such as “7” is arranged on the winning line, the game becomes a bonus winning, and the player is given a privilege to execute a “bonus game” capable of acquiring a large amount of medals.
[0004]
In a conventional slot machine, a lottery is performed in the control unit in response to the start of each reel, and a pull-in control is performed in which a predetermined symbol corresponding to the lottery result is drawn and stopped for each reel on the winning line. . In particular, when the lottery is a “hit”, a bonus winning symbol is drawn, and a special winning is established by the success of the drawing control.
[0005]
However, since the time for which this symbol can be drawn is regulated by law, the number of frames that can be drawn is limited. Under the current regulations, since the reels must be stopped within 190 ms after the stop operation is performed, for example, for a reel with a rotation speed of 78 revolutions / minute, up to 5 symbols including the symbols at the time of the stop operation. Can only be pulled in. For this reason, even if a lottery is won, depending on the reel rotation position at the time of the stop operation, the target symbol cannot be drawn.
[0006]
In the case of the conventional slot machine, in consideration of the above points, when a combination of the special winning symbols cannot be established despite the occurrence of “big hit” by lottery, Set a flag to carry over to the game (hereinafter referred to as “winning flag”), hold the lottery result until a special winning is established, and notify the player that the winning flag is set (Hereafter, this notification is called “flag notification”).
This type of flag notification is generally made by turning on a hit indicator lamp installed on the front of the aircraft or outputting a specific sound effect from a speaker.
[0007]
Also, in this type of slot machine, in order to prevent the game from proceeding at a high speed and becoming a gaming machine with high gambling consumption and payout amount, it is possible to execute a single game according to laws and regulations. Is assigned a predetermined length of time.
The current rules stipulate that one game should be executed for a minimum of 4.1 seconds, so the next reel will be played until 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the reels started all at once. Starting is prohibited.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventional flag notifications using lamps and sound effects are merely notifications of lottery results, and the notification pattern is also fixed, so that there is a problem that the player's expectation cannot be sufficiently increased. In addition, the player usually pays attention to the movement of the reel in the symbol display window, and there are a variety of sound effects in the game hall, so the player remains unaware of the announcements by the lamps and sound effects. There is a problem that the game is inadvertently advanced.
[0009]
Further, when a start operation is performed within the prohibition period, the start operation is validated after the prohibition time has elapsed and each reel is started (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-33173). In any case, there is a problem that the player is in a state of holding and holding until the reels start all at once, and his concentration on the game is lost.
[0010]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems.At the start of the game, by operating the symbol sequence in a state different from that at the time of normal simultaneous start, the player can be notified of the possibility of winning the lottery. The purpose is to do.
[0011]
In addition, the present invention makes it possible to maintain the interest of the player in the game during the prohibited period by making the above notification by using the time during which the simultaneous start of the symbol string is prohibited. The second purpose is to increase.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The slot machine according to the first aspect of the present invention performs lottery in accordance with the game start operation of the player, starts a plurality of symbol rows, and moves each symbol on the symbol row in a certain direction from top to bottom. after that initiated the variable display, there is to be stopped at a position corresponding to the result of the stop operation and the drawing each player variable display of each symbol row, the rolling of the respective symbol columns in each symbol column It has a vibrator that can be caused, and a control unit that controls the operation of executing the lottery and notifying the player of the result of the lottery. Wherein, when winning the prize by lottery, before starting each symbol sequence in response to said game start operation, actuates the vibrator, the Rukoto to vibrate at least one symbol sequence in the lateral direction The possibility of winning the lottery is announced.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the award is won by lottery, the control unit operates the vibrator for a prohibition time for prohibiting the start of each symbol row until a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous start. At least one symbol row is vibrated in the lateral direction.
[0014]
[Action]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a prize is won by lottery , at least one symbol row vibrates in the horizontal direction before each symbol row is started according to the game start operation of the player . Since the player usually pays attention to the symbol row from the time of the game start operation , the player immediately notices the horizontal vibration of the symbol row and recognizes that there is a possibility that he / she has won the lottery.
[0015]
According to the invention of claim 2, when the game start operation is performed at the timing when the symbol sequence is started within the prohibition time, the start of each symbol sequence is prohibited, but instead, it is possible to win the lottery When there is a possibility, at least one symbol row vibrates in the lateral direction unlike a normal start-up.
[0016]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an internal structure of the machine body.
The slot machine 1 in the illustrated example is configured by assembling a door portion 3 in an opening portion of a body body portion 2 having a front opening. A control board 5 on which a reel block 4 and a control circuit are mounted is provided at an upper position in the machine body, and a medal dispenser 6 having a hopper 6a is incorporated at a lower position.
[0017]
The reel block 4 is formed by assembling three reels 8a, 8b, and 8c to a metal frame 7. Each reel 8a, 8b, 8c is formed by sticking a belt-like sheet on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical frame. On the peripheral surface, in addition to the symbol “7” for bonus winning described later, A plurality of types of symbols such as characters are drawn in a predetermined order for a plurality of frames.
[0018]
Each reel 8a, 8b, 8c is pivotally supported by the frame 7 together with stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c serving as drive sources. Each of the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c is rotated by a driving pulse given from a reel driving unit 36, which will be described later, and this rotation propagates to the reels 8a, 8b, 8c. Moving display is realized.
As the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c, a motor capable of switching the rotation direction is employed for flag notification to be described later.
[0019]
The main body of the door portion 3 is constituted by a metal frame having a predetermined thickness, and three panels 11, 12, 13 are provided in the front opening, and a wiring board (not shown) for various displays and operation switches on the rear surface. )) Is assembled.
[0020]
The panels 11, 12, and 13 are formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass, and model names, game information, and the like are drawn on the upper panel 12 and the lower panel 13. The In addition, each of the upper, middle, and lower panels 11, 12, and 13 is provided with an LED for lighting and a bean lamp (not shown) at appropriate positions.
[0021]
A start lever 14, stop button switches 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, a medal insertion slot 16, and the like are arranged in a frame portion between the front panel 11 and the lower panel 13, and a medal payout opening 24 is disposed below the lower panel 13. , A medal tray 25 and the like are provided.
In addition, in order to execute a credit-type game in which a plurality of medals are stored in an electronic data format in the central frame portion and the stored medals can be used to play a game, three bets Switches such as button switches 17, 18 and 19, a settlement switch 22, and a changeover switch 23 are provided. Each of the bet button switches 17, 18, and 19 is for pulling and inserting three, two, and one medal from the stored medal by operation. The settlement switch 22 is operated when the stored medals are settled and paid out from the medal payout opening 24, and the changeover switch 23 is operated in the credit game mode or the game mode in which the medal is inserted directly from the medal slot 16. It is for switching to either of these.
[0022]
The central front panel 11 is formed with three uncolored and transparent symbol display windows 20a, 20b, and 20c at positions corresponding to the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a total of five stop lines L1 to L5, upper, middle, lower, and diagonal, are provided above the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, and 20c. It is drawn to cross. When the reels are stopped, the three symbols S of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are aligned on the stop lines L1 to L5, respectively.
[0023]
The winning lines L1 to L5 are activated according to the number of medals inserted directly from the medal insertion slot 16 or medals inserted by operating the bet button switches 17, 18, and 19. When the number is one, the central horizontal winning line L1 is activated, and when the number of inserted sheets is two, the three horizontal winning lines L1 to L3 are activated. Further, by inserting three medals, all five winning lines L1 to L5 are validated.
[0024]
In FIG. 3, 26 is a stored number display for displaying the number of stored medals when a credit-type game is played, and 27 is a hit for displaying the number of medals to be paid out as a reward when winning is established. It is a number display.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are faced behind the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c, and the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are rotated by the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c. The symbol row is configured so that the symbols can be displayed in a variable manner. However, the configuration of the symbol row is not limited to this. For example, by introducing a belt-like part in which a plurality of symbols are arranged on a belt-like base material, and rotating both ends of the belt-like part connected to each other, each symbol is changed You may make it display. The present invention is also applicable to a slot machine that realizes a variable display of symbols by scrolling and displaying an image of each symbol using an image display means such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display panel.
Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is for playing a game by inserting medals, but other game media such as pachinko balls may be used instead of medals.
[0026]
FIG. 4 shows an electrical configuration of the slot machine.
Reference numeral 28 in the figure denotes a control unit mounted on the control board 5, a CPU 30 that is the main body of control and calculation, a ROM 31 that stores programs and tables for lottery processing, and a RAM 32 that is used for reading and writing data. , A random number generator 33 for generating random numbers for lottery processing, a timer 34, and the like.
[0027]
Various input / output units are connected to the control unit 28 via a bus 29, and the CPU 30 recognizes various input signals based on a program in the ROM 31, and gives a drive signal to the output unit to play a game. Perform a series of related processes. As an input unit, in addition to the start lever 14, the stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15c, the bet button switches 17, 18, 19, the settlement switch 22, the changeover switch 23, a medal inserted from the medal slot 16 is detected. For this, a medal detection sensor 35 and the like are connected. The output unit is connected to the medal payer 6, the reel driving unit 36 for driving the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c, the stored medal number display 26, the winning number display 27, and the like.
[0028]
In the above configuration, the CPU 30 validates a predetermined number of pay lines in response to a detection signal from the medal detection sensor 35 or an operation signal from any of the bet button switches 17, 18, 19.
In the ROM 31, there are set a winning table in which a plurality of types of winnings are associated with predetermined symbol combinations, and a lottery table for establishing each winning with a predetermined probability. In accordance with the operation, a lottery process using the random numbers generated by the random number generator 33 is performed to determine whether or not any winning is achieved. Then, after each reel 8a, 8b, 8c is started all at once, each time the stop button switch 15a, 15b, 15c is operated, the corresponding reel 8a, 8b, 8c is stopped. If it is “winning”, “retraction control” is executed to stop the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c at the timing when the corresponding winning symbol is drawn on the activated winning line.
[0029]
In this pull-in control, the drive signals given from the reel drive unit 36 to the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c are counted, the rotational positions of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are confirmed by the counted values, and the target symbol is pulled in. Is performed by stopping the supply of drive signals to the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c when the rotation position is reached. However, because this pull-in control must be performed within a specified time limit from the stop operation due to legal restrictions, there may be cases where the target symbol cannot be drawn within this time limit. If so, the lottery result is maintained until a bonus winning is achieved by setting a “win flag” to be described later. When the bonus winning is established, the mode shifts to a special control mode having a high winning probability, and a game called “bonus game” is executed a predetermined number of times.
Since this type of control and details of the bonus game executed in accordance with the bonus winning are well known, further explanation will be omitted.
[0030]
Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment prohibits the simultaneous start of the next reel until a predetermined specified time (4.1 seconds) elapses from the simultaneous start of the reel, as in other models by law and regulation. By using this prohibition period, a flag notification indicating the winning of the bonus winning is performed by the movement of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c.
[0031]
In this embodiment, a vibrator that causes a roll is attached to an appropriate position of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c , and the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are vibrated in the lateral direction within the prohibited period, whereby a bonus is obtained by the lottery. We are trying to announce that there is a possibility of winning the prize.
The reels 8a, 8b, 8c of the slot machine 1 normally rotate in a direction in which each symbol on the reel moves from top to bottom in the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c. When the flag announcement Thus, each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c is rotated symbol display windows 20a, 20b, vibrate laterally within 20c, when the prohibition period elapses, the reels 8a, 8b, 8c in the normal direction Will do.
[0032]
Generally, since the player pays attention to the movement of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c after performing the game start operation, the player can easily recognize how the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c vibrate in the lateral direction. Can do. As a result, the player recognizes that there is a possibility of winning the bonus prize, and greatly increases his expectation, and concentrates on the progress of the subsequent game.
In addition, this flag notification is performed when the game operation of the player is quick and the time required for the game falls below the prescribed time, so if you are a skilled player, check if the flag notification appears Therefore, it can be predicted that the game operation will be performed quickly. As a result, a secondary effect that the number of games per unit time is increased and the sales of the game hall is increased can be obtained.
[0033]
FIG. 5 shows a game control procedure in the slot machine 1. In the figure, T0 indicates a prescribed time (currently T0 = 4.1 seconds) until the next simultaneous start becomes possible after the simultaneous start of reels, and T indicates a time measured by the timer 34, respectively. T1 is the minimum time necessary for performing flag notification by vibration of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c.
The time count T of the timer 34 is initialized when the apparatus power is turned on, and thereafter reset every time the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are started.
[0034]
When executing the game, the player operates the start lever 14 after inserting a medal directly from the medal insertion slot 16 or operating one of the bet button switches 17, 18, 19. When these operations are performed, after ST1 becomes “YES”, the process proceeds from ST2 to ST3, and lottery using the random number generator 33 is executed.
[0035]
In ST3, a lottery for determining whether to win a bonus winning or a small bonus winning is executed, and when a bonus winning is won, a “winning flag” is set on (ST4, 5). Also, in this lottery, a flag notification is always made when a bonus winning is won, and a “dummy” flag notification is set with a predetermined probability even when a bonus winning is not won. When notification is performed, the notification flag is set on (ST6, 7). However, if the winning flag is carried over from the previous game, ST2 becomes “YES” and the lottery process is skipped.
In this embodiment, as will be described later, the flag notification is performed when either the winning flag or the notification flag is set on, but the “dummy” notification is not necessarily required. Also, when the hit flag is on, a case where flag notification is performed and a case where flag notification is not performed may be provided.
[0036]
In actual machines, bonus winning types such as “Big Bonus” and “Regular Bonus” are provided, and different winning flags are set for each winning type. A flag corresponding to the seed is set. However, in order to simplify the explanation here, one winning flag is set for bonus winning, and illustration and detailed explanation of the winning process for winning a small bonus are omitted.
[0037]
When the processing so far is completed, the CPU 30 checks the time count T of the timer 34.
If the predetermined time T0 or more has already elapsed since the simultaneous start of the previous reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, ST8 becomes “YES” and the process proceeds to ST15. After the time count T is reset, ST16 continues. Thus, the reels 8a, 8b and 8c are started all at once. If the time required to reach the specified time T0 from the simultaneous start of the previous reel is shorter than the T1 time, ST9 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 30 waits until the T1 time elapses in ST11, then ST15. , And shift to the process of 16.
[0038]
On the other hand, the elapsed time from the previous simultaneous start of the reels has not reached the specified time T0, and there is a waiting time of T1 hours or more before the specified time T0 elapses, and the notification flag is set on. In this case, ST8 and ST9 are “NO” and ST10 is “YES”, and the process proceeds to ST12. On the other hand, even if there is sufficient time for notification, if the notification flag is not turned on, ST10 becomes “NO”, and the reels 8a, 8b, 8c remain in a stopped state until the specified time T0 elapses. Is done.
[0039]
When the notification flag is set to ON in ST10, the CPU 30 vibrates the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c in the horizontal direction by the vibrator in ST12 . In this case, the number of reels to be vibrated is varied depending on the type of winning prizes such as bonus prizes, small part prizes, replays, etc. , so that various announcements can be made to announce prize information by different notice patterns. Can be deployed. This vibration is continued until the time measured by the timer T exceeds the specified time T0, and then the vibrations of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are stopped (ST13, 14).
This reel stop is an extremely short time in units of several milliseconds. By immediately shifting to ST15, 16, the time measured by the timer 34 is reset, and the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are all at once as usual. It will start and the game will start.
[0040]
When the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are simultaneously started, the player pushes the stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15c in a predetermined order. Each time this stop operation is performed, the CPU 30 stops the corresponding reels 8a, 8b, 8c by the pull-in control (ST17 to ST19).
[0041]
When all the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are stopped, ST19 becomes “YES” and the winning determination is performed. If the winning symbols are arranged on any of the activated winning lines, ST20 is “YES”, and the number of medals corresponding to the winning type established in ST21 is paid out. Further, if the winning is a bonus winning, the process proceeds from ST22 to ST23, and after the winning flag and the notification flag are reset, a bonus game routine is executed in ST24.
It should be noted that even in a game in which a small role winning or “out of game” is made, a “dummy” flag notification may be made before the start of the game. In this case, the notification flag is reset in ST26 through ST25 from ST20 or ST22, and one game control is completed. However, if the winning flag is carried over, the notification flag is reset at ST7 in the next game.
[0042]
By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the flag notification is performed using the period in which the simultaneous start of the reels is prohibited, but the flag notification by the movement of this type of reel is performed regardless of the simultaneous start prohibited period, For example, flag notification may be performed with a predetermined probability before the reels are simultaneously started. In this case, it is possible to set the length of time for performing flag notification at random by lottery, which greatly enhances the interest of the game .
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, prior to starting the symbol row , the symbol row is vibrated in the horizontal direction, and a symbol row movement different from that at the time of normal starting is presented to the player . Since it is notified that there is a possibility, it is possible to easily recognize that there is a possibility of winning a prize for a player who pays attention to the start of the symbol sequence after the game start operation. Therefore, the player recognizes the notification contents to increase expectation, and concentrates on the progress of the subsequent game.
[0044]
According to the invention of claim 2, since the above-mentioned notification is performed within the time when the start of the symbol sequence is prohibited, the player is not left in a state of holding and holding until the symbol sequence is started, Concentration on the game can be further enhanced. In addition, if the player quickly performs a game operation to confirm the presence or absence of the notification and the content of the notification, the number of games per unit time increases, and there is an effect that the game is profitable. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal structure of the slot machine.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration of a symbol display unit.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a game control procedure;
[Explanation of symbols]
8a, 8b, 8c Reel 20a, 20b, 20c Symbol display window 28 Control unit 30 CPU

Claims (2)

The lottery is performed in accordance with the player's game start operation, and a plurality of symbol rows are started to start a variable display in which each symbol on the symbol row moves in a certain direction from top to bottom. in the slot machine so as to stop columns of the variable display at a position corresponding to the result of the player's stop operation and the drawing, respectively,
A vibrator capable of causing each symbol row to roll for each symbol row; and a control unit that controls the operation of executing lottery and notifying a player of the result of the lottery. If the prize is won by the above, before starting each symbol row in accordance with the game start operation, the vibrator may be activated to vibrate at least one symbol row in the horizontal direction, thereby winning the lottery A slot machine that announces. When the control unit wins a prize by lottery, the control unit operates the vibrator during a prohibition time for prohibiting the start of each symbol sequence until a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous start, and at least one symbol sequence The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is vibrated laterally .

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