JPH11276664A - Symbol-variable display game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and effectively display various kinds of information. SOLUTION: This slot machine uses the image character of James Bond (007). In this case, a symbol related to prize winning is designed based on that image character. On the symbol display face of each reel, a background pattern based on the logo mark (registered trademark) of '007' is respectively drawn on the backside of each prize winning symbol.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable symbol display game machine, such as a slot machine and a pachinko game machine, provided with a symbol display section for changing and displaying a plurality of types of symbols.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional typical slot machine is provided with three reels each having a symbol array composed of a predetermined number of symbols on an outer peripheral surface. When the player performs a game start operation, the reels rotate at the same time, and the symbol display window on the front is displayed in a state where the symbol row of each reel is moving. When the player performs a stop operation, the reels are sequentially stopped, and three symbols are displayed in a stopped state on the symbol display window for each reel.

When a predetermined combination of symbols is established on an activated stop line (hereinafter referred to as an "effective line") when all reels are stopped, a winning is made and a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the player. When a combination of specific symbols (hereinafter, referred to as “special winning symbols”) is established, a special winning is achieved, and the game shifts to a special game called “bonus game” in which a large number of medals can be obtained.

In a conventional slot machine, a lottery process is performed inside the machine for each game, and when a "big hit" occurs in the lottery process, a stop operation of each reel is performed so that the special winning symbol stops on an active line. Is controlled.

In a recent slot machine, if a "big hit" occurs due to a lottery process, even if a special winning symbol combination is not established, a specific symbol or a specific symbol combination called a "reach eye" is established. (Hereinafter simply referred to as "reach eyes"),
Stop control of each reel is performed. When the reach eyes appear, the player knows that the special winning symbols are likely to be aligned on the activated line, and will carefully perform the stop operation in the subsequent games.

In recent slot machines, in addition to the "big bonus" in which a plurality of bonus games can be executed, a plurality of types of bonus games having different numbers of bonus games and payout medals are set. As an eye, many patterns are prepared. These special winning symbols and various patterns of the reach eyes are printed and printed near the symbol display window on the upper panel or the front panel of the gaming machine main body, and the player can see the winning pattern and the pattern of the reach eyes on the model. Has been informed.

[0007]

However, in recent slot machines, the pattern of reach eyes increases as game control becomes more complicated, so that all special winning symbols and reach eyes are displayed in a limited space. It is difficult. Further, even if the display is limited to only the representative reach pattern, a large amount of information is still displayed densely, making it difficult to confirm the display content. In addition, recent models tend to increase the width of reels and reel display windows so that symbols are easy to see, so the space for displaying information is increasingly limited.

[0008] Further, slot machines are similar in the shape of the housing that forms the body of the machine and the colors of the front panel, and it is difficult to distinguish the products of each company. Therefore, each company adopts its own character and uses naming for model names. By devising, these characters and product names are displayed at appropriate places on the aircraft to appeal. In order to enhance the advertising effect by such advertising information, it is desirable to adopt the most conspicuous places such as the upper panel and the front panel as the display positions. However, as described above, these places are the special winning symbols and the reach. Since it is occupied by the display of eye patterns, it is difficult to secure a display space for advertisement information. For this reason, a lower panel or the like that is difficult to see is applied to the display space for the advertisement information, and there is a problem that the advertising effect is weakened.

In order to immediately recognize the appearance of the reach eyes, the player needs to store all the patterns of the reach eyes. However, since the number of patterns of the reach eyes is large, the player stores all the patterns. This is not easy, and especially a beginner is forced to execute a game while referring to the display of the reach eye pattern. However, if such a method is adopted, the player must remove his / her gaze from the symbol display window each time the display of the reach eye pattern is referred to, so that the player cannot concentrate on the game and a rapid progress of the game is hindered. become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. When the variable display of symbols is stopped, predetermined information is displayed without hindering the visual recognition of the stopped symbols. A technical problem is to display information efficiently and effectively.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a symbol having a symbol display unit for displaying a plurality of kinds of symbols by changing them and then stopping each of the variable displays and displaying one of the symbols. In the variable display gaming machine, the symbol display section is configured to display one of the symbols and predetermined information in a state in which the symbol display is not hindered when the variable display of the symbols is stopped.

[0012] In the invention of claim 2, information relating to hitting is set as the information, in the invention of claim 3, information relating to a reach eye is set, and in the invention of claim 4, advertisement information is set.

[0013]

When a symbol is stopped and displayed, any one of the symbols and the predetermined information is displayed, so that the display information comes to the player's eyes together with the symbol, and the player keeps watching the symbol display section. , The display information can be recognized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the information related to winning is displayed as the information, the player can determine whether or not the stopped and displayed symbol is a winning symbol when the variable display of symbols is stopped. It can be easily recognized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the information relating to the reach eye is displayed as the information, the player does not look away from the stop-displayed symbol when the variable display of the symbol is stopped. You can check the pattern.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the advertisement information is displayed as the information, the advertisement information naturally comes into sight when the player gazes at the stopped and displayed symbol, and various advertisements can be effectively performed. Can be done

[0017]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated slot machine, a body 1 is configured by attaching a door 3 to the front opening of a box-shaped main body 2 so as to be openable and closable. FIG. 2 shows the inside of the main body 2.
As shown in the figure, a circuit board 5 such as a reel block 4 and a control circuit is incorporated in an upper position, and a medal dispenser 6 having a hopper 6a for accommodating a large number of medals is incorporated in a lower position.

The reel block 4 comprises a metal frame 7
, Three reels 8a, 8b, 8c are integrally assembled. On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c, a plurality of types of symbols, such as symbols, characters, and numerals, are shown. On the reel block 4, each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c
Stepping motors 9a, 9b, which individually rotate
9c is assembled.

The front surface of the door 3 comprises a front panel 11, an upper panel 12, and a lower panel 13. The front panel 11 is a portion for displaying the symbol row of each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c in a moved state or a stopped state. On the upper panel 12 and the lower panel 13, a model name, an image image of a character introduced to the model, game information, and the like are displayed. Each of the panels 11, 12, 13
Both are formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate.

Below the front panel 11, a starting lever 1 is provided.
Four or three stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15c, a medal slot 16 and the like are provided, and a medal discharge port 17 and a medal tray 18 are provided below the lower panel 13, respectively.

At the center of the surface of the front panel 11, three non-colored and transparent symbol display windows 20a, 20b and 20c are juxtaposed. Each symbol display window 20a, 20b, 20c
Are the reels 8a, 8b, 8 of the reel block 4 behind.
The symbol "c" is located and is formed in a vertically long shape so that the symbols on the outer peripheral surface of the reel can be visually recognized for three frames when the reel is stopped.

On the front panel 11, as shown in FIG.
A total of five stop lines L1 to L of upper, middle, lower, and diagonal so as to cross the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c
5 is represented. When the reel is stopped, these stop lines L
The symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are arranged on 1 to L5. These stop lines L1 to L5 are three stop lines of upper, middle, and lower if only one central stop line L1 is provided if the number of medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 16 is two. If L1 to L3 are three, all five stop lines L1 to L5 are activated respectively.

An illumination device 21 composed of a fluorescent lamp is provided inside the front panel 11. After the power is turned on, the illumination device 21 is always turned on, and the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are illuminated from obliquely above.

This slot machine is of a type in which a game can be executed in a so-called credit system. If a plurality of medals are inserted in the medal slot 16 in advance and stored in the machine, the stored medals are thereafter used. You can use it to play games. Credit-type slot machines are well-known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

In the slot machine having the above-described structure, when the stop line is activated by a medal insertion operation by the player and all the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are started simultaneously by operating the start lever 6, a lottery process is performed inside the machine. It is determined whether or not to control the reel stop operation so that a special winning symbol or a combination of winning symbols is established on the activated line. Thereafter, the stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15
If the lottery result is "big hit" when c is pressed, the control of the reel stop operation described above is executed, and the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are stopped so that the special winning symbol stops on the activated line. The stop operation is controlled.

The above-mentioned lottery process is performed by sampling a random number generated by a random number generator and determining whether or not the sampled random number value is within a predetermined range. The lottery process is known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

When all the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are stopped and a special winning symbol or a combination of winning symbols is established on the activated line, a predetermined number of medals are paid out and the combination of special winning symbols is established. Shifts to a "bonus game" in which a large number of medals can be obtained.

If a "big hit" has occurred in the lottery process, but the timing of the player's stop operation does not coincide with the timing when the special winning symbols are aligned on the activated line, instead of the special winning symbol combination, Each of the reels 8a, 8a is so arranged that a predetermined reach pattern appears.
The stop operations of b and 8c are controlled.

In this slot machine, an image character for increasing the name recognition of the model is introduced, and the name and image of the introduced character are printed and printed on the upper panel 12 and the front panel 11. . A symbol having the character as a motif is also used as a part of the winning symbol.

Further, this slot machine stores this kind of information on each of the reels 8a and 8a so that the player can easily recognize information on the game such as winning symbols and reach eyes.
The symbols 8b and 8c are displayed in a background portion on which no symbols are drawn on the symbol display surface.

FIGS. 4 (1) to 4 (5) show examples in which a winning symbol is set by using James Bond, the main character of a famous movie, as the image character of the slot machine. In each of the illustrated examples, the reel 8a (8b, 8
c) A drawing portion of a corresponding symbol is extracted from each symbol drawn on the symbol display surface of c), and is shown.
In addition to numerical symbols such as "7" and "0", design symbols reminiscent of the well-known image of the hero, and symbols using the "007" logo mark (registered trademark) in the movie title as a motif are adopted. Have been. Further, behind these winning symbols, a background pattern formed by arranging a plurality of the logo marks small and at predetermined intervals is drawn. Reference numeral 30 in the figure indicates one logo mark in the background, and FIG.
The drawing portion of 0 is enlarged.

Each of the logos 30 on the background appeals to the image character introduced into the slot machine and means that the corresponding symbol is a winning symbol. Since these background logo marks 30 are naturally seen when watching the winning symbol in the center,
Even a player who is not familiar with various winning symbols can easily recognize whether or not there is a possibility of winning based on whether or not the logo mark background is added to the symbols stopped on the active line.

If the intervals between the logos 30 on the background are close, the symbols having the background pattern can be confirmed even during the rotation of the reels. Button switches 15a, 15b,
It becomes possible to measure the operation timing of 15c. Further, if the size or arrangement interval of the background logo mark 30 is changed between the special winning symbol and the normal winning symbol, the arrival of the winning symbol that establishes more advantageous winning conditions during the rotation of the reel is recognized. It is also possible to measure the timing of the reel stop operation.

The information for identifying a winning symbol is not limited to the background pattern as shown in the figure, but, for example, only one logo mark of a predetermined size may be displayed at an appropriate position on the background. However, it is necessary to take care that this kind of identification display does not hinder the recognition of the original symbol and does not overwhelm the image of the main symbol.

Next, a display example in the case of displaying information on the reach pattern will be described. It is assumed that a character that images a raccoon is introduced in the slot machine according to the following embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the symbol arrangement constituting the reach eye. When the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are stopped, the symbols are arranged in the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c with the arrangement pattern as shown in the figure. Is displayed as the reach eye. That is, a special winning symbol “7” is provided at the center of the center and right symbol display windows 20b and 20c (ie, on the stop line L1).
Symbol 31 and the symbol 32 of the raccoon character are displayed. The left symbol display window 20
In a, a cherry symbol 33 is displayed at the top and bottom, and a symbol 31 of "7" is displayed at the center.

FIG. 6 shows a drawing portion of the “7” symbol 31 on the symbol display surface. The left and right backgrounds of the reach of FIG. Each of the symbols 31, 32, and 33 in the right column is displayed small according to the arrangement state of the reach (hereinafter, this small symbol is referred to as a "sub-symbol"). Furthermore, the actual reel display window 20
Lines 33a, 33b, and 34 for the vertical and horizontal directions for indicating the boundary positions of the symbols a to 20c and the symbols in each window.
a and 34b are drawn (however, these lines are drawn only on the background portion thereof so as not to cover the main “7” symbol 31).

The symbol 31 of "7" at the center functions not only as the original winning symbol but also for displaying the reach symbol array together with the sub-symbols. The display in the illustrated example is performed not only for the center reel 8b but also for the left and right reels 8a and 8c. The player uses the symbol 31 of "7" and each sub-symbol to display the reach eye. The symbol arrangement of the symbol display windows 20a and 2 is easily confirmed.
It is possible to predict the possibility that the displayed reach eye will be established depending on the position of 0b or 20c.

The information display relating to the reach eye is not limited to the above. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a symbol arrangement including the symbol may be displayed in a small position in the vicinity of the symbol. Good.

As described above, by displaying the winning symbol, the symbol related to the reach eye, and the like, the information indicating that the symbol is related to the hit and the information indicating the pattern of the reach eye established by the symbol are displayed. Can easily recognize whether or not a symbol combination relating to a prize or a reach eye has been established as the game progresses. Moreover, since such information naturally comes into view when the player pays attention to the symbol, the player can keep his / her eyes from the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c without changing their eyes.
The information can be confirmed, and the nerve can be concentrated on the game.

Also, by using the empty space on the symbol display surface for this type of information display, it is not necessary to display information relating to the winning symbols and the patterns of the reach eyes on the upper panel 12 and the front panel 11. On these panels 11 and 12, a display space for advertisement information of an image character or a model name can be secured.

Further, this kind of advertisement information may be displayed on the symbol display surface in the same manner as the hit or reach information, and may be put in the player's eyes together with the symbol. FIG. 8 shows a display example of advertisement information, in which symbols behind the symbols drawn on the reels 8a (8b, 8c) are displayed.
The background pattern by the above-mentioned raccoon character 35 is drawn.

The display position of the information is not limited to the background of the symbol. As shown in FIG. 9, the information may be displayed so as to be superimposed on the symbol as long as the main symbol is not obstructed. Depending on the content of the information to be displayed, the information may be displayed sandwiched between the symbols on the symbol display surface, or may be displayed continuously along both ends of the reel.

Further, this embodiment can be applied not only to a slot machine but also to a pachinko machine having a similar variable symbol display section. The slot machine of this embodiment rotates a mechanical reel to move a symbol and displays the symbol. In addition, the present invention also relates to scrolling a symbol by video on a display screen such as a video or liquid crystal display. The present invention can also be applied to a display type gaming machine.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a variable symbol display game machine having a symbol display section for displaying a plurality of kinds of symbols in a variable manner, any one of a predetermined symbol and a predetermined Information
Since the display is performed so as not to hinder the visual recognition of the symbols, when the player pays attention to the stopped and displayed symbols, the display information comes into the eyes naturally, and various kinds of information are displayed efficiently and effectively. be able to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, information relating to a hit is displayed, and in the third aspect of the present invention, information relating to a reach eye is displayed. And information related to the eyes of the player can be obtained, and the degree of concentration on the game can be increased. Also, by displaying information using the symbol display unit, it is possible to display information more efficiently and easily than displaying a large amount of information on the panel surface of the aircraft. Moreover, by taking this kind of information from the panel surface, a display space for other information such as advertising information can be secured on the panel surface.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the advertisement information is displayed as the information, when the player pays attention to the stopped and displayed symbols, the advertisement information naturally comes into sight, and The effect can be greatly enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal structure of the slot machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a front panel of the slot machine.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of symbols and information.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing one mode of a reach eye.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of symbols and information.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of symbols and information.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of symbols and information.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of symbols and information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8a, 8b, 8c Reel 9a, 9b, 9c Stepping motor 20a, 20b, 20c Symbol display window

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 3, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 8

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 8

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A variable symbol display game machine comprising: a symbol display section for displaying a plurality of symbols by changing and displaying the symbols and then displaying each of the symbols by stopping the variable display. A variable symbol display game machine which displays any symbol and predetermined information in a state where the symbol display is not hindered when the variable display of symbols is stopped. 2. The variable symbol display game machine according to claim 1, wherein the information is information relating to winning. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the information is information relating to a reach eye. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the information is advertising information.