JP2008048950A - Slot machine and playing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine capable of increasing a player's expectation and capable of displaying a symbol excellent in entertainment property and a playing method thereof.
A display having a plurality of partition areas arranged in a matrix, in which symbols can be rearranged in each partition area, and a plurality of effective areas are randomly selected from the plurality of partition areas for each game. And a controller that rearranges symbols in a plurality of partition areas and pays out a payout in accordance with the symbols rearranged in the effective areas.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a slot machine for playing a game using a game medium such as a coin and a playing method thereof.

Conventionally, in a facility where a slot machine is installed, a game can be played by inserting various game media such as coins and cash into the slot machine. Each slot machine pays out a payout according to a winning state (game result) generated by the progress of the game (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, in the conventional slot machine, the winning line is generally a straight line. However, the slot machine having various winning lines other than the linear winning line, and the winning line Slot machines that have no concept have also appeared.

As a slot machine that does not use only a straight line as a winning line, for example, a slot machine described in Patent Document 2 can be cited. However, a slot machine that pays out a payout when a predetermined number of symbols are stopped on a display on which a winning line or symbol matrix is displayed is that a payout is determined according to the result of symbol rearrangement. There is no difference from the slot machine used, and as a result, the display form is the same.

US Pat. No. 6,960,133 US Pat. No. 6,093,102

An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine that can increase the player's expectation and can display symbols with excellent entertainment properties, and a playing method thereof.

In order to solve the above-described problem, according to the present invention, for each game, a plurality of effective areas are randomly selected from a plurality of partitioned areas arranged in a matrix, and symbols are rearranged in the plurality of partitioned areas. The slot machine is characterized in that a payout according to the symbols rearranged in the effective area is performed.

Specifically, the present invention provides the following.
(1) a display having a plurality of partitioned areas arranged in a matrix and in which symbols can be rearranged in each partitioned area;
For each game, randomly select multiple effective areas from multiple partitioned areas,
Rearrange symbols in multiple compartments,
A slot machine comprising: a controller for paying out a payout according to symbols rearranged in an effective area.

According to the slot machine of the present invention, a plurality of effective areas are randomly selected for each game from a plurality of partitioned areas arranged in a matrix and rearranged with symbols. Then, a payout according to the symbols rearranged in the effective area is performed.
In other words, in the conventional slot machine, the payout is made according to the symbols rearranged on the predetermined winning line. In the present invention, the effective area is first determined, and then the symbols are rearranged. Is done. In other words, the arrangement of symbols for payout is different each time. Accordingly, since the selected effective line changes from game to game, it is possible to display symbols with excellent entertainment properties, and to increase the player's expectation.

The present invention also provides the following.
(2) The slot machine of (1) above,
The controller determines the number of valid areas according to the number of bets so that the number of valid areas increases as the number of bets increases.

According to the slot machine of the present invention, the greater the number of bets, the greater the number of valid areas. Therefore, the player's expectation can be increased as the player bets more game media.

The present invention also provides the following.
(3) The slot machine according to (1) or (2) above,
The controller selects the effective area so as to gradually increase, and displays the selected effective area on the display in such a manner that the selected effective area can be visually recognized.

According to the slot machine of the present invention, instead of displaying all selected effective areas so as to be visible to the player first, the effective areas are displayed so as to gradually increase. Therefore, it is possible to increase the player's expectation by showing the player how the effective area increases.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a slot machine and a playing method thereof capable of improving the ability to attract customers and adding new entertainment properties.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of an image displayed on the lower image display panel.
The images shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are images displayed on the lower image display panel 16 (see FIG. 5) provided in the slot machine 10 of the present invention, and 15 display blocks 28 (28a to 28a to 28). 28o) are arranged in a matrix of 5 columns and 3 rows. Each display block 28 displays one symbol. The lower image display panel 16 is composed of a liquid crystal panel. The display block 28 corresponds to a partitioned area in the present invention.

When the game is started, the slot machine 10 starts scrolling symbols, and the background colors of the five display blocks 28 selected at random among the display blocks 28 change. In FIG. 1A, the background of the display blocks 28b, 28c, 28g, 28k, and 28n is red (indicated by a slanted line in the drawing), and the other display blocks 28 are colorless. Yes. In the figure, a downward arrow indicates a symbol being scrolled. The display block 28 whose background color has changed is called an effective area in the present embodiment.

FIG. 1B shows a state in which the scrolling is stopped and 15 symbols in 5 columns and 3 rows are rearranged (stopped display). In FIG. 1B, all the symbols stopped and displayed on the five display blocks 28b, 28c, 28g, 28k, and 28n whose background is red are “BELL”. As described above, when the symbols stopped and displayed in the effective area are all the same, the number of coins determined by the type of the symbol is paid out (see FIG. 3).

The example described above is a game flow when the number of bet coins is one. In the embodiment, the number of display blocks 28 whose background color changes and the number of types of background colors change depending on the number of coins bet. When the number of bet coins is two, the background color of five display blocks 28 selected at random among the display blocks 28 changes to red, and random among the other display blocks 28. The background color of the five display blocks 28 selected in (5) changes to green (indicated by a diagonal line rising to the right in the figure). That is, when the number of bet coins is two, there are two types of effective areas constituted by the five display blocks 28. When the number of bet coins is 3, the background color of five display blocks 28 selected at random among the display blocks 28 changes to red, and the other display blocks 28 Among them, the background color of five display blocks 28 selected at random changes to green, and the background color of the remaining five display blocks 28 changes to blue (indicated by a horizontal line in the figure). That is, when the number of bet coins is 3, there are three types of valid areas composed of the five display blocks 28, and all the display blocks 28 are any valid one. Belongs to an area.

2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an example of an image displayed on the lower image display panel.
In FIG. 2A, the background of the display blocks 28b, 28c, 28g, 28k, 28n is red, the background of the display blocks 28a, 28e, 28h, 28j, 28o is green, and the display blocks 28d, 28h, 28i. , 28l, 28m background is blue. In FIG. 2B, the symbols stopped and displayed on the five display blocks 28b, 28c, 28g, 28k, and 28n whose background is red are all “BELL”. In this way, when the symbols stopped and displayed on the five display blocks 28 belonging to one effective area are all the same, coins of the number determined by the type of the symbol are paid out (see FIG. 3). ).

For example, all the symbols stopped and displayed on the five display blocks 28b, 28c, 28g, 28k, and 28n whose background color is red are all “BELL”, and further, the five display blocks 28a whose background color is green. , 28e, 28h, 28j, and 28o, all symbols stopped and displayed on the five display blocks 28 belonging to each effective area are the same in a plurality of effective areas, such as “APPLE”. If there is, a large number of coins may be paid out of the number of coins determined by the type of the symbol, or the total number of coins may be paid out.

In the present embodiment, the case where the number of valid areas set in accordance with the number of coins bet has been described, but in the present invention, the number of valid areas is only one regardless of the number of BETs. Yes, the number of display blocks 28 belonging to the effective area may be changed. For example, when the number of BETs is 2, the background color of 10 display blocks 28 among the display blocks 28 may be changed to red. In such a case, when symbols of the same type are stopped and displayed on five display blocks 28 among the ten display blocks 28 whose background color has changed to red, the number of coins determined by the type of the symbols is displayed. It is possible to take the form of payout.

In the present embodiment, the five display blocks 28 set as effective areas are randomly determined from the 15 display blocks 28. In the present invention, however, the display changes in background color. The method for determining the block is not particularly limited. For example, in five display block columns configured by three display blocks 28 arranged in the vertical direction, the three display blocks 28 constituting each display block column are used. One display block 28 may be selected at random, and the display block 28 may be set as an effective area. In addition, a plurality of winning lines configured by five display blocks 28 are stored in advance, and one of the winning lines is set as an effective line according to the number of BETs, and the same type of the winning line is set on the effective line. When a symbol is stopped and displayed, the number of coins determined by the type of the symbol may be paid out.
Further, instead of randomly selecting the five display blocks 28 set as effective areas, for example, the player touches the touch panel 69 provided on the front surface of the lower image display panel 16 to select any five One display block 28 may be selected.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where five display blocks 28 whose background color changes is selected from the 15 display blocks 28 has been described. However, in the present invention, the display block 28 whose background color changes. The number of is not particularly limited. Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the same symbol is stopped and displayed in the display block 28 in which the condition for coin payout is changed to the same background color. Conditions for payout are not particularly limited. For example, when the same symbol is stopped and displayed on three display blocks 28 among five display blocks 28 belonging to one effective area, Coins may be paid out according to the type of the symbol.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the background color of the display block 28 serving as the effective area changes has been described. However, in the present invention, the display mode of the effective area is not particularly limited. It is also possible to surround the outer periphery of the display block 28 set to be an image of a predetermined frame.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the type of symbol and the number of coins to be paid out.
As described above, coins are paid out when all five symbols stopped and displayed on the display block 28 belonging to one effective area are of the same type. The number of coins to be paid out is determined by the type of the symbol.

When the symbol “APPLE” is stopped and displayed on all five display blocks 28 belonging to one effective area among the display blocks 28 displayed on the lower image display panel 16, the bonus game trigger is won and the bonus game is selected. Migrate to In the bonus game, a predetermined number of free games are executed based on the random number value obtained by executing the random number generation program included in the symbol determination program.

Further, when the symbol “JACKPOT 7” is stopped and displayed on all the five display blocks 28 belonging to one effective area, 30 coins are paid out per coin inserted. Similarly, when five symbols “STAR”, “BELL”, “STRAWBERRY”, “APPLE”, “CHERRY”, and “ORANGE” are stopped and displayed on the display block 28, the number of coins corresponding to each award is obtained. Will be paid out.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a column of symbols displayed in each display block.
As described above, the lower image display panel 16 displays 15 display blocks 28 in 5 columns and 3 rows, and each display block 28 displays one symbol.
As shown in FIG. 4, the symbols displayed in each display block 28 are scrolled through a row of a total of 22 symbols consisting of code numbers “00” to “21”. The symbol column is composed of symbols “JACKPOT 7”, “STAR”, “BELL”, “STRAWBERRY”, “APPLE”, “CHERRY”, “ORANGE”, “APPLE”, and “STOCK”. ing.

“JACKPOT 7”, “STAR”, “BELL”, “STRAWBERRY”, “APPLE”, “CHERRY”, “ORANGE” are stopped and displayed on all five display blocks 28 whose background color has changed to the same color. In this case, a predetermined number of coins are paid out (see FIG. 3).

“APPLE” is a bonus game trigger (a symbol for shifting to a bonus game). If “APPLE” is stopped and displayed on all five display blocks 28 whose background color has changed to the same color, the game can be shifted to a bonus game. In this embodiment, the bonus game is a free game (a game that can be played a predetermined number of times without betting coins).

In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the arrangement of symbols displayed on the 15 display blocks 28 is the same. However, in the present invention, the arrangement of symbols is not particularly limited, and each display block The arrangement of symbols displayed on 28 may be different.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which symbols displayed on the display block 28 are automatically stopped and displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the scroll display of the symbols. For example, the slot machine 10 may be provided with a stop button, and the symbol may be stopped and displayed when the stop button is pressed.

Next, the configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the slot machine 10 is a video slot machine. However, in the present invention, the slot machine is not limited to the video slot machine, and may be, for example, a rotary reel type slot machine (see FIGS. 11 to 13).
The slot machine 10 is a stand-alone slot machine that is not connected to a network, but the present invention can also be applied to a slot machine connected to a network.

In the slot machine 10, coins, bills, or electronic valuable information corresponding to these are used as game media. However, in the present invention, the game medium is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include medals, tokens, electronic money, and tickets. The ticket is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a ticket with a barcode as described later.

The slot machine 10 includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 installed on the upper side of the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided on the front surface of the cabinet 11.

A lower image display panel 16 is provided in front of the main door 13. The lower image display panel 16 includes a liquid crystal panel, and various information regarding the game, effect images, and the like are displayed during the game. The lower image display panel 16 functions as a display in the present invention. The lower image display panel 16 provided in the slot machine 10 of the present invention is composed of a liquid crystal panel, and displays 15 display blocks 28 in 5 columns and 3 rows. Each display block 28 displays one symbol. Of the 15 display blocks, the number of effective areas corresponding to the number of BETs is set. When the combination of symbols stopped and displayed in the set effective area is a predetermined combination, the number of coins corresponding to the combination and the number of coins inserted (BET number) is paid out.

In the lower image display panel 16, a credit number display unit 31 and a payout number display unit 32 are set. The credit amount display unit 31 displays the number of credited coins as an image. In the payout display section 32, the number of coins paid out when the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the display block 28 is a predetermined combination is displayed as an image.

Further, although not shown, a touch panel 69 is provided on the front surface of the lower image display panel 16, and the player can input various instructions by operating the touch panel 69.

Below the lower image display panel 16, a control panel 20 including a plurality of buttons 23 to 27 into which instructions relating to game progress are input by a player, a coin receiving slot 21 for receiving coins into the cabinet 11, and banknotes A discriminator 22 is provided.

The control panel 20 is provided with a spin button 23, a change button 24, a cashout button 25, a 1-BET button 26, and a maximum BET button 27. The spin button 23 is used to input an instruction to start scroll display of the 15 display blocks 28. The change button 24 is used when requesting a change of money from an attendant of the game facility. The cashout button 25 is used to input an instruction to pay out the credited coins to the coin tray 18.

The 1-BET button 26 is used to input an instruction to bet one coin among the credited coins on the game. The maximum BET button 27 is used to input an instruction for betting a maximum number of coins (three in this embodiment) that can be bet on one game among credited coins.

In the present invention, the insertion of the game medium means that the game medium is bet on the game. For example, when a coin inserted into the coin acceptance slot 21 is directly bet on a game, the insertion of the coin into the coin acceptance slot 21 corresponds to the insertion of a game medium. However, as in the present embodiment, once a coin is inserted into the coin receiving slot 21, the credit is once credited, and when the 1-BET button 26 or the maximum BET button 27 is operated, the credited coin is bet on the game. In this case, betting a credited coin on a game is equivalent to inserting a game medium.

The banknote discriminator 22 recognizes the suitability of banknotes and accepts regular banknotes in the cabinet 11. Note that the bill validator 22 may be configured to be able to read a barcode-added ticket 39 to be described later. On the lower front surface of the main door 13, that is, below the control panel 20, a berry glass 34 on which a character of the slot machine 10 is drawn is provided.

An upper image display panel 33 is provided on the front surface of the top box 12. The upper image display panel 33 includes a liquid crystal panel and displays, for example, an image representing introduction of game contents and explanation of game rules.
In the present embodiment, the case where the lower image display panel 16 and the upper image display panel 33 are provided with a liquid crystal panel has been described. However, in the present invention, the image display panel is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like. Other displays such as a plasma display may be provided.

The top box 12 is provided with a speaker 29. Below the upper image display panel 33, a ticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a data display 37, and a keypad 38 are provided. The ticket printer 35 prints on a ticket a bar code in which data such as the number of credits, date and time, and an identification number of the slot machine 10 is encoded, and outputs it as a ticket 39 with bar code. A player reads a ticket 39 with a barcode into another slot machine and plays a game with the slot machine, or exchanges the ticket 39 with a barcode with a bill or the like at a predetermined place in a gaming facility (for example, a cashier in a casino). You can do it.

The card reader 36 reads data from a smart card and writes data to the smart card. The smart card is a card possessed by the player, and stores, for example, data for identifying the player and data relating to a history of games played by the player. The smart card may store data corresponding to coins, bills, or credits. Further, a magnetic stripe card may be adopted instead of the smart card. The data display 37 is composed of a fluorescent display or the like and displays, for example, data read by the card reader 36 or data input by the player through the keypad 38. The keypad 38 is used for inputting instructions and data related to ticket issuance and the like.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG.
The gaming board 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM 55 and a boot ROM 52, a card slot 53S corresponding to the memory card 53, and an IC socket 54S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54 connected to each other via an internal bus. And.

The memory card 53 includes a non-volatile memory such as a compact flash (registered trademark) and stores a game program. The game program includes a symbol determination program. The symbol determination program is a program for determining a symbol (code No. corresponding to a symbol) to be stopped and displayed on each display block 28.

The card slot 53S is configured so that the memory card 53 can be inserted and removed, and is connected to the mother board 40 by an IDE bus. Therefore, by removing the memory card 53 from the card slot 53S, writing another game program in the memory card 53, and inserting the memory card 53 into the card slot 53S, the type and contents of the game played in the slot machine 10 are changed. be able to. The game program includes a program related to game progress. The game program includes image data and sound data output during the game.

The CPU 51, the ROM 55, and the boot ROM 52 connected to each other by an internal bus are connected to the motherboard 40 by a PCI bus. The PCI bus transmits signals between the motherboard 40 and the gaming board 50 and supplies power from the motherboard 40 to the gaming board 50.

The motherboard 40 is configured by using a commercially available general-purpose motherboard (printed wiring board on which basic components of a personal computer are mounted), a main CPU 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, and a communication. Interface 44. The motherboard 40 has a function as a controller in the present invention.

The ROM 42 includes a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores a program such as a basic input / output system (BIOS) executed by the main CPU 41 and permanent data. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 41, initialization processing of predetermined peripheral devices is performed, and acquisition processing of the game program stored in the memory card 53 via the gaming board 50 is started. In the present invention, the ROM 42 may be rewritable or impossible.

The RAM 43 stores data and programs used when the main CPU 41 operates. The RAM 43 can store a game program.

Further, the RAM 43 stores data such as the number of credits, the number of insertions and the number of payouts in one game.

Further, a main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60 and a door PCB 80, which will be described later, are connected to the mother board 40 by USB. Further, a power supply unit 45 is connected to the mother board 40.

The main body PCB 60 and the door PCB 80 are connected to devices and devices that generate input signals input to the main CPU 41 and devices and devices whose operations are controlled by control signals output from the main CPU 41. The main CPU 41 executes a predetermined arithmetic process by executing a game program stored in the RAM 43 based on an input signal input to the main CPU 41 and stores the result in the RAM 43, or for each device or apparatus. As a control process, a control signal is transmitted to each device or apparatus.

Connected to the main body PCB 60 are a lamp 30, a hopper 66, a coin detector 67, a graphic board 68, a speaker 29, a touch panel 69, a bill validator 22, a ticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a key switch 38S and a data display 37. ing. The lamp 30 is lit in a predetermined pattern based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41.

The hopper 66 is installed in the cabinet 11 and pays out a predetermined number of coins from the coin payout opening 19 to the coin tray 18 based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41. The coin detection unit 67 is provided inside the coin payout opening 19 and outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when it detects that a predetermined number of coins have been paid out from the coin payout opening 19. .

The graphic board 68 controls image display on the upper image display panel 33 and the lower image display panel 16 as an output device based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41. Each display block 28 of the lower image display panel 16 displays a background color determined by selection of a random number and a symbol that scrolls or stops. The credit amount display unit 31 of the lower image display panel 16 displays the credit amount stored in the RAM 43. In addition, the payout number display section 31 of the lower image display panel 16 displays the number of coins paid out.
The graphic board 68 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor) that generates image data based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41, a video RAM that temporarily stores image data generated by the VDP, and the like. Note that the image data used when generating the image data by VDP is included in the game program read from the memory card 53 and stored in the RAM 43.

The bill validator 22 recognizes whether or not a bill is appropriate and accepts a regular bill into the cabinet 11. When the bill validator 22 accepts a regular bill, it outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 based on the amount of the bill. The main CPU 41 stores the number of credits corresponding to the amount of bills transmitted by the input signal in the RAM 43.

Based on the control signal output from the main CPU 41, the ticket printer 35 prints on the ticket a barcode in which data such as the number of credits, date and time, and identification number of the slot machine 10 stored in the RAM 43 is encoded. Output as a ticket 39 with code.
The card reader 36 reads data from the smart card and transmits it to the main CPU 41, or writes data to the smart card based on a control signal from the main CPU 41. The key switch 38S is provided on the keypad 38, and outputs a predetermined input signal to the main CPU 41 when the keypad 38 is operated by the player. The data display 37 displays data read by the card reader 36 or data input by the player via the keypad 38 based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41.

A control panel 20, a reverter 21S, a coin counter 21C, and a cold cathode tube 81 are connected to the door PCB 80. The control panel 20 includes a spin switch 23S corresponding to the spin button 23, a change switch 24S corresponding to the change button 24, a CASHOUT switch 25S corresponding to the CASHOUT button 25, a 1-BET switch 26S corresponding to the 1-BET button 26, A maximum BET switch 27S corresponding to the maximum BET button 27 is provided. Each of the switches 23S to 27S outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when the corresponding button 23 to 27 is operated by the player.

The coin counter 21 </ b> C is provided inside the coin receiving slot 21 and identifies whether or not the coin inserted into the coin receiving slot 21 by the player is appropriate. Items other than regular coins are discharged from the coin payout exit 19. The coin counter 21 </ b> C outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when a regular coin is detected.

The reverter 21S operates based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41, and a coin (not shown) installed in the slot machine 10 is a coin recognized as a regular coin by the coin counter 21C. Or, it is distributed to the hopper 66. That is, when the hopper 66 is filled with coins, regular coins are distributed to the cash box by the reverter 21S. On the other hand, when the hopper 66 is not filled with coins, regular coins are distributed to the hopper 66. The cold cathode tube 81 functions as a backlight installed on the back side of the lower image display panel 16 and the upper image display panel 33, and lights up based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41.

Next, processing performed in the slot machine 10 will be described.
The main CPU 41 reads and executes the game program to advance the game.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of game execution processing.
In the game execution process, first, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not a coin is bet (step S10). In this process, the main CPU 41 outputs an input signal output from the 1-BET switch 26S when the 1-BET button 26 is operated, or is output from the maximum BET switch 27S when the maximum BET button 27 is operated. It is determined whether an input signal is received. If it is determined that no coin is bet, the process returns to step S10.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that a coin has been bet, the main CPU 41 performs a process of subtracting the number of credits stored in the RAM 43 in accordance with the number of coins bet (step S11). If the number of coins bet is greater than the number of credits stored in the RAM 43, the process returns to step S10 without performing the process of subtracting the number of credits stored in the RAM 43. In addition, when the number of coins bet exceeds the upper limit (three in this embodiment) that can be bet on one game, a process of subtracting the number of credits stored in the RAM 43 is performed. Without proceeding, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the main CPU 41 sets an effective area according to the number of coins betted in step S11. That is, when the number of bet coins is one, five display blocks 28 are set as effective areas. When the number of bet coins is 3, all the display blocks 28 are set to one of the three effective areas. At this time, the number of display blocks 28 set in each effective area is five. After finishing the process of step S12, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the spin button 23 is turned on. In this process, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not an input signal output from the spin switch 23S when the spin button 23 is pressed is received.
If it is determined that the spin button 23 is not turned on, the process returns to step S10. When the spin button 23 is not turned on (for example, when an instruction to end the game is input without the spin button 23 being turned on), the main CPU 41 cancels the subtraction result in step S11. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the spin button 23 has been turned ON, the main CPU 41 performs symbol determination processing (step S14). In this symbol determination process, the main CPU 41 executes the symbol determination program stored in the RAM 43 to thereby execute the code No. when the symbol is stopped. To decide. This process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, a case where one or more prizes are determined from among a plurality of types of prizes by determining symbols to be stopped and displayed will be described. It is also possible to determine one or a plurality of awards selected from among the awards, and then determine a combination of symbols to be stopped and displayed based on the awards.

Next, the main CPU 41 performs scroll display control processing (step S15). This process is a process of controlling the display so that the symbols determined in step S14 are stopped and displayed after the scrolling of the symbols is started.

Next, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not a bonus game trigger has been established, that is, whether or not all of the symbols stopped and displayed on the five display blocks 28 belonging to one effective area are “APPLE” ( Step S16). If it is determined that the bonus game trigger has been established, the main CPU 41 reads a program for playing the bonus game from the RAM 43 and executes bonus game processing (step S17), and ends this subroutine. The bonus game process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

When determining that the bonus game trigger has not been established (step S16: NO), the main CPU 41 determines whether or not a prize has been established (step S18). If it is determined that a prize has been established, the main CPU 41 pays out coins corresponding to the number of coins inserted and the number of prizes (step S19), and ends this subroutine.
If no prize is established (step S18: NO), this subroutine is terminated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of symbol determination processing that is called and executed in step S13 of the subroutine shown in FIG. This processing is performed by the main CPU 41 executing the symbol determination program stored in the RAM 43.
First, the main CPU 41 executes a random number generation program included in the symbol determination program, thereby selecting a random value corresponding to each symbol from a numerical range of 0 to 255 (step S31). In the present embodiment, a case where random numbers are generated on a program (a case where so-called software random numbers are used) will be described. However, in the present invention, a random number generator may be provided and a random number may be extracted from the random number generator (a so-called hardware random number is used).

Next, the main CPU 41 determines the code No. of each symbol based on the selected 15 random numbers. (See FIG. 4) is determined (step S32). Code number of symbol string Is the code number of the symbol stopped and displayed on each display block 28. It corresponds to. The main CPU 41 sets the code number of each symbol column. Determine the award. For example, the code number of each symbol corresponding to five display blocks 28 belonging to the same effective area. When “00”, “00”, “00”, “00”, “00” are determined, the main CPU 41 has determined that the prize is “JACKPOT 7”.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a bonus game process subroutine that is called and executed in step S17 of the subroutine shown in FIG.
In the bonus game process, first, the main CPU 41 determines one of 10 to 25 games based on a random number value obtained by executing a random number generation program included in the symbol determination program stored in the RAM 43. (Step S60). The main CPU 41 stores the determined number of bonus games in the RAM 43 as data.

Subsequently, the main CPU 41 performs an effective area setting process (step S61), a symbol determination process (step S62), and a scroll display control process (step S63). The processing in steps S61 to S63 is substantially the same as the processing described using FIG. Since this process has already been described, a description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not a bonus game trigger has been established, that is, whether or not all of the symbols stopped and displayed on the five display blocks 28 belonging to one effective area are “APPLE” ( Step S64). When it is determined that the bonus game trigger has been established, a bonus game repeat count t is newly determined (step S65), and the determined repeat count t is added to the current bonus game count T. (Step S66). As a result, if the bonus game is won during the bonus game, the remaining number of bonus games increases. Specifically, for example, when the game is first transferred to 20 bonus games, if the bonus game is won for the 17th bonus game at the 12th time, then 25 times (20-12 times + 17 times) A bonus game is held.
After the process of step S66 is completed, the process proceeds to step S69.

When the bonus game trigger is not established in step S64, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not a prize is established (step S67). When determining that a prize has been established, the main CPU 41 pays out coins corresponding to the number of coins inserted and the prize (step S68).
When no prize is established (step S67: NO) and after the process of step S68 is completed, the process proceeds to step S69.

In step S69, the main CPU 41 reads the game number T of the bonus game stored in the RAM 43, and subtracts 1 from the value of the read game number T. Then, the number of games T after subtraction is stored in the RAM 43 again.

Next, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the number T of bonus games has reached the number determined in step S60 (step S70). Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not the number of games T stored in the RAM 43 has become zero. If the number of games T is not zero, that is, the number of executions of the bonus game has reached the number determined in step S60. If it is determined that it is not, the process returns to step S61, and the above-described process is repeated. On the other hand, if the number of games T is 0, that is, if it is determined that the number of times determined in step S60 has been reached, this subroutine is terminated.

As described above, the slot machine 10 and the playing method thereof according to the present embodiment have a plurality of display blocks 28 arranged in a matrix (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 10), and symbols are displayed on each display block 28 again. For each lower image display panel 16 that can be arranged and for each game, a plurality of effective areas are randomly selected from a plurality of display blocks 28, symbols are rearranged in the plurality of display blocks 28, and rearranged in the effective areas And a mother board 40 for paying out a payout (see FIG. 3) according to the symbol made. Further, the mother board 40 determines the number of effective areas according to the number of bets so that the number of effective areas increases as the number of bets increases. Further, the mother board 40 selects the effective area so as to gradually increase, and displays the selected effective area on the lower image display panel 16 in such a manner that the selected effective area can be visually recognized.

In the present invention, the timing at which the background color of the display block 28 changes is not limited to the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and for example, the following timing can be adopted.

10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of an image displayed on the lower image display panel.
In FIG. 10A, 15 symbols are scrolled. At this point, the background color of any display block 28 remains transparent. Then, when 15 symbol scroll displays are performed, the background color of the display block 28 set in the effective area is sequentially changed. In FIG. 10B, the background color of the two display blocks 28c and 28g among the five display blocks 28 set in the effective area is changed to red. Thereafter, the background color of all the five display blocks 28 set in the effective area changes to red, and at the same time, the symbols are stopped and displayed. In FIG. 10C, all the background colors of the five display blocks 28b, 28c, 28g, 28k, and 28n set in the effective area are changed to red, and symbols are stopped and displayed. Yes. By adopting such a configuration, the effective area selected during the variable display of the symbols is displayed on the display in a manner that can be visually recognized so as to gradually increase.

In the present embodiment, the case where the slot machine 10 is a video slot machine has been described. However, in the present invention, the slot machine 10 is not limited to a video slot machine, and may be, for example, a rotary reel type slot machine or the like. Also good.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a front view showing an example of a reel stop mode of the slot machine shown in FIG.
Inside the cabinet 11, five reels 14 (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E) are rotatably provided. A symbol row composed of 22 symbols is drawn on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 14. A symbol display area 28 for displaying symbols is provided at the center of the lower image display panel 16. In the symbol display area 28, five display windows 15 (15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E) whose rear surface can be visually recognized are formed, and the outer peripheral surface of each reel 14 through each display window 15. Three symbols drawn on each are displayed. The main CPU 41 changes the display color of the position set in the effective area among the positions positioned on the front surface of each reel 14 of the lower image display panel 16.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG.
A reel controller 72 is connected to the main body PCB 60.
The sub CPU 61 provided in the reel control unit 72 controls rotation and stop of the reel 14 (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E). A motor drive circuit 62 including an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) 63 and a driver 64 is connected to the sub CPU 61. The FPGA 63 is a programmable electronic circuit such as an LSI and functions as a control circuit for the stepping motor 70. The driver 64 functions as a circuit for amplifying pulses input to the stepping motor 70. A stepping motor 70 (70A, 70B, 14C, 70D, 70E) that rotates each reel 14 is connected to the motor drive circuit 62. The stepping motor 70 is a 1-2 phase excitation type stepping motor.

Further, an index detection circuit 65 and a position detection change circuit 71 are connected to the sub CPU 61. The index detection circuit 65 detects the position of a rotating reel 14 (an index to be described later), and can detect the step-out of the reel 14.

The position change detection circuit 71 detects a change in the stop position of the reel 14 after the rotation of the reel 14 is stopped.
For example, the position change detection circuit 71 changes the stop position of the reel 14 when the stop position is changed so that the player is forced to be in the winning mode even though it is not actually in the winning mode. Is detected. The position change detection circuit 71 is configured to detect a change in the stop position of the reel 14 by detecting fins (not shown) attached to the inner portion of the reel 14 at a predetermined interval, for example.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but only specific examples are illustrated, and the present invention is not particularly limited. The specific configuration of each unit and the like can be appropriately changed. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

Further, in the above detailed description, the characteristic portions have been mainly described so that the present invention can be easily understood. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the detailed description above, but can be applied to other embodiments, and the scope of application is various. The terms and terminology used in the present specification are used to accurately describe the present invention, and are not used to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Moreover, it would be easy for those skilled in the art to infer other configurations, systems, methods, and the like included in the concept of the present invention from the concept of the invention described in this specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims should be regarded as including an equivalent configuration without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. The purpose of the abstract is to simplify the technical contents and essence of this application by patent offices and general public institutions, and engineers belonging to this technical field who are not familiar with patents, legal terms or technical terms. It is intended to be able to make a quick judgment through a simple survey. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to be evaluated by the claims. Moreover, in order to fully understand the object of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention, it is desirable that the interpretation should be made with sufficient consideration of the literatures already disclosed.

The above detailed description includes processing executed by a computer. The above explanations and expressions are given for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the most efficiently. In this specification, each step used to derive one result should be understood as a self-consistent process. In each step, transmission / reception, recording, and the like of electrical or magnetic signals are performed. In the processing in each step, such a signal is expressed by bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc., but these are used only for convenience of explanation. There is a need. In addition, the processing in each step may be described in an expression common to human behavior, but the processing described in this specification is executed by various devices in principle. Further, other configurations required for performing each step will be apparent from the above description.

(A), (b) is a figure which shows an example of the image displayed on a lower image display panel. (A), (b) is a figure which shows an example of the image displayed on a lower image display panel. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the kind of symbol and the number of coins paid out. It is the schematic diagram which showed the row | line | column of the symbol displayed on each display block. It is a perspective view which shows typically the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of a game execution process. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of a symbol determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of a bonus game process. It is a figure which shows an example of the image displayed on a lower image display panel. It is a perspective view which shows typically the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12 is a front view showing an example of a reel stop mode of the slot machine shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. 11.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine 11 Cabinet 12 Top box 13 Main door 16 Lower image display panel 18 Coin tray 19 Coin payout opening 20 Control panel 21 Coin receiving slot 22 Bill identifier 23 Spin button 24 Change button 25 Cash out button 26 1-BET button 27 Maximum BET Button 28 Display Block 29 Speaker 30 Lamp 31 Credit Number Display Unit 32 Payout Number Display Unit 33 Upper Image Display Panel 34 Berry Glass 35 Ticket Printer 36 Card Entrance 37 Data Display 38 Keypad 39 Barcode Ticket 40 Motherboard 41 Main CPU
42 ROM
43 RAM
44 Communication Interface 45 Power Supply Unit 50 Gaming Board 51 CPU
52 Boot ROM
53 Memory Card 54 GAL
60 Main body PCB
61 Sub CPU
66 Hopper 67 Coin detector 68 Graphic board 69 Touch panel 80 Door PCB
81 Cold Cathode Tube 100 Game System 200 Management Server

Claims (12)

A display having a plurality of partitioned areas arranged in a matrix, in which symbols can be rearranged in each partitioned area;
For each game, randomly select multiple effective areas from multiple partitioned areas,
Rearrange symbols in multiple compartments,
A slot machine comprising: a controller for paying out a payout according to symbols rearranged in an effective area. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines the number of valid areas according to the number of bets so that the number of valid areas increases as the number of bets increases. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller selects the effective area so as to gradually increase, and displays the selected effective area on the display in a manner that the selected effective area can be visually recognized. A display having a plurality of partitioned areas arranged in a matrix, in which symbols can be rearranged in each partitioned area;
For each game, determine the number of active areas according to the number of bets so that the more bets you have, the more active areas will increase.
Randomly select a determined number of effective areas from a plurality of partitioned areas,
Rearrange symbols in multiple compartments,
A slot machine comprising: a controller for paying out a payout according to symbols rearranged in an effective area. The slot machine according to claim 4, wherein the controller selects the effective area so as to gradually increase, and displays the selected effective area on the display in a manner that the selected effective area can be visually recognized. A display having a plurality of partitioned areas arranged in a matrix, in which symbols can be rearranged in each partitioned area;
For each game, determine the number of active areas according to the number of bets so that the more bets you have, the more active areas will increase.
Randomly select a determined number of effective areas from among a plurality of partitioned areas, and display the selected effective areas on the display in a manner that can be visually recognized,
Rearrange symbols in multiple compartments,
A slot machine comprising: a controller for paying out a payout according to symbols rearranged in an effective area. The controller randomly selects a plurality of effective areas from a plurality of partitioned areas arranged in a matrix on the display,
Place symbols in multiple compartments,
A playing method of a slot machine, characterized in that a payout is made according to symbols rearranged in an effective area. 8. The method of playing a slot machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller determines the number of valid areas according to the number of bets so that the number of valid areas increases as the number of bets increases. 9. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller selects the effective area so as to gradually increase, and displays the selected effective area on the display in a manner that the selected effective area can be visually recognized. The controller determines the number of valid areas according to the number of bets so that the number of valid areas increases as the number of bets increases.
Randomly select a determined number of effective areas from a plurality of partitioned areas arranged in a matrix on the display,
Place symbols in multiple compartments,
A playing method of a slot machine, characterized in that a payout is made according to symbols rearranged in an effective area. The said controller selects so that an effective area may be increased gradually, and displays the selected effective area on the said display in the aspect which can be visually recognized, The playing method of the slot machine characterized by the above-mentioned. The controller determines the number of valid areas according to the number of bets so that the number of valid areas increases as the number of bets increases.
A determined number of effective areas are randomly selected from a plurality of partitioned areas arranged in a matrix on the display, and the selected effective areas are displayed on the display in a manner that can be visually recognized. ,
Place symbols in multiple compartments,
A playing method of a slot machine, characterized in that a payout is made according to symbols rearranged in an effective area.

Images