U.S. patent application number 12/136517 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for slot machine with wild symbol feature and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aruze Gaming America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Fumiya Abe.
Application Number | 20090239606 12/136517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41089428 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090239606 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abe; Fumiya |
September 24, 2009 |
SLOT MACHINE WITH WILD SYMBOL FEATURE AND CONTROL METHOD
THEREOF
Abstract
In a slot machine, symbols are scrolled in plural display areas
provided on a display at an execution of a slot game and then
stopped in the display areas respectively. Furthermore, if a
"JOKER" symbol has come to a stop in a central display area, a
"WILD" symbol(s) displayed in the remaining display areas is
activated. If a "JOKER" symbol has not come to a stop in the
central display area, a "WILD" symbol(s) displayed in the remaining
display areas is deactivated. Therefore, since dividends may vary
largely according to a symbol displayed in the central display
area, a slot machine producing a superior entertainment feature
with a "WILD" symbol can be provided.
Inventors: |
Abe; Fumiya; (Koto-ku,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
41089428 |
Appl. No.: |
12/136517 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61038857 |
Mar 24, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A slot machine comprising: a display including a fixing display
area and plural varying display areas, in which symbols are
arranged; and a controller operable to: (A) rearrange symbols had
been displayed in the varying display areas after receiving an
input from an external, (B) change a symbol being arranged in the
fixing display area to a wild symbol when a specific symbol has
been displayed in any of the varying display areas, and (C) provide
an award according to a symbol combination displayed in the fixing
display area and the varying display areas.
2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller is
operable to rearrange the specific symbol last in case where the
specific symbol is rearranged in any of the varying display
areas.
3. A slot machine comprising: a display including a first display
area composed of a fixing display area and plural varying display
areas and a second display area, in which symbols are arranged; and
a controller operable to: (A) rearrange symbols had been displayed
in the varying display areas and the second display area after
receiving an input from an external, (B) change a symbol being
arranged in the fixing display area to a wild symbol when a
specific symbol has been displayed in the second display area, and
(C) provide an award according to a symbol combination displayed in
the first display area.
4. The slot machine according to claim 3, wherein the controller is
operable to rearrange a symbol in the second display area after
rearranging symbols in the first display area.
5. A slot machine comprising: a display including a first display
area and a second display area, in which symbols are arranged; and
a controller operable to: (A) rearrange symbols had been displayed
in the first area and the second display area after receiving an
input from an external, (B) activate a wild symbol had been
rearranged in the first area when a specific symbol has been
displayed in the second display area, and (C) provide an award
according to a symbol combination displayed in the first display
area.
6. The slot machine according to claim 5, wherein the controller is
operable to rearrange a symbol in the second display area after
rearranging symbols in the first display area.
7. A control method of a slot machine, comprising: rearranging
symbols had been arranged in plural varying display areas provided
on a display, changing a symbol in a fixing display area provided
on the display to a wild symbol when a specific symbol has been
rearranged in any of the varying display areas, and providing an
award according to a symbol combination displayed in the varying
display areas and the fixing display area.
8. The control method according to claim 7, wherein the specific
symbol is rearranged last in case where the specific symbol is
rearranged in any of the varying display areas.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/038,857, filed on
Mar. 24, 2008; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a slot machine for playing
games using medals and so on, and a control method of a slot
machine.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Each slot machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,459, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,695,697, United States Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2003/0069073, European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1192975,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,483, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,730, U.S. Pat. No.
5,639,088, U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,981, U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,896, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,001,016, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,820, U.S. Pat. No.
6,224,482, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,731, U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,957, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,910,048, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,402, U.S. Pat. No.
6,003,013, U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,709, European Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 0631798, German Patent Application Laid-Open No.
4137010, United Kingdom Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2326830,
German Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3712841, U.S. Pat. No.
4,964,638, U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,980, U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,909, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,702,303, U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,409, U.S. Pat. No.
5,770,533, U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,817, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,704, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,932,707, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,728, European Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 1302914, U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,459, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,564,700, International Patent Application Laid-Open No.
03/083795, German Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3242890,
European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0840264, German Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 10049444, International Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 04/095383, European Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 1544811, U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,963, European Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 1477947 and European Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 1351180, is known as a relevant slot machine.
[0006] In the slot machine, for example, total fifteen symbols in a
three-rows by five-columns arrangement start scrolling in display
areas on a display provided on a front face of a cabinet after a
player has inserted monetary value(s), such as a medal(s), a
coin(s) or a bill(s), into an insertion slot of the slot machine
and has pressed a start switch, and then the symbols automatically
come to stops. After the fifteen symbols has come to stops,
appearing a prescribed number of scatter symbols causes an
award.
[0007] In the slot machine, since there is a case where a wild
symbol(s), that can acts as any symbol, may come to a stop in the
display area(s), a probability for more awards will increase if the
wild symbol(s) has come to a stop. In the slot machine like this,
since a pay out amount is much affected by the number of the
displayed wild symbols, it becomes difficult to control whether or
not to stop the wild symbol(s) in the display areas. A slot machine
having a new entertainment feature by wild symbols is desired to be
produced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A first aspect of the present invention provides a slot
machine that includes a display including a fixing display area and
plural varying display areas, in which symbols are arranged, and a
controller. The controller is operable to (A) rearrange symbols had
been displayed in the varying display areas after receiving an
input from an external, (B) change a symbol being arranged in the
fixing display area to a wild symbol when a specific symbol has
been displayed in any of the varying display areas, and (C) provide
an award according to a symbol combination displayed in the fixing
display area and the varying display areas.
[0009] A second aspect of the present invention provides a slot
machine that includes a display including a first display area
composed of a fixing display area and plural varying display areas
and a second display area, in which symbols are arranged, and a
controller. The controller is operable to (A) rearrange symbols had
been displayed in the varying display areas and the second display
area after receiving an input from an external, (B) change a symbol
being arranged in the fixing display area to a wild symbol when a
specific symbol has been displayed in the second display area, and
(C) provide an award according to a symbol combination displayed in
the first display area.
[0010] A third aspect of the present invention provides a slot
machine that includes a display including a first display area and
a second display area, in which symbols are arranged, and a
controller. The controller is operable to (A) rearrange symbols had
been displayed in the first area and the second display area after
receiving an input from an external, (B) activate a wild symbol had
been rearranged in the first area when a specific symbol has been
displayed in the second display area, and (C) provide an award
according to a symbol combination displayed in the first display
area.
[0011] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a control
method of a slot machine that includes, rearranging symbols had
been arranged in plural varying display areas provided on a
display, changing a symbol in a fixing display area provided on the
display to a wild symbol when a specific symbol has been rearranged
in any of the varying display areas, and providing an award
according to a symbol combination displayed in the varying display
areas and the fixing display area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a flow-chart showing an outline of process
procedures in embodiments of a slot machine according to the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an overall view showing a configuration of the
slot machine in a first embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing display areas provided on a
display of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an example of an awards setting table used in the
first embodiment of the slot machine according to the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flow-chart of slot game execution processing in
the first embodiment of the slot machine according to the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a flow-chart of image effect control processing in
the first embodiment of the slot machine according to the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a flow-chart of pay out processing in the first
embodiment of the slot machine according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a screen example showing symbols displayed on the
display of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 10 is another screen example showing symbols displayed
on the display of the slot machine in the first embodiment
according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 11 is yet another screen example showing symbols
displayed on the display of the slot machine in the first
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 is an overall view showing a configuration of the
slot machine in a second embodiment of the slot machine according
to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a flow-chart of slot game execution processing in
the second embodiment of the slot machine according to the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a flow-chart of image effect control processing
in the second embodiment of the slot machine according to the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a screen example showing symbols displayed on the
display of the slot machine in the second embodiment according to
the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 16 is another screen example showing symbols displayed
on the display of the slot machine in the second embodiment
according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 17 is yet another screen example showing symbols
displayed on the display of the slot machine in the second
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 18 is a screen example showing symbols displayed on the
display of the slot machine in a modified example of the second
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 19 is another screen example showing symbols displayed
on the display of the slot machine in the modified example of the
second embodiment according to the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 20 is yet another screen example showing symbols
displayed on the display of the slot machine in the modified
example of the second embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 21 is a flow-chart of slot game execution processing in
a third embodiment of the slot machine according to the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 22 is a flow-chart of image effect control processing
in the third embodiment of the slot machine according to the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 23 is a screen example showing symbols displayed on the
display of the slot machine in the third embodiment according to
the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 24 is another screen example showing symbols displayed
on the display of the slot machine in the third embodiment
according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 25 is yet another screen example showing symbols
displayed on the display of the slot machine in the third
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 26 is an overall view showing a configuration of the
slot machine in a fourth embodiment of the slot machine according
to the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of the slot machine in the fourth embodiment according to the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 28A is a perspective view of a spinning reel device of
the slot machine employed in the fourth embodiment according to the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 28B is a side view of the spinning reel device of the
slot machine employed in the fourth embodiment according to the
present invention;
[0041] FIG. 29 is an arrangement diagram of symbol rows drawn on
each reel of the slot machine in the fourth embodiment according to
the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 30 is a flow-chart of slot game execution processing in
the fourth embodiment of the slot machine according to the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 31 is a flow-chart of reel control processing in the
fourth embodiment of the slot machine according to the present
invention; and
[0044] FIG. 32 is a flow-chart of image effect control processing
in the fourth embodiment of the slot machine according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0045] FIG. 1 is a flow-chart showing an outline of process
procedures of the slot machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an appearance view of the slot machine according to the
present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical
configuration of the slot machine according to the present
invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing arrangements of
display areas q1a to q3e on a display 16. The outline of the
process procedures of the slot machine according to the present
invention will be explained hereinbelow with reference to the
flow-chart shown in FIG. 1.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, a CPU 106 of a controller 40 shown in
FIG. 2 judges whether or not a start switch 27 has been pressed
after starting a slot game (step S11). If the start switch 27 has
been pressed, the CPU 106 determines symbols to be stopped in
varying display areas (fourteen areas other than a center display
area q2c) among fifteen display areas q1a to q3e shown in FIG. 4
(step S12).
[0047] Next, the CPU 106 scrolls symbols in the fourteen varying
display areas other than the fixing display area q2c and then stops
symbols (step S13). In other words, symbols had been arranged in
the fourteen varying display areas are rearranged.
[0048] The CPU 106 judges whether or not a specific symbol has
appeared in any of the varying display areas (step S14). If the
specific symbol has appeared (YES in step S14), a wild symbol is
displayed in the fixing display area q2c (step S15). Specifically,
a "SUN" symbol had been displayed in the fixing display area q2c is
changed to a "WILD" symbol.
[0049] Subsequently, the CPU 106 executes pay out processing for
providing an award according to symbols displayed in the display
areas (the fixing display area and the varying display areas) q1a
to q3e (step S16). In this manner, it is determined whether or not
to change a symbol in the fixing display area q2c to the "WILD"
symbol based on a condition whether the specific symbol appears in
any of the fourteen varying display areas q1a to q3e (except q2c).
Since dividends may vary largely due to that result, a slot machine
with a superior entertainment feature can be provided.
[0050] Next, a configuration of a slot machine 10 in the present
embodiment will be explained in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the
slot machine 10 in the present embodiment includes a cabinet 11, a
top box 12 provided on top of the cabinet 11 and a main door 13.
The cabinet 11 has a display 16 disposed on its plane facing a
player. In addition, various component devices are disposed within
the cabinet 11, such as the controller 40 (see FIG. 3) for
electrically controlling the slot machine 10 and a hopper 44 (see
FIG. 3) for controlling an insertion, pooling, and a cash-out of
medals.
[0051] Here in the present embodiment, medals are used for gaming
media used at game executions. However, gaming media are not
limited to medals only. For example, coins, tokens, electronic
money or other equivalent electronic value information (credits)
may be also used as gaming media.
[0052] The main door 13 is attached to the cabinet 11 so that it
can be opened and closed. The display 16 is disposed on an upper
portion of the main door 13. As explained later, images relating to
various games including a slot game are displayed on the display
16. As shown in FIG. 4, in a slot game, scrolled and then stopped
are symbols which had been displayed in the fourteen display areas
(varying display areas) other than the central display area q2c
(fixing display area) among the total fifteen display areas q1a to
q3e disposed in a three-rows by five-columns matrix manner (symbols
had been arranged are rearranged). And then, a predetermined amount
of a payout will be awarded in appearing a prescribed number of
identical specific symbols in the fifteen display areas q1a to q3e
(the fixing display area and the varying display areas) as defined
in an awards setting table shown in FIG. 5.
[0053] Here, as shown in FIG. 4, suffixes "a" to "e" attached to
the display areas "q" are represent columns and suffixes "1" to "3"
are represent rows. Therefore, the central display area is
indicated as "q2c". Note that, in the present embodiment, a slot
game is executed with the three-rows by five-columns display areas.
However, the present invention is not limited to this.
[0054] In addition, a payout counter 48 for displaying a payout
amount is disposed at the lower-left area on the display 16 shown
in FIG. 2.
[0055] A medal insertion slot 21, into which medals are inserted at
game plays, and a bill validator 22, which validates bills and
accepts valid ones, are disposed beneath the display 16. Various
operational switches are disposed nearby the medal insertion slot
21 and the bill validator 22.
[0056] A cash-out switch 23, a max-bet switch 24, a bet switch 25,
a spin/repeat-bet switch 26 and the start switch 27 are provided as
the operational switches.
[0057] The bet switch 25 is a switch for determining a bet amount
on each slot game executed by on the display 16. Each time the bet
switch 25 is pressed, one credit corresponding to one medal is
bet.
[0058] The spin/repeat-bet switch 26 is a switch for placing a bet
again on a current slot game without changing a bet amount had been
placed by the bet switch 25 on the last slot game.
[0059] The start switch 27 is a switch for starting a slot game
after a bet with desired credits has been placed by the bet switch
25. A slot game is started with the display areas q1a to q3e on the
display 16 after a bet has been placed by a medal(s) insertion into
the medal insertion slot 21 or by the bet switch 25 and then the
start switch 27 has been pressed.
[0060] The cash-out switch 23 is a switch for cashing out medals
being inserted. The medals to be cashed out are discharged from a
medal cash-out chute 28 opened in the front lower part of the main
door 13 and then pooled on a medal tray 18.
[0061] The max-bet switch 24 is a switch for betting maximum
credits amount (e.g. equivalent to thirty medals) that can be bet
on a single game by one pressing.
[0062] A foot display 34 is disposed on the lower front of the main
door 13 to display various images relating to games of the slot
machine 10. These images are, for example, characters of the slot
machine 10 and so on.
[0063] Lamps 47 are disposed on both side of the foot display 34 to
be illuminated based on preset illuminating patterns for the slot
machine 10. The medal cash-out chute 28 is disposed beneath the
foot display 34.
[0064] An upper display 33 is disposed on the front of the top box
12. The upper display 33 has a display panel to display
relationships between the number of displayed symbols and awards,
etc.
[0065] In addition, speakers 29 are provided on the top box 12. A
ticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a data display 37 and a keypad
38 are disposed beneath the upper display 33. The ticket printer 35
prints a bar-code, which contains data, such as a credit amount,
time and date and an identification number of the slot machine 10,
on a ticket and outputs it as a bar-code ticket 39.
[0066] A player can play games at another slot machine with the
bar-code ticket 39 being read by the other slot machine, and can
exchange the bar-code ticket 39 for bills and so on at a
predetermined site in an amusement facility (e.g. a cashier in a
casino).
[0067] A smart card can be inserted into the card reader 36, and
the card reader 36 reads data from the inserted smart card and
writes data onto the smart card. A smart card is carried by a
player and stores the player's identification data, gaming history
data of games played by the player and so on.
[0068] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical
configuration of the controller 40 and various components connected
to the controller 40, which are provided within the slot machine 10
of the present embodiment. The controller 40 of the slot machine 10
shown in FIG. 3 is a microcomputer and includes interface circuits
102, an input/output (I/O) bus 104, a CPU 106, a ROM 108, a RAM
110, a signal communication interface (I/F) circuit 111, a random
number generator (RNG) 112, a speaker drive circuit 122, a hopper
drive circuit 124, a display control circuit 128 and a display
controller 140.
[0069] The interface circuits 102 are connected to the I/O bus 104
and the I/O bus 104 transmits data signals and address signals with
the CPU 106.
[0070] The start switch 27 is connected to the interface circuits
102. A start command output from the start switch 27 is transmitted
to the CPU 106 via the I/O bus 104 after converted into a
predetermined signal by the interface circuits 102.
[0071] Furthermore, the bet switch 25, the max-bet switch 24, the
spin/repeat-bet switch 26 and the cash-out switch 23 are connected
to the interface circuits 102. A switching signal output from each
of the switches 25, 14, 26 and 23 is transmitted to the CPU 106 via
the I/O bus 104 after converted into a predetermined signal by the
interface circuits 102.
[0072] In addition, a medal sensor 43 is connected to the interface
circuits 102. The medal sensor 43 is a sensor for detecting a
medal(s) has been inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 and
disposed inside the medal insertion slot 21. A detection signal
output from the medal sensor 43 is transmitted to the CPU 106 via
the I/O bus 104 after converted into a predetermined signal by the
interface circuits 102.
[0073] In addition, the ROM 108 for storing system programs and the
RAM 110 for storing various data are connected to the I/O bus 104.
Furthermore, the RNG 112, the signal communication I/F circuit 111,
the display controller 140, the hopper drive circuit 124, the
speaker drive circuit 122 and the display control circuit 128 are
connected to the I/O bus 104.
[0074] The CPU 106 is triggered by the start switch 27 receiving a
game start operation and then reads out the game execution programs
to execute a slot game. The game execution programs are programs
for executing a slot game on the display 16 via the display
controller 140.
[0075] Specifically, the game execution programs are programmed to
execute a slot game, in which symbols are scrolled and then stopped
in the fourteen varying display areas (see FIG. 4) and an award is
provided based on symbols displayed in the fourteen varying display
areas q1a to q3e (except q2c) and the fixing display area q2c.
[0076] The signal communication I/F circuit 111 is connected to a
hall server etc. and transmits gaming history data of the slot
machine 10 etc. to the hall server. In addition, the signal
communication I/F circuit 111 receives various data transmitted
from the hall server.
[0077] The RNG 112 generates random numbers for determining whether
or not to achieve a winning combination in a slot game executed on
the display 16.
[0078] The display control circuit 128 controls displaying a payout
amount on the payout counter 48 provided at the lower-left area on
the display 16.
[0079] The speaker drive circuit 122 outputs sound data to the
speakers 29. Specifically, the CPU 106 reads the sound data stored
in the ROM 108 and transmits the sound data to the speaker drive
circuit 122 via the I/O bus 104. As a result, predetermined effect
sounds are output from the speakers 29.
[0080] The hopper drive circuit 124 outputs a cash-out command to
the hopper 44 when providing a cash-out. Specifically, the CPU 106
outputs a drive command to the hopper drive circuit 124 via the I/O
bus 104 when receiving the cash-out command from the cash-out
switch 23. As a result, the hopper 44 cashes out medals equivalent
to current credits stored in a prescribed memory area within the
RAM 110.
[0081] The display controller 140 controls displaying executions of
slot games on the display 16. Specifically, the CPU 106 generates
an image display command according to a status and a game result of
a slot game and then outputs the image display command to the
display controller 140 via the I/O bus 104. On receiving the image
display command, the display controller 140 generates a drive
command for the display 16 based on the image display command and
then outputs the drive command to the display 16. As a result,
prescribed images are displayed on the display 16.
[0082] Next, relationships between symbols displayed in the display
areas q1a to q3e on the display 16 and awards to be provided to a
player will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.
[0083] Any one of seven symbols "LIGHTING", "$", "A", "K", "Q", "J"
and "UMBRELLA" will be displayed in each of the fourteen varying
display areas on the display 16. In addition, the "SUN" symbol,
which has no relationship with awards, is being displayed in the
central fixing display area q2c ordinarily. The "SUN" symbol is
changed to the "WILD" symbol when the specific symbol (a symbol
with a star in q1b shown in FIG. 11) has appeared in any of the
varying display areas. The relationships between symbols displayed
in the fifteen display areas q1a to q3e and awards are defined as
shown in FIG. 5.
[0084] For example, an award with twenty medals is provided when
four "LIGHTING" symbols have appeared. An award with thirty medals
is provided when the five symbols have appeared. An award with
forty medals is provided when the six symbols have appeared. An
award with fifty medals is provided when the equal-to or more-than
seven symbols have appeared. In addition, a "WILD" symbol can act
as an alternative to all other symbols. For example, it is regarded
that four "LIGHTING" symbols have appeared if three "LIGHTING"
symbols have appeared in the varying display areas q1a to q3e
(except q2c) and also a symbol had been displayed in the fixing
display area q2c has been changed to a "WILD" symbol. In this case,
an award with twenty medals will be provided.
[0085] Next, operations of the slot machine 10 in the first
embodiment will be explained with reference to flow-charts shown in
FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. FIG. 6 is a flow-chart showing
procedures in slot game execution processing executed by the slot
machine 10 in the first embodiment.
[0086] First, the CPU 106 shown in FIG. 3 accepts a player's bet
with medals or credits (step S31). Specifically, when the player
placed a bet with a desired credit amount by pressing the bet
switch 25 or inserted medals corresponding to a desired medal
amount into the medal insertion slot 25, the amount is input as a
bet amount.
[0087] The CPU 106 reduces current credits by the credits amount
when the bet has been placed by pressing the bet switch 25 (step
S32). For example, if a ten-credit bet has been placed under thirty
credits, the credits become twenty by reducing.
[0088] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the start switch 27 has
been pressed (step S33). If the start switch 27 has been pressed
(YES in step S33), stop symbol determination processing is executed
for the fourteen varying display areas (step S34). In this
processing, determined are symbols to be displayed in the fourteen
display areas (varying display areas) other than the center display
area q2c (fixing display area) among the fifteen display areas q1a
to q3e, based on random numbers generated by the RNG 112.
[0089] The CPU 106 executes image effect control processing (step
S35). In this processing, the stop symbols determined in step S34
are displayed in the varying display areas q1a to q3e (except q2c).
The image effect control processing will be explained later in
detail.
[0090] Subsequently, the CPU 106 executes payout processing based
on the symbols had been displayed in the fifteen display areas q1a
to q3e (step S36) The payout processing will be explained later in
detail.
[0091] Next, the image effect control processing of step S35 in
FIG. 6 will be explained with reference to FIG. 7.
[0092] First, the CPU 106 transmits a command signal to start
symbol scrolling to the display controller 140. The display
controller 140 starts symbol scrolling in the fourteen varying
display areas on the display 16 on receiving the command signal
(step S50).
[0093] The CPU 106 counts an elapsed time since the symbol
scrolling has been started and judges whether or not a
predetermined time (e.g. five seconds) has elapsed (step S51). If
the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S51), the CPU 106
stops symbols sequentially in the fourteen varying display areas
other than the central fixing display area q2c (step S52). As a
result, as shown in FIG. 9, the "SUN" symbol is still displayed in
the central fixing display area q2c and symbols are displayed in
the other fourteen varying display areas, respectively.
[0094] Subsequently, the CPU 106 judges whether or not the specific
symbol has appeared in the fourteen varying display areas (step
S53). If the specific symbol has not appeared (NO in step S53),
this processing is terminated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10,
the "SUN" symbol is still displayed in the fixing display area q2c
when the specific symbol (the symbol with a star in q1b shown in
FIG. 11) has not appeared in the fourteen varying display
areas.
[0095] On the other hand, if the specific symbol has appeared (YES
in step S53), The "WILD" is symbol is displayed in the fixing
display area q2c (step S54). Specifically, the "SUN" symbol in the
fixing display area q2c is changed to the "WILD" symbol when the
specific symbol (the symbol with a star) has appeared in the
varying display area q1b as shown in FIG. 11. And then, this
processing is terminated.
[0096] Next, the payout processing of step S36 in FIG. 6 will be
explained with reference to FIG. 8.
[0097] First, the CPU 106 judged whether or not a winning
combination has been achieved according to symbols displayed in the
fifteen display areas q1a to q3e (the fixing display area and the
varying display areas) (step S71). At this time, it is judged
whether or not a winning combination has been achieved with the
"WILD" symbol considered into the judgment when the "WILD" symbol
is being displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 11, since three
"A" symbols are displayed and then it is regarded that four "A"
symbols are displayed with the "WILD" symbol included, a five medal
award is provided as defined in the awards setting table shown in
FIG. 5 (step S72).
[0098] Subsequently, the CPU 106 judges whether or not another
winning combination has been achieved (step S73). For example, in
an example shown in FIG. 11, since three "K" symbols are displayed
other than the "A" symbols and it is regarded that four "K" symbols
are displayed with the "WILD" symbol included, a three medal award
is provided as defined in the awards setting table shown in FIG. 5.
As a result, a combined eight medal award is provided with three
medals added to five medals due to the "A" symbols (step S74).
[0099] If no more winning combination has been achieved (NO in step
S73), the CPU 106 provides credits or medals corresponding to the
summed-up award (step S75). In this manner, the eight medal award
is provided in the example shown in FIG. 11 and then a payout with
credits or medals is provided.
[0100] On the other hand, if no "WILD" symbol has appeared as shown
in FIG. 10, an award is provided according to symbols displayed in
the fourteen varying display areas. In an example shown in FIG. 10,
since four "UMBRELLA" symbols is displayed, a two medal award is
provided as defined in the awards setting table shown in FIG. 5. In
this manner, the payout processing is executed.
[0101] As explained above, in the slot machine 10 according to the
first embodiment of the present invention, the "WILD" symbol is
displayed in the fixing display area q2c when the symbol with a
star (specific symbol) has appeared in the fourteen display areas
(varying display areas) other than the fixing display area q2c
among the fifteen display areas q1a to q3e. Therefore, since a
winning amount of an award is varied, an entertainment feature is
advanced.
[0102] Next, a slot machine in a second embodiment according to the
present invention will be explained. FIG. 12 a perspective view
showing a configuration of the slot machine 10a in the second
embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12,
in the slot machine 10a in the second embodiment, three-rows by
five-columns first display areas q1a to q3e are provided on the
display. In addition, a second display area Q1 is provided on an
upper-right area to the first display areas q1a to q3e.
Furthermore, its electrical configuration is the same as the
configuration of the block diagram shown in FIG. 3.
[0103] After starting a slot game, symbol scrolling is started in
the varying display areas (other than the fixing display area q2c)
among the first display areas and also in the second display area
Q1 and then symbols come to stops. And then, the "SUN" symbol had
been displayed in the fixing display area q2c is changed to the
"WILD" symbol when a "JOKER" symbol (the specific symbol, see FIG.
17) has appeared in the second display area Q1.
[0104] Hereinbelow, slot game execution processing in the slot
machine 10a according to the second embodiment will be explained
with reference to a flow-chart shown in FIG. 13.
[0105] First, the CPU 106 shown in FIG. 3 accepts a player's bet
with medals or credits (step S111). Specifically, when the player
placed a bet with a desired credit amount by pressing the bet
switch 25 or inserted medals corresponding to a desired medal
amount into the medal insertion slot 25, the amount is input as a
bet amount.
[0106] The CPU 106 reduces current credits by the credits amount
when the bet has been placed by pressing the bet switch 25 (step
S112). For example, if a ten-credit bet has been placed under
thirty credits, the credits become twenty by reducing.
[0107] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the start switch 27 has
been pressed (step S113). If the start switch 27 has been pressed
(YES in step S113), stop symbol determination processing is
executed for the varying display areas q1a to q3e (except q2c)
(step S114). In this processing, determined are symbols to be
displayed in the fourteen varying display areas based on random
numbers generated by the RNG 112.
[0108] Furthermore, the CPU 106 determines a symbol to be displayed
in the second display area Q1 based on a random number generated by
the RNG 112 (step S115).
[0109] The CPU 106 executes image effect control processing (step
S116). In this processing, the stop symbols determined in steps
S114 and S115 are displayed in the varying display areas and the
second display area Q1. The image effect control processing will be
explained later in detail.
[0110] Subsequently, the CPU 106 executes payout processing based
on the symbols had been displayed in the first display areas q1a to
q3e (step S117). Detail of the payout processing is the same as the
above-mentioned processing shown in FIG. 8.
[0111] Next, the image effect control processing of step S116 in
FIG. 13 will be explained with reference to FIG. 14.
[0112] First, the CPU 106 transmits a command signal to start
symbol scrolling to the display controller 140. The display
controller 140 starts symbol scrolling in the fourteen varying
display areas q1a to q3e (except q2c) and the second display area
Q1 on the display 16 on receiving the command signal (step
S130).
[0113] The CPU 106 counts an elapsed time since the symbol
scrolling has been started and judges whether or not a
predetermined time t1 (e.g. five seconds) has elapsed (step S131).
If the predetermined time t1 has elapsed (YES in step S131), the
CPU 106 stops symbols sequentially in the fourteen varying display
areas (step S132). As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, symbols are
displayed in the fourteen varying display areas, respectively. At
this time, the "SUN" symbol is still displayed in the central
fixing display area q2c and the second display area Q1 is still
under symbol scrolling.
[0114] Subsequently, the CPU 106 judges whether or not a
predetermined time t2 (e.g. eight seconds) has elapsed (step S133).
If the predetermined time t2 has elapsed (YES in step S133), the
CPU 106 stops a symbol in the second display area (step S134). As a
result, there are cases where the second display area Q2 become
blanked as shown in FIG. 16 and where the "JOKER" symbol (specific
symbol) appears in the second display area Q1 as shown in FIG.
17.
[0115] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the "JOKER" symbol
(specific symbol) appears in the second display area Q1 (step
S135).
[0116] If it is determined that the "JOKER" symbol (specific
symbol) appears in the second display area Q1 (Yes in step S135),
the CPU 106 changes the "SUN" symbol displayed in the fixing
display area q2c to the "WILD" symbol (step S136). For example, the
"WILD" symbol is displayed in the fixing display area q2c when the
"JOKER" symbol has appeared in the second display area Q1 as shown
in FIG. 17. The "WILD" symbol can act as an alternative to all
other symbols. And then, this processing is terminated.
[0117] On the other hand, if it is not determined that the "JOKER"
symbol appears in the second display area Q1 (NO in step S135), the
symbol in the fixing display area q2c is not changed. For example,
the "SUN" symbol in the fixing display area q2c is still being
displayed when the second display area Q2 has become blanked as
shown in FIG. 16. And then, this processing is terminated.
[0118] As explained above, in the slot machine 10a according to the
second embodiment of the present invention, the "SUN" symbol had
been displayed in the fixing display area q2c is changed to the
"WILD" symbol when the "JOKER" symbol (specific symbol) has
appeared in the second display area Q1. Therefore, since a winning
amount of an award is varied due to an appearance of the "JOKER"
symbol in the second display area Q1, an entertainment feature is
advanced.
[0119] Next, a modified example of the second embodiment will be
explained. In this modified example, two display areas "q2b" and
"q2d" are defined as the fixing display areas among the fifteen
display areas q1a to q3e and other thirteen display areas are
defined as the varying display areas. Therefore, symbols are
scrolled in the thirteen varying display areas q1a to q3e (except
q2b and q2d). Specifically, symbols are scrolled in the thirteen
varying display areas other than the two fixing display areas q2b
and q2d as shown in FIG. 18 just after the symbol scrolling has
been started. At this time, the "SUM" symbol is displayed in each
of the two fixing display areas q2b and q2d.
[0120] And then, symbols come to stops in the thirteen varying
display areas and the second display area Q1 displays the "JOKER"
symbol or becomes blanked. If the second display area Q1 has become
blanked as shown in FIG. 19, the "SUN" symbols had been displayed
in the two fixing display areas q2b and q2d are still being
displayed. Therefore, an award is determined based on the symbols
displayed in the thirteen varying display areas other than the two
fixing display areas q2b and q2d.
[0121] Otherwise, if the second display area Q1 has displayed the
"JOKER" symbol as shown in FIG. 20, the "SUN" symbols had been
displayed in the two fixing display areas q2b and q2d are changed
to the "WILD" symbols. Therefore, an award is determined based on
the "WILD" symbols displayed in the two fixing display areas q2b
and q2d and the symbols displayed in the thirteen varying display
areas.
[0122] As explained above, in the modified example of the slot
machine 10a according to the second embodiment, the "WILD" symbols
are displayed in the two fixing display areas q2b and q2d when the
"JOKER" symbol (specific symbol) has appeared in the second display
area Q1. Therefore, since a winning amount of an award is varied
due to an appearance of the "JOKER" symbol in the second display
area Q1, an entertainment feature is advanced.
[0123] Next, a slot machine in a third embodiment according to the
present invention will be explained. The overall configuration of
the slot machine in the third embodiment is the same as that shown
in FIG. 12. In addition, its electrical configuration is the same
as the configuration of the block diagram shown in FIG. 3.
[0124] After starting a slot game, symbol scrolling is started in
the first display areas q1a to q3e and also in the second display
area Q1 and then symbols come to stops. And then, if the "JOKER"
symbol (specific symbol, see FIG. 25) has appeared in the second
display area Q1, the "WILD" symbol(s) had been displayed in the
first display areas q1a to q3e is (are) activated.
[0125] Hereinbelow, slot game execution processing in the slot
machine 10a according to the third embodiment will be explained
with reference to a flow-chart shown in FIG. 21.
[0126] First, the CPU 106 shown in FIG. 3 accepts a player's bet
with medals or credits (step S211). Specifically, when the player
placed a bet with a desired credit amount by pressing the bet
switch 25 or inserted medals corresponding to a desired medal
amount into the medal insertion slot 25, the amount is input as a
bet amount.
[0127] The CPU 106 reduces current credits by the credits amount
when the bet has been placed by pressing the bet switch 25 (step
S212). For example, if a ten-credit bet has been placed under
thirty credits, the credits become twenty by reducing.
[0128] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the start switch 27 has
been pressed (step S213). If the start switch 27 has been pressed
(YES in step S213), stop symbol determination processing is
executed for the first display areas q1a to q3e (step S214). In
this processing, determined are symbols to be displayed in the
fifteen first display areas based on random numbers generated by
the RNG 112.
[0129] Furthermore, the CPU 106 determines a symbol to be displayed
in the second display area Q1 based on a random number generated by
the RNG 112 (step S215).
[0130] The CPU 106 executes image effect control processing (step
S216). In this processing, the stop symbols determined in steps
S214 and S215 are displayed in the first display areas q1a to q3e
and the second display area Q1. The image effect control processing
will be explained later in detail.
[0131] Subsequently, the CPU 106 executes payout processing based
on the symbols had been displayed in the first display areas q1a to
q3e (step S217). Detail of the payout processing is the same as the
above-mentioned processing shown in FIG. 8.
[0132] Next, the image effect control processing of step S216 in
FIG. 21 will be explained with reference to FIG. 22.
[0133] First, the CPU 106 transmits a command signal to start
symbol scrolling to the display controller 140. The display
controller 140 starts symbol scrolling in the fifteen first display
areas q1a to q3e and the second display area Q1 on the display 16
on receiving the command signal (step S230).
[0134] The CPU 106 counts an elapsed time since the symbol
scrolling has been started and judges whether or not a
predetermined time t1 (e.g. five seconds) has elapsed (step S231).
If the predetermined time t1 has elapsed (YES in step S231), the
CPU 106 stops symbols sequentially in the fifteen first display
areas q1a to q3e (step S232). As a result, as shown in FIG. 23,
symbols are displayed in the fifteen first display areas q1a to
q3e, respectively. The second display area Q1 is still under symbol
scrolling.
[0135] Subsequently, the CPU 106 judges whether or not a
predetermined time t2 (e.g. eight seconds) has elapsed (step S233).
If the predetermined time t2 has elapsed (YES in step S233), the
CPU 106 stops a symbol in the second display area (step S234). As a
result, there are cases where the second display area Q2 become
blanked as shown in FIG. 24 and where the "JOKER" symbol (specific
symbol) appears in the second display area Q1 as shown in FIG.
25.
[0136] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the "WILD" symbol(s)
appears in the first display areas q1a to q3e (step S235). And
then, if no "WILD" symbol appears (NO in step 235), this processing
is terminated. If the "WILD" symbol(s) appears (YES in step S235),
the CPU 106 judges whether or not the "JOKER" symbol appears in the
second display area Q1 (step S236).
[0137] If it is determined that the "JOKER" symbol appears in the
second display area Q1 (YES in step S236), the CPU 106 changes
activates the "WILD" symbol(s) displayed in the first display areas
q1a to q3e (step S237). For example, the "WILD" symbols had been
displayed in the two first display areas q1a and q2d are activated
when the "JOKER" symbol has appeared in the second display area Q1
as shown in FIG. 25. The activated "WILD" symbol can act as an
alternative to all other symbols.
[0138] On the other hand, if it is not determined that the "JOKER"
symbol appears in the second display area Q1 (NO in step S236), the
symbol(s) had been displayed in the first display areas q1a to q3e
is deactivated (step S238). For example, the "WILD" symbols had
been displayed in the two first display areas q1a and q2d are
deactivated when the second display area Q1 has become blanked as
shown in FIG. 24. The deactivated "WILD" symbol cannot act as an
alternative to all other symbols. And then, this processing is
terminated.
[0139] As explained above, in the slot machine 10a according to the
third embodiment of the present invention, the "WILD" symbol(s) had
been displayed in the first display areas q1a to q3e is activated
when the "JOKER" symbol (specific symbol) has appeared in the
second display area Q1. Otherwise, the "WILD" symbol(s) had been
displayed in the first display areas q1a to q3e is deactivated when
the "JOKER" symbol has not appeared in the second display area Q1.
Therefore, since a winning amount of an award is varied due to an
appearance of the "JOKER" symbol in the second display area Q1, an
entertainment feature is advanced.
[0140] Next, a slot machine in a fourth embodiment according to the
present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 26. As
shown in FIG. 26, the slot machine 10b in the fourth embodiment
includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 provided on top of the cabinet
11 and a main door 13. The cabinet 11 has a display 16 disposed on
its plane facing a player. In addition, various component devices
are disposed within the cabinet 11, such as the controller 40 (see
FIG. 27) for electrically controlling the slot machine 10b and a
hopper 44 (see FIG. 27) for controlling an insertion, pooling, and
a cash-out of medals.
[0141] Here in the present embodiment, medals are used for gaming
media used at game executions. However, gaming media are not
limited to medals only. For example, coins, tokens, electronic
money or other equivalent electronic value information (credits)
may be also used as gaming media.
[0142] The main door 13 is attached to the cabinet 11 so that it
can be opened and closed. The display 16 is disposed on an upper
portion of the main door 13. In addition, five windows 16a to 16e,
through which the inside behind the display 16 can be seen, are
provided on the display 16. The display 16 is configured by a
transmissive liquid crystal panel, with which each of areas within
the five windows 16a to 16e is set in a transmissive state and a
remaining area is set as an image-displaying area.
[0143] In addition, a display area Q1 for displaying a symbol is
provided on an upper-right area on the display 16. Furthermore, as
explained later, a spinning reel device 53 including five reels 53a
to 53e is provided within the cabinet 11 behind the display 16.
Therefore a player at the slot machine 10b can see the reels 53a to
53e provided behind the windows 16a to 16e. Tree symbols drawn on
each of circumferential surfaces of the reels 53a to 53e can be
seen when the reels 53a to 53e are being stopped. In other words,
the player can see total fifteen symbols in a three-rows by five
columns matrix manner through the windows 16a to 16e when the reels
53a to 53e of the spinning reel device 53 are being stopped.
[0144] The spinning reel device 53 includes the five reels 53a to
53e each corresponding to the windows 16a to 16e on the window 16
as shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B. In addition, the reels 53a to
53e are coupled with driving motors 56a to 56e, respectively.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 29, twenty-one symbols are drawn at
even intervals on each circumferential surface of the reels 53a to
53e. These symbols are composed of eight symbols "WILD",
"LIGHTING", "$", "A", "K", "Q", "J" and "UMBRELLA".
[0145] And then, three symbols on each of the reels 53a to 53e can
be seen through the corresponding windows 16a to 16e by the player.
Therefore, symbols are arranged and then rearranged by
spinning/being-stopped of the reels 53a to 53e.
[0146] In addition, a payout counter 48 for displaying a payout
amount is disposed at the lower-left area on the display 16 shown
in FIG. 26.
[0147] A medal insertion slot 21, into which medals are inserted at
game plays, and a bill validator 22, which validates bills and
accepts valid ones, are disposed beneath the display 16. Various
operational switches are disposed nearby the medal insertion slot
21 and the bill validator 22.
[0148] A cash-out switch 23, a max-bet switch 24, a bet switch 25,
a spin/repeat-bet switch 26 and the start switch 27 are provided as
the operational switches.
[0149] The bet switch 25 is a switch for determining a bet amount
on each slot game executed by on the display 16. Each time the bet
switch 25 is pressed, one credit corresponding to one medal is
bet.
[0150] The spin/repeat-bet switch 26 is a switch for placing a bet
again on a current slot game without changing a bet amount had been
placed by the bet switch 25 on the last slot game.
[0151] The start switch 27 is a switch for starting a slot game
after a bet with desired credits has been placed by the bet switch
25. A slot game is started with the spinning reel device 53 after a
bet has been placed by a medal(s) insertion into the medal
insertion slot 21 or by the bet switch 25 and then the start switch
27 has been pressed.
[0152] The cash-out switch 23 is a switch for cashing out medals
being inserted. The medals to be cashe dout are discharged from a
medal cash-out chute 28 opened in the front lower part of the main
door 13 and then pooled on a medal tray 18.
[0153] The max-bet switch 24 is a switch for betting maximum
credits amount (e.g. equivalent to thirty medals) that can be bet
on a single game by one pressing.
[0154] A foot display 34 is disposed on the lower front of the main
door 13 to display various images relating to games of the slot
machine 10b. These images are, for example, characters of the slot
machine 10b and so on.
[0155] Lamps 47 are disposed on both side of the foot display 34 to
be illuminated based on preset illuminating patterns for the slot
machine 10b. The medal cash-out chute 28 is disposed beneath the
foot display 34.
[0156] An upper display 33 is disposed on the front of the top box
12. The upper display 33 has a display panel to display
relationships between the number of displayed symbols and awards,
etc.
[0157] In addition, speakers 29 are provided on the top box 12. A
ticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a data display 37 and a keypad
38 are disposed beneath the upper display 33. The ticket printer 35
prints a bar-code, which contains data, such as a credit amount,
time and date and an identification number of the slot machine 10b,
on a ticket and outputs it as a bar-code ticket 39.
[0158] A player can play games at another slot machine with the
bar-code ticket 39 being read by the other slot machine, and can
exchange the bar-code ticket 39 for bills and so on at a
predetermined site in an amusement facility (e.g. a cashier in a
casino).
[0159] A smart card can be inserted into the card reader 36, and
the card reader 36 reads data from the inserted smart card and
writes data onto the smart card. A smart card is carried by a
player and stores the player's identification data, gaming history
data of games played by the player and so on.
[0160] FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing an electrical
configuration of the controller 40 and various components connected
to the controller 40, which are provided within the slot machine
10b of the present embodiment. The controller 40 of the slot
machine 10 shown in FIG. 22 is a microcomputer and includes
interface circuits 102, an I/O bus 104, a CPU 106, a ROM 108, a RAM
110, a signal communication I/F circuit 111, an RNG 112, a speaker
drive circuit 122, a hopper drive circuit 124, a display control
circuit 128, a display controller 140, a motor driving circuit 51
and a reel position detecting circuit 52.
[0161] The interface circuits 102 are connected to the I/O bus 104
and the I/O bus 104 transmits data signals and address signals with
the CPU 106.
[0162] The start switch 27 is connected to the interface circuits
102. A start command output from the start switch 27 is transmitted
to the CPU 106 via the I/O bus 104 after converted into a
predetermined signal by the interface circuits 102.
[0163] Furthermore, the bet switch 25, the max-bet switch 24, the
spin/repeat-bet switch 26 and the cash-out switch 23 are connected
to the interface circuits 102. A switching signal output from each
of the switches 25, 14, 26 and 23 is transmitted to the CPU 106 via
the I/O bus 104 after converted into a predetermined signal by the
interface circuits 102.
[0164] In addition, a medal sensor 43 is connected to the interface
circuits 102. The medal sensor 43 is a sensor for detecting a
medal(s) has been inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 and
disposed inside the medal insertion slot 21. A detection signal
output from the medal sensor 43 is transmitted to the CPU 106 via
the I/O bus 104 after converted into a predetermined signal by the
interface circuits 102.
[0165] In addition, the ROM 108 for storing system programs and the
RAM 110 for storing various data are connected to the I/O bus 104.
Furthermore, the RNG 112, the signal communication I/F circuit 111,
the display controller 140, the hopper drive circuit 124, the
speaker drive circuit 122, the display control circuit 128 the
motor driving circuit 51 and the reel position detecting circuit 52
are connected to the I/O bus 104.
[0166] The CPU 106 is triggered by the start switch 27 receiving a
game start operation and then reads out the game execution programs
from the ROM 108 to execute a slot game. The game execution
programs are programs for executing a slot game by driving the
driving motors 56a to 56e of the spinning reel device 53 via the
motor driving circuit 51.
[0167] Specifically, the game execution programs are programmed to
execute a slot game, in which the reels 53a to 53e are stopped
(symbols had been arranged are rearranged) after scrolling symbols
drawn on the circumferential surfaces of the reels 53a to 53e by
spinning the reels 53a to 53e of the spinning reel device 53 and an
award is provided based on symbols visible trough the windows 16a
to 16e (total fifteen three-rows by five-columns symbols).
[0168] The signal communication I/F circuit 111 is connected to a
hall server etc. and transmits gaming history data of the slot
machine 10b etc. to the hall server. In addition, the signal
communication I/F circuit 111 receives various data transmitted
from the hall server.
[0169] The RNG 112 generates random numbers for determining whether
or not to achieve a winning combination in a slot game executed on
the display 16.
[0170] The display control circuit 128 controls displaying a payout
amount on the payout counter 48 provided at the lower-left area on
the display 16.
[0171] The speaker drive circuit 122 outputs sound data to the
speakers 29. Specifically, the CPU 106 reads the sound data stored
in the ROM 108 and transmits the sound data to the speaker drive
circuit 122 via the I/O bus 104. As a result, predetermined effect
sounds are output from the speakers 29.
[0172] The hopper drive circuit 124 outputs a cash-out command to
the hopper 44 when providing a cash-out. Specifically, the CPU 106
outputs a drive command to the hopper drive circuit 124 via the I/O
bus 104 when receiving the cash-out command from the cash-out
switch 23. As a result, the hopper 44 cashes out medals equivalent
to current credits stored in a prescribed memory area within the
RAM 110.
[0173] The display controller 140 controls displaying executions of
slot games on the display 16. Specifically, the CPU 106 generates
an image display command according to a status and a game result of
a slot game and then outputs the image display command to the
display controller 140 via the I/O bus 104. On receiving the image
display command, the display controller 140 generates a drive
command for the display 16 based on the image display command and
then outputs the drive command to the display 16. As a result,
prescribed images are displayed on the display 16. In addition, The
"JOKER" symbol (specific symbol) may be displayed in the display
area Q1 on the display 16.
[0174] The motor driving circuit 51 executes a control to spin the
reels 53a to 53e when receiving a drive command signal from the CPU
106 by the start switch 27 being pressed after a slot game has been
started and then stop the reels 53a to 53e when a predetermined
time (e.g. five seconds) has elapsed.
[0175] The reel position detecting circuit 52 receives detecting
signals from sensors 54a to 54e provided nearby the reels 53a to
53e to detect stop positions of the reels 53a to 53e. Specifically,
identification data is allocated to each symbol on the reels 53a to
53e as magnetic data, a bar-code and so on. The stop positions of
the reels 53a to 53e can be detected by reading out the
identification data by the sensors 54a to 54e provided
correspondingly to the reels 53a to 53e, respectively. As a result,
total fifteen three-rows by five-columns symbols displayed in the
windows 16a to 16e can be detected.
[0176] Next, operations of the slot machine 10b in the fourth
embodiment will be explained with reference to flow-charts shown in
FIG. 30, FIG. 31 and FIG. 32. FIG. 30 is a flow-chart showing
procedures in slot game execution processing executed by the slot
machine 10b in the fourth embodiment.
[0177] First, the CPU 106 shown in FIG. 27 accepts a player's bet
with medals or credits (step S151). Specifically, when the player
placed a bet with a desired credit amount by pressing the bet
switch 25 or inserted medals corresponding to a desired medal
amount into the medal insertion slot 25, the amount is input as a
bet amount.
[0178] The CPU 106 reduces current credits by the credits amount
when the bet has been placed by pressing the bet switch 25 (step
S152). For example, if a ten-credit bet has been placed under
thirty credits, the credits become twenty by reducing.
[0179] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the start switch 27 has
been pressed (step S153). If the start switch 27 has been pressed
(YES in step S153), stop symbol determination processing is
executed (step S154). In this processing, stop positions of the
reels 53a to 53e are determined based on random numbers generated
by the RNG 112.
[0180] Subsequently, the CPU 106 determines a symbol to be
displayed in the display area Q1 (step S155). In this process, it
is determined whether the "JOKER" symbol is to be displayed in the
display area Q1 or the display area Q1 is to become blanked.
[0181] The CPU 106 executes reel control processing to stop the
reels 53a to 53e sequentially at the determined symbols (step
S156). The reel control processing will be explained later in
detail.
[0182] The CPU 106 executes image effect control processing (step
S157). In this processing, the symbol determined in step S155 is
displayed in the display area Q1. The image effect control
processing will be explained later in detail.
[0183] Subsequently, the CPU 106 executes payout processing based
on the symbols had been displayed on the front sides of the reels
53a to 53e (the symbols in positions corresponding to the display
areas q1a to q3e in the second embodiment) and the symbol in the
display area Q1 (step S158). The payout processing will be
explained later in detail. This payout processing is the same as
the processing shown in FIG. 8 and explained in the first
embodiment.
[0184] Next, the reel control processing of step S156 in FIG. 30
will be explained with reference to FIG. 31.
[0185] The CPU 106 shown in FIG. 27 transmits a spinning drive
command for the reels 53a to 53e to the motor driving circuit 51
when the start switch 27 has been pressed. Furthermore, a timer is
set within the RAM 110 to count the elapsed time T from a spinning
start of the reels 53a to 53e (step S171).
[0186] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the elapsed time T has
reached a predetermined time T1 (step S172). If T is equal-to or
more-than T1 (YES in step S172), the reel 53a is stopped (step
S173).
[0187] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the elapsed time T has
reached a predetermined time T2 (step S174). If T is equal-to or
more-than T2 (YES in step S174), the reel 53b is stopped (step
S175).
[0188] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the elapsed time T has
reached a predetermined time T3 (step S176). If T is equal-to or
more-than T3 (YES in step S176), the reel 53c is stopped (step
S177).
[0189] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the elapsed time T has
reached a predetermined time T4 (step S178). If T is equal-to or
more than T4 (YES in step S178), the reel 53d is stopped (step
S179).
[0190] The CPU 106 judges whether or not the elapsed time T has
reached a predetermined time T5 (step S180). If T is equal-to or
more than T5 (YES in step S180), the reel 53e is stopped (step
S181). In this manner, the five reels 53a to 53e are stopped
sequentially from the left side.
[0191] Next, the image effect control processing of step S157 in
FIG. 30 will be explained with reference to FIG. 32.
[0192] First, the CPU 106 judges whether or not the elapsed time
from the spinning start of the reels 53a to 53e has reached the
predetermined time T5 (step S191). In other words, it is judged
whether or not all of the five reels 53a to 53e have come to
stops.
[0193] If the predetermined time T5 has elapsed (YES in step S191),
a symbol is stopped in the display area Q1 (step S192). As a
result, the "JOKER" symbol (specific symbol) is displayed in the
display area Q1 or the display area Q1 becomes blanked. These
displays are the same as the above-mentioned displays shown in FIG.
24 and FIG. 25.
[0194] Subsequently, a payout is awarded according to the symbols
displayed by the reels 53a to 53e and the symbol displayed in
display area Q1. In this manner, a slot game is executed.
[0195] As explained above, in the slot machine 10b according to the
fourth embodiment of the present invention, total fifteen
three-rows by five-columns symbols are displayed in the windows 16a
to 16e on the display 16 by spinning and then being-stopped of the
reels 53a to 53e. In addition, a symbol is displayed in the display
area Q1 provided at the upper-right area on the display 16. And
then, the "WILD" symbol(s) is activated when the "WILD" symbol(s)
had been displayed in the windows 16a to 16e and also the "JOKER"
symbol has displayed in the display area Q1. Therefore, since a
winning amount of an award is varied due to an appearance of the
"JOKER" symbol, an entertainment feature is advanced.
[0196] In addition, since a symbol is stopped in the display area
Q1 after all of the reels 53a to 53e have come to stops, a player
can feel a sense of expectant.
[0197] Although embodiments of the present invention have been
described as above, they are only presented as concrete examples,
without particularly limiting the present invention. Concrete
arrangements of respective units may be changed in design as
appropriate. In addition, the effects set forth in the embodiments
of the present invention are merely an enumeration of the most
preferred effect which occurs from the present invention, and the
effects by the present invention is not limited to those set forth
in the embodiments of the present invention.
[0198] In the above detailed description, mainly characteristic
portions have been set forth so that the present invention can be
understood more easily. The present invention is not limited to the
embodiments set forth in the above detailed description and can be
applied to other embodiments, with a wide range of applications. In
addition, terms and wordings used in the present specification are
used to precisely explain the present invention and are not
intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention.
Also, those skilled in the art will easily conceive, from the
concept of the invention set forth in the present specification,
other arrangements, systems or methods included in the concept of
the present invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the
scope of the claims includes equivalent arrangements without
deviating from the scope of technical ideas of the present
invention. In addition, the purpose of the abstract is to
facilitate the Patent Office and general public institutions, or
engineers in the technological field who are not familiar with
patent and legal terms or specific terms to quickly evaluate
technical contents and the essence of this application by simple
investigation. Therefore, the abstract is not intended to limit the
scope of the invention, which should be evaluated by descriptions
of the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is desirable to take
into consideration the already disclosed literatures sufficiently
in order to completely understand the objects and specific effects
of the present invention.
[0199] The above detailed description includes processes executed
by a computer. The aforementioned descriptions and expressions are
described with a purpose that those skilled in the art will
understand them most efficiently. In the present specification,
each step used for deriving one result should be understood as a
self-consistent process. Also, transmission, reception and
recording of electric or magnetic signals are executed in each
step. In the processes in respective steps, although such signals
are expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms or
numerals, it should be noted that these are merely used for
convenience of explanation. Additionally, although the processes in
respective steps may be described using an expression common to
human activities, the processes described in the present
specification are executed, in principle, by a variety of devices.
Furthermore, other arrangements required to execute respective
steps are self-evident from the aforementioned description.
* * * * *