JP4125860B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a slot machine, a pachinko gaming machine, and other gaming machines provided with a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols necessary for a game, and a control means such as a microcomputer that controls variable display of the variable display device. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a gaming machine called a slot machine or a pachislot machine has a variable display device mechanically configured by arranging a plurality of rotating reels representing a plurality of symbols in a front display window, or a symbol on the screen. In accordance with a player's start operation, the control means drives the variable display device to rotate each reel and automatically or after a certain time When the rotation of each reel is sequentially stopped by the stop operation of the user, when the symbols of the reels appearing in the display window are in a specific combination (winning symbol), the game media such as medals and coins are paid out. However, in the current mainstream models, there are multiple types of winnings, and when a specific winning pattern is reached, a single medal is not paid out. The control hand Variable display of control condition are converted to special conditions for a predetermined period of time, the winning of giving usually benefit enjoy "general game" good conditions than "specific game" which is carried out to the player are provided by.
[0003]
As this type of prize, there is a special increase prize that has been in a state where it is easy to arrange the winning symbols where medals are paid out, a special prize that has a relatively short period, and a stop operation by the player There are so-called challenge time (CT) prizes in which variable display stop control is performed, prizes of combinations of these, and the like.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a prize, even if a winning symbol appears, a large number of medals are not immediately paid out, so the player cannot recognize that the gaming state has changed due to the winning prize, I sometimes didn't notice the benefits and felt joy.
[0005]
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to make the player recognize the type of winning and notice that the gaming state is changing, that is, the control means is performing variable display control under conditions favorable to the player. Therefore, it is to provide a gaming machine that can sufficiently enjoy the “specific game” acquired by the player.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The gaming machine of the present invention includes a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game, a control means for controlling the variable display of the variable display means based on the result of random number lottery, and a plurality of types of music Sound generating means capable of generating a BB game in which the display mode when the variable display is stopped is in a gaming state in which a winning combination of symbols is likely to be established, or the BB game and a predetermined state. If the winning combination is a symbol combination that starts a combination game with a CT game that stops the stop control based on the random number lottery, the game control is performed under the control conditions corresponding to the symbol combination. A music piece corresponding to the control condition executed by is generated.
[0007]
In an embodiment of the present invention, the control means selects a control condition corresponding to the symbol combination from a plurality of predetermined control conditions.
[0008]
The sound generation means is controlled by the control means to generate music corresponding to the control condition, or includes a sound control unit that selects music corresponding to the control condition.
[0009]
The variable display device according to the present invention may be anything that can move and display a plurality of symbol (symbol) rows, and has a mechanical configuration for rotating and driving a reel having a symbol row on the outer peripheral surface, or a liquid crystal, LED, Includes those that electrically move and display symbols, such as CRT. The control means only needs to be configured to determine whether or not a prize is won by random number extraction or the like and to execute variable display stop control based on the determination result, and a microcomputer of a gaming machine is preferable. Used for.
[0010]
When a plurality of symbol sequences to be variably displayed is provided, when a CT winning occurs, the control means can switch to stop control corresponding to the player's stop operation for all or at least one symbol sequence of the symbol sequence.
[0011]
[Action and effect]
According to the present invention, the control means controls to stop the variable display of the variable display means based on the result of the random number lottery. Then, the display mode when the variable display is stopped cancels the stop control based on the random number lottery for the BB game or the BB game and the predetermined winning combination in which the winning combination is easily established for a predetermined period. In the case of a symbol combination for starting a combination game with a CT game, game control is performed under the control conditions corresponding to the symbol combination. The sound generating means generates music corresponding to this control condition.
[0012]
Therefore, the player can determine what gaming state is to be achieved according to the display mode when the variable display is stopped by listening to the generated music. Specifically, it is difficult to judge whether it is a BB game or a combination game of this and a CT game only by the display mode at the time of stop, but the player recognizes a special game state by the occurrence of music, You can devote yourself to the game with that attitude.
[0013]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the control means selects a control condition corresponding to a symbol combination for starting the BB game or a combination game of the BB game and the CT game from a plurality of predetermined control conditions.
[0014]
The sound generating means is controlled to generate music corresponding to the control condition by the control means, or the music control section selects and generates music corresponding to the control condition.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This slot machine 1 is a gaming machine that uses medals, coins, tokens, or the like as game media, and will be described below using medals.
[0016]
Three display windows 3L, 3C, 3R arranged side by side are provided in front of the cabinet 2 forming the whole slot machine 1, and three symbols are displayed vertically in each display window.
[0017]
FIG. 4 shows a symbol sequence used in the slot machine 1. These symbols are drawn on the surface of the sheet that forms the circumferential surfaces of the three rotary reels 4L, 4C, 4R arranged inside the cabinet 2 corresponding to the display windows 3L, 3C, 3R.
[0018]
A start lever 5 for rotating the reel by a player's operation is attached to the lower left side of the display window in front of the cabinet 2 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range.
[0019]
On the lower right side of the display window 3R, there is provided a medal insertion slot 6 for inserting a medal of a game medium. Above the medal insertion slot 6, a credit display portion 7A for displaying the number of medals currently credited is paid out. A payout display portion 7B for displaying the number of medals is provided. Each display unit is composed of 7-segment LEDs. The display means is not limited to an LED, and an LCD (liquid crystal) element or any other desired one can be used.
[0020]
On the lower left side of the display window 3L, there are provided an insertion button 17 for inserting a credited medal for the game and a C / P switch 8 for switching credit / payout of the medal acquired by the player by a push button operation. Yes.
[0021]
Along with the start lever 5, stop buttons 9L, 9C, and 9R operated by the player to stop the rotation of the reels are arranged.
[0022]
A medal payout opening 12 and a medal receiving portion 13 for collecting the payout medals are arranged at the lower front portion of the cabinet 2.
[0023]
On the lower right side of the medal payout opening 12, a sound generation unit 10 including a number of sound output holes is provided. Sound is emitted from the speaker 15 (FIG. 2) disposed inside the cabinet 2 through the sound generator 10. The speaker 15 can output a plurality of types of sounds and a plurality of types of music, and is a sound generating means in the gaming machine 1.
[0024]
Above the display window on the front of the cabinet is provided a display surface 16 on which a payout table indicating how many medals are paid out in response to a prize is provided, and the upper edge of the display surface 16 is formed as an effectable portion 11 capable of emitting light. Has been. The production unit 11 includes a large number of LEDs, and can display various productions and information by operations such as lighting, blinking, and extinguishing.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration including a control unit that controls the game processing operation in the slot machine 1 and a peripheral device (actuator) electrically connected thereto.
[0026]
In this case, the control means includes the microcomputer 20 as a main component, and is added to a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 20 includes a CPU 21 that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program, a ROM 22 and a RAM 23 that are storage means, and the CPU 21 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 24 that generates a reference clock pulse, a frequency divider 25, and a sampling unit. A random number generator 26 for generating random numbers and a random number sampling circuit 27 are connected. In addition, as a means for random number sampling, you may comprise so that random number sampling may be performed within the microcomputer 20, ie, on the operation program of CPU21. In that case, the random number generator 26 and the random number sampling circuit 27 can be omitted, or can be left as a backup for the random number sampling operation.
[0027]
The ROM 22 of the microcomputer 20 stores data for winning determination including a winning probability table used for determination of random number sampling.
[0028]
The ROM 22 further stores data for generating a plurality of types of sounds and a plurality of types of music, and data for determining a sound generated based on a stop symbol when the reel is stopped. In the circuit of FIG. 2, the main actuators whose operation is controlled by the control signal from the microcomputer 20 are the stepping motors 14L, 14C, 14R for rotating the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, respectively, and the game media medal. , A hopper (including a payout drive unit) 30, a light source for the display units 7 A and 7 B and the effect unit 11, and a speaker 15, a motor drive circuit 31, a hopper drive circuit 32, and a light source drive circuit 37. The sound output circuit 38 is connected to the output unit of the CPU 21. Each of these drive circuits receives a control signal such as a drive command output from the CPU 21 and controls the operation of each actuator.
[0029]
The main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 20 to generate a control signal is a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 6 or a credit input by pressing the insertion button 17. A reel stop signal circuit for generating a stop signal in response to an operation of the medal sensor 6S for detecting the received medal, the start switch 5S for detecting the operation of the start lever 5, the C / P switch 8, and the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R. 34, and a reel position detection circuit 35 that receives a pulse signal from the reel rotation sensor and supplies a signal for detecting the position of each reel to the CPU 21, and a count value of the medal detection unit 33 (which is paid out from the hopper 30). When the number of medals reaches the designated number data, a signal for detecting completion of medal payout is supplied to the CPU 21. That there is a payout completion signal circuit 36.
[0030]
In the circuit of FIG. 2, the random number generator 26 generates a random number belonging to a predetermined numerical range, and the random number sampling circuit 27 samples one random number at an appropriate timing after the start lever 5 is operated. It is determined whether the random number extracted in this way belongs to a predetermined winning area stored in the storage unit in the ROM 22, and a signal based on the determination result is generated.
[0031]
After the rotation of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R is started, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 14L, 14C, 14R is counted, and the counted value is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 23. From the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, reset pulses are obtained for each rotation, and these pulses are input to the CPU 21 via the reel position detection circuit 35. The CPU 21 clears the drive pulse count value stored in the RAM 23 to “0” by the reset pulse thus obtained. As a result, the RAM 23 stores the count value corresponding to the rotational position within the range of one rotation for each of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R.
[0032]
The control unit determines the stop position of each reel 4L, 4C, 4R based on the signal generated by the determination of the random number, and sends a signal for controlling the reel to stop at that position to the motor drive circuit.
[0033]
When the control unit detects a stop signal generated by operating the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, it stops the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, respectively.
[0034]
Data for winning determination stored in the ROM 22 includes a winning symbol combination table for associating winning symbol combinations, winning medal dividends, and winning determination codes representing the winnings, This is referred to when controlling each reel 4L, 4C, 4R and when confirming winnings after all reels are stopped.
[0035]
As data for determining the sound and music generated based on the stop symbol when the reel is stopped stored in the ROM 22, a table for associating the winning symbol combination table with the type of music or the type of sound is included. ing. By this table, the type of music or the type of sound is determined by winning confirmation after all reels are stopped.
[0036]
The ROM 22 stores a program (sequence program) for executing a game on the slot machine 1.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a symbol row provided on the outer peripheral surface of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R of the slot machine 1.
[0038]
Each symbol row is provided with “7”, “ 7 ”, and “BAR”, which are symbols having special meanings.
[0039]
The slot machine 1 is set with special increase prize games (hereinafter referred to as BB games), special prize games (hereinafter referred to as RB games), and challenge time games (hereinafter referred to as CT games) having different control conditions for variable display. When the reels 4L, 4C, 4R are stopped, a BB game is generated when “ 7 ” is aligned on the pay line, a combination of BB game and CT game is generated when “ 7 ” is aligned, and “BAR” is aligned. RB game occurs.
[0040]
In this gaming machine, a general gaming state is entered at the start of the game, random number sampling is performed each time the start lever 5 is operated, and one of the most advantageous combinations of BB games and CT games, BB games, RB games, and bonus items. The winning or losing determination is made.
[0041]
In this gaming machine, there is no stop symbol for generating a CT prize alone, but a stop symbol for generating a CT game alone is set, and a winning judgment for determining the occurrence of a CT game is performed. It may be performed every game, every occurrence or end of BB game, and every occurrence or end of RB game. In addition, a stop symbol in which a winning combination of the RB game and the CT game is generated may be set.
[0042]
In the BB game, the variable display is controlled under the most advantageous control conditions for the player generated by the winning symbol “7-7-7”, and a prize can be generated up to 30 times in succession and a large number of medals can be obtained. In this state, the same RB game described below has occurred three times. During the BB game, the winning determination of the BB game, the RB game, and the CT game is not performed, but only the winning determination of the bonus item is performed. In the slot machine 1, when the winning symbol “7-7-7” is generated, the variable display control condition corresponds to the BB game, and is determined corresponding to the BB game during the BB game. Music is generated from the speaker 15.
[0043]
The player can recognize that the game state is BB game by listening to the music generated from the speaker 15.
[0044]
The RB game is generated by the stop symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR”, and the variable display is controlled under a control condition in which a state where a winning combination is likely to occur continuously for a maximum of 12 times continues. During the RB game, the winning determination of the BB game, the RB game, and the CT game is not performed as in the BB game, and only the winning determination of the bonus is performed. In the gaming machine 1, when the variable display stops at the winning symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR”, the control condition corresponds to the RB game and is determined to correspond to the RB game during the RB game. Music is generated from the speaker 15.
[0045]
The player can recognize the RB game by listening to the music generated from the speaker 15.
[0046]
The combination of the BB game and the CT game, the winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" (7 refers to the ribbon with 7) generated by, after the end of CT game of the BB game is generated. In the slot machine 1, the winning symbol when "7 - 7 - 7" occurs, the speaker 15, the winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" set music occurs because, BB gaming and CT game ends Until this song flows. By listening to this music, the player can know that not only the BB game but also the CT game can be performed.
[0047]
In the CT game, the reel is stopped based on the stop operation of the player, but in the slot machine 1, random number sampling is performed every time the start lever 5 is operated, and winning determination of the BB game and the RB game is performed. When winning, the control unit performs reel stop control according to the winning. The CT game and the winning combination of the bonus item are not determined.
[0048]
FIG. 3 shows the relationship between a specific game and a general game with different control conditions for variable display in the slot machine 1. When the variable display is stopped for each winning symbol during the general game, the corresponding specific game is started.
[0049]
Each of the specific games has a variable display control condition different from that of the general game, so that while the specific game is being performed, the music set in advance corresponding to the winning symbol for starting each specific game is received from the speaker 15. Generated.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the BB game, the RB game, or the CT game ends, the control returns to the general game. In the general game, since there is no special control condition, no special music is generated from the speaker 15.
[0051]
In the case of winning the combination of BB game or RB game and CT game, the game shifts to CT game when BB game or RB game ends. From the speaker 15, the music set corresponding to each combination winning is generated.
[0052]
If the BB game is won during the CT game, the CT game is ended and the BB game is started. The music corresponding to the CT game or the BB game generated by the speaker 15 or the combination winning combination of the RB game and the CT game is changed to a music corresponding to the BB game.
[0053]
If the RB game is won during the CT game, the CT game is interrupted, the RB game is interrupted, and when the RB game ends, the remaining CT games are resumed. The music generated from the speaker 15 is changed to the music corresponding to the RB game as the music of the CT game, and when the CT game is resumed, the music is changed again to the original CT game.
[0054]
Each symbol row is provided with “葡萄” 40, “JAC” 41, and “orange” 42 which are accessory symbols. When the reels 4L, 4C, 4R are stopped, when these symbols are aligned on the winning line, a winning combination is won and a predetermined number of medals are paid out.
[0055]
In the slot machine 1, when the variable display stops when the “7”, “ 7 ”, and “BAR” are aligned on the winning line, the control condition of the control unit is specially defined. They are also different.
[0056]
On the other hand, when “JAC”, “葡萄” and “Orange” are prepared, only one game medium is paid out, so that the sound set as the winning / paying sound is generated. However, it may be set to generate different sounds according to each design.
[0057]
The ROM 22 stores data for generating a sound or music corresponding to the stop symbol. When the variable display is stopped, the microcomputer 20 selects a control condition corresponding to the stop symbol and then selects it. The variable display is controlled under the control conditions selected, the music corresponding to the stop symbol is selected, and a command to generate the music is output to the sound generation circuit while the selected control conditions continue.
[0058]
5 and 6 are flowcharts of operations related to sound generation by the control unit of the slot machine 1.
[0059]
In the “general game” that is the normal state of the gaming machine 1, the control unit determines whether or not the reel rotation start condition is satisfied (ST1). When a medal is inserted and a signal is output from the medal sensor 6S and the start lever 5 is operated and the start switch 5S is turned on, it is determined as “YES” and the reels 4L, 4C, and 4R start to rotate (ST2).
[0060]
A random number is extracted and a winning determination is made (ST3). When the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R are pressed and the stop condition is satisfied (ST4), the reel is controlled to stop (ST5).
[0061]
Stop symbols are the winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" or is whether determined (ST6), if it is determined that "YES", the speaker 15, the winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" set songs for (ST7), the variable display control condition becomes the condition for the BB game (ST8), and when the BB game ends, the CT game is started (ST9). The winning symbol set music for "7 - - 7 7", until the BB gaming and CT game is completed, continue to occur from the speaker 15.
[0062]
Stop symbols are the winning symbol if it is not determined that the "7 - - 7 7", whether or not the next winning symbol "7-7-7" is determined (ST10). If “YES” is determined, the music set for the winning symbol “7-7-7” is generated from the speaker 15 (ST11), and the variable display control condition becomes the condition for the BB game (ST12). While the BB game is played, the music set for the symbol “7-7-7” continues to be generated from the speaker 15.
[0063]
If it is determined that the stop symbol is not the winning symbol “7-7-7”, it is next determined whether or not it is a stop symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR” (ST13). If “YES” is determined, the music set for the winning symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR” is generated from the speaker 15 (ST14), and the variable display control condition becomes the condition of the RB game (ST15). During the RB game, the music set for the symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR” continues to be generated from the speaker 15.
[0064]
If it is determined that the stop symbol is not the winning symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR”, then whether or not the stop symbol is the winning symbol symbol, that is, “葡萄” 40, “JAC” 41 or “orange” 42 is prepared. Is determined (ST16). If “YES” is determined, a winning / paying sound is generated from the speaker 15 (ST17), and medals are paid out (ST18).
[0065]
In the slot machine 1, music is not generated from the speaker 15 in general games, but music for general games can be prepared and generated in general games.
[0066]
In the slot machine 1, there is no winning set in which a CT game is generated alone, or a combination winning combination of an RB game and a CT game. However, stop symbols in which these winnings are generated are prepared, and these stop symbols are generated from the speaker 15. It is also possible to generate music corresponding to.
[0067]
As described above, in response to changes in the variable display control conditions of the variable display device, by generating a plurality of songs, the player gained not only by the stop pattern but also by the type of song to be generated. The value of winning a prize can be easily informed, and the player can feel that the game with variable display is more fun.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration used in the slot machine of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a relationship diagram of a plurality of gaming states performed in the slot machine of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a symbol row of the slot machine of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the slot machine of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the slot machine of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine, 2 ... Cabinet, 3L, 3C, 3R ... Display window, 4L, 4C, 4R ... Reel, 5 ... Start lever, 6 ... Medal slot, 7A ... Credit display part, 7B ... Discharge display part, 8 ... C / P switch, 9L, 9C, 9R ... Stop button, 10 ... Sound generation part, 11 ... Production part, 12 ... Medal payout port, 13 ... Medal receiving part, 14L, 14C, 14R ... Stepping motor, 15 ... Speaker, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Display surface, 20 ... Microcomputer, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 24 ... Clock pulse generation circuit, 25 ... Frequency divider, 26 ... Random number generator, 27 ... Random number sampling circuit, 30 ... Hopper, 31 ... motor drive circuit, 32 ... hopper drive circuit, 33 ... medal detection unit, 34 ... reel stop signal circuit, 35 ... reel position detection circuit, 36 Payout completion signal circuit, 37 ... light source drive circuit, 38 ... sound output circuit.

Claims (4)

Variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for the game;
Control means for stopping the variable display of the variable display means based on the result of random number lottery;
Sound generating means capable of generating a plurality of types of music,
When the display mode when the variable display is stopped is a BB game that is in a gaming state in which a winning combination of symbols is likely to be established for a predetermined period of time, the control means performs gaming control under control conditions corresponding to the symbol combination. In the case of a symbol combination that starts a combination game of the BB game and a CT game that stops the stop control based on the random number lottery for a predetermined winning combination, the game control is performed under control conditions corresponding to the symbol combination,
The CT game is a CT game that is interrupted when the RB game is won during the CT game, interrupted by the RB game, and resumed when the RB game ends.
The sound generating means generates a music corresponding to a control condition executed by the control means ;
The occurrence of the music corresponds to the control condition of the RB game when the CT game is interrupted and the RB game is interrupted, and when the CT game is resumed, A gaming machine characterized by the generation of music .   2. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means selects a control condition corresponding to the symbol combination from a plurality of predetermined control conditions.   3. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the sound generating means is controlled by the control means so as to generate music corresponding to the control condition.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the sound generating means includes a sound control unit that selects music corresponding to the control condition.

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