U.S. patent application number 10/041626 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-18 for slot machine having a plurality of game lines.
This patent application is currently assigned to DRAGON CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Inoue, Haruo.
Application Number | 20020094862 10/041626 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26607568 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020094862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Inoue, Haruo |
July 18, 2002 |
Slot machine having a plurality of game lines
Abstract
Symbol displaying windows are arranged in matrix and are
combined to set game lines including three horizontal lines, three
vertical lines, and two diagonal lines. An operation panel is
provided with line buttons and bet buttons. When a game is played,
one of the line buttons is depressed first to nominate the game
lines. Successively, one of the bet buttons is depressed to bet
coins on the nominated game lines. After that, a symbol row is
rotated in each symbol displaying window. A number of the game
lines to be nominated and a number of coins to be betted thereon
are optionally selected by a player. Each of the line buttons and
the bet buttons contains an LED for showing whether the
corresponding button is operative or not.
Inventors: |
Inoue, Haruo; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
|
Assignee: |
DRAGON CO., LTD
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
26607568 |
Appl. No.: |
10/041626 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 12, 2001 |
JP |
2001-004443 |
Jan 12, 2001 |
JP |
2001-004601 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A slot machine having a plurality of game lines, in which
occurrence of winning is determined in accordance with a
combination of symbols stopped at said game line nominated by a
player, said slot machine comprising: nine symbol windows arranged
in a three-by-three matrix and for displaying said symbols, moving
display of a row of said symbols being individually performed in
the respective symbol windows; and a game-line selection member for
selecting said game lines to be nominated, said game-line selection
member being operated by the player after inserting coins into said
slot machine and before commencing the moving display of said
symbol row.
2. A slot machine according to claim 1, wherein said nine symbol
windows are combined three by three in a vertical direction, in a
horizontal direction, and in a diagonal direction to set the eight
game lines in total.
3. A slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising: an odds
inputting member for setting odds to said game lines nominated by
said game-line selection member.
4. A slot machine according to claim 3, further comprising: a
simultaneous-input member for simultaneously inputting both of a
number of said game lines to be nominated and the odds thereof,
said simultaneous-input member nominating a predetermined number of
said game lines in a predetermined order and setting the fixed odds
to the nominated game lines in each operation of said
simultaneous-input member, and when said simultaneous-input member
is operated after nominating all of said game lines, the fixed odds
being added to said game lines in the predetermined order in each
operation of said simultaneous-input member.
5. A slot machine according to claim 4 wherein said odds is a
number of coins to be betted on said nominated game line.
6. A slot machine according to claim 4, further comprising: a line
indicator for indicating said nominated game line, said line
indicator being disposed at one end of said game line.
7. A slot machine according to claim 6, wherein said line indicator
has an arrow shape.
8. A slot machine according to claim 7, wherein said line indicator
includes an LED and said nominated game line is indicated by
turning on said LED.
9. A slot machine according to claim 8, wherein said symbol row is
arranged on a periphery of a reel to perform said moving display of
said symbol row by rotating said reel.
10. A slot machine according to claim 9, wherein said reel is
rotated by means of a stepping motor.
11. A slot machine according to claim 8, wherein said symbol row is
displayed on an image displaying unit.
12. A slot machine having a plurality of game lines, in which
occurrence of winning is determined in accordance with a
combination of symbols stopped at said game line nominated by a
player, said slot machine comprising: game-line selecting means for
determining a number of said game lines to be nominated, said
game-line selecting means including a plurality of line buttons,
one of which being operated by the player after inserting coins
into said slot machine and before commencing moving display of a
row of said symbols; odds selecting means for determining odds of
said game lines to be nominated by said game-line selecting means,
said odds selecting means including a plurality of odds buttons,
one of which being operated by the player after inserting the coins
into said slot machine and before commencing the moving display of
said symbol row; and indication means for indicating the operative
buttons among said line buttons and said odds buttons which are
changed into an operative state in accordance with a number of
coins inserted by the player.
13. A slot machine according to claim 12, wherein nine symbol
windows for displaying said symbol rows are arranged in a
three-by-three matrix to individually perform the moving display of
said symbol row in the respective symbol windows.
14. A slot machine according to claim 12, wherein said odds is a
number of coins to be betted on said game lines and said odds
button corresponds to said number of the coins.
15. A slot machine according to claim 12, wherein said indication
means indicates the operative line or odds buttons before operating
them, and said indication means indicates the operated line or odds
buttons after operating them.
16. A slot machine according to claim 12, wherein said indication
means indicates the operative odds buttons in accordance with the
operated line button when the line button has been operated prior
to the odds button.
17. A slot machine according to claim 12, wherein said indication
means indicates the operative line buttons in accordance with the
operated odds button when the odds button has been operated prior
to the line button.
18. A slot machine according to claim 12, wherein said game lines
to be nominated by said line buttons are determined in advance.
19. A slot machine according to claim 18, wherein said symbol rows
and said game line are displayed as visible images by means of an
image displaying unit, the nominated game line being displayed so
as to cross said symbols.
20. A slot machine according to claim 19, wherein displaying said
game line is stopped when commencing the moving display of said
symbol row, and said game line is displayed again when stopping the
moving display.
21. A slot machine according to claim 20, further comprising: a
line-number displaying member for indicating the number of said
game lines nominated by said game-line selecting means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a slot machine in which
occurrence of winning is determined in accordance with a
combination of symbols stopped at a nominated game line.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In a most popularized slot machine of a three-reel type,
three reels having symbols arranged on peripheries thereof are
disposed side by side and are rotated. When each reel has stopped,
three symbols are displayed within a symbol window in a vertical
direction. In total, nine symbols are displayed in the symbol
window. A game line is predetermined in accordance with a type of
the slot machine so as to straightly combine the symbols of the
respective reels. For example, a certain type of the slot machine
has one horizontal game line, and another type thereof has three
horizontal game lines. Further, the other type of the slot machine
has five game lines additionally including two diagonal lines.
[0005] The slot machine having the plural game lines tends to catch
a player's fancy because probability of winning increases. Usually,
a number of the game lines is determined in accordance with a
number of coins (including tokens) betted prior to a slot-machine
game. For example, as to the slot machine having five game lines,
the central horizontal line is nominated by inserting one coin, and
the three horizontal lines are nominated by inserting two coins.
Further, the five lines including two diagonal lines are nominated
by inserting three coins.
[0006] In the meantime, some players desire to play a game on a
condition that only the central line is nominated and three coins
are intensively betted on this line. In this case, the player needs
to choose the slot machine in which only the central line is set as
the game line and the number of coins to be betted can be selected.
By the way, the slot machines are located in a casino so as to be
grouped every type. Thus, it is troublesome for the player to
choose the desired slot machine among the various types of the slot
machine.
[0007] In some slot machines having plural game lines, the player
can select the number of the game lines separately from the number
of the betted coins. With respect to such a slot machine, it is
preferable to have more game lines for the purpose of raising its
attraction. For instance, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of the
reels is increased up to five. In this case, six game lines 90d to
90i having a bent shape are provided in addition to three
horizontal game lines 90a to 90c. In other words, the game lines
are contrived such that the number thereof is nine.
[0008] In the above slot machine, when the player operates a
selection button of one line prior to the game, only the game line
90a is nominated. When a selection button of three lines is
operated, the game lines 90b and 90c are added to nominate the
three game lines. When a selection button of five lines is
operated, the game lines 90d and 90e are further added to nominate
the five game lines. When a selection button of seven lines is
operated, the game lines 90f and 90g are further added to nominate
the seven game lines. When a selection button of nine lines is
operated, the game lines 90h and 90i are furthermore added to
nominate the nine game lines. After that, by operating a bet
button, a bet number is determined relative to the nominated game
lines. Meanwhile, such as shown in FIG. 9, if four symbols are
displayed per reel, eight game lines 91a through 91h may be set.
The player can select the proper number of the game lines among the
lines 91a through 91h.
[0009] However, when the plural game lines are provided such as
shown in FIG. 8, the game lines 90d to 90i are bent and some of the
game lines partially overlap with the other game line. Due to this,
there arises a problem in that it is difficult to distinguish the
player's nominated game line from the other game lines. The game
lines 91a to 91h shown in FIG. 9 are straight. However, when the
respective reels are separated from each other, and when the
symbols of each reel are arranged at short intervals, it is
difficult to distinguish the respective game lines at a glance.
[0010] Moreover, when the slot machine is provided with the plural
game-line selection buttons and the plural bet buttons, there
arises a problem in that it is difficult to instantly judge the
operative game-line selection buttons and the operative bet buttons
within an extent of the inserted coins.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the
present invention to provide a slot machine in which it is possible
to set more game lines, and only a part of which can be optionally
nominated by a player.
[0012] It is a second object of the present invention to provide a
slot machine in which a game line nominated by a player may be
easily distinguished from the other game lines.
[0013] It is a third object of the present invention to provide a
slot machine in which operative buttons for selecting game lines
and a bet number thereof may be easily distinguished from the other
inoperative buttons.
[0014] In order to achieve the above and other objects, the slot
machine of a preferred embodiment comprises nine reels, each of
which has symbols aligned on a surface thereof. These nine reels
are arranged in square matrix to set eight game lines including
three horizontal lines, three vertical lines, and two diagonal
lines. From the eight game lines, a player can select a desired
number thereof to be nominated.
[0015] The slot machine is provided with game-line selection
buttons for selecting a number of the game lines to be nominated.
In addition, the slot machine is provided with bet-number input
buttons and a simultaneous-input button. The bet-number input
button is for inputting a number of coins to be betted on the
nominated game lines. The simultaneous-input button is operated for
simultaneously performing both of nominating the game lines and
betting the coins thereon. Whenever the simultaneous-input button
is operated, a predetermined number of the game lines are
additionally nominated in a predetermined order. For instance, upon
operation of the simultaneous-input button, the number of the
nominated game lines increases one by one. At the same time, a
fixed number of coins are betted on the nominated game line. When
the simultaneous-input button is successively operated after
nominating all of the game lines, the fixed number of coins are
additionally betted on the nominated game lines in the
predetermined order. In this way, it is possible to optionally
determine the number of the game lines to be nominated. Moreover,
it is also possible to optionally determine the number of coins to
be betted on the nominated game lines.
[0016] The slot machine according to another embodiment comprises
indication members for indicating the operative buttons among the
game-line selection buttons and the bet-number input buttons. The
indication member is contained in the respective buttons. After
inserting the coins into the slot machine, the game-line selection
buttons and the bet-number input buttons partly become operative in
accordance with a number of the inserted coins. Of course, when the
number of the inserted coins exceeds a predetermined number, all of
the buttons become operative. The operative button is indicated by
turning on the indication member contained therein. The indication
member is an LED, for example.
[0017] According to the present invention, the nine reels are
arranged in square matrix, and three of them are vertically,
horizontally and diagonally combined to set the eight game lines.
Moreover, the game-line selection members are provided. This member
is operated after inserting the coins and before moving a symbol
row. The player can select the game lines to be nominated and the
number of coins to be betted on the nominated game lines. Owing to
this, the player is more interested in the slot machine game.
Incidentally, the nominated game line is adapted to be easily
distinguished.
[0018] Further, according to the present invention, the player can
instantly judge the number of the nominatable game lines and the
possible number of coins to be betted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The above objects and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slot machine of a
first embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an explanatory illustration showing formation game
lines;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view showing an operation panel;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing electrical structure of
the slot machine of the first embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the slot machine of a
second embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a front view showing a liquid-crystal panel of the
slot machine of the second embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing electrical structure of
the slot machine of the second embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 8 is an explanatory illustration showing game-line
formation of the conventional slot machine having five reels;
and
[0028] FIG. 9 is an explanatory illustration showing game-line
formation of the slot machine in which four symbols are displayed
per reel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a front face of a slot machine 10 is
provided with nine symbol windows 11, an operation panel 12 and a
coin tray 13. The symbol windows 11 are arranged in three-by-three
matrix. Behind the symbol windows 11, nine reels 14 are
respectively disposed so as to correspond to each windows 11. A
plurality of symbols are arranged on a peripheral surface of the
reel 14 at predetermined intervals. When the reel 14 is stopped,
one of the symbols is displayed through the symbol window 11.
[0030] In FIG. 2, such as shown by broken lines, eight game lines
are provided for the symbol windows 11 arranged in matrix. The
eight game lines include horizontal three game lines 15a to 15c,
vertical three game lines 15d to 15f, and diagonal two game lines
15g and 15h. In accordance with a symbol combination displayed
along each of the game lines 15a to 15h, it is determined whether
winning occurs or not. One end of each of the game lines 15a to 15h
is provided with a line indicator 16 having an arrow shape. An LED
is disposed behind the line indicator 16, and is turned on to
indicate the nominated game line.
[0031] The operation panel 12 is disposed under the symbol windows
11, and is provided with various operation buttons and a coin slot
20. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 12 is provided with a
payout button 21, a change button 22, line buttons 23, bet buttons
24, a spin button 25, a one-by-one bet button 26, and a maximum bet
button 27.
[0032] Each of the line buttons 23 works as a member for selecting
the game lines. The line buttons 23 include a one-line button 23a,
a three-line button 23b, a five-line button 23c, and an eight-line
button 23d. By selectively depressing the line buttons 23a to 23d,
a number of the game lines to be nominated is selected. The
selectable number of the game lines is determined in accordance
with a number of coins (including tokens) inserted into the coin
slot 20. Incidentally, when the coin accumulated in a credit
counter is used, the coin is not actually inserted for each game.
In the present specification, however, meaning of "coin insertion"
includes usage of the coin accumulated in the credit counter.
[0033] For example, when a player inserts one or two coins, the
number of the nominatable game lines is one. Upon depression of the
one-line button 23a, the game line 15a is nominated. When three or
four coins are inserted, the number of the nominatable game lines
is three. Upon depression of the three-line button 23b, the game
lines 15a to 15c are nominated. Similarly, when five through seven
coins are inserted, the game lines 15a to 15e are nominated upon
depression of the five-line button 23c. Further, when eight or more
coins are inserted, all the game lines 15a to 15h are nominated
upon depression of the eight-line button 23d.
[0034] Each of the bet buttons 24 works as a member for inputting a
bet number. The bet buttons 24 include a one-bet button 24a, a
two-bet button 24b, a three-bet button 24c, and a four-bet button
24d. By selectively depressing one of the bet buttons 24, a number
of the coins to be betted is determined every nominated game line.
Incidentally, it is possible to bet one through four coins on the
nominated game line by using the bet buttons 24. Consequently, as
to the slot machine 10, the limit number of the coins to be betted
in each game is thirty-two under the circumstances that all of the
game lines 15a to 15h are nominated and four coins are betted on
the respective game lines.
[0035] When the coins are betted with the bet buttons 24a to 24d,
the same number of the coins is adapted to be betted on each of the
nominated game lines. For instance, when all of the game lines 15a
to 15h are nominated and the one-bet button 24a is depressed, the
coins are betted on the respective game lines 15a to 15h one by one
so that eight coins are betted in total. Similarly, when all of the
game lines 15a to 15h are nominated and the two-bet button 24b is
depressed, the coins are betted on the respective game lines 15a to
15h two by two so that sixteen coins are betted in total. If the
winning occurs on the nominated game line, the player obtains the
award coins, the number of which corresponds to a dividend
multiplied by the bet number .alpha. (.alpha.is equal to 1, 2, 3 or
4).
[0036] The one-by-one bet button 26 works as a member for
simultaneously inputting plural operations. Concretely, the
one-by-one bet button 26 is used for simultaneously performing both
of nominating the game line and betting the coin thereon. For
instance, when the one-by-one bet button 26 is depressed by one
time, the game line 15a is nominated and one coin is betted
thereon. When the one-by-one bet button 26 is depressed by two
times, the game lines 15a and 15b are nominated and two coins are
betted on these two lines one by one. When the one-by-one bet
button 26 is depressed by three times, the game lines 15a to 15c
are nominated and three coins are betted thereon one by one. In
this way, the game lines are nominated in a predetermined order
such that the number of the nominated game lines corresponds to the
depression number of the one-by-one bet button 26.
[0037] When the depression number of the one-by-one bet button 26
exceeds the number of the whole game lines 15a to 15h, the coin is
betted on the game line again in the predetermined order. For
instance, when the one-by-one bet button 26 is depressed by nine
times, the coins are betted such as follows. Upon depressing the
one-by-one bet button 26 by eight times, the whole game lines 15a
to 15h are nominated and the coins are betted on the respective
game lines 15a to 15h one by one. And then, upon ninth depression
of the one-by-one bet button 26, the coin is betted on the game
line 15a again. In other words, two coins are betted on the game
line 15a and one coin is betted on each of the other game lines 15b
to 15h. In this way, when the one-by-one bet button 26 is depressed
by "N" times (N is an integer of 4 or less) for each the game line,
the coins of which number is "N" are betted.
[0038] When the number of the inserted coins exceeds thirty-two or
when the number of the coins accumulated in the credit counter
exceeds thirty-two, the whole game lines 15a to 15h are nominated
by operating the maximum bet button 27. At this time, the coins are
betted on the respective game lines four by four. By the way, if
the number of the inserted coins is thirty-one or less, all of the
inserted coins may be betted with the maximum bet button 27. In
this instance, nominating the game line and betting the coin
thereon are carried out similarly to the case in that the
one-by-one bet button 26 is operated.
[0039] Meanwhile, an LED 28 is disposed behind each of the buttons
including the line buttons 23a to 23d, the bet buttons 24a to 24d,
the one-by-one bet button 26, and the maximum bet button 27. These
buttons are made of translucent plastic. When the LED 28 is turned
on, the light thereof is visible through the translucent button. By
turning on the LEDs 28 in accordance with the number of the
inserted coins, it is possible to indicate the operative buttons
among the line buttons and the bet buttons. The button whose LED 28
is turned off can not be selected. The one-by-one bet button 26 and
the maximum bet button 27 can be always operated when the coin is
inserted. Thus, the LEDs 28 of the one-by-one bet button 26 and the
maximum bet button 27 are always turned on when the coin is
inserted.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, a coin sensor 31 disposed behind the
coin slot 20 inputs a coin detection signal into a CPU 32 whenever
the proper coin is inserted in the coin slot 20. A lighting data
memory 33 stores lighting data for turning on and off the LEDs 28
in accordance with the number of the inserted coins. The CPU 32
reads the lighting data from the memory 33 in response to the coin
detection signal. At the same time, the CPU 32 activates an LED
controller 34 to control the LED 28 via an LED driver 35. Owing to
this, the LEDs 28 of the line buttons 23a to 23d and the bet
buttons 24a to 24d are turned on in accordance with the number of
the inserted coins. Moreover, the LEDs 28 of the one-by-one bet
button 26 and the maximum bet button 27 are turned on.
[0041] When each button of the operation panel 12 is operated, an
operation signal thereof is inputted into the CPU 32 by an
operation detecting circuit 36. When the line button 23 is
operated, a line selection signal is inputted into the CPU 32 to
judge the number of the game lines to be nominated. A ROM 37 stores
game-line patterns for nominating the game lines. The CPU 32 reads
the game-line pattern from the ROM 37 and nominates the game lines
so as to correspond to the selected number thereof. When the bet
button 24 is depressed, the bet number (odds) selection signal is
inputted into the CPU 32 to temporarily store the bet number in a
RAM 38.
[0042] When the one-by-one bet button 26 is depressed, an input
signal thereof is inputted into the CPU 32. Upon this, the CPU 32
reads the game-line pattern from the ROM 37 to nominate the game
line 15a and the succeeding game lines in accordance with a number
of the signals inputted from the one-by-one bet button 26. The CPU
32 temporarily stores the bet number of the nominated game lines in
the RAM 38. Incidentally, the CPU 32 outputs a signal to a display
driver 39 in response to the operation signal of the line buttons
23 and the one-by-one bet button 26 in order to activate the line
indicator 16.
[0043] The lighting data memory 33 stores the lighting data for
turning on and off the LEDs 28 in accordance with the operation of
the line buttons 23 and the bet buttons 24. When the operation
signals of the line button 23 and the bet button 24 are inputted
into the CPU 32, the lighting data is read from the lighting data
memory 33 by the CPU 32 to activate the LED controller 34. Based on
the read lighting data, the LED controller 34 turns on only the
LEDs 28 corresponding to the selected line button 23 and the
selected bet button 24. The LEDs 28 of the other buttons are turned
off.
[0044] By the way, when the line button 23 is operated, the LED
controller 34 turns off the LEDs 28 of the bet buttons 24 which can
not be selected in view of the number of the inserted coins. In a
case that another line button 23 whose LED 28 is turned off is
operated after selecting one of the line buttons, the LED
controller 34 turns on the LED 28 of the newly operated line button
23, and turns off the LED 28 of the previously operated line button
23. In this way, it is possible for the player to change the
selected number of the game lines.
[0045] Upon depression of the spin button 25, a start signal is
inputted into the CPU 32 to activate a motor controller 40. The
motor controller 40 supplies drive pulses to stepping motors 42a to
42i via motor drivers 41a to 41i provided for the respective
stepping motors. By the way, in a state that the coin is not
inserted, the start signal is ignored so that the reel 14 is not
rotated.
[0046] The respective reels 14 are directly driven by the stepping
motors 42a to 42i. A rotational amount of the reel 14 is calculated
from a number of the drive pulses supplied to the corresponding
stepping motor. The number of the drive pulses supplied to the
stepping motor is counted by an individual counter provided in a
winning judgement section 43. Meanwhile, a reset signal is
outputted from each of sensors 44a to 44i whenever each reel 14
passes its reference position. In response to the reset signal, a
counted value of the drive pulses supplied to the corresponding
stepping motor is reset. This way, the rotational position of the
stepping motor is continuously monitored per rotation. Symbol
arrangement commencing from the reference position is known in
advance with respect to each reel 14. Accordingly, when the
stepping motor has been stopped, a kind of the symbol appearing in
the symbol displaying window 11 is specified on the basis of the
counted value of the drive pulses.
[0047] When the motor controller 40 is activated, the CPU 32
extracts a random number from a random-number generator 45 to
determine a symbol combination occurring as a result of the current
game. In order to determine the symbol combination, the ROM 37
stores data for correlating the random number with the symbol
combination.
[0048] The symbol arrangement commencing from the reference
position is known regarding each reel 14, and arrangement data
thereof is written in the ROM 37. The CPU 32 controls the stepping
motors 42a to 42i, observing the counted values of the respective
counters. Owing to this, the reels may be stopped such that the
symbol combination corresponding to the extracted random number is
displayed on the nominated game line. In other words, the
respective reels 14 are stopped by the CPU 32 so as to obtain the
symbol combination determined on the basis of the extracted random
number.
[0049] The winning judgement section 43 receives the data of the
nominated game lines from the CPU 32. Moreover, the winning
judgement section 43 checks the data stored in the ROM 37 to
confirm whether the winning occurs or not every nominated game
line. When occurrence of the winning is confirmed, a winning signal
and a line signal are inputted into the CPU 32. The winning signal
represents a kind of the winning, and the line signal represents
the nominated game line on which the winning occurs. When the
winning does not occur, a loss signal is inputted into the CPU
32.
[0050] In the case that the winning has occurred, the CPU 32 checks
the bet number saved in the RAM 38 and the dividend-coin data
stored in the ROM 37. Then, the CPU 32 stores, in the RAM 38, the
number of the dividend coins corresponding to the kind of the
obtained winning. Moreover, the CPU 32 actuates a credit display 17
to indicate the accumulated number of the dividend coins. If the
payout button 21 is depressed at this time, a coin dispenser 46 is
driven to pay out the coins, the number of which is indicated by
the credit display 17, to the coin tray 13. Incidentally, the RAM
38 includes a credit counting area and a coin counting area in
addition to an area for storing the number of the betted coins. The
credit counting area is for accumulating the number of the divided
coins obtained every winning, and the coin counting area is for
storing the number of the inserted coins. The RAM 38 is used as a
memory for temporarily storing the various data obtained during the
game process. The ROM 37 stores, besides the above data, programs
for executing a main-game sequence and a sub-game sequence.
[0051] Hereinafter, an operation of the slot machine 10 is
described. First of all, the player inserts the coin into the coin
slot 20. Then, the player imagines which game line is expected to
obtain the winning. In accordance with the imagination, the player
selects the number of the game lines to be nominated. Further, the
player selects the bet number of the nominated game lines.
Selecting the game lines and the bet number is performed by
operating the line buttons 23 and the bet buttons 24, alternatively
by operating the one-by-one bet button 26.
[0052] When operating the line button 23 and the bet button 24, the
line button 23 is operated first to select the number of the game
lines to be nominated. At this time, the LEDs 28 of the line
buttons 23 being selectable are turned on in accordance with the
number of the inserted coins. Upon depression of the one-line
button 23a, only the game line 15a is nominated. Upon depression of
the three-line button 23b, the game lines 15a to 15c are nominated.
Upon depression of the five-line button 23c, the game lines 15a to
15e are nominated. Upon depression of the eight-line button 23d,
the whole game lines 15a to 15h are nominated. Incidentally, after
the line button 23 has been selected, only the LED 28 of the
selected one is turned on.
[0053] Successively, one of the bet buttons 24 is depressed for
selecting the number of the coins to be betted on the nominated
game lines. At this time, only the LEDs 28 of the operative bet
buttons 24 are turned on after depressing the line button 23. Upon
selectively depressing one of the bet buttons 24, the coins whose
number is one, two, three or four are betted on each of the
nominated game lines. After depressing one of the bet buttons 24,
only the LED 28 of the selected one is turned on. Meanwhile, an
operation signal is inputted from the operation detecting circuit
36 into the CPU 32 to actuate the line indicator 16.
[0054] After that, the spin button 25 is depressed to rotate the
reels 14. Upon this, the start signal is inputted from the
operation detecting circuit 36 into the CPU 32 to activate the
motor controller 40. The CPU 32 extracts the random number from the
random-number generator 45 to determine the symbol combination to
be displayed as a result of the current game. Further, the symbols
to be stopped at the game line are determined with respect to the
respective reels 14.
[0055] Occurrence of winning is determined as stated above. In the
case of winning, a kind thereof is also determined. And then, the
respective reels 14 are simultaneously started to rotate. After
rotating the respective reels 14 by a predetermined amount, the CPU
32 performs a stopping operation of the stepping motors 42a to 42j,
referring to the counted value of the counter. In virtue of this
operation, the reels 14 are stopped so as to display the symbol
combination determined on the basis of the extracted random number.
In the case of winning, the credit display 17 is actuated,
referring to both of the dividend-coin data stored in the ROM 37
and the bet number saved in the RAM 38, to indicate the
accumulation number of the awarded coins corresponding to the kind
of the obtained winning. At the same time, the number of the
awarded coins is accumulated in the credit counter area of the RAM
38. In this case, the awarded coins are the dividend-coin number
multiplied by the bet number .alpha. (=1 to 4). After displaying
the number of the awarded coins, one game is completed.
[0056] When the number of the game lines to be nominated and the
bet number thereof are selected by operating the one-by-one bet
button 26, this button 26 is depressed by desired times. When the
one-by-one bet button 26 is depressed, the number of the nominated
game lines increases in association with the depression number of
the button 26. At the same time, betting the coin is also
performed. When the one-by-one bet button 26 is depressed within
eight times, the coins are betted on the nominated game lines one
by one. When the one-by-one bet button 26 is depressed within a
range of nine times to thirty-two times, the coins are betted on
the nominated game lines two by two, three by three, or four by
four.
[0057] After that, the respective reels 14 are rotated upon
depression of the spin button 25. When the respective reels 14 are
stopped, the credit display 17 indicates the kind of winning and
the awarded-coin number corresponding to the betted-coin number, if
the winning is obtained. At the same time, the awarded-coin number
is accumulated in the credit counter area of the RAM 38. Then, one
game is completed.
[0058] When the inserted-coin number or the accumulated-coin number
of the credit counter is thirty-two or more, the whole game lines
15a to 15h are nominated by depressing the maximum bet button 27.
In this case, it is possible to bet the coins on the game lines 15a
to 15h four by four. On the other hand, when the inserted-coin
number or the accumulated-coin number of the credit counter is
thirty-one or less, the number of the game lines to be nominated
and the bet number thereof are selected in accordance with the
number of the coins similarly to the case of depressing the
one-by-one bet button 26. Thus, by depressing the maximum bet
button 27, it is unnecessary to operate the line button 23, the bet
button 24, and the one-by-one bet button 26.
[0059] As described above, the slot machine 10 has two manners for
selecting the number of the game lines and the bet number thereof.
In one manner, the line button 23 and the bet button 24 are
operated. In the other manner, the one-by-one bet button 26 is
operated. For instance, when the game is played with two coins, the
game line 15a is nominated by operating the one-line button 23a,
and then, one or two coins are betted on the game line 15a by
operating the one-bet button 24a or the two-bet button 24b. In
contrast, by depressing the one-by-one bet button 26 twice, the
coins are betted on the game lines 15a and 15b one by one.
[0060] The player forecasts the game line on which the winning is
likely to occur, and operates the line button 23 and the bet button
24. Owing to this, the number of the coins to be betted on the
forecasted game line may be increased to obtain a large number of
the dividend coins. Therefore, the player obtains novel interest of
the game, since it is annexed thereto to forecast the game line on
which the winning is likely to occur. Moreover, by operating the
one-by-one bet button 26, the coins may be uniformly betted on the
nominated game lines so that the player may play one game without
losing many coins.
[0061] As described above, when playing the slot-machine game, the
one-by-one bet button 26 is used separately from the line buttons
23 and the bet buttons 24. Owing to this, the game is prevented
from being monotonously played, and it is possible to play the game
in various ways. Thus, interest of the game may be enhanced for the
player. Further, the nine reels are arranged in the matrix form so
that it is possible to introduce the vertical game lines.
Accordingly, the number of the game lines is increased. At the same
time, all the game lines become straight so that the game lines may
be easily distinguished from each other notwithstanding the
increase of the game lines. Consequently, game contents may be
easily grasped so that the player may enjoy the game in various
aspect.
[0062] In the above embodiment, the nine symbol windows 11 are
combined three by three in the vertical direction, in the
horizontal direction, and in the diagonal direction to set the
eight game lines in total. However, this is not exclusive. It is
possible to set a proper number of the game lines by combining any
three of the symbol windows 11. Also in this case, the number of
the game lines to be nominated and the bet number thereof are
selected similarly to the above embodiment. In this way, the game
may be played in various manners so that interest of the game is
enhanced for the player.
[0063] As to the operation buttons disposed on the operation panel
12, the kinds and the arrangement thereof may be properly changed.
For instance, a two-by-two bet button may be provided besides the
one-by-one bet button 26. By using the two-by-two bet button, the
coins are betted two by two on the game lines to be sequentially
nominated. Similarly, a three-by-three bet button may be provided.
Moreover, if a double-up button and so forth are provided, the game
may be played in more various ways.
[0064] In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to
the slot machine whose reels 14 are automatically stopped. However,
this is not exclusive. The present invention may be applied to the
slot machine whose reel is stopped by operating a stop button.
Further, the present invention may be applied to a video-type slot
machine in which reels are displayed on a CRT and are rotated in
accordance with graphic data stored in a ROM.
[0065] Next, a second embodiment is described below. In the second
embodiment, a component being identical with that of the first
embodiment is denoted by same reference numeral and detailed
description thereof is abbreviated. As shown in FIG. 5, a front
face of a slot machine 50 is provided with a symbol-image
displaying unit 51, an operation panel 12, and a coin tray 13. FIG.
6 shows the symbol-image displaying unit 51 under a condition that
five game lines are nominated. A liquid crystal panel 57 is
attached to the symbol-image displaying unit 51. A display surface
of the liquid crystal panel 57 is provided with symbol-image
windows 58, a line-number window 59, bet-number windows 60, a
total-bet-number window 61, a coin-number window 62, a message
window 63, and a credit window 64.
[0066] A number of the symbol-image windows 58 is nine, and they
are arranged in three-by-three matrix. The symbol-image window 58
is an individual area for displaying symbol images which move so as
to flow therein. The nine symbol-image windows 58 are combined
three by three, including three horizontal lines, three vertical
lines, and two diagonal lines. In total, eight game lines are
provided. By the way, frame lines for defining the display surface
is not essential and may be omitted insofar as the individual
display area, the number of which is nine, are secured.
[0067] The line-number window 59 works as a display for indicating
a number of the nominated game lines for the player. The nominated
game line itself is indicated by a line display 65 straightly
extending from one end of the three symbol-image windows of the
game line to the other end thereof. The line display 65 is
superimposed on the symbol images and is turned on to indicate the
nominated game line. When the moving display of the symbol images
is started, the line display 65 is turned off for a while. Then,
when the moving display of the symbol images is stopped, the line
display 65 is turned on again. At this time, the line display 65 on
which winning occurs is adapted to be blinked.
[0068] The bet-number windows 60 are disposed near the one ends of
the respective line displays 65 to indicate the number of coins
betted on the nominated game lines. The total bet-number window 61
indicates the total number of coins betted on the nominated game
lines. In FIG. 6, the five game lines are nominated and the coins
are betted thereon one by one so that the respective bet-number
windows 60 indicate "1" and the total-bet-number window 61
indicates "5".
[0069] The coin-number window 62 indicates a number of coins to be
paid when the winning occurs on the nominated game line. The
message window 63 displays messages for instructing coin insertion
and operations of various buttons provided on the operation panel
12. The massage window 63 guides a player along a game process. The
message shown in FIG. 6 instructs the player to operate the bet
button. In accordance with the displayed message, the player
operates the bet button. The credit window 64 displays a number of
coins accumulated in a credit counter.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel 12 is provided under
the symbol-image displaying unit 51. The operation panel 12 is
described in the first embodiment in detail.
[0071] When a player inserts one coin, the number of the
nominatable game lines is one. Upon depression of the one-line
button 23a, the central horizontal game line is nominated. When
three coins are inserted, the number of the nominatable game lines
is three. Upon operation of the three-line button 23b, the three
horizontal game lines are nominated. Similarly, when five coins are
inserted, the five game lines are nominated in total upon operation
of the five-line button 23c. The five game lines include the three
horizontal game lines and the two diagonal game lines. When eight
coins are inserted, the eight game lines are nominated in total
upon operation of the eight-line button 23d. The eight game lines
include the three vertical game lines in addition to the
above-noted five game lines.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 32 activates a display control
IC 72 and the LED controller 34 in response to the coin detection
signal outputted from the coin sensor 31. The display control IC 72
indicates a number of the inserted coins in the credit window 64 of
the liquid crystal panel 57.
[0073] When each button of the operation panel 12 is operated, an
operation signal thereof is inputted into the CPU 32 via the
operation detecting circuit 36. Incidentally, the CPU 32 totally
controls the operation of the slot machine in accordance with a
game program stored in the ROM 37, and ignores the inputted
operation signals if these signals are irrelevant to game
procedure.
[0074] When the line button 23 is depressed, the CPU 32 judges the
number of the game lines to be nominated in response to the
selected line button 23. Then, a judgement signal is inputted into
the display control IC 72. From a line pattern memory 78, the
display control IC 72 reads out graphic data of the line-number
window 59 and the line display 65 corresponding to the judgement
signal. The graphic data are displayed on the liquid crystal panel
57 every display position. The CPU 32 nominates the game lines
shown by the line displays 65 so as to correspond to the selected
number of the game lines.
[0075] When the bet button 24 is depressed, a bet-number selection
signal is inputted into the CPU 32. Successively, the CPU 32 judges
the bed number to input a judgement signal into the display control
IC 72. From a bet-number data memory 79, the display control IC 72
reads out corresponding graphic data to be displayed in both of the
bet-number window 60 and the total-bet-number window 61. The
graphic data are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 57.
Meanwhile, the CPU 32 temporarily saves the bet number in the RAM
38.
[0076] In addition, from a message data memory 81, the display
control IC 72 reads a massage for instructing coin insertion when
it is required to insert the coins. The display control IC 72 also
reads, from the message date memory 81, messages for instructing
operations of the line button 23, the bet button 24 and the spin
button 25. The read message is displayed in the message window
63.
[0077] When the spin button 25 is depressed, the start signal is
inputted into the CPU 32 to activate the display control IC 72 in
response to the start signal. The display control IC 72 reads out
graphic data of a symbol-image row from a symbol-image data memory
82 with respect to each of the symbol-image windows 58. The read
graphic data is inputted into the liquid crystal panel 57. Owing to
this, the individual symbol image constituting the symbol-image row
is repeatedly displayed in the symbol-image window 58 so as to flow
therein. In the meantime, when the spin button 25 is depressed, the
CPU 32 actuates the LED controller 34 to change the state of the
lighting LED 28 to a blinking state via the LED driver 35.
[0078] When the start signal is inputted into the CPU 32, a sole
random number is sampled from the random-number generator 45 and is
inputted into the winning judgement section 43. When inputting the
random number, the winning judgement section 43 determines a kind
of the winning to be awarded in the current game. Successively, the
CPU 32 activates a symbol determining circuit 85 for determining
the symbol images to be stopped in the symbol-image windows 58. The
symbol images to be finally displayed are determined in accordance
with the kind of winning or non-winning determined on the basis of
the sampled random number. A head address of the graphic data
corresponding to the finally displayed symbol image is inputted
into the CPU 32.
[0079] The display control IC 72 inputs the head address allocated
to each symbol image into the CPU 32 when the graphic data of each
display position is inputted into the liquid crystal panel 57.
Thus, the CPU 32 can recognize the symbol image currently displayed
at each display position by monitoring the head address. When the
head address inputted from the symbol determining circuit 85
coincides with the head address inputted from the display control
IC 72, the moving display of the symbol-image row is stopped. In
this way, the determined symbol image is stopped in each of the
symbol-image windows 58. In the case of winning, the CPU 32
determines the game line, at random, on which the winning
occurs.
[0080] As stated above, the symbol image is displayed in the
symbol-image window 58 so as to flow. Thus, the timing for
inputting the head address of the graphic data into the liquid
crystal panel 57 does not coincide with the timing for displaying
the corresponding symbol image at the center of the symbol-image
window 58. However, the display control IC 72 monitors a moving
speed of the symbol image by counting clock pulses so that it is
easy to deal with a difference between the former timing and the
latter timing.
[0081] After the winning has occurred, the CPU 32 checks the
dividend-coin data stored in the ROM 37 and the bet number saved in
the RAM 38. Then, the CPU 32 stores, in the RAM 38, the number of
the dividend coins corresponding to the kind of the obtained
winning. At the same time, the CPU 32 actuates the display control
IC 72 to indicate the accumulated number of the dividend coins in
the credit window 64. In addition, the display control IC 72 blinks
the line display 65 along which the winning occurs. Upon depression
of the payout button 21, the coin dispenser 46 is driven to pay out
the coins, the number of which is indicated in the credit window
64, to the coin tray 13.
[0082] An operation of the slot machine 50 is described below.
First of all, the player inserts the coin into the coin slot 20.
Then, the player imagines which game line is expected to obtain the
winning. In accordance with the imagination, the player selects the
number of the game lines to be nominated. Further, the player
selects the bet number of the nominated game lines. Selecting the
game lines and the bet number are performed by operating the line
buttons 23 and the bet buttons 24.
[0083] When the coin is inserted, the coin detection signal is
inputted into the CPU 32 to activate the LED controller 34. If the
number of the inserted coins is thirty two or more, all of the line
buttons 23 and the bet buttons 24 are tuned on. After that, the
player determines the number of the game lines to be nominated, and
selectively depresses any one of the line buttons 23 including the
one-line button 23a through the eight-line button 23d. Upon
depressing the one-line button 23a, the sole horizontal line is
nominated. Upon depressing the three-line button 23b, the three
horizontal lines are nominated. Upon depressing the five-line
button 23c, the three horizontal lines and the two diagonal lines
are nominated. Upon depressing the eight-line button 23d, the three
horizontal lines, the two diagonal lines and the three vertical
lines are nominated. When one of the line buttons 23 is depressed
such as stated above, a game-line selection signal is inputted into
the CPU 32 via the operation detecting circuit 36 to activate the
display control IC 72 and the LED controller 34.
[0084] In accordance with the number of the nominated game lines,
the LED controller 34 continues to turn on the LED 28 of the
depressed line button 23. The LEDs 28 of the non-selected line
buttons 23 are turned off. For instance, when the one-line button
23a is depressed, the LED 28 thereof is kept in a lighting state
and the LEDs 28 of the other line buttons are turned off. In a case
the user wants, after depressing the line button 23, to change the
number of the game lines to be nominated, it is sufficient to
depress the line button of the desired number. In this case, the
LED controller 34 turns on the LED 28 of the newly depressed line
button 23, and turns off the LED 28 of the previously depressed
line button 23.
[0085] In the meantime, the display control IC 72 indicates the
nominated game line on the liquid crystal panel 57 with the line
display 65. In addition, the display control IC 72 shows the number
of the nominated game lines in the line-number window 59.
[0086] Successively, the player selects the number of the coins to
be betted on the nominated game line. At this point in time, all of
the bet buttons 24 are turned on. The player depresses any one of
the bet buttons 24a through 24d to bet the coins of four or less on
the nominated game line. Similarly to the line button 23, only the
LED 28 of the depressed bet button 24 continues to be turned on and
the LEDs 28 of the other bet buttons 24 are turned off.
Incidentally, when thirty two coins are betted by depressing the
eight-line button 23d and the four-bet button 24d, the maximum bet
button 27 may be depressed instead of these buttons 23d and
24d.
[0087] When one of the bet buttons 24 is depressed, the operation
signal is inputted into the CPU 32 via the operation detecting
circuit 36 to activate the display control IC 72 for indicating the
number of the betted coins in the bet-number window 60. At the same
time, the total number of the betted coins is shown in the
total-bet-number window 61.
[0088] When the number of the inserted coins is thirty one or less
and is eight or more, the LEDs 28 of all of the line buttons 23 and
the bet buttons 24 are turned on. Upon depressing one of the line
buttons 23a through 23d, only the LED 28 of the depressed line
button 23 is kept in the lighting state. According to the number of
the nominated game lines, there is a possibility that some of the
bet buttons 24 become inoperative. In this case, the LED 28 of the
inoperative bet button 24 is turned off.
[0089] For instance, when the coins are inserted by eight, the LEDs
28 of all of the line buttons 23 and the bet buttons 24 are turned
on. Successively, when the three-line button 23b is depressed, it
is possible to bet one or two coins on each of the nominated game
lines. Accordingly, after depressing the three-line button 23b, the
LEDs 28 of the one-bet button 24a and the two-bet button 24b are
kept in the lighting state and the LEDs 28 of the three-bet button
24c and the four-bet button 24d are turned off.
[0090] One of the operative bet buttons 24 is selectively depressed
after selecting the line button 23. Consequently, the two LEDs 28
of the depressed line button 23 and the depressed bet button 24 are
kept in the lighting state.
[0091] When the number of the inserted coins is seven or less, only
the LEDs 28 of the operative buttons are turned on. At this point
in time, the LEDs 28 of the inoperative buttons are turned off.
Upon depressing one of the line buttons 23a to 23d, only the LED 28
of the depressed line button 23 is turned on. At this time, some of
the bet buttons 24 become inoperative according to the number of
the nominated game lines so that the LEDs 28 thereof are turned
off.
[0092] When the coins are inserted by three, it is impossible to
nominate the five game lines and the eight game lines. Thus, the
LEDs 28 of the five-line button 23c and the eight-line button 23d
are turned off, and the LEDs 28 of the one-line button 23a and the
three-line button 23b are turned on. Under this condition, if the
number of the game lines to be nominated is one, three coins may be
betted at the maximum. Accordingly, the one-bet button 24a to the
three-bet button 24c are turned on and the four-bet button 24d is
turned off. Meanwhile, if the three-line button 23b is depressed
when nominating the game lines, the number of the coins betted on
the nominated game lines is one. Thus, the two-bet button 24b and
the three-bet button 24c become inoperative in addition to the
four-bet button 24d so that the LEDs 28 thereof are turned off.
[0093] One of the operative bet buttons 24 is selectively depressed
after selecting the line button 23. Consequently, the two LEDs 28
of the depressed line button 23 and the depressed bet button 24 are
kept in the lighting state.
[0094] As stated above, nominating the game lines and betting the
coins are completed after inserting the coins. Then, the spin
button 25 is depressed to move the symbol-image rows. Upon
depression of the spin button 25, the display control IC 72 starts
the moving display of the symbol-image row and turns off the line
display 65. In a case that the player wishes to confirm the number
of the nominated game lines during the moving display of the
symbol-image row, the player watches the line-number window 59.
Incidentally, while the symbol-image row is moved, the LEDs 28 of
the line button 23 and the bet button 24 are blinked.
[0095] In the meantime, the CPU 32 extracts the random number from
the random-number generator 45 every nominated game line to
determine the kind of winning to be awarded to the current game.
The CPU 32 stops the moving display of the symbol-image row
performed by the display control IC 72, such that the head address
inputted from the symbol determining circuit 85 coincides with the
head address inputted from the display control IC 72. In this way,
one operation of the symbol-image displaying unit 51 is completed.
In the case of winning, the CPU 32 refers to both of the
dividend-coin data stored in the ROM 37 and the bet number saved in
the RAM 38. Then, the CPU 32 indicates, in the credit window 64,
the accumulation number of the awarded coins corresponding to the
kind of the obtained winning. At the same time, the number of the
awarded coins is accumulated in the credit counter area of the RAM
38. Incidentally, the number of the awarded coins are the
dividend-coin number multiplied by the bet number .alpha. (=1 to
4). After displaying the number of the awarded coins, one game is
completed.
[0096] In the slot machine 50, the LEDs 28 provided inside the line
buttons 23 and the bet buttons 24 are adapted to indicate the
operative buttons in accordance with the number of the inserted
coins. Therefore, the player can immediately distinguish the
operative buttons after inserting the coins and after depressing
the line button 23. Moreover, the nominated game lines and the bet
number thereof are shown by the line display 65 and the line-number
window 59 so that the player can easily distinguish the nominated
game lines from the other game lines as soon as the line buttons 23
is depressed. Further, the bet-number window 60 and the
total-bet-number window 61 are provided so that it is possible to
immediately know the number of the betted coins and the totally
betted coins. In conclusion, according to the slot machine 50, the
player can easily grasp the game contents.
[0097] The second embodiment of the present invention has been
described, referring to the drawings. However, when working the
present invention, it is possible to properly modify the second
embodiment. Although the number of the game lines is set to eight
in the second embodiment, this is not exclusive and it is possible
to set a proper number of the game lines at proper positions.
Moreover, the number of the symbol-image windows 58 is not
exclusive to nine and may be a proper number.
[0098] In the second embodiment, the number of the nominated game
lines is changed by depressing the line button 23 again after the
number of the game lines to be nominated has been determined by
depressing the line button 23. Similarly, the bet button 24 may be
changeable after depression thereof. Further, in the second
embodiment, the bet button 24 is depressed after depression of the
line button 23. However, the bet button 24 may be depressed first
to determine the number of the coins to be betted on the game
lines. In this case, the line button 23 is depressed to determine
the game lines to be nominated after depressing the bet button
24.
[0099] In the second embodiment, the LEDs 28 of the operative
buttons are turned on, the LEDs 28 of the inoperative buttons are
turned off, and the LEDs 28 of the selected buttons are blinked
during the moving display of the symbol-image row. However, this
way is not exclusive. For example, the LEDs 28 of the operative
buttons may be kept in the lighting state to notify the changeable
buttons to the player. In this case, it is preferable to turn off
the LEDs 28 of the non-depressed buttons after commencing the
moving display of the symbol-image row. Further, it is possible to
properly modify the lighting way of the LED 28 including the
lighting manner, the lighting timing, the lighting period, and so
forth. For example, the LED 28 of the operative button may be
blinked. Furthermore, the LED 28 is not exclusive for lighting the
line button 23 and the bet button 24. Instead of the LED 28, a lump
or the like may be used.
[0100] In the second embodiment, the game line nominated by
depressing the line button 23 is shown with the line display 65.
However, this is not exclusive. For example, all of the game lines
may be indicated in advance, and the nominated game line may be
indicated in a different color or in a blinking manner. In the
second embodiment, the number of the betted coins is digitally
indicated in the bet-number window 60. However, this is not
exclusive. The number of the betted coins may be indicated with
indicias, marks and so forth.
[0101] It is possible to properly modify the kinds and the
arrangement of the various operation buttons disposed on the
operation panel 12. For example, by providing an extra button for
doubling the number of the obtained coins, it is possible to play
more various games. Further, as far as the subject matter of the
present invention is not changed, it is possible to variously
modify the number of the symbol-image windows, the kinds of the
symbols, the symbol arrangement of the symbol row, the kinds and
the dividend of the winnings, the bet number, the moving direction
of the symbol row, the manner and the order for stopping the symbol
row, and so forth.
[0102] In the second embodiment, the present invention is applied
to the video-type slot machine in which the reel rotation is
simulated by the displaying unit on the basis of the graphic data
stored in the ROM. The present invention, however, may be applied
to a reel-type slot machine in which physical reels, on peripheral
surfaces of which a plurality of symbols are arranged, are actually
rotated. In this case, the nominated game line may be indicated by
LEDs and lamps provided along the game line. In another way, an
Electro Luminescence tape (EL tape) may be utilized for indicating
the nominated game line. Moreover, it is preferable that the number
of coins betted on the nominated game line is shown by indication
segments disposed near the LED, the lamp, and the end of the EL
tape. Further, it is preferable that the total number of the
nominated game lines is shown by lamps and indication segments.
Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to the slot
machine in which the reel rotation or the moving display of the
symbol row is stopped by depressing a stop button.
[0103] Although the present invention has been fully described by
way of the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the
accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be
apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless
otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope of
the present invention, they should be construed as included
therein.
* * * * *