JP2001070515A - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To make a player recognize the type of winning, and to notice that the gaming state is changing, that is, that the variable display control is performed under conditions advantageous to the player. In addition, the present invention provides a gaming machine that allows a player to fully enjoy a "specific game" acquired. A gaming machine (1) has variable display means (4L, 4C, 4R) for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game, and control means for stopping and controlling the variable display of the variable display means on the basis of a random number lottery result. 20 and sound generating means 15 and 38 capable of generating a plurality of types of music. The control means 20 stops the stop control based on the random number lottery for the BB game in which the display mode when the variable display is stopped is a gaming state in which a symbol combination of winning for a predetermined period is easily established, or for this and a predetermined winning combination. In the case of a symbol combination for starting a combination game with a CT game to be performed, game control is performed under control conditions corresponding to the symbol combination. The sound generators 15 and 38 generate music corresponding to the control conditions executed by the controller.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine provided with a variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game, and control means such as a microcomputer for controlling the variable display of the variable display device. It relates to pachinko and other gaming machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a gaming machine called a slot machine or a pachislot machine is a variable display device or reel mechanically constructed by arranging a plurality of rotating reels representing a plurality of symbols in a front display window. It has a variable display device electrically configured by displaying the upper symbol on the screen, and in response to the start operation of the player, the control means drives the variable display device to rotate each reel, and after a predetermined time, When the rotation of each reel is sequentially stopped automatically or by a player's stop operation, when the symbols of each reel appearing in the display window have a specific combination (winning symbol), medals, coins, etc. Is to give the player a profit by paying out the game media, but in the current mainstream models, multiple types of winnings are provided, and if a specific winning symbol is achieved, one medal To pay out Instead, the control condition of the variable display by the control means is converted into a special condition, and a prize is provided for a predetermined period of time to give a player a profit of enjoying a "specific game" better in condition than a "general game" normally performed. Have been.

[0003] Such types of prizes include a so-called special increase prize in which the winning symbols for paying out medals are easily aligned for a long time, a special prize having a relatively short period, and a player's stop operation. So-called challenge time (CT) in which variable display stop control is performed according to
There is a prize, a combination of these prizes, and the like.

[0004]

However, in such a prize, a large number of medals are not immediately paid out even when a prize symbol appears, so that the player changes the playing state due to the prize acquired. In some cases, he did not recognize the profit, did not notice the profits he had gained, and did not feel joy.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to make a player recognize the type of winning and that the playing state is changing, that is,
An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that allows a player to fully enjoy a "specific game" acquired by recognizing that control means is performing variable display control under conditions favorable to the player.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A gaming machine according to the present invention variably displays means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game, and stops and controls the variable display of the variable display means based on a random number lottery result. Control means, and sound generating means capable of generating a plurality of types of music, the control means, the display mode when the variable display is stopped, a gaming state in which a winning combination of symbols for a predetermined period is easily established In the case of a BB game or a symbol combination for starting a BB game and a CT game in which stop control based on the random number lottery is stopped for a predetermined winning combination, a game combination is started under a control condition corresponding to the symbol combination. The sound generating means generates music corresponding to the control condition executed by the control means.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control means selects a control condition corresponding to the symbol combination from a plurality of predetermined control conditions.

The sound generating means is controlled by the control means so as to generate a music piece corresponding to the control condition, or includes a sound control section for selecting a music piece corresponding to the control condition.

The variable display device according to the present invention may be any device capable of moving and displaying a plurality of symbol (symbol) rows, and has a mechanical structure for rotating and driving a reel provided with a symbol row on an outer peripheral surface, or a liquid crystal. , LED, CRT, etc., for electrically moving and displaying symbols. The control means may be configured to determine whether or not a prize is won by random number extraction or the like, and to execute a variable display stop control based on the determination result. Used for

When a plurality of symbol rows to be variably displayed are provided, C
When a T prize occurs, the control means can switch the stop control according to the stop operation of the player for all or at least one symbol row.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the control means controls to stop the variable display of the variable display means based on the result of the random number lottery. Then, the display mode when the variable display is stopped,
This is a symbol combination for starting a BB game in which a symbol combination of winning for a predetermined period is easily established, or a combination game of the BB game and a CT game for stopping stop control based on the random number lottery for a predetermined winning combination. In this case, game control is performed under control conditions corresponding to the symbol combination. The sound generating means generates a music piece corresponding to the control condition.

Therefore, by listening to the generated music, the player can determine what kind of game state will be set according to the display mode when the variable display is stopped.
Specifically, it is difficult to determine whether the game is a BB game or a combination game of the BB game and the CT game only by the display mode at the time of stoppage. However, due to the generation of music, the player recognizes a special game state, With that attitude, you can drive into the game.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control means selects a control condition corresponding to a symbol combination for starting the BB game or a combination game thereof and a CT game from a plurality of predetermined control conditions.

The sound generating means is controlled by the control means to generate music corresponding to the control condition, or the sound control section selects and generates music corresponding to the control condition.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 is a gaming machine that plays a game using medals, coins, tokens, or the like as a game medium.

At the front of the cabinet 2 forming the whole of the slot machine 1, three display windows 3L arranged side by side are provided.
3C and 3R are provided, and three symbols are vertically displayed on each display window.

FIG. 4 shows a symbol row used in the slot machine 1. These symbols are displayed on the display windows 3L, 3C,
It is drawn on the surface of a sheet forming the circumferential surface of the three rotating reels 4L, 4C, 4R arranged inside the cabinet 2 corresponding to 3R.

A start lever 5 for rotating the reel by a player's operation is rotatably mounted within a predetermined angle range below and to the left of the display window on the front of the cabinet 2.

At the lower right side of the display window 3R, there is provided a medal slot 6 for inserting medals of game media. Above the medal slot 6, a credit display section 7A for displaying the number of medals currently credited and a payout are provided. A payout display section 7B for displaying the number of medals issued is provided. Each display is composed of 7 segment LEDs. The display means is not limited to the LED, but may be an LCD (liquid crystal) element or any other means.

On the lower left side of the display window 3L, an insertion button 17 for inserting a credited medal for a game.
And a C / P switch 8 for switching the credit / payout of medals obtained by the player with a push button operation.

Stop buttons 9L, 9 operated by the player to stop the rotation of each reel alongside the start lever 5.
C and 9R are arranged.

A medal payout opening 12 and a medal receiving unit 1 for storing paid-out medals are provided at the lower front part of the cabinet 2.
3 are arranged.

At the lower right of the medal payout opening 12, there is provided a sound generator 10 comprising a number of sound output holes. This sound generator 10
Through the speaker 1 placed inside the cabinet 2
5 (FIG. 2) produces sound outside. The speaker 15 can output a plurality of types of sounds and a plurality of types of music, and is a sound generating unit in the gaming machine 1.

Above the display window on the front of the cabinet, there is provided a display surface 16 for displaying a payout table showing how many medals will be paid out for winning, and the upper edge of the display surface 16 is a light emitting effect portion. 11 is formed. The effect section 11 is composed of a large number of LEDs, and can perform various effects and display information by operations such as lighting, blinking, and turning off.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration including a control unit for controlling a game processing operation in the slot machine 1 and a peripheral device (actuator) electrically connected thereto.

In this case, the control means includes the microcomputer 20 as a main component, and further includes a circuit for sampling a random number. The microcomputer 20 includes a CPU 21 for performing a control operation in accordance with a preset program, a ROM 22 and a RAM 23 as storage means, and a CPU 21 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 24 for generating a reference clock pulse, and a frequency divider 2.
5 and a random number generator 2 for generating a random number to be sampled
6 and the random number sampling circuit 27 are connected.
As means for random number sampling, random number sampling may be executed in the microcomputer 20, that is, on an operation program of the CPU 21. In that case, the random number generator 26 and the random number sampling circuit 27 can be omitted, or can be left as a backup for the random number sampling operation.

The ROM 22 of the microcomputer 20 stores winning determination data including a winning probability table used for random number sampling determination.

The ROM 22 further stores data for generating a plurality of types of sounds and a plurality of types of music, and data for determining a sound generated based on a stop symbol when a reel is stopped. In the circuit of FIG. 2, the main actuator whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 20 is the reel 4
Stepping motors 14L, 14C, 14R for driving the rotation of L, 4C, 4R, respectively, and a hopper (including a driving unit for paying out) for storing medals of game media 30
And the light sources of the display units 7A and 7B and the rendering unit 11 and the speaker 15. The motor drive circuit 31, the hopper drive circuit 32, the light source drive circuit 37, and the sound output circuit 38
It is connected to the output of the PU 21. Each of these drive circuits receives a control signal such as a drive command output from the CPU 21 and controls the operation of each actuator.

The main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 20 to generate a control signal includes a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 6 or an input button 17 being pressed. Medal sensor 6S for detecting medals inserted from credits, start switches 5S and C for detecting operation of start lever 5
/ P switch 8, a reel stop signal circuit 34 for generating a stop signal in response to operation of each stop button 9L, 9C, 9R,
The reel position detection circuit 35 supplies a signal for detecting the position of each reel to the CPU 21 in response to the pulse signal from the reel rotation sensor, and the count value of the medal detection unit 33 (the number of medals paid out from the hopper 30). A payout completion signal circuit 36 supplies a signal to the CPU 21 for detecting the completion of payout of medals when the number reaches the designated number data.

In the circuit of FIG. 2, the random number generator 26
A random number belonging to a predetermined numerical range is generated, and the random number sampling circuit 27 samples one random number at an appropriate timing after the start lever 5 is operated. It is determined whether the extracted random number belongs to a predetermined winning area stored in the storage unit in the ROM 22,
A signal is generated based on the determination result.

After the rotation of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R is started, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 14L, 14C, 14R is counted, and the counted value is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 23. Reel 4
A reset pulse is obtained from L, 4C, 4R for each rotation, and these pulses are input to the CPU 21 via the reel position detection circuit 35. The CPU 21 clears the drive pulse count value stored in the RAM 23 to “0” by the reset pulse thus obtained. As a result, the RAM 23 stores a count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation of each of the reels 4L, 4C, and 4R.

The controller determines the stop position of each of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R based on the signal generated by the determination of the random number, and sends a signal for controlling the reel to stop at that position to the motor drive circuit.

When the control unit detects a stop signal generated by operating the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, each of the reels 4L,
4C and 4R are respectively stopped.

As data for winning determination stored in the ROM 22, a winning symbol combination table for associating a winning symbol combination, a winning medal payout number with a winning determination code representing the winning is provided. It is referred to when controlling the respective reels 4L, 4C, 4R and when confirming a winning after stopping all the reels.

A table for associating the winning symbol combination table with the type of music or the type of sound as data for determining the sound and music generated based on the stop symbol when the reel is stopped, stored in the ROM 22. It is included. With this table, the type of music or the type of sound is determined by the winning confirmation after stopping all reels.

The ROM 22 stores a program (sequence program) for executing a game in the slot machine 1.

FIG. 4 shows the reels 4L and 4L of the slot machine 1.
It is a symbol row provided on the outer peripheral surface of 4C, 4R.

Each symbol row is provided with symbols "7", " 7 " and "BAR" which have a special meaning.

The slot machine 1 has special prize-winning games (hereinafter referred to as BB games), special prize-winning games (hereinafter referred to as RB games), and challenge-time games (hereinafter referred to as CT games) having different control conditions for variable display. ) Is set and the reels 4L, 4C, 4R are stopped, a BB game is generated when " 7 " is aligned with the winning line, and a combination of BB game and CT game is generated when " 7 " is aligned, and "BAR" is set. RB game occurs.

In this gaming machine, a general gaming state is established at the start of the game, random number sampling is performed each time the start lever 5 is operated, and the most advantageous combination of a BB game and a CT game, a BB game, an RB game, and an accessory Is determined.

In this gaming machine, a stop symbol in which a CT prize is generated alone is not set, but a stop symbol in which a CT game is generated alone is set, and a prize determination for determining the generation of a CT game is made. The game may be performed each time a game of a general game is performed, each time a BB game is generated or completed, and each time a RB game is generated or completed. Further, a stop symbol in which a winning of the combination of the RB game and the CT game occurs may be set.

In the BB game, the variable display is controlled under the most advantageous control conditions for the player generated by the winning symbol "7-7-7". This is the same game state that the RB game described below occurs three times in the game state that can be acquired. During BB game, B
Winning judgment of B game, RB game and CT game is not performed,
Only the winning prize of the accessory is determined. In the slot machine 1, when a winning symbol "7-7-7" is generated, the control condition of the variable display corresponds to the BB game, and is set according to the BB game while the BB game is being performed. Music is generated from the speaker 15.

The player listens to the music generated from the speaker 15 and can recognize that the game state is the BB game.

The RB game is a stop symbol "BAR-BAR-BAR"
, And the variable display is controlled under a control condition in which a state in which the prize is likely to occur continuously for a maximum of 12 times continues. RB
During the game, the same as during the BB game, the BB game, the RB game, and the C
The winning determination of the T game is not performed, and only the winning determination of the accessory is performed. In the gaming machine 1, the variable display shows the winning symbol "BAR
-BAR-BAR ", the control condition becomes one corresponding to the RB game, and a music set corresponding to the RB game is generated from the speaker 15 while the RB game is being performed.

The player can recognize the RB game by listening to the music generated from the speaker 15.

The combination of the BB game and the CT game, the winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" (7 refers to the ribbon with 7) generated by, after the end of CT game of the BB game is generated. In the slot machine 1, the winning symbol when "7 - 7 - 7" occurs, the speaker 15, the winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7"
Is generated, and the music is played until the BB game and the CT game are completed. By listening to the music, the player can know that not only the BB game but also the CT game can be performed.

In the CT game, the reels are stopped based on the player's stop operation. In the slot machine 1, random number sampling is performed each time the start lever 5 is operated, and the winning determination of the BB game and the RB game is made. When the winning is performed, the control unit performs the reel stop control according to the winning.
The winning determination of the CT game and the accessory is not performed.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between a specific game having different control conditions for variable display in the slot machine 1 and a general game. When the variable display stops at each winning symbol during the general game, the corresponding specific game is started.

Each specific game has a variable display control condition different from that of the general game. Therefore, while each specific game is being performed, a music set in advance corresponding to a winning symbol for starting each specific game is played. Generated from the speaker 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the BB game, the RB game or the CT game is completed, the control returns to the normal game. At the time of a general game, there is no special control condition.
No special song is generated from 5.

At the time of winning the combination of the BB game or the RB game and the CT game, the game shifts to the CT game when the BB game or the RB game ends. From the speaker 15, a music set corresponding to each combination winning is generated.

If the player wins the BB game during the CT game, the CT game ends and the BB game starts. The music corresponding to the CT game, the BB game, or the combination winning of the RB game and the CT game in which the speaker 15 is generated changes to the music corresponding to the BB game.

If the RB game is won during the CT game, the CT game is interrupted, the RB game is interrupted, and when the RB game ends, the remaining CT games are restarted. The music generated from the speaker 15 is changed to the music corresponding to the RB game in the CT game, and when the CT game is restarted, the music is changed again to the music in the original CT game.

In each symbol column, "grape" 4 which is a character symbol
0, “JAC” 41 and “orange” 42 are provided. When the reels 4L, 4C, and 4R are stopped, if these symbols are aligned on the pay line, a winning of the prize is achieved, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out.

In the slot machine 1, when the variable display stops when the "7", " 7 ", and "BAR" are aligned on the pay line, the control conditions of the control unit are specially determined. The generated songs are also different.

On the other hand, when "JAC", "grape", and "orange" are collected, only one payout of the game medium is performed, so that the sound set as the prize payout sound is generated. However, a different sound may be set according to each symbol.

The ROM 22 stores data for generating a sound or music corresponding to the stop symbol. When the variable display is stopped, the microcomputer 20 selects a control condition corresponding to the stop symbol. After that, the variable display is controlled by the selected control condition, the music corresponding to the stop symbol is selected, and a command to generate the music is output to the sound generation circuit while the selected control condition is continued.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts of the operation of the control section of the slot machine 1 relating to sound generation.

"General game", which is the normal state of the gaming machine 1
In, the control unit determines whether or not the reel rotation start condition is satisfied (ST1). When a medal is inserted and a signal is output from the medal sensor 6S, the start lever 5 is operated and the start switch 5S is turned on, "YES".
And rotation of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R is started (ST2).

A random number is extracted, and a winning determination is made (ST3). When the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R are pressed and the stop conditions are satisfied (ST4), the reels are controlled to stop (ST5).

[0061] stop symbol is winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" or is whether determined (ST6), if it is determined that "YES", the speaker 15, the winning symbol set for "7 - 7 - 7" At the same time as the played music is generated (ST7), the control condition of the variable display becomes the condition of the BB game (ST8), and when the BB game ends, the CT game is started (ST9). The winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" is set songs for, the B
It continues to be generated from the speaker 15 until the B game and the CT game are completed.

[0062] stop symbol is winning symbol if it is not determined that the "7 - - 7 7", whether or not the next winning symbol "7-7-7" is determined (ST10). If "YES" is determined, the music set for the winning symbol "7-7-7" is generated from the speaker 15 (ST11), and the control condition of the variable display is the condition of the BB game (ST12).
While the BB game is being performed, the music set for the symbol “7-7-7” continues to be generated from the speaker 15.

If it is determined that the stopped symbol is not the winning symbol "7-7-7", then it is determined whether or not the stopped symbol is "BAR-BAR-BAR" (ST13). If "YES" is determined, a music set for the winning symbol "BAR-BAR-BAR" is generated from the speaker 15 (ST14), and
The control condition of the variable display is the condition of the RB game (ST1
5) While the RB game is being played, the symbol “BAR-BAR-
The music set for “BAR” continues to be generated from the speaker 15.

If it is determined that the stopped symbol is not the winning symbol "BAR-BAR-BAR", then the stopped symbol is the symbol of the winning prize, namely "grape" 40, "JAC" 41 or "orange" 42. It is determined whether or not there is (ST16). “YE
If S "is determined, a winning and payout sound is generated from the speaker 15 (ST17) and a medal is paid out (S17).
T18).

In the slot machine 1, no music is generated from the speaker 15 in a general game,
It is also possible to prepare music for a general game and generate the music in a general game.

In the slot machine 1, a winning in which a CT game occurs alone, a winning in a combination of an RB game and a CT game, and the like are not set. However, a stop symbol in which these winnings occur is prepared, and The music corresponding to the stop symbol of the above may be generated.

As described above, by generating a plurality of music pieces in response to the change in the variable display control condition of the variable display device, the player is not only given a stop symbol but also with a kind of music piece to be generated. Also, it is possible to easily inform the player of the value of the winning that has been obtained, so that the player can feel that the game with the variable display is more fun.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration used in the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a relationship diagram of a plurality of game states performed in the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a symbol row of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the slot machine of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Slot machine, 2. Cabinet, 3L, 3C,
3R: display window, 4L, 4C, 4R: reel, 5: start lever, 6: medal slot, 7A: credit display section, 7B: payout display section, 8: C / P switch, 9
L, 9C, 9R: stop button, 10: sound generator, 11: director, 12: medal payout slot, 13: medal receiver, 14
L, 14C, 14R: stepping motor, 15: speaker, 16: display surface, 20: microcomputer, 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 24 ... clock pulse generation circuit, 25 ... frequency divider, 26 ... random number generator, 27 ... random number sampling circuit, 30 ... hopper, 3
1 ... motor drive circuit, 32 ... hopper drive circuit, 33 ...
Medal detection unit, 34: reel stop signal circuit, 35: reel position detection circuit, 36: payout completion signal circuit, 37: light source drive circuit, 38: sound output circuit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game, control means for stopping and controlling the variable display of the variable display means based on a random number lottery result, and generating a plurality of types of music. A control unit that controls the display mode when the variable display is stopped in a game state in which a symbol combination of winning is easily established for a predetermined period, or the BB game and a predetermined state. In the case of a symbol combination for starting a combination game with a CT game in which stop control based on the random number lottery is stopped for a winning combination, game control is performed under control conditions corresponding to the symbol combination. A gaming machine for generating music corresponding to a control condition executed by a means. 2. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said control means selects a control condition corresponding to said symbol combination from a plurality of predetermined control conditions. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said sound generating means is controlled by said control means so as to generate music corresponding to said control condition. 4. A game machine according to claim 1, wherein said sound generation means includes a sound control section for selecting a music piece corresponding to said control condition.