JP4249470B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

表１に示すように、当該判別用テーブルには、「ＢＢ」、「ＲＢ」、「小役（チェリー、プラム、ベル）」、「ＲＰ」および「外れ」の各項目毎に乱数の区分が記憶されている。そして、入賞判定処理部６４は、遊技者が始動レバー３３を操作した瞬間に入力された操作信号に基いて、そのとき一般乱数発生手段７１から出力された乱数がどの区分に対応するかを判別し、その遊技操作が賞に当選したか、あるいは落選（外れ）であったかを判定するようになっている。
【００７９】
特に「小役」については、「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」の全てを含むグループとして「小役」が設定されている。当該グループとしての「小役」の乱数区分は、本実施形態においては、「５４０〜２６５３９」が採用されている。
【００８０】
すなわち、一般乱数発生手段７１が発生する乱数が「５４０〜２６５３９」の範囲内のものである場合には、一旦グループとしての「小役」に当選するのである。そして、一旦「小役」に当選した後に、「小役」の構成要素である「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」の内のいずれであるかについては、別途設けられた特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数に基いて決められる。
【００８１】
具体的には、一般乱数発生手段７１を用いた抽選で「小役」に当選すると、特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数によって、「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」のいずれかが決められるようになされている。
【００８２】
かかる特殊乱数発生手段７２は、「０」から「２５５」までの数値が循環的に変化するようになされている。本実施形態においては、「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」のそれぞれについての乱数区分として、表２および図４に示すように、「チェリー」は「０〜１２７」、「プラム」は「１２８〜２２３」、「ベル」は「２２４〜２５５」がそれぞれ設定されている。
【００８３】
なお、「チェリー」とは、有効ラインの左側に「チェリー」図柄が停止し得る図柄停止態様であり、「プラム」とは、有効ラインに３つの「プラム」図柄が揃い得る図柄停止態様であり、「ベル」とは、有効ラインに３つの「ベル」図柄が揃い得る図柄停止態様であり、これらは、リール停止制御の制御内容によっていずれかが実行されるようになっている。
【００８４】
【表２】

かかる特殊乱数発生手段７２は、乱数値が一般乱数発生手段７１の場合よりも相当遅い時間ピッチで変化するようになされている。本実施形態においては、一般乱数発生手段７１は、数値変化（「０〜３５５３５」）の１サイクルが「１／３００００」秒（０．０３３ｍｓｅｃ）に設定されているのに対し、特殊乱数発生手段７２は、数値変化（「０〜２５５」）の１サイクルが０．５秒以上（本実施形態では２．５６秒）に設定されている。
【００８５】
なお、表１および表２には、備考欄に各項目毎の「乱数の個数」および「確率（％）」を記載しているが、これらの数値はＲＯＭ６８に記憶されている訳ではなく、参考のために示している。
【００８６】
以下、賞成立の仕組みについて具体例を挙げて説明する。図４に示す例では、通常遊技モードにおいて、始動レバー３３が操作された直後に一般乱数発生手段７１が「１８５００」という乱数を発生させた状態を模式的に示している。この乱数値「１８５００」は「５４０」〜「２６５３９」を範囲とする「小役」に対応するため、入賞判定処理部６４は、このときの始動レバー３３の操作で「小役」に当選したと判定するのである。
【００８７】
そして、一般乱数発生手段７１によって「小役」に当選したと判定されると、今度は、特殊乱数発生手段７２が用いられて小役の内の「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」の内のいずれに当選するかが決められる。この決定は、遊技者が例えば左ストップボタン３４Ｌを操作した時点での特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生している乱数値によって行われる。図４に示す例では、遊技者が左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦したとき特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生した乱数が「２５０」であり、これによって「ベル」に当選したことを例示している。
【００８８】
但し、ここで賞に当選してもリール表示窓１５の有効ラインに図柄が揃わなければ賞成立とはならない。そして賞に当選すると、ステッピングモータ２１が駆動制御部６１からの制御信号に基いて当該賞当選を成立させるように停止する、いわゆる引込み制御（例えばストップボタン３４を操作した時点でリール表示窓１５の４コマ手前以内に目的の図柄が位置しているような場合、当該図柄を停止ラインＬにまで強制的に引き込むような制御）が実行されるため、通常の集中力でストップボタン３４を操作する限り賞が成立する。賞に当選していない場合には、これとは逆に図柄が合わないように制御される。
【００８９】
因みに、「ベル」は、５コマ間隔以内で全リール２０全周に配置されているため、引き込み率は１００％であり、したがって、「ベル」に当選すれば、どのタイミングでストップボタン３４を操作しても賞が成立することになる。
【００９０】
そして、一般乱数発生手段７１のみで決まる賞（「ＢＢ」賞、「ＲＢ」賞、「ＲＰ」賞）や、一般乱数発生手段７１および特殊乱数発生手段７２の二段階で決まる賞（小役の「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」）のいずれかの賞が成立した場合にはその種類に応じて所定のフラグ（制御装置内で実行される各種の処理の内のどの処理を実行するかを決めるための目印）が付与される（いわゆるフラグが立つ）。この状態で第２の遊技処理である図柄合せの当り・外れが入賞判定処理部６４により判定され、当った場合（すなわち賞が成立した場合）にのみ予め設定された枚数のメダルを払い出すための制御信号がメダル送出機構４３ａ（図２）に向けて出力され、これによるメダル送出機構４３ａの駆動で所定枚数のメダルがメダル貸出装置４３から受け皿４４に払い出される。払い出されるメダルの枚数（配当）は、本実施形態においては表１に示すように設定されている。また、通常遊技モードで小役に当選した場合に立ったフラグは、小役が成立したか否かに拘らず１ゲーム（始動レバー３３を操作してからストップボタン３４の押釦完了までを１ゲームという）が終了した時点で消滅する。
【００９１】
特別賞（ＢＢ賞またはＲＢ賞）が成立した場合にはメダルの払い出しが行われ、遊技モードは通常遊技モードから遊技者に有利な特別遊技モード（ＢＢ遊技モードまたはＲＢ遊技モード）に変更され、所定の条件が満足されるまでの間この特別遊技モードで遊技が行われることになる。
【００９２】
前記ＲＢ遊技モードは、ボーナスゲームを１回のみ行うことができる遊技モードである。ボーナスゲームとは、非常に高い確率（例えば９０％）に設定された賞成立（一般的には、ＲＰ図柄が揃うことで賞成立とされる。ここでのＲＰ成立は通常遊技モードでのＲＰとは異なる。）で１５枚のメダルの払い出しを受けるゲームを８ゲームまで実行し得るものである。因みに賞成立が８ゲームに満たない場合であっても、当り外れを合わせて１２ゲームが消化されるとボーナスゲームは終了する。
【００９３】
前記ＢＢ遊技モードは、前記ボーナスゲームを例えば３回実行するか、あるいは非常に高い確率（例えば７５％）で小役に入賞するように設定された小役ゲームを３０回実行するかのいずれかが満足されるまでゲームを継続し得るように設定された遊技モードである。なお、ＢＢ遊技モードにおける小役ゲーム実行中にＲＰ図柄が揃うと（この場合のＲＰ成立は通常遊技モードでのＲＰとは異なる。）、１５枚のメダルの払い出しを受けた上でボーナスゲームに移行するようになされている。
【００９４】
前記役物制御処理部６５は、遊技が特別遊技モードに設定されている場合に、この特別遊技モードの終了を判定するものである。特別遊技モードについては、その種類に応じて固有の終了条件（例えばＢＢ遊技モードの場合、ゲームの継続数が例えば３０回になればこの遊技モードが終了となる等）が予め設定されてＲＯＭ６８に記憶されており、この終了条件が満たされた時点で特別遊技モードが終了と判定され、立っていた特別賞フラグが倒される（特別賞フラグの付与が中止される）。
【００９５】
前記タイミング報知処理部６６は、遊技の実行中に予め設定された所定の条件（以下、特殊遊技条件という）が成立したときに、それを判別して特殊乱数発生手段７２から発せられた乱数の値を報知するように制御するものであり、特殊遊技実行条件の成立でタイミング報知処理部６６からタイミング表示手段３８に向けて制御信号が出力され、これによってタイミング表示手段３８が乱数の発生に同期して動作するようになされている。また、遊技者には、タイミング表示手段３８が動作したときの乱数値が何であり、この乱数値が発生しているときにゲーム操作を行うとどの賞に当選するかを予め知らせてある。
【００９６】
具体的には、特殊遊技実行条件が成立することによって特殊遊技モードが設定され、一般乱数発生手段７１によって「小役」に当選したことを前提としてタイミング報知処理部６６からの制御信号によって発光器３８ａが発光するようになされている。この発光は、表３に示すように、特殊乱数発生手段７２の乱数発生に同期しながら右から左に向けて順次移動していくようになっている。
【００９７】
【表３】

特殊乱数発生手段７２は、乱数の数値変化の１サイクルが０．５秒以上であるため、遊技者が把握できる程度の乱数発生間隔であり、当該乱数値の変化を表３に示すように表示すれば、遊技者が当該表示を視認しながらストップボタン３４の押釦タイミングをとることが容易になり、これによって所望の乱数にヒットさせることが可能になる。
【００９８】
すなわち、本実施形態においては、特殊遊技モードが設定されている間に「小役」に当選すれば、タイミング表示手段３８の発光器３８ａの発光が右端のものから順番に左隣の発光器３８ａに向けて移っていき、左端の発光器３８ａが発光した後は右端の発光器３８ａに戻り、以後かかる発光の移動が繰り返されるようになっているため、遊技者は発光の移動を目で追うことができるとともに、所望の発光器３８ａの発光にタイミングに合わせてストップボタン３４を押釦操作することができ、これによって「チェリー」や「プラム」に比して有利な（メダルの払い出し枚数の多い）「ベル」を積極的に狙うことができる。
【００９９】
そして、特殊遊技モードによるゲーム実行が予め設定された所定回数を過ぎると、特殊遊技モードは解除されるようになっている。
【０１００】
（第１実施形態）
以下、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理について説明する。第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理は、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了した後の複数ゲームについて実行され得る。具体的には、ＢＢ遊技モードによる遊技が開始されるに当り（あるいは終了した時点に当り）確率が１／２の抽選が行われ、これに当ると特殊遊技実行条件が成立して特殊遊技モードが設定される。この特殊遊技モードにおいて小役に当選すると当選タイミングが報知される。特殊遊技モードは所定回数（例えば１００回）設定される。
【０１０１】
以下、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理について図５を基に詳細に説明する。図５は、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理の一実施形態を示すフローチャートである。このフローチャートは、ＢＢ遊技モードによる遊技が終了した直後から実行されるものである。したがって、当該フローチャートに入るまでにＢＢ遊技モードが終了した直後であることが予め判別されている。
【０１０２】
すなわち、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了するとタイミング報知のためのフローがスタートされ、まず、ステップＳ１で当選のタイミング報知を報知するか否かの抽選が実行される。この抽選の当選確率は１／２に設定されている。ついで、この抽選の結果が当選か否かが判別され（Ｓ２）、当選の場合には特殊遊技モードであることを示すフラグが立てられ（オンされ）た上で（Ｓ３）、残回数カウンタＮに初期値の「１００」が設定され（Ｓ４）、引き続き始動レバー３３が操作されたか否かが判別される（Ｓ５）。これに対し、ステップＳ２で非当選の場合にはステップＳ３およびステップＳ４が実行されることなくステップＳ５に飛ばされる。
【０１０３】
そして、ステップＳ５で始動レバー３３が操作されたＹＥＳのときには、入賞判定処理部６４において先に表１および図３を基に説明したような一般乱数発生手段７１を用いる抽選処理が実行される（Ｓ６）。ついで、この抽選で小役に当選したか否かが問われ（Ｓ７）、小役に当選した場合には、特殊遊技モードフラグがオンされているか否かが判別される（Ｓ８）。
【０１０４】
そして、小役に当選している場合には、ステップＳ９において当選タイミングの報知が開始され、特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数に基いてタイミング表示手段３８（図１）の発光器３８ａは、表３に示すように、右端のものから順番に左に向かって点灯が移動していく。したがって、遊技者は、どの発光器３８ａが点灯しているかによって特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生した乱数値を知ることができるとともに、所望の小役（例えばベル）に当選するタイミングを知ることができ、このタイミングに合わせてストップボタン３４を操作し得るようになる。
【０１０５】
ついで、最初のストップボタン３４（本実施形態では３つストップボタン３４Ｌ，３４Ｃ，３４Ｒの内の左ストップボタン３４Ｌを最初に押釦するように決められている。）が押釦される（Ｓ１０）と、小役の振り分け抽選が行われ（Ｓ１１）、現に押釦したときに点灯していた発光器３８ａに対応するベルなどの小役の賞成立が予定される。
【０１０６】
ついで第２番目のストップボタン３４の押釦（Ｓ１２）、および第３番目のストップボタン３４の押釦（Ｓ１３）が完了すると、引き込み制御との関連で前記賞成立が予定されていた小役が略１００％の確率で成立し、タイミング表示手段３８によるタイミング報知が終了する（Ｓ１４）。
【０１０７】
引き続きステップＳ１５において特殊遊技モードフラグが立っているか（オンであるか）否かが問われ、フラグが立っている場合にはつぎのステップＳ１６で残回数カウンタＮから１が減ぜられる（Ｎ＝Ｎ−１）。ついで、残回数カウンタＮが「０」であるか否かが問われ（Ｓ１７）、「Ｎ＝０」の場合（すなわち１００回のタイミング報知が完了した場合）には特殊遊技モードフラグが下ろされ（クリアされ）た（Ｓ１８）のちステップＳ１９が実行される。
【０１０８】
そして、上記ステップＳ１５で特殊遊技モードフラグが立っていないと判別された場合、および前記ステップＳ１７で残回数カウンタＮが「０」でない場合には、いずれもステップＳ１９に飛ばされる。
【０１０９】
また、上記ステップＳ７の抽選において小役に当選しなかった場合には、ステップＳ２５において全ストップボタン３４が押釦されたか否かが問われ、全ストップボタン３４の押釦が検出された後、ステップＳ８〜ステップＳ１８がスキップされてステップＳ１９に飛ばされる。
【０１１０】
ステップＳ１９においては、実際の各リール２０Ｌ，２０Ｃ，２０Ｒの図柄の配列が当りになっているか否か、すなわち賞が成立しているか否かが問われる。賞成立と判別された場合には、どの賞が成立しているかや、成立した賞に対応したメダルを払い出す等の入賞判定処理が実行され（Ｓ２０）、引き続きステップＳ２１で設定された遊技モードが継続中であるか否かなどの所定の役物制御処理が実行される。
【０１１１】
この役物制御処理において特殊遊技モードフラグが立っているか否かが問われ、特殊遊技モードフラグが立っている場合にはステップＳ５に戻される一方、同フラグが下ろされている場合、すなわち当選タイミングがタイミング表示手段３８により報知されつつ行う遊技が合計１００回実行されてしまった場合にはリターンに移行して通常の遊技処理に戻される。
【０１１２】
このように、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理においては、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了した後の遊技において１／２の確率で当選タイミングを報知する報知モード（特殊遊技モード）に当選するようになされており、しかも、このタイミング報知モード（特殊遊技モード）に設定されると、実質的に小役に１００回当選するまで当該報知モードが継続されるため、遊技者は、小役の内でも配当が最も多い「ベル」賞を容易に狙うことが可能になり、これによってより多くのメダルを獲得することができる。したがって、「チェリー」賞や「プラム」賞ばかりが成立することにより思うようにメダルを増やし得ないという不満が解消される。
【０１１３】
（第２実施形態）
以下、第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理について説明する。第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理は、ＢＢ遊技モードでの小役ゲームの実行中にＲＰ図柄（ボーナスゲームシフト図柄）に当選した際に実行される。すなわち、第２実施形態は、ボーナスゲームが３回消化されてしまえば、小役ゲーム数が多く残った状態でＢＢ遊技モードが終了し、これによって遊技者がより多くのメダルを獲得する機会を逸失してしまうことに鑑み、遊技者のかかる機会損失を救済するためのものであり、ＢＢ遊技モードでの最後（３回目）の小役ゲーム中にＲＰ図に当選しても、これが成立しないようなリール制御が実行されるタイミングを報知するものである。そしてこのタイミングが報知されると、遊技者はこの報知に従ってＲＰ成立を避けることができ、これによっていわゆるリプレイ外しが成功することになる。
【０１１４】
すなわち、ＢＢ遊技モードでの最後（３回目）の小役ゲームの実行中に、ＲＰ図柄に当選した際、所定の確率（例えば１／２の確率）で抽選が行われ、これに当選すると、第１実施形態と同様、特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数の発生状況がタイミング表示手段３８によって表示されるようになっている。
【０１１５】
図６は、リール表示窓１５におけるＲＰ図柄の配列状態（図柄停止態様）を示すＲＰ図柄配列図であり、（イ）は下段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列１、（ロ）は上段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列２、（ハ）は中段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列３、（ニ）は左上から右下に掛けてＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列４、（ホ）は左下から右上に掛けてＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列５、（ヘ）はＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃わない配列６をそれぞれ示している。また、表４は、ＲＰ図柄の各配列に対応した乱数区分を示すテーブルである。これらは、リール停止制御の制御内容によっていずれかが実行されるようになっている。
【０１１６】
【表４】

【０１１７】
表４に示す例では、乱数値が「０〜１５９」の場合に配列１〜配列５のいずれかの配列でＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う（ＲＰが成立する）ようにリールが停止制御されるのに対し、乱数値が「１６０〜２５５」の場合は、配列６の配列でＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃わないようにリールが停止制御される。すなわち、特殊乱数発生手段７２が「１６０〜２５５」の範囲内の乱数を発生した時点に遊技者がストップボタン３４を操作すれば、ＲＰ図柄が揃わない、いわゆるリプレイ外しを成功させることができる。
【０１１８】
かかるリプレイ外しを遊技者に誘導するために、本実施形態においては、ＲＰ図柄に当選した場合、特殊乱数発生手段７２の発生乱数に対応して発光器３８ａの発光が、表５に示すように、右から順番に切り換っていくようにし、これによってＲＰ外しを行い得るタイミングを遊技者に報知するようにしている。
【０１１９】
【表５】

【０１２０】
したがって、遊技者がこの報知に基いてタイミングを取りながらストップボタン３４を操作することによりＲＰが成立することはなく、いわゆるリプレイ外しが行われ、これによってボーナスゲームに移行することなくＢＢ遊技モードでの小役ゲームが続行される。
【０１２１】
因みに、本実施形態においては、乱数値の表示は、表５に示すように６区分であるため、発光器３８ａの設置個数は図１に示す８個に代えて６個とされるのが通常であるが、８個のままとした上で電気的なスイッチングによりいずれか２個が点灯しないようにしてもよい。
【０１２２】
以下、図７を基に第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理についてさらに詳細に説明する。図７は、第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理のフローを示すフローチャートである。なお、このフローチャートにおいては、特別遊技モードの最後の（例えば３回目の）小役ゲームに突入した時点からスタートされるものを示している。
【０１２３】
まず、ステップＳ３０において、タイミング報知を報知するか否かの抽選が実行される。この抽選の当選確率は１／２に設定されている。ついで、この抽選の結果が当選か否かが判別され（Ｓ３１）、当選の場合にはタイミングを報知することを示すフラグ（タイミング報知フラグ）が立てられ（オンされ）た上で（Ｓ３２）、ステップ３３へ移行する。これに対し、ステップＳ３１で外れの場合には、タイミング報知フラグがオンされることなくステップＳ３３へ飛ばされる。
【０１２４】
ついで、ステップＳ３３で始動レバー３３が操作されたか否かが判別され、始動レバー３３の操作が検出されると、一般乱数発生手段７１を用いた抽選処理が実施される（Ｓ３４）。この抽選の結果ＲＰ図柄（ボーナスゲーム図柄）に当選したか否かが問われ（Ｓ３５）、当該抽選に当選しなかった場合には、リターンに飛ばされて小役ゲームが続行されるのに対し、ＲＰ図柄に当選した場合には以下のタイミング報知処理が実行されることになる。
【０１２５】
すなわち、ステップＳ３５でＲＰに当選すると、タイミング報知フラグがオンであるか（立っているか）否かが問われ（Ｓ３６）、当該フラグが立っている場合には先に表５に基いて説明したような発光器３８ａによるタイミング報知が実行され（Ｓ３７）た後にステップＳ３８に移るのに対し、当選タイミングフラグが立っていない場合にはステップＳ３７をスキップしてステップＳ３８へ飛ばされる。
【０１２６】
そして、ステップＳ３８では、ストップボタン３４の内、まず最初に左ストップボタン３４Ｌが操作されるが、このとき遊技者は、表５に示す発光器３８ａの発光移動を視認してタイミングを取りながらＲＰを成立させるかＲＰ外しにするかを選択することができる。すなわち、ＲＰを成立させようと思えば、最右側〜最左側から２番目までの発光器３８ａが点灯しているときに左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦すればよく、ＲＰ外しを行おうとすれば最左側の発光器３８ａが点灯するタイミングに合わせて左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦すればよい。
【０１２７】
ついで、ステップＳ３９において、特殊乱数発生手段７２からの乱数値に応じたＲＰ図柄のリール停止配列の種類がリール停止制御選択テーブル（表４）から選択される。例えば遊技者が最左側の発光器３８ａが点灯しているタイミングで左ストップボタン３４Ｌ押釦した場合（表５参照）には、特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数は「１６０〜２５５」の内のいずれかであるため、ＲＰ図柄は、表４および図６の（ヘ）に示すＲＰ外しの配列６が選択されることになる。
【０１２８】
そして、ステップＳ４０では左リール２０Ｌの引き込み制御が実行され、ステップＳ４１で２番目のストップボタン３４が押釦されると、これに対応したリール２０の引き込み制御が実行され（Ｓ４２）、ステップＳ４３で３番目のストップボタン３４が押釦されると、これに対応したリール２０の引き込み制御が実行される（Ｓ４４）。これらステップＳ４０，４１，４３における引き込み制御によって、遊技者が左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦したときに点灯していた発光器３８ａに対応する配列で３つのリール２０Ｌ，２０Ｃ，２０Ｒが停止する。
【０１２９】
ステップＳ４４の引き込み制御が完了すると、タイミング報知処理が終了し（Ｓ４５）、その後リターンに移る。なお、ステップＳ３５で一般乱数発生手段７１による抽選の結果ＲＰ図柄に当選しなかった場合には、ステップＳ４６において全てのストップボタン３４が押釦された後にリターンへ飛ばされる。
【０１３０】
以上詳述したように、第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理によれば、遊技モードがＢＢ遊技モードに設定された状態で一般乱数発生手段７１による抽選の結果ＲＰ図柄に当選した場合、ＲＰを成立させるか、あるいはＲＰを成立させない、いわゆるＲＰ外しを行うかを遊技者の判断に委ねることが可能になるため、ゲームがより面白味の増したものになるとともに、ＲＰ外しを効果的に行うことにより、ＢＢ遊技モードを通じてより多くのメダルを獲得することが可能になる。
【０１３１】
なお、第２実施形態においては、特殊乱数発生手段７２として第１実施形態で用いられるものが共用されているが、こうする代わりに、第１実施形態のものとは別に第２実施形態専用の特殊乱数発生手段を採用してもよい。
【０１３２】
（第３実施形態）
以下、第３実施形態のタイミング報知処理について説明する。第３実施形態のタイミング報知処理は、第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理の変形例というべきものであり、ＢＢ賞に基づく特別遊技モードの小役ゲームにおいて、特殊遊技モードが設定される態様である。
【０１３３】
すなわち、第１実施形態においては、一般乱数発生手段７１による抽選でＢＢ賞が成立したとき、当該ＢＢ賞に基く特別遊技モードが終了した後の所定回数のゲームにおいて、小役に当選した状態で特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生した乱数値を表示するようにし、乱数値と小役の構成要素である「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」との対応関係から所望の賞（例えば「ベル」を成立させ得るようになされているが、本実施形態においては、特別遊技モードの小役ゲームにおいて「小役」に当選した場合、その都度所定の確率（例えば１／２の確率）で特殊乱数発生手段７２の発生乱数を表示するようにしている点が第１実施形態と相違している。
【０１３４】
具体的には、ＢＢの特別遊技モードの小役ゲームにおいて「小役」賞に当選した上で１／２の確率の抽選に当選する都度タイミング報知モードが設定され、表３に示すように、発光器３８ａの点灯が特殊乱数発生手段７２の発生する乱数値に応じて所定の時間ピッチで右から左へ移っていくようになされている。
【０１３５】
第３実施形態のタイミング報知処理によれば、ＢＢ賞成立による特別遊技モードにおいて、小役の当選でより有利な「ベル」賞を成立させる確率が大幅に上昇し、これによって特別遊技モードでの遊技が遊技者をより満足させ得るものになる。
【０１３６】
（第４実施形態）
第４実施形態の当選タイミング報知処理は、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了した直後のゲームにおいて、所定の確率（例えば１／１０の確率）で当選した場合、１回だけＢＢ賞またはＲＢ賞の当選に対応した一般乱数発生手段７１による乱数発生のタイミングを報知するものである。
【０１３７】
この場合、本実施形態においては、一般乱数発生手段７１の乱数発生周期（「０〜６５５３５」を１周として乱数が循環発生される場合の１周に費やされる時間）が略１０秒に設定される。そして、ＢＢ入賞として乱数の「０〜３００」が割り当てられ、ＲＢ入賞として乱数の「３０１〜５００」が割り当てられ、その他（外れを含む）として乱数の「５０１〜６５５３５」が割り当てられる。
【０１３８】
そして、「０〜５００」の範囲内の乱数が発生されているときに発光器３８ａ（この場合発光器３８ａは１つのみが採用される）が発光するように当該発光器３８ａの発光タイミング設定される。
【０１３９】
したがって、特別入賞（ＢＢ入賞およびＲＢ入賞の双方）に対応した乱数が発生している時間は０．０７６秒（１０秒÷６５５３６×５０１＝０．０７６秒）となり、１０秒間の内の発光器３８ａが点灯した０．０７６秒の間に左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦すれば、ＢＢ入賞またはＲＢ入賞に当選することができる。
【０１４０】
なお、一般乱数発生手段７１の乱数発生の周期は、１０秒であることに限定されるものではなく、状況に応じて１０秒以下にしてもよいし、１０秒を越えてもよい。また、一般乱数発生手段７１の本来的な乱数発生周期である「１／３００００秒」をそのまま採用し、その代わり一般乱数発生手段７１が３００００回循環する度に発光器３８ａを発光させるようにしてもよい。このようにすれば、発光器３８ａは１秒間に１回瞬間的に発光するため、遊技者は発光器３８ａの発光にタイミングを合わせて左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦操作することができ、これによってＢＢあるいはＲＢ入賞を狙うことが可能になる。
【０１４１】
本発明は、前記の実施形態に限定されるものではなく、以下の内容をも包含するものである。
【０１４２】
（１）上記の第１〜第３実施形態においては、小役当選の度に当該小役の要素である「チェリー」、「プラム」および「ベル」の内の配当枚数が多い「ベル」への当選を誘導するために、特殊乱数発生手段７２（図４）が「ベル」に対応した乱数（「２３４〜２５５」）を発生している間だけ１つの発光器３８ａ（他の発光器３８ａは消灯したままとするか、あるいは当初から発光器３８ａを１つのみ採用する）を、表６に示すような発光タイミングで発光させるようにしてもよい。また、これとは逆に、普段は発光器３８ａを発光させるようにしておき、タイミング報知のときに発光器３８ａを消灯させるようにしてもよい。
【０１４３】
【表６】

すなわち、表６に示すように、特殊乱数発生手段７２が「ベル」当選に対応した乱数２２４〜２５５を発生している間のみ、発光器３８ａを発光させるようにしているため、結局、２．５６秒に１回、０．３２秒間だけ発光器３８ａが点灯するため、遊技者はこの点灯タイミングに合わせて左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦操作することにより、「ベル」に当選させることができる。
【０１４４】
そして、各リール２０Ｌ，２０Ｃ，２０Ｒに「ベル」の図柄を最大５コマ間隔で設けておけば、一旦「ベル」に当選すれば４コマ前の図柄を有効な停止ラインＬに引き込む引込み制御が実行されることにより、各ストップボタン３４Ｌ，３４Ｃ，３４Ｒの全てを押釦すれば、必ず図柄の「ベル」が揃うベル賞が成立することになる。
【０１４５】
かかるタイミング報知を行うことにより、特殊遊技モードにおいて、遊技者にとって有利な配当を受けることができる「ベル」に１００％の確率で入賞させることが可能となり、遊技者にさらなる満足感を与えることができる。
【０１４６】
（２）上記の実施形態においては、始動レバー３３を操作したときに各種の抽選が実行されるようになされているが、本発明は、始動レバー３３の操作時に抽選が行われることに限定されるものではなく、メダル投入口３１からメダルが投入された時点、ＢＥТボタン３２が押釦された時点、あるいは各ストップボタン３４Ｌ，３４Ｃ，３４Ｒの内のいずれかが最初に押釦された時点などに抽選が実行されるようにしてもよい。、
【０１４７】
（３）上記の第１実施形態においては、ＢＢ遊技モードが終了した直後に１／２の確率でタイミング報知を行うか否かの抽選が実行されるようにし、当該抽選に当選した場合のみ以後の複数ゲームについてタイミング報知が行われるようにしているが、本発明は、前記確率が１／２であることに限定されるものではなく、例えば、１／５〜１／２の範囲内の確率を採用したり、あるいはそれ以外の確率を採用してもよい。
【０１４８】
ストップボタン３４が押釦された時点で一般乱数発生手段７１から乱数が抽出されて抽選が実行される場合、そのストップボタン３４以降に押釦されるストップボタン３４が押釦された時点で特殊乱数発生手段７２から乱数が抽出されるようにする必要がある。
【０１４９】
（４）上記の第１実施形態においては、賞当選のタイミング報知を行う遊技モードは１００ゲームとされているが、１００ゲームに限定されるものではなく、１００ゲーム未満であってもよいし、１００ゲームを超えてもよい。また、１／１の確率、すなわちＢＢ遊技モードの終了後、無条件に特殊遊技モードが設定されるようにしてもよい。
【０１５０】
（５）上記の第１実施形態においては、小役賞当選のタイミングを報知するタイミング報知は、ＢＢ遊技モードの終了後が要件とされているが、本願発明は、ＢＢ遊技モード終了後がタイミング報知の要件とすることに限定されるものではなく、ＲＢ遊技モードの終了後や通常遊技モード時にタイミング報知を行うようにしてもよい。
【０１５１】
（６）上記の第３実施形態において、小役に当選する毎にタイミング報知を行うか否かを抽選するのではなく、ＢＢ成立時に所定の確率（例えば１／２）で抽選を行い、当選すればＢＢ遊技モードの全小役ゲームに特殊遊技モードを設定するようにしてもよい。これはいわゆる「ノーマルビッグ」に対するいわゆる「スーパービッグ」というものである。
【０１５２】
（７）上記の各実施形態においては、タイミング表示手段３８の制御は、メイン制御部６０によって行われるようになっているが、こうする代わりにメイン制御部６０から出力される各種の信号を受けて機能するサブ制御部を設け、このサブ制御部によってタイミング表示手段３８のタイミング表示を制御するようにしてもよい。
【０１５３】
この制御を行うために、メイン制御部６０に設けられているタイミング報知処理部６６をサブ制御部へ移し、このタイミング報知処理部６６によりタイミング表示手段３８が制御される。タイミング制御を行うために用いられる特殊乱数発生手段７２（第１〜第３実施形態）は、メイン制御部６０にのみ設けるケースと、メイン制御部６０およびサブ制御部の双方に設けるケースとがある。
【０１５４】
特殊乱数発生手段７２がメイン制御部６０にのみ設けられた場合には、特殊乱数発生手段７２が乱数を発生させる都度、当該乱数をサブ制御部へ向けて出力する必要がある。
【０１５５】
これに対し、メイン制御部６０およびサブ制御部の双方に同一構成の特殊乱数発生手段７２をそれぞれ設けた場合には、例えば電源を立ち上げたときに、メイン制御部６０からサブ制御部へ向けて１回だけ乱数値を出力し、この乱数値を始点にしてサブ制御部の特殊乱数発生手段７２を駆動させるようにすれば、二つの特殊乱数発生手段の同期が執れて、以後、メイン制御部６０からサブ制御部へ向けて乱数信号を出力することなくタイミング表示手段３８によるタイミング表示を制御することができる。
【０１５６】
（８）上記の第１〜第３実施形態において、特殊乱数発生手段７２を、乱数発生の周期（乱数発生間隔）が異なる第１特殊乱数発生手段と第２特殊乱数発生手段とで構成し、第１特殊乱数発生手段は、始動レバー３３が操作された時点から左ストップボタン３４Ｌが押釦されるまでの間（すなわち遊技者が遊技操作を行っている遊技実行期間）の乱数抽出に使用する一方、第２特殊乱数発生手段は、左ストップボタン３４Ｌの押釦が終了してからつぎの始動レバー３３の操作までの間（すなわち遊技者が遊技操作を行っていない遊技非実行期間）の乱数発生に使用するようにしてもよい。
【０１５７】
そして、第１特殊乱数発生手段７２は、第２特殊乱数発生手段より乱数発生周期の長いものが採用される。因みに本実施形態においては、第１特殊乱数発生手段は、「０〜２５５」の乱数を１周が０．５秒以上で発生させるのに対し、第２特殊乱数発生手段は、「０〜２５５」の乱数を１周が略１／３００００秒で発生させるものが採用されている。
【０１５８】
このように、特殊乱数発生手段７２を第１特殊乱数発生手段と第２特殊乱数発生手段７２とで構成することにより、始動レバー３３の操作で開始され、左ストップボタン３４Ｌの押釦で終了となる第１特殊乱数発生手段の発生乱数の発生状態が、第１特殊乱数発生手段より乱数発生速度の速い、すなわち第１特殊乱数発生手段と同期していない第２特殊乱数発生手段に影響されるため、第２特殊乱数発生手段は、その乱数発生状況が各回毎で不規則なものとなる。従って、第１特殊乱数発生手段のみでは遊技者が所望の賞に対応した乱数が発生するタイミングを知得することができるという不都合が生じるが、第１および第２特殊乱数発生手段を用いることによりかかる不都合を確実に防止することができる。
【０１５９】
以上、特殊乱数発生手段７２を第１および第２特殊乱数発生手段で構成することに関し、メイン制御部６０のみでタイミング制御が行われる場合について説明したが、サブ制御部が採用される場合であって、サブ制御部に特殊乱数発生手段が設けられていない場合には、メイン制御部６０の第１特殊乱数発生手段が発生した乱数の値は、サブ制御部のタイミング報知処理部へ向けて出力され、これによってタイミング表示手段３８によるタイミング表示制御が実行される。
【０１６０】
これに対し、サブ制御部にもメイン制御部６０のものと同様の第１特殊乱数発生手段（特殊乱数発生手段７２）が設けられている場合には、左ストップボタン３４Ｌが操作されたときにメイン制御部６０側の第１特殊乱数発生手段で発生した乱数値がサブ制御部側の第１特殊乱数発生手段へ向けて出力され、以後、この乱数値を初期値としてサブ制御部側の第１特殊乱数発生手段も乱数を発生させるように構成される。これによってメイン制御部６０側の第１特殊乱数発生手段とサブ制御部側の第１特殊乱数発生手段とは互いに同期しながら同一の乱数を発生することになる。
【０１６１】
（９）上記の実施形態においては、タイミング表示手段３８として複数の発光器３８ａが横方向に並設されてなるものを例に挙げて説明したが、本発明のタイミング表示手段は、複数の発光器３８ａを横方向に並設してなるものに限定されるものではなく、各種のタイミング表示手段を挙げることができる。
【０１６２】
まず、タイミング表示手段の第１変形例として、円形発光器３８ｂ（図１）を挙げることができる。この円形発光器３８ｂは、中心角が等しい複数の単位発光器からなり、これらの単位発光器が時計回りあるいは反時計回りに順番に点灯していくことによりストップボタン３４の操作タイミングを報知するものである。図１に示す例では、円形発光器３８ｂは、中央パネル１４のリール表示窓１５より上部の左右対称位置および同下部の貯留メダル枚数表示器３５ａより左側の位置のいずれかに設けられる。
【０１６３】
第２変形例のタイミング表示手段は、各ストップボタン３４Ｌ，３４Ｃ，３４Ｒの内のいずれか（例えば左ストップボタン３４Ｌ）が兼用される。具体的には、左ストップボタン３４Ｌの上面は光透過材料によって形成されるとともに、内部に発光器が内装され、タイミング報知は発光器の点滅によって行われる。そして、左ストップボタン３４Ｌが光るタイミングに合わせて当該左ストップボタン３４Ｌを押釦すれば、所望の結果（「ベル」所当選やＲＰ外しのリール停止制御）に当選するようになっている。
【０１６４】
第３変形例のタイミング表示手段は、当該タイミング表示手段として、リール表示窓１５の上方位置の中央部に設けられた複数桁の７セグメントＬＥＤ３８ｃが採用される。そして、この７セグメントＬＥＤ３８ｃに特殊乱数発生手段７２が発生する乱数の値そのものが数値表示されるようになっている。
【０１６５】
第４変形例のタイミング表示手段は、スピーカ３７が当該タイミング表示手段として採用されている。そして、このスピーカ３７から出力される音声によってタイミングが報知されるようになっている。例えば、スピーカ３７から所定の時間ピッチで「ポン、ポン、ポン、ポン、パン」というような音声が出力され、「パン」の音声が出力されるタイミングに合わせてストップボタン３４を操作することにより所定の結果に当選するようになっている。
【０１６６】
【発明の効果】
本発明の遊技機は、少なくとも所定の役に対しては、図柄停止態様が複数用意されており、且つ、該所定の役における各図柄停止態様毎に設定された乱数区分の全てに対応する範囲内で乱数を発生する乱数発生手段と、遊技者による所定の遊技操作時点で発生している乱数を抽出する乱数抽出手段と、抽出された乱数が何れの乱数区分に対応するかを判定する判定手段からなる第２の抽選処理手段を備えて構成され、さらに複数の乱数区分のうちの少なくとも一部の乱数区分に対応する乱数が発生している時点を報知する報知手段を備えてなるものであるため、抽選で所定の役に当選していることを前提として報知されるタイミングで遊技者が所定の遊技操作を行えば、その役における複数種類の図柄停止態様のうち、遊技者の意図する（タイミングが報知されている）特定の図柄停止態様を第２の抽選処理により選択することができる。
【０１６７】
従って、例えば遊技者にとって有利な図柄停止態様が第２の抽選処理によって選択されるタイミングと、それより有利さが劣るかあるいは不利な図柄停止態様が第２の抽選処理によって選択されるタイミングとが、タイミング報知で識別可能となるような報知態様が採用されていれば、遊技者は、かかるタイミング報知を利用して有利な図柄停止態様が選択されるように所定の遊技操作を行うことができる。このように、遊技進行に対する遊技者の意図介入が可能となるため、遊技の興趣性を従来にも増して向上させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明のタイミング報知制御が採用された遊技機の一実施形態を示す正面図である。
【図２】図１に示す遊技機の内部構造を説明するための説明図である。
【図３】遊技機の制御手段の一実施形態を示すブロック図である。
【図４】判別用テーブルと一般乱数発生手段との関係および一般乱数発生手段と特殊乱数発生手段との関係を説明するための説明図である。
【図５】第１実施形態のタイミング報知処理の一実施形態を示すフローチャートである。
【図６】リール表示窓におけるＲＰ図柄の配列状態を示すＲＰ図柄配列図であり、（イ）は下段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列１、（ロ）は上段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列２、（ハ）は中段にＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列３、（ニ）は左上から右下に掛けてＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列４、（ホ）は左下から右上に掛けてＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃う配列５、（ヘ）はＲＰ図柄「Ｒ」が揃わなかった配列６をそれぞれ示している。
【図７】第２実施形態のタイミング報知処理のフローを示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０ 遊技機 １１ ケーシング
１２ ケーシング本体 １３ 蓋体
１４ 中央パネル １５ リール表示窓
１６ 下部膨出部 １７ 棚部
１８ 上部膨出部 ２０ リール（可変表示手段）
２０Ｌ 左リール ２０Ｃ 中リール
２０Ｒ 右リール ２１ ステッピングモータ
２１Ｌ 左ステッピングモータ
２１Ｃ 中ステッピングモータ
２１Ｒ 右ステッピングモータ
３０ 表装機器 ３１ メダル投入口
３２ ＢＥТボタン ３３ 始動レバー
３４ ストップボタン（停止指示手段）
３４Ｌ 左ストップボタン
３４Ｃ 中ストップボタン ３４Ｒ 右ストップボタン
３５ 表示器 ３５ａ 貯留メダル枚数表示器
３５ｂ 賞メダル払出枚数表示器
３５ｃ ゲームカウント表示器
３６ 清算ボタン ３７ スピーカ
３８ タイミング表示手段（報知手段）
３８ａ 発光器 ３８ｂ 円形発光器
４０ メダル移送・収容構造 ４１ メダルガイド
４２ ホッパー ４３ メダル貸出装置
４３ａ メダル送出機構 ４４ 受け皿
４４ａ メダル排出口 ４５ メダル投入センサ
４６ メダル貸出センサ ５０ 制御手段
６０ メイン制御部 ６１ 駆動制御部
６２ 図柄停止判別部 ６３ ＢＥТ検出部
６４ 入賞判定処理部（入賞判定処理部）
６４ａ 抽選処理部
６５ 役物制御処理部 ６６ タイミング報知処理部
７１ 一般乱数発生手段 ７２ 特殊乱数発生手段
Ｌ 停止ライン[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is configured to stop and display a symbol that fluctuates by inputting a valuable material such as a medal and performing a predetermined game operation, and determine whether a prize is established or not established based on the display result. The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a slot machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-170252 is known. This game machine changes each symbol in multiple rows (usually 3 rows) by inserting medal, which is a valuable material, and operating the start lever, and then changing each symbol by operating the stop button. It is configured to determine whether or not a prize has been established based on the displayed symbol arrangement, and the basic structure is not particularly novel, but the predetermined gaming conditions are satisfied Even if it is a beginner in the state, it has been devised to be configured so that medals can be easily obtained.
[0003]
Normally, in a gaming machine, when a player operates a start lever, three reels arranged side by side start rotating around the axis, and each of the three stop buttons provided corresponding to each reel is pushed. By operating, the corresponding reel is stopped.
[0004]
Then, the player pushes the stop button so that the desired symbol stops at a predetermined position of the display window while visually observing the plurality of symbols displayed on the peripheral surface of the reel (the stop button of such a symbol is visually checked). As long as the user knows the timing when a desired symbol comes out, the desired symbol can be displayed at a predetermined position.
[0005]
However, if the game is advanced only by pushing, there is an inconvenience that the frequency of winning a prize differs greatly between an expert and a beginner. Therefore, in a recent gaming machine, immediately after the player operates the start lever. A lottery using random numbers is executed, and the reels are controlled so that the symbols are aligned only when the lottery is won (referred to as a prize winning) (so-called perfect probability method). Note that the fact that the symbols are actually arranged is called the establishment of a prize corresponding to the prize.
[0006]
As for the applied technology based on the complete probability method, the invention described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-170252, that is, random number generating means (numerical values from “0” to “65535” are assigned to a predetermined time pitch (1. 88msec) is extracted cyclically from random numbers generated in the above), and random number classification means for classifying the random numbers extracted by this random number extraction means into various prizes And a game machine provided with notification means for sequentially notifying the player of random numbers generated by the random number generation means.
[0007]
According to the gaming machine described in the above publication, since the random number generated by the random number generation means is sequentially notified to the player by the random number notification means, the player can generate a random number generation timing for generating a desired winning mode. By operating the start lever in accordance with the random number generation timing, it becomes possible to acquire medals with a high probability.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-170252 A
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the gaming machine described in the above publication, since the random number value changes by “1”, an extremely long time of 18.8 seconds is set. There is a problem that enormous amount of time is required and the interest is cut.
[0010]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even if a random number that has occurred is notified, it does not seem to foster by giving the player some thrill. The purpose is to provide a new and innovative gaming machine.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The invention according to claim 1 is a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols for each column, a stop instructing means for instructing a stop of the variable display for each column, and prior to stopping all the columns for the variable display, Lottery processing means for performing a lottery to determine whether or not to win the winning combination, and the variable display means is configured to be controlled to stop based on a symbol stop mode predetermined according to the type of winning winning combination. In the gaming machine, a plurality of symbol stop modes are prepared for at least a predetermined combination, and within a range corresponding to all the random number categories set for each symbol stop mode in the predetermined combination From random number generating means for generating random numbers, random number extracting means for extracting random numbers generated at the time of a predetermined game operation by the player, and determining means for determining which random number category the extracted random numbers correspond to Second lottery Further comprising a management unit, and a notification unit random number corresponding to at least a portion of the random number section of the plurality of random number indicator notifying point occurringThe random number generation means is configured to intervene with random number generation modes having different random number generation intervals in a period excluding a period from at least a notification start time by the notification means until the predetermined game operation is performed.It is characterized by.
[0012]
According to the present invention, if a player performs a predetermined game operation at a timing that is notified on the assumption that a predetermined combination is won by lottery, the player among a plurality of types of symbol stop modes in the combination A specific symbol stop mode intended for (timing is notified) is selected by the second lottery process.
[0013]
  For example, the timing at which a symbol stop mode advantageous for a player is selected by the second lottery process and the timing at which a symbol stop mode less advantageous or unfavorable than that is selected by the second lottery process are as follows: If a notification mode that can be identified by notification by the notification means (timing notification) is employed, the player can perform a predetermined game operation so that an advantageous symbol stop mode is selected using the timing notification. Will be performed. Thus, the interest of the game is improved in that the player's intentional intervention with respect to the progress of the game becomes possible.
  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the random number generation mode in the period from the start of notification by the notification means to the time when the predetermined game operation is performed is different from the random number generation mode in the period excluding this period. Therefore, since the random number generation situation in the former period is irregular with no uniform period each time when viewed as a whole through the former period and the latter period, The timing at which a desired random number is generated during the former period cannot be obtained, and therefore, the game is advantageously utilized by using the timing obtained by the player in spite of the game mode in which the timing notification is not performed. The inconvenience of proceeding is eliminated.
[0014]
The “second lottery” according to the present invention corresponds to “lottery using special random number generation means” according to the “embodiment of the invention”.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the notification by the notification means is configured to be performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0016]
According to the present invention, since the timing notification can be performed when a predetermined condition is established in the course of the game in which the timing notification is not performed, the lottery is performed by the second lottery processing unit. Compared to the case where the timing notification is always executed, the excitement can be given and the game can be realized with a clear game.
[0017]
The scene where the predetermined condition is satisfied may be during the period of the normal game mode in which the normal game is performed, or more than the normal game mode which shifts from the normal game mode when a special prize is established. You may be in the special game mode which can play a game on advantageous conditions.
[0018]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the notification by the notification means is configured to be performed over a predetermined game period.
[0019]
According to the present invention, for example, a notification period is set in a predetermined game period from the normal game mode to which the special game mode ends and shifts, or a notification period is set in a predetermined game period in the normal game mode. The notification period can be set in other manners.
[0020]
Then, the player can execute the game development intended by the player throughout the notification period. For example, more medals can be obtained by actively aiming for a high payout combination (prize) during the notification period.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the second lottery process, a plurality of types are prepared for a predetermined combination and each payout mode having a different payout is distributed. It is a lottery process for this.
[0022]
According to the present invention, a plurality of types of symbol stop modes prepared for a predetermined combination (in the embodiment of the present invention, “small combination”) are symbol stop modes with different payouts. The timing notification is used to perform a predetermined game operation so as to aim for a high-payout symbol stop mode that is advantageous to the player.
[0023]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the second lottery process distributes game transition / non-transition in a special game mode composed of two types of game contents. This is a lottery process.
[0024]
According to the present invention, a plurality of types of symbol stop modes prepared for a predetermined combination (in the embodiment of the present invention, “bonus game shift”), the game content from the next time when the predetermined combination is established. The symbol stop mode is such that the game content at that time is maintained when the predetermined combination is not established, and the player uses the timing notification. The predetermined game is not established (the special game mode is effectively digested, which may be advantageous to the player). A predetermined game operation is performed as necessary so as to aim at the symbol stop mode.
[0029]
The casing 11 includes a rectangular parallelepiped casing body 12 (FIG. 2) and a lid body 13 attached to the front surface of the casing body 12 so as to be freely opened and closed. The lid 13 is pivotally supported around a hinge shaft (not shown) provided at the upper and lower positions of the left edge portion of the casing 11 in FIG. 1, and is normally closed as shown in FIG.
[0030]
The casing main body 12 is internally provided with main ones of mechanical structures including various drive parts necessary for advancing the game, and the lid 13 has a player playing the game. Various mechanical and electrical structures necessary for operation and display are mounted.
[0031]
Such a gaming machine 10 has three (three rows) reels 20 (a left reel 20L, a middle reel 20C, and a right reel) that are internally arranged in a state of being arranged in the width direction on the casing body 12 and each have a plurality of types of symbols on the peripheral surface. The reel 20R) is provided on the surface side of the lid 13 and is used for various game operations of the player, and is provided on both the cover device 30 for notifying the game result, the casing body 12 and the lid 13 It has a basic configuration including a medal transfer / accommodating structure 40 (FIG. 2) provided for storing and receiving medals, and a control means 50 for controlling the progress of the game.
[0032]
The peripheral surface of each reel 20 is equally divided over the entire circumference, and a plurality of types of symbols made up of letters, numbers, figures, characters, etc. are given to each piece. In this embodiment, there are two types of symbols (first specific symbol and second specific symbol), and four types of non-specific symbols (first non-specific symbol, second non-specific symbol, third non-specific symbol). 6 types of symbols and 4th non-specific symbols) are employed, and 21 are arranged on each of the left reel 20L, the middle reel 20C and the right reel 20R by appropriately selecting them.
[0033]
Each of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R has three stepping motors 21 (left stepping motor 21L, middle stepping motor 21C, and right stepping motor 21R) that are disposed in the casing body 12 so as to correspond to the axial center positions (FIG. 2). When the stepping motors 21L, 21C, and 21R are driven, the reels 20 in the corresponding row rotate about the axis.
[0034]
On the other hand, the lid 13 has a central panel 14 provided at a position slightly above the central portion in the vertical direction, and a rectangular reel display window 15 is provided on the central panel 14. The peripheral surfaces of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R can be viewed through the reel display window 15. The reel display window 15 is set to be slightly wider than the total width of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R whose horizontal dimensions are arranged side by side, and the vertical dimension is three symbols of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R. Is dimensioned so that can be displayed.
[0035]
Further, the lid 13 is provided with a lower bulging portion 16 formed by bulging a lower portion from a substantially central portion in the vertical direction toward the front, and a position above the reel display window 15 is forward. An upper bulging portion 18 formed by bulging toward is provided.
[0036]
The cover device 30 includes a medal slot 31, a BEТ button 32, a start lever 33, a stop button 34, a display 35, a settlement button 36, a speaker 37, a timing display means (notification means) 38, It is made up of.
[0037]
The medal slot 31 is provided on the right side of the shelf 17 formed in the lower bulging portion 16, and the BEТ button 32 is provided on the left side of the shelf 17. The start lever 33 is provided at the upper front position of the lower bulging portion 16, and the stop button 34 is directed to the right of the start lever 33 and toward the front position of the lower bulging portion 16 in the horizontal direction. The three are arranged side by side.
[0038]
Three indicators 35 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction at a position below the reel display window 15 of the central panel 14, and the settlement button 36 is provided at the left position of the start lever 33. Further, a pair of speakers 37 are provided at both ends of the upper bulging portion 18. The timing display means 38 is provided above the reel display window 15 of the central panel 14.
[0039]
The medal slot 31 is used for inserting medals in advance when a game is executed. Hereinafter, a method of playing a game by inserting medals one by one is referred to as a medal insertion method. Any one of 1 to 3 medals can be inserted. If more than three medals are inserted, the surplus medals are stored and consumed when the BEТ button 32 is pressed.
[0040]
The BEТ button 32 is pressed instead of inserting three medals, and three stored medals are consumed in advance by this push button operation. That is, one push button operation of the BEТ button 32 corresponds to three medals. Hereinafter, a method of playing a game by consuming stored medals is referred to as a credit method.
[0041]
Incidentally, medals are stored when medals are paid out when a prize is established, or when extra medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 31. However, an upper limit is set for the number of medals stored (for example, 50), and medals exceeding the upper limit set number are paid out to the player's hand (that is, the tray 44).
[0042]
The start lever 33 is operated after a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 31 in the case of the medal insertion method, and after the push button operation of the BEТ button 32 is performed in the case of the credit method. By this operation, the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R start to rotate.
[0043]
The stop button 34 stops the reels 20L, 20C, 20R rotating by operating the start lever 33, and includes a left stop button 34L corresponding to the left reel 20L and a middle stop corresponding to the middle reel 20C. The button 34C includes a right stop button 34R corresponding to the right reel 20R. When one of the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R is pushed, the corresponding reel 20 is stopped.
[0044]
The display 35 is a display in which a plurality of so-called 7-segment LEDs are arranged side by side to display a numerical value of a plurality of digits. A stored medal number display unit 35a, a prize medal payout number display unit 35b, and a game count display unit 35c. It is made up of.
[0045]
The stored medal number display unit 35a displays the current stored number of medals stored in advance in the gaming machine 10, and the award medal payout number display unit 35b displays the number of medals to be paid out when a prize is established. The game count display 35c displays the number of games in a bonus game described later.
[0046]
The clearing button 36 is for clearing a stored medal at the time when the push button is operated and receiving a payout. The clearing button 36 is generally pushed at the end of the game, but may be pushed during a series of games (from the end of one game to the start of the next game). There is no problem.
[0047]
The speaker 37 is for generating various sound effects. Specifically, a winning sound output when a prize is established, the operation of the BEТ button 32, the start lever 33 or the stop button 34, and the like. The operation sound output is output.
[0048]
The timing display means 38 relates to timing notification, and displays the generation status of random numbers to notify the player of the timing of game operation (operation timing of the stop button 34). The timing display means 38 includes a total of eight light emitters 38a arranged in parallel on the left and right sides with a 7-segment LED indicating a three-digit number in the upper center portion of the center panel 14. . Then, by setting a special game mode (game mode for notifying the winning timing) described later, light emission is shifted from the rightmost light emitter 38a to the left light emitter 38a in order, and which light emitter 38a emits light. The random number value obtained at that time can be recognized.
[0049]
The medal transfer / accommodating structure 40 is provided in a shared manner in the casing body 12 and on the back side of the lid 13, and is provided corresponding to the medal slot 31 (FIG. 1) as shown in FIG. A medal guide 41, a hopper 42 that accommodates a plurality of medals, a medal lending device 43 that lends medals, and a tray 44 that receives medals from the medal lending device 43. The medals derived from the medal lending device 43 are discharged through a medal discharge port 44a (FIG. 1) to a tray 44 provided at the lowermost end of the lid 13.
[0050]
The medal guide 41 is for guiding a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 31 to the hopper 42, and a medal insertion sensor 45 for detecting the passage of the medal is provided in the middle thereof.
[0051]
The hopper 42 is for storing a predetermined number of medals in advance after predicting the maximum number that will be paid out when a prize is established. In addition, medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 31 are also accommodated in the hopper 42 via the medal guide 41.
[0052]
The medal lending device 43 has a medal sending mechanism 43a that takes in and sends out medals stored in the hopper 42 one by one. The medal delivery mechanism 43a uses a delivery motor (not shown) as a drive source, and a plurality of discs provided on the same circumference of the disc are rotated by rotating the delivery disk (not shown). One medal is taken into the medal take-in hole and sent out. A medal lending sensor 46 for detecting the passage of medals is provided at an appropriate position of this mechanism, and the number of lent medals is recognized by a detection signal of the medal lending sensor 46.
[0053]
Hereinafter, a game (play) by the gaming machine 10 configured as described above will be described. In this game, two stages of game processing are basically executed for each play. The first stage game process is a lottery process based on the random number generation of the general random number generating means 71 (FIG. 3) executed immediately after the player operates the start lever 33 and the like. The second stage game process is This is a symbol matching process for each reel 20L, 20C, 20R in the reel display window 15 when the player pushes each stop button 34L, 34C, 34R.
[0054]
Only in the case of winning in the first stage lottery process, in the second stage symbol matching process, it becomes possible to match the symbols by waving their arms based on the probability set in advance. Yes. Therefore, if the first stage lottery process is missed, the design will not match even if the arm is shaken in the second stage design matching. Since the result of the lottery process in the first stage is conventionally not informed to the player, the player may be enthusiastic about the symbol matching in the second game process in which the symbol cannot be matched. Recently, the player is notified of the lottery process hit / miss by some method, and this notification changes the player's strength.
[0055]
Based on such game processing, winning in the first stage lottery process is called winning prize winning, and the symbol arrangement of each reel 20L, 20C, 20R displayed on the reel display window 15 in the second stage symbol matching. However, winning is determined to match the predetermined hit symbol arrangement in the stop line L in advance.
[0056]
In the medal insertion method, when playing a game, first, after inserting a medal from the medal insertion slot 31, the start lever 33 is operated to rotate each reel 20 (reels 20L, 20C, 20R). Next, by operating the stop buttons 34 (stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R) in an arbitrary order, the reels 20L, 20C, 20R stop in order according to the push button timing.
[0057]
When the rotation of each reel 20 is stopped, a total of nine symbols are displayed on the reel display window 15 on the stop line L extending in the horizontal direction for each of the reels 20L, 20C, 20R. become. Depending on the arrangement state of these nine symbols, either winning or not winning is determined.
[0058]
The arrangement of the winning / non-winning symbols is set in advance in relation to the number of medals inserted from the medal slot 31. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns composed of 9 symbol display positions displayed on the reel display window 15, 3 rows in the horizontal direction and 2 diagonal lines of the right shoulder rise and the left shoulder rise. A total of five stop lines L that can be activated in a row are preset.
[0059]
In this embodiment, when one medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 31 (that is, when one bet is placed), one central stop line L is set as an effective line, and two are inserted. When two bets are placed, the upper, middle, and lower three stop lines L, L, and L are valid lines. When three bets are placed, all five stop lines L, L, L, and L , L are effective lines.
[0060]
Then, in a state where all the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R are stopped by the push button operation of each stop button 34L, 34C, and 34R, a combination of symbols formed on the effective line is a preset winning symbol. A prize is established by matching the combination (hereinafter, the symbols are all in this state).
[0061]
In the present embodiment, the following are adopted as the types of prizes. That is, a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as BB) award that the first specific symbols are aligned on the active line (for example, “7-7-7” is aligned) or a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as RB) award that the second specific symbols are aligned on the active line. A special prize such as a small prize, and a small prize that allows a small part to be established. In any case, the BB award, the RB award, and the small role award cannot be established unless the lottery using the first stage random numbers is performed.
[0062]
In addition to these awards, there is Replay (RP). This RP is a so-called game replay, and when the predetermined RP pattern set in advance in the normal game mode is prepared, the game can be executed again without inserting medals. In addition to the special game mode, other various functions ("Bonus Game Shift (Shift)" and "Bonus Game Awards", which will be described in detail later). Has been made. Various awards, replays, bonus game transitions, and the like are collectively referred to as “role”.
[0063]
The payout of medals is performed when a small role prize is established and when a special prize such as a BB prize or an RB prize is established. When a special prize is established, for example, after 15 medals are paid out, the game mode is changed from the normal game mode to the special game mode in which a small role can be established under advantageous conditions. It is. For example, when a BB prize, which is a kind of special game mode, is established, a BB game mode, which is a game condition that is extremely advantageous for the player, is set. When an RB prize is established, an RB game mode that is inferior to the BB game mode but more advantageous than the normal game mode is set.
[0064]
Hereinafter, drive control and game control of the gaming machine 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the control means 50 of the gaming machine 10. As shown in this figure, the control means 50 includes a main control unit 60 that controls the overall driving of the gaming machine 10 and a read-only ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a control program for the main control unit 60. 68, a readable / writable RAM 69 for temporarily storing various data, a general random number generating means 71 for generating numerical values in the range of “0 to 65535” in order at extremely short time intervals, and a general random number generating means 71 Special random number generating means 72 for sequentially generating numerical values in the range of “0 to 255” at longer time intervals than in the case of FIG.
[0065]
Then, a predetermined detection signal is input from various devices to the main control unit 60, or random numbers from the general random number generation means 71 and the special random number generation means 72 are input, and the detection signal and data in the ROM 68 are also input. Furthermore, a predetermined control signal is output from the main control unit 60 based on the random numbers from the random number generating means 71 and 72, and the gaming machine 10 is thereby operated.
[0066]
The main control unit 60 includes a drive control unit 61, a symbol stop determination unit 62, a BEТ detection unit 63, a winning determination processing unit 64, an accessory control processing unit 65, and a timing notification processing unit 66. .
[0067]
The drive control unit 61 controls the driving of various devices equipped in the gaming machine 10, and detects that a start signal has been detected from the start lever 33 and that each stop button 34L, 34C, 34R has been pushed. A detection signal and a detection signal indicating that the settlement button 36 has been pressed are input.
[0068]
When the detection signal from the start lever 33 is input to the drive control unit 61, the drive control unit 61 outputs drive signals for driving the stepping motors 21L, 21C, and 21R. The reels 20L, 20C, and 20R are rotated by driving the stepping motors 21L, 21C, and 21R.
[0069]
When any one of the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R is pushed, a drive stop signal is output from the drive control unit 61 toward the stepping motor 21 corresponding to the operated stop button 34. ing. The target stepping motor 21 is stopped by the output of the drive stop signal (for example, when the left stop button 34L is pushed, the left stepping motor 21L stops). Therefore, each column of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R is sequentially stopped in the order in which the stop buttons 34L, 34C, and 34R are pushed.
[0070]
When the clearing button 36 is pushed, this detection signal is input to the drive control unit 61, and the medal lending device 43 is driven by the drive signal from the drive control unit 61, and the stored medal is received in the tray 44. It is supposed to be discharged.
[0071]
The symbol stop discriminating unit 62 discriminates three symbols positioned in the reel display window 15 for each of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R when the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R that are rotating stop. To do. For this determination, a series of sequence numbers are given to the symbols of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R, and a symbol sensor 47 that detects each sequence number located in the reel display window 15 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Is provided. On the other hand, the ROM 68 stores a comparison table of sequence numbers and symbols for each reel 20L, 20C, 20R.
[0072]
In the symbol stop determining unit 62, the detection signal from the symbol sensor 47 and the comparison table are immediately compared with each other after the stop button 34 is pushed and the reels 20L, 20C, 20R are stopped, and the reel display window is displayed. It is determined which symbol is displayed at which position in the 15 3 × 3 matrix.
[0073]
The BEТ detector 63 detects a player's betting amount (the number of medals inserted from the medal slot 31 (1 to 3) or the push button operation of the BEТ button 32). Based on the detection signal and the push button signal from the BEТ button 32, the player's betting amount is determined. The determined bet amount (BEТ number signal) is output toward the winning determination processing unit 64.
[0074]
The winning determination processing unit 64 determines whether or not a special prize such as a BB prize or an RB prize has been established based on a result of the currently executed game (that is, a special game such as a BB game mode or an RB game mode from the next game). Whether or not the mode is changed to the game mode) and whether or not a small role prize has been established, and a combination of symbols stored in the ROM 68 and a combination of symbols detected by the symbol stop determining unit 62 And the winning combination is determined when the combination of symbols on the active line based on the bet amount detected by the BEТ detector 63 matches the winning combination.
[0075]
In addition, the winning determination processing unit 64 is provided with a lottery processing unit 64a for controlling the game processing in the first stage in order to ensure probabilistic fairness and enhance the interest of the game. The lottery processing unit 64a receives a random number generated by the general random number generating means 71 at the moment when the player operates the start lever 33. Each time the player executes a game, the random number generator Winning / non-winning is determined with a predetermined probability based on the random number generated in the above.
[0076]
In the present embodiment, the general random number generating means 71 is configured by a counter that increments a numerical value from “0” to “1” in increments of “65535” at a predetermined time pitch and returns to “0” when reaching “65535”. Has been. The number generated by the general random number generating means 71 at the moment when the player operates the start lever 33 is adopted as the random number obtained at that time. One cycle in which the random number generated by the counter starts from “0” and returns to “0” is set to “1/30000” seconds.
[0077]
Table 1 shows the contents of the winning determination table stored in the ROM 68 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the winning determination table and the general random number generating means 71. is there.
[0078]
[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, the discrimination table includes a random number classification for each item of “BB”, “RB”, “small role (cherry, plum, bell)”, “RP”, and “out”. It is remembered. Then, based on the operation signal input at the moment when the player operates the start lever 33, the winning determination processing unit 64 determines to which section the random number output from the general random number generating means 71 corresponds. Then, it is determined whether the game operation has won a prize or has been defeated.
[0079]
In particular, for “small role”, “small role” is set as a group including all of “cherry”, “plum”, and “bell”. In the present embodiment, “540 to 26539” is adopted as the random number classification of “small role” as the group.
[0080]
That is, when the random number generated by the general random number generating means 71 is within the range of “540 to 26539”, the “small role” as a group is once won. Then, after winning the “small role”, a special random number generating means provided separately as to which of “cherry”, “plum”, and “bell” that is a component of the “small role” 72 is determined based on a random number generated.
[0081]
Specifically, when “small role” is won by lottery using the general random number generating means 71, any one of “Cherry”, “Plum” and “Bell” is determined by the random number generated by the special random number generating means 72. It is made to be able to.
[0082]
The special random number generation means 72 is configured such that the numerical values from “0” to “255” change cyclically. In the present embodiment, as shown in Table 2 and FIG. 4, “Cherry” is “0-127” and “Plum” is “0” as random number classifications for “Cherry”, “Plum”, and “Bell”. 128-223 "and" Bell "are set to" 224-255 ", respectively.
[0083]
“Cherry” is a symbol stop mode in which the “Cherry” symbol can stop on the left side of the active line, and “Plum” is a symbol stop mode in which three “Plum” symbols can be aligned on the active line. The “bell” is a symbol stop mode in which three “bell” symbols can be aligned on the effective line, and one of these is executed depending on the control content of the reel stop control.
[0084]
[Table 2]

The special random number generation means 72 is configured such that the random number value changes at a time pitch considerably slower than that of the general random number generation means 71. In the present embodiment, the general random number generating means 71 is a special random number generating means, whereas one cycle of numerical change (“0 to 35535”) is set to “1/30000” seconds (0.033 msec). In 72, one cycle of numerical change (“0 to 255”) is set to 0.5 seconds or longer (2.56 seconds in this embodiment).
[0085]
In Tables 1 and 2, the remarks column lists the “number of random numbers” and “probability (%)” for each item, but these numbers are not stored in the ROM 68. Shown for reference.
[0086]
Hereinafter, a mechanism for winning a prize will be described with a specific example. The example shown in FIG. 4 schematically shows a state in which the general random number generator 71 generates a random number “18500” immediately after the start lever 33 is operated in the normal game mode. Since the random value “18500” corresponds to “small role” in the range of “540” to “26539”, the winning determination processing unit 64 has won the “small role” by operating the start lever 33 at this time. It is determined.
[0087]
If it is determined by the general random number generating means 71 that the “small role” has been won, then the special random number generating means 72 is used to select “cherry”, “plum” and “bell” of the small roles. Which of these will be won is decided. This determination is made based on the random number value generated by the special random number generation means 72 at the time when the player operates the left stop button 34L, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the random number generated by the special random number generating means 72 when the player pushes the left stop button 34L is “250”, thereby exemplifying that “Bell” has been won.
[0088]
However, even if the prize is won here, the prize will not be established if the symbols are not aligned with the effective line of the reel display window 15. Then, when a prize is won, the stepping motor 21 stops so as to establish the prize winning based on a control signal from the drive control unit 61, so-called pull-in control (for example, when the stop button 34 is operated, the reel display window 15 When the target symbol is positioned within four frames before, the control is executed to forcibly pull the symbol to the stop line L), and the stop button 34 is operated with normal concentration. As long as the prize is established. In contrast to this, when the award is not won, control is performed so that the symbols do not match.
[0089]
By the way, “Bell” is arranged on the entire circumference of all reels 20 within an interval of 5 frames, so the pull-in rate is 100%. Therefore, if “Bell” is won, the stop button 34 is operated at any timing. Even so, a prize will be established.
[0090]
An award determined only by the general random number generating means 71 (“BB” award, “RB” award, “RP” award) or an award determined by two steps of the general random number generating means 71 and the special random number generating means 72 (small role) When one of the prizes “Cherry”, “Plum”, and “Bell” is established, a predetermined flag (a process among various processes executed in the control device) is executed according to the type of prize. (A mark for determining) is given (a flag is set). In this state, the winning / judging of the symbol matching, which is the second game process, is determined by the winning determination processing unit 64, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out only when winning (that is, when a prize is established). Is output to the medal delivery mechanism 43a (FIG. 2), and the medal delivery mechanism 43a is driven to pay out a predetermined number of medals from the medal lending device 43 to the tray 44. The number of medals to be paid out (payout) is set as shown in Table 1 in this embodiment. In addition, the flag that stands when a small role is won in the normal game mode is one game (one game from the start lever 33 operation until the stop button 34 is pressed regardless of whether the small role is established or not). Disappears when it ends.
[0091]
When a special prize (BB prize or RB prize) is established, medals are paid out, and the game mode is changed from the normal game mode to a special game mode (BB game mode or RB game mode) advantageous to the player, The game is played in this special game mode until a predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0092]
The RB game mode is a game mode in which a bonus game can be performed only once. A bonus game is a prize establishment with a very high probability (for example, 90%) (generally, a prize is established when RP symbols are aligned. RP establishment here is RP in the normal game mode) In other words, the game that receives the payout of 15 medals can be executed up to 8 games. By the way, even if the winning is less than 8 games, the bonus game is ended when 12 games are digested together with the winning and losing.
[0093]
In the BB game mode, either the bonus game is executed, for example, three times, or a small role game that is set to win a small role with a very high probability (for example, 75%) is executed 30 times. This game mode is set so that the game can be continued until is satisfied. When the RP symbols are gathered during execution of the small role game in the BB game mode (RP establishment in this case is different from RP in the normal game mode), the bonus game is obtained after receiving 15 medals. It is designed to migrate.
[0094]
The accessory control processing unit 65 determines the end of the special game mode when the game is set to the special game mode. For the special game mode, a specific end condition (for example, in the case of the BB game mode, the game mode is ended when the number of game continuations reaches, for example, 30) is set in advance in the ROM 68 according to the type. The special game mode is determined to be terminated when the termination condition is satisfied and the standing special prize flag is defeated (giving the special prize flag is stopped).
[0095]
The timing notification processing unit 66 determines when a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as a special game condition) set in advance during the execution of the game is established and determines the random number generated from the special random number generation means 72. A control signal is output from the timing notification processing unit 66 to the timing display means 38 when the special game execution condition is satisfied, and the timing display means 38 is synchronized with the generation of random numbers. And has been made to work. In addition, the player is informed in advance of what the random number value is when the timing display means 38 is operated, and which prize is won when a game operation is performed when this random number value is generated.
[0096]
Specifically, the special game mode is set when the special game execution condition is satisfied, and the light emitting device is controlled by the control signal from the timing notification processing unit 66 on the assumption that the “random role” is won by the general random number generator 71. 38a emits light. As shown in Table 3, this light emission moves sequentially from right to left while synchronizing with random number generation by the special random number generating means 72.
[0097]
[Table 3]

The special random number generating means 72 has a random number generation interval that can be grasped by the player because one cycle of the numerical value change of the random number is 0.5 seconds or more, and the change in the random number value is displayed as shown in Table 3. Then, it becomes easy for the player to take the push button timing of the stop button 34 while visually recognizing the display, thereby making it possible to hit a desired random number.
[0098]
In other words, in the present embodiment, if the “small role” is won while the special game mode is set, the light emitting device 38a of the timing display means 38 emits light from the right end in order from the rightmost light emitting device 38a. After the left end light emitter 38a emits light, the light returns to the right end light emitter 38a. Since the movement of the light emission is repeated thereafter, the player follows the movement of the light emission. In addition, it is possible to push the stop button 34 in accordance with the timing of light emission of a desired light emitter 38a, which is advantageous compared to “cherry” or “plum” (the number of medals to be paid out is large). ) Can actively aim for "Bell".
[0099]
Then, when the game execution in the special game mode exceeds a predetermined number of times set in advance, the special game mode is canceled.
[0100]
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the timing notification process of the first embodiment will be described. The timing notification process of the first embodiment can be executed for a plurality of games after the BB game mode is ended. Specifically, when a game in the BB game mode is started (or at the end of the game), a lottery with a probability of 1/2 is performed, and in this case, a special game execution condition is established and the special game mode is established. Is set. In this special game mode, when a small role is won, the winning timing is notified. The special game mode is set a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times).
[0101]
Hereinafter, the timing notification process of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the timing notification process according to the first embodiment. This flowchart is executed immediately after the game in the BB game mode is completed. Therefore, it is determined in advance that the BB game mode has just ended before entering the flowchart.
[0102]
That is, when the BB game mode ends, a flow for timing notification is started. First, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to notify the winning timing notification in step S1. The winning probability of this lottery is set to 1/2. Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the lottery is a win (S2). In the case of a win, a flag indicating that it is in a special game mode is set (turned on) (S3), and the remaining number counter N Is set to the initial value “100” (S4), and it is subsequently determined whether or not the start lever 33 has been operated (S5). On the other hand, if it is not won in step S2, step S3 and step S4 are skipped and step S5 is skipped.
[0103]
When the start lever 33 is operated in step S5, the lottery process using the general random number generating means 71 as described above with reference to Table 1 and FIG. S6). Next, it is asked whether or not the small role is won in this lottery (S7). If the small role is won, it is determined whether or not the special game mode flag is turned on (S8).
[0104]
When the small role is won, notification of the winning timing is started in step S9, and the light emitter 38a of the timing display means 38 (FIG. 1) is based on the random number generated by the special random number generating means 72. As shown in Table 3, the lighting moves in order from the right end toward the left. Therefore, the player can know the random number value generated by the special random number generating means 72 depending on which light-emitting device 38a is lit, and can know the timing of winning the desired small role (for example, bell). The stop button 34 can be operated in accordance with this timing.
[0105]
Next, when the first stop button 34 (in this embodiment, the left stop button 34L among the three stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R is determined to be pressed first) is pressed (S10). A lottery selection lottery is performed (S11), and a prize for a small role such as a bell corresponding to the light emitter 38a that is lit when the push button is actually pressed is scheduled.
[0106]
Then, when the push button (S12) of the second stop button 34 and the push button (S13) of the third stop button 34 are completed, the small role that the prize has been established in relation to the pull-in control is approximately 100. %, The timing notification by the timing display means 38 ends (S14).
[0107]
Subsequently, in step S15, it is asked whether or not the special game mode flag is set (ON). If the flag is set, 1 is subtracted from the remaining number counter N in the next step S16 (N = N). -1). Next, it is asked whether or not the remaining number counter N is “0” (S17). If “N = 0” (that is, when 100 timing notifications are completed), the special game mode flag is lowered. After (cleared) (S18), step S19 is executed.
[0108]
If it is determined in step S15 that the special game mode flag is not set, and if the remaining number counter N is not “0” in step S17, both are skipped to step S19.
[0109]
Further, if a small role is not won in the lottery in step S7, it is asked in step S25 whether or not all the stop buttons 34 have been pressed. Step S18 is skipped and skipped to Step S19.
[0110]
In step S19, it is asked whether or not the actual symbol arrangement of each of the reels 20L, 20C, and 20R is hit, that is, whether or not a prize is established. When it is determined that a prize has been established, winning determination processing such as which prize has been established, and paying out medals corresponding to the established prize is executed (S20), and the game mode set in step S21 is continued. A predetermined accessory control process such as whether or not is continued is executed.
[0111]
Whether or not the special game mode flag is set is asked in this accessory control process. If the special game mode flag is set, the process returns to step S5. On the other hand, if the special game mode flag is set, the winning timing is determined. However, when the game played while being notified by the timing display means 38 has been executed 100 times in total, the process shifts to return and returns to normal game processing.
[0112]
As described above, in the timing notification process according to the first embodiment, the player is elected to the notification mode (special game mode) in which the winning timing is notified with a probability of 1/2 in the game after the BB game mode ends. In addition, when the timing notification mode (special game mode) is set, the notification mode is continued until the small role is substantially won 100 times, so that the player can pay out even within the small role. It is possible to easily aim for the most “Bell” award, and thereby obtain more medals. Therefore, the dissatisfaction that the medals cannot be increased as expected only by the “cherry” award and the “plum” award is eliminated.
[0113]
(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the timing notification process of the second embodiment will be described. The timing notification process of the second embodiment is executed when an RP symbol (bonus game shift symbol) is won during the small role game in the BB game mode. In other words, in the second embodiment, if the bonus game is consumed three times, the BB game mode ends with a large number of small-games remaining, thereby giving the player the opportunity to win more medals. In view of the loss, it is for relieving the player's loss of opportunity, and even if he wins the RP diagram during the last (third) small role game in the BB game mode, this does not hold The timing at which such reel control is executed is notified. When this timing is notified, the player can avoid the establishment of RP according to this notification, thereby succeeding in so-called replay removal.
[0114]
That is, when the RP symbol is won during the execution of the last (third) small role game in the BB game mode, a lottery is performed with a predetermined probability (for example, a probability of 1/2). As in the first embodiment, the timing display means 38 displays the generation status of random numbers generated by the special random number generation means 72.
[0115]
FIG. 6 is an RP symbol array diagram showing an RP symbol array state (symbol stop mode) in the reel display window 15, (a) is an array 1 in which the RP symbols “R” are aligned in the lower stage, Array 2 in which RP symbols “R” are aligned, (c) is an array 3 in which RP symbols “R” are aligned in the middle, (d) is an array 4 in which RP symbols “R” are aligned from the upper left to the lower right, (e) Indicates an array 5 in which the RP symbols “R” are aligned from the lower left to the upper right, and (f) indicates an array 6 in which the RP symbols “R” are not aligned. Table 4 is a table showing the random number classification corresponding to each array of RP symbols. One of these is executed according to the control content of the reel stop control.
[0116]
[Table 4]

[0117]
In the example shown in Table 4, when the random number value is “0 to 159”, the reels are controlled to stop so that the RP symbol “R” is aligned (RP is established) in any of the arrays 1 to 5. On the other hand, when the random number value is “160 to 255”, the reels are stopped and controlled so that the RP symbols “R” are not aligned in the array 6 array. That is, if the player operates the stop button 34 when the random number generator 72 generates a random number within the range of “160 to 255”, the so-called replay removal in which the RP symbols are not complete can be made successful.
[0118]
In order to guide the player to remove the replay, in this embodiment, when the RP symbol is won, the light emission of the light emitter 38a corresponding to the generated random number of the special random number generating means 72 is as shown in Table 5. Thus, the player switches in order from the right, thereby notifying the player of the timing at which RP removal can be performed.
[0119]
[Table 5]

[0120]
Therefore, when the player operates the stop button 34 while taking the timing based on this notification, RP is not established, so-called replay release is performed, and in this way, in the BB game mode without shifting to the bonus game. The small role game continues.
[0121]
Incidentally, in the present embodiment, since the display of random number values is divided into 6 sections as shown in Table 5, the number of installed light emitters 38a is usually 6 instead of 8 shown in FIG. However, it is possible to keep the number of lights from eight and turn off any two by electrical switching.
[0122]
Hereinafter, the timing notification process of the second embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of timing notification processing according to the second embodiment. This flowchart shows what is started from the time of entering the last (for example, the third) small role game in the special game mode.
[0123]
First, in step S30, a lottery for determining whether or not to notify the timing notification is executed. The winning probability of this lottery is set to 1/2. Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the lottery is winning (S31), and in the case of winning, a flag (timing notification flag) indicating that the timing is notified is set (turned on) (S32). Control goes to step 33. On the other hand, when it is out of step S31, the timing notification flag is not turned on and the process skips to step S33.
[0124]
Next, it is determined whether or not the start lever 33 has been operated in step S33, and when the operation of the start lever 33 is detected, a lottery process using the general random number generating means 71 is performed (S34). As a result of the lottery, it is asked whether or not the RP symbol (bonus game symbol) has been won (S35). If the lottery is not won, the return is skipped and the small game is continued. When the RP symbol is won, the following timing notification process is executed.
[0125]
That is, if RP is won in step S35, it is asked whether the timing notification flag is on (standing) or not (S36). If the flag is standing, the explanation was made based on Table 5 above. The timing notification by the light emitter 38a is executed (S37), and then the process proceeds to step S38. On the other hand, if the winning timing flag is not set, the process skips step S37 and skips to step S38.
[0126]
In step S38, the left stop button 34L is first operated among the stop buttons 34. At this time, the player visually recognizes the light emission movement of the light emitter 38a shown in Table 5 and takes the timing. It is possible to select whether to establish or remove RP. That is, if RP is to be established, the left stop button 34L may be pushed when the light emitters 38a from the rightmost side to the leftmost side are turned on, and the leftmost side if the RP is removed. The left stop button 34L may be pushed in accordance with the timing when the light emitter 38a is turned on.
[0127]
In step S39, the type of the reel stop arrangement of the RP symbol corresponding to the random number value from the special random number generation means 72 is selected from the reel stop control selection table (Table 4). For example, when the player pushes the left stop button 34L at the timing when the leftmost light emitter 38a is lit (see Table 5), the random number generated by the special random number generating means 72 is within the range of “160 to 255”. Therefore, the RP removal arrangement 6 shown in Table 4 and FIG. 6F is selected as the RP design.
[0128]
Then, in step S40, pull-in control of the left reel 20L is executed. When the second stop button 34 is pushed in step S41, the corresponding pull-in control of the reel 20 is executed (S42), and 3 in step S43. When the stop button 34 is pushed, the reel 20 pull-in control corresponding to this is executed (S44). With the pull-in control in these steps S40, 41, and 43, the three reels 20L, 20C, and 20R are stopped in an arrangement corresponding to the light emitter 38a that is lit when the player pushes the left stop button 34L.
[0129]
When the pull-in control in step S44 is completed, the timing notification process ends (S45), and then the process returns. In step S35, if the RP symbol is not won as a result of the lottery by the general random number generation means 71, all the stop buttons 34 are pushed in step S46, and the process is skipped to return.
[0130]
As described above in detail, according to the timing notification process of the second embodiment, when the game mode is set to the BB game mode, the RP symbol is established when the general random number generation means 71 wins the RP symbol as a result of the lottery. The game can be more interesting and the RP removal can be effectively performed because it is possible for the player to decide whether to remove the RP. More medals can be obtained through the BB game mode.
[0131]
In the second embodiment, the special random number generator 72 used in the first embodiment is shared. Instead of this, the special random number generator 72 is dedicated to the second embodiment separately from the first embodiment. Special random number generation means may be employed.
[0132]
(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, the timing notification process according to the third embodiment will be described. The timing notification process of the third embodiment is a modification of the timing notification process of the first embodiment, and is a mode in which the special game mode is set in the small role game of the special game mode based on the BB prize. .
[0133]
That is, in the first embodiment, when a BB prize is established by lottery by the general random number generation means 71, in a predetermined number of games after the end of the special game mode based on the BB prize, The random number generated by the special random number generating means 72 is displayed, and a desired prize (for example, “bell”) is determined from the correspondence between the random number and the components of the small part “cherry”, “plum”, and “bell”. However, in the present embodiment, when the “small role” is won in the small role game in the special game mode, a special random number is used with a predetermined probability (for example, a probability of 1/2) each time. The point that the generated random number of the generating means 72 is displayed is different from the first embodiment.
[0134]
Specifically, a timing notification mode is set each time a winning lottery with a probability of 1/2 is won after winning the “small role” award in a small role game in the special game mode of BB. The lighting of the light emitter 38a is shifted from right to left at a predetermined time pitch in accordance with the random number value generated by the special random number generating means 72.
[0135]
According to the timing notification process of the third embodiment, in the special game mode based on the establishment of the BB prize, the probability that a “Bel” prize that is more advantageous in winning the small role will be greatly increased, and thus in the special game mode. The game can make the player more satisfied.
[0136]
(Fourth embodiment)
The winning timing notification process of the fourth embodiment corresponds to the winning of the BB prize or the RB prize only once when winning with a predetermined probability (for example, 1/10 probability) in the game immediately after the end of the BB game mode. The general random number generation means 71 notifies the timing of random number generation.
[0137]
In this case, in this embodiment, the random number generation cycle of the general random number generation means 71 (the time spent in one round when the random number is cyclically generated with “0 to 65535” as one round) is set to about 10 seconds. The Then, a random number “0-300” is assigned as the BB prize, a random number “301-500” is assigned as the RB prize, and a random number “501-65535” is assigned as the other (including outage).
[0138]
Then, the light emission timing setting of the light emitter 38a is set so that the light emitter 38a (in this case, only one light emitter 38a is employed) emits light when a random number in the range of “0 to 500” is generated. Is done.
[0139]
Therefore, the time during which the random number corresponding to the special prize (both BB prize and RB prize) is generated is 0.076 seconds (10 seconds ÷ 65536 × 501 = 0.076 seconds). If the left stop button 34L is pressed during 0.076 seconds when 38a is lit, a BB prize or an RB prize can be won.
[0140]
The random number generation cycle of the general random number generation means 71 is not limited to 10 seconds, and may be 10 seconds or less depending on the situation, or may exceed 10 seconds. Further, “1/30000 seconds”, which is the original random number generation period of the general random number generation means 71, is adopted as it is, and instead, the light emitter 38a is caused to emit light every time the general random number generation means 71 circulates 30000 times. Also good. In this way, since the light emitter 38a emits light instantaneously once per second, the player can push the left stop button 34L in synchronization with the light emission of the light emitter 38a. Or it becomes possible to aim at RB winning.
[0141]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes the following contents.
[0142]
(1) In the first to third embodiments described above, every time a small role is won, “Bell” having a large number of dividends among “cherry”, “plum”, and “bell”, which are elements of the small role. In order to guide the winning of one of the light emitters 38a (other light emitters 38a) while the special random number generating means 72 (FIG. 4) generates a random number ("234 to 255") corresponding to "Bell". May remain off or only one light emitter 38a may be used from the beginning) to emit light at a light emission timing as shown in Table 6. On the contrary, the light emitter 38a may normally be caused to emit light, and the light emitter 38a may be turned off at the time of timing notification.
[0143]
[Table 6]

That is, as shown in Table 6, since the special random number generation means 72 emits the light emitter 38a only while the random numbers 224 to 255 corresponding to the “bell” winning are generated, 2. Since the light emitter 38a is turned on once every 56 seconds for 0.32 seconds, the player can win the “bell” by pressing the left stop button 34L in accordance with the lighting timing.
[0144]
Then, if the “bell” symbols are provided at intervals of a maximum of 5 frames on each reel 20L, 20C, 20R, once the “bell” is won, the pull-in control for drawing the symbols 4 frames before to the effective stop line L is performed. As a result, if all the stop buttons 34L, 34C, and 34R are pressed, a bell award in which the symbols “bells” are always aligned will be established.
[0145]
By giving such timing notification, in the special game mode, it becomes possible to win a “bell” that can receive a dividend that is advantageous to the player with a probability of 100%, giving the player a further satisfaction. it can.
[0146]
(2) In the above embodiment, various lotteries are performed when the start lever 33 is operated. However, the present invention is limited to the fact that the lottery is performed when the start lever 33 is operated. Rather than when the medal is inserted from the medal slot 31, when the BEТ button 32 is pressed, or when any of the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R is first pressed May be executed. ,
[0147]
(3) In the first embodiment described above, a lottery for determining whether or not timing notification is performed immediately after the end of the BB game mode is executed, and only when the lottery is won. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned probability being 1/2. For example, the probability is in the range of 1/5 to 1/2. May be adopted, or other probabilities may be adopted.
[0148]
When a random number is extracted from the general random number generator 71 when the stop button 34 is pressed and a lottery is executed, the special random number generator 72 is pressed when the stop button 34 that is pressed after the stop button 34 is pressed. It is necessary to extract random numbers from.
[0149]
(4) In the first embodiment, the game mode for notifying the timing of winning a prize is 100 games. However, the game mode is not limited to 100 games, and may be less than 100 games. You may exceed 100 games. Further, the special game mode may be set unconditionally after the probability of 1/1, that is, after the end of the BB game mode.
[0150]
(5) In the above first embodiment, the timing notification for notifying the timing of winning the small role prize is required after the end of the BB game mode. However, in the present invention, the timing is after the end of the BB game mode. It is not limited to the requirement for notification, but timing notification may be performed after the end of the RB game mode or during the normal game mode.
[0151]
(6) In the third embodiment, instead of drawing whether or not timing notification is made every time a small role is won, a lottery is performed with a predetermined probability (for example, ½) when the BB is established. Then, the special game mode may be set for all the small role games in the BB game mode. This is the so-called “super big” against the so-called “normal big”.
[0152]
(7) In each of the above embodiments, the timing display means 38 is controlled by the main control unit 60. Instead of this, various signals output from the main control unit 60 are received. It is also possible to provide a sub-control unit that functions, and to control the timing display of the timing display means 38 by this sub-control unit.
[0153]
In order to perform this control, the timing notification processing unit 66 provided in the main control unit 60 is moved to the sub-control unit, and the timing display processing unit 66 controls the timing display means 38. The special random number generating means 72 (first to third embodiments) used for timing control includes a case provided only in the main control unit 60 and a case provided in both the main control unit 60 and the sub control unit. .
[0154]
When the special random number generation means 72 is provided only in the main control section 60, it is necessary to output the random number to the sub-control section every time the special random number generation means 72 generates a random number.
[0155]
On the other hand, when special random number generating means 72 having the same configuration is provided in both the main control unit 60 and the sub control unit, for example, when the power is turned on, the main control unit 60 is directed to the sub control unit. If the random number value is output only once and the special random number generating means 72 of the sub-control unit is driven using this random number value as the starting point, the two special random number generating means can be synchronized, and the main The timing display by the timing display means 38 can be controlled without outputting a random number signal from the control unit 60 to the sub-control unit.
[0156]
(8) In the first to third embodiments described above, the special random number generation means 72 is composed of a first special random number generation means and a second special random number generation means having different random number generation cycles (random number generation intervals), The first special random number generation means is used for random number extraction from the time when the start lever 33 is operated until the left stop button 34L is pressed (that is, the game execution period during which the player performs the game operation). The second special random number generating means generates random numbers during the period from the end of the push of the left stop button 34L to the operation of the next start lever 33 (that is, the game non-execution period when the player is not performing the game operation). It may be used.
[0157]
The first special random number generation means 72 employs a random number generation cycle longer than that of the second special random number generation means. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the first special random number generating means generates a random number of “0 to 255” in one round in 0.5 seconds or more, whereas the second special random number generating means is “0 to 255”. ”Is generated in a round of approximately 1/30000 seconds.
[0158]
As described above, the special random number generation means 72 is constituted by the first special random number generation means and the second special random number generation means 72, so that the operation starts with the operation of the start lever 33 and ends with the push of the left stop button 34L. The generation state of the generated random number of the first special random number generation means is affected by the second special random number generation means that is faster in random number generation speed than the first special random number generation means, that is, not synchronized with the first special random number generation means. In the second special random number generation means, the random number generation state becomes irregular every time. Therefore, the first special random number generating means alone has a disadvantage that the player can know the timing of generating a random number corresponding to the desired prize, but this is caused by using the first and second special random number generating means. Inconvenience can be reliably prevented.
[0159]
As described above, the case where the timing control is performed only by the main control unit 60 has been described regarding the configuration of the special random number generation unit 72 by the first and second special random number generation units. If the special random number generation means is not provided in the sub control unit, the random number value generated by the first special random number generation means of the main control unit 60 is output to the timing notification processing unit of the sub control unit. Thereby, the timing display control by the timing display means 38 is executed.
[0160]
On the other hand, when the sub control unit is provided with the first special random number generation means (special random number generation means 72) similar to that of the main control unit 60, when the left stop button 34L is operated. The random number value generated by the first special random number generation means on the main control unit 60 side is output to the first special random number generation means on the sub control unit side. One special random number generation means is also configured to generate a random number. As a result, the first special random number generating means on the main control unit 60 side and the first special random number generating means on the sub control unit side generate the same random number while synchronizing with each other.
[0161]
(9) In the above embodiment, the timing display means 38 has been described as an example in which a plurality of light emitters 38a are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. However, the timing display means of the present invention has a plurality of light emitting elements. The present invention is not limited to the one in which the devices 38a are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction, and various timing display means can be mentioned.
[0162]
First, a circular light emitter 38b (FIG. 1) can be cited as a first modification of the timing display means. This circular light emitter 38b is composed of a plurality of unit light emitters having the same central angle, and notifies the operation timing of the stop button 34 when these unit light emitters are turned on in order clockwise or counterclockwise. It is. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the circular light emitter 38b is provided at either the left-right symmetrical position above the reel display window 15 of the central panel 14 or at the left side position from the stored medal number display 35a.
[0163]
As the timing display means of the second modification, one of the stop buttons 34L, 34C, 34R (for example, the left stop button 34L) is also used. Specifically, the upper surface of the left stop button 34L is formed of a light-transmitting material, and a light emitter is incorporated therein, and timing notification is performed by blinking of the light emitter. Then, if the left stop button 34L is pushed in accordance with the timing at which the left stop button 34L shines, a desired result ("bell" winning selection or reel stop control for RP removal) is won.
[0164]
The timing display means of the third modification employs a 7-digit LED 38c having a plurality of digits provided at the central portion above the reel display window 15 as the timing display means. The random number value generated by the special random number generation means 72 is numerically displayed on the 7-segment LED 38c.
[0165]
The timing display means of the fourth modification employs the speaker 37 as the timing display means. The timing is notified by the sound output from the speaker 37. For example, a sound such as “pong, pong, pong, pong, pan” is output from the speaker 37 at a predetermined time pitch, and the stop button 34 is operated in accordance with the timing at which the “pan” sound is output. Winning a predetermined result.
[0166]
【The invention's effect】
In the gaming machine of the present invention, a plurality of symbol stop modes are prepared for at least a predetermined combination, and a range corresponding to all the random number categories set for each of the symbol stop modes in the predetermined combination A random number generating means for generating random numbers, a random number extracting means for extracting random numbers generated at the time of a predetermined game operation by the player, and a determination to determine which random number category the extracted random numbers correspond to Comprising a second lottery processing means comprising means, and further comprising a notifying means for notifying when a random number corresponding to at least a part of a plurality of random number sections is generated. Therefore, if a player performs a predetermined game operation at a timing that is notified on the assumption that a predetermined combination is won by lottery, the player intends among a plurality of types of symbol stop modes in the combination (Ta Timing can select a particular symbol stop mode) is informed by the second lottery process.
[0167]
Therefore, for example, the timing at which a symbol stop mode that is advantageous to the player is selected by the second lottery process, and the timing at which a symbol stop mode that is less advantageous or unfavorable is selected by the second lottery process. If a notification mode that can be identified by timing notification is employed, the player can perform a predetermined game operation using such timing notification so that an advantageous symbol stop mode is selected. . Thus, since the player's intentional intervention with respect to the progress of the game becomes possible, the interest of the game can be improved more than before.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a gaming machine adopting timing notification control of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an internal structure of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of control means of the gaming machine.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between a discrimination table and a general random number generation unit and a relationship between a general random number generation unit and a special random number generation unit;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of timing notification processing according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an RP symbol arrangement diagram showing an arrangement state of RP symbols in a reel display window. (A) is an arrangement 1 in which RP symbols “R” are aligned in the lower row, and (B) is an RP symbol “R” in the upper row. Aligned array 2, (c) Array 3 with RP symbol “R” aligned in the middle, (d) Array 4 with RP symbol “R” aligned from upper left to lower right, (e) Hung from lower left to upper right The array 5 in which the RP symbols “R” are aligned, and (f) indicates the array 6 in which the RP symbols “R” are not aligned.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of timing notification processing according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 gaming machine 11 casing
12 Casing body 13 Lid
14 Center panel 15 Reel display window
16 Lower bulge 17 Shelf
18 Upper bulging part 20 Reel (variable display means)
20L Left reel 20C Middle reel
20R Right reel 21 Stepping motor
21L left stepper motor
21C Medium stepping motor
21R Right stepping motor
30 Surface equipment 31 Medal slot
32 BEТ button 33 Start lever
34 Stop button (stop instruction means)
34L Left stop button
34C Middle stop button 34R Right stop button
35 Display 35a Stored medal number display
35b Award medal payout number display
35c game count indicator
36 Checkout button 37 Speaker
38 Timing display means (notification means)
38a light emitter 38b circular light emitter
40 Medal transport and storage structure 41 Medal guide
42 Hopper 43 Medal lending device
43a medal delivery mechanism 44 saucer
44a Medal outlet 45 Medal insertion sensor
46 medal lending sensor 50 control means
60 Main controller 61 Drive controller
62 Symbol stop discrimination part 63 BEТ detection part
64 Winning determination processing unit (winning determination processing unit)
64a lottery processing section
65 Accessory control processing unit 66 Timing notification processing unit
71 General random number generating means 72 Special random number generating means
L Stop line

Claims (5)

Variable display means for variably displaying multiple types of symbols for each column;
Stop instruction means for instructing to stop the variable display for each column;
A lottery processing means for performing a lottery of whether or not to win a role prior to stopping all the rows of the variable display;
In the gaming machine configured such that the variable display means is controlled to be stopped based on a predetermined symbol stop mode according to the type of the winning combination.
For at least a predetermined combination, a plurality of symbol stop modes are prepared,
In addition, random number generating means for generating random numbers within a range corresponding to all of the random number categories set for each symbol stop mode in the predetermined combination, and extracting random numbers generated at a predetermined game operation time by the player Second lottery processing means comprising: random number extracting means for determining, and determining means for determining which random number category the extracted random number corresponds to;
Informing means for informing a point in time when random numbers corresponding to at least some of the plurality of random number categories are generated ,
The random number generation means is configured by interposing random number generation modes having different random number generation intervals in a period excluding a period from at least a notification start time by the notification means until the predetermined game operation is performed. A gaming machine characterized by   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the notification means is configured to be performed when a predetermined condition is established.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the notification by the notification means is configured to be performed over a predetermined game period.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second lottery process is a lottery process for distributing a plurality of types of payout modes with different payouts prepared for a predetermined combination.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second lottery process is a lottery process for distributing a game transition / non-transition in a special game mode including two types of game contents.

Images