JP4397046B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine installed in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor, and more particularly to a slot machine in which a betting process using a game medium such as a medal can be performed by operating a start lever. It is.

  In the slot machine provided at the game hall, there are three reels that rotate, and multiple types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the three reels. Three symbols are displayed on the outside. And, a winning line is set to obtain a bonus when a predetermined symbol is lined up, and three winning lines are combined diagonally one by one in a straight line with the symbols of each reel. A total of five pay lines are set with two pay lines. The player, for example, inserts a medal as a game medium into the slot machine, operates the bet button to set the number of bets, operates the start lever to rotate the reel, and operates the stop button to operate the reel. Play the game by repeating the action of stopping the rotation. When the three reels are stopped, a predetermined symbol is displayed side by side on the winning line, so that a predetermined medal corresponding to the symbol is paid out as a bonus. In addition, the slot machine is provided with lottery means for winning (winning) such as big wins and small wins, and according to achievement of a predetermined win, a medal is paid out and a special game can be given. The paid-out medals can be used as they are in the game or can be exchanged for goods at a prize exchange, and the player can enjoy the game even more for the purpose of acquiring medals.

  There are two methods for inserting medals, one of which is to insert the required number of medals into the medal insertion slot provided on the front surface of the slot machine each time a game is played. The other method is a method in which a prescribed number of medals are stored in advance in the slot machine, and a prescribed number of medals are automatically inserted by one-touch operation provided on the front surface of the slot machine using this as a resource. . As the number of medals required for one game (game), one of 2, 2, or 3 can be selected. However, if the number of inserted medals is less than 3, the game cannot be started. There is also a 3-bed betting slot machine. Based on the number of medals inserted, the bet button is operated to set which of the five winning lines is valid, that is, the winning effective line is set. Only one straight winning line can be set as a winning line, and when two cards are added, two straight winning lines are added to the top and bottom to set up to three winning lines. it can. In the case of three sheets, two diagonally winning lines are added, and a total of five winning lines can be set. Then, a winning line is displayed so that it can be visually determined which of the five winning lines is valid according to the number of bets.

  When the start lever is operated to rotate the reels, a winning lottery is performed in the lottery means. The winning lottery (winning) by the lottery means that if a predetermined symbol is lined up on the winning effective line when the rotating reel is stopped, it becomes a winning and a bonus corresponding to that winning is given. . For example, when a specific symbol, “7-7-7”, which is one of the winning symbols on a predetermined winning effective line is stopped and displayed, it is determined that a big win has been won, and “BAR-BAR” is displayed on the winning effective line. When “-BAR” is stopped and displayed, it is determined that a small win is won. When the big win is displayed on the winning line, a big bonus (BB) is generated in addition to the payout of a predetermined number of medals, and for example, 30 special games can be played. When the small win is displayed on the winning line, a regular bonus (RB) is generated in addition to a predetermined number of medals, and a predetermined number of special games can be played. When the other symbols are stopped and displayed on the winning line, only a predetermined number of medals determined corresponding to the stopped and displayed symbols are paid out. The player repeats the game, but the slot machine has a carry-over program (carry-over means) that carries over the winning win, and the winning win shows a symbol corresponding to the winning on the winning line It is carried over until it is played, and the player is given a chance to win a prize every time the game is repeated.

By the way, in order to enhance the fun of the game (game), a method is proposed in which the winning line can be changed by changing the betting number even after setting the betting number according to the display method of the winning line and the number of medals inserted. Has been. As a display method of the winning line, for example, when the big win is carried over, if the maximum bet number (MAX bet) is set when the game is restarted and the win is won, the first reel is There has been proposed a method (Patent Document 1) in which, when stopped, only a winning effective line whose winning symbol is stopped is valid and other winning effective lines are invalidated. In addition, as a method of changing the winning line after setting the bet number, for example, a method that can reduce the number of medals inserted by operating the bet button after the MAX bet is set (Patent Document 2) or operating the start lever. A method (Patent Document 3) has been proposed in which the number of bets can be selected according to the direction in which the player bets.
JP 2002-136655 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-290503 JP 2000-176079 A

  However, in the above-mentioned patent document, it is difficult for the player to know that the winning is won or carried over.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to make it easy for a player to win or carry forward in order to enhance the interest of the game. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can make a judgment and does not waste a medal.

In order to achieve the above object, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the game media is inserted prior to the start of the game, and the number of the inserted game media is set as the number of bets necessary for one game. In the gaming machine in which either winning or losing is determined by lottery in response to the game starting operation performed on the condition, when the winning is won, it is set as the number of bets necessary for the one game. In addition, a game medium input means is provided for returning a part of the plurality of game media and executing the game in a state where the remaining game media that have not been returned are input.

In addition, when the winning is not won, a carry-over means for carrying over the winning right for winning to the next and subsequent games is provided, and the gaming medium throwing means carries over the winning game for the winning and the winning right for the winning. A state in which a part of the plurality of game media set as the number of bets required for one game is returned and the remaining number of game media not returned is inserted It is characterized in that the game is executed.

Furthermore, the game medium input means leaves the minimum number of game media set as the number of bets required for one game and returns the other game media.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, when the winning is won or the winning is carried over, out of a plurality of gaming media (medals) set as the number of bets required for one game. Since the game is executed with some medals being returned and the remaining medals being inserted, it is easy for the player to win or carry over. You can understand and prevent unnecessary consumption of medals and enjoy the game even more.

  FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a slot machine using medals as game media as an example of the gaming machine of the present invention. The housing 13 of the slot machine 3 includes a storage box 14 and a front door 15 provided in front of the storage box 14. The front door 15 includes an upper door 16 provided at the upper portion and a lower door 17 provided at the lower portion. A display window 20 is provided on the upper door 16, and a reel unit having a first reel 21 a, a second reel 21 b, and a third reel 21 c that are rotated and started by a start lever 38 is disposed behind the display window 20. ing. A plurality of types of symbols such as “7”, “BAR”, “Cherry”, and the like are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first, second, and third reels 21a, 21b, and 21c. Three symbols per reel are displayed through 20. The slot machine 3 has a total of 5 winning lines, 3 on the side and 2 on the diagonal, which is a combination of each reel symbol. A predetermined symbol is displayed on the winning line. It is announced that it was won by winning. On the surface of the display window 20, there are linear indicators 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e for displaying which pay line is valid among the pay lines according to the number of bets. Is provided. The indicators 20a to 20e are composed of light emitting members such as LEDs, for example, and are turned on when a winning effective line is set. However, if the method is easily noticed by the player, Not as long.

  A liquid crystal display device 23 is provided beside the display window 20 and performs, for example, effects using animation to enhance interest. The lower door 17 is provided with various operation buttons such as a single bet button 35, a MAX bet button 36, and a payout button 37 as bet number setting means operated at the start of the game. Near the various operation buttons, a start lever 38 that is operated after the medal bet is placed, and first, second, and third stop buttons 40 for stopping the reels that start rotating by operating the start lever 38, respectively. , 41 and 42 are provided. Below the display window 20, a 7-segment display device 25 for displaying numbers and a specific alphabet is provided.

  The lower door 17 is provided with a medal insertion slot 43 for inserting medals when playing a game. A selector (not shown) is incorporated in the back of the medal insertion slot 43. To the medal tray 45. In addition, when the medal is inserted at an improper timing, for example, when the selector is inserted in the middle of the game or while various operation buttons are pressed, the selector receives the inserted medal as the medal tray 45. To discharge. Prior to the start of the game, the number of medals required for a single game is limited to 1 to 3. Therefore, when the credit function is not used, medals inserted after the fourth piece are medals. It is discharged to the tray 45. When the credit function is activated by operating the payout button 37, the inserted number of medals are held in the storage tank 52 (FIG. 2) inside the slot machine 3 and the one-sheet bet button 35 or the MAX bet button 36 is set. By operation, the number of bets corresponding to the number of bets is automatically set, and the number of medals corresponding to the number of bets is consumed. There are also three-bed betting slot machines in which the start lever 38 cannot be operated if the number of inserted medals is less than three. In such a slot machine, the game is always started by inserting at least three medals.

  The lower door 17 is provided with a lock 28 for preventing the front door 15 from being opened from the storage box 14. In order to unlock the lock 28, it is necessary to insert and turn a dedicated key (not shown). FIG. 2 is a view in which the lower door 17 is partly cut so that the inside of the slot machine 3 can be seen. As shown in FIG. A device 50 (also serving as a game medium input unit of the present invention), a setting change device 55 for changing a set value, and the like are provided. The hopper device 50 is provided with a storage tank 52 for storing medals, and an overflow storage box 53 is provided below the storage tank 52.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 3. The operation of the slot machine 3 is basically controlled by the control unit 60. The control unit 60 includes a main CPU 61, a main ROM 62, a main RAM 64, an electronic lottery unit 77 as a lottery means, and a winning combination determining unit 78. The main ROM 62 includes first to sixth winning tables 63a to 63f and setting changes. A program 67, a symbol table 68, a payout table 69, a carryover program 70 (carrying means), and the like are stored. For example, first to sixth winning tables 63a to 63f are prepared corresponding to the set values, and the winning probabilities differ depending on the first to sixth winning tables 63a to 63f. The winning table corresponding to the set value is read and the game is controlled. Inside the slot machine 3, in addition to the control unit 60, the hopper device 50, the insertion medal sensor 75, the start switch sensor 76, the display control unit 90, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as communication I / F) 92, a power supply unit 94 etc. are provided.

  The setting change program 67 stored in the main ROM 62 is a program used when changing the winning probability, and the setting change key inserted into the setting change key cylinder 55a is turned from the off position to the on position. It is read when the power switch 55b is turned on. When the set value change button 55c is pressed in this state, the set value is changed. When the setting change key is turned from the on position to the off position and removed from the setting change key cylinder 55a, the execution of the setting change program 67 ends. The main RAM 64 is used when the control program and the setting change program 67 are read from the main ROM 62 and executed.

  The inserted medal sensor 75 is provided inside the selector, and detects an appropriate medal distributed by the selector among medals inserted from the medal slot 43. A detection signal output from the inserted medal sensor 75 is input to the main CPU 61, and the main CPU 61 detects the number of inserted medals. As described above, the number of medals required for one game prior to the start of the game is limited to 1 to 3, so when the credit function is not used, it is inserted after the fourth one. The medals are discharged to the medal tray 45. When the credit function is activated by operating the payout button 37, the inserted number of medals are stored in the storage tank 52 inside the slot machine 3. In the case of a slot machine dedicated to three-betting where the start lever 38 cannot be operated unless three medals are inserted, the start lever 38 is always operated after inserting three medals.

  When the single bet button 35 and the MAX bet button 36 are pressed, a pressing signal is input to the main CPU 61. The main CPU 61 determines that the number of 1 to 3 medals inserted prior to the start of the game is a detection signal from the insertion medal sensor 75 or one of the 1 bet button 35 and the MAX bet button 36 is pressed. The number is counted based on the pressing signal input in response to this, and thereby the number of activated pay lines, that is, the effective pay line is determined. At the same time, one of the indicators 20a to 20e is turned on by the display control unit 90 to display the winning line. For example, in the case of a single bet, the indicator 20a is lit and one winning line in the middle horizontal row is displayed as a winning line, and in the case of two bets, the indicators 20b and 20c are also lit and the top and bottom Three winning effective lines with two horizontal rows of winning lines. In the case of three bets, the indicators 20d and 20e are also lit and a total of five winning effective lines with two diagonal winning lines added. Is displayed. Further, the bet number of medals inserted at the start of the game is added up and counted by a counter provided in the main CPU 61.

  The start switch sensor 76 is turned on when the start lever 38 is operated, and inputs a game start signal to the main CPU 61. When a game start signal is transmitted from the start switch sensor 76, the main CPU 61 that has received the signal rotates the first, second, and third reels 21a, 21b, and 21c based on the game execution program stored in the main ROM 62. At the same time, the electronic lottery unit 77 is operated.

  The control unit 60 is provided with an electronic lottery unit 77 and a winning combination determining unit 78. The electronic lottery unit 77 includes a random number generation unit and a random number extraction unit, and extracts one random value every time the game is started. The winning combination determination unit 78 operates in accordance with the random number extraction process in the electronic lottery unit 77, and determines whether the extracted random number is lost or a plurality of types of winnings with reference to the winning table in the ROM 62 To do. Note that the lottery includes a step of extracting a random number in the electronic lottery unit 77 and a step of determining whether the winning combination determining unit 78 is lost or a plurality of types.

  When the start lever 38 is operated, rotation of the reels 21a to 21c is started, and a random number is generated by the electronic lottery unit 77. A winning combination is determined by the winning combination determining unit 78 based on the random number. A carryover program (carry-over means) 70 for carrying over the winning is programmed, and the reels 21a to 21c that are rotating while the winning is won are stopped, and a predetermined symbol corresponding to the winning that is won on the winning effective line The right to win will be carried over until is displayed. In other words, the player repeats the game, but if the winning is won, the winning right is carried over until the symbol corresponding to the winning is stopped on the winning active line, and the winning is won every time the game is repeated. A chance is given to the player.

  Driving and stopping control of the first, second, and third reels 21a, 21b, and 21c is performed by the symbol drive control unit 79. The first, second, and third reels 21a, 21b, and 21c are respectively fixed to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 80, and the symbol drive control unit 79 controls the rotation of each of the reels 21a to 21c by controlling the drive of each stepping motor 80. To control. Each stepping motor 80 is supplied with a DC current of 24 V, and the stepping motor 80 is driven based on this supplied current.

  The main CPU 61 is provided with a pulse counter for each stepping motor 80, and counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each stepping motor 80. When the reset signal is input from the photo sensor 82, the count value of the corresponding pulse counter is cleared. Thus, each pulse counter monitors the driving of each reel 21a-21c based on the number of drive pulses corresponding to the rotation angle within one rotation of each reel 21a-21c.

  The symbol table 68 stored in the main ROM 62 indicates the number of drive pulses corresponding to the rotation angle from the reference position of each reel 21a to 21c and the symbols arranged on the reels 21a to 21c at a constant pitch. A code is associated. As a result, by counting the count value of the pulse counter for each reel, it is possible to identify which symbol has moved on a predetermined winning effective line. It is possible to predict whether or not the vehicle will move on a predetermined winning active line.

  When the first, second, and third stop buttons 40, 41, and 42 are pressed, a stop signal for stopping the reel drive is input to the main CPU 61. The rotation of the reels 21a to 21c is started by the operation of the start lever 38. When the rotation of the reels 21a to 21c reaches a certain speed, the operation of the stop buttons 40 to 42 becomes effective.

  "Watermelon", "7", "BAR", "Bell", "Cherry", "Replay design", etc. are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 21a-21c. When the symbol is stopped and displayed on the winning effective line, it is notified that the winning is won and the player is given a bonus according to the winning. For example, when “7-7-7” is stopped and displayed on the winning effective line, a bonus as a big hit is given, and when “BAR-BAR-BAR” is stopped and displayed on the winning effective line, as a small win Bonuses are awarded. When the big win is displayed on the winning line, a big bonus (BB) is generated in addition to the payout of a predetermined number of medals, and 30 special games, for example, can be played. When the small win is displayed on the winning line, a regular bonus (RB) is generated in addition to the payout of a predetermined number of medals, and a predetermined number of special games can be played. When a symbol other than the above is stopped and displayed on the winning line, only a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the symbol.

  The hopper device 50 has a medal return function according to the present invention, which will be described later, as well as paying out a medal corresponding to the number determined by the winning combination determination unit 78 to the medal tray 45 as a bonus. A hopper motor 50 a is provided in the hopper device 50, and the drive of the hopper motor 50 a is controlled by the main CPU 61. The main CPU 61 is based on the payout data read from the payout table 69 stored in the main ROM 62. The hopper motor 50a is driven. When the credit function is activated, the corresponding number of medals are not paid out to the medal tray 45 and are stored in the storage tank 52 as internal reserve resources.

  The operation of the slot machine 3 configured as described above will be described. The player inserts medals lent out from the amusement hall through the medal insertion slot 43. Since the number of medals required for one game is limited to 1 to 3, medals inserted after the fourth piece are discharged to the medal tray 45 when the credit function is not used. When the credit function is activated by operating the payout button 37, the inserted number of medals are stored in the storage tank 52 inside the slot machine 3.

  After inserting the medal, the one-bet button 35 or the MAX bet button 36 is pressed to set the bet number. At the stage when the one-bed bet button 35 or the MAX bet button 36 is pressed, the CPU 61 determines a winning effective line as the number of activated winning lines, and the display control unit 90 displays the winning effective line accordingly. Any one of ~ 20e is lit up. The start lever 38 is operated to rotate the reels 21a to 21c to start the game. At the same time, the winning combination determination unit 78 performs a lottery in accordance with the random number generated by the electronic lottery unit 77. When the reels 21a to 21c reach a predetermined number of revolutions, the stop buttons 40, 41 and 42 are activated, the stop button 40 is operated to stop the reel 21a, the stop button 41 is operated to stop the reel 21b, The stop button 42 is operated to stop the reel 21c.

  Of the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 21a to 21c, for example, [7-7-7] lined up in any of the winning winning lines is one of the winning winning combinations. The hopper device 50 pays out the number of medals corresponding to the jackpot to the medal tray 45 as a bonus and activates a big bonus by the CPU 61 so that, for example, 30 special games can be played. When the payout button 37 is operated and the credit function is activated, the medal as a bonus is stored in the storage tank 52 without being paid out to the tray 45.

  The player repeats the game, but the winning right by the carryover program 70 is carried over until the symbol corresponding to the winning is stopped and displayed on the winning line, and every time the game is repeated. Players are given a chance to win.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the game flow of the present invention. Insert 3 medals to play the game. When the number of inserted sheets is less than three and the game is started, the one-bet button 35 is operated to set the number of bets. A winning line corresponding to the number of inserted medals or the number of bets placed by the single bet button 35 is displayed, and the start lever 38 is operated to start the game. In this case, a normal game process similar to the conventional one is performed. When the number of medals inserted is 3 or more and the MAX bet button 36 is operated, the CPU 61 sends a command signal to the display control unit 90 to inform the player that the game is a 3-bet game, and sets the winning winning line. All the indicators 20a to 20e to be displayed are turned on. Then, the player operates the start lever 38 to start a game with three bets.

  When the game is started by operating the start lever 38, the CPU 61 determines whether the big hit is drawn and won or the big hit is carried over. At the same time, random numbers are generated in the electronic lottery unit 77, and a winning lottery is made in the winning combination determining unit 78 based on the random numbers. If the big win is not won or carried forward, the normal processing of MAX betting is performed as it is, and the game is started. If a big win is won or carried forward and a win other than the big win is won by the lottery of the winning combination determination unit 78, the game with the MAX bet is started as it is, but a win other than the big win is not won. In this case, the CPU 61 issues a command to the hopper device 50, and the hopper motor 50a is driven to return two of the three medals bet to the receiving tray 45 and the number of winning winning lines is one. The game with one medal starts. In accordance with the winning effective line indicators 20a to 20e, only the central winning effective line indicator 20a is turned on accordingly. As a result, the player can easily know whether the winning is won or the winning has been carried over, and at the same time, useless consumption of medals can be avoided.

  When the credit function is working, the two returned medals are not returned to the tray 45 but stored in the storage tank 52, but the winning line is displayed only on the display 20a. Therefore, even if the medal is not returned to the tray 45, the player can know that the winning winning line is displayed or the winning is won or carried forward.

  By configuring the slot machine of the present invention as described above, it is possible to easily recognize whether the big hit is won or carried over, and prevent unnecessary insertion of medals when the big hit is won or carried forward. Can be enjoyed by the player.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the big hit is won or carried over has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to the case where the big hit is also made. And if these wins are won or carried over, medals will be returned only when MAX bet is placed, but this is not a limitation and the number of medals to be returned However, the number is not limited to two, and may be determined as appropriate in order to enhance the fun of the game.

  In the above embodiment, a slot machine using a medal as a game medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a medal, and may be a slot machine using a game medium such as a pachinko ball. And, if the number of inserted medals is less than 3, it can be applied to a 3-bet slot machine in which the start lever does not function.

It is a perspective view which shows the slot machine of this invention. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the inside of the slot machine partially cut away. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

3 Slot Machine 13 Housing 20 Display Window 20a-20e (Winning Effective Line) Indicator 21a-21c Reel 35 1-Bet Button 36 MAX Bet Button 37 Payout Button 38 Start Lever 40-42 Stop Button 43 Medal Slot 45 Receptacle 50 Hopper device 50a Hopper motor 52 Storage tank 55 Setting change device 60 Control unit 61 Main CPU
62 Main ROM
70 Carry-over program 77 Electronic lottery section 78 Winning role determination section 90 Display control section

Claims (3)

A game medium is inserted prior to the start of the game, and in response to a game start operation performed on condition that the number of inserted game media is set as the number of bets required for one game, a hit or a loss In gaming machines where any of these are determined by lottery,
In the case of winning the winning, a part of the plurality of game media set as the number of bets required for one game is returned, and the remaining game media that have not been returned are inserted. A gaming machine comprising a game medium input means for executing a game in a state. If you do not win the winning, provide a carry-over means to carry the winning right per winning to the next game,
The game medium insertion means includes a part of a plurality of game media set as the number of bets required for the one game in the game won in the winning and the game in which the winning right in winning is carried over. And return the number of
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game is executed in a state where a remaining number of game media that have not been returned are inserted. The game according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the game medium input means leaves a minimum number of game media set as the number of bets required for one game, and returns other game media. Machine.

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