JP4793811B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine in which production is performed as a game progresses.

  In a conventional slot machine, an effect according to the lottery result is performed on effecting means such as a liquid crystal display device. However, in such a device, the original function as an effect to prevent the player from getting bored, such as changing the contents of the effect by the player, cannot reflect the player's intention regarding the effect. There was a case that did not fulfill enough.

  For this reason, in addition to the conventional operation unit such as a start switch, there is also a slot machine having a configuration in which an operation unit for changing the production is separately provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Furthermore, when starting a unit game, pay attention to the fact that the reels may start rotating after a short waiting time rather than immediately rotating the reels. There is also a slot machine that changes the frequency of (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-135653 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-024325

  When the operation unit for changing the production is provided separately as in the conventional slot machine described above, a signal emitted from the operation unit is detected or the control is changed according to the detection. It was necessary to make the configuration and control complicated.

  Further, when the notification sound is changed according to the standby time, the standby time is changed according to the time required for the unit game, and thus is affected by the timing of operating the stop switch. However, since the operation of the stop switch directly affects the result of the game, when the player tries to change the production, the player may not be able to concentrate on the operation of the stop switch.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and the object of the present invention is to change the mode of processing for selecting an effect by the player's operation without adding a new separate operation means. It is possible to provide a slot machine that can simplify the configuration and control of the device, change the processing mode for selecting an effect without burdening the player, and change the type of the effect. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the end point when the start switch is operated as the start of one unit game, and the start point when the operating means is operated by the player before the end point The elapsed time is measured, and based on this elapsed time, an effect to be performed in one unit game is selected.

Specifically, the slot machine according to the present invention is:
Rotated based on the operation of the start switch by the player, one or more reels even without least multiple symbols attached to each, the progress of the game by the form of the display of the symbols on when all stopped determined slot A machine,
In the game, a unit game in which a single process is performed from when the start switch is operated by the player until the at least one reel stops and the processing based on the result of the game is completed may be repeatedly performed. A game,
Informing means for informing the information about the game as an effect,
A plurality of effects performed in the notification means, each of the plurality of effects being effect data storage means in which effect data relating to a plurality of effects belonging to any one of a plurality of predetermined groups is stored When,
An operation means including said start switch to be operated by a player,
A role lottery means for performing a lottery process of the type of role;
Time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time between two time points, wherein a time point when the start switch is operated as a start of one unit game is set as a time point of time end, and the player makes the time point before the end time point. Time counting means for measuring the elapsed time from the start time to the end time, the time point when the start switch is operated as the start time point,
Including an effect selection means for selecting an effect performed in the notification means from the plurality of effects,
The production selection means includes:
If the elapsed time does not exceed a predetermined time and a predetermined combination is not won by the combination lottery means, it is selected by a unit game executed at least once before the one unit game. Select one production from the production and production belonging to the same group,
When the elapsed time does not exceed a predetermined time and the predetermined combination is won by the combination lottery means, and when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time, all of the plurality of effects One of them is selected.

  The slot machine according to the present invention has a plurality of reels. The plurality of reels can be rotated or stopped based on the player's operation. Specifically, the reel is controlled to rotate based on detection of a signal generated from the start switch when the player operates the start switch. This control is performed by the reel rotation control means. Further, the reel is controlled to stop based on detection of a signal generated from the stop switch when the player operates the stop switch. This control is performed by the reel stop control means. The stop switch is preferably composed of a plurality of switches corresponding to each of the plurality of reels. By doing in this way, each of a some reel can be stopped separately.

  Each of the plurality of reels is provided with a plurality of symbols. When a plurality of reels are stopped, the display mode of symbols is determined. The game played in the slot machine is controlled by game control means, and the progress of the game is determined by the display mode of the symbols when a plurality of reels are stopped.

  The slot machine according to the present invention includes notification means, effect data storage means, and operation means.

  The notification means notifies information related to the game as an effect. The notification may be any information that can be recognized by the player based on the five senses of the player.

  The effect data storage means stores effect data relating to a plurality of effects. For example, when the effect is an image, the effect data storage means stores image information and image data. In the case where the effect is a sound, sound information and sound data are stored in the effect data storage means. Furthermore, in the case where the effect is due to lighting such as lighting, the effect data storage means stores information and data relating to lighting and blinking patterns. The effect data storage means only needs to store information and data necessary for the effect performed by the notification means.

  The operation means includes a start switch operated by the player. The operation means may be anything that can be operated by the player. In particular, those that can be operated by the player to advance the game are preferable. For example, a start switch for rotating the reel, a stop switch for stopping the reel, a bet switch for setting the number of game media to be bet on, and the like are desirable.

  A game in the slot machine according to the present invention consists of a unit game that is played at least once. The start of the unit game is when the start switch is operated by the player. This “when the start switch is operated” means, in principle, when the game control means detects the start signal generated from the start switch by the player operating the start switch. Further, the start of the unit game may be when it can be visually confirmed that a plurality of reels have started to rotate.

  The end of the unit game is when a plurality of reels are stopped. This "when multiple reels stop" is, in principle, when a player operates the stop switch to stop multiple reels and detects that multiple reels have stopped, or the reels stop. When the end process of the unit game such as a winning process is finished. Furthermore, the end of the unit game may be when it is possible to visually recognize that a plurality of reels have stopped.

  The slot machine according to the present invention includes timing means. The time measuring means measures the elapsed time elapsed from the start time to the end time. The end time is when the player operates the start switch as the start of one unit game. Here, the “one unit game” is any one of the unit games that can be performed a plurality of times, and this “one unit game” is used as a reference for a unit game that can be performed a plurality of times. It will be a unit game. The start time is a time before the end time, and is a time when the operating means is operated by the player. Here, in the unit game played at least once before the “one unit game”, even when the operation means is operated by a player in the “one unit game”, It may be the time when the operating means is operated by the player. That is, the start time point may be a time point before the end time point and the time when the operating means is operated by the player, regardless of the division of the unit game.

  As described above, the effect data storage means stores “effect data related to a plurality of effects”. The “effect data relating to a plurality of effects” is preferably stored as “a plurality of tables”. For each “plurality of tables”, “predetermined number of effect data” of “effect data related to a plurality of effects” belongs. That is, it is divided so that “a predetermined number of effect data” belongs to each table. This “predetermined number” may be the same or different for all tables. For example, there may be four tables, and each of the four tables may be divided so that eight pieces of effect data belong. Moreover, you may divide | segment so that a different number of production data may belong to every table. For example, five effect data may belong to the first table, and 13 effect data may belong to the second table. The sum total of effect data belonging to “plurality of tables” is the number of “plurality of effect data”.

  The effects belonging to each of the plurality of tables preferably have a common relationship or a common association. For example, all the effects belonging to the second table are classified so as to have a common second relationship so that all effects belonging to the first table have a common first relationship. Is preferred. That is, the effects belonging to the table are characterized by the common relationship and the common association. Further, it is more preferable that the common relationship and the common association differ for each table. For example, in the above-described example, it is preferable that the first relation characterizing the first table and the second relation characterizing the second table are determined to be different. Further, it is more preferable that the common relationship and the common association can be recognized by the player. By doing in this way, when an effect is performed, the player can easily recognize whether an effect belonging to the same table is being performed or an effect belonging to a different table is being performed.

  The slot machine according to the present invention includes effect selection means. The effect selection means first determines whether or not the elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition. “Elapsed time” is the time measured by the above-described time measuring means, and is the time from the start time to the end time. The “predetermined condition” may be a condition that can be determined using the elapsed time. For example, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time is a predetermined time or more. Depending on whether or not this elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition, an effect to be performed in “one unit game” is selected. When the elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition, according to one effect selection processing mode used for selecting effects in “unit game played at least once before one unit game”, “one unit game” The production in “is selected. That is, an effect selection processing mode used for selecting an effect in “unit game played at least once before one unit game”, and an effect selection processing mode used for selecting an effect in “one unit game” However, the effects are selected in such a manner that the processing modes are the same.

  When it is determined that the effects selected by one effect selection processing mode are related to each other, the player can recognize that the effects are selected by the same effect selection processing mode. For example, when the effect is an image, if the displayed character, landscape, and background are the same, it can be recognized that the effect is selected by the same effect selection processing mode. On the other hand, if a different character, landscape, or background is displayed, it can be recognized that the effect is selected by a different effect selection processing mode. When an effect is performed along a certain story, it can be recognized whether the effect is selected by the same effect selection processing mode by developing the story.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to change the mode of processing for selecting an effect by the player's operation without newly adding separate operation means that can be operated by the player. In addition, since it is not necessary to add a separate operation means, the configuration and control of the apparatus can be simplified. Furthermore, since it is possible to change the mode of processing for selecting an effect only by a normal operation necessary for proceeding to the game, the type of effect can be changed without imposing a burden on the player. Can concentrate on the game and advance the game.

Furthermore, the slot machine according to the present invention further includes a role lottery means for performing a lottery process of the type of the role,
The effect selection means includes an effect selection processing mode determination means for determining the effect selection processing mode based on the lottery result of the role lottery unit,
When the predetermined combination is won by the combination lottery means, and the elapsed time satisfies the predetermined condition, the effect selection means is a unit game played at least once before the one unit game. An effect selection processing mode different from the one effect selection processing mode used for selection of the effect is determined by the effect selection processing mode determining means, and an effect is generated according to the other effect selection processing mode in the one unit game. What is chosen is preferred.

  As described above, the slot machine according to the present invention further includes a role lottery means. The role lottery means performs a type of lottery process. The types of roles include special roles, small roles, and replay roles. The special role is a role for shifting to a special game state that can be advantageous to the player. For example, bonus combinations such as a big bonus combination and a regular bonus combination described later correspond to this combination. The small role is a role for paying out game media. For example, a role such as a watermelon role or a bell role corresponds to this role. Furthermore, the re-gamer is a role that gives a profit that allows a new game to be started without making an investment by introducing a game medium. For example, a replay role corresponds to this role.

  The effect selection means includes effect selection processing mode determination means. The effect selection processing mode determining means determines the effect selection processing mode based on the lottery result of the role lottery means. When the predetermined combination is won by the combination lottery means and the elapsed time satisfies the predetermined condition, the effect selection processing mode determination unit sets the effect selection processing mode in “one unit game” as “one unit game”. Is determined to be another effect selection processing mode different from the one effect selection processing mode used for selection of the effect in “unit game played at least once before”. When the predetermined winning combination is won by the winning lottery means and the elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition, the effect selecting means, according to the “other effects selecting processing mode” determined by the effect selecting processing mode determining means, Select the production in “One unit game”.

  The above-mentioned condition that “a predetermined combination is won by the combination lottery means” may be that a certain combination is won, and it is not necessary that the specific combination is won. In other words, it is only necessary to satisfy the condition that the lottery process did not result in “out”.

  The “elapsed time” under the condition “elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition” is the time measured by the time measuring means as described above, and is the time from the start time to the end time. Further, the “predetermined condition” of this condition may be a condition that can be determined using the elapsed time. Therefore, for example, it is determined whether the elapsed time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

  In this way, when the player is operating so that the elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition in order to advance the game sequentially and quickly, the effect selected according to the same effect selection processing mode is in principle As done. In other words, when the player is operating to promptly advance the game, if the game is “lost” by the lottery process, the effect selected according to the same effect selection processing mode is performed. When the player continues to play the game in this way, if a winning combination is won by the lottery process, the effect selected according to the different effect selection processing mode is performed by the process described above. By performing the effects selected according to the different effect selection processing modes, the player can know that a winning combination has been won in the lottery process by the winning lottery means. That is, by performing the above-described processing, it is possible to notify the player that a certain role has been won by the lottery processing.

Furthermore, in the slot machine according to the present invention, the operation means further includes a game medium number setting means for setting the number of game media as a target of the unit game betting, and
The operation by the player at the start time is an operation of the start switch for starting a unit game performed at least once before the one unit game, or the game corresponding to the one unit game. What is operation of the medium number setting means is preferable.

  The operation means further includes a game medium number setting means. This game medium number setting means sets the number of game media. This game medium serves as a betting object for performing a unit game. That is, when performing a unit game, the player needs to set the number of game media to bet. Since this setting is a player's operation and is an operation necessary to advance the game, by using this operation, a mode of processing for selecting an effect without imposing a great burden on the player is provided. Can be changed.

  When such an operation is included, the player operates the start switch in order to start the above-mentioned “start time” (1) “unit game played at least once before one unit game”. Or (2) when starting the “one unit game”, the player may operate the game medium number setting means.

In the slot machine according to the present invention, the predetermined condition includes a plurality of determination conditions,
When the effect selection means wins a predetermined combination in a unit game played at least once before the one unit game, one of the plurality of determination conditions is determined as the predetermined condition. And determining whether or not the elapsed time satisfies the one determination condition.

  In the slot machine according to the present invention, the “predetermined condition” that “the elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition” may be composed of “a plurality of determination conditions”. As described above, the “predetermined condition” used for determining whether or not the elapsed time satisfies the predetermined condition does not always have to be the same, and may have a plurality of different determination conditions. The “predetermined condition” is preferably “a unit game played at least once before one unit game”, which is switched on condition that a predetermined combination is won.

  The elapsed time from the “start time point” to the “end time point” described above may change. For example, the time required for winning a winning combination performed after all reels have stopped may vary depending on the type of winning combination. Specifically, when winning a predetermined type of combination such as a small combination, it is necessary to perform a medal payout process, so that the time required for the winning process becomes long. Therefore, “multiple judgment conditions” are prepared as “predetermined conditions” in order to cope with the case where the elapsed time from “start time” to “end time” changes. It is preferable to select one determination condition from the “plurality of determination conditions” and to change the “predetermined condition” as appropriate. By executing the processing as described above, even if the elapsed time from the “start time” to the “end time” has changed, the determination process can be performed according to the change, and the player's intention Can be secured.

Furthermore, the slot machine according to the present invention is:
A role lottery means for performing a lottery process of the type of role;
Random number generating means for generating a random number for selecting an effect, and
The effect data storage means stores the effect data as a plurality of effect tables, and the effect data corresponding to a predetermined number of effects among the plurality of effects is stored in each of the plurality of effect tables. And
When the elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition, the effect selection means is selected based on a type of a combination by a lottery process of the combination lottery means and a unit game performed at least once before the one unit game And selecting one effect table from among the plurality of effect tables based on the generated effect, and performing the one unit game using the random number value generated by the random number generating means. Those selected from a table are preferred.

  Based on the value of the random number generated by the random number generation means, the performance to be performed in one unit game is selected, so that the progress of the performance is changed and the progress of the performance is prevented from being repeated. And the possibility of not letting the player feel bored arises.

  Without adding new separate operation means, it is possible to change the mode of processing for selecting an effect by the player's operation, simplify the configuration and control of the device, and without burdening the player A mode of processing for selecting an effect can be changed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<< Configuration of Slot Machine 10 >>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the front surface of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the slot machine 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 10 includes a box-shaped base portion 20 and a front door 40. The front door 40 is pivotally supported on the left side portion of the base portion 20 and is provided to be openable and closable on the front side of the base portion 20. FIG. 1 shows a state where the front door 40 is closed with respect to the base portion 20, and FIG. 2 shows a state where the front door 40 is opened approximately 180 degrees with respect to the base portion 20.

<Front side of front door 40>
The front door 40 is attached to the base unit 20 so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the front surface of the base unit 20 when closed. As shown in FIG. 1, a member related to operation and a member related to display are mainly provided on the front surface of the front door 40. A control circuit board is mainly provided on the back surface of the front door 40.

<Operational parts>
As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 41 extending in the horizontal direction is provided at the approximate center of the front side (player side) of the front door 40. On the front side of the operation panel 41, a start switch 42 and three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are provided. On the upper surface side of the operation panel 41, a 1-bet switch 62, a 2-bet switch 64, a maximum bet switch 66, and a medal slot 46 are provided. A tray 48 for receiving medals paid out based on the game result is also provided at the lower part of the front door 40.

  The start switch 42 and the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are switches that are operated by the player to advance the game. When the player operates the start switch 42, rotation of three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R, which will be described later, is started. Further, when the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c, the reels 30L to 30R corresponding to the operated stop switches are stopped.

  The functions of the 1 bet switch 62, the 2 bet switch 64, and the maximum bet switch 66 will be described later.

<Reel display window 50 and reels 30L, 30C, 30R>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a reel display window 50 is formed at a substantially central portion of the front surface of the front door 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the three reels 30 </ b> L to 30 </ b> R are rotatably accommodated in the reel unit 28. The reel unit 28 has a front surface 29 open, and the player can visually recognize the type of symbols located on the front surface 29 of the reel unit 28, as will be described later. The reel unit 28 is supported by a support plate 26 fixed to the base portion 20. When the front door 40 is closed, the reel display window 50 is positioned in front of the front surface 29 of the reel unit 28. The reel display window 50 is covered with a transparent member, and when the front door 40 is closed, the player visually recognizes the types of symbols drawn on the reels 30L to 30R via the reel display window 50. be able to.

  A plurality of types of symbols are attached to each of the three reels 30L to 30R. The types of symbols are those that can be identified by the player, such as the number “7” or the fruit “cherry”. As will be described later, when the three reels 30L to 30R are stopped, nine symbols are stopped and displayed in the reel display window 50 so as to be visible.

<Reels 30L, 30C, 30R and stop switches 44a, 44b, 44c>
The left reel 30L corresponds to the left stop switch 44a, the middle reel 30C corresponds to the center stop switch 44b, and the right reel 30R corresponds to the right stop switch 44c. Thus, when the player operates the left stop switch 44a, the left reel 30L stops, when the player operates the center stop switch 44b, the middle reel 30C stops, and the player presses the right stop switch 44c. When operated, the right reel 30R stops.

<Reel display window 50 and winning lines L1 to L5>
As described above, the reel display window 50 is covered with a transparent member. As shown in FIG. 1, five winning lines L <b> 1 to L <b> 5 are drawn on the reel display window 50. By doing in this way, the player can visually recognize the kind of symbol through the reel display window 50 and can also visually recognize the five winning lines L1 to L5 on the reel display window 50. .

  The winning line L1 is a middle straight line extending in the horizontal direction, the winning line L2 is an upper straight line extending in the horizontal direction, and the winning line L3 is a lower straight line extending in the horizontal direction. The winning line L4 is a straight line extending from the upper left to the lower right, and the winning line L5 is a straight line extending from the lower left to the upper right.

<Bet switches 62, 64 and 66 and winning lines L1 to L5>
When a predetermined number or more medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 46 of the operation panel 41 described above, the number of medals inserted by a medal counter (not shown) is counted, and the number is stored as the number of credits. The 1-bet switch 62 described above is a switch for setting one medal out of the stored credits to be a game bet. Further, the 2-bet switch 64 is a switch for targeting two medals out of the number of credits for game betting, and the maximum bet switch 66 is a game betting for three medals out of the credit number. It is a switch for making it an object of.

  As described above, the five reel lines L1 to L5 are drawn on the reel display window 50. When the player operates the 1-bet switch 62, one of the five pay lines, for example, the pay line L1 is activated. When the 2-bet switch 64 is operated, three of the five pay lines, for example, the pay lines L1, L2, and L3 are activated. When the maximum bet switch 66 is operated, all five pay lines, that is, L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 are activated. Thus, the three bet switches 62, 64 and 66 function as game medium number setting means for determining the number of medals to be a game bet and validating the pay lines L1 to L5.

<Effective line>
As described above, the three bet switches 62, 64, and 66 function as a game medium number setting unit that activates the pay lines L1 to L5 when operated by the player. When the player operates the 1 bet switch 62, the pay line L1 is activated, when the 2 bet switch 64 is operated, the pay lines L1, L2, and L3 are activated, and when the maximum bet switch 66 is operated, All of the pay lines L1 to L5 are activated. As described above, the activated winning line is referred to as an activated line.

  The combination of symbols stopped on the active line is subject to determination as to whether or not a prize has been won. For example, when the combination of “7”-“7”-“7” is aligned on the above-described effective line L1, it is determined that the winning combination of big bonus has been won. The type of combination will be described later. Further, when the combination of symbols that do not constitute a combination on the active line L1 is stopped, it is determined that no winning is made. On the other hand, even if it is a winning line, when the winning line is not activated, even if a combination of “7”-“7”-“7” is aligned on the winning line, The winning line is not subject to the determination of whether or not a prize has been won.

<Image display device 34>
An image display device 34 is provided on the upper portion of the front door 40. An effect image is displayed on the image display device 34. The effect image is an image that is displayed as the game progresses, and is mainly an image that includes various types of information related to the game. For example, in one unit game, lottery processing is performed by the role lottery means 120 described later. An effect image that suggests the lottery result is displayed on the image display device 34 based on the lottery result of the lottery process.

  Here, the unit game is a game that starts every time the player operates the start switch 42. Specifically, a game of a single stroke is performed from when the player operates the start switch 42 to start rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R until all the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R stop. Or a game that can be repeated as a unit game.

  It should be noted that the start of a single-stroke game or unit game is that the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R rotate even when the player operates the start switch 42 and an operation signal is issued from the start switch 42. It is good also when it can be visually recognized that it started.

  Also, at the end of a single-stroke game or unit game, all three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped even when it is visually recognized that all three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped. When the type of the symbol on the active line is specified and the processing corresponding thereto is finished, for example, the processing such as paying out medals may be finished.

  There are two types of effect images displayed on the image display device 34: one that displays various types of information in the form of characters, and the other that displays in the form of drawings other than characters. The information displayed in the character mode is mainly used for allowing the player to visually recognize various information directly. In this case, a symbol that visually represents a word as a means for transmitting human intention and emotion, such as a numerical value, alphabet, hiragana, katakana, and kanji, is used as the character. Further, the information displayed in the graphic form is mainly used for indirectly making the player visually recognize various kinds of information. In this case, an image of a character indicating a creature such as a person or an animal, a pseudo life form such as a robot, or an image indicating other machinery, a building, a landscape, or the like is included.

<Speaker 36>
As shown in FIG. 1, the speakers 36 are provided on both the left and right sides of the image display device 34 described above. The speaker 36 produces a voice effect as the game progresses. When a predetermined condition is satisfied in a sub-control board 52 described later, a sound corresponding to the condition is emitted from the speaker 36. For example, based on the lottery result of the lottery process performed by the role lottery means 120 described later, sound effects, music, etc. suggesting the lottery result are emitted from the speaker 36.

<Lamp 38>
The lamp 38 is provided in the upper part of the front door 40, as shown in FIG. The lamp 38 produces a light effect as the game progresses. When a predetermined condition is satisfied in a sub-control board 52 to be described later, the lamp 38 is turned on or blinked according to the condition. For example, based on the lottery result of the lottery process performed by the role lottery means 120 described later, the lamp 38 is lit in a predetermined color or a predetermined pattern according to the type of the role so as to suggest the lottery result. Or blink.

  In addition, the effect by light includes not only the lamp 38 described above but also a back lamp (not shown) arranged inside the three reels 30L, 30C, 30R.

<Base part 20>
The base body portion 20 shown in FIG. 2 is assembled with wood or the like, and is formed in a box shape with an open front surface. A power supply unit 22 for supplying power to various devices mounted on the slot machine 10 and a medal payout device 24 including a hopper for storing medals are provided in the lower portion inside the base body portion 20. A support plate 26 is provided above the power supply unit 22 and the medal payout device 24. The support plate 26 supports a reel unit 28 that rotatably accommodates the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. Furthermore, a main control board 32 that controls the game played in the slot machine 10 as a whole is provided in the upper part inside the base body 20.

<Main control board 32>
The main control board 32 is a control board for controlling the start and stop of the rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R and for controlling the entire game such as the progress of the game performed in the slot machine 10.

  The main control board 32 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) that performs arithmetic operations, a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) that stores a game program, and a RAM that temporarily stores each data. (Random access memory) (not shown).

  For example, the ROM stores a program for executing a flowchart shown in FIG. The RAM also stores variable values used in this program. These CPU, ROM, and RAM are electrically connected by an input / output bus so that data signals and address signals can be input / output.

  The main control board 32 is electrically connected to the bet switches 62, 64 and 66 described above. When the player operates the bet switches 62, 64 and 66, a bet instruction signal is issued from each of the bet switches 62, 64 and 66 to the main control board 32.

  Further, the main control board 32 is electrically connected to the above-described start switch 42 and the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c. When the player operates the start switch 42 or the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c, an operation signal is issued from the start switch 42 or the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c to the main control board 32. When a signal is issued from the start switch 42 to the main control board 32, the main control board 32 controls the rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R. When a signal is issued to the main control board 32 from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c, the main control board 32 stops the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch among the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R. Take control.

<Sub control board 52>
As shown in FIG. 2, the sub control board 52 is disposed on the upper part of the back surface of the front door 40. The sub-control board 52 is a board that mainly controls effects during the game. For example, control is performed such that an effect image is displayed on the image display device 34, a sound effect or music is emitted from the speaker 36, and the lamp 38 is turned on or blinked. The sub-control board 52 includes a CPU (not shown) that performs calculations, a ROM (not shown) that stores effect programs and effect data, and a RAM (not shown) that temporarily stores each data. Including.

  For example, the ROM stores a program for executing the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 described later, an effect lottery table used for the effect lottery processing shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, image data and audio data for effects. (Not shown) is stored. The RAM also stores variable values used in the effect program. These CPU, ROM, and RAM are electrically connected by an input / output bus so that data signals and address signals can be input / output.

  The sub control board 52 is also provided with a timer 54 (see FIG. 3) for measuring time, and the timer 54 is electrically connected to the input / output bus described above. The timer 54 receives a start signal issued from the CPU via the input / output bus, and thereby starts measuring time based on the time when the start signal is received. When the end signal is received, the time measurement is ended and a signal indicating the measured time is issued to the CPU.

  The sub control board 52 is electrically connected to the main control board 32 by a harness (not shown). The main control board 32 transmits commands, information, and the like to the sub control board 52. The above-described main control board 32 controls the entire game in an integrated manner, while the sub control board 52 belongs to the lower level of the main control board 32 and is based on commands, information, etc. sent from the main control board 32. To control the entire production.

<Games in the slot machine 10>
A game in the slot machine 10 is a game in which a game result is determined by a combination of symbols determined by stop positions of the plurality of stopped reels 30L, 30C, or 30R. The player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c so that the combination of symbols to be stopped on the active line becomes a combination of symbols constituting a predetermined role, and turns the reels 30L, 30C or 30R. Stop. The combination is determined by a lottery process of the combination lottery means 120 described later. As will be described later, the lottery process determines winning or losing, and winning means that at least one type of combination is determined from a plurality of types of combinations.

  In addition, a game performed in the slot machine 10 is performed every time the player operates the start switch 42 and can be repeated as a single process from the start of rotation to the stop of rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R. It is. This single-stroke game is called a unit game.

  The unit game starts in principle when the main control board 32 detects the start signal generated from the start switch 42 by the player operating the start switch 42. Furthermore, the unit game may be started when it can be visually recognized that the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R have started to rotate.

  In addition, in principle, the unit game is ended when the player operates the three stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c to stop the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R, and the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R It means when the main control board 32 detects that it has stopped, or when the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R have stopped and the end process of the unit game such as a winning process has been completed. Further, the end of the unit game may be made when it can be visually confirmed that the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped.

  The types of the above-described combinations include, for example, special combinations, small combinations, and replay combinations. The special role is a role that can shift from a normal game to a special game (a game advantageous to the player). The special combination includes a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as BB combination) and a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as RB combination).

  The above-mentioned BB combination is a combination to shift to a BB game which is one of special games. This BB game is a game that can be transferred to a privilege game a plurality of times. This privilege game is a game that performs a game in which a predetermined role is won with high probability, and is a game that can give a player a privilege that increases the possibility that the player will acquire more medals. In this BB game, the privilege game can be repeated until a predetermined end condition is satisfied, for example, until the number of medals to be paid out exceeds a predetermined number.

  In addition, the RB combination is a combination to shift to the RB game that is one of the special games. This RB game is a game in which a game corresponding to a privilege game during the BB game is played, that is, a game in which a predetermined role is won with a high probability is performed a predetermined number of times under a certain condition.

  Further, the small combination is a combination for paying out a predetermined number of medals. A small role has a plurality of types of roles, and the name of the role is often used by using the types of symbols attached to the three reels 30L, 30C, or 30R. For example, the types of symbols include “watermelon”, “bell”, “cherry” and the like. For this reason, a small role in which the pattern “watermelon” is aligned on the effective line is referred to as a watermelon role, and a small role in which the pattern “bell” is aligned on the effective line is referred to as a bell role. Further, when the symbol “cherry” of the left reel 30L is stopped and displayed on the active line, it is assumed that a winning is made regardless of the types of symbols of the middle reel 30C and the right reel 30R. This role is called the cherry role.

  Furthermore, the re-game role is a role that allows a re-game (hereinafter referred to as “replay” or “RP”) that maintains the number of bets (the number of bets) in the currently played game.

<< Functions of Slot Machine 10 >>
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of main control functions in the slot machine 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 10 mainly includes an operation unit 500, a main control unit 100, a sub control unit 200, a symbol display unit 400, and a notification unit 300.

<Operating means 500>
The operation means 500 is operated by the player, and issues a signal indicating that the operation has been performed to the main control means 100 described later based on the player's operation. The operation means 500 preferably includes a start switch 42 and stop switches 44a to 44c. When the start switch 42 is operated by the player, the start switch 42 issues a signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated to the main control means 100 described later. Further, when each of the stop switches 44a to 44c is operated by the player, the stop switch 44a to 44c issues a signal indicating that it has been operated to the main control means 100 described later.

  As described above, a single process game that is performed after a plurality of reels 30L, 30C, or 30R is rotated and then stopped is referred to as a unit game. The rotation of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R starts by the signal issued from the start switch 42 to the main control means 100, and the trigger for starting the unit game is determined. A signal issued from the start switch 42 to the main control means 100 is referred to as a start signal.

  In addition, the corresponding reels among the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped by a signal issued from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c to the main control means 100, and a trigger for ending the unit game is determined. A signal issued from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c to the main control means 100 is referred to as an end signal. Accordingly, the unit game is started based on the start signal being issued, and the unit game is ended based on the end signal being issued.

<Game medium number setting means 600>
The operation unit 500 includes a game medium number setting unit 600. Similarly to the operation unit 500, the game medium number setting unit 600 is operated by the player, and issues a signal indicating that the game medium has been operated based on the operation of the player to the main control unit 100 described later. Based on a signal issued from the operation means 500 to the main control means 100, it is determined which one of the plurality of pay lines L1 to L5 is to be activated.

  The game medium number setting means 600 may be anything that can be operated by the player. The game medium number setting means 600 is preferably composed of the 1-bet switch 62, the 2-bet switch 64, and the maximum bet switch 66 described above.

  The number of medals to be bet on the game is determined by a signal issued from the 1-bet switch 62, 2-bet switch 64 or maximum bet switch 66 to the main control means 100. For example, one medal is targeted for a game bet by a signal issued from the 1 bet switch 62 to the main control unit 100, and two medals are received by a signal issued from the 2 bet switch 64 to the main control unit 100. Are bets for gaming, and three medals are targeted for gaming bets by a signal issued from the maximum bet switch 66 to the main control means 100.

<Main control means 100 (game control means)>
In addition to the operation means 500 described above, the main control means 100 is electrically connected to the sub-control means 200, the symbol display means 400, and the notification means 300. The main control means 100 controls the entire game such as the progress of the game. The main control means 100 preferably comprises the main control board 32 described above.

  As described above, the operation means 500 is electrically connected to the main control means 100. An end signal is issued to the main control means 100 from each of the stop switches 44 a to 44 c of the operation means 500. By detecting the order and timing of the end signals generated from each of the stop switches 44a to 44c, the main control means 100 can obtain a plurality of types of operation modes of the three stop switches 44a to 44c.

  In addition, a game medium number setting means 600 is electrically connected to the main control means 100. A bet signal is issued to the main control means 100 from each of the 1 bet switch 62, the 2 bet switch 64 and the maximum bet switch 66 of the game medium number setting means 600. By detecting the issued bet signal, the number of medals to be bet and the setting of the effective line are controlled.

  The main control means 100 includes a combination lottery means 120, a reel drive control means 130, and a symbol detection means 150.

<Role lottery means 120 (lottery means)>
The role lottery means 120 performs a lottery of predetermined types. As described above, the combination includes a special combination, a small combination, and a replay combination.

  The special role is a role that shifts from the normal game to the special game. A special game is a game that has a higher possibility of acquiring more medals than the number of medals that can be acquired in a normal game, and is a game that is advantageous to the player. In general, the special combination includes a BB combination (Big Bonus) and an RB combination (Regular Bonus). These BB combination or RB combination is a combination to shift to BB game or RB game, which is one of special games.

  The small combination is a combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out. As described above, there are a plurality of types of small roles such as a watermelon role, a bell role, and a cherry role. When a small combination is drawn by lottery processing, one type of small combination is determined. The number of medals to be paid out is preset in accordance with the type of the small role.

  Furthermore, the re-game player can play the current game while maintaining the number of medals inserted in the previous game (the number of bets), that is, a player who can play the game again. is there.

  The role lottery means 120 includes, for example, a random number generation means 122, a random number extraction means 124, and a random number determination means 126. The random number generation means 122 generates a random number (hardware random number or the like) for the role lottery process. The random number extraction unit 124 extracts the random number generated by the random number generation unit 122. The random number determination means 126 determines the presence / absence of a winning combination and the winning combination based on the random number value extracted by the random number extracting means 124. The role lottery means 120 constitutes a “role lottery means”, and “lottery processing” is performed.

  The “lottery process” is a lottery process for determining whether a game is won or missed. Specifically, it is executed in step S14 of FIG.

<Random number generator 122>
The random number generator 122 continuously generates random numbers in a predetermined positive integer range (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) at predetermined timings.

<Random number extraction means 124>
The random number extraction unit 124 extracts the random number generated by the random number generation unit 122 at a predetermined timing. For example, in the present embodiment, random numbers are extracted when the start switch 42 is operated by the player.

<Random number judging means 126>
The random number determination means 126 determines the combination corresponding to the region to which the random number value belongs by comparing the random number value extracted by the random number extraction means 124 with the lottery probability table stored in the lottery probability storage means 128.

<Lottery probability storage means 128>
The lottery probability storage means 128 has a lottery probability table in which lottery probabilities are stored in accordance with a plurality of gaming states and types of combinations.

  The plurality of game states include, for example, a general game state, an RB game state, a BB game state, and an RT game state as main ones. The lottery probability table includes probability tables such as a general gaming state probability table, an RB gaming state probability table, a BB gaming state probability table, and an RT gaming state probability table corresponding to these gaming states.

  The role lottery means 120 performs a lottery process by selecting a lottery probability table corresponding to the gaming state in accordance with the gaming state described above. The process of selecting the lottery probability table is executed in the role lottery process in step S14 shown in FIG.

  It is assumed that “winning” is selected by the combination lottery means 120 when a predetermined combination is won by the combination lottery means 120 described above. In addition, when it is determined that a winning combination has been lost due to the lottery process, it is assumed that “losing” is selected by the winning lottery means 120.

<Reel drive control means 130>
The reel drive control means 130 performs rotation control and stop control of the three reels 30L to 30R based on the start signal issued from the start switch 42 and the end signal issued from the stop switches 44a to 44c. . The reel drive control unit 130 includes a reel rotation control unit 132 and a reel stop control unit 134. The reel drive control means 130 constitutes “reel drive control means”.

<Reel rotation control means 132>
The reel rotation control means 132 issues a rotation control signal to the motors 86a, 86b and 86c when it detects a start signal issued from the operation means 500, preferably the start switch 42 described above. As will be described later, the motor 86a drives the left reel 30L, the motor 86b drives the middle reel 30C, and the motor 86c drives the right reel 30R. When the reel rotation control means 132 detects the start signal, it issues a rotation control signal to these three motors 86a, 86b and 86c. With the rotation control signal, the three reels 30L to 30R start to rotate. This process is executed in step S17 shown in the flowchart of FIG.

<Reel stop control means 134>
The reel stop control means 134 sends the motor 86a, 86b or 86c to the motor 86a, 86b or 86c based on the timing when the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c is operated by the player and the result of the lottery process of the role lottery means 120. A stop control signal is issued to stop the left reel 30L, middle reel 30C, or right reel 30R.

  As described above, when the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c is operated by the player, an end signal is issued from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c. The reel stop control means 134 detects an end signal issued from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c. When the reel stop control means 134 detects the end signal issued from the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c, it detects the rotational angle positions of the left reel 30L, the middle reel 30C and the right reel 30R. As will be described later, the rotation angle position of the left reel 30L is detected by a rotation angle sensor 83a. The rotation angle position of the middle reel 30C is detected by the rotation angle sensor 83b. The rotation angle position of the right reel 30R is detected by the rotation angle sensor 83c.

  That is, when the left stop switch 44a is operated by the player, the reel stop control means 134 detects the rotation angle position of the left reel 30L based on a signal issued from the rotation angle sensor 83a. When the center stop switch 44b is operated by the player, the reel stop control means 134 detects the rotation angle position of the middle reel 30C based on a signal issued from the rotation angle sensor 83b. When the right stop switch 44c is operated by the player, the reel stop control means 134 detects the rotation angle position of the right reel 30R based on a signal emitted from the rotation angle sensor 83c.

  In addition, as described above, the reel stop control unit 134 performs stop control of the left reel 30L, the middle reel 30C, or the right reel 30R based on the lottery process result of the above-described combination lottery unit 120. For example, when a predetermined winning combination is won by the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120, the reel stop control means 134 is arranged so that the arrangement of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is easily aligned on the winning line. Stop control of the reels 30L, 30C and 30R is performed. On the other hand, when no winning combination is won by the lottery process of the winning lottery means 120, that is, when the winning combination is lost, the reel stop control means 134 validates the arrangement of symbols corresponding to any of the winning combinations. Stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R is performed so that they are not aligned on the winning line. As will be described later, by detecting the rotation angle positions of the left reel 30L, the middle reel 30C and the right reel 30R, the types of symbols that can be stopped on the winning line can be obtained. Based on the result of the lottery process, stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R can be performed.

  The reel stop control means 134 uses the reels 30L, 30L, 44C so that the number of symbols passing through the winning line is equal to or less than a predetermined maximum passing number on the basis of when the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated. Stop control of 30C and 30R is performed. For example, when the winning line L1 is used as a reference, the reel stop control is performed so that the number of symbols passing through the winning line L1 is equal to or less than the maximum passing number after the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated. do.

  Here, the winning line used as a reference may be any of the winning lines L1 to L5 in the present embodiment. If attention is paid to one of the reels 30L, 30C and 30R, the number of symbols passing through the winning lines L1 to L5 from when the stop switch is operated until the reel stops is The same is true for any winning line. For example, the number of symbols passing through the pay lines L1 to L5 from when the stop switch 44a is operated to when the reel 30L is stopped is the same in any pay line.

  In the present specification, as described above, the maximum number of passes is the maximum number of symbols that can pass through one winning line. Further, the reel stop control is performed as “pull-in control” so that the arrangement of the symbols corresponding to the predetermined winning combination is aligned on the activated pay line. Furthermore, the reel stop control is performed as “kicking control” so that the symbol arrangement corresponding to any of the winning combinations is not aligned on the activated pay line.

  As described above, the reel stop control means 134 performs control so that the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R rotate to some extent and then stop after the stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are operated. However, if the time until the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped is too long, the mode until the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped becomes unnatural. For this reason, the time from when it is detected that the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated until the reels stop is normally set to 190 milliseconds or less.

  Further, when the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotating at a constant speed, it is necessary that the player can generally identify the symbols attached to the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. For this reason, the rotation speeds of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are determined so that the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R do not rotate more than 80 revolutions per minute.

  Further, in the case of a general slot machine, the number of symbols attached to each of the reels 30L, 30C and 30R is 21.

  Thus, the first condition is that the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R with 21 symbols are controlled to stop within 190 milliseconds after the stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are operated. From the second condition that the reels 30L, 30C and 30R are controlled to rotate so as not to rotate more than 80 revolutions per minute, the reels 30L to 30R are stopped after the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated. In the meantime, the maximum number of symbols that can pass on a certain winning line can be calculated as five. That is, the maximum number of control frames is 5. In this specification, the calculation of the number of control frames includes not only the symbols that have passed through one winning line when the stop switch is operated, but only the number of symbols that have passed through one winning line. In addition, the symbol when the reel is stopped and the symbol is positioned on one winning line is also included. Therefore, in the case of this example, the maximum number of symbols that can pass through “a certain winning line” is four. That is, in this example, the reels 30L, 30C and 30R are rotated from when the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated until the number of symbols passing through one pay line becomes four. Thus, the reels 30L, 30C and 30R can be controlled to be stopped.

  As described above, when the reel stop control unit 134 wins a predetermined combination by the lottery process of the combination lottery unit 120, the reels corresponding to the combination are easily aligned on the winning line. Thus, stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R is performed. That is, when the winning combination is determined by referring to the game probability table based on the random number value by the random number determination means 126 described above, the three reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are so won that the winning combination is won. Stop control.

  These processes are executed in the reel stop control process in step S18 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

<Design detecting means 150>
The symbol detection means 150 detects a symbol that reaches or can reach a certain rotation reference position based on the end signal issued from the operation means 500. That is, in response to the player operating the operation means 500, for example, the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c, the reel drive control means 130 starts the stop control of the left reel 30L, the middle reel 30C or the right reel 30R. To do. The symbol detecting means 150 detects the symbol positioned at a certain rotation reference position, for example, the winning line L1, when the stop switches 44a, 44b and 44c are operated, so that the reels 30L, 30C or 30R actually It is possible to control the stop of the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R by detecting a symbol that may be located at a certain rotation reference position when stopped. The symbol detection means 150 can also detect a symbol located at a certain rotation reference position when the reel 30L, 30C or 30R actually stops. In this way, the symbol detection means 150 can detect a symbol that has reached or can reach a certain rotation reference position.

  As described above, when the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R are stopped, the stop control may not be performed immediately. That is, even if the symbol is positioned at a certain rotation reference position when the stop switches 44a, 44b, and 44c are operated, the reel is rotated so that the symbol is not positioned at the certain rotation reference position. The reel may be stopped. In such a case, the reel stop control means 134 described above controls to stop the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R so that a symbol that can reach a certain rotation reference position is located at a certain rotation reference position.

  Here, detecting a symbol specifically means obtaining a symbol number of a stop control table (not shown) stored in advance. The stop control table stores a symbol number and stop information for symbols attached to each of the three reels of the left reel 30L, the middle reel 30C, and the right reel 30R. The symbol number is a numerical value indicating the position of the symbol arrangement on the reel, and is a numerical value indicating the position from the reel reference position along the circumferential direction of the reel, with a certain position on the reel as the reel reference position. The stop information is information used to stop the reels 30L, 30C, or 30R. For example, the symbol is positioned on the pay line L1 so that the symbol is positioned at a certain reference position in the rotation direction of the reel. This is information used to stop and control the reels 30L to 30R.

  In addition, the symbol detection means 150 detects the type of symbols stopped on the active line for the reels that have already stopped. The symbol “stopped” on this active line means that, in principle, the effective line is located at the approximate center of the symbol, but when the reel stops, the correspondence between the active line and the symbol is played. If it can be made to recognize a person, it will not be restricted to such a positional relationship.

  As will be described later, the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c generate signals corresponding to the angles at which the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotated. The symbol number can be obtained based on this signal. Furthermore, the symbol detection means 150 stores a symbol correspondence table (not shown) that defines the correspondence between symbol numbers and symbol types corresponding to symbol numbers. By obtaining a symbol number based on the signals generated from the rotation angle sensors 83a to 83c and searching the symbol correspondence table, the type of symbol corresponding to the symbol number can be obtained.

  The symbol detection by the symbol detection means 150 is executed when the reel stop control process in step S18 in FIG. 4 is performed.

<Sub-control means 200>
As described above, the sub-control unit 200 is electrically connected to the main control unit 100, and various types of information generated from the main control unit 100 are supplied to the sub-control unit 200. In particular, a signal indicating the lottery result of the winning lottery means 120 of the main control means 100 is supplied to the sub-control means 200 as a signal indicating the start of the unit game. The sub-control means 200 is preferably composed of the sub-control board 52 described above.

  The sub-control unit 200 includes a time counting unit 210, an effect lottery unit 220, an effect selection unit 230, an effect data storage unit 240, and an information transmission unit 270.

<Time measuring means 210>
When the sub control unit 200 determines that the time measurement should be started, the sub control unit 200 issues a start signal to the time measuring unit 210. When the time measuring means 210 receives the start signal, the time measuring means 210 starts measuring time with reference to the time when the start signal is received. The time point at which the measurement is started is a “start time point” to be described later, and this process is executed in the process of step S23 in FIG. 5 or FIG.

  Furthermore, when the sub control unit 200 determines that the time measurement should be ended, the sub control unit 200 issues an end signal to the time measuring unit 210. When the time measuring unit 210 receives the end signal, the time measuring unit 210 ends the time measurement. This process is executed in the process of step S22 in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 described later, or step S44 in FIG. Furthermore, the time measured by the time measuring means 210 is stored in a time storage means (not shown). The time point when the measurement ends is the “end time point”.

  The time measuring unit 210 measures the elapsed time from the “start time” to the “end time”. The “end time” is when the start switch 42 is operated by the player as the start of “one unit game”. Here, the “one unit game” is any one of the unit games that can be performed a plurality of times, and this “one unit game” is used as a reference for a unit game that can be performed a plurality of times. And The “start time” is a time before the “end time”, and is a time when the operation means 500 is operated by the player. Here, the “start time” is “unit game played at least once before one unit game” even when the operation means 500 is operated by the player in “one unit game”. ”May be the time when the operation means 500 is operated by the player. In other words, the “starting time point” may be a time point before the “ending time point” and the time point when the operation means 500 is operated by the player, regardless of the division of the unit game.

  As described above, the operation means 500 may further include a game medium number setting means 600. The game medium number setting means 600 sets the number of game media. The game medium in this case plays a role as a bet object in the unit game. When this game medium number setting means 600 is included in the operation means 500, the “start time” is set to (1) “a unit game played at least once before one unit game”. Or the time when the player operates the game medium number setting means 600 in (2) “One unit game”.

  The time measuring means 210 preferably comprises the timer 54 described above.

<Direction lottery means 220>
The effect lottery means 220 includes, for example, an effect lottery random number generating means 222, an effect lottery random number extracting means 224, and an effect lottery random number determining means 226. The effect lottery random number generating means 222 generates a random number (hardware random number or the like) for the role lottery process. The effect lottery random number extracting means 224 extracts the random number generated by the effect lottery random number generating means 222. The effect lottery random number determining means 226 determines the type of effect based on the random number extracted by the effect lottery random number extracting means 224. The effect lottery process is performed by the effect lottery means 220. This “effect lottery process” is executed in step S25, S28 or S29 of FIG. 5, FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 described later, or step S32 of FIG.

<Random number generating means 222 for effect lottery>
The effect lottery random number generator 222 continuously generates random numbers in a predetermined positive integer range (for example, 0 to 4095 in decimal notation) at predetermined timings.

<Production lottery random number extraction means 224>
The effect lottery random number extracting means 224 extracts the random number generated by the effect lottery random number generating means 222 at a predetermined timing.

<Random number judging means 226 for effect lottery>
The effect lottery random number determining means 226 compares the random number extracted by the effect lottery random number extracting means 224 with the effect lottery table (see FIG. 8 or FIG. 9) stored in the effect lottery probability storage means 228. The effect corresponding to the area to which the random number value belongs is determined. The effect lottery random number determination means 226 includes an effect lottery probability storage means 228.

<Production lottery probability storage means 228>
The effect lottery probability storage means 228 has an effect lottery table in which the lottery probability is stored according to the type of effect. The effect lottery probability storage means 228 is assigned to a predetermined storage area of the ROM of the sub-control board 52 described above. The effect lottery random number judging means 226 determines the effect corresponding to the region to which the random number value belongs by comparing the random value extracted by the effect lottery random number extracting means 224 with the effect lottery table.

  FIG. 8 shows a first example of an effect lottery table used when an effect is selected by a lottery process. The effects selected by the lottery process include “effect A”, “effect B”, “effect C”, “effect D”, and “no effect”. As described above, in the present embodiment, the “production” includes one that does not produce the production “no production” as one type of production.

  The effects belonging to “effect A” are a plurality of effects related by a predetermined relationship A. “Production B” is a plurality of performances related by a predetermined relationship B. “Production C” is a plurality of performances related by a predetermined relationship C. “Production D” is a plurality of productions associated by a predetermined relationship D. Further, “no production” is a plurality of productions related by the relationship of no production.

  As described above, the effects belonging to each of effects A to D have common relationships A to D. As described above, the effects belonging to each of the effects A to D preferably have a common relationship or a common association. As described above, all the effects belonging to effect A have a common relationship A, all the effects belonging to effect B have a common relationship B, and all the effects belonging to effect C are common. All of the effects belonging to the effect D having the relationship C have a common relationship D. Furthermore, it is preferable that these relationships A to D are determined so as to be different from each other. Furthermore, it is more preferable that these relationships A to D have characteristics that can be recognized by the player. By doing in this way, when an effect is performed, the player can identify whether the same type of effect is being performed or a different type of effect is being performed. The common relationship and the common association may be a formal relationship such as the order in which the effects are performed, or a substantial relationship such as the contents of the effects, for example, the type of character displayed in the case of an image.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the effect lottery table (A) is composed of a region in the range of “0000” to “0fff” as a whole. This effect lottery table (A) is selected and used when executing the processes of steps S25 and S29 in the flowchart of FIG. Specifically, the effect lottery random number determination means 226 determines which region of the effect lottery table (A) the random number value extracted by the effect lottery random number extraction means 224 belongs to. Selected.

  Of the area of the effect lottery table (A), the area “0e00” to “0fff” corresponds to “effect A”. Further, this area is not shown in FIG. 8A, but is divided into eight areas as follows. That is, “0e00” to “0e3f”, “0e40” to “0e7f”, “0e80” to “0ebf”, “0ec0” to “0eff”, “0f00” to “0f3f”, and “0f40” To "0f7f", "0f80" to "0fbf", and "0fc0" to "0fff".

  Among the areas of the effect lottery table (A), the areas “0e00” to “0e3f” correspond to “effect A-8”, and the areas “0e40” to “0e7f” are “effect A-7”. Correspondingly, the area from “0e80” to “0ebf” corresponds to “effect A-6”, the area from “0ec0” to “0eff” corresponds to “effect A-5”, and “0f00” to “0 The area “0f3f” corresponds to “effect A-4”, the area “0f40” to “0f7f” corresponds to “effect A-3”, and the area “0f80” to “0fbf” A region corresponding to “A-2” and “0fc0” to “0fff” corresponds to “effect A-1”. These eight “effects A-1” to “effect A-8” are a plurality of effects related by a predetermined relationship A.

  In addition, in the area of the effect lottery table (A), the area “0c00” to “0dff” corresponds to “effect B”. This area is further divided into eight areas. That is, “0c00” to “0c3f”, “0c40” to “0c7f”, “0c80” to “0cbf”, “0cc0” to “0cff”, “0d00” to “0d3f”, and “0d40” To “0d7f”, “0d80” to “0dbf”, and “0dc0” to “0dff”.

  Of the areas in the effect lottery table (A), the areas “0c00” to “0c3f” correspond to “effect B-8”, and the areas “0c40” to “0c7f” are “effect B-7”. Correspondingly, the area from “0c80” to “0cbf” corresponds to “Render B-6”, the area from “0cc0” to “0cff” corresponds to “Render B-5”, and “0d00” to “0” The area “0d3f” corresponds to “effect B-4”, the area “0d40” to “0d7f” corresponds to “effect B-3”, and the area “0d80” to “0dbf” The area “0dc0” to “0dff” corresponds to “B-2” and “effect B-1”. These eight “effects B-1” to “effect B-8” are a plurality of effects related by a predetermined relationship B.

  Furthermore, among the regions of the effect lottery table (A), the region “0a00” to “0bff” corresponds to “effect C”. This area is further divided into eight areas. That is, “0a00” to “0a3f”, “0a40” to “0a7f”, “0a80” to “0abf”, “0ac0” to “0aff”, “0b00” to “0b3f”, and “0b40” To “0b7f”, “0b80” to “0bbf”, and “0bc0” to “0bff”.

  Among the areas of the effect lottery table (A), the areas “0a00” to “0a3f” correspond to “effect C-8”, and the areas “0a40” to “0a7f” are “effect C-7”. Correspondingly, the region from “0a80” to “0abf” corresponds to “Render C-6”, the region from “0ac0” to “0aff” corresponds to “Render C-5”, and “0b00” to “0” The area “0b3f” corresponds to “effect C-4”, the area “0b40” to “0b7f” corresponds to “effect C-3”, and the area “0b80” to “0bbf” The area “0bc0” to “0bff” corresponds to “C-2” and “effect C-1”. These eight “effects C-1” to “effect C-8” are a plurality of effects related by a predetermined relationship C.

  Furthermore, among the areas of the effect lottery table (A), the areas “0800” to “09ff” correspond to “effect D”. This area is further divided into eight areas. That is, “0800” to “083f”, “0840” to “087f”, “0880” to “08bf”, “08c0” to “08ff”, “0900” to “093f”, and “0940” To “097f”, “0980” to “09bf”, and “09c0” to “09ff”.

  Of the areas of the effect lottery table (A), the areas “0800” to “083f” correspond to “effect D-8”, and the areas “0840” to “087f” correspond to “effect D-7”. Correspondingly, the area “0880” to “08bf” corresponds to “effect D-6”, the area “08c0” to “08ff” corresponds to “effect D-5”, and “0900” to “ The area “093f” corresponds to “effect D-4”, the area “0940” to “097f” corresponds to “effect D-3”, and the area “0980” to “09bf” The area “09c0” to “09ff” corresponds to “effect D-1”. These eight “effects D-1” to “effect D-8” are a plurality of effects related by a predetermined relationship A.

  Further, among the areas of the effect lottery table (A), the areas “0000” to “07ff” correspond to “no effect”. That is, when the random number value extracted by the random number extraction means for effect lottery 224 belongs to the region of “0000” to “07ff”, the random number determination means for effect lottery 226 determines “no effect”, and the effect lottery “No effect” is selected by means 220.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 (b-1) to (b-4), each of the effect lottery tables (B-1) to (B-4) is from a range of “0000” to “0fff” as a whole. Become. These effect lottery tables (B-1) to (B-4) are selected and used when executing the process of step S28 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 or FIG. Specifically, it is determined whether the random value extracted by the effect lottery random number extraction unit 224 belongs to which region of the effect lottery tables (B-1) to (B-4). An effect is selected as determined by H.226.

  Of the areas in the effect lottery table (B-1), the areas “0e00” to “0fff” correspond to “effect A-1”, and the areas “0c00” to “0dff” are “effect A-2”. "0a00" to "0bff" corresponds to "Production A-3", "0800" to "09ff" corresponds to "Production A-4", and "0600" The region of “07ff” corresponds to “Production A-5”, the region of “0400” to “05ff” corresponds to “Production A-6”, and the region of “0200” to “03ff” The area “0000” to “01ff” corresponds to “effect A-7” and corresponds to “effect A-8”. These eight “effects A-1” to “effect A-8” are a plurality of effects related by a predetermined relationship A, as in the effect lottery table (A).

  Of the areas in the effect lottery table (B-2), the areas “0e00” to “0fff” correspond to “effect B-1”, and the areas “0c00” to “0dff” are “effect B-2”. "0a00" to "0bff" corresponds to "Production B-3", "0800" to "09ff" corresponds to "Production B-4", and "0600" The region of “07ff” corresponds to “Production B-5”, the region of “0400” to “05ff” corresponds to “Production B-6”, and the region of “0200” to “03ff” The region “0000” to “01ff” corresponds to “Production B-7” and corresponds to “Production B-8”. These eight “effects B-1” to “effect B-8” are a plurality of effects related by a predetermined relationship B, similarly to the effect lottery table (A).

  Of the regions in the effect lottery table (B-3), the region “0e00” to “0fff” corresponds to “effect C-1”, and the region “0c00” to “0dff” corresponds to “effect C-2”. "0a00" to "0bff" corresponds to "Production C-3", "0800" to "09ff" corresponds to "Production C-4", and "0600" The region of “07ff” corresponds to “Production C-5”, the region of “0400” to “05ff” corresponds to “Production C-6”, and the region of “0200” to “03ff” The area “0000” to “01ff” corresponds to “effect C-7” and corresponds to “effect C-8”. These eight “effects C-1” to “effect C-8” are a plurality of effects related by a predetermined relationship C as in the effect lottery table (A).

  Of the regions in the effect lottery table (B-4), the region “0e00” to “0fff” corresponds to “effect D-1”, and the region “0c00” to “0dff” corresponds to “effect D-2”. "0a00" to "0bff" corresponds to "Production D-3", and "0800" to "09ff" corresponds to "Production D-4" and "0600" The area of “07ff” corresponds to “effect D-5”, the area of “0400” to “05ff” corresponds to “effect D-6”, and the area of “0200” to “03ff” The area “0000” to “01ff” corresponds to “effect D-7” and corresponds to “effect D-8”. These eight “effects D-1” to “effect D-8” are a plurality of effects related by a predetermined relationship D, similarly to the effect lottery table (A).

  FIG. 9 shows a second example of the effect lottery table (C) used when selecting an effect by the lottery process. The effects selected by the lottery process include “effect 1”, “effect 2”,.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the effect lottery table (C) is composed of a region in the range of “0000” to “0fff” as a whole. This effect lottery table (C) is selected and used when executing the processes of steps S25 and S32 of the flowchart of FIG. Specifically, the effect lottery random number determining means 226 determines which region of the effect lottery table (C) the random number value extracted by the effect lottery random number extracting means 224 belongs to. Selected.

  Of the areas in the effect lottery table (C), the areas “0e00” to “0fff” correspond to “effect 1”, the areas “0c00” to “0dff” correspond to “effect 2”, and “ The region from “0a00” to “0bff” corresponds to “Rendering 3”, the region from “0800” to “09ff” corresponds to “Rendering 4”, and the region from “0600” to “07ff” 5 corresponds to “Production 6”, “0200” to “03ff” corresponds to “Production 7”, and “0000” to “01ff”. "Corresponds to" Production 8 ".

  As will be described later, the main control unit 100 transmits a signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated and a signal indicating that the bet switch 62, 64, or 66 has been operated to the sub-control unit 200. The sub-control unit 200 selects an effect by receiving these signals transmitted from the main control unit 100.

  Image information and audio information stored in advance in the effect data storage means 240 of the sub-control means 200 described later are read based on the selected effect, and the read image information is displayed as an effect image on the image display device 34. The voice information is emitted from the speaker 36 as a production voice.

<Direction selection means 230>
The effect selecting unit 230 determines whether or not the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 210 satisfies a predetermined condition. This determination is made in the process of step S26 in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, or FIG.

  Further, the effect selection means 230 selects an effect according to one effect selection processing mode of at least two effect selection processing modes. This effect selection processing mode is a mode of selection processing defined for selecting an effect. In other words, the effect selection processing mode is a processing method or procedure for selecting an effect. There are at least two effect selection processing modes, and the processing method and procedure for selecting an effect are determined to be different from each other. Note that this effect selection processing mode need not be determined so that all of the processing is different, and only part of the processing may be different. For example, if the process of selecting an effect is selected using a lottery table, if an effect is selected using one lottery table on the one hand and an effect is selected using another lottery table on the other, these Are different production selection processing modes. On the other hand, if an effect is selected using a lottery table and an effect is selected according to a predetermined order on the other hand, these are different effect selection processing modes.

  In particular, when the effect selecting means 230 determines that the elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition, one effect selection process used for selecting an effect in the unit game performed at least once before the one unit game. According to the aspect, an effect in the one unit game is selected. That is, an effect selection processing mode used for selecting an effect in “unit game played at least once before one unit game”, and an effect selection processing mode used for selecting an effect in “one unit game” However, the effects are selected in such a manner that the processing modes are the same.

  Specific processing for this selection is executed in step S28 of FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 described later or step S31 of FIG.

  The “elapsed time” described above is a time measured by the above-described time measuring means, and is a time from “start time” to “end time”. The “predetermined condition” may be a condition that can be determined using the elapsed time. For example, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time is a predetermined time or more. Depending on whether or not this elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition, an effect to be performed in “one unit game” is selected.

  In addition, when the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 210 satisfies a predetermined condition, the effect selecting unit 230 provides an effect on the notifying unit with “unit game played at least once before one unit game”. If it is not performed, the production is not performed even in “one unit game”.

  Further, the effect selection unit 230 includes an effect selection processing mode determination unit 235. The effect selection processing mode determination means 235 determines the effect selection processing mode based on the lottery result of the role lottery means 120. When a predetermined combination is won by the combination lottery means 120 and the elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition, the effect selection processing mode determining unit 235 sets the effect selection processing mode in “one unit game” as “one unit game”. Is determined to be another effect selection processing mode different from the one effect selection processing mode used for selection of the effect in “unit game played at least once before the unit game”. The effect selection means 230 is “another effect selection processing mode” determined by the effect selection processing mode determination means 235 when a predetermined role is won by the role lottery means 120 and the elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition. According to the above, an effect in “one unit game” is selected.

  The above-mentioned first condition that “a predetermined combination has been won by the combination lottery means 120” may be that a certain combination has been won, and need not be a condition that a specific combination has been won. In other words, it is only necessary to satisfy the condition that the lottery process did not result in “out”. This first condition is determined by the determination process in step S27 of FIG. 5, FIG. 6, or FIG.

  In addition, the “elapsed time” of the second condition “elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition” is the time measured by the time measuring unit 210 as described above, and is the time from the start point to the end point. is there. Further, the “predetermined condition” of this condition may be a condition that can be determined using the elapsed time. For example, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time is a predetermined time or more. This second condition is determined by the determination process in step S26 of FIG. 5, FIG. 6, or FIG.

  Furthermore, the “predetermined condition” of the second condition “elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition” may be composed of “a plurality of determination conditions”. The effect selection means 230, when winning a predetermined combination in “unit game played at least once before one unit game”, sets one determination condition among “a plurality of determination conditions” to “predetermined Is selected as a “condition”, and it is determined whether or not the elapsed time satisfies the one determination condition. As described above, the “predetermined condition” used for determining whether or not the elapsed time satisfies the predetermined condition does not always have to be the same, and may have a plurality of different determination conditions. The “predetermined condition” is preferably “a unit game played at least once before one unit game”, which is switched on condition that a predetermined combination is won. For example, when the condition for determining that “elapsed time satisfies a predetermined condition” is a condition “whether or not the elapsed time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time”, “at least one unit game is greater than one unit game”. In the “unit game played before the game”, when a predetermined combination is not won, it is determined whether or not “the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the first time” and “at least 1 unit game is greater than one unit game”. It is preferable to determine whether or not “elapsed time is equal to or longer than the second time” when winning a predetermined combination in the “unit game performed before the game”.

<Production data storage means 240>
The effect data storage means 240 stores effect data related to a plurality of effects. For example, when the effect is an image, the effect data storage unit 240 stores image information and image data. In the case where the effect is a sound, the effect data storage means 240 stores sound information and sound data. Further, in the case where the effect is based on lighting or other electrical decoration, the effect data storage unit 240 stores information and data related to lighting and blinking patterns. As described above, the effect data storage unit 240 only needs to store information and data necessary for the effect performed by the notification unit 300 described later.

  As described above, the effect data storage unit 240 stores “effect data related to a plurality of effects”. This “effect data” is stored as “a plurality of effect tables”. “Predetermined number of effect data” in “effect data” belongs to each “plural effect table”. That is, each effect table is divided so that “a predetermined number of effect data” belongs. This “predetermined number” may be the same or different for all effect tables. It consists of four production tables, and each of the four production tables may be divided so that eight production data belong. Moreover, you may divide | segment so that a different number of production data may belong to every production table. For example, five effect data may belong to the first effect table, and 13 effect data may belong to the second effect table. The sum total of the production data belonging to the “plural production tables” becomes “plural production data”.

  The effects belonging to each of the plurality of effect tables preferably have a common relationship or a common association. For example, all the effects belonging to the second effect table are classified so as to have a common second relationship so that all effects belonging to the first effect table have a common first relationship. Is preferred. That is, the effects belonging to the effect table are characterized by the common relationship and the common association. Further, it is more preferable that the common relationship and the common association differ for each effect table. For example, in the above-described example, it is preferable that the first relationship characterizing the first effect table and the second relationship characterizing the second effect table are determined to be different. Further, it is more preferable that the common relationship and the common association can be recognized by the player. By doing in this way, when an effect is performed, the player can easily recognize whether an effect belonging to the same effect table is being performed or an effect belonging to a different effect table is being performed.

<Information transmission means 270>
The information transmission unit 270 issues a signal indicating information related to the effect selected by the effect selection unit 230 to the notification unit 300 described later. If the effect is based on an image, the information transmission unit 270 transmits image information and image data to the notification unit 300. In addition, when the effect is a sound, the information transmission unit 270 transmits the sound information and the sound data to the notification unit 300. Furthermore, when the effect is based on lighting or other electrical decoration, the information transmission unit 270 transmits information and data regarding lighting and blinking patterns to the notification unit 300.

<Design display means 400>
The symbol display means 400 includes three reels 30L, 30C and 30R. On each of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R, a predetermined number, for example, 21 symbols are arranged along the rotation direction of the reel.

  The reel 30L includes a motor 86a for rotating the reel 30L and a rotation angle sensor 83a for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30L. The reel 30C includes a motor 86b for rotationally driving the reel 30C and a rotation angle sensor 83b for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30C. The reel 30R includes a motor 86c for rotationally driving the reel 30R and a rotation angle sensor 83c for detecting the rotation angle of the reel 30R.

  The rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c emit signals corresponding to the angles at which the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotated. When the reels 30L, 30C and 30R are at a predetermined rotational position in the rotational direction, the rotational angle sensors 83a, 83b and 83c emit signals corresponding to the angles rotated from the origin. For example, a configuration in which one rotation of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R, that is, 360 degrees is equally divided into 400 steps. In this case, the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c generate signals indicating steps from 0 to 399 according to the angles at which the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotated. Specifically, when the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are located at the origin, a signal indicating that it is the 0th step is issued. Issue a signal to indicate. As described above, it is possible to obtain how much the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R are rotated from the origin by the signals generated from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c. The above description is for conceptually explaining signals emitted from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c. In the slot machine 10, the rotation is performed to obtain the positions of the reels 30L, 30C, and 30R. Rather than detecting signals emitted from the angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c, detection is performed in order to obtain a symbol number or a symbol type, or to specify a predetermined symbol position, as will be described later.

  As described above, the symbol detection unit 150 stores a symbol correspondence table (not shown) that defines the correspondence between symbol numbers and symbol types corresponding to symbol numbers. Here, for example, when 21 symbols are attached to one reel along the circumferential direction, the symbol number is a reel reference position with a certain position on the reels 30L, 30C and 30R as a reel reference position. The symbol placed at the position is the symbol of the 0th frame. The first frame design, the second frame design,... In this order along the circumferential direction with reference to this origin, and the last 21st design as the 20th frame design. The symbol correspondence table stored in the symbol detection means 150 stores the correspondence between the symbol number and the symbol type corresponding to the symbol number. For example, for the left reel 30L, the correspondence is stored in the symbol correspondence table such that the 0th frame is the symbol “Plum”, the 8th frame is the symbol “Replay”, and the 16th frame is the symbol “Cherry”. Has been.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to retrieve the symbol correspondence table based on the signals emitted from the rotation angle sensors 83a, 83b, and 83c and acquire the symbol type. For example, the symbol number of the reel 30L at the position of the winning line L3 is obtained based on the signal generated from the rotation angle sensor 83a, and the type of the symbol positioned at the winning line L3 can be obtained from the symbol number. it can. By doing in this way, regardless of whether the reels 30L, 30C and 30R are rotating or stopped, the types of symbols positioned on the effective lines L1 to L5 and the effective line L1 The kind of symbol which can be stopped at ~ L5 can be specified.

<Notification means 300>
The notification unit 300 is electrically connected to the information transmission unit 270 of the sub-control unit 200 described above. The notification means 300 notifies the information transmitted from the information transmission means 270 so that the player can recognize the information. The notification means 300 is preferably composed of the image display device 34, the speaker 36, or the lamp 38.

  As described above, when the notification unit 300 includes the image display device 34, characters and images are displayed as effect images. In other words, an effect is provided in which the image is displayed on the image display device 34 in the form of characters or is displayed on the image display device 34 in the form of drawings other than characters.

  In addition, when the notification unit 300 includes the speaker 36, a sound is produced as an effect. That is, an effect emitted from the speaker 36 as a sound effect or music is performed.

  Further, when the notification means 300 is composed of the lamp 38, an effect is provided by the lighting color of the lamp 38 or the blinking pattern.

<< Control processing >>
Below, the control performed in the main control means 100 (main control board 32) and the sub control means 200 (sub control board 52) mentioned above is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a subroutine for executing control processing in the main control means 100. 5 to 7 are subroutines for executing control processing in the sub-control means 200. FIG.

  In the following, the slot machine 10 is activated in advance, and the above-described main control means 100 and sub-control means 200 finish the activation processing such as initialization of various variables used for the control, and the slot machine 10 10 is assumed to be in steady operation. Further, the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows only one example for executing the control processing in the main control means 100, and is not limited to this processing procedure. Similarly, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 show only one example for executing the control processing in the sub-control means 200, and are not limited to this processing procedure.

<Control in main control means 100>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control in the main control means 100.

  First, it is determined whether or not the above-described 1-bet switch 62, 2-bet switch 64, or maximum bet switch 66 has been operated by the player (step S11). This determination is made as to whether or not a bet signal has been issued from the 1-bet switch 62, the 2-bet switch 64, or the maximum bet switch 66. When it is determined that the 1-bet switch 62, the 2-bet switch 64, or the maximum bet switch 66 is not operated, the process of step S11 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the 1-bet switch 62, 2-bet switch 64, or maximum-bet switch 66 has been operated, a signal indicating that these bet switches 62, 64, or 66 have been operated is transmitted to the sub-control means 200 ( Step S12).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the start switch 42 has been operated by the player (step S13). When it is determined that the start switch 42 is not operated, the process of step S13 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the start switch 42 has been operated, the above-described combination lottery means 120 performs the combination lottery process (step S14). Next, a signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated is transmitted to the sub-control means 200 (step S15), and a signal indicating the lottery result of the role lottery process in step S14 is transmitted to the sub-control means 200 (step S16). .

  Next, rotation control of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R is started by the reel rotation control means 132 of the reel drive control means 130 described above (step S17). Next, based on the operation of the stop switch 44a, 44b or 44c, stop control of the three reels 30L, 30C and 30R is executed by the reel stop control means 134 of the reel drive control means 130 described above (step S18). ).

  Further, a winning process is executed (step S19), and this subroutine is terminated. For example, when winning the RB role, the winning process is shifted to the RB gaming state, and when winning a small role such as a watermelon role, the number of game media corresponding to the role is paid out. If not, only the process of counting the number of games is performed.

<Control in sub-control means 200>
[First example]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first example of control in the sub-control means 200.

  First, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated is received from the main control means 100 (step S21). This process corresponds to the process of step S15 of FIG. 4 described above. When it is determined that the signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated is not received from the main control means 100, this subroutine is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated is received from the main control means 100, the timer 54 is stopped, the elapsed time measurement is terminated, and the timer value is stored (step S22). . This timer value is based on the time when the unit game of the previous time is started, the process of step S23 described later is executed, the timer 54 is started, and the unit game of the previous time is started. This is the elapsed time when measurement started. This timer value corresponds to “elapsed time”. The time when the timer 54 is stopped in the process of step S22 corresponds to the “end time”.

  As described above, in the main control means 100, when the start switch 42 is operated (step S13), the lottery process is performed by the role lottery means 120 (step S14), and the start switch 42 is operated. And a signal indicating the lottery result are transmitted to the sub-control means 200 (steps S15 and S16), the reel rotation is controlled (step S17), and the unit game starts. Since such processing is performed, the signal indicating that the start switch 42 transmitted to the sub-control means 200 has been operated indicates that the unit game has started. Therefore, the sub control means 200 knows that the unit game is started in the main control means 100 by receiving the signal indicating that the start switch 42 transmitted from the main control means 100 is operated. it can.

  Next, the timer 54 is activated to start measuring elapsed time (step S23). The time when this process is executed corresponds to the “start time” at which the start switch 42 is operated as the start of the current unit game.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is information indicating an effect selected in the unit game performed one time before (step S24). This is because immediately after the slot machine 10 is started or immediately after it is restarted, there may not be information indicating the effect selected in the unit game performed one time before. This is because it is necessary to determine whether or not the information indicating the effect selected in the unit game performed at the same time already exists.

  When it is determined in step S24 that there is no information indicating the effect selected in the unit game performed once before, the effect lottery means 220 described above performs the lottery process and the notification means 300 performs the effect. Determine (step S25).

  If it is determined in step S24 that there is information indicating the effect selected in the unit game performed one time before, the timer value stored in step S22 by the effect selection unit 230 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. It is determined whether or not (step S26). The timer value determined in the process of step S26 is the timer value stored in the process of step S22, and is not the current timer value currently being measured after the measurement is started in the process of step S23. . That is, the timer value determined in step S26 has elapsed from the time when the start switch 42 is operated as the start of the previous unit game to the time when the start switch 42 is operated as the start of the current unit game. It was time. In the present embodiment, the “end time” is the time when the start switch is operated as the start of the current unit game, and the “start time” is the start of the unit game one time before the current unit game. As when the start switch is operated.

  Note that the predetermined value used in the determination process of step S26 need not be limited to one, but a plurality of predetermined values are prepared, and the predetermined value to be compared with the timer value is changed according to the progress of the game. You may do it. For example, as the predetermined value, a first predetermined value and a second predetermined value are prepared, and the predetermined value is changed according to the result of the unit game performed one time before. May be. Specifically, if a unit game that was performed one time before could not win a winning combination, it was determined whether or not the timer value was equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. When winning a winning combination in a unit game, it may be determined whether or not the timer value is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value. Furthermore, the predetermined value may be changed depending on the type of winning combination.

  The time required for the winning process in step S19 of FIG. 4 described above tends to be short when a winning combination is not achieved and longer when a winning combination is achieved. For example, when winning a predetermined type of combination such as a small combination, the time required for the winning process for performing the medal payout process becomes longer. For this reason, the elapsed time from the “start time” to the “end time” may change depending on the winning process. Therefore, a plurality of predetermined values used in the determination process in step S26 are prepared, and the game It is preferable to change the predetermined value as appropriate according to the progress.

  By executing the process as described above, even if the time required for the winning process in step S19 in FIG. 4 changes, the determination process in step S26 can be performed in accordance with the change, and the player's The intention can be accurately reflected.

  In this process, when the main control unit 100 executes the winning process in step S19 in FIG. 4 described above, information related to winning is transmitted to the sub-control unit 200. The sub-control unit 200 It can be done by receiving.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S26 described above that the timer value is less than the predetermined value, that is, after the previous unit game is completed, the player immediately operates the start switch 42 once. When the elapsed time from the start of the previous unit game to the start of the current unit game is shortened and the game is speeded up, the lottery result of the hand lottery means 120 in the current unit game wins the predetermined role. It is determined whether or not (step S27). This determination can be made based on a signal indicating the lottery result transmitted from the main control means 100. When it is determined by the determination process in step S27 that the predetermined combination is not won, the effect lottery means 220 selects an effect of the same type as the effect selected when the unit game was played one time before. A lottery process is performed to determine the effect (step S28). The above-described determination process in step S27 shows a case where the determination is based only on whether or not a winning combination has been won, but whether or not a specific type of winning combination such as a BB winning combination or a replaying winning combination has been won. It may be determined whether or not.

  Alternatively, the determination process of step S27 described above may be omitted, and only the determination process of step S26 may be performed, and the process of step S28 or S29 may be performed immediately according to the determination result.

  The process in step S28 described above is performed when, for example, the effect lottery table (B-2) shown in FIG. 8B-2 is selected and the effect B-5 is selected in the previous unit game. In order to select an effect to be performed in the current unit game, the effect lottery table (B-2) in FIG. 8B-2 to which the effect B-5 belongs is used as an effect to be performed in the current unit game. A lottery process is performed. By this lottery process, any one of the effects B-1 to B-8 of the same type as the effect B-5 is selected. Specifically, a random number in the range of “0000” to “0fff” is generated by the effect lottery random number generating means 222 of the effect lottery means 220, and the effect lottery random number determining means 226 generates a random number in FIG. 8 (b-2). The random number is determined using the effect lottery table (B-2) shown in FIG.

  Further, in the previous unit game, step S25 described above and step S29 described later are executed, an effect lottery table (A) shown in FIG. 8A is selected, and an effect D-3 is obtained. When it has been selected, the effect lottery table (B-) in FIG. 8 (b-4) to which the effect D-3 belongs is selected as an effect to be performed in the current unit game in order to select the effect to be performed in the current unit game. A lottery process is performed using 4). By this lottery process, any one of the effects D-1 to D-8 of the same type as the effect D-3 is selected. Specifically, a random number in the range of “0000” to “0fff” is generated by the random number generator for effect lottery 222 of the effect lottery means 220, and the random number determining means for effect lottery 226 generates a random number in FIG. Using the effect lottery table (B-4) shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, when it is determined that the timer value is less than the predetermined value in the determination process in step S26 described above, the effect lottery table (A) shown in FIG. 8A is selected in the previous unit game. If “no effect” is selected, “no effect” is selected in the current unit game by the process of step S28.

  In this way, after the previous unit game is completed, when the player advances the game quickly by operating the start switch 42, the unit of the previous one is not played unless the winning combination is won. An effect related to the effect performed in the game is performed. In particular, in the case of an effect with a story, the player can enjoy the development of the effect performed at that time while proceeding with the game. That is, when the player wants to enjoy the continuation of the effect performed in the previous unit game, the player only needs to quickly operate the start switch 42, and operation means such as a switch for selecting the effect. The intention of the game can be reflected without providing a separate game.

  In addition, when the previous unit game is not performed, the player immediately operates the start switch 42 after the previous unit game is finished, so that the present unit game is also performed. Therefore, when the player wants to concentrate on the game, his intention can be reflected by immediately operating the start switch 42 after the previous unit game is completed.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S26 that the timer value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, or when it is determined in the determination process of step S27 that the lottery result of the combination lottery means 120 has won a predetermined combination, A lottery process is performed so as to be selected from all types of effects, and the effects are determined (step S29). Here, “all types of effects” includes the case of “no effects”.

  In the determination process of step S26 described above, “when it is determined that the timer value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value” means that the start switch 42 is not operated immediately after the previous unit game is completed, After a certain amount of time, the player operates the start switch 42, so that the elapsed time from the start of the previous unit game to the start of the current unit game becomes longer, and the game is slowly advanced. When you are. Further, in the determination process of step S27, “when it is determined that the lottery result of the combination lottery means 120 has won the predetermined combination”, the determination process of the previous step S26 indicates that “the unit game one time before After the game is over, the player immediately operates the start switch 42 to shorten the elapsed time from the start of the previous unit game to the start of the current unit game, thereby speeding up the game. " It is assumed that it has been determined.

  The process in step S29 described above is performed when, for example, the effect lottery table (B-3) shown in FIG. 8B-3 is selected and the effect C-2 is selected in the previous unit game. Even so, it is a process of selecting the effect lottery table (A) shown in FIG. 8A as the effect to be performed in the current unit game and performing the lottery process. With this lottery process, any of productions A-1 to A-8, productions B-1 to B-8, productions C-1 to C-8, productions D-1 to D-8, or no production One production is selected. Specifically, a random number in the range of “0000” to “0fff” is generated by the effect lottery random number generating means 222 of the effect lottery means 220, and the effect lottery random number determining means 226 shows the random number in the range shown in FIG. Using the effect lottery table (A), the value of the random number is determined and an effect is selected.

  By processing in this way, the player can operate the start switch 42 after a certain period of time without operating the start switch 42 immediately after the previous unit game is completed. When the game is slowly progressing so that the elapsed time from the start of the previous unit game to the start of the current unit game is long, it is not related to the effect performed in the previous unit game A separate performance is performed. That is, when the player wants to enjoy an effect different from the effect performed in the previous unit game, the player waits for a while after the previous unit game ends, The start switch 42 may be operated, and the intention of the game can be reflected without separately providing operation means such as a switch for selecting an effect.

  Further, as described above, in the determination process in step S27, “when it is determined that the lottery result of the combination lottery means 120 has won the predetermined combination”, the determination process in the previous step S26 is “1 After the previous unit game is completed, the player immediately operates the start switch 42 to shorten the elapsed time from the start of the previous unit game to the start of the current unit game, thereby speeding up the game. It is assumed that it has been determined that That is, when the player is speeding up the game and the lottery result of the combination lottery means 120 is winning a predetermined combination, it is not related to the effect performed in the previous unit game. Production is performed. That is, an effect different from the effect that the player has imagined or predicted is performed. By doing in this way, when a predetermined combination is won, it can be notified to the player by a change in the effect that it has been won.

  After executing the process of step S25, S28 or S29 described above, the selected effect is started (step S30), and this subroutine is terminated. In the process of step S30, when the effect is an image, the selected effect is displayed on the image display device 34 as an effect image. Further, when the effect is by voice, the selected effect is emitted from the speaker 36 as the effect sound. Further, when the effect is a lamp, the selected effect is performed according to the lighting color of the lamp 38 or the blinking pattern.

[Second example]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second example of control in the sub-control means 200. This example is a process of selecting an effect using the effect lottery table (C) shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, steps that perform the same processes as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals. That is, the processes in steps S21 to S27 and the process in step S30 are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S26 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the timer value stored in step S22 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The timer value determined in the process of step S26 is also the timer value stored in the process of step S22, as in the first example. The measurement is started in the process of step S23, and the currently measured value is the highest. It is not the current timer value. That is, the timer value determined in step S26 has elapsed from the time when the start switch 42 is operated as the start of the previous unit game to the time when the start switch 42 is operated as the start of the current unit game. It was time. Also in this second example, the “end time” is the time when the start switch is operated as the start of the current unit game, and the “start time” is the start of the unit game one time before the current unit game. The time when the start switch is operated. Also, the predetermined value used in the determination process of step S26 need not be limited to only one as in the first example, and a plurality of predetermined values are prepared and the predetermined value to be compared with the timer value is a game. You may make it change according to progress of. For example, as the predetermined value, a first predetermined value and a second predetermined value are prepared, and the predetermined value is changed according to the result of the unit game performed one time before. May be.

  When it is determined in step S26 that the timer value is less than the predetermined value, that is, after the previous unit game is completed, the player immediately operates the start switch 42 to immediately Whether the lottery result of the hand lottery means 120 in the current unit game is won for a predetermined role when the game is advanced by shortening the elapsed time from the start of the unit game to the start of the current unit game It is determined whether or not (step S27).

  When it is determined by the determination process in step S27 that the predetermined combination is not won, an effect is selected according to a predetermined order (step S31). In the second example, as shown in FIG. 9, eight effects “effect 1” to “effect 8” are selected and performed. These eight effects are determined in advance in the order of “effect 1” → “effect 2” → “effect 3” →... “Effect 8” → “effect 1” →. The process of step S31 selects an effect according to this order. That is, after the previous unit game is completed, the player immediately operates the start switch 42 to shorten the elapsed time from the start of the previous unit game to the start of the current unit game, In the case where the game is advanced at a high speed and “Produce 6” is selected in the previous unit game, the next “Produce 7” is selected in the current unit game by the processing of Step S31. . When “Production 8” has been selected in the previous unit game, “Production 1” to “Production 8” are repeatedly selected by returning to “Production 1” in the current unit game. To.

  In this way, the order is set in advance, and by performing according to the order, there is a narrative effect, an effect that makes you feel the passage of time, or the transition of the season It is possible to produce an effect that makes the player think that there are some rules and laws.

  When it is determined that the timer value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value in the determination process in step S26 described above, or it is determined in the determination process in step S27 that the lottery result of the winning lottery means 120 has won the predetermined combination. In some cases, the lottery process is performed using the effect lottery table (C) shown in FIG. 9, and the effect is determined (step S32). Specifically, a random number in the range of “0000” to “0fff” is generated by the random number generator for effect lottery 222 of the effect lottery means 220, and the effect lottery table shown in FIG. Using (C), the value of the random number is determined and an effect is selected.

  By performing such a process, there will be a production without any rules or laws, which will surprise the player, make it feel unexpected, or if you are elected for a predetermined role, you won This can be notified to the player.

[Third example]
In the first example or the second example described above, the time when the start switch 42 is operated by the player is set as the time measurement start time, but the bet switch 62, 64 or 66 is operated. The time may be set as the time measurement start time. FIG. 7 is a flowchart when the time measurement is started when the bet switch 62, 64 or 66 is operated. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, steps that perform the same processes as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals. That is, the processes in steps S24 to S30 are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. In the third example, an effect is selected using the effect lottery tables (A) and (B-1) to (B-4) shown in FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating that the bet switch 62, 64 or 66 has been operated is received from the main control means 100 (step S41). This process corresponds to the process in step S12 of FIG. 4 described above. When it is determined that the signal indicating that the bet switch 62, 64 or 66 has been operated is not received from the main control means 100, this subroutine is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that a signal indicating that the bet switch 62, 64 or 66 has been operated is received from the main control means 100, the timer 54 is activated to start measuring elapsed time (step S42). The time when this process is executed corresponds to the “start time” when the bet switch 62, 64 or 66 is operated as the start of the current unit game.

  Next, it is determined whether a signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated is received from the main control means 100 (step S43). This process corresponds to the process of step S15 of FIG. 4 described above. When it is determined that the signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated is not received from the main control means 100, the process of step S43 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal indicating that the start switch 42 has been operated is received from the main control means 100, the timer 54 is stopped, the elapsed time measurement is terminated, and the timer value is stored (step S44). . This timer value corresponds to “elapsed time”. The time point when the timer 54 is stopped in the process of step S44 corresponds to the “end time point”.

  Using the “elapsed time” obtained in step S44, it is determined in step S26 whether or not the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and processing similar to that shown in FIG. Step S29) is executed, and an effect is selected.

  In the third example shown in FIG. 7, a case is shown in which an effect is selected using the effect lottery tables (A) and (B-1) to (B-4) shown in FIG. 8. The production may be selected using the production lottery table (C) shown. That is, processing may be performed by replacing step S31 in FIG. 7 with step S31 in FIG. 6 and replacing with step S32 in FIG. 6 instead of step S29 in FIG.

  In this way, even when the time point when the bet switch 62, 64, or 66 is operated is the “start time point”, it is desired to change the mode of processing for selecting an effect without newly providing separate operation means. Can reflect the player's intention. In this way, the “operating means” reflects the player's intention to change the mode of processing for selecting an effect by an operation that can be operated by the player and does not hinder the progress of the game or bother the player. Any operation means provided in a conventional slot machine that can change the type of production can be used. By doing in this way, it is not necessary to provide the separate means for changing the aspect of the process which selects an effect, and can simplify the structure and control of an apparatus.

  In the first example or the second example described above, the “end time” is the time when the start switch is operated as the start of the current unit game, and the “start time” is the time of the previous unit game. Although the time point when the start switch is operated as the start is set, the “start time point” may be set as the time point when the start switch is operated as the start of a past unit game. That is, the “start time” may be the time when the start switch is operated as the start of the unit game executed at least once before the current unit game. By doing so, there is a possibility of adding interest to the game or making the player feel a sense of surprise.

2 is a front view showing a front surface of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 shows an internal structure of the slot machine 10. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of main control functions in the slot machine 10. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control in main control means 100. 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of control in sub-control means 200. 7 is a flowchart showing a second example of control in sub-control means 200. 10 is a flowchart showing a third example of control in sub-control means 200. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the outline of the effect lottery table memorize | stored in the effect lottery probability memory | storage means 228 of the sub-control means 200. FIG. It is a table | surface which shows the outline other example of the effect lottery table memorize | stored in the effect lottery probability memory | storage means 228 of the sub-control means 200.

Explanation of symbols

10 slot machine 30L, 30C, 30R reel 42 start switch 44a, 44b, 44c stop switch 100 main control means 120 role lottery means 122 random number generation means 124 random number extraction means 126 random number determination means 128 lottery probability storage means 130 reel drive control means 132 Reel rotation control means 134 Reel stop control means 200 Sub control means 210 Timing means 220 Production lottery means 230 Production selection means 240 Production data storage means 270 Information transmission means 300 Notification means 400 Symbol display means 500 Operation means 600 Game media number setting means

Claims (1)

Rotated based on the operation of the start switch by the player, one or more reels even without least multiple symbols attached to each, the progress of the game by the form of the display of the symbols on when all stopped determined slot A machine,
In the game, a unit game in which a single process is performed from when the start switch is operated by the player until the at least one reel stops and the processing based on the result of the game is completed may be repeatedly performed. A game,
Informing means for informing the information about the game as an effect,
A plurality of effects performed in the notification means, each of the plurality of effects being effect data storage means in which effect data relating to a plurality of effects belonging to any one of a plurality of predetermined groups is stored When,
An operation means including said start switch to be operated by a player,
A role lottery means for performing a lottery process of the type of role;
Time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time between two time points, wherein a time point when the start switch is operated as a start of one unit game is set as a time point of time end, and the player makes the time point before the end time point. Time counting means for measuring the elapsed time from the start time to the end time, the time point when the start switch is operated as the start time point,
Including an effect selection means for selecting an effect performed in the notification means from the plurality of effects,
The production selection means includes:
If the elapsed time does not exceed a predetermined time and a predetermined combination is not won by the combination lottery means, it is selected by a unit game executed at least once before the one unit game. Select one production from the production and production belonging to the same group,
When the elapsed time does not exceed a predetermined time and the predetermined combination is won by the combination lottery means, and when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time, all of the plurality of effects A slot machine characterized by selecting one of them.

Images