JPH0531431B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a symbol string display method for a slot machine that displays symbols on a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like to play a game.

[Prior art]

Conventional slot machines can be roughly divided into mechanical machines that move and stop symbol rows by physically rotating reels with multiple symbols drawn on the surface, and machines that move and stop symbols displayed on a display screen such as a CRT electronically. There is also an electronic type that can be controlled and moved.

An example of the configuration of a conventional device will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of the configuration of a mechanical slot machine, and a similar one is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 10388/1983. In this conventional device, the number of reels is three. A central shaft 2 is fixed to an outer box 1, and three cylindrical reels 3a, 3b, 3c are attached to it.
is provided rotatably. On the reels 3a, 3b, and 3c, there are m types and n symbols 4 (where m and n are natural numbers of 2 or more), such as cheery or banana symbols, the number "7", or plain white symbols, etc. are drawn, and the combinations of symbols are different for each reel. The outer box 1 is provided with a lid 6 having an observation window 5 so that the symbols drawn on the reels 3a, 3b, 3c can be observed through the observation window 5. Further, the outer box 1 is provided with a coin dispensing port 7 and an operating lever 8.

Next, the operation of the configuration example shown in FIG. 7 will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view of the symbols 4 drawn on the rotating reels 3a, 3b, 3c of the slot machine shown in FIG. 7, viewed from the observation window 5, and the same elements as in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals. First, a payline is selected depending on the number of coins inserted by the player.
Next, when the player operates the operating lever 8, the game starts, and the reels 3a, 3b, 3c are rotated in the same direction by a drive device (not shown). The rotation of each reel is then stopped independently by a stop device (not shown). Here, it is assumed that the reels 3a, 3b, and 3c have stopped at the symbol arrangement shown in FIG. 20, 30, 4
Assume that there are 5 lines of 0.50. In this case, since the rectangular symbols are lined up in a row on the payline 40, the sensor and hit determination device (not shown) determine that it is a win, and coins are dispensed from the coin payout port 7 according to a predetermined payout rate. paid out.

The above circumstances are related to electronic slot machines that display symbols on recent CRTs (for example,
The same is true for Publication No. 24556). That is,
Symbols stored in memory, created by a character generator, or generated by software are displayed on the slot machine as if multiple reels were arranged in parallel around a single central axis. , the symbols on the display screen are moved in a fixed direction by electronic control as if multiple reels were rotating around a single axis, and the movement of the symbols is stopped randomly by electronic control. . When the game stops, three symbols are displayed as valid symbols on each reel, and five paylines can be set, for example, as shown in FIG. 8. As a result of the game, a winning combination (a winning combination stored as a table or set as software) is found on the payline.
When it is, coins are paid out according to a predetermined payout rate.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

As mentioned above, conventional slot machines have a structure in which symbol rows consisting of multiple symbols are moved in parallel to each other in the same direction around a single central axis, and the movement is stopped for each symbol row. It is not possible to set paylines for the game. This is because the symbol arrangement, movement conditions, and stopping conditions are different for each symbol string, so symbol combinations between different symbol strings are subject to chance, but symbol combinations in the same symbol string are predetermined. This is because there is no chance involved. Slot machines are gaming machines that focus on chance in symbol combinations and set the payout rate according to the probability of the combination occurring. Therefore, for combinations of symbols in the same symbol string that do not involve chance, the above Paylines cannot be set. Also, as in Tokuko Sho 56-10388, if the number of valid symbols displayed on each of the three reels is three, it is possible to set a diagonal payline, but the combination of the three valid symbols on each reel is not a coincidence. Therefore, the variety of wins on each payline is extremely limited. In this way, conventional slot machines have a structure in which symbol rows are arranged in parallel to each other around a single central axis, resulting in a lack of variety in symbol combinations, and the lack of paylines limits the player's enjoyment. It was hot.

On the other hand, Utility Application No. 175363 (Sho 52-90192)
In the microfilm photographing the contents of the specification and drawings attached to the application, a game machine is shown with a number display section arranged in a matrix, but this is because the symbol rows on the reels are continuous in a fixed direction. This is a game machine that operates on a different principle from a slot machine that moves and gradually stops. Therefore, the concept of the matrix arrangement of the display section or the concept of winning combinations in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions can be applied directly to slot machines. I can't.

In addition, in this number matching game machine, only one number is displayed digitally and one-off on each display, and it is extremely difficult for the player to recognize what number was before it. During the game, the player has no idea what numbers will appear in the . In a slot machine, the previous symbol is displayed on the bottom and the subsequent symbol is displayed on the top, and the symbols flow one after another, allowing the player to say things like, ``If I advance one more frame, I would have won.'' You can recognize things like, ``If I was a frame late, I would have won.'' Slot machines have these characteristics that have attracted the attention and attention of many players over the years.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a symbol string display method for a slot machine that can increase the variety of symbol combinations and increase the number of pay lines for the game, thereby increasing the player's enjoyment. It is something.

[Means for solving problems]

The symbol string display method for a slot machine according to the present invention moves different symbol strings in the same direction in a plurality of symbol string display areas arranged in parallel on the display surface of a display whose display is controlled by a processor via a controller. By displaying the symbols while moving, stopping the movement of the symbol columns in the plurality of symbol column display areas based on a symbol selected by a random number for each symbol column, and connecting predetermined positions in the plurality of symbol column display areas. In a slot machine symbol string display method that determines whether a combination of symbols specified by random numbers on a predetermined payline matches a predetermined combination, one symbol is displayed on the display surface of the display when the symbol string stops. K×l (k, l are integers of 3 or more) symbol column display areas displaying valid symbols are arranged in parallel in a matrix of k rows and l columns, and the pay line is set in one of the symbol column display areas arranged in the matrix. When the symbol column is stopped, a plurality of valid symbols are set by connecting them in at least each row and each column direction in at least three areas, and when the symbol column is moved, the valid symbol display area is Two or three consecutive symbols are displayed at the same time, and when the symbol string stops, one valid symbol is displayed approximately in the center in the symbol string display area, and part of the two symbols before and after it is displayed. are displayed on both sides of the valid symbol to such an extent that the type of symbol can be identified.

〔Example〕

An example of the symbol string display method according to the present invention and the basic operation of a slot machine using this method will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of the CRT screen of a video slot machine, showing k×l slots (k and l are integers of 2 or more).
Symbol string display areas R ₁₁ to R _kl are arranged parallel to the matrix. In each of the display areas R ₁₁ to R _kl , symbol rows composed of n combinations of m types (m is a natural number of 2 or more) symbols (n is a natural number of 2 or more) are displayed movably in a fixed direction. It is becoming more and more like this. In each of the display areas R ₁₁ to R _kl , two or three symbols are displayed simultaneously when the reels move. Note that the specific patterns and the like of the symbols can be the same as those of the conventional ones.

On such a CRT screen, the paylines to be played in the game are set as k horizontally, H1 to Hk, and vertically, V1 to Vl as l.
When the symbol strings are stopped, one symbol, that is, a valid symbol, is displayed approximately at the center of each symbol string display area. At this time, some of the symbols before and after the valid symbol may be displayed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, if the partially displayed symbols are displayed at both ends of the display area to the extent that it is possible to identify which type they are, expectations for the next game will increase. Then, when the combination of symbols (valid symbols) on this payline matches a predetermined winning combination, coins are paid out as a "win". Please note that the above games can be controlled using ROM or
It is executed by a processor based on a program stored in memory such as RAM.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the operation of a slot machine using the method of FIG. First, when a coin is inserted by the player (step
S1), a payline for the game is selected according to the number of coins inserted, etc. (step S2). This selection of paylines for the game is performed by selecting some or all of the paylines that are preset (programmed) for each slot machine.

Next, when the player operates the lever (step S3), the reels (symbol rows) arranged in the matrix shown in FIG. 1 are driven in a certain direction (step S4). At this time, the player can simultaneously observe two or three symbols flowing in a certain direction in each symbol row display area. Then, a random number is generated for each reel (step S5), and a win is determined according to this random number and the payline selected in step S2 (step S6). Note that for this hit determination, combinations of symbols that result in a hit are stored in advance.

The random numbers are used to determine hits and are also used to control the reels to stop. That is, as shown in Figure 1, the symbol specified by the random number (valid symbol) is displayed and stopped at approximately the center of the symbol string display area, and some of the previous and subsequent symbols are displayed at the upper and lower ends. The stopping of each reel is controlled so that the reels are stopped in a state where the type can be identified (step S7). This control is continued until all reels are stopped (step S8).

When all the reels have stopped and the combination of symbols on the payline is a winning combination, coins are paid out at a predetermined payout rate (steps S9 and S10).

Next, an embodiment of an 8-payline slot machine to which a specific symbol string display method of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the slot machine according to the same embodiment as a combination of actual hardware and function realizing means. The input device 101 selects a payline according to the number of coins inserted by the player and issues a payline selection signal, issues a game start signal based on an external input such as a lever operation by the player, and provides this to the processor 102. . When the processor 102 receives the game start signal, it emits a start signal, which is sent to the random number generator 103 and
It is applied to the CRT control 104. The random numbers generated by the random number generator 103 are given to the virtual reel memory 105. Here, the virtual reel memory 105 stores k×l (3×3 in this embodiment) virtual reels R ₁₁ , R ₁₂ , R ₁₃ , R ₂₁ , R ₂₂ , R ₂₃ , R ₃₁ ,
R ₃₂ and R ₃₃ , and each virtual reel has m types of symbol codes (in the case of this embodiment, 0 in hexadecimal notation) stored at addresses from the first address to the nth address. It consists of five types of symbol codes (0 to 4) stored at addresses from address to address C. virtual reel memory 1
05 can be configured in a ROM, for example.

The CRT controller 104 reads the stored contents of the virtual reel memory 105 via the bus _106a , refers to the symbol memory 107, and displays a symbol string on the display screen of the CRT 108.
Here, the symbol memory 107 stores images of symbols corresponding to m symbol codes (in this embodiment, five symbol codes from 0 to 4), and can be configured in a ROM, for example.

The CRT controller 104 controls the CRT 108 based on the pointer data signal given from the virtual reel memory 10 via the bus _106b ,
A reel stop signal is provided to processor 102 via bus _106c . The processor 102 receives the stored contents of the winning combination memory 109, the payline selection signal applied from the input device 101, and the bus 10.
A hit is determined based on the pointer data signal given via the pointer 6b, and when it is a hit, the output device 1
At 10, coins are paid out. Here, the winning combination memory 109 stores winning combinations and payout rates for each payline, for example, a ROM
can be configured inside.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart explaining the operation of the slot machine shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the display screen of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in which symbol columns are arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns. Furthermore, since each symbol string moves and stops independently, there can be eight paylines, indicated by solid lines 100 to 800 in the figure. 6th
The figure is a diagram for explaining the stored contents of the winning combination memory 109, in which winning symbol combinations and corresponding payout rates are stored for each of paylines 100 to 800. In this embodiment, it is assumed that on the payline 800 as shown in FIG. 6, a payout rate of 250 times is set for the combination of symbol code "4".

Next, the operation of the slot machine shown in FIG. 3 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

When a coin is inserted into a coin slot (not shown), a payline is selected by the input device 101. Here, it is assumed that all paylines 100 to 800 have been selected. A payline selection signal is provided to processor 102. When a lever (not shown) is operated, a game start signal is given to the processor 102. Processor 102 issues a start signal based on this.

When the start signal is issued at time t ₁ ,
The CRT controller 104 controls the CRT 108 so that the symbol rows in a matrix move in a fixed direction as displayed on the display screen of the CRT 108.
control. Note that the reel images are read from the virtual reel memory 105 via the bus _106b , and the symbol images are read from the symbol memory 10.
It is read from 7. The start signal is also given to the random number generator 108, and the random numbers are generated in the virtual memory 1.
Given on 05. 16 for each of the virtual reels R11 to R33 depending on the given random number.
Addresses from address 0 to address C are selected in base number representation.

At time _t2 , virtual reel memory 105 issues a point data signal. The point data signal consists of an address and symbol code for each virtual reel selected by random numbers, and is given to the processor 102 and the CRT controller 104. Here, it is assumed that the combinations of symbol codes at addresses from address 0 to address C of the virtual reels are as shown in FIG. 3, and the virtual reels R11, R12, R13, R21, R22,
R23, R31, R32, R33 3, 7, 0,
5. Assume that address C is selected by random numbers. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, symbols with the symbol code "4" are lined up on the payline 800, and the processor 102 determines a win. The refund rate in this case is 250 times as shown in Figure 6.

When the hit determination is completed at time t ₃ , reel stop control signals are sequentially issued from the CRT controller 104 and applied to the CRT 108 . As a result, the movement of the symbol strings displayed on the display screen of the CRT 108 is sequentially stopped. Note that each symbol string stops at a position where the symbol estimated by the point data signal is at the center of the display.

When all symbol rows stop moving at time _t4 , the reel stop signal is output to the CRT controller 104.
The signal is generated from the processor 102 and given to the processor 102.
Then, the processor 102 controls the output device 110 so that coins are paid out at a predetermined payout rate (250 times in this embodiment).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, k×l reels displaying symbol rows consisting of combinations of symbols are arranged and displayed on the display surface in a matrix of k rows and l columns, and the paylines are arranged in the symbol rows ( Since the direction of movement of the reels is also set,
The number of paylines itself can be increased, and the entertainment value of the game can be improved.
Also, the display areas are arranged in a matrix and each area displays a separate symbol column, so
The correlation between symbol combinations on conventional paylines (perpendicular and diagonal directions to the symbol movement direction) can be significantly reduced, and the variety of symbol combinations can therefore be significantly increased. For these reasons, it becomes possible to set the coin payout rate upon winning to a large value. Furthermore, in each display area,
Since the valid symbol is displayed in the center when the reels are stopped, and some of the symbols before and after are also displayed, the player's anticipation can be heightened and the entertainment value of the slot machine can be significantly improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
A front view of the CRT tube surface, and Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the slot machine to which this method is applied.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a specific example of a slot machine to which the embodiment method of the present invention is applied, FIG. 4 is a timing chart explaining the operation of the above specific example shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on the display screen in the specific example of FIG. 3, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of an example of the configuration of a conventional slot machine.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the configuration example of FIG. 7. 105...Virtual reel memory, 107...Symbol memory.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a plurality of symbol column display areas arranged in parallel on a display surface of a display whose display is controlled by a processor via a controller, each symbol column is displayed while moving in the same direction,
The symbol string is determined by stopping the movement of the symbol string in the plurality of symbol string display areas based on a symbol selected by a random number for each symbol string, and connecting predetermined positions in the plurality of symbol string display areas. In a method for displaying a symbol string in a slot machine for determining whether or not a combination of symbols specified by the random numbers on a payline matches a predetermined combination, one symbol is displayed on the display surface of the display when the symbol string stops. The k×l symbol column display areas (k and l are integers of 3 or more) displaying valid symbols are arranged in parallel in a matrix of k columns and l rows, and the paylines are arranged in the matrix. setting a plurality of positions in at least three of the areas where the valid symbols are to be displayed when the symbol string is stopped by connecting them in at least each row and each column direction;
When the symbol string is moved, two or three consecutive symbols are simultaneously displayed in the symbol string display area, and when the symbol string is stopped, one valid symbol is approximately centered in the symbol string display area. A symbol string display method for a slot machine, characterized in that a part of two symbols before and after the valid symbol are displayed on both sides of the valid symbol to such an extent that the type of the symbol can be identified. 2. The symbol column display areas are arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, each of the 9 symbol columns is displayed in the 9 symbol column display areas, and the payline is arranged in the 3 rows and 3 columns of the symbol column display areas. 2. A method for displaying symbol rows in a slot machine according to claim 1, wherein a total of eight symbol rows are set in each row, each column, and in a diagonal direction.