JP4674881B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a slot machine provided with a symbol pull-in control means for pulling a symbol within a predetermined range and stopping it even after the symbol stopping operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional slot machine, the variable display device in operation is stopped by operating the symbol stop operation device. At that time, the variable display device is stopped at the moment when the operation is performed. Not to do. If the variable display device in operation stops immediately and the symbol is displayed at the moment when the operation is performed, the expert in the stop operation will win a prize every game. For this reason, the variable display device of the slot machine is compulsory regardless of the player's intention so that it does not become a winning display unless winning the lottery / judgment executed inside the slot machine. Is under stop control.
[0003]
Specifically, control is performed such that the variable display device is stopped at a slight delay from the moment when the symbol stop operation is performed. By this control, a symbol different from the symbol displayed at the moment when the symbol stop operation is performed is drawn and displayed. On the contrary, thanks to this control, even if you do not aim exactly and do not aim exactly, if you win the lottery / judgment executed inside the slot machine, the symbols will be drawn automatically within the range of the predetermined number of symbols. In some cases, a prize may be awarded. In this case, the control is thankful for the player. Note that “winning” as used in this specification indicates that the display mode is such that a game medium is given to a player. “Winning” indicates that a condition for winning a prize is established in the internal processing of the slot machine.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The control as described above is executed regardless of the player's intention as described above. Although the player wins and does not win anyway, it is out of the question, and while the player wants to stop this symbol, he operates the symbol stop operating device. I do not allow it. In this case, it is not even known which symbol is displayed when the stop operation is performed. Even if you want to check, you can't.
[0005]
The slot machine has been established in the field of gaming machines because it is a game-participating gaming machine that gives a player the satisfaction of “operating on their own”. However, as described above, there is still a situation where the game is unilaterally pressed against the machine.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problems and actions / effects]
In order to solve the above problems, the slot machine of the present invention
A variable display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols, an operation start operation device that a player operates to start operation of the variable display device, and a player that operates to stop the operation of the variable display device A symbol stop operating device and a pull-in control means for executing a pull-in control for pulling and stopping the symbol within a predetermined range when stopping the variable display device in operation based on the operation of the symbol stop operating device. In a slot machine with
A pause control means for executing a pause control for temporarily stopping the variable display device in operation before executing the pull-in control;
When the operation of the variable display device is temporarily stopped by the temporary stop control means, it is determined based on a predetermined probability whether to notify in which range the symbol is drawn by the pull-in control, If decided ,in front In which range the pattern is drawn by the pull-in control , When the suspension has occurred and before the pull-in control is started An informing means for informing a player,
Before the pull-in control is performed, the player can predict what display form the symbol will be.
[0007]
As a result of intensive studies by the inventors of the present invention, it is realized that the problem can be solved if the symbol is temporarily displayed and made visible for the time being when the symbol stop operating device is operated, regardless of whether the symbol is won or not. Invented the slot machine.
[0008]
The slot machine of the present invention has means for immediately bringing the variable display device into a paused state at the position of the symbol displayed at the moment when the symbol stop device is operated, so that the player operates the symbol stop operation device. It is possible to confirm the position of the selected moment, that is, which symbol is displayed at the moment of the operation (the symbol is hereinafter referred to as the operation moment symbol). Then, if the position is different from the desired stop position aimed by the player, the user notices that the deviation needs to be corrected in the next game. It can be said that such a situation improves the “game participation degree” of the game participation type gaming machine.
[0009]
Furthermore, if the variable display device is in a paused state and the symbol “winning if this symbol is drawn” is within a drawable range, the player is drawn by the pull-in control. As a result, there will be a strong expectation that you will win a prize, and your interest in games will improve.
[0010]
The temporary stop control means temporarily or intermittently stops the operation of the variable display device for a predetermined time from the moment when the operation of the symbol stop operation device is started.
[0011]
Even if the operation of the variable display device is stopped for a certain period of time, it is necessary to set a time during which the player can sufficiently confirm the operation instantaneous symbol. A timer may be set in advance so that the slot machine performs pull-in control when the number of seconds elapses from the moment when the stop operation is started, but more preferably, the operation of the symbol stop operation device is started. From the moment when the operation is completed to the moment when the operation is completed. Furthermore, if the paused state occurs intermittently, it can be expected as an effect of improving game play as an action for winning.
[0012]
The temporary stop control means temporarily stops the operation of the variable display device from the moment when the operation of the symbol stop operation device is started until the moment when the operation is completed.
[0013]
The period from the moment when the operation of the symbol stop operation device is started until the moment when the operation is completed means a time interval from the start to the end of a series of operations. Once it is stationary, it is included in the time interval. In this way, if the pause control means is executed based on the time interval determined by the player's intention, the player can check the operation instantaneous pattern with a margin. The interest in games is not impaired.
[0014]
In addition, when the operation of the variable display device is temporarily stopped by the temporary stop control means, a notification means is provided for notifying the player that the pull-in control is executed.
[0015]
In the slot machine of the present invention, the pull-in control itself is executed in the same manner as in the conventional slot machine. However, when the operation of the variable display device is paused by the pause control means, the player starts after this. What kind of pattern is pulled in by pull-in control? I have a sense of expectation. If the appearance pattern of the symbol displayed on the variable display device has been determined, a prediction such as “If the symbol that is currently displayed and the symbol that is displayed next is displayed by the pull-in control, then a prize is given” It is possible to
[0016]
The informing means includes means for notifying the player in which range the symbol is drawn by the pull-in control.
[0017]
The winning symbol may be the symbol displayed after the operation moment symbol, that is, one symbol later, two symbols later, or three symbols. By the way, if the information that “the number of symbols after the symbol is drawn” is obtained when the operation of the variable display device is temporarily stopped, the player can know that the above-mentioned symbol appearance pattern is known in advance. However, it is possible to know that the winning symbol is surely drawn by the pull-in control before the winning is confirmed, though the display mode is not yet a win.
[0018]
For example, if it is confirmed that the symbol for a special prize such as a jackpot is drawn while the operation of the variable display device is temporarily stopped, a special prize fanfare or the like starts to ring for the player. Even before, it makes it possible to immerse yourself in satisfaction. Furthermore, if the pull-in control is executed, a special prize is confirmed for the first time, a game medium is given, and the player can be immersed in satisfaction again. In this way, it is possible to enjoy twice with one winning, and the interest in games is improved.
[0019]
Moreover, the notification means includes means for determining whether to notify based on a predetermined probability.
[0020]
As described above, the above-mentioned notification means improves the interest of the game, but if there is a game notification every game, it may only be annoying for the player. If there is a possibility of winning a prize, even if it is clearly noticed at the scene of the losing decision, it is not happy, and conversely, the player's interest in the game may be impaired. In order not to create such a situation, it is only necessary to be notified based on a certain probability instead of every game. From the viewpoint of improving game playability, it is desirable that when there is a notification, the expectation for winning increases.
[0021]
In addition, a pause control selection device is provided that enables selection of whether the pause control means is valid or invalid.
[0022]
As described so far, the slot machine of the present invention has excellent gameplay, but the drawing displayed on the variable display device changing at high speed is directly viewed and the pull-in control is not executed. Regardless, there are extremely rare skilled players who can confirm the above-mentioned operation momentary symbols. For such a player, the pause control means only hinders the rapid progress of the game, so it is necessary to be able to select whether it is valid or invalid.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of a slot machine 100 according to the present invention. In order to start a game, first, an arbitrary number of game media (for example, coins and medals, henceforth referred to as medals) are inserted into an insertion slot indicated by 10, and an operation start operation device indicated by 11 (hereinafter referred to as a start lever). Is called). It shows how many medals are inserted and the game is started, and an effective line (in what kind of arrangement the symbols are recognized as winning). For example, when a single medal is inserted and the game is started, only the middle horizontal row indicated by 12 is an effective line, and when two medals are inserted, two rows of upper and lower horizontal rows when one is inserted. An effective line 13 is added. When three medals are inserted, two diagonal effective lines 14 are added when two medals are inserted. Each effective line corresponds to a so-called one-sheet, two-sheet, and three-game system. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by taking a slot machine having a maximum multiplication factor of 3 as an example.
[0024]
The above case is a medal game in which medals are directly inserted, but it is also possible to start a game using a credit function. The credit function is a very convenient function not only during a normal game but also during a special game state such as a jackpot which is started after the display mode shown in FIG. The credit function is usually composed of a MAXBET button 15, a 1BET button 16, and a credit number display unit 17. When four or more medals are inserted, the number of credits defined in advance (for example, 50) is stored as the upper limit. The stored medals are inserted by operating the MAXBET button 15 equivalent to inserting the maximum number, or the 1BET button 16 equivalent to inserting one by one, and it becomes possible to play a game. The remaining amount of stored medals is displayed on the credit number display unit 17. A credit release button 18 is operated when it is desired to release the storage.
[0025]
What is indicated by 24 is a temporary stop control means selection device for validating or invalidating the temporary stop control means of the present invention. As described above, some players, such as skilled players, say that pause control is not necessary. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a device that allows the player to select whether to enable or disable the control.
[0026]
When the start lever 11 is operated and the game is started, the operation of the variable display device is started, and the symbols are displayed one after another from the display window 19 at a high speed. As an example of the variable display device, a rotating reel driven by a stepping motor is provided with a plurality of symbols as symbol cells. Hereinafter, based on this example, the variable display device is simply referred to as a reel.
[0027]
In order to stop the reel, the left symbol stop operating device 20L (hereinafter referred to as a stop button), the middle stop button 20C, and the right stop button 20R are each operated. The order in which the stop buttons are operated is arbitrary by the player. In general, looking directly at the design, measuring the timing to stop at the desired design, and operating the stop button is called "pressing", and conversely, specializing in operating all the stop buttons appropriately without timing. In magazines etc., it is called “Oyaji-hit”. The word stems from the fact that in the old days, most of the middle-aged male players were unable to perform their actions in an actual amusement hall, and always performed all stop operations at random. However, most players in the amusement hall are doing “Looking Up” to a greater or lesser degree, and as a synonym for “Looking up…” used.
[0028]
When the stop buttons 20L, 20C, and 20R are operated, the reel is stopped, and the symbol becomes visible from the display window 19. For example, if an arrangement of symbols (see 201 in FIG. 2) shown on the upper part of the slot machine or the like is shown on the active line, a prize is awarded, and processing corresponding to each prize is performed. Specifically, special prizes shown in 30 and 31 (hereinafter referred to as big bonus, regular bonus), small prizes shown in any of 32 to 36 (including replay prizes), etc. Depending on the number of medals, a prescribed number of medals are awarded, or a replay opportunity is given. If there is a special prize, a game that is very advantageous to the player after a specified number of times is started. That is the so-called big bonus game, regular bonus game.
[0029]
The number of medals given to 21 is displayed, and the number of games in the big bonus game and regular bonus game is displayed in 22. 23 is a display unit composed of a liquid crystal screen or the like, such as information on the number of game media acquired during the big bonus game, notification information for notifying the player that a condition for winning such as a big bonus has been established, Various information on the progress of the game is displayed here. The above is the general operation method and game method of a general slot machine. The method of playing during the big bonus game and the regular bonus game will be omitted.
[0030]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of symbols provided on the reel and a display mode for generating a prize in the slot machine as described above. The symbol array table 200 indicates that 21 symbols are shown for each reel. That is, the slot machine in this figure has three reels. In 201, a display mode in which a prize is generated is shown. Names such as “Big Bonus” and “15-Board” are assigned to each display mode. Such a display mode is usually shown on the front of the slot machine housing.
[0031]
201 shows the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to various winning combinations. 37 is an effective combination only during the big bonus game. 38 is an effective combination only during regular bonus and big bonus games. Assume that the slot machine of the present invention has such a symbol and winning combination and starts a game.
[0032]
FIG. 3 assumes a state where, after inserting a medal and operating the start lever, the stop button is operated, and two of the three reels, the left reel and the middle reel, are stopped. 9 symbols of 3 × 3 are displayed from the display window 19. Of course, the displayed symbol is not limited to nine symbols. When the left and middle reels are stopped as indicated by 40, the big bonus winning 777 indicated by 30 in FIG. “Tempered” means, as indicated by 40, a state before winning a prize, in which two identical symbols are arranged on the active line and there is a possibility of winning a prize. Since the right reel is continuing the spinning as indicated by ↓ of 40, the player operates the right stop button 20R to somehow stop 7 in the middle stage of the right reel.
[0033]
Next, a symbol 41 is displayed at the moment when the right stop button 20R is operated. As an example of the operation, it is conceivable to press the stop button. Henceforth, it is assumed that the operation and pressing of the stop button have the same meaning. In this state, it is assumed that the stop button is kept pressed and the pause state is maintained. If the right reel pull-in control is allowed up to 4 symbols, when the pull-in control is executed by releasing the stop button, the right reel stop pattern does not operate again and stops as it is Is included in 5 patterns. There are one pattern for winning 15 winning combinations, one pattern for winning big bonuses, and three patterns for losing.
[0034]
Suppose that the stop button is released and pull-in control is executed. Strictly speaking, it may be stopped as it is. What is indicated by 42 is a pattern of 15 winning combinations. In this case, the pull-in control is not executed, and the symbol (operation moment symbol) displayed at the moment when the right stop button is first operated is displayed as it is. 43 shows a pattern of a big bonus winning. In this case, pull-in control for 2 symbols is executed from the instantaneous operation symbol (see 200 in FIG. 2). I will refuse, but each role won't win unless it wins the lottery / decision executed inside the slot machine. The word “flag establishment” shown in the drawing means “winning the lottery / determination”. 44, 45 and 46 show a pattern of losing no winning combination. Retraction control for one symbol, three symbols, and four symbols is executed, respectively.
[0035]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the slot machine according to the present invention. As described above, until the operation of the stop operation device is started and ended, for example, the time from when the stop button is pressed and released corresponds to the operation from the start to the end. In the example of FIG. 3, a signal is sent from the right stop button press detection unit 61 </ b> R to the control unit 70 of the slot machine, and a pull-in control program stored in the ROM 64 is called and temporarily stored in the RAM 65. . The CPU 63 is responsible for executing a program temporarily stored in the RAM 65. The execution result is sent to the reel driving unit 66, and the reel driving unit 66 temporarily stops the right reel 68R in the example of FIG. This state is a state in which the state has shifted from state 1 (normal reel operation) to state 2 (reel pause).
[0036]
While the stop button is being pressed, the above state 2 is maintained, and when the stop button is released, a signal is sent to the control unit 70 again, and the CPU 63 executes the program again accordingly. The execution result is sent to the reel drive unit 66, and the pull-in control of the right reel 68R which has been temporarily stopped is executed or stopped as it is. This state is a state in which the state 2 has shifted to the state 3 (stop after pull-in control). The stop position detection unit 69 detects which symbol is stopped in the state 2 and sends the information to the CPU 63, and detects the stop state in the state 3 and sends the information to the CPU 63. Based on this information, the CPU 63 can make a determination such as “how many symbols should be drawn?” And “which role has won?”.
[0037]
The operation of pressing the stop button or releasing the pressed button applies a voltage when the stop button is pressed, keeps applying the voltage while the button is pressed, and applies the voltage when the stop button is released. One example is the operation of creating a high and low voltage state such as being stopped. Control including such an operation is classically realized by an operational amplifier using a CMOS-IC, but the CPU 63 takes charge of the control in the slot machine of the present invention. Of course, these controls may be terminated and stopped by interrupt control (interrupt by timer, program, etc.).
[0038]
If game conditions are programmed such that one game should not be played for more than 30 seconds, if the stop button is pressed for more than 30 seconds, the timer forcibly shifts to pull-in control. It is done. Alternatively, it is possible to consider a means in which, after the stop button is pressed, the pause control is executed regardless of whether or not the pressing operation is continued, and the pull-in control is executed after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0039]
The temporary stop control means can be executed for various gaming situations. For example, it can be performed on all reels, but it may only be annoying. It would be most practical and effective to target only the reel that is finally stopped. Since the order in which the reels are stopped is arbitrary by the player, the pause control means of the present invention is applied to all the reels.
[0040]
Further, when executing the temporary stop control, information related to the pull-in control is displayed on the display unit 23 constituted by a liquid crystal screen or the like and is shown to the player. An example is shown in FIG. While the reel is under pause control, the display unit 23 displays information such as “how many symbols are subject to pull-in control” for the reel that is under pause control, and the player performs pull-in control. It is possible to predict what kind of display form the symbol will display before reference is executed with reference to the symbol arrangement table 200 of FIG.
[0041]
In FIG. 5, first, in the case of (a), “SLIDE!” Is displayed, and the player is only notified that the pull-in control is executed. In the case of (b), it becomes more specific and “SLIDE! 3” is displayed, and the player is notified that the drawing of three symbols will be executed. Taking FIG. 3 as an example, it is clear from the operation instantaneous symbol shown in 41 that a loss occurs when the drawing of three symbols is executed. In the case of (c), “SLIDE! 2-4” is displayed, and the player is informed that any of the pull-in controls for 2, 3, and 4 symbols will be executed. The pull-in control for 3 or 4 symbols is lost, but the pull-in control for 2 symbols is aligned with 777 in the middle row in the middle row, and it can be predicted from the operation instantaneous symbol shown in 41 that a big bonus game will be won It is. In the case of (d), “STOP!” Is displayed, and the player is informed that the reel pull-in control is not executed at all. That is, it is indicated that the pause state is the final symbol stop state.
[0042]
Hereinafter, the flow of processing along an actual game will be described with reference to flowcharts.
[0043]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow from the start of the game to the execution of the big bonus game process and the regular bonus game process. If a medal is inserted into the slot machine, a game start process such as an active line determination process and a start lever operation confirmation process is executed in A. In B, a combination lottery / determination process at the time when the start lever is operated is executed. In C, reel start / stop processing is executed. The main control of the present invention such as the pause control is executed in C.
[0044]
In D, a winning combination determination process is executed as to which display mode the symbol is in. If it is determined that the display mode (winning) is given in D, the medal payout process in which a medal is given to the player is executed in E. If it is determined that the display mode is to win the big bonus at time B and start the big bonus game at time D, the big bonus game is started at F and processing related to the progress of the big bonus game is executed. Is done. Since the regular bonus game is exactly the same as the big bonus game, the description is omitted. Among the above processes, the processes A, B, C, and D will be described in detail below. Other processing is omitted because it is not directly related to the invention.
[0045]
FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart of the game start process shown in chart A of FIG. Every game starts with a medal. When the insertion of medals is confirmed in A1, it is subsequently determined whether or not the game start flag is 1 in A2. “Game start flag = 1” includes information that “the start lever is valid and the conditions for executing the lottery / determination process are in place”. When no medal is inserted, the game start flag is not 1. However, first, the game start flag is set to 1 at A3.
[0046]
In A4, the above-described effective line setting is executed. Thereafter, in A5, a determination is made as to whether or not three or more medals have been inserted, that is, the number of bets = 3. Of course, even if the BET number is not 3, the game can be started by operating the start lever at A6. If the BET number is 3, it is determined in A7 whether or not the number of inserted medals has exceeded three. The inserted medals from the fourth sheet are added to the number of credits at A8. Since the maximum number of credits is assumed to be 50, it is determined whether or not the number of credits has reached 50 in A9. When the number of credits reaches 50, it is impossible to store more credits, so the medal path is switched to the medal return side. If it has not reached 50, it is possible to return to A1 and start the game by operating the start lever as it is. Of course, it is also possible to insert three correctly and operate the start lever as it is. When the operation of the start lever is confirmed in A6, the process proceeds to A11 and the above-described determination of whether or not the game start flag is 1 is executed. Subsequently, at A12, the medal passage is switched to the medal return side. Thereafter, the process proceeds to a lottery / determination process.
[0047]
FIG. 8 is a detailed flowchart of the lottery / determination process shown in Chart B of FIG. The lottery / determination process starts from a stage B1 in which one random number is extracted from random numbers generated by a random number generator or the like. Since the winning probabilities of the combination in the one-ply game, the two-ply game, and the three-ply game are different, a random number determination table corresponding to each multiplier is read into the RAM 65 of the slot machine 100 in B2. The extracted random number is matched with the random number determination table. In other words, a determination is made in B3 as to which winning combination is won or completely lost. If the extracted random number matches the winning random number on the determination table, the winning combination is determined in B4, and the winning combination flag is updated to 1 in B5. This includes information that “a winning condition has been established for the winning combination”. If it is not won, the flag is not updated, and the process proceeds to reel start / stop processing.
[0048]
FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart of the reel start / stop process shown in Chart C of FIG. In order to start the reel, it is first determined in C1 whether or not one game regulation time has elapsed. This is, for example, a process provided to clear the slot machine standard that 4.1 seconds or more must have elapsed since the reel start of the previous game in order to start the reel. If the regulation time has elapsed, the process proceeds to C2 and all reels are started. In C3, the game start flag is cleared and becomes zero.
[0049]
When the start of the operation of the stop button for stopping the reel is confirmed in C4, the corresponding reel operated in C5 is stopped or paused. If the start of the stop button operation is not confirmed, a determination is made at C6 as to whether the reel regulation time has elapsed, and a reel that has passed the reel regulation time (for example, 30 seconds) is forced at C7 regardless of the player's intention. The symbol pull-in process is executed. The reel regulation time is a predetermined time for which the reel is forcibly stopped if the stop operation is not performed by the player within a predetermined time from the start of starting the reel. .
[0050]
Note that although “operation start” is described in C4, the operation of the stop button is continuing. In C8, it is determined whether or not two reels have been stopped. In the example of this flowchart, the pause control is to be executed for all reels. However, when the pause control is executed only for the reel to be stopped last, the determination at C8 is NO. If the destination to proceed to is C14, the flow of processing will match.
[0051]
If the two reels have not been stopped, it is determined in C13 whether or not the operation of the stop button has been completed. If the operation has been completed, the pull-in control is performed. Of course, including the case of stopping as it is. Subsequently, in C15, it is determined whether or not all reels are stopped. If all the reels are not stopped, the process returns to C4 and the operation of the next stop button is started.
[0052]
Returning to C8, if the two reels have been stopped, the process proceeds to C9, where it is determined whether or not the symbol is a template. If the symbol is not a template, it is determined in C13 whether or not the operation of the stop button has been completed. If the operation has been completed, the pull-in control is performed. In this case, since all reels are stopped, the process proceeds to the winning combination determination process, but the game itself ends at this point because there is no winning.
[0053]
Returning to C9, if the symbol is tempered, a notification lottery process is subsequently executed in C10. As described above, the means for notifying that the pull-in control is executed may always be executed. However, when producing a game, it is not interesting, and is executed based on a certain probability. The lottery process for that is performed in C10. For example, one random number generated by a random number generator or the like is selected and matched with a determination table.
[0054]
Subsequently, in C11, a notification pattern determination process is executed. The notification pattern is a pattern about the content for notifying the player of information such as “how many symbol pull-in control is executed”, and the example has already been shown in FIG. When the notification pattern is determined, notification processing is executed in C12. The notification means can be considered as voice information, color information, etc., but in the slot machine of the present invention, the display unit 23 composed of a liquid crystal screen or the like is shown.
[0055]
Thereafter, in C13, it is determined whether or not the operation of the stop button has been completed. If the operation has been completed, the pull-in control is performed in C14. After it is confirmed in C15 that all reels are stopped, the process shifts to a winning combination determination process, but if no winning combination is won, the game itself ends at this point, but flag updating, etc. Processing is executed inside the slot machine.
[0056]
The manner in which the pull-in control is executed is not shown in the flowchart, but various patterns can be considered. First of all, like the conventional slot machine, it is a pattern that does not show any action obediently and leads to a reel stop. A change is made to the movement of the reel during the pull-in control. For example, if the action is applied, such as pulling in more slowly than usual, winning by showing that no prize will be won, or rotating the reel in the reverse direction from the normal time, improvement of the production effect is expected. Of course, it is easily conceivable to generate such an action based on a certain probability.
[0057]
The pattern we have described so far is that the player has to keep pressing the stop button for a long time, but as previously mentioned, the time interval that is programmed in advance from the moment the stop button is pressed. It is also conceivable to implement a means for performing pause control (for example, 5 seconds from the moment when the stop button is pressed). In this case, it is not necessary for the player to keep pressing the stop button, and the player can enjoy the effects of the present invention only by the conventional operation, but the real pleasure of “operating” may be diminished. In the middle of a series of processes shown in FIG. 9, when one game regulation time of the slot machine has elapsed, the pull-in control is executed regardless of the player's intention, and the reel is stopped. Note that there is a possibility that interrupt processing will be preferentially executed.
[0058]
FIG. 10 is a detailed flowchart of the winning combination determination process shown in the chart D of FIG. After all the reels are stopped, the stop position detection unit 69 detects the step angle of the stepping motor, and the information is sent to the CPU 63. The CPU 63 determines which display mode the symbol is stopped in, and determines whether or not the winning combination has been won. The number of medals to be awarded is determined.
[0059]
First, in D1, it is determined whether the flag winning combination is stopped on the active line (= winning). When winning, the corresponding combination flag is cleared to 0 in D2. Thereafter, a medal payout process is executed. When the winning combination is a big bonus game or the like, processing corresponding to the winning combination is also executed. When the flag winning combination is not won, it is determined in D3 whether or not the flag winning combination is a small combination. When the flag winning combination is a small combination, the small combination flag is cleared to 0 in D4. This is because there is no flag carryover control (control to maintain the flag until the next game). If the winning combination is a special combination such as a big bonus game, the flag is not cleared and is carried over to the next game.
[0060]
The series of processing described so far is performed by the CPU 63 using the RAM 65 as a work area according to a program stored in the ROM 64.
[0061]
FIG. 11 is a time chart showing operating states of the start lever, stop button, and reel. The horizontal axis represents the passage of time. The vertical axis represents whether or not the start lever and stop button are being operated, and the reel is or is not operating. First, at t1, each reel starts to operate simultaneously with the operation of the start lever. In the figure, the content expressed as being simultaneous is not exactly the same considering signal transmission and processing by the CPU, but the time lag is ignored in the figure. When the left stop button is pressed at t2, the active left reel is stopped. When the middle stop button is pressed at t4, the middle reel in operation stops. When the right stop button is pressed at t6, the right reel that is in operation receives a pause control and enters a pause state. When the right stop button that has been pressed at t7 is released, the right reel starts operating again, pull-in control is executed, and the reel stops. Between t6 and t7, the stop button is kept pressed. Since t2 and t3 and t4 and t5 indicate extremely short time intervals, it means that the stop button is pressed almost instantaneously.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of a slot machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an example of symbol arrangement and various display modes of the slot machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation instantaneous symbol and a reel stop pattern based on pull-in control.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a slot machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an example of information related to pull-in control displayed on a display unit configured with a liquid crystal screen or the like.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing along a game in the slot machine provided with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart of a game start process shown in chart A of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a detailed flowchart of lottery / determination processing shown in Chart B of FIG. 6;
9 is a detailed flowchart of reel start / stop processing shown in Chart C of FIG.
10 is a detailed flowchart of a winning combination determination process shown in chart D of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a time chart showing operating states of a start lever, a stop button, and a reel.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 slot machine
11 Operation start operation device
20L, 20C, 20R Symbol stop operation device
23 Display
24 Temporary stop control selection device
41 Instantaneous operation pattern
63 CPU
64 ROM
65 RAM
66 reel drive
69 Stop position detector

Claims (4)

A variable display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols, an operation start operation device that a player operates to start operation of the variable display device, and a player that operates to stop the operation of the variable display device A symbol stop operating device and a pull-in control means for executing a pull-in control for pulling and stopping the symbol within a predetermined range when stopping the variable display device in operation based on the operation of the symbol stop operating device. In a slot machine with
A pause control means for executing a pause control for temporarily stopping the variable display device in operation before executing the pull-in control;
When the operation of the variable display device is temporarily stopped by the temporary stop control means, it is determined based on a predetermined probability whether to notify in which range the symbol is drawn by the pull-in control, as determined, and informing means for informing whether the symbol is drawn in any range by pre symbol pull-in control, previously to the player than the is when became pause the pull-in control is started, With
A slot machine, wherein a player can predict what display form a symbol will have before the pull-in control is performed.   2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the pause control unit temporarily or intermittently pauses the operation of the variable display device for a predetermined time from the moment when the operation of the symbol stop operation device is started.   The temporary stop control means temporarily stops the operation of the variable display device from the moment when the operation of the symbol stop operation device is started to the moment when the operation is completed. Slot machine.   4. The slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising a pause control selection device that enables selection of whether the pause control means is valid or invalid.

Images