JPH012680A - slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is capable of automatically moving the symbol row to display winnings even after the movement of the symbol row has stopped, if certain conditions are satisfied. This is about a slot machine.

[Conventional technology]

A slot machine has multiple reels each with multiple slots,
Arrange multiple types of symbols to form multiple symbol rows, move the symbol rows all at once by rotating the reels, and when they stop, see how the symbols that appear in the display window are combined on the winning line. Winners compete for prizes based on how well they do.

By the way, even after the reels have stopped, if a certain symbol appears in the display window, or if a symbol is displayed under certain conditions even though it is off the winning line, for example, if you press a button, etc. A slot machine has been proposed in which the reels can be rotated forward or reverse within a range of several symbols. If a prize is obtained by adjusting the reels, a payout coin corresponding to the prize can be obtained. Such a function is called a nudge function, and is effective in increasing the interest of slot machine games.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in a slot machine having a nudge function as described above, even if the nudge function allows a win to be obtained, a predetermined symbol does not appear on the winning line. Unlike the normal winning display that is arranged in a row,
Since the symbols are arranged in a random manner, it is difficult for beginners in particular to identify winnings, making it easy to miss winnings. In addition, when trying to win using the nudge function, players must manually operate buttons to shift and adjust the reels, making it difficult for experienced players who play the game over and over again in a short period of time.
There is a problem in that the shifting operation performed for each reel is troublesome.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a slot machine that allows players to enjoy the game with new interest without complicating operations. The purpose is to

The above-mentioned object of the present invention is not limited to a slot machine in which symbols are arranged around the outer periphery of a reel or an endless belt to obtain a symbol string, but also a slot machine that displays symbol strings on a CRT screen based on graphic data. This is also common to video-type slot machines.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention determines that the symbols displayed in the display window satisfy a specific condition when the symbol row stops moving, and issues a specific winning signal. and a symbol array adjusting means that operates upon receiving the specific winning signal and adjusts the movement of at least one of the symbol arrays in order to display a symbol array corresponding to winning on a display window. It is.

[Effect]

According to the above configuration, even after the movement of multiple symbol rows has stopped, if the symbol displayed at that time satisfies a specific condition, the movement of the symbol rows is automatically adjusted, and the player can enjoy special It becomes possible to win prizes without performing additional operations.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

〔Example〕

In FIG. 4 showing a 5-reel type slot machine using the present invention, a vertically elongated window 3 is provided on the front panel 2 of the main body 1.
There are five. Through these windows 3, symbols arranged around the outer periphery of the first to fifth reels 5 to 9 that are rotated within the main body 1 can be observed.

Each window 3 is sized to display three symbols for each reel, so a total of 15 symbols in 3 rows and 5 columns can be observed.

Prior to starting the game, when a coin is inserted through a coin slot 10 and a start lever 11 is pulled, the first to fifth reels 5 to 9 rotate at the same time. These reels 5 to 9 stop sequentially at random timing. Then, when all the reels have stopped, if the combination of symbols appearing in the center of each window 3, that is, symbols appearing on the winning line 12, corresponds to a winning,
The number of coins corresponding to the winning amount is paid out to the tray 14.

In FIG. 1 showing the circuit block for controlling the operation of the slot machine, the first to fifth reels 5 to 9 are as follows:
A stepping motor 16 whose drive is controlled by a microprocessor unit 15 (hereinafter referred to as MPU 15)
Rotated by ~20. That is, the drivers 24 to 28 operate in response to clock pulses supplied from the clock pulse generation circuit 22 to the MPU 15, and the stepping motors 16 to 20 rotate in accordance with the number of clock pulses.

The number of clock pulses that rotate the stepping motors 16-20 are counted by counters 30-34, respectively. Further, each reel 5-9 is provided with protrusions 5a-9a for generating a reset signal, and the passage of the protrusions 5a-9a is detected by photo sensors 36-40. A reset signal is obtained from the photosensors 36 to 40 each time each reel rotates once, and this causes the counter 30 to
The count value of ~34 is reset to "0". Therefore, the count value of each counter 30-34 comes to show a value corresponding to the rotation angle within the range of one rotation of the reels 5-9. Since the reference position of reels 5 to 9 and the number and type of symbols arranged at a partial pitch from this reference position are known in advance, the winning line can be set by referring to the count values of counters 30 to 34. The type of symbol appearing on 12 can be determined. The part surrounded by the broken line A is configured as a microcomputer, and the program ROM 41 stores a sequence program for controlling the progress of the entire game.

The random value sampling circuit 42 samples an arbitrary random value within a certain numerical value range after the start lever 11 is pulled. A probability table 43 connected to the random value sampling circuit 42 has data for grouping the predetermined numerical value range into large hit, medium hit, small hit, and loss areas, and determines which group the sampled random value corresponds to. The determination result is supplied to the stop symbol determination circuit 44. Then, the stopped symbol determining circuit 44 determines a combination of symbols that satisfies the winning type (including losing) determined by the probability table 43.

After the combination of symbols is determined in this way, the MPU 15 sends the drivers 24 to 28 so that the symbol combinations are satisfied.
control the operation of Since the symbol table 45 stores data that associates the counted values of the counters 30 to 34 with symbols for each reel, the counted values of the counters 30 to 34 are monitored while referring to the symbol table 45. By doing this, the rotation of the reels 5 to 9 can be controlled so that the symbols determined by the stopped symbol determining circuit 44 are stopped on the winning line 12. Therefore, the combination of symbols stopped on the winning line 12 always constitutes a winning as determined by the probability table 43. And reels 5-9
After stopping, in the case of winning, the coin payout device 46 is activated and payout coins are paid out.

By the way, the slot machine using the present invention includes a specific condition detection circuit 47. A specific condition data table 48 and a reel movement amount determining circuit 50 are provided. The specific condition detection circuit 47 detects the counters 30 to 30 after the reels 5 to 9 have stopped.
Compare the count value of 34 with the specific condition data table 48,
Determine whether a specific prize has been obtained. For example, as shown in Figure 2, this specific winning may include reels 5 to 5.
9 stops with the "star" mark 55 displayed, and these "star" marks 55 do not all match the winning line 12 like a normal winning (but do not constitute a specific winning). .Winners like this are ski'ptard (sc
Attered) or scat.

In this embodiment, a scattered prize is determined by a specific condition detection circuit 47 and a specific condition data table 48. Therefore, in the specific condition data table 48, each reel 5 to
Counter 3 when the "star" mark 55 above 9 appears on the window
Count values from 0 to 34 are stored in memory. When the specific condition detection circuit 47 confirms the occurrence of a scattered win after the reels are stopped, the MPU 15 first operates the coin payout device 46 to pay out a portion of the payout coins for the scattered win, for example, 10 coins. .

Furthermore, the specific condition detection circuit 47 detects “stars” on reels 5 to 9.
Whether the display position of the mark 55 matches the winning line 12 or is shifted by one frame in either direction is detected from the counts of the counters 30 to 34, and this detection signal is sent to the reel movement amount determining circuit 50. Output. The reel movement amount determining circuit 50 supplies a signal to the MPU 15 to further drive necessary stepping motors 16 to 20 based on the thus input detection signal.

As a result, the reels 5, 6, and 7.9 whose "star" mark 55 does not match the winning line 12 are rotated by 1 frame in either the forward or reverse direction, and the winning line 1
2, the "star" marks 55 of reels 5 to 9 match.

When this process is completed, the coin dispenser 46 is driven again, and the remaining number of payout coins, for example, 20 coins, is further transferred to the tray 14.
will be paid out. By performing such scattered winning processing, it is possible to increase the player's awareness of scattered winnings, and it is possible to further enhance the interest of the game.

As the type of specific prize winning, the form shown in FIG. 3 can also be adopted. That is, the "clown" mark 58 is provided only on the third reel 7,
When this "clown" mark 58 stops on the winning line 12, a one-point winning is given regardless of the stopping positions of other reels. When this one-point win occurs, a part of the payout coins is paid out when the reels 5 to 9 stop in the state shown in FIG.

Then, the reels 5 to 9 are further moved by an appropriate number of frames, and after a winning display is performed by matching, for example, a "7" mark 59 on the winning line 12, the remaining number of dividend coins is paid out. Of course, the prize in this case is "7" mark 5
This is equivalent to winning when 9 lines up on winning line 12.

In the above embodiment, the specific condition detection circuit 47 detects a specific winning after the reels 5 to 9 stop, but the probability table 43 also applies to such a specific winning.
and can be determined in advance by the stop symbol determining circuit 44. In this case, the stop symbol determining circuit 44 determines the result as shown in FIG.

It is sufficient to temporarily stop the reels 5 to 9 in the state shown in FIG. 3, and then move and adjust the reels 5 to 9 to a stopping position where a predetermined prize can be obtained. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to the above-mentioned 5-reel type slot machine, but also to
It can be similarly applied to 3-reel type and video type slot machines, and can be used not only for one winning line but also for three or five winning lines.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the slot machine of the present invention, a specific win that is difficult for the player to recognize unlike a normal win is provided, and if this specific win is obtained when the symbol row stops moving, The symbol row is automatically moved and adjusted, and the display window displays a symbol arrangement that is easy for the player to recognize as a winning prize. Therefore, it is possible to attract the player's interest in the specific winning prize, and to further increase the interest of the game.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a slot machine using an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the symbol arrangement when winning a scattered prize. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the symbol arrangement when winning a one-point prize. FIG. 4 is an external view showing an example of a slot machine using the present invention. 3... Windows 5 to 9... 1st to 5th reels 12... Winning line 15... MPU 16 to 20... Stepping motor.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a slot machine in which a plurality of symbol rows are moved relative to a display window, and the presence or absence of a win is displayed by the arrangement of symbols that appears on the display window when the movement of the symbol rows is stopped, the plurality of the above-mentioned determining means for monitoring the symbol array in the display window when the symbol array stops moving, identifying that a predetermined specific symbol is included in the symbol array under certain conditions, and outputting a specific winning signal; and a symbol string that is activated by this specific winning signal and automatically moves at least one of the plurality of symbol strings in order to display a winning symbol arrangement different from the symbol arrangement on the display window. A slot machine characterized by comprising: an adjustment means. (2) A portion of the dividend coins is paid out when the specific winning signal is obtained, and the remaining number of dividend coins is paid out when the symbol array adjustment means is activated and the symbol array corresponding to the winning prize is displayed on the display window. The slot machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the slot machine is configured to pay out.