JPH11299965A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide different orders of precedence for drawing according to different game conditions to provide new variations to a game to enhance the fun of the game by performing control when the control of stopping and displaying symbols is interrupted for some of display strings, so that the symbols are drawn in a new order of precedence for the remaining display strings. SOLUTION: The order of precedence of drawing, which is used by a stopped display control means, is determined between small winning conditions and other winning conditions (replay, BB, RB) during a normal game, and during CT period the order of precedence of drawing is determined according to the kinds of the small winning conditions. Therefore, the reel which is controlled to stop during the CT period is controlled by the stopped display control means so that when plum which is higher in order of precedence than cherry can lead to winning within the range of number of frames to be controlled, for example, the plum symbols are drawn on a validated string.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine having a function of drawing and stopping a symbol corresponding to a winning mode within a predetermined number of ranges and a function of interrupting the stop display control. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of gaming machine, for example, C
There is a slot machine called a T (challenge time) machine. In a general slot machine, when a start lever is operated by a player, a plurality of reels rotate, and rotation of each reel is stopped by operating a stop button. At this time, when a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on the display window, a prize is generated, and a number of medals corresponding to the winning combination are paid out to the player. The stop position of the rotating reel is controlled so that the symbol of the winning mode specified by the internal lottery of the gaming machine is stopped and displayed on the display window.
That is, when the stop button is operated, the symbol displayed in the display window is not the symbol corresponding to the winning mode, but the symbol corresponding to the winning mode exists in, for example, four frames of symbols displayed subsequent to the display window. In this case, reel control for drawing in the symbol is performed so that the symbol corresponding to the winning mode is stopped and displayed in the display window.

[0003] When a winning request is made at the same time for two kinds of winning modes, or when a lottery in the machine is lost, this reel control is performed according to a predetermined priority order. Is performed in such a manner that the symbol corresponding to is preferentially drawn. By this retraction control,
Leveling is performed between each winning mode, for example, between replays, small wins, and bonus game winnings, and a symbol of any one winning mode is stopped and displayed on each rotating reel with priority.

However, in the CT machine, when a certain condition is satisfied, for example, the stop display control of the symbol for the small winning combination is interrupted for some reels, and the stop position of the spinning reel is Is determined only according to the timing of the user's operation of the stop button. Even in the CT period in which the stop display control is interrupted, the drawing control of the symbols for four frames is performed for the other reels. For this reason, for the other reels for which the stop display control is not interrupted, even if the player operates the stop button at a maximum of four frames earlier, the symbol of the winning combination is drawn in and displayed on the window.

According to such a CT machine, a game result according to the skill level of the player can be obtained while maintaining a certain level of game victory for beginners and skilled players in the game. Such a CT machine is disclosed, for example, in JP-A-1-238888.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, only a specific winning mode, for example, a small winning mode, is generated by the skill of the player during the CT period. Therefore, for example, even if the priority level of the pull-in control is set between the replay, the small win, and the bonus game as described above, it does not contribute to the occurrence of the small win during the CT period. That is, the prioritization of the pull-in control in the conventional gaming machine is univocal and lacks the interest of the game, and has not contributed to the CT game.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a winning mode determining means for determining a winning mode of a game by random lottery, and various symbols can be changed into a plurality of rows. A variable display device for displaying, variable display stopping means for stopping variable display of symbols by the variable display device for each column, and a winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means in accordance with an operation timing of the variable display stopping means. The symbols according to the predetermined number are drawn into the variable display device within a predetermined number range and stopped and displayed, and the symbols corresponding to the winning modes having a higher priority according to the predetermined priority are drawn in and stopped and displayed. A stop display control unit for causing the stop display control unit to perform a stop display control of the symbol by a predetermined number of games when a specific condition is satisfied. In a gaming machine comprising a control interruption means for interrupting the display row of the section, the stop display control means, while the stop display control of the symbol is interrupted for some display columns by the control interruption means, The symbols are drawn in the remaining display columns in a new priority order.

According to this configuration, while the stop display control of the symbols is suspended for some display columns, the symbols are pulled in with a new priority for the remaining display columns, so that the pull-in priority depends on the game state. become. Therefore, a new change is added to the game, and the interest of the game is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the control interruption means interrupts the symbol stop display control by the stop display control means only for the small hit prize mode, and the stop display control means controls the stop display control by the control interruption means. While is not interrupted,
Although the pull-in control is performed in accordance with the priority given between the small hit prize mode and the other prize modes, the stop display control of the symbols in the small hit prize mode is interrupted for some display columns by the control interrupting means. Then, the symbols in the small hit prize mode are drawn in the remaining display columns in accordance with the priority determined by the type of the small hit prize mode.

According to this configuration, while the stop display control of the symbols in the small hit prize mode is interrupted for some display columns, the remaining display columns are reduced according to the new priority according to the type of the small hit prize mode. The winning prize mode is drawn. For this reason, a new change is added to the game state in which the stop display control is interrupted, and during this game state, a specific small hit prize winning mode with a high priority is likely to occur.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to CT.
An embodiment applied to a slot machine called a slot machine will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
FIG.

Behind the front panel 2 of the slot machine 1, three reels 3, 4, and 5 constituting a variable display device are rotatably provided. On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5, a symbol row including a plurality of types of symbols (hereinafter, referred to as symbols) is drawn. These symbols are displayed through the display windows 6, 7, and 8 on the front of the slot machine 1, respectively.
Observed individually. An insertion slot 9 for a player to insert a medal is provided on the lower right side of the display windows 6, 7, and 8.

Each of the reels 3 to 5 is configured as a rotating reel unit shown in FIG. 2, and is attached to a frame 51 via a bracket 52. Each of the reels 3 to 5 is configured by attaching a reel band 54 to an outer periphery of a reel drum 53. The above-mentioned symbol array is drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel band 54. Further, each bracket 52 is provided with a stepping motor 55, and each of the reels 3 to 5 is driven by the motor 55 to rotate.

The structure of each of the reels 3 to 5 is shown in FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. A lamp case 56 is provided inside the reel drum 53 behind the reel band 54, and back lamps 57a, 57b, and 57c are attached to the three rooms of the lamp case 56, respectively. These back lamps 57a to 57c are shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it is mounted on a board 58, and this board 58 is attached behind the lamp case 56. A photo sensor 59 is attached to the bracket 52. The photo sensor 59 is mounted on the reel drum 5
3 detects that the shielding plate 60 provided on the photosensor 3 passes through the photosensor 59 as the reel drum 53 rotates.

The lighting of each of the back lamps 57a to 57c is controlled by a lamp driving circuit 48 described later. By turning on each of the back lamps 57a to 57c, of the symbols drawn on the reel band 54, three symbols located at the front of each back lamp 57 are individually illuminated from behind, and each of the display windows 6 to 8 is displayed. 3 symbols are projected on each.

The display windows 6 to 8 shown in FIG.
Book (center L1, upper and lower L2A, L2B) and diagonal 2
The winning line of the book (obliquely lower right L3A, obliquely upward right L3B) is described. Prior to the start of the game, when the player inserts one medal into the medal insertion slot 9, only the central winning line L1 on each of the reels 3 to 5 is shown in FIG.
It is activated as shown in FIG. When two medals are inserted into the insertion slot 9, the upper and lower prize lines L
2A and L2B are added, and three horizontal winning lines L1 and L2
A and L2B are enabled as shown in FIG. When three medals are inserted into the insertion slot 9, all the winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and L
3B is activated as shown in FIG.

The circles shown in FIG.
Represents the symbol drawn above. Such activation of the pay line is displayed to the player by turning on an activated line display lamp 23 (see FIG. 1) arranged at an end of each pay line.

On the lower left side of the display windows 6 to 8, 1B
An ET switch 10, a 2BET switch 11, and a MAX BET switch 12 are provided. When a medal is credited in the credit amount display unit 13,
Instead of inserting medals into the medal slot 9, these 1 BET
Switch 10, 2BET switch 11 and Max B
By operating each push button of the ET switch 12, one, two, and three medals are bet in one game, respectively. The number-of-credits display section 13 is composed of 7-segment LEDs of a number corresponding to the number of digits of the numerical value to be displayed, and displays the number of medals currently credited.

Below these BET switches 10 to 12, a credit / payment changeover switch (C / P switch) 1
4 and a start lever 15 are provided, and a stop button 16,
17 and 18 are provided. The credit / payout (PLAY CREDIT / PAY OUT) of the medal can be switched by operating the push button of the C / P switch 14.

By operating the start lever 15,
The rotation of the reels 3, 4, and 5 starts simultaneously. The stop buttons 16, 17, and 18 constitute variable display stopping means for stopping the rotation display of the reels 3, 4, and 5 for each row.
The reels 3, 4, 5 are arranged correspondingly. When the rotation speed of each of the reels 3 to 5 reaches a certain speed, the operation of each of the stop buttons 16 to 18 is enabled, and each of the stop buttons 16 to 18 is activated.
~ 18 are each reel 3 ~ according to the push button operation of the player
Stop rotation of 5.

In the slot machine according to the present embodiment, the first stop reel that is operated to stop first and the second stop reel that is operated to stop next are stopped by the stop display control means described later during the CT period. Display control is interrupted. That is, the first stop reel and the second stop reel are immediately stopped only in accordance with the operation timing of the stop buttons 16 to 18 by the player. On the other hand, for the third stop reel to be stopped last, stop display control is performed by the stop display control unit even during the CT period. That is, the third stop reel is controlled so as to stop and display the symbol corresponding to the small winning combination that can be generated by the combination of the symbols stopped and displayed by the first stop reel and the second stop reel.

Further, a sound transmission hole 19 and a medal tray 20 are provided in the lower part of the front of the slot machine 1. The sound transmission hole 19 is for outputting sound generated from a speaker housed inside the device to the outside. The medal tray 20 stores medals paid out from a medal payout exit 21.
In addition, a payout display unit 22 is provided on the front upper portion of the slot machine 1 to indicate how many medals are paid out for each winning.

A liquid crystal display unit 24 is provided on the front panel 2 on the right of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5. The liquid crystal display unit 24 displays the rotation of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5,
It is a display device that displays a game history and performs effects during a bonus game.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration including a control unit for controlling a game processing operation in the slot machine 1 of the embodiment, and a peripheral device (actuator) electrically connected to the control unit.

The control section has a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) 30 as a main component, and further includes a circuit for sampling random numbers. The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU 31 for performing a control operation according to a preset program, and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 as storage means. The CPU 31 includes a clock pulse generating circuit 34 and a frequency divider 35 for generating a reference clock pulse, a random number generator 36 for generating a random number within a certain range, and a random number sampling circuit 37 for extracting an arbitrary random number from the generated random numbers. Is connected.

The main actuators whose operations are controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 30 include reels 3 and
Stepping motors 55 for rotating 4 and 5, hopper 38 for storing medals, liquid crystal display 24, speaker 3
9 and a back lamp 57. These are a motor drive circuit 40, a hopper drive circuit 41, a display drive circuit 42, a speaker drive circuit 43, and a lamp drive circuit 48, respectively.
Driven by These drive circuits 40 to 43, 48
Is connected to the CPU 31 via the I / O port of the microcomputer 30. Each of the stepping motors 55 is excited in one or two phases by the motor drive circuit 40, and rotates once when a drive signal of 400 pulses is supplied.

A main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 30 to generate a control signal includes a start switch 15S for detecting an operation of the start lever 15, and a medal insertion port 9 The inserted medal sensor 9S for detecting the inserted medal, and the C /
There is a P switch 14. There is also a photo sensor 59, and a reel position detection circuit 44 that receives the output pulse signal from the photo sensor 59 and detects the rotational position of each of the reels 3, 4, and 5.

The photo sensor 59 detects the shielding plate 60 every time the reels 3, 4 and 5 make one rotation, and generates a reset pulse. This reset pulse is applied to the reel position detection circuit 44.
Is given to the CPU 31 via the. In the RAM 33,
For each of the reels 3 to 5, a count value corresponding to a rotation position within the range of one rotation is stored, and upon receiving a reset pulse, the CPU 31 clears the count value formed in the RAM 33 to "0". . By this clear processing, the movement display of each symbol and each stepping motor 5 are displayed.
The deviation that occurs between the rotations of rotation No. 5 and rotation No. 5 is eliminated for each rotation.

Further, as the input signal generating means,
Reel stop signal circuit 45 and payout completion signal generation circuit 4
There are six. The reel stop signal circuit 45 includes a stop button 1
When 6, 17, 18 are pressed, the corresponding reel 3,
Generate a signal to stop 4,5. Further, the medal detection unit 47 counts the number of medals paid out from the hopper 38, and the payout completion signal generation circuit 46 converts the medal count value actually paid out inputted from the medal detection unit 47 into predetermined payout number data. When it has reached, a signal notifying the completion of the medal payout is output to the CPU 31.

The ROM 32 stores, as a sequence program, a procedure of a game process to be executed in the slot machine 1, and stores a winning probability table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, and the like. I have.

The winning probability table is stored in the sampling circuit 3
7 is used to divide the random numbers extracted in 7 into the respective winning modes, and stores data for partitioning a certain range of random numbers generated by the random number generator 36 into the respective winning modes. Such a winning probability table is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. A1 to a3, b1 to b3, c1 to c in FIG.
3, d1 to d3, e1 to e3, f1 to f3, g1 to g3
Is preset numerical data, and is used when dividing the random number extracted by the sampling circuit 37 into each winning mode. This data is “a1 to g1” when the number of inserted medals is one, “a2 to g2” when the number is two, and 3
In the case of sheets, a combination of the numerical values of “a3 to g3” is used.

These numerical values are usually expressed as “a <b <c <d <e <
f <g ”and the extracted random number value is a
If it is less than, it will be a jackpot winning (big hit) and "B
B "Winning flag is set. If the extracted random number value is equal to or larger than a and smaller than b, a medium winning prize (medium hit) is set, and the “RB” winning flag is set. If the extracted random number value is b or more and less than f, a small hit prize (small hit) is obtained. In this case, if the value is b or more and less than c, a “plum” winning flag is set. Indicates a “bell” winning flag, a “four-cherry” winning flag is set when d is less than e, and a “two-cherry” winning flag is set when e is less than f. If the extracted random number value is equal to or more than f and less than g, a “replay” winning flag is set, and if the extracted random number value is equal to or more than g, a “losing” winning flag without winning is set.

That is, the winning mode is determined by which numerical range one sampled random number belongs to, and is represented by a total of eight types of winning flags including "losing" and "replay". Here, the random number generator 36, the sampling circuit 37, the winning probability table, and the microcomputer 30 constitute a winning mode determining means for determining a winning mode of the game by random number lottery.

However, during the CT period, even if a small hit prize is determined by the prize mode determining means, the above-described small hit prize winning flag is controlled so as not to be raised.
That is, in the CT period, the lottery of the small hit prize is not performed, and the lottery is performed only for the bonus prize (BB, RB prize) and the replay.

The symbol table is conceptually shown in FIG. The symbol table is for associating the rotation positions of the reels 3 to 5 with the symbols, and represents a symbol row by symbols. In this symbol table, a symbol code corresponding to the code number is displayed on each reel 3.
５5 are stored. The code numbers are sequentially assigned at a constant rotation pitch of each of the reels 3 to 5 based on the rotation position at which the reset pulse is generated. The symbol code indicates a symbol provided corresponding to each code number.

In the winning symbol combination table,
The symbol code of each winning symbol combination shown in the payout display unit 22, the symbol code of the symbol combination forming the “reach eye” that suggests to the player that the flag of the occurrence of the specific game is established, and each winning is shown. A winning determination code, a winning medal payout number, and the like are stored. This winning symbol combination table is referred to at the time of stop control of the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5, and when performing a winning confirmation after stopping all the reels.

Reel position detection circuit 44, reel stop signal circuit 45, motor drive circuit 40, stepping motor 5
5 and the microcomputer 30 constitute stop display control means. The stop display control means includes stop buttons 16 to 18
Is detected by the reel stop signal circuit 45. At this operation timing, the symbol displayed on the activation line is not a symbol corresponding to the winning mode, but is four frames displayed subsequently on the activation line. When there is a symbol corresponding to the winning mode among the symbols, control is performed to draw this symbol on the activation line of the display windows 6 to 8. At this time, the display window 6 is controlled by the reel position detection circuit 44.
The motor drive circuit 40 and the stepping motor 55 are controlled by the microcomputer 30 while the types of the symbols displayed on the reels 3 to 8 are grasped, and the rotation of the reels 3 to 5 is controlled.

The microcomputer 30 also constitutes control interruption means. The control interrupting means is activated when a specific condition is satisfied, that is, when a random number lottery described later is won, and according to a predetermined condition, the stop display control means controls the display of the symbols according to the winning mode. The first
The operation stops for the stop reel and the second stop reel. In the present embodiment, the predetermined condition is that until a predetermined number of games are played or a predetermined number of medals are paid out, whichever comes first, whichever comes first. This is a condition, and the stop control by the stop display control means is interrupted until this condition is satisfied. In the slot machine called a CT machine according to the present embodiment, the control suspending unit suspends the stop display control of the symbol by the stop display control unit only for the small hit prize mode.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine controlled by the microcomputer 30 in this embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the outline of this game processing.

First, the CPU 3 determines whether or not a replay (replay) has occurred as a result of the previous game and there is automatic medal insertion.
1 (see FIG. 8, step 101).
If there is this automatic insertion, the game medals corresponding to the insertion request are then automatically inserted (step 102). On the other hand, if there is no automatic insertion, the player next inserts medals into the medal insertion slot 9 and waits for a detection signal to be input from the medal sensor 9S (step 103). Alternatively, the player waits for the BET switches 10, 11, and 12 to be operated by the player and signals from these switches to be input. Up to three medals can be inserted during a general game, and one medal can be inserted in a bonus game during a BB game or an RB game.

Next, by operating the start lever 15,
It is determined whether or not a start signal has been input from the start switch 15S (step 104). If this determination is "YES", it is next determined whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the previous game (step 105). 4.
If one second has not elapsed, the waiting time for starting the game is consumed until 4.1 seconds have elapsed (step 106).
After 4.1 seconds, a winning determination is made by the winning mode determining means. That is, a random number for lottery generated by the random number generator 36 is extracted by the sampling circuit 37 (step 107), and a probability lottery process is performed (step 108).

In the probability lottery process, as described above, it is determined which one of the winning groups belongs to the winning probability table (see FIG. 6) of one random number value specified by the sampling circuit 37. Done by The prize mode determined by the prize mode determination means is represented by the type of a winning flag.
"Replay", "2 cherry", "4 cherry",
Any one of the eight winning flags of “bell”, “plum”, “RB”, and “BB” is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 33.

As a result of the probability lottery process, "BB"
If the winning flag is raised and a BB internal hit occurs,
Subsequently, a lottery of the CT game is performed. The lottery of this CT game is also similar to the probability lottery process described above for determining the winning mode.
The random number generated by the random number generator 36
It is extracted and performed by. Then, the sampled random number value is compared in magnitude with the specific value. For example, if the sampled random number value is smaller than the specific value, the winning is determined, and the lottery result is determined. The fact that the result of the lottery has been won corresponds to the fact that the specific condition has been satisfied.

C performed when such specific conditions are satisfied
In the T game, after the end of the BB game, a predetermined number of games are continuously performed, for example, 150 games. However, 15
If a predetermined number of medals, for example, 200 medals are paid out to the player even within 0 games, the CT game is finished. This CT
In the period, in the probability lottery process for determining the winning mode in step 108, as described above, the lottery result of the small hit prize is invalidated, and the so-called bonus prize (BB,
RB prize) and replay.

Next, a predetermined area of the RAM 33 in which the rotation positions of the reels 3 to 5 are written is initialized at the start of reel rotation (step 109), and the reels 3 to 5 are subsequently driven to rotate by the stepping motor 55. Is done. Next, it is determined whether any of the stop buttons 16 to 18 has been turned on (step 110). If the ON operation has not been performed, it is determined whether or not the automatic stop timer has reached 0 (step 111). The automatic stop timer is for automatically stopping each of the reels 3 to 5 after a predetermined time elapses when the stop buttons 16 to 18 are not operated for a predetermined time.

When any one of the stop buttons 16 to 18 is turned on or the automatic stop timer becomes 0, the number of frames of the symbol drawn on the activation line by the stop display control means, that is, the slide frame A number is determined (step 112). This number of sliding pieces is
It is determined from the winning request, the number of control frames, the symbol position, and the like.

The game state is stored in a one-byte area called a game state in the RAM 33. There are six types of gaming states: "during RB operation", "during BB operation", "during normal game", "during BB inside hit", "during RB inside hit", and "during CT period".

"RB operation in progress" indicates a gaming state during the RB game. RB means a regular bonus game. In this RB game, a bonus game in which a plurality of high payout games are combined can be performed once. "BB
"In operation" indicates a gaming state during the BB game. BB
Means a big bonus game and this BB
In the game, a set of the general game and the bonus game can be performed a plurality of times. "General game" is BB,
This indicates a gaming state in which no winning of RB has occurred.

The "BB inside hit" state indicates that the BB winning flag is set, but the predetermined winning symbol combination is not stopped and displayed on each of the reels 3 to 5, and the BB game has not yet entered. Represents. The “RB inside hit” flag is set for the RB winning flag, but each reel 3 to 5
The predetermined winning symbol combination is not stopped and displayed on R.
This indicates a general game state in which the game B has not entered.

"During the CT period" is, as described above, BB,
This represents a gaming state in which the lottery of the winning combination in the RB game and the replay is performed, but the lottery of the small winning combination is invalidated. In the small hit prize, the plum and the bell symbols, which are generated with all three plum symbols on the activation line, are stopped on the activation line of the first reel 3. There are two cherries that are generated at the same time, and four cherries that are generated together with three cherries on the validation line. Here, the number of medals paid out is 15 at the time of plum prize, 8 at the time of bell prize, 4 at the time of 4 cherry prize, and 2 at the time of 2 cherry prize.

The winning request is also stored in the hit request flag storage area of the RAM 33. This area also consists of 1 byte, and the hit request flag includes “CT No BB”, “CT
8 of “with attached BB”, “RB”, “replay”, “bell”, “plum”, “four cherry” and “two cherry”
There are types. Here, “CT-less BB” corresponds to step 1
This is a hit request flag that is set when there is an internal hit of BB in the probability lottery process of 08 and the player loses in the subsequent lottery of the CT game. “BB with CT” is a hit request flag that is set when there is an internal hit of the BB in the probability lottery process and the subsequent lottery of the CT game is also won.

There are cases where two types of hit request flags are set at the same time. For example, BB winning flag or R
When the B winning flag is set, “BB” or “R”
The hit request flag of "B" is set. If the symbol combination corresponding to “BB” or “RB” is not stopped and displayed on each of the reels 3 to 5 in the current game, the winning request flag is also carried over to the next game. Therefore, "B
At the time of the next game of "B inside win" or "RB inside hit", if the small hit prize mode is determined by the prize mode determining means, the small hit prize hit request flag is set. Therefore, the hit request flag of “BB” or “RB” and the hit request flag of the small hit prize are simultaneously set.

As shown in FIG. 10, the number of control frames depends on the order of symbols for which the pull-in control is prioritized.
3 is stored as a table. FIG. 7A is a pull-in priority table during a general game, and during a general game, the pull-in priority is determined in the order of replay, small hit, and BB / RB game. This priority is the priority of the winning combination that is preferentially drawn on the activation line. When two types of winning modes are simultaneously requested as described above, or when a winning mode is determined by the winning mode determining means, a winning mode having a higher priority is determined according to the predetermined priority. The pattern according to is preferentially drawn. The control frame number is a frame number within a range that can be controlled by the stop display control means, and during a general game, each winning combination is set to 4 frames.

FIG. 9B is a drawing-in priority table during the CT period.
The winning combination of small hits is controlled in order of four cherry and two cherry. The priority order is the order with the highest number of payout medals. The reel pull-in process by the stop display control means during the CT period is performed only in accordance with the pull-in priority data because the small hit prize winning flag is invalidated during the CT period. That is, as in the case of the general gaming state, it is not performed to control the pull-in of the symbol in the winning mode according to the winning request. The number of control frames is one for plums and bells, four for cherry, two for cherry.
The number of cherries is set to zero. When the number of control frames is 0, it means that the pull-in control is not performed.

The symbol position is the position data of each of the reels 3 to 5 written in the area of the RAM 33 initialized in step 109. The symbol position is data of a symbol present at each activation line at that time, and is stored as a symbol code shown in FIG.

When determining the number of sliding frames, first, the current game state is referred to, and a priority order table according to the game state is selected. In other words, if it is a general game state, FIG.
The table shown in FIG. 10A is selected, and during the CT period, the table shown in FIG. 10B is selected. Next, the number of control frames of the winning combination according to the winning request is referred to from the selected table. Thereafter, the symbol position at that time is referred to, and the symbol at that time on the activation line of the first stop reel is grasped. If this symbol is not a symbol corresponding to the winning request, it is determined whether there is a symbol corresponding to the winning request within the range of the number of control frames referred to. If the symbol corresponding to the winning request is within the range of the number of control frames, the number of frames from the activated line to the symbol is determined as the number of sliding frames.

Next, the number of sliding frames is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 33 so that the first stop reel (rotary drum) rotates by the number of sliding frames determined in this way (step 113). However, during the CT period, the stop display control is not performed on the first stop reel and the second stop reel, so that steps 112 and 113 are not executed. Thereafter, a stop request flag is set (step 114). The stop display control means stops the rotation of one reel in response to the setting of the stop request flag.

Next, it is determined whether or not all the reels have stopped (step 115 in FIG. 9). If the second reel and the third reel have not been stopped, the process returns to step 110, and the above processes are repeated.

Step 11 by the stop display control means
The reel stop processing of 0 to 115 is performed as follows during a general game, for example.

For example, when the ON operation of the first reel stop button 16 is detected, the first reel stop button 16
Is operated by the player, the number of drive pulses supplied to the stepping motor 55 of the first reel 3 becomes R
The information is read from the AM 33 and is associated with the rotation position of the first reel 3. When the rotation position of the first reel 3 is known, the observation window 6 is compared with the symbol table (see FIG. 7).
Are recognized as symbol codes.

In this case, when the big hit winning flag is set, it is checked whether or not there is a symbol constituting the big hit on the activated pay line in the observation window 6.
Similarly, when the hit flag of the medium hit and the small hit is set, the medium hit and the small hit are displayed on the activated pay line in the observation window 6.
It is checked whether there is a symbol constituting a small hit. When there is a symbol corresponding to the winning flag on the activated pay line, the CPU 31 immediately stops the first reel 3.

If the symbol corresponding to the winning flag does not appear on the activated pay line in the observation window 6 as a result of the above check processing, the first reel 3 is further rotated by the number of control frames (four symbols). To see what symbols will appear. If a symbol corresponding to the winning flag is present, the number of sliding frames up to that frame position is the number of sliding frames, and the first reel 3 is rotated by the number of sliding frames and stopped there. This pull-in control processing is performed on the second reel 4 and the third reel 5 described below.
Is similarly performed at the time of each stop control process.

Next, when the stop button 17 of the second reel 4 is turned on, stop control processing of the second reel 4 is performed. In this stop control process, first, in the state where the second reel 4 is rotating, first, the pay line L at the center of the observation window 7 is set.
Assuming that 21 symbols of each code number 0 to 20 stop at 1, a combination with the symbols of the first reel 3 already stopped on the activated pay line is read. In addition, a rotation code indicating that the third reel 5 is rotating is read. Although the second reel 4 is also rotating, it is assumed that the second reel 4 is stopped by the above-described processing, so that it is not read as a rotation code.

When the combination of the symbol codes is read in this way, the winning symbol combination table described above is referred to, and the second reel 4 has 21 rotation positions with respect to the symbol determined by stopping the first reel 3. , It is sequentially determined what kind of winning may occur on the activated winning line. For example, FIG.
Assuming that the first reel 3 is stopped as shown in FIG. 1A, the symbol combination pattern at that time is checked assuming 21 stop positions of the second reel 4. For example, as shown in FIG.
At the center of the code number "5", the symbol combinations on the pay lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, L3B are as shown in FIG.

The arrow on the third reel 5 is a rotation code indicating that the reel is spinning, but depending on the stop position of the third reel, a "AAA" big hit prize line or a prize line may be placed on the prize line L1. There is a possibility that a small hit prize of “EEE” may occur in L2B. Therefore, for the code number “5” of the second reel 4, a big hit prediction flag and a small hit prediction flag are set as shown in FIG. The presence or absence of such a prediction flag is checked for all code numbers on the second reel 4, and these data are written to the RAM 33.

The prediction flag data written in the RAM 33 in this manner is referred to when the second reel 4 is stopped. That is, when the stop button 17 of the second reel 4 is operated, the prediction flag corresponding to the code number of the second reel 4 is referred to. The stop control of the second reel 4 is executed such that the symbol of the big hit stops.

Next, when the ON operation of the stop button 18 of the third reel 5 is detected, the stop control processing of the third reel 5 is performed. In this stop control processing, the first reel 3 and the second reel 4 have already stopped and the combination of the symbols has been specified. Therefore, the combination of these symbols is provided for each code number of the third reel 5. The possibility of winning is determined, and a winning expectation flag is set in the same manner as in the table shown in FIG.

This prediction flag data is also referred to when the stop button 18 of the third reel 5 is operated, and when a big hit is predicted, the big hit symbol is stopped on the activated pay line. Stop control of the third reel 5 is executed. In the stop control processing of the third reel 5, not only a winning according to the winning flag but also a winning different from the winning flag is obtained by the combination with the symbols of the first reel 3 and the second reel 4 that are already stopped. The reel stop position is controlled so as not to be performed.

The reel stop processing by the stop display control means during the general game is performed by the first reel during the CT period.
This is not performed for the stop reel and the second stop reel. That is, similarly to the above example, the first stop reel is the first stop reel.
When the reel 3 and the second stop reel are the second reel 4, these reels 3 and 4 stop immediately at the timing when the on operation of the stop buttons 16 and 17 is detected. That is, the reels 3 and 4 are stopped only in accordance with the timing of pressing the stop buttons 16 and 17 by the player, and the pull-in control by the stop display control unit is not performed.

During the CT period, stop display control is performed on the third stop reel, and the number of control frames of the pull-in control performed at this time is 1 or 0 as shown in FIG. , The number of control frames during a general game is four. Therefore, for example, when the third stop reel is the third reel 5 as in the above example, there is no symbol corresponding to the winning combination on the activation winning line of the display window 8 at the timing when the stop button 18 is operated. In this case, it is determined whether or not there is a symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the range of one frame or zero frame from the activation line.

For example, the first reel 3 and the second reel 4
When the plums or bells are aligned, the plums or bells are pulled down to one frame and controlled. In other words, even if there is no plum or bell on the activation line at the operation timing of the stop button 18, if these symbols exist within the range of the number of control frames of one frame, the stop display control means controls the third reel 5. Is slid by one frame, and a plum or bell prize is generated. However, since the number of control frames of the two-cherry and the four-cherry is zero, such a pull-in stop display control is not performed.

Also, during the general game, the pull-in priority by the stop display control means is assigned between the small hit prize mode and other prize modes (replay, BB, RB) as shown in FIG. However, during the CT period, FIG.
As shown in (b), the small hit prize mode is given. Therefore, during the CT period, for example, the second reel 4 and the third reel 5 become the first stop reel and the second stop reel, and are pressed by the player, respectively, as shown in FIG.
When stop display is performed in the state shown in (a), the pull-in control of the first reel 3, which is the third stop reel, is performed as follows.

That is, when the first reel 3 stops at the position shown in FIG. 7A and a cherry symbol comes to the center of the display window 6, two cherries are won. However, since the plum having a higher priority than the cherry can win within the range of the number of control frames (one frame), the reel 3 is slid one frame from the state shown in the figure. As a result, three plum symbols are aligned on the activation line L2A above the display windows 6, 7, 8 and at the same time, cherry symbols are displayed on the activation line L2B below the display windows 6, 7, 8 There are three. Therefore,
When playing 3 or 2 bets, 4 cherry wins occur at the same time as the plum wins.
A total of 19 medals, ie, 4 medals and 4 medals at the time of the cherry winning, are paid out to the player.

Further, when the first stop reel and the second stop reel are the first reel 3 and the second reel 4, respectively, in the state of FIG. When stopped and displayed, the third reel 5, which is the third stopped reel, is controlled by the stop display control means as follows. That is, when the third reel 5 stops in the illustrated state and the bell symbol comes to the upper part of the display window 8, the bell is won on the activation line L2A. But,
Since the plum having a higher priority than the bell is within the range of the number of control frames, the third reel 5 is slid by one frame from the state shown in the figure. As a result, the winning of the bell is eliminated by the priority pull-in process of the stop display control means.

However, in such a state, it is possible to change the game processing program so as to stop the above-mentioned priority retraction processing by the stop display control means and generate a bell prize.

Further, when the first stop reel and the second stop reel are the first reel 3 and the second reel 4, respectively, in the state of FIG. When stopped and displayed, the third reel 5, which is the third stopped reel, is controlled by the stop display control means as follows. In other words, when the third reel 5 stops in the state shown in the figure and the bell symbol comes to the upper part of the display window 8, the bell is won on the activation line L3B obliquely rising to the right. However, since the plum having a higher priority than the bell is within the range of the number of control frames, the third reel 5 is slid by one frame from the state shown in the figure. As a result, the winning of the bell on the activation line L3B is removed by the priority display processing of the stop display control means. However, by this priority pull-in processing, a plum prize is generated on the activation line L2A.

When the reel stop control processing is completed, next, a winning search processing is performed (FIG. 9, step 1).
16). In the winning search process, the type of the combination of the symbols actually arranged on the activated winning line is matched with the type of the winning flag won by the probability lottery process. Then, it is determined whether or not the winning flag is normal (step 117). If the result of this determination is not normal, for example, if the symbol combination of bells is aligned on the activated pay line and the winning flag is a plum flag, the illegal payout number display lamp on the front panel 2 indicates An error is displayed (step 11
8).

If the winning flag is normal, it is next determined whether or not the winning number is 0 (step 119). If the winning number is not 0, then the game medals are stored or paid out according to the state at that time (step 1).
20). That is, in the state where the game is played with credits, the number of credits is increased by the number of medals obtained by winning, and in the state where the game is played by inserting medals into the slot 9, the number of medals obtained by winning is obtained. The number of medals is paid out to the tray 20.

Next, it is determined whether or not the winning mode is a replay winning (step 121). If the winning mode is a replay winning, an automatic insertion request is set (step 122). Then, initialization at the end of one game, for example, the area of the RAM 33 used in the game is initialized (step 123).
One game is over.

In this embodiment, while the stop display control of the symbol in the small hit prize winning mode is suspended for the first stop reel and the second stop reel, that is, during the CT period, the third stop reel is According to the new priority according to the type of the small hit prize mode, the small win prize mode is drawn by the stop display control means. Therefore, CT
A new change is added to the game, and during the CT period, a specific small hit prize mode such as a plum or a bell with a high priority is likely to occur.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, if the draw-in priority is assigned in descending order of the number of paid-out medals, it is possible to increase the number of obtained medals with a small number of games.

[0098] Contrary to the present embodiment, if the pull-in priority is set in ascending order of the number of paid-out medals, the upper limit of the number of medals that can be obtained during the CT period, ie, 200, is not easily reached. Therefore, the CT game can be performed until the number of games reaches 150, which is the upper limit of the number of games. The medals in hand are reduced immediately during a general game unless a bonus game such as a BB or RB game prize can be performed. However, during a CT game, a small hit prize is frequently generated. , The rate of decrease can be suppressed. Therefore,
When the number of times of the CT game increases, the chance of winning a BB or RB game by a lottery increases without greatly reducing the number of medals possessed. Therefore, these BB,
As the number of lotteries in the RB game increases, the interest of the game is maintained.

As described above, the reel pull-in control is performed according to the new priority order during the CT period, so that a new interest is added to the CT game.

In the description of the above embodiment, C
In the T period, the reels for which the stop control by the stop display control unit is interrupted have been described as the first stop reel and the second stop reel, and the reels for which the stop control is performed have been described as the third stop reels. The number and type of reels and the number and type of reels on which the stop control is performed are not limited thereto. For example, the reel on which the stop control is interrupted may be the third stop reel, and the reel on which the stop control is performed may be the first stop reel and the second stop reel.

In the above embodiment, the variable display device has been described as the rotating reels 3 to 5. However, the variable display device is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a liquid crystal display device or a plasma display device. , A device such as a light emitting diode (LED) or electroluminescence may be used as the variable display device.

In each of these cases, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, while the stop display control of symbols is suspended for some display columns, symbols are drawn in the remaining display columns in a new priority order. The pull-in priority depends on the gaming state. Therefore, a new change is added to the game, and the interest of the game is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rotating reel unit of the slot machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of a rotating reel constituting the rotating reel unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which a winning line described in a display window of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1 is sequentially activated.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main control circuit configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a winning probability table used in a game process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a symbol table used in a game process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a first flowchart showing a game process of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a second flowchart showing a game process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a pull-in priority table used in a game process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a relationship between symbol codes assigned to and read from each rotating reel in the game processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a hit prediction flag table used in the game processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a diagram illustrating a specific example in which reels are controlled to be drawn in according to the pull-in priority table shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine 2 ... Front panel 3, 4, 5 ... 1st, 2nd, 3rd reel 6, 7, 8 ... Window 9 ... Medal slot 10, 11, 12 ... BET switch 13 ... Credit number display part 14 ... Credit / payout changeover switch 15... Start lever 16, 17, 18. Stop button 19... Sound-transmitting hole 20. Medal receiving tray 21. Medal payout slot 22. Payout display 23. Validation line display lamp 24. , L2A, L2B, L3A, L3B ... winning line

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A prize mode determining means for determining a prize mode of a game by random number drawing, a variable display device for variably displaying various symbols in a plurality of columns, and a variable display of symbols by the variable display device for each column. The variable display stopping means to be stopped, and the symbols corresponding to the winning modes determined by the winning mode determining means are drawn into the variable display device within a predetermined number range according to the operation timing of the variable display stopping means. And stop display control means for preferentially drawing in a symbol corresponding to a winning mode having a higher priority according to a predetermined priority and stopping and displaying the symbol, and a predetermined display when a specific condition is satisfied. Control interruption means for interrupting the stop display control of the symbol by the stop display control means for a part of the display columns of the variable display device according to a condition. In the gaming machine, the stop display control means, while the stop display control of the symbols is interrupted for some display columns by the control interrupting means, pulls the symbols in a new priority order for the remaining display columns. A gaming machine characterized by: 2. The control interrupting means interrupts the stop display control of the symbol by the stop display control means only for a small winning prize mode, and the stop display control means controls the stop display control by the control interrupting means. While the game is not interrupted, the pull-in control is performed in accordance with the priority given between the small winning prize mode and the other prize modes. However, the stop display control of the symbol of the small winning prize mode is performed by the control interruption means. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when a part of the display columns is interrupted, the symbols of the small win prize mode are drawn in the remaining display columns in accordance with the priority determined by the type of the small win prize mode. . 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the variable display device comprises three rotating reels arranged side by side, and the gaming machine is a slot machine.