Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of executing a new performance using a rotating reel. [Solution] The game is provided with multiple spinning reels, and an effect may occur in which multiple first locations on the multiple spinning reels are more visible than multiple second locations, the first locations and the second locations do not overlap, and lines connecting the multiple first locations and lines connecting the multiple second locations intersect at at least two points.

Description

Technical Field

[0007]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a gaming machine that lights a rotating reel while the rotating reel is stopped has been known (see Patent Document 1). In such a gaming machine, for example, as an effect for notifying a big win, an effect of lighting the rotating reel in a V shape by a backlight installed inside the rotating reel is executed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional gaming machine has lacked in terms of the趣味性 as an effect.

[0005] In contrast, the inventors of the present application have found a new effect using a rotating reel.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of executing a new effect using a rotating reel.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention includes a plurality of rotating reels, there may be a case where an effect occurs in which a plurality of first positions on the plurality of rotating reels are more visible than a plurality of second positions, the first position and the second position do not overlap, Lines connecting multiple first locations and lines connecting multiple second locations intersect at least two points. It is a gaming machine. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can perform novel effects using a rotating reel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the slot machine in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the slot machine and card unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates the details of the reel window when the illumination effect processing is being performed in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view of the rotary reel in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a right side view of the rotary reel in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the connection / communication relationship between the main control board, the game value control board, and the sub-control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the flow of the irradiation effect processing in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure illustrates the details of the reel window when the illumination effect processing is being performed in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [First Embodiment] The slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, "connection" includes a case where the connection targets are directly connected and a case where the connection targets are indirectly connected via another board or device.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is a reel-type gaming machine in which the quantity of gaming value is managed by electronic data (hereinafter referred to as "gaming value data") without using physically existing medals. Note that FIG. 1 shows a front view of the slot machine 1, and hereinafter, the top, bottom, left, and right of the paper surface of FIG. 1 are referred to as the top, bottom, left, and right of the slot machine 1.

[0012] <Configuration of Card Unit 7> As shown in FIG. 2, the card unit 7 is communicably connected to the slot machine 1 outside the slot machine 1.

[0013] Further, the card unit 7 can store a card 70 that stores gaming value data as electronic data instead of real medals inside it.

[0014] Note that the details of the card unit 7 are the same as those of the card unit connected to a conventional medal-less machine, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0015] <Configuration of Slot Machine 1> As described above, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is a medal-less machine that can progress the game without using medals as real objects. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, instead of medals as real objects, the game is played using gaming value data as electronic data.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 includes a housing 10. A front door 100 is provided on the front surface of the housing 10.

[0017] In the central part of the front door 100, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a transparent reel window 200 is provided. The player can visually recognize a plurality of symbols displayed on the surfaces of a plurality of rotating reels 20, which will be described later, through this reel window 200.

[0018] Above the reel window 200, a liquid crystal screen 3, a speaker 101, and a lighting decoration part 102 for performing various effects during the game are provided.

[0019] The liquid crystal screen 3 includes a monitor LED and a backlight, and displays various effect videos (effect screens) during the player's game.

[0020] The speaker 101 outputs a predetermined BGM (background music), SE (sound effect), and voice.

[0021] [[ID=rg=19]]The lighting decoration part 102 is composed of LEDs or the like, and lights up or goes out in a predetermined pattern when, for example, a highly anticipated effect screen is displayed or a winning combination is achieved. <s

[0022] Below the reel window 200, an operation unit 4, a lower panel 103, a front bottom 104, etc. are provided. On the lower panel 103, the title of the slot machine 1 and the like are displayed. Also, LED lighting is arranged on the back side of the lower panel 103. The front bottom 104 is designed to allow the player to place personal belongings and the like.

[0023] The operation unit 4 includes a plurality of stop switches 40 (40a, 40b, 40c), a bet switch 41, a lever 42, a digital counter 43, a count button 44, a cancel button 45, and an effect button 46. 《

[0024] Near each switch of the operation unit 4, a sensor for detecting the player's operation and outputting an operation signal to the control unit 6 is provided.

[0025] Each stop switch 40a, 40b, and 40c is provided in conjunction with each rotating reel 20 (20a, 20b, and 20c). The stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c accept operation to stop the rotation of the corresponding rotating reel 20a, 20b, and 20c while the reel is rotating.

[0026] Lamps are provided inside the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c. The lamps can indicate, for example, that the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c are inoperable by emitting a different color (e.g., red) from the time the lever 42 is operated until each of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c reaches a steady rotation state. The lamps can also indicate, for example, that the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c are inoperable by emitting a different color (e.g., blue) from the time each of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c reaches a steady rotation state until the stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c are operated.

[0027] The bet switch 41 is used when a player places a bet on game value. The amount of game value credited and the amount of game value bet are managed by the slot machine 1 (media management unit 620). The bet switch 41 is also equipped with a lamp inside or around it that lights up when the operation is active and turns off when the operation is inactive.

[0028] In this embodiment, the lever 42 functions as a start switch that accepts an operation to rotate the rotary reels 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0029] The digital counter 43 digitally displays the number of credits in game value, the number of payouts (acquired) of game value, and other information. Players can also check the digital counter 43 during gameplay to see how much game value they currently possess.

[0030] The counting button 44 can receive input from the player to transfer game value data from the media management unit 620 to the card unit 7. When the counting button 44 receives input from the player, a transfer signal is generated by the counting button 44. The counting button 44 is also equipped with a lamp inside or around it that changes its illuminated color or switches on / off depending on whether it is being operated or not.

[0031] The cancel button 45 can receive an operation from the player to change the game value from a bet state (bet state) to an unbet state (non-bet state). When the cancel button 45 receives an operation from the player, the cancel button 45 generates a cancel signal. Subsequently, the media management unit 620, upon receiving the cancel signal, manages the game value data in the bet state as an unbet state. The cancel button 45 is also equipped with a lamp inside or around it that changes its illuminated color or turns on / off depending on whether it is being operated or not.

[0032] The performance button 46 is used by players to adjust settings on the menu screen while playing the game, such as the brightness of the LEDs in the lighting unit 101, the volume of the speaker 102, checking game data, and various other game-related menu settings. The performance button 46 may also be operated by the player during gameplay in response to the game's effects. If the performance button 46 is operated during gameplay, the effects will change.

[0033] For example, when the transition to a special game state (hereinafter referred to as Assist Time, or AT) is confirmed (including when the AT lottery is won, when the number of games since the end of the previous AT reaches the so-called ceiling game count and AT is confirmed, and when the continuation of AT is confirmed; the same applies hereinafter), if the player presses the effect button 46 while the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are rotating, an illumination effect process is executed in which the reel lamps 23a, 23b, and 23c (see Figures 4 and 5) located inside the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are illuminated toward the reel belts 203a, 203b, and 203c. Details of this illumination effect process will be described later.

[0034] Furthermore, when the performance button 46 is operated, a signal indicating that the performance button 46 has been operated is transmitted to the performance control unit 630.

[0035] Furthermore, the performance button 46 is equipped with a lamp inside or around it that can emit light in various colors and patterns. The lamp lights up when the performance button 46 is operational and turns off when it is inoperable.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a reset button 51 and a setting change button 52 are provided inside the casing 10.

[0037] The reset button 51 is operated to clear various errors and to initialize the RAM that constitutes the control unit 6. For example, if the power to the slot machine 1 is switched from off to on while the reset button 51 is being operated, the amount of game value managed by the media management unit 620 is cleared to "0", and the second game state of the slot machine 1 is set to "general game state", and the game section is set to "normal section".

[0038] The setting change button 52 is a button operated by store staff when setting one of several setting values ​​for slot machine 1. For example, when slot machine 1 is set to setting change mode and the power to slot machine 1 is switched from off to on, the setting change button 52 becomes operational, and when the setting change button 52 is operated in this state, it becomes possible to set a setting value.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the slot machine 1 includes a rotating reel unit 2 and a control unit 6 (composed of a main control unit 61 mounted on the main control board P1, a game value control unit 62 mounted on the game value control board P2, and a sub-control unit 63 mounted on the sub-control board P3). The rotating reel unit 2 and the control unit 6 are located inside the housing 10, along with a power supply device for supplying voltage to the slot machine 1.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rotary reel unit 2 comprises three rotary reels 20a, 20b, and 20c, and three stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c.

[0041] For example, symbols are placed on the surfaces of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c. The game proceeds when the combination of symbols displayed on the active line L (described later) when the rotation of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c stops is determined by the game result determination unit 612 (described later) to determine whether or not it is a predetermined combination of symbols.

[0042] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c consist of a first frame 201a, 201b, and 201c located on the left side of the slot machine 1, a second frame 202a, 202b, and 202c located on the right side, and a spinning belt 203a, 203b, and 203c.

[0043] Inside each of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c, on the front side of the slot machine 1, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, reel lamps 23a, 23b, and 23c are provided to illuminate the reel belts 203a, 203b, and 203c from the inside, in order to make it easier for the player to see the symbols.

[0044] These reel lamps 23a, 23b, and 23c increase the illumination of the corresponding symbols on the illuminated reel belts 203a, 203b, and 203c, making it easier for players to identify the types of symbols.

[0045] More specifically, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the reel lamp 23a is equipped with light sources 231a, 232a, and 233a in order for the upper, middle, and lower stages of the rotating reel 20a, the reel lamp 23b is equipped with light sources 231b, 232b, and 233b in order for the upper, middle, and lower stages of the rotating reel 20b, and the reel lamp 23c is equipped with light sources 231c, 232c, and 233c in order for the upper, middle, and lower stages of the rotating reel 20c.

[0046] In this embodiment, when a predetermined condition is met (that the transition to AT is confirmed and the player presses the performance button 46 while the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are rotating), the performance control unit 630, described later, executes an illumination performance process using the reel lamps 23a, 23b, and 23c.

[0047] The stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c are provided in accordance with the rotary reels 20a, 20b, and 20c, and drive the corresponding rotary reels 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0048] The stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c stop the rotation of the rotating reel 20 (e.g., 20a) corresponding to the operated stop switch 40 (e.g., 40a) within 190 milliseconds after the stop switch 40a, 40b, or 40c is operated while the rotating reels 20a, 20b, or 20c are rotating.

[0049] These rotating reels 20a, 20b, 20c and stepping motors 21a, 21b, 21c are controlled by a rotating reel control unit 611, which will be described later, to control their rotation and stopping.

[0050] <How the game is played by the player> The player bets game value on the slot machine 1 using the credited game value, which is output by the bet switch 41. When a predetermined number (for example, 3) of game value is bet on the slot machine 1, the active line L (see Figures 1 and 3) is activated. After that, it becomes possible to operate the lever 42, i.e., to start playing.

[0051] In this embodiment, the effective line L consists of the lower section on the left rotating reel 20a, the middle section on the center rotating reel 20b, and the lower section on the right rotating reel 20c.

[0052] In this embodiment, one game (one play) refers to a series of actions performed by a player, including operating the lever 42 and stop switches 40a, 40b, 40c, etc., to obtain a predetermined game result, which includes internal drawing, prize determination processing, and processing to increase or decrease game value data.

[0053] Specifically, for example, when lever 42 is operated, an internal lottery is held to determine the winning flag, and the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c begin to rotate. In this state, when any of the stop switches 40a, 40b, or 40c are operated, the reel 20 (20b) corresponding to the operated stop switch 40 (for example, 40b) stops. Once all the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c have stopped, a predetermined number of game values ​​are paid out according to the combination of symbols (winning combinations) that lined up (won) on the active line L. This completes one game.

[0054] Furthermore, at least some of the information regarding the progress of the game until these predetermined game results are obtained (for example, that the lever 42 was operated, that the stop switch 40 was operated, that an internal lottery was performed, that a predetermined combination was won, that the reels rotated, etc.) is managed by the main control unit 61 mounted on the main control board P1.

[0055] <Configuration of Control Unit 6> As described above, the control unit 6 consists of a main control unit 61 mounted on the main control board P1, a game value control unit 62 mounted on the game value control board P2, and a sub-control unit 63 mounted on the sub-control board P3.

[0056] The main control board P1, the game value control board P2, and the sub-control board P3 each include a microcontroller, a voltage supply unit, a power interruption / restoration detection unit, a WDT (watchdog timer), and a memory unit (ROM, RAM).

[0057] The connection relationships and communication processes of the main control board P1, the game value control board P2, and the sub-control board P3 will be explained below with reference to Figure 6.

[0058] The main control board P1 and the game value control board P2 are electrically connected by a harness, enabling bidirectional serial communication.

[0059] The information and commands transmitted from the main control board P1 to the game value control board P2 include external terminal information, whether or not settings are being changed, commands related to various errors, a bet request signal for game value when the bet switch 41 is detected to have been operated, a payout request signal for game value corresponding to the winning combination, a bet cancellation request signal when the cancel button 45 is operated, and a transfer request for game value when the counting button 44 is operated.

[0060] The information and commands transmitted from the game value control board P2 to the main control board P1 include information indicating that the complete function (described later) has been activated, information indicating that the number of credits has reached the upper limit (a value used to prompt the player to transfer credits when the number of credits is too high), information regarding whether or not there is a communication abnormality between the card unit 7 and the slot machine 1, and various responses to requests from the main control unit 61.

[0061] The main control board P1 and the sub-control board P3 are electrically connected by a harness, but only one-way serial communication takes place from the main control board P1 to the sub-control board P3.

[0062] The information and commands transmitted from the main control board P1 to the sub-control board P3 include information about game value (e.g., betting / payout information for game value, total number of game values ​​acquired during AT), information about the game state and game section, information about the start / end of the game, information about the start / end of the mechanism's operation, information about various errors, and information about whether the player is able to operate the lever 42, etc.

[0063] The game value control board P2 and the sub-control board P3 are electrically connected by a harness, but one-way serial communication takes place from the game value control board P2 to the sub-control board P3.

[0064] The information and commands transmitted from the game value control board P2 to the sub-control board P3 include the range (MY) described later, information indicating the operation of the complete function, commands related to prior notification before the operation of the complete function, information related to the transfer of game value (e.g., that the transfer has started, that the transfer is in progress, that the transfer is complete, etc.), information indicating the number of credits or acquired, information indicating that the number of credits has reached the upper limit, error information if a credit backup error has occurred, and information on whether the player is able to operate the counting button 44, etc.

[0065] <Description of Main Control Unit 61> The main control unit 61 consists of a microcontroller MCU mounted on the main control board P1 and functions as an internal lottery unit 610, a rotating reel control unit 611, a game result determination unit 612, a set value control unit 613, a section control unit 614, a game state control unit 615, an RT state control unit 616, and an error determination unit 617.

[0066] <Internal lottery section 610> The internal lottery unit 610 performs an internal lottery based on the operation of the lever 42, and can select one of the flags for multiple winning combinations as the winning flag. Specifically, the internal lottery unit 610 performs an internal lottery when a start signal is output due to the operation of the lever 42.

[0067] <Rotating reel control unit 611> The rotary reel control unit 611 controls the drive of the stepping motors 21a, 21b, and 21c based on the operation of the lever 42 and the respective stop switches 40a, 40b, and 40c, and can perform rotation start control to start the rotation of each rotary reel 20a, 20b, and 20c, or rotation stop control to stop the rotation.

[0068] After the rotation of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c has started, the reel control unit 611 sends a signal to the performance control unit 630 indicating that the rotation of the reels 20a, 20b, and 20c has started.

[0069] <Explanation of the game result determination unit 612> The game result determination unit 612 can determine the result of the game (for example, whether or not a winning combination was awarded) based on the internal lottery result output from the internal lottery unit 610 and the results of the rotation stop control of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0070] <Explanation of the setting value control unit 613> The setting value control unit 613 can carry out game progress using any one of a plurality of types of setting values (for example, 1 to 6) with different degrees of advantage in the control of game progress, based on an operation on the setting change button 52 by the store staff.

[0071] <Interval control unit 614> The interval control unit 614 can carry out game progress by setting any one of a plurality of game intervals (normal interval and advantageous interval).

[0072] <Game state control unit 615> The game state control unit 615 can carry out game progress by setting each of the first game state (for example, during special combination execution, inside special combination) and the second game state (for example, general game state, special game states such as AT, CZ, etc.).

[0073] Also, when the transition to AT is determined, the game state control unit 615 transmits an AT transition signal to the effect control unit 630.

[0074] The irradiation effect process described later is executed based on the AT transition signal transmitted to the effect control unit 630, a signal indicating that the effect button 46 has been operated, and a signal indicating that the rotation of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, 20c has started.

[0075] <RT state control unit 616> The RT state control unit 616 can carry out game progress using one of a plurality of RT states (a table used for internal lottery, and an RT state in which a replay probability is determined in advance).

[0076] <Error determination unit 617> The error determination unit 617 can determine the presence or absence of various errors. Examples of various errors include backup abnormality, communication abnormality between the main control board P1 and the game value control board P2, connection abnormality between the slot machine 1 and the card unit 7, reaching the upper limit value of the credit number, and the like.

[0077] <Explanation of the game value control unit 62> The game value control unit 62 consists of a microcontroller MCU mounted on the game value control board P2 and functions as a media management unit 620 and a function operation unit 621.

[0078] <Explanation from Media Management Department 620> The media management unit 620 can manage the number of credits and bets for game value. Furthermore, the media management unit 620 uses the game value difference, which is the cumulative value obtained by subtracting the number of bets for game value from the number of payouts for game value since the last time the slot machine 1 was powered on, to calculate the range (MY), which is the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the game value difference. The media management unit 620 can also calculate the game value difference separately from the range (MY). The game value difference can be used, for example, to control the game interval.

[0079] <Functional operating part 621> The function activation unit 621 is capable of receiving range (MY) information transmitted from the media management unit 620. When the range (MY) becomes, for example, 18500 or higher, the function activation unit 621 generates information indicating that the activation of the complete function is imminent.

[0080] This "complete function" is essentially a function that stops the game from going any further. When the complete function is activated, slot machine 1 will no longer accept any input related to gameplay, and players will be unable to continue playing unless the power is turned off and on by store staff (the game will be unplayable).

[0081] <Explanation of Sub-control Unit 63> The sub-control unit 63 is mounted on the sub-control board P3 and functions as the performance control unit 630 through operation using a microcontroller MCU or the like.

[0082] <Performance Control Unit 630> The performance control unit 630 can determine at least one of the following as a performance pattern by executing a performance lottery: a video / still image output on the LCD screen 3, a sound pattern output from the speaker 101, a light emission pattern of the LED or other lighting unit 102, or a light emission pattern of the performance button 46.

[0083] Furthermore, the performance control unit 630 executes the illumination performance process when predetermined conditions are met (for example, when the transition to AT is confirmed and the performance button 46 is operated while the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are rotating).

[0084] In the illumination effect processing, as shown in Figure 3, the effect control unit 630 generates an effect during the rotation of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c that makes at least a portion of the area A (an example of a non-corresponding area and a first-order area) that is not on the effective line L of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c more visible than the area B (an example of a corresponding area and a second-order area) that is located on the effective line L of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0085] In order to perform an effect that makes at least a portion of the area A of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c that is not on the active line L more visible than the area B located on the active line L, the performance control unit 630 controls the reel lamps 23a, 23b, and 23c to make the illumination of at least a portion of the area A that is not on the active line L relatively higher than the illumination of the area B located on the active line L.

[0086] For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, the performance control unit 630 turns on and off the light sources 231a and 232a of the reel lamp 23a, the light source 233b of the reel lamp 23b, and the light sources 232c and 231c of the reel lamp 23c, which correspond to location A that is not on the active line L. However, it does not turn on (remains in an off state) the light sources 233a of the reel lamp 23a, the light source 232b of the reel lamp 23b, the light source 233c of the reel lamp 23c, which correspond to location B that is located on the active line L, and the light source 231b of the reel lamp 23b at location A that is not on the active line L.

[0087] More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the performance control unit 630 turns on and off light sources 231a, 232a, 233b, 232c, and 231c in the order shown, with light sources 233a, 231b, 232b, and 233c turned off. As a result, as indicated by the arrows on line F in Figure 3, the area A that is not on the effective line L lights up in a V shape.

[0088] In contrast, the performance control unit 630 may keep light sources 233a, 231b, 232b, and 233c off, and light sources 231a, 232a, 233b, 232c, and 231c lit simultaneously, without blinking or sequentially, or it may blink light sources 231a, 232a, 233b, 232c, and 231c all at once.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the regulations for gaming machines, it is prohibited to illuminate point B located on the active line L while the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are rotating. However, in this disclosure, the point that becomes relatively brighter while the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are rotating is not point B located on the active line L, but point A which is not on the active line L. Therefore, in this disclosure, since point B located on the active line L of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c is not illuminated, the aforementioned regulations are satisfied.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the locations A on the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c that are not on the effective line L and the locations B located on the effective line L do not overlap and exist mutually exclusive.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the line F connecting points A of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c that are not on the effective line L intersects with the effective line L (the line connecting points B located on the effective line L) at two points. Specifically, line F and the effective line L intersect at one point between the left rotating reel 20a and the middle rotating reel 20b, between the middle and lower sections, and at another point between the middle rotating reel 20b and the right rotating reel 20c, between the middle and lower sections. Note that the line F connecting points A that are not on the effective line L refers to a line formed by connecting multiple points A across multiple rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0092] <Flow of Illumination Effects Processing> The flow of the irradiation effect processing of this disclosure will be explained using Figure 7.

[0093] First, the flow branches based on whether or not the transition to AT is confirmed (step S1).

[0094] If the transition to AT is not confirmed (S1:NO), the irradiation effect processing described in this disclosure will terminate.

[0095] On the other hand, if the transition to AT is confirmed (S1: YES), the flow branches based on whether at least one of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c is rotating or not (step S2).

[0096] If all of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped (S2:NO), the illumination effect processing of this disclosure is terminated.

[0097] On the other hand, if at least one of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c is rotating (S2: YES), the flow branches based on whether or not the performance button 46 has been operated (step S3).

[0098] If the effect button 46 is not operated (S3:NO), the illumination effect processing described herein will terminate.

[0099] On the other hand, if the performance button 46 is operated (S3:YES), the performance control unit 630 executes the illumination performance process. As a result, at least a portion of the area A of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c that is not on the active line L becomes more visible to the player than the area B located on the active line L. The irradiation effect processing of this disclosure is executed by following the above procedure.

[0100] In summary, the slot machine 1 disclosed herein is: Equipped with rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c, In the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c, there may be instances where at least a portion of location A (an example of multiple first locations) that is not on the active line L is more visible than location B (an example of multiple second locations) that is located on the active line L. Location A and Location B do not overlap. A line F connecting multiple points A and an effective line L connecting multiple points B intersect at two points.

[0101] <Effects of the invention> It has been known for some time that amusement machines illuminate the reels while they are stopped. In such machines, for example, as a way to announce a jackpot, a backlight installed inside the reels illuminates them in a V-shape.

[0102] However, conventional gaming machines lacked appeal in terms of their visual and gameplay.

[0103] In contrast, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the areas A on the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c that are not on the active line L may be more visible than the areas B located on the active line L, and the line F connecting multiple areas A and the active line L, which is the line connecting multiple areas B, intersect at two points. As a result, it is possible to illuminate the areas A that are not on the active line L without illuminating the areas B located on the active line L, thereby effectively notifying, for example, that the transition to AT has been confirmed.

[0104] Based on the above, this disclosure provides a gaming machine capable of performing novel effects using a rotating reel.

[0105] [Second Embodiment] Figure 8 shows another embodiment in which the slot machine 1 has an effective line L with a different shape than that of the first embodiment. Note that the reference numerals used in the second embodiment are the same as those used in the first embodiment.

[0106] As shown in Figure 8(a), if the active line L is in the middle of the left rotating reel 20a, the middle of the middle rotating reel 20b, and the bottom of the right rotating reel 20c, the performance control unit 630 turns on and off the following light sources in the order of light sources 233a, 231a, 231b, 233b, 232c, and 231c, while light sources 232a, 232b, and 233c are turned off.

[0107] In this case, line F, which connects points A on the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c that are not on the effective line L, intersects with the effective line L (the line connecting points B located on the effective line L) at three points. Specifically, line F and the effective line L intersect at one point in the middle of the left rotating reel 20a, at one point in the middle of the middle rotating reel 20b, and at one point between the middle rotating reel 20b and the right rotating reel 20c, between the middle and lower sections.

[0108] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8(b), if the active line L is in the middle of the left rotating reel 20a, the lower of the middle rotating reel 20b, and the middle of the right rotating reel 20c, the performance control unit 630 turns on and off the light sources 231a, 233a, 232b, 233c, and 231c in that order, while keeping the light sources 232a, 231b, 233b, and 232c off.

[0109] In this case, line F, which connects points A of the rotating reels 20a, 20b, and 20c that are not on the active line L, intersects with the active line L (the line connecting points B located on the active line L) at four points. In the above example, the light source 231b is kept off, but the performance control unit 630 may not keep the light source 231b off, but may turn the light source 231b on and off after the light source 232b. That is, line F and the active line L intersect at one point in the middle of the left rotating reel 20a, at one point between the left rotating reel 20a and the middle rotating reel 20b, between the middle and lower sections, at one point between the middle rotating reel 20a and the right rotating reel 20b, and at one point in the middle of the right rotating reel 20c.

[0110] In the second embodiment, the same effects and advantages as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0111] [Other embodiments] The various control means and processing procedures described in the above embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. The various control means and processing procedures can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the various control means, processing procedures, and processing contents described in each embodiment can be configured individually or combined as appropriate.

[0112] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified for each example, the various definitions used herein are used in common throughout the specification.

[0113] The above embodiment describes an example in which the illumination effect processing is executed when the effect button is operated when the transition to AT is confirmed and at least one of the spinning reels is spinning, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The illumination effect processing may be executed only when the effect button is operated when the transition to AT is confirmed and all spinning reels are spinning. Alternatively, the illumination effect processing may be executed when the effect button is operated while one or more spinning reels have stopped spinning and there are still spinning reels.

[0114] Furthermore, if the transition to AT is confirmed and the reels begin to rotate, and the effect button is pressed before all reels reach a constant speed rotation state, the illumination effect processing may also be executed.

[0115] Furthermore, if the effect button is operated after the rotating reel has entered a constant-speed rotation state and before the rotating reel stops, the illumination effect processing may be executed.

[0116] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the special game state was AT, but the special game state is not limited to AT. For example, the special game state may be CZ, high probability mode (a mode with a high probability of transitioning to AT), heaven mode (a mode with an extremely high probability of transitioning to AT, or a mode in which transitioning to AT is guaranteed), ART (Assist Replay Time), first-type special feature, second-type special feature, continuous feature operation device for the first-type special feature, continuous feature operation device for the second-type special feature, etc. In other words, the illumination effect processing can be effectively used when announcing that a transition to a special game state is guaranteed.

[0117] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, examples were described in which lines connecting points that are not on the effective line intersect the effective line at two or more points. However, these lines may intersect at one point, or they may not intersect at all. An example of a case where the lines do not intersect is when the lines are parallel on the reel window.

[0118] Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes an example in which the performance control unit executes the illumination performance process when the player operates the performance button while the reels are rotating and the transition to AT has been confirmed, the execution of the illumination performance process is not limited to when the player operates the performance button.

[0119] For example, the performance control unit may execute the illumination performance process if any of the following conditions are met: (1) a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the lever was operated and the reels were rotating at a constant speed; (2) predetermined illumination performance conditions have been met; (3) the notification screen "AT confirmed" has been displayed on the LCD screen while the reels are rotating; (4) the number of times a predetermined role, such as a rare role, has been won has reached a predetermined number; or (5) if the machine is equipped with a gimmick that lights up when an AT or a special first-class gimmick is won, the gimmick has been illuminated (in this case, the illumination performance process may be executed at the same time as the gimmick lights up, or with a slight delay).

[0120] Furthermore, the illumination effect processing may be executed even if the transition to AT has not been confirmed. In this case, for example, the illumination effect processing may be executed when the player presses the effect button when they win a predetermined lottery in a specific game state, when a predetermined number of points have been accumulated or more, or when a predetermined role has been won a predetermined number of times in a row.

[0121] Furthermore, the performance control unit may perform setting suggestions and mode suggestions by executing illumination performance processing. By receiving information regarding the setting value and the current mode from the main control unit, the performance control unit can, for example, execute illumination performance processing more often the higher the setting value or the better the current mode (for example, the higher the AT winning probability is compared to other modes, or the fewer the ceiling games required to guarantee a transition to AT are compared to other modes). In other words, the performance control unit can pre-determine different probabilities for executing illumination performance processing depending on the setting value and the mode.

[0122] Furthermore, the illumination effect processing may be performed while the reels are rotating or while they are stopped. In this case, the more the illumination effect processing is performed while the reels are rotating, the more it suggests a higher setting, and the more the illumination effect processing is performed while the reels are stopped, the more it suggests an even setting value. Thus, the meaning of the setting suggestion or the indication of the current mode may differ depending on whether the reels are rotating or stopped.

[0123] Furthermore, players may be free to set whether or not the illumination effect processing is executed, and at what timing the illumination effect processing is executed.

[0124] Furthermore, while the above embodiment described an example in which a corresponding light source illuminates the reel band at locations not on the effective line, and does not illuminate the reel band at locations located on the effective line, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The light source illuminates the reel band at both locations not on the effective line and locations located on the effective line, provided that the illuminance at locations not on the effective line is controlled to be greater than the illuminance at locations located on the effective line.

[0125] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and among components located closer to the operator than the multiple rotating reels (for example, a light guide plate or a full-screen LCD positioned on the front of the slot machine's casing), a visual effect may be implemented to make non-corresponding areas, which are different from corresponding areas on the active lines of the multiple rotating reels, more easily visible. Here, non-corresponding areas refer to, for example, the area of ​​the light guide plate that corresponds to the area of ​​the reel window from which the rotating reels can be seen.

[0126] Furthermore, in this case, the corresponding locations and non-corresponding locations do not overlap, and the lines connecting multiple corresponding locations and the lines connecting multiple non-corresponding locations intersect at least two points.

[0127] In this case, for example, the portion of the light guide plate corresponding to the effective line of the rotating reel can be made darker, while the portion not corresponding to the effective line of the rotating reel can be made brighter. In other words, the illumination effect is performed not by the rotating reel itself, but by making the illuminance of the portion of the light guide plate positioned in front of it that does not correspond to the effective line relatively higher than that of the portion located on the effective line.

[0128] Furthermore, the embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the main control board and the game value control board may not be separate, with the main control unit and the game value control unit mounted on the main control board.

[0129] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example where the slot machine is an AT machine, the slot machine may also be an ART (Assist Replay Time) machine, or it may be a slot machine that only provides bonuses without performing AT, ART, etc., or a slot machine that can perform both bonuses and AT (or ART).

[0130] Furthermore, although the slot machine in the above embodiment was a coinless machine with a game section, the slot machine to which the present invention applies does not need to have a game section, nor does it need to be a coinless machine. If the slot machine is not a coinless machine, it will need to have the configuration of a conventional slot machine, such as a coin slot, hopper, coin dispenser, and coin tray. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1. Slot machine (amusement machine) 20a, 20b, 20c Rotating reel 21a, 21b, 21c Stepping motors 23a, 23b, 23c Reel Lamp 46 Performance Buttons A. Areas not on the effective line B. Locations located on the effective line F Lines connecting incompatible locations L Effective line (a line connecting corresponding points)

Claims

1. Equipped with multiple rotating reels, In some cases, a visual effect may occur in which multiple first locations on multiple rotating reels become more visible than multiple second locations. The first location other than the active line in the rotating reel and the second location corresponding to the active line do not overlap. The aforementioned active lines are activated one by one when a specified number of game values ​​are bet. By changing the illumination of the first location, an effect is performed that makes the first location more visible than the second location. When connecting multiple first locations, there exists a way to connect the lines that connect the multiple first locations and the lines that connect the multiple second locations so that they intersect at least two points. Gaming machine.

2. Equipped with multiple rotating reels, In some cases, a visual effect may occur in which multiple first locations on a component located closer to the operator than the multiple rotating reels are more easily visible than multiple second locations. The first location is a part of the member that corresponds to the area of ​​the reel window from which the rotating reel can be seen, The first location, which is a non-corresponding location other than the active line in the rotating reel, and the second location, which is a corresponding location to the active line, do not overlap. By changing the illumination of the first location, an effect is performed that makes the first location more visible than the second location. When connecting multiple first locations, there exists a way to connect the lines that connect the multiple first locations and the lines that connect the multiple second locations so that they intersect at least two points. Gaming machine.

Images