U.S. patent application number 11/489618 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for gaming machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aruze Corp.. Invention is credited to Keika Yokoyama.
Application Number | 20070021177 11/489618 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37679752 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070021177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yokoyama; Keika |
January 25, 2007 |
Gaming machine
Abstract
A gaming machine includes: an image display device; and a game
processing unit that performs a process for providing a player a
game by controlling the image display device to display a progress
of the game. The game processing unit performs the process
including: controlling the image display device to perform variable
display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a
plurality of symbol display sections configured on a screen of the
image display device; controlling the image display device to stop
performing the variable display and to display symbols being
stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that
the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination
of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part
of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination;
determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a
specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when
replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is
displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding
the determination area; controlling, when determined that the
partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform
the variable display on one of the the symbol display sections in
which the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is
stopped; and controlling the image display device to display the
specific symbol to be moved from the symbol display section, in
which the specific symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol
display section on which the variable display is re-performed,
while the variable display is re-performed on the symbol display
section.
Inventors: |
Yokoyama; Keika; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
C. IRVIN MCCLELLAND;OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Aruze Corp.
3-1-25, Ariake
Koto-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
37679752 |
Appl. No.: |
11/489618 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3267 20130101;
G07F 17/34 20130101; G07F 17/3211 20130101; G07F 17/3244
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/016 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 21, 2005 |
JP |
2005-211789 |
Claims
1. A gaming machine comprising: an image display device; and a game
processing unit that performs a process for providing a player a
game by controlling the image display device to display a progress
of the game, the game processing unit performing the process
comprising: controlling the image display device to perform
variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on
each of a plurality of symbol display sections configured on a
screen of the image display device; controlling the image display
device to stop performing the variable display and to display
symbols being stopped in each of the symbol display sections;
determining that the game is won when a symbol combination, which
is a combination of symbols being stopped in a determination area
defined by a part of the symbol display sections, satisfies a
winning combination; determining that a partial win of the game is
satisfied when a specific symbol, which satisfies the winning
combination when replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol
combination, is displayed stopped in one of the symbol display
sections excluding the determination area; controlling, when
determined that the partial win is satisfied, the image display
device to re-perform the variable display on one of the symbol
display sections in which the symbol to be replaced with the
specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image display
device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the symbol
display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed stopped,
to the symbol display section on which the variable display is
re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed on the
symbol display section.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game
processing unit performs the process further comprising controlling
the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to
be moved to the symbol display section on which the variable
display is re-performed, to display the specific symbol to be drawn
into the symbol display section on which the variable display is
re-performed.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the game
processing unit performs the process further comprising controlling
the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to
be drawn into the symbol display section on which the variable
display is re-performed, to stop performing the variable display
and to display symbols being stopped in the symbol display sections
on which the variable display is re-performed.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game
processing unit performs the process further comprising determining
the symbols to be stopped in each of the symbol display
sections.
5. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the game
processing unit performs the process further comprising
determining, when determined that the partial win of the game is
satisfied, the symbols to be stopped in the symbol display sections
in the symbol display section on which the variable display is
re-performed.
6. A method for providing a player a game with a gaming machine by
controlling an image display device provided on the gaming machine
to display a progress of the game, the method comprising:
controlling the image display device to perform variable display
for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a
plurality of symbol display sections configured on a screen of the
image display device; controlling the image display device to stop
performing the variable display and to display symbols being
stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that
the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination
of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part
of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination;
determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a
specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when
replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is
displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding
the determination area; controlling, when determined that the
partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform
the variable display on one of the symbol display sections in which
the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is stopped; and
controlling the image display device to display the specific symbol
to be moved from the symbol display section, in which the specific
symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol display section on which
the variable display is re-performed, while the variable display is
re-performed on the symbol display section.
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising controlling
the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to
be moved to the symbol display section on which the variable
display is re-performed, to display the specific symbol to be drawn
into the symbol display section on which the variable display is
re-performed.
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising controlling
the image display device, after displaying the specific symbol to
be drawn into the symbol display section on which the variable
display is re-performed, to stop performing the variable display
and to display symbols being stopped in the symbol display sections
which the variable display is re-performed.
9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising determining
the symbols to be stopped in each of the symbol display
sections.
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising
determining, when determined that the partial win of the game is
satisfied, the symbols to be stopped in the symbol display sections
in the symbol display section on which the variable display is
re-performed.
11. A computer-readable program product for causing a computer
provided on a gaming machine for providing a player a game to
control an image display device provided on the gaming machine to
display a progress of the game, the program product causing the
computer to perform a procedure comprising: controlling the image
display device to perform variable display for variably displaying
a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of symbol display
sections configured on a screen of the image display device;
controlling the image display device to stop performing the
variable display and to display symbols being stopped in each of
the symbol display sections; determining that the game is won when
a symbol combination, which is a combination of symbols being
stopped in a determination area defined by a part of the symbol
display sections, satisfies a winning combination; determining that
a partial win of the game is satisfied when a specific symbol,
which satisfies the winning combination when replaced with one of
the symbols in the symbol combination, is displayed stopped in one
of the symbol display sections excluding the determination area;
controlling, when determined that the partial win is satisfied, the
image display device to re-perform the variable display on one of
the the symbol display sections in which the symbol to be replaced
with the specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image
display device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the
symbol display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed
stopped, to the symbol display section on which the variable
display is re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed
on the symbol display section.
12. The program product according to claim 11, the program product
causing the computer to perform the procedure further comprising
controlling the image display device, after displaying the specific
symbol to be moved to the symbol display section on which the
variable display is re-performed, to display the specific symbol to
be drawn into the symbol display section on which the variable
display is re-performed.
13. The program product according to claim 12, the program product
causing the computer to perform the procedure further comprising
controlling the image display device, after displaying the specific
symbol to be drawn into the symbol display section on which the
variable display is re-performed, to stop performing the variable
display and to display symbols being stopped in the symbol display
sections on which the variable display is re-performed.
14. The program product according to claim 11, the program product
causing the computer to perform the procedure further comprising
determining the symbols to be stopped in each of the symbol display
sections.
15. The program product according to claim 14, the program product
causing the computer to perform the procedure further comprising
determining, when determined that the partial win of the game is
satisfied, the symbols to be stopped in the symbol display sections
in the symbol display section on which the variable display is
re-performed.
16. A gaming machine comprising: a variable display means for
variably displaying a plurality of symbols on a plurality of rows;
a winning combination determination means for determining whether
or not a game is won by a player; a stop display control means for
producing stop display of the symbols on the rows so that the
symbols displayed stopped in a determination area, in which to
determine whether or not a specific symbol combination is satisfy,
form the specific symbol combination when the winning combination
determination means determines the win; a partial winning
combination condition determination means for determining whether
or not a partial winning combination condition is satisfied for the
symbol displayed stopped in the determination area to form a part
of the specific symbol combination, and for displaying specific
symbol capable of forming the specific symbol combination in any
other area than the determination area; a re-variable display
control means for re-performing the variably display of the
plurality of symbols on a non-display row where the symbol forming
a part of the specific symbol combination is not displayed when the
partial winning combination condition determination means
determines that the partial winning combination condition is
satisfied; and a move display control means for causing the
variable display means to perform a move display of the specific
symbol to the non-display row when the re-variable display control
means re-performs the variably display the plurality of symbols on
the non-display row.
17. The gaming machine according to claim 16, further comprising a
draw-in display control means for causing the variable display
means to display a draw-in display of drawing the specific symbol
into the re-variable display after the move display control means
performs the move display.
18. The gaming machine according to claim 17, further comprising a
non-display row symbol determination means for determining the
symbol to be displayed stopped on the non-display row after the
draw-in display control means performs the draw-in display.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application is based upon and claims priority
from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-211789, filed on
Jul. 21, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a
slot machine, a Pachi-Slot machine, or a pachinko machine including
a display device, such as a liquid crystal display, for displaying
a result of the game play.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Hitherto, there is provided a gaming machine including
display device, such as a liquid crystal display, for displaying
the result of the game play and advancing game play using an image
displayed on the display device. As examples of such gaming
machine, for example, there is provided: a gaming machine for
producing variable display as reels displayed as an image on a
liquid crystal display (such type of reels will be hereinafter
referred to as "video reels") are rotated or scrolled according to
player's operation (video slot machine); and a gaming machine for
displaying a card image representing playing cards and changing the
card image display to advance the game according to operation input
of the player (card gaming machine). In addition, a gaming machine,
such as a slot machine, a pachinko machine and a Pachi-Slot
machine, also includes display device that displays an image
showing the progress of the game and a result of the game.
[0004] In this kind of gaming machine, various effects such as
image effect displayed on display device are produced for the
reasons of heightening a sense of expectancy of the player and
enhancing the game play desire until the result of the game (for
example, in video slot machine, symbol combination when variable
display stops; in pachinko machine, symbol stop display state in
special symbol game) is displayed. For example, a document
JP-A-2002-159687 discloses a pachinko machine for producing effect
for enhancing the degree of expectation for a big bonus or flag
completion of a bonus game. A document JP-A-2002-126171 discloses a
Pachi-Slot machine wherein effects displayed on a display are
roughly classified into effects that can be canceled and effects
that cannot be canceled and the player can cancel any effect that
can be canceled by operating an effect cancel button.
[0005] In the gaming machines in the related arts, various effects
such as image effect displayed on display device are produced, so
that a sense of expectancy of the player can be heightened and the
game play desire can be enhanced according to the effects.
[0006] However, even if various effects such as image effect are
produced, the effects mainly aim at only the visual effect on the
player and are not sufficient for actually heightening a sense of
expectancy of the player. Of course, finally the result of the game
does not become a win (or a winning combination) (for example, the
symbol combination does not become a specific symbol combination,
the symbol stop display state does not become a specific stop
display state, or the like). Thus, if the player plays a game with
any gaming machine in the related arts, the player easily feels
that a loss feeling or regret when the result of the game does not
become a win (or a winning combination) is large on the rebound
after a sense of expectancy is heightened by the effects.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine including: an image display device; and a
game processing unit that performs a process for providing a player
a game by controlling the image display device to display a
progress of the game. The game processing unit performing the
process including: controlling the image display device to perform
variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on
each of a plurality of symbol display section configured on a
screen of the image display device; controlling the image display
device to stop performing the variable display and to display
symbols being stopped in each of the symbol display sections;
determining that the game is won when a symbol combination, which
is a combination of symbols being stopped in a determination area
defined by a part of the symbol display sections, satisfies a
winning combination; determining that a partial win of the game is
satisfied when a specific symbol, which satisfies the winning
combination when replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol
combination, is displayed stopped in one of the symbol display
sections excluding the determination area; controlling, when
determined that the partial win is satisfied, the image display
device to re-perform the variable display on one of the the symbol
display sections in which the symbol to be replaced with the
specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image display
device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the symbol
display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed stopped,
to the symbol display section on which the variable display is
re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed on the
symbol display section.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method for providing a player a game with a gaming
machine by controlling an image display device provided on the
gaming machine to display a progress of the game. The method
includes: controlling the image display device to perform variable
display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols on each of a
plurality of symbol display sections configured on a screen of the
image display device; controlling the image display device to stop
performing the variable display and to display symbols being
stopped in each of the symbol display sections; determining that
the game is won when a symbol combination, which is a combination
of symbols being stopped in a determination area defined by a part
of the symbol display sections, satisfies a winning combination;
determining that a partial win of the game is satisfied when a
specific symbol, which satisfies the winning combination when
replaced with one of the symbols in the symbol combination, is
displayed stopped in one of the symbol display sections excluding
the determination area; controlling, when determined that the
partial win is satisfied, the image display device to re-perform
the variable display on one of the symbol display sections in which
the symbol to be replaced with the specific symbol is stopped; and
controlling the image display device to display the specific symbol
to be moved from the symbol display section, in which the specific
symbol is displayed stopped, to the symbol display section on which
the variable display is re-performed, while the variable display is
re-performed on the symbol display section.
[0009] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a computer-readable program product for causing a computer
provided on a gaming machine for providing a player a game to
control an image display device provided on the gaming machine to
display a progress of the game. The program product causes the
computer to perform a procedure including: controlling the image
display device to perform variable display for variably displaying
a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of symbol display
sections configured on a screen of the image display device;
controlling the image display device to stop performing the
variable display and to display symbols being stopped in each of
the symbol display sections; determining that the game is won when
a symbol combination, which is a combination of symbols being
stopped in a determination area defined by a part of the symbol
display sections, satisfies a winning combination; determining that
a partial win of the game is satisfied when a specific symbol,
which satisfies the winning combination when replaced with one of
the symbols in the symbol combination, is displayed stopped in one
of the symbol display sections excluding the determination area;
controlling, when determined that the partial win is satisfied, the
image display device to re-perform the variable display on one of
the the symbol display sections in which the symbol to be replaced
with the specific symbol is stopped; and controlling the image
display device to display the specific symbol to be moved from the
symbol display section, in which the specific symbol is displayed
stopped, to the symbol display section on which the variable
display is re-performed, while the variable display is re-performed
on the symbol display section.
[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine including: a variable display means for
variably displaying a plurality of symbols on a plurality of rows;
a winning combination determination means for determining whether
or not a game is won by a player; a stop display control means for
producing stop display of the symbols on the rows so that the
symbols displayed stopped in a determination area, in which to
determine whether or not a specific symbol combination is satisfy,
form the specific symbol combination when the winning combination
determination means determines the win; a partial winning
combination condition determination means for determining whether
or not a partial winning combination condition is satisfied for the
symbol displayed stopped in the determination area to form a part
of the specific symbol combination, and for displaying specific
symbol capable of forming the specific symbol combination in any
other area than the determination area; a re-variable display
control means for re-performing the variably display of the
plurality of symbols on anon-display row where the symbol forming a
part of the specific symbol combination is not displayed when the
partial winning combination condition determination means
determines that the partial winning combination condition is
satisfied; and a move display control means for causing the
variable display means to perform a move display of the specific
symbol to the non-display row when the re-variable display control
means re-performs the variably display the plurality of symbols on
the non-display row.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the accompanying drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show a general configuration
of a slot machine of a gaming machine according an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of the slot machine;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram to show an example of the internal
configuration of a video control circuit;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flowchart to show an operation procedure from
the game start to the end;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart to show the operation procedure of
base game processing;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a drawing to show an example of a stop table;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image
displayed on the slot machine according the embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image
displayed after the state shown in FIG. 7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image
displayed after the state shown in FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image
displayed after the state shown in FIG. 9;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image
displayed after the state shown in FIG. 10; and
[0023] FIG. 12 is a drawing to show an example of a slot game image
displayed after the state shown in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] A gaming machine according to the invention will be
discussed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings
based on an embodiment, which is embodied as a slot machine.
General Configuration of Slot Machine
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general configuration
of a slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 is a gaming machine
according to the embodiment and enables a player to play a variable
display game (also called slot game) using variable display images
of symbols. The slot machine 1 has a bonus game state for allowing
a player to play a bonus game started under a given condition in
succession to a base game as well as a base game state for allowing
a player to play a base game started unconditionally from the game
start, and also enables the player to play a slot game in the bonus
game state.
[0026] The slot machine 1 is provided with a main display 3 (image
display device) including a liquid crystal display on the front of
a cabinet 2 and also has a subsidiary display 4 including a liquid
crystal display above the main display 3.
[0027] The main display 3 serves as a variable display means and
has a variable display area 20 that is provided at substantially in
the center of a screen of the main display 3. Five symbol display
sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are arranged in the variable
display area 20 from side to side.
[0028] A scroll display image (reel image) with a plurality of
symbols moving from the top to the bottom to be visually recognized
as if a mechanical reel is rotating, is displayed on each of the
symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e. The images
indicating first to fifth reels are thus displayed on the symbol
display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, whereby a plurality
of symbols are variably displayed in a plurality of (in the
embodiment, five) rows. When a slot game is over, a symbol row with
three symbols arranged in a longitudinal direction is displayed on
each of the symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e.
The five 3-symbol rows on the symbol display sections 20a, 20b,
20c, 20d, and 20e indicate a result of the game.
[0029] In the slot machine 1, a pay line L (activated pay line) of
one horizontal row is set in the center in the longitudinal
direction on the five symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d
and 20e.
[0030] A winning combination in a base game processing, which will
be described later, is satisfied when the three symbols of the
symbols displayed stopped on the activated pay line L from the left
are symbols same with one another. The three symbol display
sections 20a, 20b, and 20c from the left (shown by hatched portions
in FIG. 7), of the symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and
20e placed in the center in the longitudinal direction, is
configured as a determination area in the embodiment. The
determination area is configured for determining whether or not a
specific symbol combination, which will be described later, is
satisfied.
[0031] The player recognizes whether or not the specific symbol
combination is satisfied based on the symbols displayed stopped on
the symbol display sections 20a, 20b, and 20c.
[0032] In the embodiment, the activated pay line L is fixedly set
in advance. However, the number of activated pay lines may be
configured to be set arbitrary. In this case, the number of pay
lines activated in a game changes with the number of game medium,
such as coins and medals, bet by a player on the game (the game
media will be hereinafter referred to as "coins") or the number
(count) set as credit (coin and credit information in terms of the
number of times a slot game can be performed is referred to as game
value information).
[0033] An image relevant to a game such as an award table or
description of the game is displayed on the subsidiary display
4.
[0034] The slot machine 1 has a substantially horizontal pedestal
portion 11 below the main display 3. The pedestal portion 11 is
provided with a coin insertion slot 6, a bill insertion slot 7, a
spin switch 8, a 1BET switch 9, and a MAX BET switch 10.
[0035] The coin insertion slot 6 is provided for a player to input
a coin and has an insertion coin sensor 6a (see FIG. 2) for
outputting a signal indicating coin input. The bill insertion slot
7 is provided for a player to input a bill and has a bill sensor 7a
(see FIG. 2) for outputting a signal indicating bill insertion. The
spin switch 8 is provided for a player to perform operation for
displaying variable display images of symbols on the symbol display
sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e and starting a slot game. The
1BET switch 9 is provided for a player to bet one coin by operating
the switch once. The MAX BET switch 10 is provided for a player to
bet the maximum number of coins that can be bet on one game by
operating the switch once.
[0036] Further, the slot machine 1 has a coin payout opening 13 and
a coin receiving tray 14 for storing paid-out coins. Further, the
slot machine 1 is provided with speakers 12L and 12R on the left
and the right of the coin payout opening 13.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the slot machine 1 showing an
internal configuration of the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1
includes a microcomputer 31 (game processing unit).
[0038] The microcomputer 31 has a main CPU (Central Processing
Unit) 32, RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, and ROM (Read-Only Memory)
34. The main CPU 32 performs a process for providing the player the
game by controlling the main display 3 (image display device) to
display a progress of the game, in accordance with programs stored
in the ROM 34. The main CPU 32 inputs/outputs signals from/to other
components via an I/O port 39 for controlling the whole operation
of the slot machine 1. Data and a program used for the main CPU 32
to operate are stored in the RAM 33; for example, a random number
sampled by a sampling circuit 36 described later is temporarily
stored in the RAM 33 after a game starts. The ROM 34 stores the
programs performed by the main CPU 32 and permanent data.
[0039] The slot machine 1 also has a random number generator 35,
the above-mentioned sampling circuit 36, a clock pulse generation
circuit 37, and a frequency divider 38. The random number generator
35 operates in accordance with an instruction of the main CPU 32
and generates random numbers in a given range. The sampling circuit
36 extracts any desired random number from among the random numbers
generated by the random number generator 35 in accordance with an
instruction of the main CPU 32 and inputs the extracted random
number to the main CPU 32. The clock pulse generation circuit 37
generates a reference clock to operate the main CPU 32 and the
frequency divider 38 inputs a signal provided by dividing the
reference clock in a given cycle to the main CPU 32.
[0040] Further, the slot machine 1 has a touch panel 3a, a lamp
drive circuit 59, a lamp 60, an LED drive circuit 61, LEDs 62, a
hopper drive circuit 63, a hopper 64, a payout completion signal
circuit 65, and a coin detection section 66. The slot machine 1
also has a video control circuit 71 and a audio control circuit
72.
[0041] The touch panel 3a is provided so as to cover the display
screen of the main display 3 for detecting the position of the
touch part of a player and inputting a position signal
corresponding to the detected position to the main CPU 32.
[0042] The lamp drive circuit 59 outputs a signal for lighting the
lamp 60 to the lamp 60 for blinking the lamp 60 during game
progress. As the lamp 60 is blinked, game effect is produced. The
LED drive circuit 61 controls blink display of the LEDs 62. The
LEDs 62 display the credit count, the acquired number of coins,
etc. The hopper drive circuit 63 drives the hopper 64 under the
control of the main CPU 32 and the hopper 64 performs the operation
for paying out coins from the coin payout opening 13 to the coin
receiving tray 14. The coin detection section 66 measures the
number of coins paid out by the hopper 64 and sends the data of the
measured number of coins to the payout completion signal circuit
65. The payout completion signal circuit 65 inputs the data of the
measured number of coins from the coin detection section 66. When
the number of coins reaches the setup number, the payout completion
signal circuit 65 inputs a signal indicating coin payout completion
to the main CPU 32.
[0043] The video control circuit 71 controls image display of the
main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4 and displays various
images of variable display images of symbols, etc., on the main
display 3 and the subsidiary display 4.
[0044] The video control circuit 71 has a video control CPU 71a,
work RAM 71b, program ROM 71c, video ROM 71d, video RAM 71e, and a
VDP (Video Display Processor) 71f, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0045] The video control CPU 71a determines the images to be
displayed on the main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4
(variable display images of symbols, etc.) in accordance with an
image control program (concerning display of the main display 3 and
the subsidiary display 4) previously stored in the program ROM 71c
based on a parameter set in the microcomputer 31. The work RAM 71b
is implemented as temporary storage means for the video control CPU
71a to execute the image control program.
[0046] The program ROM 71c stores the image control program,
various selection tables, etc. The video ROM 71d stores bitmap
image data for forming images. In the embodiment, the bitmap image
data contains symbol image data indicating symbols used with a base
game and a bonus game. The video RAM 71e is implemented as
temporary storage means for the VDP 71f to form an image. The VDP
71f has control RAM 71g and forms an image responsive to the
display of the main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4
determined by the video control CPU 71a and outputs the formed
image to the main display 3 and the subsidiary display 4.
[0047] The audio control circuit 72 inputs a sound signal for
outputting a sound from the speakers 12L and 12R to the speakers
12L and 12R. For example, a sound to augment the game is output
from the speakers 12L and 12R at an appropriate timing after the
game starts.
Operation of Slot Machine
[0048] Next, the operation of the slot machine 1 having the
described configuration will be discussed with reference to
flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5. In the slot machine 1, first, base
game processing is performed in succession to start acceptance
processing and subsequently bonus game processing is performed
under a given condition, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a flowchart to show the operation procedure of
main processing from the start to the end of a slot game in the
slot machine 1, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation
procedure of the base game processing.
[0050] In the slot machine 1, the main CPU 32 serves as a game
progress control unit and controls game progress. At this time, in
the slot machine 1, when the main processing is started, start
acceptance processing is performed at step S1 for starting a game
and then base game processing is performed with the game state as
the base game state at step S2 and the process proceeds to step S3,
as shown in FIG. 4. At step S3, upon reception of the result of
base game lottery processing described later in the base game
processing at step S2, the main CPU 32 determines whether or not to
make a transition to a bonus game state in accordance with a
transition condition for causing the game state to make a
transition to the bonus game state. Here, if the transition
condition is satisfied and it is determined that the game state can
make a transition to the bonus game state, the process proceeds to
step S4 and then to step S5. If the transition condition is not
satisfied, step S4 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S5.
At step S5, when a winning combination occurs in the base game or
the bonus game, coin payout processing based on setup winning
combination data described later (coin payout instruction
corresponding to the number of paid-out coins to the hopper drive
circuit 63 by the main CPU 32, coin payout by the hopper 64, and
signal input from the payout completion signal circuit 65) is
performed. Thereafter, the main processing is completed.
[0051] First, at step S1 (start acceptance processing), the slot
machine 1 accepts operation for starting a slot game from a player
under the control of the main CPU 32. The slot machine 1 is
configured as a coin-input type gaming machine. Accordingly, in
order to start a slot game, first the player inputs coins bet on
one game from the coin insertion slot 6, and when credit remains,
the player operates the 1BET switch 9 or the MAX BET switch 10.
Subsequently, the player operates the spin switch 8 (hereinafter,
the operation of the switches will be referred to as "start
operation"). As the start operation is performed, a start signal is
input from the spin switch 8 to the main CPU 32.
[0052] Next, at step S2, base game processing is performed
according to the flowchart of FIG. 5. When the base game processing
is started, the process proceeds to step S11 and base game lottery
processing is performed. In the base game lottery processing, the
main CPU 32 serves as a symbol determination means for performing
symbol determination processing. In the symbol determination
processing, the main CPU 32 determines the symbols (stop symbols)
to be displayed stopped on symbol display sections 24a, 24b, 24c,
24d, and 24e in the center of the symbol display sections 20a, 20b,
20c, 20d, and 20e in the longitudinal direction for each of the
symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e as variable
display is stopped. During the base game lottery processing in the
slot machine 1, the main CPU 32 instructs the video control circuit
71 to display an image for producing game effect on the subsidiary
display 4.
[0053] In the base game lottery processing, when the main CPU 32
detects start operation of the player based on a start signal, the
main CPU 32 instructs the random number generator 35 to generate
random numbers in a given range. The main CPU 32 instructs the
sampling circuit 36 to extract any desired random number from among
the random numbers generated by the random number generator 35.
When the random number is extracted, the main CPU 32 sets the
random number as a search key, references a symbol determination
table (table storing code numbers of symbols and random numbers in
association with each other--not shown) stored in the ROM 34, and
acquires the code number of the corresponding symbol.
[0054] Next, the main CPU 32 sets the acquired code number as a
search key, references a stop table 90 shown in FIG. 6, and
searches for the stop symbol on each of the symbol display sections
20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e.
[0055] Here, the stop table 90 is a table having a code number area
90a storing the (symbol) code numbers and a symbol area 90b storing
the symbols corresponding to the code numbers, as shown in FIG. 6.
The code number area 90a can be searched for the stop symbol on
each of the symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e
with the code number set as a search key (in FIG. 6, "R1," "R2,"
"R3," "R4," and "R5" correspond to the symbol display sections 20a,
20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e respectively). The symbol (image
representing a face of a doll, joker) corresponding to code number
0 and displayed on the symbol display section 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d,
20e is more advantageous than other symbols to the player, and when
the joker symbol is displayed stopped on the symbol display section
20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, the player notices that the base game
transitions to a bonus game.
[0056] In the slot machine 1, the random number extraction and
search of the symbol determination table and the stop table 90 are
performed five times in total for each of the symbol display
sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e. That is, a table search is
made as many times as the number of the symbol display sections
20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, whereby the stop symbols on the symbol
display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are determined. When
each stop symbol is determined, the symbols to be placed above and
below the stop symbol are also determined and finally five
longitudinal 3-symbol rows are determined.
[0057] When the stop symbols on the symbol display sections 20a,
20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e are determined, the main CPU 32 references a
winning combination determination table stored in the ROM 34 and
determines whether or not the stop symbol combination is a winning
combination (i.e., determines whether or not a win of the game is
satisfied). Each combination of three symbols placed on the symbol
display sections 24a, 24b, and 24c (which will be hereinafter
referred to as "symbol pattern") is registered in the winning
combination determination table as a winning symbol pattern or a
non-winning symbol pattern in association with code number
combination (code number pattern). Since the code number patterns
corresponding to the stop symbols are already determined, the main
CPU 32 serves as a winning combination determination means, sets
the code number pattern of the symbols corresponding to the symbol
display sections 24a, 24b, and 24c as a search key, references the
winning combination determination table, and determines whether or
not the player gains a winning combination of the slot game from
the table reference result.
[0058] Subsequently, the main CPU 32 performs winning state
determination processing of referencing a state table and
determining a winning state (winning combination). The combination
table is a table for determining a winning state, wherein awards
corresponding to winning states are registered. When the winning
state determination processing terminates, the base game lottery
processing terminates. Then, the process proceeds to step S12 and
display control of an initial screen is performed. At this time,
the main CPU 32 instructs the video control circuit 71 to display
the symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e on the main
display 3. Although not shown in the figure, an image (message
image) indicating a message for notifying the player of the start
of a slot game (for example, "game start!!") is also displayed on
the initial screen.
[0059] Next, the process proceeds to step S13. When variable
display control of the first to fifth reels is performed, a slot
game image indicating execution of a slot game is displayed on the
main display 3. The slot game image is an image of variable display
of a plurality of symbols on the symbol display sections 20a, 20b,
20c, 20d, and 20e (each arrow in the longitudinal direction
indicates that the symbols are being variably displayed on the
symbol display section 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e), as shown in FIG.
7.
[0060] At step S14, the process waits until the expiration of a
predetermined time. After the expiration of the predetermined time,
the process proceeds to step S15 and stop display control of the
first to fifth reels is performed. At this time, the main CPU 32
instructs the video control circuit 71 to decrease the symbol
scrolling speed and display symbol rows with the stop symbols
corresponding to the result of the base game lottery processing at
step S11 placed at the center in the longitudinal direction on the
symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e as the first to
fifth reels. At this time, for example, the symbol rows each with
three symbols arranged from the top to the bottom are displayed on
the symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e as shown in
FIG. 8 (symbol row with three symbols of "2BAR" (longitudinally
arranged character strings of double BAR"), "7," and space arranged
from the top to the bottom is displayed on the symbol display
section 20a, 20b).
[0061] At this time, the main CPU 32 serves as a stop display
control means in the invention. When the winning combination
determination result in the base game lottery processing at step
S11 is a winning combination, the main CPU 32 produces stop display
of symbol rows on the symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d,
and 20e so that the symbols displayed stopped in the determination
area on the activated pay line L form a specific symbol combination
responsive to the winning state. Therefore, if the base game
lottery processing returns a winning combination, the three symbols
displayed stopped on the symbol display sections 24a, 24b, and 24c
on the activated pay line L form a specific symbol combination (for
example, "777" (three "7"s arranged from side to side)).
[0062] At step S16, the main CPU 32 serves as a partial winning
combination condition determination means and determines whether or
not a partial winning combination condition is satisfied for
displaying a "reach symbol combination" (described later) in the
determination area on the symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c,
20d, and 20e and displaying specific symbols (described later) in
any other area than the determination area. When the main CPU 32
determines that the partial winning combination condition is
satisfied, the process proceeds to step S17 (as step S15 is
performed, when step S16 is performed, the reach symbol combination
and the specific symbols are already displayed on the symbol
display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e). When the main CPU 32
determines that the partial winning combination condition is not
satisfied, the process proceeds to step S23.
[0063] At step S17, the main CPU 32 serves as a re-variable display
control means and instructs the video control circuit 71 to produce
re-variable display of symbols in a non-display row described
later. Then, at step S18, the main CPU 32 waits until the
expiration of a predetermined time. After the expiration of the
predetermined time, the main CPU 32 goes to step S19 and serves as
a move display control means for instructing the video control
circuit 71 to produce move display of a specific symbol to the no
display row. Further, at step S20, the main CPU 32 serves as a
draw-in display control means for instructing the video control
circuit 71 to execute draw-in display of taking a specific symbol
into re-variable display of symbols.
[0064] The "reach symbol combination" is a symbol combination
relevant to the specific symbol combination described above. The
reach symbol combination is a symbol combination that resembles to
the specific symbol combination on display, and is a symbol
combination that partially matches the specific symbol combination.
For example, in a case where the specific symbol combination is
"777," symbol combinations such as "77X" and "7X7" (where X is any
symbol other than "7") are defined as the reach symbol
combinations.
[0065] The "specific symbol" is a symbol that complements the reach
symbol combination to satisfy the specific symbol combination (for
example, "7" in a case where the reach symbol combination is
"77X").
[0066] FIG. 8 shows a case where symbol rows are displayed on the
symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e. In this case,
as shown in FIG. 8, symbols P and Q each indicating "7" and symbol
U indicating "cherry" are displayed on the symbol display sections
24a, 24b, and 24c as the determination area on the activated pay
line L. In this case, the three symbols P, Q, and U form the reach
symbol combination.
[0067] In the case shown by FIG. 8, symbol R indicating "7" is
displayed on a symbol display section 25e of the symbol display
section 20e (hatched portion). Therefore, in the reach symbol
combination formed by the symbols P, Q, and U, "7" is insufficient
for the specific symbol combination "777" and insufficient "7"
matches the symbol R on the symbol display section 25e. That is,
when symbol rows are displayed on the symbol display sections 20a,
20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e as shown in FIG. 8, the symbols P, Q, and U
displayed stopped on the symbol display sections 24a, 24b, and 24c
form a reach symbol combination and the symbol R as the specific
symbol capable of forming the specific symbol combination is
displayed on the symbol display section 25e.
[0068] In such a case, the symbols displayed in the determination
area on the activated pay line L form the reach symbol combination,
but do not form the specific symbol combination, and therefore, the
player does not gain the winning combination of the slot game.
However, when the reach symbol combination is displayed, the player
recognizes the symbol combination as if the player gained a winning
combination partially. If a specific symbol is displayed, the
player recognizes the display as if the specific symbol were a
symbol insufficient for the specific symbol combination.
[0069] Accordingly, the slot machine 1, whether or not the partial
winning combination condition described above is satisfied is
determined and when the partial winning combination condition is
satisfied, steps 17 to 22 are performed. When the partial winning
combination condition is satisfied, the main CPU 32 may instruct
the video control circuit 71 to display reach symbols and/or
specific symbols brighter than other symbols or may instruct the
audio control circuit 72 to output a sound from the speakers 12L
and 12R for notifying the player that the partial winning
combination condition is satisfied. In this case, the main CPU 32
serves as a partial winning combination notification control
unit.
[0070] In step S17, variable display of symbols in a "non-display
row" is performed again, and thus symbols are again variably
displayed on the symbol display section 20c as shown in FIG. 9. The
"non-display row" is a symbol display section of the symbol display
sections forming the determination area where the symbol forming a
part of the specific symbol combination (in this case, symbol P, Q)
is not displayed. For example, in a case described herein, the
non-display row corresponds to the symbol display section 20c.
[0071] In step S19, a "move display" of specific symbol is
performed, and thus an image indicating movement the symbol R as
the specific symbol displayed on the symbol display section 25e to
the symbol display section 20c is displayed as shown in FIGS. 10
and 11 (the arrow from the symbol display section 20e to the symbol
display section 20c in FIGS. 10 and 11 indicates the movement of
the symbol R to the symbol display section 20c; FIG. 10 shows just
before move start of the symbol R and FIG. 11 shows moving of the
symbol R).
[0072] In step S20, as shown in FIG. 12, a "draw-in display" of
specific symbol is performed, and thus an image indicating that the
symbol R is drawn-into the variable display on the symbol display
section 20c and fused thereinto is displayed (FIG. 12 shows a state
in which the left half of "7" of the symbol R is drawn-into the
variable display and after this, the symbol R is all drawn-into the
variable display and cannot be recognized).
[0073] After step S20 is performed, in step S21, the main CPU 32
serves as a non-display row symbol determination means for
performing non-display row lottery processing, and again determines
the stop symbol in the non-display row. In step S22, stop display
control of non-display row is performed so as to display the stop
symbol corresponding to the result of the non-display row lottery
processing at step S21, and the symbol row where the stop symbol
corresponding to the result of the non-display row lottery
processing at step S21 is placed at the center in the longitudinal
direction is displayed on the non-display row (in FIGS. 9 to 12,
symbol display section 20c). Then, at step S23, whether or not the
player gains a winning combination in the slot game is determined
based on the results of the base game lottery processing at step
S11 and the non-display row lottery processing at step S21. If it
is determined that the player gains a winning combination, the
process proceeds to step S24 and winning combination data
indicating the winning combination description responsive to the
winning state is set based on the results of the base game lottery
processing and the non-display row lottery processing; if it is not
determined that the player gains a winning combination, the base
game processing is exited without executing step S24.
[0074] When the base game processing is exited, the subroutine
returns to step S3 of the main routine in FIG. 4 and the main CPU
32 serves as a transition determination unit and determines whether
or not a transition condition is satisfied and a transition is to
be made to the bonus game state from the result of the symbol
determination processing in the base game lottery processing and
the non-display row lottery processing. When the transition
condition is satisfied, namely, when the symbol to be displayed
stopped on the activated pay line L on any of the symbol display
section 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, or 20e is determined to be a joker, the
main CPU 32 determines that a transition can be made to the bonus
game state (in addition, whether or not a transition condition is
satisfied may be determined by a specific symbol combination).
[0075] At this time, a stop display image of a joker and an image
indicating a message of "GET THE SPECIAL BONUS!!" are displayed at
least on any one of the symbol display section 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d,
or 20e on the main display 3 and on the other hand, the main CPU 32
serves as a transition unit for causing the game state to make a
transition to the bonus game state.
[0076] When the game state transitions to the bonus game state, the
process proceeds to step S4 and bonus game processing is performed.
In the bonus game processing, a free game wherein lottery
processing of determining the stop symbols on the symbol display
sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, variable display processing,
and stop display control are performed without operation of the
player is performed a predetermined number of times (the number of
times may be a predetermined number of times or may be determined
in the base game lottery processing). When the bonus game
processing terminates, the process proceeds to step S5 and payout
processing is performed. The main processing is now complete.
[0077] Since the slot machine 1 operates as described above, if the
symbol combination displayed stopped in the determination area on
the activated pay line L is not a specific symbol combination, when
symbols P, Q, and U as reach symbol combination and symbol R as
specific symbol are displayed, re-variable display of symbols on
the symbol display section 20c as non-display row is produced and
such an image of moving the symbol R as specific symbol to the
symbol display section 20c as non-display row is displayed. Thus,
if the player can determine that the result of the game is not a
winning combination according to the symbols P, Q, and U, the
symbol U not forming a part of the specific symbol combination is
variably displayed on the symbol display section 20c with display
of the symbols P and Q forming the specific symbol combination and
an image of moving the symbol R as insufficient specific symbol is
displayed, whereby the following advantages are provided: As move
display is produced, the player recognizes that the symbol R as
insufficient specific symbol is complementary to the symbols P, Q,
and U as reach symbols, so that the player recognizes the state as
if the player were able to easily gain a winning combination in the
next slot game. Thus, the player can raise expectations on a
winning combination, so that expectations of the player on the
result of the game can be raised and interest in game play can be
enhanced.
[0078] Since the draw-in display is produced after the move display
is performed, the player recognizes the display as if the moved
specific symbol were added to the non-display row (symbol display
section 20c), and expectations on addition of the specific symbol
to lottery also become visually clear. Thus, expectations of the
player on the result of the game can be more raised and interest in
game play can be more enhanced.
[0079] Since non-display row lottery processing is performed after
such draw-in display of specific symbol is performed, the symbol to
be displayed stopped on the non-display row is determined after the
player recognizes the display as if the specific symbol were moved
and drawn-into the non-display row. Accordingly, the player
recognizes the display as if the specific symbol were involved in
the symbol to be displayed stopped and expectations of the player
on the result of the game can be reflected on the winning
combination determination.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE
[0080] In the embodiment described above, the determination area on
the activated pay line L is set to the three symbol display
sections 24a, 24b, and 24c from the left. However, the
determination area may arbitrary be set to the four symbol display
sections 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d, or the five symbol display
sections 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, and 24e.
[0081] The expression "any other area than the determination area"
in the above description is used to mean every area except the
determination area in the variable display area 20 and contains not
only the areas not placed on the activated pay line L like the
symbol display section 25e, but also the areas placed on the
activated pay line L like the symbol display section 24e. "Any
other area than the determination area" can arbitrary be meant in
such a manner that it is fixed to any in all areas except the
determination area in the variable display area 20 (is fixed to the
symbol display section 25e) or is made variable.
[0082] The number of the symbol display sections is configured to
be five (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e) in the embodiment, but is not
limited to five and may be three or nine.
[0083] In the embodiment described above, the gaming machine is
described by taking the slot machine 1 that allows the player to
play a slot game as an example. However, the present invention can
be applied not only to the slot machine for variably displaying
symbols, but also to a pachinko machine or to a so-called
Pachi-Slot machine.
[0084] The present invention may be applied to a free game
performed in a bonus game.
[0085] In the embodiment described above, the non-display row
lottery processing (step S21) is performed after stop display of
each reel (step S15 in FIG. 5), but the timing of the non-display
row lottery processing is not limited to the above description. For
example, the non-display row lottery processing may be performed in
the base game lottery processing and stop display control can also
be performed based on the lottery result.
[0086] As described with reference to the embodiment, there is
provided a gaming machine (slot machine 1) that is capable of
raising expectations of the player on the result of the game and
enhance interest in game play.
[0087] The foregoing description of the embodiment has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in
light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of
the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to
explain the principles of the invention and its practical
application to enable those skilled in the art to utilize the
invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as
are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that
the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended
hereto, and their equivalents.
* * * * *