JP4678839B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine.

  In a conventional slot machine, when a bonus flag (special role flag) is established by internal lottery, a specific symbol (so-called reach eye) that is not displayed when the bonus flag is not established is displayed on the reel (symbol display means). The player is notified of the establishment of the bonus flag by displaying the stoppage (making reach reach appear) (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-209160 JP 2004-105613 A

  These reach types are set for each model, ranging from simple ones that are open to the public in game stores and magazines, even those that are easy to notice even during the game even for beginners, and those that are not open to the public and difficult to notice even for advanced players. Has been. Therefore, for slot machine players, finding out their own reach (especially geeky) is one of the great pleasures in the game. However, in these patent documents, the reach is displayed (appears) on the reel, or the reach that appears during the game is displayed on another display device (for example, a liquid crystal display unit). It cannot be said that the players are fully satisfied with the joy of finding out their reach.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the enjoyment of searching for a specific symbol (for example, reach eyes) displayed only when the special role flag is established, and for a player who notices the specific symbol. The object is to provide a slot machine capable of enhancing satisfaction.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to solve the above problems, the slot machine of the present invention provides:
A lottery means for executing a lottery for determining a winning combination including a special role in accordance with the start of the game and establishing a flag of the winning winning combination;
A symbol display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols;
Stop means operated by the player in order to stop the change display of the symbols by the symbol display means;
When the symbol to be stopped on the symbol display means based on the operation of the stop means does not coincide with the symbol corresponding to the special role in the state where the combination lottery means has established the special combination flag, Display control means capable of stopping and displaying a specific symbol that is not displayed when the special combination flag is not established on the symbol display means, and notifying the player that the special combination flag has been established;
Operation means for a player to operate when the symbol display means notices that it has stopped at the specific symbol;
Privilege granting means for granting a privilege advantageous to the player according to the length of the period until the operation means is operated by the player after the combination lottery means establishes the special role flag;
It is characterized by providing.

  In this way, it is advantageous for the player by notifying that the symbol display means (for example, reel) has stopped at the specific symbol (for example, reach eye) and operating the operation means (for example, push button). Benefits are granted. For example, when a privilege is given in the form of point grant, the granted point can be used for renting a game medium (for example, a medal), and can be linked to a point service such as a free gift according to the number of points. This increases the enjoyment of searching for a specific symbol and allows the player to obtain great satisfaction by gaining substantial benefits for noticing the specific symbol. In addition, since the amount of profit obtained according to the length of time until the player operates the operation means changes, the player pays more attention to the symbol display means during the game, and the appearance of a specific symbol To pay attention to.

  By the way, the length of the period from when the winning lottery means establishes a special role flag (for example, a bonus flag) to when the operating means is operated by the player is generally counted by the number of games. However, it may be counted by the number of inserted game media (for example, the number of medals) or a time measurement value by a timer. Further, the granting of a privilege to a player is performed by, for example, direct payout with the game medium or point addition (accumulation) to a point card.

  Therefore, it is desirable that the privilege granting unit grants a larger privilege as the number of games played before the operation unit is operated by the player after the combination lottery unit establishes the special combination flag is smaller. As a result, the player always pays attention to the appearance of the specific symbol on the symbol display means in order to find the specific symbol as soon as possible and obtain a larger profit.

  At this time, the privilege granting means is a game for determining the size of the benefit if the symbol display means does not stop displaying a specific symbol even if the symbol drawing lottery means establishes the special role flag. The number may not be counted. Even in the state where the special combination flag is established, a specific symbol may not be displayed (does not appear). In such a case, the fairness of the game can be maintained by not counting the number of games.

  Further, the privilege granting means may give a disadvantage to the player when the operation means is operated by the player in a state where the combination lottery means does not establish the special role flag. Thus, by imposing a penalty on an operation error of the operation means, it is possible to prevent the player from operating the operation means unnecessarily in order to obtain a privilege.

  In addition, it has an insertion slot for inserting a storage medium capable of storing information related to the privilege, and the privilege granting unit accumulates information related to the privilege in the storage medium when the storage medium is inserted in the insertion port. (Rewrite). As a result, the privilege information given to the player can be written and stored in a storage medium (for example, a point card), so that even when the player moves the gaming machine (slot machine), the storage medium is shared. Can be used.

(Example)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an example of a slot machine according to the present invention. The slot machine 1 has a casing, and three reels 41L, 41C, and 41R (see FIG. 2; symbol display means) that are rotationally driven by a stepping motor are accommodated in the casing. On the left, middle, and right reels 41L, 41C, and 41R, symbols (designs including numbers) are drawn. Three symbols of each reel can be visually recognized from the display window 10 provided in the center, and thereby, symbol display areas of the left, middle, and right symbol display portions 11L, 11C, and 11R are formed.

  At the bottom of the display window 10, there are provided a medal insertion slot 12, a credit insertion button 13 that is operated when the player plays a game using the credit function, and a credit checkout button 14 that the player operates to release the credit. It has been. Furthermore, in the lower part, a start lever (start switch) 15 for starting a game, left, middle, right, left, middle, and right, which are operated by a player for stopping the symbol variation of the symbol display portions 11L, 11C, 11R, Right stop buttons 16L, 16C, and 16R (stop means) are provided. At the bottom, a medal payout port 17 and a medal storage tray 18 are provided. The right side of the display window 10 displays a credit display unit 19 for storing and displaying up to 50 medals inserted and paid out, and displays the number of medals to be paid out when a symbol indicates a predetermined combination. A payout number display unit 20 is provided.

  When playing a game using the credit function, medals to be paid out at the time of winning a prize and fourth or more inserted medals are stored up to 50. The stored medal number is displayed on the credit display unit 19. Then, by operating the credit insertion button 13, medals corresponding to the set number are inserted, and a one-bet game, a two-bet game, or a three-bet game is possible.

  Speakers 21 and 21 functioning as a notification device for providing voice information to the player are provided on the upper and lower sides of the housing in pairs. In addition, a liquid crystal display unit 22 is provided between the speakers 21 and 21 to provide (notify) a game effect as image information to the player. By these notification devices, information relating to the game is provided to the player in one of images, colors and sounds, or a combination thereof.

  The reels 41L, 41C, and 41R (design display portions 11L, 11C, and 11R) are stopped and displayed with so-called reach eyes (the reach eyes are made to appear) between the liquid crystal display unit 22 and the one speaker 21. When the player notices, a reach eye recognition button 23 (operation means) is arranged for the player to operate. The liquid crystal display unit 22 can also be used as a notification device (point display means; privilege granting means) that adds or displays points (privileges; profits) when the reach eye recognition button 23 is operated. Function (see FIG. 4). Reference numeral 24 denotes an insertion slot that is arranged above the reach eye recognition button 23 and into which the point card 25 (storage medium) is inserted.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1. The main board 30 which is a control unit of the slot machine 1 is a CPU 31 (role lottery means; display control means; privilege grant means) which is an arithmetic device, and a read-only storage device in which various programs and a lottery determination table are stored in advance. A ROM 32, a RAM 33 which is a readable / writable main storage device and used as a work area, and an input / output interface (I / O) 34 are mainly configured. These devices are connected to each other by a bus not shown in the figure.

  An operation signal from the operation unit is input to the main board 30 via the input / output interface 34. A signal input to the main board 30 is input to the CPU 31. Each operation unit includes a start lever 15, left, middle, and right stop buttons 16L, 16C, and 16R, a inserted medal detection unit 12a, a credit insertion button 13, a credit check button 14, a reach eye recognition button 23, a power switch, and the like. .

  During the game, the sequence program stored in the ROM 32 is sequentially read out by the CPU 31, stored in the RAM 33, and executed in accordance with the progress of the game. A process execution command is output from the CPU 31 to each operation unit (the reel drive unit 41, the medal payout unit 42, the decorative lamp unit 43, and the like) via the input / output interface 34.

  The process execution command is also output from the CPU 31 to the liquid crystal display unit 22 and the audio output unit 45 via the input / output interface 34. The ROM 32 stores an image display program, image data, an audio output program, audio data, and the like, and is read by the CPU 31 according to the operation of the slot machine 1. As the program is executed, an image data signal and an audio data signal are output to the liquid crystal display unit 22 and the audio output unit 45, respectively. The speaker 21 is controlled via the audio output unit 45.

  The operation of the reel drive unit 41 is controlled by a drive pulse signal output from the CPU 31. The left, middle, and right reels 41L, 41C, and 41R (symbol display means) are detected by the stop position detection unit 47 for each rotation, and a reel reference position signal is input to the CPU 31. The reel is controlled based on this information.

  The mechanism of slot machine operation is well known and only the main points are described. When a medal is directly inserted into the medal insertion slot 12 or when the credit insertion button 13 is operated, a medal is inserted and preparation for playing a game is completed. In the control unit 30, winning lines 51, 52, 53 (see FIG. 1) are activated according to the insertion of medals, lamps corresponding to the respective lines are turned on, and a game start signal is input from the start lever 15. In response to this, an internal lottery process for determining which of a plurality of predetermined winning combinations such as a bonus (equivalent to a special combination) or a small combination is to be won is executed. The winning winning combination flag is established. Such a lottery process is performed by sampling a random number generated by the control unit 30 and determining which of the plurality of types of winning combinations has been won or lost based on the sampling random number. The winning winning combination flag is established. That is, the CPU 31 of the control unit 30 functions as a role lottery means.

  When the player operates the left, middle and right stop buttons 16L, 16C and 16R, the corresponding left, middle and right reels 41L, 41C and 41R are stopped based on the internal winning flag. When the symbols corresponding to the winning combination are displayed on the left, middle, and right symbol display portions 11L, 11C, and 11R when the left, middle, and right reels 41L, 41C, and 41R are stopped, medals are paid out. The left, middle, and right reels 41L, 41C, and 41R are controlled to draw in a maximum of 4 symbols. The symbols corresponding to the winning flag are drawn, or in the case of non-winning, the symbols corresponding to the winning combination are prepared. Do not.

At this time, with the bonus flag (special role flag) established, the CPU 31 corresponds to the bonus symbol to be displayed on the reels 41L, 41C, 41R based on the operation of the stop buttons 16L, 16C, 16R. If the symbol does not match the symbol, the so-called reach eye (a specific symbol that is not displayed when the bonus flag is not established) is stopped and displayed on the reels 41L, 41C, 41R to notify the player that the bonus flag has been established. It has a function as a control means. Further, the CPU 31 has a function as a privilege granting unit that gives points according to the number of games until the player operates the reach eye recognition button 23 after the bonus flag is established. In addition, the point (information regarding privilege) provided from CPU31 is read from the point card 25 by the card reader / writer 24a arrange | positioned inside the insertion port 24 (refer FIG. 1), or written in the point card 25. Can do.

  Next, control of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when a point card is inserted. First, in a normal state (for example, a state where the start lever 15 is not operated), it is confirmed whether or not the point card 25 is inserted into the insertion slot 24 in S1. If the point card 25 is inserted (YES in S1), the number of points stored in the point card 25 is read in S2, displayed as the current number of points on the liquid crystal display unit 22 in S3, and then the process returns. . Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is displayed as “37 points” in the lower right portion of the liquid crystal display unit 22. The left side from the center of the liquid crystal display unit 22 is used for effect display and the like. If the point card 25 is not inserted (NO in S1), the process immediately returns.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when a reach eye recognition button is operated. In S11, it is checked whether the reach eye recognition button 23 has been operated, and then in S12 whether the point card 25 is inserted into the insertion slot 24. If both are YES, the bonus flag is ON (established) in S13. Check if it exists. If the bonus flag is ON (YES) (YES in S13), the number of games after the bonus flag is established is read in S14, and the number of points added according to the number of games is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 22 in S15. . At this time, as shown in FIG. 3A, the number of points to be added is set larger as the number of games after the bonus flag is established is smaller. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when 3 points are added and displayed as “3points Get!”, The number of games after the bonus flag is established is 0 (ie, bonus During the game in which the flag is established, the player notices the reach eye and operates the reach eye recognition button 23).

  In S16, the number of points stored in the point card 25 is rewritten by the card reader / writer 24a, the display of the current point number on the liquid crystal display unit 22 is updated in S17, and the process returns. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, it is displayed as “40 points”.

If the bonus flag is OFF (not established) (NO in S13), the number of points subtracted in S18 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 22. The number of subtraction points at this time is set to −1 regardless of the number of games after the bonus flag is established as shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4C, when 1 point is subtracted and displayed as “1point Lost”, the player mistakenly recognizes the reach eye during the game in which the bonus flag is not established. The button 23 has been operated. Thereafter, the number of points stored in the point card 25 is rewritten by the card reader / writer 24a in S16, the display of the current number of points on the liquid crystal display unit 22 is updated in S17, and the process returns. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4C, it is displayed as “36 points”.

  When the reach eye recognition button 23 is not operated (NO in S11) and when the point card 25 is not inserted (NO in S12), the process immediately returns.

  In this way, the number of points added to the reach display (appearance of reach eyes) is set larger as the number of games after the establishment of the bonus flag is smaller as shown in FIG. Attention is always paid to the appearance of reach eyes to 41L, 41C, and 41R. Further, when the player mistakenly operates the reach eye recognition button 23 during a game in which the bonus flag is not established, the number of points is subtracted, so that the player carefully operates the reach eye recognition button 23. Become.

Further, the following modifications may be added to the present embodiment.
(1) When the period until the reach eye recognition button 23 is operated after the bonus flag (special role flag) is established is counted by the number of games, the reels 41L, 41C, and 41R display reach eyes (specific symbols). If it is not displayed, fairness to the game can be ensured if it is not included in the number of games to be calculated (see FIG. 3A). For example, it is assumed that the reels 41L, 41C, and 41R are displayed in the normal eyes (other than the reach eyes) in the game in which the bonus flag is established, become the normal eyes in the next game, and reach eyes appear in the next game. Then, the number of games after the bonus flag is established in FIG. 3A in this case is counted as 1 (addition point 2).

(2) After the bonus flag is established, while a predetermined number of games (for example, 3 games) are consumed, the pull-in control of the reels 41L, 41C, and 41R is restricted so that bonus symbols are not aligned and reach eyes appear. The reel control may be performed as described above. As a result, it is possible to prevent the bonus symbols from being unexpectedly arranged, and to reliably generate a chance to operate the reach eye recognition button 23.

(3) The length of the period from when the bonus flag is established until the reach eye recognition button 23 is operated can be calculated by using the number of inserted game media (for example, medals) or timer measurement values in addition to counting by the number of games. Good.

(4) In order to give a privilege to a player, a method other than the point system using the point card 25 may be used. For example, after the bonus flag is established, a game medium (for example, a medal) may be paid out according to the number of games until the reach eye recognition button 23 is operated. In that case, according to the number of games, the number of payouts can be set in the same manner as in FIG. 3A, or a difference can be provided in the number of payouts in the bonus game after the bonus symbol is established. At this time, as in the present embodiment, it is desirable to set so that the smaller the number of games, the larger the number of acquisitions (the number of payouts).

(5) The reach points may be ranked according to the level of difficulty of discrimination, and the addition points in FIG. In this way, it is possible to further increase the player's satisfaction and incentive to seek reach eyes.

(6) The player's reach eye recognition level may be determined based on the number of acquired points, and the level (for example, advanced, intermediate, elementary) may be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 22. In this way, it is possible to further increase the player's satisfaction and incentive to seek reach eyes.

(7) Reach eyes once recognized by the player may be excluded from the points to be awarded later. In this way, points are not repeatedly given at the same reach, so the number of acquired points and the number (type) of recognized reach are almost proportional.

  However, in the above (6) and (7), an ID (identification number) for identifying (identifying) the player must be given to the point card 25 in advance.

  The present invention can also be applied to a slot machine (commonly called parrot) that uses a game ball as a game medium.

The front schematic diagram which shows an example of the slot machine which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine of FIG. 1. The figure which illustrates an addition point and a subtraction point. The figure which shows the example of a display of a liquid crystal display part. The flowchart which shows a process at the time of point card insertion. The flowchart which shows the process at the time of reach eye recognition button operation.

Explanation of symbols

1 Slot machine 16L, 16C, 16R Left, middle, right stop button (stop means)
22 Liquid crystal display (point display means; privilege display means; effect display means)
23 Reach eye recognition button (operation means)
24 insertion slot 25 point card (storage medium)
31 CPU (role lottery means; display control means; privilege grant means)
41L, 41C, 41R Left, middle, right reel (design display means)

Claims (5)

A lottery means for executing a lottery for determining a winning combination including a special role in accordance with the start of the game and establishing a flag of the winning winning combination;
A symbol display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols;
Stop means operated by the player in order to stop the change display of the symbols by the symbol display means;
When the symbol to be stopped on the symbol display means based on the operation of the stop means does not coincide with the symbol corresponding to the special role in the state where the combination lottery means has established the special combination flag, Display control means capable of stopping and displaying a specific symbol that is not displayed when the special combination flag is not established on the symbol display means, and notifying the player that the special combination flag has been established;
Operation means for a player to operate when the symbol display means notices that it has stopped at the specific symbol;
Privilege granting means for granting a privilege advantageous to the player according to the length of the period until the operation means is operated by the player after the combination lottery means establishes the special role flag;
A slot machine comprising:   The privilege granting unit grants a larger privilege as the number of games played before the operation unit is operated by a player after the combination lottery unit establishes the special combination flag is reduced. The slot machine described in.   The privilege granting unit determines the size of the privilege when the symbol display unit does not stop displaying the specific symbol even if the combination lottery unit establishes the special combination flag. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the slot machine does not count for the number of games.   The privilege granting means gives a disadvantage to a player when the operation means is operated by a player in a state where the special lottery means does not establish the special combination flag. 4. The slot machine according to any one of 3 above. An insertion slot for inserting a storage medium capable of storing information related to the privilege;
The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the storage medium is inserted into the insertion slot, the privilege granting unit can accumulate information relating to the privilege in the storage medium.

Images