JP3957898B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachislot machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine that can notify a rotational position of a reel when a stop switch is operated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of gaming machine represented by a slot machine has a plurality of reels having a plurality of kinds of symbols displayed on the outer peripheral surface, a rotation driving device for rotating each reel individually, and rotation of the reels all at once. And a stop switch for individually stopping the reels.
[0003]
In a conventional gaming machine having such a configuration, a game can be started by inserting a game medal. When the player operates the start switch after the game start conditions are satisfied, the plurality of reels rotate at the same time, and the plurality of symbols drawn on the reel surface move at high speed. Then, when the player operates the stop switch corresponding to each reel, the rotation of each reel is stopped and the symbols drawn on the reel surface are stopped and displayed.
[0004]
Here, when the combination of symbols displayed in a stopped state becomes a predetermined combination, a game medal as a prize is paid out by the game medal payout device, or it is advantageous to the player as compared with the normal game. A special game called a big bonus game can be played.
[0005]
By the way, each reel stops based on the operation of the stop switch by the player, but each reel does not stop simultaneously with the operation of the stop switch, but within a predetermined time after the stop switch is operated. The rotation is configured to stop.
[0006]
Therefore, the player can configure the winning mode by operating the stop switch at a predetermined timing while confirming the symbols that are moved and displayed at high speed as each reel rotates. In other words, by operating the stop switch at the timing when a predetermined number of frames ahead of the symbol constituting the winning mode is displayed, the winning mode can be configured to acquire a game medal as a prize, Can play games.
[0007]
In the conventional gaming machine described above, the stop position of each reel is not determined based only on the operation timing of the stop switch. That is, in gaming machines such as slot machines, the gaming machine is controlled so that a winning mode is generated with a preset probability of occurrence for the purpose of balancing the profits of the player and the profits of the game store. The rotation and stop of the reel are controlled so that the symbol stop display mode becomes the winning mode only when the control device permits the generation of the winning mode.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in order to configure the winning mode in the gaming machine, the stop switch must be operated while checking the symbols displayed during the rotation of each reel. The operation of such a stop switch requires a so-called “pressing” skill, which is to visually check a symbol that is moving and displayed at high speed, and what kind of reel rotation is necessary for a player who is unskilled in gaming. It was difficult to recognize whether the stop switch was operated at the position.
[0009]
In addition, in a gaming machine that controls the rotation and stop of a reel based on the occurrence probability of a preset winning mode, the winning mode can be configured when the control device does not permit the generation of the winning mode. In spite of operating the stop switch at a possible predetermined position, the symbol may deviate from the symbol stop position which is a combination of winning modes and stop. On the other hand, when the control device permits the generation of a winning mode, the combination of winning modes can appear even if the stop switch is operated at a position other than the predetermined position where the winning mode can be configured There is. When such a so-called “slip” or “draw” appears, it is possible to recognize whether the control device permits the generation of a winning mode.
[0010]
However, whether or not "slip" or "pull-in" has occurred can only be recognized when the player can recognize the reel rotation position at which the player has operated the stop switch. It is.
[0011]
Therefore, it is difficult for a player who is not yet skilled in the game to recognize at what kind of reel rotation position the stop switch is operated, so that there is a problem that the enjoyment of the game cannot be fully enjoyed. there were.
[0012]
Furthermore, since the skill level for the game greatly affects the game result, there is a problem that a fair game cannot be performed among players having different skill levels for the game.
[0013]
The gaming machine of the present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described circumstances. By notifying the rotation position of the reel at the time of operating the stop switch, even a player who is unskilled in the game can sufficiently enjoy the fun of the game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be enjoyed and that allows a fair game to be played by eliminating a difference in gaming skills among players.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The gaming machine of the present invention is made to achieve the above-described object, and is for transmitting a plurality of reels displaying a plurality of types of symbols on the outer peripheral surface and transmitting the symbols from the inner surface side of each reel. A reel lamp, a rotation driving device for individually rotating the reels, a start switch for simultaneously starting rotation of the reels, and a stop switch for individually stopping the reels, In a gaming machine provided with a game medal payout device for paying out a predetermined number of game medals when a combination of symbols displayed when each reel is stopped constitutes a predetermined winning mode, In the stop operation reception position detection means for detecting the rotation position of the reel at the time when the stop switch is operated, and the stop operation reception position detection means And a notification means for notifying the rotational position of the out reel to the player, the notification means is arranged by the same number as the figure pattern so as to correspond to the plurality of symbols each one-to-one The reel detected by the stop operation reception position detecting means by lighting a notification LED corresponding to the stop operation reception position of the reel among the plurality of notification LEDs. And a speaker for generating a plurality of different notification sounds set in the same number as the symbols so as to correspond one-to-one with each of the plurality of symbols. The stop operation reception position detecting means detects the notification sound corresponding to the stop operation reception position of the reel from the plurality of notification sounds. And the rotational position of the reel, and is characterized in that notification to audibly in conjunction with visual notification by the notification LED.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the gaming machine of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
In the embodiment described below, a slot machine is taken as an example of a typical gaming machine.
[0018]
<Slot machine>
1 and 2 show an example of an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration of a control device and peripheral devices connected thereto. FIG.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine 1 according to the present invention includes a housing 3 having a front door 2 that can be opened and closed on the front surface. The front door 2 is provided with three display windows 4a to 4c arranged side by side on the upper side from the center of the front surface, and each of the display windows 4a to 4c has three display windows arranged inside the housing 3. The outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 5a to 5c face each other. Also, around the display windows 4a to 4c, winning line displays 6a to 6e for displaying effective winning lines across the display windows 4a to 4c are provided. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a total of five payline displays 6 a to 6 e are provided including three horizontal lines and two diagonal lines intersecting the horizontal lines. Furthermore, on the left end side of each winning line display 6a to 6e, effective line display lamps 7a to 7e for displaying an effective winning line are provided.
[0020]
In addition, a notification LED 8 is provided above the display windows 4a to 4c to notify the rotational positions of the reels 5a to 5c when the stop switches 17a to 17c are operated. This notification LED 8 has, for example, 21 LEDs arranged side by side, and each symbol position displayed on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 5a to 5c corresponds to each LED on a one-to-one basis. Note that the number of the notification LEDs 8 is not limited to the above-described number, and can be appropriately changed according to the number of symbols displayed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 5a to 5c. Moreover, if each LED can be configured to emit a plurality of colors and each LED is notified of the rotational position corresponding to the number of colors emitted, the number of LEDs can be reduced.
[0021]
On the front door 2 below the display windows 4a to 4c, as shown in FIG. 1, a credit number display 9 for displaying the number of credited game medals, and the number of game medals to be paid out when winning a prize are displayed. A display unit such as a payout number display 10 is provided.
[0022]
On the front face of the lower front door 2 below the credit number indicator 9 and the like, a medal slot 11 for inserting game medals to be used for games, and one game medal to be used for games within the credited range. A bet switch 12 for inserting and a max bet switch 13 for inserting game medals to be used for games within a credited range up to the maximum allowable bet number are provided. In addition, a medal sensor 14 (shown in FIG. 2) for detecting a game medal is arranged in a medal passage (not shown) communicating with the medal slot 11 described above.
[0023]
Further, on the front surface of the front door 2 below the medal slot 11 and the like, a C / P switch 15 for switching whether to credit or pay out the game medal acquired by the player, and insertion of the game medal A start switch 16 for starting the rotation of the reels 5a to 5c all at once, and three stop switches 17a to 17c for stopping the rotation of the reels 5a to 5c individually corresponding to the reels 5a to 5c Is provided.
[0024]
Further, at the lower part of the front door 2, a medal tray 18 for receiving a game medal paid out as a prize is provided, and a medal payout opening 19 is provided so as to face the medal tray 18. A sound transmission hole 20 is provided on the right side of the medal payout opening 19, and a speaker 21 is provided inside the housing 3 so as to face the sound transmission hole 20.
[0025]
Inside the case 3, the reels 5a to 5c are rotatably arranged at positions where the outer peripheral surfaces of the display windows 4 face each other, and a game medal as a prize is placed at a position communicating with the medal payout opening 19. A hopper 22 (shown in FIG. 2) is provided for paying out the amount. In addition, a control device 23 (shown in FIG. 2) for electrically controlling the slot machine 1 is provided inside the housing 3. The hopper 22 functions as a game medal payout device.
[0026]
On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 5a to 5c, a light-transmitting reel tape on which a plurality of types of symbols are displayed at predetermined intervals is attached. The types of symbols are, for example, “7”, “BAR”, “Watermelon”, “Bell”, “Plum”, “Cherry”, etc., and 21 symbols are displayed for each reel 5a-c. Yes. Note that the types of symbols and the number of symbols displayed on the reels 5a to 5c can be changed as appropriate.
[0027]
Reel lamps 44 (shown in FIG. 2) for transmitting and illuminating the symbols visually recognized through the display windows 4a to 4c from the inner surface side of the reels 5a to 5c are arranged in the respective reels 5a to 5c. Three are provided. By turning on the reel lamp 44, the reels 5a to 5c can be illuminated from the inner surface, and the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the effective winning line can be highlighted.
[0028]
<Games in slot machines>
In order to play a game in the slot machine 1 described above, first, a game medal is actually inserted into the medal slot 11, or the bet switch 12 or the max bet switch 13 is operated to provide a game within the credit range. Insert game medals. Here, a winning line that is effective according to the number of inserted game medals is determined, and the corresponding effective line display lamps 7a to 7e are turned on. For example, when one game medal is inserted, one horizontal line at the center is valid, and when two game medals are inserted, three upper, middle, and lower horizontal lines are valid, and the maximum allowable When three game medals, the number of bets, are inserted, a total of five lines including three upper, middle, and lower horizontal lines and two diagonal lines are valid.
[0029]
Next, when the player operates the start switch 16, the reels 5a to 5c start rotating all at once, and a plurality of kinds of symbols displayed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 5a to 5c move up and down in the display windows 4a to 4c. Moved and displayed. When the rotation of the reels 5a to 5c reaches a predetermined speed, the stop switches 17a to 17c are activated, and when the player operates the stop switches 17a to 17c, the rotation of the corresponding reels 5a to 5c is stopped. To do.
[0030]
Here, when the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the activated winning line is in a predetermined winning mode, the number of game medals corresponding to each winning mode is paid out as a prize, or It is added as credit.
[0031]
The predetermined winning modes include a normal game winning mode, a special game winning mode advantageous to the player as compared to the normal game, and a re-game winning mode. Furthermore, the special game winning mode includes a so-called big bonus game winning mode and a regular bonus game winning mode.
[0032]
The series of gaming operations described above are controlled by the control device 23 provided in the housing 3.
[0033]
<Control device>
The control device 23 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 23 includes a CPU 24, a ROM 25, a RAM 26, a clock circuit 27 for generating an operation clock signal for the CPU 24, and a probability setting unit 28 for setting a winning occurrence probability.
[0035]
The ROM 25 stores processing procedures in the game of the slot machine 1 as a sequence program, and stores data such as a winning probability table for determining a lottery probability and the like, and the CPU 24 based on the sequence program. Etc. operate to control the game in the slot machine 1.
[0036]
The clock circuit 27 includes a clock pulse generator 29 for generating a reference clock having a predetermined frequency, and a frequency divider 30 for generating an operation clock signal for the CPU 24 by dividing the reference clock signal. .
[0037]
The probability setting unit 28 extracts a random number from a random number generator 31 for generating a certain range of random numbers according to the control of the CPU 24 and the random number generated by the random number generator 31, and transmits the random number to the CPU 24. A random number sampling circuit 32 is provided.
[0038]
The plurality of I / O ports provided in the CPU 24 include a bet switch 12, a max bet switch 13, a C / P switch 15, a start switch 16, a medal sensor 14, a motor drive circuit 33, a reel position detection circuit 34, a reel A stop signal circuit 35, a hopper drive circuit 36, a payout completion signal circuit 37, a display drive circuit 38, a speaker drive circuit 39, and a lamp drive circuit 40 are connected.
[0039]
Hereafter, each said circuit is demonstrated in detail.
[0040]
Stepping motors 41a to 41c for rotating the reels 5a to 5c are connected to the motor driving circuit 33, and driving pulses are supplied to or stopped from the stepping motors 41a to 41c under the control of the CPU 24. As a result, the rotation of the reels 5a to 5c is started or stopped. Note that the stepping motors 41a to 41c function as a rotation driving device.
[0041]
The reel position detection circuit 34 is provided with a position detection sensor such as an optical sensor for detecting the rotational position of the reels 5a to 5c. The position detection of the reels 5a to 5c detected by the position detection sensor is provided. A signal is transmitted to the CPU 24. The reel position detection circuit 34 functions as stop operation reception position detection means for detecting the rotation positions of the reels 5a to 5c when the player operates the stop switches 17a to 17c.
[0042]
Stop switches 17a to 17c are connected to the reel stop signal circuit 35. When the player operates the stop switches 17a to 17c, this is detected and a stop switch detection signal is transmitted to the CPU 24.
[0043]
The hopper driving circuit 36 is connected to a hopper 22 for storing game medals.
[0044]
A medal storage unit 42 and a medal detection unit 43 are connected to the payout completion signal circuit 37. The medal storage unit 42 is a part for storing and storing game medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 11 and game medals to be paid out as a prize, and can store and store game medals until a predetermined maximum allowable storage number is reached. . The maximum allowable storage number is, for example, 50 sheets. Up to 50 game medals are stored and stored, and game medals exceeding the 50 sheets are actually paid out from the hopper 22 to the medal tray 18. The game medals actually paid out are counted when the medals detection unit 43 pays out the medals from the hopper 22 to the medal tray 18. When the addition value stored in the medal storage unit 42 or the count value in the medal detection unit 43 reaches a predetermined payout number, a payout completion signal is transmitted from the payout completion signal circuit 37 to the CPU 24.
[0045]
The display drive circuit 38 is connected to the effective line display lamps 7a to 7e, the notification LED 8, the credit amount display 9, and the payout number display 10, and based on the control of the CPU 24, these effective line display lamps 7a to 7a. e, The notification LED 8 is turned on, and the display on each of the indicators 9 and 10 is performed.
[0046]
The speaker drive circuit 39 is connected to a speaker 21 for generating sound effects and the like, and the lamp drive circuit 40 transmits a symbol visually recognized through the display windows 4a to 4c from the inner surface side of the reels 5a to 5c. A reel lamp 44 for illumination is connected.
[0047]
<Control processing>
Next, among the control processes in the slot machine 1 performed by the control device 23, an explanation will be given with an emphasis on the notification process of the rotational positions of the reels 5a to 5c when the stop switches 17a to 17c are operated.
[0048]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the notification process of the rotational position of the reels 5a to 5c when the stop switches 17a to 17c are operated in the control process in the slot machine 1, and FIG. 4 is the stop of the reels 5a to 5c. It is explanatory drawing explaining a response | compatibility with the operation reception position, notification LED8, and notification sound.
[0049]
In the slot machine 1, a game can be started when a game medal is inserted into the medal slot 11 or when the bet switch 12 or the maximum bet switch 13 is operated and a game medal is received within the credit range. Here, when the start switch 16 is operated, all the reels 5a to 5c start rotating, and a plurality of symbols are moved and displayed in the display windows 4a to 4c.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 3, when each of the reels 5a to 5c reaches a predetermined rotation speed and then the stop switches 17a to 17c are operated (S1), at the time when the stop switches 17a to 17c are operated. Stop operation reception positions (rotation positions) of the reels 5a to 5c are extracted (S2).
[0051]
The extraction of the stop operation reception position of each of the reels 5 a to 5 c is performed based on the detection output of the reel position detection circuit 34 constituting the control device 23.
[0052]
Next, the notification LED 8 corresponding to the extracted stop operation reception position of each of the reels 5a to 5c is turned on for a predetermined time, and a corresponding notification sound is generated from the speaker (S3), and the process is resumed.
[0053]
The correspondence between the stop operation reception position of each reel 5a to 5c, the notification LED 8 and the notification sound is as shown in FIG. 4 and corresponds to the 21 symbols displayed on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 5a to 5c. Then, the LEDs 1 to 21 are turned on, and the reception sounds 1 to 21 are generated from the speakers.
[0054]
Each reception sound generated from the speaker 21 may be any sound as long as it can be distinguished from other reception sounds. For example, it can be composed of a plurality of music pieces having different melody, the tempo and pitch can be changed even with the same melody, or the rotational position of each reel 5a-c can be expressed by words.
[0055]
In general, the stop operation of the reels 5a to 5c is performed in the order of the left reel 5a, the center reel 5b, and the right reel 5c. This is done in this order.
[0056]
Further, the notification of the stop operation reception position of each of the reels 5a to 5c described above may be performed for all the reels 5a to 5c, or may be performed for only one of the reels 5a, 5b, and 5c. Any combination may be used. In particular, it is possible to increase the fun of the game by notifying the stop operation reception position to the right reel 5c for which it is finally determined whether or not a winning mode is configured. is there.
[0057]
<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, the notification LED 8 is configured to notify the rotation position of the reels 5a to 5c when the stop switches 17a to 17c are operated. For example, a 7-segment LED or a dot matrix display that can display a plurality of lamps, numbers from “1” to “21” may be used.
[0058]
Moreover, although the alerting | reporting means for alerting | reporting the rotational position of reel 5a-c at the time of operating the stop switches 17a-c is comprised by the speaker 21, the said alerting | reporting means generate | occur | produces a striking sound, for example It may be a hammer or the like. In this case, the rotational positions of the reels 5a to 5c may be informed based on the number of occurrences of the hitting sound.
[0059]
Further, although both the notification LED 8 and the speaker 21 are provided as the notification means, the notification means may be configured by only one of the notification LED 8 and the speaker 21.
[0060]
In the embodiment described above, the slot machine 1 has been described as an example of a representative gaming machine. However, the present invention can be applied to a pachislot gaming machine or the like.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
Since the gaming machine of the present invention has the above-described configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
[0062]
That is, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, the stop operation reception position detecting means detects the reel rotation position when the player operates the stop switch, and the notifying means informs the player of the reel rotation position. It is informing.
[0063]
Therefore, all the players, including a player who is not mature in the game, can recognize the rotation position of the reel when the stop switch is operated. For this reason, it is possible to recognize whether or not the player has operated the stop switch at a desired position, and even a player who is inexperienced in the game can fully enjoy the fun of the game. Further, it is possible to eliminate a difference in gaming skills among players and allow a fair game to be performed.
[0064]
Furthermore, when a so-called “slip” or “retraction” appears, it can be recognized whether or not the generation of a winning mode is permitted in the control device, and the fun of the game can be increased.
[0065]
Further, the notifying means notifies the player of the rotation position of the reel at the time when the stop switch is operated, visually, audibly, or a combination thereof.
[0066]
Accordingly, the rotational position of the reel at the time when the stop switch is operated can be reliably recognized, so that the fun of the game can be further increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a slot machine control device and peripheral devices connected thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a reel rotation position notifying process when a stop switch is operated. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a correspondence between a reel stop operation reception position, a notification LED, and a notification sound. ]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Front door 3 Housing | casing 4a-c Display window 5a-c Reel 6a-e Winning line display 7a-e Effective line display lamp 8 Notification LED
9 credit number display 10 payout number display 11 medal insertion port 12 bet switch 13 max bet switch 14 medal sensor 15 C / P switch 16 start switch 17a-c stop switch 18 medal tray 19 medal payout port 20 sound transmission hole 21 speaker 22 Hopper 23 Control device 24 CPU
25 ROM
26 RAM
27 Clock circuit 28 Probability setting unit 29 Clock pulse generator 30 Frequency divider 31 Random number generator 32 Random number sampling circuit 33 Motor drive circuit 34 Reel position detection circuit 35 Reel stop signal circuit 36 Hopper drive circuit 37 Dispensing completion signal circuit 38 Display drive Circuit 39 Speaker drive circuit 40 Lamp drive circuits 41a-c Stepping motor 42 Medal storage unit 43 Medal detection unit 44 Reel lamp

Claims (1)

A plurality of reels displaying a plurality of types of symbols on the outer peripheral surface;
A reel lamp for transmissively illuminating the symbol from the inner surface side of each reel;
A rotation driving device for individually rotating the reels;
A start switch for simultaneously starting rotation of the reels;
A stop switch for individually stopping the reels;
In a gaming machine provided with a game medal payout device for paying out a predetermined number of game medals when the combination of symbols displayed when each reel stops constitutes a predetermined winning mode.
Stop operation reception position detecting means for detecting the rotation position of the reel at the time when the player operates the stop switch;
Informing means for informing the player of the rotation position of the reel detected by the stop operation reception position detecting means ,
The notification means includes a plurality of notification LEDs arranged in the same number as the symbols so as to correspond one-to-one with the plurality of types of symbols, and the reels are selected from the plurality of notification LEDs. By visually turning on the notification LED corresponding to the stop operation reception position, the rotation position of the reel detected by the stop operation reception position detection means is visually notified,
A speaker that generates a plurality of different notification sounds set in the same number as the symbols so as to correspond one-to-one with each of the plurality of types of symbols, and the reel is selected from the plurality of notification sounds. By generating a notification sound corresponding to the stop operation reception position from the speaker, the rotation position of the reel detected by the stop operation reception position detection means is audibly heard together with the visual notification by the notification LED. A gaming machine characterized by also informing .

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