JPH119762A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine, such as a slot machine, that allows enjoying a game with enthusiasm by allowing even an inexperienced player to stop symbols of high scores, and making it easier to recognize symbols on the next drum to stop, so that scoring can be made in accordance with symbols on the first drum that has stopped. SOLUTION: A game machine, in which a plurality of drums 1a-1c with a plurality of symbols arranged thereon are aligned, are each rotated by a start button 7, and are stopped in sequence by a stop button 8 when they are rotating, so that medals are dispensed according to a combination of the symbols stopped on a predetermined stopping line, is provided with detection means 2a-2c for detecting that the particular symbol on at least one of the plurality of drums has approached the predetermined stopping line and a reporting means 3 for reporting the approach.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medal system by combining a plurality of rotating bodies provided with a plurality of types of patterns, such as a slot machine, and stopping the respective rotating bodies sequentially. The present invention relates to a gaming machine for paying out a payout or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of recognizing passage of a specific pattern among rotating patterns and timing stoppage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional slot machine, three spinning drums having several kinds of patterns arranged on an outer periphery are arranged and rotated, and a player sequentially presses a stop button on a rotating spinning drum, or a random timer. Is stopped after a time set by, and coins are discharged in accordance with the combination of pictures in the stopped state.

As shown in the front view of a part of the slot machine in FIG. 5, the combination of the patterns is such that when one medal is inserted from among the three patterns that appear in the display window 51 in the vertical direction, one medal is inserted. 3 next to the line L1 of one medal
The combination in one row in which the medals are lined up becomes the target, and when two medals are inserted, the line L2 of two medals above and below the medal is further added.
The target is the three columns that are added by the two columns
When three cards are inserted, the two oblique lines L3 of three medals
The additional five columns are the target. Therefore, when two or three medals are inserted, the possibility of winning the combination is determined in a plurality of rows. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 52 denotes a torso stop display lamp, which is turned on a certain time after the start of rotation, and can be stopped by the player pressing a stop button while the lamp is turned on. . 53 is a game medal slot, 54 is a spinning drum rotation start button, 55 is a spinning drum rotation stop button, 56 is a list of the number of medals to be paid out according to a combination of pictures, 57 is a game stop lamp, a number of medals to be paid out, etc. Is a display unit. Reference numeral 58 denotes a display lamp for indicating the number of game medals inserted and displaying a stop line. When one medal is inserted, the lamp for one medal lights up and the line L1 for one medal is displayed.
Indicates that the stop line is a predetermined stop line. When two medals are inserted, the lamps of one medal and two medals light up, and three lines L1 and L2 indicate that the lines are the predetermined stop line. I do. Further, when three medals are inserted, all the lamps of one to three medals are turned on, indicating that five lines L1 to L3 are predetermined stop lines.

A combination of the above-mentioned patterns is awarded when a certain standard is met, for example, when three patterns lined up on a predetermined stop line of interest by three winding drums are aligned with the same pattern. A payout such as a medal payout is performed as follows. Depending on the type of the arranged pattern, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when three sevens or three home runs are provided, 15 cards, bells, plums, or oranges are provided. The number of medals to be paid out differs depending on the winning rank, such as eight when three pieces are provided and two when cherries appear on the first body. In addition to the payout of medals, a continuous actor increase device (continuous bonus device, so-called large bonus or big hit) or a continuous actor device (continuous auditor device, so-called small bonus) according to the combination of the patterns. There is also set a bonus game that increases the possibility of winning such as a small hit.

[0005]

As described above, in the gaming slot machine, medals are paid out when a number of pictures are aligned so as to meet a certain standard. Stops the rotating torso in an attempt to align it to meet the certain criteria. However, since a rotating pattern rotates very quickly, a normal player cannot recognize a pattern passing on a predetermined stop line during rotation. For this reason, even if a symbol with a large bonus or a high score is to be stopped on a predetermined stop line, it is not possible to know which pattern is approaching, and there is no choice but to stop it properly and leave it to luck. Further, even if the pattern of the large bonus stops due to the first stop of the torso, the next stop of the torso has to be performed by the can. As a result, there is a problem that the player loses interest in the game, such as simply stopping the torso simply and missing out a great chance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and enables a person who is not used to playing a game to stop a pattern having a high winning rank, thereby making the game fun. The purpose is to provide a machine.

Another object of the present invention is to make it easier to recognize a pattern which may have a prize in the next rotating body in accordance with the pattern of the rotating body stopped first, or to stop a plurality of rotating bodies. It is another object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine in which a winning pattern can be easily recognized by the last rotating body so that the player can enjoy the game.

[0008]

A gaming machine according to the present invention comprises:
A plurality of rotating bodies in which a plurality of patterns are arranged are arranged and rotated, and the plurality of rotating bodies are sequentially stopped, and a payout is made in accordance with a combination of the respective patterns stopped on a predetermined stop line. Detecting means for detecting that a specific pattern of at least one of the plurality of rotating bodies is close to the predetermined stop line; and detecting the specific pattern detected by the detecting means. An informing means for informing the user of the approach is provided.

[0009] Here, the rotating body refers to a body in which a band in which a picture is provided at random is rotated by a reel, and a picture is provided at random on a peripheral portion of a disk along a circumferential direction. It means a pattern which can be displayed at a certain place when a pattern provided at random is rotated and stopped, such as a pattern in which the disk is rotated around a central portion as an axis. The predetermined stop line is, for example, when one medal is inserted, and when one line aligned with the center line of the display window is to be combined with a pattern, one line at the center is the predetermined stop line. When two medals are inserted, and three rows, which are two rows before and after the medal, are added to the combination of the patterns, the three rows are determined to be a predetermined stop line according to the game. It means the line that is the target of the pattern combination. Further, the term "pattern" means not only a figure but also an expression including numbers, characters, and the like, and capable of recognizing the same display. Further, the notifying means means means that can be recognized by the player, such as flashing a lamp somewhere in front of the gaming machine, turning off a lit lamp, and generating a sound.

[0010] With this configuration, it is possible to know the proximity of a specific picture, to press the stop button so as to stop the specific picture on a predetermined stop line, and to enjoy the game more eagerly. be able to.

[0011] By providing the detecting means and the notifying means for each of the plurality of rotating bodies, the first rotating body can be stopped even when the player stops from any of the plurality of rotating bodies. Upon stopping, it is possible to recognize a desired pattern or to practice to stop only a specific pattern such as a large bonus in each rotating body. In this case, the passage of a specific pattern can be notified only in a desired rotating body by a player's selection button or the like.

In another embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, a stop pattern detecting section for detecting a pattern in which the first one of a plurality of rotating bodies stops and appears on a predetermined stop line is provided. Detecting means for detecting, in a rotating body different from the rotating body, a specific pattern having a possibility of winning according to the pattern detected by the stop pattern detecting section, in the vicinity of the predetermined stop line; Notification means for notifying the proximity of the specific picture detected by the means. By doing so, it becomes easier to aim for the next stopped pattern of the rotating body in accordance with the pattern of the rotating body that has stopped first, and the possibility of winning is increased, so that interest is further increased. In this case, if the notifying means for notifying the proximity of the above-described specific pattern is provided when the first rotating body is stopped, the proximity of the large bonus pattern is notified on the rotating body to be stopped first, and the pattern is determined by a predetermined value. If you stop on the stop line of, the pattern of the big bonus can be notified when the next rotating body stops,
Even if the large bonus pattern comes off at the first stop of the rotator, the proximity of the same pattern or a prize-winning pattern at the rotator to be stopped next can be notified according to the stopped pattern.

The number of the rotating bodies is n (n is an integer of 3 or more)
In the case where there is a possibility of winning due to (n-1) stops among the n rotating bodies, the rotating body stopped at the n-th rotating body includes:
Detecting means for detecting that a specific pattern having a possibility of winning is approaching the predetermined stop line, and notifying means for notifying proximity of the specific pattern detected by the detecting means are provided. Thus, even when the last rotating body is stopped, it can be stopped while recognizing a winning pattern, so that the game can be enjoyed more enthusiastically.

If the notification means is means for blinking a display lamp for displaying the predetermined stop line, it is possible to recognize the proximity of a desired picture near a picture passing through the display window and to stop the picture. Since the predetermined stop line to be recognized can be recognized, the interest in the game can be further increased.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in a block diagram of one embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, for example, three first to third rotating bodies 1a to 1c are arranged in parallel, and each of them is arranged in parallel. The rotating body 1 (1a to 1c) is rotated or stopped by the rotation or stop of the pulse motors 6a to 6c via the motor driving circuits 5a to 5c in response to a signal from the motor control unit 4. The rotation and stop of the pulse motors 6a to 6c are performed by giving an instruction to the motor control unit 4 by a start button 7 and a stop button 8 provided on the front of the game machine or a random number generation unit 9 for automatically stopping. Will be In the present invention, a specific pattern detection unit that detects whether the specific pattern of the rotating body 1 is close to a predetermined stop line of the display window, and detects which pattern is stopped on the predetermined stop line. Detecting means 2 (2a to 2c) having a stop pattern detecting unit for performing a stop pattern, and a notifying means 3 for notifying the proximity of a specific pattern just before passing on a predetermined stop line. There is.

FIG. 4 shows the rotating body 1 (1a to 1c).
FIG. 4 (a) shows a rotating body provided with a pattern on a belt-like body, which rotates in a circular arc from the front side of the game machine to the back, or the periphery of a disk as shown in FIG. 4 (b). The part may be provided with a pattern along the circumferential direction, and may rotate in parallel with the front of the game machine. The above-mentioned patterns are provided at random, but the order of the patterns is fixed in each rotating body of each game machine and registered in the microcomputer of each game machine, and a fixed reference position is set in any rotating body. It is recognized what kind of pattern is from what kind of pattern. As shown in FIG. 4, the position detecting mark 111 is used as a fixed reference position of the rotating body.
Are provided, and the position detecting mark 11 is
By detecting 1, it is possible to always know when the position detection mark 111 of the rotating body passes through a certain place.

The detecting means 2 (2a to 2c) includes a sensor 21 for detecting a position detecting mark (see 111 in FIG. 4) of the rotating body 1, as shown in FIG.
A counter 22 that counts how many pictures the rotator 1 has advanced from the position of the position detection mark (the number of pulses for driving the pulse motor), and a specific picture is positioned several frames before a predetermined stop line by the number of the counters 22. It is composed of a specific picture detection unit 24 for detecting whether or not it has reached. Detecting means 2
Has a stop pattern detecting unit 23 that detects what pattern appears on a predetermined stop line when the rotating body 1 stops. The pattern detected by the stop pattern detection unit 23 is sent to the winning determination unit 10. Then, as described later, before all the rotating bodies 1 stop, the winning determination unit 10 determines the possibility of winning based on the patterns stopped by the plurality of rotating bodies, and specifies the possible pattern. As a picture, it is sent to the detecting means 2 of the rotating body 1 to be stopped next, and when all the rotating bodies 1 are stopped, it is determined whether or not a prize is won by the picture stopped by each rotating body 1.

With this configuration, the sensor 21 recognizes a position detection mark that is a reference position of the rotating rotator 1.
The counter 22 is reset to 0 each time the sensor 21 recognizes the position detection mark, and counts the number of subsequent pulses for driving the pulse motor. By counting the number of pulses, the pattern passing several frames before the predetermined stop line or stopped on the predetermined stop line is the number of the pattern from the position of the position detection mark of the rotating body 1. You can know immediately. In this case, the target of the predetermined stop line is determined by the number of medals inserted by the player.
As described above, three lines are obtained by adding the line at the center of the display window (L1 in FIG. 5) or two lines before and after the line (L2 in FIG. 5), but one line before or one line from the center line. Just by becoming the later pattern, it is possible to immediately know the number of the pattern from the position of the position detection mark by the number of rotating pulses. Therefore, it is possible to know the number of the pattern on all the stop lines from the reference position. On the other hand, since the order of the patterns provided on each rotating body 1 is registered in the microcomputer in advance and is known, the number of the counters 22 passes a predetermined number of frames before a predetermined stop line, or You can know what the stopped pattern is.

That is, for example, when a specific pattern is set in advance, the specific pattern is p-th and q-th from the reference position (for example, a position detection mark) of the rotating body 1 (the specific pattern is located at two places). ), It is known that the reference position of the rotating body passes a certain place on the game machine and then passes x frames before a predetermined stop line several times before the rotation. X + p or x + qth (p, q) after the body position detection mark passes a certain place (the counter is reset to 0 at this point)
Is smaller than x, xp or xq times, the same applies hereinafter), it can be seen that the specific picture passes several frames before the predetermined stop line. Therefore, the number of the counter 22 is x + p
Alternatively, it can be detected that the specific picture appears several frames before the predetermined stop line when x + q, and a signal is sent to the notifying means 3 when the number is reached.

Further, the stop picture detecting section 23 can also know the picture on the predetermined stop line from the number of the counter at the time of stopping in the same manner. The stopped pattern is sent to the winning determination unit 10 to determine the possibility of winning. When the winning determination unit 10 is in a state before all the rotating bodies 1 are stopped, that is, when the first or first and second rotating bodies are stopped in the example of FIG. 1, the next rotating body is stopped. At the time, the information of the pattern of the possibility of winning is set as a new specific pattern in the second and third patterns, respectively.
To the specific pattern detecting section 24 of the detecting means 2b, 2c, and, when the second and third rotating bodies are rotating, notify when a potential winning pattern approaches a predetermined stop line as described above. It has a structure that can be used. Further, when all the rotating bodies 1 are stopped, the winning determination unit 10 determines whether or not the pattern detected by the pattern detecting unit 23 of each rotating body has won, and when the winning has been achieved, Is a medal payout control unit 1
After one, a predetermined number of medals are paid out. The detection of these pictures is performed by a microcomputer and is the same as the conventional method for detecting whether or not three pictures have been won when the three rotating bodies have stopped. Note that the payout in the case of winning is not limited to payout of medals, but may be payout of pachinko balls or cards.

The notifying means 3 comprises an instructing section 31 and a notifying section 32 as shown in FIG. The instruction unit 31 receives a signal from the detection unit 2 that a specific pattern is approaching a predetermined stop line.
The notification unit 32 is immediately activated, and the notification unit 32 generates a display indicating that it is time to stop the rotating rotator. The notification unit 32 notifies the player by blinking a lamp or making a sound at the front of the game machine, for example. Here, the blinking of the lamp means that a previously lit lamp is instantaneously turned off or a non-lit lamp is turned on for a moment. The blinking of the lamp may be anywhere, or may be plural, but by blinking a display lamp such as a game medal insertion number lamp that displays a predetermined stop line, it is possible to simultaneously know the place to stop and the timing to stop. preferable.

Next, the operation of the slot machine will be described. First, the start button 7 is pressed to rotate all three torso. In the first turning drum 1a, the notifying unit 3 notifies that the Seven pattern is approaching a few frames before the Seven (large bonus) pattern approaches the center line (stop line) of the display window. This notification is performed twice if there are two Seven patterns during one rotation, and is notified each time one rotation is performed even if there is only one pattern. The player presses the stop button 8 in time with the notification that appears regularly. When the stop button 8 is pressed, the rotation of the first rotating drum 1a stops with a slight time lag. When one medal is inserted and the predetermined stop line is only the center line L1 (see FIG. 5), the stopped pattern detection unit 23 detects the pattern stopped on the center line L1.

If the pattern is the target seven, if the pattern of the seven is stopped at a different pattern, the information of the new pattern is used as a new specific pattern as the specific pattern of the second detecting means 2b. Sent to the detection unit 24,
When the same pattern approaches the center stop line L1 due to the rotation of b, a notification is issued in the same manner as described above. In other words, when the pattern that has a possibility of winning due to the stop of the first rotating drum 1a is several frames before the stop line due to the rotation of the second rotating drum 1b, it is notified by blinking of a lamp or generation of a sound, and The person presses the stop button 8 of the second rotating drum 1b in synchronization with the notification timing as in the case of the first rotating drum 1a.

If there is a possibility of winning a pattern on the stop line which appears due to the stop of the second rotating drum 1b, a pattern having a possibility of winning is determined as a new specific pattern in the same manner as described above. Sent to the specific picture detection unit 24 of the means 2c,
When a pattern having a possibility of winning approaches the stop line at the center due to the rotation of the torso 1c, a notification is made by flashing of a lamp or generation of a sound as described above. Then, the player can press the stop button 8 of the third turning drum 1c at the timing of the notification. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the pattern appearing on the stop line due to the stop of the third rotating body 1c is detected by the stop pattern detection unit 23,
It is sent to the prize judging section 10 together with the pattern stopped on the stop line at the center of the first and second rotating bodies 1b and 1c, and when a prize has been won, a predetermined number of medals are passed through the medal payout control section 11. Will be paid out.

In the above operation example, the predetermined stop line is one of the center stop lines. However, two or three medals are inserted and three or five lines are stopped at the predetermined stop line. The same applies to a line. In this case, it is preferable to set the uppermost stop line to be notified as a predetermined stop line when the first rotating body to be stopped is the leftmost first rotating body. Normally, the timing at which the stop button is pressed is easily delayed, but even if the timing is delayed, the possibility that the specific pattern can be stopped at the center line or a line below the center line becomes extremely high.

The second torsion to be stopped first is in the middle.
In the case of the turning drum, it is preferable to set the center line to be a predetermined stop line. This is because if there are five predetermined stop lines when stopping at the center, there is a possibility that a high prize will be won regardless of whether the stop of the first torso to be stopped next deviates from the center line. If there is a possibility of a plurality of types of prizes at a plurality of predetermined stop lines due to the first stop of the torso, the prize determining unit 10 determines a combination of prize winning with the highest score, and determines the specific pattern. Then, a predetermined stop line is sent from the winning determination unit 10 to the detecting means 2 of the rotating body to be stopped next. as a result,
When a pattern having a high score and a possibility of winning is approached to a predetermined stop line, it is notified and the player can be entertained.

In the above-described example, the approach of a specific pattern is notified when the first rotating body is stopped, and the approach of a pattern with a possibility of winning is notified for the second and subsequent rotating bodies. , In all the rotating bodies, a pattern such as a pattern that will be a big bonus such as seven is notified so that seven can be stopped in each rotating body, so that you can practice repeatedly and aim for a big bonus it can. Further, a specific pattern can be selected and set by the player. Further, in the above-described example, the number of the rotating bodies is three. Also, in the case where the seven rotors and the like are aligned with the three rotating bodies to determine whether the large bonus or the small bonus is provided by the fourth rotating body, the approach of the pattern of the large bonus can be notified by the last rotating body.

According to the present invention, when a specific pattern approaches a predetermined stop line, it is notified by a lamp or a sound. Therefore, even when the pattern rotates at high speed and cannot recognize each pattern, The stop lamp can be stopped by recognizing that the target picture is approaching.
Therefore, when stopping the first rotating body of the plurality of rotating bodies, the first rotating body can be stopped aiming at a pattern with a large score such as a large bonus, and when stopping the second rotating body, the first rotating body is stopped first. It is possible to stop aiming at a pattern that may win a prize according to the pattern that has been made. as a result,
Instead of simply stopping the rotating body in hopes of chance, you can enjoy the game while being very interested.

Further, the above-mentioned notifying means blinks a display lamp (a lamp for one medal, two medals, etc., indicated by 58 in FIG. 5) for displaying a predetermined stop line,
When there are a plurality of predetermined stop lines, when stopping the second and subsequent rotating bodies, it is possible to easily determine at which position to stop to win and know the approach of a desired pattern. Since it is possible to recognize the position to be stopped, it is easier to aim and press the stop button. As a result, motivation can be further enhanced, and a game can be played happily.

[0031]

According to the present invention, even when individual patterns cannot be recognized due to high-speed rotation, it is notified that a specific pattern is approaching a predetermined stop line. Even a player who does not have the ability to aim for a pattern with a high score such as a large bonus or to play a game for a prize, greatly increasing the enjoyment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an embodiment of the slot machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detecting unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a notification unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rotating body.

FIG. 5 is an example of a front view of a conventional slot machine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional medal payout based on a rank of a combination of pictures.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) Rotating body 2 (2a, 2b) Detecting means 3 Notification means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of rotators on which a plurality of patterns are arranged are arranged and rotated, and the plurality of rotators are sequentially stopped to stop on a predetermined stop line in accordance with a combination of the respective patterns. A gaming machine for paying a dividend, comprising: detecting means for detecting that a specific pattern of at least one of the plurality of rotating bodies is close to the predetermined stop line; And a notifying means for notifying the proximity of the specific picture detected by the game machine. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means and said notifying means are provided for each of said plurality of rotating bodies. 3. A plurality of rotators on which a plurality of patterns are arranged are arranged and rotated, and the plurality of rotators are sequentially stopped to stop on a predetermined stop line in accordance with a combination of the respective patterns. A gaming machine for paying out a payout, wherein a stop pattern detecting unit is provided for detecting a pattern in which the first one of the plurality of rotating bodies stops and appears on a predetermined stop line, and is different from the stopped rotating body. In the rotating body, detecting means for detecting that a specific pattern having a possibility of winning according to the pattern detected by the stop pattern detecting unit is close to the predetermined stop line, and detecting by the detecting means A gaming machine provided with a notifying means for notifying the user of the proximity of the specific picture. 4. A rotating body on which a plurality of pictures are arranged is rotated by n (n is an integer of 3 or more), and the n rotating bodies are sequentially stopped and stopped on a predetermined stop line. A gaming machine for paying out a payout according to a combination of the respective patterns, wherein when there is a possibility of winning by stopping (n-1) of the n rotating bodies, the gaming machine stops at the nth number. On the rotating body, detecting means for detecting that the specific pattern with the possibility of winning is approaching the predetermined stop line, and notifying means for notifying the proximity of the specific pattern detected by the detecting means A gaming machine provided with. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said notification means is means for blinking a display lamp for displaying said predetermined stop line.