U.S. patent application number 11/882284 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for slot machine and method for providing slot game.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARUZE CORP.. Invention is credited to Yukinori Inamura.
Application Number | 20080039184 11/882284 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39051461 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080039184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Inamura; Yukinori |
February 14, 2008 |
Slot machine and method for providing slot game
Abstract
A slot machine includes: a display that displays an arrangement
of a plurality of symbols for providing a slot game; an operation
unit that allows a player to input commands for playing the slot
game; a processor that is operable with the display to: accept a
bet made by the player through the operation unit; control the
display to perform a variable display of the symbols and to display
the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the
variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for
holding at least one of the symbols; control the display to
reperform the variable display for the symbol that is unheld and to
display the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a
second arrangement after reperforming the variable display.
Inventors: |
Inamura; Yukinori; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGINN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP, PLLC
8321 OLD COURTHOUSE ROAD
SUITE 200
VIENNA
VA
22182-3817
US
|
Assignee: |
ARUZE CORP.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39051461 |
Appl. No.: |
11/882284 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 1, 2006 |
JP |
2006-209825 |
Claims
1. A slot machine comprising: a display that displays an
arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing a slot game; an
operation unit that allows a player to input commands for playing
the slot game; a processor that is operable with the display to:
accept a bet made by the player through the operation unit; control
the display to perform a variable display of the symbols and to
display the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing
the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for
holding at least one of the symbols; control the display to
reperform the variable display for the symbol that is unheld and to
display the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a
second arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and
provide an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet
and the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second
arrangement.
2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor
controls the display to display a plurality of symbol columns on
which a plurality of symbols are arranged.
3. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the processor
controls the display to scroll the symbols arranged on the symbol
columns when performing the variable display of the symbols.
4. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the processor
allows the player to enter the hold command for holding at least
one of the symbol columns, and wherein the processor controls the
display to reperform the variable display for the symbol column
that is unheld and to display the unheld symbol column stopped to
arrange the symbols in the second arrangement after reperforming
the variable display.
5. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor
performs a first lottery for determining the first arrangement of
the symbols and a second lottery for determining the second
arrangement of the symbols.
6. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor
controls the display to provide a bonus game to the player as the
award to be provided when the combination of the symbols displayed
stopped in the second arrangement is determined to be a bonus
combination, the bonus game being advantageous to the player than
in the slot game.
7. The slot machine according to claim 6, wherein the processor
controls the display to reperform the variable display when the
combination of the symbols arranged in the first arrangement is
different by one symbol from the bonus combination.
8. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the display
includes a display panel that displays various images on a screen,
the images including a plurality of video reels on which the
symbols are arranged.
9. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the display
includes a plurality of mechanical reels on which the symbols are
arranged.
10. A method for providing a slot game to a player, the method
comprising: displaying an arrangement of a plurality of symbols for
providing the slot game; allowing the player to input commands for
playing the slot game; accepting a bet made by the player;
performing a variable display of the symbols; displaying the
symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the
variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for
holding at least one of the symbols; reperforming the variable
display for the symbol that is unheld; displaying the unheld symbol
stopped to arrange the symbols in a second arrangement after
reperforming the variable display; and providing an award to the
player in accordance with the accepted bet and the combination of
the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the symbols are
displayed as a plurality of symbol columns on which a plurality of
symbols are arranged.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the symbol columns
are displayed to scroll when performing the variable display of the
symbols.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the player is allowed
to enter the hold command for holding at least one of the symbol
columns, wherein the variable display is reperformed by
reperforming the variable display for the symbol column that is
unheld, and wherein the unheld symbol column is displayed stopped
to arrange the symbols in the second arrangement after reperforming
the variable display.
14. The method according to claim 10 further comprising performing
a first lottery for determining the first arrangement of the
symbols and a second lottery for determining the second arrangement
of the symbols.
15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the award is provided
to the player as a bonus game when the combination of the symbols
displayed stopped in the second arrangement is determined to be a
bonus combination, the bonus game being advantageous to the player
than in the slot game.
16. The method according to claim 15, the variable display is
reperformed when the combination of the symbols arranged in the
first arrangement is different by one symbol from the bonus
combination.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application is based upon and claims priority
from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-209825, filed on
Aug. 1, 2006, the entire content of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a slot machine and a method
for providing a slot game in which an award is paid out based on a
combination of arranged symbols. The present invention also relates
to a slot machine and a method for providing a slot game that
allows a player to hold at least one of the symbols in a manner so
that the award determined by the combination of the arranged
symbols should not be paid out and to rearrange the symbol that is
not held.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventionally, a slot machine as one kind of gaming
machines is configured such that the game is started by inserting a
game medium, such as a coin into the gaming machine, and that
symbol columns are variably displayed in a predetermined area of
the gaming machine and are displayed stopped after lapse of a
predetermined time period. Thereafter, the game medium is paid out
on the basis of the stopped symbol combination.
[0004] A device for providing variable display of the symbol
columns may be implemented as a mechanical reel or a video reel.
For example, there is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,432 B1 a
slot machine that displays a total of fifteen symbols of 3.times.5
by use of the video reel. In this slot machine, when the game is
started, the reels rotate so that the symbols of the individual
columns arranged in a vertical direction are associated to start
variations, and so that individually three symbols are stopped and
displayed in the individual columns as the reels stop rotations
after lapse of a predetermined time period. Then, the award is paid
out on the basis of either the number of symbols of the same kind
stopped and displayed or the combination of symbols stopped and
displayed on a pay line. A bonus game is executed in case the
combination of specific symbols is stopped and displayed.
[0005] In the aforementioned slot machine of the prior art, an
internal lottery is performed at the instant when the rotations of
reels are started, no matter whether the mechanical reel or the
video reel might be used. Once the symbols are stopped and
displayed according to the rotations of the reels, the award to be
paid out to the player is then fixed.
SUMMARY
[0006] One of objects of the present invention is to provide a slot
machine and a method for playing a slot game, which is enabled to
provide an attractive game for a player expecting an award for a
large sum, by rearranging the symbols in compensation for
abandoning a satisfied award, thereby to improve the degree of
freedom for the game.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a slot machine including: a display that displays an
arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing a slot game; an
operation unit that allows a player to input commands for playing
the slot game; a processor that is operable with the display to:
accept a bet made by the player through the operation unit; control
the display to perform a variable display of the symbols and to
display the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing
the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for
holding at least one of the symbols; control the display to
reperform the variable display for the symbol that is unheld and to
display the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a
second arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and
provide an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet
and the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second
arrangement.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method for providing a slot game to a player, the method
including: displaying an arrangement of a plurality of symbols for
providing the slot game; allowing the player to input commands for
playing the slot game; accepting a bet made by the player;
performing a variable display of the symbols; displaying the
symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the
variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for
holding at least one of the symbols; reperforming the variable
display for the symbol that is unheld; displaying the unheld symbol
stopped to arrange the symbols in a second arrangement after
reperforming the variable display; and providing an award to the
player in accordance with the accepted bet and the combination of
the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the accompanying drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view showing a symbol display
unit while one of reels is being re-rotating;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot
machine according to an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view showing a symbol display
unit according to the embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing the symbols which
are displayed in the symbol display unit after first reel
rotations;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an example of an award table showing awards to be
paid out to the player on the basis of the combination of symbols
displayed stopped in the symbol display unit;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an example of an award table showing awards to be
paid out to the player on the basis of the combination of symbols
displayed in the symbol display unit;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view showing the symbols which
are displayed in the symbol display unit by the bonus combination
after the second reel rotations;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view showing the symbols which
are displayed in the symbol display unit by the combination to pay
out no award after the second reel rotations;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing a control
system of the slot machine according to the embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a main control program in the
slot machine according to the embodiment; and
[0020] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a main gaming program in the slot
machine according to the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] An embodiment of a slot machine according to the present
invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. Here, the slot machine according to the embodiment is the
so-called "video slot machine", which is provided with an image
display device such as a liquid crystal display and allows the
player to enjoy a game by displaying images of various symbols in
the image display device.
[0022] The slot machine according to the embodiment is provided
with a plurality of reels 23 to 27 having their symbol columns
individually displayed stopped after being variably displayed for a
predetermined time period. Among the reels 23 to 27, specific reels
(i.e., the reels 23 to 26 in the example shown in FIG. 1) may be
held in accordance with an operation input by the player in order
to abandon the award satisfied by the combination of symbols 46
once being displayed stopped. When the specific reels are held by
the player, the unheld reel (i.e., the reel 27 in FIG. 1) is
rotated again to scroll the symbol columns thereby to rearrange the
symbols 46, so that an award is paid out to the player on the basis
of the award satisfied by the combination of the rearranged symbols
46.
[0023] A schematic configuration of a slot machine 1 according to
the embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view of the slot machine 1 according to the
embodiment.
[0024] The slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is configured
to include a cabinet 2, a top box 3 disposed on the upper side of
the cabinet 2, and a main door 4 disposed on the front face of the
cabinet 2.
[0025] The top box 3 is provided on its front face with an upper
display 5. The upper display 5 is implemented as well-known liquid
crystal display, and displays information for playing a game
including a description of a gaming method, an award table, and the
like.
[0026] The main door 4 is provided on its whole face with a lower
display 6. This lower display 6 is configured of the well-known
liquid crystal display, and is equipped with a symbol display unit
7 having 3.times.5 symbol display areas. The symbol display unit 7
is configured of five columns of reels 23 to 27. The respective
reels 23 to 27 are displayed to scroll (variably displayed) in the
symbol columns of a predetermined array, and three symbols are
displayed stopped at the maximum after lapse of a predetermined
time period in each of the symbol columns. As a result, fifteen
symbols are displayed at the maximum in accordance with the program
of the game, as will be described hereinafter, so that a
predetermined award is paid out to the player on the basis of the
combination of symbols displayed. Here, the number of reels may be
three, and the number of symbols to be displayed should not be
limited to fifteen.
[0027] The lower display 6 is provided on its front face with a
touch panel 11 so that the player can operate the touch panel 11 to
input various instructions. Especially in the slot machine 1 of the
embodiment, HOLD buttons 23A to 27A, which can be operated through
the touch panel 11, are arranged below the individual reels 23 to
27, respectively. Those HOLD buttons 23A to 27A are used for the
player to select the reel, which is left unrotated (or HELD) when
the reels 23 to 27 are rotated again, as will be described
hereinafter.
[0028] Moreover, the lower display 6 is provided with a credit
number display unit 8 and a payout number display unit 9. The
credit number display unit 8 displays the number of credits owned
at present by the player. The payout number display unit 9
displays, as a payout number, the sum of an award which is paid out
in case the combination of the symbols stop-displayed in the symbol
display unit 7 is a predetermined winning combination.
[0029] Below the lower display 6, there are provided a control
panel 15 having a plurality of buttons arranged for inputting the
instructions relating to the game progress by the player, a coin
receiving slot 16 for receiving the coin or the game medium into
the cabinet 2, and a bill insertion slot 17.
[0030] The control panel 15 is provided with a start button 18, a
change button 19, a CASHOUT button 20, a 1-BET button 21 and a
MAX-BET button 22, which serves as a operation unit that allows the
player to input various commands for playing the slot game. The
start button 18 is operation means for inputting the instruction to
start the scroll display of the symbol columns in the reels 23 to
27. The change button 19 is operation means, which is used when an
exchange is demanded for the clerk of a game arcade. The CASHOUT
button 20 is operation means for inputting either an instruction to
pay out the coins corresponding to the credit number owned by the
player (one credit corresponds to one coin), from a coin payout
opening 28 to a coin tray 29, or an instruction to pay out a ticket
with a bar code.
[0031] The 1-BET button 21 is operation means for accepting an
instruction to bet one of the credits owned by the player, on the
game. On the other hand, the MAX-BET button 22 is operation means
for accepting an instruction to bet the maximum (e.g., 50 credits
in the embodiment), that can be bet on one game, of the credits
owned by the player, on the game. Incidentally, another BET button
can also be exemplified by other various BET buttons such as a
3-BET button.
[0032] In the slot machine 1, the game medium is exemplified by
coins, paper currencies, or electronic valuable information (or
credits) corresponding to them. However, the game medium to be
applied to the invention should not be limited to those but can be
exemplified by medals, tokens, electronic money or tickets.
[0033] Subsequently, the symbols to be displayed at a gaming time
in the symbol display unit 7 of the lower display 6 are described
with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is a front
elevation view showing the symbol display unit 7 according to the
embodiment; FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing the symbols 46
displayed in the symbol display unit 7; and FIG. 5 is a diagram of
an award table showing the awards which are paid out to the player
on the basis of the symbols 46 displayed in the symbol display unit
7.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the symbol display unit 7 according to
the embodiment is configured of five columns of reels 23 to 27. The
individual reels 23 to 27 have symbol display areas 31 to 45 for
displaying the three symbols 46 individually for the individual
reels 23 to 27 when they are stopped in rotations. When the game is
started, the symbols 46 (total of fifteen symbols) are displayed
individually one for the individual symbol display areas 31 to 45,
as shown in FIG. 4. Here, the individual symbol display areas 31 to
45 are so sectioned by dotted lines as to discriminate the
individual symbol display areas 31 to 45.
[0035] In the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment, the game
is played with nineteen kinds of symbols 46 and blanks (or blank
symbols), as shown in FIG. 5. Moreover, a win occurs in the case of
a combination, in which a predetermined number or more of symbols
of the same kind are displayed independently of the arrangement for
the symbol display areas 31 to 45. Then, the award according to the
kind and the display number of the symbols is paid out. In the case
of a bonus combination, in which the symbols 46 of "B", "0", "N",
"U" and "S" are arrayed in one transverse row with respect to the
symbol display areas 31 to 45, a bonus game is executed as the
award continuously from the end of the ordinary game.
[0036] In case, for example, three symbols 46 of "CHERRY" and two
symbols of "7" are displayed, as shown in FIG. 4, an award of total
nine credits is paid out. Here, the award shown in FIG. 5 shows the
case, in which the bet number is "1". In case the bet number is
"1", therefore, the value of the award shown in FIG. 5 is added to
the credits. In case, however, the bet number is "2" or more, the
product of the award value, as shown in FIG. 5, by that bet number
is added to the credit. In the embodiment, moreover, the win occurs
in case the same symbols are displayed by predetermined numbers, as
shown in FIG. 5, the wins occur so that the awards are paid out.
However, the win may occur in case one "7" symbol and three
"CHERRY" symbols are displayed, so that the award may be paid
out.
[0037] For the wins, moreover, the pay lines may be set in the
symbol display areas 31 to 45, so that the award may be paid out in
case the combination of the symbols stopped along the pay line
becomes predetermined ones shown in FIG. 6. Still moreover, both
the awards, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, may also be paid
out.
[0038] Subsequently, here is specifically described a game
advancing procedure of the slot machine 1 according to the
embodiment. At first, when the start button 18 is pressed after the
end of a bet acceptance completion, an internal lottery is
performed to determine the symbol 46 to be displayed in the symbol
display unit 7. At the instant when a predetermined time period
elapses after the start button 18 was pressed, the reels 23 to 27
start their rotations thereby to perform the scroll displays of the
symbol columns. After lapse of a predetermined time period, the
totally fifteen symbols 46 are stopped and displayed for the symbol
display areas 31 to 45. At this time, in case any award is
established by the combination of the symbols 46 displayed
especially in the symbol display unit 7, a reel to be held is so
selected from the reels 23 to 27 by means of the HOLD buttons 23A
to 27A that the established award may not be acquired (or may be
abandoned). Specifically, the reel to be held can be selected when
the player depresses the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A below the reels 23
to 27 to be held. Moreover, the background colors of the HOLD
buttons 23A to 27A pressed change thereby to specify the reels 23
to 27 being held.
[0039] For example, FIG. 1 is a view showing the symbol display
unit 7 of the case, in which the reels 23 to 27 are once stopped
and displayed with the combination shown in FIG. 4 and in which the
reels 23 to 26 are then HELD but only the reel 27 is rotated again.
In this case, at the stage of FIG. 4, three symbols 46 of "CHERRY"
are displayed, and two symbols 46 of "7" are displayed. Thus, the
award holds, but is abandoned by rotating the reels 27 again.
[0040] After this, the unheld reel 27 is stopped after lapse of a
predetermined time period, and the award, which is established in
the stopped state with the combination of the symbols 46 displayed
in the symbol display unit 7, is paid out to the player. In case
the re-scroll of the symbol columns results in the symbol "S" is
displayed in the symbol display area 43, as shown in FIG. 7,
thereby to establish the bonus combination, in which the symbols 46
of "B", "0", "N", "U" and "S" are arrayed in one transverse row,
the bonus game is executed as the award continuously after the end
of the ordinary game. In case, on the other hand, the re-scroll of
the symbol columns results in the combination, in which no award
holds, as shown in FIG. 8, any of the awards having held at first
with the reels 23 to 27 being stopped does not hold so that no
award is paid out.
[0041] Next, a configuration of the control system of the slot
machine 1 according to the embodiment is described with reference
to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing the
control system of the slot machine 1 according to the
embodiment.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 9, the control system of the slot machine 1
is basically configured of a motherboard 60 and a gaming board
50.
[0043] At first, the description is made on the gaming board 50.
The gaming board 50 is provided with: a CPU 51, a ROM 55 and a boot
ROM 52 connected with each other through an internal bus; a card
slot 53S corresponding to a memory card; and an IC socket 54S
corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54.
[0044] The memory card 53 is a recording medium, which is
configured of a nonvolatile memory and stored with a game program
and a game system program (as will be called the "game program and
so on"). The game program stored in the memory card 53 contains a
lottery program. This lottery program is a program for performing a
lottery to determine the symbols 46 to be displayed stopped in the
symbol display areas 31 to 45.
[0045] The memory card 53 stores a symbol lottery table for
performing a lottery to determine the symbols 46 to be displayed
stopped in the symbol display areas 31 to 45. Here, the symbol
lottery table is a table, by which a predetermined random number
range is made to correspond to the symbols 46 to be stopped and
displayed in the symbol display areas 31 to 45. On the basis of the
symbol lottery table, the symbols 46 to be stopped and displayed at
first in the symbol display areas 31 to 45 are determined based on
the lottery performed by the CPU 51, and the awards to be paid out
to the player are then determined on the basis of the combination
of the symbols 46 determined.
[0046] The symbol lottery table may be a table, in which the
predetermined random number range is made to correspond to the
award to be paid out to the player. In this case, the award to be
paid out to the player is determined on the basis of the symbol
lottery table, and the combination of the symbols 46 for satisfying
the determined award is selected by a main CPU 61.
[0047] Subsequently, the description is made on the motherboard 60.
This motherboard 61 is configured by using a commercially available
motherboard (e.g., a printed circuit board having the fundamental
parts of a personal computer mounted thereon), and is provided with
the main CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63 and a communication interface
64.
[0048] The ROM 62 is made of a memory device such as a flash
memory, and is stored with permanent data such as a BIOS to be
executed by the main CPU 61. When the BIOS is executed by the main
CPU 61, a predetermined peripheral device is initialized so that
the fetch of the game program or the like stored in the memory card
53 is started through the gaming board 50.
[0049] The RAM 63 is stored with the data or program to be used
when the main CPU 61 acts. Moreover, the RAM 63 can store the
various programs such as the authentication program or the game
program to be read out through the gaming board 50, or the credit
number being owned by the player.
[0050] The communication interface 64 is a communication device for
performing communications with a server disposed in the game
arcade, through communication lines.
[0051] A main PCB 70 and a door PCB 80, as will be described
hereinafter, are connected with the motherboard 60 through
individual USBs. A power source unit 65 is also connected with the
motherboard 60. When the motherboard 60 is fed with an electric
power from the power source unit 65, its main CPU 61 is started.
The electric power is further fed to the gaming board 50 through
the PCI bus so that the CPU 51 is started.
[0052] With the main PCB 70, on the other hand, there are connected
a hopper 66, a coin detection unit 67, a graphic board 68, a
speaker 69, the touch panel 11, and the bill insertion slot 17.
[0053] The graphic board 68 controls, on the basis of a control
signal from the main CPU 61, the image displays in the upper
display 5 and the lower display 6. In the game, for example, the
scroll display and the stop display of the symbols 46 accompanying
the rotations of the reels 23 to 27 are performed on the symbol
display unit 7.
[0054] With the door PCB 80, on the other hand, there are connected
the control panel 15, a reverter 16S, a coin counter 16C and a
cold-cathode tube 81. The control panel 15 is provided with: a
start switch 18S corresponding to the start button 18; a change
switch 19S corresponding to the change button 19; a CASHOUT switch
20S corresponding to the CASHOUT button 20; a 1-BET switch 21S
corresponding to the 1-BET button 21; and a MAX-BET switch 22S
corresponding to the MAX-BET button 22. These individual switches
output input signals to the main CPU 61 when the corresponding
buttons are operated by the player.
[0055] Subsequently, a main control program to be executed in the
slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 10 is a flow
chart of the main control program.
[0056] In the slot machine 1, it is assumed that the memory card 53
is already inserted into the card slot 53S of the gaming board 50,
and the GAL 54 is mounted in the IC socket 54S.
[0057] At first, the power switch is turned on in the power source
unit 65. Then, the motherboard 60 and the gaming board 50 are
individually started to execute the authentication reading
operation of Step (as will be abbreviated into "S") 1. In this
authentication reading operation, the motherboard 60 and the gaming
board 50 individually-perform different operations in parallel.
[0058] In the gaming board 50, more specifically, the CPU 51
performs the reading of the preparatory authentication program
stored in the boot ROM 52, and performs, in accordance with the
read preparatory authentication program, the preparatory
authentication to confirm and verify that the authentication
program has not been tampered in advance before fetched by the
motherboard 60.
[0059] In the motherboard 60, on the other hand, the main CPU 61
executes the BIOS stored in the ROM 62, to expand the compressed
data installed in the BIOS, into the RAM 63 thereby to execute the
BIOS expanded into the RAM 63 and to diagnose and initialize the
various peripheral devices.
[0060] After this, the main CPU 61 reads out the authentication
program stored in the ROM 55, and performs the authentication to
confirm and verify that the game program or the like stored in the
memory card 53 inserted into the card slot 53S is not tampered.
When this authenticating operation normally ends, the main CPU 61
writes the game program or the like to be authenticated (or
authenticated), in the RAM 63. Subsequently, the main CPU 61
performs a fetching operation to read out the payout percentage
setting data stored in the GAL 54, through the gaming board 50, and
writes the payout percentage setting data read out, in the RAM
63.
[0061] After these operations, the main CPU 61 ends the
authentication reading operation.
[0062] At S2, the main CPU 61 sequentially reads out the game
program and so on authenticated by the authentication reading
operation of the S1, and executes them to perform the main gaming
operations. The game in the slot machine 1 according to the
embodiment is played by executing those main gaming operations.
Moreover, these main gaming operations are repeatedly executed
while the power is being fed to the slot machine 1.
[0063] Next, a sub-operation of the aforementioned main gaming
operations of S2 is described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is
a flow chart of the main gaming program in the slot machine 1
according to the embodiment. Here, the individual programs, as
shown in the following flow chart of FIG. 11, are stored in the
memory card 53, and are expanded in the RAM 63 belonging to the
slot machine 1 so that they are executed by the main CPU 61.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 11, at first S11, the main CPU 61 performs
a predetermined initial setting, and then a start acceptance to set
the insertion of coins or the bet number. In the initial operation,
the data of an item (e.g., the payout number counter) set in a
predetermined data area is cleared. In the start acceptance,
moreover, the player performs the insertion of coins and a betting
operation using the 1-BET button 21 and the MAX-BET button 22.
[0065] Next, at S12, the main CPU 61 determines whether or not the
start button 18 has been inputted. Whether or not the start button
18 is inputted is determined on the basis whether or not the input
signal from the start switch 18S has been received.
[0066] In case the start button 18 is not inputted (S12: NO), the
routine returns again to the start acceptance (S11). At this time,
the operation to correct the bet number or the like is possible. In
case the start button 18 is inputted (S12: YES), on the other hand,
the bet number, which is set on the basis of the operations of the
1-BET button 21 and the MAX-BET button 22, is subtracted from the
owned credit number, and is stored as bet information in the RAM
63.
[0067] Subsequently, at S13, the main CPU 61 executes a first
symbol lottery operation (first lottery) to determine the symbols
to be displayed stopped in the each of the symbol display areas 31
to 45 of the symbol display unit 7. Specifically, the main CPU 61
executes the random number generating program stored in the lottery
program stored in the RAM 63, thereby to sample a random number
from the numerical range of a predetermined random number range and
to decide the fifteen symbols 46 (i.e., the stop positions of the
reels 23 to 27) displayed in the symbol display areas 31 to 45,
from a plurality of kinds of symbols, on the basis of the random
number sampled and the symbol lottery table.
[0068] Next, at S14, the main CPU 61 starts the rotations of the
reels 23 to 27, and scrolls and displays the symbol columns
arranged in the individual reels 23 to 27, at a predetermined
speed. After the predetermined time period elapsed, the reels are
stopped and displayed in the order of the reel 23-->the reel
24-->the reel 25-->the reel 26-->the reel 27, and the
three symbols 46 are displayed individually for the reels 23 to 27
in a first arrangement (as referred to FIG. 4).
[0069] Subsequently, at S15, the main CPU 61 determines whether or
not the combination of the symbols 46 displayed in the symbol
display areas 31 to 45 is a specific one for paying out any
award.
[0070] In case it is determined (S15: YES) that the combination is
to pay out the award, the routine transfers to S16. In case it is
determined (S15: NO) that the combination is not to pay out the
award, on the contrary, the main gaming operation is ended. In case
the game is next started continuously, the operations of S1 and
subsequent steps are performed again.
[0071] At S16, the main CPU 61 performs the reel HOLD. Here, the
reel HOLD is an operation to select the reels to be held from the
reels 23 to 27 by using the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A. Specifically,
the player depresses the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A below the reels 23
to 27 to be held, thereby to select the reels to be held, and
specifies the reels 23 to 27 being held, because the background
colors of the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A pressed change.
[0072] Next, at S17, the main CPU 61 determines whether or not the
start button 18 has been inputted. Whether or not the start button
18 is inputted is determined on the basis whether or not main CPU
61 has received the input signal from the start switch 18.
[0073] In case the start button 18 is not inputted (S17: NO),
moreover, the routine returns again to the reel HOLD (S16). At this
time, it is possible to correct the bet number and so on. In case
the start button 18 is inputted (S17: YES), on the contrary, it is
further determined at S18 whether or not all the reels 23 to 27 are
held by the aforementioned reel HOLD of S16.
[0074] As a result, the award being satisfied is fixed in case it
is determined (S18: YES) that all the reels 23 to 27 are held, and
the routine transfers to the award display of S22. In case it is
determined (S18: NO) that some reels 23 to 27 are not held, the
routine transfers to S19.
[0075] At S19, the main CPU 61 determines whether or not the reels
held by the reel HOLD of S16 are so held that the award satisfied
by the combination of the symbols 46 stopped and displayed at S14
may not be obtained (or may be abandoned).
[0076] In case it is determined (S19: YES) that the HOLD is so made
as to obtain no held award, the routine transfers to S20 to execute
a second symbol lottery (second lottery), in which the symbols to
be displayed in the symbol display areas (the symbol display areas
31 to 33 for the reel 23, the symbol display areas 34 to 36 for the
reel 24, symbol display areas 37 to 39 for the reel 25, the symbol
display areas 40 to 42 for the reel 26, and the symbol display
areas 44 to 45 for the reel 27) of the unheld reels (i.e., the
reels to be rotated again) are determined. Specifically, the main
CPU 61 executes the random number generating program contained in
the lottery program stored in the RAM 63 thereby to sample the
random numbers from the numerical range of the predetermined random
number range, and determines, on the basis of the sampled random
number values and the symbol lottery table, the symbols 46 (i.e.,
the stop positions of the reels to be rotated again) to be
displayed in the symbol display areas of the unheld reels, from a
plurality of kinds of symbols.
[0077] Next, at S21, the main CPU 61 starts the rotations of the
unheld reels, and scrolls and displays (as referred to FIG. 1) the
symbol columns arranged on the reels, at a predetermined speed.
When a predetermined time period elapses after this, the reels are
stopped and displayed, and the three symbols 46 are individually
displayed (as referred to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) for the individual
reels (i.e., the reel 27 in FIG. 1) rotated again, thereby to
display a new arrangement of the symbols in a second arrangement
that is different from the first arrangement. In case it is
determined (S19: NO) that the HOLD is not made not to obtain the
held award, on the contrary, the routine is returned to S16 to
restart the reel HOLD operation to select the reels 23 to 27 to be
held.
[0078] At S22, moreover, the award based on the combination held
for the lower display 6 is displayed to report the contents of the
award to the player. In FIG. 7, for example, the bonus combination
is held to display the letters "Win Bonus Game !!" reporting the
execution of the bonus game as the award.
[0079] Subsequently, it is determined at S23 whether or not the
combination of the symbols 46 displayed in the symbol display areas
31 to 45 has held the bonus combination by the first reel rotating
operation of S14 or by the second reel rotating operation of S21 of
the case, in which the reels were rotated again. Here, the bonus
combination is one, in which the symbols 46 of "B", "O", "N", "U"
and "S" are arrayed in one transverse row.
[0080] As a result, the routine transfers to the bonus game
operation (at S24), in case it is determined (S23: YES) that the
bonus combination has been held. Various modes can be conceived as
the bonus game, but the description is made, assuming that the free
game is the bonus game. Here, the free game is one, which is played
a predetermined number of times with the same contents as those of
the ordinary game but without any BET. In the bonus game operation
of S24, the rotations and stop controls of the reels 23 to 27 are
repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times, and the
awards held for those repetitions are paid out to the player by the
later-described payout of S25. Here, the conditions for the
transfer to the bonus game may be either the case, in which a
predetermined number or more predetermined symbols are displayed,
or the mode, in which the symbols suddenly occur as mysteries, so
that they can be set various. Moreover, the lottery table to be
used in the free game may also be exemplified by one which is set
to have a more payout than that of the ordinary game.
[0081] At S25, moreover, the main CPU 61 pays out the award based
on the combination of the displayed symbol, to the player. At this
time, the CASHOUT button 20 is pressed, so that the award can be
paid out as the coins (each of which corresponds to one credit)
according to the credit number or as the ticket with bar codes. In
case an award of a higher sum than that of the award held in the
first reel rotations of S14 is held by performing the re-rotations
of the reels 23 to 27 at S21, it is desired that the difference is
subtracted from a jackpot. In case an award of a lower sum than
that of the award held in the first reel rotations of S14 is held,
on the contrary, it is desired that the difference is added to the
jackpot. As a result, the payout percentage is not changed, even in
case the award to be held by rotating the reels again changes.
[0082] In the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment, when the
acceptance of the bet ends to start the game, the reels 23 to 27
start their individual rotations so that totally fifteen symbols 46
are stopped and displayed for the symbol display areas 31 to 45
after lapse of a predetermined time period. After this, the
predetermined reels of the reels 23 to 27 having the symbol columns
individually stopped and displayed are so HELD (at S16) that the
award held in the combination of the symbols 46 stopped and
displayed may not be obtained. After this, the reels other than the
held ones are rotated again to scroll the symbol columns again
thereby to arrange the symbols 46 again (at S21), so that the award
is paid out (at S25) to the player on the basis of the award held
by the combination of the symbols 46 arranged again. As a result,
the chance to play the game again can be obtained by the deed to
abandon the once-acquired award, so that various plays can be
enjoyed.
[0083] Moreover, the player is caused to select the symbol columns
to be held, so that the game can be played considering the
intention of the award, the acquirement of which is desired by the
player.
[0084] Here, the present invention should not be limited to the
embodiment thus far described, but can naturally be improved and
modified in various manners without departing from the gist of the
invention.
[0085] In the embodiment, for example, the symbols, which are held
at the units of the reels 23 to 27, of the symbols 46 displayed in
the symbol display areas 31 to 45 are selected by the HOLD
operation of S16. Other than the selection of the symbols to be
held at the reel unit, however, the HOLD operation may be performed
for every symbol display areas 31 to 45. Moreover, the symbol rows
to be held may also selected at the transverse row unit. At this
time, the symbols 46 unheld are exclusively re-arranged as new
symbols on the basis of the lottery results. This configuration can
provide games of a higher degree of freedom.
[0086] Moreover, the reels or symbols to be held may also be
selected not only by the player himself or herself but also be
selected automatically by the slot machine 1.
[0087] In the embodiment, in case the combination for paying out
any award is satisfied (S15: YES) by the first reel rotations of
S14, the reel HOLD (S16) for selecting the reels 23 to 27 to be
held is performed. In case the combination to pay out any award is
satisfied, and in the case (i.e., the so-called "reach state") of
the combination, in which one symbol is short for (different from)
the bonus combination, the reel HOLD (S16) may also be performed.
This can improve the expectation, as might otherwise be fulfilled,
to win the bonus game.
[0088] The present invention can also be applied to the slot
machine that is provided with mechanical reels instead of the video
reels.
[0089] As described above with reference to the embodiment, in the
slot machine and method for providing a slot game according to the
present invention, one or more of a plurality of symbols arranged
are hold, in case a combination of the symbols arranged in the
display becomes a specific one to pay out an award, so that a
holding award may not be acquired, whereas the unheld symbols are
rearranged, and the award is paid out on the basis of the
combination of the symbols rearranged. As a result, a chance to
perform the game again can be acquired by the deed to abandon the
award once acquired, so that various plays can be enjoyed. In the
slot machine of the prior art, more specifically, in case the game
is stopped in the combination for acquiring an award, even if this
combination may promise an award of a larger sum (for example, the
combination may transfer to the bonus game with one symbol), the
award for the holding award is paid out, and the game is over.
Therefore, the feeling of disappointment of the player having
expected the holding of the higher award is increased to decrease
the desire of the player for the play. This problem can be
eliminated by the present invention.
[0090] Especially by allowing the player to select the symbol
columns to be held, moreover, the player can play the game
considering the desire of the player for the award.
[0091] Moreover, the symbols are rearranged in case the combination
becomes short of one symbol for the bonus combination, so that the
expectation of the player for the award of the bonus game can be
improved.
[0092] It is described in the embodiment that the award is "paid
out" to the player in accordance with the combination of the
symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement. However, the
award may be any type of award that is advantageous to the player
in playing the game.
[0093] The award may be provided to the player by providing the
player a bonus game such as a free game, which is played without
consumption of any game medium (coins, medals, tokens, or credits),
or a second game, which is different from the base game and is more
advantageous to the player.
[0094] The award may also be provided to the player by
transitioning the game to be performed based on an award table
having higher odds than the award table shown in FIG. 5 used in the
base game.
[0095] The award may also be provided to the player by actually
paying out tangible game medium (coins, medals, or tokens) to the
player, or by paying out non-tangible credits as the game medium to
the player. The credits may be accumulated in the gaming machine to
be actually paid out later as the tangible game medium.
[0096] As described with reference to the embodiment, there is
provided a slot machine including: a display that displays an
arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing a slot game; an
operation unit that allows a player to input commands for playing
the slot game; a processor that is operable with the display to:
accept a bet made by the player through the operation unit; control
the display to perform a variable display of the symbols and to
display the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing
the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for
holding at least one of the symbols; control the display to
reperform the variable display for the symbol that is unheld and to
display the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a
second arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and
provide an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet
and the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second
arrangement.
[0097] There is also provided a method for providing a slot game to
a player, the method including: displaying an arrangement of a
plurality of symbols for providing the slot game; allowing the
player to input commands for playing the slot game; accepting a bet
made by the player; performing a variable display of the symbols;
displaying the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after
performing the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold
command for holding at least one of the symbols; reperforming the
variable display for the symbol that is unheld; displaying the
unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a second
arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and providing
an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet and the
combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second
arrangement.
* * * * *