KR20080108028A - Gaming machine capable of changing the volume level in the predetermined audio range and tone control method - Google Patents

Abstract

A game machine and a method for adjustment of volume are provided, in which the game machine has sound effect control function. In a game machine, a game, the background music information of the sound signal, the functional music information of the sound signal, the volume level changer are operated from the outside. The game machine comprises: selection switches(221,222,223) selecting the range of the sound signal; a speaker(29) converting the sound signal into the sound wave; a game controller which changes the volume level of the range of the sound signal selected in the selection switch in the volume level changer and outputs the sound signal in which the volume level is changed from the speaker.

Description

GAMING MACHINE CAPABLE OF CHANGING THE VOLUME LEVEL IN THE PREDETERMINED AUDIO RANGE AND TONE CONTROL METHOD}

The present invention relates to a game machine and a sound quality control method thereof.

In a conventional game machine, when a player inserts a game medium such as a coin or a bill into the game slot, and presses a start button, a symbol is variably displayed on a display mounted to the front of the cabinet, and these symbols are then automatically displayed. Is stopped.

For example, the game machine disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,128,650 outputs a sound signal that superimposes various effect sounds such as background music, game effect sounds, functional music, and the like, and converts the sound signal into sound waves to turn up. It includes a speaker). Then, the game machine performs the game effect through the sound effect output from the speaker. When adjusting the volume of the sound effect, the volume controller is operated in the sound circuit, whereby the output voltage of the sound signal is increased or decreased. As a result, the volume of all sound effects such as background music or game sound effects included in the sound signal is adjusted to the game level by the volume controller.

The present invention provides a game machine having an effect sound adjusting function not provided in the conventional game machine, and a volume adjusting method thereof.

The present invention provides a game machine having a structure described below. The game machine has a frequency characteristic that is a function manipulated by a player's betting, a background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that is the background music of the game, and a function music that indicates the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player. Function of the sound signal with the music information, the volume level changer which can change the volume level of the sound signal and can switch the range in which the volume level is changed, a selector switch configured to operate from the outside and select the range of the sound signal, the sound A speaker that converts the signal into sound waves and augments it, and a game controller programmed to change the volume level of the range of the sound signal selected by the selection switch in the volume level changer and output the sound signal whose volume level is changed from the speaker.

According to the above structure, the range of the sound signal including the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the background music of the game and the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the functional music indicating the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player is from the outside. Can be selected by operation. After the volume level of the range of the selected sound signal is changed, the sound signal is converted into sound waves and then augmented.

As a result, the player can hear the voice sound in which the volume level of the selected range changes. Thus, by increasing the volume level, the player can easily hear in the selected range. Conversely, reducing the volume level can make it difficult for the player to hear in the selected range. Therefore, since the volume of the predetermined range can be changed according to the installation environment of the game machine and the preference of the player, the effect of the game machine can be flexibly performed by the voice sound including the background music and the function music.

The present invention provides a game machine having a structure described below. This game machine has a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of a game operated by the player's betting, a background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of becoming the background music of the game, and a function music indicating the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player. The function of the music information, the sample music information of the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the sample music with the background music and the function music, the volume level changer which can change the volume level of the sound signal and can switch the range where the volume level changes A selection switch configured to be manipulated from the outside and selecting a range of the sound signal, a speaker that converts the sound signal into sound waves to enhance it, and a sound signal of the sample music information when the selection switch is operated, and selected from the selection switch. Volume level chain to the volume level of the range of the sound signal And a game controller that is programmed to output a sound signal from the speaker, the sound signal of which the volume level is changed.

According to the above structure, a range of sound signals of sample music including a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be the background music of the game and a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be the functional music representing the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player Can be selected by operation from the outside. After the volume level of the range of the selected sound signal is changed, the sound signal is converted into sound waves and then augmented.

As a result, the player can hear the voice sound of the sample music in which the volume level of the selected range changes. Thus, by increasing the volume level, the player can easily hear in the selected range. Conversely, reducing the volume level can make it difficult for the player to hear in the selected range. Therefore, since the volume of the predetermined range can be changed according to the installation environment of the game machine and the preference of the player, the effect of the game machine can be flexibly performed by the voice sound including the background music and the function music. In addition, since the sample music includes background music and function music, the volume level can be easily adjusted.

The present invention provides a game machine having a structure described below. This game machine has a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of a game operated by the player's betting, a background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of becoming the background music of the game, and a function music indicating the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player. Functions of music information, a volume level changer that can change the volume level of the sound signal and switch the range where the volume level changes, a selector switch configured to operate from the outside and select the range of the sound signal, the sound signal to sound waves The speaker which converts and augments it, and the sound signal which mixes the background music information and the function music information, changes the volume level of the range of the sound signal selected by the selection switch in the volume level changer, and changes the sound signal whose volume level is changed. Programmed to output from the speaker And a controller being.

According to the above structure, the range of the sound signal of the sample music including the sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be the background music of the game and the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the functional music representing the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player It can be selected by operation from the outside. After the volume level of the range of the selected sound signal is changed, the sound signal is converted into sound waves and then augmented.

As a result, the player can hear the voice sound in which the volume level of the selected range changes. Thus, by increasing the volume level, the player can easily hear in the selected range. Conversely, reducing the volume level can make it difficult for the player to hear in the selected range. Therefore, since the volume of the predetermined range can be changed according to the installation environment of the game machine and the preference of the player, the effect of the game machine can be flexibly performed by the voice sound including the background music and the function music. In addition, since a sound signal in which the background music information and the functional music information are mixed is used, volume adjustment in a predetermined range can be performed for both the background music and the functional music.

The present invention provides a game machine having a structure described below. This game machine has a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of a game operated by the player's betting, a background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of becoming the background music of the game, and a function music indicating the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player. Functions of music information, volume level changer that can change the volume level of the sound signal and switch the range where the volume level changes, a selector switch configured to operate from the outside and select the range of the sound signal, sound waves A sound signal in which the volume level changer changes the volume level of the range of the sound signal of the background music information selected by the selection switch, and the sound signal of the background music information and the sound signal of the function music information are converted into the speaker and augmented it. Form a sound signal to the speaker Contains a game controller that is programmed to output from.

According to the above structure, the range of the sound signal of the sample music including the sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be the background music of the game and the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the functional music representing the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player It can be selected by operation from the outside. After the volume level of the range of the selected sound signal is changed, the sound signal is converted into sound waves and then augmented.

As a result, the player can hear the voice sound in which the volume level of the selected range changes. Thus, by increasing the volume level, the player can easily hear in the selected range. Conversely, reducing the volume level can make it difficult for the player to hear in the selected range. Therefore, since the volume of the predetermined range can be changed according to the installation environment of the game machine and the preference of the player, the effect of the game machine can be flexibly performed by the voice sound including the background music and the function music. In addition, after the volume level of the range of the sound signal of the background music information is changed, a sound signal in which the sound signal of the background music information and the sound signal of the functional music information are mixed is output. Therefore, the volume control in the predetermined range can be performed only for the background music.

The present invention provides a game machine having a structure described below. This game machine has a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of a game operated by the player's betting, a background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of becoming the background music of the game, and a function music indicating the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player. Functions of music information, a volume level changer that can change the volume level of the sound signal and switch the range where the volume level changes, a selector switch configured to operate from the outside and select the range of the sound signal, the sound signal to sound waves The volume level of the speaker which converts and augments it, and the sound signal of the background music information in the volume level changer, changes the volume level of the range of the sound signal of the function music information selected in the selection switch, in the volume level changer, Sound signal of information and function of music information The sound signal is de signal to be mixed and a game controller programmed to output from the speaker.

According to the above structure, the range of the sound signal of the sample music including the sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be the background music of the game and the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the functional music representing the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player It can be selected by operation from the outside. After the volume level of the range of the selected sound signal is changed, the sound signal is converted into sound waves and then augmented.

As a result, the player can hear the voice sound in which the volume level of the selected range changes. Thus, by increasing the volume level, the player can easily hear in the selected range. Conversely, reducing the volume level can make it difficult for the player to hear in the selected range. Therefore, since the volume of the predetermined range can be changed according to the installation environment of the game machine and the preference of the player, the effect of the game machine can be flexibly performed by the voice sound including the background music and the function music. In addition, the volume control in the whole range can be performed for the background music, and the volume control in the predetermined range can be performed for the functional music.

According to the present invention, since the volume of the predetermined range can be changed according to the installation environment of the game machine and the player's preference, the effect of the game machine can be flexibly performed by the voice sound including the background music and the function music. In addition, since the sample music includes background music and function music, the volume level can be easily adjusted. In addition, since a sound signal in which the background music information and the functional music information are mixed is used, volume adjustment in a predetermined range can be performed for both the background music and the functional music. In addition, after the volume level of the range of the sound signal of the background music information is changed, a sound signal in which the sound signal of the background music information and the sound signal of the functional music information are mixed is output. Can be done. In addition, the volume control in the whole range can be performed for the background music, and the volume control in the predetermined range can be performed for the functional music.

Example 1

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the game machine and its volume control method according to the present invention will be described. In the following embodiment, a slot machine is described as an example of a game machine. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to this.

(Sound quality adjustment method)

As shown in Fig. 1, the slot machine 10 has a sound characteristic having a frequency characteristic that is a background music (BGM) of a game and a frequency characteristic that is a functional music indicating an operation state of the game with respect to the player's action. A first step of allowing a range of sound signals including a sound signal to be selected by an operation from the outside, a second step of changing a volume level of the range of the selected sound signal, and converting a sound signal whose volume level has been changed By executing a sound quality control method comprising a third step of enhancing it. Here, the functional music is a voice sound representing the operational state of the game with respect to the action of the player. For example, the functional music includes a voice sound generated at coin input, a voice sound generated at betting, a voice sound generated at coin payment, and the like.

Therefore, the player can hear the voice sound in which the volume level of the selected range is changed. Thus, by increasing the volume level, the player can easily hear in the selected range. Conversely, reducing the volume level can make it difficult for the player to hear in the selected range. As a result, the volume level of the predetermined range can be changed in accordance with the installation environment of the game machine and the preferences of the player, so that the effects of the game machine can be flexibly performed by the voice sound including the background music and the function music.

For example, if the slot machine 10 outputs background music and functional music, even when the overall volume is increased, it is possible to perform a usage aspect in which the volume is reduced in the upper range where the player feels unpleasant. have.

Further, in the first step, an arbitrary sound signal can be selectively input based on a volume control signal received from the outside such as a hall computer. Thus, each slot machine 10 can collectively adjust the volume based on the volume control signal.

(Structure of sound quality control)

The sound quality adjusting method is performed by the slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 has a frequency characteristic that is a game manipulated by a player's betting, background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that becomes a background music of the game, and a function music that indicates a functional operation of the game with respect to the action of the player. Function of sound signal to have music information, volume level changer which can change volume level of sound signal and switch range where volume level is changed, selection switch configured to be operated from outside and select range of sound signal, sound signal And a game controller that is programmed to change the volume level of the range of the sound signal selected by the selection switch in the volume level changer and output the sound signal whose volume level is changed from the speaker.

In this embodiment, the game controller uses a sound signal in which the background music information and the functional music information are mixed, changes the volume level of the range of the sound signal selected by the selection switch in the volume level changer, and changes the sound signal in which the volume level is changed. It is described as being programmed to output from a speaker. On the other hand, in this case, by using a sound signal in which the background music information and the functional music information are mixed, it is possible to perform volume adjustment in a predetermined range for both the background music and the functional music.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 is connected to the main CPU 41, which is a game controller, the main CPU 41, a sound signal output device 201 for outputting multiple sound signals in parallel, A volume level changer 211 capable of changing the volume level of the sound signal and switching a range in which the volume level is changed, first to third selection switches 221 configured to be operated from the outside and selecting a range of the sound signal; 222 and 223, and a sound output device 212 that superimposes sound signals having a predetermined range in which the volume level is changed and converts these signals into sound waves.

The sound signal output device 201 includes a main PCB (printed circuit board) 60 for outputting sound signals in a digital format in parallel, and a D / A converter for converting a sound signal output from the main PCB 60 into an analog format ( 210). The D / A converter 210 has output terminals 210a, 210b, 210c. These output terminals 210a, 210b, and 210c output a sound signal converted in analog format by the D / A converter 210 in parallel. Specifically, the output terminal 210a outputs a BGM signal in analog format, the output terminal 210b outputs a functional music signal in analog format, and outputs an effect sound signal in analog format.

The sound signal output device 201 is connected to input a signal to the volume level changer 211. The volume level changer 211 has a first adder 205, a signal switching unit 203, low pass filters 204a, 204b, 204c, and a second adder 207.

The first adder 205 has two input terminals and a single output terminal. Each input terminal is connected to the output terminals 210a and 210b of the D / A converter 210. On the other hand, the output terminal of the first adder 205 is connected to the signal switching unit 203. The first adder 205 adds (overlaps) the BGM signal and the functional music signal input from the D / A converter 210, and then outputs the superimposed signal to the signal switching unit 203.

The signal switching unit 203 has a switch unit 203a, a single input terminal 203b, and an output terminal 203c as a switch device. The input terminal 203b is connected to the output terminal of the first adder 205. On the other hand, each of the output terminals 203c is connected to the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c, respectively. Thus, the sound signal output from the first adder 205 is moved to the signal switching unit 203 and input to each of the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c.

Moreover, the signal switching unit 203 has a switchover terminal 203d. The switch switching terminal 203d is connected to the main body PCB 60. The main body PCB 60 outputs a switching signal for adjusting a volume in a predetermined range. The switching signal is output at operation timings of the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223 and indicates a connection state corresponding to the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223.

The switch changeover terminal 203d is connected to a switching controller (not shown) in the single switching unit 203. The switching controller has a function of controlling the switching of the connection state between the input terminal 203b and the output terminal 203c based on the switching signal. Thus, the signal switching unit 203 switches the connection state between the input terminal 203b and the output terminal 203c, thereby making one of the low pass filters 204a, 204b, 204c as an output destination of the sound signal. Set it.

The low pass filter 204a, 204b, 204c is composed of a resistor and a condenser to reduce the volume level in a predetermined range of the sound signal. On the other hand, the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c may be configured as OP AMPs. Each of the low pass filters 204a, 204b, 204c is configured to reduce the volume level respectively in different ranges. Therefore, when the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c, which are the input destinations of the sound signal, are selected by the signal switching unit 203 due to the operation of the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223, The volume (voltage of the sound signal) may be reduced in the range of the selected low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c.

The low pass filters 204a, 204b, 204c are connected to one input terminal of the second adder 207. The other input terminal of the second adder 207 is connected to the output terminal 210c of the D / A converter 210. Accordingly, the sound signal input to the second adder 207 is a BGM signal and a functional music signal having a volume reduced to a predetermined range by the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c, and the output of the D / A converter 210. It becomes a sound signal of the effect sound signal output from the terminal 210c. The second adder 207 outputs a new sound signal from the output terminal, to which a BGM signal, a function music signal, and a sound signal of the effect sound signal are added.

The volume level changer 211 configured as described above is connected to the sound output device 212. The sound output device 212 has a volume amplifier 206 and a speaker 29. The volume amplifier 206 is connected to the output terminal of the second adder 207. The volume amplifier 206 amplifies the second sound signal input from the first adder 205 at a predetermined amplification ratio. The volume amplifier 206 is connected to the speaker 29. The speaker 29 converts a sound signal into sound waves and augments it.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the volume control in the single slot machine 10 is made by forming a switching signal with the first to third selection switches 221, 222, 223 installed in the slot machine 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the volume adjusting method may be performed in a system having a plurality of slot machines 10, a hall computer (not shown), and a communication network such as a LAN or the Internet connecting the slot machine 10 and the hall computer by a data communication method. It may be. In this case, the hall computer can collectively change the volume of the predetermined range of the whole slot machine 10.

In addition, the slot machine 10 has sample music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that becomes sample music having background music and function music, and the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223 are operated. And a game controller programmed to use the sound signal of the sample music information, change the volume level of the range of the sound signal selected by the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223, and output the sound signal from the speaker. Can have In this case, since the sample music includes background music and function music, the volume level can be easily adjusted.

[Slot Machine 10]

Hereinafter, the slot machine 10 having the volume level changer 211 will be described in detail.

1 and 3, slot machine 10 randomly selects scatter object symbols 181 from several symbols 180, rearranging these symbols 180 on the display. Is a step of granting a dividend determined by a combination of symbols 180 rearranged in a payline L, and distributed object symbols (when a predetermined number of distributed object symbols 181 are rearranged). And setting 181 as the distributed symbol 182, notifying the contents of the dividend determined based on the distributed symbol 182, and granting the dividend.

In addition, the slot machine 10 provides a display area (distributed object symbol display unit 163) in a portion different from an arrangement area (display windows 151-155) for arranging the symbols 180, and in the display area. Displaying the distributed object symbol 181, and notifying that the distributed object symbol 181 is set as the distributed symbol 182 when the predetermined number of distributed object symbols 181 are rearranged. Run

Here, the "array" means a state in which the symbol 180 including the scatter symbol 182 can be seen by the naked eye of an external player. That is, the symbol 180 is in a state displayed in the display windows 151-155. On the other hand, "rearrangement" means disassembling the arrangement of symbols 180 and rearranging these symbols 180. Also, a "payline" L is provided to determine the combination of symbols 180. That is, when the symbol 180 is rearranged on the payline L line and out of line, the combination is determined only for the symbol 180 rearranged on the payline. As a result of the determination on the combination, when a combination of winnings is made, for example, a process of paying coins according to the winning combination is performed.

In addition, "distribution symbol" 182 is a symbol provided that a victory is achieved only through the arrangement regardless of the payline L. FIG. In other words, when the distributed symbols 182 are rearranged, a victory is made, for example, a process of paying coins based on the number of all distributed symbols 182 on the payline L line and out of line. Is carried out. The "distributed object symbol 181" is a symbol that functions as a distributed symbol under a condition in which a predetermined number or more of symbols are rearranged. For example, if the distributed object symbol is set to "BELL" and the rearrangement number (set threshold) is set to "3", if three or more "species" are rearranged, it is a distributed symbol. Function and when two or less "species" are rearranged, it functions as a normal symbol. In addition, "symbol 180" means all symbols used in the slot machine 10, and includes a distributed symbol 182 and a distributed object symbol (181). The payline L, the symbol 180, the scatter symbol 182, and the winning combination will be described in more detail later.

[Display Unit 101]

As shown in Fig. 4, the slot machine 10 that executes the play method is provided with a display unit 101 (display) and a game controller 100. The display unit 101 is configured to have a payline L and to arrange the symbols 180 including the dispersion symbols 182. In addition, the display unit 101 is configured to provide the distributed object symbol display unit 163 in a portion different from the display windows 151-155 (array area 101a) for arranging the symbols 180.

The display unit 101 may be a mechanical structure having a reel device for arranging the symbol 180 by the rotation of the reel or an electrical structure having a video reel in which an image is displayed for arranging the symbol 180. In addition, the display unit 101 may be a structure in which a mechanical structure (reel) and an electrical structure (video reel) are combined. The electrical structures can include liquid crystal devices, CRTs (cathode ray tubes), plasma displays, and the like. The detailed structure of the display unit 101 will be described later.

[Game Controller (100)]

The game controller 100 reconfigures the first process of randomly selecting the distributed object symbols 181 among various symbols 180, the second process of rearranging these symbols 180 on the display, and the payline L on the line. A third process for awarding a dividend determined by the combination of symbols 180 arranged, and setting the distributed object symbol 181 as the distributed symbol 182 when a predetermined number or more of the distributed object symbols 181 are rearranged And notify the contents of the dividend determined based on the distributed symbol 182, and execute the fourth process of awarding the dividend. That is, the game controller 100 has a first processing unit, a second processing unit, a third processing unit and a fourth processing unit.

In addition, the game controller 100 has a display area 101b (distributed object symbol display unit 163) in a portion different from the arrangement area 101a (display windows 151-155) for arranging the symbols 180. And a fifth process of displaying the distributed object symbol 181 in the display area 101b, and when the predetermined number of distributed object symbols 181 are rearranged, the distributed object symbol 181 is distributed symbol 182. Is configured to execute a sixth process that is set to That is, the game controller 100 includes a fifth processing unit and a sixth processing unit in addition to the first to fourth processing units.

The game controller 100 stores all symbols including the distributed object symbol memory 105 for storing the distributed object symbol 181, the distributed symbol memory 106 for storing the distributed symbol 182, and the distributed symbol 182. Symbol memory 108 for storing, and display symbol memory 107 for storing the symbols as display symbols in respective memories 105, 106, 108. The display symbol memory 107 can be accessed by the display control unit 102. The display control unit 102 sets the arrangement region 101a for arranging the symbols 180 and the display region 101b for displaying the distributed object symbol 181 on another portion of the display unit 101. Further, the display control unit 102 reads the symbol 180 in the display symbol memory 107 under the control of the game execution unit 110 and displays the symbol 180 in the arrangement area 101a and distributes the distributed object symbol ( 181 is displayed on the display area 101b. The detailed display state will be described later.

In addition, the game controller 100 is connected to the game start unit 109. The game start unit 109 has a function of outputting a game start signal under the control of the player. The game controller 100 is a combination of a game execution unit 110 for rearranging symbols by input of a game start signal as a trigger from the game start unit 109, and a combination of symbols rearranged on a payline in a unit game. Combined dividend determining unit 111 for determining the dividend determined, distributed symbol dividend determining unit 112 for determining dividend determined based on distributed symbols rearranged on the payline line and out of line, and the combined dividend And a dividend granting unit 113 for awarding each dividend determined in the determination unit 111 and the distributed symbol allocation determination unit 112.

The game controller 100 also has a symbol determination unit 104 that is activated when a game start signal is input from the game start unit 109. The symbol determination unit 104 randomly selects the distributed object symbol 181 among the symbols 180. The symbol determination unit 104 outputs the distributed object symbol 181 to the rearrangement-number determination unit 114 and the distributed object symbol memory 105. The rearrangement-number determination unit 114 sets the distributed object symbol 181 as a distributed symbol when the predetermined number of distributed object symbols 181 are rearranged. That is, the rearrangement-number determination unit 114 enables the distributed object symbol memory 105 to transmit the distributed object symbol 181 stored therein to the distributed symbol memory 106 and set it as the distributed symbol 182. .

The game controller 100 also includes an information output unit 116 and a game information memory 117 and a range setting unit 230 connected to the information output unit 116. The game information memory 117 is a background music data of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be a background music of a game, a functional music data of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be a functional music indicating an operation state of a game with respect to an action of a player, And sample music data of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of being sample music having background music and functional music. In addition to the above information, the game information memory 117 stores character data, dividend-number data, description data, and the like corresponding to the distributed symbol 182.

The ranging unit 230 is configured to operate from the outside and selects a volume level of the sound signal. Specifically, it is composed of the first to third selector switches 221, 222, and 223 and other switches in FIG. 2. Meanwhile, the range setting unit 230 may be a touch panel provided in the display unit 101 of the liquid crystal display device. In addition, the range setting unit 230 may be installed outside the game machine, or alternatively, may be installed in the game machine.

The information output unit 116 is configured to read data stored in the game information memory 117 and output it to the volume level changer 211 as a sound signal. The information output unit 116 is also configured to output the switching signal of the range setting unit 230 to the volume level changer 211. The volume level changer 211 is configured to switch the range in which the volume level of the superimposed sound signal of the BGM signal and the functional music signal is changed by the switching signal. Thus, the information output unit 116 reads various data from the game information memory 117 and outputs it to the volume level changer 211, thus having a voice having a predetermined range of reduced volume level selected based on the switching signal. Sound is output through the volume amplifier 206 and the speaker 29.

Meanwhile, each block of the game controller 100 may be configured by hardware or software as necessary.

[Operation of Game Controller 100]

Under the above structure, the operation of the game controller 100 will be described.

When the game start signal is output from the game start unit 109 through the player's operation, the symbol determination unit 104 starts the process and the game execution unit 110 starts the unit game, so that the symbol 180 restarts. Arranged (second process). The symbol determination unit 104 randomly selects the distributed object symbol 181 from the symbols 180 stored in the symbol memory 108 (first process). The determined distributed object symbol 181 is stored in the distributed object symbol memory 181 and is also used for decision processing in the rearrangement-number determination unit 114.

The distributed object symbol 181 stored in the distributed object symbol memory 105 is output to the display symbol memory 107 and subsequently used for image processing in the display control unit 102, and thus the display area of the display unit 101. It is displayed at 101b. That is, the game controller 100 provides the display area 101b in a different part from the arrangement area 101a for arranging the symbols 180 and displays the distributed object symbol 181 in the display area 101b. Run the fifth process. Therefore, since the distributed object symbol 181 is displayed in the display area 101b separated from the arrangement area 101a, the player can easily recognize the distributed object symbol 181.

Further, if the symbol 180 is rearranged as the unit game is executed, the rearrangement-number determination unit 114 specifies the distributed object symbol 181 among the rearranged symbols 180 and the distributed object symbol 181. Calculate the rearrange-number of. Thereafter, if a predetermined number or more of the distributed object symbols 181 are rearranged, the unit sets the distributed object symbols 181 as the distributed symbols 182. That is, the unit transmits the distributed object symbols 181 stored in the distributed object symbol memory 105 to the distributed symbol memory 106. Thus, distributed object symbol 181 acts as distributed symbol 182.

In addition, when the distributed symbol 182 is set, the information output unit 116 reads character data, dividend-number data, and description data corresponding to the distributed symbol 182 from the game information memory 117, and reads this data. Output to display control unit 102. Thereafter, the contents of the dividend determined based on the dispersion symbol 182 on the payline L line and rearranged outside the line are announced and the dividend is awarded (fourth process). Also, this data is output to the volume level changer 211 and then output as voice sound from the speaker 29.

In addition, when the game is executed as described above, the function music indicating the start of the game is output at the start of the game, and the function music indicating the dividend is output when the dividend is awarded. In addition to the function music, background music is output. At this time, the volume level changer 211 decreases the volume in the high range selected by the range setting unit 230. Therefore, it is difficult for the player to hear a high range of voice sounds, which can reduce the dissatisfaction of the player. In addition, when the range setting unit 230 is operated, sample music including background music and function music is output. Thus, the volume level can be easily adjusted.

(Display state)

An example of the display state of the display unit 101 will be described in detail with reference to the operation process of the slot machine 10. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3, the display state is described with reference to the structure in which the display unit 101 arranges the symbols in a video reel manner.

The display unit 101 has display windows 151-155 as an arrangement area for arranging a plurality of symbols. The display windows 151-155 are disposed at the center of the display unit 101. In the display windows 151-155, a symbol column consisting of a plurality of symbols 180 is scroll-displayed. In addition, each of the display windows 151-155 is divided into upper, center, and lower stages 151a, 151b, and 151c. Each of the symbols is stopped (arranged) at each stage 151a, 151b, 151c. For example, in FIG. 3, "orange" is stopped at the upper stage 151a of the display window 151, "strawberry" is stopped at the center stage 151b of the display window 151, and the display window 151 In the lower stage 151c is stopped. As a result, display windows 151-155 display a symbol matrix consisting of five columns and three rows. On the other hand, the symbol matrix is not limited to 5 columns / 3 rows.

The display unit 101 also has a distributed object symbol display unit 163 as a display area for displaying the distributed object symbol 181. The distributed object symbol display unit 163 is disposed on the upper right side of the display unit 101 so as not to overlap with the display windows 151-155. Meanwhile, the distributed object symbol display unit 163 may be provided at any position under the condition that the overlapping with the display windows 151 to 155 can be avoided.

A selection object window 165 is provided below the distributed object symbol display unit 163. The selection object window 165 displays a symbol to be a candidate of the distributed object symbol 181. Accordingly, the player can intuitively recognize that the distributed object symbol 181 is randomly selected among the candidate symbols displayed in the selection object window 165 and then displayed on the distributed object symbol display unit 163.

In addition, the display unit 101 has a distributed symbol display unit 171. The distributed symbol display unit 101 is basket-shaped and displays the distributed symbol 182 as a received thing. The distributed symbol display unit 171 is provided at the upper left corner of the display unit 101. On the other hand, the distributed symbol display unit 171 may be provided at any position on the condition that it can avoid overlap with the display windows 151-155 and the distributed object symbol display unit 163.

The display state of FIG. 3 shows a state in which the distributed symbol 182 is set. Specifically, "orange" is displayed on the distributed symbol display unit 171 as an acceptor through a series of operations that are received after the "orange" displayed on the distributed object symbol display unit 163 is moved to the distributed symbol 182. . As a result, the player can intuitively recognize that "orange" is set as the distributed symbol 182 by visually observing the displayed state of the distributed symbol 182.

(Symbols, combinations, etc.)

As shown in Fig. 6, the symbol 180 to be displayed on the display windows 151 to 155 of the display unit 101 constitutes a column of symbols by 22 symbols. The symbols constituting each column of the symbol are assigned a code number of 0-21. Each column of symbols consists of a combination of "Jackpot 7", "Blue 7", "BELL", "Cherry", "Strawberry", "PLUM", "Orange", and "Apple" symbols .

The three consecutive symbols in the column of symbols are displayed (arranged) on the upper, center, and lower stages 151a, 151b, and 151c of the display windows 151 to 155, respectively, to form a 5 by 3 row symbol matrix. . When the 1-BET button 26 or the MAX-BET button 27 is pressed and the spin button 23 is pressed, the symbols constituting the symbol matrix start to scroll. When scrolling starts, scrolling of each symbol is stopped (rearranged) after a predetermined time has elapsed.

In addition, various winning combinations are planned for each symbol. The winning combination is a combination in which the combination of symbols stopped on the payline L is advantageous to the player. Advantageous states include coins being paid according to the winning combination, coins' pay-count added to credits, bonus games starting and so on.

Specifically, when the combination of the "apple" symbol is stopped on the payline L, the bonus is triggered and the gaming state is shifted from the basic game to the bonus game. In addition, when the "cherry" symbol is stopped on the payline L, 20 coins (game medium) are paid per bet. If the "plum" symbol is stopped on the payline L, 5 coins are paid per bet.

Bonus games, on the other hand, are more advantageous than the basic games. In one embodiment, the bonus game is a free game. The free game is a gaming state in which the player can play the game for a predetermined number of times without coin betting. Bonus games are not particularly limited as long as they are in a gaming state that is advantageous to the player, i. For example, a bonus game may include a state where you can get more game media than the base game, a state where you can get a game medium with a higher probability than in the base game, and a state where the game medium is consumed less than in the base game. have. Specifically, free games, second games, and the like are examples of bonus games.

(Mechanical structure)

In the following, examples of mechanically and electrically structured slot machines will be described.

As shown in Fig. 1, the slot machine 10 is installed in a game center. The slot machine 10 executes a unit game using a game medium. The game medium is coin, banknote, or electronic distribution information corresponding to these. On the other hand, the game medium in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, medals, tokens, electronic money, tickets, and the like can be used. The ticket is not particularly limited and may be a ticket with a barcode to be described later.

The slot machine 10 includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 provided at the top of the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided at the front of the cabinet 11. The main door 13 has a lower image display panel 16. The lower image display panel 16 has a transparent liquid crystal panel for displaying various information. The lower picture display panel 16 displays a video reel and various information and effect pictures about the game. Specifically, the lower image display panel 16 displays five columns and three rows of display windows 151-155, the distributed object symbol display unit 163, and the distributed symbol display unit 171, and other effect images as necessary. Is displayed.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the case where the symbols of five columns and three rows are displayed on the lower image display panel 16 is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, to display the symbols behind the display window 151, a mechanical reel with a symbol provided around it may be rotated and stopped.

One activated payline L is displayed on the lower image display panel 16. The payline L is set to traverse the center stage 151b of the display windows 151-155 horizontally. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the payline L traverses the center stage 151b of the display windows 151-155, but may traverse another stage of the display windows 151-155. For example, the payline L may cross the upper stage 151a or the lower stage 151c of the display windows 151-155. Alternatively, the payline L may cross the lower stage 151c of the display window 151, the center stage 151b of the display window 152, and the upper stage 151a of the display window 153. have. In addition, the payline L may be two or more. When two or more paylines L are provided, all paylines L may be activated and a number of paylines L for a given condition, such as a bet-number of coins, may be activated.

Meanwhile, the lower image display panel 16 may display a credit-number display unit and a dividend-number display unit. The credit-number display unit displays the total number (which will be referred to as the total credit-number) that the slot machine 10 can pay to the player. The dividend-number display unit displays the number of coins to be paid when the combination of symbols stopped on the payline is a winning combination.

Below the lower image display panel 16, a control panel 20, a coin receiving slot 21, and a bill validator 22 are provided. The control panel 20 is provided with a plurality of buttons 23-27. These buttons 23-27 allow the player's instructions regarding the game progress to be input. The coin receiving slot 21 allows coins to be received in the cabinet 11.

The control panel 20 includes a spin button 23, an exchange button 24, a cash out button 25, a 1-BET button 26, a MAX-BET button 27, and first to first agents. Three selector switches 221, 222, 223 are provided. The spin button 23 is a button for inputting a command for starting scrolling of the symbol. The exchange button 24 is a button to be used when the player asks the staff of the game center to exchange money. The cash payment button 25 is a button for inputting an instruction to pay the coins of the entire credit-number to the coin tray 18.

The 1-BET button 26 is a button for inputting an instruction to bet one coin out of coins of the total credit-number per game. The MAX-BET button 27 is a button for inputting a command to bet the largest coin (for example, 50 coins) out of the coins of the total credit-number per game.

The banknote valley data 22 confirms whether the banknote is normal or not, and receives the normal banknote into the cabinet 11. On the other hand, the banknote valley data 22 can read the ticket 39 with a barcode to be described later. When the banknote valley data 22 reads the ticket 39 with a barcode, it outputs a read signal regarding the read content to the main CPU 41.

A belly glass 34 is provided at the bottom front of the main door 13, ie below the control panel 20. On the belly glass 34, the character etc. of the slot machine 10 are drawn. The upper image display panel 33 is mounted on the front surface of the top box 12. The upper image display panel 33 has a liquid crystal panel and displays, for example, an image and an effect image, which indicate instructions of game contents and explanation of game rules.

The top box 12 is equipped with a voice output speaker 29. Below the upper image display panel 33, a ticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a data display 37, and a keypad 38 are provided. The ticket printer 35 prints a barcode encoded with data such as a credit-number, a date and time, an identification number of the slot machine 10, etc. on the ticket, and outputs a barcoded ticket 39. The player can play the game in another game machine with the barcoded ticket 39 and can exchange the barcoded ticket 39 into bills at the currency exchange booth of the game center.

The card reader 36 writes and reads data to and from the smart card. The smart card is a card possessed by the player, in which data for identifying the player and data relating to the game history of the player are stored.

The data display 37 is composed of a fluorescent display or the like and displays data read by the card reader 36 and data input through the keypad 38 by the player. The keypad 38 inputs instructions or data relating to ticket issuance.

(Electrical structure)

The control unit having the game controller 100 or the volume changer 211 shown in Fig. 4 is mounted in the cabinet 11. As shown in Fig. 5, the control unit includes a motherboard 40, a printed circuit board (PCB) 60, a gaming board, a sub CPU, a door PCB 80, and various switches and sensors.

The gaming board 50 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 51, a ROM 55 and a boot ROM 52 interconnected by an internal bus, a card slot 53S corresponding to the memory card 53, and a GAL. An IC socket 54S corresponding to (Generic Array Logic) 54 is provided.

The memory card 53 incorporates a game program and a game system program. The game program includes a stop symbol determination program. The stop symbol determination program is a program for determining a symbol (code number corresponding to a symbol) to be stopped on the payline L line. The stop symbol determination program includes symbol weight data corresponding to each of the plurality of odds (eg, 80%, 84%, 88%). The symbol weight data is data representing the correspondence between the code number of each symbol and a plurality of random numbers belonging to a predetermined numerical range (0-256) for each of the display windows 151-155.

The odds ratio is determined based on the data for setting the odds ratio output from the GAL 54, and the stop symbol is determined based on the symbol weight data corresponding to the odds ratio.

In addition, the memory card 53 stores various data used for the game program and the game system program. Specifically, data representing the relationship between the symbol 180 displayed on the display windows 151 to 155 and the random number range, data representing the relationship between the set threshold and the random number range, and the like are displayed in the form of the data table shown in FIG. Stored. In addition, the selection object symbol 181 displayed in the selection windows 161, 162, and 163 is stored. On the other hand, these data are transmitted to the RAM 43 of the motherboard 40 when executing the game program.

In addition, the card slot 53S is configured to insert and remove the memory card 53 and is connected to the motherboard 40 through an IDE bus. Therefore, by removing the memory card 53 from the card slot 53S, recording other game programs and game system programs to the memory card 53, and inserting the memory card 53 into the card slot 53S It is possible to change the form or content of the game to be executed on the machine 10.

The game program includes a program for game progress and a program for shifting the game state to the bonus game.

The GAL 54 has a plurality of input / output ports. When data is input to the input port, the GAL 54 outputs data corresponding to the input data from the output port. The data output from the output port is data for setting the above odds.

The IC socket 54S is configured to attach and detach the GAL 54. IC socket 54S is connected to motherboard 40 via a PCI bus. Thus, the odds output from the GAL 54 by separating the GAL 54 from the IC socket 54S, rewriting the program stored in the GAL 54, and then attaching the GAL 54 to the IC socket 54S. You can change the data for setting.

CPU 51, ROM 55, and boot ROM 52, interconnected by an internal bus, are connected to motherboard 40 via a PCI bus. The PCI bus performs signal transmission between the motherboard 40 and the gaming board 50, and supplies power from the motherboard 40 to the gaming board 50. ROM 55 stores country identification information and a certification program. The boot ROM 52 stores a preliminary authentication program and a program (boot code) that allows the CPU 51 to execute the preliminary authentication program.

The authentication program is a program (forgery check program) for authenticating a game program and a game system program. The authentication program is a program for confirming and verifying that the game program and the game system program are not forged. That is, the authentication program is described according to the procedure for authenticating the game program and the game system program. The preliminary certification program is a program for authenticating the certification program. The preliminary certification program is described according to a procedure for verifying that the certification to be authenticated is not forged, that is, for authenticating the certification program.

The motherboard 40 is provided with a main CPU 41 (game controller), a read only memory (ROM) 42, a random access memory (RAM) 43, and a communication interface 44.

The main CPU 41 has the function of a game controller for controlling the entire slot machine 10. In particular, the main CPU 41 controls the output of the command signal for scrolling the symbol of the lower image display panel 16 when the spin button 23 is pressed after the credit is bet, the symbol to be stopped after the symbol is scrolled. Control to determine the control function and to stop the determined symbol in the display windows 151-155.

That is, the main CPU 41 selects and determines array symbols for the symbol matrix from the plurality of symbols, scrolls the plurality of symbols to be displayed on the lower image display panel 16, and rearranges them as a new symbol matrix. And the arrangement game controller 100 for executing the arrangement control to be stopped at the symbol determined from the scroll state.

In addition, the main CPU 41 may include a first process of randomly selecting the distributed object symbol 181 among the symbols 180, a second process of rearranging the symbols 180 on the display, and a line on the payline L. A third process of granting a dividend determined based on the symbol 180, and setting the distributed object symbol 181 as the distributed symbol 182 when the predetermined number or more of the distributed object symbols 181 are rearranged, and the distributed symbol The content of the dividend determined on the basis of 182 is announced through voice sound and display, and has a function of the game controller 182 for executing the fourth process of awarding the dividend. In addition, the main CPU 41 provides a display area (distributed object symbol display unit 163) in a different area from the arrangement area (display windows 151-155) for arranging the symbols 180, and the display area. A fifth process for displaying the distributed object symbol 181 at the second and a sixth process for notifying that the distributed object symbol 181 is set as the distributed symbol 182 when the predetermined number of distributed object symbols 181 are rearranged. It has the function of game controller 182 for execution.

The ROM 42 stores programs such as a basic input / output system (BIOS) executed by the main CPU 41, and data which is used permanently. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 41, each of the peripheral devices is initialized, and the game program and game system program stored in the memory card 53 are read out through the gaming board 50.

The RAM 43 stores data or programs used when the main CPU 41 performs a process. For example, the RAM 43 includes a distributed object symbol memory 105, a distributed symbol memory 106, a symbol memory 108, a display symbol memory 107, and a game information memory 117 shown in FIG. Each is provided in the form of a data area. The data area of the selection object symbol memory 105 stores the selection object symbol 181. The data area of distributed symbol memory 106 stores distributed object symbols 181. The data area of symbol memory 108 stores symbol 180. The data area of display symbol memory 107 stores symbols 180, distributed object symbols 181, and distributed symbols 182.

The communication interface 44 is provided for communicating with a host computer or the like through a communication line installed in the game center. In addition, the motherboard 40 is connected to the main body PCB 60 and the door PCB 80 through a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In addition, the motherboard 40 is connected to the power unit 45. When power is supplied from the power unit 45 to the motherboard 40, the main CPU 41 of the motherboard 40 is activated and power is supplied to the gaming board 50 via the PCI bus, thus providing a CPU 51. ) Works too.

The main body PCB 60 and the door PCB 80 are provided with a device or device for generating an input signal to be input to the main CPU 41 and a device or device controlled by a control signal output from the main CPU 41. Connected. The main CPU 41 executes a game program and a game system program stored in the RAM 43 on the basis of an input signal input to the main CPU 41 to perform arithmetic processing, and thus the result is sent to the RAM 43. Control them by storing or sending control signals to each device or device.

The main body PCB 60 includes a lamp 30, a sub CPU, a hopper 66, a coin sensor 67, a graphic board 68, a D / A converter 210, a volume level changer 211, and a banknote valley data 22 ), The ticket printer 35, the card reader 36, the key switch 38S, and the data display 37. The D / A converter 210 is connected to the speaker 29 through the volume level changer 211 and the volume amplifier 206.

The lamp 30 is turned on / off based on the control signal output from the main CPU 41. The sub CPU controls the scrolling of the symbols of the display windows 151-155 and is connected to a video display processor (VDP). The VDP reads image data of symbols stored in the image data ROM, generates a scroll image to be displayed on the display windows 151 to 155, and outputs the scroll image to the lower image display panel 16.

The hopper 66 is mounted in the cabinet 11 and pays a predetermined number of coins from the coin payment slot 19 to the coin tray 18 based on the control signal output from the main CPU 41. The coin sensor 67 is mounted in the coin payment slot 19 and outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when detecting that a predetermined number of coins are paid from the coin payment slot 19.

The graphics board 68 controls the image display on the upper image display panel 33 and the lower image display panel 16 based on the control signal output from the main CPU 41. In addition, the graphics board 68 is provided with a VDP for generating image data based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41, a video RAM for temporarily storing the image data generated by the VDP, and the like. do.

The banknote valley data 22 reads an image of a banknote, and accommodates a normal banknote in the cabinet 11. Further, upon receipt of the normal banknote, the banknote valley data 22 outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 based on the amount of the banknote. The main CPU 41 stores in the RAM 43 a credit-number corresponding to the amount of bills transmitted by the input signal.

The ticket printer 35 prints a barcode encoded with data such as a credit-number stored in the RAM 43, a date and time, an identification number of the slot machine 10, and the like based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41. Is printed, and the ticket 39 to which the barcode is attached is output.

The card reader 36 reads data from the smart card and sends it to the main CPU 41, and writes this data to the smart card based on the control signal output from the main CPU 41. The key switch 38S is mounted on the keypad 38 and outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when the player operates the keypad 38. The data display 37 displays data read by the card reader 36 or data input by the player via the keypad 38 based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41.

The door PCB 80 is connected to the control panel 20, the reverser 21S, the coin counter 21C, and the cold cathode tube 81. The control panel 20 includes a spin switch 23S corresponding to the spin button 23, an exchange switch 24S corresponding to the exchange button 24, a cash payment switch 25S corresponding to the cash payment button 25, A 1-BET switch 26S corresponding to the 1-BET button 26 and a MAX-BET switch 27S corresponding to the MAX-BET button 27 are provided. Each of these switches 23S-27S outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when each of the corresponding buttons 23-27 is pressed by the player.

The coin counter 21C is mounted in the coin accommodation slot 21, and verifies whether or not the coin inserted into the coin accommodation slot 21 by the player is normal. Coins, except for normal coins, are discharged from the coin payment slot 19. The coin counter 21C also outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when detecting normal coins.

The coin counter 21C is operated based on the control signal output from the main CPU 41, and a coin box (not shown) mounted on the slot machine 10 with coins recognized as normal coins by the coin counter 21C. Or dispense into the hopper 66. In other words, when the hopper 66 is full of coins, the normal coins are distributed into the cash box by the reverser 21S. On the other hand, if hopper 66 is not full of coins, normal coins are dispensed into hopper 66. The cold cathode tube 81 functions as a backlight mounted on the back of the lower image display panel 16 and the upper image display panel 33 and is turned on based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41.

(Sound quality adjustment)

Hereinafter, the volume control performed in the slot machine 10 will be described. As the main CPU 41 executes the volume adjustment processing routine of Fig. 8, it is determined whether or not the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223 are operated by the player (S101). If the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223 are not operated (S101, NO), this routine is terminated and a standby state is performed until the operation is performed.

When the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223 are operated (S101 and YES), a switching signal corresponding to the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223 is applied to the volume level changer 211. It is output (S102). Thereafter, sample music data is output to the volume level changer 211 (S103). After the predetermined waiting period has elapsed (S104), this routine ends.

Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, the sample music data is output to the D / A converter 210 through the main body PCB 60 and then converted into an analog signal format. The BGM signal is output from the first output terminal 210a of the D / A converter 210, and the functional music signal is output from the second output terminal 210b. The BGM signal and the functional music signal are synchronized in the first adder 205 and then moved to the connection path corresponding to the switching signal of the signal switching unit 203, and then the low pass filters 204a, 204b, specified by the switching signal, 204c).

After the volume of the predetermined range is reduced in the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c, the signal is moved to the second adder 207 and output to the volume amplifier 206. Sample music whose volume has been reduced to a predetermined range is output from the speaker 29, and the player who has operated the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223 listens to it. The player determines whether the sound quality of the sample music is appropriate. If the player is dissatisfied with the sound quality, the player can operate the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223 to temporarily listen to the next sample music and adjust the sound quality to the desired sound quality.

(Processing behavior)

In the following, the process performed in the slot machine 10 in which the volume is adjusted as described above will be described. When the main CPU 41 reads and executes the game program, the game starts. As shown in Fig. 7, in the game execution process, it is determined whether or not the coin is bet (S10). In this process, the input signal is received from the 1-BET switch 26S as the 1-BET button 26 is pushed and the input signal from the MAX-BET switch 27S as the MAX-BET button 27 is pushed. It is determined whether is received. If the coin is not bet (S10, NO), step S10 is executed again, which is in a waiting state until the coin is bet.

On the other hand, if the coin is bet (S10, YES), corresponding to the number of coins bet, the credit-number stored in the RAM 43 is subtracted (S11). On the other hand, if the number of bets coin is larger than the credit-number stored in the RAM 43, the credit-number subtraction process is not performed, and step S11 is executed again. In addition, if the number of bets coin exceeds the upper limit for betting per game (50 pieces in this embodiment), no credit-number deduction process is performed, and step S12 is performed.

Next, it is determined whether or not the spin button 23 is ON (S12). If the spin button 23 is not ON (S12, NO), the procedure returns to step S10. On the other hand, if the spin button 23 is not ON (for example, when the spin button 23 is not ON and a game end instruction is input), the subtraction result is canceled in step S11.

On the other hand, if the spin button 23 is ON (S12, YES), the symbol determination process is executed (S13). That is, the stop symbol determination program stored in the RAM 43 is executed, so that the symbol 180 to be stopped at each of the fifteen stages of the display windows 151-155 is determined. Thus, the combination of symbols to be stopped on the payline L line is determined.

Subsequently, the symbols 180 of the display windows 151 to 155 are scroll-displayed (S14). Meanwhile, the scrolling process is performed such that the symbol 180 is scrolled in the direction of the arrow and the symbol 180 determined in step S13 is stopped (rearranged) in the display windows 151-155.

Thereafter, the distributed object symbol determination process is executed (S15). That is, the distributed object symbol 181 is randomly determined among the symbols 180 of "species", "cherry", "strawberry", "plum", "orange", and "apple". Then, the determined distributed object symbol 181 is displayed on the distributed object symbol display unit 163.

When scrolling of the symbol 180 is stopped, the rearrangement-number of the distributed object symbol 181 is obtained (S16). Then, it is determined whether the rearrangement-number is equal to or greater than the set threshold (S17). If it is equal to or greater than the set threshold (S17, YES), the distributed object symbol 181 is set as the distributed symbol 182. Specifically, the distributed object symbol 181 is a series of distributed object symbols 181 received in the distributed symbol display unit 171 after being moved from the distributed object symbol display unit 163 to the distributed symbol display unit 171. Through the operation, the distributed symbol display unit 171 is displayed as the receiver (S18).

Thereafter, the character 251 is displayed between the distributed symbol display unit 171 and the distributed object symbol display unit 163, and a speech balloon indicating the speech content of the character 251 is displayed. In addition, the speech content of the character 251 is output through the voice sound. Specifically, the original description image 252 "Orange has become a distributed object" is displayed in the speech bubble and voice-outputted (S19).

Thereafter, a payment process is performed. That is, the pay-number of coins based on the winning combination and the pay-number of coins based on the display number of the distribution symbol 182 are summed. Then, if the coin to be paid is stored, a predetermined number of credits are added to the credit-number stored in the RAM 43. On the other hand, when paying coins, the control signal is transmitted to the hopper 66, and a predetermined number of coins are paid (S20).

On the other hand, if the rearrangement number is not greater than or equal to the set threshold (S17, NO), it is determined whether the combination of symbols 180 stopped on the payline L line is a winning combination (S23). If it is not a winning combination (S23, NO), the combination is neither the dispersion symbol 182 nor the winning combination. This means blank, so this routine ends.

On the other hand, if this combination is a winning combination (S23, YES), step S20 is executed. Then, it is determined whether the bonus trigger is made as the winning combination. That is, it is determined whether a combination of "apples" is arranged on the payline L line (S21). If it is determined that the bonus trigger has been made (S21, YES), the bonus game process is executed (S22). On the other hand, if the bonus game is not triggered (S21, NO), it means blank, and thus this routine ends.

Example 2

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the game machine and its volume control method according to the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as 1st Example, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

The slot machine 10 according to this embodiment is a game machine cabinet, a game manipulated by a player's betting, background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that becomes a background music of a game, and an operation state of a game regarding a player's action. Function of the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the music function Music information, the volume level changer which can change the volume level of the sound signal and can switch the range in which the volume level is changed, can be operated from the outside and the sound signal A selection switch for selecting a range, a speaker for converting and amplifying a sound signal into sound waves, and a volume level changer for changing the volume level of the sound signal of the background music information selected in the selection switch, and for the sound signal and the function music of the background music information. The sound signal of the information is mixed to form a sound signal, The DE signal includes a game controller programmed to output from the speaker.

According to the above structure, the range of the sound signal including the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the background music of the game and the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the functional music representing the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player is from the outside. Can be selected by operation. After the volume level of the range of the selected sound signal is changed, the sound signal is converted into sound waves and then augmented.

As a result, the player can hear the voice sound whose volume level has been changed in the selected range. Thus, by increasing the volume level, the player can easily hear the selected range. Conversely, decreasing the volume level can make it difficult for the player to hear the selected range. Therefore, since the volume of the predetermined range can be changed according to the installation environment of the game machine and the preference of the player, the effect of the game machine can be flexibly performed by the voice sound including the background music and the function music. In addition, since a sound signal in which the background music signal and the functional music signal are mixed is used, volume adjustment in a predetermined range can be performed for both the background music and the functional music.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the slot machine 10 is connected to the main CPU 41 which is a game controller, the sound signal output device 201 connected to the main CPU 41 to output several sound signals in parallel, A volume level changer 211 capable of changing the volume level of the sound signal and switching a range in which the volume level is changed, first to third selection switches 221 configured to be operated from the outside and selecting a range of the sound signal; 222 and 223, and a sound output device 212 that superimposes sound signals having a predetermined range in which the volume level is changed and converts these signals into sound waves.

The sound signal output device 201 is connected to input a signal to the volume level changer 211. The volume level changer 211 has a signal switching unit 203, low pass filters 204a, 204b, 204c, and a second adder 207.

The signal switching unit 203 has a switch unit 203a, a single input terminal 203b, and an output terminal 203c as a switch device. The input terminal 203b is connected to the output terminal 210a of the D / A converter 210. On the other hand, each of the output terminals 203c is connected to the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c, respectively. Therefore, the BGM signal output from the D / A converter 210 is moved to the signal switching unit 203 and input to each of the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c.

Moreover, the signal switching unit 203 has a switch switching terminal 203d. The switch switching terminal 203d is connected to the main body PCB 60. The main body PCB 60 outputs a switching signal for adjusting a volume in a predetermined range. The switching signal is output at operation timings of the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223 and indicates a connection state corresponding to the first to third selection switches 221, 222, and 223.

The low pass filters 204a, 204b, 204c are connected to one input terminal of the second adder 207. The other input terminal of the second adder 207 is connected to the output terminals 210a, 210b, 210c of the D / A converter 210, respectively. Accordingly, the sound signal input to the second adder 207 is a BGM signal having a reduced range of a predetermined range in the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c, and an output terminal 210c of the D / A converter 210. It becomes a functional music signal and an effect sound signal output from the. The second adder 207 outputs a new sound signal from the output terminal, to which a BGM signal, a function music signal, and a sound signal of the effect sound signal are added. The other structure is the same as in the first embodiment.

Example 3

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the game machine and its volume adjusting method according to the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as 1st Example, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

The slot machine 10 according to this embodiment is a game machine cabinet, a game manipulated by a player's betting, background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that becomes a background music of a game, and an operation state of a game regarding a player's action. Function of sound signal having frequency characteristic to be music Function of music information, volume level changer which can change the volume level of sound signal and can switch the range in which the volume level is changed A selection switch for selecting a range, a speaker for converting and amplifying a sound signal into sound waves, and a volume level changer for changing the volume level of the sound signal of the background music information, and the volume of the sound signal range of the function music information selected in the selection switch. Change the level in the volume level changer and change the background music information. Sound signal and the feature comprises a game controller programmed, the sound signal of the music information so as to output a sound signal to be mixed from the speaker.

According to the above structure, the range of the sound signal including the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the background music of the game and the sound signal having the frequency characteristic to be the functional music representing the operation state of the game with respect to the action of the player is from the outside. Can be selected by operation. After the volume level of the range of the selected sound signal is changed, the sound signal is converted into sound waves and then augmented.

As a result, the player can hear the voice sound whose volume level has been changed in the selected range. Thus, by increasing the volume level, the player can easily hear the selected range. Conversely, decreasing the volume level can make it difficult for the player to hear the selected range. Therefore, since the volume of the predetermined range can be changed according to the installation environment of the game machine and the preference of the player, the effect of the game machine can be flexibly performed by the voice sound including the background music and the function music. In addition, the volume control may be performed in the entire range with respect to the background music, and the volume control may be performed in the predetermined range with respect to the function music.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the slot machine 10 is connected to the main CPU 41 which is a game controller, the sound signal output device 201 connected to the main CPU 41 to output several sound signals in parallel, A volume level changer 211 capable of changing a volume level of the sound signal and switching a range in which the volume level is changed, first to third selection switches 221 configured to be operated from the outside and selecting a range of the sound signal; 222 and 223, and a sound output device 212 that superimposes sound signals having a predetermined range in which the volume level is changed and converts these signals into sound waves.

The sound signal output device 201 is connected to input a signal to the volume level changer 211. The volume level changer 211 includes a first signal switching unit 203, a low pass filter 204a, 204b, 204c, a second adder 207, a second signal switching unit 213, and a volume adjusting unit 214. Has

The first signal switching unit 203 has a switch unit 203a, a single input terminal 203b, and an output terminal 203c as a switch device. The input terminal 203b is connected to the output terminal 210a of the D / A converter 210. On the other hand, each of the output terminals 203c is connected to the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c, respectively. Thus, the functional music signal output from the D / A converter 210 is moved to the signal switching unit 203 and input to each of the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c.

In addition, the second signal switching unit 213 has the same structure as the first signal switching unit 203. The input terminal of the second signal switching unit 213 is connected to the output terminal 210a of the D / A converter 210. The output terminal 203c of the second signal switching unit 213 is connected to the volume adjusting unit 214 having a resistance. The second signal switching unit 213 outputs the BGM signal to the resistance of the volume adjusting unit 214 corresponding to the switching signal.

The volume adjusting unit 214 and the low pass filters 204a, 204b, 204c are each connected to an input terminal of the second adder 207. Also, the other input terminal of the second adder 207 is connected to the output terminal of the D / A converter 210. Accordingly, the sound signal input to the second adder 207 is a volume reduced in a predetermined range in the BGM signal, the low pass filters 204a, 204b, and 204c having the volume adjusted in the entire range in the volume adjusting unit 214. And a function music signal to be output from the output terminal 210c of the D / A converter 210. The second adder 207 outputs a new sound signal from the output terminal, to which a BGM signal, a function music signal, and a sound signal of the effect sound signal are added. The other structure is the same as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, while the above description of the first, second and third embodiments has been made with respect to the characteristic parts in order to make the understanding of the present invention easier, the present invention is not limited to the above-described first to third embodiments, and other implementations. Applicable to the examples, the applicable range should be considered as wide as possible. Also, the terms and phrases used in the specification are used to accurately illustrate the present invention and not to limit it. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize that other structures, systems, methods, and the like, which are included in the spirit of the present invention, may be readily inferred from the spirit of the present invention described herein. Accordingly, the present invention should be considered to encompass equivalent structures that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. In addition, a summary is provided so that a person skilled in the art who is unfamiliar with patent offices and public authorities or with patents and laws or jargon can quickly analyze the technical features and gist of the present invention through a simple search. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which should be evaluated by the claims. In addition, in order to fully understand the object and effect of the present invention, it is required to refer fully to the documents already described.

The description includes processes running on a computer or computer network. The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to most effectively understand the present invention. In the specification, each step or block having some processing function used to derive one result should be understood as a process without any self-contradiction. In addition, each step or block transmits and receives electrical or magnetic signals. The process in each step or block materializes the signal into bits, values, symbol characters, terms, numbers, etc., but it should be understood that these are used for convenience of description. In addition, while the processes at each step or block are often described as expressions universal to human actions, the processes described in the specification are in principle executed by various devices. In addition, other structures required for each step or block are apparent from the above description.

1 is a diagram showing a volume adjustment state of a game machine.

2 is a block diagram of a game machine.

3 is a diagram showing a display screen;

4 is a block diagram of a game machine.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the game machine.

6 shows a symbol and its code number.

7 is a flowchart of the game execution process.

8 is a flowchart of a volume adjustment process.

9 is a block diagram of a game machine.

10 is a block diagram of a game machine.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: slot machine 20: control panel

29: speaker 39: ticket

40: motherboard 41: main CPU

53: memory card 60: main body PCB

67: coin sensor 100: game controller

101: display unit 151-155: display window

180: symbol 206: volume amplifier

207: Adder 211: Volume Level Changer

Claims (6)

Game machine, Games controlled by player bets, Background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be background music of a game, Functional music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that becomes a functional music indicating a game operating state relating to the action of a player, A volume level changer that can change the volume level of the sound signal and switch the range in which the volume level changes, A selector switch configured to operate from the outside and selecting a range of the sound signal, A speaker that converts a sound signal into sound waves and augments it; And a game controller programmed to change the volume level of the range of sound signals selected by the selection switch in the volume level changer and output the sound signal with the changed volume level from the speaker. Game machine, Games controlled by player bets, Background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be background music of a game, Functional music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that becomes a functional music indicating a game operating state relating to the action of a player, Sample music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic of becoming sample music having background music and function music; A volume level changer that can change the volume level of the sound signal and switch the range in which the volume level changes, A selector switch configured to operate from the outside and selecting a range of the sound signal, A speaker that converts a sound signal into sound waves and augments it; The game controller is programmed to use the sound signal of the sample music information when the selector switch is operated, change the volume level of the range of the sound signal selected by the selector switch in the volume level changer, and output the sound signal whose volume level is changed from the speaker. Game machine including a. Game machine, Games controlled by player bets, Background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be background music of a game, Function music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that becomes a function music indicating a game operating state with respect to the action of the player, A volume level changer that can change the volume level of the sound signal and switch the range in which the volume level changes, A selector switch configured to operate from the outside and selecting a range of the sound signal, A speaker that converts a sound signal into sound waves and augments it; A game controller that is programmed to use a sound signal with mixed background music information and function music information, change the volume level of the range of the sound signal selected by the selection switch on the volume level changer, and output the sound signal with the changed volume level from the speaker. Game machine including a. Game machine, Games controlled by player bets, Background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be background music of a game, Functional music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that becomes a functional music indicating a game operating state relating to the action of a player, A volume level changer that can change the volume level of the sound signal and switch the range in which the volume level changes, A selection switch configured to operate from the outside and selecting a range of sound signals, A speaker that converts a sound signal into sound waves and augments it; Changes the volume level of the range of the sound signal of the background music information selected in the selection switch in the volume level changer, forms a sound signal in which the sound signal of the background music information and the sound signal of the functional music information are mixed, and forms the sound signal And a game controller programmed to output from the. Game machine, Games controlled by player bets, Background music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be background music of a game, Functional music information of a sound signal having a frequency characteristic that becomes a functional music indicating a game operating state relating to the action of a player, A volume level changer that can change the volume level of the sound signal and switch the range in which the volume level changes, A selector switch configured to operate from the outside and selecting a range of the sound signal, A speaker that converts a sound signal into sound waves and augments it; Change the volume level of the sound signal of the background music information in the volume level changer, change the volume level of the range of the sound signal of the function music information selected in the selection switch in the volume level changer, the sound signal and the function music information in the background music information And a game controller that is programmed to output a sound signal from which the sound signal of the sound signal is mixed from the speaker. How to adjust the sound quality of the game machine, A range of sound signals including a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be the background music of the game and a sound signal having a frequency characteristic to be the music representing the operating state of the game with respect to the action of the player can be selected by operation from the outside. To make it possible, Changing the volume level of the range of the selected sound signal, The sound quality control method of the game machine comprising the step of converting the sound signal is changed volume level.

Images