JPS59186581A - Throttle 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 The present invention relates to a slot machine, and particularly to a slot machine having a display line that displays to a player the operation timing of a reel stop button in order to make it easier to win a prize.

Among various game machines, so-called slot machines have been popular for a long time, and even today, various machines are provided and used. Basically, a slot machine has 8 reels with a symbol mark arranged around the periphery that rotates at high speed, and when they stop, each reel that appears in the window of the captive rectangle is reeled. Winnings are determined by the combination of reels. In particular, in slot machines where the rotating reels are stopped by a stop button operated by the player, the player has greater discretion, and the player's skill is also taken into account in the timing of the operation. It is highly entertaining and is liked by many people.

By the way, even in slot machines equipped with such a stop button, when the reels are rotated, it is usually difficult to identify the symbol mark of each reel due to the high speed of rotation.
? ”!It is extremely difficult. Therefore, even though the stop button can be operated at any timing, the player must operate it at a vague timing, and the winnings may be obtained by mere chance. For this reason, for the average player, technical elements that are difficult to obtain are considered to be almost indispensable, and the interest of the game was somewhat lacking5. In order to make the best use of the technical elements of players in slot machines, it is possible to make use of this to achieve winnings by notifying the operator of the operation timing of the stop button that stops the rotating reels. Therefore, in the present invention, basically, a determination is made to determine whether a reel that has already stopped exhibits a symbol mark required to realize a winning. means, a monitoring means for monitoring the position of the symbol mark on the rotating reels from time to time, and a symbol mark constituting a winning prize determined by comparing the monitoring means with the monitoring output signal from the monitoring means. A display means is provided which performs a lighting display or a sound display when the slot machine is brought to the position.Hereinafter, an embodiment of the slot machine of the present invention having such a basic configuration will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external front view showing an example of the slot machine of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged conceptual view of the reel window portion thereof.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a non-stop game, 11 is a display panel with a combination of winning symbol marks, and a payout table. Reference numeral 20 denotes a front door panel which is attached to the main body 10 via a hinge 20 so as to be openable and closable for inspection and maintenance of the inside of the main body, recovery and replenishment of medals, etc. Front door door ζ
Reel windows 21 for observing the reels provided on the side of the main body 1O are provided in the flannel 20 in accordance with the number of reels. (Three in the illustrated example) A display section that sequentially digitally displays the number of medals to be paid out when a 22Fi prize is won or the number of metals to be paid out in the process of paying out medals is composed of, for example, a seven-segment light emitting diode. 23 is a metal k J prior to the start of the game.
Q metal input port, 25 (l'') to stop the rotating reel at any desired timing, 26 is the Scootreno button to start rotating the reel, 27 is the stop button. Each reel is driven by the operation needle "b" lamp, and after reaching a constant rotation, it lights up to indicate that the operation of the stop button 25 has been activated. 80 is a metal payout port, and a dlVi payout metal arrow tray. 1, the reel window 21 has 21a and 21b for each reel, as shown in FIG.

21c, and the symbol mark S of the internal rotating reel can be observed through the transparent glass plates. Stop buttons 25a to 25 for each 1)-le
Near c, there is a stop operation permission lamp (not shown) (
1), as well as a timing indicator lamp 35a.

85b and 35c are provided, and these timing lamps 85a to d5c, as described later, display to the game player the operation timing of each stop button 25a to 25c. Note that this timing display may be based on sound or may be used for both.

In the slot machine according to this embodiment, the winning line can be increased depending on the number of medals inserted before the game starts. In other words, in Fig. 2, when the number of inserted medals is one, only the row of symbol marks S on line 1 is subject to the entry* judgment, and when there are two medals, the line 2A is
, 2Bt: If the added 8 lines are 3 sheets, a total of 5 lines including lines 8A and 8B will be activated, and all combinations of symbol marks S on that line will be 1.
will contribute to getting used to it. In addition, as the line becomes audible, it is desirable that lamps or the like provided at the valley line or both ends of the line are lit to display this to the game player. Detection of the number of metal sheets to be introduced is performed using conventionally known methods such as a photosensor or a microswitch, and line validation processing is executed via a microprocessor to be described later based on signals from these detection means. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process of breaking up the invalid person negative line.

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram showing the basic control processing system of the slot machine of the present invention. In the same figure, the broken line block A is the main control section C; PTJ50. I
-ts~15], the RAM 52 is stored. In the ROM 51, combinations of winning symbols to be used for winning tickets, the number of metals to be paid out due to winnings, and other information are stored in each dedicated area, and data is referenced as appropriate by the CPtJ 50.

) The tAIV152 has a memory area for temporarily storing whether the symbol mark appearing on the window is an invitation for reels that have already stopped, and a memory area for sequentially storing symbol mark data of rotating reels. Some areas, such as Nodame's memory area, are proportioned.

5B is a clock pulse generator, and 54 is a frequency divider.
4 MHz clock pulse to 500 Hz (D/l)
/, and X, thereby controlling interrupt processing.

Reference numeral 55 denotes a drive unit for the speaker 56, and this sound is generated by, for example, the timing display lamps (85a to 85 in FIG. 2).
It can be used, for example, to display the operation timing of the stop button with a sound, periodically with the operation of c).

Reference numerals 57 and 58 are an LED drive unit and a LEJJ for a cross-ment digital display, respectively, which are used for digital display of metal payments, etc. (corresponding to the reference numeral 22 in FIG. 1). A broken line block B is a reel movement position detection block.

Each reel l (,,, R2, R34d each has a pulse motor Ml.

Driven by M29M3. The motor drive unit 60 is C
Drive pulses are sent to each pulse motor M1 to M3 under the control of PL150. Each of the reels t1 to 1t3 is equipped with a reset signal section at one location on its circumference, and this reset signal section is detected once every rotation by, for example, a photo sensor force, and this detection signal It is used as an 11 set signal.

Therefore, the pulse motors M1 to M3 drive pulse 1 (tin
It is known in advance how many times the symbol marks will rotate or how many driving pulses are required to shift the symbol marks arranged on the reels by one frame, and -1, the order in which the symbol marks are arranged is determined in advance. If this is known, if you monitor whether the stop button is operated at the time when the reset pulse is sent after the reset pulse is generated, the symbol that is brought to the position (usually the window position) at that point can be checked. It is possible to determine whether the mark is open or not.The dashed line block C is a stop operation block, and the reel) also presses the stop buttons 26 a-25C, so (7) provided corresponding to 1 to 3 respectively. It includes a stop count entry capacitor 65 that detects the signal and inputs the signal to the CPLI 50. 70 is a hopper that pays out metal in case of winning, and 71 is its drive unit. 72 detects the introduction of metal prior to the start of the game. Metal detection unit, signal 1d8w indicating the number of metals inserted
It is transmitted to the CPTJ 50 via the input port door 5.

The SW input capo door 5 further receives a signal for the number of medals paid by the hopper 70 or other switch inputs, such as a reset input signal when it is desired to cancel the game after inserting metal, and transmits this to the CPTJ 50. 78t; with the display unit drive boat, the metal detection unit 71
The display lamp of the valid winning line (FIG. 2) is lit by the C P tJ output signal corresponding to the input metal number signal from . Furthermore, the display drive boat 78 controls the timing display lamps (85a to 85c in FIG. 2) which are the subject of the present invention.
The lighting is driven according to the processing of a predetermined program of the PTJ 50. This timing display lamp lights up for each reel R, for example.

5. It may be done for ~R3, or it may be done for the third reel that is spinning when the two reels that have already stopped have a gold star symbol of a winning combination.5. In any case, when timing is displayed for the third reel, it is necessary that the reels that have already stopped are aligned with the appropriate winning symbols, so these reels It is necessary to detect what kind of stop position the is at. Below, how the position of the stop reel is detected and how the timing display is arranged in relation to this will be explained in detail according to the flow of the game and with reference to several flowcharts.

Figure @5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the basic game processing of the Chikara Karu slot machine. After the effective winning line has been determined according to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the game starts when the start lever is operated and the reels 1, 2, 3, and 3 rotate in one direction. and after a predetermined time delay (the reels spin 5m% and at least 1
(Delay when a reset occurs) The operation of the reel stop button is enabled and displayed. Then, it is judged whether or not the stop button of each reel can be operated, and all the reels stop and the game ends. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a winning decision is made, and when the metal payment is completed by the hopper according to the result, the game is over.

As already mentioned, in achieving the purpose of the present invention,
Reel position detection, that is, what symbol mark appears at the window position for the stopped reel,
And it is necessary for the reels to keep track of what symbol mark appears or is about to appear in the window position every moment. To achieve such functionality,
Conveniently, the rotation of the reel is effected by a pulse motor. For example, if 21 symbol marks are arranged at equal intervals on the L reel and a 4-phase pulse motor rotates 1.8° per pulse of one of the phases, the motor will rotate 2
It rotates once with 00 pulse, and now the symbol mark is 21
It is easy to see that if the symbol mark is separated by 200/2 L; 9.5, that is, 9 pulses or 10 pulses are sent to the motor, one symbol mark will be removed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a specific symbol number is assigned to each symbol mark (of course, the same symbol number is assigned to the same Fi+ symbol mark), and the reset position is negative (1l-to in the example shown). The code number and number are applied to each symbol mark in order from
・If you hit "-", the frame f from the reset position:
The symbol number (symbol mark) can be specified by i+-. After passing the code number HIJ set point, it can be determined by whether or not the number of pulses has been sent to the pulse motor. Therefore, by converting such a symbol mark table into a tag code, l(, OM,
(corresponding to ROM 5 in Fig. 4), the reel take can be completely grasped by counting the number of pulses sent to the motor and comparing it with this. (Although the symbol mark is shown in a simplified form in Fig. 7, it is actually unnecessary. symbol -=r -ri)
Among the combinations, the combinations corresponding to the personnel and the number of metals to be paid for the combinations are determined.

The reel rotation process and the process after stopping will be described in further detail based on the symbol mark 7-pull and the winning symbol table as described above. First of all, in the embodiments described so far, there are three reels, and although it is possible to stop from any reel, the explanation below will be based on the assumption that the stop operation is performed in the order of the first reel, the second reel, and the eighth reel. , Also, the valid winning lines are line 1, line 2A, and 2B.
.

It is assumed that all lines 8A and 8B are valid.

It goes without saying that the order of operation of the stop button and the number of active winning lines are not essential matters of the present invention, and can be processed by an appropriate program.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the rotation process of each reel. In this flowchart, a series of processes indicated by Plo indicates that the position of the rotating reel is detected and the code Nα of the reel is successively stored in a predetermined AM area. In other words, this process PjO uses a reset signal every rotation unless the reel stops, and the RA
The M area is cleared and each code Nα is repeatedly stored in sequence. Then, when the stop button is operated and the reels are correctly stopped at the stop position so that the symbol mark appears properly in the window, the P++ stop process is executed. By this stop treatment pH,
At that point, the code Nα of that reel stored in the RAM area is specified. This court number is 10th on the reel window line! The book corresponds to the symbol mark in (center). In this way, the code Nα of the first reel
When set up, its code is stored in areas H, ., of RAMI, as conceptually shown in Figure 1O.

If this code Nu is 12, the symbol mark table shown in FIG. 7 is referred to, and the corresponding symbol number is set in the area of RAM2.

In addition, eight symbol marks appear on the window according to the winning line, and RA~12 also has three seven symbol marks corresponding to this.
The symbol number will be stored. This data is further applied to the H, A M 8 area for each sliding winning line, and the data of all fins regarding the stopped first reel is determined. 9th, in the flowchart shown in the figure, the process progresses to the judgment of PI3, and if the judgment is NO in PI3, the same process will be performed for the second reel that has not been stopped yet, and it will be repeated until the 8th reel. Finally, the judgment of P1□ is Y.
It becomes ES and all reels are stopped.

When a stop operation is performed on the second reel, the pH process in FIG. 9 is executed according to the flowchart in FIG. 11. When the second reel hits the stop mark, the code Nll at the stop position of the second reel will be set in the A M area, and the symbol number for each line will be set in the A M area as shown in Figure 10. In this way, when the first reel and the second reel are stopped and the reel data is stored in the predetermined RAM area, the 11th reel
The process of ``'+5 in Figure 1 will be executed. In this process P!5, the symbol of the 3rd reel is This is to determine what kind of prize will be obtained when the combination is combined.For this purpose, for example, a hit flag generating light as shown in Fig. 12 is created.In other words, the 1 (93 All codes Nα on the third reel are sequentially substituted into the area from 0 to 20, and it is determined whether or not there is a prize for each of the corresponding H, A, M 8 personnel lines obtained as a result.

The example in Figure 1θ is 1. The second reel is code NO.
This shows a case where the code positive 5 is assigned as the third reel with the reel stopped at 12,5. As a result,
If the 8th reel stops at code N (L 5), the winning line L will receive a big hit (15 metal payouts and a bonus 1-sum possible), and the winning line 2 will receive a medium hit (14 metal payouts J). It can be seen that this occurs. When Fitsu comes to this judgment, the RAM 4.5 is filled with 1,000 nodules. As a bonus game, for example, a game where % left Shinhoru rolls on only one reel results in a prize, or 1 I can think of a game where all the winning lines move up or down with a single metal input.

The result of determining all the code numbers on the third reel in this way is the hit flag generation light shown in Figure 12, which indicates what kind of hit (win) the third reel will be at which code M position it will be. Can be known in advance, coat Nα
In particular, the hit flag is set. When a hit flag is obtained for each code, the 8th reel is rotated.
By monitoring the number of pulses sent to the motor after the reset pulse is generated, it is possible to know at what timing the stop operation must be performed to win a prize.

Therefore, for example, the timing at which code No. 5 on the third reel passes through the line L digit 1-' of the reel window is determined by the number of pulses, so the timing display lamp 85cQ in FIG. 2 should be lit accordingly. , it will be possible to inform the Ministry of Gaming and Game Management of the timing of a big hit.

By the way, the winning determination for the code Nα of the 8th reel mentioned above is made according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, it is checked whether the combination of symbol numbers obtained in RAM and F3 in FIG. 1o exists in the above-mentioned winning symbol table (FIG. 8). According to the judgment of the PI 6, a human flag of dog, medium, or small is set for each code Ni1 that is checked as having a winning prize. This winning check flow can also be used for the final winning check after the 8th reel stops, that is, after the end of the game.
There are 7 decision steps.

As already mentioned, the first. After the second reel has stopped, the timing indicator lamp is activated while the third reel is rotating, and this execution process is performed by replacing the broken line part in Figure 9 with the flowchart in Figure 14. . In addition,
Here, we are assuming the timing of a big hit. The timing display according to the flowchart in FIG. 141 is the same as the timing display l in the time chart in FIG.
According to the rules, it is recommended that you do the following. That is, in FIG. 15, a indicates the point in time when the corresponding symbol mark of the reel symbol matches the winning line lVC of the reel window, and b indicates at when it deviates from that point. This indicates that the timing display is completely synchronized with the rotation of the reels. FIG. 16 schematically shows this state, and the timing display is turned ON at the time point A in FIG. 16, and the timing display is turned OFF at the time point B in the same figure. Note that the arrow in the figure indicates the direction of rotation.

In the flowchart of Figure 14, increase the chord height (+1
) is a process that is performed before the actual drive pulse is sent to the pulse motor in order to turn on the timing display at the time of FIG. 16A. In addition, if the stop button is operated at the time shown in the time chart of FIG. .

In such a timing display l that is completely synchronized with the rotation of the reels, if the timing of the player's operation of the stop button is slightly off, the corresponding symbol mark will move away from the expected position. It is effective to anticipate such delay in player operation in advance and perform the display according to timing display 2 in FIG. 15. According to the timing display 2, the display is performed in synchronization with the symbol mark position in figure M17, that is, at a timing that is half a symbol mark ahead of the timing display 1. Note that the timing display check flowchart Vi for this purpose is as shown in FIG. 18, and this is replaced with the processing indicated by the broken line in FIG. Furthermore, the display O as shown in timing display 3 in FIG.
It is also effective for the player to shift only the timing of FF forward by, for example, half a frame, as this works in the direction of slightly advancing the timing of operating the stop button.
The winning probability is improved compared to the case of display timing 1. Note that the frame spacing of the timing display is not limited to half a frame, but is based on the pulse sending timing of the pulse motor k k'v Trυ, that is, (J/4.5) x N or (1/JXN frames). It can be contained within the range.

As described above, when the third reel is stopped after a series of processes and game progress, the process will be performed according to the flowchart in Figure 19, and you will be able to reconfirm whether or not you have won a prize.
Be a hostage! At t, the corresponding number of coins are paid out by the popper bounce, and the game ends. During this process, winning determination will be made according to the process shown in FIG. 18. Further, symbol data prior to winning determination or data on the number of payout coins are stored in the respective RAM areas shown in FIG.

As described above, the present invention detects the position of the stopped reels of the slot machine and monitors the rotating reels so that the winnings are displayed at a time when winnings are likely to be obtained, which improves the technology for general players as well. This increases the probability of winning a prize, further increasing the interest of the players. In addition, in the disaster example described above, the reels are driven by a pulse motor, but depending on the number of symbol marks on each reel, the signal parts that can be detected are arranged, and the reset signal parts are arranged. If a rotation pulse is detected from the reel instead of a drive pulse, the present invention can be applied not only to a pulse motor drive but also to a general motor or mechanical drive type. is possible. It can also be used as a timing display for all winnings, or for each individual reel.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external front view showing an example of the slot machine of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the reel window portion of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the fixed winning line determination process. FIG. 4 shows an example of a system block diagram used in the slot machine of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the basic game flow of the slot machine of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the basic processing in the game over situation after the reels have stopped. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a symholmark diffle. 2! ! FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a person C non-horizontal table. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of reel rotation processing. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the state of a RAM area in which an i code number and a sinhorn number are stored. Figure 11 shows the first. It is a flowchart showing processing after the second reel is stopped. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a hit/flux occurrence table. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the winning check process. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of timing display check processing. FIG. 15 is a time chart regarding the timing display operation. FIGS. 16A and 16B and FIG. 17 are conceptual diagrams showing the movements of symbol marks appearing in the IJ-L window. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another example of the timing display check process. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing from the stop of the 8th reel to the game Ohno. 21a, 21b, 21c... Reel windows 25a, 25b
, 25c --- Stop Hokun 26... Start lever 85a, ' 35h, 85c... Timing display lamp S1 sound symbol mark 1.2A, 2B, 3A, 8B... Next to winning line 50.
・Main CPU U0 (However, if you use -X-Ep, you can also use Boninasukomi) (R+
3 (R2) (R3) (R1)
(R2) (R3)(R+3 (R2
) (R3) 8M4
RAM5Figure 13Figure 15Figure 11 1 1Figure 16Figure 17Figure 19

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of reels in which a plurality of symbol marks are arranged on the periphery and are rotated, and a plurality of reels are provided corresponding to each of the reels and operated to stop the reels being rotated. In a slot machine equipped with a stop button, a determining means for determining the stop position of a stopped reel, and a pulse generator that generates a synchronizing pulse generated in synchronization with the rotation of a rotating reel and corresponding to a symbol mark. and a display means that emits light or generates a sound in response to the generation of a synchronization pulse corresponding to the discrimination output from the discrimination means, and the display means indicates the operation timing of the stop button for the reel that is in the process of rotating. % indicates that it is configured to be displayed by,!
A knee-jerk slot machine. (2) The reel is rotated by a pulse motor, and the input signal to the discrimination means and pulse generation means is a drive pulse that rotates the pulse motor. A slot machine listed by JK. (3) The slot machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation timing of the display means with respect to the generation of the periodic pulse can be adjusted.