JP7837533B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a gaming machine.

Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with multiple reels on which patterns are arranged on their outer surface (slot machines) are known. These types of gaming machines assign a certain game value to game media such as tokens or pachinko balls, and the game is played to acquire these game media. Furthermore, these machines perform an internal lottery and start the rotation of the multiple reels when the player initiates the rotation, and stop the multiple reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when the player stops them. The result of the game is determined by the combination of patterns displayed on the winning line when the multiple reels are stopped, and tokens or other items are paid out according to the result of the game.

In the aforementioned gaming machines, a configuration is known that allows for the setting of a freeze to delay the progress of the game, and enables the execution of a simulated game during the freeze (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-140685

In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, when the player presses the stop button during a simulated game, a specific symbol is displayed in a simulated stop regardless of the timing of the player's press. In such a gaming machine, if the timing of the player pressing the stop button during a simulated game is, for example, when a specific symbol is displayed in the display window, the symbol may be simulated to stop regardless of its current display position due to its rotational display within the window. This could result in the simulated stopped symbols not aligning in a line within the display window, potentially reducing the player's enjoyment of the simulated game.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can prevent a decrease in players' interest in simulated games.

The present invention relates to a plurality of reels, including a first reel and a second reel,
Multiple stop buttons,
It comprises a simulated game control means that performs control related to simulated games,
When the stop button is operated during gameplay, the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped.
In the aforementioned simulated game, if the stop button is operated, the reel corresponding to the stop button is temporarily stopped.
If the game is temporarily stopped during the simulated game, the temporary stop symbol will be displayed at the temporary stop position.
The aforementioned temporary stop pattern is determined in advance before the temporary stop occurs.
At the moment the stop button is operated during the simulated game,
If the second range of the temporary stop pattern, which is above the first range in the vertical direction, is not included in the temporary stop position, it is possible to temporarily stop the temporary stop pattern at the temporary stop position without passing through the temporary stop position.
If the second range of the temporary stop pattern is included in the temporary stop position, it is possible to temporarily stop the temporary stop pattern at the temporary stop position after the temporary stop pattern has passed the temporary stop position at least once.
When the reel is temporarily stopped, the first operation can be performed.
The present invention is characterized in that, when the first reel and the second reel are each performing the first operation, the first reel and the second reel are each performed a second operation to synchronize the first operations of the first reel and the second reel.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent a decrease in the player's interest in simulated games.

This is a front view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows the winning areas in the internal lottery of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the winning combinations included in each winning area. (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means, and the performance state during the advantageous section. This figure illustrates the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart shows the simulated game processing in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart shows the reel stop control in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a flowchart showing reel control in interrupt processing in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a diagram showing the state in which the symbols of the stop numbers set according to the simulated game are passing by in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing the state in which the reels are temporarily stopped in the state in which the symbols of the stop numbers set according to the simulated game are passing by. This figure illustrates the control related to minute vibrations that are performed when the left reel temporarily stops in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a diagram showing the state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention where the left reel is temporarily stopped and vibrating slightly, and the middle reel is also temporarily stopped. (B) is a diagram showing the state where time has passed since the state shown in (A) and the left reel has rotated one step in the forward direction. (C) is a diagram showing the state where time has passed since the state shown in (B) and the left reel has rotated one step in the reverse direction. (D) is a diagram showing the state where time has passed since the state shown in (C) and the middle reel has rotated one step in the forward direction. (E) is a diagram showing the state where time has passed since the state shown in (D) and the left reel has rotated one step in the forward direction. (F) is a diagram showing the state where time has passed since the state shown in (E) and the left reel and the middle reel have rotated one step in the reverse direction and their slight vibrations are synchronized.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiments described below are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in these embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

1. Overview of the Gaming Machine's Configuration Figure 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine, a type of gaming machine that uses tokens as the game medium.

The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a box-shaped casing consisting of a chassis BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. Within this casing is a reel unit 310 (see Figure 2) comprising multiple reels, from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. A hopper unit 320 (see Figure 2), which serves as a medal dispensing device, is housed below the reel unit 310 within the casing. Furthermore, the casing of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment also houses a control board that controls the operation of the slot machine 1, equipped with a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc.

As shown in Figure 1, the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are each divided into 20 regions (hereinafter referred to as "frames") at regular intervals on their outer surface, and one of several types of symbols is arranged in each frame.

The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are designed to open and close independently. The front upper door UD is equipped with a display device 330, which serves as a display means for showing various videos and images to assist or enhance gameplay. Furthermore, within the display area 330a of the display device 330, a specific area 330b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is composed of a transparent liquid crystal display, allowing observation of the rotation and stopped states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 via the display device 330. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower) arranged consecutively on the outer periphery of each of the multiple symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each reel (upper, middle, and lower) can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 330.

Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display device 330. An active line L1 is set based on the combination of display positions on each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of tokens required for one game, the so-called prescribed number of tokens, is set to 3 in all game states. When tokens equivalent to the prescribed number of tokens are inserted, the active line L1, which consists of the middle sections of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, is activated.

The game result is determined by the combination of symbols that stop and are displayed on the active line L1. If the combination of symbols on the active line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, the winning combination is considered achieved, and medals are dispensed from the hopper unit 320.

The front upper door (UD) is equipped with a game information display unit (DS). The DS consists of LEDs, lamps, a 7-segment display, etc., and displays various game information, including the number of medal credits, the number of medals dispensed or acquired in a single game, the total number of medals dispensed or acquired during bonus rounds, information on the winning combination in the current game, and information suggesting how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3, which are related to medal payouts.

The game information display unit DS includes a main control display device 500 consisting of a 7-segment display. When a predetermined number of tokens are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, a notification display corresponding to the winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on the winning combination information for the current game, is displayed. After the notification display is shown, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop, the notification display ends and the number of tokens paid out or acquired is displayed. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the notification display is executed in which each segment of the main control display device 500 lights up and turns off in a display mode corresponding to the winning combination command.

Furthermore, the main control display device 500 is equipped with a section notification unit 500A, which is a dot on a 7-segment display and lights up when the advantageous section is started by the AT control means 200 (see Figure 2), and the expected value of medal acquisition is 1 or more due to the assistance of winning small roles. In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, multiple sound devices 340 for sound-based effects are provided on the front lower door DD. The sound devices 340 output various sounds to assist or enhance the gameplay.

The front lower door DD is equipped with various operating mechanisms. These include a max bet button MB for inserting a predetermined number of credited (stored) tokens, a start lever SL for initiating gameplay by rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, stop buttons B1 to B3 for stopping the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 (which are driven by stepping motors), and a payout button BS for cashing out credited tokens.

Furthermore, the lower part of the front lower door DD is equipped with a medal payout port MO and a medal receiving tray MP. The number of medals corresponding to the game's outcome is dispensed from the medal payout port MO into the medal receiving tray MP. Additionally, when the settlement button BS is pressed while the machine contains credited medals, the hopper unit 320 executes a settlement process, dispensing a number of medals equivalent to the number of credits (the number of medals credited) from the hopper unit 320, and these medals are then dispensed from the medal payout port MO into the medal receiving tray MP.

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is controlled by a game control means 10, which acts as a control board. The game control means 10 receives input signals from multiple operation detection means, including a coin insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260. It performs various calculations for executing the game and controls the operation of output means such as the display device 300, the reel unit 310, the hopper unit 320, and the main control display device 500 based on the calculation results.

Furthermore, the game control means 10 includes a setting change means 100, an input reception means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a prize determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state transition control means 170, a performance control means 180, a storage means 190, an assist time control means (AT control means) 200, and a pseudo-game control means 400. Each means constituting the game control means 10 reads and executes the respective control program pre-stored in the storage means 190 when executing each control process.

The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the storage means 190. When the setting change permission switch 250 is ON and setting changes are permitted, the setting change means 100 receives an input signal output from the setting change switch 260 on the power supply, and cyclically changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... → setting 6 → setting 1 → ..., and confirms the setting value based on the operation of the start lever SL and the reception of a start signal output from the start switch 230. In the slot machine 1, the probability of winning in some of the winning areas of the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value confirmed in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120.

In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 200 are initialized. The game state is set to the non-replay time state (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT"), and the control related to auxiliary games that the AT control means 200 was executing before the setting change is also initialized, setting the normal section. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the game control means 10 is interrupted (power cut off) and then restored, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 200 are resumed from the state before the power cut off. The control related to auxiliary games that the AT control means 200 was executing before the power cut off is also maintained at the state before the power cut off.

The coin insertion acceptance means 105, during the coin insertion acceptance period, sets the inserted coins to the inserted state when a coin is inserted into the coin slot MI (see Figure 1) and the coin insertion switch 210 is activated. When the bet switch 220 is activated, executing a bet operation by pressing the max bet button MB while the coins are credited, it sets the credited coins to the inserted state, up to a specified number (3 coins). Based on the fact that a specified number of coins have been set to the inserted state, it activates the game start operation for the start lever SL.

In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the initial press of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a specified number of tokens, is recognized as the player's operation to start the game. This triggers the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and also triggers the internal lottery means 120, described later, to execute an internal lottery.

The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery. In this embodiment, "random number" includes not only values that occur randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values that, while their generation is regular, can function effectively as random numbers due to irregular acquisition timing, etc.

The internal lottery means 120 is a means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved based on a start signal output when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation. It performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

In the lottery table selection process, the system selects which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the storage means 190 will be used for the internal lottery, based on the current game state. Each internal lottery table associates multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers between 0 and 65,535) with various roles such as replays, minor wins, and bonuses, as well as losses (misses).

In the following description, "bonus" refers to a winning combination that activates a special feature or a continuous special feature activation device; "bonus activated" means that a bonus has been won and the special feature or continuous special feature activation device has been activated; and "bonus state" means the state in which the special feature or continuous special feature activation device has been activated.

In the random number determination process, based on the start signal output from the start switch 230, the random number generation means 110 generates a random number (a random number for drawing) for each game. This random number is then compared with the internal drawing table selected in the drawing table selection process, and based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if two or more combinations are won simultaneously, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more combinations that were won simultaneously are set to an established state. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment provides lottery flags that can be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flags) and lottery flags that are reset to a non-established state regardless of whether a win is achieved or not (non-carry-over flags). The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the storage means 190.

The reel control means 130, based on the start signal output from the start switch 230 (activated by the player performing a start operation on the start lever SL), starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and performs reel rotation control to control the rotation pattern of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Furthermore, when the rotation state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 reaches a steady rotation state at a predetermined speed (for example, approximately 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 performs control to activate the stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel are operated. Then, when a reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation, the reel control means 130 performs control (reel stop control) to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation.

In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and the player operates the valid stop buttons B1 to B3 respectively, the first operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second as the second stop operation, and the third as the third stop operation.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the reel currently rotating corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms from the time when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed (when the stop switch 240 detects the stop operation). In the following description, pressing stop buttons B1 to B3 will also be referred to as the operation. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured such that a stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 not only when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, but also, for example, when an operation is performed in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed and then released.

In this case, when stopping the spinning reels within 190 ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each spinning reel is configured such that, based on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel, it can rotate a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the range of five frames from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until four frames have rotated constitutes the range in which a symbol can be drawn onto the active line L1 (draw-in range).

The reel control means 130, when executing reel stop control, performs a logic calculation process to determine the stopping position of the rotating reel based on a predetermined priority order, including a pull-in process that stops the rotating reel so that as many winning combinations as possible with the lottery flag set to "established" can be awarded, and a kick-off process that stops the rotating reel so that winning combinations with the lottery flag set to "not established" cannot be awarded. It also performs a table reference process to determine the stopping position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the storage means 190. The reel stops the rotating reel and displays the symbols on the active line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the rotating reel and displaying the symbols on the active line L1 by reel stop control is also referred to as "stop display").

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of small wins are won through internal抽選 (random drawing), there are two methods for determining the priority of candidate stopping positions: one is to determine priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 (quantity priority control), and the other is to determine priority according to the number of medals paid out based on the predetermined payout for each small win (coin priority control). However, when executing coin priority control, if the same small win with the same payout is won multiple times, the priority of candidate stopping positions that can award each small win is treated as the same.

The prize determination means 140 performs a prize determination process to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the prize determination table stored in the prize determination table storage means 195 of the storage means 190, it determines whether the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 when all three reels R1 to the right reel have stopped correspond to predetermined winning combinations. The prize determination table is designed to determine whether a bonus, replay, or minor win has been achieved (hereinafter referred to as "prize determination") based on the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 in the state each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combinations indicating winning combinations will also be referred to as "prize symbol combinations."

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the result of the prize determination means 140 in the prize determination process. For example, if a minor prize is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to determine the number of medals to be paid out; if a replay is won, the replay processing means 160 is instructed to execute the replay without consuming medals in the next game; and if a prize that triggers a transition to a game state, such as a bonus, is won, the game state transition control means 170 is instructed to transition to a different game state.

The payout control means 150 performs payout processing related to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win occurs, it determines the number of medals to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and controls the hopper unit 320, which acts as a payout device, to dispense the medals corresponding to the determined payout amount.

The hopper unit 320 dispenses the number of medals specified by the dispensing control means 150. The hopper unit 320 is equipped with a dispensing medal detection switch 325 that operates each time a medal is dispensed. The dispensing control means 150 is configured to manage the number of medals actually dispensed from the hopper unit 320 based on the input signal from the dispensing medal detection switch 325. If medal crediting is permitted, instead of actually dispensing medals, the hopper unit 320 performs a credit addition process, adding the number of medals dispensed to the number of credits (number of credited medals) stored in the credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means 190, virtually dispensing medals.

The replay processing means 160, upon determination by the winning determination means 140 that a combination of symbols indicating a winning replay (one of several types of replay symbols described later) has stopped and been displayed on the active line L1, performs a replay process (re-play process) to set the machine to a ready state where the next game can be played without requiring the insertion of tokens. In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a replay is won, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a predetermined number of tokens are automatically inserted without using the player's existing tokens (including credit tokens). The machine then waits for the next start operation on the start lever SL with the same active line L1 as the previous game set.

The game state transition control means 170 performs the process of transitioning between multiple game states, and the process related to the activation and termination of bonuses. Here, the transition conditions for each game state may be defined as one condition or multiple conditions. If multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of any one of the predetermined conditions, or on the fulfillment of all of the predetermined conditions.

The performance control means 180 controls game-related effects based on the performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 196 of the storage means 190. Specifically, it controls the execution of effects that enhance the game or assist the game by activating effects such as lighting or flashing lamps and LEDs, and outputting sound from the sound device 340, when the player operates various components of the slot machine 1, such as inserting tokens, pressing the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, and stop buttons B1 to B3, or when game events such as changes in the game state occur. Furthermore, the performance control means 180 causes each component of the performance device 300 to execute effects based on each performance state.

The AT control means 200 controls the transition between a favorable section (favorable period), which is a section (period) in which control related to instruction functions, including auxiliary games that assist in winning specific roles, can be executed, and a normal section (non-favorable period, non-favorable section), which is a section (period) in which control related to auxiliary games (control related to instruction functions) based on the results of internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed. This control is performed using data stored in the AT control data storage means 197, thereby constituting an auxiliary game control means that controls the normal section, the favorable section, and auxiliary games.

The AT control data storage means 197 stores data used in various controls related to multiple types of performance states, including AT states and non-AT states, that are executed within the advantageous period (various flags, counters, etc., which are set to an ON or OFF state in a predetermined control process).

The AT control means 200 sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions during the advantageous period, and performs prize-winning assistance (correct button-press notification) by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation order (correct button-press order) of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enables the winning of a specific role on the main control display device 500, which consists of a 7-segment display. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when prize-winning assistance is performed by the AT control means 200, the performance control means 180 (described later) performs a prize-winning assistance performance by displaying an indicator corresponding to the correct button-press order on the display device 330. Thus, in the slot machine 1, during the AT state, the operation pattern of stop buttons B1 to B3 is notified through prize-winning assistance, resulting in the execution of advantageous auxiliary gameplay (AT gameplay, notification gameplay) for the player.

The AT control means 200, upon meeting predetermined termination conditions for ending the advantageous period (more specifically described later), executes a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous period and start the normal period from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process to initialize various flags, numerical values, and other information related to the advantageous period that were set within the advantageous period. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 lights up the section notification unit 500A when the advantageous period has started and the expected value of medal acquisition is 1 or more due to the execution of prize-winning assistance. Therefore, even when the advantageous period has started, the AT control means 200 is configured to turn off the section notification unit 500A if the performance state does not involve prize-winning assistance.

The AT control means 200, in a game where the advantageous period has started, adds a value "1," which corresponds to one game, to the value stored in the first advantageous period counter 197a (stored value) each time a game is played, and performs a game count update process that cumulatively increments the stored value of the first advantageous period counter 197a. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 performs a difference in tokens update process that cumulatively records the difference (difference in tokens) obtained by subtracting the number of tokens dispensed from the game where the advantageous period started by the number of tokens inserted, in the second advantageous period counter 197b.

In this embodiment, the AT control means 200, when controlled within the advantageous section, executes a game count update process that cumulatively adds (updates) a value of "1," equivalent to one game, to the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a each time a game is played, regardless of the game state. It also executes a difference in medal count update process that cumulatively updates the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b to a value equivalent to the difference in medal count.

Here, in the AT control means 200, during the difference in the number of tokens update process that updates the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b, if the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes less than "0" when the number of tokens paid out in the game is less than the prescribed number of tokens inserted, the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b is set to "0". This allows the AT control means 200 to fix the lowest value of the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b to "0". Therefore, in the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b, it becomes unnecessary to change the threshold value for judgment according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point, thereby reducing the load on the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b.

The AT control means 200 determines that a specific termination condition has been met when 1500 games have been played, i.e., when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a becomes "0" as the first value, or when the player has acquired more than 2400 medals since the point in the advantageous section when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes "2401" from the point in time when it was at its lowest value (lowest point). The AT control means 200 then determines that a specific termination condition has been met, which is a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous section, and executes a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous section and start the normal section from the next game.

The AT control means 200 initializes all information used in various control processes during the advantageous period, such as each flag set to the ON state during the advantageous period and values set during the advantageous period, during a predetermined initialization process. The AT control means 200 can also terminate the advantageous period if a predetermined termination condition (normal termination condition) other than the specific termination condition is met, and executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined termination process even when the normal termination condition is met. Details of the normal termination conditions set by the AT control means 200 in this embodiment will be described later.

The simulated game control means 400 is configured to execute (generate) a simulated game that allows the player to experience a simulated game by generating a freeze that temporarily delays the progress of the normal game based on the operation of the start lever SL, rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by operating the start lever SL, and temporarily stopping the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3.

Here, "temporary stop" refers to a control mechanism that stops the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 based on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 during simulated gameplay. During simulated gameplay, the temporarily stopped reels move slightly before a predetermined time (500 ms in this embodiment) has elapsed, making it clear that this is different from the stopping of the reels in actual gameplay. This prevents the player from mistakenly believing that the actual game has ended when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during simulated gameplay, and from leaving the slot machine 1 and ceasing to play even though the actual game has not ended.

2. Configuration of the Gaming Machine in This Embodiment Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 9, the details of each configuration of the slot machine 1 in this embodiment will be described.

<Winning areas subject to internal lottery>
Figure 3 shows the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area.

Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the bonus includes a Regular Big Bonus (hereinafter, the Regular Big Bonus is also referred to as "RBB") as a continuous activation device for a special first-class feature. The slot machine 1 also has three game states controlled by the game state transition control means 170: a non-RT state, which is a general state where the RBB is not set to be active and is not operating; a bonus-established state, which is transitioned to when the RBB is set to be active and the RBB is maintained internally until the RBB is activated; and a bonus-operating state, which is transitioned to when the RBB is activated and the RBB is operating.

As shown in Figure 3, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has the following winning areas that are subject to internal lottery: winning area "All Small Wins", winning area "All Single Wins", winning area "Normal Replay 1", winning area "Normal Replay 2", winning area "Rare Replay", winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12", winning area "RBB & Single Win", winning area "RBB & Rare Win", and winning area "RBB". Winning numbers 1 to 20 are associated with each of these areas. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, winning number 0 is associated with a non-winning result (miss) in the internal lottery.

Here, "batting order" refers to the sequence in which operations are performed on stop buttons B1 through B3. Furthermore, in the following description, the timing at which stop buttons B1 through B3 are operated will also be referred to as "operation timing."

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the sequence of operations for the three stop buttons B1 to B3 consists of six types of sequences, from sequence 1 to sequence 6. Sequence 1 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is commonly referred to as a "sequential pressing" sequence. Sequence 2 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is commonly referred to as a "scissors pressing" sequence. Sequence 3 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Sequence 4 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Sequence 5 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Furthermore, batting order 6 is a so-called reverse batting order, where the stopping operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

The internal lottery means 120, in its random number determination process, determines the success or failure of each winning area in an order from the winning area associated with winning number 20 to the losing area associated with winning number 0.

In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the following minor roles can be won through internal抽選: Bell A to Bell F, Single Coin A to Single Coin C, and Rare Coin. The following replays can be won through internal抽選: Replay A, Replay B, and Rare Replay. Each minor role and each replay is associated with the respective winning areas in the combinations shown in Figure 3.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in slot machine 1, the winning areas "RBB & 1-coin win" and "RBB & rare win" are set as winning areas that include both bonuses and small wins, and the winning area "RBB" is set as a winning area that includes only bonuses.

In Slot Machine 1, the winning probability for the "Rare Replay" area is set lower than that of other replay winning areas. Furthermore, in Slot Machine 1, the winning probability for the "RBB & Rare Role" area is set lower than that of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" through "Bat Order Bell 12," and the winning area "RBB & Single Coin Role," which include minor roles.

In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the carry-over flag is associated with the RBB (Regular Big Bonus), while the minor wins and replays are associated with the non-carry-over flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, if the internal lottery results in a winning area including RBB, the state of the RBB lottery flag is carried over until an RBB is awarded. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 also performs an internal lottery to determine the outcome of minor wins and replays, even in games where the RBB lottery flag state has been carried over. Specifically, in the lottery flag setting process, in games where the RBB lottery flag state has been carried over, if a minor win or replay is awarded, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of wins—consisting of the already awarded RBB lottery flag and the minor win or replay lottery flag awarded in the internal lottery—are set to the state of being awarded.

<Internal Lottery Table>
In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 stores in the internal lottery table storage means 192 three internal lottery tables used in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120: an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (general mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the bonus established state (internal mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the bonus state (operating mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C). In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value is associated with each winning area that is the target of the lottery.

<Random number generation process>
In this embodiment, the internal lottery means 120, in the random number determination process, sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the number of lottery values associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192. If the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it is determined that the player has won in the winning area corresponding to the number of lottery values that was subtracted. Furthermore, if the result of the subtraction is a positive value after subtracting by all the number of lottery values stored in the internal lottery table, it is determined that the player has not won any role and is therefore unsuccessful.

Furthermore, the random number generation means 110 in this embodiment is configured to generate a total of 65,536 random numbers ranging from 0 to 65,535 for use in the internal lottery. In addition, in internal lottery table A, the total number of lottery values associated with the winning area "RBB" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is 65,536. Similarly, in internal lottery table B, the total number of lottery values associated with the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is also 65,536. Therefore, in the internal lottery during non-RT states or bonus states, the system is configured to ensure that a win is guaranteed and no loss occurs.

<Bonus Winning Determination Process>
As described above, in this embodiment, the internal lottery means 120 has lottery values set for the winning area "RBB & 1-coin win" and the winning area "RBB & rare win" when a bonus is established. Therefore, in the internal lottery when the game state is a bonus established state, there is a possibility that an RBB may be won again when an RBB has already been set to be established. To prevent the newly won RBB from being set to be established, the internal lottery means 120 is configured to execute a bonus win determination process that determines whether the winning area, whose win or loss is determined by a random number determination process, is a winning area that includes a bonus.

The internal lottery means 120, in the bonus winning determination process, executes a process to skip the process of setting the bonus to the winning state if the random number determination process determines that a winning area including the bonus is the target for determining whether it is a win or a loss, and the winning area including the bonus is a win and the game state is a bonus-established state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to the winning state when an RBB is already set to the winning state.

<Details of the batting order bells>
In this embodiment, each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" has a set batting order (correct batting order) that allows bells A to F to be awarded when a win is achieved.

In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" and "Bat Order Bell 7," the correct batting order to win Bell A is set to batting order 1. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 2" and "Bat Order Bell 8," the correct batting order to win Bell B is set to batting order 2. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 3" and "Bat Order Bell 9," the correct batting order to win Bell C is set to batting order 3. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 4" and "Bat Order Bell 10," the correct batting order to win Bell D is set to batting order 4. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 5" and "Bat Order Bell 11," the correct batting order to win Bell E is set to batting order 5. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 6" and "Bat Order Bell 12," the correct batting order to win Bell F is set to batting order 6. In the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12," if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order different from the correct batting order set for each winning area, there is a 1/2 probability of winning either single-coin payout A or single-coin payout B, and a 1/2 probability of missing a payout (non-winning) combination of symbols different from the winning combinations being displayed on active line L1.

<Reel control means>
In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, regardless of the game state, the priority order for the winning combinations to be stopped on the active line L1 in the reel stop control is set in the order of "replay > small win >bonus". In other words, when a bonus and a small win or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 executes a stop control that prioritizes the small win or replay over the bonus.

Furthermore, the reel control means 130 of this embodiment continues to supply the drive pulses for all-phase excitation, which are supplied to stop the rotating reel, for 200 ms to ensure that the rotating reel is reliably stopped.

The reel control means 130 acquires the rotation state of the reels at the time it receives a reel stop signal from the stop switch 240, using the reel index, which is information indicating that the reel has completed one rotation, output when a photosensor provided on the reel unit 310 detects the reel position detection unit provided on each reel, and the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel where the reel index is detected (calculated from the number of drive pulses supplied to the stepping motor). Details of the reel stop control in this game and the temporary reel stop control performed when a temporary stop occurs in a simulated game will be described later.

<Payouts for minor roles>
The payout for Bell A through Bell F is set to be 15 coins, which is more than the prescribed number of coins to be inserted (3 coins). Also, the payout for 1-coin combinations A through C and rare combinations is set to be 1 coin, which is less than the prescribed number of coins to be inserted.

<Game state transition control means>
Figure 4(A) is a state transition diagram showing the game states that can be transitioned from each game state in the control related to the transition of game states performed by the game state transition control means 170 of this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 4(A), the non-RT state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among multiple game states (initial game state, normal game state), and is a non-bonus state where no bonus is activated or established. In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8978/65536 (approximately 1/7.3).

The bonus activation state is a game state that is entered when, during the non-RT state, the internal lottery selects one of the following winning areas: "RBB," "RBB & 1-coin win," or "RBB & rare win," and RBB is set to the activation state. In the bonus activation state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table B, where the probability of winning a replay is set to 8982/65536 (approximately 1/7.3).

The bonus state is a game state that is entered when an RBB (Regular Bonus) is triggered and activated. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 determines whether the termination condition of the activated RBB has been met based on the total number of medals paid out. If the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 100 medals), the RBB is terminated, ending the bonus state and transitioning the game state to a non-bonus state (non-RT state). In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C.

As shown in Figure 3, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with two winning areas: "All Small Wins," which includes all small wins (Bell A-Bell F, Single-Coin Wins A-C, and Rare Wins), and "All Single-Coin Wins," which includes all small wins (Single-Coin Wins A-C, and Rare Wins) where the payout is set to 1 coin.

The bonus state will be explained in detail using Figure 3. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the probability of winning the "All Small Wins" area or the "All Single Wins" area in the bonus state where internal lottery table C is selected is higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including small wins in internal lottery table A and internal lottery table B. In other words, the probability of winning a small win in the bonus state is set to be higher than the probability of winning any small win in any game state other than the bonus state. Furthermore, in internal lottery table C, the probability of winning the "All Small Wins" area is set to be the same as the sum of the probabilities of winning any one of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" and any one of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 7" to "Bat Order Bell 12" in internal lottery table A and internal lottery table B.

Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, in the bonus state, the probability of winning all minor roles increases compared to the non-RT state (when the bonus is not activated) and the bonus state, and the probability of winning any minor role is the same or increases.

Furthermore, in the bonus state, slot machine 1 is configured such that the probability of winning in the "All Small Wins" winning area is lower than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" (the sum of the winning probabilities for each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12").

Thus, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has multiple types of first specific winning patterns (winning areas "Bell 1" to "Bell 6", "Bell 7" to "Bell 12") in which multiple types of specific roles (Bell A to Bell F) set to pay out more than the number of game value inputs required to start the game do not overlap with each other but are awarded in conjunction with other small roles, and a second specific winning pattern (winning area "All Small Roles") in which multiple types of specific small roles are awarded in conjunction. The internal lottery means 120 is configured to conduct an internal lottery so that multiple types of first specific winning patterns exist in the normal game state (non-RT state) and the bonus state, and to conduct an internal lottery so that a second specific winning pattern exists in the bonus state. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the probability of winning the second winning pattern in the internal lottery during the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning any of the multiple first winning patterns in the internal lottery during normal gameplay and the bonus state. The probability of winning each individual small win in the internal lottery during the bonus state is greater than or equal to the probability of winning each individual small win in the internal lottery during normal gameplay and the bonus state.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has an expected value of less than 100% for medal acquisition during the bonus state.

Here, in the bonus state, as will be explained in more detail later, when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12", the configuration is such that you cannot win Bells A to F unless you operate Stop Buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order composed of Batting Orders 1 to 6. Therefore, the probability of winning any of Bells A to F is limited to when you operate Stop Buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order from the six possible batting orders. On the other hand, when an AT game is played in which the AT control means 200 (described later) performs prize-winning assistance, when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12", the correct batting order is notified by prize-winning assistance from the AT control means 200 and prize-winning assistance effects from the effect control means 180. Therefore, the probability of winning any of Bells A to F can be increased by up to six times compared to when prize-winning assistance is not performed.

In this embodiment, six types of winning combinations (specific combinations), Bell A to Bell F, are set as winning combinations (specific combinations) that pay out more medals than the prescribed number of medals when the stopping operation is performed in the correct sequence and the timing of the first stopping operation is appropriate. Furthermore, the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in the bonus state is compressed to approximately 1/6 of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in other game states. By configuring it in this way, an internal lottery is performed with a configuration that allows for the winning of N types of specific combinations without overlap in other game states, and an internal lottery is performed with a configuration that allows for the winning of N types of specific combinations with overlapping wins in the bonus state. This allows for the design of medal acquisition performance related to AT gameplay while lowering the lower limit of the expected value of medal acquisition rate in the bonus state to less than 100%, thereby dramatically improving the design flexibility of the slot machine 1 equipped with AT functionality.

<AT control means>
Figure 4(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 200 of this embodiment, and the performance state controlled during the advantageous section.

As described above, the normal section is a period during which no control related to auxiliary games is performed based on the results of the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120. During gameplay within the normal section, the AT control means 200 conducts a favorable section lottery, which determines whether to end the normal section and start the favorable section based on the winning area determined by the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120.

In the advantageous section lottery, the AT control means 200 first obtains an advantageous section transition lottery table from the AT control data storage means 197. This table associates "start of advantageous section" and "loss (failure)" with each of several random numbers. Then, the AT control means 200 obtains a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the obtained random number with the advantageous section transition lottery table, and, based on the comparison result, decides whether or not to start the advantageous section.

The AT control means 200 performs a favorable section lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area selected in the internal lottery and the winning probability of "start of favorable section" in the favorable section lottery is 1/17500 or higher.

The AT control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to perform a favorable section lottery when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12", "RBB & Rare Role", "RBB & 1-Coin Role", "Normal Replay 1", or "Rare Replay" is selected in the internal lottery during non-RT states and bonus states. If any other winning area is selected, the favorable section lottery is not performed. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 performs a favorable section lottery with a high probability of approximately 1/1.5, resulting in the "start of the favorable section".

During the advantageous period, the AT control means 200 has three states (performance states) related to its instruction function: a normal state, a CZ state, and an AT state. In the normal state, it is configured not to perform assistance for the entry of bells A to F when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12." In the CZ state and the AT state, it is configured to perform assistance for the entry of bells A to F when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12." Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the proportion of time spent in the advantageous period during the overall gameplay can be 70% or more.

The normal state is the state that corresponds to the normal state among multiple types of performance states, and is set when the game has not transitioned to any other performance state. When the performance state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 200 performs an incremental update to the non-AT game counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played in the normal state. Each time a game is played, the stored value of the non-AT game counter is added by a value of "1," which corresponds to one game. When the stored value of the non-AT game counter reaches "700," the AT control means 200 determines that the conditions for transitioning to the CZ state have been met, and transitions the performance state from the normal state to the CZ state.

Furthermore, the AT control means 200 performs a CZ (Chance Zone) lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state when the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is selected in the internal lottery, or when the winning area "Rare Replay" is selected.

The AT control means 200 conducts a lottery in the CZ lottery to determine either "transition to CZ state" or "failure." If the CZ lottery results in "transition to CZ state," it determines that the CZ transition condition has been met and transitions the performance state from the normal state to the CZ state.

The CZ (Chance Zone) state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because it provides assistance for winning bells A through F when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" through "Bat Order Bell 12".

The AT control means 200 sets a value (for example, 8 times) corresponding to a predetermined number of times prize-winning assistance is performed in the CZ auxiliary game count counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the CZ state. Each time a winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12" is won and prize-winning assistance is performed, the AT control means 200 performs a decrement update, subtracting the stored value of the CZ auxiliary game count counter by a value "1" corresponding to one time.

The AT control means 200 is configured to perform a CZ (Challenge Zone) AT lottery during a game in which the CZ state has started, determining whether or not to transition to the AT state. If the CZ AT lottery results in "transition to AT state," the AT control means 200 transitions the game state from the CZ state to the AT state after eight prize-winning assistance rounds have been performed from the start of the CZ state. On the other hand, if the CZ AT lottery does not result in "transition to AT state," the AT control means 200 terminates the CZ state after eight prize-winning assistance rounds have been performed from the start of the CZ state. If the CZ state ends without the AT transition conditions being met, the AT control means 200 determines that the normal termination condition among the advantageous section termination conditions has been met, and performs a predetermined initialization process, which initializes information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process, which terminates the advantageous section and starts the normal section from the next game.

During the AT lottery in the CZ (Challenge Zone), the AT control means 200 executes a lottery that allows for a "transition to AT state" regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Furthermore, during the AT lottery in the CZ, the AT control means 200 obtains a lottery table by referring to the winning area selected in the internal lottery, so that the probability of winning a "transition to AT state" changes depending on the winning area selected in the internal lottery. The AT control means 200 obtains a lottery table that allows for a "transition to AT state" with a higher probability when the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay" is selected compared to when other winning areas are selected.

The AT (Automatic Trigger) state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because it provides assistance for winning bells A through F when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" through "Bat Order Bell 12".

The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (50 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in the AT game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the AT state. Each time a game is played, it performs a decrement update, subtracting the stored value of the AT game counter by a value of "1" equivalent to one game.

Furthermore, the AT control means 200 is configured to perform an add-on lottery to determine whether to add (add) the duration of the AT state by deciding whether to add the value determined by the lottery to the stored value of the AT game counter, in cases where the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120 results in the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay". If the value determined by the add-on lottery is 1 or greater, the system is configured to perform an add-on process to add the determined value to the AT game counter.

The AT control means 200 determines that the AT state termination condition (AT termination condition) has been met when the stored value of the AT game counter becomes "0" due to a decrement update performed each time a game is played in the AT state. It then terminates the AT state and, upon determining that the normal termination condition of the advantageous section has been met, performs a predetermined initialization process to initialize information related to the advantageous section. It also performs a predetermined termination process to terminate the advantageous section and start the normal section from the next game.

Furthermore, the AT control means 200 determines that the AT termination conditions have been met when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a reaches the value "1500" in the AT state, and when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b exceeds the value "2400" in the AT state. It terminates the AT state and, upon determining that a specific termination condition among the advantageous section termination conditions has been met, executes a predetermined initialization process that initializes information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process that terminates the advantageous section and starts the normal section from the next game.

<Simulated game control means>
The simulated game control means 400 of this embodiment is configured to execute a simulated game in a game in which the AT state is started by the AT control means 200. In the simulated game, the simulated game control means 400 causes the reel control means 130 to execute reel control to rotate the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by operating the start lever SL, and to temporarily stop the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3. The simulated game control means 400 is configured to cause the reel control means 130 to execute control to temporarily display the white 7 symbol "white 7" in the middle position of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 temporarily stop, regardless of the timing of the operation of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

The middle sections of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 each constitute the temporary stop position in this embodiment, and the white 7 symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 each constitute the temporary stop symbols in this embodiment.

In slot machine 1, when a simulated game is being played, even if a predetermined period of 190 ms has passed since stop buttons B1 to B3 were pressed, the reels continue to rotate until the white 7 symbol ("white 7") reaches the middle position. When the white 7 symbol ("white 7") (see Figure 5) reaches the middle position, the reels are temporarily stopped. The reels are configured to rotate beyond the number of spins possible in this game (4 frames) from the time the stop buttons are pressed until the temporary stop. Details of the temporary stop control of the reels in the simulated game will be described later.

Furthermore, the reel control means 130 of this embodiment outputs a drive pulse to the stepping motor that rotates the reel, causing it to rotate one step (approximately 1.43°) in either the forward or reverse direction, within a predetermined time (500 ms in this embodiment) from the moment the reel stops rotating during the simulated game. The reel control means 130 alternately outputs a drive pulse that rotates the reel one step in the forward direction and a drive pulse that rotates the reel one step in the reverse direction at intervals of 500 ms or less, thereby causing the temporarily stopped reel to vibrate slightly. Details of the slight vibration of the reel during the simulated game will be described later.

When the simulated game ends, the slot machine 1 displays a predetermined symbol combination (in this embodiment, "white 7-white 7-white 7") in the middle row of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 due to the simulated game. To prevent the synchronization of the rotation start times of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 from assisting in winning combinations and compromising the fairness of the game, the reel control means 130 executes a random delay process to randomly delay the timing of the rotation start of each reel. By preventing the rotation start times of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 from synchronizing due to the random delay process, the slot machine 1 ensures fair gameplay even when a simulated game has been executed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a freeze including a simulated game occurs, the simulated game control means 400 transmits a game interruption signal, indicating that the game is progressing due to the freeze, to an external test device located outside the slot machine 1 via a relay board (not shown).

As described above, the simulated game is a reel animation whose duration can be adjusted by the player's operation. Therefore, when the simulated game control means 400 in this embodiment outputs a game interruption signal to the external test device upon the start of the simulated game, it outputs an animation shortening request command—an identification information (command) for shortening the simulated game—to the relay board connecting the game control means 10 and the external test device, in order to shorten the time required for testing using the external test device. The simulated game control means 400 transmits the animation shortening request command to the relay board approximately every 50 ms, which is a predetermined time longer than the time required for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to rotate one symbol (37.5 ms in this embodiment).

The relay board outputs a stop button operation signal to the external test device, causing the external test device to output a stop signal indicating that the stop button corresponding to the performance shortening request command has been operated.

With this configuration, the slot machine 1, which has a simulated game that is a reel animation whose duration changes depending on the player's operation, outputs a signal that causes the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to temporarily stop one by one after a predetermined period of time when the execution of the simulated game is determined in a test using an external test device. This allows the simulated game to be terminated quickly while maintaining its characteristics, enabling appropriate and rapid test execution.

Furthermore, by executing the control described above, the slot machine 1 can request the output of a signal that is displayed when the operating means corresponding to the performance shortening request command is operated, via the relay board, from the external test device. When the requested signal is input from the external test device to the relay board, the relay board outputs the signal that is displayed when the operating means corresponding to the performance shortening request command is operated. Therefore, the signal output from the relay board can be used as a substitute for the operation of the operating means.

3. Details of Reel Stop Control in Simulated Gameplay Next, we will explain in detail the control performed by the reel control means 130 when executing simulated gameplay in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, specifically the control for temporarily stopping the reels and the control for causing the temporarily stopped reels to vibrate slightly.

<Arrangement of patterns>
Figure 5 shows the symbols arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the following symbols are arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3: White 7 symbol "White 7", BAR symbol "BAR", Replay symbol "RP", Bell A symbol "BLA", Bell B symbol "BLB", Cherry symbol "CH", Watermelon symbol "WM", Blank A symbol "BKA", Blank B symbol "BKB", and Blank C symbol "BKC". In addition, 20 symbols are arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. As shown in Figure 5, each of the 20 symbols is associated with a stop number from stop number 0 to stop number 19.

In this embodiment, the BAR symbol "BAR" and the white 7 symbol "White 7" have a wider width than other symbols when viewed from the front, and are configured to be more visible than other symbols during the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

<Control flow executed by the game control system>
In the game control means 10 of this embodiment, after the internal lottery is performed by the internal lottery means 120, the AT control means 200 performs control related to auxiliary games. The AT control means 200 is configured to also perform control related to whether or not to perform a simulated game in the control related to auxiliary games.

In the game control means 10, after the AT control means 200 has finished controlling the auxiliary game, the simulated game control means 400 executes the simulated game processing. The simulated game control means 400 executes the processing from the start of the simulated game until the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 temporarily stop and the simulated game ends.

In the game control means 10, after the simulated game processing by the simulated game control means 400 is executed, the reel control means 130 performs reel rotation control and reel stop control. In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, a common stop control program is used for both the stop control program used when temporarily stopping the reels during the simulated game processing by the simulated game control means 400 and the stop control program used for the reel stop control executed by the reel control means 130 during the actual game.

<Simulated game processing>
Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the simulated game processing performed by the simulated game control means 400 in this embodiment. First, the simulated game control means 400 determines whether or not a simulated game will be performed in the current game (S1). If it is determined in this process that a simulated game will not be performed (NO), the simulated game control means 400 terminates the simulated game.

On the other hand, if it is determined that a simulated game should be executed in this game (YES), the simulated game control means 400 sets the simulated game flag, which is flag data indicating that a simulated game is being executed, to ON (S2).

Next, the simulated game control means 400 sets stop numbers according to the content of the simulated game (S3). In this process, the simulated game control means 400 sets the stop numbers for each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 according to the content of the simulated game being executed. In this embodiment, the simulated game control means 400 executes the simulated game in the game in which the AT state is started, and based on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3, it temporarily stops and displays the white 7 symbol "white 7" with stop number 14 in the middle position of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In other words, it performs reel stop control so that the symbol with stop number 13 temporarily stops in the upper position of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Therefore, stop number 13 is set for each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

Next, the simulated game control means 400 instructs the reel control means 130 to perform reel rotation start control (S4). In this process, the simulated game control means 400 instructs the reel control means 130 to start the rotation of the reels.

Next, the simulated game control means 400 instructs the reel control means 130 to execute reel stop control (S5). As described above, in the slot machine 1, the reel stop control performed for the temporary stopping of the reels in the simulated game is executed using the same stop control program as the reel stop control performed by the reel control means 130 in the actual game. In the slot machine 1, in the simulated game processing, after all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have temporarily stopped, the process proceeds from step S5 to step S6.

After executing the process in step S5, the simulated game control means 400 determines whether or not the start lever SL has been operated (S6). If it is determined that the start lever SL has not been operated (No), the simulated game control means 400 repeats the process in step S6 until the start lever SL is operated. Furthermore, the simulated game control means 400 also proceeds to step S7 if, after a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed since the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 temporarily stopped, the start operation to the start lever SL is not performed.

In step S6, if it is determined that the start lever SL has been operated (YES), the simulated game control means 400 determines whether the simulated game will continue (S7). If it is determined that the simulated game will continue (YES), the simulated game control means 400 returns to step S3 to start the next simulated game. On the other hand, if it is determined that the simulated game will not continue (NO), the simulated game control means 400 sets the simulated game flag to OFF (S8) because the simulated game has ended, and terminates the simulated game process.

<Reel stop control>
Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the reel stop control performed by the reel control means 130 of this embodiment. As described above, the reel control means 130 of this embodiment is configured to perform control related to stopping the reels using a common stop control program shown in Figure 7, whether it is to stop a reel that is rotating in the actual game or to temporarily stop a reel that is rotating in the simulated game.

First, the reel control means 130 determines whether or not a valid stop button B1 to B3 has been operated (S11). In this process, the reel control means 130 determines whether the stop signal output from the stop switch 240 is activated and whether or not a stop button corresponding to a rotating reel has been operated. If it determines that a stop button has not been operated or that a stop button corresponding to a reel that is already stopped (temporarily stopped) has been operated (i.e., an invalid stop button has been operated) (NO), the process in step S11 is repeated until a valid stop button is operated.

In step S11, if it is determined that a valid stop button has been operated (YES), the reel control means 130 sets the stop position of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button based on the symbol appearing in the upper row (the symbol currently appearing in the upper row) (S12). In this process, the reel control means 130 obtains a stop number associated with the symbol currently appearing in the upper row from the reel index associated with the reel and the number of drive pulses supplied to the stepping motor, and sets the obtained stop number to the stop position. Here, the symbol currently appearing in the upper row means that when the specific area 330b of the display device 330 is viewed from the front, approximately the lower half or more of the symbol is visible in the upper row, and that it has been rotated by 8 steps (approximately 11.44°) or more from the upper edge of the specific area 330b.

Next, the reel control means 130 sets the number of sliding frames (S13). In this process, the reel control means 130 sets the number of frames (sliding frames) by which the reel will rotate to the stop position set in step S12. In the case of a real game, the reel control means 130 can set the number of sliding frames to a range of 4 frames within 190 ms after the stop button is operated. In the case of a simulated game, the reel control means 130 is configured to set the number of sliding frames to a range of up to 19 frames.

Next, the reel control means 130 calculates the stop number (S14). In this process, the reel control means 130 calculates the stop number of the symbol to be stopped on the upper reel, based on the stop position set in step S12 and the number of sliding frames set in step S13.

The processing of steps S12 to S14 will be explained using a specific example. For example, if the reel stop control in this case is the reel stop control for this game, and the result of the internal lottery is a win of Replay A consisting of the winning symbol combination "RP-RP-RP", and the symbol appearing on the upper reel at the time the stop button B1 is operated is the Bell A symbol "BLA" with stop number 12, then in step S12, the stop position is set to stop number 12. In step S13, since the stop number of the Replay symbol "RP" located upstream in the forward rotation direction from the Bell A symbol "BLA" with stop number 12 on the left reel R1 is stop number 8, the number of sliding frames is set to 4. In step S14, the Bell A symbol "BLA" with stop number 7, which has rotated 4 frames from stop number 12, is calculated as the stop number.

Next, the reel control means 130 sets a reel stop request (S15). In this process, the reel control means 130 sets a reel stop request, which is data used to determine whether or not to change the reel's rotation pattern during the stop operation in the reel control during the interrupt processing.

Next, the reel control means 130 determines whether or not the stop control calculation for all reels has been completed (S16). In this process, the reel control means 130 determines whether the stop control calculation, which consists of the processes in steps S12 to S15, has been performed for all reels from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. If the stop control calculation for any of the reels from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 has not been completed (NO), the process returns to step S11.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the calculation of stop control for all reels has been completed (YES), the reel control means 130 determines whether all reels have stopped (S17). In this process, the reel control means 130 determines whether all reels from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped (temporarily stopped) based on the calculation of the reel stop control. If it is determined that any of the reels from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are not stopped (temporarily stopped), for example, if any of the reels are continuing to rotate or are decelerating due to stopping (NO), the process in step S17 continues until all of the reels from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped (temporarily stopped). If it is determined that all of the reels from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped (temporarily stopped) (YES), the reel stop control is terminated.

<Reel control in interrupt processing>
Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the interrupt processing performed by each of the means constituting the game control means 10, specifically the processing related to reel control performed by the reel control means 130.

In the interrupt processing related to reel control, first, the reel control means 130 updates the step count (S21). In this process, the reel control means 130 updates the number of times drive pulses have been supplied to each stepping motor that rotates the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, i.e., the step count.

Next, the reel control means 130 determines whether or not it is time to update the stop number of the currently appearing symbol (S22). In this process, the reel control means 130 calculates the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel where the reel index is detected based on the number of updated drive pulses supplied, and determines whether or not it is the timing for a symbol with a different stop number from the currently appearing symbol in the previous interrupt processing related to reel control to become the new currently appearing symbol.

In step S22, if it is determined that the stop number of the currently appearing symbol needs to be updated (YES), the reel control means 130 updates the stop number of the currently appearing symbol (S23) and sets the symbol update flag, which is flag data indicating that the stop number of the currently appearing symbol has been updated, to ON (S24). When the reel control means 130 sets the symbol update flag to ON during reel control in an interrupt process, it maintains the symbol update flag as ON until the reel control in the interrupt process in which the symbol update flag was set to ON is completed. When starting reel control in the next interrupt process, it sets the symbol update flag from ON to OFF and then executes the series of processes shown in Figure 8.

If, after executing the process in step S24 or during the process in step S22, it is determined that it is not time to update the stop number of the currently appearing symbols (NO), the reel control means 130 determines whether or not there is a request to stop the reels (S25). In this process, the reel control means 130 determines whether or not there is a request to stop the reels, as set in the process of step S15 of the reel stop control shown in Figure 7.

In step S25, if it is determined that there is a request to stop the reels (YES), the reel control means 130 determines whether the stop number of the currently appearing symbols matches the calculated stop number (S26). In this process, the reel control means 130 determines whether the stop number of the currently appearing symbols, updated in step S23, matches the stop number calculated in step S14 of the reel stop control.

In step S26, if it is determined that the stop number of the currently appearing symbol matches the calculated stop number (YES), the reel control means 130 determines whether the pseudo-game flag is ON or OFF (S27). If it is determined that the pseudo-game flag is ON in this process (YES), the reel control means 130 determines whether the symbol update flag is ON or OFF (S28).

In step S27, if it is determined that the pseudo-game flag is OFF (NO), or in step S28, if it is determined that the symbol update flag is ON (YES), the reel control means 130 changes the reel control mode during the reel stop operation (S29). In this process, the reel control means 130 starts supplying a full-phase excitation drive pulse to the stepping motor that is rotating the reel that was set as the target for stopping in the stop request.

As described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to perform reel stop control in the simulated game, which temporarily displays the white 7 symbol "white 7" in the middle position of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, regardless of the timing of operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. Therefore, for example, if stop button B1 is operated when the currently appearing symbol is the replay symbol "RP" with stop number 13, and the operation position of stop button B1 is set to the bell A symbol "BLA" with stop number 12, the replay symbol "RP" with stop number 13 is set to the stop number corresponding to the simulated game in order to temporarily display the white 7 symbol "white 7" with stop number 14 in the middle position of the left reel R1.

Given this configuration, in slot machine 1, when a simulated game is executed, if the system does not determine whether the symbol update flag is set to ON after it is determined that the stop number of the currently appearing symbol matches the calculated stop number—that is, whether the current interrupt process occurred at the time the stop number of the currently appearing symbol was updated—then the stop number of the currently appearing symbol at the time stop button B1 is operated will match the stop number set according to the simulated game. Therefore, the system will determine that the currently appearing symbol is the symbol with the set stop number, and the drive pulse for all-phase excitation will begin supplying, causing the left reel R1 to stop rotating immediately regardless of the position of each symbol.

Specifically, in slot machine 1, as shown in Figure 9(A), even if the currently appearing symbol is one step away from updating from stop number 13 to stop number 12, the system starts supplying the drive pulse for full-phase excitation because the current stop number of the appearing symbol is stop number 13. In such a case, as shown in Figure 9(B), slot machine 1 will temporarily stop the white 7 symbol "white 7" at a position below the middle of the left reel R1 when viewed from the front, making it impossible to temporarily stop it at the middle of the left reel R1 where it is originally intended to stop.

To prevent malfunctions in the stopping position during such temporary stops, the reel control means 130 of this embodiment is configured to determine whether the stopping number of the currently appearing symbols matches the calculated stopping number, and then, if it is determined that the pseudo-game flag is ON, it is configured to change the symbol update flag during the reel stopping operation if it is determined that the symbol update flag is ON.

In other words, the reel control means 130 of this embodiment, when a stop button is operated during a simulated game, does not start supplying drive pulses for full-phase excitation until at least a portion of the white 7 symbol "white 7" is in the middle position of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button, and does not initiate a temporary stop of the reel until the stop number of the currently appearing symbol is updated and the white 7 symbol "white 7" is in the middle position. Therefore, the reel is configured to pass the white 7 symbol "white 7" that is in the middle position of the reel at the moment the stop button is operated, and then temporarily stop when the white 7 symbol "white 7" is again in the middle position of the reel after passing the middle position.

As a result, in slot machine 1, when reel stop control is performed during simulated gameplay, if the stop position set from the currently appearing symbols in the upper row is the symbol with stop number 13, which is one frame above the white 7 symbol "white 7" with stop number 14 in the rotation direction, the number of slide frames is set to a maximum of 19, and the stop number is calculated to be stop number 13. However, in the reel control in the interrupt processing performed when the stop button is operated, the stop number of the currently appearing symbols matches the calculated stop number, and the simulated game flag is determined to be ON, but the symbol update flag is not determined to be ON. Therefore, it is not changed during the reel stop operation, and after the stop button is operated... After rotating 19 frames and updating the currently displayed symbol to the symbol with stop number 13 (after sliding 19 frames), the change occurs during the reel stop operation. Therefore, even if the stop number of the currently displayed symbol matches the stop number set according to the simulated game when the stop button is pressed, the reels are not temporarily stopped at that point. Instead, after rotating 19 frames and updating the stop number to the stop number set according to the simulated game, the drive pulse for full-phase excitation is started to temporarily stop the reels. This allows the symbols to be temporarily stopped in the appropriate position during the simulated game, aligning them in a line within the specific area 330b, and preventing a decrease in the player's enjoyment of the simulated game.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when this game is being played, the reel control means 130 is configured such that, since the stop number of the currently appearing symbols and the stop number corresponding to the result of the internal lottery do not match, if it is determined in step S27 that the pseudo-game flag is OFF, it skips step S28 and executes step S29.

This prevents slot machine 1 from executing unnecessary processes during gameplay. For example, when the game is played, if the stop number of the currently appearing symbol matches the calculated stop number, the system waits for the stop number of the currently appearing symbol to be updated before starting the supply of the drive pulse for full-phase excitation. This prevents an increase in program capacity and processing load.

Furthermore, this configuration allows the slot machine 1 to execute the reel stop control shown in Figures 7 and 8 in common for both the actual game and the simulated game. This eliminates the need to prepare a separate program specifically for the simulated game, thus reducing program capacity.

In particular, as shown in Figure 8, slot machine 1 allows for the execution of a common control program for both the main game and the simulated game simply by determining whether the simulated game flag is ON or OFF. Compared to a control program that repeatedly determines whether the currently appearing symbol, which triggers the supply of drive pulses for all-phase excitation, is currently passing by, this simpler control program allows for the common control program between the main game and the simulated game, reducing program and data capacity.

After executing the process in step S29, the reel control means 130 determines whether the pseudo-game flag is ON or OFF (S30). If it is determined that the pseudo-game flag is ON (YES), the reel control means 130 sets the following timers for the minute vibrations of the temporarily stopped left reel R1 to right reel R3 during the pseudo-game: a left reel timer 194a for managing the vibration of the left reel R1, a middle reel timer 194b for managing the vibration of the middle reel R2, a right reel timer 194c for managing the vibration of the right reel R3, and a common pseudo-game timer 194d used for the vibrations of each of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 to manage the synchronization of their vibrations (S31), and then terminates the reel control in the interrupt processing. Details regarding the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 and each timer will be described later.

If, in step S25, it is determined that there is no request to stop the reels (NO); if, in step S26, it is determined that the stop number of the currently appearing symbol does not match the calculated stop number (NO); or if, in step S28, it is determined that the symbol update flag is OFF (NO), the reel control means 130 executes an excitation update process to update the excitation of the stepping motor that is rotating the reels in order to continue the rotation of the reels (S32), and terminates the reel control in the interrupt process.

4. Details of the minute vibrations of the reels that are temporarily stopped during simulated gameplay Next, we will explain the details of the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that occur when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are temporarily stopped in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment.

<Configuration related to micro-vibrations>
As shown in Figure 2, the slot machine 1 has a reel control data storage means 194 of the storage means 190, which includes a left reel timer 194a for managing the vibration of the left reel R1, a middle reel timer 194b for managing the vibration of the middle reel R2, a right reel timer 194c for managing the vibration of the right reel R3, and a pseudo-game common timer 194d that is used in common for the vibrations of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in order to manage the synchronization of the vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

In this embodiment, the reel control means 130 sets a first value of "160" to the timer that manages the vibration of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button (for example, the left reel timer 194a if stop button B1 is operated) when one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is operated during simulated gameplay and a drive pulse for full-phase excitation to temporarily stop the corresponding reel is supplied. This value is then decremented by 1 every four interrupt processing cycles. Furthermore, if the value of the timer managing the reel vibration changes from "1" to "0" and the simulated gameplay continues, the reel control means 130 sets a second value of "78" to the timer. Thus, the reel control means 130 is configured not to update the value of the timer managing the reel vibration until one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is operated during simulated gameplay. Details of the various controls related to updating the timer managing the reel vibration will be described later.

On the other hand, the reel control means 130 of this embodiment, regarding the pseudo-game common timer 194d, decrements the value stored in the pseudo-game common timer 194d by 1 every four interrupt processes, regardless of whether or not stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated while the pseudo-game is being executed. If the stored value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d is "0" when the decrement update is performed, it sets the value "78" as the third value (initial value). The reel control means 130 initializes the pseudo-game common timer 194d and sets the value "78" when a predetermined initialization process is performed based on the end of the advantageous section, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in this game, stopping the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and ending one game.

<Control related to the synchronization of minute vibrations>
Next, referring to Figure 10, we will explain the details of the control related to the synchronization of minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 using a timer that manages the vibration of the reels and a common timer for simulated games 194d. Figure 10 is a diagram that explains the behavior of the left reel R1 when the stop button B1 is operated in simulated games and the temporary stop of the left reel R1 is initiated, the changes in the stored value of the left reel timer 194a, the changes in the stored value of the common timer for simulated games 194d, and the time elapsed while the left reel R1 is stopped (stopped elapsed time).

As shown in Figure 10, the reel control means 130 sets the value "160" in the left reel timer 194a at the timing when it starts supplying a drive pulse for full-phase excitation to the stepping motor that rotates the left reel R1. In the example shown in Figure 10, the stored value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d at this point is "8". As mentioned above, the pseudo-game common timer 194d is configured such that its stored value is decremented by "1" every four interrupt processing operations performed by the reel control means 130, regardless of the progress of the pseudo-game. Depending on the timing when the reels begin to temporarily stop, the timer is set to a value between "0" and "78", and is not necessarily set to a value of "8".

In slot machine 1, the left reel timer 194a and the pseudo-game common timer 194d are decremented every four interrupt processes, which are executed approximately once every 1.49 ms. Therefore, approximately 5.96 ms elapses each time the stored values of the left reel timer 194a and the pseudo-game common timer 194d are updated.

The reel control means 130 manages the time for supplying the drive pulses for all-phase excitation using an operation management timer (not shown) that manages the number of reel operations and updates when an interrupt process is executed once. When the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is updated from value "127" to value "126", the stored value of the operation management timer becomes "0", and based on this, the supply of drive pulses for all-phase excitation is stopped, releasing the excitation.

The reel control means 130 energizes and de-energizes the stepping motor that rotates the left reel R1 until the stored value of the left reel timer 194a reaches the value "80". When the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is updated to "79", it supplies a drive pulse to energize one phase, maintaining the stepping motor in a stopped state.

The reel control means 130, at the timing when the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is updated to the value "77" after 494.68 ms has elapsed since the rotation of the left reel R1 stopped, supplies a drive pulse to the stepping motor to rotate it one step in the forward direction, based on the update of the stored value of the left reel timer 194a to the value "77". After rotating the left reel R1 one step in the forward direction, the reel control means 130 resumes supplying a drive pulse to excite one phase, maintaining the stopped state of the stepping motor.

The reel control means 130 is configured to determine whether the stored value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d will be decremented to "0" when the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is updated to "72" by a decrement update, provided that the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is "73". If the reel control means 130 determines that the stored value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d will not be decremented to "0" when the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is updated to "72" by a decrement update, it maintains the stored value of the left reel timer 194a at "73" until the timing for the pseudo-game common timer 194d to be decremented from "1" to "0".

In the example shown in Figure 10, at the time when the memory value of the left reel timer 194a is decremented from value "74" to value "73" (at a stop time of approximately 23.84 ms), the memory value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d is decremented from value "1" to value "0". When the memory value of the left reel timer 194a is decremented from value "73" to value "72" (at a stop time of approximately 29.8 ms), the memory value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d is updated from value "0" to value "78", thus maintaining the memory value of the left reel timer 194a at value "73".

In this embodiment, when the reel control means 130 maintains the stored value of the left reel timer 194a at "73", it first decrements the stored value of the left reel timer 194a, then references the stored value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d. Based on the determination that the referenced stored value is not "0", it adds "1" to the stored value of the left reel timer 194a, thereby maintaining the value at "73". This allows the slot machine 1 to maintain the value without changing the program that performs the decrement update in the control program related to updating the timer that manages the vibration of the reels, thereby reducing the design cost of the control program.

Furthermore, when the slot machine 1 maintains the memory value of the timer that manages the vibration of the reels at the value "73," it may be configured to refer to the memory value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d after its decrement update before performing a decrement update of the timer, thereby enabling the timer's memory value to be maintained at the value "73" without performing subtraction or addition.

The reel control means 130 maintains the memory value of the left reel timer 194a at "73" while continuing to decrement the memory value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d. At the timing when the memory value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d is decremented from "1" to "0" (approximately 494.68 ms of stopped time), the left reel timer 194a is decremented from "73" to "72" based on the fact that the memory value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d has been updated to "0".

The reel control means 130, based on the decrement update which updates the stored value of the left reel timer 194a to "72", supplies a drive pulse to the stepping motor to rotate it one step in the reverse direction. After rotating the left reel R1 in the reverse direction by one step, the reel control means 130 resumes supplying a drive pulse to excite one phase, maintaining the stepping motor in a stopped state.

The reel control means 130 decrements the stored value of the left reel timer 194a from "72" to "71," and updates the stored value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d from "0" to "78." Thereafter, the reel control means 130 continues to decrement the stored values of the left reel timer 194a and the pseudo-game common timer 194d, and at the timing when the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is decremented from "1" to "0," it updates the stored value of the left reel timer 194a to "78."

Then, at the timing when the elapsed stop time is approximately 435.08 ms and the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is updated to the value "77", the reel control means 130 supplies a drive pulse to the stepping motor to rotate it by one step in the forward direction, based on the update of the stored value of the left reel timer 194a to the value "77". Furthermore, at the timing when the elapsed stop time is approximately 35.76 ms, the reel control means 130, since the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is "73" and the stored value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d is updated from the value "1" to the value "0", updates the stored value of the left reel timer 194a from "73" to the value "72", and based on the update of the stored value of the left reel timer 194a to the value "72", supplies a drive pulse to the stepping motor to rotate it by one step in the reverse direction. Furthermore, the reel control means 130 is configured to supply a drive pulse to the stepping motor to excite one phase, except at the timings when the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is updated to the value "77" and the timings when it is updated to the value "72," thereby maintaining the left reel R1 in a stopped state.

With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during simulated gameplay and the drive pulse for full-phase excitation to the stepping motor is started, the timing for the rotation to occur is set such that the stored value of the simulated game common timer 194d is updated from value "1" to value "0," regardless of the timing of the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. After rotating one step in the reverse direction, approximately 435.08 ms elapses, causing the machine to rotate one step in the forward direction, and approximately 35.76 ms elapses, causing a minute vibration to occur, resulting in a rotation of one step in the reverse direction.

Furthermore, while Figure 10 illustrates the case where stop button B1 is operated, the system is configured to perform similar decrement updates for the middle reel timer 194b and the right reel timer 194c when stop buttons B2 and B3 are operated, and to perform decrement updates for the left reel timers 194a to the right reel timers 194c in parallel.

In other words, in slot machine 1, the timing for decrementing the memory values of the left reel timers 194a to 194c, which manage the vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, from value "73" to value "72," is unified with the timing when the pseudo-game common timer 194d, a separate timer independent of the left reel timers 194a to 194c, is updated regardless of the progress of the pseudo-game, and is referenced in common regardless of whether any of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 temporarily stops, is updated from value "1" to value "0." This configuration allows for the synchronization of the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 after temporarily pausing them until the pseudo-game common timer 194d is updated from value "1" to value "0."

With this configuration, in the simulated gameplay, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 temporarily stop, even if the timing of when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 begin to temporarily stop differs, the operation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the minute vibrations performed when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 temporarily stop can be synchronized, thereby improving the player's interest in the visual effects when multiple reels temporarily stop.

Furthermore, in slot machine 1, after temporarily stopping the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and rotating them one step in the forward direction, a separate pseudo-game common timer 194d is provided. This timer, which is updated independently of the progress of the pseudo-game, has a memory value that changes from "1" to "0". At the timing when this value is updated, the reels are rotated one step in the reverse direction to synchronize the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Therefore, when synchronizing the minute vibrations of multiple reels, it is not necessary to perform complex control such as adjusting the vibration of one reel in response to the minute vibration of another reel. This allows for improved player engagement with the visual effects when multiple reels are temporarily stopped, using a simple control program, while also reducing program size.

Furthermore, when synchronizing the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, slot machine 1 temporarily pauses the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and then resumes the vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 when the pseudo-game common timer 194d is updated from value "1" to value "0". This allows for a simpler control program than when synchronizing the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by adjusting the vibration period and vibration speed of each reel, thereby improving the player's interest in the visual effects when multiple reels are temporarily stopped, and also reduces program capacity.

The minute vibrations that occur when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are temporarily stopped constitute the first operation in this embodiment. Two of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 constitute the first and second reels in this embodiment. After rotating them one step in the forward direction, they are temporarily stopped, and at a predetermined timing when the pseudo-game common timer 194d is updated from value "1" to value "0", the vibrations are restarted, rotating them one step in the reverse direction. This operation constitutes the second operation for synchronizing the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in this embodiment.

<Details of the synchronization of micro-vibrations>
Next, using Figure 11, we will explain in detail how the minute vibrations of multiple reels synchronize during the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Figure 11 shows the process from when the left reel R1 is temporarily stopped and performing minute vibrations, until the middle reel R2 starts to temporarily stop, and the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2 synchronize.

In the example shown in Figure 11(A), the value "160" is set in the middle reel timer 194b based on the fact that the middle reel R2 temporarily stopped at the timing when the memory value of the left reel timer 194a was "40" and the memory value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d was "47". In slot machine 1, the left reel timer 194a, middle reel timer 194b, and pseudo-game common timer 194d are subsequently updated in parallel.

Approximately 244.36 ms have elapsed from the state shown in Figure 11(A) to the state shown in Figure 11(B). Based on the update of the memory value of the left reel timer 194a to "77", the reel control means 130 supplies a drive pulse to the stepping motor to rotate the left reel R1 by one step in the forward rotation direction. At this time, since the memory value of the middle reel timer 194b is "119", the reel control means 130 maintains the middle reel R2 in a stopped state without vibration.

Approximately 35.76 ms have elapsed from the state shown in Figure 11(B) to the state shown in Figure 11(C). Based on the update of the memory value of the left reel timer 194a to "72," the reel control means 130 supplies a drive pulse to the stepping motor to rotate the left reel R1 in the reverse direction by one step. At this time, since the memory value of the middle reel timer 194b is "113," the reel control means 130 maintains the middle reel R2 in a stopped state without vibration.

Approximately 214.56 ms have elapsed from the state shown in Figure 11(C) to the state shown in Figure 11(D). Based on the update of the stored value of the middle reel timer 194b to "77," the reel control means 130 supplies a drive pulse to the stepping motor to rotate the middle reel R2 by one step in the forward rotation direction. At this time, since the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is "36," the reel control means 130 maintains the left reel R1 in a stopped state without vibration.

Approximately 208.6 ms have elapsed from the state shown in Figure 11(D) to the state shown in Figure 11(E). Based on the update of the left reel timer 194a's memory value to "77," the reel control means 130 supplies a drive pulse to the stepping motor to rotate the left reel R1 one step in the forward direction. At this time, since the middle reel timer 194b's memory value is "73," the reel control means 130 maintains the middle reel R2 in a stopped state without vibration. Although the middle reel timer 194b's memory value was updated to "73" before the timing shown in Figure 11(E), as shown in Figure 10, it remains at "73" until the pseudo-game common timer 194d's memory value is updated from "1" to "0." Therefore, it remains at "73" even at the timing shown in Figure 11(E).

In the state shown in Figure 11(F), approximately 35.76 ms after the state shown in Figure 11(E), the reel control means 130, based on the fact that the stored value of the simulated game common timer 194d is updated from value "1" to value "0," the stored value of the left reel timer 194a is updated to value "72," and the stored value of the middle reel timer 194b is also updated to value "72," supplies a drive pulse to rotate the left reel R1 by one step in the reverse direction, and a drive pulse to rotate the middle reel R2 by one pulse in the reverse direction, to each stepping motor.

At the timing shown in Figure 11(F), in slot machine 1, the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2 become synchronized. As the simulated game continues, the stored values of the left reel timer 194a and the middle reel timer 194b remain the same, thus maintaining the synchronized state of the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2.

By performing this control, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that when a simulated game is performed and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 temporarily stop, the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are synchronized. In slot machine 1, even when the right reel R3 temporarily stops, the right reel timer 194c is updated and the right reel R3 experiences a slight vibration, much like when the left reel R1 is temporarily stopped and the middle reel R2 begins to temporarily stop. If the memory values of the left reel timers 194a to the right reel timers 194c reach "73" by the time the memory value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d is updated from "1" to "0", then at the same time the memory value of the pseudo-game common timer 194d is updated from "1" to "0", the memory values of the left reel timers 194a to the right reel timers 194c are updated from "73" to "72", causing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to rotate one step in the reverse direction, thus synchronizing the subsequent slight vibrations.

5. Stop control after power interruption during simulated gameplay Next, we will explain the case where the power supply to the game control means 10 is interrupted (power cut off) while simulated gameplay is being performed, and the power is restored while the stop button corresponding to a reel that has not yet been temporarily stopped is pressed.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if a stop button corresponding to a reel that has not yet been temporarily stopped is pressed while the power is off during a power outage, and the button is maintained while the power is restored, and if the interrupt processing that was being executed before the power outage is resumed upon power restoration, the stop signal output from the stop switch can be activated at that time, then the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button will be temporarily stopped.

On the other hand, in slot machine 1, if the power outage occurred at a time when the interrupt processing that was running before the power outage resumed upon power restoration, and the stop signal output from the stop switch could not be activated, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button will not be temporarily stopped, and the reel will continue to rotate.

In such a case, if the stop button that has been pressed since the power outage remains pressed, the slot machine 1 will temporarily stop all reels, including the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button, after a predetermined period of time for the simulated game to continue (approximately 1 minute in this embodiment) has elapsed. Furthermore, after the pressed stop button is released, the slot machine 1 activates the stop signal output when the stop button is pressed, and performs reel stop control, temporarily stopping the reel each time the stop button corresponding to a rotating reel is pressed.

With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if a power outage occurs and a player who wants to quickly resume the simulated game after power is restored maintains the stop button pressed, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button can be temporarily stopped if the stop signal output from the stop switch 240 can be activated by pressing the stop button, allowing the simulated game to proceed smoothly. If the stop signal output from the stop switch 240 cannot be activated, the reels continue to rotate. If the reels are temporarily stopped after a sufficient time for the simulated game to continue has elapsed or after the button has been released, the game can proceed without generating an error that would prevent the game from continuing.

Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if one stop button is pressed from the time of power loss and the stop button remains pressed, the stop signal output when another stop button is pressed is disabled. In slot machine 1, after the stop button is released, if the reels corresponding to other stop buttons are rotating, the stop signal output when another stop button is pressed is enabled.

Furthermore, in slot machine 1, as described above, the program for reel stop control is common to both the actual game and the simulated game. Therefore, even in the case of the actual game, the reel stop control when power is restored after a power outage is almost the same as in the case of the simulated game. In slot machine 1, if a stop button corresponding to a reel that has not yet stopped is pressed while the power is off during a power outage, and the button is maintained while power is restored, and the interrupt processing that was running before the power outage is resumed upon power restoration, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button will be stopped if it is possible to activate the stop signal output from the stop switch at that time.

On the other hand, in slot machine 1, if the power outage occurred at a time when the interrupt processing that was running before the power outage was resumed upon power restoration, and the stop signal output from the stop switch could not be activated, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button will not be stopped, and the reels will continue to rotate. In such a case, slot machine 1 will continue to rotate the reels as long as the stop button that was pressed since the power outage remains pressed. After the stop button that was pressed since the power outage is released, the stop signal output when the stop button is pressed will be activated, and reel stop control will be executed to stop the rotating reel each time the stop button corresponding to that reel is pressed.

Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if one stop button is pressed from the time of power loss and the stop button remains pressed, the stop signal output when another stop button is pressed is disabled. In slot machine 1, after the stop button is released, if the reels corresponding to other stop buttons are rotating, the stop signal output when another stop button is pressed is enabled.

6. Summary of this Embodiment As described above, in this embodiment, when a stop button is operated during a simulated game, if at least a portion of the white 7 symbol "white 7" is located in the middle row of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment continues to rotate the reel, allowing it to pass through the middle row of the reel, and then temporarily stops when the white 7 symbol "white 7" is again located in the middle row of the reel after passing through the middle row of the reel. This allows the symbols that the player wants to temporarily stop in the simulated game to be temporarily stopped in the appropriate position, aligning the symbols in a line within the specific area 330b, and preventing a decrease in the player's interest in the simulated game.

Furthermore, in the simulated gameplay, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 temporarily stop, even if the timing of when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 begin to temporarily stop differs, the operation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be synchronized by performing a temporary pause to synchronize the minute vibrations during the temporary stop of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and by unifying the timing of when the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 resume. This improves the player's enjoyment of the visual effects when multiple reels temporarily stop.

7. Modified Examples In this embodiment, when a simulated game is being played, the reel control means 130 determines whether the appearing symbol is the symbol with the set stop number when the stop number of the appearing symbol is updated, and if it determines that it is the symbol with the set stop number, it starts supplying a drive pulse for full-phase excitation to temporarily stop the reel. This is configured so that when a stop button is operated during a simulated game, at least a part of the temporary stop symbol (white 7 symbol "white 7") is included in the temporary stop position (middle position) of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button, the reel passes the temporary stop symbol included in the temporary stop position, and temporarily stops when the temporary stop symbol is again located in the temporary stop position of the reel after passing the temporary stop position. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration.

The reel control means 130 may, for example, when a stop button is operated during a simulated game, determine whether the stop number of the currently appearing symbol is the stop number set according to the simulated game, without waiting for the stop number of the currently appearing symbol to be updated. It then determines whether the currently appearing symbol is currently passing by. If it is currently passing by, the reel is not temporarily stopped. If it is determined that the stop number of the currently appearing symbol is the stop number set according to the simulated game and the currently appearing symbol is not currently passing by, the reel is temporarily stopped. This configuration allows the reel to pass through the temporary stop position of the reel corresponding to the temporarily stopped button at the moment the stop button is operated during the simulated game. The reel may then temporarily stop when the temporary stop symbol, after passing the temporary stop position, is again positioned at that position.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reel control means 130 is configured to allow at least a portion of the temporary stop symbol to pass through the temporary stop position of the reel when it is located at the temporary stop position corresponding to the operated stop button, and to temporarily stop the reel when the temporary stop symbol is located at the temporary stop position of the reel again after passing through it once. However, the configuration is not limited to this. The reel control means 130 may also be configured to temporarily stop the reel after the temporary stop symbol has passed through the temporary stop position of the reel two or more times since the stop button was operated.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a simulated game when the performance state controlled by the AT control means 200 transitions to the AT state, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may, for example, be configured to perform a lottery to determine whether or not to execute a simulated game based on the detection of a start operation to the start lever SL, and to execute a simulated game if the lottery results in "execution of simulated game".

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the simulated game control means 400 pre-determines the temporary stop symbol, which will temporarily stop at the temporary stop position during the simulated game, to be the white 7 symbol "white 7" at the start of the simulated game. However, it is not limited to this. The simulated game control means 400 may be configured, for example, to determine the temporary stop symbol according to the timing of the stop button operation.

In other words, in slot machine 1, the temporary stop symbol only needs to be determined in advance between the start of supplying the drive pulse for full-phase excitation and the temporary stop; the timing of this determination can be any timing.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reel control means 130 is configured to execute control processing related to temporary stopping when the stop button is pressed during simulated gameplay, but it is not limited to this. For example, the reel control means 130 may be configured to execute control processing related to temporary stopping when, as an operation on the stop button, the stop button is pressed during simulated gameplay, and then released, ending the output of the stop signal from the stop switch 240.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when synchronizing the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in simulated gameplay, the slot machine 1 is configured to temporarily pause the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and resume vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 when the simulated game common timer 194d is updated from value "1" to value "0". However, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, when synchronizing the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in simulated gameplay, the slot machine 1 may be configured to synchronize the minute vibrations of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by performing a second operation that changes the vibration period or vibration speed of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 without temporarily pausing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reel control means 130 is configured such that, when a stop button corresponding to a reel that has not yet been temporarily stopped is pressed while the power is off during a power outage, and the button is maintained in that state until power is restored, it determines whether the stop signal output from the stop switch 240 can be activated when the interrupt processing that was being executed before the power outage is resumed upon power restoration. If the stop signal can be activated, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped (temporarily stopped). If the stop signal cannot be activated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button continues. However, the configuration is not limited to this.

The reel control means 130 may be configured, for example, to activate the stop signal output from the stop switch 240 in the interrupt processing when power is restored after a power outage, thereby stopping (temporarily stopping) the reel corresponding to the stop button that is being held down, regardless of the progress of the interrupt processing at the time of the power outage.

Furthermore, the reel control means 130 may be configured, for example, to treat the stop signal output when the stop button is held down as invalid when power is restored after a power outage. This configuration allows the reel corresponding to the held-down stop button to continue rotating regardless of the progress of interrupt processing at the time of the power outage.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reel control means 130 is configured to disable the stop signal output when another stop button is pressed while one stop button is pressed and that stop button remains pressed since the power outage, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the reel control means 130 may be configured to activate the stop signal output when another stop button is pressed while one stop button is pressed and that stop button remains pressed since the power outage, thereby stopping (temporarily stopping) the reel corresponding to the other stop button.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a predetermined number of tokens. However, it is not limited to this configuration; for example, it may be configured to have a single bet button for inserting one token in addition to the max bet button MB.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to accept and dispense tokens as game value, but it is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to set the game value to an inserted state based on an insertion signal output from a game value management device (dedicated unit) located outside the slot machine 1 and capable of recording the total number of game values available to the player by electromagnetic means. When dispensing game value, the slot machine 1 outputs a payout signal to the game value management device, which then records the game value corresponding to the payout signal on a predetermined recording medium by electromagnetic means. In other words, the slot machine 1 may be composed of a so-called tokenless game machine.

In this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured to have, for example, a credit display means that displays the number of credits corresponding to the amount of money inserted into the game value management device by the player. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured to allow credits of game value equivalent to a maximum of 16,368 tokens. If game value exceeding 16,368 tokens is credited, the game control means may be set to an error state, and the game may be disabled (the game value is not set to the inserted state and the start operation to the start lever SL is not activated) until the number of credits reaches 16,368 or less, through a method of dispensing game value by electromagnetically recording it on a predetermined recording medium via the game value management device.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to have three types of game states: a non-RT state, a bonus-established state which is entered when an RBB is won, and a bonus state which is entered when an RBB is activated. However, it is not limited to this configuration. Slot machine 1 may be configured to have five game states, for example, in a non-bonus state (initial state) where a bonus has not been won (not set to a winning state), including a first bonus, RBB1, which can be won when a second specified number of medals (3 medals) are inserted, and a second bonus, RBB2, which can be won when a first specified number of medals (2 medals) are inserted. The game transitions to a first bonus winning state (with RBB1 inside) when a winning area including RBB1 is hit, to a first bonus activation state (first bonus state, RBB1 activated) when RBB1 is activated, to a second bonus winning state (with RBB2 inside) when a winning area including RBB2 is hit, and to a second bonus activation state (second bonus state, RBB2 activated) when RBB2 is activated.

In this configuration, the slot machine 1 may be configured such that, in the state where the first bonus is established, an internal lottery is conducted in both the game where a first predetermined number of tokens are inserted and the game where a second predetermined number of tokens are inserted, resulting in either a small win or a replay. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured such that, in the state where the second bonus is established, an internal lottery is conducted in the game where a first predetermined number of tokens are inserted, resulting in either a small win or a replay, while an internal lottery is conducted in the game where a second predetermined number of tokens are inserted, resulting in a loss (failure).

In this configuration, when the second bonus is triggered, the second predetermined number of tokens are inserted and gameplay begins. If the internal lottery results in a loss (failure to win), RBB2 is set as an RBB exclusively for the first predetermined number of tokens. Therefore, even if a winning combination for RBB2 is displayed on the active line L1, it will be invalid, and RBB2 will not activate.

Furthermore, in this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when a bonus is not activated, and the game is started with a first predetermined number of tokens inserted, an internal lottery is performed that includes a winning area where small wins with a payout higher than the first predetermined number can be won, depending on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. When the game is started with a second predetermined number of tokens inserted, an internal lottery is performed that includes a winning area where small wins with a payout lower than the second predetermined number can be won. The slot machine is also configured to transition to the advantageous section when the game is started with a first predetermined number of tokens inserted while the second bonus is active, and may not transition to the advantageous section in game states different from the second bonus is active, or when the game is started with both the second bonus and the second predetermined number of tokens inserted.

In this configuration, when the second bonus is triggered, slot machine 1 executes control related to auxiliary games, potentially making it possible to reliably win small wins with payouts higher than the first specified number. However, in game states other than the second bonus triggered state, the advantageous period does not begin, making it impossible to execute control related to auxiliary games, resulting in a configuration with low gameplay value.

Furthermore, in this configuration, the slot machine 1 may be configured to allow the user to change whether or not to initialize for each game state when the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 is changed, after the setting change control is performed by the setting change means 100 in each game state. Specifically, if the game state before the setting value is changed (before setting change) is set to one of the following: non-RT state, first bonus established state (RBB1 internally), first bonus activated state (RBB1 activated), or second bonus activated state (RBB2 activated), the slot machine 1 initializes the game state based on the setting change and sets the game state after the setting value is changed (after setting change) to the initial state, the non-RT state. Also, if the game state before the setting change is the second bonus established state (RBB2 internally), the slot machine 1 does not perform initialization even when the setting change is performed, and maintains the game state after the setting change as the second bonus established state.

In other words, gaming machines are
Multiple reels,
A means of changing settings that allows the setting value to be changed,
An input receiving means for setting a predetermined number of game values to the input state,
An internal lottery method that performs internal lotteries for multiple types of roles,
It includes a game state transition control means that controls the transition between multiple game states,
The aforementioned number of provisions includes a first number of provisions and a second number of provisions that is different from the first number of provisions.
The aforementioned multiple types of roles include:
The first bonus that can be won in the aforementioned first specified number,
The second bonus, which can be won in the aforementioned second specified number, is included,
The probability of winning a role in the aforementioned internal lottery is set according to the aforementioned setting value.
The aforementioned multiple game states include:
The initial state set by initialization,
In the initial state, the state to which the first bonus is won is the first bonus-established state,
In the aforementioned initial state, the state to which the second bonus is achieved is entered when the second bonus is won,
The first bonus state is entered when the first bonus is awarded and the first bonus is activated,
This includes the second bonus state which is entered when the second bonus is won and the second bonus is activated,
The first bonus does not activate in games where the second specified number of game values are set to the input state.
The second bonus does not activate in games where the first predetermined number of game values is set to the input state.
If the aforementioned setting value is changed, the game state can be reset.
If the setting value is changed while the game state is in the state where the first bonus is established, the game state is reset.
If the setting value is changed while the game state is in the state where the second bonus is established, the game state will not be reset.
It may be configured in this way.

With this configuration, even if the game state of slot machine 1 transitions to the first bonus-established state and, as long as the game continues, it becomes extremely difficult to transition to other game states and thus impossible to transition to the second bonus-established state, a setting change will transition the game state to a non-RT state. In the non-RT state, by executing a game with the second specified number of tokens inserted, it becomes possible to transition to the second bonus-established state. This prevents the first bonus-established state, which has low gameplay value, from continuing for a long period, thus preventing a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

Furthermore, with this configuration, even if the setting value is changed while the game state of slot machine 1 is set to the second bonus state, it maintains the second bonus state. This prevents the game state from shifting to a different state after the setting value is changed, thus maintaining the highly enjoyable second bonus state. Therefore, it prevents the game machine's commercial viability from deteriorating due to initialization caused by setting changes.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set initial values for the stored values of each counter and storage means, and to perform decrement updates (decrementing by 1 each time a game is played) or increment updates (adding by 1 each time a game is played). However, the method of updating each counter and storage means is not limited to this, and may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited.

1. Slot machine (amusement machine)
400 Simulated game control means B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 Stop button R1 Left reel R2 Middle reel R3 Right reel

Claims (1)

Multiple reels, including a first reel and a second reel,
Multiple stop buttons,
It comprises a simulated game control means that performs control related to simulated games,
When the stop button is operated during gameplay, the reel corresponding to the stop button is stopped.
In the aforementioned simulated game, if the stop button is operated, the reel corresponding to the stop button is temporarily stopped.
If the game is temporarily stopped during the simulated game, the temporary stop symbol will be displayed at the temporary stop position.
The aforementioned temporary stop pattern is determined in advance before the temporary stop occurs.
At the moment the stop button is operated during the simulated game,
If the second range of the temporary stop pattern, which is above the first range in the vertical direction, is not included in the temporary stop position, it is possible to temporarily stop the temporary stop pattern at the temporary stop position without passing through the temporary stop position.
If the second range of the temporary stop pattern is included in the temporary stop position, it is possible to temporarily stop the temporary stop pattern at the temporary stop position after the temporary stop pattern has passed the temporary stop position at least once.
When the reel is temporarily stopped, the first operation can be performed.
When the first reel and the second reel are each performing the first operation, the first reel and the second reel are each performed a second operation to synchronize the first operation of the first reel and the second reel.
A gaming machine characterized by the following features.