JP5686559B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine that generates a specific gaming state that is advantageous to a player after a predetermined incubation period has elapsed when a predetermined opportunity occurs.

  Conventionally, a slot machine having an AT function for notifying auxiliary information for facilitating winning of any combination is known. As a slot machine having an AT function, there is a slot machine that executes a lottery to determine whether or not an AT is activated in response to an internal winning of a specific role and activates an AT in response to the winning. Furthermore, there is a slot machine that activates an AT after a predetermined incubation period has elapsed after winning the AT activation lottery (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By setting such a latent period, the player's expectation for the AT is kept high until the latent period elapses after the specific combination wins, thereby increasing the interest of the game.

  However, the conventional slot machine in which the latent period is set has the following problems. That is, in recent years, slot machines in which such a latent period has been set have become common, and with the player's familiarity, only by setting the latent period as described above, the interest of the game can be sufficiently enhanced. There is a problem that it is impossible.

JP 2005-334448 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is a slot machine that enhances the fun of gaming by utilizing the incubation period until a specific gaming state such as an AT occurs to enhance gaming. Is to provide.

The present invention includes a symbol variation display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement in a plurality of symbol display areas,
Game start operation means operated by the player to start the game with the game medium inserted;
An internal lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from a plurality of types including a specific combination when the game start operation means is operated;
A stop operation means operated by a player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the symbol variation display means;
When the stop operation means is operated, a display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to an internal winning combination within a predetermined pull-in range and displaying the stop in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not a winning has occurred based on a combination of symbols stopped and displayed in each symbol display area of the symbol variation display means;
Profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning when the winning determining means determines that a winning has occurred;
A winning probability defining means for prescribing the winning probability of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means in association with a set value of a plurality of stages;
Winning probability setting means for setting a winning probability of the internal lottery by selecting any one setting value from the setting values of the plurality of stages;
A specific game state lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining whether or not to generate a specific game state advantageous to the player when the specific combination is determined as an internal winning combination;
A latent period selecting means for selecting any one latent period by lottery from a plurality of latent periods having different lengths when occurrence of a specific gaming state is determined by the specific gaming state lottery means;
Specific gaming state generating means for generating the specific gaming state when the incubation period selected by the latent period selecting means has elapsed ;
A latent period notifying means for notifying the player of the length of the latent period in response to the occurrence of the specific gaming state when the specific combination is won again before the latent period elapses ,
In the latent period selecting means, the selection probability of each latent period among the plurality of latent periods is defined for each set value of the plurality of stages (Claim 1).

  In the slot machine of the present invention, an internal lottery for determining whether or not to generate the specific gaming state is executed in response to the internal winning of the specific combination. When the internal lottery is won, the latent period until the corresponding specific game state is generated is selected by lottery from the plurality of latent periods. In this slot machine game, when the internal winning of the specific combination can be grasped according to the winning of the specific combination, etc., the specific gaming state is maintained until the longest latent period of the plurality of incubation periods elapses. The player's expectation for is maintained high.

  Moreover, in the slot machine, the selection probability of each latent period among the plurality of latent periods is different for each set value. The length of the latent period that has actually occurred suggests the quality of the set value. Therefore, when the internal winning of the specific combination can be grasped, the expectation that a latent period of a length that can be easily selected when the set value is good is generated. Thereafter, when the specific gaming state occurs, the player's joy may be further enhanced according to the length of the incubation period that has occurred after the internal winning of the specific combination, but discouragement occurs. In some cases.

  As described above, in the slot machine of the present invention, a new game property is realized in which the set value can be estimated based on the length of the latent period until the specific game state occurs. The fun of gaming has been improved.

The slot machine of the present invention may be a slot machine in a narrow sense using medals and coins as game media, or a parrot (R) using pachinko balls as game media.
The specific gaming state may be any gaming state that is advantageous to the player, such as a gaming state that increases the probability that the specific role is determined as an internal winning combination, or that the specific role is determined as an internal winning combination. It is possible to set a gaming state in which is notified.

In addition, the latent period selection means has a latent period selection table in which the selection probability of each latent period of the plurality of latent periods is defined for each set value of the plurality of stages,
In selecting any one of the plurality of incubation periods, the selection probability corresponding to the set value set by the winning probability setting means among the selection probabilities specified in the incubation period selection table is used. It is preferable to select any incubation period (claim 2).

In addition, there is provided a latent period notifying means for notifying the player of the length of the latent period in response to the occurrence of the specific gaming state when the specific combination is won again before the latent period elapses .
If the specific combination is won again before the incubation period elapses, it becomes difficult for the player to accurately grasp the length of the incubation period. In such a case, if there is a notification of the length of the incubation period, it is possible to ensure the player's enjoyment of estimating the set value according to the length of the incubation period.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an appearance of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining the winning line in Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the role of a slot machine, a winning symbol, and profit in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a development view showing a developed arrangement of symbols arranged on the outer periphery of the reel in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine in the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the internal winning combination lottery table in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an AT activation lottery table according to the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the incubation period selection table in Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing explaining the winning distribution for every 1st stop reel in Example 1 when a replay combination is elected simultaneously. The state transition diagram which shows the transition of the game state in Example 1. FIG. The front view which shows the normal state screen at the time of AT activation in Example 1. FIG. The front view which shows the screen in RT at the time of AT activation in Example 1. FIG. The front view which shows the screen in RT at the time of AT non-activation in Example 1. FIG.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
(Example 1)
This example relates to a slot machine 1 that activates an AT (specific gaming state) after a predetermined incubation period has elapsed after the occurrence of a predetermined trigger. The contents will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the external configuration of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIG. The front portion of the slot machine 1 is formed by a front frame 10 having a substantially rectangular symbol display window 11 provided at a substantially center. The front frame 10 is configured by arranging a liquid crystal display unit 53, a pair of left and right speakers 520, and a decorative lamp unit 56 on the upper side of the symbol display window 11. A base 100 that forms the base of the slot machine 1 is formed below the symbol display window 11. On the right side of the symbol display window 11, there are arranged a grant number display unit 551 for displaying the number of medals (game media) given according to winning and a credit display unit 552 for displaying the credit amount.

  The base portion 100 is formed so as to protrude relative to the symbol display window 11 located behind the player. The base unit 100 has a shelf-like operation surface 14 at the upper end adjacent to the symbol display window 11, a tray 15 at the lower end, and an operation panel 13 adjacent to the lower side of the operation surface 14. doing.

The operation surface 14 includes a bet button 64 for betting medals on the game, a settlement button 65 for receiving the credited medals to the tray 15, and a medal insertion slot 630 for directly inserting medals. Has been placed.
The operation panel 13 is provided with a start lever 62 (game start operation means) for starting the symbol fluctuation of the reel 21 and a stop button 61 (stop operation means) for stopping the symbol fluctuation.

The bet button 64 is a button for betting a specified number of medals on the game from among the credited medals. In a non-bonus state in which a three-game betting game with a prescribed number of three is performed, three medals are bet according to the operation of the bet button 64. In a bonus state where a two-bet game with a prescribed number of two is performed, two medals are bet according to the operation of the bet button 64. However, if the remaining credits are insufficient, all remaining credits (one or two) are bet.
The start lever 62 is an operation lever that is operated by the player to start the game. When the operation of the start lever 62 is detected with a prescribed number of medals bet, the game is started.

  The symbol display window 11 is a display window including symbol display areas 110L, C, and R. Each of the symbol display areas 110L, C, and R is a symbol display area for three symbols. In the entire symbol display window 11, symbol display regions for nine symbols arranged in a two-dimensional matrix composed of three rows and three columns are formed. The symbol display window 11 is formed of a transparent resin plate so that the symbol 20 can be seen from the player side. In the symbol display area in which nine symbols 20 are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, winning lines 211 to 215 that are the arrangement direction of winning symbols to be awarded are set. As shown in FIG. 2, the winning line in this example is composed of five lines including upper, middle, and lower stages, three horizontal winning lines 211 to 213, and diagonal winning lines 214 and 215.

  Reels 21L, C, and R constituting the symbol variation display means 2 are arranged on the back side of the symbol display areas 110L, C, and R, respectively. As will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 4, the reels 21L, C, and R are rotary reels having a cylindrical shape and 21 symbols 20 arranged on the outer peripheral surface thereof at substantially constant intervals. . The reel 21 may be an image-type reel that displays the symbols on the liquid crystal display in place of the rotary reel of this example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stop button 61 is an operation button that generates a variable stop signal, which is a control signal for the reel 21, according to the player's operation. The stop button 61 of this example is a combination of a left stop button 61L corresponding to the left reel 21L, a middle stop button 61C corresponding to the middle reel 21C, and a right stop button 61R corresponding to the right reel 21R.

The speaker 520 and the decorative lamp unit 56 are rendering means for rendering a game with sound or light.
The liquid crystal display unit 53 includes a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display unit 53 can display various effect screens for effecting a game, a display screen for displaying game data, and the like.

Next, the role of the slot machine 1 of this example and the symbol arrangement on each reel 21 will be described.
In the slot machine 1 of this example, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to a plurality of kinds of small roles composed of 15-sheet roles A to C, 10-sheet roles A and B, bonus roles (BB role, RB role), replay role A ~ E are set. In FIG. 3, the name of each combination is shown in the left column, a winning symbol that is a combination of symbols 20 corresponding to each combination is shown in the middle column, and the profit given to the player according to the winning is shown in the right column. As the profit, the profit under the non-bonus state (the prescribed number of 3 sheets) shown on the left side of the “profit” column in the drawing and the profit under the bonus state (the prescribed number of 2 sheets) shown on the right side are shown.

  In this example, the winning symbol of the replay role A is a low probability RT symbol that triggers the transition to the low probability RT state, and the winning symbol of the replay role C is the trigger for the transition to the high probability RT state. It is a design. In addition, a 10-piece winning symbol that is stopped and displayed with a probability of 100% when a 10-piece winning combination is missed is a high-definition RT end symbol that triggers the end of the high-precision RT state. In this example, the replay combination under the normal state and the ten-piece combination under the low-accuracy RT state / high-accuracy RT state are the AT notification target combinations.

Here, the winning combination of the replay combination and the 10-sheet combination that are AT notification targets will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the winning symbol of the replay role A is a doublet of the symbol “R”. If the right reel 21R is replaced with the symbol “black orange” based on the winning symbol of the replay role A, the winning symbol of the replay role B is obtained.

  The winning symbol for the 10-piece role A is a “black orange” doublet. The combination of the left reel 21L replaced with “white orange” based on the winning symbol of 10-piece combination A is the winning symbol of 10-piece combination B. Further, the combination of the symbols of the left reel 21L replaced with “R” is a combination of 10 symbols.

In each reel 21L, C, R, symbols are arranged as shown in FIG.
In the left reel 21L and the middle reel 21C, the maximum interval of the symbol “R” common to the replay roles A to C is 4 symbols. Here, in the slot machine 1 of this example, as described later, a range corresponding to four symbols is set as a pull-in range when the reel 21 stops. Further, as described above, in the symbol display areas 110L and 110C, a winning line is set over three symbols in the upper middle stage and the lower stage. Therefore, “R” in the left reel 21L and the middle reel 21C is always in the drawing range regardless of the timing of the stop operation, and is a symbol that is stopped and displayed on the winning line.

  In the right reel 21R, the maximum interval is 4 symbols for the symbol “R”, the symbol “black orange”, and the symbol “watermelon” respectively corresponding to the replay roles A to C. Like the symbol “R” on the other reels 21L and 21C, “R”, “black orange” and “watermelon” on the right reel 21R are always within the pull-in range regardless of the timing of the stop operation, and are on the winning line. It is a symbol that is stopped and displayed.

  The replay roles A to C in the slot machine 1 of the present example in which the symbols of the replay roles are arranged as described above always win if they are selected alone, and the stop button 61L even if they are simultaneously selected with other replay roles. If C, R are stopped in a predetermined order, it is a replay role that always wins a prize. In the slot machine 1, there is a first stop reel that is an operation mode of a stop button for avoiding the replay combination A when a simultaneous winning including the replay combination A occurs. The relationship between the first stop reel and the type of winning replay combination will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, the symbols corresponding to the 10-piece combination are as follows. In the middle reel 21C and the right reel 21R, the maximum interval of the symbols “black orange” common to the 10-sheet combination A / B is 4 symbols. Therefore, “black orange” in the middle reel 21C and the right reel 21R is always present within the drawing range regardless of the timing of the stop operation, and is a symbol that is stopped and displayed on the winning line.

  In the left reel 21L, the maximum interval of a particular type of symbol “orange” corresponding to one of the 10-sheet combinations A and B is 15 or more symbols, and any type of symbol “ The maximum interval of “Orange” is 6 symbols. Therefore, one of the two types of “orange” in the left reel 21L is always within the pull-in range regardless of the timing of the stop operation. On the other hand, a specific type of “orange” cannot be stopped unless the timing of the stop operation matches.

  As for the 10-piece combination A / B in which the symbols are arranged in this way, one of the 10-piece combinations can always be won when winning simultaneously, while the winning probability when the type is unknown when winning alone is 1/2. When a winning combination of 10 sheets is missed, the 10 winning combination symbol (see FIG. 3) is always stopped and displayed.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIG. For the control unit 3 that controls the overall operation of the slot machine 1, in addition to the configuration described above, the inserted medal detection unit 63 that detects medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 630 (FIG. 1) and the reel 21 change the design. Various types including a reel driving unit 22 constituting the display means 2, a reference position detecting unit 66 for detecting the rotational position of the reel 21, a medal paying unit 54 for paying out medals to the tray 15, a grant number display unit 551 and a credit display unit 552. A display unit 55, a set value operation unit 68 for setting a set value representing the player's advantage, an audio output unit 52 for controlling the speaker 520, and the like are electrically connected.

The reel driving unit 22 includes a stepping motor (not shown) that can be controlled in units of steps, and is means for rotating the reel 21 by the rotational driving force of the stepping motor.
The reference position detection unit 66 is a detection unit that detects the passage of the reference position piece for each of the reels 21L, 21C, and R and outputs a detection signal.
The set value operation unit 68 is an operation unit for changing set values of 6 stages having different internal winning probabilities such as bonus combinations using the setting key 680.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 33 / RAM 34 as memory means, an I / O unit 32 as an input / output interface, and a random number extraction unit 35 for extracting random numbers for internal winning combination lottery. And a random number generator 350 for generating random numbers. The CPU 31 executes a software program read from the ROM 33 to thereby execute a game start permission unit 40 for permitting the start of a game, an internal lottery unit 41 for lottering an internal winning combination, and a flag for controlling an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination Control means 410, winning probability setting means 411 for setting the winning probability of internal lottery, display control means 42 for controlling the reel 21, winning determination means 43 for determining a winning symbol, and profit giving means 44 for giving a profit according to winning , Bonus state generation means 451, high-probability RT state generation means 452, low-probability RT state generation means 453, specific game state lottery means 461 for executing AT activation lottery, etc., latent period selection means 462, specific game state for activating AT Each function as the generation unit 463 and the notification unit 464 that notifies the AT information is realized.

  The RAM 34 has a function as a latent counter 341 that counts the number of remaining latent games. The latent counter 341 stores the number of remaining latent games, which is the number of remaining games until the AT is activated. The number of remaining latent games is decremented by one game every time the game is executed within the latent period.

  The ROM 33 is applied to the internal winning combination lottery table (FIG. 6) used by the internal lottery means 41 for the internal winning combination lottery, the reel control table (not shown) used for the stop control of the reel 21 by the display control means 42, and applied to the AT activation lottery. The AT activation lottery table (FIG. 7), the incubation period selection table (FIG. 8) applied to the latent period lottery, and the AT continuous lottery table (not shown) applied to the AT continuous lottery are stored.

The reel control table is a data table in which stop positions that can be stopped on the winning line are defined.
As shown in FIG. 6, the internal winning combination lottery table is a data table in which a range of winning random numbers for each combination is defined among the random numbers for internal winning combination lottery of 0 to 65535. As the internal winning combination lottery table, there are a table applied to a normal state, a table applied to a low probability RT state, a table applied to a high probability RT state, and a table applied to a bonus state (not shown). In the figure, among the columns corresponding to each gaming state, the left column in the vertical direction indicates the number of winning random numbers, and the right column indicates the internal winning probability by the denominator (x of 1 / x).

  An internal winning combination lottery table for each gaming state excluding the bonus state is prepared for each set value. In this example, the ROM 33 that stores the internal winning combination lottery table realizes the function as the winning probability defining means 331 for defining the internal lottery winning probability for determining the internal winning combination in association with the setting values of a plurality of stages. doing.

  In the table for the normal state, the low probability RT state, and the high probability RT state, as shown in FIG. 6, the winning random numbers of each combination other than the replay combination are common, but the setting of the winning random numbers of the replay combination is different. . In the table for the normal state, only random numbers that are simultaneously won by two or more types of replay combinations including the replay combination A are set. In the normal state table, the internal winning probability of any of the replay roles is 1 / 1.5, and the internal winning probability of the replay role C that triggers the high-accuracy RT state is about 1/22.

  In each table for the low probability RT state and the high probability RT state, only the random number that the replay combination A alone wins internally is set, and the difference is the internal winning probability of the replay combination A. While the internal winning probability of the replay combination A in the table for the low probability RT state is 1 / 7.3, the same probability in the table for the high probability RT state is 1 / 1.5.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the AT activation lottery table is a lottery table in which a winning random number for the AT activation lottery is defined. In the AT activation lottery table of the present example, a part of the 600 winning random numbers of 15 combinations A to C is defined as the winning random number (AT winning random number) of the AT activation lottery. Note that the AT activation lottery table is prepared for each set value, and the number of AT winning random numbers among 600 is different depending on the set value. Therefore, in the game of the slot machine 1 of this example, the set value can be estimated according to the lottery result of the AT activation lottery.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the incubation period selection table is a lottery table in which winning random numbers for each number of latent games (latency period) from 1 to 16 games are defined. In the incubation period selection table, the number of winning random numbers of each latent game number among the incubation period lottery random numbers of 0 to 255 is defined for each set value of 1 to 6. As can be seen from the figure, the odd set value has a high selection rate for the odd number of latent games, and the even set value has a high selection rate for the even number of latent games. Further, the better the setting value is, the higher the selection rate of a large number of latent games such as 16 games is.

  The AT continuation lottery table is a lottery table in which AT end random numbers are defined. In the present example, 1000 of the simultaneous winning random numbers (3000) of the 10-piece winning combination AB is defined as the AT end random number. In this example, the setting of the AT end random number is common to all setting values. Instead of this, the setting of the AT end random number may be changed according to the set value.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the random number extraction unit 35 extracts a random number for internal winning combination lottery from random numbers (0 to 65535) generated by the random number generation unit 350. In this example, the AT activation lottery and the AT continuous lottery are executed using a random number for internal winning combination lottery. Instead of this example, a dedicated lottery random number may be applied to the AT activation lottery and the AT continuous lottery. On the other hand, the latent period lottery is executed by applying a random number for the latent period lottery in the range of 0-255. The random number for the incubation period lottery is extracted by the random number extraction unit 35 when the AT activation lottery is won.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the internal lottery means 41 is a means for determining an internal winning combination by internal lottery and establishing an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination. The internal lottery means 41 collates the random numbers for the internal winning combination lottery against the winning random numbers of each combination specified in the internal winning combination lottery table (FIG. 6), and determines the internal winning combination. The internal lottery means 41 selectively uses any of the internal winning combination lottery tables according to the gaming state.

  The winning probability setting means 411 is a means for setting the winning probability of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 41. Specifically, the winning probability setting means 411 sets the set value set via the set value operation unit 68 in the internal winning combination lottery table (for example, FIG. 6) for each set value stored in the ROM 33. The corresponding internal winning combination lottery table is selected and applied to the internal lottery means 41.

  The flag control means 410 is a means for controlling an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination determined by the internal lottery means 41. The flag control means 410 is in an off state (zero) until the next game is started, regardless of whether or not the internal winning flag of a combination other than the bonus winning combination is won in the game in which the internal winning flag is established for the first time. Reset to). Therefore, if each combination other than the bonus combination is not won in the internal winning game, all will be missed. On the other hand, regarding the bonus combination flag which is an internal winning flag of the bonus combination, the established state of the internal winning flag is sequentially carried over to the next game until winning, and is reset to the off state according to the winning.

  The specific game state lottery means 461 is a means for executing AT activation lottery and AT continuous lottery. In the AT trigger lottery, when any of the 15 role combinations A to C which are specific roles in the low-probability RT state is independently won internally, a random number for the internal winning combination lottery at that time is assigned to the AT trigger lottery table (see FIG. It is executed by collating with 7). The AT continuous lottery is executed by collating the random numbers for internal winning combination lottery extracted in each game in the ART state, which is a highly accurate RT state with AT, with the AT continuous lottery table (not shown).

  The incubation period selection means 462 is a means for executing the incubation period lottery for selecting the incubation period until the AT is activated. The incubation period selection means 462 executes the incubation period lottery by comparing the latent period selection random number extracted by the random number extraction unit 35 in accordance with the AT activation lottery with the incubation period selection table (FIG. 8).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the game start permission means 40 is a means for permitting the start of the game when a prescribed number of medals are bet on the game. The game start permission means 40 permits the start of the game when a prescribed number of medals are bet by direct insertion of medals or by operation of the bet button 64. When the start of the game is permitted, the start lever 62 can be operated effectively and the game can be started. When the replay winning combination is won, a prescribed number of medals are automatically bet on the next game without direct insertion of medals or a betting operation. In this example, the prescribed number varies depending on whether or not the bonus state is set, and the number is 2 in the bonus state and 3 in the gaming state other than the bonus state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the display control means 42 starts the symbol variation of the reel 21 in response to the operation of the start lever 62 in a state where the start of the game is permitted, and the symbol of the reel 21 in response to the variation stop signal. It is a means for stopping fluctuations. The display control means 42 inputs a control pulse to the stepping motor that constitutes the reel driving unit 22 and rotates the stepping motor by one step for each pulse. The display control means 42 counts the number of control pulses input to the reel driving unit 22, that is, the number of steps rotated by the stepping motor. In particular, the display control means 42 of this example counts the number of steps generated after the most recent detection signal by resetting the number of steps to zero each time the detection signal of the reference position piece of each reel 21 is fetched.

  The display control means 42 performs so-called pull-in control in which symbols within a predetermined pull-in range determined by rules (rules for game machine authorization, type verification, etc.) are stopped on the winning line. In this example, as described above, a range corresponding to four symbols is set as the pull-in range. The display control means 42 determines the stop position by collating the number of steps when the variable stop signal is taken into the reel control table in which the stop position that can be stopped on the winning line is defined. The display control means 42 stops the reel 21 by drawing the symbol corresponding to the internal winning flag to the stop position.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the winning determination means 43 is a means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the three reels 21L, C, R is a predetermined winning symbol. Specifically, the winning determination means 43 determines the winning combination according to the combination of symbols stopped on the winning lines 211 to 215 set so as to cross the three reels 21L, 21C, 21R. The winning determination means 43 takes in the number of steps of each corresponding stepping motor (reel drive unit 22) after each reel 21L, C, R stops. The winning determination means 43 obtains the type of the symbol 20 stopped on the winning lines 211 to 215 based on the number of steps, and determines whether or not a winning combination is established for the combination of the symbols 20.

  The profit granting means 44 is a means for giving a profit corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning determination means 43. For example, if the 15 winning combination is a winning combination, 15 medals are awarded (see FIG. 3). However, in the bonus state, 15 medals are set for all small combinations (excluding replay combinations) including 10 combinations.

  The bonus state generating means 451 is a means for generating a bonus state according to the winning of a bonus combination and ending the bonus state when a predetermined end condition is satisfied. As the bonus state, there are a BB state corresponding to the winning of the BB combination and an RB state corresponding to the winning of the RB winning. The end condition for the BB state is that the number of medals granted exceeds 300, and the end condition for the RB state is that the number of medals granted exceeds 100.

  The low probability RT state generation means 453 is a means for generating a low probability RT state that has a low probability of winning a replay role and is disadvantageous for the player. The low probability RT state generation means 453 generates the low probability RT state when the winning symbol of the replay combination A that is the low probability RT symbol is stopped and displayed under the normal state. The low probability RT state generation means 453 ends the low probability RT state when the number of digested games reaches 32 games or when either of the BB combination and the RB combination is won internally.

  The high probability RT state generation means 452 is a means for generating a high probability RT state that has a high probability of winning a replay role and is advantageous to the player. The highly accurate RT state generating means 452 generates the highly accurate RT state when the winning symbol of the replay combination C, which is a highly accurate RT symbol, is stopped and displayed under the normal state. The high-accuracy RT state generating means 452 terminates the high-accuracy RT state when the 10-piece spilling symbol which is the high-accuracy RT end symbol is stopped or displayed, or any of the BB combination and the RB combination is won internally. .

  The specific game state generating means 463 is means for activating the AT in response to winning in the AT activation lottery. When the AT state lottery is won, the specific game state generating means 463 activates the AT after the latent period selected by the latent period lottery elapses. Thereafter, when the high-accuracy RT state is entered, the AT is continued until the AT continuous lottery is lost or the normal-state state is restored upon completion of the high-accuracy RT state. On the other hand, after the AT is activated, when the normal state cannot be shifted to the high probability RT state and falls to the low probability RT state, the AT is terminated at that time. If the high probability RT state ends when the BB role or RB role is internally won in the ART state, the AT is suspended until the corresponding bonus state is ended, and again according to the return to the normal state. , Activate AT.

  The notifying means 464 is means for notifying AT information that assists winning of any combination during AT activation. When a replay combination is won simultaneously under normal conditions, AT information for winning a replay combination other than the replay combination A is notified. Specifically, the first stop reel for avoiding the winning of the replay combination A whose winning symbol is the low probability RT symbol is notified. According to the notification of the AT information, the replay combination A can be avoided and other replay combinations can be won. Further, in the low probability RT state and the high probability RT state, when the 10-sheet combination A / B is independently won internally, the type of the 10-sheet combination is notified as AT information. In particular, in the high-definition RT state, the winning combination of 10 pieces that is the end of the high-definition RT can be avoided by winning the 10 winning combinations alone.

Here, with reference to FIG. 9, the distribution of the winning replay combination according to the first stop reel when the simultaneous winning pattern of the replay combination occurs in the normal state will be described.
For example, when the first stop reel is the left reel 21L or the middle reel 21C in the replay combination A / B / C simultaneous winning pattern, the replay combination A wins. On the other hand, when the first stop reel is the right reel 21R, the replay combination C wins. At this time, the AT information indicating that the right reel 21R should be the first stop reel is auxiliary information for stopping and displaying the winning symbol of the replay combination C, which is a high-definition RT symbol, and a low-probability RT symbol. This is avoidance information for avoiding the winning symbol of the replay combination A.

Next, the transition of the gaming state of the slot machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the state transition diagram of FIG.
(Normal state)
The normal state is an initial state that occurs in response to the end of another gaming state including a bonus state. The normal state is terminated in response to the stop display of the high-accuracy RT symbol (replay role C winning symbol) or the low-accuracy RT symbol (replay role A winning symbol), and transition to the high-accuracy RT state and low-accuracy RT state. Will occur. Moreover, it ends also by winning of the BB combination or the RB combination, and shifts to the bonus state BB state or RB state.

  In a normal state with an AT, notification of AT information for winning a replay role other than the replay role A is executed in accordance with simultaneous winning of the replay role. Specifically, the display of the normal state screen 71 of FIG. 11 notifies the first stop reel for avoiding the winning of the replay combination A whose winning symbol is the low probability RT symbol. The normal state screen 71 displays the first stop notification column 711 for notifying the first stop reel that wins a replay combination other than the replay combination A, and the number of acquisitions indicating the number of medals acquired (number of awards-the number of bets) after the AT is activated. The display column 712 is combined with a replay combination notification column 714 for reporting the type of replay combination to be won in response to the notification. If the winning of the replay combination A whose winning symbol is the low probability RT symbol can be avoided, the transition to the high probability RT state can be waited while avoiding the transition to the low probability RT state.

  When returning to the normal state in response to the internal winning of the BB combination or RB combination in the ART state, first, the normal state without AT is set. Thereafter, when the bonus state corresponding to the winning combination of the BB combination or RB combination ends and the normal state is restored, the AT is immediately activated without being hidden, and the normal state with the AT is surely set. Therefore, when the BB combination or RB combination is won internally in the ART state, after the corresponding bonus state ends, there is a high possibility that the state can be shifted to the ART state again via the normal state with AT.

(Low accuracy RT state)
The low probability RT state ends when the number of digested games reaches 32 games, or when the BB combination or RB combination is won internally, and returns to the normal state. In the low probability RT state, the AT activation lottery is executed. When the AT activation lottery is won, a latent period lottery is further executed, and the number of latent games until the AT is activated is selected as the latent period. When the AT is activated, a not-shown notification screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 53, and AT information indicating the type of the 10 winning combination alone is notified.

(High accuracy RT state)
The high probability RT state is terminated in response to the stop display of the high probability RT end symbol (10-piece combination spilling symbol) or the internal winning of either the BB combination or the RB combination, and returns to the normal state. When the normal state without AT shifts to the high-accuracy RT state, the self-powered RT state, which is the high-accuracy RT state without AT, is entered. On the other hand, when shifting from the normal state with AT to the high-accuracy RT state, the AT is continuously activated to enter the ART state.

  In the ART state, notification of AT information for avoiding the 10-spot winning symbol when the 10-spot A / B is internally won by itself is executed. Specifically, the display of the during-RT screen 72 in FIG. The in-RT screen 72 includes a state notification column 724 for notifying that a highly probable RT state is occurring, an internal winning combination notification column 721 for notifying the type of the 10 winning combinations, and an acquired medal after the AT is activated. An acquisition number display field 722 for displaying a number (the number of grants−the number of bets) is combined. This figure is a screen during RT for notifying the AT information indicating that the 10 winning combination A has won internally.

  On the other hand, in the self-powered RT state, as in the on-RT screen 73 of FIG. The in-RT screen 73 includes a state notification column 734 for notifying that a highly probable RT state is occurring, an internal winning combination notification column 731 for notifying that any of the 10 winning combinations has been won internally, and a high-accuracy RT The acquired number display column 732 for displaying the number of acquired medals after the transition to the state (the number of grants−the number of bets) and the own game number display column 733 for displaying the number of games after the AT end are combined.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present example configured as described above, a new game is realized in which the set value can be estimated based on the length of the latent period until the AT is activated. Thereby, in the slot machine 1 of this example, the interest of the game is improved.

Note that the specific combination that triggers the AT activation lottery is not limited to the 15 combination in this example, and may be any type of specific combination. As in this example, if a winning combination that does not win even if an internal winning is made, that is, a winning combination that has a possibility of being missed, is set as a specific winning combination, the AT activation lottery may be executed on the condition of winning.
The AT end condition is not limited to this example, and a different end condition may be set. For example, the number of continuing games may be determined in advance when an AT occurs, and the AT may be terminated when the number of continuing games is consumed.

In this example, AT (assist time) is set as the specific gaming state, but is not limited to AT. The specific game state may be any state as long as the player side has an increased degree of advantage.
In addition, as a symbol for transition to the low-accuracy RT state and the high-accuracy RT state, a symbol different from this example can be set, and the symbol is not limited to the replay role symbol of this example.

  It should be noted that a latency period notifying means capable of notifying the length of the latency period before the AT is activated may be added to the configuration of the slot machine 1. If the incubation period notification means is configured to notify the player of the length of the incubation period when the specific combination is won internally again during the incubation period, if the specific combination repeatedly wins multiple times during the incubation period However, the player can accurately grasp the length of the incubation period. Whether or not to inform the player of the length of the incubation period when the specific combination wins during the incubation period can be determined by lottery. If this lottery probability is set for each set value, the set value can be estimated according to whether or not the length of the incubation period is notified. In this case, the set value can be estimated with higher accuracy as the number of winning of the specific combination within the incubation period increases.

Further, each time a specific gaming state (AT in this example) occurs, information relating to the length of the incubation period actually selected is stored, and the information display means for displaying the stored information to the player. It is also possible to provide. By providing such information display means, the player can estimate the set value with reference to the length of the past incubation period, and the interest is enhanced.
Furthermore, there is provided a latent period selection rate display means for displaying the selection rate of each latent period (number of latent games) for each set value defined by the latent period selection table (FIG. 8) when a specific gaming state occurs. It is also good. If such a latent period selection rate display means is provided, the player sets the length of the actually set latent period against the selection rate of the latent period selection table every time a specific gaming state occurs. The value can be estimated and the interest is enhanced.

  In this example, even if the specific combination is won again in the incubation period after winning the AT activation lottery, the AT activation lottery is not executed. Alternatively, when the specific combination is won internally again during the incubation period, the AT activation lottery may be executed again, and the AT may be stocked according to the winning. After the AT corresponding to the first AT lottery that has been won is completed, the ATs that have been stocked may be activated after the incubation period has elapsed. The incubation period at this time may be determined when the corresponding AT activation lottery is won, or may be determined when the preceding AT ends.

  As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as in the first embodiment, but these specific examples merely disclose an example of the technology included in the scope of claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be construed as limited by the configuration, numerical values, or the like of the specific examples. The scope of the claims includes techniques obtained by variously modifying or changing the specific examples using known techniques, knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Symbol change display means 331 Winning probability prescription means 341 Latency counter 35 Random number extraction part 40 Game start permission means 41 Internal lottery means 410 Flag control means 411 Winning probability setting means 42 Display control means 43 Winning determination means 44 Profit giving means 451 Bonus state generating means 452 Highly probable RT state generating means 453 Low probable RT state generating means 461 Specific gaming state lottery means 462 Latency period selecting means 463 Specific gaming state generating means 464 Notification means 53 Liquid crystal display section 61 Stop button (stop operation means) )
62 Start lever (game starting operation means)
630 medal slot 64 bet button

Claims (2)

A symbol variation display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement in a plurality of symbol display areas;
Game start operation means operated by the player to start the game with the game medium inserted;
An internal lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from a plurality of types including a specific combination when the game start operation means is operated;
A stop operation means operated by a player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the symbol variation display means;
When the stop operation means is operated, a display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to an internal winning combination within a predetermined pull-in range and displaying the stop in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not a winning has occurred based on a combination of symbols stopped and displayed in each symbol display area of the symbol variation display means;
Profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning when the winning determining means determines that a winning has occurred;
A winning probability defining means for prescribing the winning probability of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means in association with a set value of a plurality of stages;
Winning probability setting means for setting a winning probability of the internal lottery by selecting any one setting value from the setting values of the plurality of stages;
A specific game state lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining whether or not to generate a specific game state advantageous to the player when the specific combination is determined as an internal winning combination;
A latent period selecting means for selecting any one latent period by lottery from a plurality of latent periods having different lengths when occurrence of a specific gaming state is determined by the specific gaming state lottery means;
Specific gaming state generating means for generating the specific gaming state when the incubation period selected by the latent period selecting means has elapsed ;
A latent period notifying means for notifying the player of the length of the latent period in response to the occurrence of the specific gaming state when the specific combination is won again before the latent period elapses ,
2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein in the latent period selection means, the selection probability of each latent period among the plurality of latent periods is defined for each set value of the plurality of stages. The incubation period selection means has an incubation period selection table in which the selection probability of each incubation period of the plurality of incubation periods is defined for each set value of the plurality of stages,
In selecting any one of the plurality of incubation periods, the selection probability corresponding to the set value set by the winning probability setting means among the selection probabilities specified in the incubation period selection table is used. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein any one of the incubation periods is selected.

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