JPH0380035B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electric slot machine. More specifically, considering the difference between the total number of medals inserted or the total number of medals paid out and the total number of medals inserted, when the number of medals inserted or the difference reaches a set value, the reels will stop at a specific combination with a high payout probability. This invention relates to an electric slot machine controlled as follows.

[Prior Art] In an electric slot machine, a stepping motor rotates a plurality of reels, for example, three reels around which many symbols are displayed, when a start switch is activated, and the rotation of the reels is driven by a stop switch. When the reels are stopped, a predetermined number of medals are paid out based on the combination of displayed symbols on the three stopped reels, and the stepping motor is excited by an excitation pulse generated by a driver means when a start switch is activated. The excitation of the stepping motor is stopped by stopping the generation of excitation pulses corresponding to the operation of a stop switch.

In such electric slot machines, the reels can be stopped in response to the press of a stop switch (usually a push button or touch switch), so depending on the skill of the player, the symbols can be stopped at almost any position. As a result, the player may lose interest in the game itself.

Regardless of the skill of the player, the inventor
We have developed and previously filed an application for a picture stop position control device that can provide an electric slot machine that allows you to enjoy games that are always surprising. Such a symbol stop position control device includes a plurality of reels around which a large number of symbols are displayed, a plurality of stepping motors that drive each reel, a start switch that becomes enabled when a medal is inserted, and a start switch. A combination of a driver means that generates a pulse to excite each stepping motor by operating a switch and stops the generation of the excitation pulse by operating a stop switch, a means for detecting the display symbol position of each reel, and a combination of detected symbols to be displayed when stopped. In an electric slot machine, the machine includes a means for determining the number of medals, a means for dispensing medals based on the output of the combination determining means, a counter for counting the number of inserted medals, and a counter for counting the number of dispensed medals. a means for generating random numbers by inputting a symbol; a normal table storage means for storing combinations of symbols to be stopped as a halting symbol combination table; a means for generating a halting symbol from the halting symbol combination table based on the random numbers obtained by the random number generating means means for reading the combination; means for converting the combination of stopped symbols read by the reading means into symbol position information; and after actuation of a stop switch, the halt symbol position information from the position converting means and the display symbol from the display symbol position detection means. A means for comparing position information, and a means for sending an output to the driver means at a timing such that the stopped pattern becomes the stopped pattern read by the reading means, taking into consideration the position comparison information from the comparing means. It is.

An example of an electric slot machine incorporating such a picture stopping device will be described with reference to the area surrounded by imaginary lines in FIG.

1 is a medal input counter, 2 is a medal payout counter, and 3 is a start switch, and an activation signal of the start switch 3 is sent to a random number generating means 4 and three driver means 5. Each driver means 5
Then, an excitation pulse to excite the corresponding stepping motor 6 is generated, each stepping motor 6 is driven by the excitation pulse, and a reel (not shown) is rotated.

The random number generating means 4 generates random numbers by normal means when the activation signal of the start switch 3 is input. The number of random numbers to be generated is one or three, depending on the stored contents of the stop pattern combination table memory 7 (normal table T ₁ ), as will be described later.

The generated random numbers are sent to a stop picture information reading means 8, and various picture combinations or combinations of random stop pictures are read and determined from a picture combination table memory 7 in which various pictures are stored based on the random numbers.

The contents of the pattern combination table memory 7 may be the pattern combinations themselves as described above, or
It may be the picture itself. If symbol combinations are to be memorized, all symbol combinations may be memorized, or combinations that can receive a medal payout (hereinafter referred to as hit combinations) and combinations that cannot receive a medal payout (hereinafter referred to as winning combinations) may be stored. An appropriate number of combinations (hereinafter referred to as losing combinations) may be stored.
In the latter case, it is possible to control the number of hits by appropriately adjusting the number of winning combinations and the number of losing combinations. Incidentally, in the case where the combinations of symbols are stored, only one random number is required to be generated by the random number generating means 4.

On the other hand, if you want to memorize the image itself,
Three tables may be used in which symbols corresponding to the symbols displayed on each reel are stored, or one or more symbols of the same type may be stored by selecting an appropriate number for each symbol. . In the latter case, only one table is required, and the symbols are read three times from the same table. Note that if the picture itself is to be stored, three random numbers are required.

The stop symbol information thus determined by the stop symbol information reading means 8 is sent to the stop symbol position information generating means 9, where it is converted into position information of the symbols displayed on the reels and sent to the comparing means 10.

The comparison means 10 receives the stopped symbol position information on each reel, the current displayed symbol position information on each reel constantly sent from the displayed symbol position detection means 11, and the activation signal of the stop switch 12.
When an actuation signal is input from one stop switch 12, the comparing means 10 compares the currently displayed symbol position information of that reel with the stopped symbol position information of that reel, and sends the positional relationship information between the two to the timing means 13. Output.

The timing means 13 operates the stop switch 12 based on the positional relationship information from the comparison means 10.
An excitation pulse stop signal is output to the driver means 5 at a timing such that the displayed pattern when the activated reel is stopped becomes a predetermined stop pattern. The driver means 5 stops generating excitation pulses in response to the stop signal, thereby stopping the stepping motor 6.

As a result, the displayed symbol of the stopped reel becomes a symbol determined based on random numbers, regardless of the timing of activation of the stop switch 12.

The stepping motor 6 is stopped by issuing an excitation pulse pattern for stopping from the timing means 13 to the driver means 5.

Furthermore, as a method for detecting the displayed pattern, a conventionally used method is used, and an example is shown in Section 2.
This will be described later based on the figures.

Normally, electric slot machines stop three reels in sequence by operating a stop switch, and each reel usually displays 15 to 25 symbols (2 to 10 types of symbols). . Therefore, if the desired stop symbol has already passed several frames by the time the stop switch is activated, the reel must be rotated approximately once. This state may give the player an unreasonable feeling.

In order to eliminate this sense of unreasonableness, the timing means 13 may be configured as follows.

That is, if the positional relationship information between the target stopped picture and the currently displayed picture inputted from the comparison means 10 indicates that the stopped picture is within a predetermined number of frames from the displayed picture, the target stopped picture is used as described above. A stop signal is issued from the timing means 13 so that the reels stop, and if the stop symbol is not within a predetermined number of frames from the displayed symbol, the stop switch 12 is activated.
Timing means 1 according to the timing of operation of
A stop signal may be issued from 3 onwards. As a result, the reels will always stop within a predetermined number of frames from the time the stop switch is activated, eliminating the aforementioned sense of unreasonableness. Appropriately, the predetermined number of frames is about 1/3 of the number of frames of all displayed symbols on the reels.

Also, regarding the first stop switch that is activated, if there is no target stop symbol within the predetermined number of frames as described above, a stop signal is output in accordance with the stop switch activation timing, and the symbols on the remaining two reels are The combination is determined by reading a symbol combination table different from the symbol combination table from the memory 7 in the same way as described above, and when the corresponding stop switch is activated, whether or not there is a desired stop symbol within a predetermined number of frames or not. Therefore, the output timing of the stop signal can be determined in the same manner as described above.

Note that the restriction on the predetermined number of frames may be lifted for the remaining two reels.

The combination determining means 14 determines whether or not the combination of symbols displayed on each reel that has stopped is a winning combination. If it is a winning combination, the payout means 15 pays out a predetermined number of medals, and the medal payout counter Add to the count number of 2.

Also, in recent electric slot machines,
Regarding the stop symbol combination table _T1 in the above function implementation means, prepare several types of tables with different probability of hitting, for example, four levels (big hit, medium hit, small hit, no hit), and press the start switch. There is a method that determines which table to use based on random numbers generated when the table is selected (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 186580/1983). This system switches between the four types of tables in order to prevent the winning rate from being uneven depending on the machine model, to keep the payout rate almost constant, or to set it to a desired payout rate.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] All of the above slot machines are preferable in that they strike a balance between chance and player's skill, and provide an appropriate payout rate; however, the games are relatively plain, and I am dissatisfied with the fact that the game console lacks individuality.

The present invention provides a slot machine that maintains the advantages of conventional slot machines, allows players to enjoy interesting games by devising game presentations, and also adds individuality to the game machines to provide the fun of selecting a game machine. It is intended to.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The slot machine of the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the above-mentioned function realizing means, a symbol combination table (hereinafter referred to as a special table) that has a specially increased probability of a combination of hits is separately prepared. The point is that a means for determining when to switch to the special table at the time of reset is added.

In other words, the slot machine of the present invention has, in addition to the above-mentioned basic configuration, a combination of (a) a reset switch, (b) a second random number generating means that generates random numbers by the operation of the _reset switch, and a stop pattern with a large number of payouts. (c) storage means for storing the timing of switching from the normal table to the special table as a set number table; (d) storage means for storing the timing for switching from the normal table to the special table; (d) the timing storage means The second table from the table in c
(e) means for reading a set number of medals based on the random number generated by the random number generating means b; The difference between the total number of coins put out and the total number of coins inserted and the reading means d
The present invention is characterized by providing means for comparing the set number of medals read with the set number of medals read and switching from the normal table _T1 to the special table _T2 when the total number of medals inserted or the difference exceeds the set number.

[Effect] When the slot machine is turned on at opening time,
Alternatively, when the difference between the total number of medals paid out and the total number of medals paid out reaches a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as the end number), the game machine is set as an end machine, and then when the game machine is restarted, reset switch a is activated. The contents of the medal input counter and medal payout counter are reset to zero. At that time, the second random number generation means b generates a random number, and based on the generated random number, the special table setting time reading means c
The special table setting time is read from the table memory d for determining the special table setting time.

The special table setting timing may be defined by the total number of medals inserted (count number of medal insertion counter 1), or the difference between the total number of medals paid out and the total number of inserted medals (from the number counted by medal payout counter 1 to the number of medals paid out). (the value obtained by subtracting the count number of counter 1) may also be specified. In either case, the special table setting period is determined by the number of medals, e.g.
The numbers will be 50, 100, 200, etc.

The setting timing information read by the reading means c is sent to the comparison setting means e. The respective counts from the medal input counter 1 and, if necessary, the medal payout counter 2 are input to the comparison setting means e, and the difference between the total number of inserted medals or the total number of paid out medals and the total number of input medals is equal to or larger than the set number. To become and,
The contents of the picture combination table memory 7 are replaced with a special table. Once the special table is set, it enters a so-called fever state, and the special table is not changed until the end number of sheets is reached. When the number of coins reaches the end, the game itself is stopped and the use of the game machine is temporarily prohibited (the game machine becomes a so-called end machine). After that, when the game room manager opens the game machine again, he activates the reset switch a. All or almost all of the contents of the special table are combinations of hits, and the number is always higher than the number of medals inserted. It is preferable that the number of coins to be paid out is set to be larger. Furthermore, if necessary, a combination that allows a special game other than the normal game, that is, the game in which hits and losses are determined by the combination of the symbols displayed when the three reels are stopped as described above, may be included.

As a special game, you can set a target symbol for each reel and pay out medals when the symbol stops, or you can judge whether you hit or lose just by the combination of two reels. It could be a game like that. Furthermore, it is also possible to play another game without using reels, such as a pachinko game or a game that combines discs.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of hardware corresponding to the function realizing means shown in FIG. 1.

20 is a reel, around which many symbols are displayed. Reference numeral 21 denotes an input port to which signals are sent from the reset switch a, the start switch 3, the medal input counter 1, the medal payout counter 2, the stop switch 12, and the photo sensor 22 that detects the reference position of the displayed pattern. 23
is an output port, which sends output to the stepping motor 6 and the medal payout hopper motor 24. 25, 26 and 27 are CPUs,
These are ROM and RAM, and execute processing corresponding to each of the above-mentioned function realizing means.

As a method for detecting the currently displayed symbol position on the reel, there is, for example, a method in which a protrusion (not shown) photo sensor 22 provided on the reel 20 and a reel counter (built in the RAM 27) are combined. In this method, the reel counter is incremented by one count every three excitation pulses (equivalent to one frame) of the stepping motor 6, and when a protrusion on the reel is detected by the photo sensor 22, the contents of the reel counter are reset to zero. This is a method to do so. In this way, it is possible to judge which frame the currently displayed symbol is from the reference symbol (a symbol with protrusions) based on the count on the reel counter, and compare it with the arrangement of all displayed symbols stored in the ROM 26 or RAM 27. By doing so, the currently displayed pattern can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the function realizing means of the apparatus of the present invention is realized by a microcomputer.

Next, a flowchart of an embodiment of a program for executing the function realizing means will be explained based on FIGS. 3 to 6.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a basic program for operating the slot machine of the present invention.

Although there are various aspects of this program, the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is defined under the following conditions.

(1) There are 7 types of patterns, 21 in total (2) 1 frame movement with 3 excitation pulses (3) 1 random number generated (4) Normal table has 24 combinations of hits and 40
It is made up of a combination of street mistakes.

(5) The contents of the special table are the difference between the total number of medals paid out and the total number of medals inserted, 50, 100, 200...1300.
It is made up of numerical values.

(6) Special table with 18 special game combinations
It consists of 46 combinations of hits.

Each symbol in FIG. 3 indicates the following processing and judgment, respectively.

100: Initial setting of input/output ports 101: Normal stop symbol combination table (hereinafter referred to as
102: Is the reset switch ON? 103: Generate random numbers 104: Decide when to set up a special table based on random numbers 105: Have medals been inserted? 106: Add the number of inserted medals to the medal input counter 107: Is the set stop symbol combination table a special table? 108: Value determined by (number of medals inserted) - (number of medals dispensed) ≧ (104) 109: Change regular table to special table 110: Is the start switch ON? 111: Generate excitation pulses for all stepping motors 112: Generate random numbers 113: Read the combination of stop symbols corresponding to the random numbers from the symbol combination table memory.

114: Memorize the count number of the reel counter on each reel corresponding to the combination of stop symbols 115: Is the stop switch ON? 116: Is the set table a normal table? 117: Reel stop subroutine for normal table 118: Reel stop subroutine for special table 119: Is it a hit combination? 120: Is this a combination for a special game? 121: Payout of medals 122: Special game subroutine 123: Add the number of paid out medals to the medal payout counter 124: Is it the end number? Next, the flowchart of the program of the normal table reel stop subroutine in Figure 3 is shown in Figure 4.
As shown in the figure. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 was set under the following conditions.

() There is no limit to the predetermined number of frames in the timing means 13.

() Three excitation pulses are required from the stop signal until the stepping motor actually stops.

() The reel counter counts from 0 to 20, and returns to 0 when it exceeds 20. Note that the count in the reel counter is calculated using the 21-decimal system, and the comparison is performed using the last two digits.

Each symbol in FIG. 4 indicates the following processing and judgment, respectively.

200: Read the contents of the reel counter in the reel corresponding to the stop switch turned ON.

201: Reel counter contents + 1 = memorized count number of stopped symbols? 202: Output stop mode excitation pulse to the stepping motor corresponding to the turned ON stop switch 203: Are all three stepping motors stopped? 204: Compare the contents of each stopped reel counter Further, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the program when the conditions of the program shown in FIG. 4 are changed in line () as follows.

(a) All reels are stopped in accordance with the above-mentioned frame number limit (7 frames).

Each symbol shown in FIG. 5 indicates the following processing and judgment, respectively.

300: Read the contents of the reel counter in the reel corresponding to the stop switch turned ON.

301: Contents of reel counter + 7>Memorized count number of stopped symbols? 302: Contents of reel counter + 1 = number of stored stopped symbols? 303: Output stop mode excitation pulse to the stepping motor corresponding to the turned ON stop switch. 304: Are all three stepping motors stopped? 305: Comparing the contents of each stopped relay counter Further, FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the program when () among the conditions of the program shown in FIG. 4 are changed as follows.

(b) The limit on the number of frames (7 frames) for the reel stop timing is applied only to the reel corresponding to the first stop switch activated, and for the remaining two reels, the combination of stop symbols is set again, and the number of frames is There are no restrictions.

Each symbol shown in FIG. 6 indicates the following processing and judgment, respectively.

400: The stop switch is ON for the first time.
Is it ON? 401: Read the contents of the reel counter in the reel corresponding to the stop switch turned ON.

402: Reel counter contents + 7 > memorized count number of stopped symbols? 403: Reel counter contents + 1 = memorized count number of stopped symbols? 404: Output stop mode excitation pulse to the stepping motor corresponding to the ON stop switch 405: Output stop mode excitation pulse to the stepping motor corresponding to the ON stop switch 406: Random number generation 407: Stop pattern combination table Read the combinations of stopped symbols on the remaining two reels from the memory.

408: Update the content stored in 113 with the content read in 407. 409: Read the content of the reel counter in the reel corresponding to the stop switch turned on.

410: Reel counter contents + 1 = memorized count number of stopped symbols? 411: Output a stop mode excitation pulse to the stepping motor corresponding to the turned ON stop switch. 412: Are all three stepping motors stopped? 413: Compare the contents of each stopped reel counter The special table reel stop subroutine shown in FIG. 3 employs the same program as the normal table reel stop subroutine shown in FIG. 4.

The special game subroutine shown in FIG. 3 is a program corresponding to the content of the special game, and various programs may be employed, but the details thereof will be omitted.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the electric slot machine of the present invention always switches to a special table with a high payout probability at a certain point in the progress of the game, and the game proceeds according to the special table until the end of the game. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game while anticipating when the table will switch to such a special table (fever state). Also, when each game machine switches to a special table (set number of cards)
Since the game consoles are different, each game console has its own personality, so it's fun to choose a game console.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the function realizing means in the electric slot machine of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic circuit used to achieve the function realizing means shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a program for operating the electric slot machine of the present invention. (Main symbols in the drawing), 1: Medal input counter,
2: medal payout counter, 3: start switch, 4: random number generation means, 5: driver means,
6: Stepping motor, 7: Stop pattern combination table memory, 8: Stop pattern information reading means, 9:
Stop picture position information generating means, 10: Comparison means, 1
1: Display symbol position detection means, 12: Stop switch, 13: Timing means, 14: Symbol combination determination means, 15: Payout means, 20: Reel, 2
1: Input port, 23: Output port, 25:
CPU, 26: ROM, 27: RAM, a: reset switch, b: random number generation means, c: special table setting time reading means, d: memory for determining special table setting time, e: comparison setting means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of reels around which many symbols are displayed, a plurality of stepping motors that drive each reel, a start switch that becomes enabled when a medal is inserted, and the start switch. A driver means that generates a panel that excites each stepping motor by the operation of the motor and stops the generation of excitation pulses by the operation of a stop switch, a means that detects the display symbol position of each reel, and a combination of the detected display symbols when stopped. It consists of a determining means, a means for paying out medals based on the output of the combination determining means, a counter for counting the number of inserted medals, and a counter for counting the number of dispensed medals. A first random number generation means for generating, a normal table storage means T ₁ which stores the combination of symbols to be stopped as a normal table, and a normal table storage means for stopping based on the random number obtained by the first random number generation means. means for reading the combination of symbols; means for converting the combination of stopped symbols read by the reading means into symbol position information; and means for converting the combination of stopped symbols read by the reading means into symbol position information; An electric type having a means for comparing displayed picture position information and a means for sending an output to a driver means at a timing such that a stopped picture becomes a stopped picture read by the reading means in consideration of the position comparison information from the comparing means. In the slot machine, (a) a reset switch, (b) a _second random number generating means that generates random numbers by the operation of the reset switch, and a special stop symbol combination table consisting of combinations of stop symbols that have a large number of T2 payouts. (c) timing storage means that stores the timing for switching from the normal table to the special table as a set number of sheets table; (d) a set number of sheets table stored in the period storage means c. (e) means for reading one set number of medals based on the random number generated by the second random number generating means b; The difference between the total number of medals to be paid out and the total number of inserted medals is compared with the set number read by the reading means d, and if the total number of inserted medals or the difference exceeds the set number, the table is changed from the normal table _T1 to the special table T. An electric slot machine characterized by having a means for switching between _two slots.