JP7723293B2 - gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Gaming machines equipped with special game modes called AT (Assist Time) or ART (Assist Replay Time) are known. In these AT and ART machines, if a push order role (for example, a push order bell) is achieved during the AT, the correct push order is announced. By pressing the stop switch in accordance with the announced correct push order, the player can achieve the push order role and gain gaming value relatively easily.

On the other hand, gaming machines that require so-called "eye-pressing" during play are also known (see Patent Document 1). Eye-pressing refers to when a player operates the stop switch at the correct timing to win a winning combination that has a defined timing for operating the stop switch (for example, pressing the stop switch corresponding to the left reel when the "bar" on the left reel is in the upper row of the reel window).

In gaming machines with these types of me-oshi roles, players need the skill to make the me-oshi role win by hitting the stop switch at the correct timing (perfect timing).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-081243

However, these days, the mainstream AT machines are those that do not require the skill of hitting the buttons at the right time, or, even if there are occasions when such skill is required, those in which missing a winning combination has almost no impact on the number of balls won. Players who are accustomed to such AT machines tend to shy away from gaming machines that require the skill of hitting the buttons at the right time.

The object of this invention is to provide a gaming machine that allows both advanced players with good eye-pressing skills and beginners without such skills to enjoy the opportunity to press the buttons with their eyes.

The present invention provides
an internal lottery unit that can determine one winning flag from among a plurality of winning combination flags based on an operation of a start switch by a player;
a game control unit capable of controlling the progress of a game;
a performance control unit capable of causing a performance device to notify a performance according to the progress of a game;
Equipped with
The flag of the winning combination includes an operation timing winning combination flag in which a correct operation timing of at least one stop switch is defined,
A first mode is provided in which, when the operation timing winning flag is established, the player is prompted to operate the stop switch according to the correct operation timing, and a second mode is provided in which, even when the operation timing winning flag is established, the player is not prompted to operate the stop switch according to the correct operation timing,
At least one of the game control unit and the performance control unit
In the first mode, it is possible to provide a benefit according to the timing of the operation of the stop switch by the player, and
In the second mode, it is possible to provide the same type of benefit as in the first mode, regardless of the timing of the operation of the stop switch by the player.
It is an amusement machine.

This invention provides a gaming machine that allows both advanced players with good timing skills and beginners without such skills to enjoy the opportunity to use their timing skills.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a slot machine and a card unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of symbols on a rotating reel. A diagram explaining the state transition of the game area. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating state transitions in the first gaming state. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating state transitions in the second game state. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the state transition of the battle bonus. A diagram explaining the range (MY) and the difference in favorable zone number. A diagram explaining the connection/communication relationship between the main control board, the game value control board, and the sub-control board. (a) A diagram illustrating the screen that prompts the player to make the right decision in technical mode; (b) A diagram illustrating the screen that appears when the player makes the right decision in special mode in technical mode; (c) A diagram illustrating the screen that prompts the player to make the right decision when practice mode is activated; and (d) A diagram illustrating the screen that appears when the player makes the right decision in assist mode. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation process of the slot machine. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of a battle bonus process. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of a battle bonus process. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of a battle bonus process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a practice mode execution process.

[First embodiment]
A slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 15. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the following description, "connection" includes cases where connection targets are directly connected to each other, and cases where connection targets are indirectly connected to each other via another board or device, etc.

As shown in Figure 1, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a reel-type gaming machine in which the quantity of gaming value is managed by electronic data (hereinafter referred to as "gaming value data"), rather than using physically existing medals.

Unlike conventional slot machines, this slot machine 1 does not require the insertion of actual medals, nor does it pay out actual medals. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, electronically converted pseudo gaming media is used as gaming value data to progress the game. Slot machines 1 of this type are also called medalless machines, Smart Slot (registered trademark), or enclosed reel gaming machines.

Below, we will first explain the card unit 7 connected to this slot machine 1.

<Configuration of Card Unit 7>
As shown in FIG. 2, the card unit 7 is connected to the slot machine 1 outside the slot machine 1 so as to be able to communicate with the slot machine 1 .

The card unit 7 can also store a card 70 therein that stores gaming value data as electronic data in place of actual medals.

In addition, the card unit 7 can mainly perform the game value lending process associated with the transfer of game value data to the slot machine 1, as described below, and conversely, the card 70 ejection process associated with the transfer of game value data from the slot machine 1.

In addition, the card unit 7 can manage the gaming value data within the slot machine 1 by sending and receiving necessary data to and from the media management unit 620 (described below) of the slot machine 1.

The card unit 7 also has a loan button 71. When an operator inserts a banknote into the card unit 7 and then operates the loan button 71, a loan signal is generated and sent to the media management unit 620.

In this specification, "operator" refers to all users, including players who are playing games, users who have finished playing (including users walking around the store), and store staff, but may be referred to individually as "store staff" or "player" as necessary.

Inside the card unit 7, in addition to an I/F (interface) for communication with the slot machine 1, there is also a cash management mechanism 73, a card management mechanism 74, and a card unit side control unit 75, as shown in Figure 2.

The cash management mechanism 73 introduces banknotes inserted through an opening (not shown) for inserting cash into the card unit 7, and detects and stores the banknotes.

The card management mechanism 74 introduces and stores the card 70 inserted through an opening (not shown) for inserting and ejecting the card 70, and ejects the card 70 from the opening when the eject button 72 is operated.

The card unit side control unit 75 is composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The card unit side control unit 75 controls the operation of the cash management mechanism 73 and card management mechanism 74, processes the lending of gaming value, authenticates the card 70, and reads and writes data from the card 70.

The operation processing of the cash management mechanism 73 includes processing to operate the cash management mechanism 73 so that inserted banknotes are introduced into the card unit 7, processing to issue an error notification if inserted banknotes become jammed inside the cash management mechanism 73, and processing to add the gaming value corresponding to the inserted banknotes to the current loan balance and temporarily store the result in RAM.

The operation processing of the card management mechanism 74 includes processing for operating the card management mechanism 74 so that the inserted card 70 is introduced into the card unit 7, and processing for operating the card management mechanism 74 so that the card 70 is ejected in response to operation of the eject button 72.

The game value lending process includes a process of transmitting the game value data of the amount to be lent to the slot machine 1 (the media management unit 620 mounted on the game value control unit 62 described below) in response to the operation of the lending button 71. At this time, the game value data of the amount to be lent is also subtracted from the game value data of the remaining loan balance temporarily stored in RAM in the card unit 7.

When the card 70 is inserted into the opening and a PIN is entered via the display panel, the card unit 70 authenticates the card 70 and determines whether the entered PIN matches the PIN written on the card. If the card unit control unit 75 determines that the two match, it allows the authenticated card 70 to continue to be used, but if it determines that the two do not match, it may not allow the authenticated card 70 to continue to be used (restrict its use).

When reading data from card 70, if gaming value data is written on card 70, it is read and temporarily stored in RAM as the loan balance.

In the process of writing to the card 70, when the counting button 44 of the slot machine 1 is operated and the gaming value data is transferred to the card unit 7, the gaming value data is temporarily stored in RAM, and then the gaming value data is written to the card 70 when the ejection button 72 is operated.

If game value data has already been written to the card 70 when the eject button 72 is operated, the card unit side control unit 75 performs a process (update process) in which the amount of game value data received from the slot machine 1 is added to the game value data and written to the card 70.

As a result, when the ejection button 72 on the card unit 7 is operated, a card 70 containing at least one of the player's gaming value data and loan balance data is ejected from the opening.

The card unit 7 is also connected to be able to communicate with devices other than the slot machine 1, such as a hall computer and a unit management computer (not shown). The card unit 7 sends to the hall computer and unit management computer various information related to the slot machine 1, such as information about advantageous gaming states, including the number of games played in advantageous gaming states (such as AT, CZ, and special role (bonus) implementation states, which will be described later), changes in the amount of gaming value, the number of games played, and the ratio of special roles.

<Configuration of Slot Machine 1>
As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a medal-less machine that allows play to proceed without using medals, which are real objects. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, play is performed using gaming value data, which is electronic data, instead of medals, which are real objects. Note that, hereinafter, the term "gaming value" may also be used in place of "gaming value data," as a term corresponding to the conventional "medals."

As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 includes a cabinet 10. A front door 100 is provided on the front of the cabinet 10. This front door 100 is locked while a game is in progress.

A transparent reel window 200 is provided in the center of the front door 100. Through this reel window 200, the operator can see the multiple symbols displayed on the surface of each of the multiple rotating reels 20 (described below).

A keyhole (not shown) is provided near the right end of the front door 100 when viewed from the front of the slot machine 1 (looking towards the back of the page in Figure 1). A key is inserted into the keyhole to lock or unlock the front door 100 and the cabinet 10. Because the front door 100 and the cabinet 10 remain locked during play, players cannot access the inside of the cabinet 10.

Furthermore, because the slot machine 1 is a medal-less machine, there is no selector or hopper device inside the cabinet 10, and store staff do not need to replenish actual medals during play. Therefore, during play, store staff will not, in principle, lock or unlock the front door 100 or cabinet 10, except when an error occurs in the slot machine 1.

When store staff need to change settings, check settings, perform maintenance, etc., the front door 100 and the housing 10 are unlocked, and the front door 100 can be rotated relative to the housing 10. This allows store staff to access the inside of the housing 10.

Above the reel window 200, there is an LCD screen 3, a speaker 101, and an illumination unit 102 for various effects during play.

The LCD screen 3 displays various animations (effect screens) while the player is playing.

Speaker 101 outputs predetermined background music (BGM), sound effects (SE), and audio.

The illumination unit 102 is composed of LEDs and the like, and lights up or goes out in a predetermined pattern, for example, when a highly anticipated performance screen is displayed or when a winning combination is achieved.

Below the reel window 200 are the operation unit 4, lower panel 103, front bottom 104, etc. The lower panel 103 displays the title of the slot machine 1, etc. The front bottom 104 is designed to allow the operator to place personal belongings, etc.

The operation unit 4 includes multiple stop switches 40 (40a, 40b, 40c), a bet switch 41, a lever 42, a digital counter 43, a count button 44, a cancel button 45, and a performance button 46.

Sensors are provided near each switch on the operation unit 4 to detect player operations and output operation signals to the control unit 6.

Each stop switch 40a, 40b, 40c is provided corresponding to each reel 20 (20a, 20b, 20c). The stop switches 40a, 40b, 40c accept operations to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel 20a, 20b, 20c while it is spinning. That is, when the left stop switch 40a is operated, the left reel 20a stops spinning, when the middle stop switch 40b is operated, the middle reel 20b stops spinning, and when the right stop switch 40c is operated, the right reel 40c stops spinning.

A lamp is provided inside each of the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c. The lamp can indicate by a color (e.g., red) that the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c are in an inoperative state, for example, from the time the lever 42 is operated until each of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c reaches a steady rotation state. Furthermore, the lamp can indicate by a different color (e.g., blue) that the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c are in an operable state, for example, from the time the lever 42 is operated until each of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c reaches a steady rotation state until the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c are operated.

Information about which stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c were pressed (information about which stop switch 40 was pressed, in what order, and at what timing) is used by the spinning reel control unit 611, game result determination unit 612, game status control unit 615, and media management unit 620, which will be described later.

The bet switch 41 is used when the operator bets game value. The credited game value and the amount of game value bet are managed by the slot machine 1 (media management unit 620). Hereinafter, when we refer to "credited game value," we mean the game value (game value data) managed by the media management unit 620.

Lever 42 functions as a start switch that accepts operations to rotate reels 20a, 20b, and 20c.

The digital counter 43 digitally displays the number of gaming credits, the amount of gaming value paid out (amount won), and other information. By checking the digital counter 43, the operator can confirm the amount of gaming value they have while playing. This also allows the player to play without having to hold actual medals.

In this embodiment, the "payout amount of game value" does not refer to the action of actual medals being paid out to the outside of the slot machine 1, but rather refers to "an increase in game value based on the winning combination achieved by the internal lottery, in accordance with that winning combination." In other words, the "payout amount of game value" refers to "an increase in the numerical value of a pseudo-game medium converted into electronic data." Furthermore, for example, a "predetermined number of game values" is a concept equivalent to the conventional "predetermined number of medals."

The counting button 44 can accept operation by the operator to transfer gaming value data from the media management unit 620 to the card unit 7. When the counting button 44 accepts operation by the operator, a transfer signal is generated by the counting button 44.

After the count button 44 is operated, any quantity of game value data designated by the operator may be transferred to the card unit 7 by, for example, raising or lowering the lever 42. In this case, the button used by the operator to transfer any quantity of game value data may be the count button 44, or may be a button different from the count button 44. Alternatively, any quantity of game value data designated by the operator may be transferred to the slot machine 1 by the operator operating a button on the card unit 7.

In addition, the amount of subtraction from the managed gaming value data when the counting button 44 is operated once may be predetermined, such as "1" or "50." Furthermore, the credited gaming value may continue to be subtracted while the counting button 44 is continuously operated (while it continues to be operated).

In this embodiment, the count button 44 is located in a position on the slot machine 1 that is visible to the operator. A visible position is a position that the operator can reach without unlocking and opening the front door 100, and in this embodiment, it is the front of the cabinet 10.

More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the counting button 44 is located on the side of the operation unit 4 closest to the card unit 7 when viewed from the front of the slot machine 1. This makes it easier for the player to understand that the counting button 44 is a button related to the card unit 7, and also ensures a smooth flow of operations from when the counting button 44 is operated until the card 70 is ejected from the card unit 7.

The counting button 44 may also be equipped with a lamp inside or around it that emits light in a different color before and after it is operated.

The cancel button 45 can accept an operation by the operator to change a gaming value that has been bet (betting state) to a non-betting state (non-betting state). When the cancel button 45 accepts an operation by the operator, a cancel signal is generated by the cancel button 45. After that, the media management unit 620, which receives the cancel signal, manages the gaming value data that has been bet as a non-betting state.

For example, if the cancel button 45 is operated when the game value being bet is 1 or more, the media management unit 620 updates the game value being bet to "0" and adds the game value data bet until it reaches "0" to the credited game value data. As a result, the number of credits displayed by the digital counter 43 increases by the amount of the game value data bet. In other words, the cancel button 45 is a button that causes the media management unit 620 to execute a bet cancellation process that transitions the betting state to a non-betting state and returns the betting game value to the number of credits.

The bet cancellation process based on the operation of the cancel button 45 is valid when a bet has been placed but the lever 42 has not yet been operated. On the other hand, the bet cancellation process is disabled from the time the lever 42 is operated until the game based on the operation of the lever 42 ends. In this embodiment, the cancel button 45 is located near the bet switch 41.

The effect button 46 is a button used by the player when playing a game to set the volume, check game data, and perform various other game-related menu settings. The effect button 46 may also be operated by the operator during play depending on the effect. When the effect button 46 is operated during play, a change occurs in the effect.

The effect button 46 also has a lamp that can emit light in various colors and patterns. The lamp is lit when the effect button 46 is in an operable state, and is turned off when the effect button 46 is in an operable state. When the operation of the effect button 46 triggers the output of a winning notification effect for a special role or advantageous game state such as AT, the lamp can also flash rapidly in a color different from its normal lighting, such as red or rainbow colors.

Also, as shown in Figure 2, a reset button 51 and a setting change button 52 are provided inside the housing 10.

The reset button 51 is operated to clear various errors and initialize the RAM that constitutes the control unit 6. For example, if the power to the slot machine 1 is switched from off to on while the reset button 51 is operated, the quantity of game value managed by the media management unit 620 is cleared to "0", and the second game state of the slot machine 1 is set to the "general game state" and the game zone is set to the "normal zone."

The setting change button 52 is operated by a store staff member when one of the multiple setting values is set for the slot machine 1. For example, when the slot machine 1 is set in setting change mode and the power to the slot machine 1 is switched from off to on, the setting change button 52 becomes operable, and operating the setting change button 52 in this state allows the setting value to be set.

When a game is in progress or while the game is waiting to be played, the cabinet 10 and front door 100 are locked, and only those authorized to unlock them (for example, store staff who have a key) can touch the reset button 51 and setting change button 52. In principle, the cabinet 10 and front door 100 are unlocked only when an error occurs in the slot machine 1. Therefore, players cannot touch the reset button 51 or setting change button 52.

The set value is a value that represents the payout rate, which indicates the ratio of the total number of game values paid out to the total number of game values inserted into the slot machine 1. The set set value affects the internal lottery. The probability of winning at least some of the possible winning roles differs depending on the set value. The set value is set by store staff before the store opens.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 also includes a spinning reel unit 2 and a control unit 6. The spinning reel unit 2 and control unit 6 are located inside the cabinet 10, along with a power supply device (not shown) that turns the main power supply of the slot machine 1 on and off.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the spinning reel unit 2 includes three spinning reels 20a, 20b, and 20c, and three stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c. The spinning reel unit 2 is positioned inside the casing 10 in a manner corresponding to the position of the reel window 200.

For example, patterns (symbols) such as those shown in Figure 3 are arranged on the surfaces of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c. When the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c stop spinning, the game progresses by the game result determination unit 612, which will be described later, determining whether the combination of patterns displayed on the pay line L, which will be described later, is a predetermined combination of patterns.

In the following, the symbols arranged on reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are represented as "bell-red 7-red 7" and so on, starting from the rear end of the rotation direction of reels 20a, 20b, and 20c. Note that in FIG. 1, when slot machine 1 is viewed from the left side of the page in FIG. 1, reels 20a, 20b, and 20c rotate clockwise (when slot machine 1 is viewed from the front, reels 20a, 20b, and 20c visible to the player rotate from top to bottom). Therefore, "bell-red 7-red 7" on reel 20b means that, as shown in FIG. 3, the symbols are arranged in the order of bell, red 7, and red 7, starting from the rear end of the rotation direction (top of the page in FIG. 3).

Stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c are provided corresponding to reels 20a, 20b, and 20c, and drive the corresponding reels 20a, 20b, and 20c.

Stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c stop the rotation of the reel 20 (e.g., 20a) corresponding to the operated stop switch 40 (e.g., 40a) within 190 ms after the stop switch 40a, 40b, or 40c is operated while the reels 20a, 20b, or 20c are rotating. Stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c complete one rotation in 504 steps. As a result, the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c rotate at a speed of 80 rotations per minute. In other words, the number of steps that can be advanced within 190 ms is 127.

The rotation and stopping of these reels 20a, 20b, and 20c and stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c are controlled by the reel control unit 611, which will be described later.

<The flow of the game by the operator>
The operator operates the bet switch 41 to use the credited gaming value to bet gaming value on the slot machine 1. When a predetermined number (e.g., 3) of gaming value is bet on the slot machine 1, the pay line L is activated. After that, the lever 42 can be operated, i.e., the game can be started.

This embodiment describes an example in which pressing the bet switch 41 once automatically bets a predetermined number of game values (e.g., 3) that can be used to play one game.

The following describes the gameplay of the "real game." In other words, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment does not include so-called "pseudo games."

Simulated play is a type of so-called freeze effect. Specifically, simulated play is a reel effect in which the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c spin when the lever 42 is operated, and the player can simulate a stop of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c by operating the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c.

When the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c come to a pseudo-stop, they sway (vibrate) up and down at their stopped positions to indicate that a pseudo game is being played.

Furthermore, in simulated gaming, the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c simply stop in a simulated manner, and no winning determination is made to determine whether or not gaming value will be paid out.

When the lever 42 is operated again while the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are in a pseudo-stop state, the freeze state is released and the actual game begins.

This game involves operating the lever 42, followed by the player operating the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c to stop the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c, which determines whether a win has been made and may result in the payout of game value. Specifically, if a specific symbol appears in the reel window 200 during this game, the payout of game value corresponding to that symbol is executed.

Figure 1 shows an example in which the activated line L is configured in the lower section of the reel window 200 for the left reel 20a, the upper section of the reel window 200 for the middle reel 20b, and the middle section of the reel window 200 for the right reel 20c (i.e., the example in Figure 1 is an irregular line). The activated line L is a virtual line used to determine winning combinations. In this embodiment, the aforementioned activated line L is activated when a MAX BET of 3 (3 times the maximum bet) is placed.

In the following, "winning" refers not only to the alignment of symbols on the valid line L that result in the payout of game value, such as bells and watermelons, but also to the alignment of symbols on the valid line L that correspond to specific roles, such as replays, chance symbols, and special roles (bonuses), which do not result in the payout of game value.

In this embodiment, one game (one play) refers to a series of actions in which a player operates the bet switch 41, lever 42, stop switches 40a, 40b, 40c, etc. to obtain a predetermined game result, including the internal lottery, the winning determination process, and the process of increasing or decreasing the game value data.

Specifically, when the lever 42 is operated (lever on) while the game is ready to start, an internal lottery is held to determine the winning flag, and the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c begin to spin. In this state, when one of the stop switches 40a, 40b, or 40c is operated, the reel 20 (20b) corresponding to the operated stop switch 40 (e.g., 40b) stops. Once all reels 20a, 20b, and 20c have stopped, a payout process is executed for a predetermined amount of gaming value depending on the symbol combination (winning combination) that has aligned on the pay line L (winning). This completes one game.

In addition, at least some of the information regarding the progress of the game until these predetermined game results are obtained (for example, the operation of the bet switch 41, the operation of the lever 42, the operation of the stop switch 40, the execution of an internal lottery, the winning of a predetermined role, the rotation of the reels, etc.) is managed by the main control unit 61.

<About game status>
During play, the type of game zone is set as shown in Figure 4, and one game state is set from among a plurality of game states as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Based on the set game zone and game state, an internal lottery and a predetermined lottery are performed.

The gaming states include the first gaming state (see Figure 5) and the second gaming state (see Figure 6). Note that the first gaming state and the second gaming state are not mutually exclusive gaming states, but are merely classified states to distinguish them for the sake of convenience.

As shown in Figure 5, the first gaming state includes a special role non-carryover state, a special role carryover state, and a special role implementation state. The special role non-carryover state, the special role carryover state, and the special role implementation state are mutually exclusive.

A special role non-carryover state refers to a state in which a special role (for example, a Type 1 BB, which is a role continuous operation device for a Type 1 special role; hereinafter, this may be simply referred to as "Type 1 BB") has not been won through an internal lottery, and the winning special role has not been carried over. The special role non-carryover state is set, for example, when the setting value described below is changed, when the RAM is initialized (an example of a predetermined condition), or when more game value than a predetermined number is paid out while in the special role implementation state.

A special role carryover state is a state in which a special role has been won through an internal lottery, but the winning of that special role has been carried over. In other words, a special role carryover state is a state in which a special role flag has been won through an internal lottery, but the symbols that should line up if that special role wins have not yet lined up on the valid line L, and the special role has not yet won.

The special role implementation state refers to a state in which a special role has been won through an internal lottery and no more than the specified amount of gaming value has been paid out.

While playing slot machine 1, the operator continues playing with the first gaming state remaining in the special role carryover state without winning the special role that has been carried over.

The slot machine 1 in this embodiment is an AT (Assist Time) machine. In this embodiment, in the AT, after the game transitions to the battle bonus described below, it transitions to the opponent determination period (a period during which play progresses in RT mode, making it easier to win a Type 1 BB), and if a Type 1 BB is won during the opponent determination period, it transitions to the battle period (during which a Type 1 BB is being executed). During this battle period, a battle with an enemy character is fought, and the result of the battle determines whether the AT will continue (whether to transition to a post-victory movie, or whether a victory will be awarded in the final judgment).

As shown in Figure 6, the second gaming state can be either the general gaming state, AT (an example of a special gaming state), or CZ (a chance zone; an example of a special gaming state). In the second gaming state, the general gaming state, AT, and CZ are mutually exclusive.

The general gaming state is a state other than the AT or CZ, in other words, a state in which an assist function (e.g., operation sequence navigation) does not occur (or is unlikely to occur). For example, after the RAM is cleared or the AT (or CZ) ends, the second gaming state is set to the general gaming state until the AT lottery (or CZ lottery) is won.

AT is a state in which the assist function is activated, which notifies the player of the correct operation mode (correct operation sequence/correct operation timing) of the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c for roles other than the special roles that have been won by internal lottery via the LCD screen 3, speaker 101, and illumination unit 102.

When the gaming zone is a favorable zone, the AT lottery is conducted according to the winning combination (such as a rare combination, the number of wins of a predetermined combination, etc.) achieved by the internal lottery. If the AT is won in the AT lottery (an AT transition signal is generated) while the gaming zone is a favorable zone, the second gaming state will transition from the general gaming state or CZ to the AT.

The second gaming state transitions from the AT to the general gaming state when a predetermined number of games have passed since play began in the AT, when the number of stocks in the AT reaches 0 (zero), when the total number of gaming values paid out since play began in the AT reaches a predetermined number, when an assist has been performed a predetermined number of times, or when an assist related to a specific role (for example, the push order bell) has been performed a predetermined number of times. This ends the AT.

Note that Figure 6 also shows an example of a direct transition from the normal gaming state to the AT, but it is also possible to configure the game so that there is no direct transition from the normal gaming state to the AT, and the transition from the normal gaming state to the AT always goes via the CZ.

CZ is an example of a special gaming state, different from the modes described below, and is a zone that can be temporarily entered when not in the general gaming state or AT, and suggests the likelihood of winning the AT.

The CZ is entered when certain conditions are met, such as when a player wins the CZ lottery, which is conducted based on the winning combination in the internal lottery, when the number of games played in the advantageous zone reaches a predetermined number, or when the points accumulated as the game progresses reach a predetermined value. During this CZ, the probability of winning the AT is higher than in the general gaming state, making it easier for the second gaming state to transition to the AT.

In this embodiment, multiple types of ATs and multiple types of CZs are available.

For multiple types of ATs, the expected total gaming value that a player can acquire varies. Examples of multiple types of ATs available include Battle Bonus, Bonus A, Bonus B, etc.

Furthermore, the multiple types of CZs (e.g., normal CZ, special CZ, heaven CZ) differ in which of the multiple types of ATs they are likely to transition to (e.g., from normal CZ, they will transition to Battle Bonus but will not transition to Bonus A; from special CZ, they will likely transition to Bonus B but will not transition to Battle Bonus or Bonus A, etc.).

In the following, multiple types of AT will be collectively referred to simply as "AT", and multiple types of CZ will be collectively referred to simply as "CZ".

Furthermore, the following will explain the battle bonus to which the present invention applies, out of the multiple types of AT, and will omit detailed explanations of Bonus A and Bonus B.

<Detailed explanation of battle bonuses>
We will explain the basic gameplay of Battle Bonus.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the state transition between the normal game state and the AT (battle bonus) in the second game state. As shown in Figure 7, when the game transitions from the normal game state to the battle bonus, the "opponent determination period" begins first. An opponent (enemy character) is determined by a lottery held during the opponent determination period. Multiple enemy characters are available as potential opponents, and each enemy character has its own set of stamina, which determines whether or not the battle bonus can be continued (restarted).

The opponent determination period will continue until a JAC is won (JAC in/Type 1 BB is won) during a game during the opponent determination period. A JAC is won when Type 1 BB symbols line up in the reel window 200.

Next, if you win a JAC during the opponent determination period (if you win a Type 1 BB), a "battle period" (during which Type 1 BB is being played) begins, in which you battle an enemy character determined by lottery. During this battle period, a one-on-one battle takes place between your ally character and enemy character, and the game unfolds in which your ally character attacks, reducing the enemy character's set stamina, depending on the winning combination.

Then, the subsequent state transition (whether the battle bonus continues or the game transitions to the regular game state) will depend on whether or not the enemy character's stamina can be reduced to 0 (zero) before the total number of payouts during one battle period reaches a specified number (see Figure 5; for example, 100).

If the enemy character's stamina cannot be reduced to 0 (zero) before the total number of payouts during one battle period reaches the specified number (the battle period ends), a "final judgment" will begin. In this final judgment, a winning lottery will be held based on the enemy character's remaining stamina.

If you win (win) the winning lottery in this final determination, it is confirmed that the battle bonus will continue (AT will continue), and the period will then move on to the opponent determination period.

On the other hand, if you do not win (lose) the winning lottery, you will transition to the regular game state after it is confirmed that the final judgment has been completed.

In contrast, if the enemy character's stamina is reduced to 0 (zero) before the total number of payouts during a single battle period reaches the specified number, the battle period will transition to a "post-victory movie." During this post-victory movie, a lottery for points that can be used in the stock lottery described below (hereinafter referred to as the "points lottery") will be held. After the post-victory movie ends (i.e., when more game value than the specified number has been paid out in Type 1 BB), the period will transition again to the opponent determination period.

In addition, during the Battle Bonus, a lottery for winning points is held depending on the winning combination, even outside of the aforementioned post-victory movie.

Points are earned/accumulated through this point acquisition lottery, and when the accumulated points reach a predetermined value, a stock lottery is held to determine whether the battle bonus will continue.

If you win the stock lottery and have one or more stocks, the stocks will be released and the Battle Bonus will resume, even if you do not win the victory lottery in the final judgment. Note that even if you have stocks, if you win during the battle period, the stocks will not be released and the Battle Bonus will continue. For example, examples of presentations that may occur when the Battle Bonus resumes include releasing the stocks and displaying a victory screen if you lose the victory lottery, or operating the lever 42 after a screen indicating defeat has been displayed, displaying a revival screen (a screen indicating you have not lost).

Next, we'll explain the possible winning combination flags during the Battle Bonus.

In the battle bonus, possible role flags that may be established include, for example, a miss flag, a replay flag, a push order bell flag, a rare role flag, and a button-pressing role flag (a flag that includes a button-pressing role that requires a button-pressing technique).

When the pressing-eye role flag is established during the battle bonus and certain conditions are met, the LCD screen 3 will display the correct timing for making the pressing-eye role win (an example of a challenge effect), as shown in Figure 10(a). Specifically, the correct timing for making the pressing-eye role win will be displayed, indicating that the player should operate the stop switch 40b in the middle, and that the stop switch 40b should be operated when the "bell-red 7-red 7" sequence stops in the reel window 200.

On the other hand, if the pressing-eye flag is established during a battle bonus and the specified conditions are not met, the group of specified symbols that should be stopped will not be displayed, as shown in Figures 10(b) and (d), and the player will not be prompted to press the button.

In this way, when the button-pressing role flag is established during a battle bonus, the cases in which the player is prompted to press the button and the cases in which the player is not prompted to press the button are realized as follows.

<Pattern 1>
In pattern 1, when the game period begins, a lottery is drawn to determine whether the player will be in "technical mode" (a mode in which the player is generally encouraged to make button presses when the button press flag is set; an example of the first mode) or "assist mode" (a mode in which the player is not encouraged to make button presses even when the button press flag is set; an example of the second mode).

That is, in pattern 1,
・When Technical Mode and Assist Mode are alternately selected for each match period,
・If Technical Mode is selected in the first match period, and Assist Mode is selected in the second and third match periods,
- Various patterns are possible, such as the case where assist mode is selected during both the first and second match periods.

In this embodiment, a battle period will be executed for each consecutive battle bonus, and it is possible to switch modes when the battle period begins during each battle bonus. However, the selected mode cannot be switched during that battle period.

If the button-pressing flag is established during a match in which technical mode is selected, the screen shown in Figure 10(a) will be displayed, prompting the player to press the button.

On the other hand, if the eye-pressing role flag is established during a match in which assist mode is selected, the screen shown in Figure 10(d) will be displayed and the player will not be prompted to press the button. Note that "ANY" in Figure 10 means that any symbol may stop (the player may operate the stop switch 40b at any time).

<Pattern 2>
In pattern 2, when the push order bell flag is established during the battle period, a lottery is conducted to determine whether or not to activate a special mode that allows an additional attack to be performed in addition to a normal attack on an enemy character.

Then, in the next (immediate) game after the game in which the special mode was activated, if a pressing combination flag or a rare combination flag (for example, watermelon, cherry, or chance combination) is established, an additional attack can be performed to significantly reduce the enemy character's stamina.

Furthermore, if a special mode is activated during a match in which technical mode is selected, and the eye-pressing role flag is established in the next play, the screen in Figure 10(b) will be displayed and the player will not be prompted to use eye-pressing roles. Furthermore, if a special mode is activated during a match in which technical mode is selected, the screen in Figure 10(b) may be displayed so that the player is not prompted to use eye-pressing roles, and the screen in Figure 10(b) may not be displayed at all.

The special mode can also be activated in assist mode. If the eye-pressing role flag is established in the game following the game in which the special mode was activated, the screen in Figure 10(d) will be displayed, and the player will not be prompted to perform eye-pressing. Furthermore, just as when the special mode is activated during a match in which the technical mode is selected, the screen in Figure 10(d) itself does not have to be displayed.

Note that, except when a special mode is activated, the benefits a player can receive may differ depending on whether they are prompted to press the buttons at the right time or not. In other words, the quality of the benefit is the same whether the player is prompted to press the buttons at the right time or not, in that it reduces the enemy character's stamina (increasing the expected value for the continuation or resumption of the Battle Bonus), but the amount of the benefit, i.e., the amount of reduction in the enemy character's stamina, may differ depending on whether the player is prompted to press the buttons at the right time or not.

Specifically, when a player is prompted to time their button presses, the amount of energy the enemy character's stamina is reduced varies depending on the success of their time-based button presses. However, even if the player attempts time-based button presses (when the player operates the stop switch 40b inside) and fails, the player will always be able to reduce the enemy character's stamina.

First, when the screen in Figure 10(a) is displayed during a match in which the technical mode is selected, and the player successfully performs a perfect push (i.e., when the "bell with symbol number 4 - red 7 with symbol number 3 - red 7 with symbol number 2" on the middle reel 20b stop in the reel window 200 in this order from top to bottom), the amount of damage to be reduced from the enemy character's strength is determined from the "extra large table." On the extra large table, a damage amount of 30 to 50 can be selected, for example.

On the other hand, if the screen in Figure 10(a) is displayed during a match in which the technical mode is selected, and the player operates the stop switch 40b a little too early (if the stop operation is performed one frame (one symbol) too early; in other words, if the "red 7 with symbol number 3 - red 7 with symbol number 2 - cherry with symbol number 1" on the middle reel 20b stop in this order from top to bottom within the reel window 200), the damage amount by which the enemy character's strength is reduced is determined from the "large table." On the large table, for example, a damage amount between 10 and 30 can be selected.

Furthermore, if the screen in Figure 10(a) is displayed during a match in which the technical mode is selected, and the player operates the stop switch 40b a little late (if the stop operation is one frame late; in other words, if the "replay with symbol number 5 - bell with symbol number 4 - red 7 with symbol number 3" on the middle reel 20b stop in this order from top to bottom on the reel 200), the damage amount by which the enemy character's strength is reduced is determined from the "small table." On the small table, for example, damage amounts from 1 to 5 can be selected.

In addition, even if the screen in Figure 10(a) is displayed during a battle in which the technical mode is selected, if the player operates the left stop switch 40a first (presses in order) and is able to stop the correct symbol on the middle reel 20b, the amount of damage to reduce the enemy character's strength will be determined from the "middle table." On the middle table, damage amounts between 5 and 15 can be selected, for example.

On the other hand, if the screen in Figure 10(a) is displayed during a match in which the technical mode is selected, but the player presses the buttons in order and is unable to stop the correct symbol on the middle reel 20b, or if the player presses the buttons in reverse, the amount of damage will be determined from the small table.

Furthermore, if the eye-pressing role flag is established in the game immediately following the game in which the special mode was activated, the screen shown in Figure 10(b) will be displayed, and regardless of the success of the player's eye-pressing, by stopping the stop switch 40b at an appropriate timing without eye-pressing, the amount of damage will be determined from an extra-large table, similar to the case when the screen shown in Figure 10(a) is displayed in technical mode and the player successfully presses the center reel 20b.

In addition, if the eye-pushing role flag is established during a match in which assist mode is selected, the screen in Figure 10(d) will be displayed, and regardless of the timing at which the stop switch 40b is pressed, the amount of damage will be determined from the extra-large table, just as if the player had successfully performed a perfect push on the middle reel 20b when the screen in Figure 10(a) was displayed in technical mode.

In addition, if the button-pressing role flag is established in a game immediately following a game in which a special mode is activated during a match period in which assist mode is selected, the screen shown in Figure 10(d) will be displayed, and the amount of damage will be determined from the extra-large table without the player having to perform a button-press.

In this way, if a button-pressing flag is established during a battle bonus, the player may be prompted to press the button, and if the stopped symbol on the middle reel 20b in the reel window 200 is "bell-red 7-red 7" (an example of a group of predetermined symbols), the perfect button press for the button press is deemed successful. In this embodiment, whether or not the perfect button press for the button press is successful is determined based on the stopped symbol in the reel window 200 for the middle reel 20b (specifically, based on the symbol number that has stopped on the pay line L of the middle reel 20b).

On the central reel 20b, the symbol in front of the red 7 symbol numbers 2 and 3 that can be stopped by pressing the button (specifically, symbol number 1 adjacent to symbol numbers 2 and 3 in the front of the rotation direction) is a cherry, which is in the same color family (red) as the red 7. In this embodiment, "red 7-red 7-cherry" is an example of a group of symbols of the same color.

In this way, the same-color symbol group "Red 7 - Red 7 - Cherry" is structured so that the red symbols form a cluster, making it easier for players to recognize the timing for pressing the buttons and aim for perfect pressing.

However, the actual vita-oshi point, that is, the group of symbols that should stop in the reel window 200 of the middle rotating reel 20b when a vita-oshi is successful, is not this same-color group of symbols "red 7-red 7-cherry," but "bell-red 7-red 7." In other words, a vita-oshi is successful when, of the same-color group of symbols "red 7-red 7-cherry" that is easily recognizable by a player, the cherry with symbol number 1, which is located at the front in the direction of rotation of the middle rotating reel 20b, stops outside the frame of the reel window 200, the red 7 with symbol number 2 adjacent to the cherry stops in the lower part of the frame of the reel window 200, and the red 7 with symbol number 3, which is located at the rearmost part, stops in the middle part of the frame of the reel window 200.

When symbol number 2, the red 7, stops in the lower section of the reel window 200 frame, and symbol number 3, the red 7, stops in the middle section of the reel window 200 frame, symbol number 4, the bell, will naturally stop in the upper section of the reel window 200 frame. In other words, the point where the predetermined symbol group "bell - red 7 - red 7" stops in the reel window 200 is the perfect push point. The "bell" that makes up the predetermined symbol group is a yellow symbol, and is not a symbol in the same color family as the red 7.

In other words, actual vita-oshi points do not completely match the pattern points that are easy for players to recognize when performing vita-oshi; while some patterns overlap, there are also areas where they do not. Also, while points that are easy for players to recognize are made up of only patterns of the same color, actual vita-oshi points are not made up of only patterns of the same color.

By configuring the symbols in this way, players will psychologically operate the inner stop switch 40b at a time when the same-color symbol group "Red 7 - Red 7 - Cherry" will stop within the reel window 200. As a result, players will tend to press the stop switch 40b one frame earlier than when performing a perfect push.

Therefore, while players may think that this is a relatively easy point to press, it can actually be a surprisingly complex point when the player actually tries it.

In addition, to summarize the above, the expected value of the continuation/resumption of the Battle Bonus is:
(1) When the hitting-by-eye flag is established during a match period in which the technical mode is selected and the player succeeds in hitting the center reel 20b, and when the hitting-by-eye flag is established during a match period in which the assist mode is selected,
(2) When the technical mode is selected and the eye-pressing role flag is established during the match period, but the player operates the stop switch 40b one frame early,
(3) When the technical mode is selected during the match period, the eye-pressing role flag is established, and the player operates the left stop switch 40a (presses in order) and succeeds in stopping the correct symbol.
(4) During a match in which the technical mode is selected, the eye-pressing flag is established, but if the player operates the stop switch 40b more than one frame late, if the player operates the stop switch 40b more than two frames early (eye-pressing error), if the player presses the buttons in order but fails to stop the correct symbol, or if the player presses the buttons in reverse,
When distinguishing between these, (1) is the highest and (4) is the lowest, and the values decrease in order from (1) to (4).

In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if a player actively presses the button when the button-pressing role flag is won during a battle period in which the technical mode is selected, it is expected that if the player presses the button too hard, they will psychologically press the stop switch 40b one frame too early. Therefore, the expected value for the continuation/resumption of the battle bonus is set higher if the button is pressed one frame too early than if the button is pressed more than one frame too late or if the button is pressed incorrectly.

On the other hand, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if the eye-pressing player flag is established during a match period in which the technical mode is selected, the player is encouraged to try eye-pressing, but regardless of the success of the eye-pressing, the player is always awarded a benefit. Therefore, when encouraged to try eye-pressing, it can motivate the player to give it a go.

In this way, if the eye-pressing player flag is established during a match in which Technical Mode is selected, a benefit is granted to the player, as this is seen as a reward for the player's attempt at eye-pressing.

On the other hand, if a player hits the button with a pressing strike in the game immediately after Special Mode is activated while Technical Mode is selected, or if a player hits the button with a pressing strike while Assist Mode is selected, the player will not be prompted to press the button.

This is because it is rare for a player to win a special mode and then win the next game as a button presser, so from a user-friendly perspective, it is preferable not to prompt the player to press the button in such cases, even in technical mode, which basically requires button presses. Also, regardless of whether it is technical mode or assist mode, it would be harsh on the user if the button presser was always required if the button presser won during the match period.

The game also features a Technical Mode, which requires basic button presses when the button press flag is set, and an Assist Mode, which does not require button presses even when the button press flag is set. Furthermore, the special mode mentioned above may also be activated in Technical Mode, so by allowing players to select one of these modes each time a battle period begins during a series of Battle Bonuses, the gameplay is diversified, providing a gameplay experience that is hard to get bored of.

In this way, in this embodiment, even if the player with the right timing wins, the player may or may not be prompted to use the right timing, creating a mechanism that improves the user's timing skills while maintaining balance in the game.

<About Practice Mode>
In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a practice mode that allows the player to practice operating the stop switch 40b at the exact pressing point when the eye-pressing flag is established while the main game spanning multiple games is being played.

Specifically, when a predetermined time has passed without any play (hereinafter referred to as "during standby mode"), the player can select whether to activate practice mode or normal mode (not practice mode) when the eye-pressing flag is established during a battle bonus (opponent determination period or post-victory movie) outside of the battle period, based on the player's selection. Here, a state in which no play is being performed refers to a state in which no play associated with a bet of medium value has been performed. In a state in which no play is being performed, all reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped from spinning. The player can select whether to activate practice mode or normal mode (not practice mode) from the game menu screen, which can be displayed by pressing the effect button 46 during standby mode.

In addition, by pressing the effect button 46 or the like while in standby mode, the player can check whether the currently set mode is practice mode or normal mode.

When normal mode is set (an example of a non-execution state), even if the button-pressing role flag is set during the opponent selection period or the post-victory movie, a screen like that shown in Figure 10(c) (practice screen) will not be displayed. In other words, in this case, even if the button-pressing role is selected, the player will not be prompted to press the button, and the game will proceed as usual.

On the other hand, if practice mode is set (an example of an execution state) and the timing player flag is set during the opponent selection period or the post-victory movie, the screen shown in Figure 10(c) (practice screen) will be displayed, allowing the player to practice timing. Whether or not this timing is successful will have no effect on the progress of the AT game.

In other words, if practice mode is enabled and the button-pressing skill flag is set during the opponent selection period or the post-victory movie, the player will be able to practice their button-pressing skills.

Also, even if practice mode is set, if the button-pressing flag is established during the match period, the screen in Figure 10(a) will be displayed, and the screen in Figure 10(c) (practice screen) will not be displayed. In this case, the progress of the AT game will be affected depending on whether or not the button-pressing was successful.

In this way, regardless of whether practice mode is set or not, if the button-pressing player flag is established during a match in technical mode, the player will be challenged to play a real button-pressing game.

In addition, when practice mode is activated, if the player operates the effect button 46 or the like after the third stop has finished, the degree of success of the timing (perfect timing, one frame early, one frame late, missed timing) will be displayed. This allows the player to learn the timing of timing the timing of the timing.

In addition, not only when practice mode is set, but also when a player hits the target during a match period, the player may operate the effect button 46 after the third stop has ended to display the degree of success of the target hit in that game.

<About the gaming area>
The aforementioned game zone is a state (zone) for determining whether or not processing related to the instruction function is performed. As shown in Figure 4, the game zone is composed of a normal zone and an advantageous zone. The normal zone and the advantageous zone are in an exclusive relationship, and the game zone can be either the normal zone or the advantageous zone.

Processing related to the instruction function includes, for example, processing to exercise the instruction function (provide assistance), lottery for game mode (game mode in which the AT winning probability is determined, or game mode in which the AT additional winning probability is determined), game mode transition processing, CZ lottery processing, CZ processing, AT lottery processing (including processing related to the continuation of the AT), AT processing, etc.

A game mode is a zone in which a player can stay in any of the normal gaming state, CZ, and AT. For example, in Figure 6, a game mode (e.g., low probability mode, high probability mode, heaven mode) may be prepared for each of the normal gaming state, CZ, and AT. Furthermore, it is not limited to the normal gaming state, CZ, and AT, and a player can stay in the same game mode during an advantageous zone.

In this embodiment, a game mode for Type 1 BB is provided. For example, Type 1 BB may be implemented in low probability mode (a mode in which the AT is unlikely to win), or Type 1 BB may be implemented in heaven mode (a mode in which the AT is likely to win).

The normal zone is a zone in which processing related to the instruction function cannot be executed, but when the conditions for transitioning to the advantageous zone are met, the transition processing to the advantageous zone is executed. Note that while the gaming zone is the normal zone, the second gaming state is the general gaming state.

Advantageous zones are zones in which processing related to the instruction function can be executed. Advantageous zones include zones in which the second gaming state progresses in a general gaming state (including high probability mode and heaven mode), and zones in which the second gaming state progresses in a CZ or AT. From the time the gaming zone transitions to an advantageous zone until a specified termination condition is met, the gaming zone remains an advantageous zone.

The possible combination patterns of the game zones and the second game states in the slot machine 1 can be summarized as follows:
・A pattern where the gaming zone is a normal zone and the second gaming state is a general gaming state. ・A pattern where the gaming zone is a favorable zone and the second gaming state is a general gaming state (including high probability mode and heaven mode). ・A pattern where the gaming zone is a favorable zone and the second gaming state is a CZ. ・A pattern where the gaming zone is a favorable zone and the second gaming state is an AT state.

<Configuration of control unit 6>
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 6 includes a main control unit 61 , a gaming value control unit 62 , and a sub-control unit 63 .

The main control unit 61, game value control unit 62, and sub-control unit 63 each consist of a CPU and memory unit (ROM, RAM, RWM).

The connection relationships and communication processes of the main control unit 61, game value control unit 62, and sub-control unit 63 are explained below using Figure 9. In this embodiment, the main control unit 61, game value control unit 62, and sub-control unit 63 are each implemented on a different board.

The main control board P1, on which the main control unit 61 is mounted, and the game value control board P2, on which the game value control unit 62 is mounted, are electrically connected by a harness, allowing two-way serial communication to be performed.

The information and commands sent from the main control board P1 to the game value control board P2 include outlier information, whether settings are being changed, commands related to various errors, a signal requesting a bet of game value when the bet button 41 is operated, a signal requesting the payout of game value corresponding to a winning combination, a signal requesting bet cancellation processing when the cancel button 45 is operated, and a request for the transfer of game value when the counting button 44 is operated.

The information and commands sent from the gaming value control board P2 to the main control board P1 include information that the complete function (described below) has been activated, information that the number of credits has reached the upper limit (a value used to prompt the operator to transfer credits when there are too many), information regarding the presence or absence of a communication abnormality between the card unit 7 and the slot machine 1, various responses to requests from the main control unit 61, etc.

The main control board P1 and the sub-control board P3 on which the sub-control unit 63 is mounted are electrically connected by a harness, but only one-way serial communication takes place from the main control board P1 to the sub-control board P3. Information and commands sent from the main control board P1 to the sub-control board P3 include information related to game value (for example, game value bet/payout information, total game value won during AT), information about the start/end of game play, information about the start/end of device operation, information about various errors, etc.

The game value control board P2 and sub-control board P3 are electrically connected by a harness, but serial communication is carried out in one direction from the game value control board P2 to the sub-control board P3.

The information and commands sent from the game value control board P2 to the sub-control board P3 include the range (MY) described below, information indicating the activation of the complete function, commands related to advance notification before the complete function is activated, information related to the transfer of game value (for example, transfer has started, transfer in progress, transfer completed, etc.), information indicating the number of credits or the number of credits acquired, information indicating that the number of credits has reached the upper limit, and error information if a credit backup error has occurred.

As the game progresses, when functions of the operation unit 4, such as the lever 42 and stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c, are activated, one-way serial communication is carried out from the main control unit 61 to the operation unit 4, etc.

<Description of main control unit 61>
The ROM of the main control unit 61 mounted on the main control board P1 stores programs and various data directly related to the progress of the game (for example, control of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, 20c, ball output control, transfer requests).

The RAM and RWM of the main control unit 61 store game data (information related to the progress of the game) necessary for game progress.

The main control unit 61 functions as an internal lottery unit 610, a reel control unit 611, a game result determination unit 612, a setting value control unit 613, a section control unit 614, a game status control unit 615 (an example of a control unit), an RT status control unit 616, and an error determination unit 617 through operation by the CPU of the main control unit 61 using memory units (ROM, RAM, RWM; the same applies below). These functions correspond to the functions of the game control unit.

In other words, in this embodiment, the main control unit 61 performs control directly related to the progress of the game. Specifically, the controls executed by the main control unit 61 include, for example, internal lottery processing, control of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c, control of various game states and/or game zones, various error monitoring and error handling, such as monitoring the communication connection between the slot machine 1 and the card unit 7, etc.

Game data includes the current number of games played, as well as data indicating the game status (which state or section each game state and game section is in). In this embodiment, game data includes, for example, data indicating whether the first game state is a special role non-carryover state, a special role carryover state, or a special role implementation state.

<Internal lottery unit 610>
The internal lottery unit 610 performs an internal lottery based on the operation of the lever 42, and sets one flag of a plurality of role flags as a winning flag to be a winning flag. Specifically, the internal lottery unit 610 performs an internal lottery in accordance with an internal lottery table (not shown) and a random number obtained when the lever 42 is operated, based on the first gaming state and the RT state when the lever 42 is operated.

Then, the internal lottery unit 610 generates an internal lottery result signal based on the result of the internal lottery. The internal lottery result signal (an example of information related to the progress of the game) can be used by the reel control unit 611, game result determination unit 612, game status control unit 615, and performance control unit 630.

The internal lottery table shows information on the winning combinations that may result from an internal lottery. The internal lottery unit 610 performs an internal lottery based on the internal lottery table, depending on the game state, such as the RT state, when the lever 42 is operated.

The role information shown on the internal lottery table associates one or more symbol combinations with the roles corresponding to those combinations. These roles include losing roles that do not result in the payout of game value, as well as operation role combinations that result in the payout of game value if the operation of the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c is correct (for example, eye-pressing roles, cherry, watermelon, push order replay, and push order bell).

If an operation mode role is won and the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c are operated in the correct operation mode, that operation mode role will win, and the player will be able to win multiple game values (e.g., 8) according to that role. If an operation mode role is won but the stop switch 40 is not operated in the correct operation mode, that operation mode role will not win, or a different role (such as a so-called 1-coin role) will win.

Note that operation mode roles can also be won and established during the general gaming state (e.g., other than AT and CZ). However, when an operation mode role is won during the general gaming state, the correct operation mode is generally not announced, so the operation mode role may be missed or the number of game values paid out may be 1. On the other hand, during the AT, the correct operation mode is announced, so there is a high possibility that multiple game values (e.g., 8) will be paid out.

<Rotary reel control unit 611>
The rotating reel control unit 611 controls the driving of the stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c based on the operation of the lever 42 or each stop switch 40a, 40b, and 40c, and performs rotation start control to start the rotation of each rotating reel 20a, 20b, and 20c, or rotation stop control to stop the rotation.

Specifically, when the lever 42 is operated while all of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped, the reel control unit 611 starts the rotation of all of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c. As described above, when a stop switch 40 (e.g., 40c) corresponding to a spinning reel 20 (e.g., 20c) is operated, the reel control unit 611 stops the rotation of the reel 20 (e.g., 20c) corresponding to the operated stop switch 40 (e.g., 40c).

When the player controls the stopping of rotation during play, the reel control unit 611 can stop the rotation of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c based on the operation of the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination indicated by the winning flag, which is the internal lottery result, is positioned on the pay line L of the reel 20, resulting in a winning combination.

Furthermore, the reel control unit 611 starts the rotation of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c based on the operator's operation of the lever 43 if a certain time (4.1 seconds, the so-called wait time) has elapsed since the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c started spinning in the previous game. In other words, in this slot machine 1, even if the lever 42 is operated, the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c will not start spinning and the game will not progress until 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c started spinning in the previous game.

In addition, when the operator controls the stopping of rotation during play, the reel control unit 611 performs pull-in control or kick-off control depending on the winning combination achieved by the internal lottery and the position of the reels 20a, 20b, 20c corresponding to the operated stop switch 40a, 40b, 40c. Pull-in control is control that stops the rotation of the reels 20 so that the symbols corresponding to the winning combination are pulled onto the pay line L. Kick-off control is control that stops the rotation of the reels 20 so that the symbols corresponding to the non-winning combination do not line up on the pay line L.

In addition, when a special role is won, the reel control unit 611 can spin and stop the reel 20 but prevent the special role from being won, based on the operation of the lever 42 immediately before the special role is won and the operation of the stop switch 40 immediately after the special role is won.

<Explanation of the Game Result Determination Unit 612>
The game result determination unit 612 (an example of a winning determination unit) determines the game result based on the internal lottery result signal output from the internal lottery unit 610 and the symbols visible through the reel window 200 when the rotation of each reel 20 stops. The game result is determined based on the symbols aligned on the pay line L, depending on whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

Specifically, if the combination of symbols that have stopped on the pay line L matches a predetermined combination of symbols, it is determined that a winning combination has been achieved. This determination result (an example of information regarding the progress of the game) is sent as a game result determination signal from the game result determination unit 612 to the game value control unit 62, sub-control unit 63, etc.

The game result determination unit 612 can determine whether or not the hit symbol has won a prize based on the stopped symbol on the rotating reel 20b inside the reel window 200. Information that the hit symbol has won a prize is used by the game status control unit 615 and is also sent to the performance control unit 630, etc.

<Explanation of the setting value control unit 613>
The setting value control unit 613 progresses the game using one of a plurality of setting values (for example, 1 to 6) with different degrees of advantage in controlling the progress of the game, based on the operation of the setting change button 52 by the store staff. This setting value is set for each slot machine 1. Information on the setting value set by the setting value control unit 613 (setting value signal) can be used by the internal lottery unit 610, the performance control unit 630, etc.

Depending on which setting value is used, at least one of the following will differ: the degree of advantage in game progression, for example, the payout ratio, the probability of winning a specific minor role such as the push-order-independent bell (also called the common bell), the probability of winning a special role, the probability of winning a CZ, or the probability of winning an AT. For example, the larger the setting value (for example, the closer it is to 6), the greater the advantage in game progression (for example, the higher the payout ratio).

The slot machine 1 may further include a setting key. The setting key is a switch key for switching to setting change mode, and is provided inside the cabinet 10. The setting value control unit 613 turns off the setting change mode when store staff turns off the setting key, and turns on the setting change mode when store staff turns on the setting key.

<Section Control Unit 614>
As shown in FIG. 4, the interval control unit 614 sets one of a plurality of game intervals (normal interval and advantageous interval) during a game.

When the gaming zone is a normal zone, the zone control unit 614 sets (transitions) the gaming zone to an advantageous zone if the transition conditions to the advantageous zone are met. Examples of transition conditions include the game being played immediately after the game that transitioned to the normal zone, winning a transition role (other than a replay) to the advantageous zone in the normal zone, or winning a zone transition lottery. When a zone transition lottery is executed, a lottery is held to determine whether or not to hold a zone transition lottery when a specific lottery target role (for example, a rare role such as a cherry or chance eye) is won, and if the result is a win, the zone transition lottery is held.

In addition, if the gaming zone is a favorable zone, the zone control unit 614 determines whether to maintain the favorable zone state or transition to a normal zone (whether to end the favorable zone).

Specifically, the zone control unit 614 forcibly transitions the gaming zone from the advantageous zone to the normal zone when a forced termination condition is met, including when the difference in gaming value during the advantageous zone based on the quantity of gaming value at the time of transition to the advantageous zone (the advantageous zone difference described below) reaches +2400. The forced termination condition may be, for example, when the zone control unit 614 does not win the winning lottery in the final judgment, when the second gaming state transitions from the AT to the general gaming state when the gaming zone is an advantageous zone, or when the game enters the CZ, which is a retraction zone, after the AT ends but the AT cannot be retracted in the CZ and the game transitions to the general gaming state.

For example, if the difference in the advantageous zone becomes -1000 after entering the advantageous zone, the operator (particularly the player) can earn a maximum gaming value of 1000 + 2400 = 3400.

In addition, when the slot machine 1 is powered on or the RAM is cleared, the interval control unit 614 sets the play interval to the normal interval regardless of the previous play interval.

The interval control unit 614 can transmit information about the game interval (whether it is a normal interval or an advantageous interval) to the presentation control unit 630, etc., as information about the progress of the game.

<Game Status Control Unit 615>
The gaming state control unit 615 sets the first gaming state and the second gaming state.

Specifically, the gaming state control unit 615 sets the first gaming state to one of the special role non-carryover state, special role carryover state, and special role implementation state, and sets the second gaming state to one of the general gaming state, AT, and CZ.

The gaming state control unit 615 sets the first gaming state to a special role non-carryover state, for example, immediately after the RAM of the main control unit 61 is cleared.

If a special role is won by the internal lottery but the special role is not awarded, the gaming state control unit 615 sets the first gaming state to a special role carryover state.

When a predetermined condition is met in the special role carryover state (for example, when the RAM is cleared or a setting value is changed), the game state control unit 615 transitions the first game state from the special role carryover state to the special role non-carryover state.

When a special role is won in the special role non-carryover state (the special role carryover state continues from this point until a special role is won) and a special role is won, the gaming state control unit 615 transitions the first gaming state from the special role non-carryover state to the special role execution state via the special role carryover state.

Furthermore, if a special role is won in the special role carryover state, the gaming state control unit 615 transitions the first gaming state from the special role carryover state to the special role implementation state.

Furthermore, in the special role implementation state, if a predetermined condition is met or if more than a predetermined number of game values are paid out, the game status control unit 615 transitions the first game status from the special role implementation state to the special role non-carryover state.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the gaming state control unit 615 determines whether to set the second gaming state to AT based on the result of the AT lottery. Specifically, if the AT lottery, which is held when the gaming zone is a favorable zone, is won, the gaming state control unit 615 sets the second gaming state to AT.

Returning to Figure 6, if the AT lottery is not won in the general gaming state or CZ, the gaming state control unit 615 sets the second gaming state to the general gaming state.

In addition, when the AT ends, the gaming state control unit 615 transitions the second gaming state from the AT to a general gaming state or CZ.

In this way, the gaming state control unit 615 can transition the second gaming state between the normal gaming state and CZ, between CZ and AT, and between AT and the normal gaming state.

In addition, when transitioning the second gaming state to an AT, the gaming state control unit 615 can first start an AT preparation state, and then start an AT execution state when an AT start role is won during the AT preparation state.

In addition, the game state control unit 615 determines which of the multiple types of ATs (Battle Bonus, Bonus A, Bonus B) to transition to based on the winning flag in the general game state or the winning flag in the CZ, which CZ the player is currently in, and the results of the AT lottery.

In addition, when transitioning to the battle period during the battle bonus (or when it is decided to transition to the battle period), the game status control unit 615 selects technical mode or assist mode by lottery.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, during the game, the game state control unit 615 executes the opponent determination period, the match period, and the post-victory movie (which may not be executed depending on the results of the match period) or the final judgment as one set of AT (an example of a grouped game state).

In addition, once the game status control unit 615 selects technical mode or assist mode, it will maintain the selected technical mode or assist mode until the end of the battle period for that set of AT (battle bonus).

Then, when one set of AT (battle bonus) ends and the game transitions to the battle period for another set of AT, the game status control unit 615 conducts a new lottery and selects technical mode or assist mode.

In this embodiment, the ATs are grouped based on the difference in game value (for example, the specified number that can be paid out during the match period), but a set may also be determined based on the number of games (50 games per set), the number of assists (10 per set), etc.

The game status control unit 615 can grant a player who wins the pressing role flag in assist mode the same benefit as that granted to a player who wins the pressing role flag in technical mode and attempts pressing role.

The expected value of the continuation/resumption of the Battle Bonus differs depending on the selected mode and the success rate of the button press.
(1) When the eye-pressing role flag is established during a match period in which the technical mode is selected, and the player operates the middle stop switch 40b to successfully press the middle rotating reel 20b, and when the eye-pressing role flag is established during a match period in which the assist mode is selected,
(2) When the technical mode is selected and the eye-pressing role flag is established during the match period, and the player operates the stop switch 40b from the middle, but the player operates the stop switch 40b one frame early,
(3) During a match in which the technical mode is selected, the eye-pressing role flag is established, and the player presses the reels in order, but the player succeeds in stopping the correct symbol on the middle reel 20b.
(4) When the technical mode is selected during a match period, the eye-pressing flag is established, but the player operates the stop switch 40b one or more frames too late, or when the player operates the stop switch 40b two or more frames too early (mis-pressing), when the eye-pressing flag is established during a match period in which the technical mode is selected, and the player presses the buttons in order but fails to stop the correct symbol, or when the player presses the buttons in reverse.
When distinguishing between these, the values decrease in order from (1) to (4), with (1) being the highest and (4) being the lowest.

In this way, the game status control unit 615 can change the quality/quantity of the benefit given to the player depending on whether technical mode or assist mode is selected, and whether the player succeeded in perfect pressing. Note that the benefits given in this invention are not limited to this, and the game status control unit 615 may vary the content of the benefit depending on the accuracy of the pressing, such as winning the AT stock lottery if the player succeeds in perfect pressing, or running a point acquisition lottery if the player operates the stop switch 40b one frame early.

In addition, when terminating AT execution, the gaming state control unit 615 can transition the second gaming state to a general gaming state or CZ.

Furthermore, when in a favorable zone, the gaming state control unit 615 selects one of several modes related to the progress of the game for the second gaming state (for example, a normal mode in which it is difficult to win the AT lottery, or a high-probability mode in which it is easy to win the AT lottery).The gaming state control unit 615 then executes the AT lottery (or AT additional lottery) at the AT winning probability (or additional probability) associated with the selected mode.

In addition, the game status control unit 615 executes a point acquisition lottery during the battle bonus and accumulates and stores the acquired points in the memory unit.

In addition, the game status control unit 615 executes a stock lottery for the AT when the accumulated points reach a predetermined value or more. The game status control unit 615 stores the number of times the stock lottery has been won (number of stocks) in the memory unit, and if the ally character is unable to win during the battle period, it releases one stock and continues the battle bonus.

The game status control unit 615 can transmit information regarding the first game status and information regarding the second game status (for example, whether it is in AT, CZ, or general game mode, and if it is in AT, whether technical mode is selected, whether assist mode is selected, whether a battle bonus is in progress, whether a battle period is in progress, whether a special mode is activated, whether there is an AT stock, etc.) to the presentation control unit 630, etc., as information regarding the progress of the game.

<RT State Control Unit 616>
The RT state control unit 616 can progress the game using one of the multiple RT states. The multiple RT states each have a predetermined probability (replay probability) of the replay flag becoming a winning flag, and the RT state control unit 616 can transition the RT state when a predetermined role (e.g., a special role) is won. Each RT state also has a preset internal lottery table for determining which role will be won by internal lottery (e.g., in RT0, the special role does not win, but a replay wins, and in RT3, the special role or a bell wins).

In addition, the RT state control unit 616 can vary the RT state depending on, for example, at least one of the first game state and the second game state.

In addition, in this embodiment, the specifications of the internal lottery process executed in response to the game start operation (operation of the lever 42) may differ in each RT state (for example, the internal lottery table that specifies which role flags will be established/are likely to be established). Therefore, by the RT state control unit 616 controlling the RT state, the internal lottery table used for the internal lottery is changed in various ways, resulting in greater diversity in the game.

The RT state control unit 616 can transmit information about the RT state (whether the RT state is RT0, RT1 in which the probability of winning a replay is higher than RT0, etc.) to the performance control unit 630, etc. as information about the progress of the game.

<Error Determination Unit 617>
The error determination unit 617 determines whether or not various errors have occurred, such as a backup abnormality, a communication abnormality between the main control board P1 and the game value control board P2, a connection abnormality between the slot machine 1 and the card unit 7, or reaching the upper limit of the number of credits.

If the error determination unit 617 determines that at least one of these errors has occurred, a command indicating the error that has occurred is sent from the main control unit 61 to each of the game value control unit 62 and the sub-control unit 63 as information regarding the error.

This allows the gaming value control unit 62 to perform processing according to the nature of the error, such as backing up the gaming value being managed, and the sub-control unit 63 to perform processing to notify the LCD screen 3 and speaker 101 of the nature of the error that has occurred.

<Explanation of the gaming value control unit 62>
The ROM of the game value control unit 62 mounted on the game value control board P2 stores programs and various data directly related to the management of the game value.

The RAM and RWM of the gaming value control unit 62 store gaming data (information regarding the progress of gaming) necessary for managing gaming value.

Through operation by the CPU of the gaming value control unit 62 using the memory unit, the gaming value control unit 62 functions as a media management unit 620 and a function activation unit 621.

<Explanation of the Medium Management Unit 620>
The media management unit 620 manages the number of credits and the number of bets of the gaming value.

The media management unit 620 receives an input request (a request to input a predetermined amount of gaming value) or a payout request (a request to pay out a predetermined amount of gaming value) from the main control unit 61 and performs the following processing.

Specifically, when game value is bet based on the player's operation (when a deposit request is made), the media management unit 620 decreases the number of credits (an example of information related to the progress of the game) according to the amount of game value bet, and when game value is credited based on the player's operation, the media management unit 620 increases the number of credits.

In addition, when a winning flag is established by the internal lottery and a winning combination corresponding to the winning flag is achieved based on the player's operation (when a payout request is made), the media management unit 620 increases the number of credits according to the amount of gaming value paid out based on the type of winning combination.

In addition, as shown in Figure 8, the media management unit 620 calculates the gaming value difference (an example of information regarding the progress of the game), which is the cumulative value obtained by subtracting the number of gaming value bets from the number of gaming value payouts, regardless of whether the game is in the normal zone or the advantageous zone, and regardless of the state of the first gaming state or the second gaming state. Note that the gaming value difference is used to calculate the advantageous zone difference and determine whether the complete function has been activated, as described below.

In addition, as shown in Figure 8, the media management unit 620 calculates the advantageous zone difference, which is the difference in game value in the advantageous zone (from when the game zone transitions from the normal zone to the advantageous zone until it transitions back to the normal zone).

In this embodiment, when this advantageous zone difference number becomes +2400, the media management unit 620 initializes the advantageous zone difference number to 0 (zero). For example, if the transition to AT occurs when the difference number becomes -300 after play begins in the advantageous zone, the media management unit 620 initializes the advantageous zone difference number when 2700 is paid out thereafter (in this case, the advantageous zone difference number becomes +2400). Note that when the advantageous zone difference number becomes +2400, the media management unit 620 sends a signal to that effect to the zone control unit 614. This causes the zone control unit 614 to transition the play zone to the normal zone.

In addition, the media management unit 620 can initialize the favorable zone difference number to 0 (zero) when a specified termination condition is met and the favorable zone ends, except when the favorable zone difference number becomes +2400.

The media management unit 620 begins calculating the favorable zone difference number when the gaming zone transitions back to the favorable zone.

In addition, as shown in Figure 8, the media management unit 620 uses the gaming value difference, which is the cumulative value of the number of gaming value payouts minus the number of gaming value bets since the slot machine 1 was last powered on, to calculate the range (MY), which is the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the difference. Unlike the aforementioned advantageous zone difference and gaming value difference, this range (MY) is calculated for all gaming zones (advantageous zones and normal zones), that is, continuously as long as the slot machine 1 is powered on.

Information about this range (MY) is sent to the function activation unit 621 and used for the complete function described below.

The media management unit 620 resets the range (MY) when the power to the slot machine 1 is turned off by the store staff.

The number of bets, number of credits, difference, etc. of the gaming value calculated by the media management unit 620 are transmitted to the gaming status control unit 615, presentation control unit 630, etc. as information regarding the progress of the game.

<Function Activation Unit 621>
The function operation unit 621 receives information about the range (MY) sent from the medium management unit 620 .

Then, when the range (MY) reaches or exceeds the first range, for example, 18,500, the function activation unit 621 generates information regarding a prior notification indicating that activation of the complete function is imminent.

This complete function is what is known as a play-stopping function. When the complete function is activated, the slot machine 1 will no longer accept any game-related operations, and the operator will be unable to continue playing (the machine will enter a play-disabled state) unless the power is turned off and on by store staff.

The term "game-related operations" used here refers to operations required to play one game, and includes operations to start the spinning reels 20, particularly the operation of the bet switch 41 to bet game value. When the complete function is activated, such game-related operations are no longer accepted, so even if the bet switch 41 is operated while the complete function is activated, no bet of game value will be made.

In addition, information regarding advance notification is sent to the performance control unit 630 for each game while this information is being generated by the function activation unit 621. This allows the performance control unit 630 to provide advance notification.

Furthermore, when the range (MY) falls below the first range of 18,500, the function activation unit 621 stops generating information related to advance notifications. As a result, advance notifications will no longer be issued by the performance control unit 630.

The information regarding advance notification may be a flag that turns the advance notification notification on or off. In this case, when the advance notification notification changes from off to on, information indicating that the flag is "on" is sent to the performance control unit 630, and conversely, when the advance notification notification changes from on to off, information indicating that the flag is "off" is sent to the performance control unit 630. In this way, by using flag-based information regarding advance notification, it is possible to prevent excessive signals from being transmitted from the main control unit 610 to the sub-control unit 630.

In addition, the function activation unit 621 activates the complete function when the range (MY) reaches or exceeds the second range of 19,000.

The function activation unit 621 deactivates the complete function when the store staff turns off the power to the slot machine 1. When the power to the slot machine 1 is turned off and then on again, not only is the complete function deactivated, but the range (MY) is reset to 0 (zero). Therefore, no advance notice is given, and the slot machine 1 can be played in a state where the conditions for reactivating the complete function are no longer met.

<Description of the sub-control unit 63>
The ROM of the sub-control unit 63 stores programs and various data that are indirectly related to the progress of the game (for example, control of the presentation on the LCD screen 3, control of the LED light emission of the illumination unit 102, and control of the audio output from the speaker 101).

The RAM and RWM of the sub-control unit 63 store various data related to performance control.

The sub-control unit 63 functions as the performance control unit 630 through operation by the sub-control unit 63's CPU using the memory unit.

<Performance control unit 630>
By executing a performance lottery, the performance control unit 630 determines at least one of the following as the performance pattern: a video/still image to be output on the LCD screen 3, a sound pattern to be output from the speaker 101, a light-emitting pattern of the illumination unit 102 such as an LED, or a light-emitting pattern of the performance button 46.

Specifically, the effect control unit 630 selects an effect lottery table based on game progress information (e.g., game status, stay mode) sent from the main control unit 61, and executes the effect lottery using the selected effect lottery table.

In addition, when the AT is being executed, the performance control unit 630 executes the AT performance using a performance lottery table dedicated to the AT.

Furthermore, when the hit-the-eye player flag is set during the opponent determination period or the post-victory movie, the performance control unit 630 can control the LCD screen 3 in a practice mode that allows the player to practice operating the stop switch 40b so that the hit-the-eye player can win. Note that the performance control unit 630 can control not only the LCD screen 3 but also the speaker 101, the illumination unit 102, etc. in the practice mode.

While in standby mode, the effect control unit 630 can accept operation of the effect button 46 by the player. On the screen displayed by operating the effect button 46, the player can check whether the currently set mode is practice mode or normal mode.

In addition, players can set whether to activate practice mode or normal mode on the menu screen that is called up during standby mode.

When practice mode is set based on the player's operation, and the eye-pressing role flag is established during either the opponent determination period or the post-victory movie (an example of a case where a predetermined condition is not met), the performance control unit 630 causes the LCD screen 3 to display the screen shown in Figure 10 (c) (practice screen).

Even if practice mode is set, the performance control unit 630 will not activate practice mode and will not display the screen in Figure 10(c) (practice screen) on the LCD screen 3 unless the eye-pressing role flag is set during the opponent selection period or the post-victory movie.

Furthermore, even if practice mode is set, when a match period is running (an example of when a predetermined condition is met), the performance control unit 630 causes the LCD screen 3 to display the screen in Figure 10(a) even if the eye-pressing role flag is established. In other words, in this case, the performance control unit 630 does not cause the LCD screen 3 to display the screen in Figure 10(c) (practice screen).

Furthermore, when normal mode is set, even if the eye-pressing role flag is established during the opponent determination period or the post-victory movie, the performance control unit 630 will not display the screen in Figure 10 (c) (practice screen) on the LCD screen 3.

In addition, when practice mode is activated, the effect control unit 630 displays the degree of success of the timing (perfect timing, one frame early, one frame late, missed timing) on the LCD screen 3 based on the player's operation of the effect button 46 after timing the button press.

Once a player selects practice mode, the performance control unit 630 maintains practice mode until normal mode is selected based on the player's operation.

When practice mode is set, the effect control unit 630 maintains practice mode even if the store staff clears the RAM and changes the settings. This prevents, for example, players from realizing that settings have been changed just because practice mode has been canceled.

<Basic Operation Processing Flow of Slot Machine 1>
The flow of the basic operation process of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

With the power of slot machine 1 turned on and the setting value changed, the function activation unit 621 determines whether slot machine 1 is playable (whether the complete function is activated) (step S101).

If slot machine 1 is not ready for play (S101: NO), processing proceeds to step S115, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if the slot machine 1 is ready for play (S101: YES), and game value data has been transmitted from the card unit 7, the main control unit 61 and game value control unit 62 of the slot machine 1 display the amount of game value credited on the digital counter 43 and accept operation of the bet switch 41, lever 42, etc. by the operator. This puts the slot machine 1 into a play start state (step S102).

Next, the media management unit 620 starts counting the range (MY) (step S103). After that, the media management unit 620 counts the range (MY) for each play, regardless of whether it is in the normal zone or the advantageous zone.

Then, the section control unit 614 proceeds with the game in the normal section (step S104).

The game state control unit 615 progresses the game in the normal game state (step S105).

Next, the zone control unit 614 determines whether the gaming zone has become an advantageous zone because the conditions for transitioning to an advantageous zone have been met, or whether the gaming zone is an advantageous zone because the advantageous zone state is maintained (step S106).

If the playing area is not a favorable area (S106: NO), processing returns to step S104.

On the other hand, if the gaming zone is a favorable zone (S106: YES), the media management unit 620 counts the favorable zone difference number (in a game that has transitioned to a favorable zone, counting of the favorable zone difference number begins) (step S107). From this point on, the zone control unit 614 continues counting the favorable zone difference number while the gaming zone is a favorable zone (in both the general gaming state, CZ, and AT, and whether a special role (Type 1 BB) is winning or not winning).

The game state control unit 615 then determines whether to transition the second game state to the AT (step S108). This AT includes the aforementioned battle bonus (an AT consisting of the opponent determination period until the Type 1 BB is won, the battle period during which the Type 1 BB is executed, and the post-victory movie or final judgment).

If the second game state does not transition to AT (S108: NO), processing returns to step S105.

On the other hand, if the second game state transitions to AT (S108: YES), the game state control unit 615 proceeds with the game in AT (step S109).

Next, the function activation unit 621 determines whether to activate the complete function (step S110). Specifically, the function activation unit 621 determines whether the range (MY) is 19,000 or greater.

If the complete function is activated (S110: YES), processing proceeds to step S113, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if the complete function is not activated (S110: NO), the section control unit 614 determines whether the favorable section difference number is +2400 or more (step S111).

If the favorable zone difference number is +2400 or more (S111: YES), the zone control unit 614 transitions the game zone to the normal zone, the game status control unit 617 ends the AT, and the media management unit 620 initializes the favorable zone difference number to zero (0), after which processing returns to step S104.

On the other hand, if the difference in the advantageous zone is not +2400 or more (S111: NO), the game status control unit 615 determines whether to end the AT (step S112).

If AT is ending (S112: YES), processing returns to step S105.

On the other hand, if AT has not ended (S112: NO), processing returns to step S109.

Returning to step S110, if the complete function has been activated (S110: YES), the function activation unit 621 controls the player to be unable to continue playing on the slot machine 1 (step S113).

Next, in response to the operation of the count button 44, the media management unit 620 and the card unit 7 send and receive the necessary information to execute the transfer process (step S114).

Next, in response to the power-off operation by the store staff, the power to the slot machine 1 is turned off (step S115), and the media management unit 620 initializes the range (MY) to 0 (zero), and the function activation unit 621 cancels the complete function (step S116). Note that if the slot machine 1 is only restored from a power outage, the range (MY) is initialized and the complete function is canceled, but the advantageous zone and advantageous zone difference number are carried over.

Next, in response to the store staff's operation to restore power, the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on (step S117), after which the process returns to step S102.
The above is the flow of the basic operation process of the slot machine 1.

<Battle Bonus Processing Flow>
Next, the flow of the battle bonus process will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the flow branches depending on whether the second gaming state is in a battle bonus mode (step S201).

If the second gaming state is not in the battle bonus mode (S201: NO), the battle bonus process ends.

If the second game state is in the battle bonus mode (S201: YES), the flow branches depending on whether the battle period is running (step S202).

If the battle period is not running (S202: NO), processing returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the match period is running (S202: YES), the flow branches depending on whether technical mode is selected (step S203).

If technical mode is not selected (S203: NO), processing proceeds to step S301 (see Figure 13) described below.

If technical mode is selected (S203: YES), the flow branches depending on whether the internal lottery results in a hit-to-win flag (step S204).

If the pressing chance flag is not set (S204: NO), processing proceeds to step S401 (see Figure 14) described below.

On the other hand, if the pressing-eye flag is established (S204: YES), the screen shown in Figure 10(a) is displayed, and the flow branches depending on whether the middle stop switch 40b was operated (center press) for the first time in that game (step S205).

If the middle stop switch 40b is not operated first (for example, the left stop switch 40a is operated/pressed in order first) (S205: NO), the flow branches depending on whether a predetermined pattern (for example, "Cherry-Replay-Bell" within the reel window 200) has stopped on the middle rotating reel 20b (step S208).

If a predetermined symbol stops on the middle reel 20b (S208: YES), the main control unit 61 inflicts the amount of damage to the enemy character determined by the middle lottery table (step S209). Processing then returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the specified symbol does not stop on the middle reel 20b (S208: NO), the main control unit 61 inflicts the amount of damage to the enemy character determined by the lottery table that indicates small damage to the enemy character (step S210). Then, processing returns to step S201.

Returning to step S205, if the middle stop switch 40b is operated for the first time (S205: YES), the flow branches depending on whether the player has successfully performed a perfect push and made the me-oshi role win (step S206).

If the player successfully performs a perfect push and wins a prize ("Bell-Red 7-Red 7" stops within the reel window 200 for the middle reel 20b) (S206: YES), the main control unit 61 inflicts the amount of damage to the enemy character determined by the extra-large lottery table (step S207). Processing then returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the perfect push is not successful (S206: NO), the flow branches depending on whether the player operated the stop switch 40b one frame earlier than the perfect push timing and the rotating reel 20b stopped (stop result) (step S211).

If the player's operation timing is one frame early and the spinning reel 20b stops ("Red 7-Red 7-Cherry" stops in the reel window 200 for the middle spinning reel 20b) (S211: YES), the main control unit 61 inflicts the amount of damage to the enemy character determined by the lottery table that inflicts large damage to the enemy character (step S212). Then, processing returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the spinning reel 20b stops in a state other than when the player's operation timing is one frame early ("Red 7-Red 7-Cherry" does not stop in the reel window 200 for the middle spinning reel 20b) (S211: NO), the main control unit 61 inflicts on the enemy character the amount of damage determined by the lottery table that indicates small damage to the enemy character (step S213). Then, processing returns to step S201.

Next, we will use Figure 13 to explain the processing when assist mode (S203: NO) is selected in the battle bonus.

First, the flow branches depending on whether the pressing chance flag is set (step S301).

If the pressing chance flag is not established (S301: NO), processing proceeds to step S401 (see Figure 14).

On the other hand, if the timing flag is established (S301: YES), the sub-control unit 63 causes the LCD screen 3 to display the screen shown in Figure 10(d), and regardless of the timing of the player's operation of the stop switch 40b, the main control unit 61 inflicts the amount of damage determined by the extra-large table on the enemy character (step S302). Processing then returns to step S201.

Next, we will use Figure 14 to explain the processing that occurs when a winning flag other than the pressing role flag is established during the battle bonus (S204: NO, S301: NO).

First, the flow branches depending on whether the push order bell flag is set (step S401).

If a flag other than the push order bell flag (in this case, neither the push order flag nor the push order bell flag) is set (S401: NO), processing returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the push order bell flag is set (S401: YES), a special mode lottery is executed, and the flow branches depending on whether the special mode lottery is won or not (step S402).

If the special mode lottery is not won (S402: NO), processing returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the special mode lottery is won (S402: YES), the flow branches depending on whether the pressing combination flag or rare combination flag is established in the game following the special mode lottery (step S403).

If the pressing combination flag or rare combination flag is established in the game following the special mode win (S403: YES), an additional attack on the enemy character will be performed (step S404).

Specifically, when the timing of a button press flag is established, the sub-control unit 63 causes the LCD screen 3 to display the screen shown in Figure 10(b) in technical mode, or the screen shown in Figure 10(d) in assist mode. Furthermore, regardless of the timing of the player's operation of the stop switch 40b, the main control unit 61 inflicts the amount of damage from the button press (normal attack) plus the amount of damage from the additional attack on the enemy character. Furthermore, when the rare role flag is established, the main control unit 61 inflicts the amount of damage from the rare role (normal attack) plus the amount of damage from the additional attack on the enemy character. Processing then returns to step S201.

If the pressing combination flag or rare combination flag is not established in the next game after the special mode win (S403: NO), a normal attack on the enemy character is performed according to the established flag (step S405). Specifically, the amount of damage caused by the winning combination (e.g., replay, bell, or loss) is inflicted on the enemy character. Then, the process returns to step S201.
In this way, the battle bonus process of the present invention is executed.

<Practice mode execution process flow>
Next, the flow of the practice mode execution process will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the flow branches based on whether practice mode is set or not, based on the player's operation during standby mode (step S501).

If practice mode is not set (S501: NO), the practice mode execution process ends.

On the other hand, if practice mode is set (S501: YES), the flow branches depending on whether or not a battle bonus is being executed (step S502).

If a battle bonus has not been executed (S502: NO), processing proceeds to step S506.

If a battle bonus is being executed (S502: YES), the flow branches depending on whether a battle period is being executed (step S503).

If the match period is running (S503: YES), processing proceeds to step S506. In this case, the actual match may be held depending on whether the player with the best timing wins.

If the match period is not running (S503: NO), the flow branches depending on whether the pressing role flag is set (step S504).

If the pressing flag is not set (S504: NO), processing proceeds to step S506.

On the other hand, if the pressing-the-move flag is established (S504: YES), the sub-control unit 63 displays the screen shown in Figure 10 (c) (practice screen) on the LCD screen 3 (step S505).

Next, the flow branches depending on whether normal mode has been set based on the player's operation during the standby state (step S506).

If normal mode is not set (S506: NO), processing returns to step S502.

On the other hand, if the normal mode is set (S506: YES), the practice mode execution process ends.
In this way, the practice mode execution process of the present invention is executed.

To summarize the above, the slot machine 1 of the present invention has the following features:
an internal lottery unit 610 that can determine one winning flag from among a plurality of winning combination flags based on the operation of the lever 42 by the player;
A game status control unit 615 capable of controlling the progress of a game;
A performance control unit 630 capable of displaying performances according to the progress of a game on the liquid crystal screen 3;
Equipped with
The winning flag includes a pressing role flag that defines the correct operation timing of the middle stop switch 40b that should be pressed first when a winning combination is achieved.
The system is provided with a technical mode in which the player is prompted to operate the stop switch 20b at the correct timing when the pressing flag is established, and an assist mode in which the player is not prompted to operate the stop switch 20b at the correct timing even when the pressing flag is established.
The game status control unit 615 is
In the technical mode, it is possible to provide benefits (for example, processing to increase the expected value of continuing/resuming the AT) according to the timing of the player's operation of the stop switch 20b, and
In the assist mode, regardless of the timing of the player's operation of the stop switch 20b, it is possible to provide the same type of benefit as in the technical mode (for example, processing that increases the expected value of continuing/resuming the AT).

<Effects of the invention>
Conventionally, gaming machines have been known that provide roles requiring eye-pressing (eye-pressing roles) and roles not requiring eye-pressing (non-eye-pressing roles). In such gaming machines, when an eye-pressing role is hit, the player is prompted to perform eye-pressing. If the player is successful in performing eye-pressing, the player is granted a benefit related to the amount of balls that will be paid out.

In contrast to this, some gaming machines have a bonus lottery table for when a player with a pressing hand wins, and a bonus lottery table for when a player other than the pressing hand wins. In these conventional gaming machines, the lottery tables differ depending on the type of winning hand, but the contents of the lottery (bonuses) are the same.

In contrast, with the present invention, even if the button-pressing role flag is activated during a battle bonus, whether the player is prompted to press the button at their sight will depend on whether technical mode or assist mode is selected during that battle bonus.

In other words, when the technical mode is selected in the battle bonus and the player is encouraged to use their eyes to press the buttons, the quantity and quality of the benefit given to the player will differ depending on how successful the player is at pressing the buttons.

On the other hand, if assist mode is selected in the battle bonus and the eye-pressing role flag is activated, the player can receive the same benefits as if eye-pressing role were required, regardless of the manner in which the player operates the stop switch (operation procedure, operation timing).

By being equipped with such a configuration, the present invention can inspire players to actively try to hit the buttons by sight. In other words, advanced players with good eye-sight skills can play the game aiming for perfect timing, and can receive benefits according to the success of their attempts. On the other hand, even if a beginner without good eye-sight skills actively tries to hit the buttons by sight but is unsuccessful, that player will still receive benefits related to the number of balls they can win.

As a result, the present invention provides a gaming machine that allows both advanced players with good timing skills and beginners without such skills to enjoy the opportunity to use their timing skills.

Other Embodiments
The various control means and processing procedures described in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. The various control means and processing procedures can be appropriately modified in design without changing the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the various control means, processing procedures, and processing contents described in each embodiment can be configured individually or combined as appropriate.

Furthermore, the various definitions used in this specification are commonly used throughout the specification unless otherwise specified in each example.

Not limited to the above embodiment, the player may be prompted to press the buttons not only when the button press flag is established during the match period, but also when the button press flag is established during an advantageous period (including the normal game state).

In addition, while the above embodiment describes the game status control unit granting a benefit depending on the timing of the player's operation of the stop switch, the effect control unit may also grant a benefit to the player. In this case, the effect control unit can, for example, increase or decrease the number of effect patterns (e.g., types of effect animations, light emission patterns, character voices) depending on the timing of the player's operation of the stop switch (degree of success of the button press).

In addition, without being limited to the above embodiment, when the eye-pressing role flag is established, the game status control unit may award points that can be used in the AT stock lottery depending on the timing of the player's operation of the stop switch. Specifically, when the eye-pressing role flag is established, the game status control unit prompts the player to press the button, and in response, for example, the game status control unit can award 10 points if the player successfully presses the button, 5 points if the player is one frame early, 3 points if the player is one frame late, and 1 point in all other cases.

In the above embodiment, an example is described in which technical mode or assist mode is selected by lottery when the battle period begins, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, technical mode or assist mode may be selected when the battle bonus begins, or during the opponent selection period. In this case, the selected mode may be displayed at the time the mode is selected, or the selected mode may be displayed when the battle period begins.

In addition, while the above embodiment describes an example in which either technical mode or assist mode is determined by lottery, the present invention is not limited to this. A number of predetermined patterns (for example, technical mode, technical mode, assist mode, or an order in which technical mode and assist mode are alternately selected) may be prepared, and one of these may be selected depending on the state of the AT. Also, there may be setting differences in which pattern is selected. For example, pattern 2, which has many assist modes, may be more likely to be selected when the setting is high (a setting value between 4 and 6).

Also, a lottery may be held each time the push-to-play flag is established, and either technical mode or assist mode may be selected.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the selected mode, either technical mode or assist mode, cannot be switched during the battle period, but it is also possible that the mode cannot be switched not only during the battle period, but also during the battle bonus.

In addition, the above embodiment describes an example in which the amount of benefit awarded when a player hits the button perfectly in technical mode and wins a prize is the same as the amount of benefit awarded in assist mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. The amount of benefit awarded to a player in technical mode and assist mode may differ. In this case, the game status control unit can make the benefit awarded to a player who hits the button successfully in technical mode greater (or less) than the benefit awarded in assist mode.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the group of same-color symbols is "red 7 - red 7 - cherry" from the rear in the direction of rotation of the middle reel, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the group of same-color symbols may be "red 7 - red 7 - red 7" (an example of a same-color family) from the rear in the direction of rotation of the middle reel. However, even in this case, the group of predetermined symbols may be "bell, replay, blank, or other symbol other than red 7 (an example of a different color family) - red 7 - red 7" from the rear in the direction of rotation. Furthermore, the group of predetermined symbols may be "cherry - red 7 - red 7" instead.

In the above embodiment, an example is described in which it is determined whether or not a hit has been made based on the stopped symbol on the inner reel within the reel window, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a slot machine can determine whether or not a hit has been made if the stop switch corresponding to the inner reel is operated between the time it is determined that a cherry from the same-color symbol group "red 7-red 7-cherry" cannot stop within the reel window and the time when a predetermined symbol group "bell-red 7-red 7" can stop within the reel window.

Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes an example in which the predetermined pattern group is composed of three patterns and the same-color pattern group is composed of two patterns, the present invention is not limited to this. The predetermined pattern group may be composed of four or more patterns, and the same-color pattern group may be composed of two or more patterns.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the cherry, which is the front pattern, and the red 7, which is part of the same-color pattern group, are different patterns although they are in the same color family. However, the front pattern and the same-color pattern group may also be patterns in the same color family but with different shapes, or different designs.

In addition, without being limited to the above embodiment, if the eye-pressing role flag is established and the player hits the reels in order according to their intuition, aiming for a symbol, and the symbol happens to be the correct symbol, it may be treated as a successful eye-pressing role.

Furthermore, whether or not a winning combination has been achieved may be determined by using a stepping motor or the like to determine how many frames or steps the symbols that should have stopped within the reel window are off.

In addition, while the above embodiment describes an example in which the player presses the center reel, the present invention is not limited to this. The player may need to press all (or two) of the reels, or may only need to press the left (or right) reel.

Furthermore, without being limited to the above embodiment, when practice mode is set, the performance control unit may activate practice mode in response to a hit with a pressing role, even outside of the battle bonus (for example, during CZ or general game play).

In addition, while the above embodiment describes an example in which the bonus is a continuous operation device for a first-class special feature, the present invention is not limited to this. The bonus may be at least one of a first-class special feature, a continuous operation device for a first-class special feature, a second-class special feature, and a continuous operation device for a second-class special feature.

In addition, while the above embodiment describes an example in which the slot machine is an AT machine, the slot machine may also be an ART (Assisted Replay Time) machine, or may be a bonus-only slot machine that does not implement AT, ART, etc., or a slot machine that can implement both a bonus and AT (or ART).

In addition, a signal indicating the type of play zone may be sent from the zone control unit to the digital counter, allowing the digital counter to indicate whether the play zone is a favorable zone, for example, by whether or not a dot is displayed.

Furthermore, without being limited to the above embodiment, for example, when the AT ends or when the number of continuing games in the advantageous zone reaches 3,000 games, the zone control unit may forcibly transition the play zone from the advantageous zone to the normal zone. Furthermore, the slot machine may not have play zones (advantageous zones and normal zones).

In addition, in the above embodiment, the range (MY) was used to activate the complete function, but this is not limited to this, and the difference in game value may also be used to determine whether or not to activate the complete function.

Furthermore, while the slot machine in the above embodiment was a medal-less machine equipped with a play area, a slot machine to which the present invention is applied does not have to be equipped with a play area, and does not have to be a medal-less machine. If the slot machine is not a medal-less machine, it will need the configuration of a conventional slot machine, such as a medal insertion slot, hopper, medal payout slot, and bottom tray.

Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes an example of a so-called smart slot machine, the present invention is not limited to this. In this case, the slot machine may have an upper limit (e.g., 4,000 games) on the number of games in which the advantageous zone can be executed.

1. Slot machine (gaming machine)
61 Main control unit 610 Internal lottery unit 611 Rotation reel control unit 612 Game result determination unit (winning determination unit)
613 Setting value control unit 614 Section control unit 615 Game status control unit (game control unit)
616 RT state control unit 617 Error determination unit 62 Game value control unit 620 Media management unit 621 Function operation unit 63 Sub-control unit 630 Presentation control unit

Claims (1)

an internal lottery unit that can determine one winning flag from among a plurality of winning combination flags based on an operation of a start switch by a player;
a game control unit capable of controlling the progress of a game;
a performance control unit capable of causing a performance device to notify a performance according to the progress of a game;
Equipped with
The flag of the winning combination includes an operation timing winning combination flag in which a correct operation timing of at least one stop switch is defined,
A first mode is provided in which, when the operation timing winning flag is established, the player is prompted to operate the stop switch according to the correct operation timing, and a second mode is provided in which, even when the operation timing winning flag is established, the player is not prompted to operate the stop switch according to the correct operation timing,
At least one of the game control unit and the performance control unit
In the first mode, it is possible to provide a benefit according to the timing of the operation of the stop switch by the player, and
In the second mode, regardless of the timing of the operation of the stop switch by the player, it is possible to provide the same type of benefit as in the first mode ,
The game control unit
It is possible to execute advantageous gaming states grouped according to predetermined rules, and
For each grouped advantageous gaming state, it is possible to set either the first mode or the second mode ,
The grouped advantageous gaming states can be executed consecutively regardless of the type of winning combination.
Gaming machine.