JP7484734B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

Pachinko machines and slot machines are known as types of gaming machines. These gaming machines are equipped with a control means such as a CPU, a read-only storage means such as a ROM, and a read/write storage means such as a RAM. The control means writes information to the read/write storage means and reads information from the storage means, while executing processing according to a program read from the read-only storage means. When executing this processing, information is input to the control means from sensors and the like, and information is output from the control means to electric actuators, light-emitting elements, and the like. Note that there are also known machines in which the control means, read-only storage means, and read/write storage means are integrated into a single chip.

Specifically, in a slot machine, when medals have been bet on and the start lever is operated to start a new game, the control means executes a lottery process for a winning combination. Furthermore, when the lottery process for a winning combination is executed, the control means executes a rotation start control to start the rotation of the reels, and when the stop button is operated while the reels are rotating, the control means executes a rotation stop control to stop the rotation of the reels. Then, if the stop result after the rotation of the reels has stopped corresponds to a winning combination in the lottery process for winning combinations, a bonus corresponding to the winning combination is awarded to the player. For example, gaming media can be awarded as the bonus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-045989 A

Here, in gaming machines such as those exemplified above, it is necessary to improve the entertainment value of the game, and there is still room for improvement in this regard.

The present invention was made in consideration of the circumstances exemplified above, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can increase the enjoyment of gaming.

In order to solve the above problem, the gaming machine according to this embodiment is a gaming machine including: a pattern display means for displaying a variable pattern; a start operation means operated to start the variable display of the pattern on the pattern display means; a role selection means for executing a lottery process for a role based on the operation of the start operation means; a stop operation means operated to stop the variable display of the pattern on the pattern display means; and a corresponding execution means for executing control corresponding to the winning role as a winning combination when a role that has been determined to be a winning combination in the lottery process for the role is won after the variable display of the pattern, the corresponding winning combination being determined to be a winning combination, and a notification state transition means for transitioning to a notification state that notifies the user of an operation method for winning the notification target role in a winning game of the notification target role; and a game function that can be obtained during the notification state. The system is equipped with an alert state ending means capable of ending the alert state when a value of a counter indicating the difference in the number of media satisfies a predetermined condition, a role winning payout means for paying out a number of gaming media less than the maximum bet amount when a pattern combination corresponding to a specific role is won, a display means for displaying a value corresponding to the counter so that it can be seen by a player, a first result time counter varying means for varying the counter value by a predetermined value when the lottery result of the lottery process is a first result which is a non -win, and a specific role time counter varying means for varying the counter value by the same predetermined value as that of the first result when the specific role is won during the alert state, and the stopping result of the pattern corresponding to the winning of the specific role is a result where a combination of identical patterns does not line up in a straight line.

The present invention makes it possible to increase the enjoyment of games.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine. 1 is an oblique view of the slot machine with the front door open. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the correspondence between winning symbol combinations and the benefits awarded when a winning combination is achieved. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing the patterns that will be stopped when each winning combination occurs. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of the slot machine 10. 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process of a main MPU. 13 is a flowchart showing normal processing of a main MPU. 13 is a flowchart showing a lottery process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the transition of the game state. A figure showing a table for bonus non-internal states. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stopping order of the reels and the winning patterns that can be achieved. A figure showing a table for bonus internal states. FIG. 13 shows a lottery table for a bonus state. 13 is a flowchart showing a notification control process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing notification of the reel stopping order on the image display device 66. 13 is a flowchart showing a reel control process. 13 is a flowchart showing a prize determination process. 13 is a flowchart showing a response process when a game ends. 13 is a flowchart showing bonus state processing. 13 is a flowchart showing a section management process. A figure showing a lottery table for transition to advantageous zones. 13 is a flowchart showing an AT transition opportunity management process. A figure showing an example of an AT transition lottery table. 13 is a flowchart showing an AT state process. A figure showing an example of an add-on lottery table. A figure showing an example of an AT screen (part 1) according to the present embodiment. A figure showing an example of an AT screen (part 2) related to this embodiment. A figure showing an example of an AT screen (part 3) related to this embodiment. A figure showing an example of an AT screen (part 4) related to this embodiment. A figure showing an example of an AT screen (part 5) related to this embodiment.

The following embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings when the present invention is applied to a slot machine, which is a type of gaming machine.

＜Overview＞
In slot machines, in order to ensure that the game results differ depending on the skill of the player, so-called missed prizes are provided. On the other hand, in the development of slot machines for beginners, based on the concept that anyone can play with peace of mind, there are attempts to minimize the effect of the player's skill on the game results by providing a small winning prize with a low probability of winning, such as a specific one-coin prize, which pays out small amounts when winning.

Here, even if the probability is low, if such a 1-coin role is won, and the player's operation timing is unintentionally good and the 1-coin role is won, one coin will be paid out. Since the probability of a 1-coin role is low, the event of a 1-coin payout does not occur frequently, so the player may feel uneasy when one coin is suddenly paid out without the player even noticing that the 1-coin role has been won. In particular, during assist time (hereinafter referred to as AT), the screen display shows the number of coins won, making the occurrence of the payout of one coin even more clear, and the player's sense of uneasiness is particularly pronounced. Therefore, in this embodiment, a suitable display method is proposed when a 1-coin role (or a minor role with a payout of less than three coins at the time of winning) is won during AT. This will be explained in detail below.

<Embodiment 1>
Fig. 1 is a front view of a slot machine 10. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with a front door 12 open.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 has a housing 11 that forms its outer shell. The housing 11 is formed into a box shape with an open front by fixing multiple wooden panels.

A front door 12 is attached to the front side of the housing 11. The front door 12 is supported by the housing 11 so that the interior space of the housing 11 can be opened and closed with its left side as a pivot axis. The front door 12 is locked so that it cannot be opened by a locking device 13 provided on the back side of the front door 12, and this locked state can be released by unlocking the key cylinder 14 with a specified key.

As shown in FIG. 1, a game panel 20 is provided at the upper center of the front door 12 to inform the player of the game status. The game panel 20 has three vertically long display windows 21L, 21M, and 21R arranged side by side. The display windows 21L, 21M, and 21R are made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, and the inside of the slot machine 10 can be seen through each of the display windows 21L, 21M, and 21R.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the housing 11 is divided into two parts, an upper part and a lower part, by a partition plate, and a reel unit 31 is attached to the upper part of the partition plate. The reel unit 31 is equipped with a left reel 32L, a center reel 32M, and a right reel 32R, each of which is formed in a cylindrical shape. Each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R is supported so that it can rotate with its central axis being the axis of rotation of the reel. The axes of rotation of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R are arranged on the same axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R corresponds one-to-one to each display window 21L, 21M, and 21R. Therefore, a part of the surface of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R is visible through the corresponding display window 21L, 21M, and 21R. Furthermore, when reels 32L, 32M, and 32R rotate forward, the surfaces of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are displayed through display windows 21L, 21M, and 21R as if they are moving from top to bottom.

Each of these reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is connected to a stepping motor (not shown), and each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R can be rotated individually, i.e., independently, by driving each stepping motor.

As shown in FIG. 1, a start lever 41 is provided on the lower left side of the game panel 20, which is operated to start the rotation of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. When this start lever 41 is operated with a medal inserted, each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R starts to rotate simultaneously.

On the right side of the start lever 41, there are stop buttons 42, 43, 44 that are operated to individually stop each of the spinning reels 32L, 32M, 32R. Each stop button 42, 43, 44 is located directly below the display window 21L, 21M, 21R that corresponds to the reel 32L, 32M, 32R to be stopped. Each stop button 42, 43, 44 becomes capable of stopping the left reel 32L when a predetermined time has elapsed since the reel started spinning.

One game corresponds to the time when the rotation of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R is started based on the operation of the start lever 41, the rotation of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R is stopped based on the operation of each stop button 42, 43, 44, and the execution of various processes such as medal awarding and game status management is completed.

On the right side below the display windows 21L, 21M, and 21R, there is a medal insertion port 45 for inserting medals as investment value. As shown in FIG. 2, medals inserted from the medal insertion port 45 are guided by a selector 52 provided on the back side of the front door 12 to a hopper device 53 if they can be inserted, or are guided to a medal receiving tray 59 from a medal discharge port 58 provided on the lower front side of the front door 12 if they cannot be inserted. The hopper device 53 has the function of dispensing medals stored in the storage tank through the medal discharge port 58 to the medal receiving tray 59 when a winning combination corresponding to the award of medals is achieved on the above-mentioned winning line.

As shown in FIG. 1, below the medal insertion slot 45, there is provided a return button 46 that is pressed when a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 45 becomes stuck in the selector 52. Also, below the display windows 21L, 21M, and 21R on the left side, there are provided a first credit insertion button 47 for inserting the maximum number of credited virtual medals that can be bet at one time, a second credit insertion button 48 for inserting two virtual medals at one time, and a third credit insertion button 49 for inserting one virtual medal at a time.

A settlement button 51 is provided to the left of the start lever 41. In other words, this slot machine 10 has a credit function that stores and memorizes, as virtual medals, any surplus medals inserted up to a predetermined maximum value (equivalent to 50 medals) and any medals paid out when a prize is won, and when the settlement button 51 is operated while virtual medals are stored and memorized, the virtual medals are paid out from the medal outlet 58 as real medals.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the cabinet 11, a power supply unit 54 is provided to the left of the hopper unit 53. The power supply unit 54 is equipped with a power button 55 that is operated when the power is turned on or off, a reset button 56 for resetting various states of the slot machine 10, and a setting key insertion hole 57 that is operated to change the setting state of the slot machine 10 within the range of "Setting 1" to "Setting 6."

<The symbols on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R>
Next, the symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R will be described.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on the left reel 32L, center reel 32M, and right reel 32R. As shown in the figure, 21 symbols are arranged in a row on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. Numbers from 0 to 20 are also assigned to each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, but these numbers are numbers used by the main control device 70 to identify the symbols that are visible through the display windows 21L, 21M, and 21R, and are not actually assigned to the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. However, these numbers will be used in the following explanation.

There are nine types of symbols: "Bell" (e.g., the 20th symbol on the left reel 32L), "Replay 1" (e.g., the 19th symbol on the left reel 32L), "Watermelon" (e.g., the 18th symbol on the left reel 32L), "Red 7" (e.g., the 15th symbol on the left reel 32L), "Replay 2" (e.g., the 11th symbol on the left reel 32L), "BAR" (e.g., the 10th symbol on the left reel 32L), "Cherry" (e.g., the 9th symbol on the left reel 32L), "Replay 3" (e.g., the 6th symbol on the left reel 32L), and "White 7" (e.g., the 5th symbol on the left reel 32L). The number and arrangement order of the various symbols are completely different on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R.

Figure 4 is a front view of the display windows 21L, 21M, and 21R. Each display window 21L, 21M, and 21R is formed so that of the 21 symbols on the corresponding reel, only three symbols are visible in their entirety. Therefore, when all of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are stopped, 3 x 3 = 9 symbols are visible through the display window 21L, 21M, and 21R.

In this slot machine 10, one main line ML is set to connect the positions where the symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are visible. The main line ML is a line that connects the lower symbols on the left reel 32L, the middle symbols on the middle reel 32M, and the lower symbols on the right reel 32R. When a specified number of medals have been bet, the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R start to spin, and if a winning combination corresponding to a winning combination is formed on the main line ML, one of the following bonuses is awarded: a medal payout bonus, a replay bonus, or a change in game state.

In other words, in this slot machine 10, only one main line ML is set as a line on which a winning combination can occur. Furthermore, this main line ML is set as a bent line, not a straight line. Therefore, even if a winning combination of symbols is formed on lines that extend in a straight line, such as subline SL1 connecting the top pattern on the left reel 32L, the middle pattern on the middle reel 32M, and the bottom pattern on the right reel 32R, subline SL2 connecting the top pattern on the left reel 32L, the top pattern on the middle reel 32M, and the top pattern on the right reel 32R, subline SL3 connecting the middle pattern on the left reel 32L, the middle pattern on the middle reel 32M, and the middle pattern on the right reel 32R, subline SL4 connecting the bottom pattern on the left reel 32L, the bottom pattern on the middle reel 32M, and the bottom pattern on the right reel 32R, and subline SL5 connecting the bottom pattern on the left reel 32L, the middle pattern on the middle reel 32M, and the top pattern on the right reel 32R, no winning combination is formed.

The number of main lines is not limited to one, but may be two, three, four, five or more. In such a configuration in which multiple main lines are set, the number of main lines that are activated may differ depending on the number of coins bet. Furthermore, the main line is not limited to a bent line, but may be a straight line.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between winning symbol combinations and the bonuses that will be awarded when a winning symbol is obtained. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the state of the stopped symbols when each winning symbol is obtained. Below, the relationship between winning symbol combinations and the bonuses that will be awarded when a winning symbol is obtained will be explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

The minor winning combinations that result in medal payouts include 1st compensation winning, 2nd compensation winning, 3rd compensation winning, 4th compensation winning, 5th compensation winning, 6th compensation winning, Push Order Bell 1 winning, Push Order Bell 2 winning, Push Order Bell 3 winning, Push Order Bell 4 winning, Push Order Bell 5 winning, Push Order Bell 6 winning, Common Bell winning, Watermelon winning, Cherry winning, 1-coin winning, Replay winning, RBB1 winning, and RBB2 winning.

For example, if the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is either a "white 7", "BAR", "red 7" or "watermelon", the stopped symbol on the center reel 32M is "replay 1-3", and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is "replay 1", then the first supplementary win will be awarded. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, depending on the combination of the stopped symbols on the left reel 32L on the main line ML being either a "white 7", "BAR", "red 7" or "watermelon", the stopped symbols on the center reel 32M are "replay 1-3", and the stopped symbols on the right reel 32R are "replay 1", "replay 2" or "replay 3", then the second to sixth supplementary wins will be awarded. The number of game media to be awarded in the case of the first to sixth supplementary wins will be "1".

When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "red 7", the stopped symbol on the middle reel 32M is a "bell", and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "cherry" or "watermelon", the Push Order Bell 1 win will be awarded. When the Push Order Bell 1 wins, the number of game media to be awarded will be "7".

When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "white 7", the stopped symbol on the middle reel 32M is a "bell", and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "cherry" or "watermelon", the Push Order Bell 2 wins. When the Push Order Bell 2 wins, the number of game media to be awarded is "7".

When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "bell" symbol, the stopped symbol on the middle reel 32M is a "red 7" symbol, and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "cherry" symbol or a "watermelon" symbol, the Push Order Bell 3 wins. When the Push Order Bell 3 wins, the number of game media to be awarded is "7".

When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "bell" symbol, the stopped symbol on the middle reel 32M is a "white 7" symbol, and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "cherry" symbol or a "watermelon" symbol, the Push Order Bell 4 wins. When the Push Order Bell 4 wins, the number of game media to be awarded is "7".

When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "bell" symbol, the stopped symbol on the middle reel 32M is a "cherry" or "watermelon" symbol, and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "red 7" symbol, the Push Order Bell 5 wins. When the Push Order Bell 5 wins, the number of game media to be awarded is "7".

When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "bell" symbol, the stopped symbol on the middle reel 32M is a "cherry" or "watermelon" symbol, and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "white 7" symbol, the Push Order Bell 6 wins. When the Push Order Bell 6 wins, the number of game media to be awarded is "7".

For example, when the push order bell 1 is won, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the stopped symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R on the sub-line SL5 slanting upward to the right are the "red 7" symbol, the "bell" symbol, and the "bell" symbol, respectively. This makes it easier for the player to recognize that the push order bell 1 has been won.

If the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "Replay 1-3" symbol, the stopped symbol on the center reel 32M is a "Bell" symbol, and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "White 7", "BAR", "Red 7" or "Watermelon" symbol, a common bell win will occur. When a common bell win occurs, the number of game media to be awarded will be "7".

When a common bell win occurs, as shown in FIG. 6(b), all of the stopped symbols on the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R on the middle sub-line SL3 will be "bell" symbols. This makes it easier for players to recognize that a win has occurred when the same combination of symbols is stopped and displayed in a straight line. In this case, by having the same combination of "bell" symbols stop and displayed when a common bell win occurs, it becomes easier for players to recognize that a win has occurred in a configuration that aims to diversify the winning patterns on the main line ML.

When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "watermelon" symbol, the stopped symbol on the center reel 32M is a "BAR" symbol or a "red 7" symbol, and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "watermelon" symbol, a watermelon win occurs. When a watermelon win occurs, the number of game media to be awarded is "3".

When a watermelon win occurs, as shown in FIG. 6(c), all of the symbols stopped on the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R on the lower sub-line SL4 will be "watermelon" symbols. This makes it easier for the player to recognize that a watermelon win has occurred.

When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "cherry" symbol, a cherry win will be awarded regardless of the stopped symbol on the middle reel 32M or the right reel 32R. When a cherry win is awarded, the number of game media to be awarded will be "2".

On the main line ML, if the left reel 32L has a "bell" symbol, the middle reel 32M has a "replay 1-3" symbol, and the right reel 32R has a "cherry" symbol, a 1-coin winning combination will be achieved. Only the cherry symbol on the right reel 32R may be missed depending on the operation timing. The number of game media to be awarded when a 1-coin winning combination is "1". In addition, in order to make the player think that a 1-coin winning combination was not achieved based on the symbols, whether or not a 1-coin winning combination is achieved with the bell, replay, and cherry symbols, and the winning combination is a combination of symbols that do not appear to be aligned in a straight line.

A replay win is a win that gives you the privilege of playing the next game again without betting medals (or virtual medals). For example, if the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is either a "white 7", "BAR", "red 7" or "watermelon", the stopped symbol on the center reel 32M is a "replay 1-3" symbol, and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "white 7" or "watermelon", then a replay win will occur.

When a replay wins, as shown in FIG. 6(d), all of the stopped symbols on the middle sub-line SL3 of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R will be either "Replay 1," "Replay 2," or "Replay 3." This makes it easier for the player to recognize that a replay win has been achieved.

If a replay win occurs, it becomes possible to play the next game without having to bet the same number of medals as in the previous game. Specifically, if a replay win occurs in a game in which three medals have been bet, it becomes possible to start the next game with three medals bet, the same number as in the previous game.

In addition, when two gaming media are bet, there is an RBB1 state transition winning that transitions to a special gaming state. When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "red 7" symbol, the stopped symbol on the center reel 32M is a "BAR" symbol, and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "BAR" symbol, an RBB1 winning occurs. When an RBB1 winning occurs, the gaming state transitions to a bonus state (RBB state).

In addition, when the number of gaming media bets is three, there is an RBB2 state transition winning event that transitions to a special gaming state. When the stopped symbol on the left reel 32L on the main line ML is a "white 7" symbol, the stopped symbol on the center reel 32M is a "BAR" symbol, and the stopped symbol on the right reel 32R is a "BAR" symbol, an RBB2 winning event occurs. When an RBB2 winning event occurs, the gaming state transitions to a bonus state (RBB state).
In the RBB1 state and the RBB1 state, even if two or three gaming media are inserted during the bonus, they may not be paid out, and in effect, the net increase in gaming media after the bonus is plus or minus zero or a decrease. This makes it possible to use the gaming media during the bonus for normal small wins. Even if the RBB1 and RBB2 symbols are not aligned in the winning game, the winning flags of RBB1 and RBB2 are carried over to the games following the winning game until the RBB1 and RBB2 winnings are achieved. The state in which the winning flags of the winning RBB1 and RBB2 are carried over is called the bonus internal state. The bonus internal state will be described again later.

<Device for executing various notifications and various performances>
The device for executing various notifications and various effects will be described. The game panel 20 of the front door 12 is provided below the display windows 21L, 21M, and 21R with a credit display section 61 that displays the number of virtual medals stored and an acquired medal number display section 62 that displays the number of medals acquired when a prize is won. These displays 61 and 62 are made up of seven-segment displays, and each segment uses a single-color LED that emits light in green or other colors.

<Electrical Configuration of Slot Machine 10>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of the slot machine 10.
The main control device 70 is equipped with a main control board 71 which is responsible for the main control of the game. The main control board 71 is equipped with an MPU 72. The MPU 72 is equipped with a ROM 73 which stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 72, a RAM 74 which is a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 73, a clock circuit 75 which outputs a rectangular wave of a predetermined frequency, an interrupt circuit, a data input/output circuit, a random number generating circuit, etc. It is not essential that the ROM 73 and the RAM 74 are integrated into a single chip for the MPU 72, and each may be integrated into a separate chip.

The MPU 72 is provided with an input port and an output port. On the input side of the MPU 72, various sensors are connected, such as the reel unit 31 (more specifically, a reel index sensor that detects when each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R has made one rotation), a start detection sensor 41a that detects the operation of the start lever 41, stop detection sensors 42a, 43a, and 44a that detect the operation of each of the stop buttons 42, 43, and 44, an inserted medal detection sensor 45a that detects medals inserted through the medal insertion slot 45, credit insertion detection sensors 47a, 48a, and 49a that detect the operation of each of the credit insertion buttons 47, 48, and 49, a settlement detection sensor 51a that detects the operation of the settlement button 51, a payout detection sensor of the hopper device 53, a reset detection sensor 56a that detects the operation of the reset button 56, and a setting key detection sensor 57a that detects the insertion of a setting key into the setting key insertion hole 57. The signals from each of these sensors are input to the MPU 72.

The output side of the MPU 72 is connected to the reel unit 31 (more specifically, the stepping motor for rotating each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R), the payout motor of the hopper device 53, the credit display unit 61, the number of coins acquired display unit 62, the internal status notification unit 63, the sub-control unit 80, and the like. In each game, the rotation drive control of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R of the reel unit 31 is performed by the MPU 72, and when a small winning combination is achieved and medals are paid out, the drive control of the hopper device 53 is performed by the MPU 72. In addition, the display control of the credit display unit 61, the number of coins acquired display unit 62, and the internal status notification unit 63 is performed directly by the MPU 72 without going through another control unit. Commands are sent from the MPU 72 to the sub-control unit 80 at each timing of each game.

An external terminal board 90 is provided on the output side of the MPU 72. Although not shown, the external terminal board 90 is provided adjacent to the main control device 70 on the back panel of the cabinet 11. The MPU 72 outputs various signals corresponding to the state of the slot machine 10 to a hall computer HC provided in the gaming hall via the external terminal board 90.

A power failure monitoring circuit provided in the power supply 54 is connected to the input side of the MPU 72 (not shown). The power supply 54 is equipped with a power supply unit and a power failure monitoring circuit that supply drive power to the main control unit 70 and each electronic device of the slot machine 10. The power failure monitoring circuit monitors the voltage applied to the power supply unit from an external power source, and outputs a power failure signal to the MPU 72 when the voltage falls below a reference voltage. The MPU 72 executes power failure processing by receiving the power failure signal, and enables the processing state before the power failure to be restored after power is restored. In addition, the power supply 54 is provided with a power failure power supply unit for supplying backup power to the RAM 74 as power failure power when the supply of operating power from the external power source is cut off. As a result, even when the supply of operating power from the external power source is cut off, data is stored and retained in the RAM 74 when the power failure power supply unit can supply backup power (for example, for one or two days). However, by pressing the reset button 56 on the power supply device 54 and then turning on the slot machine 10, the data stored in the RAM 74 is initialized.

The sub-control device 80 is equipped with a sub-control board 81 for executing and controlling the execution of various notifications and various performances. The sub-control board 81 is equipped with an MPU 82. The MPU 82 contains a ROM 83 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 82, a RAM 84 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 83, a clock circuit 85 that outputs a rectangular wave of a predetermined frequency, an interrupt circuit, a data input/output circuit, a random number generating circuit, and the like.

It is not essential that the ROM 83 and RAM 84 are integrated into a single chip for the MPU 82, and each may be integrated into a separate chip. When the supply of operating power from the external power source is cut off, backup power is supplied to the RAM 84 from the power interrupted power supply section of the power supply device 54, and data is stored and held in the RAM 84 when the backup power is being supplied (for example, for one or two days). However, the data stored and held in the RAM 84 is initialized by pressing the reset button 56 on the power supply device 54 and then turning on the power to the slot machine 10.

The MPU 82 is provided with an input port and an output port. As already explained, the MPU 72 of the main control device 70 is connected to the input side of the MPU 82, and various commands are received from the MPU 72.

The output side of the MPU 82 is connected to the upper lamp 64, the speaker 65, and the image display device 66. Based on commands received from the MPU 72 of the main control device 70, the MPU 82 controls the illumination of the upper lamp 64, the sound output of the speaker 65, and the display of the image display device 66, thereby enabling various notifications and various performances to be performed.

For ease of explanation, in the following explanation, the MPU 72, ROM 73, and RAM 74 of the main control device 70 are referred to as the main MPU 72, main ROM 73, and main RAM 74, respectively, and the MPU 82, ROM 83, and RAM 84 of the sub-control device 80 are referred to as the sub-MPU 82, sub-ROM 83, and sub-RAM 84, respectively.

<Processing Executed by Main MPU 72>
Next, we will explain the processing executed by the main MPU 72. The processing of the main MPU 72 can be broadly divided into "normal processing" which is repeatedly executed after execution of the main processing started when the power is turned on, and "timer interrupt processing" which is started by periodically interrupting the normal processing. For the sake of convenience, we will first explain the timer interrupt processing, and then explain the normal processing.

"Timer interrupt processing"
8 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process of the master MPU. The timer interrupt process is started, for example, every 1.49 msec.

In the register save process shown in step S101, the values of all registers in the main MPU 72 that are used in the normal process described below are saved to the main RAM 74. In step S102, it is confirmed whether the power outage flag is set to "1", and if the power outage flag is set to "1", the process proceeds to step S103 and power outage processing is executed.

The power outage flag is set when a power outage signal from the power outage monitoring circuit of the power supply unit 54 is input to the main MPU 72. In the power outage processing, first, it is determined whether the transmission of the command has been completed. If the transmission has not been completed, this processing is terminated and the timer interrupt processing is returned to, and the transmission of the command is terminated. If the transmission of the command has been completed, the value of the stack pointer of the main MPU 72 is saved in the main RAM 74. Then, the output state of the output port of the main MPU 72 is cleared, and all actuators (not shown) are turned off. Then, when the power outage is resolved, a judgment value for judging whether the data in the main RAM 74 is normal or not is calculated and saved in the main RAM 74, thereby prohibiting further access to the RAM. After the above processing is performed, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the power being completely cut off and processing being unable to be executed.

If the power failure flag is not set in step S102, various processes from step S104 onwards are performed. That is, in step S104, a watchdog timer clear process is performed to initialize the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of a malfunction. In step S105, an interrupt end declaration process is performed to enable the main MPU 72 itself to set the next timer interrupt. In step S106, a stepping motor control process is performed to drive each stepping motor to rotate each reel 32L, 32M, 32R. In step S107, a sensor monitoring process is performed to read the status of various sensors connected to the input port and to monitor whether the read results are normal or not. In step S108, a timer calculation process is performed to subtract the values of each counter and timer. In step S109, a counter process is performed to output the results of counting the number of medals bet and the number of medals paid out to the outside.

In step S110, a command output process is performed to send various commands to the sub-controller 80. In step S111, a port output process is performed to output data corresponding to the I/O device from the input/output port. In step S112, the values of each register that were saved in the main RAM 74 in the previous step S101 are restored to the corresponding register in the main MPU 72. Then, in step S113, an interrupt permission process is performed to permit the next timer interrupt, and this series of timer interrupt processes is terminated.

"Normal Processing"
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing normal processing of the main MPU.
In step S201, an interrupt permission process is performed to permit the next timer interrupt. In step S202, a pre-start process is performed to enable a game. In the pre-start process, the sub-control device 80 and the like wait until initialization is completed.

In step S203, a waiting-to-start process is executed. In the waiting-to-start process, if any replay win has occurred in the previous game, an automatic insertion process is performed to set the state in which the same number of gaming media as the number of BETs in the previous game have been BET. In addition, in the waiting-to-start process, if a medal is detected by the inserted medal detection sensor 45a, if the current number of BETs is not equal to or greater than the maximum specified number of "3", the number of BETs is incremented by 1, and if the number of BETs is equal to or greater than the maximum specified number of "3", the value of the credit counter provided in the main RAM 74 is incremented by 1. The credit counter is a counter that allows the main MPU 72 to identify the number of virtual medals stored and stored.

In the start waiting process, when the automatic insertion process is not being performed and any of the credit insertion buttons 47 to 49 is operated, a credit insertion response process is executed to set the BET number corresponding to that operation. In the credit insertion response process, when the first credit insertion button 47 is operated, the maximum amount of gaming media that can be BET at that time is bet, and when the second credit insertion button 48 or the third credit insertion button 49 is operated, the corresponding BET state is set. In this case, when virtual medals are used for the BET, a value corresponding to the number of virtual medals bet is subtracted from the credit counter. Also, when the number of virtual medals required to set the BET number corresponding to the operated credit insertion button 47 to 49 is not stored and stored, the maximum amount of gaming media that can be BET in relation to the stored and stored virtual medals is bet.

In the start waiting process, if the number of BETs is equal to or greater than the maximum number and the value of the credit counter in the main RAM 74 is equal to or greater than the upper limit of the number of reserved medals (specifically, "50"). In the reception prohibition process, the selector 52 is set to a reception prohibition state by stopping the output of the drive signal to the selector drive unit 52a. As a result, even if a medal is inserted into the medal insertion port 45, the medal is discharged to the medal tray 59 without being detected by the inserted medal detection sensor 45a. On the other hand, if the number of BETs is less than the maximum number or the value of the credit counter is less than the upper limit of the number of reserved medals, the reception permission process is executed. In the reception permission process, the selector 52 is set to a reception permission state by starting the output of the drive signal to the selector drive unit 52a. As a result, the medal inserted from the medal insertion port 45 is detected by the inserted medal detection sensor 45a and then collected by the hopper device 53. In the start waiting process, when the settlement button 51 is operated and the automatic insertion process is not being executed, the hopper device 53 is controlled and driven so that medals corresponding to the total number of BETs and the credit counter value are discharged to the medal tray 59 via the medal discharge port 58. As a result, the game media stored internally are paid out to the player as actual medals.

In step S204, after the start waiting process of step S203 is executed, it is determined whether the number of medals bet has reached a specified number, and if the number of medals bet has not reached the specified number, the process returns to the start waiting process (step S203). If the number of medals has reached the specified number, in step S205 it is determined whether the start lever 41 has been operated. If the start lever 41 has been operated, after activating the main line ML, step S206 executes an acceptance prohibition process that prohibits the acceptance of bets. As a result, even if a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 45, the medal is discharged into the medal tray 59 without being detected by the inserted medal detection sensor 45a.

In step S207, a lottery process is executed to draw the winning combination for the current game. In step S208, a reel control process is executed for each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. In the reel control process, each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R starts to rotate, and when a stop command is issued by operating the stop buttons 42 to 44, a reel stop process is executed to stop the corresponding reel 32L, 32M, or 32R.

In step S209, a medal payout process is executed. In the medal payout process, if a small win has been achieved in the current game, a process is executed to award the player with a number of medals or virtual medals corresponding to the small win. Specifically, when awarding virtual medals, a value corresponding to the current small win is added to the credit counter, and if the value of the credit counter has reached the upper limit of the number of medals that can be stored, the hopper device 53 is driven and controlled so that the number of medals exceeding the upper limit of the number of medals can be paid out to the medal tray 59.

In step S210, a response process is executed at the end of the game to enable the setting of the game state corresponding to the result of the current game. Next, the lottery process in step S207, the reel control process in step S208, and the response process at the end of the game in step S210 will be described in detail.

[Lottery process]
10 is a flowchart showing the lottery process. The lottery process in step S207 in the normal process will be described.
In step S301, a random number used to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved is obtained. In this slot machine 10, when the start lever 41 is operated, the hardware circuitry latches the value of the free-run counter at that time. The free-run counter generates random numbers between 0 and 65535, and the main MPU 72 stores the value latched by the hardware circuitry in the main RAM 74 after confirming the operation of the start lever 41. With this configuration, it is possible to quickly obtain a random number when the start lever 41 is operated, and it is possible to avoid problems such as synchronization. The hardware circuitry of this slot machine 10 is configured to latch the value of the free-run counter each time the start lever 41 is operated.

After obtaining the random number, in step S302, a lottery table for determining whether or not the winning combination has been achieved is read from the main ROM 73. Here, in this slot machine 10, six levels of winning probability are prepared in advance, from a set value of "1" to a set value of "6". By inserting the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 57 and turning it ON and performing a predetermined operation, it is possible to set which winning probability the lottery process will be based on. In general, a set value of "n+1" is more advantageous for the player in terms of gameplay than a set value of "n". In addition, in this embodiment, there are three types of internal modes in which the lottery tables differ in the main MPU 72 even if the set value is the same level: a bonus non-internal state, a bonus internal state, and a bonus state. In step S302, a lottery table corresponding to the combination of the current set value and the current game state is selected.

After the lottery table is selected, in step S303, the index value IV is set to "1", and in step S304, a judgment value DV to be used when judging the win or loss of a role is set. In this judgment value setting process, a new judgment value DV is set by adding the point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV to the current judgment value DV. Note that in the initial judgment value setting process, the random number value acquired in step S301 is set as the current judgment value DV, and the point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV of "1" is added to this random number value to set the new judgment value DV.

In step S305, a win/loss judgment is made for the combination corresponding to the index value IV. In the combination win/loss judgment, it is judged whether the judgment value DV exceeds "65535". If it exceeds "65535", in step S306, a winning data acquisition process is executed to set the winning combination data corresponding to the index value IV at that time in the master RAM 74. In the winning data acquisition process, all winning data set for the current index value IV in the lottery table being referenced is set in the master RAM 74. If the winning data is winning data other than bonus winning data, the set state of the winning data is cleared to "0" after the end of the current game regardless of whether or not a win corresponding to the winning data has been achieved, and if it is bonus winning data, it is cleared to "0" if a win has been achieved.

On the other hand, if the judgment value DV does not exceed "65535", it means that the hand corresponding to the index value IV has not been won. In step S307, the index value IV is incremented by 1, and in step S308, it is determined whether or not there is a hand corresponding to the index value IV, i.e., whether or not there is a target for judgment as to whether it is a hit or a miss. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the index value IV incremented by 1 exceeds the maximum value of the index value IV set in the lottery table. If there is a target for judgment as to whether it is a hit or a miss, the process returns to step S304, and the judgment of the hit or miss of the hand continues. At this time, the judgment value DV used to judge the hit or miss of the previous hand (i.e., the current judgment value DV) is added with the point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV to obtain a new judgment value DV, and the hit or miss of the hand is judged based on the judgment value DV.

When the process of step S306 is executed, or when a negative judgment is made in step S308, it means that the judgment of whether the role has been won or not has been completed. In this case, in step S309, a process of determining the content of the presentation is executed. In the process of determining the content of the presentation, a process is executed to determine the general content of the presentation to be executed in the upper lamp 64, the speaker 65, and the image display device 66 in the current game. As the general content, high expectation content, medium expectation content, and low expectation content are set so that the expectation of the occurrence of a bonus state or an AT state gradually decreases. In the process of determining the content of the presentation, the general content of the presentation is determined by lottery using a lottery table that corresponds to a combination of the condition of whether or not to transition to an AT state within a predetermined number of games, and the condition of a role that has been won in the current game.

In step S310, information corresponding to the outline of the presentation determined in the presentation content determination process is set in a game start command, and the game start command is set as a command to be sent to the presentation side MPU 82. The game start command is a command for making the presentation side MPU 82 recognize that a new game has started, and is a command for making the presentation side MPU 82 recognize the outline of the presentation determined by the main side MPU 72, and is sent to the presentation side MPU 82 in the command output process (step S110) in the timer interrupt process.

When the production side MPU 82 receives a game start command, it determines the general content of the production for the current game from the game start command, and determines the details of the production by lottery in a manner that corresponds to the general content of the production that it has determined. It then reads a data table corresponding to the determined content of the production from the production side ROM 83 to the production side RAM 84, and executes light emission control of the upper lamp 64, sound output control of the speaker 65, and display control of the image display device 66 according to the read data table.

Then, in step S311, a first stop information setting process is performed to set stop information for reel stop control.

In step S312, the notification control process is executed. In the notification control process, when the player wins the push order bell in a non-bonus state and the AT state, a notification (so-called bell navigation) is executed to enable the player to recognize the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that allows the push order bell to be won. This allows the player to stop the reels according to the displayed stop order, thereby enabling the player to win the push order bell without missing the winning push order bell. However, since the notification control process is not executed in the non-AT state, in order to win the push order bell (push order bells 1 to 6), the player must press the stop buttons 42 to 44 in the correct order, which is 1/6. If the push order is incorrect, the player will miss the push order bell. The notification to enable the player to recognize the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is started before the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R can be stopped in the corresponding game.

(Game status)
11 is a diagram showing a transition of the game state. Here, the game state of the slot machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, even if the setting value is the same stage, there are three types of lottery modes in which the lottery table in the master MPU 72 is different: a bonus non-internal state, a bonus internal state, and a bonus state.

The non-bonus internal state is a state in which the RBB1 or RBB2 bonus has not been won. If the RBB1 or RBB2 bonus is won, the state transitions to the bonus internal state.

The internal bonus state is when the RBB1 or RBB2 bonus has been won, but the RBB1 or RBB2 bonus has not been won. The RBB1 and RBB2 win flags are carried over to the games following the one in which they were won. This period until the RBB1 or RBB2 win is established is called the internal bonus state. If the RBB1 or RBB2 bonus is won, the state transitions to the bonus state.

The bonus state is when you have won the RBB1 or RBB2 bonus. When the bonus ends, you will transition back to the non-bonus state.

At the same time, in this embodiment, there are two types of game states, normal zones and advantageous zones, which determine whether or not a player can have performance related to the instruction function. An advantageous zone is a zone in which a player can have performance related to the instruction function (e.g., AT, etc.), and more specifically, a zone in which a lottery for transitioning to the AT state can be executed or the player can remain in the AT state. Conversely, a normal zone is a zone in which a player cannot have performance related to the instruction function (e.g., AT, etc.).

Therefore, in order to execute the lottery for transition to the AT state or to remain in the AT state, it is necessary to transition to the advantageous zone by satisfying the advantageous zone transition conditions while staying in the normal zone, such as winning the advantageous zone transition lottery. Furthermore, if the normal zone transition conditions (also called normal zone fall conditions) are satisfied while staying in the advantageous zone, the advantageous zone ends and the player transitions (falls) to the normal zone. Examples of normal zone transition conditions include winning the normal zone transition lottery, exceeding the maximum number of games played in one advantageous zone (e.g., 1500G), or exceeding the maximum net increase in the number of gaming media in one advantageous zone (e.g., 2400).

Next, we will explain the lottery tables referenced during the non-bonus internal state, the bonus internal state, and the bonus state.

(Bonus non-internal state lottery table)
Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a table for a bonus non-internal state. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stopping order of the reels and the winning patterns that are achieved.

When in a non-bonus internal state, the lottery process refers to the lottery table for the non-bonus internal state. This lottery table shows the point value PV when betting two coins and three coins.

In the bonus non-internal state table, index values IV are set, and each index value IV is associated with a winning role and a point value PV is set. The point value PV determines the winning probability of the corresponding lottery role in relation to the maximum value of the free run counter ("65535").

When a win occurs with index IV=1, Push Order Bell 1 winning data and first supplementary winning data are set. When a win occurs with index value IV=1, as shown in FIG. 13, if the "red 7" symbol stops on the left reel 32L as the first stop and the second stop is on the center reel 32M, Push Order Bell 1 winning can occur. However, depending on the order in which the stop buttons 42-44 are pressed, there is a possibility that the Push Order Bell 1 winning will not occur. In that case, the first supplementary winning (a so-called bell spill) will occur, or, depending on the operation timing, a complete spill (0 coins) will occur.

In this slot machine 10, reel control that allows up to four symbols to slide after the stop buttons 42-44 are operated is performed on each reel 32L, 32M, 32R. In other words, reel control that stops each reel 32L, 32M, 32R within a specified time (190 msec) after the stop buttons 42-44 are operated is performed on each reel 32L, 32M, 32R. By performing such reel control, it is possible to easily achieve a winning combination corresponding to a winning role, and it is also possible to prevent a winning combination corresponding to a non-winning role from being achieved. However, since the amount of rotation of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R that can be slid is limited as described above, if there are five or more symbols among the constituent symbols that make up the combination of symbols for achieving a winning combination on one reel 32L, 32M, 32R, depending on the operation timing of the corresponding stop buttons 42-44, the constituent symbols may not stop on the main line ML (this event is also called a "missed win"). Generally, each compensation win, common bell win, and various replay wins are win modes that will not result in a missed win if the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are stopped in the corresponding order, but push order bells 1 to 6, watermelon win, cherry win, 1 coin role, bonus win, etc. are win modes that may result in a missed win depending on the timing of the stop operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 relative to the rotational position of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R.

When a win occurs with index IV=2, Push Order Bell 1 winning data and second supplementary winning data are set. When a win occurs with index value IV=2, as shown in FIG. 13, if the "red 7" symbol stops on the left reel 32L as the first stop and the second stop occurs on the right reel 32R, Push Order Bell 2 winning can occur. However, depending on the order in which the stop buttons 42-44 are pressed, there is a possibility that the Push Order Bell 2 winning will not occur. In that case, the second supplementary winning (a so-called bell drop) will occur, or, depending on the operation timing, a complete drop (0 coins) will occur.

When a win occurs with index IV=3, Push Order Bell 2 winning data and third supplementary winning data are set. When a win occurs with index value IV=3, as shown in FIG. 13, if the "white 7" symbol stops on the left reel 32L as the first stop and the second stop is on the center reel 32M, Push Order Bell 3 winning can be achieved. However, depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42-44, Push Order Bell 3 winning may not be achieved. In that case, the third supplementary winning (so-called bell miss) or a complete miss (0 coins) will occur depending on the operation timing.

When a win occurs with index IV=4, Push Order Bell 2 winning data and 4th supplementary winning data are set. When a win occurs with index value IV=4, as shown in FIG. 13, if the "white 7" symbol stops on the left reel 32L as the first stop and the second stop occurs on the right reel 32R, Push Order Bell 4 winning can occur. However, depending on the order in which the stop buttons 42-44 are pressed, Push Order Bell 1 winning may not occur. In that case, a 4th supplementary winning (a so-called bell drop) or a complete drop (0 coins) will occur depending on the operation timing.

When a win occurs with index IV=5, the Push Order Bell 3 winning data and the 5th supplementary winning data are set. When a win occurs with index value IV=5, as shown in FIG. 13, if the "red 7" symbol stops on the center reel 32M as the first stop and the second stop is on the left reel 32L, the Push Order Bell 5 winning can be achieved. However, depending on the order in which the stop buttons 42-44 are pressed, the Push Order Bell 3 winning may not be achieved. In that case, the 5th supplementary winning (a so-called bell drop) or a complete drop (0 coins) will occur depending on the operation timing.

When the index IV=6 is selected, the Push Order Bell 3 winning data and the 6th supplementary winning data are set. When the index IV=6 is selected, as shown in FIG. 13, if the "red 7" symbol stops on the center reel 32M as the first stop and the second stop is on the right reel 32R, the Push Order Bell 6 winning can be achieved. However, depending on the order in which the stop buttons 42-44 are pressed, the Push Order Bell 3 winning may not be achieved. In that case, the 6th supplementary winning (a so-called bell drop) or a complete drop (0 coins) will occur depending on the operation timing.

In this way, if any of the push order bell 1 to 6 winning data and the 1 to 6 compensation winning data with index value IV = 1 to 6 is won, when the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated in any one of the six push orders of the stop buttons 42 to 44, the bells (so-called six-choice bells) will line up.

Common bell winning data is set for index value IV=7. If a win occurs with index value IV=7, the common bell win will be achieved regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42-44, as shown in FIG. 13.

The watermelon winning data is set to index value IV=8. When a win occurs with index value IV=8, the watermelon winning can be achieved regardless of the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, as shown in FIG. 13. However, depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42-44, there is a possibility that the watermelon winning will not be achieved (so-called missed win).

Cherry winning data is set for index value IV=9. When a win occurs with index value IV=9, as shown in FIG. 13, a cherry winning can occur regardless of the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. However, depending on the operation timing of left stop button 42 relative to the spinning position of left reel 32L, there is a possibility that a cherry winning will not occur (a so-called missed win).

When a win occurs with index IV=10, 1-coin winning data is set. When a win occurs with index value IV=10, as shown in FIG. 13, a 1-coin winning can occur regardless of the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. However, depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42-44, there is a possibility that a 1-coin winning will not occur (a so-called missed win).

When the number of gaming media bets is 2, if a win occurs with index IV = 11, the RBB1 winning data is set. If a win occurs with index value IV = 11, as shown in Figure 13, the RBB1 winning can occur regardless of the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. However, depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44, the RBB1 winning may not occur.

When the number of gaming media bets is 3, if a win occurs with index IV = 12, RBB 2 role winning data is set. If a win occurs with index value IV = 12, as shown in Figure 13, RBB 2 role winning can be achieved regardless of the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. However, depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44, RBB 2 role winning may not be achieved.

Note that winning data other than the RBB1 and RBB2 winning data is erased in the game in which the winning was made, regardless of whether or not a winning was made, and is not carried over to the game following the winning game. In contrast, the RBB1 and RBB2 winning data is stored and held until the corresponding RBB1 and RBB2 winnings are made, even in the game following the winning game, except when the main RAM 74 is cleared. In this case, in a game in which the RBB1 and RBB2 winning data is carried over, the index value IV corresponding to the RBB1 and RBB2 winning data is excluded from the lottery. This makes it possible to prevent the RBB1 and RBB2 winning data from being newly stored even when the RBB1 and RBB2 winning data have already been stored and held, and to prevent multiple RBB1 and RBB2 winning data from being accumulated and stored.

Replay winning data is set for index value IV=13. If a win occurs with index value IV=13, a replay win occurs regardless of the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R and the operation timing of each stop button 42-44. Note that in the case of the bonus non-internal state table according to this embodiment, the probability of winning a replay is approximately 1/7.3.

(Bonus internal state lottery table)
14 is a diagram showing a bonus internal state table. When the bonus internal state is in effect, the bonus internal state lottery table is referenced in the lottery process. This lottery table shows the point values PV when betting two coins and when betting three coins.

The internal bonus state is a state in which the RBB1 and RBB2 bonuses have been won, but the RBB1 and RBB2 bonuses have not been awarded. The winning flags for RBB1 and RBB2 are carried over to the games following the one in which they were won, so the bonus internal state table is referenced from the time RBB1 and RBB2 are won until they are awarded.

Here, in this gaming machine, when in the non-bonus internal state, the player plays with 2 coins, and if RBB1 (approximately 1/10) is won, the game moves to the RBB1 bonus internal state. During the RBB1 bonus internal state, the preferred method of play is to play with 3 coins. During the RBB1 bonus internal state, when playing with 3 coins, the RBB1 bonus, which is only for 2 coins, is controlled by the reels so that it will not win even if the player aims for the RBB1 winning symbol with the winning flag carried over, preventing the RBB1 from accidentally winning when playing with 3 coins.

The same winning data as in the bonus non-internal state lottery table is set for index values IV = 1 to 10, so a repeated explanation will be omitted. Also, replay winning data is set for index value IV = 11. If a win occurs with index value IV = 11, a replay win is achieved regardless of the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R and the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44.

In the case of the bonus internal state table according to this embodiment, the probability of winning a replay is increased compared to the probability of winning a replay when the bonus is not internal (approximately 1/7.3), and the probability of winning a replay is approximately 1/3.9. In other words, when the bonus is internal, the state is more like an RT state (high replay state) than when the bonus is not internal.

In addition, in the bonus internal state table, if none of the index values IV = 1 to 11 is a winning combination, it is a "lose." According to the bonus internal state table of this embodiment, when betting three coins, the probability of a "lose" is approximately 1/1.6.

In the internal bonus state, although the RBB1 or RBB2 bonus has been won, in a game in which a minor win with index value IV = 1-10 or a replay with index value IV = 11 has been won, the reels are controlled so that these minor wins or replays are achieved first, and so the player is unable to achieve the RBB1 or RBB2 win. On the other hand, in the case of a "miss," the player can achieve the RBB1 or RBB2 win by aiming for the RBB1 or RBB2 winning symbol whose win flag has been carried over.

(Bonus state lottery table)
15 is a diagram showing a lottery table for the bonus state. As described above, in this embodiment, there are two types of bonus: RBB1 and RBB2. When RBB1 or RBB2 is won, the player stays in the RBB1 state or RBB2 state (bonus state), and the lottery table for the bonus state is referenced in the lottery process. This lottery table shows the point value PV when betting two coins and when betting three coins.

Common bell winning data is set for index value IV=1. If index value IV=1 is won during RBB1 or RBB2, the common bell win is guaranteed regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42-44.

Index value IV=2 is set with 1-coin winning data. If index value IV=2 is a win in RBB1 or RBB2, the 1-coin winning can be achieved regardless of the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. However, depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42-44, there is a possibility that the 1-coin winning will not be achieved (so-called missed win).

The RBB1 and RBB2 states end when a set end condition is met, for example, when the number of game media paid out after the start of the RBB1 or RBB2 state is equal to or greater than the end reference number (for example, "105"). When the RBB1 or RBB2 state ends, the game state transitions to a bonus non-internal state (FIG. 11).
{Notification control process}
16 is a flowchart showing the notification control process. The notification control process in step S312 in the lottery process will be described.

In step S401, it is determined whether any of the push order bells 1 to 6 has been selected. Specifically, this is the case when a win occurs with any of the index values IV = 1 to 6 (Figures 12 and 14) in a non-bonus internal state or a bonus internal state.

In step S402, it is determined whether the value of the AT state flag in the main RAM 74 is 1 (i.e., in the AT state). In step S403, on the condition that the value of the AT state flag is 1, the notification stop order acquisition process is executed. In the notification stop order acquisition process, the display correspondence table (FIG. 13) in the main ROM 73 is referenced to acquire the stop order (the pattern stop order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R) that allows the push order bell win to be established for the currently won index value IV.

In step S404, the notification execution command and the stop order command are set as targets for transmission to the production side MPU 82. The notification execution command is a command for making the production side MPU 82 recognize that a notification related to a winning role should be executed in the current game, and the stop order command is a command for making the production side MPU 82 recognize the stop order (so-called bell navi) of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that should be notified in the current game.

Only one type of notification execution command is set, and the same notification execution command is set as the transmission target regardless of the notification content on the image display device 66. The stop order command is set in one-to-one correspondence with the type of stop order to be notified on the image display device 66, and in step S1804, the stop order command corresponding to the stop order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that allows a bell win to occur is read from the main ROM 73 and set as the transmission target. The various commands set in step S1804 are sent to the performance side MPU 82 in the command output process (step S110) in the timer interrupt process.

By this notification control process, in the AT state (assist time state), if a win occurs with either the push order bell winning data with index value IV = 1 to 6 or the 1st to 6th compensation winning data in the bonus non-internal state table or the bonus internal state table, a display corresponding to the stop order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that allows the push order bell winning to occur is displayed on the image display device 66. By stopping the reels in the displayed stop order, the player can easily achieve the push order bell winning without missing any winning bells.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing the notification of the reel stop order on the image display device 66. When the production side MPU 82 receives both the notification execution command and the stop order command from the main side MPU 72, it sets the data required to display an image of the stop order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R corresponding to the stop order command on the image display device 66. The production side MPU 82 then executes notification start processing. In the notification start processing, an image is displayed on the image display device 66 based on the set data. As a result, the stop order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R corresponding to the current stop order command is displayed on the image display device 66.

When the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is announced on the image display device 66, the image display device 66 displays the same number of unit display images G1 to G3 as the number of stopping operations required to end the game, and images corresponding to the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are displayed on the left unit display image G1 corresponding to the left reel 32L, the middle unit display image G2 corresponding to the middle reel 32M, and the right unit display image G3 corresponding to the right reel 32R.

(a) shows how the stopping order is notified when, for example, the first stop is the middle reel 32M, the second stop is the left reel 32L, and the third stop is the right reel 32R. In this case, the left unit display image G1 displays an image of "2" corresponding to the stopping order of the left reel 32L, the middle unit display image G2 displays an image of "1" corresponding to the stopping order of the middle reel 32M, and the right unit display image G3 displays an image of "3" corresponding to the stopping order of the right reel 32R.

In addition, when only the type of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R to be stopped first is to be notified, the image display device 66 displays a left unit display image G4 corresponding to the left reel 32L, a middle unit display image G5 corresponding to the middle reel 32M, and a right unit display image G6 corresponding to the right reel 32R.

(b) shows how the stop order is notified when the first stop is the middle reel 32M and the second and third stops are optional. In this case, the left unit display image G4 does not display an image corresponding to the stop order of the left reel 32L, the middle unit display image G5 displays an image of "1" corresponding to the stop order of the middle reel 32M, and the right unit display image G6 does not display an image corresponding to the stop order of the right reel 32R.

As mentioned above, the manner in which a winning combination is achieved differs depending on the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, but there are a total of six possible stopping orders depending on the combination of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. In the notification control process, provided that the AT state is in effect, a notification is displayed on the image display device 66 of the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that will result in the winning combination (such as a push order bell) being achieved in relation to the winning combination. This allows the player to recognize the stopping order of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R.

[Reel control processing]
18 is a flowchart showing the reel control process. The reel control process in step S208 in the normal process will be described.

In the reel control process, first, in step S501, a rotation start process is performed to start the rotation of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. In the rotation start process, it is confirmed whether a predetermined wait time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the reels started rotating in the previous game, and if not, the process waits until the wait time has elapsed. If the wait time has elapsed, the process resets the wait time for the next game and performs a motor control initialization process to set rotation start information in the motor control storage area provided in the main RAM 74. By performing this process, the stepping motor acceleration process is started in the stepping motor control process in step S106 in the timer interrupt process, and each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R starts rotating. After that, the process waits until each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R rotates at a constant speed at a predetermined rotation speed, and the rotation start process ends. In addition, when the rotation speed of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R reaches a constant speed, the main MPU 72 lights up the lamps (not shown) of each stop button 42-44 to notify the player that it is possible to issue a stop command.

Following the spin start process, in step S502, it is determined whether any of the stop buttons 42 to 44 have been operated. If none of the stop buttons 42 to 44 have been operated, the process waits until any of the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated. If it is determined that any of the stop buttons 42 to 44 have been operated, the process proceeds to step S503, where it is determined whether or not the stop button corresponding to the spinning reel has been operated, i.e., whether or not a stop command has been issued. If a stop command has not been issued, the process returns to step S502, and the process waits until any of the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated. If a stop command has been issued, a stop command is set in step S504.

The stop command is a command sent to the sub-control device 80 to determine which of the stop buttons 42-44 was operated to generate the stop command. When a stop command is set, the stop control process shown in steps S505-S511 is performed to stop the reels that are spinning.

In step S505, the number of the reaching symbol that has reached the base position (the lower row in this embodiment) at the time the stop button is operated is confirmed. Specifically, the number of the reaching symbol that has reached the base position is confirmed based on the number of excitation pulses output from the time the detection signal of the reel index sensor is input. In the following step S506, the number of slips of the reel that should be stopped this time is calculated based on the stop information stored in the main RAM 74.

In this slot machine 10, five stop patterns are prepared for stopping each reel 32L, 32M, 32R when the stop buttons 42-44 are operated: a stop pattern in which the reached symbol that has reached the base position is stopped as is, a stop pattern in which the corresponding reel is stopped after sliding for one symbol, a stop pattern in which the reel is stopped after sliding for two symbols, a stop pattern in which the reel is stopped after sliding for three symbols, and a stop pattern in which the reel is stopped after sliding for four symbols. Therefore, in step S506, the number of slips is calculated as one of values 0 to 4 based on the stop information stored in the main RAM 74.

Then, in step S507, the calculated slip count is added to the symbol number of the reached symbol to determine the symbol number of the stopped symbol that will actually stop at the base position. In step S508, it is determined whether the symbol number of the reached symbol of the reel that should be stopped this time is equal to the symbol number of the stopped symbol, and if so, in step S509, a reel stop process is performed to stop the rotation of the reel. Then, in step S510, it is determined whether all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R have stopped. If all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R have not stopped, in step S511, a second stop information setting process is performed, and the process returns to step S502.

The stop information here refers to information for making the stop mode of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R correspond to the result of the lottery process (FIG. 11), and by using this stop information, it is possible to calculate the number of slips (specifically, "0" to "4") for the reaching symbol that reaches the base position when each stop button 42 to 44 is stopped. As the stop information, slip number data indicating the correspondence between each symbol and the slip number is stored in advance in the main ROM 73 in correspondence with each lottery result and the stop order of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R. However, this is not limited to this, and the slip number data corresponding to each lottery result and the stop order of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R may be derived during the rotation of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R, etc.

The processes for setting the above stop information include a first stop information setting process executed in step S311 of the lottery process (FIG. 10) and a second stop information setting process executed in step S511 of the reel control process (FIG. 18). In the first stop information setting process, the stop information is set according to the result of the lottery process.

The second stop information setting process is a process for changing the stop information stored in the main RAM 74 in the first stop information setting process or the previous second stop information setting process after the reels have stopped. The second stop information setting process changes the stop information based on the winning data that has been set, the stopping order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, and the stop results of the stopped reels 32L, 32M, and 32R.

For example, the symbols forming the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination are arranged so that the maximum number of symbols spaced apart in the rotation direction on each of the corresponding reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is four symbols. In this configuration, if the combination of the result of the lottery process and the stop order of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R corresponds to the occurrence of any of these winning combinations, the stop information is set so that the winning combination will occur regardless of the operation order of each of the stop buttons 42 to 44.

Returning to the explanation of the reel control process (Figure 18), if it is determined in step S510 that all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are stopped, a winning determination process is executed in step S512, and then in the following step S513, a winning result command including data corresponding to the result of the winning determination process is set as an output target to the sub-control device 80, and then the reel control process is terminated.

{Winner Determination Process}
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the winning determination process.
In the winning determination process, in step S601, the type of symbol stopped on the main line ML on the left reel 32L is determined, in step S602, the type of symbol stopped on the main line ML on the center reel 32M is determined, and in step S603, the type of symbol stopped on the main line ML on the right reel 32R is determined. When determining the type of symbol, 2-byte data set for each type of symbol is read from the main ROM 73.

Then, in step S604, as a logical operation process for the symbol combination, the two-byte data grasped in steps S601 to S603 is ANDed with the bits in the same order to derive the two-byte data corresponding to the symbol combination.

In step S605, it is determined whether the 2-byte data derived in step S604 corresponds to any winning data. If the determination in step S605 is positive, the winning response process is executed in step S606.

In the winning response process, it is determined whether the winning flag corresponding to the current winning is set to "1", and if "1" is not set, an abnormal command is set as an output target to the sub-control device 80. Upon receiving the abnormal command, the sub-side MPU 82 issues an abnormality notification corresponding to the illegal winning via the speaker 65 and the image display device 66.

On the other hand, if the winning flag is set to "1", and the winning is a minor prize, the number of medals to be paid out is set in the payout counter in the main RAM 74 so that medals or virtual medals can be awarded in the medal payout process. On the other hand, if the winning is a replay prize, a flag setting process is executed in the next step S203 in the normal process (Figure 9) to enable the setting of a bet of the same number as the current bet number.

[Handling when game ends]
20 is a flow chart showing the process at the end of the game. The process at the end of the game in step S210 in the normal process will be described. First, the whole process at the end of the game will be described, and then the bonus process in step S702, the section management process in step S703, the AT transition chance process in step S706, and the AT state process in step S707 will be described in detail.

In the response process at the end of the game, first, if the game is in the bonus state (step S701: YES), the bonus process is executed (step S702). In the bonus process, if the game is in the bonus winning state, the bonus state flag in the main RAM 74 is set to "1" since a bonus win has occurred in the current game, and the game state is transitioned to the bonus state. As a result, the bonus state lottery table (FIG. 15) is referenced in the lottery process in the next game and thereafter. In addition, a command indicating the transition to the bonus state is sent to the performance side MPU 82, and the performance for the bonus state is started in the upper lamp 64, speaker 65, and image display device 66. In addition, when the game is transitioned to the bonus state, the bonus winning data is erased from the main RAM 74, and the bonus winning state is cancelled.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S701 that the game is not in a bonus state (step S701: NO), the section management process (step S703) is executed. In the section management process, management of the normal section or the advantageous section is executed.

Next, in S703, it is determined whether the favorable zone flag is 1, and if the favorable zone flag is 1, the process proceeds to the process indicated by the AT state flag (step S705). If the AT state flag indicates 1, it indicates a non-AT state, if the AT state flag indicates 2, it indicates an AT state, and if the AT state flag indicates 2, it indicates a non-AT state and a favorable zone resettable state that occurs after the AT ends.

If the AT status flag indicates 0, proceed to AT transition chance processing in step S706. If the AT status flag indicates 1, proceed to AT status processing in step S707.

Finally, after executing the bonus process (step S702), if the advantageous zone flag is not 1 (step S704), the AT transition chance process (step S706) is executed, followed by the AT state process (step S707), and then a game end command is set as a target for transmission to the production side MPU 82 (step S708). The game end command is a command for making the production side MPU 82 recognize that one game has ended, and this command is transmitted to the production side MPU 82 in the command output process (step S110) in the timer interrupt process.

{Bonus processing}
Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the bonus state process. In step S702 of Fig. 20, if it is in the bonus state, the bonus state process is executed as the bonus process.

On the condition that game media has been awarded in the current game (step S801: YES), a subtraction process is then executed on the bonus counter provided in the main RAM 74 (step S802). The bonus counter is a counter that the main MPU 72 uses to determine whether the total number of game media paid out since the bonus state began is equal to or greater than the end reference number. When the bonus state begins, the end reference number is set in this bonus counter. In the bonus counter subtraction process, the number of game media awarded in the current game is subtracted from the value of the bonus counter.

If the value of the bonus counter after subtraction is "0" (step S803: YES), a bonus end process is executed (step S804). In the bonus end process, the bonus state is ended by clearing the bonus state flag in the main RAM 74 to "0". In addition, a command indicating that the bonus state has ended is sent to the performance side MPU 82, thereby ending the performance for the bonus state in the upper lamp 64, speaker 65, and image display device 66.

Next, after the bonus end process is executed (step S804) or if the value of the bonus counter after subtraction is not "0" (step S803: NO), it is determined whether the favorable zone flag = 1 (step S805). If the favorable zone flag = 1 (step S805: YES), the favorable zone stay G number counter provided in the main RAM 74 is incremented by 1 (step S806). The favorable zone stay G number counter is a counter for counting the number of games stayed from the start of the favorable zone to the end of the favorable zone. In this embodiment, it is possible to stay and play up to 1500G during one favorable zone. If the maximum 1500G is exceeded, the favorable zone ends and the player falls into the normal zone. If the favorable zone flag = 1, i.e., if the player is staying in the favorable zone, the number of games played during the bonus is also counted in the favorable zone stay G number counter.

In addition, the net increase counter in the main RAM 74 is incremented and decremented (step S807). The net increase counter (MY counter, also called the cumulative net increase counter) is a counter for counting the cumulative net increase in the number of game media acquired from the start of the favorable zone to the present. In this embodiment, up to 2400 game media can be acquired during one favorable zone. When the maximum of 2400 game media is exceeded, the favorable zone ends and the player falls into the normal zone. If the favorable zone flag is 1, that is, if the player is in the favorable zone, the number of game media acquired during the bonus is also counted in the net increase counter. Note that since the net increase counter counts the difference in acquisition during the favorable zone, even if no game media is acquired in the current game, the net increase is decremented by, for example, the negative amount of the bet number of 3.

Next, it is determined whether the advantageous zone G count counter > 1500 or the net increase in number of coins counter > 2400 is satisfied (step S808). As described above, in this embodiment, up to 1500G can be played during one advantageous zone, or up to 2400 gaming media can be acquired. Therefore, if the advantageous zone G count exceeds the maximum of 1500G, or the cumulative net increase in number of coins acquired exceeds the maximum value of 2400 (step S808: YES), the advantageous zone flag and AT status flag are set to "0" (step S809), the advantageous zone is terminated, and the player falls back into the normal zone. In addition, the advantageous zone G count counter and net increase in number of coins counter are reset to 0 (step S810).

{Section management processing}
Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing the section management process. In step S703 in Fig. 20, the section management process for the mutual section between the normal section and the advantageous section is executed. As described above, the advantageous section refers to a section that can have a performance related to the instruction function (e.g., AT, etc.).

First, it is determined whether the currently staying section is a normal section or an advantageous section (step S901). If the advantageous section flag = 0 (step S901: YES), i.e., if the user is staying in a normal section, the process proceeds to step S902. On the other hand, if the advantageous section flag = 0 is not (step S901: NO), the process proceeds to step S905. Note that if the advantageous section flag = 0, the user is staying in a normal section, and if the advantageous section flag = 1, the user is staying in an advantageous section.

If it is in the normal zone, a lottery for transition to a favorable zone is executed (step S902). In the lottery process for transition to a favorable zone, a lottery table for transition to a favorable zone corresponding to the number of bets (number of wagers) is read from the main ROM 73, and the value of a lottery counter that is updated periodically (e.g., every 2 msec) in the main RAM 74 is read, and the value of the lottery counter is compared with the lottery table for transition to a favorable zone that has been read.

Figure 23 shows the advantageous zone transition lottery table. The advantageous zone transition lottery process is executed by referring to the advantageous zone transition lottery table.

According to this table for lottery for moving to the advantageous zone, if, during the current game while staying in the normal zone, for example, the following are won: push order bells 1-6 and 1-6 compensation with index value IV = 1-6, common bell with index value IV = 7, watermelon with index value IV = 8, cherry with index value IV = 9, 1-coin role with index value IV = 10, RBB1 with index value IV = 11, RBB2 with index value IV = 12, or replay with index value IV = 13, there is a 100.0% chance of winning the lottery for moving to the advantageous zone.

In the case of this advantageous zone transition lottery table, if any role is won, there is a 100.0% probability of winning the advantageous zone transition lottery, but this is merely one example, and the advantageous zone transition lottery table may be set so that the advantageous zone transition lottery is won only by winning a specific role and with a specified probability.

Referring again to FIG. 22. If the advantageous zone transition lottery process results in a win for advantageous zone transition (step S903: YES), the advantageous zone flag is set to "1" (step S904). This causes a transition from the normal zone to an advantageous zone that has performance related to the instruction function.

On the other hand, if the favorable zone flag is not 0 in S901 (step S901: NO), i.e., if the user is in the favorable zone, proceed to step S905.

If the player is staying in the favorable zone, the favorable zone stay G number counter is incremented by 1 (step S905). This is to count the number of Gs stayed in the favorable zone. In addition, the net increase coin number counter is incremented or decremented by the net increase coin number acquired or lost in the current game (step S906). This is to count the net increase coin number during the favorable zone. Note that if no gaming media are acquired in the current game, the negative net increase coin number is also decremented.

Next, it is determined whether the advantageous zone G count counter > 1500 or the net increase in number of coins counter > 2400 is satisfied (step S907). As described above, in this embodiment, up to 1500G can be played during one advantageous zone, or up to 2400 gaming media can be acquired. Therefore, if the advantageous zone G count exceeds the maximum of 1500G, or the cumulative net increase in number of coins acquired exceeds the maximum value of 2400 (step S907: YES), the advantageous zone flag and AT state flag are set to "0" (step S908), the advantageous zone is terminated, and the player falls back into the normal zone. In addition, the advantageous zone G count counter and net increase in number of coins counter are reset to 0 (step S909).

On the other hand, if the number of Gs spent in the advantageous zone does not exceed the maximum of 1,500 G, and the cumulative net increase in the number of coins acquired does not exceed the maximum value of 2,400 coins (step S907: NO), the zone management process ends.

{AT transition chance management process}
24 is a flowchart showing the AT transition chance management process. The AT transition chance management process (step S706) will be described. The AT transition chance management process is executed when the advantageous zone flag indicates 1 and the AT state flag indicates 0, that is, during the advantageous zone, during non-bonus and during non-AT state.

First, in the current game, it is determined whether or not an AT transition lottery trigger role has been won (step S1001). Examples of AT transition lottery trigger roles include watermelon, cherry, and one-piece roles. If an AT transition lottery trigger role is won (step S1001: YES), an AT transition lottery process is executed (step S1002). Note that even if an AT transition lottery trigger role is not won, if an AT transition lottery trigger role is won, the AT transition lottery process is executed. However, this is not limited to the above, and the AT transition lottery process may be executed on the condition that a corresponding win has been achieved.

In the AT transition lottery process to the AT state, the AT transition lottery table is read from the main ROM 73, and the value of the lottery counter, which is updated periodically (e.g., every 2 msec) in the main RAM 74, is read, and the value of the lottery counter is compared with the AT transition lottery table read out.

Figure 25 shows an example of an AT transition lottery table. If an AT transition lottery trigger role is won during a favorable zone, non-bonus state, and non-AT state, the AT transition lottery process is executed based on this AT transition lottery table.

The AT transition lottery table is provided as one type of table common to the setting values "1" to "6" of the slot machine 10. In other words, when an index value IV = 8, 9, or 10 is won, the probability of winning the AT transition is common to all settings. This makes it possible to prevent any advantage or disadvantage between settings in terms of the probability of winning the AT transition in a non-AT state. Also, since only one type of AT transition lottery table common to all settings needs to be stored in the main ROM 73 as the AT transition lottery table, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity required to store the AT transition lottery table in advance.

According to this AT transition lottery table, if a watermelon with index value IV = 8 is won, the AT transition lottery process is executed with a 10% probability of winning, which is common to all set values. Also, if a cherry with index value IV = 9 is won, the AT transition lottery process is executed with a 25% probability of winning, which is common to all set values. Also, if a single-piece role with index value IV = 10 is won, the AT transition lottery process is executed with a 20% probability of winning, which is common to all set values.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 24 again, if the AT transition lottery process results in an AT transition win (step S1003: YES), the process of setting the initial AT difference is executed (step S1004). Since the slot machine 10 is an AT machine with difference-number management, one set of AT is managed not by the number of AT continuation games (e.g., 50G), but by the difference number of coins that can be acquired during the AT. Therefore, in the process of setting the initial AT difference, for example, "150" coins are set as the initial AT difference in the AT difference counter provided in the main RAM 74.

In addition, the initial AT difference number can be a uniform fixed value (for example, "150"), or can be determined by lottery. For example, it can be set by lottery to one of the specified values of 100, 150, or 300. Furthermore, the initial AT difference number can be determined by lottery in a specialized zone.

After the initial AT difference number setting process (step S1004), the AT state flag in the main RAM 74 is set to "1" (step S1005). By setting the AT state flag to "1", the system transitions to an AT state in which the notification control process (step S403) is executed in the next processing round of the lottery process, and the AT state process (step S707) is executed in the next processing round of the response process at the end of the game.

On the other hand, if the AT transition lottery trigger role is not won (step S1001: NO), or if the AT transition lottery process does not result in an AT transition win (step S1003: NO), it is determined whether the advantageous zone stay G number counter ≧ 1000 is satisfied (step S1006). This is the so-called ceiling determination. In other words, if the non-AT state reaches a predetermined ceiling G number (e.g. 1000G) without entering the AT state from the start of the advantageous zone, the state transitions to the AT state. If the advantageous zone stay G number counter ≧ 1000 is satisfied (step S1006: YES), proceed to S1004 to win the AT transition.

{AT state processing}
26 is a flowchart showing the AT state processing. The AT state processing (step S707) will be described. The AT state processing is executed when the advantageous zone flag indicates 1 and the AT state flag indicates 1, that is, during the advantageous zone, during non-bonus, and in the AT state.

First, in this game, it is determined whether or not an additional lottery trigger role for the AT difference number (also called the AT continuation difference number) has been won (step S1101). Examples of additional lottery trigger roles include watermelon, cherry, and one-piece roles. If an additional lottery trigger role is won (step S1101: YES), an additional lottery process is executed (step S1102). Note that even if an additional lottery trigger role is not won, if an additional lottery trigger role is won, the additional lottery process is executed. However, this is not limited to the above, and the additional lottery process may be executed on the condition that a corresponding win has been achieved.

In the top-up lottery process, the top-up lottery table is read from the main ROM 73, and the value of the lottery counter, which is updated periodically (e.g., every 2 msec) in the main RAM 74, is read, and the value of the lottery counter is compared with the top-up lottery table that has been read.

Figure 27 shows an example of an add-on lottery table. If an add-on lottery trigger role is won during a favorable zone, non-bonus state, and AT state, the add-on lottery process is executed based on this add-on lottery table.

The add-on lottery table is provided as one type of table common to the setting values "1" to "6" of the slot machine 10. In other words, when an index value IV = 8, 9, or 10 is won, the probability of an add-on win is common to all settings. This makes it possible to prevent any advantage or disadvantage between settings in terms of the probability of an add-on win in the AT state. Also, since only one type of add-on lottery table common to all settings needs to be stored in the main ROM 73 as the add-on lottery table, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity required to store the add-on lottery table in advance.

According to this additional lottery table, if a watermelon with index value IV = 8 is won, the additional lottery process is executed with a 10% probability of AT transition, which is common to all set values. Also, if a cherry with index value IV = 9 is won, the additional lottery process is executed with a 25% probability of AT transition, which is common to all set values. Also, if a single-piece role with index value IV = 10 is won, the additional lottery process is executed with a 20% probability of AT transition, which is common to all set values.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 26 again, if an additional lottery result is an additional win (step S1103: YES), an additional AT difference number addition process is executed (step S1104). In the additional AT difference number addition process, for example, "30" is added to the AT difference number counter provided in the main RAM 74 as the winning additional difference number.

The difference in the number of added coins can be a uniform fixed value (e.g., "30"), or can be determined by lottery. For example, one of the specified values of 30, 50, or 100 coins can be selected and added by lottery.

Next, if the AT difference number addition lottery trigger role is not won (step S1101: NO) or after the addition process is executed (step S1104), the AT difference number management process described below is executed (step S1105). After the AT difference number management process is executed, it is determined whether the AT difference number counter is ≦0 (step S1106). As described above, since the slot machine 10 is an AT machine with difference number management, when the AT difference number counter is ≦0, for example, in the case where the AT difference number is not added, it means that a net increase of 150 medals for one set has been acquired in the AT state and the AT game ends.

If the AT difference number counter is 0 or less (step S1106: YES), the AT state flag and the favorable zone flag are set to "0" (step S1107), the favorable zone is ended, and the player falls back into the normal zone. The favorable zone stay G number counter and the net increase number counter are reset to 0 (step 1108). An AT end command is also set as a target for transmission to the performance side MPU 82 (step S1109). The AT end command is a command for making the performance side MPU 82 recognize that the AT state has ended, and this command is transmitted to the performance side MPU 82 in the command output process (step S110) in the timer interrupt process.

{AT difference number management processing}
The AT difference number management process in step S1105 will be described in detail.
28 is a diagram showing an example of an AT screen (part 1) according to this embodiment. As described above, the slot machine 10 is an AT machine of difference number management type, so on the screen during the AT, the "remaining number" (corresponding to the above-mentioned AT difference number counter) and the "acquired number" are displayed. On the screen at the start of the AT, the "remaining number" is 150 and the "acquired number" is 0.

The "remaining number" display counts down (or up) in units of 1G. Specifically, when the third stop button among stop buttons 42 to 44 stops (referred to as the third stop), the number is counted down (or up) according to the difference in the number of medals won in that game. For example, if seven bells are won, four is counted down after the third stop (-4 medals). This is because with a three-coin BET and turning on start lever 41 gives -3 medals, and winning a bell gives +7 medals, so the "remaining number" (difference) is -4.

The "Number of coins won" display counts up (or down) each time the number of coins increases or decreases. For example, if a player places a three-coin BET and the start lever 41 is turned on, three coins are counted down (-3 coins), and then, after the third stop, seven bells are won, the count is increased by seven (+7 coins) at the time of the win. Therefore, the "Number of coins won" accurately shows the number of coins that have actually been paid out.

Next, we will explain how the "remaining number of coins" and "number of coins won" are displayed on the screen during the AT when there is a miss, when a 1-coin role is won, and when a bell is won. Note that during the AT, the game is played with a bet of 3 coins.

(If you lose)
29 is a diagram showing an example of an AT screen (part 2) according to the present embodiment. A miss is a game in which none of the small winning combinations are won.
"Remaining number" during AT: Count up 3 after the third stop (+3)
"Number of coins acquired" during AT: Counts down 3 when the start lever is turned on after BET (-3 coins), no increase or decrease after the third stop (plus or minus 0 coins)

(When a 1-piece win occurs and there is no prize)
When a 1-coin role is won but not awarded, it is a game in which the 1-coin role is won but not awarded. The 1-coin role requires a cherry win on the right reel 32R, and depending on the operation timing, there is a possibility that the 1-coin role will not be realized (so-called 1-coin role miss).
"Remaining number" during AT: Count up 3 after the third stop (+3)
"Number of coins acquired" during AT: Counts down 3 when the start lever is turned on after BET (-3 coins), no increase or decrease after the third stop (plus or minus 0 coins)

(When a 1-piece win occurs and a prize is awarded)
30 is a diagram showing an example of an AT screen (part 3) according to the present embodiment. When the 1-coin role is won and a prize is awarded, the 1-coin role is won and a prize is awarded in the game.
"Remaining number" during AT: Count up 3 after the third stop (+3)
"Number of coins acquired" during AT: Count down 3 when the start lever is turned on after BET (-3 coins), and count up 1 after the third stop (+1 coin).
Here, when a 1-coin winning combination is achieved, the "number of remaining coins" should essentially be +2 coins, but because the visual arrangement results in a 1-coin winning combination where the same symbols do not line up in a straight line on any of the lines, it is difficult for a player to recognize this as a 1-coin winning combination, and especially for beginners it may appear to be a complete losing combination.
On the other hand, when the player actually loses, the "remaining number" is +3, but if it is +2 when a 1-coin winning combination is achieved, it may cause a player to feel uncomfortable because the stopped number looks like a losing number. Therefore, in this embodiment, the "remaining number" when a 1-coin winning combination is displayed as +3, the same as when a losing combination is achieved (see FIG. 29). The AT difference number counter is also counted up to +3. However, in order to display the "number of winning coins" accurately, when a 1-coin winning combination is achieved, it is displayed as +1 coin after the third stop.

(When the push order bell is won and a prize is awarded)
The Push Order Bell is won and awarded when Push Order Bell 1 to 6 is won and the Push Order Bell role is awarded in the game.
"Remaining number" during AT: Count down 4 after the third stop (-4)
"Number of coins acquired" during AT: Count down 3 when start lever is turned on after BET (-3 coins), and count up 7 after the third stop (+7 coins)

(When the push order bell is won and there is no prize)
31 is a diagram showing an example of the AT screen (part 4) according to this embodiment. When the push order bell is won but not won, it is a game in which the push order bell 1 to 6 are won but the push order bell role is not won. The push order bell role requires pressing the stop button in the 1/6 push order, and depending on the push order, the push order bell role may not be realized (so-called push order mistake).
"Remaining number" during AT: Count down 4 after the third stop (-4)
"Number of coins won" during AT: When the start lever is turned on after a BET, the number of coins is counted down by 3 (-3 coins), and when a compensation role is won after the third stop (so-called bell spill), the number of coins is counted up by 1 (+1 coin), or when a compensation role is missed due to the timing of the operation, there is no increase or decrease (plus or minus 0 coins).
If the "remaining number" does not decrease if the push order bell is missed during the AT by ignoring the push order navigation, it becomes possible for the player to intentionally push the wrong push order to delay the end of the AT and aim to add to the difference in the number of coins with rare roles, etc. For this reason, if the push order navigation occurs but the player pushes the wrong push order, it is treated as winning 7 push order bells, and the "remaining number" is set to -4.

Figure 32 is a diagram showing an example of an AT screen (part 5) according to this embodiment. As shown in this AT screen, a push order guessing game (a so-called ??? effect) occurs, for example, at a predetermined number of Gs or every predetermined number of Gs. Because push order navigation is not displayed, the player presses the stop button in one of the 1/6 push orders. If the push order bell is hit by pressing the correct push order, a bonus such as an additional coin difference will be awarded.

(Without push order navigation and when winning)
When there is no push order navigation and a winning combination, during the AT, push order bells 1 to 6 are won, the push order navigation is hidden, and the push order bell role is won by pressing the correct push order in the game.
"Remaining number" during AT: Count down 4 after the third stop (-4)
"Number of coins acquired" during AT: Count down 3 when start lever is turned on after BET (-3 coins), and count up 7 after the third stop (+7 coins)

(Without push order navigation and no winning)
When there is no push order navigation and no winning occurs, during the AT, push order bells 1 to 6 are won, the push order navigation is not displayed, and the push order bell role is not won due to pressing the incorrect push order.
"Remaining number" during AT: Count up 3 after the third stop (+3)
"Number of coins won" during AT: When the start lever is turned on after a BET, the number of coins is counted down by 3 (-3 coins), and when a compensation role is won after the third stop (so-called bell spill), the number of coins is counted up by 1 (+1 coin), or when a compensation role is missed due to the operation timing, there is no increase or decrease (plus or minus 0 coins).
In the push order guessing game, if the push order is incorrect, the "remaining number" is displayed in the same way as when the player misses or when the player wins a 1-coin role. That is, even if the player wins a compensation role (a bell-dropped 1-coin) or misses the compensation role (0-coin), the number of remaining coins will be +3 coins after the third stop. In other words, the game result of the push order guessing game is displayed in the same way as when the player misses a 1-coin role, because a compensation role miss (a bell-dropped 1-coin) occurs depending on the operation timing.

As described above, in the AT difference number management process according to this embodiment, during a difference number management type AT, when a 1-coin role is won and awarded as a small role with a low probability of being missed depending on the operation timing, the "remaining number" showing the difference in number of coins is displayed on the screen in the same way as when it is lost. Specifically, when a 1-coin role is won and awarded, the "remaining number" on the screen would normally be +2 coins, but in this embodiment, the "remaining number" is displayed and counted as +3 coins, just like when it is actually lost.

Also, as mentioned above, in terms of the arrangement of the symbols, a winning 1-coin winning combination is a stopping result where the same symbols do not line up in a straight line on any of the lines, so it is difficult for players to recognize this as a winning 1-coin winning combination, even from the perspective of the symbols, and it can appear to beginners, in particular, as a complete losing combination.

This makes it difficult for the player to recognize the winning of a 1-coin role on the AT screen display and in the patterns, meaning that even when a 1-coin role is won, it appears to the player as a complete miss. This reduces the sense of incongruity felt when a 1-coin role is won and one coin is suddenly paid out. Furthermore, players will no longer be aware of the existence of a 1-coin role (making it difficult to sense the impact that a player's skill has on the game result), allowing beginners in particular to play with peace of mind. This type of display is particularly useful for slot machines aimed at beginners, developed under the concept that anyone can play with peace of mind.

The following forms are also mentioned:
- Not only for specific 1-coin roles, but also for small roles such as cherries and watermelons that cause a loss and the number of medals paid out at the time of winning is less than the number of medals bet (for example, 3 medals), it is also possible to display the "remaining number" showing the difference in the number of medals on the screen in the same way as when the role is lost. However, considering that cherries and the like are high probability small roles compared to 1-coin roles and are frequently won, and that the player can easily distinguish when they win (for example, cherries win when the cherry symbol stops on the left reel), it is not necessarily appropriate to display the same as when they are lost when the role is won by cherries or watermelons. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same display as when they are lost is used only for specific 1-coin roles.

When a 1-coin role is won and a prize is awarded, the "remaining number" is counted up by 3 after the third stop to reduce any sense of discomfort felt by the player, and as mentioned above, in order to accurately display the "number of medals won," +1 medal is displayed after the third stop when a 1-coin role is won. In other words, one medal is actually won, so +1 is displayed in the number-of-medals display unit 62, which displays the number of medals won at the time of winning, and +1 is added to the virtual medal number in the credit display unit 61, or, if the virtual medal number is at the upper limit, one medal is paid out from the medal outlet 58.

- In addition, when a specific 1-coin role is won, one medal is actually paid out, but the payout sound that is output when other minor roles are won is not output. This makes it more difficult for the player to recognize that a 1-coin role has been won, and makes the player see the 1-coin role as a complete miss. Furthermore, not only can the payout sound when a specific 1-coin role is won not be output at all, but it can also be set to output a payout sound that is quieter than the payout sound that is output when other minor roles are won.

- The "remaining number" on the screen during the AT is displayed by referring to the value of the AT difference number counter as described above. Also, the "acquired number" may be displayed by referring to the value of the AT acquired number counter provided in the main RAM 74. Needless to say, the AT difference number counter and the AT acquired number counter are reset each time an AT ends.

<Modification>
In the slot machine 10 according to the embodiment described above, the player is allowed to play with 2 coins during the non-bonus internal state, and if the player wins the RBB1 for 2 coins (approximately 1/10), the slot machine 10 transitions to the bonus internal state. After that, by playing with 3 coins during the bonus internal state, the reels are controlled so that the bonus for the RBB1 for 2 coins, which has the winning flag carried over, will not be won even if the player aims for the RBB1 formation symbol, so that the player can play with 3 coins while maintaining the bonus internal state.

On the other hand, the slot machine 10 according to this modified example is a 3-coin dedicated bonus machine that always plays with 3 coins. In the non-bonus internal state, the player plays with 3 coins, and if the 3-coin RBB is won, the game moves to the bonus internal state. After that, the game is played with 3 coins even in the bonus internal state, but the 3-coin RBB bonus with the win flag carried over will win if you aim for the RBB formation pattern when you miss. For this reason, in such a 3-coin dedicated slot machine 10, the so-called 1-coin role for kicking away the winning of the RBB (herein called the kicking 1-coin role) is set to be won with a high probability (on the other hand, a pure miss has a low probability), and the kicking 1-coin role is won with a high probability in most games, so that the player can play with 3 coins while maintaining the bonus internal state while essentially preventing the winning of the RBB.

Here, when a kick-off 1-piece role is won, the winning symbols for the kick-off 1-piece role are arranged in the array so that there is no possibility of missing the kick-off 1-piece role depending on the timing of the player's operation (so that a win is possible regardless of the timing of the operation). Also, whether or not a kick-off 1-piece role is lined up, in order to make the player think that the kick-off 1-piece role was not lined up in terms of the symbols, the stopping symbols are set as winning kick-off 1-piece roles, and the stopping results are set so that the same symbols are not lined up in a straight line in the visual array.

Also, just like in the above embodiment, if the left reel 32L on the main line ML has a "bell" symbol, the middle reel 32M has a "replay 1-3" symbol, and the right reel 32R has a "cherry" symbol, a 1-coin winning combination will be achieved. Only the cherry symbol on the right reel 32R may be missed depending on the operation timing. The number of game media to be awarded when a 1-coin winning combination is "1". In addition, whether or not a 1-coin winning combination is achieved, in order to make the player think that a 1-coin winning combination was not achieved based on the symbols, the 1-coin winning combination is achieved with the bell, replay, and cherry symbols, and the same symbols are not aligned in a straight line in terms of the visual arrangement.

(When a 1-piece win occurs and a prize is awarded)
The time when the kick-off 1-coin role is won and awarded is the time of the game in which the kick-off 1-coin role is won and awarded, including during non-AT and AT.
"Remaining number" during AT: Count up 2 after the third stop (+2)
"Number of coins acquired" during AT: Count down 3 when the start lever is turned on after BET (-3 coins), and count up 1 after the third stop (+1 coin).
(When a 1-piece role is won and there is no prize)
When a 1-coin role is won but not won, it is a game in which a 1-coin role is won but the 1-coin role is not won.
"Remaining number" during AT: Count up 2 after the third stop (+2)
Number of coins acquired during AT: Counts down 3 when the start lever is turned on after BET (-3 coins), no increase or decrease after the third stop (plus or minus 0 coins)
Here, when a 1-piece role does not win, the "remaining number" would essentially be +3, but because the visual arrangement results in a 1-piece role winning combination where the same symbols do not line up in a straight line on any of the lines, it is difficult for a player to recognize this as a 1-piece role winning combination, and especially for beginners, it appears to be a complete miss, just like the winning combination for a kick-off 1-piece role.
When the kick-off 1-coin role is won, the "remaining number" is +2, but if it is +3 when the 1-coin role is won and not won, the player may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, in this embodiment, the "remaining number" when the 1-coin role is won and not won is displayed as +2, the same as when the kick-off 1-coin role is won. The AT difference number counter also counts up to +2. However, in order to display the "number of winnings" accurately, when the 1-coin role is won, it is displayed without increase or decrease (plus or minus 0) after the third stop.

(When a 1-piece win occurs and a prize is awarded)
The time when the 1-coin role is won and a prize is when the 1-coin role is won and a prize is won in the game.
"Remaining number" during AT: Count up 2 after the third stop (+2)
"Number of coins acquired" during AT: Count down 3 when the start lever is turned on after BET (-3 coins), and count up 1 after the third stop (+1 coin).

This modified example can reduce the sense of incongruity that occurs when a 1-coin role does not win, such as when a single coin is suddenly not paid out. Furthermore, the player will no longer be aware of the existence of the 1-coin role (the player will be less likely to sense the impact of the player's skill on the game result), allowing beginners in particular to play with peace of mind. In addition, because the "remaining number of coins" display (+2 coins) during the AT can be made common when a kick-off 1-coin role wins, when a 1-coin role wins, and when a role does not win, it is also possible to reduce the data capacity of programs, etc.

<Inventions extracted from the above embodiments>
The following describes the features of the inventions extracted from the above-described embodiments, while indicating, as necessary, their effects, etc. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations in the above-described embodiments are appropriately indicated in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations indicated in parentheses.

(Feature A1)
A symbol display means (reel unit 31) for variably displaying symbols;
A start operation means (start lever 41) that is operated to start the variable display of the symbols in the symbol display means;
A role selection means (a function for executing the process of step S207 in the master MPU 72) for selecting a role based on the operation of the start operation means;
A stop operation means (stop buttons 42 to 44) that is operated to stop the variable display of the symbols in the symbol display means;
A game machine including a corresponding execution means (a function for executing the process of step S210 in the master MPU 72) for executing a control corresponding to a winning role as a winning combination in the lottery process for the winning role after the variable display of the symbols,
A notification state transition means for transitioning to a notification state (AT state) in which an operation method (reel stop order) for winning the notification target role (push order bell) is notified in a winning game of the notification target role,
a notification state ending means for ending the notification state (AT state) when a value of a counter (a difference number counter) indicating the difference number of game media that can be acquired during the notification state satisfies a predetermined condition (0 or less);
A winning combination payout means for paying out a number of game media (1 piece) less than the maximum bet amount when a symbol combination corresponding to a specific combination (specific 1 piece combination) is won;
A display means for displaying a value corresponding to the counter (a difference number counter) in a manner that is visible to a player;
a first result time counter varying means for varying the value of the counter (difference number counter) by a predetermined value (increasing the "remaining number" by +3) when the lottery result of the lottery process is a first result (loss) (FIG. 29);
A specific combination counter variation means for varying the value of the counter (difference number counter) by the same predetermined value (increasing the "remaining number" by +3) as that at the time of the first result when the specific combination is won during the notification state (FIG. 30).
A gaming machine comprising:

(Feature A2)
The first result is a miss, which indicates that the combination is not a winning combination (FIG. 29).
The gaming machine described in feature A1.

This makes it difficult for the player to recognize, for example, the winning of a 1-coin role; in other words, by making the winning of a 1-coin role appear to the player as a complete miss, the strange feeling of suddenly being paid out one coin when the 1-coin role is won can be reduced. Furthermore, the player will no longer be aware of the existence of the 1-coin role itself (making it difficult to sense the impact that the player's skill has on the game outcome), allowing beginners in particular to play with peace of mind. This type of display is particularly useful for slot machines aimed at beginners, developed under the concept that anyone can play with peace of mind.

(Feature A3)
The stopping result of the symbols corresponding to the winning of the specific combination is a result in which the combination of the same symbols is not aligned in a straight line on any line (FIG. 30).
The gaming machine described in feature A2.

Because it is difficult for players to recognize that they have completed a winning combination, the change in the number of coins to match the number of coins required for a losing combination does not seem strange. In other words, in terms of the arrangement of the symbols, a winning combination of one coin is a stop result in which the same symbols do not line up in a straight line on any of the lines, so it is difficult for players to recognize that a winning combination of one coin is completed, even in terms of the symbols, and it is made to look like a complete losing combination, especially for beginners.

(Feature A4)
a sound output means for outputting a predetermined sound (a payout sound) when a combination other than the specific combination is won (such as when a bell is won), and for not outputting the predetermined sound or outputting a sound smaller than the predetermined sound when the specific combination (specific one-coin combination) is won;
The gaming machine according to feature A2, characterized by comprising:

When a specific 1-coin winning combination is achieved, one medal is actually paid out, but the payout sound that is output when other minor combinations are achieved is not output. This makes it more difficult for the player to recognize the 1-coin winning combination, and makes the 1-coin winning combination seem more like a complete miss to the player.

(Feature A5)
A display means for displaying the value of a counter (amount of acquired coins counter) indicating the number of gaming media paid out by the winning combination payout means in a manner that is visible to a player ("amount of acquired coins" in FIG. 30).
The gaming machine according to feature A1, characterized by comprising:

The difference in number counter does not necessarily match the number of medals actually paid out, for example when a 1-coin role is won and a prize is awarded, but the "number of medals won" accurately displays the number of medals actually paid out, so the player can accurately know the number of medals paid out.

(Feature A6)
When the notification target role (push order bell) is won during the notification state, the counter value (difference number counter) is changed by a predetermined value (reducing the "remaining number" by -4) to the same value as when the notification target role is won, regardless of whether the notification target role is won or not (FIG. 31).
The gaming machine according to feature A1, characterized by comprising:

During the AT, if the "remaining number" is not decreased when the push order bell is won but not awarded, in other words if the push order bell is missed by ignoring the push order navigation, it becomes possible for a player to intentionally press the incorrect button to delay the end of the AT and aim to add to the difference in the number of coins with a rare role, etc. For this reason, if the push order navigation occurs but the player presses the incorrect button, it is treated as if the 7 push order bells have been awarded, and the "remaining number" is set to -4 coins. This makes it possible to prevent unintended strategies.

(Feature A7)
The winning combination payout means pays out a number of game media (2 pieces) less than the maximum bet amount when a predetermined combination (cherry combination) is won,
When the predetermined role (cherry role) is won,
When the predetermined combination is won, the value of the counter (difference number counter) is changed by a predetermined value corresponding to the winning combination (the “remaining number” is increased by 2),
A counter change means for changing the value of the counter (difference number counter) by the same predetermined value as that at the time of the first result (increasing the "remaining number" by +3) when the predetermined combination is not won;
The gaming machine according to feature A1, characterized by comprising:

In addition to specific 1-coin roles, for example, cherries and watermelons, which are small roles that can cause a miss and in which the number of medals paid out at the time of winning is less than the number of medals bet (for example, 3 medals), it is also possible to display the "remaining number" on the screen, which indicates the difference in the number of medals, in the same way as when the role is lost. However, considering that cherries and the like are small roles with a higher probability of winning than 1-coin roles and are won frequently, and that the winning is highly recognizable to players (for example, cherries win when the cherry symbol stops on the left reel), it is not necessarily appropriate to display the same as when the role is lost when cherries or watermelons win. Therefore, in this embodiment, when cherries win, the original display ("remaining number" is +2) is used, and when they do not win, the display is the same as when they are lost ("remaining number" is +3).

(Feature A8)
The specific combination counter varying means varies the value of the counter (the difference number counter) by the same predetermined value as that at the time of the first result (increases the "remaining number" by +3) when the specific combination is won during the notification state, regardless of whether the specific combination is won or not.
The gaming machine described in feature A1.

(Feature A9)
A symbol display means (reel unit 31) for variably displaying symbols;
A start operation means (start lever 41) that is operated to start the variable display of the symbols in the symbol display means;
A role selection means (a function for executing the process of step S207 in the master MPU 72) for selecting a role based on the operation of the start operation means;
A stop operation means (stop buttons 42 to 44) that is operated to stop the variable display of the symbols in the symbol display means;
A game machine including a corresponding execution means (a function for executing the process of step S210 in the master MPU 72) for executing a control corresponding to a winning role as a winning combination in the lottery process for the winning role after the variable display of the symbols,
A notification state transition means for transitioning to a notification state (AT state) in which an operation method (reel stop order) for winning the notification target role (push order bell) is notified in a winning game of the notification target role,
a notification state ending means for ending the notification state (AT state) when a value of a counter (a difference number counter) indicating the difference number of game media that can be acquired during the notification state satisfies a predetermined condition (0 or less);
A winning combination payout means for paying out a number of game media (1 piece) less than the maximum bet amount when a specific symbol combination corresponding to a specific combination (specific 1 piece combination) is won;
A specific combination counter varying means for varying the value of the counter by a specific value (a value equal to the maximum bet amount) when the specific combination is won during the notification state and the specific combination is won;
A gaming machine comprising:

This makes it difficult for the player to recognize, for example, the winning of a 1-coin role; in other words, by making the winning of a 1-coin role appear to the player as a complete miss, the strange feeling of suddenly being paid out one coin when the 1-coin role is won can be reduced. Furthermore, the player will no longer be aware of the existence of the 1-coin role itself (making it difficult to sense the impact that the player's skill has on the game outcome), allowing beginners in particular to play with peace of mind. This type of display is particularly useful for slot machines aimed at beginners, developed under the concept that anyone can play with peace of mind.

The invention relating to the above group of features makes it possible to solve the following problems:

As a type of gaming machine, pachinko gaming machines and slot machines are known. These gaming machines are equipped with a control means such as a CPU, a read-only storage means such as a ROM, and a read/write storage means such as a RAM. The control means executes processing according to a program read from the read-only storage means while writing information to the read/write storage means and reading information from the storage means. When executing this processing, information is input to the control means from sensors and the like, and information is output from the control means to electric actuators, light-emitting elements, and the like. Note that there are also known machines in which the control means, the read-only storage means, and the read/write storage means are integrated into a single chip.

Specifically, for slot machines, when medals have been bet on and the start lever is operated to start a new game, the control means executes a lottery process for a winning combination. Furthermore, when the lottery process for a winning combination is executed, the control means executes a rotation start control to start the rotation of the reels, and when the stop button is operated while the reels are rotating, the control means executes a rotation stop control to stop the rotation of the reels. Then, if the stop result after the rotation of the reels has stopped corresponds to a winning combination in the lottery process for winning combinations, a bonus corresponding to the winning combination is awarded to the player. For example, gaming media may be awarded as the bonus.

Here, in gaming machines such as those exemplified above, it is necessary to improve the entertainment value of the game, and there is still room for improvement in this regard.

The basic configuration of a gaming machine to which the above features can be applied is shown below.
Pachinko gaming machine: A gaming machine that comprises an operating means operated by a player, a gaming ball launching means that launches a gaming ball based on the operation of the operating means, a ball passage that guides the launched gaming ball to a designated gaming area, and various gaming components arranged within the gaming area, and that awards a bonus to the player when the gaming ball passes through a designated passage section of each of the gaming components.

Slot machines and other reel-type gaming machines: A gaming machine that starts the rotation of a rotating body based on the operation of a start operation means, stops the rotation of the rotating body based on the operation of a stop operation means, and awards a bonus to the player based on the image that appears after the rotation has stopped.

10... slot machine, 31... reel unit, 32L, 32M, 32R... reels, 4
1: start lever, 42 to 44: stop button, 66: image display device, 72: main side M
PU, 82... Production MPU

Claims (1)

A pattern display means for variably displaying a pattern;
A start operation means that is operated to start the variable display of the symbols in the symbol display means;
A role selection means for executing a role selection process based on the operation of the start operation means;
A stop operation means that is operated to stop the variable display of the symbols in the symbol display means;
A game machine including a corresponding execution means for executing a control corresponding to a winning role as a winning combination established in a lottery process for the winning role after the variable display of the symbols,
a notification state transition means for transitioning to a notification state in which an operation method for winning the notification target role is notified in a winning game of the notification target role;
a notification state ending means for ending the notification state when a value of a counter indicating the difference in the number of game media that can be acquired during the notification state satisfies a predetermined condition;
A winning combination payout means for paying out a number of game media less than the maximum bet amount when a symbol combination corresponding to a specific winning combination is won;
a display means for displaying a value corresponding to the counter in a manner visibly recognizable by a player;
a first result counter varying means for varying a value of the counter by a predetermined value when a lottery result of the lottery process is a first result indicating a non-winning lottery ;
A specific combination counter variation means for varying the value of the counter by the same predetermined value as that at the time of the first result when the specific combination is won during the notification state;
Equipped with
The stopping result of the symbols corresponding to the winning of the specific combination is that the combination of the same symbols does not stop in a straight line,
A gaming machine characterized by: