JP4097690B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that uses medals, coins, game balls and the like as game media.

  Conventionally, in gaming machines, particularly pachislot machines, a predetermined number of medals are inserted and a start lever is operated to execute a lottery, and a plurality of rows (usually three rows) in which a plurality of symbols are displayed on the circumferential surface. The symbol variation reel (symbol row display means) is rotated.

  The symbol variable reels that have started to rotate by the start lever can be basically stopped at the time that the player intends by operating the corresponding stop buttons.

  Here, when the start lever is operated, the internal lottery is executed and the winning / losing is determined, and the player performs the stop operation of each symbol variable reel by the stop button and wins the internal lottery. The rights will be exercised when the symbols corresponding to the winning are available.

  There are a small bonus and a big bonus, and for the exercise of the right for winning the small bonus, a predetermined game medium payout is executed. In addition, the small role includes replay (replay), and at the time of replay, it is considered that a payout equivalent to the game medium thrown in for the game is made, and a new game medium is thrown in. Without replay rights.

  Note that a standard rule is set for the stop operation order, and it is normally assumed that the stop operation is performed in the order of left reel → middle reel → right reel (however, this is the case for the major player (JAC game)). Not limited).

  On the other hand, exercising the right of winning a major role is called a so-called bonus game (there is a regular bonus and a big bonus) from the normal gaming state after a predetermined game medium payout is executed for that role. , Transition to a predetermined number of special gaming states.

  Note that, when the player performs a stop operation using the stop button, slip control for a predetermined number of frames is executed according to the result of the internal lottery.

  In other words, when the stop button is operated at the stop timing of the symbol that stops only in the case of winning when the internal lottery is off, the stop operation is performed in order to avoid intentionally stopping at this symbol with respect to the stop operation timing. The position is shifted (kicked off), and control is performed so as to stop at the off symbol arrangement.

  Here, when the internal lottery is won, even if the winning symbol does not stop at the stop operation timing operated by the player, if the winning symbol is within the predetermined number of symbols (currently a maximum of 4 frames slips), this hit is intentionally made. Control (shift) of shifting the stop position so that the symbols stop together.

  By kicking and pulling in, you can have consistency with the lottery results, and even if the timing of the stop operation is slightly shifted, you can align the winning symbols, allowing players to miss It is preventing in the range.

  As described above, since the number of sliding frames varies depending on the result of the internal lottery, the slip control stores a table corresponding to each situation in advance.

  As the table, a bit table in which the number of sliding frames is expressed in bits (binary system) has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In this bit table, one frame slip is expressed by “0”, and a stop frame is expressed by “1”.

  By the way, as described above, the stop operation order may not be executed under the standard rule. In other words, since the stop buttons are provided independently for each reel, the stop order can be determined in any way at the player's intention (theoretical stop order of the three stop buttons). Will be 6).

  Here, for example, when the bell is internally elected and the stop operation is irregularly performed in the order of right reel → middle reel, stop control (including slip control) is performed so that “bell” wins in the left reel. ) Will be executed.

  At this time, in the left reel, there is a symbol that can be won regardless of the symbol arrangement state on the display unit in the remaining reels when displayed on the display unit. In general, a “cherry” symbol is applied to this symbol, which is a single winning symbol applied to most pachislot machines in the market.

  This single winning symbol (“Cherry”) is provided adjacent to “Bell” when the slip control is executed to win the “Bell”. ”May stop, resulting in an unqualified prize.

In order to avoid this, it has been proposed to avoid the “Bell” winning in the winning line that is an unfavorable winning (see Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 2, it is also proposed that a winning line is determined by lottery when a double temper is played.
JP-A-11-178987 JP 2003-334301 A

  However, it is extremely disadvantageous for the player to restrict the winning line and not to win the internal winning role, and should be avoided as much as possible. In order to achieve certainty, a large number of bit tables must be prepared, which leads to redundancy in the development period and increases the memory capacity accordingly, so that limited memory capacity can be used effectively. Can not.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention avoids unfair winning prizes that can occur when an irregular stopping operation is performed, and does not increase the amount of memory such as a bit data storage area, and ensures the correct winnings. It is an object to obtain a gaming machine capable of satisfying both of these requirements and suppressing a disadvantageous situation to the player to the minimum necessary.

The invention according to claim 1 includes at least three reels that start rotational driving based on a starting operation, and can display a plurality of symbols arranged on the peripheral surface of the reels at a predetermined pitch on the display unit. In the display unit, the gaming machine is provided with a display device set including at least a plurality of winning lines, and based on the start operation timing, lottery means for executing a lottery of a preset role, A game that executes payout of game media corresponding to the winning combination on the winning line when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination by the lottery means can be aligned with any of the winning lines by the stop operation and execution control means, based on the stop operation timing under the at least three standard law order conforming to the stop order of the reels that have been in advance standard, set each of the reels in advance In the range of a predetermined number of sliding frames with the symbol pitch as a unit frame, at least based on the result of the winning lottery by the lottery means, the result of the winning lottery is notified on the winning line, Stop control means for stopping the rotational drive of the reel, and the stop control means is set based on the lottery result of the combination for the reel that has been stopped for the first time, The sliding frame number table storage means that determines the number of sliding frames for each stop operation timing, and the reels that have been stopped for the second and subsequent times are displayed in the lottery result and the display section of the reels that have already stopped. Is set based on the symbol arrangement state, and is composed of a stop code that is an identification code that is stopped in the state at the time of the stop operation and a slip code that is an identification code that executes a slip for one frame. Bit data table storage means for storing any one of binary bit data in correspondence with the design, and the result of the winning lottery performed before the second and subsequent stop operations, as well as in the reels that have already stopped. Based on the symbol arrangement state on the display unit, the stop code and the slip code of the bit data assigned to each symbol are represented by numerical values in which the stop code is superior to the slip code under relative quantity comparison. When a stop operation is performed in an irregular stop order in which at least the reel that should be stopped first in the standard rule order is to be stopped last, under the standard rule order In this case, if the winning combination by the addition of the numerical value by the basic numerical value adding means is within the range of the predetermined number of sliding symbols at the stop operation timing, It is possible to show and the internal winning is made for the non-stopped reels from the second time in the above irregular stop order to the reels that are stopped until immediately before the reels that are finally stopped. A line priority value is set for each winning line in order to select a winning line from which a winning combination is not unfairly won, and a value is added by the line priority value adding means for adding the line priority value and the basic value adding means. And stop control execution means for executing the stop control for the symbol positioned most dominantly among the final numerical values added by the line priority numerical value adding means.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the reels are arranged in three, and the line priority value adding means is the first time in the irregular stop order. For the first stop operation, the same stop control as the stop control based on the sliding frame number table in the reel stop operation order in the standard rule order is executed, and the second stop operation in the irregular stop order For the third stop operation, control is performed so as to avoid a combination in which the symbol arrangement by three reels is not won internally and stopped in the symbol arrangement state in which a winning combination is displayed on the display unit. It is characterized by doing.

According to the first or second aspect of the invention, the reels in a plurality of rows, for example, 3 rows, start to rotate by the starting operation. In addition, at the time of this starting operation, a lottery is performed by the lottery means, and a winning combination (internal winning) and a defeat are determined.

  In the game execution control means, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination can be aligned with any of the winning lines by the stop operation, the game medium is paid out according to the symbols aligned with the winning line. .

  Here, in the stop control means, as a basic operation, based on the stop operation timing for each reel, a stepwise range of predetermined number of sliding frames using the symbol pitch set in advance for each reel as a unit frame. The rotation of the reels is stopped so that the result of the winning lottery is notified on the winning line based on the result of the winning lottery by the lottery means.

  In other words, even if it deviates from the optimal stop operation timing, it is possible to achieve the same state as the optimal stop operation timing by slip control, so that it becomes easy to win a winning combination, and beginners who are not good at stop operation can stop It is possible to correct the disparity with skilled workers who are good at operation.

  By the way, in slip control by the stop control means, for example, with a single bit data (stop code and slip code set corresponding to each symbol), the variation of symbols to be stopped is monotonous or the winning line is biased. Will occur.

  In view of this, the stop control means adds a score based on the stop code and the slip code, and executes a control in which the symbol corresponding to the highest score is the total score obtained by the addition.

  That is, the sliding frame number table storage means stores the number of sliding frames based on the lottery result of the combination for the reel that has been stopped for the first time. In the bit data table storage means, for reels for which a stop operation has been performed for the second and subsequent times, the reel is set based on the lottery result of the combination and the symbol arrangement state on the display unit in the already stopped reel, and the stop Binary bit data composed of a stop code which is an identification code to be stopped in the state at the time of operation and a slip code which is an identification code for executing slipping for one frame is stored.

  The basic numerical value adding means is executed prior to the second and subsequent stop operations, and performs a relative quantity comparison based on the result of the winning lottery and the symbol arrangement state on the display unit in the already stopped reels. Below, a numerical value in which the stop code is superior to the slip code is added to the stop code and the slip code of the bit data assigned to each symbol.

  Here, when the numerical value is added by the basic numerical value adding means, when the stop operation is performed in an irregular stop order, when the stop operation is performed in an irregular stop order with respect to the standard rule order, In the line priority value means, a line priority value is set for each winning line of the winning combination internally by adding a numerical value by the basic numerical value adding means, and a winning line in which a role not internally won is not won unfairly. Select and add the line priority value.

  The stop control execution means executes the stop control with the numerical value added by the basic numerical value adding means and the symbol positioned most dominantly among the final numerical values added by the line priority value adding means.

  As a result, even if it is a single bit data or an irregular stop operation is performed, an unfair winning prize can be avoided and a feeling that is disadvantageous to the player (for example, on the winning line) It is possible to suppress a situation where a so-called “temper pie” cannot be won. Further, since there is no increase in bit data, the memory capacity is not promoted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a symbol corresponding to an unfair winning combination in the irregular stopping order is the first in the standard rule order. It is a symbol that can be awarded regardless of the symbol arrangement state on the display unit in the remaining reels when it is given to the reel that is to be stopped for the second time and displayed on the display unit.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a symbol that can be won with a single symbol on a reel that is stopped for the first time according to the standard rule (when displayed on the display unit, the remaining reels on the display unit) There is a symbol that can be awarded regardless of the symbol arrangement state), and when this reel is irregularly stopped at the last round, an unfavorable winning prize is likely to occur. The present invention is advantageous when a symbol that can be won with a single symbol as described above is won.

  As described above, according to the present invention, without increasing the amount of memory such as the bit data storage area, it is possible to avoid unfair winning prizes that can occur when an irregular stopping operation is performed, and to ensure the correct winnings. It is possible to achieve both, and it has an excellent effect that a disadvantageous situation for the player can be minimized.

(Schematic configuration of pachislot machine)
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachi-slot machine 300 includes a main body 302 and an operation / decoration portion 303 as an opening / closing cover provided on the front surface of the main body 302.

  The operation / decoration unit 303 can be classified into a decoration unit 304, an operation unit 306, and a payout unit 310 from the top.

  The decoration unit 304 has a display panel unit 312 on which a printed picture or character is transmitted and illuminated by turning on a backlight unit (not shown). In addition, as a part of the decoration part 304, a three-dimensional decoration lamp 304A is also provided in the left-right direction above the decoration part 304. In addition, speakers 305R and 305L are provided in the vicinity of the decorative lamp 304 for reproducing production sound and the like.

  The display panel unit 312 of the decoration unit 304 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 313 for displaying a moving image for presentation, and a display window 314 for displaying a rotating display symbol. The display window 314 includes a transparent region that is integrally formed with the display panel unit 312.

  Inside the display window 314, there is disposed a symbol variation portion 316 configured with three spinning reels 350A, 350B, and 350C as main portions.

  Also, at the bottom of the display window 314, a 7-segment display 315A for displaying the number of paid-out medals as game media of the pachislot machine 300, a display for setting the remaining number of jack games and the game state (six levels), etc. A section 315B and a 7 segment display section 315C for displaying the number of credits are provided.

  The operation unit 306 has an upper portion protruding forward, and a medal insertion unit 320 is provided at the right end of the upper surface of the protruding portion. Further, the operation unit 306 is pressed down when credits are sequentially paid out from the left end of the upper surface. A settlement button 103, a single bet (insertion) button 352A, and a maximum bet (maximum input) button 352B. Further, a start lever 354, stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, and the like are provided in this order from the front left end of the protruding portion.

  The payout unit 310 includes a medal discharge port 326 and a tray 328 that receives a medal discharged from the medal discharge port 326.

  The three reels 350 </ b> A, 350 </ b> B, and 350 </ b> C are rotated so that symbols can be seen sequentially from the display window 314. The direction of rotation appears to move from top to bottom in FIG.

  Here, among the symbols that can be seen from the display window 314 when the rotation is stopped, a line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the middle row, a line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the upper row, and a line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the lower row The combination of the symbols stopped on the five active lines of the two lines respectively connecting the centers of the symbols arranged on the two diagonal lines indicates the result of the game.

  Which of the five lines is the effective line depends on the number of medals invested, and when one medal is bet, the line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the middle row is the effective line. If three medals are bet, all lines are valid lines.

  The stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are provided below the symbol changing unit 316 and correspond to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. That is, the rotation of the corresponding reels 350A, 350B, and 350C can be stopped by operating the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C by the player. As a standard game rule, the stop operation order of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C is set from left to middle to right as viewed in FIG. This is an agreement in the game specifications, and by performing the stop operation in the standard order (for example, except during the stop operation guide in RB (JAC game) or the like), the player has a disadvantage in the game specifications ( This can reduce the chances of winning a prize by a major actor.

  Further, by operating (tilting) the start lever 354 provided on the left side of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, the reels 350A, 350B, 350C start to rotate. This rotation is normally such that the three reels 350A, 350B, 350C start rotating simultaneously.

  Further, the operation timing by the start lever 354 is an internal lottery timing which will be described later, and the winning (winning) / off is determined by the operation of the start lever 354.

  Of the lines, a line aligned in a horizontal line in the upper row is used as a reference line for stop control (including slip control) to be described later. That is, stop control is performed based on the positional relationship between the reference line and the center line of the symbol located on the reference line.

  The reels 350A, 350B, and 350C do not stop between symbols, and are always controlled to stop at the symbol pitch.

  More specifically, if there is a stop operation when the center line of the first symbol on the reference line exceeds the reference line, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C cannot be reversed. The control for stopping the second symbol (less than the maximum symbol pitch) is a so-called bitter stop criterion immediately after the second symbol until the center line of the next second symbol coincides with the reference line.

(Control system)
FIG. 2 schematically shows a control block diagram for controlling the operation of the pachislot machine 300.

  The control system of the pachislot machine 300 is configured with the main control unit 100 as the center, and the main control unit 100 identifies medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 320, and the number and types of medals inserted (incorrect or And a stop button 356A, 356B, 356C, a MAX bet button 352B, and a single bet button 352A corresponding to the start lever 354 and the above-described reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, respectively. In addition, a settlement button 103 for returning a medal stored (credited) inside the gaming machine when the game is stopped is connected via a sensor (not shown) that detects an operation state.

  The main control unit 100 also includes a main control circuit 110 including a CPU. The main control circuit 110 mainly includes a RAM 128 that temporarily stores game progress and the like, and various programs. A stored ROM 130 is connected, and a clock pulse generation circuit 124 that generates a clock pulse that is a reference for the operation of the main control circuit 110 is connected via a frequency divider 126.

  In addition, a random number generator 120 and a random number sampling circuit 122 are connected to the main control circuit 110. The main control circuit 110 controls the random number generator 120 in synchronization with the clock pulse input through the frequency divider 126 to sequentially generate random numbers, and the random number sampling circuit 122 generates the random numbers. Get random numbers and sample them.

  In the pachislot machine 300, an internal lottery is performed by the main control unit 100 to determine whether a major role or a small role is won at the operation timing of the start lever 354. In the main control circuit 110, the start lever 354 is operated. Then, the random number sampling circuit 122 is instructed to acquire, sample, and output a random number, thereby deriving a lottery result according to the random number input from the random number sampling circuit 122.

  If the internal lottery is a win (combination), the player can win the number of medals according to each symbol when the winning symbols are obtained by the stop operation by the subsequent stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C. The gaming state is advantageous to the player according to the symbol.

  Here, there are small roles and big roles as roles. Among these, the major players include a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB” as appropriate) and a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB” as appropriate), and the degree of advantage to the player differs in the game corresponding to each. A game corresponding to RB (hereinafter referred to as “RB game” as appropriate) is composed of a plurality of small role games, and a game corresponding to BB (hereinafter referred to as “BB game” as appropriate) It is configured to include an RB game that can be won a plurality of times within a range where the number of acquired medals does not exceed the upper limit. Therefore, as a matter of course, the RB game is more advantageous to the player than the small role game, and the BB game is more advantageous to the player than the RB game.

  In addition, a motor drive circuit 132 is connected to the main control unit 100, and the motor drive circuit 132 includes left (L), middle (C), and right (R) reel motors 106A, 106B, Each of the left, middle, and right reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is connected via 106C.

  Further, a reel position detection circuit 134 for detecting the rotational positions of the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is connected to the main controller 100. In the main controller 100, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are connected. The position of can be grasped at any time.

  Further, in the pachislot machine 300, the symbol variation by the symbol variation unit 316 is started at the operation timing by the start lever 354. When the start lever 354 is operated, the main control unit 100 operates the motor drive circuit 132. The reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C are respectively started to rotate, and the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated, and the three stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are operated on the basis of the subsequent operations. The rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is stopped.

  Here, in the main control unit 100, when the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is stopped based on the stop operation by the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, the slip control of a predetermined number of frames is performed according to the result of the internal lottery. Is supposed to run.

  In other words, when the stop button 356A, 356B, 356C is operated at the stop timing at which the symbol that stops only on the winning line is stopped on the active line when the internal lottery is off, intentionally avoiding the stop at this symbol Therefore, control is performed so that the stop position is shifted (kicked off) and stopped at the off symbol arrangement.

  Also, when the internal lottery is won, even if the winning symbol does not stop at the stop timing operated by the player, if the winning symbol is within the predetermined number of symbols, the winning symbol is intentionally stopped on the active line. Control (pull-in) shifting the stop position.

  By kicking and pulling in the above, it is possible to make the internal lottery result and the game result uniform, and even if the stop operation timing is slightly shifted, it is possible to align the winning symbols, It prevents people from being lost.

  Here, in the slip control including kicking and pulling in as described above, the amount of slip (the number of sliding symbols) varies depending on the result of the internal lottery.

  The reels that have already stopped (generally, when the middle reel 350B is stopped, the left reel 350A is in a stopped state, and when the right reel 350C is stopped, the left reel 350A and the middle reel 350B are in a stopped state. ) Also varies depending on the state of the symbol arrangement (upper, middle, lower).

  Therefore, in the main control circuit, the stop operation timing by the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C (specification of the symbols to be bittered to the reference line) and the slip for each of the internal lottery results and the determined symbol rows A slip control table (in this embodiment, a slip frame number table and a bit data table) associated with the number of frames is stored, and the corresponding slip control table is read based on the result of the internal lottery and the determined symbol sequence The slip control is executed.

  Furthermore, among the symbols that have already been stopped, the symbol that has been selected for the internal lottery may be in a state where it is possible to win in a plurality of winning lines. In order to average the probability of winning, a score for setting a priority is assigned to the slip amount information read from the slip control table used for the slip control. The slip control table and the point addition control will be described later.

  The main control unit 100 is connected to a hopper drive circuit 136 for operating a hopper 138 provided inside the pachislot machine 300. The hopper 138 stores medals, and the main control unit 100 pays out medals from the hopper 138 via the hopper drive circuit 136 in accordance with the stop pattern specified by the output from the reel position detection circuit 134. Executed.

  Further, a medal detection sensor 140 that detects medals paid out from the hopper 138 is disposed in the vicinity of the hopper 138 and is connected to the main control unit 100 via a payout completion signal circuit 142. The payout completion signal circuit 142 determines whether or not the payout is completed based on the detection signal from the medal detection sensor 140, and generates a payout completion signal when it is determined that the payout is completed. Is input.

  When the payout completion signal is input from the payout completion signal circuit 142, the main control unit 100 ends the medal payout by the hopper 138 via the hopper driving circuit 136.

  Further, a display lamp drive circuit 144 is connected to the main control unit 100, and the 7-segment display unit 315A, the display unit 315B, the 7-segment display unit 315C, and the activation line described above are connected via the display lamp drive circuit 144. The display lamp 146 is controlled to be turned on and off.

  On the other hand, a sub-control unit 150 is connected to the main control unit 100, and the main control unit 100 inputs a command signal indicating a control state at any time to the sub-control unit 150. In the present embodiment, as communication between the main control unit 100 and the sub control unit 150, only one-way communication from the main control unit 100 to the sub control unit 150 is executed, and the sub control unit 150 performs main communication. Communication with the control unit 100 cannot be performed at all.

  A liquid crystal control circuit 152 is connected to the sub-control unit 150, and the liquid crystal control circuit 152 controls a display state of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 313 provided for production.

  Further, a lamp driving circuit 156 is connected to the sub-control unit 150, and is provided inside the lamp 112 incorporated in the decorative lamp 304A and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C via the lamp driving circuit 156. The light emission of the backlight 158 and the like that emit light toward the positions facing the symbols on the peripheral surfaces of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C displayed on the display window 314 is controlled.

  Further, a speaker drive circuit 154 is connected to the sub-control unit 150, and controls the sound (sound effect) output from the speakers 305L and 305R.

  The sub-control unit 150 executes notification effects by the LCD 313, the speakers 305L and 305R, the backlight 158, the lamp 112 built in the decoration lamp 304A, and the like according to the control state of the pachislot machine 300 of the main control unit 100.

  In particular, the LCD 313 may execute a notice effect related to the game in accordance with the result of the role lottery executed when the start lever 354 is operated, and the player sees the notice effect for the game. You can have a sense of expectation for winning in the role lottery.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing a control system for game control in the main control unit 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The main control unit 100 includes a lottery unit 180, and an operation signal indicating that the start lever 354 has been operated is input to the lottery unit 180. The lottery unit 180 executes an internal lottery with the operation of the start lever 354 after a predetermined number of medals have been inserted (bets) as a trigger.

  The lottery unit 180 acquires a random value in synchronization with the operation of the start lever 354, and sends the random value to the winning combination / symbol determination unit 184 via the table selection unit 182.

  The table selection unit 182 stores a role / symbol table (see FIG. 4) in which information indicating a role / symbol corresponding to a numerical value that can be acquired by the lottery unit 180 is stored for each gaming state of the pachislot machine 300. . Note that the gaming state of the pachislot machine 300 includes, for example, normal game, during BB internal winning, during RB internal winning, normal game during BB operation, during RB internal winning during BB operation, RB game, and the like.

  The table selection unit 182 obtains information indicating the current gaming state (in general gaming, during an RT game, when a major role flag is established, during major roles (BB, RB), etc.) from the gaming state control unit 186, and for each gaming state described above. A role / symbol table for which a role / symbol should be determined is selected from the provided role / symbol tables.

  Based on the role / symbol table selected by the table selection unit 182, the winning role / symbol determination unit 184 determines the winning role (small role (including replay), major role (RB, BB)) and the winning symbol. The determined winning combination and winning symbol are input to the gaming state control unit 186.

  The gaming state control unit 186 is connected to a gaming program memory 188 in which data indicating various programs corresponding to the gaming state of the pachislot machine 300 is stored. The game state control unit 186 mainly controls the game state by reading and executing game program data corresponding to the game state from the game program memory 188 as appropriate by the game execution control unit 186A.

  The game program memory 188 stores data indicating a normal game program and data indicating a major game program. For example, in the normal game state, the normal game program data is read from the game program memory 188. In the case of the big game state, the big game program data is read according to the internal winning state of BB and RB and the respective game states of BB and RB, and processing is executed based on each program data.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 100 is configured to include a reel drive control unit 194. Based on the start operation of the start lever 354, after a lapse of 4.1 seconds from the start of the previous game, the motor drive unit 132 is provided. Then, the reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C are driven to start rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  Further, the reel drive control unit 194 performs stop control for stopping the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C based on the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C.

  Position detection sensors 198A, 198B, and 198C are attached to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, respectively, and are connected to the reel drive control unit 194 via the reel position detection circuit 134. The reel drive control unit 194 recognizes the respective rotation positions of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, stops the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C in consideration of the slip control, and stops the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C that have stopped. The symbol array is sent to the gaming state control unit 186.

  Based on the symbol arrangement of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C that have been stopped, the gaming state control unit 186 confirms whether or not a winning combination has been won. If the winning combination is a small winning combination, a predetermined payout is made and a winning combination is made. If the winning combination is replay, replay control is executed, and if the winning combination is a leading role, the gaming execution control unit 186A reads the leading role gaming program from the gaming program memory 188 and executes it.

  In addition, the regular bonus game program and the big bonus game program are separately stored in the major player program, and are selectively read based on the elected major player.

  In the regular bonus program, a maximum of 12 games (maximum number of games) can be executed in the state that the lottery probability of the small role is higher than the lottery probability during the normal game as the right exercise. The regular bonus game ends when the player wins a maximum of eight times (maximum number of winnings) during any of these 12 games.

  On the other hand, in the big bonus program, a regular bonus game can be executed with high probability as an exercise of rights, and if the number of games acquired in the big bonus game reaches a preset upper limit number, even if the regular bonus game is being executed The big bonus game ends. In the present embodiment, the winning probability of the small role in the big bonus game is almost the same as that in the normal game.

  In addition, a flag memory 192 is connected to the gaming state control unit 186 via the flag management control unit 190, and the internal winning state of the combination corresponding to the winning result of the internal lottery described above is managed by the state of the flag. Yes.

  Each flag is established by winning by internal lottery. Generally, the state of the small role flag disappears in one game (flag is not established) (invalidity of winning), but the state of the flag of the major role is then changed to each reel. 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped and the main character symbols are displayed in a predetermined arrangement on the display window 314, and are maintained until winning the main character (winning carry-over).

  Note that the flag memory 192 is connected to the reel drive control unit 194 described above, and the state of the flag stored in the flag memory 192 is based on the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C by the reel drive control unit 194. This is applied as a parameter for pull-in or kick-out slip control during stop control.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for executing stop control of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C in consideration of slip control in the reel drive control unit 194.

  The stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C are connected to the reference line upper symbol determination unit 200. The reference line upper symbol determination unit 200 recognizes the symbol position when the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C (respectively) are operated by a signal from the reel position detection circuit 134, and the symbol at the time of so-called bitter stop. Identify. The reference line is the upper line.

  The specified bittering stop information is sent to the point calculation unit 201.

  On the other hand, the flag memory 192 is connected to the flag determination unit 204. The flag determination unit 204 determines the state of the flag at the current time (current game), and sends information on the determination result to the table reading unit 206.

  A slip control table memory 208 is connected to the table reading unit 206. The slip control table memory 208 includes a plurality of bit data tables 208 (x) (x = 1, 2,..., A-1, a) set for each gaming state (internal lottery result) and a plurality of slips. A frame number table 208 (y) (y = 1, 2,..., B−1, b) is stored (a and b are positive integers).

  That is, in the slip control table memory 208, a slip frame number table 208 (y) in which the number of slip frames is stored for the first reel stop control and a bit for each frame for the second and subsequent reel stop control. A bit data table 208 (x) to which data is added is mixedly stored.

  The table reading unit 206 selects and reads out the corresponding bit data table 208 (x) and the sliding frame number table 208 (y) based on the determination result from the flag determination unit 204, and adds the point calculation unit 201. To send.

  In the point calculation unit 201, based on the bit data assigned to each symbol, a basic point calculation for adding a preset number of points (n, m) and a template (for example, the left reel 350A has already stopped, A tempering point addition operation is performed to add a point (p) to a symbol that can become a winning state when the middle reel 350B is stopped this time.

  The point calculation result executed by the point calculation unit 201 is sent to the slip control amount selection unit 202.

  The slip control amount selection unit 202 selects a slip amount (the number of slip frames) based on the score state of each symbol and sends it to the drive signal output unit 210. Accordingly, the drive signal output unit 210 controls the motor drive circuit 132 to stop the reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C at a predetermined time.

  The driving signal output unit 210 is connected to the gaming state control unit 186 (see FIG. 3) and a start lever 354, and the reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C are also controlled during the start control of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. Control the drive.

  Here, as a stop operation order of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, the order of the left reel 350A → the middle reel 350B → the right reel 350C is a standard rule (this is not necessarily the case when playing a major role). Bit data is created on the premise of the stopping order of such a standard rule.

  However, since the stop operation is left to the player's will, the stop operation may be executed in an irregular stop order. In such an irregular stop operation, if the bit data used in the standard rule is applied as it is, there is a possibility that a malfunction (for example, unfair winning prize) may occur (details will be described later).

  Hereinafter, according to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, with respect to the basic point calculation and the tempe point calculation, the right reel 350C is irregularly stopped for the first time, and then the middle reel 350B is stopped as an example. Show the flow. 6 shows the correlation of Table 1, Table 3, Table 6, and Table 8 shown below. FIG. 7 shows the correlation of Table 2, Table 4, Table 7, and Table 9 shown below. Show. The contents described are the same as those described in each table.

  Table 1 (A) shows the slip read by the table reading unit 206 from the slip control table memory 208 as reel stop control when the right reel 350C is set as the first stop target reel when “BELL” is internally won. In the frame number table 208 (y), in the pattern of Table 1 (B), No. in Table 1 (A). The stop symbol arrangement of the right reel 350C when the stop operation was performed at any of the positions 2 and 3, indicating that the upper stage was stopped at “Red 7”, the middle stage at “Watermelon”, and the lower stage at “Bell”. In the pattern of Table 2, No. of Table 1 (A). Arrangement of stop symbols of the right reel 350C when stop operation is performed at any of the positions 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. The upper row is “bell”, the middle row is “watermelon”, and the lower row is “red 7”. It shows that it stopped at.

  When the symbol stops on the right reel 350A, the bit data shown in Tables 3 and 4 are read from the middle reel 350B. It should be noted that the same bit data can be applied to the patterns in Table 1 (B) and Table 2.

  Based on this bit data, +1 as a score n is assigned to the bit data “0” and +4 as a score m is assigned to the bit data “1” as basic points.

  Next, what is executed is a tempering point addition. Usually, a point p is added to the bit data “1” (hereinafter, assuming that “Bell” is internally won, To do). In this embodiment, since bit data is common to the patterns in Table 1 and Table 2, a temper search is performed in each of them to determine points to be added (see Tables 3 and 4).

  Table 3 is a tempering score corresponding to the stop symbol state of Table 1 (B), and Table 4 is a tempering score corresponding to the stop symbol state of Table 2.

  By the way, in a state where “Bell” is won internally, as shown in Table 1 (B) and Table 2 above, the right reel 350C is irregularly stopped for the first time, and then the middle reel 350B → the left reel. When the stop operation is performed in the order of 350A, bit data for winning the “bell” is read. In this case, in the pattern of Table 1 (B), if the “bell” is stopped at the middle stage and the lower stage of the middle reel 350B, the winning line goes down to the lower side (that is, the upper and lower stages of the left reel 350A). Can be configured. In the pattern of Table 2, if the “bell” is stopped at the middle stage and the upper stage of the middle reel 350B, it is possible to configure an upward winning line (that is, the lower and upper stages of the left reel 350A).

  However, in each winning line, depending on the symbol arrangement (see Table 5) of the left reel 350A, when the “bell” is stopped on the winning line, it is displayed on the display window 314 which is a display unit for displaying the reel symbol. In this case, regardless of the symbol arrangement state in the display window 314 in the remaining reels, the symbol (“cherry”) that becomes the winning prize may be stopped together.

  Specifically, in the pattern shown in Table 1, the lower line is a winning line (the lower stage of the left reel 350). When stopped at 7, 8, 9 (bar, cherry, bell), or in the pattern of Table 2, the right-up is the winning line, and the left reel 350A is the symbol No. of Table 5 in order from the top. This is when stopping at 7, 8, 9 (bar, cherry, bell). Such a “Bell” winning is not preferable because it causes an unsuccessful winning “Cherry” that is not won internally.

  According to the symbol arrangement of the left reel 350A in the present embodiment, a common winning line for the pattern in Table 1 and the pattern in Table 2 is appropriate when the “bell” stops at the upper stage of the left reel 350A. ("Cherry" is not displayed on the display window 314 at the upper stage of the left reel 350A).

  Therefore, in addition to the tempering points p, as shown in Table 5, considering the symbol arrangement of the left reel 350A, priority points are set so that each winning line (5 lines in total) is preferentially won. A winning line that will not be won unfairly is specified based on the receiving position (upper receiving, middle receiving, lower receiving) of the left reel 350A, and priority added (+1) to each symbol of the specified winning line Was added.

  In this embodiment, when the “bell” is won, the upper receiving of the left reel 350A can avoid the “cherry” unfair winning winning, so that the winning line (upline and lower right (right) Sag) line) block is selected.

  In this embodiment, the “bell” is easily stopped at the upper stage by adding the priority added points set to the selected block after the tempering points are added (see the point addition results in Tables 3 and 4).

  The stop operation of the middle reel 350B can be performed when the addition operation of the basic addition point, the tempe addition point, and the priority addition point is completed. However, since the calculation is very short time, the stop button is not uncomfortable for the player. The operation of 356B is performed.

  Tables 6 and 7 show the scores for the frames within the slip control range for each of the 21 symbols given to the middle reel 350B. Table 6 is created based on Tables 1 and 3, and Table 7 is created based on Tables 2 and 4.

  In the slip control, as viewed from the lower end of the column (biter stop position), the design having the first highest score is stopped, and the results are shown in Tables 8 and 9. . Table 8 shows the results based on Table 6, and Table 9 shows the results based on Table 7.

  In Tables 8 and 9, the upper, middle and lower stop symbols of the middle reel 350B are expressed by the numbers shown in Tables 3 and 4, and the "bell" is won in the internal part. The position for “Tempering” of the “bell” when the right reel 350C stops for the first time is determined. In Table 8, all the “bells” stop at the middle stage and become a tempe in the paying line descending to the right (see FIG. 8A). In Table 9, all the “bells” stop at the upper stage and become a tempe in the upper winning line (see FIG. 8B).

  The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

  First, the flow of normal games will be described.

  In the state where the medal is credited (or the medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit 320), the betting of the medal is completed by the operation of the single bet button 352A or the maximum bet button 352B, or the medal insertion unit When a bet is completed by inserting a medal from 320, the start lever 354 can be operated.

  When the start lever 354 is operated, an internal lottery is performed by the lottery unit 180 simultaneously with this operation, and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C start rotating under the control of the reel drive control unit 194.

  The result of the internal lottery is transmitted from the winning combination / symbol determination unit 184 to the gaming state control unit 186. The gaming state control unit 186 updates and stores the flag state of the flag memory 192 according to the result of the internal lottery via the flag management control unit 190.

  Thereafter, when the player operates the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, the stop operation stops the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. However, according to the flag stored in the flag memory 192, the slip control is taken into consideration. Then, stop control of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is executed so that the corresponding symbol is pulled into the predetermined position or kicked from the predetermined position. That is, the reel drive control unit 194 selects the stop control table according to the state of the flag stored in the flag memory 192 and the game state by the game state control unit 186, and the flag is established. In this case, the winning symbol can be stopped by an accurate pressing timing. Further, a slight shift in the stop operation timing is corrected by slip control. On the other hand, if the flag is not established, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are caused to slip even if they are pushed, so that they do not stop at the winning symbol.

  Next, when all the reels 350A, 350B, 350C are stopped, a winning determination is made as to whether or not a winning is made based on the stopped symbols. When winning, the winning combination is also determined.

  If it is determined by this determination that the major player has won a prize, the bonus game control of the big bonus (BB) or regular bonus (RB) is executed (exercises the right) according to the stop pattern, and it is determined that the player is a minor. In this case, predetermined payout control preset for the small combination is executed.

  Here, when stop operations by the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are sequentially executed in accordance with standard rules (left reel 350A → middle reel 350B → right reel 350C), the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped in order in advance. Stop control including slip control is executed based on the determined bit data.

  On the other hand, if an irregular operation is performed when operating the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, an improper winning prize may be generated in the stop control based on the bit data.

  For example, when “Bell” is internally won and the stop operation is irregularly performed in the order of right reel 350C → middle reel 350B → left reel 350A, if the right reel 350C has the symbol arrangement shown in Table 1, The middle reel 350B is controlled to stop so that a winning can be made on the lower winning line. At this time, in order to win a winning line in the lower row, symbol No. When stopped at 7, 8, or 9, "Cherry" not won internally (related to the symbol arrangement state on the display window 314 in the remaining reels when displayed on the display window 314 which is a display unit for displaying reel symbols) The winning design will stop, and the winner will be unfairly won.

  In order to avoid such unfavorable winnings, either kick off with a slip control so that there is no legitimate winning on the winning line from the beginning, or create bit data according to various irregular stops and store it As a result, it was necessary not only to reduce the player's willingness to play but also to have a huge memory capacity.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a point calculation process is performed on the assigned bit data by a temper search, and the receiving position of the left reel 350A is specified for an irregular stop operation, and the receiving position is determined. Priority points are added so that the winning line based on the above will be preferentially won.

  In the following, a point calculation process (including priority point addition) routine in the irregular stop operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 250, it is determined whether or not the right reel 350C has been stopped. If a negative determination is made, this routine ends. If an affirmative determination is made in step 250, the process proceeds to step 252 to determine the stop symbol (upper, middle, lower) of the right reel 350C. For example, as shown in Table 1, it is determined that “red 7”, “watermelon”, and “bell” have stopped in the upper, middle, and lower stages, respectively. Alternatively, as shown in Table 2, it is determined that “bell”, “watermelon”, and “red 7” have stopped in the upper, middle, and lower stages, respectively. The above example is a case where “Bell” has won internally, and Table 1 (B) or Table 2 is selected according to the stop operation timing of Table 1 (A).

  In the next step 254, based on the symbol arrangement of the right reel 350C and the result of the internal lottery (here, “bell”), bit data for stopping the middle reel 350B in consideration of slip control is read (table 5), the process proceeds to step 260.

  In step 260, first, basic point addition processing is executed.

  In the basic point addition process, n points (here, +1 point) are added to the read bit data “0”, and m points (here, +4 points) are added to the bit data “1”.

  In the next step 262, a tempering process is executed. In the tempering point adding process, a predetermined number of points (p points) is added to the symbol corresponding to the role being tempered. Here, since the tempering is performed on the “bell”, the “bell” is tempered. The position is searched and p point (+8) is added.

  In the next step 264, priority points for avoiding unfair winning prizes are added to the score of each symbol that has been added to the temper. As shown in Table 5, the arrangement points are set for each winning line based on the symbol arrangement of the left reel 350A. In the present embodiment, a winning line for “BELL” winning is specified at the upper stage of the left reel 350A, and a priority additional point (+1 point) is given so that “BELL” wins preferentially in the specified winning line. Append. By adding this priority added point, in the middle reel 350B, the “bell” stops at the upper stage or the middle stage.

  In Table 1 (B), the “bell” is stopped at the middle stage of the middle reel 350B, so that it can be limited to the lower-right winning line that is the upper stage receiver of the left reel 350A. By stopping at the upper stage of the middle reel 350B, it can be limited to the upper winning line that is the upper stage receiver of the left reel 350A, and in both cases, the stop position of the “bell” on the left reel 350A is set to the upper stage. Can do.

  After the addition of the basic points, the tempering points, and the priority points, if there is a stop operation by the stop button 356B of the middle reel 350B (step 264), in step 268, the symbol having the highest score is placed on the upper stage of the middle reel 350B. Slip control is performed to stop, and this routine ends.

  In addition, in the case of score processing that can give relatively superiority or inferiority, not limited to the score processing, for example, origin processing, the above-mentioned “symbol number with the highest score” is replaced with “symbol number with the lowest score”. Just do it. Also, it may be an absolute value without considering plus / minus signs. Further, other four arithmetic calculations (multiplication, division) other than addition and subtraction may be used.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when “bell” is internally won, when an irregular stop operation (right reel 350C → middle reel 350B → left reel 350A) is performed, the left reel 350A Based on the receiving position, the winning line of “Bell” is specified, and in order to preferentially win the specified winning line, the priority score set for each of the specified winning lines is set to the score obtained from the bit data. By adding the “bell” winning stop control on the left reel 350A, “cherry” that is not won internally (displayed on the remaining reels when displayed on the display window 314, which is a display unit for displaying reel symbols) Regardless of the symbol arrangement state in the window 314, it is possible to prevent the winning symbol) from being stopped and becoming an unfavorable winning prize.

  In order to avoid unfairly winning prizes in the game machines such as slot machines that use medals, coins, game balls, etc. as gaming media, especially pachislot machines, to avoid unfairly winning prizes, avoid right prizes. This prevents the player from feeling uncomfortable. In addition, in the stop control of the middle reel 350B, since the bit data is not used separately but is handled by a calculation process of adding a priority added point, the memory capacity is not made redundant.

It is a perspective view of the pachi-slot machine concerning this embodiment. It is the schematic of the control system of a pachislot machine. It is the block diagram which showed functionally the control system for normal game control in a main control part. It is a chart which shows the winning discrimination table selected during the general game in a selection table. It is a functional block diagram for performing reel stop control in consideration of slip control in the reel drive control unit. When "BELL" is elected internally, the bit data specialized for middle reel stop control under irregular stop, and the process of adding points and adding array points are shown based on Table 1, Table 3, Table 6, and Table 8. FIG. When "BELL" is elected internally, the bit data specialized for middle reel stop control under irregular stop, the process of adding points, and adding array points are shown based on Table 2, Table 4, Table 7, and Table 9. FIG. (A) is a front view showing the specified state of the winning line after stopping the right reel of Table 1, and (B) is a front view showing the specified state of the winning line after stopping the right reel of Table 2. It is a flowchart which shows a middle reel stop control routine under an irregular stop including a point addition process and an array point.

Explanation of symbols

100 Main control unit (lottery means)
150 Sub-control unit 152 Liquid crystal control circuit 182 Table selection unit 186 Game state control unit 186A Game execution control unit (game execution control means)
192 Flag memory 194 Reel drive control unit (stop control means)
200 Reference Line Upper Symbol Determination Unit 201 Adding Point Calculation Unit (Adding Unit, Line Priority Adding Unit)
202 Slip control amount selection unit 204 Flag determination unit 206 Table reading unit 208 Bit data table memory (bit data storage means)
210 Drive signal output unit (stop control execution means)
300 pachislot machines (game machines)
313 LCD
314 Display window 352B Max bet button 354 Start lever 350A, 350B, 350C Reel (display device)
356A, 356B, 356C Stop button

Claims (3)

At least three reels that start rotational driving based on a starting operation are provided, and a plurality of symbols arranged at a predetermined pitch on the peripheral surface of the reels can be displayed on the display unit. A gaming machine having a display device set including a winning line of
Based on the start operation timing, lottery means for executing a lottery of a preset role;
A game that executes payout of game media corresponding to the winning combination on the winning line when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination by the lottery means can be aligned with any of the winning lines by the stop operation Execution control means;
Based on the stop operation timing under a standard rule order that complies with the stop order of at least three reels that have been standardized in advance, a predetermined step-by-step slip with the symbol pitch set in advance as each reel as a unit frame Stop control means for stopping rotation of the reel so as to notify the result of the winning lottery on the winning line based on at least the result of the winning lottery by the lottery means within the range of the number of frames ,
The stop control means is
A sliding frame number table storage means that is set based on the lottery result of the combination for the reel that has been stopped for the first time, and that determines the number of sliding frames for each stop operation timing of the reel;
For reels for which the stop operation has been performed after the second time, the reel is set based on the lottery result of the combination and the symbol arrangement state on the display unit in the already stopped reel, and is stopped in the state at the time of the stop operation. A bit data table storage means for storing any one of binary bit data composed of a stop code that is an identification code and a slip code that is an identification code for executing slipping for one frame;
It is executed prior to the second and subsequent stop operations, and based on the result of the winning lottery and the symbol arrangement state on the display unit in the already stopped reel, Basic numerical value adding means for adding a numerical value that is superior to the sliding code to the stop code and the sliding code of the bit data given to each symbol;
In the case where the reel to be stopped at least first in the standard rule order is stopped in an irregular stop order that is to be stopped last, the numerical value is added by the basic numerical value adding means. If the winning combination is within the range of the predetermined number of sliding frames at the stop operation timing, it can be displayed on the display unit, and from the second time in the irregular stop order, the last Priority is given to each winning line in order to select a winning line in which a part that has not been internally won among non-stop reels within the range of reels to be stopped immediately before the reel to be stopped is selected. A line priority value adding means for setting a numerical value and adding the line priority value;
A stop control execution means for executing the stop control with the numerical value added by the basic numerical value adding means and the symbol positioned most dominantly among the final numerical values added by the line priority numerical value adding means,
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:   The three reels are arranged, and the line priority value adding means is
  For the first stop operation that is the first time in the irregular stop order, the same stop control as the stop control based on the sliding frame number table in the reel stop operation order in the standard rule order is executed,
  Regarding the second stop operation in the irregular stop order, a combination in which the symbol arrangement by three reels is not internally won by the last stop operation which is the third time is displayed on the display unit and the winning 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to avoid stopping in the symbol arrangement state. The symbol corresponding to the winning combination that is unfairly won in the irregular stopping order is given to the reel on which the stopping operation is executed for the first time under the standard order, and remains when displayed on the display unit. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the game machine is a symbol that can be won regardless of the symbol arrangement state on the display section of the reel.

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