JP4806503B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a slot machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a slot machine installed at an amusement store or the like, it is common to play a game by inserting (multiplying) an arbitrary number of medals. In a normal game that is not in a special gaming state such as a bonus game, for example, 1 to 3 medals can be inserted, and the probability of winning and the number of active lines differ depending on the number of inserted games. Among them, when the maximum number (three in the above example) is inserted, there are many cases where it is most advantageous to the player, so most players play the game with the maximum number of medals.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, it is well known that many slot machines in recent years are configured to notify a player using a liquid crystal screen, a notification lamp, etc. when a special role such as a big hit is won. . However, the player has become accustomed to visually informing the establishment of the flag using a liquid crystal screen or a notification lamp, and can no longer contribute to a great game effect. Therefore, a new flag alerting means that makes the player feel odd is desired.
[0004]
The present invention provides a slot machine that uses the mechanism of the slot machine as described above, notifies the establishment of a flag by an unexpected method, and has a function that can contribute to prevention of useless consumption of medals after the flag is established. This is the issue. Note that “winning” means winning by an internal lottery process, and “winning” means that an award is obtained with the symbols arranged in a predetermined award.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problems and actions / effects]
In order to solve the above problems, the slot machine of the present invention
The game can be started when a game medium is inserted within a predetermined number of possible insertions, and a lottery process corresponding to the number of game media inserted is executed at the start of the game. In a slot machine configured to establish a special combination flag until a special combination such as a big hit is won by processing until the special combination wins,
In a state where the special combination flag is established, the flag notification means for notifying that the special combination flag is established is provided by limiting the number of game media that can be inserted to the minimum number. Premise And
[0006]
The slot machine of the present invention comprises flag notifying means for notifying a player that the flag has been established after the special combination flag typified by jackpot is established. In most cases, except for a special gaming state such as a bonus game, it is advantageous to play the game with the maximum multiplier, so the player tries to input the maximum multiplier for each game. The inventors of the present invention have paid attention to a peculiar habit that looks normal at first glance, and has completed the present invention by using it.
[0007]
That is, when a special combination flag such as a big hit is established and it becomes possible to win the special combination, it is ensured that a game medium such as a medal enters a minimum number necessary for playing the game in a certain game. become. Usually, since the game medium is a medal, this is exemplarily described below. In short, only one medal can be played, and so-called one-game is forced to the machine side. As a result, the player notices that the flag is established after instantly thinking “is it a failure?”. Since the flag is notified by such an unexpected method, it is possible to further enhance the joy of the player. Furthermore, when the flag is established, it is possible to win even one reel if the reel stop operation is accurate, so there is an advantage that it is not necessary to consume extra medals.
[0008]
Further, when the special combination is not won in the game in which the notification by the flag notification unit is executed, the notification by the flag notification unit can be prevented from being executed in the subsequent games until the special combination is won.
[0009]
That is, it is not necessary that the notification operation is executed in all games if the special combination flag is established. For example, if the notification operation is performed in any game after the flag is established, the player It is enough to notice the establishment. Even if it is not possible to win a game in which the flag is notified, the player will carefully operate from the next game, and as a result, medals are less likely to be wasted. It is obvious that there is no room for executing the flag notification process when the special combination can be won in the game in which the special combination flag is established.
[0010]
And In the slot machine of the present invention, In addition to the above prerequisite structure, Credit means for preliminarily storing game media to be thrown in, and Max bet means for throwing in the maximum number of game media that can be thrown in one operation using the game media stored by the credit means. The number of game media that can be inserted is limited to the minimum number by the flag notification means even when the max betting means is operated. It is characterized by .
[0011]
In recent years, slot machines installed in amusement stores or the like have stored a large number of medals as credits in advance in an electrically stored form in order to reduce troublesome operations such as inserting medals for each game. The game can be played just by operating the buttons. Among them, the so-called Max Bet function, which allows the maximum number of medals to be inserted in one operation, is well known. When playing a game using medals stored in credits, the Max Bet button is operated. Is normal. If the user does not realize that the special combination flag is established, he / she tends to consume the medals wastefully. Therefore, if the flag notification operation is performed as described above, the minimum number (one) is compulsorily determined regardless of the remaining number of credits even when the Max Bet button is operated. It will only be thrown in. Accordingly, the player immediately notices that the flag has been established, and only the minimum number of cards can be inserted even though the max bet button is operated. This leads to prevention of useless consumption of medals.
[0012]
By the way, although it is good that only the minimum number can be inserted and the flag is informed, some players have a desire to play the game with the maximum multiplier if possible. This is because, in most slot machines, the number of effective lines increases as the multiplier increases. Therefore, even when the flag notification process is executed by the flag notification means, it is preferable that the game medium can be additionally inserted after the predetermined time has elapsed and the multiplier can be increased. In this way, even a novice who is not confident in the operation to stop the symbol, after confirming that the flag has been established, can calmly reset it to the maximum multiplier, so that it is possible to prevent unnecessary medals from being consumed. It ’s not a waste of time.
[0013]
Even if the notification by the flag notification means is executed, The When the betting means is operated again, up to the maximum number of game media can be inserted. It is characterized by . In this way, even a beginner who is not confident in the operation to stop the symbol can calmly reset the flag after confirming that the flag has been established, so that additional game media can be inserted after a predetermined time has elapsed. Compared to the case, the same effect can be obtained.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the slot machine of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 1 of the present invention. The slot machine 1 has a housing whose front portion is constituted by an opening / closing door, and three reels formed in an annular shape are accommodated in the housing. A cell with a pattern as shown in FIG. 3A is attached to each of the three reels, and a stepping motor serving as a reel driving unit for individually rotating the reel is a central part of the ring. To form a variable display unit. Each reel is visible through the display window 18. From the display window 18, three symbols can be visually recognized for each reel, thereby forming a symbol display area.
[0015]
The mechanism of the operation of the slot machine 1 will be described together with the game procedure using the block diagram schematically showing the circuit configuration of FIG. First, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 10, the inserted medal detection unit 10 'detects the number of inserted coins, the winning lines 12, 13, and 14 are activated accordingly, and the lamp corresponding to each line is lit. To do. Almost at the same time that the winning line 12 is activated, a start switch (start lever) 11 for starting a game is also activated. The winning line after being activated is referred to as an activated line for convenience. Each line corresponds to the number of inserted medals from 1 to 3. More than that is inserted into the storage device such as the RAM 32 as a credit medal, and the number is displayed on the credit display unit 21. The As described above, the slot machine 1 includes credit means for storing game media to be inserted in advance. Further, as described above, in the slot machine 1, the minimum number (minimum multiplier) necessary for playing the game is set to one, and the maximum number (maximum multiplier) that can be thrown is determined to be three.
[0016]
The maximum bet (hereinafter, referred to as MAXBET) button 15 is a game medium that is stored by the credit means and can be played by multiplying the maximum number that can be inserted by one operation. That is, the slot machine 1 has a MAXBET means including a MAXBET button 15 and a MAXBET detection unit 15 ′ that detects the presence or absence of the operation. On the other hand, when the 1BET button 16 is operated, medals can be inserted one by one. For example, when a medal is directly inserted by hand, the medal slot 10 is used, and when a game is performed using a credit medal, the MAXBET button 15 or the 1BET button 16 is operated. Therefore, the game medium detection unit of the slot machine 1 is generally composed of a medal insertion detection unit 10 ′, a MAXBET detection unit 15 ′, and a 1BET detection unit 16 ′. It is also possible to cancel the credit by operating the settlement button 29.
[0017]
When a medal is directly inserted into the medal insertion slot 10 or when the BET buttons 15 and 16 are operated, the medal is inserted and preparation for playing the game is completed. When the game is started by operating the start switch 11, the reels are rotated and the symbols are displayed one after another through the display window 18. After the symbol variation display is started, the stop switches 20L, 20C, and 20R corresponding to the reels are activated. Then, based on the operation of the stop switches 20L, 20C, and 20R, the stepping motor and the reel attached thereto stop operation. At this time, when the symbols arranged on the active line indicate a predetermined prize mode, a prize is awarded and medals are paid out (there is a prize that is not paid out: replay prize etc.). The number of payout medals is displayed on the payout display unit 22 constituted by LEDs, for example.
[0018]
Speakers 17 and 17 functioning as a notification device for providing voice information to the player are provided in a pair on the top of the housing. Further, a liquid crystal display unit 19 that functions as a notification device that provides image information to the player is provided between the speakers 17 and 17. By these notification devices, information relating to the game is notified to the player by combining images, colors, sounds, or a combination thereof.
[0019]
Here, the award mode of the slot machine 1 will be described. FIG. 3 shows the symbol arrangement of the slot machine 1 and the winning mode. As shown in (a), cells on which 21 symbols are drawn per row are pasted corresponding to three reels. When each reel stops, if the symbol stops in the combination shown in FIG.
[0020]
In the slot machine 1, big bonuses and regular bonuses that are special roles, 2 to 15 small roles and replays are pre-programmed roles (bonus in and jack in are big or regular bonus games) Only valid during). Among these, when a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, a special game mode corresponding to each is started.
[0021]
Next, referring back to the block diagram of FIG. As shown in the drawing, the control device of the slot machine 1 includes a CPU 30 that is an arithmetic device, a ROM 31 that is a read-only storage device in which various programs and various determination tables are stored in advance, and the slot machine 1 is in operation. And a RAM 32 used as a work area that is a readable / writable main storage device.
[0022]
In the main control unit 100, signals from sensors or switches provided in various operation units associated therewith are input to the CPU 30 via an I / O interface (not shown). The sensors in the various operation units include a start switch 11, stop switches 20L, 20C, 20R, a MAXBET detection unit 15 ′, a 1BET detection unit 16 ′, a inserted medal detection unit 10 ′, a settlement button detection unit 29 ′, and the like. The process during the game is executed in accordance with the progress of the game in such a manner that the sequence program stored in the ROM 31 is sequentially read out by the CPU 30 and temporarily stored in the RAM 32. The execution results of the processing are sent from the CPU 30 to each operation unit (reel drive unit 25 (including stepping motor), medal payout unit 23, various display lamps 24 (including display units 21 and 22)) via the I / O interface. Is output. The liquid crystal display unit 19 is controlled via the display control unit 26. Under the control of the audio output unit 27, the speaker 17 is a mechanism that emits audio by amplifying an audio signal by the AMP 17 ′.
[0023]
The operation of the stepping motor is controlled by a drive pulse signal output from the CPU 30. When a predetermined number of drive pulse signals are output from the CPU 30 to the stepping motor, the pulse counter stored in a predetermined area in the RAM 32 is counted up. Since the value of the pulse counter corresponds to each of the 21 symbols, information on which symbol is in which position during reel rotation is accurately grasped by the CPU 30 reading the counter value. The reels 25L, 25C, and 25R are sensed at their reference positions for each rotation by the reel position detector 28. Since the reel reference position signal is input to the CPU 30 as a sensing result and the counter is cleared and a new count is started, there is no problem when and where the reels 25L, 25C, 25R stop. When re-driving in the next game after the reels are stopped, the counters for all the reels 25L, 25C, 25R are once cleared and the positions of the reels can be confirmed, and then the stop switches 20L, 20C, 20R are activated. .
[0024]
Among the main control units 100, the CPU 30 is a main body that executes a lottery process of a combination including a special combination such as a big hit (big bonus, regular bonus) based on the start of the game. The lottery drawing is based on extraction of random numbers and determination of the extracted random numbers. The random number used for the lottery process may be performed by a random number generator provided separately from the CPU 30. A hit determination table used for determination of random numbers is stored in the ROM 31. The CPU 30 reads out the determination table according to the role lottery program, stores the determination table in the RAM 32, and executes a random number determination process using the work area of the RAM 32. That is, these devices function as a role lottery processing means. Further, when the special combination such as a big hit is won, the RAM 32 stores the special combination flag corresponding to the special combination in the flag establishment state and holds the storage state of the special combination flag until the special combination wins. It also functions as a storage means.
[0025]
Next, the flag notification means provided in the slot machine 1 of the present invention will be described. The flag notifying means is defined when the special combination named bonus is selected in the combination shown in FIG. 3 and the bonus flag is stored in the RAM 32 so that the bonus can be won. Execute the process. Specifically, only a minimum number of medals for allowing the game to start can be inserted, and a process for forcibly playing a single game is executed. Even if a player tries to play a three-ply game, the player is forced to play a single-ply game, and thus notices that the bonus flag has been established.
[0026]
This will be briefly described with reference to a rough flowchart shown in FIG. First, FIG. 4A shows processing when the MAXBET button 15 is operated. When the player operates the MAXBET button 15 (step A1), the number of medals that can be inserted is limited to the minimum number by the control of the flag notification means. It is set to the multiplying game (step B1). The game is started (step D1) after the effective line display is set to one game (step C1). FIG. 4B is another example in which a notification process is executed when a player directly inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 10. In this case, a process of switching the medal path to the return side is included (step B2). That is, when one inserted medal is detected by the inserted medal detection unit 10 ′, a signal is output to the medal path switching solenoid 33 (see FIG. 2) so that no more medals can be inserted. Or it is good to add it to a credit medal automatically even if it inserts more than that. The subsequent steps are the same as in the case of (a).
[0027]
Next, the flow of processing executed in the slot machine 1 including flag notification processing will be described. First, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow from the start of the game to the execution of the big bonus game process and the regular bonus game process. As the game progresses, the processes from step S1 to step S7 are sequentially executed. As is well known, the big bonus game process and the regular bonus game process do not continue.
[0028]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the game start process (S1). During the normal game in which the big hit flag is not established, the conventional processing is executed. Therefore, the lottery process and the winning combination determination process in the normal game will be described first.
[0029]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the winning lottery process (S2). When the game is started, one random number is extracted (sampled) from random numbers generated by a random number generator or the like (S201). The sampled random numbers are subjected to a matching process using a winning random number table called from the ROM 31 to the RAM 32 corresponding to the one-ply game, the two-ply game, and the three-ply game (S202). When it is determined in S203 that the winning random number is coincident, in S204, a winning combination flag is set to 1 (also referred to as turning on the flag). Then, the process proceeds to reel processing. Note that the reel process is a process for executing reel drive start / stop control and is omitted since it is well known.
[0030]
Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the winning combination determination process (S4) executed after the reels are stopped. First, it is determined whether or not the flag winning combination has stopped on the active line (whether or not a prize has been won) (S401). In the case of winning, the process proceeds to medal payout processing. The medal payout process is a well-known process and will not be described.
[0031]
On the other hand, if the flag winning combination does not stop on the active line, it is determined whether or not the small combination flag is ON (S402), and if it is the small combination flag, the flag is cleared ( S403). Next, it is determined whether or not the bonus flag is ON (S404). If the bonus flag is not turned on, in S406, the medal path is switched to the insertion side and the process returns to the game start process.
[0032]
If the bonus flag = 1 (flag ON state), the 1BET flag is set to 1 in the subsequent step S405. As described above, the 1BET flag is a flag for executing a notification process of limiting the number of medals that can be inserted to the minimum number and notifying that the flag is established. Finally, the medal path is switched to the insertion side (S406), and the process returns to the game start process.
[0033]
Now, processing in a game in which a bonus is won in the immediately preceding game and the bonus flag and the 1BET flag are stored as ON will be described. As described above, there are three methods for inserting medals: (1) direct insertion from the medal insertion slot (2) operation by operating the MAXBET button 15 and (3) operation by operating the 1BET button 16. Each case will be described separately. Each process corresponding to the medal insertion is executed as part of the game start process (S1) as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, a flag notification process executed when the MAXBET button is operated is illustrated.
[0034]
First, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the medal insertion process (S8) when a medal is directly inserted from the medal insertion slot 10. When the inserted medal detection unit 10 ′ detects the insertion of a medal (S801), it is determined in the subsequent step S802 whether the 1BET flag is ON. If the BET number (the number of inserted medals) is zero (S803), the BET number is incremented by one medal (S807) and the process returns.
[0035]
If it is determined in S802 that the 1BET flag is not ON, it is determined whether or not the number of BETs is 2 or less (S808). If the number of BETs is 2 or less, medals can be inserted, so the number of BETs is incremented by one medal (S807) and the process returns. If the BET number is greater than 2, no more medals can be inserted, so the credit number is incremented by one medal (S804). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of credits has reached 50 (S805), and if it has not reached 50, the process directly returns. When the number of credits reaches 50, the medal path is switched to the return side (S806) and the process returns.
[0036]
Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the MAXBET process (S9) when a medal is inserted by operating the MAXBET button 15 and the game is started. When the MAXBET button 15 is operated (S901), it is determined whether or not the remaining credit number is 1 or more (S902). When the credit remaining number is 0, the BET button does not function. If the credit remaining number is 1 or more, it is determined whether or not the 1BET flag is ON (S903). If the 1BET flag is ON, it is determined whether or not the BET number counter (counter indicating the multiplied number) is set to zero (S904). If YES, the number of credit medals stored in the RAM 32 is one medal. After the decrement (S905), the BET number (multiplier number) is set to 1 (S906), and finally the 1BET flag is cleared (S907), and the process returns. Thus, even when the MAXBET button 15 is operated, the possible number of insertions is limited to 1.
[0037]
If it is determined in step S903 that the 1BET flag is not turned on, it means that normal processing is executed. Accordingly, in S908, it is determined whether or not the current BET number is 2 or less. If it is not 2 or less, it means that 3 cards (maximum multiplier) have already been inserted, and the process returns. If it is 2 or less, it means that the maximum multiplier has not yet been reached. Therefore, in the subsequent step S909, it is determined whether or not there are enough credits remaining to make up three inserted medals. After decrementing the number of credits to zero (S912), the number of decremented medals is additionally inserted (S913) and the process returns. If YES in step S909, the credit number is decremented (S910), the BET number is set to 3 (S911), and the process returns.
[0038]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the 1BET flag is cleared in the game in which the flag notification process is executed, and therefore, the bonus is not won in the game in which the establishment of the bonus flag is notified by the notification process by the flag notification unit. In this case, the flag establishment notification process is not executed in the subsequent games until the prize is won, and it is possible to play the game with the maximum number of medals.
[0039]
As another example, even when the flag notification process is executed, a mode in which a medal can be additionally inserted and a game can be played with the maximum multiplier after a predetermined time has elapsed can be exemplified. In this case, the main control unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 can be provided with a timer for counting the predetermined time. When the BET number is set to 1 by the flag notification process, the timer counts the predetermined time. It is preferable that an additional medal can be inserted when the timer is up.
[0040]
Next, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the 1BET process (S10) when the 1BET button is operated. First, when the operation of the 1BET button 16 is detected in ST1, it is determined whether or not one or more credits remain (ST2). If one or more credits remain, it is determined in the subsequent step ST3 whether or not the 1BET flag is ON. If the 1BET flag is ON, it is determined whether or not the BET number counter is zero (ST4). If the BET number counter is zero, the credit number is decremented by one medal (ST5), and the BET The number is incremented by one medal (ST6) and the process returns. If it is determined in ST3 that the 1BET flag is not ON, the process proceeds to ST7, where it is determined whether or not the number of BETs is 2 or less. Since the medal cannot be inserted, it returns as it is. When the number of BETs is 2 or less, the above-described processing of ST5 and ST6 is executed, and the process returns.
[0041]
Returning to the game start process of FIG. As described above, when the medal insertion process (S8), the MAXBET process (S9), and the 1BET process (S10) are executed and the operation of the start lever 11 is detected (S101), the BET number counter is greater than zero. After determining whether or not it is large (S102), the medal path is switched to the return side (S103). Further, if the 1BET flag remains ON (S104), it is cleared (S105), and the process proceeds to the lottery process shown in FIG.
[0042]
As described above, in this embodiment, when a bonus flag is established and a bonus cannot be won in the game in which the flag is established, the flag notification process is executed in the next game. Not only in this embodiment, but when the MAXBET button 15 is operated with the 1BET flag turned on, or when a medal is inserted through the medal slot 10, a lottery process for executing the flag notification process is performed. When it is executed and it is won, the flag notification process described above may be executed.
[0043]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, when a medal is inserted from the medal slot 10, when the 1BET flag is turned on in order to forcibly play a one-seat game, When one medal is detected, by switching the medal path to the return side, it is possible to block insertion of additional medals and allow only the minimum number of medals.
[0044]
In a normal slot machine, a sound effect is emitted from the speaker 17 each time a medal is inserted. That is, when a three-sheet game is played, three sound effects are output. In the slot machine 1 according to the present invention, the flag notification process is executed and the game is forcibly set in a single game, so that a medal insertion sound is output only once. Therefore, it is easy for the player to notice that the flag notification process has been executed.
[0045]
As mentioned above, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention can be implemented in a various aspect in the range which is not limited to embodiment and does not deviate from a summary. Also, it should be noted that the attached drawings are schematic for understanding.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of the slot machine.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a symbol arrangement and a prize mode.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a rough flow at the start of a game in which processing by a flag notification unit is executed.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of overall processing.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of game start processing.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of a winning lottery process.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of a winning combination determination process.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of medal insertion processing.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of MAXBET processing.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of 1BET processing.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 slot machine
10 medal slot
10 'inserted medal detection unit (game medium detection unit)
15 MAXBET button
15 'MAXBET detector (game medium detector)
30 CPU
31 ROM
32 RAM (storage means)
100 main control unit (game control unit, flag notification means)

Claims (2)

A game can be started when a game medium is inserted within a predetermined number of possible insertions, and a lottery process corresponding to the number of game media inserted is executed at the start of the game. In a slot machine configured to establish a special combination flag until a special combination such as a big hit is won by lottery processing until the special combination wins,
A credit means for storing game media to be thrown in advance, and a max bet means for throwing in the maximum number of game media that can be thrown in one operation using the game media stored by the credit means;
In the state where the special combination flag is established, the special combination flag is established by limiting the number of game media that can be inserted to the minimum number even when the max betting means is operated. and a flag informing means for informing that you are,
A slot machine , wherein even when notification by the flag notification means is executed, up to the maximum number of the game media is inserted when the max betting means is operated again .   The notification by the flag notification means is not executed in the subsequent games until the special combination is won when the special combination is not won in the game in which the notification by the flag notification means is executed. The slot machine according to 1.

Images