JPH0633963Y2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> This invention is to stop all the reels by manually operating after rotating a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols on the peripheral surface. Regarding a slot machine that determines whether or not a combination of predetermined symbols related to winning on the line (this is referred to as "winning symbol") has been established to determine the outcome of the game and pay out a specified number of coins .

<Prior Art> Generally, in a slot machine, different kinds of symbols are arranged on the peripheral surface of each reel, and these symbols are distinguished into winning symbols and other symbols (this is referred to as "free symbol"). . Then, a predetermined combination is set in advance for each winning symbol, and the payout number of coins is set to a plurality of levels for each combination depending on the difficulty level of the appearance.

<Problems to be solved by the invention> However, in the case of such a conventional slot machine,
In the process in which each reel sequentially stops, when the first reel stops and a free symbol of the reel appears on the stop line, the game is decided as a negative game for the player. Therefore, the player completely loses his / her expectation as to which symbol of the remaining reels will stop on the stop line, and there is a problem that interest in the game is halved.

This invention was made with a focus on the above problems, and by giving meaning to the game even for free symbols,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine with an increased interest in games.

<Means for Solving Problems> This invention is provided with a plurality of reels in which a plurality of winning symbols and a plurality of free symbols which are not winning are arranged, and when each reel is stopped after spinning, on a stop line. In the slot machine configured to determine the combination of winning symbols arranged in line and pay out a prescribed number of coins, first symbol detecting means for detecting the symbol combination stopped on the stop line, and the first symbol When the detection means detects a combination of predetermined free symbols, a winning condition setting means for setting a special winning condition for a predetermined number of games to be performed thereafter, and the special winning condition is activated in the game in which the game is set,
Second symbol detecting means for detecting a combination of symbols stopped on the stop line, and a predetermined number of coins are paid when the second symbol detecting means detects a symbol combination relating to the special winning condition. It is provided with a coin payout means for paying out.

<Operation> When these reels are stopped one after another after spinning, even if a symbol other than the winning symbol (free symbol) is stopped on the stop line for the first reel, the combination of free symbols may be established. Since it exists, the player can continue the game without losing the expectation of the game.

As a result, when the remaining reels stop and a combination of free symbols is generated on the stop line, special winning conditions are set for a predetermined number of games to be executed thereafter. Then, in the subsequent games, when the second detection means detects a combination of symbols on the stop line on which the special winning condition is met, the coin payout means specially pays out a predetermined number of coins.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a slot machine having three reels 1a, 1b, 1c, and a symbol display window 3, a coin slot 4, 3 on the front surface of the machine body 2.
An individual stop button 5, a start handle 6, a coin outlet 7, a coin tray 8 and the like are provided.

The symbol display portion 3 is a portion for displaying the symbols on the peripheral surfaces of the reels 1a, 1b, 1c in line on the stop line L, and the reels 1a, 1b, 1c of the reels 1a, 1b, 1c in the machine body 2 from the symbol display window The rotation status can be seen through, and when the reels are stopped, the symbols for the three frames on each reel can be confirmed from outside the machine.

In this embodiment, a plurality of types of effective symbols and one type of free symbols are arranged on the peripheral surface of each reel 1a, 1b, 1c, and when a predetermined combination of winning symbols is generated on the stop line L. A specified number of coins are discharged from the coin discharge port 7 to the coin tray 8 according to the content of the combination.

FIG. 2 shows a specific example of a combination of symbols generated on the stop line L. In the example of the figure, the apple pattern,
The star pattern, the symbol consisting of the number "7", corresponds to the winning symbol, and the blank portion 9 in which the symbol does not exist corresponds to the free symbol. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 (1), the stop line L When three apple symbols are lined up, a specified number of coins (for example, 10 coins) will be paid out as a prize.

And in the case of the slot machine of this invention, the stop line L
When a combination of symbols that does not include any winning symbols is generated, that is, when three free symbols consisting of the blank portion 9 are lined up on the stop line L as shown in FIG. 2 (2), When a predetermined combination of symbols is established in the game, a predetermined number of coins are specially paid out.

In the case of this embodiment, in the next game, as shown in FIG. 3 (1), when an arbitrary winning symbol combination that does not include a free symbol is generated on the stop line L, this special payout (For example, paying out 50 coins)
I'm trying to do. So in the next game,
As shown in FIG. 3 (2), if a combination of symbols including a free symbol is generated on the stop line L, this special payout opportunity disappears.

In this embodiment, the special payout opportunity is given only to the next game, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be given to a predetermined number of games.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, the special payout is carried out for a combination of arbitrary winning symbols which does not include the free symbols, but the present invention is not limited to this, and when a specific symbol of any reel appears or is specified. It may be performed when the combination of symbols is established.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, the blank portion 9 is not a free symbol, and the free symbol is only one type,
As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of types of free symbols (pineapple symbols and crown symbols) are set to give a special payout opportunity when an arbitrary combination of free symbols is generated on the stop line L. You may

Returning to FIG. 1, the coin insertion slot 4 is a portion for accepting insertion of one coin for each game. The three stop buttons 5 are for individually stopping the spinning reels 1a, 1b, 1c, and the starting handle 6 is for simultaneously starting all reels 1a, 1b, 1c after coin insertion. is there.

FIG. 5 shows an outline of a circuit configuration example of the slot machine.

In the figure, a coin detection sensor 11 detects that a coin has been inserted into the coin insertion slot 4 and outputs a coin detection signal.
The stop button switch 12 detects that each stop button 5 has been pressed and outputs a stop signal. The starting handle switch 13 is linked to the starting handle 6 and outputs a starting signal when the handle is operated.

The motor controller 14 controls the operation of the stepping motor for driving each reel and the drive motor of the coin payout mechanism (not shown), and the coin counter 15 counts the number of payout coins. The sound generation unit 16 generates a sound effect of the game, and the lamp control unit 17 controls the lighting operation of various lamps.

These input / output units are electrically connected to a computer circuit unit 20 including a microcomputer via interfaces 18 and 19. This microcomputer circuit section 20
The CPU 21 is the main body for control and calculation, and includes a ROM 22 for storing programs and fixed data and a RAM 23 as a work area. The payout number of coins and the like are stored in the ROM 22 as fixed data.

FIG. 6 shows the circuit configuration example of the motor control unit 14 and the function of the computer circuit unit 20 together.

In the figure, motor control circuits 26a to 26c receive a clock signal CK to generate a drive pulse p, and drive the drive pulse p.
25a to 25c to drive the stepping motors 24a to 24c for driving each reel. A start signal S and stop signals SP _{1 to} SP ₃ are given from the computer circuit section 20 to the motor control circuits 26a to 26c. The start signal S is output from the CPU 21 of the computer circuit unit 20 when the coin is inserted and the start handle 6 is operated to operate the motor control circuits 26a to 26c. The stop signals SP _{1 to} SP ₃ are output from the CPU 21 in response to each stop button operation to stop the operation of the motor control circuits 26a to 26c.

The drive pulse p is given to the counter units 27a to 27c of each reel of the computer circuit unit 20 and counted, and the count value of each counter unit 27a to 27c is a reference given each time the reel makes one revolution. Reset by signals Z ₁ -Z ₃ . Thus, the first symbol detection unit 28 of the computer circuit unit 20 determines whether or not a predetermined combination of winning symbols (see FIG. 2 (1)) is generated on the stop line L from the count values of the counter units 27a to 27c. It detects whether or not a predetermined combination of free symbols (see FIG. 2 (2) and FIG. 4) is generated on the stop line L, and outputs the detection result. When it is detected by the first symbol detection unit 28 that three free symbols are lined up, the operation control unit 29 obtains the detection result and puts the second symbol detection unit 30 in a state capable of detecting operation. This second symbol detection unit 30 is a stop line L
Any combination of winning symbols on the top (see Figure 3 (1))
Whether or not coins are generated is detected and the detection result is output, and whether or not coins are paid out and the number of coins to be paid out are determined according to the detection results of these symbol detection units 28 and 30.

When it is detected that three free symbols are lined up, the computer circuit unit 20 sets the hourly flag, which will be described later, and stores the fact.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of the slot machine, in other words, the control procedure of the slot machine by the computer circuit section 20.

First, the computer circuit section 20 is initially cleared at the start point in the figure, and the next step 1 (indicated by "ST1" in the figure) waits for a coin to be inserted. Now, when the player inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 4 and operates the starting handle 6, the determinations at steps 1 and 2 are both "YES" and the game starts, and the three reels 1a, 1b, 1c Start rotating all at once (step 3). Next, when the player presses the three stop buttons 5, the corresponding reels are sequentially stopped,
In the next step 4, it is judged whether or not the special flag is set. In this case, since the determination is "NO", the process proceeds to step 5, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined winning symbol combination is generated on the stop line L. If no winning symbol combination is generated on the stop line L, the determination in step 5 is "NO" and the process proceeds to step 7. However, if any winning symbol combination is generated, the determination in step 5 is made. Becomes "YES" and step 6
Then, a specified number of coins are paid out by a coin payout mechanism (not shown) (step 6).

Next step 7 is to determine whether or not a combination of free symbols has been generated on the stop line L, and the above step 5 is "NO" and the determination in step 7 is "YE
If it is S ", the process proceeds to step 8 and the special flag is set in a predetermined flag area, and then the next game is started.

Thus, when the next game is played after the special flag is set, the determination of "is the special flag set?" In step 4 is "YES", so in step 10, an arbitrary winning symbol combination is placed on the stop line L. Is generated. As a result, the determination in step 10 is "YES".
If, at step 11, the predetermined number of coins are paid out at step 11, the process proceeds to step 9 after step 7, and the special flag is cleared.

If the determination in step 10 is "NO", step 11 is skipped, and unless a combination of free symbols is generated, the process proceeds from step 7 to step 9 to perform the special flag clearing process.

<Effect of Device> As described above, even if a combination of symbols which does not include a winning symbol is generated, this device is configured to set an opportunity to pay out coins specially in the subsequent game. On the other hand, the expectation of each game can be maintained for a long time, and the interest of the game can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are explanatory views showing symbols of reels lined up on a stop line, and FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit configuration of the slot machine. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a motor control unit and a function of a computer circuit unit, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the slot machine. 1a, 1b, 1c ...... Reel 20 ...... Computer circuit section 21 ...... CPU 28 ...... First symbol detection section 29 ...... Operation control section 30 ...... Second symbol detection section

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A plurality of reels in which a plurality of winning symbols and a plurality of free symbols which are not winning are arranged are provided, and when each reel is stopped after rotating, a combination of winning symbols lined up on a stop line is determined. In a slot machine which is designed to pay out a prescribed number of coins, a first symbol detecting means for detecting a combination of symbols stopped on the stop line, and a predetermined free symbol combination by the first symbol detecting means When detecting, the winning condition setting means for setting a special winning condition for a predetermined number of games to be performed thereafter, the special winning condition is activated in the game in which the special winning condition is set, and the symbols stopped on the stop line Second symbol detection means for detecting a combination, and predetermined when a combination of symbols according to the special winning condition is detected by the second symbol detection means A slot machine provided with a coin payout means for paying out a number of coins.