JPH10277203A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a player to sufficiently enjoy a specified game advantageous for the player by enabling recognition of the type of a prize won to let the player to notice that the game position is changed. SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with variable display means 4L, 4C and 4R for variably displaying a plurality of patterns necessary for a game and a control means 20 to control the variable display. By the control means 20, the variable display is made possible on the control conditions selected from a plurality of control conditions predetermined according to a display pattern when the variable display is stopped. In this case, a melody is generated by a sound generation means 15 and 38 adapted to generate multiple kinds of melodies corresponding to the control condition to be executed by the control means 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[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 recognize that the type of winning is recognized and that the game state is changing, that is, that the control means controls the variable display under conditions favorable to the player. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that allows a player to fully enjoy a "specific game" acquired by a player.

[0006]

A first aspect of the present invention is a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game,
Control means for controlling the variable display of the variable display means, wherein the control means selects a control condition corresponding to a display mode when the variable display is stopped from a plurality of predetermined control conditions. A gaming machine capable of controlling the variable display, comprising a sound generating means capable of generating a plurality of types of music, wherein the sound generating means generates music corresponding to a control condition executed by the control means; It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine, a plurality of types of winning or losing are determined according to a display mode when the variable display is stopped, and the control means determines the winning based on the determined type of winning. A variable display control condition is selected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine, according to a display mode when the variable display is stopped, a payout of a game medium is performed along with the stop of the variable display, and the control is controlled. The control condition of the variable display of the means is a condition in which the winning of the role is likely to occur, and the control period under the condition in which the control is more prone to the occurrence of the role than in the special increasing winning is controlled under this condition. A special prize, any of a challenge time prize which is a control condition for the control means to stop the variable display in response to a stop operation of the player and a prize of any of these combinations or a prize is determined, and the control means, When a prize with a change in the control condition of the variable display is determined, the variable display is controlled under a control condition determined in accordance with the determined prize, and the sound generation unit executes the control condition. Characterized by generating a corresponding music.

In a fourth aspect, in the gaming machine, the control means causes the sound generating means to generate a predetermined music piece according to the control condition of the variable display.

In a fifth aspect, in the gaming machine, the sound generating means includes a sound control unit for generating a predetermined music in accordance with the variable display control condition.

In the present invention, the variable display device is only required to move and display a plurality of symbol (symbol) columns.
This includes those having a mechanical structure for rotating and driving a reel provided with a symbol array on the outer peripheral surface, or those which electrically move and display symbols such as liquid crystal, LED, and CRT. Further, the control means may be configured to determine whether or not a winning is achieved by random number extraction or the like, and to execute stop control of variable display based on the determination result, and the microcomputer of the gaming machine is preferably used. Used.

When a plurality of symbol rows to be variably displayed are provided, when a challenge time prize is generated, the control means switches over all or at least one symbol row to stop control according to a player's stop operation. be able to.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control means controls the variable display of the variable display means. The control means can control the variable display under a plurality of control conditions. However, the control means selects a control condition according to a display mode when the variable display is stopped, and thereafter, the variable display is controlled according to the selected control condition. The gaming machine includes sound generating means capable of generating a plurality of music pieces corresponding to the plurality of control conditions, and when a control condition is selected, generates a music piece corresponding to the control condition.

Since a music corresponding to the control condition for controlling the variable display is generated by the control means, the player listens to the generated music and determines the game state of the variable display being performed by the player. Can be.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of types of winning or losing are determined according to the display mode when the variable display is stopped. Therefore, the type of winning corresponds to the type of music. That is, the player can determine the type of winning and the playing state by listening to the generated music.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is a winning of prize in which the payout of the game medium is performed in accordance with the stop of the variable display, and the control condition of the variable display of the control means is liable to generate the prize of the bonus. Condition, a special increase prize in which control under this condition continues for a long time, a special prize in which a control period is short under a condition in which a character prize is more likely to occur than in the special increase prize, and the control means responds to a stop operation of the player by Any one of a challenge time prize as a control condition for stopping the variable display, a prize of a combination of a special increase prize and a challenge time prize, and a prize of a combination of a special prize and a challenge time prize is determined. When a winning with a change in the control condition of the variable display is determined, the variable display is controlled under the control condition determined in accordance with the determined winning. When the player starts to generate the individually determined music, the player can judge that the winning obtained is a winning with a change in the playing conditions and the type of the winning, so that the player is ready to prepare. You can change and focus on the game. Especially,
In the case of a combination prize, it is difficult for the player to make a judgment based only on the display mode at the time of stopping. Therefore, the generation of the special music is effective for notifying the player of the occurrence of the combination winning.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means for controlling the variable display also controls the operation of the sound generating means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the sound generating means includes not only the above-mentioned auditory means but also a sound control section, the sound control section can be adapted to the variable display control condition. Select and generate music.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the 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. Hereinafter, description will be made assuming that medals are used.

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 gaming machine 1. These symbols are drawn on the surface of a sheet forming the circumferential surfaces of the three rotating reels 4L, 4C, 4R disposed inside the cabinet 2 corresponding to the display windows 3L, 3C, 3R.

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

On 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 portion 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.

In the lower front part of the cabinet 2, a medal payout opening 12 and a medal receiving section 1 for storing the paid out medals.
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 on which a payout table indicating how many medals are paid out for winning is displayed. 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 to the control unit.

In this case, the control means comprises the microcomputer 20 as a main component, and further includes a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 20 performs a control operation according to a preset program,
Including a ROM 22 and a RAM 23 as storage means;
A clock pulse generation circuit 24 and a frequency divider 25 for generating a reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 26 and a random number sampling circuit 27 for generating random numbers to be sampled are connected to U21. In addition, as means for random number sampling, in the microcomputer 20, that is, the CPU
Alternatively, the random number sampling may be executed on the operation program 21. In that case, the random number generator 26 and the random number sampling circuit 27 can be omitted, or
It is also possible to leave it 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 actuators whose operations are controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 20 include the reels 4L, 4C, 4R.
Stepping motors 14L, 1 for respectively rotating the
4C, 14R, a hopper (including a driving unit for payout) 30 for storing medals of game media, and a display unit 7
A, 7B and the light source of the rendering unit 11 and the speaker 15 are connected to the output unit of the CPU 21 via the motor drive circuit 31, the hopper drive circuit 32, the light source drive circuit 37, and the sound output circuit 38. 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 a credit by pressing an insertion button 17. Sensor 6S for detecting a medal inserted from the start, a start switch 5S for detecting operation of the start lever 5, a C / P switch 8, and a reel stop for generating a stop signal in response to an operation of each stop button 9L, 9C, 9R. The reel position detection circuit 35 that supplies a signal for detecting the position of each reel to the CPU 21 in response to a pulse signal from the signal circuit 34 and the reel rotation sensor, and the count value of the medal detection unit 33 (payout from the hopper 30) When the specified number of medals reaches the specified number data, a signal for detecting the completion of the medal payout is supplied to the CPU 21. That there is a payout completion signal circuit 36.

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, and a winning determination code representing the winning is stored. 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, 4C, 4 of the gaming machine 1.
It is a symbol row provided on the outer peripheral surface of R.

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

The gaming 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 BB game and C are generated when " 7 " is aligned.
When a combination of T games is generated and “BAR” is completed, an RB game is generated.

In this gaming machine 1, a general gaming state is set at the start of a game, and random number sampling is performed each time the start lever 5 is operated, so that the most advantageous combination of the BB game and the CT game, the BB game, the RB game, and the role A determination is made as to whether any of the objects has won or lost.

In this gaming machine 1, a stop symbol in which a CT prize alone occurs is not set, but a stop symbol in which a CT game singly occurs is set, and a winning determination for determining the occurrence of a CT game is made. The game may be performed every time a general game is played, every time a BB game occurs or ends, and every time a RB game occurs or ends. 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 gaming machine 1, when the winning symbol "7-7-7" occurs, the control condition of the variable display corresponds to the BB game, and is set in accordance with the BB game while the BB game is being performed. Music is generated from the speaker 15.

By listening to the music generated from the speaker 15, the player can know that the player is playing the BB game.

The RB game is generated by a stop symbol "BAR-BAR-BAR", and the variable display is controlled under a control condition in which a state in which the winning of the character is likely to occur continuously is continued up to 12 times. BB game, RB game and CT during RB game as well as during BB game
The winning determination of the 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-BA
When the control is stopped at "R-BAR", the control conditions correspond to the RB game, and the tune determined according to the RB game is generated from the speaker 15 while the RB game is being performed.

By listening to the music generated from the speaker 15, the player can know that the player is playing the RB game.

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 gaming machine 1, the winning symbol when "7 - 7 - 7" occurs, the speaker 15, the winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" set music occurs because, BB gaming and CT game ends Until this song flows. 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 stop operation of the player. In the gaming machine 1, random number sampling is performed each time the start lever 5 is operated, and B
The winning determination of the B game and the RB game is performed, and when a prize is won, the control unit performs stop control of the reels 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 gaming machine 1 and a general game. When the variable display stops at each winning symbol during a general game,
The corresponding specific game is started.

Since each specific game has a variable display control condition different from that of the general game, 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 ends, 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.

When a combination of the BB game or the RB game and the CT game is won, the game is shifted 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 gaming machine 1, "7",
When " 7 " and "BAR" are aligned on the pay line and the variable display is stopped, the control conditions of the control unit are specially determined, so that the generated music is 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, and Thereafter, 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 continues.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts of operations related to sound generation of the control unit of the gaming machine 1.

"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, and "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).

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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 the determination is "YES", 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 stop symbol is not the winning symbol "BAR-BAR-BAR", then the stop symbol is a 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 gaming machine 1, no music is generated from the speaker 15 in a general game, but it is also possible to prepare music for a general game and generate the music in a general game.

In the gaming machine 1, a winning in which a CT game is generated alone, a winning in a combination of an RB game and a CT game, and the like are not set, but a stop symbol in which these winnings are generated is prepared. 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 of the variable display control condition of the variable display device, not only the stop symbol but also the type of the music piece generated for the player. 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 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 showing 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, 21: CPU,
22 ROM, 23 RAM, 24 clock pulse generator, 25 frequency divider, 26 random number generator, 27 random number sampling circuit, 30 hopper, 31 motor drive circuit, 32 hopper drive circuit, 33: a medal detection unit, 34: a reel stop signal circuit, 35: a reel position detection circuit, 36: a payout completion signal circuit, 37: a light source drive circuit, 38: a sound output circuit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game, and control means for controlling variable display of the variable display means, wherein the control means includes a plurality of predetermined control conditions. In a gaming machine capable of controlling the variable display under control conditions selected according to a display mode when the variable display is stopped from among, a sound generating unit capable of generating a plurality of types of music is provided. A gaming machine, wherein the sound generating means generates a music corresponding to a control condition executed by the control means. 2. A game machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of winning or losing are determined according to a display mode when said variable display is stopped, and said control means controls said variable display according to the determined type of winning. A gaming machine characterized by selecting the following control conditions. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a payout of a game medium is performed in accordance with the stop of the variable display according to a display mode when the variable display is stopped. The control condition of the variable display is a condition in which it is easy for a winning of a role to occur, and a special increase prize in which control under this condition is continued for a long time. A prize, the control means determines a control time for stopping the variable display in response to a player's stop operation, a challenge time prize, which is a control condition, and a prize of any of these combinations. When a prize with a change in the control condition of the variable display is determined, the variable display is controlled by a control condition determined in accordance with the determined prize, and the sound generation unit corresponds to the control condition being executed. That the gaming machine, characterized in that to generate the music. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said control means causes said sound generation means to generate a predetermined music in accordance with the control condition of said variable display. Gaming machine. 5. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said sound generating means includes a sound control unit for generating a predetermined music in accordance with a control condition of said variable display. A gaming machine characterized by: