US20090239642A1 - Slot Machine Offering Special Award And Control Method Thereof - Google Patents
Slot Machine Offering Special Award And Control Method Thereof Download PDFInfo
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- US20090239642A1 US20090239642A1 US12/404,734 US40473409A US2009239642A1 US 20090239642 A1 US20090239642 A1 US 20090239642A1 US 40473409 A US40473409 A US 40473409A US 2009239642 A1 US2009239642 A1 US 2009239642A1
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- Prior art keywords
- stop
- game
- displayed
- processing
- special award
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
- G07F17/3232—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed
- G07F17/3234—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/326—Game play aspects of gaming systems
- G07F17/3267—Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
Abstract
According to a slot machine of the present invention, the first special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in a game, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the following game, that is, in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the successive games. On the other hand, the second special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in successive games. The second special award is larger than the first special award.
Description
- This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/038,979 filed on Mar. 24, 2008. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a slot machine offering a special award and a control method thereof.
- 2. Discussion of the Background
- In conventional slot machines, when a player inserts game media such as medals, coins or bills into an insertion slot of the slot machine and presses a spin button, then a plurality of symbols are scroll-displayed to a display portion provided on the front surface of a casing and, thereafter, the respective symbols are automatically stopped, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,960,133, 6,012,983 and 6,093,102. In this case, when scroll-display of respective symbols starts by an input from the spin button, symbols are selected using random numbers, and the selected symbols are stop-displayed to the display portion. Then, when a combination of the stop-displayed symbols along a winning line is a predetermined winning combination (prize), an award is paid out.
- Further, among conventional slot machines, there are some slot machines offering an award (special award) different from a normal award to a player.
- For example, there exists a slot machine that reserves a part of a spent credit and pays out an award in such a large amount (so-called “jackpot”) as not to be paid out in the case of a normal winning when a predetermined condition (for example, an specific symbol being stop-displayed) is satisfied.
- In this type of the slot machine offering the special award, generally, there is not adopted a configuration that the number of a game medium to be paid out as the special award is not increased even in a case where a condition (predetermined condition) as a trigger for offering the special award has been successively established in a plurality of games, as compared with the case where the predetermined condition is established only in a single game.
- In the case that the predetermined condition has been established successively, the player is generally inclined to receive a larger profit compared to the profit to be offered in the case that the condition has not been established successively. The conventional slot machine is not configured to match the player's feeling and could make the player be frustrated.
- In light of the aforementioned problem, the present invention has been devised, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of offering, in a case where a condition as a trigger for offering a special award has been established in successive games, a special award larger than the award to be offered in the case that the condition has not been established successively, and a control method thereof.
- The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,133, U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,983, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,102 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- The present invention provides a slot machine having the following configuration.
- That is, the slot machine comprises: a symbol display capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols including normal symbols and a specific symbol as a trigger for offering a first special award or a second special award larger than the first special award; and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute processing of (A) stop-displaying the plurality of symbols after variably displaying the plurality of symbols, to the symbol display, (B) offering the first special award, when the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the processing (A) in a game, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the following game, and (C) offering the second special award when the specific symbol has been stop-displayed in the processing (A) in successive games.
- According to the slot machine, the first special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in a game, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the following game, that is, in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the successive games. On the other hand, the second special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games. The second special award is larger than the first special award.
- As thus described, in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games, there is offered to the player the special award, which is larger than the special award to be offered in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the successive games. Accordingly, it is possible to match the player's feeling that he or she is inclined to receive the larger profit in the case that the predetermined condition has been successively established, compared to the profit to be offered in the case that the predetermined condition has not been successively established. As a result, it is possible to provide the player with a satisfaction.
- Further, the slot machine of the present invention preferably has the following configuration.
- That is, the processing (B) includes processing of offering the first special award, when the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the game after having been stop-displayed in the processing (A) in the successive games, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed in the following game.
- According to the slot machine, even in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games, once the successive games are stopped, the award to be offered when the specific symbol is stop-displayed next is the first special award, not the second special award. Therefore, in order to acquire the comparatively large special award, the player is required not to stop the successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed. Accordingly, it is possible to have the player play the game with a sense of tension. Then, in the case that the successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed are continued, the player may be delighted. On the other hand, in the case that the successive games are stopped, the player may be greatly disappointed. As above described, the player can be taken through emotional ups and downs. Consequently, the player can be absorbed in the game.
- Further, the slot machine of the present invention preferably has the following configuration.
- That is, the processing (C) is processing of offering the second special award corresponding to a number of the successive games, when the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the game after having been stop-displayed in the processing (A) in the successive games.
- According to the slot machine, the amount of the game media to be offered as the second special award is determined based on the number of successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed. Accordingly, as the number of the successive games becomes bigger, the larger amount of game media can be offered. Generally, the player is inclined to receive the larger profit according to the increase in number of the successive games in which the condition as the trigger for offering the special award is established. The slot machine is configured to match the player's feeling and capable of providing the player with a great satisfaction. Further, the bigger the number of the successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed becomes, the larger the special award that the player can acquire becomes. Therefore, it is possible to significantly increase the player's expectation for the successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed. As a result, it is possible to have the player absorbed more in the game.
- Further, the slot machine of the present invention preferably has the following configuration.
- That is, the slot machine comprises: a symbol display capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols including normal symbols and a specific symbol as a trigger for offering a first special award or a second special award larger than the first special award; and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute processing of (A) stop-displaying the plurality of symbols after variably displaying the plurality of symbols, to the symbol display, following a BET of a game medium; (B) stop-displaying the plurality of symbols after variably displaying the plurality of symbols to the symbol display, even without the BET of the game medium, as triggered by a predetermined condition being satisfied by the normal symbols or by a combination of the normal symbols, the normal symbols having been stop-displayed in the processing (A), (C) offering the first special award when the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in a game, is stop-displayed in the processing (B) in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the processing (B) in the following game, and (D) offering the second special award when the specific symbol has been stop-displayed in the processing (B) in successive games.
- According to the slot machine, the first special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in a game, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the following game, that is, in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the successive games. On the other hand, the second special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games. The second special award is larger than the first special award.
- As thus described, in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games, there is offered to the player the special award, which is larger than the special award to be offered in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the successive games. Accordingly, it is possible to match the player's feeling that he or she is inclined to receive the larger profit in the case that the predetermined condition has been successively established, compared to the profit to be offered in the case that the predetermined condition has not been successively established. As a result, it is possible to provide the player with a satisfaction.
- Further, according to the slot machine, as triggered by the predetermined condition being satisfied, the variable display and the stop-display of the plurality of symbols to the symbol display are conducted even without a BET of the game media. Namely, a free game is played. The second special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol has been stop-displayed in the successive games in the free games.
- Generally, in the case of spending all the game media, the player is compelled to terminate the game. In the case that, even though the specific symbol is stop-displayed in a certain game, the player has spent all the game media in hand at the same time, it is possible that the player misses a chance to acquire the second special award since the player cannot play the next game. In such a case, the player may be disappointed very much.
- In this regard, according to the slot machine, in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games, the second special award is offered in the free game. Accordingly, the player does not miss the chance to acquire the second special award because the player has spent all the game media in hand. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player from being disappointed.
- Further, the slot machine of the present invention preferably has the following configuration.
- That is, the processing (C) includes processing of offering the first special award when the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the game after having been stop-displayed in the processing (B) in the successive games, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed in the processing (B) in the following game.
- According to the slot machine, even in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games, once the successive games are stopped, the award to be offered when the specific symbol is stop-displayed next is the first special award, not the second special award. Therefore, in order to acquire the comparatively large special award, the player is required not to stop the successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed. Accordingly, it is possible to have the player play the game with a sense of tension. Then, in the case that the successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed are continued, the player may be delighted. On the other hand, in the case that the successive games are stopped, the player may be greatly disappointed. As above described, the player can be taken through emotional ups and downs. Consequently, the player can be absorbed in the game.
- Further, the slot machine of the present invention preferably has the following configuration.
- That is, the processing (D) is processing of offering the second special award corresponding to a number of the successive games, when the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the game after having been stop-displayed in the processing (B) in the successive games.
- According to the slot machine, the amount of the game media to be offered as the second special award is determined based on the number of successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed. Accordingly, as the number of the successive games becomes bigger, the larger amount of game media can be offered. Generally, the player is inclined to receive the larger profit according to the increase in number of the successive games in which the condition as the trigger for offering the special award is established. The slot machine is configured to match the player's feeling and capable of providing the player with a great satisfaction. Further, the bigger the number of the successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed becomes, the larger the special award that the player can acquire becomes. Therefore, it is possible to significantly increase the player's expectation for the successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed. As a result, it is possible to have the player absorbed more in the game.
- Further, according to the slot machine, the player can get a chance to acquire a larger special award without a BET of the game media. Therefore, it is possible to increase the player's motivation for acquiring the special award.
- Further, the present invention provides a control method of a slot machine, the control method having a following configuration.
- That is, the control method of a slot machine comprises steps of: (A) stop-displaying a plurality of symbols including normal symbols and a specific symbol as a trigger for offering a first special award or a second special award larger than the first special award, after variably displaying the plurality of symbols, to the symbol display, (B) offering the first special award when the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the step (A) in a game, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the following game, and (C) offering the second special award when the specific symbol has been stop-displayed in the step (A) in successive games.
- According to the control method of the slot machine, the first special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in a game, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the following game, that is, in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the successive games. On the other hand, the second special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games. The second special award is larger than the first special award.
- As thus described, in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games, there is offered to the player the special award, which is larger than the special award to be offered in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the successive games. Accordingly, it is possible to match the player's feeling that he or she is inclined to receive the larger profit in the case that the predetermined condition has been successively established, compared to the profit to be offered in the case that the predetermined condition has not been successively established. As a result, it is possible to provide the player with a satisfaction.
- Further, the present invention provides a control method of a slot machine, the control method having a following configuration.
- That is, the control method of a slot machine comprises steps of: (A) stop-displaying a plurality of symbols including normal symbols and a specific symbol as a trigger for offering a first special award or a second special award larger than the first special award, after variably displaying the plurality of symbols to the symbol display, following a BET of a game medium; (B) stop-displaying the plurality of symbols after variably displaying the plurality of symbols to the symbol display, even without the BET of the game medium, as triggered by a predetermined condition being satisfied by the normal symbols or by a combination of the normal symbols, the normal symbols having been stop-displayed in the step (A), (C) offering the first special award when the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in a game, is stop-displayed in the step (B) in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the step (B) in the following game, and (D) offering the second special award when the specific symbol has been stop-displayed in the step (B) in successive games.
- According to the control method of the slot machine, the first special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in a game, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the following game, that is, in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the successive games. On the other hand, the second special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games. The second special award is larger than the first special award.
- As thus described, in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games, there is offered to the player the special award, which is larger than the special award to be offered in the case that the specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the successive games. Accordingly, it is possible to match the player's feeling that he or she is inclined to receive the larger profit in the case that the predetermined condition has been successively established, compared to the profit to be offered in the case that the predetermined condition has not been successively established. As a result, it is possible to provide the player with a satisfaction.
- Further, according to the control method of the slot machine, as triggered by the predetermined condition being satisfied, the variable display and the stop-display of the plurality of symbols to the symbol display are conducted even without a BET of the game media. Namely, a free game is played. The second special award is offered in the case that the specific symbol has been stop-displayed in the successive games in the free games.
- Generally, in the case of spending all the game media, the player is compelled to terminate the game. In the case that, even though the specific symbol is stop-displayed in a certain game, the player has spent all the game media in hand at the same time, it is possible that the player misses a chance to acquire the second special award since the player cannot play the next game. In such a case, the player may be disappointed very much.
- In this regard, according to the slot machine, in the case that the specific symbol is stop-displayed in the successive games, the second special award is offered in the free game. Accordingly, the player does not miss the chance to acquire the second special award because the player has spent all the game media in hand. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player from being disappointed.
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FIG. 1A is a view illustrating an exemplary image to be displayed to a lower image display panel. -
FIG. 1B is another view illustrating an exemplary image to be displayed to a lower image display panel. -
FIG. 1C is another view illustrating an exemplary image to be displayed to a lower image display panel. -
FIG. 1D is another view illustrating an exemplary image to be displayed to a lower image display panel. -
FIG. 1E is another view illustrating an exemplary image to be displayed to a lower image display panel. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a slot machine. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the slot machine illustrated inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating main processing executed in theslot machine 10. -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of slot machine game execution processing. -
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a relation between a rearranged symbol and an award. -
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of free game execution processing. -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of rank improvement processing. -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of special award processing. -
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of activation processing. -
FIG. 11 is a view illustrating peripheral device initialization processing. -
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of activation processing executed by a central controller. -
FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a special award table. -
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of rank improvement processing according to a second embodiment. -
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of special award processing according to a second embodiment. -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a slot machine according to another embodiment. - A general description of a first embodiment will be given by using
FIG. 1A toFIG. 1E . -
FIGS. 1A to 1E are views each illustrating an exemplary image to be displayed to a lower image display panel. - In a slot machine 10 (see
FIG. 2 ) according to the first embodiment, a free-game-trigger symbol 100 (seeFIG. 1A ) may be rearranged in a symbol matrix SM. The symbol matrix SM is displayed to a lowerimage display panel 16 provided in theslot machine 10. The lower image display panel 16 (seeFIG. 2 ) corresponds to the symbol display of the present invention. - In the first embodiment, when three or more free-game-
trigger symbols 100 are rearranged in the symbol matrix SM, a free game is played. In a free game period, a slot machine game is played even a game medium is not BET. -
FIG. 1A shows an example of a state that three free-game-trigger symbols 100 are rearranged. As triggered by this, atext image 120 for notifying the player of “Free-game trigger established!” is displayed. A rearrangement of three or more free-game-trigger symbols 100 is referred to as “a free-game trigger is established” in the present description. - In the first embodiment, a special symbol (specific symbol in the present invention) may be rearranged during the free game period. The special symbol is a symbol as a trigger for offering a special award.
- In an example shown in
FIG. 1B , thespecial symbol 101 is rearranged and as triggered by this, atext image 121 showing “Special symbol appeared!” is displayed. The symbol matrix SM includes adisplay area 102A and adisplay area 102B and thespecial symbol 101 is rearranged in thedisplay area 102A. - Further, to the right of the symbol matrix SM, a
rank display area 110 is provided. In therank display area 110, there are provided a “GRAND”display portion 110A, a “MAJOR”display portion 110B, a “MINOR”display portion 110C, and a “MINI”display portion 110D. “GRAND”, “MAJOR”, “MINOR”, and “MINI” are each corresponding to an amount of coins to be paid out as a special award. “GRAND”, “MAJOR”, “MINOR”, and “MINI” are listed in a decreasing order of a number of coin-outs. “GRAND”, “MAJOR”, “MINOR”, and “MINI” are also referred to as “rank” in the following. - In an example shown in
FIG. 1B , the “MINI”display portion 110D is displayed in a distinguishable state from the other display portions. The display in the distinguishable state from the other display portions is also referred to as “a display mode is changed” in the following. - The
slot machine 10 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the rank is upgraded when the special symbol is rearranged in the successive games. This point will be described in the following. -
FIG. 1C shows an image to be displayed in the case that the special symbol is rearranged in the two successive games. As triggered by the second successive rearrangement of the special symbol in the game, atext image 122 showing “Special symbol appeared in 2 successive games!!” is displayed. Further, the change in the display mode of the “MINI”display portion 110D is terminated and the display mode of the “MINOR”display portion 110C is changed. -
FIG. 1D shows an image to be displayed in the case that the special symbol has been rearranged in the three successive games. As triggered by the third successive rearrangement of the special symbol in the game, atext image 123 showing “Great! The 3rd successive appearance!!” is displayed. Further, the change in the display mode of the “MINOR”display portion 110C is terminated and the display mode of the “MAJOR”display portion 110B is changed. -
FIG. 1E shows an image to be displayed in the case that, though the special symbol has been rearranged in the two successive games, the special symbol has not been rearranged in the subsequent game. Atext image 124 showing “Bad luck . . . Fail in the 3rd successive appearance . . . Award of “MINOR” is paid out” is displayed. The change in the display mode of the “MINOR”display portion 110C is terminated. - The
slot machine 10 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the special award is offered based on a number of the successive games, when the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged are stopped. As thus described, according to the increase in the number of the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged, the rank relating to the special award is changed in the order of “MINI”, “MINOR”, “MAJOR”, and “GRAND”, which will be referred to as “Rank is upgraded” or “Rank is improved” in the present description. - Further, according to the first embodiment, when the special symbol is rearranged for the first time after the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged are stopped, the display mode of the “MINI”
display portion 110D is changed again. In this case, the rank is improved from “MINI” again. - There has been described the outline of the first embodiment.
- Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in more detail.
-
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the slot machine. - In the
slot machine 10, a coin, a bill, or electronic valuable information corresponding thereto is used as a game medium. However, in the present invention, a game medium is not particularly limited. Examples of the game medium may include a medal, a token, electronic money, or a ticket. It should be noted that the ticket is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a ticket with a bar code, which will be described later. - Here, the
slot machine 10 is a stand-alone type slot machine that is not connected to a network, but the present invention can also be applied to a slot machine connected to a network. - The
slot machine 10 includes: acabinet 11; atop box 12 placed on the upper side of thecabinet 11; and amain door 13 provided at the front face of thecabinet 11. The lowerimage display panel 16 is provided in front of themain door 13. The lowerimage display panel 16 includes a liquid crystal display panel and the symbol matrix SM (seeFIG. 1A ) is displayed thereto. In the lowerimage display panel 16, there are provided a number-of-credits display section 31 and a number of payouts display section 32 (not shown). - The number-of-
credits display section 31 displays an image indicating the number of credited coins. The number-of-payouts display section 32 displays an image indicating the number of coins to be paid out as the payout. - Further, a
touch panel 69, which is not shown in the figure, is provided on the front face of the lowerimage display panel 16, and the player can input various kinds of commands by operating thetouch panel 69. - Below the lower
image display panel 16, there are provided acontrol panel 20 comprised of a plurality ofbuttons 23 to 27 with each of which a command according to the game progress is inputted by the player, acoin receiving slot 21 through which a coin is accepted into thecabinet 11, and abill validator 22. - The
control panel 20 is provided with astart button 23, achange button 24, aCASHOUT button 25, a 1-BET button 26, and amaximum BET button 27. Thestart button 23 is used for inputting a command to start a game. Thechange button 24 is used for making a request of staff at a recreation facility for exchange. TheCASHOUT button 25 is used for inputting a command to pay out credited coins to acoin tray 18. - The 1-
BET button 26 is used for inputting a command to BET one coin on a game out of credited coins. Themaximum BET button 27 is used for inputting a command to BET the maximum number (50 coins in the first embodiment) of coins that can be bet on a single game out of credited coins. - The bill validator 22 not only discriminates a regular bill from a false bill, but also accepts the regular bill into the
cabinet 11. It should be noted that thebill validator 22 may be configured so as to be capable of reading a later-describedticket 39 with a barcode. At the lower front face of themain door 13, namely below thecontrol panel 20, there is provided abelly glass 34 on which a character or the like of theslot machine 10 is drawn. - At the front face of the
top box 12, an upperimage display panel 33 is provided. The upperimage display panel 33 is provided with a liquid crystal panel to display, for example, an image representing an introduction of the contents of a game or a description of a rule of the game. - Further, the
top box 12 is provided with aspeaker 29. Below the upperimage display panel 33, there are provided aticket printer 35, acard reader 36, adata display 37, and akeypad 38. Theticket printer 35 prints on a ticket a barcode as coded data of the number of credits, date and time, an identification number of theslot machine 10, and the like, and outputs the ticket as aticket 39 with a barcode. The player can make another slot machine read theticket 39 with a barcode to play a game thereon, or can exchange theticket 39 with a barcode with bills or the like at a predetermined place in the recreation facility (for example, a cashier in a casino). - The
card reader 36 reads data from a smart card and writes data into the smart card. The smart card is a card owned by the player, and for example, data for identifying a player and data on a history of games played by the player are stored therein. Data corresponding to a coin, a bill, or a credit may be stored in the smart card. Further, in place of the smart card, a magnetic stripe card may be adopted. The data display 37 is comprised of a fluorescent display or the like, and displays, for example, data read by thecard reader 36 or data inputted by the player through thekeypad 38. Thekeypad 38 is used for inputting a command and data concerning the issue of a ticket and the like. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown inFIG. 2 . - A
gaming board 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, aROM 55, and aboot ROM 52 which are interconnected to one another via an internal bus, acard slot 53S corresponding to amemory card 53, and anIC socket 54S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54. - The
memory card 53 is formed from a nonvolatile memory such as CompactFlash (registered trademark) and stores game programs and game system programs. The game programs include a symbol selection program. The aforementioned symbol selection program is a program for determining the symbols to be rearranged in the symbol matrix SM. The aforementioned symbol selection program includes symbol weighing data in association with a plurality of types of payout ratios (for example, 80%, 84%, 88%). The symbol weighing data is data indicating the correspondence between the respective symbols, and one or more random numbers which fall in a predetermined numerical range (0 to 255). The payout ratios are determined based on payout-ratio setting data outputted from theGAL 54 and, based on the symbol weighing data associated with the payout ratios, the symbols to be rearranged in the symbol matrix are determined. - Further, the symbol selection program includes a symbol selection program for the free game. Symbols determined by the symbol selection program for the free game include the special symbol.
- Here, as the symbol to be rearranged in the symbol matrix SM, there are eight types of the symbols including “RIBBON”, “HEART”, “STAR”, “MOON”, “SUN”, “JEWEL”, “CROWN” and “SMILE”. Further, all the symbols are constituted by so-called scatter symbols.
- Further, the game program includes data (Hereinafter, also referred to as odds data. See
FIG. 6 ) showing a relation between the rearranged symbol and the amount of the award. - Further, the
card slot 53S is configured so as to allow thememory card 53 to be inserted thereinto or ejected therefrom, and is connected to amother board 40 via an IDE bus. Thus, thememory card 53 can be ejected from thecard slot 53S, and then another game program is written onto thememory card 53, and thememory card 53 can be inserted into thecard slot 53S, to change the type and contents of a game to be played on theslot machine 10. The game program includes a program associated with the progress of a game. The game program also includes image data and sound data to be outputted during the game. The image data includes image data indicating a symbol matrix. - The
GAL 54 is a type of PLD having a fixed OR array structure. TheGAL 54 includes plural input ports and plural output ports and, when predetermined data is inputted to an input port, theGAL 54 outputs data corresponding to the aforementioned data from an output port. The data outputted from this output port is the aforementioned payout-ratio setting data. - Further, the
IC socket 54S is configured to allow theGAL 54 to be attached thereto and detached therefrom and is connected to themother board 40 through a PCI bus. Accordingly, theGAL 54 can be replaced with anotherGAL 54 to change the payout-ratio setting data. - A
CPU 51, aROM 55 and aboot ROM 52 interconnected to one another via an internal bus are connected to themother board 40 by PCI bus. The PCI bus supplies power to thegaming board 50 from themother board 40, as well as transmitting a signal between themother board 40 and thegaming board 50. TheROM 55 stores country identification information and an authentication program. Theboot Rom 52 stores an auxiliary authentication program and a program (boot code) to be used by theCPU 51 for activating the auxiliary authentication program, and the like. - The authentication program is a program (falsification check program) for authenticating a game program and a game system program. The authentication program is written along a procedure (authentication procedure) for checking and proving that a game program and a game system program to be subject to authentication loading processing have not been falsified, namely authenticating the game program and the game system program. The auxiliary authentication program is a program for authenticating the above-mentioned authentication program. The auxiliary authentication program is written along a procedure (authentication procedure) for proving that an authentication program to be subject to the authentication processing has not been falsified, namely, authenticating the authentication program.
- The
mother board 40 is constructed with a general-purpose mother board commercially available (a printed circuit board on which basic parts of a personal computer are mounted) and includes amain CPU 41, ROM (Read Only Memory) 42 and RAM (Random Access Memory) 43. Themother board 40 is the controller of the present invention. -
ROM 42 is constituted of a memory device such as a flash memory and stores thereon a program such as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) executed by themain CPU 41 and permanent data. When BIOS is executed by themain CPU 41, not only is initialization processing for predetermined peripheral devices conducted, but a capture processing for the game program and game system program stored on thememory card 53 is also started via thegaming board 50. In the present invention, contents ofROM 42 may be rewritable or not rewritable. -
RAM 43 stores data and a program used at the time of operation of themain CPU 41, and various flags.RAM 43 can also store the authentication program read through thegaming board 50, the game program, and the game system program.RAM 43 further stores data on the number of credits, the number of coins-in or coins-out for one game, and the like. - Further, in the
RAM 43, a number-of-free-game storage area is provided. The number-of-free-game storage area stores data indicating the remaining number of the free game. - To the
mother board 40, a body PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60 and adoor PCB 80, which will be described later, are connected through respective USBs. Further, themother board 40 is connected with apower supply unit 45. When the power is supplied from thepower unit 45 to themother board 40, themain CPU 41 of themother board 40 is activated and the power is supplied to thegaming board 50 through the PCI bus so that theCPU 51 is activated. - The
body PCB 60 and thedoor PCB 80 are connected with equipment and devices that generate input signals to be inputted to themain CPU 41, and equipment and devices operations of which are controlled by control signals outputted from themain CPU 41. Themain CPU 41 executes a game program stored in theRAM 43 based on an input signal inputted to themain CPU 41, thereby executes the predetermined arithmetic processing and stores a result thereof in theRAM 43, or transmits a control signal to each of the equipment and devices as processing for controlling each of the equipment and devices. - To the
body PCB 60, there are connected alamp 30, ahopper 66, acoin detecting portion 67, agraphic board 68, aspeaker 29, atouch panel 69, abill validator 22, aticket printer 35, acard reader 36, akey switch 38S, and adata display 37. Thelamp 30 lights up in a predetermined pattern based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41. - The
hopper 66 is installed inside thecabinet 11 and pays out a predetermined number of coins from thecoin payout exit 19 to thecoin tray 18, based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41. Thecoin detecting portion 67 is provided inside thecoin payout exit 19, and outputs an input signal to themain CPU 41 when detecting a payout of a predetermined number of coins from thecoin payout exit 19. - The
graphic board 68 controls, based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41, an image display to the upperimage display panel 33 and the lowerimage display panel 16. The number of credits stored inRAM 43 is displayed to the number-of-credits display section 31 (not shown) of the lowerimage display panel 16. The number of coins-out is displayed to the number-of-payouts display section 32 (not shown) of the lowerimage display panel 16. Thegraphic board 68 is equipped with VDP (Video Display Processor) which generates image data based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41 and a video RAM which temporarily stores image data generated by VDP, and of the like equipments. It should be noted that image data used in generating image data with VDP is contained in a game program read from thememory card 53 and stored inRAM 43. - The bill validator 22 not only discriminates a regular bill from a false bill, but also accepts the regular bill into the
cabinet 11. When accepting a regular bill, thebill validator 22 outputs an input signal to themain CPU 41, based on the face amount of the bill. Themain CPU 41 stores, in theRAM 43, the number of credits according to the face amount of the bill transmitted with the input signal. - The
ticket printer 35 prints on a ticket, based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41, a barcode formed by encoding data such as the number of credits, date and time, an identification number of theslot machine 10, and of the like data stored in theRAM 43, and outputs the ticket as aticket 39 with a barcode. - The
card reader 36 reads data from a smart card and transmits the data to themain CPU 41 or writes data into the smart card based on a control signal from themain CPU 41. Thekey switch 38S is provided on thekeypad 38, and outputs a predetermined input signal to themain CPU 41 when thekeypad 38 is operated by the player. The data display 37 displays, based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41, data read by thecard reader 36 or data inputted by the player through thekeypad 38. - To the
door PCB 80, there are connected acontrol panel 20, areverter 21S, a coin counter 21C, and acold cathode tube 81. Thecontrol panel 20 is provided with astart switch 23S corresponding to thestart button 23, achange switch 24S corresponding to thechange button 24, aCASHOUT switch 25S corresponding to theCASHOUT button 25, a 1-BET switch 26S corresponding to the 1-BET button 26, and amaximum BET switch 27S corresponding to themaximum BET button 27. Each of theswitches 23S to 27S outputs an input signal to themain CPU 41 when each of thebuttons 23 to 27 corresponding thereto is operated by the player. - The coin counter 21C is provided inside the
coin receiving slot 21 and discriminates a regular coin from a false coin inserted into thecoin receiving slot 21 by the player. Coins other than regular coins are discharged from thecoin payout exit 19. When the coin counter 21C detects a regular coin, the coin counter 21C outputs an input signal to themain CPU 41. - The
reverter 21S operates based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41, and distributes a coin identified by the coin counter 21C as a regular coin into a cash box (not shown) or thehopper 66, which are disposed in theslot machine 10. Specifically, when thehopper 66 is filled with coins, a regular coin is distributed into the cash box by thereverter 21S. On the other hand, when thehopper 66 is not filled with coins, the regular coin is distributed into thehopper 66. Thecold cathode tube 81 functions as a backlight installed on the rear face side of the lowerimage display panel 16 and the upperimage display panel 33, and lights up based on a control signal to be outputted from themain CPU 41. - Next, processing executed in the
slot machine 10 will be described. -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating main processing executed in theslot machine 10 according to a first embodiment. - First, in the
slot machine 10, activation processing is executed (step S101). The activation processing will be specifically described later by usingFIG. 10 toFIG. 12 . - After the activation processing, the
main CPU 41 executes processing of addition of the number of credits stored in theRAM 43 as an interrupt processing, on receiving a detection signal outputted from the coin counter 21C when the coin inserted into thecoin receiving slot 21 is detected by thecoin counter 21. - After the processing of step S101, the
main CPU 41 executes slot machine game execution processing (step S102). The slot machine game execution processing will be specifically described later by usingFIG. 5 . - Hereinafter, slot machine game execution processing executed in the
slot machine 10 will be described. - The
main CPU 41 reads a game program and executes the game program to progress a slot machine game. -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of slot machine game execution processing. -
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a relation between a rearranged symbol and an award. - First, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not a coin has been BET (step S11). In the processing, themain CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received an input signal outputted from the 1-BET switch 26S when the 1-BET button 26 is operated or an input signal outputted from themaximum BET switch 27S when themaximum BET button 27 is operated. When determining that a coin has not been BET, themain CPU 41 returns the processing to step S11. - On the other hand, when determining that a coin has been BET in step S11, the
main CPU 41 executes processing for making a subtraction from the number of credits stored in theRAM 43, according to the number of BET coins (step S12). It should be noted that, when the number of BET coins is larger than the number of credits stored in theRAM 43, themain CPU 41 does not execute the processing for making a subtraction from the number of credits stored in theRAM 43, and returns the processing to step S11. When the number of BET coins exceeds an upper limit of the number of coins that can be BET on a single game (50 coins in the first embodiment), themain CPU 41 does not execute the processing for making a subtraction from the number of credits stored in theRAM 43, and the processing is proceeded to step S13. - Next, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not thestart button 23 has been turned on (step S13). In the processing, themain CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received an input signal outputted from thestart switch 23S when thestart button 23 is pressed. - When determining that the
start button 23 has not been turned ON, themain CPU 41 returns the processing to step S11. It should be noted that, when thestart button 23 is not turned ON (for example, when a command to end the game is inputted without pressing the start button 23), themain CPU 41 cancels a result of the subtraction obtained in step S12. - On the other hand, when determining in step S13 that the
start button 23 has been turned ON, themain CPU 41 executes symbol rearrangement processing (step S14). - In the processing, at first, the
main CPU 41 starts scroll-display of the symbols in the symbol matrix SM. Then, themain CPU 41 executes the above-mentioned symbol selection program, determines symbols to be rearranged, and rearranges the symbols in the symbol matrix SM. - Next, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not a prize is established (step S15). Here, the establishment of the prize refers to the rearrangement of three or more normal symbols of at least one type, out of “RIBBON”, “HEART”, “STAR”, “MOON”, “SUN”, “JEWEL”, “CROWN”, and “SMILE”, in the symbol matrix SM (seeFIG. 6 ). In the processing, themain CPU 41 counts the number of the symbol for each type, with regard to the rearranged symbols in step S14. Then, themain CPU 41 determines whether or not the counted number is equal to or more than three. - When determining that the prize has been established, the
main CPU 41 executes processing according to payout of the coin (step S16). In the processing, themain CPU 41 determines the amount of payout based on the number of rearranged symbols with reference to the odds data (seeFIG. 6 ) stored in theRAM 43. The odds data indicates the number of coin-outs in the case of a BET of a single coin, which is determined for each type and each number of the rearranged normal symbols. - In the case of accumulating the coin, the
main CPU 41 executes processing for adding an amount of credits corresponding to the determined amount of payout. On the other hand, in the case of paying out coins, themain CPU 41 transmits a control signal to thehopper 66 in order to pay out the coin in amount corresponding to the determined amount of payout. - When determining that the prize has not been established in step S15 or after executing the processing of step S16, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the free-game trigger is established (step S17). In the processing, themain CPU 41 determines whether or not three or more free-game-trigger symbols are rearranged. - When determining that the free-game trigger is established, the
main CPU 41 executes free game execution processing (step S18). - When determining that the free-game trigger is not established, or after executing the processing of step S18, the
main CPU 41 terminates the present subroutine. - Subsequently, there will be described the free game execution processing by using
FIG. 7 . -
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of free game execution processing. - First, the
main CPU 41 sets the remaining number F of the free game to F=C (C=20 in the first embodiment) in the number-of-free-game storage area in the RAM 43 (step S20). - Then, the
main CPU 41 executes processing of step S21 to step S24. The processing is virtually the same processing as the processing of step S13 to step S16 inFIG. 5 , and the description thereof will be omitted here. - When determining that the prize has not been established in step S23, or after executing the processing of step S24, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the special symbol is rearranged (step S25). - When determining that the special symbol is rearranged, the
main CPU 41 executes rank improvement processing (step S26). The rank improvement processing will be specifically described later by usingFIG. 8 . - On the other hand, when determining that the special symbol is not rearranged, the
main CPU 41 executes special award processing (step S27). The special award processing will be specifically described later by usingFIG. 9 . - After executing the processing of step S26 or step S27, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the free-game trigger is established (step S28). - When determining that the free-game trigger is established, the
main CPU 41 sets the remaining number F of the free game to F=F+C (C=20 in the first embodiment) in the number-of-free-game storage area in the RAM 43 (step S29). - When determining that the free-game trigger is not established in step S28, or after executing the processing of step S29, the
main CPU 41 sets the remaining number F of the free game to F=F−1 in the number-of-free-game storage area in the RAM 43 (step S30). - Next, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not F is zero (F=0) (step S31). - When determining that F is not zero, the
main CPU 41 returns the processing to step S21. - On the other hand, when determining that F is zero, the
main CPU 41 clears a “MINI” flag, a “MINOR” flag, or a “MAJOR” flag (step S32). - The “MINI” flag is a flag set in the case that the special symbol is rearranged for the first time after the free game is generated, or in the case that the special symbol is rearranged for the first time after the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged are stopped (see step S49 in
FIG. 8 ). The “MINOR” flag is a flag set in the case that the special symbol has been rearranged in the two successive games (see step S42 inFIG. 8 ). The “MAJOR” flag is a flag set in the case that the special symbol has been rearranged in the three successive games (see step S45 inFIG. 8 ). - After executing the processing of step S32, the
main CPU 41 terminates the present subroutine. -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of rank improvement processing. - First, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the “MINI” flag is set (step S40). - When determining that the “MINI” flag is set, the
main CPU 41 clears the “MINI” flag (step S41). - Then, the
main CPU 41 sets the “MINOR” flag (step S42) In the processing, themain CPU 41 terminates the change in the display mode of the “MINI”display portion 110D and changes the display mode of the “MINOR” display portion 120C (seeFIG. 1C ). Further, themain CPU 41 displays the text image 122 (seeFIG. 1C ) to the lowerimage display panel 16. - On the other hand, when determining that the “MINI” flag is not set, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the “MINOR” flag is set (step S43). - When determining that the “MINOR” flag is set, the
main CPU 41 clears the “MINOR” flag (step S44). - Further, the
main CPU 41 sets the “MAJOR” flag (step S45). In the processing, themain CPU 41 terminates the change in the display mode of the “MINOR”display portion 110C and changes the display mode of the “MAJOR”display portion 110B (see FIG. 1D). Furthermore, themain CPU 41 displays the text image 123 (seeFIG. 1D ) to the lowerimage display panel 16. - On the other hand, when determining that the “MINOR” flag is not set, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the “MAJOR” flag is set (step S46). - When determining that the “MAJOR” flag is set, the
main CPU 41 clears the “MAJOR” flag (step S47). - Then, the
main CPU 41 executes the payout processing according to “GRAND” (step S48). In the processing, themain CPU 41 pays out coins in number corresponding to “GRAND”. The payout is conducted as a hand pay. Examples of the processing executed by themain CPU 41 in step S48 include output of a notification sound from thespeaker 29, lighting of thelamp 30, print of theticket 39 with a barcode indicative of the number of coin-outs, and the like. - When determining that the “MAJOR” flag is not set in step S46, the
main CPU 41 sets the “MINI” flag (step S49). In the processing, themain CPU 41 changes the display mode of the “MINI”display portion 110D (seeFIG. 1B ). Further, themain CPU 41 displays the text image 121 (seeFIG. 1B ) to the lowerimage display panel 16. - After executing the processing of step S42, step S45, step S48 and step S49, the
main CPU 41 terminates the present subroutine. -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of special award processing. - First, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the “MINI” flag is set (step S50). - When determining that the “MINI” flag is set, the
main CPU 41 executes the payout processing according to “MINI” (step S48). In the processing, themain CPU 41 pays out coins in number corresponding to “MINI”. The payout is conducted as a hand pay. - Then, the
main CPU 41 clears the “MINI” flag (step S52) Further, themain CPU 41 terminates the change in the display mode of the “MINI”display portion 110D. - When determining that the “MINI” flag is not set in step S50, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the “MINOR” flag is set (step S53). - When determining that the “MINOR” flag is set, the
main CPU 41 executes the payout processing according to “MINOR” (step S54). In the processing, themain CPU 41 pays out coins in number corresponding to “MINOR”. The payout is conducted as a hand pay. - Then, the
main CPU 41 clears the “MINOR” flag (step S55). Further, themain CPU 41 terminates the change in the display mode in the “MINOR”display portion 110C. - When determining that the “MINOR” flag is not set in step S53, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the “MAJOR” flag is set (step S56). - When determining that the “MAJOR” flag is set, the
main CPU 41 executes the payout processing according to “MAJOR” (step S57). In the processing, themain CPU 41 pays out coins in number corresponding to “MAJOR”. The payout is conducted as a hand pay. - Then, the
main CPU 41 clears the “MAJOR” flag (step S58). Further, themain CPU 41 terminates the change in the display mode of the “MAJOR”display portion 110B. - When determining that the “MAJOR” flag is not set in step S56, or after executing the processing of step S52, step S55, or step S58, the
main CPU 41 terminates the present subroutine. - Subsequently, there will be described activation processing (see step S101 in
FIG. 4 ) by usingFIG. 10 toFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of activation processing. This activation processing is the processing conducted by themother board 40 and thegaming board 50. It should be noted that thememory card 53 is inserted into thecard slot 53S in thegaming board 50, and theGAL 54 is mounted onto theIC socket 54S. - First, when a power switch is turned on (power is turned on) in the
power supply unit 45, themother board 40 and thegaming board 50 are activated (steps S1-1, S2-1). Inactivation of themother board 40 and thegaming board 50, individual processing is respectively executed in parallel. Namely, in thegaming board 50, theCPU 51 reads the auxiliary authentication program stored in theboot ROM 52, and conducts auxiliary authentication according to the read auxiliary authentication program, to previously check and prove that the authentication program is not falsified before loading the program to the mother board 40 (step S2-2). Meanwhile, in themother board 40, themain CPU 41 executes the BIOS stored in theROM 42, and expands compressed data which is incorporated in the BIOS into the RAM 43 (step S1-2). Themain CPU 41 then executes the BIOS expanded into theRAM 43 to diagnose and initialize a variety of peripheral devices (step S1-3). The processing of step S1-3 will be specifically described later with reference toFIG. 12 . - Since the
ROM 55 of thegaming board 50 is connected to themain CPU 41 via the PCI bus, themain CPU 41 reads the authentication program stored in theROM 55, and stores the read authentication program into the RAM 43 (step S1-4). At this time, according to the standard BIOS function of BIOS, themain CPU 41 takes a checksum by ADDSUM system (normal checking system) and stores the authentication program into theRAM 43, while conducting processing for confirming whether or not the storage is certainly conducted. - Next, after confirming what is connected to the IDE bus, the
main CPU 41 accesses, via the IDE bus, thememory card 53 inserted in thecard slot 53S, to read a game program or a game system program from thememory card 53. In this case, themain CPU 41 reads data constituting the game program and the game system program by 4 bytes. Subsequently, themain CPU 41 conducts authentication to check and prove that the read game program and game system program have not been falsified, following the authentication program stored in the RAM 43 (step S1-5). When this authentication processing is normally completed, themain CPU 41 writes and stores the game program and the game system program, which have been the authentication targets (which have been authenticated), into the RAM 43 (step S1-6). Next, themain CPU 41 accesses, via the PCI bus, theGAL 54 mounted on theIC socket 54S, reads payout ratio setting data from theGAL 54, and writes and stores the data into the RAM 43 (step S1-7). Subsequently, themain CPU 41 conducts processing for reading country identification information stored in theROM 55 of thegaming board 50 via the PCI bus, and writes and stores the read country identification information into the RAM 43 (step S1-8). - After conducting the above-mentioned processing, the
main CPU 41 sequentially reads and executes the game program and the game system program, thereby execute insurance setting processing and game execution processing. -
FIG. 11 is a chart illustrating a procedure of peripheral-device initialization processing. - First, the
main CPU 41 diagnoses and initializes a reel-related device (step S3-1). In this processing, themain CPU 41 sequentially transmits request signals to the index detecting circuit 65, the position-change detecting circuit 71, and themotor driving circuit 62. Then, themain CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received predetermined response signals and conducts clearance of a predetermined storage area, and the like. - Next, the
main CPU 41 diagnoses and initializes a display (step S3-2). In this processing, themain CPU 41 transmits the request signal to thegraphic board 68. Then, themain CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received a predetermined response signal and conducts clearance of a predetermined storage area, and the like. - Next, the
main CPU 41 diagnoses and initializes various types of input devices (step S3-3). In this processing, themain CPU 41 transmits request signals to the input devices such as thespin switch 23S, thechange switch 24S, theCASHOUT switch 25S, the 1-BET switch 26S, themaximum BET switch 27S, and thetouch panel 11, and then determines whether or not to have received predetermined response signals. - Subsequently, the
main CPU 41 diagnoses and initializes other peripheral devices connected to the main CPU 41 (step S3-4). Then the present subroutine is terminated. - In the first embodiment, there has been described the case where the
slot machine 10 is a stand-alone type slot machine. However, in the present invention, a plurality of slot machines may be connected to a central controller via a network and controlled by the central controller. -
FIG. 12 is a chart illustrating a procedure of activation processing executed by the central controller. - First, when the power switch is turned on (the power is turned on) in the power unit, a mother board is activated (step S4-1).
- In the mother board, a CPU executes a BIOS stored in a ROM so as to expand compressed data incorporated in the BIOS into a RAM (step S4-2). Then, the CPU executes the BIOS expanded into the RAM, and then, diagnoses and initializes various types of peripheral devices such as a display (step S4-3).
- Next, the CPU executes initialization processing of each slot machine. In this processing, the CPU establishes a network connection between the central controller and each slot machine, and diagnoses if the network functions properly.
- After the above-described processing, the CPU controls proceeding of the game executed in a plurality of the slot machines by reading and executing a game control program.
- There has been described the first embodiment.
- In the present embodiment, there has been described the case where coins are paid out as the special award. However, the first special award and the second special award in the present invention are not limited to the payouts of coins. In the present invention, for example, a game (feature game) different from the normal game may be generated. For example, according to the number of the successive games in which the specific symbol has been stop-displayed, the number of the feature game to be generated may be varied. Further, according to the number of the successive games, a predetermined premium or a ticket such as a discount coupon may be offered.
- According to the
slot machine 10 of the first embodiment, the special award according to “MINI” is offered in the case that the special symbol is not rearranged in the successive games. On the other hand, the special award according to “MINOR”, “MAJOR”, or “GRAND” is offered in the case that the special symbol is rearranged in the successive games. The special award according to “MINOR”, “MAJOR”, or “GRAND” is larger in number of coins to be paid out, compared to the special award according to “MINI”. - As thus described, in the case that the special symbol is rearranged in the successive games, there is offered to the player the special award, which is larger than the special award to be offered in the case that the special symbol is not rearranged in the successive games. Accordingly, it is possible to match the player's feeling that he or she is inclined to receive the larger profit in the case that the special symbol has been successively appeared, compared to the profit to be offered in the case that the special symbol has not been successively appeared. As a result, it is possible to provide the player with a satisfaction.
- Further, according to the
slot machine 10 of the first embodiment, as triggered by the free-game trigger being established, a free game is played. Further, the special award according to “MINOR”, “MAJOR”, or “GRAND” is offered in the case that the special symbol has been rearranged in the successive games in the free games. - Generally, in the case of spending all the game media, the player is compelled to terminate the game. In the case that, even though the specific symbol is stop-displayed in a certain game, the player has spent all the game media in hand at the same time, it is possible that the player misses a chance to acquire the special award according to “MINOR”, “MAJOR”, or “GRAND”, since the player cannot play the next game. In such a case, the player may be disappointed very much.
- In this regard, according to the
slot machine 10 of the first embodiment, in the case that the special symbol is rearranged in the successive games, the special award according to “MINOR”, “MAJOR”, or “GRAND” is offered in the free game. Accordingly, the player does not miss the chance to acquire the special award according to “MINOR”, “MAJOR”, or “GRAND” because the player has spent all the game media in hand. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player from being disappointed. - Furthermore, according to the
slot machine 10 of the first embodiment, even in the case that the special symbol is rearranged in the successive games, once the successive games are stopped, the award to be offered when the special symbol is rearranged next is the special award according to “MINI”, not the special award according to “MINOR”, “MAJOR”, or “GRAND”. Therefore, in order to acquire the comparatively large special award, the player is required not to stop the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged. Accordingly, it is possible to have the player play the game with a sense of tension. Then, in the case that the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged are continued, the player may be delighted. On the other hand, in the case that the successive games are stopped, the player may be greatly disappointed. As above described, the player can be taken through emotional ups and downs. Consequently, the player can be absorbed in the game. - According to the
slot machine 10 of the first embodiment, the number of the coins to be paid out as the special award according to “MINOR”, “MAJOR”, or “GRAND” is determined based on the number of successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged. Accordingly, as the number of the successive games becomes bigger, the larger number of the coins can be offered. Generally, the player is inclined to receive the larger profit according to the increase in number of the successive games in which the condition as the trigger for offering the special award is established. Theslot machine 10 of the first embodiment is configured to match the player's feeling and capable of providing the player with a great satisfaction. Further, the bigger the number of the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged becomes, the higher the rank of the special award that the player can acquire becomes. Therefore, it is possible to significantly increase the player's expectation for the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged. As a result, it is possible to have the player absorbed more in the game. - Further, according to the
slot machine 10 of the first embodiment, the player can get a chance to acquire a larger special award without a BET of the coin. Therefore, it is possible to increase the player's motivation for acquiring the special award. - It is to be noted that in the following, the same constituents as those of the
slot machine 10 according to the first embodiment are described while provided with the same numerals. - Further, a description will be omitted as for a part in the second embodiment to which the description in the first embodiment is applicable.
-
FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a special award table. - The special award table is a table in which the number of the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged is associated with the rank of the special award.
- In the slot machine according to the second embodiment, the special award table data indicative of the special award table is stored in the
RAM 43. - Further, the number-of-successive-games storage area is provided in the
RAM 43. In the number-of-successive-games storage area, data indicative of the number of the successive games in which the special symbol has been rearranged (also referred to simply as the number of the successive games) is stored. -
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of rank improvement processing according to a second embodiment. - First, the
main CPU 41 sets the number T of the successive games to T=T+1 in the number-of-successive-games storage area in the RAM 43 (step S60). - Next, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not T is 4 (T=4) (step S61). - When determining that T is 4, the
main CPU 41 executes the payout processing according to the rank (“GRAND”) corresponding to the value of T, with reference to the special award table data stored in the RAM 43 (step S62). - Then, the
main CPU 41 sets the number T of the successive games to zero (T=0) in the number-of-successive-games storage area in the RAM 43 (step S63). - When determining that T is not 4 in step S61, or after executing the processing of step S63, the
main CPU 41 terminates the present subroutine. -
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of special award processing according to a second embodiment. - First, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the number T of the successive games is zero (T=0) (step S70). - When determining that T is zero, the
main CPU 41 terminates the present subroutine. - On the other hand, when determining that T is not zero, the
main CPU 41 executes the payout processing according to the rank corresponding to the value of T, with reference to the special award table data stored in the RAM 43 (step S71). - Then, the
main CPU 41 sets the successive games T to zero (T=0) in the number-of-successive-games storage area in the RAM 43 (step S72) and terminates the present subroutine. - In the embodiments described above, there have been described the cases where symbols are rearranged in the symbol matrix SM of the lower image display panel 16 (the
slot machine 10 is a so-called a video slot machine). However, the slot machine according to the present invention may be configured to stop-display symbols using so-called mechanical reels. -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the general appearance of a slot machine according to another embodiment. - In the following description, the components corresponding to those of the
slot machine 10 will be designated by the same reference numerals. - Further, the
slot machine 310 has substantially the same external appearance, the same circuit structure and the like as those of theslot machine 10 and also executes substantially the same flowcharts as those executed by theslot machine 10, except that it employs mechanical reels, and, therefore, only the mechanical reels will be described herein. - As illustrated in
FIG. 16 , five reels 314 (314A, 314B, 314C, 314D and 314E) are rotatably provided within acabinet 11. On the outer peripheral surfaces of thereels - At the center portion of the lower
image display panel 16, there is provided a display area 328 for displaying the symbols. Within the display area 328, there are formed five display windows 315 (315A, 315B, 315C, 315D and 315E) visible through their back surfaces. Further, the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of thereels display windows - Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, these embodiments merely illustrate concrete examples, not restrict the present invention. The concrete structures of respective means and the like can be designed and changed as required. Furthermore, there have been merely described most preferable effects of the present invention, as the effects of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.
- Further, in the aforementioned detailed description, characteristic portions have been mainly described, for ease of understanding the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the aforementioned detailed description, but can be also applied to other embodiments over a wider range of applications. Further, the terms and phrases used in the present specification have been used for clearly describing the present invention, not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Further, those skilled in the art will easily conceive other structures, systems, methods and the like which are included in the concept of the present invention, from the concept of the present invention described in the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims is intended to include equivalent structures that fall within the technical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract aims at enabling engineers and the like who belong to the present technical field but are not familiar with the patent office and public institutions, the patent, law terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technical content and the essence of the present application through brief studies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention which should be evaluated from the description of the claims. It is desirable that literatures and the like which have been already disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order to sufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention.
- In the aforementioned detailed description, there have been described processing to be executed by computers. The aforementioned description and expressions have been described for the sake of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the present invention most effectively. In the present specification, each step for deriving a single result should be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further, although the processing at each step was described using expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processing described in the present specification are to be executed by various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures required for conducting each step will be apparent from the aforementioned description.
Claims (8)
1. A slot machine comprising:
a symbol display capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols including normal symbols and a specific symbol as a trigger for offering a first special award or a second special award larger than said first special award; and
a controller,
said controller programmed to execute processing of
(A) stop-displaying said plurality of symbols after variably displaying said plurality of symbols, to said symbol display,
(B) offering said first special award, when said specific symbol is not stop-displayed in said processing (A) in a game, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the following game, and
(C) offering said second special award when said specific symbol has been stop-displayed in said processing (A) in successive games.
2. The slot machine according to claim 1 ,
wherein
said processing (B) includes processing of
offering said first special award, when said specific symbol is
not stop-displayed in the game after having been stop-displayed in said processing (A) in the successive games,
is stop-displayed in the next game, and
is not stop-displayed in the following game.
3. The slot machine according to claim 1 ,
wherein
said processing (C) is processing of
offering the second special award corresponding to a number of the successive games, when said specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the game after having been stop-displayed in said processing (A) in the successive games.
4. A slot machine comprising:
a symbol display capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols including normal symbols and a specific symbol as a trigger for offering a first special award or a second special award larger than said first special award; and
a controller,
said controller programmed to execute processing of
(A) stop-displaying said plurality of symbols after variably displaying said plurality of symbols, to said symbol display, following a BET of a game medium;
(B) stop-displaying said plurality of symbols after variably displaying said plurality of symbols to said symbol display, even without the BET of the game medium, as triggered by a predetermined condition being satisfied by the normal symbols or by a combination of the normal symbols, the normal symbols having been stop-displayed in said processing (A),
(C) offering said first special award when said specific symbol is not stop-displayed in a game, is stop-displayed in said processing (B) in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in said processing (B) in the following game, and
(D) offering said second special award when said specific symbol has been stop-displayed in said processing (B) in successive games.
5. The slot machine according to claim 4 ,
wherein
said processing (C) includes processing of
offering said first special award when said specific symbol is
not stop-displayed in the game after having been stop-displayed in said processing (B) in the successive games,
is stop-displayed in the next game, and
is not stop-displayed in said processing (B) in the following game.
6. The slot machine according to claim 4 ,
wherein
said processing (D) is processing of
offering the second special award corresponding to a number of the successive games, when said specific symbol is not stop-displayed in the game after having been stop-displayed in said processing (B) in the successive games.
7. A control method of a slot machine, said control method comprising steps of:
(A) stop-displaying a plurality of symbols including normal symbols and a specific symbol as a trigger for offering a first special award or a second special award larger than said first special award, after variably displaying said plurality of symbols, to said symbol display,
(B) offering said first special award when said specific symbol is not stop-displayed in said step (A) in a game, is stop-displayed in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in the following game, and
(C) offering said second special award when said specific symbol has been stop-displayed in said step (A) in successive games.
8. A control method of a slot machine, said control method comprising steps of:
(A) stop-displaying a plurality of symbols including normal symbols and a specific symbol as a trigger for offering a first special award or a second special award larger than said first special award, after variably displaying said plurality of symbols to said symbol display, following a BET of a game medium;
(B) stop-displaying said plurality of symbols after variably displaying said plurality of symbols to said symbol display, even without the BET of the game medium, as triggered by a predetermined condition being satisfied by the normal symbols or by a combination of the normal symbols, the normal symbols having been stop-displayed in said step (A),
(C) offering said first special award when said specific symbol is not stop-displayed in a game, is stop-displayed in said step (B) in the next game, and is not stop-displayed again in said step (B) in the following game, and
(D) offering said second special award when said specific symbol has been stop-displayed in said step (B) in successive games.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/404,734 US20090239642A1 (en) | 2008-03-24 | 2009-03-16 | Slot Machine Offering Special Award And Control Method Thereof |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US3897908P | 2008-03-24 | 2008-03-24 | |
US12/404,734 US20090239642A1 (en) | 2008-03-24 | 2009-03-16 | Slot Machine Offering Special Award And Control Method Thereof |
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US20090239642A1 true US20090239642A1 (en) | 2009-09-24 |
Family
ID=41089455
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US12/404,734 Abandoned US20090239642A1 (en) | 2008-03-24 | 2009-03-16 | Slot Machine Offering Special Award And Control Method Thereof |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10964168B2 (en) * | 2018-11-02 | 2021-03-30 | Universal Entertainment Corporation | Information processor and game program |
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US6012983A (en) * | 1996-12-30 | 2000-01-11 | Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership | Automated play gaming device |
US6093102A (en) * | 1994-09-15 | 2000-07-25 | Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd | Multiline gaming machine |
US20030027626A1 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2003-02-06 | Howard Marks | Slot machine game having a plurality of ways for a user to obtain enhanced payouts based on consecutive winning combinations |
US6960133B1 (en) * | 2000-08-28 | 2005-11-01 | Igt | Slot machine game having a plurality of ways for a user to obtain payouts based on selection of one or more symbols (power pays) |
US7559837B1 (en) * | 2000-09-01 | 2009-07-14 | Igt | Video gaming system with wild card system and bonus system |
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2009
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US6093102A (en) * | 1994-09-15 | 2000-07-25 | Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd | Multiline gaming machine |
US6012983A (en) * | 1996-12-30 | 2000-01-11 | Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership | Automated play gaming device |
US6960133B1 (en) * | 2000-08-28 | 2005-11-01 | Igt | Slot machine game having a plurality of ways for a user to obtain payouts based on selection of one or more symbols (power pays) |
US7559837B1 (en) * | 2000-09-01 | 2009-07-14 | Igt | Video gaming system with wild card system and bonus system |
US20030027626A1 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2003-02-06 | Howard Marks | Slot machine game having a plurality of ways for a user to obtain enhanced payouts based on consecutive winning combinations |
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US10964168B2 (en) * | 2018-11-02 | 2021-03-30 | Universal Entertainment Corporation | Information processor and game program |
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