JP4496526B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes a variation display means for variably displaying symbols necessary for a game and a control means such as a microcomputer for controlling the variation display, and the variation display of the variation display means is stopped by operating a stop button. It relates to gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines.

  For example, a slot machine equipped with a stop button called a pachislot machine has a mechanical fluctuation display device configured by arranging a plurality of rotating reels that variably display a plurality of symbols in a front display window, or on a rotating reel. The display has a variation display device that displays the symbol on the screen, and in response to the player's start operation, the control means drives and controls the variation display device to rotate each rotating reel, thereby varying the symbol display. When the rotation of each rotating reel is stopped in sequence, either automatically after a certain time or by the player's stop operation, and the symbols of each rotating reel appearing in the display window become a specific combination (winning symbol) The player is given a profit by paying out a game medium such as a medal or a coin.

  Currently, the mainstream model has a plurality of types of winning modes. In particular, when the stop symbol becomes a winning corresponding to a predetermined winning combination, the game state is better in condition than the normal state for a predetermined period of time without finishing paying out one coin.

  As such a winning combination, a special increasing winning combination (hereinafter referred to as “Big Bonus”, hereinafter abbreviated as “BB”) in which a game that gives a relatively large profit to the player a predetermined number of times, and a relative to the player There is a winning combination (referred to as “regular bonus”, hereinafter abbreviated as “RB”) that allows a predetermined number of games to be given a small profit.

  Also, in the current mainstream models, when the spinning reels that are rotating are stopped, it is the gaming machine that is aligned on the line where the combination of symbols constituting the winning combination is activated (hereinafter referred to as “effective line”). This is a case where a winning combination is won in the internal lottery (specifically, when a lottery is performed by random number extraction by a microcomputer).

  This is because if the stop mode of the symbol is determined only by the player's stop operation (timing), the game result (win / lose) is determined by the player's skill level, and only the player's skill is emphasized and the game is sound. This is to solve the problem that the management of the payout rate of coins from the gaming machine becomes difficult for the game store as well.

Therefore, for example, a gaming machine that allows a player to stop the rotating reel, such as a slot machine with a stop button, must win a winning combination in an internal lottery (hereinafter referred to as “internal winning”). Thus, no matter how the player performs the stop operation, the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination cannot be aligned on the active line.
That is, gaming machines that require skill in the timing of the stop operation (the high importance of technical intervention called “to push”) are currently mainstream. In addition, in order to assist each stop operation of the player, even if the timing of the stop operation is slightly shifted, in general, so that the symbols corresponding to the winning combination won internally, that is, the winning is established A stop control of the rotary reel called “retraction” is performed.

  In other words, in order to win a winning, two conditions must be satisfied: an internal winning, and a stop operation at a position (that is, timing) where the symbol corresponding to the winning combination won can be drawn. That's what it means. Therefore, even if an internal winning is made, if these two conditions are not satisfied, no winning is achieved.

  In other words, even if there is an internal winning for a winning combination, the winning is not guaranteed, and the symbol corresponding to the winning winning combination on the active line may be stopped (hereinafter referred to as “stop permission”). ") Was just given.

In particular,
(1) When stopping at a position (timing) where the symbol corresponding to the winning combination can be drawn in (2) Stopping at a position (timing) where the symbol corresponding to the winning combination cannot be drawn When operated (3) In the three patterns when the internal winning is not made, if the stop operation is performed at the position where the symbol corresponding to the winning combination is drawn as in (1), the “winning” is established, but (2 If a stop operation is performed at a position where the symbol corresponding to the winning combination cannot be drawn as shown in FIG. In addition, when the internal winning is not made as in (3), no winning is achieved.

  In addition, in order to acquire more game media under a predetermined game state (eg, “BB, general game state”), a combination of symbols serving as a predetermined winning combination is placed on a predetermined pay line. In order not to be established, the player may be required to perform a stop operation (so-called “handling”).

  Due to such characteristics of the gaming machine, the player always faces the game with an interest as to whether or not the bonus (BB or RB) is won internally.

  In order to respond to such players' interests, a bonus (for example, a WIN lamp) provided on the front of the gaming machine is lit to notify the internal winning of the bonus, or a lamp (back lamp) provided behind the rotating reel. The possibility that the bonus has been won internally depending on the display content of the other display device that displays the image for production, or the type of sound that is generated, apart from the display device that displays blinking and symbols necessary for the game (expectation degree ) Is high.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-634 (Patent Document 1), a conventional gaming machine is informed to a player that a jackpot winning has occurred by an internal lottery, but the lamp is simply turned on. Since it is merely informed, it is assumed that there is no fun in the game, and triggered by the operation of the start lever, the “effect at the start of rotation of the rotating reel” is performed using the LED, and the player A gaming machine configured to enjoy the production has been proposed.

  Further, when each rotating reel is stopped, an “effect after each rotating reel is stopped” is performed using the LED. Therefore, when the internal hit of BB or RB is caused by lottery inside the machine, there are many predetermined symbols including the number “7” when the rotary reel is stopped due to this “effect after each rotary reel stops”. Appearing and the number of lighted LEDs being advanced, the player is notified of these internal hits.

  Also, in a type of gaming machine in which the player can stop the rotating reel, the variable display device is driven in response to the player's starting operation, and the rotating reel is fixed after the rotating operation of each rotating reel is started. The player's stop operation is invalidated until the number of rotations is reached (generally referred to as “constant speed rotation”).

  That is, after the start operation, there is a period in which the rotating reel does not stop even if the player performs a stop operation. The player may stop the rotating reel immediately after the start operation for the purpose of digesting as many games as possible, or for the purpose of establishing a bonus winning as soon as possible. Some players are dissatisfied with the fact that the rotating reel does not stop even when such a stop operation is performed.

  Therefore, after the start operation, when the player's stop operation is enabled, the stop operation is enabled by illuminating the stop button using a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as “LED”). There is provided a gaming machine in which this is notified.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-340525 (Patent Document 2), not only the illumination of a stop button with a high degree of attention of a player is used for effective display of a stop operation, but also the status of a game such as an internal winning combination. By using it as a display means, it has been proposed a gaming machine that is more interesting and more interesting.

  The gaming machine described in Patent Document 2 includes a rotating reel that displays the symbols necessary for the game in a variable manner, a stop button for stopping the variable display on the rotating reels by the player's operation, and a stop button in various colors. And a control means for determining an internal winning combination based on a random value sampled for each game, and controlling to stop the variable display based on the determination result and a stop button operation. The control means controls the light emission of the light emitter so that the stop button is illuminated for a predetermined time with a color determined in accordance with the game situation.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-179844 (Patent Document 3), the current slot machine drives a rotating reel by a stepping motor, and the rotating reel is also stopped by operating the stepping motor. When a person presses the stop button, the stepping motor stops, and the rotating reel stops with it, and there is a feeling that the electric switch is simply pressed. In view of the fact that the mechanical feeling that the reels are directly stopped is not obtained and the unsatisfactory feeling is felt, the following slot machine has been proposed.

  In other words, in conjunction with the operation of the stopping means, an impact applying means for applying an impact to the stopping means is provided in the slot machine, and a shock is applied to the player operating the stopping means from the impact applying means simultaneously with the operation of the stopping means. It is configured to be transmitted. Note that the applied impact may be transmitted not only to the stopping means but also to the vicinity thereof.

According to Patent Document 3, in the slot machine, when the player presses the stop button to stop the rotation of the reel, the impact applying means applies the impact to the contact plate portion at the same time as the stop button is pressed. The player feels a mechanical shock when operating the stop button, and feels that the rotating reel has been mechanically stopped like an old machine.
JP 2001-000634 A (Claims) JP 2001-340525 A (Claims) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-179844 (Claims)

  As in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the internal winning notification is performed by the display of the lamp or the display device or by sound, it is not interesting, and there is a risk of inadvertent oversight and oversight.

  Further, for example, in a slot machine, each display lamp including an announcement lamp is disposed on the front panel and occupies a considerable amount of the panel space. For this reason, although there are other game machine states and operation guides to be displayed on the front panel, it is difficult to add these lamps, and at present, only limited display items are displayed. Similarly, it is difficult to provide other devices other than the display lamp.

  In addition, the notification lamp for notifying the internal winning aspect such as a big hit and the arrangement of the upper decoration lamp are wide-angled over the top and bottom of the panel, and the display by these is performed quickly according to the flow of the game. Therefore, in order to check these displays while the player performs a game operation, it is necessary to frequently move the viewpoint from a wide angle, which causes a feeling of fatigue.

  In addition, even if the internal winning of the jackpot winning prize is notified by the sound of a special game start sound, if the inside of the game hall is noisy or the sound output volume is reduced, the player will miss the game start sound There is a case.

  In addition, since most slot machines that report such an internal winning mode are displayed in a display format with a similar arrangement, the player has already become chronic and is less interested in displaying the internal winning mode. Tend to.

  As in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, even when the player's stop operation becomes effective after the start operation by performing illumination of the light emitting diode, the same as described above.

  In addition, Patent Document 3 is a device in which the structure of the operation button is devised, but since the change of the operation button itself is not linked to the actual game control effect, it is not always satisfactory. It is not a thing, but the improvement is desired.

In view of the current situation, the present invention not only simply notifies the internal winning mode such as a big win or the fact that the stop operation has become effective, but also around the stop button where the player's attention is high. Based on the changes, the gaming machine is intended to ensure the certainty of notification, improve the gameability, and increase the fun.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides:
In a gaming machine comprising a variation display means for variably displaying a symbol necessary for a game and a control means such as a microcomputer for controlling the variation display, wherein the variation display of the variation display means is stopped by operating a stop button ,
The gaming machine is characterized in that a notch is formed around the stop button, and the display body is projected and retracted through the notch.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is
In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The display body is
When a specific condition is satisfied or when a specific action is performed by the control of the control means built in the gaming machine, the game machine is configured to appear and disappear from the notch.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is
In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The display body is
When the stop button is pressed, it is configured to appear from the notch.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention is
In the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The display body is
It is configured to be driven with a predetermined probability as the game progresses.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is
In the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The display body is
It is composed of a plurality of sets, and when the stop button is pressed, it appears from the notch, and the distance between the tips of each other is narrowed so that the finger pressing the stop button is sandwiched. Is.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention provides
The gaming machine according to claim 5,
The display body is
The player is informed of the type of the internal winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means by the number of times the finger to be pressed is pinched.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present invention provides
In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The display body is
When the start of the game is recognized, the stop button is shielded so as not to be operated, and the shield is released when the other stop buttons that are not shielded are pressed.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 of the present invention is
In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The display body is
When the start of the game is recognized, the stop button is shielded so as not to be operated, and the shield is released after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, a notch is formed around a stop button attached to the gaming machine, and the display body is caused to appear and disappear through the notch, thereby simply notifying the internal winning mode such as a big win, In addition to notifying that the stop operation has become effective, based on the change around the stop button, the player's attention is high, ensuring the reliability of the notification, enhancing the game, Can be increased.

  In particular, in the gaming machine of the present invention, a notch portion is formed around the stop button, and the display body is made to appear and disappear through the notch portion, whereby a stop button having an unprecedented design can be obtained. Yes, the player's attention can be gathered by the appearance of this display.

  In addition, it is possible to further enhance the production effect by interlocking the appearance of the display body on the panel surface with the control by the control means built in the gaming machine or the pushing operation to the stop button by the player, It can be set as the gaming machine which can improve game nature.

  In addition, the display body can be used as a message notification means for the player, and it is possible to further enhance the interest by giving the player a tactile feeling of pinching a finger.

  In addition, the type of the internal winning mode determined by the winning mode determining unit can be surely given to the player via the notification unit that the finger is put on the player by the display body.

  Furthermore, by configuring the display body to shield the stop button, it is possible to reliably tell the player that the rotating reel will not stop even if a stop operation is performed, and the release is not shielded. This can be done easily by pressing down another stop button.

Furthermore, it can be surely notified to the player that the rotating reel does not stop even if the stop operation is performed, by the display body shielding the stop button. Moreover, the certainty of alerting | reporting can also be expected by canceling | releasing shielding with respect to a stop button after progress of predetermined time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited only to the embodiments described below, and a stop button provided on a panel is described. Various changes can be made without changing the gist that the display body is caused to appear and disappear from the notch portion formed in the vicinity.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a fluctuation display means for variably displaying a symbol necessary for a game, and a micro for controlling the fluctuation display. A gaming machine comprising a pachislot machine equipped with a control means such as a computer, in addition to coins, medals, tokens, etc., as well as a game medium such as a card that stores information on game value given to or given to a player In the following description, it is assumed that medals are used.

  A panel display portion 2a as a substantially vertical surface is formed on the front surface of the cabinet 2 forming the entire gaming machine 1, and vertically long display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are provided at the center thereof. The display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are provided with a top line 8b, a center line 8c, and a bottom line 8d in the horizontal direction as winning lines, and a cross-down line 8a and a cross-up line 8e in the diagonal directions as winning lines. .

  These winning lines are activated by operating a BET switch 11 and a BET switch 12, which will be described later, or by inserting medals into the medal slot 22, and each winning line is activated. Whether or not the line is activated is indicated by lighting of the BET lamps 9a, 9b, and 9c.

  Inside the cabinet 2, three rotary reels 3L, 3C, 3R, each of which is composed of a plurality of types of symbols on each outer peripheral surface and in which a symbol row is drawn, are rotatably provided in a horizontal row and displayed in a variable manner. Means. The symbols of the rotary reels 3L, 3C, 3R can be observed through the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. Each of the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R rotates at a constant speed (for example, 80 rotations / minute).

  On the left side of the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, a BET lamp 9a, a BET lamp 9b, a BET lamp 9c, and a credit display unit 19 are provided. These BET lamps 9a, 9b, and 9c are turned on according to the number of medals betted to play one game (hereinafter referred to as “BET number”).

  In this gaming machine 1, one game is completed when all the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. The BET lamp 9a lights up when the BET number is “1” and one winning line is activated, and the BET lamp 9b is when the BET number is “2” and three winning lines are activated. The BET lamp 9c is lit when the BET number is “3” and all (5) winning lines are activated. The credit display unit 19 includes a 7-segment LED and displays the number of stored medals.

  In addition, a hit display lamp (so-called WIN lamp) 17 and a payout display section 18 are provided on the right side of the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. The winning display lamp 17 is turned on with a predetermined probability when BB or RB is internally won, and turned off when a winning of BB or RB is established. The payout display unit 18 is composed of a 7-segment LED, and displays the payout number of medals when a winning is established.

  A bonus game information display unit 20 is provided on the upper right side of the panel display unit 2a. The bonus game information display unit 20 is composed of 7 segment LEDs, and displays the number of games in the general game state during bonus. Further, a horizontal base 10 is formed below the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, and a liquid crystal display device 5 is provided between the base 10 and the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. . The liquid crystal display device 5 displays information related to the game.

  In this embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 5 has a 15-inch full color transparent liquid crystal mounted on the entire front center glass in front of the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and has computer graphics and rotating reels 3L, 3C. , 3R interweaving effect is possible.

  The medal slot 22 is provided on the right side of the liquid crystal display device 5, and the BET switch 11 and the maximum BET switch 12 are provided on the left side of the liquid crystal display device 5. The BET switch 11 bets one of the credited medals on the game by one push operation, and the maximum BET switch 12 bets the maximum number of medals that can be bet on one game. It is done. By operating these BET switches, a predetermined pay line is activated.

  Further, a C / P switch 14 is provided on the left side of the front portion of the pedestal 10 to switch the credit / payout of medals obtained by the player in the game by a push button operation. By the switching of the C / P switch 14, medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 15 at the lower front, and the paid out medals are stored in the medal receiving portion 16. On the right side of the C / P switch 14, the reel is rotated by the player's operation, and the start lever 6 for starting the variable display of the symbols in the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R is rotated within a predetermined angle range. It is attached movably.

  Further, speakers 21L and 21R are provided on the left and right above the cabinet 2, and a payout table panel 23 is provided between the speakers 21L and 21R to display a combination of winning symbols and the number of medal payouts. ing. At the center of the front surface of the pedestal 10, below the liquid crystal display device 5, three stop buttons (stop operation units) 7 </ b> L for stopping the rotation of the three rotation reels 3 </ b> L, 3 </ b> C, 3 </ b> R, respectively. 7C and 7R are provided.

A selection button 13a and an enter button 13b are provided on the right of the three stop buttons (stop operation units) 7L, 7C, and 7R.
The selection button 13a is used to select “big hit probability”, “big bonus probability”, “regular probability”, “small role probability”, “slump graph of the aircraft of the day”, and the decision button 13b is a selection of the selection button 13a. The item is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 5 based on the above.

  In the gaming machine 1 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the present invention includes a slit-shaped cutout portion 25 on each panel 24 on which the stop buttons (stop operation portions) 7L, 7C, and 7R are arranged. It is formed so as to be close to stop buttons (stop operation portions) 7L, 7C, and 7R, and the display body 26 is projected and retracted from the cutout portion 25.

  The shape of the notch 25 is not particularly limited, but basically has a cross-sectional shape that matches the notch 25, and each of the circular stop buttons (stop operation portions) 7L, 7C, According to 7R, it is preferable to make it cylindrical or claw-like.

  As a drive mechanism for exposing the display body 26 from the notch 25 to the surface of the panel 24, in FIG. 3, a solenoid 27 is used as the drive body, and the plunger 27a of the solenoid 27 is used as the display body 26. However, in addition to the solenoid 27, a combination of an electric motor and a cam, and a reduction gear may be interposed as required.

  Further, the display body 26 is displayed on the surface of the panel 24 when a specific condition is established by a control circuit or the like which will be described later, and the notification is given to the player by a specific display. As long as a specific operation can be performed or prohibited, the shape and structure are not limited.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of cutout portions 25, 25 are provided on the panel 24 in the vicinity of a specific stop button 7L (7C, 7R) or all the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R. The display bodies 26 and 26 may be configured to be exposed from the notches 2 and 25.

  Further, it is possible to block the operation of each stop button (stop operation unit) 7L, 7C, 7R by one or a plurality of display bodies, and furthermore, each stop button (stop operation unit) 7L, 7C. , 7R may be configured such that when the finger is pressed with a finger, as shown in FIG. 4, the solenoid 27 is activated simultaneously with the pressing, and the fingertip is sandwiched from above and below. In any case, it may be anything as long as it can give the player a surprise and cause the player to perform a specific notification, a specific action, or a prohibition.

  Furthermore, the display body 26 according to the present invention may be a plate shape on which characters and designs are drawn, or may be three-dimensional like a figure. Further, as described above, a shape that can cover the upper portion of the stop button may be used. The point is that it should be manifested on the panel 24 in conjunction with a control mechanism for controlling the gaming machine 1. In addition, the appearance can be freely set according to the purpose of use of the display body 26, such as setting the appearance state to be maintained for a certain period of time even if the appearance can be repeated repeatedly in a short time. .

  In the gaming machine 1 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit includes a main control circuit 71 that controls game processing operations, a peripheral device (actuator) that is electrically connected to the main control circuit 71, Based on a control command transmitted from the control circuit 71, the liquid crystal display device 5, speakers 21 </ b> L and 21 </ b> R, and a sub-control circuit 72 that controls the solenoid 27 are included.

  The main control circuit 71 includes a microcomputer 30 disposed on a circuit board as a main component, and is added to a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 30 is set in advance. A CPU 31 that performs a control operation according to a program and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 that are storage means are included.

  Connected to the CPU 31 are a clock pulse generation circuit 34 and a frequency divider 35 for generating a reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 36 and a sampling circuit 37 for generating a random number to be sampled. As a means for random number sampling, random number sampling may be executed in the microcomputer 30, that is, on the operation program of the CPU 31. In that case, the random number generator 36 and the sampling circuit 37 can be omitted, or can be left as a backup for the random number sampling operation.

  In the ROM 32 of the microcomputer 30, a probability lottery table used for determination of random number sampling, which is performed every time the start lever 6 is operated (start operation), in order to determine the stop mode of the rotating reel according to the operation of the stop button. The stop control table, various control commands (commands) to be transmitted to the sub control circuit 72, and the like are stored.

  These commands include “demo display command”, “all reel stop command”, “notification request command”, and the like. Note that the sub-control circuit 72 does not input commands, information, or the like to the main control circuit 71, and communication is performed in one direction from the main control circuit 71 to the sub-control circuit 72. The RAM 33 stores various information such as a notification level counter and information on each notification level.

  The main actuators whose operation is controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 30 include various lamps (1-BET lamp 9a, 2-BET lamp 9b, maximum BET lamp 9c, hit display lamp 17), and various display units. (A payout display unit 18, a credit display unit 19, a bonus game information display unit 20) and a hopper (payout game) as a game value giving means for storing medals and paying out a predetermined number of medals in accordance with an instruction from the hopper drive circuit 41 And a stepping motor 49L, 49C, 49R that rotationally drives the rotary reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  Furthermore, a motor drive circuit 39 that drives and controls the stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R, a hopper drive circuit 41 that drives and controls the hopper 40, a lamp drive circuit 45 that drives and controls various lamps, and a display unit that controls and drives various display units A drive circuit 48 is connected to the output unit of the CPU 31 via the I / O port 38. Each of these drive circuits receives a control signal such as a drive command output from the CPU 31 and controls the operation of each actuator.

  The main input signal generating means for the microcomputer 30 to generate an input signal necessary for generating a control command includes a start switch 6S, a 1-BET switch 11, a maximum BET switch 12, and a C / P switch 14. , A inserted medal sensor 22S, a reel stop signal circuit 46, a reel position detection circuit 50, and a payout completion signal circuit 51. These are also connected to the CPU 31 via the I / O port 38.

  The start switch 6S detects an operation of the start lever 6. The inserted medal sensor 22S detects a medal inserted into the medal slot 22, and the reel stop signal circuit 46 generates a stop signal according to the operation of each stop button 7L, 7C, 7R. The reel position detection circuit 50 receives the pulse signal from the reel rotation sensor and outputs a signal for detecting the position of each of the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R to the CPU 31. Further, the payout completion signal circuit 51 generates a signal for detecting completion of the medal payout when the count value of the medal detection unit 40S (the number of medals paid out from the hopper 40) reaches the designated number data.

  In the circuit of FIG. 5, the random number generator 36 generates a random number belonging to a certain numerical range, and the sampling circuit 37 samples one random number at an appropriate timing after the start lever 6 is operated. Based on the random numbers sampled in this way and the probability lottery table stored in the ROM 32, a plurality of internal winning combinations are determined.

  After the rotation of the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R is started, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R is counted, and the counted value is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 33. From the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R, reset pulses are obtained every rotation, and these pulses are input to the CPU 31 via the reel position detection circuit 50. The count value of the drive pulse counted in the RAM 33 is cleared to “0” by the reset pulse thus obtained. As a result, the count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range is stored in the RAM 33 for each of the rotation reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  A symbol table is stored in the ROM 32 in order to associate the rotational positions of the rotating reels 3L, 3C, and 3R as described above with the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reel. In this symbol table, with reference to the rotational position at which the reset pulse is generated as described above, the code number sequentially given for each fixed rotation pitch of each rotary reel 3L, 3C, 3R and the corresponding code number The provided symbol codes indicating symbols are associated with each other.

  A code number of “01” to “21” is attached to each of the 21 kinds of symbols represented on the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and stored in the ROM 32 as the data table.

  Furthermore, a winning symbol combination table is stored in the ROM 32. In this winning symbol combination table, a winning symbol combination, a medal payout number for winning, and a winning determination code representing the winning are associated with each other. The winning symbol combination table is referred to when the left rotating reel 3L, the central rotating reel 3C, and the right rotating reel 3R are controlled to stop and when the winning confirmation is made after all the rotating reels are stopped.

  When an internal winning is made by a lottery process (probability lottery process) based on the random number sampling, the CPU 31 sends an operation signal sent from the reel stop signal circuit 46 at the timing when the player operates the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, and Based on the selected “stop control table”, a signal for stopping the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is sent to the motor drive circuit 39.

  If the stop mode indicates that the winning combination of the winning combination is established, the CPU 31 supplies a payout command signal to the hopper drive circuit 41 and pays out a predetermined number of medals from the hopper 40. At this time, the medal detection unit 40S counts the number of medals to be paid out from the hopper 40, and when the count value reaches a designated number, a medal payout completion signal is input to the CPU 31. As a result, the CPU 31 stops driving the hopper 40 via the hopper drive circuit 41 and ends the “medal payout process”.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the sub control circuit 72 performs display control of the liquid crystal display device 5 and sound output control from the speakers 21 </ b> L and 21 </ b> R based on a control command (command) from the main control circuit 71. The sub-control circuit 72 is configured on a circuit board different from the circuit board constituting the main control circuit 71, and includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “sub-microcomputer”) 73 as a main component, and the liquid crystal display device 5 The image control circuit 81 as the display control means, the sound source IC 78 for controlling the sound output from the speakers 21L and 21R, and the power amplifier 79 as the amplifier.

  The sub microcomputer 73 includes a sub CPU 74 that performs a control operation in accordance with a control command transmitted from the main control circuit 71, a program ROM 75 as a storage unit, and a work RAM 76.

  The sub control circuit 72 does not include a clock pulse generation circuit, a frequency divider, a random number generator, and a sampling circuit, but is configured to execute random number sampling on the operation program of the sub CPU 74. The program ROM 75 stores a control program executed by the sub CPU 74. The work RAM 76 is configured as a temporary storage unit when the control program is executed by the sub CPU 74.

  The image control circuit 81 includes an image control CPU 82, an image control work RAM 83, an image control program ROM 84, an image ROM 86, a video RAM 87, and an image control IC 88. The image control CPU 82 determines display contents on the liquid crystal display device 5 in accordance with the image control program stored in the image control program ROM 84 based on the parameters set by the sub microcomputer 73. The image control program ROM 84 stores an image control program related to display on the liquid crystal display device 5 and various selection tables.

  The image control work RAM 83 is configured as temporary storage means when the image control CPU 82 executes the image control program. The image control IC 88 forms an image corresponding to the display content determined by the image control CPU 82 and outputs the image to the liquid crystal display device 5. The image ROM 86 stores dot data for forming an image. Further, the video RAM 87 is configured as a temporary storage unit when an image is formed by the image control IC 88.

  A solenoid 27 for driving the display body 26 is connected as one of the actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the sub microcomputer 73.

  The solenoid 27 is controlled via a solenoid drive circuit 28 by a control signal from the sub-microcomputer 73, and is linked to a game processing operation in the gaming machine 1 as will be described later.

Next, the control operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11. First, the CPU 31 performs initialization at the start of the game (step [hereinafter referred to as S] S101). Specifically, the contents stored in the RAM 33 are initialized, the communication data is initialized, and the like.
Subsequently, the stored contents of the RAM 33 at the end of the game are erased (S102). Specifically, data is erased from the writable area of the RAM 33 used for the previous game, parameters necessary for the next game are written to the write area of the RAM 33, and the sequence program start address of the next game is designated. .
Next, it is determined whether or not “30 seconds” has elapsed since the end of the previous game, that is, after all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R have stopped (S103).
If this determination is “YES”, “standby screen command processing” requesting display of “standby image” is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 72 (S104).

Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not there is a request for automatic insertion of medals, that is, whether or not a replay winning is established in the previous game (S105).
When this determination is “YES”, medals for the insertion request are automatically inserted (S106), and the process proceeds to S108.
When the determination in S105 is “NO”, the inserted medal sensor 22 determines whether or not a game medal has been inserted (S107). When this determination is “YES”, the process proceeds to S108.

Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not there is an input from the start switch 6S based on the operation of the start lever 6 (S108).
If this determination is “YES”, it is determined whether or not “4.1 seconds” have elapsed since the start of the previous game (S109). When this determination is “YES”, the process proceeds to S111 in FIG. 8, and when “NO”, the process proceeds to S110.
In the process of S110, “game start waiting time digestion process”, specifically, input based on an operation to start the player's game from the start of the previous game until “4.1 seconds” elapses. A process of invalidating is performed (S109).

Next, the CPU 31 extracts a random number for lottery (S111), and sets a timer for monitoring one game (S112).
The random numbers extracted in the process of S112 are used in the probability lottery process described later.
The one-game monitoring timer of the probability lottery process of S113 includes an automatic stop timer for automatically stopping the rotating reels as a reel rotation process (S114) without depending on the stop operation of the player's stop button. It is.

In FIG. 8, after the reel rotation process S114, the CPU 31 determines whether any one of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R is “ON”, specifically, any one of the stop buttons. It is determined whether or not has been operated (S115). When this determination is “YES”, the process proceeds to S118, and when “NO”, the process proceeds to S117.
In the process of S116, it is determined whether or not the value of the automatic stop timer is “0”. If this determination is “YES”, the process proceeds to S117, and if “NO”, the process of S115 is performed. Move on.

  In the process of S117, a solenoid drive signal that is a control signal from the sub microcomputer 73 is processed. The solenoid 27 is controlled via a solenoid drive circuit 28, and the display body 26 is exposed to the surface of the panel 24 via the notch 25 by the solenoid 27.

  In this way, when any one of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R is pressed, the display body 26 appears in the vicinity of the stop button, and the effect can be enhanced.

  At that time, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of display bodies 26 are configured to operate so as to reduce the distance between the tips, and at the moment when the stop button is pressed, the fingertip that presses the stop button is pinched. This can further enhance the production effect.

  Of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R, the solenoid 27 is driven by a control signal from the sub-microcomputer 73 in response to pressing of another stop button that does not reveal the display body 26. Retract into panel 24.

In the process of S118, the CPU 31 performs a sliding frame number determination process from a winning request, a symbol position, and the like. Subsequently, the rotary reel corresponding to the stop button that has been stopped is rotated by the number of sliding frames and then stopped (S119).
Here, the “number of sliding symbols” indicates the number of symbols that have moved from when the stop button is operated until the rotating reel stops. The number of sliding symbols is the code number of the symbol that was on the predetermined winning line when the stop button was operated, and the symbol that stopped on the winning line when the rotating reel actually stopped. It is represented by the absolute value of the difference from the code number. This “sliding frame number” may be referred to as “the number of pull-in”.

  In the process of S120, the CPU 31 determines whether or not all the rotating reels are stopped. If this determination is “YES”, the CPU 31 transmits an “all reel stop command” indicating that all the rotating reels are stopped. Then, the process proceeds to S121 in FIG. On the other hand, if "NO", the process proceeds to S115.

  In the process of S121 in FIG. 9, the CPU 31 performs a winning search. The winning search is to set a winning flag for identifying the winning combination (the winning combination) based on the stop mode of the symbols in the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. Specifically, a winning combination is identified based on a code number of symbols arranged along the center line 8c and a winning determination table.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the winning flag is normal (S122). When this determination is “NO”, an illegal error is displayed (S123). In this case, the game is canceled. When the determination in S122 is “YES”, the process proceeds to S124. In the process of S124, medals are credited or paid out according to the gaming state.

  Next, lock time processing (S125) and lighting processing (S126) of the display lamp (so-called WIN lamp) 17 are performed. Further, it is determined whether or not the gaming state or the RB gaming state (S127). When this determination is “YES”, the winning mode determining means determines the number of times the display 26 holds the finger pressing the stop button when the stop button is pressed by the control signal from the sub-microcomputer 73. It can also be configured to notify the player of the type of the internal winning mode.

  In this case, first, a bonus “game number check process” is performed (S128). In this “game number check process”, the number of times the RB gaming state has occurred, the number of games in the general gaming state during BB, the number of winnings in the RB gaming state, and the number of games in the RB gaming state are checked.

Next, whether or not the bonus is over, specifically, after the BB winning is established, whether the number of winnings is 8 or the number of games is 12 in the third RB gaming state, or During BB, it is determined whether or not the number of games is 30 in the general gaming state (S129).
Further, after the RB winning is established in the general gaming state, it is determined whether or not the number of winnings is 8 or the number of games is 12 in the RB gaming state.

  In the “probability lottery process” of S113 in FIG. 8, when the BB is won internally and when the stop button is operated (S115) or when the determination of S116 is “YES”, the process until the BB is won. During the game period, the “actual object drive signal transmission process” of S117 is performed, and as shown in FIG. 11, a solenoid drive lottery table is set. The solenoid-driven lottery table uses a random value for winning 10 and losing 246. The denominator is 256, and the above numerical value indicates the denominator.

When the lottery is won, a solenoid driving process is performed (S201).
As described above, the type of the internal winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means is notified to the player by the number of times the display body 26 pinches the finger pressing the stop button.

  As another embodiment, the display body 26 recognizes when the game start is recognized, that is, when the CPU 31 determines whether or not there is an input from the start switch 6S based on the operation of the start lever 6. As shown in FIG. 10, the drive signal reception process of the display body 26 is performed, thereby performing the solenoid drive process (S201), the display body 26 appears on the panel 24, covers the stop button, and cannot be operated. To. That is, when any one of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R is pressed, the display body 26 appears in front of the stop button and shields the corresponding stop button so that it cannot be operated. It should be noted that the release of the shielding is performed in response to pressing of another stop button that is not shielded.

Further, when the start of the game is recognized, the other display body 26 shields all the stop buttons of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R so as not to be operated, and releases the shield after a predetermined time has passed by the timer.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of one Example of the game machine concerning this invention. It is a front view which shows an example of the principal part of the game machine. It is a vertical side view at the time of the display body non-appearance which shows an example of the principal part of the gaming machine. It is a vertical side view at the time of the display body appearance which shows an example of the principal part of the same gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main control circuit of an Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sub control circuit of an Example. It is a main flowchart of the main control circuit. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a flowchart of an example which shows the drive of a display body. It is a flowchart of the other example which shows the drive of a display body.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2a Panel display part 3L, 3C, 3R Rotating reel 5 Liquid crystal display device 6 Start lever 7L, 7C, 7R Stop button 22 Medal insertion slot 22S Insertion medal sensor 24 Panel 25 Notch part 26 Display body 27 Solenoid 27a Plunger 28 Solenoid drive circuit

Claims (8)

In a gaming machine comprising a variation display means for variably displaying a symbol necessary for a game and a control means such as a microcomputer for controlling the variation display, wherein the variation display of the variation display means is stopped by operating a stop button ,
A gaming machine characterized in that a notch portion is formed around the stop button, and the display body is projected and retracted through the notch portion. The display body is
The structure according to claim 1, wherein when a specific condition is satisfied or when a specific action is performed by the control of a control means built in the gaming machine, the game machine is configured to appear and disappear from the notch. The gaming machine described. The display body is
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the stop button is pressed, the gaming machine is configured to be revealed from the notch. The display body is
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gaming machine is configured to appear and appear at a predetermined probability as the game progresses. The display body is
It is composed of a plurality of sets, and when the stop button is pressed, it appears from the notch, and the distance between the tips of each other is narrowed so that the finger pressing the stop button is sandwiched. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The display body is
6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the player is informed of the type of the internal winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means by the number of times the finger to be pressed is pinched. The display body is
2. When the start of a game is recognized, the stop button is shielded so that it cannot be operated, and the shield is released when another stop button that is not shielded is pushed down. The gaming machine described in 1. The display body is
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when a game start is recognized, the stop button is shielded so as not to be operated, and the shielding is released after a predetermined time has elapsed.

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