JP5145072B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine that limits the maximum number of games that can be executed within a unit time by prohibiting the start of the next game until the elapsed time after the start of the game reaches a predetermined regulation time.

  Conventionally, as a gaming machine installed in a game hall or the like, for example, there is a slot machine provided with three reels that display symbols in a variable manner. In such a slot machine, the reels start to display the symbol variation simultaneously by operating the start lever, and the reels are individually stopped by stopping the stop button provided for each reel. In such a slot machine, if a long time is taken for a stop operation or the like, the progress of the game is slowed, and the operation rate is lowered. It is desirable that the game is progressed at a pace as fast as possible for the game venue side to obtain profits by playing with the players.

  Therefore, a slot machine that generates a special game when the time required for the stop operation is within a predetermined time has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, in the slot machines that prohibit the start of the next game until the elapsed time after the start of the game reaches a predetermined regulation time, the wait time for starting the next game is integrated, and the integrated value is There is also a slot machine that grants a privilege when a predetermined upper limit is reached (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  However, the conventional slot machine has the following problems. In other words, attention is focused only on whether the game progresses fast or slow, and there is a possibility that the original gaming nature of the slot machine that wins winnings by aligning winning symbols may be reduced.

JP 2002-291968 A JP 2002-306679 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and while maintaining high operating rates by directing quick operations, the high interest of games derived from the original gaming characteristics of the slot machine has been maintained. It is intended to provide a slot machine.

One aspect of the present invention is a symbol variation display means comprising a plurality of symbol display areas for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement;
Game start operation means for accepting a game start operation by a player;
The symbol variation display by the symbol variation display means is completely stopped, and depending on the effective game start operation in a bet state in which a predetermined number of game media have been inserted, a plurality of types of roles are An internal lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining the winning combination;
A stop operation means operated by a player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the symbol variation display means;
In response to an operation of the stop operation means, a display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination within a predetermined pull-in range and stopping and displaying it in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means is a predetermined winning symbol;
Profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning symbol when it is determined by the winning determining means that the symbol is a winning symbol;
Game time measuring means for measuring elapsed time during game progress;
When the effective game start operation is performed within the start regulation period until the elapsed time after the symbol fluctuation display means starts the symbol fluctuation display reaches a predetermined regulation time, the symbol fluctuation display is performed. In a slot machine provided with start regulation means that prohibits the start of symbol variation display by means and permits the start of symbol variation display in accordance with the end of the start regulation period,
A TC period generating means for generating a time challenge period, which is a game period for determining a degree of occurrence of a privilege state advantageous to the player side;
In the time challenge period, when the start restricting means prohibits the start of the variation display of the symbol, the accumulated weight is obtained by adding a wait time that is an elapsed time from the prohibition time to the end of the start restricting period. Accumulated weight time accumulating means for totaling time,
A winning status determination means for determining the winning status of the internal winning combination in the time challenge period;
Privilege determining means for determining the degree of occurrence of the privilege state based on the cumulative wait time counted by the cumulative wait time integrating means and the determination result by the winning status determining means;
Privilege state generating means for generating the privilege state according to the degree of occurrence of the privilege state determined by the privilege determining means ,
When the effective game start operation is not performed within the start regulation period, the cumulative wait time integration means performs an effective game start operation for the next game after the start regulation period ends. The slot machine is configured to subtract a waste time that is an elapsed time until the accumulated wait time (claim 1).
Also, one aspect of the present invention is a symbol variation display means including a plurality of symbol display areas for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement;
Game start operation means for accepting a game start operation by a player;
The symbol variation display by the symbol variation display means is completely stopped, and depending on the effective game start operation in a bet state in which a predetermined number of game media have been inserted, a plurality of types of roles are An internal lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining the winning combination;
A stop operation means operated by a player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the symbol variation display means;
In response to an operation of the stop operation means, a display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination within a predetermined pull-in range and stopping and displaying it in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means is a predetermined winning symbol;
Profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning symbol when it is determined by the winning determining means that the symbol is a winning symbol;
Game time measuring means for measuring elapsed time during game progress;
When the effective game start operation is performed within the start regulation period until the elapsed time after the symbol fluctuation display means starts the symbol fluctuation display reaches a predetermined regulation time, the symbol fluctuation display is performed. In a slot machine provided with start regulation means that prohibits the start of symbol variation display by means and permits the start of symbol variation display in accordance with the end of the start regulation period,
A TC period generating means for generating a time challenge period, which is a game period for determining a degree of occurrence of a privilege state advantageous to the player side;
In the time challenge period, when the start restricting means prohibits the start of the variation display of the symbol, the accumulated weight is obtained by adding a wait time that is an elapsed time from the prohibition time to the end of the start restricting period. Accumulated weight time accumulating means for totaling time,
A winning status determination means for determining the winning status of the internal winning combination in the time challenge period;
Privilege determining means for determining the degree of occurrence of the privilege state based on the cumulative wait time counted by the cumulative wait time integrating means and the determination result by the winning status determining means;
Privilege state generating means for generating the privilege state according to the degree of occurrence of the privilege state determined by the privilege determining means,
The cumulative wait time integrating means is when the effective game start operation is not performed within the start regulation period and the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the symbol variation display means is not a predetermined break symbol, While subtracting the wasted time, which is the elapsed time from the end of the start restriction period until the effective game start operation for the next game is performed, from the accumulated wait time,
The cumulative wait time integrating means is when the effective game start operation is not performed within the start regulation period and the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the symbol variation display means is a predetermined break symbol. The slot machine is configured not to subtract the wasted time from the accumulated wait time (claim 2).

  The slot machine of the present invention includes the TC period generating means for generating the time challenge period, and the privilege state generating means capable of generating the privilege state after the time challenge period ends. The time challenge period is a game period in which the degree of occurrence of the privilege state is determined. The degree of occurrence of the privilege state is determined by the privilege determination unit based on the cumulative wait time accumulated by the cumulative wait time integration unit during the time challenge period and the determination result by the winning status determination unit.

  In the slot machine, the degree of occurrence of the privilege state depends on not only the accumulated wait time in the time challenge period but also the winning status of the internal winning combination in the time challenge period. In this slot machine, during the time challenge period, it is possible to increase the degree of occurrence of the privilege state by reliably winning a prize while quickly digesting the game.

  As described above, the slot machine according to the present invention achieves both improvement in the utilization rate and improvement in the interest of the game by directing the player to win the winning with high certainty by quick operation during the time challenge period. It is a slot machine with excellent characteristics of obtaining.

The slot machine of the present invention may be a slot machine in a narrow sense using medals and coins as game media, or a parrot (R) using pachinko balls as game media.
Further, the cumulative wait time integrating means, when the effective game start operation is not performed within the start regulation period, performs an effective game start operation for the next game after the start regulation period ends. The wasted time, which is the elapsed time until it is performed, is subtracted from the accumulated wait time .
In this case, even when the effective game start operation for the next game cannot be performed within the start regulation period, the player can be motivated to perform the effective game start operation as soon as possible.

The accumulated wait time integrating means is when the effective game start operation is not performed within the start regulation period, and the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the symbol variation display means is not a predetermined break symbol. While subtracting the wasted time, which is the elapsed time from the end of the start restriction period until the effective game start operation for the next game is performed, from the accumulated wait time,
The cumulative wait time integrating means is when the effective game start operation is not performed within the start regulation period and the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the symbol variation display means is a predetermined break symbol. The wasted time is not subtracted from the accumulated wait time .
In this case, a break can be given to the player according to the stop display of the break symbol. By giving a break in this way, the game during the time challenge period can be provided with undulating undulations, and the fun of the game during the time challenge period can be further enhanced.

In addition, in the game during the time challenge period, when it is determined by the winning situation determining means that the internal winning combination has not won, the privilege determining means may subtract a predetermined deduction time from the accumulated wait time. Preferred (Claim 3 ).
Further, the winning status determination means is configured to count the number of failures that the internal winning combination has not won in the time challenge period, and the privilege determination means, when the time challenge period ends, it is preferable to subtract the penalty time the winning state determination means in accordance with the number of failures has been aggregated from the accumulated wait time (claim 4).
In these cases, during the time challenge period, a tension can be given to the player so as not to miss the internal winning combination.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
(Example)
This example relates to the slot machine 1 that generates a specific gaming state. This will be described with reference to FIGS.
The slot machine 1 of the present example includes a symbol variation display means 2 having symbol display areas 110L, C, and R that variably display a plurality of types of symbols 20 according to a predetermined arrangement, and a game start operation for receiving a game start operation by a player Effective game start operation in a bet state in which the symbol variation display by means 62 (hereinafter referred to as start lever 62) and symbol variation display means 2 is completely stopped and a predetermined number of game media are inserted. Accordingly, the player operates to stop the internal lottery means 42 for executing an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from a plurality of types of winning combinations and the symbol variation display by the symbol variation display means 2. A stop operation means 61 (hereinafter referred to as stop button 61) and a symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination are defined in advance according to the operation of the stop button 61. Display control means 45 for drawing within the range and stopping display in the symbol display area 110, and winning determination means 49 for determining whether the combination of the symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means 2 is a predetermined winning symbol. When the winning determination means 49 determines that the symbol is a winning symbol, a profit granting unit 40 that grants a profit corresponding to the winning symbol to the player, and a game time measurement that measures an elapsed time during the game When an effective game start operation is performed within the start regulation period until the elapsed time from the start of the symbol variation display by the means 43 and the symbol variation display means 2 until the predetermined regulation time is reached. Start regulation means 44 that prohibits the start of the variable display of the symbol by the fluctuation display means 2 and permits the start of the variable display of the symbol in accordance with the end of the start regulation period.

The slot machine 1 further includes a TC period generating means 71 for generating a time challenge period, which is a game period for determining a degree of occurrence of a privilege state advantageous to the player side, and a start restricting means 44 in the time challenge period. Accumulated wait time integrating means 72 for accumulating the accumulated wait time by accumulating the wait time, which is the elapsed time from the prohibition point to the end of the start regulation period, when the start of the symbol variation display is prohibited, and the time Based on the winning status determining means 73 for determining the winning status of the internal winning combination in the challenge period, the accumulated weight time accumulated by the accumulated weight time accumulating means 72, and the determination result by the winning status determining means 73, the occurrence of the privilege state The privilege determining means 76 for determining the degree and the generation of the privilege state determined by the privilege determining means 76 (In this example, the game state switching means 75.) Award state generating means 75 for generating a privilege state according degree includes a, a.
Hereinafter, this content will be described in detail.

  First, the combination of the slot machine 1, the internal winning combination, and the winning combination will be described with reference to FIGS. The slot machine 1 of this example has nine types of roles including small combinations such as a BIG bonus combination, a CT bonus combination, and three types of four-sheet combinations. In FIG. 3, a privilege that is given to a player in accordance with the winning in the third column is the name of each role in the first column from the left, and the winning symbol that is a combination of symbols corresponding to each role in the second column. (Profit) is shown in the fourth column as a privilege (profit) to be given according to the winning of each small role in the BIG bonus game. In the slot machine 1, an internal winning combination by the internal lottery means 42 becomes an internal winning combination. When a winning symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination is established along any of the winning lines, the winning combination becomes a winning combination.

  Next, the playability of the slot machine 1 of this example will be described. In the slot machine 1 of this example, a BIG bonus game can be generated in response to a BIG bonus combination winning, and a CT bonus game can be generated in response to a CT bonus winning combination. The BIG bonus game is a special gaming state in which the player has the highest degree of advantage. Furthermore, in the BIG bonus game of this example, all types of internal winning combinations are notified.

On the other hand, in the CT bonus game, the internal winning flags of all small roles are compulsorily established,
This is a gaming state in which the pull-in range for a part or all of the symbol display area (in this example, only the symbol display area 110L) is limited. In this CT bonus game, one of the small roles can be aimed and won. In this example, it is set that the number of payouts of game media (hereinafter referred to as medals) has reached 360 as an end condition of the BIG bonus game, and the number of payouts of medals reaches 150 as an end condition of the CT bonus game. It has been set.

  In the slot machine 1 of this example, the execution period of the BIG bonus game is set as the time challenge period. In the time challenge period, the degree of occurrence of the privilege state is determined based on the accumulated wait time counted by the accumulated wait time integrating means 72 and the determination result by the winning status determining means 73. In this example, an AT state in which an AT game in which the type of the four winning combination determined as the internal winning combination is notified is set as the privilege state.

  Next, the slot machine 1 of this example has an external configuration as shown in FIG. In the slot machine 1, the front portion facing the player is formed by a front frame body 10 having a substantially rectangular symbol display window 11 provided substantially at the center. The front frame 10 is configured by arranging a liquid crystal display unit 53, a pair of left and right speakers 520, and a decorative lamp unit 56 on the upper side of the symbol display window 11. A base 100 that forms the base of the slot machine 1 is formed below the symbol display window 11. On the right side of the symbol display window 11, a credit display unit 551 and a payout number display unit 552 are arranged in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 100 is formed so as to protrude relatively toward the player side with respect to the symbol display window 11 located behind the player. The base portion 100 has a table-like operation surface 14 at the upper end adjacent to the symbol display window 11, a medal tray 15 for paying out medals at the lower end, and a space between the operation surface 14 and the medal tray 15. An operation panel 13 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation surface 14 is a bet button 64 for betting a credited (stored) medal, a credit checkout button 65 for paying out a credited medal, and a bet on a game. A medal insertion slot 630 for inserting medals is arranged. The operation panel 13 is provided with a start lever 62 for starting the symbol variation display on the reel 21 and a stop button 61 for stopping the symbol variation display.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bet button 64 is a button for designating 3 bets, which is the maximum bet number, as the number of game bets. The bet button 64 generates a 3-bet signal indicating the number of game bets 3 according to the operation. However, when the remaining credit is 2 or 1, a 2-bet signal or 1-bet signal is generated, and when the credit is zero, a bet signal is not generated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the start lever 62 is an operation lever that is operated by the player to start the game. In the slot machine 1, the start lever 62 is set to the valid state on the assumption that a medal is inserted directly or a bet is bet by operating the bet button 64. In the slot machine 1 of this example, the symbol variation display by the symbol variation display means 2 is completely stopped, and in response to an operation of the effective start lever 62 (game start operation) in the bet state of three medals. The next game can be started.

  The stop button 61 is an operation button that generates a variable stop signal that is a control signal for the reel 21 in accordance with the player's operation. The stop button 61 of this example is a combination of a left stop button 61L corresponding to the left reel 21L, a middle stop button 61C corresponding to the middle reel 21C, and a right stop button 61R corresponding to the right reel 21R.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the symbol display window 11 is a display window including symbol display areas 110L, C, and R. Each of the symbol display areas 110L, C, and R is a symbol display area for three symbols. In the entire symbol display window 11, symbol display regions for nine symbols arranged in a two-dimensional matrix composed of three rows and three columns are formed. The symbol display window 11 is formed of a transparent resin plate so that the symbol 20 can be seen from the player side. For the nine symbols 20 arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, winning lines 211 to 215 that are the arrangement direction of winning symbols to be awarded are set. As the winning lines, there are horizontal winning lines 211 to 213 and diagonal winning lines 214 and 215.

  On the back side of each symbol display area 110L, C, R, reels 21L, C, R constituting the symbol variation display means 2 are respectively arranged as shown in FIGS. The reels 21L, 21C, and 21R are rotary reels having a substantially cylindrical shape and 21 symbols 20 arranged on the outer peripheral surface thereof at a substantially constant interval. The reel 21 may be an image-type reel that displays the symbols on the liquid crystal display in place of the rotary reel of this example.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, only the symbol of the left reel 21 </ b> L is defined as a winning symbol for three types of four combinations that are the target of flag notification in the AT state (privilege state). . On the other hand, in the left reel 21L, symbols corresponding to three types of four-piece roles (2-ball cherry, 3-ball cherry, 4-ball cherry) are arranged one by one at regular intervals of every 6 symbols. Therefore, if the type of the four winning combination is notified in the AT game, it becomes possible to stop by aiming at the symbol corresponding to the four winning combination, which is very advantageous for the player side. Become.

The liquid crystal display unit 53 includes a liquid crystal display as shown in FIGS. In addition to the three types of display screens (see FIG. 5) displayed during the time challenge period, the liquid crystal display unit 53 displays various effect screens (not shown) for effecting a game. The contents of each display screen in FIG. 5 will be described later.
The speaker 520 and the decorative lamp unit 56 are rendering means for rendering a game with sound or light.
The credit display unit 551 is a display unit that displays the number of medals credited (stored) by the credit function.
The number-of-payout display unit 552 is a display unit that displays the number of medals to be paid out according to the winning.

Next, the slot machine 1 of this example has an electrical configuration as shown in FIG.
A control board 3 that controls the overall operation of the slot machine 1 and each part that is electrically connected to the control board 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition to the above-described configuration, the control board 3 includes a inserted medal detection unit 63 that detects a medal inserted as a game medium, a reel drive unit 22 that forms the symbol variation display means 2 together with the reel 21, and rotation of the reel 21. A reference position detection unit 66 for detecting a position, a medal payout unit 54 for paying out medals, various display units 55 including a credit display unit 551 and a payout number display unit 552, and a set value for setting a set value representing a player's advantageous degree The operation unit 68 and the audio output unit 52 that controls the speaker 520 are electrically connected.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inserted medal detection unit 63 is a detection unit for a medal inserted from the medal insertion port 630. The inserted medal detection unit 63 outputs an insert signal every time a medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit 630. In the slot machine 1 of this example, when a medal is inserted or when three medals are bet by operating the bet button 64, the start lever 62 is set to an effective state and the game can be started. Become.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reel driving unit 22 includes a stepping motor (not shown) that can be controlled in units of steps, and is a means for rotationally driving the reel 21 by the rotational driving force of the stepping motor.
As shown in FIG. 1, the reference position detector 66 is a detector that detects the passage of the reference position piece for each of the reels 21L, 21C, and R and outputs a detection signal.

As shown in FIG. 1, the medal payout unit 54 is a payout unit that pays out a predetermined number of medals to the medal tray 15 under the control of the control board 3.
As shown in FIG. 1, the set value operation unit 68 is an operation unit for selecting one of six set values having different winning probabilities such as bonus combinations using a setting key 680.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control board 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 33 and a RAM 34 as memory means, an I / O unit 32 as an input / output interface, and a random number extraction unit for extracting random numbers for internal lottery. 35. The CPU 31 executes a software program read from the ROM 33 to thereby display a winning determination means 49 for determining a winning symbol, a display control means 45 for controlling the reel 21, an internal lottery means for lottering an internal winning combination, and an internal winning flag. Flag control means 41 for controlling, profit granting means 40 for giving a profit in accordance with winning of the internal winning combination, game time measuring means 43 for measuring the elapsed time during the game, start regulation means 44 for waiting for the game to start, time TC period generating means 71 for generating a challenge period, cumulative weight time integrating means 72 for totaling the accumulated wait time during the time challenge period, winning status determining means 73 for determining the winning status during the time challenge period, and the degree of occurrence of the privilege state Privilege determining means 76 to determine, and privilege status Realizing the functions as the gaming state switching means (privilege state generating means) 75 for generating the AT state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ROM 33 as the memory means stores a winning random number table (not shown) used by the internal lottery means 42 for the lottery of the internal winning combination and a stop table (not shown) used for the stop control (retraction control) of the reel 21. ing. The winning random number table is a data table that defines winning random numbers for each winning combination. The winning random number table is prepared for each set value and each gaming state. In the slot machine 1, the winning random number table applied to the lottery of the internal winning combination is switched for each set value, thereby changing the internal winning probability of the bonus combination etc. according to the set value.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the random number extraction unit 35 is a part that extracts a random number for internal lottery. The random number extraction unit 35 extracts a random number from the integers generated by the random number generation unit 350. The random number generator 350 is a part that generates an integer belonging to the range of 0 to 65535 (decimal number display). The random number extraction unit 35 extracts an integer generated by the random number generation unit 350 as a random number for internal lottery with a game start signal corresponding to the operation of the start lever 62 as a trigger. The random number extracted by the random number extraction unit 35 becomes a random number for internal lottery for the internal lottery means 42 to draw the internal winning combination.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the internal lottery means 42 is a means for determining an internal winning combination by internal lottery and establishing an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination. The internal lottery means 42 determines the internal winning combination by collating the random number extracted by the random number extraction unit 35 against the winning random number of each combination specified in the winning random number table. The internal lottery means 42 of this example selectively uses one of the winning random number tables (not shown) according to the gaming state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the flag control means 41 is a means for controlling an internal winning flag representing a state where each winning combination can be won. The flag control means 41 starts the next game for the internal winning flags of the other combinations other than the BIG bonus combination and the CT bonus combination regardless of whether or not the internal winning flag is won in the game in which the internal winning flag is established for the first time. Reset to off state (zero) by According to such control of the flag control means 41, when each combination other than the BIG bonus combination and the CT bonus combination does not win in the internal winning game, all are lost. On the other hand, with regard to the BIG bonus combination flag and CT bonus combination flag, which are internal winning flags of the BIG bonus combination and the CT bonus combination, the establishment status of the internal winning flag is sequentially carried over to the next game until winning, and in response to winning Is reset to the off state. Further, the flag control means 41 of this example forcibly sets the internal winning flags of all the small roles to the on state in each game executed in the CT bonus game regardless of whether or not they are determined as the internal winning combinations. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game time measuring means 43 is a means for measuring the elapsed time during the game in the time challenge period. The elapsed time measured by the game time measuring means 43 includes the following three types of elapsed time. The first elapsed time is an elapsed time within the start regulation period from when the symbol fluctuation display means 2 starts the symbol fluctuation display until a predetermined regulation time of 4.1 seconds elapses. The second elapsed time is a wait time from when the start of symbol variation display is prohibited in accordance with an effective game start operation for the next game within the start restriction period until the start restriction period ends. . It should be noted that the time point at which an effective game operation occurs within the start restriction period and the time point at which the start of the change display of the symbol is prohibited are only a difference of the processing time by the start restriction means 44 and may occur almost simultaneously. The third elapsed time is determined when the first elapsed time reaches the restriction time and the start restriction period ends when an effective game start operation for the next game is not performed within the start restriction period. This is a wasted time until an effective game start operation for the next game is performed.

  The game time measuring means 43 of this example measures the regulation time timer for measuring the first elapsed time, the standby time timer for measuring the second elapsed time, and the third elapsed time. Has a wasted time timer. The regulation time timer continues to measure the first elapsed time until it reaches the regulation time of 4.1 seconds, and ends the measurement when it reaches 4.1 seconds. As for the wasted time timer, it waits for 10 seconds to start measuring the third elapsed time (wasted time) in accordance with a winning combination of 10 sheets in which the winning symbol is set as a break symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the display control means 45 starts the change display of the symbols on the reel 21 using the game start signal as a trigger signal, and stops the change display of the symbols on the reel 21 in response to the change stop signal. It is a means to make. The display control means 45 inputs a control pulse to the stepping motor constituting the reel driving unit 22 and rotates the stepping motor by one step for each pulse. The display control unit 45 counts the number of control pulses input to the reel driving unit 22, that is, the number of steps rotated by the stepping motor. In particular, in the display control means 45 of this example, the number of steps generated after the latest detection signal can be counted by resetting the number of steps to zero each time the detection signal of the reference position piece of each reel 21 is fetched. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display control means 45 performs so-called pull-in control in which symbols within a predetermined pull-in range determined by rules (rules for game machine certification, type verification, etc.) are stopped on the winning line. Means. In this example, a range corresponding to 4 symbols is set as the pull-in range. The display control means 45 calculates the bita symbol, which is the symbol 20 instantaneously located on the winning line 212, based on the number of steps when the fluctuation stop signal is taken. Furthermore, a symbol to be stopped is determined from the total of five symbols of the four symbols belonging to the bita symbol and the drawing range. The display control means 45 pulls the symbol determined (to be stopped) as described above and stops the reel 21.

  The display control means 45 limits the pull-in range of the left reel 21L (symbol display area 110L) to a maximum corresponding to one symbol during the occurrence of the CT bonus game. Therefore, during the occurrence of the CT bonus game, either the left reel 21L stops with a bitter symbol or only one symbol is drawn and stopped. On the other hand, for the middle reel 21C and the right reel 21R, normal pull-in control (pull-in range corresponding to four symbols) is performed even during the occurrence of the CT bonus game. It should be noted that the reel that restricts the pull-in control in the CT bonus game may be a reel other than the left reel 21L, or any two or all three reels.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the start restricting means 44 is a symbol by the symbol variation display means 2 when the restricted time timer is operating, that is, when a valid game stop operation is performed for the next game within the start restricted period. Means that the start of the next game is waited until the start regulation period ends by prohibiting the start of the variable display and allowing the start of the variable display of the symbol in accordance with the end of the start regulation period. It is. The start restriction unit 44 outputs a game start signal to the display control unit 45 without delay when an effective game start operation is performed for the next game after the start restriction period has elapsed. On the other hand, when an effective game start operation is performed for the next game within the start restriction period (during the operation of the restriction time timer), the game start signal is output after the measurement of the restriction time timer is completed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the winning determination means 49 is a means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the three reels 21L, 21C, 21R is a predetermined winning symbol. Specifically, the winning determination means 49 determines the winning combination according to the combination of symbols stopped on the winning lines 211 to 215 set so as to cross the three reels 21L, 21C, 21R. The winning determination means 49 takes in the number of steps of each stepping motor (reel drive unit 22) corresponding to each reel 21L, C, R after each reel 21L, C, R stops. The winning determination means 49 obtains the type of the symbol 20 stopped on the winning lines 211 to 215 based on the number of steps, and determines whether or not a winning combination is established for the combination of the symbols 20. The winning determination means 49 instructs the medal paying unit 54 on the number of medals to be paid out (see FIG. 3) according to the type of winning combination.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the profit granting means 40 is a means for giving a profit according to the winning combination determined by the winning determination means 49. For example, when the BIG bonus combination is a winning combination, the profit granting means 40 provides a profit that a BIG bonus game is generated. If the 15 winning combination is a winning combination, the profit granting means 40 gives a profit of paying out 15 medals. In the BIG bonus game, a profit of paying out 15 medals is set for all small roles.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the TC period generating means 71 is a means for generating a time challenge period for determining the degree of occurrence of the privilege state (in this example, the AT state). In the slot machine 1 of this example, the generation period of the BIG bonus game is set as the time challenge period. In the time challenge period, the accumulated wait time integrating means 72 accumulates the accumulated wait time, while the winning status determining means 73 determines the winning status of whether or not the internal winning combination is won for each game.

  The accumulated wait time integrating means 72 is means for adding up the wait times generated during the time challenge period and totaling the accumulated wait time. Accumulated wait time integration means 72, when the start restriction means 44 prohibits the start of the symbol variation display and delays the start of the next game in response to an effective game start operation for the next game. The accumulated wait time is totaled by adding up the wait time that is the elapsed time (delay time) from the time when the start of the change display is prohibited until the change display of the symbol is allowed.

  The accumulated wait time integrating means 72 of this example adds up the wait time (second elapsed time) measured by the standby time timer of the game time measuring means 43 and totals the accumulated wait time. When an effective game start operation for the next game is performed after the measurement of the restriction time timer, that is, after the start restriction period ends, the accumulated wait time integration means 72 of this example uses the waste time timer. The measured wasted time (the third elapsed time) is subtracted from the accumulated wait time.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the winning status determination means 73 is a means for determining the winning status of the internal winning combination in the time challenge period (BIG bonus game occurrence period). In the slot machine 1 of the present example, as described above, in the winning game of any internal winning combination in the time challenge period (BIG bonus game generation period), the type of the internal winning combination is always notified.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the privilege determining unit 76 is a unit that determines the degree of occurrence of the privilege state according to the accumulated wait time accumulated by the accumulated wait time integrating unit 72 and the determination result by the winning situation determining unit 73. The privilege determining means 76 of this example subtracts a predetermined deduction time from the accumulated wait time when it is determined by the winning status determining means 73 that the notification game of the internal winning combination within the time challenge period is missed (winning failure). In this example, 3 seconds is set as the predetermined deduction time for each missed game regardless of the type of the missing role. It is also possible to change the deduction time according to the type of the missing combination.

  The privilege determination means 76 of this example determines the number of times of AT game execution (AT number) as the degree of occurrence of the AT state which is the privilege state. In this example, 20 times is set as the number of ATs when the accumulated wait time after the end of the time challenge period (BIG bonus game occurrence period) is 14 seconds or more, and 10 times as the number of ATs when it is less than 14 seconds. Is set. Note that the AT state, which is the privilege state of this example, is a gaming state in which a flag notification game for notifying the type of the four winning combination internally won by any four winning combination is implemented.

  The gaming state switching means 75 is a means for generating various gaming states such as an AT state, which is a privilege state, and a BIG bonus game. That is, the gaming state switching means 75 of this example includes a function as a privilege state generating means for generating an AT state that is a privilege state. In the gaming state switching means 75, a state flag that is a control flag for controlling the gaming state of the slot machine 1 is set. The state flag includes a BIG bonus game flag corresponding to the BIG bonus game, a CT flag corresponding to the CT bonus game, and an AT flag corresponding to the AT state (privilege state). When all these flags are off, the normal state is implemented.

  The gaming state switching means 75 switches the BIG bonus game flag to the on state in response to the winning of the BIG bonus combination. Reset to off state. Similarly, the CT flag is switched to the on state in accordance with the winning of the CT combination, and the CT flag is reset to the off state when the number of medals paid out during the CT bonus game exceeds 150. In addition, the gaming state switching means 75 sets the AT flag to the on state in response to the resetting of the BIG bonus game flag, while the number of executions of the AT game reaches a predetermined number (the number of ATs determined by the privilege determining means 76). The AT flag is reset to the off state.

  Next, a display screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 53 in the time challenge period (BIG bonus game occurrence period) will be described with reference to FIG. In the slot machine 1 of this example, during the BIG bonus game generation period, which is the time challenge period, a BIG in-progress screen 530A is displayed as shown in FIG. 5A, and in response to the end of the BIG bonus game, FIG. In this manner, the BIG end screen 530C is displayed. Further, in the slot machine 1 of this example, when the winning symbols of 10 combinations that are break symbols are arranged in the game during the time challenge period, the rest symbol stop screen 530B is displayed as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the BIG in-progress screen 530A displays a bonus display column 531 for indicating that a BIG bonus game is being generated, a flag notification column 532 for displaying an internal winning combination, and a digest game in the BIG bonus game. A game number display field 533, a time indicator 534 for displaying the accumulated wait time, and a medal acquisition number display field 535 for displaying the number of medal acquisitions during the occurrence of the BIG bonus game.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the break symbol stop screen 530B is a display screen in which the break time display field 536 is overwritten on the BIG in-progress screen 530A. The break time display field 536 is a display field for subtracting and displaying that the break time has been given and the remaining break time.
As shown in FIG. 5C, the BIG end screen 530C replaces the bonus display column 531 and the flag notification column 532 on the BIG in-progress screen 530A, and a result display column 537 that displays success or failure in the time challenge period, and a time challenge It consists of an AT display column 538 for displaying the number of ATs (degree of occurrence of privilege state) according to success or failure in the period.

  The bonus display column 531 is a column for displaying that the BIG bonus game is being generated by displaying “BIG BONUS !!!!”. The flag notification column 532 is a column that displays that each winning combination has been won internally by displaying the symbol pattern of each winning combination that has been won internally. For example, the display of the role symbol “sun-sun-sun” of the 10-piece combination in FIG. 5A exemplifies a case where the ten-piece combination is won internally during the occurrence of the BIG bonus game.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the game number display column 533 is a column for displaying the number of digested games in the time challenge period. The display of “5G” in the figure illustrates that five BIG bonus games have been consumed. The time indicator 534 displays the accumulated wait time by a plurality of LEDs arranged in the horizontal direction. Each time the accumulated wait time is added for 1 second, the LEDs are lit one by one from the left (the hatched portion in the figure), and each time the accumulated wait time is decremented by 1 second, one LED is lit from the right. Turns off. The medal acquisition number display column 535 is a column for displaying the acquisition number which is the difference between the number of medals paid out and the number of insertions in the time challenge period (BIG bonus game occurrence period). The display of “160” in the figure illustrates the case where the number of acquisitions after the start of the BIG bonus game is 160.

  The result display column 537 exemplifies that the time challenge period can be cleared by displaying “Congratulation!” As shown in FIG. The AT display column 538 is a column for displaying the AT number (degree of occurrence of privilege state) to be given after the end of the time challenge period. For example, the display of “AT 20 Get !!!!” in the figure illustrates that the number of ATs given in response to clearing the time challenge period is 20 times. As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this example, the number of ATs is 20 when the accumulated wait time is 14 seconds or more, and the number of ATs is 10 when the accumulated wait time is less than 14 seconds. Yes.

Next, the flow of the accumulated wait time integration process in the slot machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, first, a start operation, that is, an operation of the start lever 62 is determined (S101). When the start lever 62 has been operated (S101: YES), it is determined whether or not the regulation time timer is operating (S102). When the regulation time timer is in operation (S102: YES), that is, when 4.1 seconds (regulation time) has not yet elapsed since the start of the symbol variation display in the previous game. The standby time timer starts operating (S103). Thereafter, the first elapsed time measured by the restriction time timer reaches the restriction time of 4.1 seconds, and is maintained in a standby state until the start restriction period ends (S104).

  When the regulation time timer is stopped and the start regulation period ends due to the passage of the regulation time (S104: YES), after the wait time measured by the standby time timer is added to the accumulated wait time (S105), The waiting time timer is reset to zero (S106). On the other hand, when the regulation time timer is ended after the regulation time of 4.1 seconds has elapsed (S102: NO), the operating state of the wasted time timer is determined (S123).

  If the wasted time timer is operating (S123: YES), the measured time of the wasted time timer is reset to zero (S124). After that, the display of the time indicator 534 (see FIG. 5) is updated (S107), and after the symbol fluctuation display by the reel 21 is started (S108), the process proceeds to step S109 described later.

  In step S109, it is determined whether all the reels 21 have stopped. After all the reels 21 are stopped (S109: YES), it is determined whether or not a winning has occurred (S110). If no winning is made (S110: NO), the predetermined deduction time of 3 seconds is subtracted from the accumulated wait time (S111).

  On the other hand, when the start lever 62 is not operated (S101: NO), the operating state of the restriction time timer is determined (S131). When the regulation time timer is not activated (S131: NO), the operating state of the wasted time timer is determined (S132). If the wasted time timer is operating (S132: YES), the wasted time measured by the wasted time timer is subtracted from the accumulated wait time (S133), and the accumulated wait time of the time indicator 534 (FIG. 5) is obtained. It is updated (S134). When the waste time timer is not activated (S132: NO), the measurement of the waste time by the waste time timer is started (S135). Here, in the slot machine 1 of this example, as described above, the winning symbol of 10 winning combinations is set as a break symbol. Therefore, in the next game in which 10 winning combinations are won, measurement by the wasted time timer is started after waiting for 10 seconds (S135).

As described above, the slot machine 1 of the present example has an excellent characteristic that it can maintain a high level of interest in games derived from the original game characteristics of the slot machine while improving the operating rate by directing operations to be performed quickly. It is a gaming machine equipped with.
In this example, as described above, after the measurement by the regulation time timer (after the start regulation period ends), the time elapsed until the effective operation of the start lever 62 for the next game is performed is the waste time. It is set. Instead of this, an elapsed time from the end of the start regulation period until all the reels 21 stop or until the medal payout ends may be set as the wasted time.

  In this example, the generation period of the BIG bonus game is set as the time challenge period, but instead, the generation period of the CT bonus game or the regular bonus game may be set as the time challenge period. Furthermore, for example, various periods such as a period after a bonus game is completed or a specific small role is won and a predetermined number of games are consumed can be set as the time challenge period.

  Furthermore, in this example, while the BIG bonus game is occurring, the internal winning combination is announced in all games. However, it is also possible to announce the internal winning combination only in some games, and all internal winning combinations are canceled. May be. In a game in which the internal winning combination is not announced, the player predicts and wins the internal winning combination based on the pull-in control when the reel 21 stops, his intuition, and the like.

In addition, although the AT state is set as the privilege state in this example, for example, RT (replay time) that increases the internal winning probability of the replay role may be set as the privilege state. As the privilege state, any game state may be used as long as the game state is more advantageous to the player than the normal state.
Furthermore, in this example, a break symbol for temporarily stopping the measurement of the wasted time timer is employed, but the break symbol may be omitted.

  This example is an example in which a predetermined deduction time is subtracted from the accumulated wait time each time in a game in which it is determined that the internal winning combination has been missed. It is also possible to integrate the deduction time in the middle. In this case, after the end of the time challenge period, the evaluation time is calculated by subtracting the accumulated value of the deduction time from the accumulated wait time, and the degree of occurrence of the privilege state can be determined according to the evaluation time.

  The number of missed internal winning combinations during the time challenge period may be counted as a determination result by the winning status determination means 73. In this case, a deduction time corresponding to the number of missed times is set, and after the time challenge period ends, the occurrence degree of the privilege state can be determined according to the accumulated wait time obtained by subtracting the deduction time. Furthermore, it is also possible to calculate an evaluation time obtained by subtracting the deduction time from the accumulated wait time, and to determine the degree of occurrence of the privilege state based on the evaluation time.

The block diagram which shows the systematic structure of the slot machine in an Example. The front view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine in an Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the role of a slot machine, a winning symbol, and a privilege in an Example. The expanded view which expands and shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of a reel in an Example. The front view which shows the production | presentation screen displayed in a time challenge period in an Example. The flowchart which shows the flow of the accumulation weight time integration process in an Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 110 Symbol display area 2 Symbol fluctuation display means 21 Reel 22 Reel drive part 20 Symbol 3 Control board 35 Random number extraction part 350 Random number generation part 40 Profit grant means 41 Flag control means 42 Internal lottery means 43 Game time measurement means 44 Start Control means 45 Display control means 49 Winning determination means 53 Liquid crystal display 61 Stop operation means (stop button)
62 Game start operation means (start lever)
71 TC period generation means 72 Accumulated wait time integration means 73 Winning status determination means 75 Bonus state generation means (game state switching means)
76 Benefits determining means

Claims (4)

A symbol variation display means comprising a plurality of symbol display areas for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement;
Game start operation means for accepting a game start operation by a player;
The symbol variation display by the symbol variation display means is completely stopped, and depending on the effective game start operation in a bet state in which a predetermined number of game media have been inserted, a plurality of types of roles are An internal lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining the winning combination;
A stop operation means operated by a player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the symbol variation display means;
In response to an operation of the stop operation means, a display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination within a predetermined pull-in range and stopping and displaying it in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means is a predetermined winning symbol;
Profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning symbol when it is determined by the winning determining means that the symbol is a winning symbol;
Game time measuring means for measuring elapsed time during game progress;
When the effective game start operation is performed within the start regulation period until the elapsed time after the symbol fluctuation display means starts the symbol fluctuation display reaches a predetermined regulation time, the symbol fluctuation display is performed. In a slot machine provided with start regulation means that prohibits the start of symbol variation display by means and permits the start of symbol variation display in accordance with the end of the start regulation period,
A TC period generating means for generating a time challenge period, which is a game period for determining a degree of occurrence of a privilege state advantageous to the player side;
In the time challenge period, when the start restricting means prohibits the start of the variation display of the symbol, the accumulated weight is obtained by adding a wait time that is an elapsed time from the prohibition time to the end of the start restricting period. Accumulated weight time accumulating means for totaling time,
A winning status determination means for determining the winning status of the internal winning combination in the time challenge period;
Privilege determining means for determining the degree of occurrence of the privilege state based on the cumulative wait time counted by the cumulative wait time integrating means and the determination result by the winning status determining means;
Privilege state generating means for generating the privilege state according to the degree of occurrence of the privilege state determined by the privilege determining means ,
When the effective game start operation is not performed within the start regulation period, the cumulative wait time integration means performs an effective game start operation for the next game after the start regulation period ends. A slot machine configured to subtract a waste time that is an elapsed time until the accumulated wait time . A symbol variation display means comprising a plurality of symbol display areas for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement;
Game start operation means for accepting a game start operation by a player;
The symbol variation display by the symbol variation display means is completely stopped, and depending on the effective game start operation in a bet state in which a predetermined number of game media have been inserted, a plurality of types of roles are An internal lottery means for executing an internal lottery for determining the winning combination;
A stop operation means operated by a player to stop the display of the variation of the symbol by the symbol variation display means;
In response to an operation of the stop operation means, a display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination within a predetermined pull-in range and stopping and displaying it in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not the combination of symbols stopped and displayed by the symbol variation display means is a predetermined winning symbol;
Profit granting means for granting a player a profit corresponding to the winning symbol when it is determined by the winning determining means that the symbol is a winning symbol;
Game time measuring means for measuring elapsed time during game progress;
When the effective game start operation is performed within the start regulation period until the elapsed time after the symbol fluctuation display means starts the symbol fluctuation display reaches a predetermined regulation time, the symbol fluctuation display is performed. In a slot machine provided with start regulation means that prohibits the start of symbol variation display by means and permits the start of symbol variation display in accordance with the end of the start regulation period,
A TC period generating means for generating a time challenge period, which is a game period for determining a degree of occurrence of a privilege state advantageous to the player side;
In the time challenge period, when the start restricting means prohibits the start of the variation display of the symbol, the accumulated weight is obtained by adding a wait time that is an elapsed time from the prohibition time to the end of the start restricting period. Accumulated weight time accumulating means for totaling time,
A winning status determination means for determining the winning status of the internal winning combination in the time challenge period;
Privilege determining means for determining the degree of occurrence of the privilege state based on the cumulative wait time counted by the cumulative wait time integrating means and the determination result by the winning status determining means;
Privilege state generating means for generating the privilege state according to the degree of occurrence of the privilege state determined by the privilege determining means,
The cumulative wait time integrating means is when the effective game start operation is not performed within the start regulation period and the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the symbol variation display means is not a predetermined break symbol, While subtracting the wasted time, which is the elapsed time from the end of the start restriction period until the effective game start operation for the next game is performed, from the accumulated wait time,
The cumulative wait time integrating means is when the effective game start operation is not performed within the start regulation period and the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the symbol variation display means is a predetermined break symbol. The slot machine is configured not to subtract the wasted time from the accumulated wait time . In the game during the time challenge period, when the winning situation determining means determines that the internal winning combination has not won, the privilege determining means is configured to subtract a predetermined deduction time from the accumulated wait time. the slot machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that is. The winning status determining means is configured to count the number of failures that the internal winning combination has not won in the time challenge period, and the privilege determining means is configured to receive the winning when the time challenge period ends. 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein a deduction time corresponding to the number of failures counted by the situation determination means is subtracted from the accumulated wait time.

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