JPH1176499A - Reel illumination control method for slot machine, and slot machine in whick the method is executed - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a game player of transition from an ordinary game to a bonus game by utilizing an illumination system for conducting illumination to the peripheral surface of each reel. SOLUTION: A game panel 3 of the front of a slot machine is provided with three columns of symbol display windows 3a, 3b, 3c. Three reels 9a, 9b, 9c and an illumination system 11 for conducting illumination for the peripheral surface of each rell are provided on the insides of the respective symbol display windows 3a, 3b, 3c. The illumination system 11 comprises first and second illuminating devices 11a, 11b. The first illuminating device 11a is normally lighted, and the second illuminating device 11b is operated to flicker at the time of transition from an ordinary game to a bonus game.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for stopping a plurality of reels on which a plurality of symbols are displayed on a peripheral surface. The present invention relates to a slot machine that shifts from a normal game to a bonus game a plurality of times by being established. In particular, the present invention controls the operation of an illumination system for illuminating the peripheral surface of each reel. The present invention relates to a lighting control method applied to a computer and a slot machine in which the lighting control method is implemented.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional typical slot machine is provided with a symbol display window for displaying symbols provided on the peripheral surface of each reel at the center of the front of the machine, and a medal is inserted into a proper position on the front. A mouth, a start lever, a stop button switch, and the like are provided. Inside the symbol display window, a plurality of reels and an illumination system such as a fluorescent lamp for illuminating the peripheral surface of each reel are provided, and when the power is turned on, the illumination system is turned on. The lighting operation illuminates the peripheral surface of the reel, and during the game, the symbols of each reel are set to be easily viewable from outside through the symbol display window.

In this type of slot machine, when a medal is inserted and a start lever is operated, all reels start rotating at the same time, and then all reels are stopped by a stop button operation by a player. When all reels stop, when a combination of symbols of each reel stopped on an activated stop line among a plurality of stop lines becomes a predetermined combination, the game is awarded and a predetermined number of cards are won. Is paid out as a payout.

In order to notify a player of occurrence of a prize, a lamp has been proposed which is disposed at a position of each stop line in an inner space of each reel (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-1).
No. 51785). In this slot machine, when a prize is generated, a lamp at the position of the corresponding symbol is turned on, thereby notifying the player of the occurrence of a prize, and allowing the player to know which symbol combination has been established. I have.

In recent slot machines, in order to give a player an opportunity to obtain a large number of medals, when a specific symbol combination of each reel is established on an activated stop line, the combination is specially determined. In general, a prize is won, and the normal game is shifted to a bonus game a plurality of times. When a special prize is won, a predetermined number (for example, 12) of bonus games can be executed. In each bonus game, when another specific symbol of each reel stops on, for example, a central stop line, a medal with a high payout is obtained. Will be paid out. During the bonus game, the stop operation of each reel is controlled so that the specific symbol stops on the central stop line, and as a result, the player can perform the predetermined number of bonus games. In addition, many medals can be obtained.

In the conventional slot machine, an illuminated panel is provided at a position above the symbol display window, and a combination of specific symbols of each reel is established on the activated stop line, and a special prize is won. In such a case, the player or the attendant is notified of the shift from the normal game to the bonus game or the continuation of the bonus game by blinking the illumination panel or the like (actual fairness 6-). 17
No. 33).

[0007]

Among the various methods for notifying a player of the occurrence of a prize, the above-described method of arranging a plurality of lamps in a space inside a reel and lighting the lamp involves the use of a corresponding symbol when a prize is generated. Has the effect of informing the player of the game, but since it simply informs the player of the result of the game, if this method is applied to a model that can execute a bonus game, the game to be executed now will be It is difficult to inform the player whether the game is a normal game or a bonus game, and it is difficult to increase the interest and expectation of the player for the bonus game.

On the other hand, in the case of the system in which the transition to the bonus game is notified by blinking of the illumination panel, the player is notified whether the game to be executed is a normal game or a bonus game. Yes, the illuminated panel is located higher than the player's eye level, and the player's line of sight is always pointing to the symbol display. And the feeling of expectation cannot be sufficiently increased.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and uses a lighting system for lighting the peripheral surface of each reel to notify a player of a transition from a normal game to a bonus game. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine lighting control method and a slot machine in which the method is implemented, which can sufficiently increase the interest and expectation of a player for a bonus game.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, when a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols on the peripheral surface are stopped, a specific symbol of each reel is displayed on an activated stop line. In the slot machine in which the normal game is shifted to the bonus game a plurality of times when the combination is established, an illumination system for illuminating the periphery of each reel when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game. Is switched to set an illumination state different from the illumination state in a normal game.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, at least the first bonus game is flashed by the lighting system until an operation for starting the bonus game is performed. I have.

In the invention according to claim 3, when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the first and last bonus games are flashed by the lighting system until an operation for starting the bonus game is performed. ing.

[0013] In the invention according to claim 4, the lighting system includes an illuminating device that emits at least two different colors of illuminating light.
Flashing illumination is performed by an illumination system of a different color from that in the normal game execution.

In the invention according to claim 5, the illumination system includes an illumination device that emits illumination light of at least two different colors, and when a normal game is shifted to a bonus game,
During the bonus game, the game is illuminated with illumination light different from that in the normal game.

In the invention according to claim 6, the illumination system includes a first illumination device that is turned on at least during a normal game, and a second illumination that emits illumination light of a color different from that of the first illumination device. When the game is shifted from the normal game to the bonus game, the second lighting device is alternately switched on and off for each bonus game.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols on the peripheral surface are stopped, a combination of specific symbols of each reel is established on an activated stop line. By doing so, in a slot machine adapted to shift from a normal game to a bonus game a plurality of times, an illumination system for illuminating the peripheral surface of each reel and an illumination control unit for controlling the operation of the illumination system are provided. The lighting control unit switches the operation of a lighting system for illuminating the peripheral surface of each reel when shifting from the normal game to the bonus game, and changes the lighting state during the normal game. The lighting condition is set differently from the lighting condition.

[0017]

When the normal game is shifted to the bonus game a plurality of times, the operation of the lighting system is switched, and each reel is illuminated in a lighting state different from the lighting state in the normal game. During the game, the player's line of sight is directed to each reel, so the player can immediately change to the bonus game or change to the bonus game due to the change in the lighting state of each reel. Recognize.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lighting operation is performed during the normal game, and when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the operation of starting the bonus game for the first bonus game or each bonus game is performed. Until there is a flashing light. By the switching of the lighting state, the player can immediately recognize that the game has shifted to the bonus game and that the game to be executed is the bonus game.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the first and last bonus games are illuminated by blinking until there is an operation for starting the bonus game. By the switching of the lighting state, the player can immediately recognize that the game has shifted to the bonus game and that the game to be executed is the first or last bonus game. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second and third aspects of the present invention, the color of the blinking illumination is made different from that of the normal game, so that the bonus game state can be more clearly recognized.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, after the transition from the normal game to the bonus game, the illumination control system switches the operation of the illumination system for illuminating the peripheral surface of each reel,
The lighting color is set to be different from the lighting color in a normal game.

In the invention according to claim 6, the first lighting device is turned on at least during the normal game, and when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the second lighting device is turned on for each bonus game. , And alternately switches on and off. By the switching of the lighting state, the player can immediately recognize that the game has shifted to the bonus game and that the game to be executed during the bonus game is the bonus game.

[0022]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The body of the slot machine is configured such that a door 2 is attached to the front of a box-shaped main body 1 so as to be openable and closable. On the front surface of the door 2, a game panel 3, a medal slot 4, a start lever 5, three stop button switches 6a, 6b, 6c, a medal discharge port 7, a medal tray 8, and the like are provided.

The game panel 3 is provided with three columns of symbol display windows 3a, 3b, 3c, and corresponds to the positions of the symbol display windows 3a, 3b, 3c.
Lower, stop line L ₁ ~L ₅ diagonal total of five are represented. If one put the number of medals, five of the stop line L ₁ ~L ₅ cormorant later, only the center of the stop line L ₁ is,
If there are two, the three stop lines L _{1 to} L of upper, middle and lower
_{If 3} is 3, all the stop lines L _{1 to} L
₅ are activated respectively.

Inside the main body 1, three reels 9 a, 9 a are provided inside the symbol display windows 3 a, 3 b, 3 c.
b, 9c are incorporated. Each reel 9a, 9b, 9
In the case of c, a plurality of types of symbols are drawn on the outer peripheral surface, and when the reel is stopped, each of the reels 9a, 9b and 9c
Symbol frame of is adapted to align aligned on the stop line L ₁ ~L _5. Although not shown, among the plurality of types of symbols on each of the reels 9a, 9b, and 9c, a symbol that establishes a normal winning in a normal game (hereinafter, referred to as a "normal winning symbol"), and a special symbol in a normal game. The symbols include a symbol for establishing a winning (hereinafter, referred to as a “special winning symbol”), a symbol for establishing a winning in a bonus game (hereinafter, referred to as a “bonus winning symbol”), and the like.

When medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 4, the number of stop lines corresponding to the number of inserted medals is activated, and when the starting lever 5 is operated, three reels 9a, 9b, 9c are activated. Starts all at once. Thereafter, each time the stop button switches 6a, 6b, 6c are operated, the corresponding reels 9a, 9b, 9c are individually stopped.

When all reels are stopped, when any of the combinations of "normal winning symbols" is established on the activated stop line, the medal dispensing machine inside the apparatus operates,
A predetermined number (for example, 2 to 10) according to the combination mode
Is discharged from the medal discharge port 7 to the medal tray 8. When a combination of “special winning symbols” is established on the activated stop line, the medal payout machine is activated, and a predetermined number of medals (for example, 15 medals) are transferred from the medal discharge port 7 to the medal receiving tray 8. After the release, the game is shifted from the normal game to the bonus game of a plurality of times. Furthermore, in each bonus game, the central stop line L ₁
When the “bonus winning symbol” of one of the reels is stopped, the medal payout machine is operated, and a predetermined number (for example, 15) of medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 7 to the medal receiving tray 8.

Although the drawings show a slot machine in which medals are inserted for each game for convenience of explanation, the present invention is not limited to this, and a large number of medals are input in advance to the machine. The present invention can also be applied to a slot machine in which the game is stored using the stored medals by a push button operation for each game. In this medal storing type slot machine, the payout of medals at the time of winning is realized by adding the number of stored medals by the payout number.

An illumination system 11 for illuminating the peripheral surfaces of the reels 9a, 9b, 9c is provided inside the game panel 3 inside the main body 1. Illumination system 11 in the illustrated example
Is composed of a first lighting device 11a that emits white light and a second lighting device 11b that emits red light. Each of the lighting devices 11a and 11b is an oblique front of each of the reels 9a, 9b and 9c. It is arranged at an upper position. In this embodiment, a fluorescent lamp is used as the first lighting device 11a, and a fluorescent lamp whose outer peripheral surface is covered with a red transparent film is used as the second lighting device 11b. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a light emitting diode, a lamp bulb, or the like may be used. In particular, multicolor display can be performed using light-emitting diodes of two colors or three colors of red, green, and blue.

FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the slot machine. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a control unit composed of a microcomputer.
21, ROM2 for storing programs and fixed data
2. It includes a RAM 23 used for reading and writing data.

The controller 20 is connected to a first lighting device 11a, a second lighting device 11b, a medal detection sensor 25, a medal dispenser 26, and the like via a bus 24. The medal detection sensor 25 detects a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 4 and outputs a medal detection signal. The medal payout machine 26 operates at the time of winning, and discharges the number of medals to be paid out from the medal discharge port 7 to the medal receiving tray 8. Although not shown, the bus 24 has input units such as the start lever 5, the stop button switches 6a, 6b, and 6c and a reel drive unit for driving the reels 9a, 9b, and 9c. Are also connected.

The CPU 21 controls a series of operations of each input / output unit while reading / writing data from / to the RAM 23 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 22. FIG. 4 to FIG. Is specifically shown in the flowchart.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a method of controlling the operations of the first and second lighting devices 11a and 11b. In the figure, (1) is a first lighting device 1
1A is a control example of the operation of the first lighting device 11a.
The lighting operation is performed when the power is turned on, and the lighting state is maintained until the power is turned off. (2) is the second in this embodiment.
Is a control example of the operation of the lighting device 11b, and (3) to
(8) is another control example of the operation of the second lighting device 11b.

As shown in FIG. 2 (2), when a special winning is established in the normal game and the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the second lighting device 11b performs the bonus game for the first bonus game. Is blinked until there is an operation by the player who starts the game, specifically, a medal insertion into the medal insertion slot 4 and an operation of the start lever 5. In this case, since the first lighting device 11a is always in a lighting state, the first lighting device 11b is provided on the peripheral surface of each of the reels 9a, 9b, 9c when the second lighting device 1b is turned on.
Light that is a mixture of white light from a and red light from the second lighting device 11b is emitted, and white light from the first lighting device 11a is emitted when the second lighting device 11b is turned off. . In the drawing, t ₁ indicates a period of waiting for the first bonus game start operation, and T _{1 to} T _N indicate periods of N bonus games.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (3), the second lighting device 11b sets N when a special prize is established in the normal game and the normal game is shifted to the bonus game.
In each of the bonus games, the blinking operation is performed until an operation is performed by a player who starts the bonus game, specifically, until a medal is inserted into the medal slot 4 and the start lever 5 is operated. It should be noted that in the figure, t ₁ ~t _N is the period are waiting to start operation of each round of the bonus game, also T ₁
~T _N is the period of each bonus game of N times, respectively.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (4), when the special prize is established in the normal game and the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the second lighting device 11b controls the first and last bonus games. Flashes until the player who starts the bonus game performs an operation, specifically, inserts a medal into the medal slot 4 and operates the start lever 5. In the figure, t ₁ and t _N indicate the period of waiting for the start operation of the first and last bonus games, and T _{1 to} T _N indicate the period of the N bonus games.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (5), when the special winning is established in the normal game and the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the second lighting device 11b turns on the light for each bonus game. The light turns off and on alternately.
That is, the light turns on in the odd-numbered bonus game, and turns off in the even-numbered bonus game. In this case, since the first lighting device 11a is always in a lighting state, each reel 9
On the peripheral surfaces of a, 9b, and 9c, when the second lighting device 1b is turned on, light obtained by mixing white light from the first lighting device 11a and red light from the second lighting device 11b, When the second lighting device 11b is turned off, white light from the first lighting device 11a is emitted. In the figure, T _{1 to} T _N indicate periods of each of the N bonus games.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (6), the second lighting device 11b starts the first bonus game when a special winning is established in the normal game and the normal game is shifted to the bonus game. It blinks until there is an operation by the player, more specifically, until a medal is inserted into the medal slot 4 and the start lever 5 is operated, and if there is a game start operation, the light turns off and the game start operation is completed. Then, when the reel rotates, the lighting operation is performed. For the second and subsequent bonus games, the second lighting device 11b alternately switches on and off for each bonus game. In this case, since the first lighting device 11a is in a lighting state, the second lighting device 1 is provided on the peripheral surface of each of the reels 9a, 9b, 9c.
When b is lit, the white light from the first lighting device 11a and the second light
Light mixed with the red light from the lighting device 11b, and the first lighting device 11a when the second lighting device 11b is turned off.
Illuminated with white light from In the figure, t ₁
Indicates the period of waiting for the start operation of the first bonus game, s ₁ indicates the period of the start operation of the first bonus game, and T _{1 to} T _N indicate the period of each of the N bonus games. .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (7), when the special prize is established in the normal game and the normal game shifts to the bonus game, the second lighting device 11b
For each bonus game, the game starts blinking until the player who starts the bonus game, specifically, inserts a medal into the medal slot 4 and operates the start lever 5, and the game start operation is started. If there is, the light is turned off, and when the game start operation is completed and the reel is rotated, the light is turned on or turned off. That is, the second lighting device 11b
Is turned on in the odd-numbered bonus game after the game start operation is completed, and is turned off in the even-numbered bonus game. In this case, since the first lighting device 11a is always in the lighting state, the second lighting device 11a has the second surface on the peripheral surface of each of the reels 9a, 9b, 9c.
When the lighting device 1b is turned on, light obtained by mixing white light from the first lighting device 11a and red light from the second lighting device 11b is used, and when the second lighting device 11b is turned off, the first light is used. White light from the illumination device 11a is emitted. In the figure, t _{1 to} t _N represent the period of waiting for the start operation of each bonus game, s _{1 to} s _N represent the period of the start operation of each bonus game, and T _{1 to} T _N represent N times. Shows the period of each bonus game.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (8), when the special prize is established in the normal game and the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the second lighting device 11b controls the first and last bonus games. Flashes until an operation by the player who starts the bonus game, specifically, until a medal is inserted into the medal slot 4 and the start lever 5 is operated, and when there is a game start operation, the light is turned off. After the game start operation is completed and the reels spin,
Turns on or off. In this case, the first lighting device 1
1a is always in a lighting state, so that each reel 9a, 9b,
When the second lighting device 1b is turned on, light that is a mixture of white light from the first lighting device 11a and red light from the second lighting device 11b is provided on the peripheral surface of the second lighting device 9c. Device 11
When b is turned off, white light from the first lighting device 11a is emitted. In the figure, t ₁ and t _N represent the period of waiting for the start operation of each of the first and last bonus games,
Also, s ₁ and s _N indicate the period of the start operation of the first and last bonus games, and T _{1 to} T _N indicate the period of each of the N bonus games.

FIG. 4 shows the first and second lighting devices 11a,
11 shows the flow of control by the CPU 21 when the operation of 11b is controlled based on the time charts of FIGS.
In the drawing, ST indicates each step of the control. First, when the power is turned on, the CPU 21 turns on the first illuminating device 11a, and sets a mechanical state in which a normal game can be executed (ST1). A process in which a player executes a normal game (S
At T2), if there is a special prize, the determination of ST3 by the CPU 21 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 21
Of the second lighting device 1 while the lighting device 11a is turned on.
1b is blinked (ST4). Second lighting device 11
By the blinking operation of b, the player recognizes that the normal game has shifted to the bonus game, and the start operation of the bonus game is prompted.

When the player inserts a medal into the medal slot 4 and operates the starting lever 5, the CPU 21 sets the ST.
The determination of 5 is “YES”, and the CPU 21 stops the blinking operation of the second lighting device and turns it off (ST
6). In the next ST7, the CPU 21 counts the number of executions n of the bonus game, and in this case, since it is the first bonus game, the number of executions n is n = 1.

In the next ST8, the first bonus game is executed. In the next ST9, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the result of the bonus game is a winning. If it is not a prize, the process proceeds from ST9 to ST10, and the CPU 21 determines that the number of executions n of the bonus game is equal to a predetermined limit value N (for example, N = 1).
Determine if 2) has been reached. In this case, the number of executions n has not reached the limit value N.
The determination at T10 is "NO", the process proceeds to ST15, and waits for the next bonus game start operation.

If the result of the bonus game is a prize, the process proceeds from ST9 to ST11, where the CPU 21 activates the medal payout machine 26 to discharge a predetermined number of medals, and adds 1 to the number m of winnings in the bonus game ( ST12).
In this embodiment, when the number of winnings m of the bonus game reaches a predetermined limit value M (for example, M = 8), or when the number of executions n of the bonus game reaches the predetermined limit value N, the bonus game is executed. In step ST13, it is determined whether or not the number of executions n of the bonus game has reached a predetermined limit value N. In step ST14, the number of winnings m is determined to be a predetermined limit value M. Are determined respectively. If both the determinations are “NO”, the process proceeds to ST15 and waits for the next bonus game start operation.

Thus, in the process of repeatedly executing the bonus game, it is determined in ST10 or ST13 that the number of executions n of the bonus game has reached the predetermined limit value N, or the number of winnings m of the bonus game is determined by the predetermined number m. When it is determined in ST14 that the limit value M has been reached,
The CPU 21 clears the number of executions n and the number of winnings m of the bonus game to zero (ST16), and returns to the normal game of ST2.

Next, the first and second lighting devices 11a, 11a,
In the case where the operation of 11b is controlled based on the time charts of FIGS. 3A and 3B, in FIG. 4, when the determination of ST10 or ST14 is "NO", it is indicated by dotted lines A and B in the figure. As described above, the CPU 21 operates in ST10 or ST10.
Control to return from step 14 to ST4 is performed. That is, in the bonus game of ST8, if the result is not a winning, the process proceeds from ST9 to ST10, where it is determined whether or not the number of executions n of the bonus game has reached a predetermined limit value N, and the determination is “NO”. If there is, the process returns to ST4 along the route of the dotted line A, and the CPU 21 returns to the second lighting device 11b.
Is blinked, and waits for the next bonus game start operation (ST4, ST5).

If the result of the bonus game is a prize, ST9 becomes "YES" and the medal is released (ST1).
0), the number of winnings m is added (ST11), and then ST1
The number of executions n and the number of winnings n of the bonus game are checked in 3 and 14, and if any of the determinations is “NO”,
Returning to ST4 along the path indicated by the dotted line B, the CPU 21 blinks the second lighting device 11b to wait for the next bonus game start operation (ST4, ST5).

FIG. 5 shows the first and second lighting devices 11a,
11 shows a control flow of the CPU 21 when the operation of the CPU 11b is controlled based on the time charts of FIGS.
The control procedure from ST1 to ST8 in the same drawing is the same as that in the embodiment of FIG. 4, and the description is omitted here. S
If the result of the bonus game of T8 is not a winning, ST9
Then, the process proceeds to ST10, where it is determined whether the number of executions n of the bonus game has reached a predetermined limit value N. If the determination is “NO”, the process proceeds to ST11, and the CPU 21 determines whether the number of executions n of the bonus game is It is determined whether the value is one less than the predetermined limit value N, that is, whether the next bonus game is the last bonus game. If ST11
Is "NO", the process proceeds to ST17 and waits for the next bonus game start operation. If the determination in ST11 is "YES", the process proceeds to ST4, in which the CPU 21 blinks the second lighting device 11b, and waits for the final bonus game start operation (ST4, ST5).

When the result of the bonus game is a prize, the determination in ST9 is "YES", and after paying out medals (ST12) and adding the number of winnings m (ST13),
In ST14 and ST15, it is checked whether the bonus game execution number n and the winning number n have reached the predetermined limit values N and M. If both the determinations are "NO", the process proceeds to ST16, and the CPU 21 It is determined whether or not the number of game executions n is one less than a predetermined limit value N, that is, whether or not the next bonus game is the last bonus game. If the determination in ST16 is "NO", ST
The process proceeds to 17 and stands by for the next bonus game start operation. If the determination in ST16 is "YES", ST4
The CPU 21 blinks the second lighting device 11b and waits for the final bonus game start operation (ST4, ST5).

FIG. 6 shows the first and second lighting devices 11a,
11 shows a control flow of the CPU 21 when controlling the operation of the CPU 11b based on the time charts of FIGS.
First, when the power is turned on, the CPU 21 turns on the first illuminating device 11a, and sets a mechanical state in which a normal game can be executed (ST1). In the process (ST2) where the player executes a normal game, if there is a special prize, the CPU
21 is "YES" and the CPU 2
1 turns on the second lighting device 11b while keeping the first lighting device 11a turned on (ST4). By the lighting operation of the second lighting device 11b, the player recognizes that the normal game has shifted to the bonus game, and the start operation of the bonus game is prompted.

When a player inserts a medal into the medal slot 4 and operates the starting lever 5, the CPU 21 sets the ST.
The determination at 5 is “YES”, and the CPU 21 determines whether the number of executions n is an even number after adding 1 to the number of executions n of the bonus game. If it is an odd number, the determination in ST7 by the CPU 21 is "NO", and the process proceeds to ST9 to execute the bonus game. If even, CPU
The determination in ST7 by 21 is "YES", the process proceeds to ST8 to turn off the second lighting device 11b, and then proceeds to ST9 to execute the bonus game.

If the bonus game is not executed as a result of the execution of the bonus game in the next ST9, the determination in ST10 is "NO".
The CPU 21 determines whether or not the number of executions n of the bonus game has reached a predetermined limit value N (for example, N = 12) (ST11). If the number of executions n has not reached the limit value N, the determination of ST11 by the CPU 21 is "N
O ", the process returns to ST6, and the same procedure is executed.

If the result of the bonus game is a prize, the process proceeds from ST10 to ST12, where the CPU 21 activates the medal dispensing machine 26 to discharge a predetermined number of medals.
One is added to the winning number m of the bonus game (ST1
3). Next, in ST14, it is determined whether or not the number of executions n of the bonus game has reached a predetermined limit value N.
In step 5, it is determined whether or not the number of winnings m has reached a predetermined limit value M. If all the determinations are "NO", the process proceeds to the next step ST16, where the next bonus game start operation is performed. stand by.

Thus, in the process of repeatedly executing the bonus game, it is determined in ST11 or ST14 that the number of executions n of the bonus game has reached the predetermined limit value N, or the number of winnings m of the bonus game is determined by the predetermined number N. When it is determined in ST15 that the limit value M has been reached,
First, in ST17, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the number of executions n of the bonus game is odd, that is, whether or not the second lighting device 11b is in a lighting state.
If "S", the second lighting device 11b is turned off in ST18, then the number of executions n and the number of winnings m of the bonus game are cleared to zero (ST19), and the normal game in ST2 is returned. If it is determined in ST17 that the number of executions n of the bonus game is an even number, the second lighting device 11b is turned off, so that ST18 is skipped and the process proceeds to the clearing process of ST19.

The operation of the second lighting device 11b is shown in FIG.
A flowchart for controlling based on the time charts of (6) to (8) can be easily obtained by combining the flowchart of FIG. 4 or 5 and the flowchart of FIG. 6, and illustration and description thereof are omitted here. I do.

In each of the above embodiments, when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the second lighting device 1
1b is blinked or turned on and off alternately to notify the player of the transition to the bonus game and the continuation of the bonus game. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
Any lighting control method may be used as long as the lighting state in the bonus game can be set to a lighting state different from the lighting state in the normal game.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the first lighting device 11b is set to be always turned on so that the lighting of each of the reels 9a, 9b, 9c is not interrupted even at an instant. However, as long as the execution of the game is not hindered, the first lighting device 11a does not necessarily need to be kept on.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the second lighting device that emits red illumination light is used to set the lighting condition in the bonus game to a lighting condition different from the lighting condition in the normal game. Although 11b is used, a third illuminating device that emits illuminating light of a different color (for example, green or yellow), and further more illuminating devices may be provided to change the illumination state.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, when the medal insertion operation and the operation of the start lever 5 are performed, the blinking illumination state is switched to the lighting illumination state. The state may be switched from the lighting state to the lighting state, and the receiving state of the starting lever operation may be clearly indicated to the player.

Further, according to the present invention, a certain number of times (for example, 1
Not only a so-called “regular bonus game” in which bonus games can be continuously executed (two times), but also a so-called “big bonus” in which three regular bonuses can be performed during a predetermined number of (eg, 30) regular games. It goes without saying that the execution process of the "game" is also applicable. In this case, the display color of the lighting may be distinguished between the regular bonus game and the big bonus game.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game a plurality of times, the operation of the lighting system is switched so that each reel has an illumination state different from the illumination state in the normal game. , The player can immediately recognize that the bonus game has been shifted to or that the bonus game is ongoing by changing the lighting state of each reel. Enhancement and expectations can be surely increased.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the player blinks until the first bonus game is started. You can immediately recognize that the game you are trying to play is the first bonus game. Then, the lighting is switched from blinking to lighting by the medal insertion operation or the start lever operation, so that the transition to the Beaute game can be visually sensed. In addition, when blinking for each bonus game, the player can immediately recognize that the game has shifted to the bonus game and that the game to be executed is the bonus game during the bonus game.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the first and last bonus games are blinked until the operation for starting the bonus game is performed. It can be immediately recognized that the game has been shifted to or that the game to be executed is the first or last bonus game.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claims 2 and 3, since the illumination color at the time of blinking is switched, the interest of the bonus game is further enhanced.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, when shifting from the normal game to the bonus game, the lighting color during the bonus game is different from that during the normal game. During the bonus game, it can be immediately recognized that the game to be executed is the bonus game.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a control method of each of the first and second lighting devices.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of each of the first and second lighting devices in FIG. 3 (1).
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the CPU when controlling based on the time charts of (2) and FIGS. 3 (1) and (3).

FIG. 5 shows the operation of each of the first and second lighting devices in FIG. 3 (1).
CP when controlling based on the time chart of (4)
6 is a flowchart showing a control flow of U.

FIG. 6 shows the operation of each of the first and second lighting devices in FIG. 3 (1).
CP when controlling based on the time chart of (5)
6 is a flowchart showing a control flow of U.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9a, 9b, 9c Reel 11 Illumination system 11a First illumination device 11b Second illumination device 20 Control unit 21 CPU

Claims (7)

[Claims] When a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols displayed on a peripheral surface are stopped, a combination of specific symbols of the respective reels is established on an activated stop line. In the slot machine in which the game is shifted from the normal game to the bonus game a plurality of times, when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the operation of the lighting system for lighting the peripheral surface of each reel is switched, and the normal operation is performed. A reel lighting control method for a slot machine, wherein a lighting state different from a lighting state in a game is set. 2. When a transition is made from a normal game to a bonus game, at least for the first bonus game,
2. The reel lighting control method for a slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the lighting system performs blinking lighting until an operation for starting a bonus game is performed. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the first and last bonus games are flashed by the illumination system until an operation for starting the bonus game is performed. The described reel lighting control method of the slot machine. 4. The illumination system includes an illumination device that emits at least two different colors of illumination light, and when a transition from a normal game to a bonus game is performed, the illumination system blinks with an illumination system of a color different from that of a normal game. The reel lighting control method for a slot machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the lighting is performed. 5. The illumination system includes an illumination device that emits at least two different colors of illumination light. When the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the illumination light during the bonus game is different from that of the normal game. 2. The reel lighting control method for a slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the light is illuminated. 6. The illumination system includes a first illumination device that is lit at least during a normal game, and a second illumination device that emits illumination light of a color different from that of the first illumination device. 6. The reel lighting of the slot machine according to claim 1, wherein when the normal game is shifted to the bonus game, the second lighting device is alternately switched on and off for each bonus game. Control method. 7. When a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are displayed on a peripheral surface are stopped, a combination of specific symbols of each reel is established on an activated stop line, so that a normal symbol is established. A slot machine configured to shift from a game to a bonus game a plurality of times, comprising: an illumination system for illuminating a peripheral surface of each reel; and an illumination control unit for controlling an operation of the illumination system. When switching from the normal game to the bonus game, the unit switches the operation of the lighting system for illuminating the peripheral surface of each reel to set the lighting state different from the lighting state in the normal game. Slot machine.