JP4676193B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that uses medals, coins, gaming balls, and the like as gaming media, and more specifically, based on a starting operation, a pre-set role lottery is executed, Related to a gaming machine that uses a start operation as a trigger to change a symbol sequence composed of a plurality of symbol groups, and stops the fluctuating symbol sequence based on a stop operation and notifies the result of the winning lottery It is.

  Conventionally, in gaming machines, particularly pachislot machines, a predetermined number of gaming media are inserted and a start lever is operated to perform a winning lottery for the game, and a plurality of symbols are displayed on the peripheral surface. In addition, when a plurality of rows (generally three rows) of symbol variation reels rotate, so-called symbol variation pattern effects are started.

  The symbol change reel (symbol change pattern production) that has started rotating by the operation of the start lever described above is stopped almost at the time the player intends by operating the stop button provided corresponding to each. Is done.

  Here, when the internal lottery is executed at the time of operating the start lever and the winning / losing is decided, and the player performs the stop operation of each symbol variable reel by the stop button and wins the internal lottery. When the symbols corresponding to the winning are complete, the prize is won and the rights are exercised.

  Further, when the result of the internal lottery is out, the symbol variation reel is stopped by performing so-called slip control so as not to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination. The sliding function is usually 4 frames (5 frames including the so-called bittering stop pattern).

  Even if the result of the internal lottery is a win, if the symbol variable reel does not stop display with the symbol corresponding to the winning combination, no winning will be won and the above right will not be exercised.

  On the other hand, when the player does not operate the stop button, if this symbol variation pattern effect continues for a predetermined time (generally 30 seconds), each symbol variation reel is automatically stopped even if the stop button is not operated. I am doing so.

Here, when the automatic lottery is performed, if the internal lottery is won, stop control is executed so that the automatic lottery is also won (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-79809 A

  However, as a game specification for pachislot machines, the operation of the stop button by the player is an important operation that affects the flow of the game, and the player willing to win the winning of the role lottery for the first time with this stop operation. Will be confirmed. For this reason, winning a prize at the time of automatic stop is contrary to the main point of the game.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to use the sliding function to slide a larger number of frames than usual to avoid winning a prize. Feel something is wrong.

  On the other hand, the automatic stop function should be abolished, but if the operation button is not operated due to the abolishment of this automatic stop function, not only will the progress of the game stagnate, but also the motor that rotationally drives the symbol variable reel There is a problem that the motor continues to be driven and the motor life is shortened.

  When the game progresses, after the start operation, the symbol change starts and the stop operation is performed. Usually, the stop operation is performed in the order of left reel → middle reel → right reel. At this time, the stop operation may become invalid for a certain period after the start operation. If the left reel is stopped during the invalid period, the left reel does not stop. If the player does not notice this invalid operation and performs the next stop operation, that is, the stop operation from the middle reel to the right reel, as a result, an irregular situation occurs in which only the left reel continues to fluctuate. There is. In particular, in this anomalous situation (only the left reel varies), there is a chance to avoid winning because there is a symbol (for example, cherry symbol) that wins with only one symbol, and within the upper limit of the number of sliding symbols in slip control It becomes difficult to avoid.

  In consideration of the above-mentioned facts, the present invention provides a gaming machine capable of extending the life of the driving means for symbol variation by maintaining the symbol variation automatic stop function and avoiding the winning by automatic stop without a sense of incongruity. Is the purpose.

The present invention, based on the start operation, a pre-set role lottery is executed, and using the start operation as a trigger, the symbol sequence composed of a plurality of symbol groups is changed by the driving force of the driving means, A gaming machine that, based on a stop operation, stops the fluctuating symbol sequence and displays the stopped symbol sequence to notify a winning determination result based on winning / losing the winning lottery, When the stop operation has not been performed for a predetermined time after the symbol sequence starts to change, the player's intervention is performed based on the normal stop procedure in which the stop operation procedure corresponding to the result of the lottery set in advance is stored. Automatic stop control means for forcibly stopping the symbol sequence automatically regardless of whether or not a winning combination is present, and one of the plurality of symbol sequences is automatically stopped by the automatic stop control means When it becomes target The temporary stop winning determination means for determining a temporary winning with the symbol sequence at the time of the automatic stop instruction by the automatic stop control means as a temporary stop symbol, and the stop instruction by the stop operation or the stop instruction by the automatic stop control , The slip control means for avoiding stopping by shifting the stop position with the preset number of sliding symbols as the maximum value, and stopping at the symbol sequence in which a contradiction occurs in the progress of the game, and the temporary stop winning determination means When the winning determination is a winning, the automatic stop instruction time by the automatic stop control means is delayed by a predetermined frame number unit and continues to fluctuate, and the slip frame number set by the slip control means is set. both slip control of the slip control slip sliding many number of frames than the maximum value by the slip control means as required, the automatic stop timing a time point when the symbol arrangement of the non-winning And a delay means for stopping without requiring slip control has.

According to the present onset bright, and there is a start-up operation, winning the lottery is executed on the basis of this start-up operation. In addition, using this starting operation as a trigger, a plurality of symbol sequences are changed by the driving force of the driving means. The changing symbol sequence is stopped by a stop operation, and the result of the role lottery is notified.

  Here, when there is no stop operation, when a predetermined time elapses, the automatic stop control means, based on the normal stop procedure pattern table in which the stop operation procedure corresponding to the result of the preset lottery is stored, Automatically stop the symbol sequence. Thereby, the lifetime of a drive means can be extended and it can avoid that progress of a game stagnates.

  By the way, if the symbol sequence displayed by the stop instruction by the automatic stop control means is a symbol sequence indicating winning, the game will deviate from the original idea of winning by the player's will. According to the instruction, an operation for avoiding winning is performed.

  At this time, the temporary stop winning determination means determines the winning with the symbol sequence at the time of the automatic stop instruction by the automatic stop control means as a temporary stop. The delay means delays the stop instruction by the automatic stop control means in units of a predetermined number of frames when the winning determination is winning. Thereby, winning by automatic stop control can be avoided.

In the onset bright, the acceleration drive control as a drive pattern to the stop from the fluctuation start of symbol columns, steady driving control is performed in the order of the reduction drive control, the predetermined time during which the symbol column is timed from the start of the variation The starting point is the start of the steady drive control.

The symbol train is first subjected to acceleration drive control from the stop state, and is subjected to steady drive control when a predetermined drive speed is reached, and is further decelerated and stopped when there is a stop instruction. Here, assuming that the start of acceleration drive control is the starting point for measuring a predetermined time, the state of the symbol sequence when the predetermined time ends may differ depending on the degree of acceleration. Therefore, by setting the predetermined time as the start time of the constant speed drive control, it is possible to uniquely identify the symbol sequence at the end of the predetermined time.

Although it is conceivable to use slip control as a means of avoiding winnings , it is preferable to set an upper limit for the number of shifts of this slip control. With slip control exceeding this upper limit, inconsistencies in game progress, If a winning avoidance for encouraging a winning will is made, a sense of incongruity is generated in the stop operation.

  For this reason, the winning operation in the temporary stop state and the delay operation based on the winning determination are effective means.

Stopping by stopping operation, if the remaining one symbol sequence is not stopped, or if the stopping operation is performed during the invalid period of the stopping operation and the player is mistaken for stopping In the case where there is one remaining symbol sequence that continues to fluctuate without winning, for example, it is often impossible to avoid winnings within the range of the upper limit of the slip control shift number.

  In such a case, by repeating temporary stop → winning determination → delay → temporary stop → ... anyway, it can become a symbol sequence to avoid winning, and design of special symbol arrangement for avoiding winning etc. Elements that reduce the degree of freedom can be eliminated.

The symbol sequence includes an arrangement in which a winning combination of the winning combination cannot be kicked when a winning operation is performed within the pull-in range due to winning a winning combination.
The remaining one symbol row is characterized in that there is a symbol that can be awarded in a single display regardless of the display state of the other symbol rows.

In particular , if there is a symbol that can win in a single display regardless of the display status of the other symbol row in the remaining one symbol row, the stop state of winning avoidance is greatly reduced, so the delay is repeated (maximum However, by making one round), it is possible to reliably search for a stop state of winning avoidance without performing complicated control.

The predetermined frame number unit delayed by the delay means is one frame unit.

By making a winning determination in units of frames as a unit for delaying , useless control becomes unnecessary. In other words, the above invention also includes a configuration in which the number of delayed frames until the winning avoidance is predicted in the first winning determination and the stop instruction is issued after the predicted number of frames fluctuates is included in the above invention. New functions are required.

(Schematic configuration of pachislot machine)
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachi-slot machine 300 includes a main body 302 and an operation / decoration portion 303 as an opening / closing cover provided on the front surface of the main body 302.

  The operation / decoration unit 303 can be classified into a decoration unit 304, an operation unit 306, and a payout unit 310 from the top.

  The decoration unit 304 has a display panel unit 312 on which a printed picture or character is transmitted and illuminated by turning on a backlight unit (not shown). In addition, as a part of the decoration part 304, a three-dimensional decoration lamp 304A is also provided in the left-right direction above the decoration part 304. In addition, speakers 305R and 305L are provided in the vicinity of the decorative lamp 304 for reproducing production sound and the like.

  The display panel unit 312 of the decoration unit 304 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 313 for displaying a moving image for presentation, and a display window 314 for displaying a rotating display symbol. The display window 314 includes a transparent region that is integrally formed with the display panel unit 312.

  Inside the display window 314, there is disposed a symbol variation portion 316 configured with three spinning reels 350A, 350B, and 350C as main portions.

  Also, at the bottom of the display window 314, a 7-segment display 315A for displaying the number of paid-out medals as game media of the pachislot machine 300, a display for setting the remaining number of jack games and the game state (six levels), etc. A section 315B and a 7 segment display section 315C for displaying the number of credits are provided.

  The upper portion of the operation unit 306 projects forward, and a medal insertion unit 320 is provided at the right end of the upper surface (table 306A) of the projecting portion, and credits are paid out in order from the left end of the upper surface. An adjustment button 103, a single bet (insertion) button 352A, and a maximum bet (maximum input) button 352B are provided. Further, a start lever 354, stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, and the like are provided in this order from the front left end of the protruding portion.

  The payout unit 310 includes a medal discharge port 326 and a tray 328 that receives a medal discharged from the medal discharge port 326.

  The three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated so that the symbols can be sequentially seen from the display window 314. Among the symbols that can be seen from the display window 314 when the rotation is stopped, the center of the symbols arranged in the middle line. 5 lines: a line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the upper row, a line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the lower row, and two lines connecting the centers of the symbols arranged on the two diagonal lines. The combination of symbols stopped on the active line indicates the game result.

  Which of the five lines is the effective line depends on the number of medals invested, and when one medal is bet, the line connecting the centers of the symbols arranged in the middle row is the effective line. If three medals are bet, all lines are valid lines.

  The stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are provided below the symbol changing unit 316 and correspond to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. That is, the rotation of the corresponding reels 350A, 350B, and 350C can be stopped by operating the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C by the player.

  Further, by operating (tilting) the start lever 354 provided on the left side of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, the reels 350A, 350B, 350C start to rotate. This rotation is normally such that the three reels 350A, 350B, 350C start rotating simultaneously.

  Further, the operation timing by the start lever 354 is an internal lottery timing which will be described later, and the winning (winning) / off is determined by the operation of the start lever 354.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the symbol variation unit 316 has a structure in which three sets of reel units 10A, 10B, and 10C are arranged in the axial direction.

  Each of the reel units 10A, 10B, and 10C is provided with the above-described reels 350A, 350B, and 350C configured by the reel body 12 and the reel tape 14, and a part of each of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C (each reel In FIG. 3, 3 symbols) are exposed from the display window 314 (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 3 shows the reel tapes 14 corresponding to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C (hereinafter referred to as reel tapes 14A, 14B, and 14C in order from the left in FIG. 3 when sorting).

  Since each reel tape 14 moves as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 3, the design changes on the display window 314 as indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 3 (a direction opposite to the arrow A). (Fluctuation direction). For example, assuming that the symbols 5, 6, and 7 shown in FIG. 3 are currently displayed in the display window 314, the symbols 4, 5, and 6 are displayed at the next time point.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a total of 21 symbols are arranged on each reel tape 14 with a uniform pitch.

  There are six types of symbols, which are shown as symbols (designs) in FIG. 3, but a correspondence table between symbols and names in the case of character representation is shown below. In addition, when a symbol is shown in this specification, it demonstrates with the name based on this Table 1 below. The numbers in Table 1 correspond to the circled numbers in FIG.

(Control system)
FIG. 4 schematically shows a control block diagram for controlling the operation of the pachislot machine 300.

  The control system of the pachislot machine 300 is configured with the main control unit 100 as the center, and the main control unit 100 identifies medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 320, and the number and types of medals inserted (incorrect or And a stop button 356A, 356B, 356C, a MAX bet button 352B, and a single bet button 352A corresponding to the start lever 354 and the above-described reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, respectively. In addition, a settlement button 103 for returning a medal stored (credited) inside the gaming machine when the game is stopped is connected via a sensor (not shown) that detects an operation state.

  The main control unit 100 also includes a main control circuit 110 including a CPU. The main control circuit 110 mainly includes a RAM 128 that temporarily stores game progress and the like, and various programs. A stored ROM 130 is connected, and a clock pulse generation circuit 124 that generates a clock pulse that is a reference for the operation of the main control circuit 110 is connected via a frequency divider 126.

  In addition, a random number generator 120 and a random number sampling circuit 122 are connected to the main control circuit 110. The main control circuit 110 controls the random number generator 120 in synchronization with the clock pulse input through the frequency divider 126 to sequentially generate random numbers. The random number sampling circuit 122 generates the random numbers. Get random numbers and sample them.

  In the pachislot machine 300, an internal lottery is performed by the main control unit 100 to determine whether a major role or a small role is won at the operation timing of the start lever 354. In the main control circuit 110, the start lever 354 is operated. Then, the random number sampling circuit 122 is instructed to acquire, sample, and output a random number, thereby deriving a lottery result according to the random number input from the random number sampling circuit 122.

  If the internal lottery is a win (combination), the player can win the number of medals according to each symbol when the winning symbols are obtained by the stop operation by the subsequent stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C. The gaming state is advantageous to the player according to the symbol.

  Here, there are small roles and big roles as roles. Among these, the major players include a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB” as appropriate) and a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB” as appropriate), and the degree of advantage to the player differs in the game corresponding to each. A game corresponding to RB (hereinafter referred to as “RB game” as appropriate) is composed of a plurality of small role games, and a game corresponding to BB (hereinafter referred to as “BB game” as appropriate) It is configured to include an RB game that can be won a plurality of times within a range where the number of acquired medals does not exceed the upper limit. Therefore, as a matter of course, the RB game is more advantageous to the player than the small role game, and the BB game is more advantageous to the player than the RB game.

  In addition, a motor drive circuit 132 is connected to the main control unit 100, and the motor drive circuit 132 includes left (L), middle (C), and right (R) reel motors 106A, 106B, Each of the left, middle, and right reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is connected via 106C.

  Further, a reel position detection circuit 134 for detecting the rotational positions of the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is connected to the main controller 100. In the main controller 100, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are connected. The position of can be grasped at any time.

  Further, in the pachislot machine 300, the symbol variation by the symbol variation unit 316 is started at the operation timing by the start lever 354. When the start lever 354 is operated, the main control unit 100 operates the motor drive circuit 132. The reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C are respectively started to rotate, and the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated, and the three stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are operated on the basis of the subsequent operations. The rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is stopped.

  Here, in the main control unit 100, when the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is stopped based on the stop operation by the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, the slip control of a predetermined number of frames is performed according to the result of the internal lottery. Is supposed to run.

  In other words, when the stop button 356A, 356B, 356C is operated at the stop timing at which the symbol that stops only on the winning line is stopped on the active line when the internal lottery is off, intentionally avoiding the stop at this symbol Therefore, control is performed so that the stop position is shifted (kicked off) and stopped at the off symbol arrangement.

  Also, when the internal lottery is won, even if the winning symbol does not stop at the stop timing operated by the player, if the winning symbol is within the predetermined number of symbols, the winning symbol is intentionally stopped on the active line. Performs control to shift (pull in) the stop position.

  By kicking and pulling in the above, it is possible to make the internal lottery result and the game result uniform, and even if the stop operation timing is slightly shifted, it is possible to align the winning symbols, It prevents people from being lost.

  The main control unit 100 is connected to a hopper drive circuit 136 for operating a hopper 138 provided inside the pachislot machine 300. The hopper 138 stores medals, and the main control unit 100 pays out medals from the hopper 138 via the hopper drive circuit 136 in accordance with the stop pattern specified by the output from the reel position detection circuit 134. Executed.

  Further, a medal detection sensor 140 that detects medals paid out from the hopper 138 is disposed in the vicinity of the hopper 138 and is connected to the main control unit 100 via a payout completion signal circuit 142. The payout completion signal circuit 142 determines whether or not the payout is completed based on the detection signal from the medal detection sensor 140, and generates a payout completion signal when it is determined that the payout is completed. Is input.

  When the payout completion signal is input from the payout completion signal circuit 142, the main control unit 100 ends the medal payout by the hopper 138 via the hopper driving circuit 136.

  Further, a display lamp drive circuit 144 is connected to the main control unit 100, and the 7-segment display unit 315A, the display unit 315B, the 7-segment display unit 315C, and the activation line described above are connected via the display lamp drive circuit 144. The display lamp 146 is controlled to be turned on and off.

  On the other hand, a sub-control unit 150 is connected to the main control unit 100, and the main control unit 100 inputs a command signal indicating a control state at any time to the sub-control unit 150. In the present embodiment, as communication between the main control unit 100 and the sub control unit 150, only one-way communication from the main control unit 100 to the sub control unit 150 is executed, and the sub control unit 150 performs main communication. Communication with the control unit 100 cannot be performed at all.

  A liquid crystal control circuit 152 is connected to the sub-control unit 150, and the liquid crystal control circuit 152 controls a display state of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 313 provided for production.

  In addition, a lamp driving circuit 156 is connected to the sub-control unit 150 and is provided inside the lamp 112 incorporated in the decorative lamp 304A and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C via the lamp driving circuit 156. The light emission of the backlight 158 and the like that emit light toward the positions facing the symbols on the peripheral surfaces of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C displayed on the display window 314 is controlled.

  Further, a speaker drive circuit 154 is connected to the sub-control unit 150, and controls the sound (sound effect) output from the speakers 305L and 305R.

  The sub-control unit 150 executes notification effects by the LCD 313, the speakers 305L and 305R, the backlight 158, the lamp 112 built in the decoration lamp 304A, and the like according to the control state of the pachislot machine 300 of the main control unit 100.

  In particular, the LCD 313 may execute a notice effect related to the game in accordance with the result of the winning lottery executed when the start lever 354 is operated, and the player sees the notice effect for the game. You can have a sense of expectation for winning in the role lottery.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram functionally showing a control system for normal game control in the main control unit 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The main control unit 100 includes a lottery unit 180, and an operation signal indicating that the start lever 354 has been operated is input to the lottery unit 180. The lottery unit 180 executes an internal lottery with the operation of the start lever 354 after a predetermined number of medals have been inserted (bets) as a trigger.

  The lottery unit 180 acquires a random value in synchronization with the operation of the start lever 354, and sends the random value to the winning combination / symbol determination unit 184 via the table selection unit 182.

  The table selection unit 182 stores a table in which information indicating roles / designs corresponding to numerical values that can be acquired by the lottery unit 180 is stored for each gaming state of the pachislot machine 300. As the gaming state of the pachislot machine 300, for example, normal game, during BB internal winning, during RB internal winning, normal game during BB operation, during RB internal winning during BB operation, RB game, and the like can be cited.

  In the table selection unit 182, information indicating the current gaming state is obtained from the gaming state control unit 186, and a table for determining a role / symbol is selected from the table provided for each gaming state. Based on the table selected by the table selection unit 182, the winning combination / symbol determination unit 184 determines and determines the winning combination (small role (including replay), major role (RB, BB)) and winning symbol. The winning combination and the winning symbol are input to the gaming state control unit 186.

  The gaming state control unit 186 is connected to a gaming program memory 188 in which data indicating various programs corresponding to the gaming state of the pachislot machine 300 is stored. The game state control unit 186 mainly controls the game state by reading and executing game program data corresponding to the game state from the game program memory 188 as appropriate by the game execution control unit 186A.

  The game program memory 188 stores data indicating a normal game program and data indicating a major game program. For example, in the normal game state, the normal game program data is read from the game program memory 188. In the case of the big game state, the big game program data is read according to the internal winning state of BB and RB and the respective game states of BB and RB, and processing is executed based on each program data.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 100 is configured to include a reel drive control unit 194. Based on the start operation of the start lever 354, after a lapse of 4.1 seconds from the end of the previous game, the motor drive unit 132 is provided. Then, the reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C are driven to start rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  Further, the reel drive control unit 194 performs stop control for stopping the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C based on the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C.

  Position detection sensors 198A, 198B, and 198C are attached to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, respectively, and are connected to the reel drive control unit 194 via the reel position detection circuit 134. The reel drive control unit 194 recognizes the respective rotation positions of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, stops the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C in consideration of the slip control, and stops the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C that have stopped. The symbol array is sent to the gaming state control unit 186.

  Based on the symbol arrangement of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C that have been stopped, the gaming state control unit 186 confirms whether or not a winning combination has been won. If the winning combination is made, a predetermined payout is made and the winning combination is replayed. If so, the replay control is executed, and if it is a major player, the major player game program is read from the game program memory 188 and executed by the game execution control unit 186A.

  It should be noted that the regular bonus game program and the big bonus game program are separately stored in the major player program, and are selectively read based on the elected major player.

  In the regular bonus program, a maximum of 12 games (maximum number of games) can be executed in the state that the lottery probability of the small role is higher than the lottery probability during the normal game as the right exercise. The regular bonus game ends when the player wins a maximum of eight times (maximum number of winnings) during any of these 12 games.

  On the other hand, in the big bonus program, a regular bonus game can be executed with high probability as an exercise of rights, and if the number of games acquired in the big bonus game reaches a preset upper limit number, even if the regular bonus game is being executed The big bonus game ends. In the present embodiment, the win probability of the small role in the big bonus game is almost the same as that in the normal game.

  In addition, a flag memory 192 is connected to the gaming state control unit 186 via the flag management control unit 190, and the internal winning state of the combination corresponding to the winning result of the internal lottery described above is managed by the state of the flag. Yes.

  Each flag is established by winning by internal lottery. Generally, the state of the small role flag disappears in one game (flag is not established) (invalidity of winning), but the state of the flag of the major role is then changed to each reel. 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped and the main character symbols are displayed in a predetermined arrangement on the display window 314, and are maintained until winning the main character (winning carry-over).

  The flag memory 192 is connected to the reel drive control unit 194 described above, and the state of the flag stored in the flag memory 192 is based on the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C by the reel drive control unit 194. This is applied as a parameter for pull-in or kick-out slip control during stop control.

  In the reel drive control unit 194, the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are not operated even if a predetermined time (30 seconds) elapses after the start lever 354 is operated and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C start rotating. If you are supposed to stop automatically.

  Note that the definition of “from the start of rotation” is preferably “after the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C reach a steady speed”.

  That is, since the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated by a mechanical operation, an acceleration region is required from the stop state to the steady speed, and a deceleration region is also required when stopping from the steady speed. is there.

  For this reason, in the acceleration region, acceleration control is performed based on a preset acceleration pattern, and in the deceleration region, deceleration control is performed based on a preset deceleration pattern.

  As a result, the above-described definition of “from the start of rotation” may be after moving from the stopped state. However, if the acceleration control is uneven, the stopped state of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C changes as a result. There is a case. Therefore, the stop state of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C can be made unique by starting the timing after the acceleration control is finished and the steady speed is reached.

  Here, in the reel drive control unit 194 according to the present embodiment, as a condition for the automatic stop, in addition to the first temporal condition that 30 seconds have elapsed, the second condition in the game progress that the winning lottery is lost. It is set.

  That is, when the winning lottery corresponding to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C that are currently changing is a loss (flag is not established), the automatic stop control may be executed, and the second condition is cleared.

  On the other hand, when the winning lottery is won (flag is established), when the automatic stop control is performed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination may win a prize. It cannot be cleared.

  For example, in the symbol arrangement on the reel tape 14 shown in FIG. 6, when the winning symbol of the winning lottery is a “watermelon” symbol (middle straight line), the reel 350B (middle) and the reel 350C (right) are reels The reel 350B is stopped at symbol numbers 8, 9, 10 (bell, watermelon, blue 7 from the top of the display window 314), and the reel 350C is 10, 11, 12 (of the display window 314). There is an automatic stop instruction after stopping by replay, watermelon, cherry) from the top, and the position in the display window 314 of the reel 350A at this time is the symbol numbers 10, 11, 12 as shown in FIG. (Cherry, red 7, bell from the top).

  If stopped in this state, the cherry stops at the upper stage of the display window 314 corresponding to the reel 350A, and the winning symbol is won, so kicking is executed within the range of the slip control (FIG. 6 ( B) to (E)).

  However, the state of FIG. 6B (symbol numbers 9, 10, 11), the state of FIG. 6C (symbol numbers 8, 9, 10) and the state of FIG. 6D (symbol numbers 7, 8, 11). In 9), cherry still wins, and in the state of FIG. 6E (symbol numbers 6, 7, and 8), watermelons are evenly picked up on the middle pay line.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the automatic stop control, the automatic stop instruction timing in the automatic stop control is always set so that the second condition as well as the first condition is cleared regardless of the winning / losing of the lottery. The second condition is cleared within the range of slip control (for example, bitter stop).

  FIG. 7 shows details for drive control of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C in the reel drive control unit 194.

  The gaming state control unit 186 is connected to the drive management unit 250, and the drive management unit 250 maintains consistency between the gaming state and the driving states of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  In addition, an operation signal from the start lever 354 is input to the drive management unit 250, and when the start lever 354 is operated, the drive management unit 250 sends a drive / stop signal output unit 252. A signal instructing the start of driving is output.

  When receiving a drive start instruction, the drive / stop signal output unit 252 outputs a drive signal to the motor drive circuit 132.

  On the other hand, the reel position detection circuit 134 that detects the rotational positions of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is connected to the position adjustment calculation unit 254.

  The position adjustment calculation unit 254 calculates slip amounts (position adjustment amounts) related to the stop positions of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C based on the stop instruction signal from the stop instruction unit 256 and the flag information from the flag memory 192. .

  The calculation result data of the slip amount is sent to the slip control unit 258, and the stop timing is delayed based on the number of slip frames (the slip amount is not required when slipping is not required, so the delay amount becomes 0). The signal is sent to the drive / stop signal output unit 252.

  Stop instructions 356A, 356B, and 356C are connected to the stop instruction section 256, and a stop instruction signal is normally output based on the operation timing of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C.

  On the other hand, the start lever 354 is connected to the automatic stop control unit 260. A timer 262 is connected to the automatic stop control unit 260, and when a predetermined time (30 seconds) elapses after the driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is started (strictly, after reaching the steady speed) A signal equivalent to that when the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are operated is output to the stop instruction unit 256. As a result, the stop instruction unit 256 activates the position adjustment value calculation unit 254.

  Here, in the present embodiment, a flag memory 192 is connected to the automatic stop control unit 260. As a result, the flag information from the flag memory 192 is input to the automatic stop controller 260.

  That is, in the automatic stop control unit 260, not only the time condition (first condition) by the timer 262 but also the state of the flag (winning / losing by the lottery) is taken into account, and the automatic stop control unit 256 automatically A stop instruction is given. More specifically, the automatic stop control unit 260 acquires position information of each of the reels 350A, 350B, 350C at the time of stop instruction from the position adjustment value calculation unit 254, makes a winning determination at the automatic stop time, and wins a prize. When stopping in such a symbol arrangement, the automatic stop instruction to the stop instruction unit 256 is delayed until there is no winning (the second condition is cleared).

  In the present embodiment, the automatic stop instruction is a bitter stop instruction that does not use slip control.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG.
(Normal flow)
In the state where the medal is credited (or the medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit 320), the betting of the medal is completed by the operation of the single bet button 352A or the maximum bet button 352B, or the medal insertion unit When the bet is completed by inserting a medal from 320, the start lever 354 can be operated (step 400).

  When the start lever 354 is operated (affirmative determination in step 402), an internal lottery (bonus, small part) of the combination is made by the lottery unit 180 simultaneously with this operation (step 404), and the reel drive control unit 194 is controlled. As a result, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C start to rotate (step 406).

  At this time, the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C is invalidated during the acceleration rotation (steps 408 and 410), and the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C is valid when the rotation is constant speed ( Step 412).

  The result of the internal lottery is transmitted from the winning combination / symbol determination unit 1848 to the gaming state control unit 186. The game state control unit 186 updates and stores the flag state of the flag memory 192 according to the result of the internal lottery via the flag management control unit 190.

  Thereafter, when the player operates the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C (affirmative determination in step 414), the stop operation stops the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, but is stored in the flag memory 192. In accordance with the flag, stop control of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is executed so that the corresponding symbol is drawn into a predetermined position taking into account the slip control or kicked off from the predetermined position (steps 416 and 418). That is, the reel drive control unit 194 selects the stop control table according to the state of the flag stored in the flag memory 192 and the gaming state by the gaming state control unit 186, and the flag is established. In this case, the winning symbol can be stopped by an accurate pressing timing. Further, a slight shift in the stop operation timing is corrected by slip control. On the other hand, when the flag is not established, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are caused to slip even if they are pushed, so that they do not stop at the winning symbol.

  Next, when all the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped (affirmative determination in step 420), a winning determination is made as to whether or not a winning is made based on the stopped symbol (step 422).

  If it is determined by this determination that the small combination is made, predetermined payout control preset for the small combination is executed (steps 424 and 426), and if it is determined that the big combination is won, In accordance with the stop pattern, bonus game control of a big bonus (BB) or a regular bonus (RB) is executed (exercises rights) (steps 428 and 430).

(Flow of automatic stop)
Here, in the present embodiment, when the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C are not operated within a predetermined time (within 30 seconds from the constant speed rotation), automatic stop control is executed (step 432). 434). In this case, when there are a plurality of non-stop reels, the slip control is executed in the same manner as when the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C are operated. In this automatic stop control, the internal lottery is won. However, the slip control is performed so that the winning combination does not win a prize (the symbols are aligned).

(Winning avoidance flow)
On the other hand, when the automatic stop control is determined, when the remaining non-stop reel is one reel (for example, when the reels 350B and 350C are already stopped and only the reel 350A is changing), the slip control is within the control range. (Sliding up to 4 frames) may not be possible.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the winning symbol of the role lottery is a “watermelon” symbol, the reel 350B stops at the bell, watermelon and blue 7, the reel 350C stops at the replay, watermelon and cherry, and automatically stops. If the reel 350A at the time of the instruction is cherry, red 7, bell (see FIG. 6A), the sliding control of a maximum of 4 frames results in a winning of cherry or watermelon (FIGS. 6B to 6). E)).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to avoid the situation as described above, when there is one remaining reel at the time of the automatic stop instruction, the winning position determination of the symbol is performed with the position at that time as the temporary stop position (step 436, 438), if there is a winning, the fluctuation is continued (affirmative determination in step 440).

  By repeating the above every time one frame is shifted (from FIG. 6 (A) to FIG. 6 (E)), when the next one frame is shifted, the reel 350A becomes a watermelon, a replay, and a watermelon (FIG. 6 (F) (Refer to FIG. 4), the winning is lost and this time is set as the stop instruction time (step 442).

  As described above, in this embodiment, of the three rows of reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, two reels (for example, reels 350B and 350C) are first stopped by the stop buttons 356B and 356C, and then automatically stopped. When it is necessary to automatically stop the reel 350A at the time, a winning decision is made with the time when the reel 350A needs to be automatically stopped as the temporary stop position of the reel 350A, or the winning combination or winning However, when winning a winning combination that will not be won by automatic stop, the above determination is performed each time the change continues and one frame changes, and a stop instruction is issued when it is determined that no winning will occur. As compared with the case where the slip control is beyond the slip control range and the winning is avoided, the winning can be avoided without a sense of incongruity.

  Further, the importance of the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C can be urged to the player who does not operate the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C.

  In the present embodiment, only the winning determination in the current temporarily stopped state is performed in step 436. However, since the symbol arrangement is recognized in advance, it is determined how far the winning should be avoided if the variation continues. It is also possible to make a determination and then process by a countdown method.

It is a perspective view of the pachi-slot machine concerning this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the reel unit which concerns on this Embodiment. It is an expanded view of a reel tape. It is an operation control block diagram of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed functionally the control system mainly having the normal game in the main control part. It is a front view which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence pattern displayed on a display window. It is a block diagram which shows functionally the automatic stop control in a reel drive control part. It is a control flowchart which shows the whole flow of a game.

Explanation of symbols

10 (10A, 10B, 10C) Reel unit 12 Reel body 14 (14A, 14B, 14C) Reel tape 132 Motor drive circuit 134 Reel position detection circuit 186 Game state control unit 192 Flag memory 194 Reel drive control unit 250 Drive management unit 252 Drive / stop signal output unit 254 Position adjustment calculation unit 256 Stop instruction unit 258 Slip control unit 260 Automatic stop control unit 262 Timer 300 Pachislot machine (game machine)
313 Liquid crystal display device 314 Display window 316 Symbol variation part 350A, 350B, 350C Reel 354 Start lever 356A, 356B, 356C Stop button

Claims (5)

Based on the start operation, a pre-set role lottery is executed, and the start operation is used as a trigger to vary the symbol sequence composed of a plurality of symbol groups with the driving force of the driving means, and based on the stop operation A game machine for notifying the winning determination result based on winning / losing of the winning lottery by stopping the changing symbol sequence and displaying the stopped symbol sequence,
When the stop operation has not been performed for a predetermined period of time after the symbol sequence starts to change, the player's action is determined based on the normal stop procedure stored in accordance with the preset stop operation procedure corresponding to the result of the winning lottery. Automatic stop control means for forcibly stopping the symbol sequence without intervention regardless of whether or not a winning combination is made;
This is executed when one of the plurality of symbol sequences is subject to automatic stop by the automatic stop control means. The symbol sequence at the time of automatic stop instruction by the automatic stop control means is used as a temporary stop symbol. Temporary stop winning determination means for determining the winning of
In the stop instruction by the stop operation or the stop instruction by the automatic stop control, it is avoided that the stop is made by shifting the stop position with the preset number of sliding symbols as the maximum value in order to stop at the symbol sequence in which a contradiction occurs in the progress of the game. Slip control means;
When the provisional winning determination by the temporary stop winning determination means is a winning, the automatic stop instruction time by the automatic stop control means is delayed by a predetermined number of frames and the fluctuation is continued, and the slip control means When the slip control of both the slip control by the slip control means and the slip control by the slip control means is not required, the state of becoming a non-winning symbol arrangement state is determined. Delay means to stop without requiring slip control as automatic stop timing,
Having a gaming machine.   As the drive pattern from the start to stop of the symbol sequence, the acceleration drive control, the steady drive control, and the deceleration drive control are executed in this order, and the starting point of the predetermined time measured after the symbol sequence starts to change is the steady pattern. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the driving control is started.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the symbol row includes an arrangement in which a winning combination of the winning combination cannot be kicked when a winning operation is performed within a pull-in range due to winning a winning combination.   4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the remaining one symbol row includes a symbol that can be won in a single display regardless of the display state of the other symbol rows.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a unit of the predetermined number of frames delayed by the delay means is one frame unit.

Images