JP7485389B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to gaming machines such as slot machines.

A type of gaming machine known as a slot machine has a push order minor feature in which the number of medals paid out varies depending on how the stop switch is operated, and a notification is made to assist in winning this push order minor feature (so-called AT machines). In such gaming machines, if the push order is not announced, the correct push order is unknown, and the maximum medal payout cannot be obtained. However, even if the push order is not announced, the maximum medal payout can be obtained if the player operates the buttons in the correct order, so there is a risk of a payout that is not intended by the designer. To prohibit such behavior, gaming machines are known that impose a penalty when a push order that differs from normal is used.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a slot machine in which, when the stop operation is performed in a push order other than the so-called forward push order (first stop: left reel), a disadvantageous drawing table is selected in the drawing related to the AT.

JP 2016-93287 A

In such slot machines, the rule is that a penalty related to the main control of a game can only be imposed until the current game or the next game, and a penalty cannot be imposed continuously for multiple games.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that allows a penalty to be carried over to the next game or later.

To solve the above problems, the present invention is a gaming machine having a main control board that controls the progress of the game and a sub-control board that controls the presentation, and when the main control board detects an operation other than a predetermined operation, it executes a predetermined penalty action and sends a predetermined signal to the sub-control board, and when the sub-control board receives the predetermined signal, it transitions to a penalty state and changes the presentation content from the next game onwards.

The present invention is as described above. When the main control board detects an operation that is subject to a penalty, in addition to executing a predetermined penalty action, it transmits a predetermined signal to the sub-control board. The sub-control board that receives this signal then transitions to a penalty state and changes the presentation content from the next game onwards. With this configuration, the penalty can be carried over to the next game onwards in the sub-control board that is not subject to restrictions such as rules, and the penalty can be realized by the difference in the presentation content.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a slot machine. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the pay lines of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the gaming state of the slot machine. FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating the general flow of one game. 13 is a table explaining the normal performance table. 13 is a table illustrating a penalty state effect table. This is a table explaining the contents suggested by the production.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below by taking a slot machine 10 as an example of a gaming machine.
(Slot Machine 10)
1, the slot machine 10 has a rectangular box-shaped housing 11 and a front door 31 that can be opened and closed freely attached to the front side of the housing 11. The front door 31 has a display window 12 that faces the player.

Also, at approximately the center of the height direction of the front door 31, an operation unit 31A for operating the slot machine 10 and a medal insertion slot 14 are provided. The operation unit 31A is provided with a bet switch 16, a settlement switch 17, a start switch 30, a stop switch 50, etc.

Below the operation unit 31A, sandwiched between the lower panel 31B, there is a medal payout opening 18 for paying out medals, and a lower tray 31C capable of storing medals paid out from the medal payout opening 18.

The display window 12 of the front door 31 described above is formed with a pattern display window 13 through which the patterns on the spinning reels 40 behind can be seen. The spinning reels 40 are arranged behind the pattern display window 13 and are rotatably attached to the slot machine 10, and are used to display a plurality of patterns displayed on the outer peripheral surface in a variable or stationary manner. In this embodiment, three spinning reels 40 are provided: a left reel 41, a center reel 42, and a right reel 43, and each of the spinning reels 40 can be rotated individually.

Three rows of symbols, the upper row, the middle row, and the lower row, are displayed on each of the three rotating reels 40 from the above-mentioned symbol display window 13, so that a total of nine symbols are displayed through the symbol display window 13. The combination of the display positions of these nine symbols defines the effective line. The effective line is a line that defines the arrangement of effective symbol combinations that are effective for winning among the lines that are formed by connecting the symbols at the display positions of each of the three rotating reels 40 one by one. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the diagonal line L1 that rises to the right, the line L2 that connects the upper row, the line L3 that connects the middle row, the line L4 that connects the lower row, and the diagonal line L5 that falls to the right are set as effective lines. When a symbol combination that corresponds to a winning combination is displayed along this effective line, the winning combination is won.

In this embodiment, the prescribed number of medals for playing one game is "3." Therefore, it is necessary to bet (place a bet) on three medals to play one game.
Although not shown, the slot machine 10 incorporates a control device 20 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the overall operation of the slot machine 10 .

(Input stage)
2, the input switch 15, the bet switch 16, the settlement switch 17, the start switch 30, the left stop switch 51, the center stop switch 52, and the right stop switch 53 are connected to the input stage of the control device 20. These input devices are connected to a main control board 21, which will be described later.
It should be noted that the input devices connected to the input stage are not limited to those described above, and other input devices may be provided.

(Start switch 15)
As shown in Fig. 1, the insertion switch 15 is a switch built in below the medal insertion slot 14, and is used to detect inserted game medals. When the insertion switch 15 detects a game medal, up to a maximum of 50 game medals can be stored (credited) inside the gaming machine. The game medals credited in this way are displayed as a numerical value on the credit display section 32, and can be used in the next game and thereafter.

(Bet Switch 16)
1, the bet switch 16 is a switch located on the top surface of the operation unit 31A. By pressing the bet switch 16, credits can be replaced with medals. By replacing credits with medals, a game can be started.

(Settlement switch 17)
The settlement switch 17, as shown in FIG. 1, is a switch located at the left end of the upper surface of the operation unit 31A, and is used to refund credited medals.

(Start switch 30)
1, the start switch 30 is a lever located on the front left side of the operation unit 31A. When the start switch 30 is operated in a state in which the game can be started, the reel unit 60, which will be described later, starts to operate, and the symbols on the spinning reel 40 are displayed in a variably manner.

(Stop switch 50)
The stop switch 50 is for stopping the drive of the reel unit 60, which will be described later. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the stop switch 50 is composed of three switches (left stop switch 51, middle stop switch 52, right stop switch 53) corresponding to each rotating reel 40 (left reel 41, middle reel 42, right reel 43), and one is disposed below each rotating reel 40. By operating the stop switch 50 corresponding to a rotating reel 40, the corresponding rotating reel 40 stops rotating, and the symbols on the rotating reel 40 are displayed as still images.

(Output stage)
2, the output stage of the control device 20 is connected to the reel unit 60, hopper unit 65, and performance section 66 (image display section 67, lamps 68, and speaker 69). The reel unit 60 and hopper unit 65 are connected to a main control board 21, which will be described later. The performance section 66 is connected to a sub-control board 22, which will be described later.
It should be noted that the devices connected to the output stage are not limited to the above-mentioned output devices, and other output devices may be provided.

(Reel unit 60)
The reel unit 60 is composed of three stepping motors fixed or supported on a frame (not shown), and three rotating reels 40 (left reel 41, center reel 42, right reel 43) fixed to the output shafts of the stepping motors. Each rotating reel 40 has a short cylindrical rotating drum and a tape-like reel tape attached to the periphery of the rotating drum. Twenty patterns are displayed at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the reel tape.

(Hopper unit 65)
The hopper unit 65, as shown in FIG. 1, is disposed inside the cabinet 11, and serves to pay out medals based on game results and the like.

(Direction Department 66)
The presentation section 66 performs various presentations, such as announcing the winning of a prize, under the control of the control device 20. Specifically, the presentation section 66 is composed of an image display section 67, a lamp 68, and a speaker 69.

The image display unit 67 is disposed behind a window provided above the reel 40, and is for displaying winning notifications and other effects using LEDs, a dot matrix, a liquid crystal screen, etc. Note that the image display unit 67 is not limited to the above, and for example, a reel 40 dedicated to effects may be provided, and effects may be displayed by reel patterns, letters, etc.
The lamp 68 is a light-emitting element that lights up or flashes to indicate a win or the like.
The speaker 69 is for announcing the winning of a prize or the like by emitting a winning sound.

(Control device 20)
The control device 20 is for controlling the operation of the slot machine 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the control device 20 is equipped with a main control board 21 and a sub-control board 22. The main control board 21 and the sub-control board 22 are each configured with a CPU as a central component, and equipped with a ROM, a RAM, etc. The CPU is configured to execute various controls by reading programs stored in the ROM.

The main control board 21 is designed to control the progress of the game, such as the drawing and payout of balls. As shown in FIG. 2, the main control board 21 functions as each of the following means: game state control means 100, winning drawing means 110, role drawing table 120, reel control means 130, winning determination means 140, hopper control means 150, setting means 220, big win game control means 230, small win game control means 235, game zone control means 240, and ceiling number of times control means 250. The main control board 21 is not limited to the above-mentioned means, and may include other means.

The sub-control board 22 is designed to control the presentation based on the game progress determined by the main control board 21. This sub-control board 22 controls the presentation in accordance with the progress of the game based on information sent unilaterally from the main control board 21, and is not involved in the drawing of winning roles or reel stop control executed by the main control board 21. As shown in FIG. 2, this sub-control board 22 functions as each of the means of presentation control means 300 and presentation table 310. Note that the sub-control board 22 is not limited to the means described above, and may include other means.

(Game status control means 100)
The game state control means 100 is for managing the game state. The slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of game states, and the game state control means 100 stores the current game state and executes a process of switching the game state when a predetermined event occurs as a trigger for switching the game state.

As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 10 according to this embodiment has at least the following game states. Note that the game states are not limited to the following, and any game state can be provided. (1) Normal state (2) Premonition state (3) Small win game (4) Chance zone (5) Big win game (6) Reset state

Of these, the normal state is the initial state that is set at the time of shipment from the factory or when the settings are changed. This normal state is a game state in which the payout rate is set lower than other game states, and is disadvantageous to the player. The normal state according to this embodiment has multiple modes (low probability mode, high probability mode, and ultra-high probability mode), and the modes that are more advantageous to the player are the low probability mode, the high probability mode, and the ultra-high probability mode in that order. Specifically, it is set so that the probability of transitioning to the premonition state increases in the order of the low probability mode, the high probability mode, and the ultra-high probability mode. In this embodiment, it is configured so that a transition to a more advantageous mode can be triggered by winning a rare role set as a mode transition role. Also, it is configured so that a transition to the premonition state can be triggered by winning a rare role set as a transition role to the premonition state.

The premonition state is a state on the way to a small win state or a big win state, and is a game state that makes the player feel anticipation of a big win. In this premonition state, a battle effect may be executed to heighten the player's interest. If a predetermined condition is met in this premonition state (in this embodiment, if the player wins a pseudo bonus lottery that is executed when a predetermined winning combination is won), the game will transition to a small win. On the other hand, if a condition for ending the premonition state is met in this premonition state (for example, if a predetermined number of games have been played or if a falling combination is won), the game will transition to the normal state.

The small win game is a so-called pseudo bonus, and is a game state in which the player can win a specified number of medals (about 50 in this embodiment) by executing the push order notification described below. During the small win game, an AT lottery described below is executed for each game, and if the AT lottery is won, the game moves to the big win game. The small win game ends when a specified benefit is awarded to the player. After the small win game ends, if the ceiling number of times described below has been reached, the game moves to the big win game. If the ceiling number of times has not been reached, the game moves to the chance zone.

The chance zone is a game state where there is a high expectation of winning a jackpot game. In this chance zone, the probability of winning the AT lottery is set to be higher than at least the normal state, the premonition state, and the small jackpot game. In the chance zone according to this embodiment, the probability of winning the AT lottery is set to about 40%. In this chance zone, an AT lottery is executed for each game, and if the AT lottery is won, the game moves to a jackpot game. If the specified number of games in the chance zone (for example, 10 games) are played without winning the AT lottery, the game moves to the normal state.

The jackpot game is the most advantageous game state for the player, with a higher payout rate than other game states. This jackpot game is a so-called AT (assist time) game, and a predetermined benefit can be awarded to the player by executing the push order notification described below. When the predetermined benefit is awarded to the player, the jackpot game ends and a check is made to see if the reset conditions described below are met. If the reset conditions are met, the game transitions to the reset state. If the reset conditions are not met, the game transitions to the normal state.

The reset state is a game state waiting to return to the jackpot game. When a certain condition is met in this reset state, it is possible to transition back to the jackpot game. This reset state is classified as either a pullback preparation state or a pullback zone depending on whether it is a non-advantageous zone or an advantageous zone, which will be described later. That is, in the reset state, if it is a non-advantageous zone, it becomes a pullback preparation state, and if it is an advantageous zone, it becomes a pullback zone.

Details will be given later, but when transitioning from a jackpot game to this reset state, the advantageous zone is reset (ended), so the game zone becomes a non-advantageous zone. For this reason, it always starts in the pull-back preparation state. After that, at the same time that the game zone transitions to the advantageous zone, it transitions from the pull-back preparation state to the pull-back zone. In the pull-back zone, an AT lottery is executed for each game, and if the AT lottery is won, it transitions to a jackpot game. Note that since an AT lottery is not executed in the pull-back preparation state, it does not transition directly from the pull-back preparation state to a jackpot game.

The pull-back zone described above is a game state in which the winning probability of the jackpot game (the winning probability of the AT lottery) is improved. For example, the winning probability of the jackpot game is set higher than the game state (normal state) to which the player transitions if the reset condition is not met after the end of the jackpot game. Also, the winning probability of the jackpot game is set to be the highest compared to all other game states. In this embodiment, the winning probability of the jackpot game in the pull-back zone is 50%, and the jackpot game is set to have a winning probability of 1/2 or more. For this reason, the pull-back zone is a game state in which the start of the jackpot game can be expected (a game state in which the player's sense of expectation can be increased).

(Lottery drawing means 110)
The winning selection means 110 is for selecting whether or not one of a plurality of winning combinations has been won. In other words, it is for selecting a winning combination based on a predetermined selection probability. If a predetermined winning combination is won as a result of the selection by the winning selection means 110, a winning flag is set, and if the combination of symbols stopped on the reel 40 matches a predetermined winning symbol while the winning flag is set, the player wins and is awarded a prize such as a medal payout or a special game.

Specifically, the winning drawing means 110 is equipped with random number generating means that generates random numbers within a predetermined range, extracts the random numbers generated by this random number generating means at the timing of operation of the start switch 30, and performs the drawing by comparing the extracted random numbers with the winning combination drawing table 120. The winning drawing means 110 according to this embodiment generates random numbers in 16 bits, so that it is capable of generating 65,536 different random numbers from 0 to 65,535. In the winning combination drawing table 120 described later, a winning area is assigned to each of these 65,536 different random numbers, and by comparing the random numbers with this winning combination drawing table 120, a winning combination or a losing combination can be identified.

The slot machine 10 according to this embodiment has the following winning roles: a bonus role that starts a bonus game when a prize is won, a replay role that allows the player to play the game again without inserting new game medals when a prize is won, and a minor role that pays out game medals when a prize is won.

(Role drawing table 120)
The winning combination table 120 determines whether the random number extracted by the winning combination drawing means 110 corresponds to a winning combination or a losing combination. This winning combination drawing table 120 stores winning regions corresponding to a plurality of winning combinations, and is specifically provided as a correspondence table between the random numbers generated by the winning combination drawing means 110 and the winning combinations. The winning combination drawing means 110 switches between these winning combination drawing tables 120 depending on the game state, the setting value, and the like. This allows the probability of winning to vary for each game state.

(Reel control means 130)
The reel control means 130 rotates the rotating reel 40 based on the operation signal of a valid start switch 30, and controls the stopping of the rotating reel 40 based on the drawing result of the winning drawing means 110 and the operation timing of a valid stop switch 50, while recognizing the current position of the pattern based on the detection signal of a reel rotation detection sensor (not shown).

This reel control means 130 starts the rotation of all the reels 40 based on the operation signal of the start switch 30 when certain game start conditions are met, such as medals being bet and a certain amount of time (so-called wait time) having passed since the start of the previous game.

In addition, when any of the stop switches 50 is operated while the reels 40 are rotating, a stop signal is output based on the operation signal of the stop switch 50, and the rotation of the reel 40 corresponding to the operated stop switch 50 is stopped.

When the reel control means 130 stops the reels 40, it can move the symbols in the direction of rotation by a maximum of four sliding frames, based on the symbol display position when the stop operation was performed. With this control, if the result of the drawing by the winning drawing means 110 is a "lose", kicking control is performed so that the symbols on the three reels 40 do not line up in any winning pattern. Also, if the result of the drawing is a winning combination, pulling control is performed so that the symbols on the three reels 40 are as close as possible to the winning pattern related to the winning combination.

Such kicking control and reeling control are calculated and executed based on the results of the role drawing by the winning drawing means 110, the operation timing of the stop switch 50, the priority of the stop position, etc. For example, when two or more roles are simultaneously won, reeling control is performed according to the priority associated with each role so that the symbol combination corresponding to the role with the highest priority can be displayed on the winning line.

When the push order minor feature described below is won, if each stop switch 50 is operated in the correct push order, the symbols related to that push order minor feature are pulled onto the active line, regardless of the timing of the stop operation, and the push order minor feature is won. On the other hand, if each stop switch 50 is operated in a push order other than the correct push order, the symbols related to that push order minor feature are controlled so that they do not line up on the active line, and the push order minor feature is not won.

(Winning Determination Means 140)
The winning determination means 140 is for determining whether or not a winning has been won based on the display state when the three rotating reels 40 are stopped by operating the stop switch 50. Specifically, when all the rotating reels 40 stop rotating, it is determined that a winning combination corresponding to the pattern arrangement has been won, provided that a predetermined pattern arrangement is aligned on any of the effective winning lines. If the winning is accompanied by the payout of medals, a payout winning signal is output to the hopper unit 65 (or medals are added to credits instead of being paid out). If the winning is a combination that causes a change in game state, it notifies the game state control means 100 to change the game state. If a replay combination is won, an automatic bet process is performed, allowing the player to start the next game without inserting new game medals.

(Hopper control means 150)
The hopper control means 150 operates the hopper unit 65 and controls the payout of medals based on a payout winning signal from the winning determination means 140, an operation signal from the settlement switch 17, etc. When a winning is accompanied by the payout of medals, the payout medals may be automatically stored electronically as credits, and only the amount of the payout medals that exceeds the allowable number of credits may be paid out from the hopper unit 65.

(Setting Means 220)
The setting means 220 is for setting a set value from among a plurality of set values with different degrees of advantage to the player. This set value can be changed by operating a switch provided inside the locked cabinet 11, and is set in advance by the manager of the hall in which the slot machine 10 is installed before the hall opens or closes. Although not shown, a different role drawing table 120 is provided for each set value, and the role drawing table 120 corresponding to the set value is used in the role drawing, so that the medal payout rate changes according to the set value. In this embodiment, the set value consists of six stages from 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest payout rate, and the payout rate decreases as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. In terms of payout rate, when the set value is set to 6, the player has the highest advantage in the game, and the advantage in the game decreases stepwise as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. Note that, although the set value is set to six stages in this embodiment, this is not limited to this, and the set value may be five stages or less.

(Big Win Game Control Means 230)
The big win game control means 230 is for controlling the execution of the big win game. The big win game according to this embodiment is a game in which a push order notification, which will be described later, is activated to activate an instruction function that displays an operation mode advantageous to the player, and is a game called AT (assist time) or ART (assist replay time).
This jackpot game control means 230 executes an AT lottery in a game during a favorable zone described later, and executes control to start a jackpot game when the AT lottery is won.

The AT lottery by the jackpot game control means 230 is performed, for example, by extracting a random number generated by the random number generating means at the timing of the operation of the start switch 30, and comparing the extracted random number with the AT lottery table. In the AT lottery table, a "win" or "lose" is assigned to each random number that can be extracted, so that a "win" or "lose" can be identified by comparing the random number with the AT lottery table.

The jackpot game may be started under other conditions, not limited to the above. For example, the jackpot game may be started when a specific winning combination is won or awarded. Also, an AT lottery may be executed when a specific winning combination is won or awarded. Also, when a transition to a favorable zone occurs under a specified condition, the jackpot game may be started at the same time as the transition to the favorable zone occurs.

The jackpot game thus started continues until a predetermined benefit is awarded to the player. For example, this jackpot game is played until a predetermined number of AT games are played. This number of AT games may be determined by drawing lots at the start of the jackpot game. Also, during the execution of the jackpot game, an additional drawing may be conducted to add to the number of AT games.

Even if the number of AT games described above is not played, if the limiter of the advantageous zone described below is reached, the jackpot game will end at the same time as the advantageous zone ends. At this time, since the sudden end of the jackpot game will give the player a sense of discomfort, the player may be notified that the jackpot game is nearing its end. For example, if the limiter of the advantageous zone is set to a difference of 2,400 coins, a jackpot game end effect may be executed when the actual difference in coins becomes close to this number (e.g., 2,000 coins). By executing such an end effect, the player can predict that the end of the jackpot game is near, so it is less likely to give the impression that the jackpot game has ended abruptly.

The difference in number mentioned above is the number of medals won minus the number of medals bet. For example, if you bet three medals and get a payout of "1", the difference in number is "-2". Also, if you bet three medals and get a payout of "10", the difference in number is "7". The limiter for the advantageous zone is a difference of 2400, which means that the advantageous zone ends when the cumulative difference in number during the advantageous zone reaches 2400.

When the jackpot game ends, a check is made to see if a specific reset condition has been met. If the reset condition has been met, the machine transitions to the reset state. On the other hand, if the reset condition has not been met, the machine transitions to the normal state without transitioning to the reset state.

In this embodiment, the MY in the currently active advantageous zone is used as the reset condition. MY is the difference between when the difference in number of coins is the smallest and the largest in the advantageous zone. For example, if the difference in number of coins is the smallest at the 10th game in the advantageous zone, reaching "-100 coins," and the difference in number of coins is the largest at the end of the jackpot game, reaching "1000 coins," then MY is the difference between these two, that is, "1100 coins." In this embodiment, if MY is 1000 coins or more, it is determined that the reset condition is met.

In addition, in this embodiment, the reset condition is also met when the limit of the advantageous zone is reached and the jackpot game ends. Therefore, when the limit of the advantageous zone is reached and the jackpot game ends, the game transitions to a reset state.

(Small win game control means 235)
The small win game control means 235 is for controlling the execution of the small win game. The small win game according to this embodiment is a game in which a push order notification, which will be described later, is activated to activate an instruction function that displays an operation mode advantageous to the player, and is a so-called pseudo bonus.

This small win game control means 235 executes control to start a small win game when a predetermined condition is met. In this embodiment, a pseudo bonus drawing is performed when a predetermined winning combination is won, and a small win game starts when the pseudo bonus drawing is won.

The small win game awards the player with a smaller profit than the big win game described above, and ends when a predetermined profit has been awarded to the player. In this embodiment, the small win game is configured to award the player with approximately 50 medals. As already explained, the AT lottery is executed during the small win game, and if the AT lottery is won, the small win game ends and the big win game begins.

When the small win game ends without winning the AT lottery, a check is made to see if the ceiling number of times for the small win game has been reached. If the ceiling number of times has been reached, the game moves to the big win game. On the other hand, if the ceiling number of times has not been reached, the game does not move to the big win game and moves to the normal state.

The ceiling number of times for the small win game is the number of times that the small win game can be played to obtain the right to play the big win game. In this embodiment, the system is configured so that the big win game will always start when the small win game has been played up to a predetermined ceiling number of times. The initial value of this ceiling number is determined by drawing lots using the ceiling number control means 250, which will be described later.

(Game area control means 240)
The game zone control means 240 is for controlling the game zone. The slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment has, as game zones, a non-advantageous zone in which the instruction function displaying the operation mode advantageous to the player cannot be used, and an advantageous zone in which the instruction function displaying the operation mode advantageous to the player can be used.

In the non-advantageous zone, the push order notification described below cannot be made, and therefore it is not possible to assist in the winning of a winning combination. In this non-advantageous zone, the big win game and small win game described above cannot be executed.

On the other hand, in the advantageous zone, the push order notification described below is possible, which can assist in winning the winning combination. In this advantageous zone, the jackpot game and small jackpot game described above can be executed. In other words, the advantageous zone is always in effect during the jackpot game or small jackpot game.

This game zone control means 240 executes a lottery for a favorable zone during a game in a non-favorable zone (for example, at the start of a game), and executes control to transition the game zone to a favorable zone when the favorable zone lottery is won. The game zone control means 240 executes a lottery for a favorable zone, for example, by extracting a random number generated by a random number generating means at the timing of operation of the start switch 30, and comparing the extracted random number with a favorable zone lottery table. In the favorable zone lottery table, a "win" or "lose" is assigned to each random number that can be extracted, so that a "win" or "lose" can be identified by comparing the random number with the favorable zone lottery table.

In this embodiment, the system is configured to execute a favorable zone lottery when a specified winning role (rare role) is won. However, the manner in which the player moves to the favorable zone is not limited to this. For example, when a specified winning role (rare role) is won, the player may move to the favorable zone without executing a favorable zone lottery.

This advantageous period can be continued until a pre-determined upper limit is reached. For example, it continues until a predetermined number of advantageous period games (e.g. 4,000 games) is played or a predetermined difference in number of coins (e.g. 2,400 coins) is exceeded. When the limiter is reached, the advantageous period ends and the game transitions to a non-advantageous period.

The difference in number related to the limiter mentioned above is the difference in number during the currently active advantageous period (the cumulative total of the number of medals won minus the number of medals bet, from the time the advantageous period began). In other words, it is the cumulative total of the difference in number up to the present, with the start of the advantageous period being set as "0". When this difference in number exceeds 2,400, the advantageous period ends.

(Ceiling number control means 250)
The ceiling number of times control means 250 is for controlling the ceiling number of times for a small win game. This ceiling number of times control means 250 executes a distribution lottery to determine the initial value of the ceiling number of times when the set value is changed and when the big win game ends. As a result, the initial value of the ceiling number of times for a small win game is determined to be one of 1 to 8. The initial value of the ceiling number of times determined in this way is not reset until the set value is changed or the big win game starts.

The ceiling number control means 250 also performs a process to subtract "1" from the ceiling number each time a small win game ends. Then, when the ceiling number becomes "0", the big win game starts. Therefore, if a small win game starts when the ceiling number is "1", the big win game starts after the small win game ends.

(Performance control means 300)
The performance control means 300 is for controlling the operation of the performance section 66, such as the image display section 67, the lamps 68, and the speaker 69. The performance control means 300 selects and executes a performance based on a signal related to the game state transmitted from the main control board 21. Specifically, the performance control means 300 collates the signal from the main control board 21 with the data of a performance table 310 stored in the ROM, and performs performances such as announcing a winning prize and announcing the order in which buttons should be pressed.

Push order notification is a control that executes an effect to assist the player in winning in the advantageous zone. For example, it is a control that displays the operation order on the image display unit 67, notifies the player by voice from the speaker 69 which stop switch 50 to operate, or lights up the stop switch 50 to operate. When a push order minor feature is won, the effect control means 300 in this embodiment obtains the correct push order (the operation order of the stop switch 50) for winning the push order minor feature, and executes an effect to notify the player of the correct push order.

The push order minor feature is a minor feature or replay feature that is controlled so that a winning symbol is aligned when the stop switch 50 is operated in a specified push order. If the push order is not announced, it is not known which push order minor feature has been won, and the correct push order is also unknown, making it difficult to aim for the push order minor feature and win. On the other hand, if the correct push order is announced, it is possible to easily win the push order minor feature by operating the stop switch 50 according to the push order announcement.

The presentation control means 300 can also perform continuous presentations over multiple games. By performing story-like continuous presentations under specified conditions, it is possible to suggest advantageous situations to the player and liven up the game.

(Regarding penalties)
The main control board 21 according to the present embodiment is configured to execute a predetermined penalty action when an operation other than a predetermined operation is detected. An operation other than a predetermined operation is, for example, an operation different from the push order notification. Specifically, in a game in which push order notification is not performed, a predetermined penalty action is executed when an operation other than the so-called sequential push (an operation in which the left stop switch 51 of the three stop switches 50 is pressed first to make the first stop) is detected, or in a game in which push order notification is performed, an operation other than the notified push order is detected. Two types of penalty actions are executed: a penalty in the main control board 21 and a penalty in the sub-control board 22.

The penalty in the main control board 21 is not particularly limited, but can be configured in the same way as in the past. For example, a penalty can be imposed such as not being able to receive a lottery that is advantageous to the player (AT lottery, advantageous zone lottery, other point lottery, etc.). In this embodiment, this penalty in the main control board 21 only operates in the game in question.

In addition to executing the above-mentioned penalty, the main control board 21 also transmits a predetermined signal to the sub-control board 22, causing the sub-control board 22 to also execute the penalty. Upon receiving the signal from the main control board 21, the sub-control board 22 transitions to a penalty state and executes the penalty from the next game onwards. The penalty on the sub-control board 22 is executed by changing the presentation content. This change in presentation content continues until a predetermined number of games (2 or more, for example 10 games) has been played. Once this predetermined number of games has been played, the penalty state ends and the normal presentation content is restored.

The performance control means 300 according to this embodiment executes a performance drawing using a performance table 310 as shown in Figures 6 and 7 to determine which performance to execute. Normally, the performance drawing is executed using the normal performance table 310 shown in Figure 6, and in a penalty state, the performance drawing is executed using the penalty state performance table 310 shown in Figure 7. The performance control means 300 switches between these two types of performance tables 310 to execute the penalty on the sub-control board 22.

This presentation table 310 specifies the content of the presentation according to the results of the drawing by the winning combination drawing means 110. In other words, multiple presentations are linked to each winning combination, and the type of presentation to be selected is determined by the winning combination.

For example, in a normal presentation table 310 as shown in FIG. 6, if the result of the drawing by the winning lottery drawing means 110 is a "lose", a presentation drawing is executed with a 50% probability of "no presentation", a 15% probability of "presentation B", a 7.5% probability of "presentation D", a 10% probability of "presentation E", a 7.5% probability of "presentation G", a 5% probability of "presentation H", and a 5% probability of "presentation I".The presentation determined by this presentation drawing is then executed by the presentation control means 300.

On the other hand, in the effect table 310 in a penalty state as shown in FIG. 7, if the result of the drawing by the winning lottery drawing means 110 is a "lose", an effect drawing is executed with a 50% probability of "no effect", a 3% probability of "effect A", a 10% probability of "effect B", a 10% probability of "effect C", a 4.5% probability of "effect D", a 9% probability of "effect E", a 3% probability of "effect F", a 4.5% probability of "effect G", a 3% probability of "effect L", and a 3% probability of "effect M". The effect determined by this effect drawing is then executed by the effect control means 300.

In this way, the performance control means 300 uses different performance tables 310 for the penalty state and the non-penalty state. In other words, the frequency with which each performance is executed is set to be different for the penalty state and the non-penalty state.

These effects include suggestive effects that suggest that a specified winning combination has been won in a non-penalty state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, effects C, F, J, K, L, and M are suggestive effects that suggest that a specified winning combination has been won. These suggestive effects are designed to suggest to the player that an internal winning combination has been won in a non-penalty state.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, effects C and F are executed only when either "Replay", "Common Bell", "Rare Role A", "Rare Role B", "Rare Role C" or "Rare Role D" is won, so they are effects that suggest that either a replay, bell or rare role has been won.

As shown in FIG. 6, the effects J and K are executed only when one of the rare roles B, C, D, E, and F is won, so they are effects that suggest that a rare role has been won. Among the rare roles according to this embodiment, the rare roles E and F are winning roles (state transition roles) that trigger a transition to a favorable gaming state. By winning these state transition roles, it is possible to transition to a favorable mode such as a high probability mode or an ultra-high probability mode, or to a favorable gaming state such as a premonition state. When the effects J or K are executed, it is suggested that there is a possibility that the rare role E or F has been won. In other words, the effects J and K are intended to give the player a sense of expectation that they may have won a state transition role.

As shown in FIG. 6, the effects L and M are only executed when you win "Replay", "Common Bell", "Rare Role A", "Rare Role B", "Rare Role C", "Rare Role D", "Rare Role E", or "Rare Role F", so they are effects that suggest you have won either Replay, Bell, or Rare Role. When the effects L or M are executed, "Rare Role E"
It is suggested that there is a possibility that the "rare combination F" has been won. In other words, the effects L and M are intended to give the player a sense of expectation that the state transition combination may have been won.

Such suggestive effects are set to have no meaning in a penalty state. In other words, as shown in Figure 7, in a penalty state, suggestive effects are executed even if the player does not win the winning combination that is the subject of the suggestion, and some of the suggestive effects are not executed, making it difficult to guess the winning combination from the effects.

For example, as already explained, effects C and F in the normal state are suggestive effects that suggest that a replay, bell, or rare role has been won. However, as shown in FIG. 7, in the penalty state, even if a "miss," "1-coin role A," or "1-coin role B" has been won, effect C or F is executed, so there is no suggestion that a replay, bell, or rare role has been won.

In addition, the effects J and K in the normal state are "Rare B", "Rare C", and "Rare D".
This is a suggestion effect that suggests that either "Rare combination E" or "Rare combination F" has been won. However, as shown in FIG. 7, in the penalty state, the effects J and K are not executed.

Also, the effects L and M in the normal state are suggestive effects that suggest that a replay, bell, or rare role has been won. However, as shown in FIG. 7, in the penalty state, even if a "miss", "1-piece role A", or "1-piece role B" has been won, the effect L or M is executed, so the suggestion that a rare role including a state transition role , a replay, or a bell has been won is not valid.

In this way, in a penalty state, it is difficult for the player to guess from the presentation what role the internal win is. In particular, it is no longer possible to read from the suggestive presentation that the internal win has been on a state transition role ("Rare Role E" or "Rare Role F") that triggers a transition to a favorable gaming state. When a penalty is executed on the sub-control board 22 in this way, the player is no longer able to sense that a transition trigger to a favorable gaming state has been established.

However, a penalty on the sub-control board 22 does not mean that all suggestive effects (effects C, F, J, K, L, and M) will not be executed. For example, the suggestive effects C, F, L, and M are executed even in a penalty state. For this reason, unless a player knows that they are in a penalty state, it is difficult for the player to notice the change in the effect content. For example, if a player performs an operation on the sub-control board 22 that puts the player in a penalty state and stops playing in that state, even if the next player plays in a penalty state, it is difficult for him or her to notice that the player is in a penalty state. For this reason, even though the penalty can be carried over to the next game and beyond, all players can play without feeling particularly uncomfortable.

(The general flow of one game)
Next, the general flow of one game in the slot machine 10 will be described in consideration of the above-mentioned penalty processing.
5, the process waits until detection of operation of the start switch 30. If operation of the start switch 30 is detected and a predetermined game start condition is met, the process proceeds to step S105.
In step S105, a drawing is carried out by the winning combination drawing means 110 to determine the winning combination. Then, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the main control board 21 notifies the sub-control board 22 of the winning role. The sub-control board 22 checks whether the current state is a penalty state. If it is not a penalty state, the process proceeds to step S115. If it is a penalty state, the process proceeds to step S120.

If the process proceeds to step S115, the performance control means 300 executes a performance lottery process using the normal performance table (Figure 6). This determines which performance to execute. The process then proceeds to step S130.

When the process proceeds to step S120, the performance control means 300 executes a performance lottery process using the performance table (FIG. 7) in the penalty state. This determines which performance is to be executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S130.
In step S130, the performance control means 300 makes a selection and starts the performance, and then the process proceeds to step S135.
In step S135, the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the spinning reel 40. Then, the process proceeds to step S140.

In step S140, the process waits until operation of the stop switch 50 is detected. When operation of the stop switch 50 is detected, the reel control means 130 performs control to stop the spinning reel 40 corresponding to the operated stop switch 50. When all spinning reels 40 have stopped, the process proceeds to step S145.

In step S145, the winning determination means 140 determines whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the display state of the stopped spinning reel 40. If the result of the determination indicates that a winning combination has been achieved, a profit corresponding to the winning combination is awarded to the player. Then, the process proceeds to step S150.

Step S150 is a process executed by the sub-control board 22 in the case of a penalty state. In this step S150, the sub-control board 22 subtracts "1" from the penalty game count. As a result, if the penalty game count becomes "0", the process proceeds to step S155. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S160.
If the process proceeds to step S155, the penalty state is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S160.

In step S160, it is checked whether an operation subject to a penalty has been performed. Specifically, if the game does not include a push order notification, it is checked whether an operation other than the push order has been performed. Also, if the game includes a push order notification, it is checked whether an operation other than the notified push order has been performed. As a result, if an operation subject to a penalty has been performed, the process proceeds to step S165. On the other hand, if an operation subject to a penalty has not been performed, the process returns to step S100 and waits for the start of the next game.

If the process proceeds to step S165, a penalty action is executed on the main control board 21. For example, a lottery advantageous to the player may not be executed (or may be invalidated), or advantageous points may not be added to the player. Then, the process proceeds to step S170.

In step S170, a predetermined signal is sent from the main control board 21 to the sub-control board 22 to notify that an operation that is subject to a penalty has been executed. The sub-control board 22 that has received the signal transitions to a penalty state and sets the number of penalty games to a specified number (for example, "10
"). This causes the penalty in the sub-control board 22 to begin from the next game. Then, the process returns to step S100 to wait for the start of the next game.

(summary)
As described above, according to this embodiment, when the main control board 21 detects an operation that is subject to a penalty, in addition to executing a predetermined penalty action, it transmits a predetermined signal to the sub-control board 22. The sub-control board 22 that receives this signal then transitions to a penalty state and changes the presentation content from the next game onwards. With this configuration, the penalty can be carried over to the next game onwards in the sub-control board 22 that is not subject to restrictions such as rules, and the penalty can be realized by the difference in the presentation content.

Specifically, different performance tables 310 are used for the penalty state and the non-penalty state, which results in different performance lottery results.

For example, in a penalty state, the suggestion effect is executed even if the player does not win the winning combination that is the subject of the suggestion, making it difficult to receive the benefit of the suggestion. Also, in a penalty state, at least some of the suggestion effects are not executed, making it difficult to receive the benefit of the suggestion.

In particular, the effects suggesting that a player has won a state transition role (rare role) that triggers a transition to a favorable gaming state are less credible or are not even shown at all, making it difficult to benefit from the hints.

The winning combination suggested by the suggestive performance may be a combination that wins when a specific symbol is aimed at and the stop switch is operated at a specific timing (a combination that requires so-called "eye-pressing"). In this way, the presence or absence of a penalty state can indirectly affect the number of balls dispensed. For example, in a non-penalty state, the winning combination can be guessed, so eye-pressing can be performed to aim for the winning combination, but in a penalty state, the winning combination cannot be guessed, so eye-pressing cannot be performed to aim for the winning combination, and a prize cannot be obtained.

The winning role that is suggested by the suggestion effect may be a role related to instructions (such as a push order minor role that is won when the stop switch is operated in a specified push order). For example, when a penalty state is entered, the frequency of the effects that notify the push order may be reduced compared to normal times. If configured in this way, it becomes more difficult to win the push order minor role in a penalty state, so the difference in the effects can affect the number of balls dispensed.

In the above embodiment, one normal effect table 310 and one penalty state effect table 310 are provided, but in reality, different effect tables 310 can be used depending on the game state and mode. In addition, the type of effect and the frequency of the effects can be freely set.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine 11 Cabinet 12 Display window 13 Symbol display window 14 Coin insertion slot 15 Insert switch 16 Bet switch 17 Settlement switch 18 Coin payout slot 20 Control device 21 Main control board 22 Sub-control board 30 Start switch 31 Front door 31A Operation section 31B Lower panel 31C Lower tray 32 Credit display section 40 Rotating reel 41 Left reel 42 Middle reel 43 Right reel 50 Stop switch 51 Left stop switch 52 Middle stop switch 53 Right stop switch 60 Reel unit 65 Hopper unit 66 Performance section 67 Image display section 68 Lamp 69 Speaker 100 Game state control means 110 Winning drawing means 120 Role drawing table 130 Reel control means 140 Winning determination means 150 Hopper control means 220 Setting means 230 Big win game control means 235 Small win game control means 240 Game section control means 250 Ceiling number of times control means 300 Presentation control means 310 Presentation table

Claims (4)

A main control board that controls the progress of the game;
A sub-control board that controls the performance;
A gaming machine having:
When the main control board detects an operation other than a predetermined operation, the main control board executes a predetermined penalty operation and transmits a predetermined signal to the sub-control board;
The sub-control board, upon receiving the predetermined signal, transitions to a penalty state and changes the content of the presentation for the next game and thereafter.
The main control board includes a winning selection means for selecting whether any of a plurality of winning roles has been won or lost,
The winning role includes a rare role, and the winning of the rare role is configured to be an opportunity to transition to a favorable gaming state,
The performance includes a special suggestion performance that is executed only when the rare role is won in a non-penalty state,
When the rare combination is won in the penalty state, the special suggestion effect is not executed, and an effect different from the special suggestion effect is executed ;
The performance to be executed when the rare role is won in the penalty state is determined by drawing lots from a plurality of performances including a suggestive performance that suggests that the rare role has been won.
Amusement machine. The penalty state continues until a predetermined number of games, which is equal to or greater than two, is played.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1. The sub-control board includes a performance table that specifies performance contents according to the drawing result of the winning drawing means, and a performance control means that determines a performance to be executed by drawing using the performance table,
the performance control means uses different performance tables for the penalty state and the non-penalty state;
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1. The performance includes a predetermined suggestion performance that suggests that the rare role has been won in the non-penalty state,
In the penalty state, the predetermined suggestion performance is executed even if the rare role is not won.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 3.

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