JP4859190B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a reel in which a symbol row is arranged along an outer peripheral surface and a reel rotation motor that rotationally drives the reel.

  Represents a substantially cylindrical shape with a series of symbols composed of multiple types of symbols arranged along the outer peripheral surface, a reel that is pivotally supported in the left-right direction inside the gaming machine body, and a fixed support that is fixed inside the gaming machine body A reel, a reel rotation motor that is fixed to the fixed support frame and rotationally drives an output end based on an input signal, and a reel and an output end of the reel rotation motor are linked to rotate the reel rotation motor. A gaming machine is known that includes a rotation transmission mechanism for rotating the reel and a symbol viewing window formed on the front surface of the gaming machine main body so that the reel can be seen from the front. The most common of such gaming machines is a slot machine. Some pachinko machines are provided with a reel and a reel rotation motor on a fixed support frame attached to the game board, and with a symbol viewing window on the front surface of the game board.

  A general slot machine includes a reel unit in which a plurality of (usually three) reels, a reel rotation motor, and a fixed support frame are integrally assembled, and the fixed support frame portion of the reel unit is a gaming machine main body. By being fixed inside, the reel is rotatably held inside the gaming machine main body. On the other hand, a symbol visual recognition window that allows the inside of the gaming machine main body to be visually recognized from the front is provided on the front portion of the gaming machine main body so that the player can visually recognize the symbol of the reel through the symbol visual recognition window.

  By the way, in the conventional reel unit, the reel is fixedly connected to the output end of the reel rotation motor via an extremely simple rotation transmission mechanism. For this reason, the reel only rotates forward or backward in accordance with the rotational driving of the output end, and in a general slot machine, the movement of the symbol visually recognized from the symbol viewing window is monotonous only to move up and down. It was something.

On the other hand, the whole reel unit is held so as to be horizontally movable inside the gaming machine main body, and the whole reel unit is slid by the driving force of the motor (see Patent Document 1), and the fixed support frame is attached to the gaming machine main body. A configuration is proposed in which the fixed support frame is horizontally slid by the driving force of the motor (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3). In such a configuration, by moving the reel horizontally inside the game machine body together with the fixed support frame and the reel rotation motor, the symbol that can be seen from the symbol viewing window can be moved in the horizontal direction, and more various effects can be expressed. realizable.
JP 2005-125007 A JP 2004-215843 A JP 2004-236787 A

  However, gaming machines that enable the reel to move horizontally with the above configuration lack practicality and are hardly employed. This is because, in the above configuration, when the reel is moved horizontally, the reel rotating motor connected to the reel must be moved horizontally together. Generally, a reel is a lightweight one made of resin, but a reel rotation motor incorporating a coil or the like is heavy. For this reason, a large inertial force is generated when the reel is moved / stopped, and it is difficult to start the reel quickly at a required speed or to accurately stop the reel at a required position / timing. This is because the desired performance expression cannot be accurately realized. Of course, this problem can be solved by adopting a large-sized and high-output motor, but in such a case, the cost of the motor, the installation space, and the like are problematic.

  The present invention has been made in view of the present situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can move a reel accurately and quickly in the left-right direction by a low-output drive source.

The present invention has a substantially cylindrical shape in which a symbol row composed of a plurality of types of symbols is arranged along the outer peripheral surface, a reel that is pivotally supported in the left-right direction, and a fixed support frame that is fixed inside the gaming machine main body. And a reel rotation motor that is fixed to the fixed support frame and rotationally drives the output end based on an input signal, and the reel and the output end of the reel rotation motor are linked together. In a gaming machine comprising a rotation transmission mechanism for rotating the reel and a symbol visual window formed on the front surface of the gaming machine main body so that the reel can be viewed from the front, the rotation transmission mechanism has two members having a predetermined width. the lateral direction while engaged so as to be relatively slidable in a range, comprise a sliding linkage portion comprising in conjunction the rotational direction of the reel, the rotation transmission mechanism, reel and the reel rotating motor through the sliding linkage portion The output end of A game characterized in that the game further comprises a reel moving device that moves or stops the reel in the left-right direction within the predetermined width range, and a reel movement control means that controls the operation of the reel moving device. Machine. Here, the “left-right direction” for moving the reel refers to the left-right direction with respect to the front surface of the gaming machine main body, in other words, the direction in which the reel is pivotally supported.

  According to such a configuration, the rotation transmission mechanism transmits the rotational drive of the reel rotation motor to the reel by sliding the sliding linkage, and moves the reel in the left-right direction independently of the reel rotation motor. It becomes possible to make it. For this reason, the reel moving device according to the present configuration can move the reel in the left-right direction by moving only the light reel without moving the heavy reel rotation motor. Therefore, in this configuration, since the object to be moved is lighter than the conventional configuration, the reel can be moved quickly and accurately even when the drive source such as a motor provided in the reel moving device has a relatively low output. It becomes possible.

  In the above configuration, the rotation transmission mechanism includes a rotation transmission member attached to the output end of the reel rotation motor, and the sliding linkage is separated from the rotation center of either the rotation transmission member or the reel. Proposed to consist of a left and right linked female cylinder disposed at a position and a linked male slidably fitted into the linked female cylinder at a position spaced from the center of rotation. Is done.

  According to such a configuration, the rotation transmission member rotates in accordance with the rotation drive of the output end of the reel rotation motor, and the rotation of the rotation transmission member is caused by the linkage female cylinder or the linkage male rod disposed on the rotation transmission member. Then, the reel is rotated by being transmitted to a linkage male rod or a linkage female cylinder disposed inside the reel. In this configuration, the linkage male rod and the linkage female tube are provided at positions separated from the rotation transmission member and the rotation center of the reel, so that a relatively large force is not applied to the fitted linkage male rod and the linkage female tube. The driving force of the reel rotation motor can be transmitted to the reel. For this reason, in this configuration, it is difficult for a large frictional force to be generated at the joint surface of the linkage male rod and the linkage female cylinder during the rotation of the reel, and the sliding linkage portion transmits the rotational drive of the reel rotation motor to the reel. The reel can be slid left and right by smoothly sliding in the left and right direction.

  In addition, the reel moving device is configured to hold the reel in a rotatable manner, and to be mounted on the fixed support frame so as to be movable in the left-right direction, a reel moving motor attached to the fixed support frame, the reel A configuration is proposed that includes a gear mechanism that moves the movable holding member in the left-right direction by rotationally driving the moving motor. In this configuration, the movable holding member held movably on the fixed support frame can be transferred to the left and right by the driving force of the reel moving motor, and the reel is held on the movable holding member while maintaining the rotatable state. By doing so, the reel can be moved to the left and right together with the movable holding member within the range in which the sliding linkage portion can slide. In this configuration, since the rotation drive of the reel moving motor is transmitted by the gear mechanism, if the reel moving motor is configured by a stepping motor or the like, the reel moving width is precisely controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the reel moving motor. It becomes possible.

  According to the above configuration, the reel can be moved right and left accurately and quickly. Therefore, the reel movement control means can realize an effect display and a game mode which are difficult in the conventional configuration on a gaming machine such as a slot machine. It becomes. For example, in an existing slot machine, when a player wins an internal winning combination, if the player performs a reel stop operation at an appropriate timing, the symbols related to the winning winning combination can be aligned on the winning line. When the winning combination is notified, the player visually recognizes the symbol on the rotating reel more carefully than before and stops the reel at a timing at which the symbol stops on the winning line ( Hereinafter, a pushing operation) is performed. For such a gaming machine, on the outer peripheral surface of the reel, an additional index corresponding to the type of symbols constituting the symbol row is arranged on the side of a specific type (one type or plural types) of symbols. The reel can be displaced by the operation of the reel moving device between a steady position where the additional indicator is difficult or impossible to see from the symbol viewing window and a moving position where the additional indicator is easily visible from the symbol viewing window. The reel movement control means normally has a configuration in which the reel is held at a steady position and has control contents for displacing the reel to the movement position when a predetermined gaming state is reached. Here, the state in which the additional indicator is difficult or impossible to visually recognize from the symbol viewing window includes, for example, a state in which the additional indicator is moved out of the frame of the symbol viewing window and hidden behind the frame body.

  In such a configuration, when a predetermined gaming state is reached, the additional indicator on the side of the specific symbol is easily visible from the symbol viewing window, so that the player can use the additional indicator as a mark when performing the pushing operation. The operation timing can be measured, and the eye pressing operation can be performed more easily and accurately than in the normal state. Therefore, the “predetermined gaming state” here is a state in which the player can align specific symbols on the winning line by performing a pressing operation. A state where a specific winning combination is won internally. Such additional indicators can be provided not only on one side of the symbol but also on both sides. For example, an additional index (for example, “red circle”) is arranged on the right side of a specific symbol (for example, “7”), and another additional index (for example, “blue circle”) is on the left side of another specific symbol (for example, “BAR”). ). In this case, in the normal state, the intermediate position where the additional indicators on both sides are difficult to visually recognize is set as the steady position of the reel, and in the gaming state where “7” should be aligned, the reel is displaced to the left moving position and the right of “7” It is preferable to make the additional indicator on one side easily visible, and in a gaming state in which “BAR” should be aligned, the reel is displaced to the right moving position so that the additional indicator on the left side of “BAR” is easily visible. In such a case, it is possible to appropriately assist the two types of symbols (“7”, “BAR”) with the eye-pressing operation according to the gaming state.

  In addition, when a specific type of symbol is stopped and displayed in the symbol viewing window in a predetermined manner, the gain given to the player is different from the gain normally given in a specific gaming state, On the outer peripheral surface, a predetermined additional indicator is arranged on the side of the specific type of symbol, and the reel is in a steady position where the additional indicator is difficult to see or cannot be visually recognized from the symbol viewing window by the operation of the reel moving device. And the additional indicator can be displaced from the symbol viewing window to a moving position where it is easy to visually recognize, and the reel movement control means normally holds the reel at a steady position, and the gaming state is the specific game. A configuration is also proposed in which a control content for displacing the reel to the moving position when the state is reached is provided. Here, “a case where a specific type of symbols is stopped and displayed in a symbol viewing window in a predetermined manner” refers to a case where a specific type of symbols are aligned on a winning line in a general slot machine. Further, the “gain given to the player” refers to a predetermined number of medals to be paid out when the same symbol is arranged on the winning line in a general slot machine. "" Indicates that the number of medals to be paid out is different from a normal number when symbols of a specific type are arranged on the winning line. In such a configuration, the additional indicator placed on the side of the specific type of symbol becomes easy to visually recognize, so that the player knows that the gain has changed with respect to the specific type of symbol, and the game is indicated by the appearance of the additional indicator. It is possible to notify the person of the change in the gain.

  Further, in the above configuration, a plurality of reels are arranged in the left-right direction, and after all the reels have started to rotate, the reels individually control the rotation of the reels, and the reel movement control means In a specific game state, before all the reels stop rotating, the reels that have already stopped rotating are vibrated in the left-right direction, and after all the reels stop, the control content is provided to displace all the reels to the moving position. A configuration is proposed. In such a configuration, before the rotation of all reels stops, the symbols on the reels that have already stopped rotating vibrate to the left and right, thereby changing the gain for a specific type of symbol with an additional index for payout. It is possible to notify the player that there is a possibility of doing so.

  Further, the reel movement control means normally holds the reel at a predetermined steady position, and when the predetermined game state is reached, the reel movement control means displaces the rotating reel to a movement position different from the normal position, A configuration is also proposed in which a control content for returning the reel to the steady position before the rotation stops is provided. In such a configuration, the design that appears blurred in the vertical direction during the rotation of the reel appears to be blurred in the horizontal direction as well, so that it is possible to provide an unprecedented effect display and the player can further visually recognize the design. Since it becomes difficult, the difficulty level of the pushing operation can be improved. On the other hand, since the reel is held at a steady position while the reel is stopped, the reel while the rotation is stopped does not move unnaturally and does not give the player a sense of incongruity. Of course, in this configuration, the timing for displacing the reel can be further related to the gaming state. For example, when an internal winning is made for a specific winning combination (bonus combination, etc.), the spinning reel is moved to the left and right to notify the winning of the winning combination, and the symbols are further difficult to see, and the winning combination It may be difficult to align the symbols.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the rotation transmission mechanism is slidable in the left-right direction within a predetermined width range, and the reel and the reel rotation motor are connected via the sliding linkage portion linked to the rotation direction of the reel. A reel moving device that moves or stops the reel in the left-right direction within the predetermined width range, and a reel movement control means that controls the operation of the reel moving device. Because it is possible to move the reel to the left and right without moving the reel rotation motor, the small and low-power drive source is reduced by the reduced weight of the object to be transferred to the left and right. Even the reel moving device can move the reel quickly and accurately, and an interesting production display can be realized with a compact and low-cost configuration.

  Here, the sliding link portion is arranged in one of the rotation transmitting member and the reel in the left-right direction connecting female cylinder disposed at a position separated from the rotation center, and the other in a position separated from the rotation center. In the case where it is configured with a linkage male rod that is slidably fitted into the linkage female cylinder, the sliding linkage portion can be realized with a simple configuration including the linkage male rod and the linkage female cylinder, and the reel The reel can be smoothly moved to the left and right while transmitting the rotational drive of the rotation motor in the rotation direction of the reel.

  Further, the reel moving device moves the movable holding member in the left-right direction by rotating the movable holding member that rotatably holds the reel, the reel moving motor attached to the fixed support frame, and the reel moving motor. When the gear mechanism is provided, the reel moving device can be realized with a simple configuration. Further, since the movement width of the reel to the left and right can be controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the reel moving motor, the reel can be selectively moved to a plurality of positions and held at the positions.

  In addition, an additional indicator is arranged on the side of a specific type of symbol, and usually the reel is held at a steady position where the additional indicator becomes difficult or invisible, and the additional indicator is easily visible in a predetermined gaming state. When the reel is displaced to a moving position, the player can perform a pressing operation using the additional index that has become easily visible as a mark in a predetermined gaming state. Thus, the difficulty level of the pushing operation can be changed, and the game can be changed. In addition, it is possible to prevent an unnatural impression in terms of design by making the additional indicator difficult to view or impossible during normal times.

  In addition, a gaming machine in which a gain given in a specific gaming state changes with respect to a specific type of symbol, and an additional index is arranged on a side of the specific type of symbol, and is usually added from the symbol viewing window. The reel is held at a steady position where it is difficult or impossible to see, and when the gaming state becomes the specific gaming state, the reel is displaced from the symbol viewing window to a moving position where the additional indicator is easily visible. In such a case, it is possible to notify the player of the change in the gain by causing the additional indicator to appear on the side of a specific type of symbol, so that the appearance mode and appearance timing of the additional indicator should be set appropriately. This makes it possible to realize an unprecedented game.

  Further, in the above configuration, in a specific gaming state, before the reels stop rotating, the reels that have already stopped rotating are vibrated in the left and right directions, and after all the reels stop, all the reels are moved. If the position is displaced to the position, the player can be informed that there is a possibility that the gain may change for a specific type of symbol before all reels stop rotating. It can stimulate the player's expectation.

  Further, when the reel movement control means displaces the rotating reel to a moving position different from the steady position and returns the reel to the steady position before the rotation of the reel stops, It is possible to realize an interesting and interesting symbol display mode without a sense of incongruity.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on each example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment includes a gaming machine main body 14 having a front rectangular shape, and three cylindrical reels 3a, 3b, 3c are formed in the left-right direction. It is pivotally supported and individually rotates forward. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, symbol rows 12 a to 12 c composed of a plurality of types of symbols x are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 3 a to 3 c. Three symbol visual recognition windows 6a, 6b, 6c are formed in the front portion of the gaming machine main body 14 by closing a rectangular opening with a resin transparent plate, and the reels 3a to 6c are passed through the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c. The outer peripheral surface of 3c is visible from the front.

  The symbol x will be described in further detail. As shown in FIG. 2, 21 symbols x are provided at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 3 a to 3 c. Examples of the symbol x include “7”, “BAR”, “R (Replay)”, “Cherry”, “Bell”, and “Lemon”. Characteristic symbol rows 12a and 12b for each of the reels 3a to 3c. , 12c. In addition, among the symbols x constituting the symbol rows 12a to 12c, an additional index 80a for eyelashes serving as a mark for the eyelash operation is arranged on the right side of the specific type of symbol "7". An additional index 80b for pressing is also arranged on the left side of the specific type of symbol “BAR”. As will be described later, the symbol “7” is a symbol that triggers the start of a big bonus game, and the symbol “BAR” is a symbol that triggers the start of a regular bonus game. Further, the additional indexes for pressing 80a and 80b will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a rectangular winning area 10 is set at the center of each of the symbol viewing windows 6 a to 6 c, and the symbols x located in front of the reels 3 a to 3 c are vertically and horizontally in the winning area 10. Three are displayed. In this winning area 10, horizontal and diagonal winning lines 15a to 15e are set, and when the reels 3a to 3c are stopped, the same type of symbol x is applied to any of the effective winning lines 15a to 15e. When all are arranged, a predetermined number of medals are delivered to the tray 13 at the lower front, or a game operation such as a bonus game advantageous to the player is executed. In the present embodiment, the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c are formed for each of the reels 3a to 3c, but these three symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c may be integrated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a start lever 5 protrudes from the front surface of the gaming machine main body 14 at the center left side position. The start lever 5 is for the player to instruct the start of rotation of the reels 3a to 3c. When the player depresses the start lever 5 under predetermined requirements, the reels 3a to 3c rotate forward all at once. It is configured to start. When the reels 3a to 3c are rotated, the symbols x on the reels 3a to 3c are visually recognized through the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c so as to move from the upper side to the lower side.

  A bet button 7 is provided diagonally to the left of the left symbol visual recognition window 6a. The bet button 7 is used to input a bet number. On the other hand, a medal slot 8 is disposed diagonally to the right of the right symbol viewing window 6c. This medal insertion operation to the medal insertion slot 8 is an operation for instructing to input the bet number. In this configuration, when the bet button 7 is operated by the player or when a medal as a game medium is inserted into the medal slot 8, the number of bets is set according to the number of button operations or the number of medal insertions. It becomes the composition which is done.

  Also, three reel stop buttons 4a, 4b, 4c are provided side by side below the symbol visual recognition windows 6a-6c. These reel stop buttons 4a to 4c are for instructing the reels 3a to 3c being rotated to stop rotating. That is, when the left reel stop button 4a at the left position is pressed, the left reel 3a is pressed at a predetermined timing, and when the middle reel stop button 4b is pressed at the middle position, the center reel 3b is pressed at the predetermined timing and the right reel stop button at the right position. When 4c is pressed, the right reel 3c stops rotating at a predetermined timing.

In the configuration described so far, the game proceeds as follows in principle.
When the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 8 or operates the bet button 7, the bet number is set, and the reels 3a to 3c can be rotated. When the start lever 5 is operated, all the reels 3a to 3c start to rotate all at once. When the reel stop buttons 4a to 4c are operated while the reels 3a to 3c are rotating, the reels 3a to 3c corresponding to the reel stop buttons 4a to 4c are stopped according to the operation timing, and finally. All reels 3a to 3c stop rotating. At this time, in the symbol x stopped and displayed in the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c, if the same type of symbol x is lined up on the effective winning lines 15a to 15e, a prize is given and a predetermined gain is given to the player. The Specifically, a predetermined number of medals for each symbol type are paid out to the player. As for game contents, the execution of a big bonus game advantageous to the player when “7” is complete, and the regular bonus game advantageous to the player when “BAR” is complete are started. On the other hand, when the symbols x on each of the effective pay lines 15a to 15e are not the same type, the game is lost. Whether or not winning is possible, that is, whether or not the same symbol x is aligned on the winning lines 15a to 15e, is determined by the internal lottery before the reels 3a to 3c are stopped. That is, only when the winning combination is won as a result of the internal lottery, the symbols x related to the winning combination can be aligned on the winning lines 15a to 15e by operating the reel stop buttons 4a to 4c with good timing. Specifically, when the big bonus combination is won internally, the symbol “7” related to the big bonus game can be arranged. When the regular bonus combination is won internally, the symbol “7” related to the regular bonus game “ BAR "can be aligned. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a big bonus combination or a regular bonus combination is won internally, the player is notified that the combination has been won and prompts the player to perform a pressing operation.

  The structure which concerns on the principal part of this invention is demonstrated below.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the three reels 3 a to 3 c include a reel unit 2 that is integrated with three reel rotation motors 9 that drive the reels 3 a to 3 c to rotate forward, and members that support them. It is composed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the reel unit 2 is composed of a metal base frame 20 having a C-shaped side surface and three unit reel units 18 arranged in the base frame 20. By screwing the base frame 20 onto a reel unit base (not shown) installed inside the gaming machine body 4, the front portions of the reels 3a to 3c can be visually recognized from the symbol viewing windows 6a to 6c. It is fixed at the position. Each unit reel unit 18 has the same configuration, and each unit reel unit 18 is provided with a set of reels 3 a to 3 c and a reel rotation motor 9. A reel control board 101 (see FIG. 15) connected to the reel rotating motor 9 and the like is disposed on the back side of the base frame 20. The reel control board 101 incorporates an electric circuit for controlling the movement of the reels 3a to 3c, and performs movement control of the reels 3a to 3c in accordance with a control signal from the main control board 100 described later. The reel control board 101 will be described later.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the unit reel unit 18 including the left reel 3a will be described with reference to the drawings. Each unit reel unit 18 has the same configuration other than the symbol rows 12a to 12c of the reels 3a to 3c provided, and therefore the description of the configuration of the other unit reel units 18 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the unit reel unit 18 is fixed to a fixed support frame 21 disposed so as to cut the inside of the base frame 20, and is slidably held in the left-right direction with respect to the fixed support frame 21. The movable holding member 22, the reel rotation motor 9 fixed to the fixed support frame 21, the reel 3a rotatably held by the movable holding member 22, and the rotation drive of the reel rotation motor 9 are transmitted to the reel 3a. A rotation transmission member 24 for moving the reel, a reel moving motor 23 for moving the movable holding member 22, and a position detection switch 25 for detecting the rotation angle position of the reel 3a.

  The fixed support frame 21 is formed by bending a metal plate punched into a predetermined shape. As shown in FIG. 7, the lower support piece 30 attached to the bottom of the base frame 20 and the base frame 20 are fixed. It has a substantially L-shaped front surface that includes an upper mounting piece 31 that stands from the bottom. At the front end portion of the lower mounting piece 30 and the upper end portion of the upper mounting piece 31, coupling portions 37a and 37b that are screwed into the base frame 20 are extended. The fixed support frame 21 is fixed to the inside of the gaming machine main body 14 through the coupling portions 37a and 37b.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the upper mounting piece 31 has a circular shape in a side view from the center to the upper portion, and the circular portion constitutes a side support portion 35 that supports the reel 3 a from the right side. . The reel rotation motor 9 is screwed to the center position on the left side of the side support portion 35. A claw-shaped switch mounting portion 32 is formed on the upper left side of the side support portion 35, and the position detection switch 25 is screwed to the switch mounting portion 32. In addition, a plate-like motor mounting portion 33 protrudes leftward from the lower portion of the upper mounting piece 31, and the reel moving motor 23 is screwed to the lower surface of the motor mounting portion 33.

  The lower mounting piece 30 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and a pair of front and rear groove-shaped guide portions 34 are provided on the upper surface side thereof as shown in FIGS. The guide portion 34 has a shape that can hold the lower portion of the movable holding member 22 slidably in the left-right direction. Further, a vertical shaft hole 36 is formed in the central portion of the lower mounting piece 30. A pair of shaft support pins 39 a and 39 b are attached to the shaft hole 36, and a moving gear 27 that transmits the driving force of the reel moving motor 23 to the movable holding member 22 through the shaft support pins 39 a and 39 b. Is supported.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the reel rotation motor 9 is a stepping motor used in an existing slot machine, and a rectangular main body 60 containing a coil is screwed to the side support portion 35. Then, the output end 61 is fixed to the fixed support frame 21 in a posture facing leftward. The output end 61 of the reel rotating motor 9 includes a flange-like drive shaft 63 protruding leftward and a disk-like drive plate 64 disposed around the drive shaft 63. The reel rotation motor 9 is electrically connected to the reel control board 101 (see FIG. 15) via a connector 62 disposed on the upper portion of the main body 60, and a pulsed input signal is output from the reel control board 101. Is received, the output end 61 is driven to rotate around the drive shaft 63 based on this.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rotation transmitting member 24 includes a mounting plate portion 70 attached to the output end 61 of the reel rotation motor 9, and four extending from the periphery of the mounting plate portion 70 in four directions. And an attachment arm 72. The mounting plate portion 70 has a circular shape with the same size as that of the drive plate 64, and a mounting convex portion 74 for alignment formed on the right surface is formed in a notch shape formed on the drive plate 64. In a state of being fitted into the mounting recess 65, the screw is fixed to the drive plate 64 by screws 38c. On the other hand, each mounting arm portion 72 has an elongated plate shape, and a hook-shaped linking male rod 71 is provided to protrude to the left at each tip. According to such a configuration, when the output end 61 of the reel rotation motor 9 rotates, the rotation transmission member 24 rotates around the mounting plate portion 70 along with this, and the linkage male rod 71 moves the rotation transmission member 24 of the rotation transmission member 24. It will turn around the mounting plate portion 70 at a position away from the center of rotation. As will be described later, the linkage male rod 71 is slidably fitted in the linkage female tube 54 inside the reel 3a, and the rotation of the linkage male rod 71 is transmitted to the reel 3a. Also, a detection piece 73 used for detecting the reference angle of the reel 3a is disposed on the right side of the tip of one mounting arm portion 72. The detection piece 73 passes through the detection region of the position detection switch 25 every time the rotation transmitting member 24 makes one rotation.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the position detection switch 25 is fixed to the fixed support frame 21 with a screw 38b so that its detection area is directed leftward. The position detection switch 25 is electrically connected to the reel control board 101 (see FIG. 15), and transmits a detection signal to the reel control board 101 every time the detection piece 73 passes through the detection area.

  The reel moving motor 23 is composed of a stepping motor that can rotate in both directions, and is fixed to the lower surface of the motor mounting portion 33 of the fixed support frame 21 with screws 38a as shown in FIG. A motor gear 26 that meshes with the movable holding member 22 is fixed to an output end (not shown) of the lower part of the reel moving motor 23. Further, a moving gear 27 pivotally supported by the lower mounting piece 30 meshes with the motor gear 26 and the movable holding member 22, and the driving force thereof is moved and held as the reel moving motor 23 rotates. Transmit to member 22.

  The movable holding member 22 is made of a lightweight and hard synthetic resin material. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a guide side plate portion 43 that is slidably held by the guide portion 34 of the fixed support frame 21 is provided below the movable holding member 22. The guide side plate 43 has a rectangular frame shape, and linear sliding teeth 44 are formed on the front and rear edges in the frame. The sliding gear 44 is engaged with the motor gear 26 and the moving gear 27. When the reel moving motor 23 is driven to rotate and the motor gear 26 and the moving gear 27 rotate, the sliding gear 44 is moved. A force in the left-right direction is applied to the movable holding member 22 via the tooth portion 44. That is, the gear mechanism according to the present invention for moving the movable holding member 22 in the left-right direction by the rotational drive of the reel moving motor 23 is constituted by the sliding tooth portion 44, the motor gear 26, and the moving gear 27. In addition, a rectangular holding side plate portion 42 is disposed on the right edge of the guide side plate portion 43, and a circular holding for holding the reels 3 a to 3 c from the left is provided at the upper end of the holding side plate portion 42. A portion 40 is provided. A cylindrical holding shaft body 41 is formed in the central portion of the right side surface of the holding portion 40 and is fitted into the central portion of the reels 3a to 3c. The reel 3a is attached to the right side surface of the holding shaft body 41 from the right side. A holding disk 28 to be held is screwed.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the reel 3 a includes a short cylindrical reel frame 50 having a symbol row 12 a disposed on the outer peripheral surface, and a side frame 51 fixed to the left edge of the reel frame 50. The As shown in FIG. 14, the side frame 51 includes a circular frame portion 52 that is fitted to the left edge portion of the reel frame 50, and a cross frame portion 53 that is laid in the cross direction inside the circular frame portion 52. . A cylindrical holding cylinder 56 projects rightward at the center of the cross frame 53, and a circular holding plate 55 is fixed to the right edge of the holding cylinder 56. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the reel 3 a is externally fitted to the holding shaft body 41 of the movable holding member 22 and is supported from both the left and right sides by the holding portion 40 and the holding disc 28. While being held rotatably, it is held so as to move left and right with the movable holding member 22.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the cross frame portion 53 is provided with cylindrical linking female cylinders 54 projecting to the right at four locations spaced from the rotation center of the reel 3a. As shown in FIG. 8, the above-described linkage male rod 71 disposed in the rotation transmitting member 24 is fitted in each of the linkage female tubes 54. The linkage male rod 71 and the linkage female tube 54 are While being linked in the rotation direction of the reel 3a, they can slide to the left and right within a predetermined width range. In other words, the sliding linkage portion according to the present invention is constituted by the linkage female tube 54 and the linkage male rod 71.

  In the unit reel unit 18 described above, the rotation transmission mechanism that links the reel 3a and the output end 61 of the reel rotation motor 9 includes the rotation transmission member 24, the linkage male rod 71, and the linkage female cylinder 54. The rotational drive of the reel rotation motor 9 is transmitted to the reel 3a. Here, since the linkage male rod 71 and the linkage female cylinder 54 are slidable in the left-right direction, the left and right sides of the reel 3a are maintained while the driving force of the reel rotation motor 9 can be transmitted to the reel 3a. Movement is allowed within a predetermined width range. At the same time, the reel 3a is held by the movable holding member 22 from the left and right, and the reel 3a is moved left and right by driving the reel moving motor 23 to electrically move the reel 3a left and right. (See FIGS. 16 to 18).

  Thus, in the reel unit 2 of the present embodiment, the reels 3 a to 3 c can be moved in the left-right direction by driving the respective reel moving motors 23. Here, since the reels 3a to 3c move to the left and right independently of the reel rotation motor 9, the reel movement motor 23 moves the reel 3a faster than the conventional configuration by the amount that the reel rotation motor 9 is not moved. And it can be moved accurately.

  Further, in this embodiment, the linkage male rod 71 and the linkage female cylinder 54 which are fitted in the left-right direction and slide relative to each other are disposed at positions separated from the rotation transmission member 24 and the rotation centers of the reels 3a to 3c. Therefore, it is difficult for a large frictional force to be generated on the joint surface between the linkage male rod 71 and the linkage female cylinder 54, and the reels 3a to 3c are moved in the horizontal direction while transmitting the driving force of the reel rotating motor 9 to the reels 3a to 3c. It can be moved smoothly.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the movable holding member 22 that rotatably holds the reels 3 a to 3 c, the reel moving motor 23 attached to the fixed support frame 21, and the rotation of the reel moving motor 23 are movable. The reels 3a to 3c are moved and stopped in the left-right direction within a predetermined width range by a reel moving device including gear mechanisms 26, 27, 44 for moving the holding member 22 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the reels 3a to 3c can be accurately displaced to the predetermined positions α, β, and γ by controlling the rotation angle of the reel moving motor 23.

Next, a control circuit for controlling the game operation of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The slot machine 1 includes a main control board 100 provided with a board circuit for controlling game operations and the like. On the board circuit of the main control board 100, there is arranged a main control central control unit CPU90 that constitutes a microcomputer and executes overall control relating to games.

  A storage device ROM 91 is connected to the main control central processing unit CPU 90 via an address bus (not shown) that unilaterally transmits information for designating an address. Further, the storage device RAM 92 is also connected via a data bus (not shown) for exchanging data. Here, the storage device ROM 91 stores and holds fixed data such as operation programs and various tables used for arithmetic processing. On the other hand, the storage device RAM 92 is provided with a storage area, a work area, and the like.

  The board circuit of the main control board 100 is provided with a first I / O port 93a and a second I / O port 93b for the main control central control unit CPU 90 to perform data communication with peripheral devices. .

  The first I / O port 93a is connected to a start switch 5a, a left reel stop switch 94a, a middle reel stop switch 94b, a right reel stop switch 94c, a inserted medal detection sensor 8a, and a bet switch 7a. The central control CPU 90 for main control checks the detection signals output from these switches or sensors at predetermined time intervals. When the detection signals are received, the information is stored in the storage RAM 92. Then, various control processes are executed. Further, the medal payout device 84, the lamp device 85, and the sound effect generator 86 are connected to the first I / O port 93a, respectively, and a control command from the main control central control device CPU90 is sent to each device and the like. Output in the direction.

  On the other hand, the reel control board 101 disposed in the reel unit 2 is connected to the second I / O port 93b, and the main control central controller CPU90 is connected to the second I / O port 93b via the second I / O port 93b. The reel control board 101 exchanges signals.

Each device will be further described.
The start switch 5 a is disposed on the start lever 5. When the player operates the start lever 5, the main control central controller CPU90 determines that a start signal has been output, acquires a value from a random number counter, and starts each operation based on the acquired value. Specifically, by comparing the acquired value with each table, a flag relating to the winning winning combination is set, and a rotation start signal is transmitted to the reel control board 101. The reel control board 101 starts to rotate the three reels 3a to 3c in accordance with the signal.

  The reel stop switches 94a to 94c are disposed on the reel stop buttons 4a to 4c, respectively. When the player operates the reel stop buttons 4a to 4c, the main control CPU 90 determines that a stop signal has been output, and stops the corresponding reels 3a to 3c based on the stop signal. In this manner, a control signal is transmitted to the reel control board 101.

Next, the reel control board 101 will be described.
The reel control board 101 periodically outputs a signal consisting of a pulse having a predetermined width to each reel rotation motor 9, and the rotation pulse generation unit 95 outputs to each reel rotation motor 9. A rotation pulse counting unit 96 that counts the number of pulses of the received signal, and a moving pulse generating unit 97 that outputs a pulse signal of a predetermined mode to each reel moving motor 23.

  Here, the rotation pulse generator 95 is connected to the second I / O port 93b of the main control board 100, and is also connected to each reel rotation motor 9 and the rotation pulse counter 96, respectively. Based on the control signal transmitted from the substrate 100, a pulse signal is output to the required reel rotation motor 9 and rotation pulse counting unit 96. The rotation pulse counting unit 96 is bidirectionally connected to the second I / O port 93b. On the other hand, the moving pulse generator 97 is connected to the second I / O port 93 b of the main control board 100 and also connected to each reel moving motor 23, and a control signal transmitted from the main control board 100. Based on the above, a pulse signal is output to each reel moving motor 23. The reel control board 101 is also provided with a relay circuit for relaying the position detection switch 25 and the main control board 100.

  In such a configuration, each position detection switch 25 detects the detection piece 73 of the rotation transmitting member 24 as needed, and transmits a detection signal to the main control CPU 90. When the rotation start signal from the main control central control unit CPU 90 is transmitted to the rotation pulse generator 95, the rotation pulse generator 95 rotates the pulse signals for rotating the reels 3a to 3c to the reels. Output to the motor 9. In response to this pulse signal, each reel rotation motor 9 sequentially rotates each reel 3a-3c by a predetermined rotation angle to rotate each reel 3a-3c forward. Further, the rotation pulse counting unit 96 counts the input pulse signal and transmits the signal to the second I / O port 93b. As a result, the central control CPU 90 for main control grasps how much each reel 3a to 3c is rotating from the detection angle position of the detection piece 73, and completely controls the rotation mode of each reel 3a to 3c. Further, when the rotation stop signal is transmitted to the rotation pulse generator 95, the reels 3a to 3c are stopped at a predetermined rotation angle. For example, the reels 3 a to 3 c are stopped so that a specific symbol x stops at a predetermined position in the winning area 10. As the rotation control mechanism of the reels 3a to 3c, a conventional configuration can be suitably used.

  On the other hand, a left movement signal and a right movement signal are transmitted from the main control central control unit CPU 90 to the movement pulse generator 97. When a leftward movement signal is transmitted from the main control central controller CPU90, the movement pulse generator 97 transmits a pulse signal for rotating each reel movement motor 23 by a predetermined angle in a predetermined rotation direction. Then, the reels 3a to 3c are displaced leftward by a predetermined width. When the right movement signal is transmitted, the movement pulse generator 97 transmits a pulse signal for rotating the same angle in the opposite direction to the left movement signal to each reel movement motor 23, Each reel 3a-3c is displaced rightward by a predetermined width. That is, the reel movement control means according to the present invention includes the main control board 100 including the main control central control unit CPU 90 and the reel control board 101 including the movement pulse generator 97.

  The inserted medal detection sensor 8 a is disposed in the medal insertion slot 8. When the player inserts a medal into the medal slot 8, the main control central control unit CPU90 determines that the betting number setting signal is output, and increases the betting number up to a predetermined number of medals (up to three). Let On the other hand, when the number of inserted medals exceeds a predetermined number of medals, the inserted medals are electrically stored as credits.

  The bet switch 7 a is disposed on the bet button 7. When the player operates the bet button 7 during an appropriate period, the main control central control unit CPU 90 determines that a bet number setting signal has been output in response to the button operation, up to a predetermined upper limit number (three). ) Increases the number of bets and decreases the stored credits.

  Further, when the same symbol x is aligned on the effective pay lines 15a to 15e and a predetermined gain (medal) is given to the player, the main control CPU 90 increases the number of credits by the specified number. Let When the credit exceeds the maximum number of credits (for example, 50), a payout signal is transmitted to the medal payout device 84 so as to pay out the surplus number of medals. The medal payout device 84 is driven according to the sent payout signal to pay out a predetermined number of medals.

  Further, when a predetermined effect / notification is executed with the progress of the game, the main control central control unit CPU 90 transmits an effect / notification signal to the lamp device 85 and the sound effect generator 86. Then, the lamp device 85 and the sound effect generating device 86 are turned on or sounded in a required production manner according to the signal.

  Further, a clock device (not shown) for outputting a predetermined clock pulse is provided in the substrate circuit of the main control CPU 90 for main control. The central control CPU 90 for main control performs arithmetic processing in time series with clock pulses at regular intervals, and sequentially executes a series of processing operations. In addition, a timer for counting time by counting clock pulses output from the clock device is also connected. The timer counts in synchronization with the clock of the clock device, and outputs a release signal when the count reaches a predetermined number. When the release signal is output, the timer is initialized (reset).

Next, a manner of moving the reels 3a to 3c to the left and right will be described.
As described above, the reel 3a can be moved and stopped to the left and right within a predetermined width range by the rotational drive of the reel moving motor 23. Here, in this embodiment, each reel 3a to 3c is moved to a predetermined stationary position α, a leftward movement position β to the left of the stationary position α, and a rightward movement position γ to the right of the stationary position α. It is supposed to hold on either.

  At the steady position α of the reels 3a to 3c, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 19A, the symbol x is arranged at the center of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c. At such a normal position α, the additional indicators 80a and 80b for the eye press arranged on the side of the specific symbols “7” and “BAR” are both hidden behind the side edges of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c and cannot be visually recognized. Become.

  At the leftward movement position β, as shown in FIGS. 18B and 19B, the symbol x is arranged on the left side of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c. At the leftward movement position β, the eye-loading additional index arranged on the right side of the specific symbol “7” appears at the right end of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c, and is easily visible.

  In the rightward movement position γ, as shown in FIGS. 18C and 19C, the symbol x is arranged on the right side of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c. At the right-hand movement position γ, the eye-loading additional index 80b arranged on the left side of the specific symbol “BAR” appears at the left end of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c, thereby facilitating visual recognition.

  In this embodiment, the reels 3a to 3c are normally held at the steady position α. Accordingly, in the normal gaming state, the player cannot visually recognize the additional indicators 80a and 80b for eye pressing, and therefore performs the eye pressing operation using only the symbol x in the symbol rows 12a to 12c as a mark.

  Here, when the big bonus combination is won internally, the central control device CPU 90 for main control displaces the reels 3a to 3c to the left movement position β. Specifically, in the winning state of the big bonus combination, immediately after the rotation of the reels 3a to 3c is started, all the reels 3a to 3c are displaced from the steady position α to the leftward movement position β. As a result, the additional index 80a for the right side of the symbol “7” is easily visible from the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c, and the player measures the timing of the pressing operation using the additional index 80a for the landmark as a mark. Is possible. Here, when any one of the reel stop buttons 4a to 4c is operated, the central control CPU 90 for main control stops the rotation of the corresponding reels 3a to 3c based on the operation timing. In parallel with the rotation stop control of the reels 3a to 3c, the main control central controller CPU90 returns the reels 3a to 3c to the steady position α. As a result, for the reels 3a to 3c whose rotation has been stopped, the additional index for pressing 80a becomes invisible.

  On the other hand, when the regular bonus combination is won internally, the central control unit CPU 90 for main control displaces the reels 3a to 3c to the rightward movement position γ. Specifically, in the winning state of the regular bonus combination, immediately after the rotation of the reels 3a to 3c is started, all the reels 3a to 3c are displaced from the steady position α to the rightward movement position γ. Therefore, in such a case, the left eye pressing additional index 80b of the symbol “BAR” is easily visible from the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c, and the player can perform the eye pressing operation using the eye pressing additional index 80b as a mark. It is possible to measure timing. Further, as in the case of winning the big bonus combination, the central controller for main control CPU90 returns the reels 3a to 3c to be stopped to the steady position α in parallel with the rotation stop control of the reels 3a to 3c.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the big bonus combination is won, the player measures the timing of the eye pressing operation using the eye pressing additional indicator 80a appearing on the right side of the symbol “7”. Therefore, the symbol “7” can be aligned on the effective pay line more easily than usual, and if the player wins the regular bonus role, the player appears to the left of the symbol “BAR”. By performing the eye pressing operation using the eye pressing additional index 80b as a mark, the symbols “BAR” can be aligned on the effective pay line more easily than usual.

  In the present embodiment, the reels 3a to 3c are displaced from the steady position α to the left movement position β or the right movement position γ during the rotation of the reels 3a to 3c, and the rotation of the reels 3a to 3c is stopped. Prior to this, the reels 3a to 3c are returned to the steady position α. For this reason, in such a state, the symbol x that appears blurred in the vertical direction due to the rotation of the reels 3a to 3c will also appear blurred in the horizontal direction, and the player will be entertained by the unprecedented symbol variation display mode. Can do. Also, while the reels 3a to 3c are stopped rotating, the reels 3a to 3c are held at the steady position α and do not move in the left-right direction. There is no sense of incongruity.

  Next, a second embodiment in which the configuration of the first embodiment is changed will be described. In addition, about the part of the same structure as a 1st Example, a code | symbol is made common and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the slot machine of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, when all the reels 3d to 3f stop rotating, the same kind of symbols x are arranged on the winning lines 15a to 15e in the symbol viewing windows 6a to 6c. In this case, a predetermined number of medals for each symbol type are paid out to the player as a gain. However, in the present embodiment, for the specific symbol “bell”, two types of medals, “normal gain” and “increased gain”, are defined, and “bell” is aligned on the pay lines 15a to 15e. Is not always paid out a fixed number of medals, but one of “normal gain” and “increase gain” is selected by internal lottery, and when “normal gain” is selected, 5 medals are paid out . On the other hand, when “increased gain” is selected, ten medals are paid out.

  Specifically, when the first reel stop buttons 4a to 4c are operated after the start lever 5 is operated, the main control CPU 90 performs random lottery, and “normal gain” and “increase” according to the lottery result. Decide either "Gain". When the “normal gain” is determined, a normal game is played. That is, after all the reels 3d to 3f are stopped, the central control unit CPU 90 for main control determines the symbol form stopped and displayed on the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c, and the same kind of symbols on the effective winning lines 15a to 15e. If it is determined that x is lined up, a control signal is output to the medal payout device 84 to pay out to the player the number of medals specified for each symbol type. Here, when it is determined that the “bells” are arranged, five medals are paid out to the player. On the other hand, even when the “increased gain” is determined, after all the reels 3d to 3f are stopped, the central control CPU 90 for main control determines the symbol form in which the stop is displayed, and the same kind of symbols on the effective pay lines 15a to 15e When it is determined that the symbols x are arranged, a control signal is output to the medal payout device 84, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the player. In this case, when it is determined that the “bells” are prepared, ten medals are paid out to the player.

  Here, in this embodiment, an additional index (additional index for payout) 81 is arranged on the side of the specific symbol “bell” whose gain changes, and the reels 3d to 3f are matched to the gain change for “bell”. Is moved to the left and right to change the visibility of the additional indicator 81 for payout, thereby notifying the player of the change in the gain.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, on the reels 3d to 3f of this embodiment, symbol rows 12a to 12c having the same arrangement as in the first embodiment are arranged on the outer peripheral surface, and the symbols change in gain. An additional index (additional index for payout) 81 is attached to the right of “Bell”. Each payout additional indicator 81 is composed of two stars arranged vertically. This corresponds to the doubling of the number of medals to be paid out by the appearance of the additional indicator 81 for payout. The reels 3d to 3f have a steady position α (see FIG. 21A) at which the additional indicator 81 for payout is hidden behind the side edges of the symbol viewing windows 6a to 6c and cannot be seen, and the additional indicator 81 for payout is It can be moved to a leftward movement position β (see FIG. 21B) that appears at the right ends of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c and is easy to visually recognize. Is selectively held at the forward movement position β.

  In this embodiment, the reels 3d to 3f are held at the steady position α unless the normal gaming state, that is, the main control central controller CPU90 determines “increase gain”. At the steady position α, the payout additional indicator 81 is not visible, so that the player plays the game by looking only at the symbols in the symbol rows 12a to 12c, as in the existing slot machine.

  On the other hand, when the main control central control unit CPU90 determines “increase gain”, the main control central control unit CPU90 “bell” on the effective pay lines 15a to 15e after all the reels 3d to 3f are stopped. If it is determined that the medals are arranged, the central control unit CPU 90 for main control operates the reel moving motor 23 before causing the medal payout device 84 to pay out ten medals, and the reels 3d to 3f are moved. It is displaced from the steady position α to the leftward movement position β. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the additional indicator 81 for payout appears on the right side of the “bell”, and the player pays out medals after all the reels 3d to 3f are stopped. You will know that more medals will be paid out than usual. When “bells” are not aligned on the effective pay lines 15a to 15e, the reels 3d to 3f remain held at the steady position α, and the same game as usual is performed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, after the reels 3d to 3f are stopped, the additional indicator 81 for payout appears on the side of the “bell”, thereby determining whether or not a larger amount of medals than usual is given. Inform the person. Thereby, since the player is given an opportunity to further increase the gain after the “bells” are aligned on the winning lines 15a to 15e, in this embodiment, even after the reels 3d to 3f are stopped, The player can enjoy the tension of the game.

  Next, a third embodiment in which the configuration of the second embodiment is changed will be described. In addition, about the part of the same structure as a 1st, 2nd Example, a code | symbol is made common and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the slot machine of the present embodiment, for the specific symbol “bell”, three kinds of medals of “normal gain”, “first increase gain”, and “second increase gain” are defined, and the winning lines 15a to 15e are defined. When “bells” are aligned, “normal gain”, “first increase gain”, or “second increase gain” is selected by internal lottery. When “normal gain” is selected, 5 medals are paid out. When “first increase gain” is selected, 10 medals are paid out, and “second increase gain” is set. When selected, 15 medals are paid out.

  Specifically, when the start lever 5 is operated, the central control CPU 90 for main control performs a random number lottery, and “normal gain”, “first increase gain”, “second increase gain” according to the lottery result. Decide either. Then, after all the reels 3g to 3i stop rotating, the central control device CPU 90 for main control determines the symbol mode stopped and displayed on the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c, and “bell” is placed on the effective pay lines 15a to 15e. If it is determined that all of the medals are present, a control signal is output to the medal payout device 84, and the number of medals corresponding to the lottery result is paid out to the player. That is, if the determined value is “normal gain”, 5 medals will be paid out, if “first increased gain”, 10 medals will be paid out, and if “second increased gain”, 15 medals will be paid out.

  Here, in this embodiment, the first payout additional indicator 81a is arranged on the right side of the specific symbol “bell” whose gain changes, and the second payout additional indicator 81b is arranged on the left side of the “bell”. is doing. Then, by moving the reels 3g to 3i to the left and right in accordance with the gain change for “bell” and changing the visibility of the payout additional indicators 81a and 81b, the change in the gain is notified to the player.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, on the reels 3g to 3i of the present embodiment, a first payout additional indicator 81a is arranged on the right side of the “bell” as in the second embodiment. . Each additional indicator 81a for the first payout is composed of two star shapes arranged vertically. This corresponds to the doubling of the number of medals to be paid out by the appearance of the first payout additional indicator 81a. On the other hand, on the left side of “Bell”, a second payout additional indicator 81b is arranged. As will be described later, the second payout additional indicator 81b appears when the number of medals to be paid out is a “second increase gain” in which the number of medals to be paid out is tripled. It consists of three stars arranged side by side.

  The reels 3g to 3i have a steady position α (see FIG. 23 (a)) at which the additional indicators 81a and 81b for payout on both sides are hidden behind the side edges of the symbol viewing windows 6a to 6c and are not visible. An additional indicator 81a appears at the right end of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c to make it easy to visually recognize the leftward movement position β (see FIG. 23B), and a second payout additional indicator 81b is the left end of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c. It is possible to move to a rightward movement position γ (see FIG. 23 (c)) that appears easily and is visible, and by the operation of the reel movement motor 23, the steady position α and the left and right movement positions β, γ Selectively retained. In this embodiment, the reels 3g to 3i are continuously vibrated in the left-right direction by repeatedly rotating the reel moving motor 23 in the forward and reverse directions at predetermined intervals under predetermined conditions.

  In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the reels 3g to 3i are held at the steady position α in the normal gaming state. Since the payout additional indicators 81a and 81b cannot be visually recognized at the steady position α, the player plays a game by looking only at the symbols in the symbol rows 12a to 12c, like the existing slot machines.

  On the other hand, when the main control central controller CPU90 determines "first increase gain" or "second increase gain", the reels 3g to 3i are controlled as shown in FIG. That is, when the first reel stop button (here, the left reel stop button 4a) is operated after the start of rotation of all the reels 3g to 3i (see FIG. 24A), the main control central control unit CPU90. As in the conventional configuration, the rotation of the corresponding left reel 3g is stopped based on the operation timing. At this time, when it is determined that the “bell” is stopped on the effective pay lines 15a to 15e, the central control unit CPU 90 for main control outputs a control signal to the reel control board 101, and FIG. ), The left reel 3g that has stopped rotating is vibrated in the left-right direction.

  From this state, when the second reel stop button (in this case, the middle reel stop button 4b) is operated, the corresponding middle reel 3h stops rotating. At this time, if the “bell” on the left reel 3g, which has already stopped rotating, and the “bell” on the middle reel 3h are aligned on the effective pay lines 15a to 15e, the main control central control unit CPU90 makes a reel control board. A control signal is output to 101, and as shown in FIG. 24C, the middle reel 3h that has stopped rotating is vibrated in the left-right direction in the same manner as the reel 3g that has stopped rotating first. If “bells” are not aligned on the effective pay lines 15a to 15e, the reels 3g and 3h that have stopped rotating are shifted to the normal gaming state without being vibrated.

  Then, when the last reel stop button (here, the right reel stop button 4c) is operated and the corresponding right reel 3i stops rotating and "bells" are aligned on the effective pay lines 15a to 15e, the main control center If the control device CPU90 has determined “first increase gain”, the reel moving motor 23 is operated before the medal payout device 84 pays out 10 medals, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, all the reels 3g to 3i are displaced from the steady position α to the leftward movement position β. On the other hand, if the “second increase gain” has been determined, the main control central control unit CPU 90, as shown in FIG. 23 (c), pays out all reels 3g before paying out 15 medals. ˜3i is displaced from the steady position α to the rightward movement position γ.

  As described above, in this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, after the rotation of all the reels 3g to 3i is stopped, the game is determined depending on whether or not the additional indicators 81a and 81b for payout appear on the side of the “bell”. The person knows whether or not a larger amount of medals than “normal” can be obtained. Here, in this embodiment, the reels 3g to 3i that have already been stopped are vibrated in the left-right direction, so that it is suggested to the player that the gain of the “bell” may change before all the reels 3g to 3i stop. It is possible to stimulate the player's expectation before the rotation of all the reels 3g to 3i is stopped. In this embodiment, the reels 3g to 3i are vibrated to the left and right when it is determined as “first increase gain” and “second increase gain”. However, the reel may be vibrated. In this case, the reels 3g to 3i whose rotation has been stopped are held at the steady position α after vibrating left and right. Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 24B and 24C, when the reels 3g to 3i are vibrated left and right, the additional indicators 81a and 81b for payout arranged on the left and right of the “bell” are displayed. Although it is visually recognized, the reels 3g to 3i may only vibrate slightly within a width range in which the payout additional indicators 81a and 81b do not appear.

  Note that the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the same type of additional indicators 80a and 80b for the eyelashes are arranged on the side (right side and left side) of the specific symbol. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a plurality of types having different colors and shapes. An additional index for pressing the eyes may be arranged. Of course, the same applies to the additional indicator 81 for payout according to the second embodiment.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the symbol visual recognition windows 6a-6c formed in the game machine main body front-surface part block | close a rectangular opening with a transparent board, a transparent liquid crystal display board is used instead of a transparent board. It is also possible to use it. However, in such a configuration, there is a problem that the cost of the transparent liquid crystal display panel is reflected on the price of the gaming machine of the gaming machine, and the transparent liquid crystal display panel is liable to be damaged by hitting or pressing by the player.

  In the above-described embodiment, all the three reels 3a to 3c are movable to the left and right. However, for example, only the left and right reels are movable to the left and right, and the central reel is not movable to the left and right. For example, only a part of the reels can be slid. In the embodiment, the reels 3a to 3c can be moved independently by separate reel moving motors 23, but a movable holding member 22 for holding the reels 3a to 3c is connected to move the reels. All the reels 3a to 3c may be moved left and right by the motor for use. Furthermore, the number of reels is not limited to three, but can be increased or decreased as appropriate according to the game content. Of course, a single reel may be used.

  In the embodiment, each fixed support frame 21 is provided on the right side of each of the reels 3a to 3c. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fixed support frame 21 may be provided on the left side of the reels 3a to 3c. In the embodiment, the unit reel unit 18 is configured for each of the reels 3 a to 3 c, and the reel rotation motor 9 is attached to the fixed support frame 21 of each unit reel unit 18. However, in addition to this, the fixed support frame 21 may be integrated with each reel 3 or may be formed integrally with the base frame 20.

  Further, in the embodiment, the sliding linkage portion according to the present invention is constituted by a linkage male rod 71 disposed on the rotation transmission member 24 and a linkage female cylinder 54 fixed inside the reels 3a to 3c. . However, the sliding linkage portion is not limited to such a configuration, and can be realized by any known mechanism that can slide in the left-right direction within a predetermined width range and can be linked in the rotation direction of the reel.

  In the embodiment, a motor is used as a drive source of the reel moving device, but a solenoid can be used instead of the motor.

  In addition, the reel unit of the embodiment merely performs rotation / stop of the reel and displacement in the left / right direction. However, as shown in the existing reel unit, if an LED or the like is disposed inside the reel, The symbol displayed on the viewing window can be turned on.

  Further, in the embodiment, the game is excited by displacing the reels 3a to 3c from the steady position α to the left and right moving positions β and γ, but this is not restrictive, and the reels 3a to 3c are moved left and right during rotation. You may keep it moving. In such a case, the symbol x that passes through the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c continues to sway left and right, making it difficult for the player to determine the symbol, so that the difficulty of the eye-pushing operation can be changed by moving the reel.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the reels related to the main part of the game of the slot machine. However, the present invention can also be applied to a simple display reel.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a slot machine. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a slot machine, and a pachinko machine or other gaming machine having a reel as a symbol display means. Including.

2 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the symbol rows 12a-12c. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a to 6c of the slot machine 1; 2 is an external perspective view of a reel unit 2. FIG. 2 is a front view of a reel unit 2. FIG. It is a front view which shows the reel unit 2 longitudinally. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a unit reel unit 18. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a reel 3a, a reel rotation motor 9, a rotation transmission member 24, and the like separately. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a reel rotation motor 9 and a rotation transmission member 24 separately. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a reel 3a and a movable holding member 22 separately. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a reel 3a and a movable holding member 22 separately. FIG. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows the fixed support frame 21, the movable holding member 22, etc. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the reel 3a. It is a perspective view of side frames 51 grade. It is a block circuit diagram which shows the control circuit which controls a game. FIG. 4 is a front view of a unit reel unit 18, where (a) shows a state where the reel 3 a is at a steady position α, and (b) shows a state where the reel 3 a is at a leftward movement position β. FIG. 4 is a front view of the unit reel unit 18 in a longitudinal section, where (a) shows a state where the reel 3a is at a steady position α, and (b) shows a state where the reel 3a is at a leftward movement position β. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fixed support frame 21 and the movable holding member 22 showing a displacement mode of the movable holding member 22, wherein (a) shows a state where the reel 3a is held at a steady position α, and (b) shows the reel 3a left FIG. 4C shows a state where the reel 3a is held at the rightward movement position γ. It is a front view of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a-6c which shows the visual recognition aspect of the reels 3a-3c, (a) shows the state in which the reels 3a-3c are in regular position (alpha), (b) shows the reels 3a-3c on the left FIG. 4C shows a state where the reels 3a to 3c are located at the rightward movement position γ. It is explanatory drawing which shows the symbol row | line | columns 12a-12c of a 2nd Example. It is a front view of the symbol visual recognition windows 6a-6c which shows the visual recognition aspect of the reels 3d-3f, (a) shows the state in which the reels 3d-3f are in the normal position (alpha), (b) shows the reels 3d-3f on the left side The state at the movement position β is shown. It is explanatory drawing which shows the symbol rows 12a-12c of 3rd Example. It is a front view of the symbol visual recognition window 6a-6c which shows the visual recognition aspect of the reels 3g-3i, (a) shows the state in which the reels 3g-3i are in the steady position (alpha), (b) shows the reels 3g-3i to the left FIG. 4C shows a state where the reels 3g to 3i are at the rightward movement position γ. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a movement aspect of the reels 3g-3i in game in 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine (game machine)
2 Reel unit 3a-3i Reel 6a-6c Symbol viewing window 9 Reel rotating motor 12a-12c Symbol array 14 Game machine body 18 Unit reel unit 20 Base frame 21 Fixed support frame 22 Movable holding member 23 Reel movement motor 24 Rotation transmission Member 25 Position detection switch 26 Motor gear 27 Moving gear 44 Sliding tooth portion 54 Linking female cylinder 61 Output end 71 Linking male rod 80a, 80b Additional index for pressing 81, 81a, 81b Additional index for dividend 100 Main control board 101 Reel control board α Steady position β Leftward movement position γ Rightward movement position x

Claims (7)

A reel that is supported in the left-right direction has a substantially cylindrical shape in which a symbol row constituted by a plurality of types of symbols is arranged along the outer peripheral surface;
A fixed support frame fixed inside the gaming machine body;
A reel rotation motor fixed to the fixed support frame and rotating the output end based on an input signal;
A rotation transmission mechanism that links the reel and the output end of the reel rotation motor, and rotates the reel as the reel rotation motor rotates;
In a gaming machine provided with a pattern viewing window that is formed on the front portion of the gaming machine main body and makes the reel visible from the front,
The rotation transmission mechanism includes a sliding linkage portion that is linked to the rotation direction of the reel while fitting the two members so as to be capable of relative sliding in the left-right direction within a predetermined width range .
Rotation transmission mechanism is for cooperating the output end of the reel and the reel rotating motor through the sliding linkage portion,
Furthermore, a reel moving device that moves or stops the reel in the left-right direction within the predetermined width range;
A gaming machine comprising reel movement control means for controlling the operation of the reel moving device. The rotation transmission mechanism includes a rotation transmission member attached to the output end of the reel rotation motor,
The sliding linkage part is arranged in one of the rotation transmission member and the reel in the left-right direction linked female cylinder arranged at a position separated from the rotation center and the other arranged in a position separated from the rotation center. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured by a linking ram that is slidably fitted in the linking female cylinder. The reel moving device
A movable holding member that holds the reel rotatably and is mounted so as to be movable in the left-right direction with respect to the fixed support frame;
A reel moving motor attached to a fixed support frame;
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a gear mechanism that moves the movable holding member in the left-right direction by rotational driving of a reel moving motor. On the outer peripheral surface of the reel, additional indicators corresponding to the types of symbols constituting the symbol row are arranged on the sides of the specific types of symbols,
The reel can be displaced by the operation of the reel moving device between a steady position where the additional indicator is difficult or impossible to see from the symbol viewing window and a moving position where the additional indicator is easily visible from the symbol viewing window,
The reel movement control means normally has a control content for holding the reel in a steady position and displacing the reel to the movement position when a predetermined gaming state is reached. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When a specific type of symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol viewing window in a predetermined manner, the gain given to the player is different from the gain normally given in a specific gaming state,
On the outer peripheral surface of the reel, a predetermined additional indicator is arranged on the side of the specific type of symbol,
The reel can be displaced by the operation of the reel moving device between a steady position where the additional indicator is difficult or impossible to see from the symbol viewing window and a moving position where the additional indicator is easily visible from the symbol viewing window,
The reel movement control means
Usually, the reel is held in a steady position, and when the gaming state becomes the specific gaming state, the control contents for displacing the reel to the moving position are provided. The gaming machine according to claim 3. A gaming machine in which a plurality of reels are arranged in the left-right direction, and after all the reels start to rotate, each reel individually stops rotating,
The reel movement control means vibrates the reels that have already stopped rotating in the left-right direction before all the reels stop rotating in the specific gaming state, and after all the reels stop, all the reels are displaced to the moving position. The gaming machine according to claim 5, comprising a control content to be controlled. The reel movement control means
Normally, the reel is held at a predetermined steady position, and when the predetermined gaming state is reached, the rotating reel is displaced to a moving position different from the normal position, and before the rotation of the reel stops, The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a control content for returning the reel to a steady position.

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