BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
-
The present invention relates to a gaming machine for the
player to insert a medal into a medal insertion slot for playing
a game.
Description of the Related Art
-
A conventional pinball slot machine (a so-called
"Pachi-Slot machine" in Japan) in a related art includes a medal
insertion slot 7 (medal insertion slot) with a groove 7a (opening)
having the length direction formed in a lateral direction
parallel with the machine front, as shown in FIG. 4 in
JP-A-2000-167108. In most of such pinball slot machines in
related arts, medal insertion slot 7 is provided on the front
right of the machine and most players insert medals into the
opening 7a of the medal insertion slot 7 with the right hand.
The player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot with
the thumb and the forefinger.
The medal insertion slot 7 of the pinball slot machine in
the related art will be discussed in more detail. The medal
insertion slot 7 is implemented as a medal guide projection
projecting in the forward direction of the pinball slot machine
1 for guiding a medal to the opening and the medal guide projection
includes an inner peripheral part configured to be in contact
with the outer peripheral surface of a medal and a pair of
projection parts placed away from each other and projecting on
the top of the inner peripheral part, as shown in FIGS. 3 and
4 in JP-A-2000-167108.
-
The above structure is disclosed in JP-A-2000-167108.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
-
However, in the medal insertion slot of the pinball slot
machine in the related art, there is a problem that when the player
inserts medals into the opening of the medal insertion slot with
the right hand holding the medals, as the thumb or the forefinger
of the player or the medal hits with the projection part, the
player fails in inserting the held medals and drops the medals
to the floor.
-
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
gaming machine for making it possible to lessen failure of medal
insertion as the thumb or the forefinger of a player or a medal
and the like hits with a projection part when the player inserts
medals into an opening of medal insertion slot, and enabling the
player to easily insert medals into the opening.
-
According to the invention, there is provided a gaming
machine (for example, 1) including: a medal insertion slot (for
example, 22) having an opening (for example, 101) for a player
to insert a medal for playing a game, wherein the medal insertion
slot is includes a medal guide projection (for example, 102)
projecting in the forward direction of the gaming machine for
guiding a medal to the opening, wherein the medal guide projection
includes: an inner peripheral part (for example, 104) configured
to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the medal;
and a pair of projection parts (for example, 110R and 110L) placed
away from each other and projecting on the tops of both ends of
the inner peripheral part, and wherein an angle (for example,
γ) between a ridgeline (for example, 105R) of one of the
projection parts and a horizontal line (for example, H) is
configured to be different from an angle (for example, β) between
a ridgeline (for example, 105L) of the other projection part and
a horizontal line (for example, H). According to the
configuration, when the player inserts a plurality of medals held
with the right hand into the opening, failure of medal insertion
as the thumb or the forefinger of the player or the medal hits
with the projection part 110R can be lessened and the player can
easily insert medals into the opening.
-
In the invention, the angle (for example, γ) between the
ridgeline (for example, 105R) of one projection part and the
horizontal line (for example, H) may be larger than the angle
(for example, β) between the ridgeline (for example, 105L) of
the other projection part and the horizontal line (for example,
H). According to the configuration, when the player inserts a
plurality of medals held with the right hand into the opening,
failure of medal insertion as the thumb or the forefinger of the
player or the medal hits with the projection part 110R can be
lessened and the player can easily insert medals into the opening.
-
In the invention, a height (for example, hR) of the start
point of the ridgeline (for example, 105R) of one projection part
on the side of the opening may be the same as a height (for example,
hL) of the start point of the ridgeline (for example, 105L) of
the other projection part on the side of the opening. According
to the configuration, when the player inserts a plurality of
medals held with the right hand into the opening, retaining of
the medals in the forward width direction can be solidified on
the side of the opening.
-
In the invention, the gaming machine may include a
frontward projection portion (for example 10) for fixing the
medal insertion slot (for example, 22), wherein an angle (for
example, α) between the upper face of the frontward projection
portion and the horizontal line (for example H) may be
substantially equal to the angle (for example, β) between the
ridgeline (for example, 105L) of the other projection part and
the horizontal line (for example H). According to the
configuration, when the player abuts a plurality of medals held
with the right hand against the inner peripheral part and guides
the medals into the opening, the plurality of medals can be
reliably guided into the opening in the inner peripheral part
placed away from the side of the opening.
-
In the invention, an angle (for example, R) between a line
connecting a top (for example, 200R) of one projection part and
a bottom (for example, 201R) and the horizontal line may be
smaller than an angle (for example, L) between a line connecting
a top (for example, 200L) of the other projection part and a bottom
(for example, 201L) and the horizontal line. According to the
configuration, the player can easily insert a plurality of medals
held with the right hand into the nip between the paired
projection parts along the side of one projection part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
-
In the accompanying drawings:
- FIG. 1 is a drawing to show an embodiment of a gaming machine
according to the invention and is a perspective view to show the
appearance of a pinball slot machine as gaming machine;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view to show the appearance of the
pinball slot machine with reels displayed in the embodiment of
the invention;
- FIG. 3 is a drawing to show the configuration of a liquid
crystal display in the embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of medal insertion slot in
the embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 5 is a front view of the medal insertion slot in the
embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line VI-VI in FIG. 7;
- FIG. 7 is a side view of the medal insertion slot in the
embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII in FIG.
7;
- FIG. 9 is a drawing to show symbol rows drawn on the outer
peripheral surfaces of the reels in the embodiment of the
invention;
- FIG. 10 is a drawing to show prizes and numbers of payout
medals corresponding to winning symbol combinations in the
embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram to show the configuration of
a main control circuit in the embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 12 is a drawing to show a winning stop control table
used when internal winning of small prize is accepted in the
embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 13 is a drawing to show a forward push, center push
losing stop control table used when internal winning of small
prize is accepted in the embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 14 is a drawing to show a reverse push losing stop
control table used when internal winning of small prize is
accepted in the embodiment of the invention; and
- FIG. 15 is a block diagram to show the configuration of
a sub-control circuit in the embodiment of the invention.
-
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
-
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is shown
a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment applying a gaming machine
according to the invention to a pinball slot machine (a so-called
"Pachi-Slot machine" in Japan). FIG. 2 shows a state that a full
screen display is not displayed by a liquid crystal display in
display screen 5a and a member such as reels 3 disposed at the
back of the liquid crystal are displayed through the display
screen 5a.
-
To begin with, the configuration will be discussed. In FIG.
1, a pinball slot machine 1 as a gaming machine is provided for
the player to play a game using game medium such as coins, medals
and tokens. In the description that follows, it is assumed that
the player uses medals.
-
A panel display unit 2a substantially as a vertical plane
is formed at the front of a cabinet 2 forming the whole of the
pinball slot machine 1, and a liquid crystal display 5 having
a rectangular 15-inch liquid crystal display screen 5a is
provided in front of the panel display unit 2a. An image can
be displayed on the substantially full face of the display screen
5a. BET lamps 9a, 9b, and 9c, a WIN lamp 17, a payout display
unit 18, a credit display unit 19, and a bonus game information
display unit 20 are displayed under the control of a main control
circuit 71 outside the liquid crystal display area.
-
The configuration of the liquid crystal display 5 is as
shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, a transparent acrylic plate 501 is
provided in front of the liquid crystal display 5, followed by
a reel glass base 502, a bezel metal frame 503, liquid crystal
504, a liquid crystal holder 505, a diffuser sheet 506, a light
guide plate 507, a rear holder 508, and an antistatic sheet 509
which are stacked in order. The light guide plate 507 is a plate
material subjected to special treatment (containing laser beam
machining) to uniformly reflect light on the back of a plate
member such as acrylic plate. The light guide plate 507 receives
light of cold- cathode tube 511a, 511b as light source from the
end face, reflecting the light on the rear, and producing uniform
surface light emission. The light guide plate 507 and the rear
holder 508 are formed with vertically oriented rectangular
display windows (4L, 4C, and 4R in FIG. 2). The display windows
4L, 4C, and 4R are visually observed through the liquid crystal
display 5. The display driver 512 is disposed in the upper part
of the liquid crystal display 5 for displaying the liquid crystal
5. The antistatic sheet 509 prevents dusts from being deposited
on the portion touching the reel window (display window). A
fluorescent tube 510 is used as a backlight for the display
windows. The display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R receive light from
the fluorescent tube 510, reflected light produced as the light
from the fluorescent tube 510 is reflected on the surfaces of
the reels 3, and light of reel backlights 513 provided for the
reels 3. The light enables the player to recognize the liquid
crystal 504. The reel backlights 513 each having three
longitudinally placed LEDs are provided in a one-to-one
correspondence with the reels 3 for illuminating the symbols on
the reels 3 from the backs of the reels 3.
-
The display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R are formed with a top
line 8b, a center line 8c, and a bottom line 8d in the horizontal
direction and a cross down line 8a and cross up line 8e in the
slanting directions as pay lines. As the pay lines, one, three,
or five lines are made activated as the player operates a 1-BET
switch 11, a 2-BET switch 12, or a MAX-BET switch 13 (described
later) or inserts medals into medal insertion slot 22. Which
pay lines are made activated is indicated as a BET lamp 9a, 9b,
or 9c (described below) is lighted.
-
In the cabinet 2b, three reels (left reel 3L, center reel
3C, and right reel 3R) each with a symbol row including different
types of symbols placed on the outer peripheral surface are
provided in a row for rotation, and are contained in symbol row
display means. The player can observe the symbols on the reels
through the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. Each reel rotates
at a constant speed (for example, 80 revolutions per minute).
-
The 1-BET lamp 9a, the 2-BET lamp 9b, the MAX-BET lamp 9c,
and a credit display unit 19 are provided on the left of the
display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. The 1-BET lamp 9a, the 2-BET
lamp 9b, or the MAX-BET lamp 9c is lighted in response to the
number of medals bet to play one game, which will be hereinafter
referred to as the BET count.
-
In the embodiment, one game is over when all reels stop.
When the BET count is 1 and one pay line is made activated, the
1-BET lamp 9a is lighted; when the BET count is 2 and three pay
lines are made activated, the 2-BET lamp 9b is lighted; and when
the BET count is 3 and all the five pay lines are made activated,
the MAX-BET lamp 9c is lighted. The credit display unit 19
includes seven-segment LEDs for displaying the deposited number
of medals.
-
The WIN lamp 17 and the payout display unit 18 are provided
on the right of the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. The WIN lamp
17 is lighted when the winning game of BB or RB is complete. The
WIN lamp 17 is lighted at a predetermined probability when the
internal winning is accepted as BB or RB. The payout display
unit 18 includes seven-segment LEDs for displaying the number
of medals paid out when the winning game is complete.
-
The bonus game information display unit 20 is provided in
the upper right corner of the display screen 5a of the panel
display unit 2a. The bonus game information display unit 20
includes seven-segment LEDs for displaying the number of RB games
that can be played, the possible number of winning games of RB
(described later).
-
A frontward projection portion 10 of a substantially
horizontal line is formed below the display screen 5a. The
display screen 5a displays not only the various lamps and the
various display units, but also various effects of animation and
the "operation order" required for realizing completion of the
winning game when the internal winning of "small prize of bell"
is accepted in the "assistance time period" described in the
related art.
-
The medal insertion slot 22 is provided at the right end
of the frontward projection portion 10, and the 1-BET switch 11,
the 2-BET switch 12, and the MAX-BET switch 13 are provided at
the left end of the frontward projection portion 10. The 1-BET
switch 11 enables the player to bet one of the credited medals
by one push operation on a game. The 2-BET switch 12 enables
the player to bet two of the credited medals by one push operation
on a game. The MAX-BET switch 13 enables the player to bet as
many medals as the maximum number of medals that can be bet on
a game by one push operation. As the player operates any of the
BET switches, the corresponding pay lines are made activated as
described above.
-
A C/P switch 14 for the player to switch between credit
and payout of the medals obtained by playing games by pushbutton
operation is provided on the left of the front of the frontward
projection portion 10. As the C/P switch 14 is switched, medals
are paid out from a medal payout opening 15 in a lower part of
the front and are stored in a medal reception tray 16.
-
On the right of the C/P switch 14, a start lever 6 (contained
in start operation means) for rotating the reels for starting
variably display the symbols in the display windows 4L, 4C, and
4R (starting a game) as the player operates the start lever 6
is attached so that it can be turned in a predetermined angle
range.
-
The speakers 21L and 21R are provided on the upper left
and right of the cabinet 2, and a payout table panel 23 for
displaying winning symbol combination, and the number of payout
medals is provided between the two speakers 21L and 21R.
-
Three stop buttons (left stop button 7L, center stop button
7C, and right stop button 7R) as operation buttons contained in
stop operation means for stopping rotation of the three reels
3L, 3C, and 3R are provided at the center of the front of the
frontward projection portion 10 and below the display screen 5a.
-
Here, in the embodiment, the stop operation performed by
the player pushing the first stop button when all reels rotate
is called "first stop operation," the stop operation next
performed by the player pushing the second stop button is called
"second stop operation, " and the stop operation performed by the
player pushing the third stop button following the second stop
operation is called "third stop operation."
-
Since the pinball slot machine of the embodiment is
provided with the three stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R, there are
six different operation orders of the stop buttons. Then, the
operation orders are distinguished from each other as follows:
The left stop button 7L is abbreviated to "left, " the center stop
button 7C to "center," and the right stop button 7R to "right."
-
To indicate the operation order, the abbreviations of the
stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are listed from left to right in the
stop operation order. For example, when the player operates the
left stop button 7L as the first stop operation, the center stop
button 7C as the second stop operation, and the right stop button
7R as the third stop operation, the operation order is indicated
as "left center right." In the embodiment, the six different
operation orders of "left center right," "left right center,"
"center left right," "center right left," "right left center,"
and "right center left" are available.
-
FIG. 8 shows symbol rows each includes 21 symbols
represented on each reel 3L, 3C, 3R. The symbols are given code
numbers 00 to 20 and are stored in ROM 32 (shown in FIG. 9)
described later as a data table.
-
The symbol rows each includes symbols of "blue 7 (symbol
91)," "red 7 (symbol 92)," "BAR (symbol 93)," "bell (symbol 94),"
"plum (symbol 95)," "Replay (symbol 96)," and "cherry (symbol
97)" are represented on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. The reels 3L,
3C, and 3R are rotated so that the symbol rows move in the arrow
direction in FIG. 8.
-
FIG. 9 shows the prizes and the numbers of payout medals
corresponding to the winning symbol combinations in each gaming
state.
-
The gaming state generally is classified depending on
whether or not the internal winning of BB or RB is accepted or
whether or not BB or RB operates. The types of prizes having
the possibility of accepting internal winning are determined
according to a probability lottery table; generally, the
probability lottery table is provided for each gaming state.
-
That is, the types of prizes having the possibility of
accepting internal winning become the same for games in the same
gaming state. However, BB gaming state contains ordinary gaming
state in BB and RB gaming state and contains the state in which
the types of prizes having the possibility of accepting internal
winning differ.
-
As shown in FIG. 9, when "blue 7-blue 7-blue 7" or "red
7-red 7-red 7" is placed in a row along the activated line in
the ordinary gaming state, a winning game of BB is complete and
15 medals are paid out to the player and the gaming state of the
next game enters the BB gaming state.
-
The RB gaming state occurs when the symbol combination
along the activated line is "BAR-BAR-BAR" in the ordinary gaming
state or when the symbol combination along the activated line
is "Replay-Replay-Replay" in the ordinary gaming state in BB (JAC
IN). At this time, 15 medals are paid out to the player.
-
The RB gaming state is a gaming state in which the player
easily gains a prize of paying out 15 medals to the player with
completion of the predetermined symbol combination
"Replay-Replay-Replay" as the player bets one medal.
-
The maximum number of games that can be played by the player
in one RB gaming state (the number of RB games that can be played)
is 12. The number of winning games that can be gained in the
RB gaming state (the possible number of winning games of RB) is
up to eight. That is, the RB gaming state exits if the number
of games reaches 12 or if the number of winning games reaches
eight.
-
The BB gaming state exits when the player performs the third
stop operation in a predetermined game. For example, when the
player performs the third stop operation in the last game in the
third RB gaming state, the BB gaming state exits.
-
When the symbol combination along the activated line is
"Replay-Replay-Replay" in the ordinary gaming state, a winning
game of replay is complete. When a winning game of replay is
complete, as many medals as the number of inserted medals are
automatically inserted, so that the player can play a game without
consuming medals.
-
As symbol combination "bell-bell-bell" is placed in a row
along the activated line in the ordinary gaming state or the
ordinary gaming state in BB, a winning game of small prize of
bell is complete. When the internal winning of small prize of
bell is accepted, whether or not the winning game is complete
is determined by the table number (described later) and the
operation order of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R by the player.
-
Specifically, the symbol combination "bell-bell-bell" is
placed in a row along the activated line and the winning game
of small prize of bell is complete only if the player operates
the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R in the operation order of the
six operation orders corresponding to the table number. If the
player operates the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R in any order other
than the operation order corresponding to the table number, the
winning game of small prize of bell becomes incomplete.
-
It is possible to realize completion of winning games of
"small prize of cherry," "small prize of BAR," and "small prize
of plum" in the ordinary gaming state or the ordinary gaming state
in BB. The numbers of medals paid out to the player are as shown
in the figure.
-
In the ordinary gaming state, when the internal winning
of small prize of bell is accepted, time period (assistance time
period or AT) is provided for notifying the player of the
operation order for realizing completion of the winning game.
When the internal winning of small prize of bell is accepted in
the time period, the player can surely realize completion of the
winning game.
-
There are two assistance time period lottery conditions.
The first lottery condition is when the internal winning of small
prize of plum is accepted and the state is the ordinary gaming
state. The second lottery condition is when the internal lottery
is a blank in the assistance time period or concealment time
period (described later). As either lottery condition is
satisfied, assistance time period lottery processing (AT lottery
processing) described later is performed.
-
The assistance time period includes a plurality of
successive games, which will be hereinafter referred to as a set.
Lottery as to the number of games in one set and the number of
sets to be generated is held in the assistance time period lottery
processing. The number of sets that can be generated is referred
to as the number of sets. If the assistance time period lottery
processing is performed in the assistance time period or the
concealment time period and prize in the lottery is won, the
number of sets is accumulated.
-
Whether or not the assistance time period is to be generated
(actualized) is determined in assistance time period activation
processing (AT activation processing) described later. The time
period having the possibility that the assistance time period
will occur after the lottery condition is satisfied and prize
in the AT lottery is won (specifically, the time period in which
the value of a number-of-sets counter (described later) is one
or more in the ordinary gaming state and which is not the
assistance time period) will be hereinafter referred to as the
concealment time period. The time period other than the
assistance time period or the concealment time period will be
hereinafter referred to as the usual time period.
-
FIG. 10 shows the circuit configuration including the
above-mentioned main control circuit 71 (contained in internal
lottery means) for controlling the game processing operation of
the pinball slot machine, peripherals (actuators) electrically
connected to the main control circuit 71, and a sub-control
circuit 72 (contained in control means) for controlling the
liquid crystal display 5 and the speakers 21L and 21R based on
a control command transmitted from the main control circuit 71.
-
The main control circuit 71 includes the microcomputer 30
placed on the circuit board as the main component and a random
number sampling circuit. The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU
31 for performing the control operation in accordance with a
preset program, and ROM 32 and RAM 33, both of which are provided
as a storage.
-
Connected to the CPU 31 are a clock pulse generation circuit
34 for generating a reference clock pulse, a frequency divider
35, a random number generator 36 for generating sampled random
numbers, and a sampling circuit 37.
-
For sampling random numbers, random number sampling may
be executed in the microcomputer 30, namely, the operation
program of the CPU 31. In this case, the random number generator
36 and the sampling circuit 37 can be omitted or can also be left
for backup of the random number sampling operation.
-
The ROM 32 of the microcomputer 30 stores probability
lottery tables used to determine random number sampling
performed each time the player operates the start lever 6 (start
operation), stop control tables for determining the reel stop
mode in response to operation of the stop buttons, various control
commands to be transmitted to the sub-control circuit 72.
-
The commands include a standby screen command, and a start
command. The commands will be discussed later. The sub-control
circuit 72 does not input commands and information to the main
control circuit 71 and one-way communications are conducted from
the main control circuit 71 to the sub-control circuit 72.
-
In the circuitry in FIG. 10, the main actuators whose
operation is controlled by a control signal from the
microcomputer 30 include the various lamps (1-BET lamp 9a, 2-BET
lamp 9b, MAX-BET lamp 9c, and WIN lamp 17), the various display
units (payout display unit 18, credit display unit 19, and bonus
game information display unit 20), a hopper (containing a drive
section for paying out medals) 40 as game play value giving means
for storing medals and paying out a predetermined number of medals
according to an instruction of a hopper drive circuit 41, and
stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R for rotating the reels 3L, 3C,
and 3R.
-
Further, a motor drive circuit 39 for driving and
controlling the stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R, a hopper drive
circuit 41 for driving and controlling the hopper 40, an
individual lamp drive circuit 45 for driving and controlling the
various lamps, and an individual display unit drive circuit 48
for driving and controlling the various display units are
connected to the output section of the CPU 31 through an I/O port
38. Each of these drive circuits receives a control signal such
as a drive command output from the CPU 31 and controls the
operation of the corresponding actuator.
-
The main input signal generation means for generating an
input signal required for generating a control command by the
microcomputer 30 include a start switch 6S, the 1-BET switch 11,
the 2-BET switch 12, the MAX-BET switch 13, the C/P switch 14,
a game assistance switch 99, an inserted medal sensor 22S, a reel
stop signal circuit 46, a reel position detecting circuit 50,
and a payout completion signal circuit 51. These are also
connected to the CPU 31 through the I/O port 38.
-
The start switch 6S detects the player operating the start
lever 6. The inserted medal sensor 22S detects a medal inserted
to the medal insertion slot 22. The reel stop signal circuit
46 generates a stop signal as the player operates each stop button
7L, 7C, 7R. The reel position detecting circuit 50 receives a
pulse signal from a reel rotation sensor and supplies a signal
for detecting the position of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R to the CPU
31. The payout completion signal circuit 51 generates a signal
for detecting completion of medal payout when the count of a medal
detection unit 40S (the number of medals paid out from the hopper
40) reaches the specified number of medals.
-
In the circuitry in FIG. 10, the random number generator
36 generates random numbers contained in a given numeric value
range and the sampling circuit 37 samples one random number at
the appropriate timing after the player starts the start lever
6. The CPU 31 determines the internal winning combination based
on the random number thus sampled and the probability lottery
table stored in the ROM 32. Therefore, the CPU 31 implements
winning state determination means for determining the winning
state of the game, namely, the internal winning combination by
random number lottery.
-
After rotation of each of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is started,
the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors
49L, 49C, and 49R and the counts are written into a predetermined
area of the RAM 33. A reset pulse is obtained every revolution
of the reel 3L, 3C, 3R and the reset pulses are input to the CPU
31 through the reel position detecting circuit 50. The drive
pulse counts written in the RAM 33 are cleared to "0" according
to the reset pulses thus obtained. Accordingly, the counts
corresponding to the rotation positions of the reels 3L, 3C, and
3R within the range of one revolution are stored in the RAM 33.
-
A symbol table is stored in the ROM 32 to relate the rotation
positions of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R and the symbols drawn on
the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels to each other. In
the symbol table, the code numbers given in sequence every given
rotation pitch of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R based on the rotation
position where the reset pulse is generated and the symbol codes
indicating the symbols provided in one-to-one correspondence
with the code numbers are related to each other.
-
Further, a winning symbol combination table is stored in
the ROM 32. The winning symbol combination table lists the
symbol combinations of winning games, the numbers of payout
medals for the winning games, and the winning game determination
codes representing the winning games in association with each
other. The winning symbol combination table is referenced at
the stop control time of the left reel 3L, the center reel 3C,
the right reel 3R and when the winning game is confirmed after
all reels are stopped.
-
If the internal winning is accepted according to lottery
processing based on the random number sampling (probability
lottery processing), the CPU 31 sends the stop control signal
of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R to the motor drive circuit 39 based
on the operation signal sent from the reel stop signal circuit
46 at the timing at which the player operates the stop buttons
7L, 7C, and 7R, and the selected stop control table. The CPU
31 functions as stop control means for performing stop control
of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R.
-
When the player pushes the stop button 7L, 7C, 7R, the stop
control table is referenced and is used to determine the stop
position of the reel.
-
Specifically, when the player pushes the stop button 7L,
7C, 7R, the symbol positioned on the center line 8c on the reel
corresponding to the operated stop button (specifically, the
symbol whose center is positioned above the center line 8c and
is nearest to the position of the center line 8c) is detected,
the code number of the symbol (operation position) is collated
with the stop control table, and the code number of the symbol
to be stopped at the position of the center line 8c (stop position)
is determined.
-
The stop control table used when the internal winning of
small prize of bell is accepted will be discussed with reference
to FIGS. 11 through 13.
-
The stop control table lists the stop operation positions
and the stop control positions of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. The
stop operation position represents the code number of the symbol
positioned on the center line 8c (specifically, the symbol whose
center is positioned above the center line 8c and is nearest to
the position of the center line 8c) when the player operates the
stop button 7L, 7C, 7R provided corresponding to the reel 3L,
3C, 3R. The stop control position represents the code number
of the symbol stopped and displayed at the position of the center
line 8c when each of the reels stopped by the player actually
stops. In the embodiment, the number of slide frames is four
at the maximum. For example, when "cherry" with code number 12
(symbol 97 in FIG. 8) arrives at the position of the center line
8c while the right reel 3R is rotating, if the player operates
the stop button 7R, stop control of the right reel 3R can be
performed so as to stop and display "blue 7" with code number
8 (symbol 91 in FIG. 8) at the position of the center line 8c.
-
FIG. 11 shows a winning stop control table. This table is
used when stop control of the reels is performed so that
"bell-bell-bell" is placed in a row along the activated line and
the winning game of small prize of bell is complete after the
internal winning of small prize of bell is accepted.
-
In FIG. 11, the stop control position of the left reel 3L
is any of code number "03", "08", "11", "15", or "19". In the
symbol row shown in FIG. 8, the symbols corresponding to these
code numbers are bell (symbol 94).
-
In FIG. 11, the stop control position of the center reel
3C is any of code number "03", "07", "11", "15", or "19". In
the symbol row shown in FIG. 8, the symbols corresponding to these
code numbers are bell (symbol 94).
-
In FIG. 11, the stop control position of the right reel
3R is any of code number "01", "05", "10", "14", or "18". In
the symbol row shown in FIG. 8, the symbols corresponding to these
code numbers are bell (symbol 94).
-
If the winning stop control table shown in FIG. 11 is thus
used for stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R,
"bell-bell-bell" is stopped and displayed at the position of the
center line 8c, namely, at the centers of the display windows
4L, 4C, and 4R, and the winning game is complete.
-
FIG. 12 shows a forward push (left center right), center
push (center left right) losing stop control table. This table
is used when stop control of the reels is performed so that
"bell-bell-bell" is not placed in a row along the activated line
(the winning game of small prize of bell is incomplete) after
the internal winning of small prize of bell is accepted. The
stop control positions corresponding to the stop operation
positions of the left reel 3L and the center reel 3C are the same
as those shown in FIG. 11.
-
In FIG. 12, the stop control position of the right reel
3R is any of code number "02", "06", "11", "15", or "19". In
the symbol row shown in FIG. 8, the symbols corresponding to these
code numbers are "Replay (symbol 96)."
-
If the forward push, center push losing stop control table
shown in FIG. 12 is thus used for stop control of the reels 3L,
3C, and 3R, "bell-bell" is stopped and displayed at the centers
of the display windows 4L and 4C, and "Replay" is stopped and
displayed at the center of the display window 4R and thus the
winning game of small prize of bell becomes incomplete.
-
FIG. 13 shows a reverse push (right center left) losing
stop control table. This table is used when stop control of the
reels is performed so that "bell-bell-bell" is not placed in a
row along the activated line (the winning game of small prize
of bell is incomplete) after the internal winning of small prize
of bell is accepted. The stop control positions corresponding
to the stop operation positions of the center reel 3C and the
right reel 3R are the same as those shown in FIG. 11.
-
In FIG. 13, the stop control position of the left reel 3L
is any of code number "04", "09", "12", "17", or "20". In the
symbol row shown in FIG. 8, the symbols corresponding to these
code numbers are "Replay (symbol 96)."
-
If the reverse push losing stop control table shown in FIG.
13 is thus used for stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R,
"Replay" is stopped and displayed at the center of the left
display window 4L and "bell-bell" is stopped and displayed at
the centers of the display windows 4C and 4R, and thus the winning
game of small prize of bell becomes incomplete.
-
The number of slide frames described above indicates the
number of symbols moved until the reel stops after the player
operates the stop button and is represented by the absolute value
of the difference between the operation position in the stop
control table (the code number of the symbol positioned on the
center line when the player operates the stop button) and the
stop position (the code number of the symbol stopped on the center
line when the reel actually stops).
-
The number of slide frames may be called the number of
pulled-in frames." In the embodiment, the number of slide frames
is four at the maximum. For example, when "cherry" with code
number 12 (symbol 97 in FIG. 8) arrives at the position of the
center line 8c while the right reel 3R is rotating, if the player
operates the stop button 7R, stop control of the right reel 3R
can be performed so as to stop and display "blue 7" with code
number 08 (symbol 91 in FIG. 8) at the position of the center
line 8c.
-
On the other hand, in the stop mode indicating completion
of the winning game of internal winning combination, the CPU 31
supplies a payout command signal to the hopper drive circuit 41
for paying out a predetermined number of medals to the player
from the hopper 40.
-
At the time, the medal detection unit 40S counts the number
of medals paid out from the hopper 40. When the count reaches
the specified number of medals, a medal payout completion signal
is input to the CPU 31, which then stops driving the hopper 40
through the hopper drive circuit 41 and terminates the medal
payout processing.
-
FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the sub-control circuit
72. The sub-control circuit 72 performs display control of the
liquid crystal display 5 and output control of sound from the
speakers 21L and 21R based on the control commands from the main
control circuit 71. The sub-control circuit 72, which is
implemented on a separate circuit board from the circuit board
implementing the main control circuit 71, includes a
microcomputer (sub-microcomputer) 73 as the main component, an
image control circuit 81 as display control means of the liquid
crystal display 5, a sound source IC 78 for controlling sound
output from the speakers 21L and 21R, and a power amplifier 79.
-
The sub-microcomputer 73 includes a sub-CPU 74 for
performing the control operation following a control command
transmitted from the main control circuit 71, program ROM 75 as
a storage, and work RAM 76. The signal from the main control
circuit 71 to the sub-microcomputer 73 is input through an IN
port 77, and the signal to the image control circuit 81 is output
through an OUT port 80.
-
The sub-control circuit 72 does not include a clock pulse
generation circuit, a frequency divider, a random number
generator, or a sampling circuit, but executes random number
sampling in an operation program of the sub-CPU 74. Generation
of the assistance time period is determined as the random number
sampling is executed.
-
The sub-CPU 74 includes the number-of-AT-sets counter and
a number-of-AT-games counter. The number-of-AT-sets counter
stores the number of sets. The number-of-AT-games counter
stores information concerning the number of games in one
assistance time period.
-
The program ROM 75 stores a control program executed in
the sub-CPU 74. The work RAM 76 is used as temporary storage
for the sub-CPU 74 to execute the control program.
-
The image control circuit 81 includes an image control CPU
82, an image control work RAM 83, image control program ROM 84,
image ROM 86, video RAM 87, and an image control IC 88. The image
control CPU 82 determines the display contents on the liquid
crystal display 5 in accordance with an image control program
stored in the image control program ROM 84 based on the parameters
set in the sub-microcomputer 73. The signal from the sub-CPU
74 is input through an IN port 85.
-
The image control program ROM 84 stores the image control
program involved in display on the liquid crystal display 5 and
various selection tables. The image control work RAM 83 is used
as temporary storage for the image control CPU 82 to execute the
image control program. The image control IC 88 forms an image
responsive to the display contents determined by the image
control CPU 82 and outputs the image to the liquid crystal display
5. The image ROM 86 stores dot data for forming an image. The
video RAM 87 is used as temporary storage for the image control
IC 88 to form an image.
-
On the other hand, the sub-CPU 74 displays an image on the
liquid crystal display 5 based on the command signal from the
CPU 31.
-
Specifically, whenever a stop signal is input from the reel
stop signal circuit 46 as the player operates the start lever
6 or the stop button 7L, 7C, 7R, the sub-CPU 74 transmits a signal
to the image control CPU 82 and displays an image on the display
screen 5a of the liquid crystal display 5.
-
In the embodiment, the CPU 31, the liquid crystal display
5, the sub-CPU 74, and the image control CPU 82 constitute display
means as a whole.
-
The medal insertion slot 22 will be discussed with
reference to FIGS. 4 through 8. As shown in FIG. 4, the medal
insertion slot 22 has an opening 101 for the player to insert
medals and the player inserts a medal through the opening 101
for playing a game. The opening 101 is formed so that the player
can insert a medal with both sides of the medal substantially
parallel with the front of the pinball slot machine 1. The medal
insertion slot 22 includes a medal guide projection 102
projecting in the forward direction of the pinball slot machine
1 (forward direction from the front of the pinball slot machine
1) for guiding a medal to the opening 101, the medal guide
projection 102 being asymmetrical. As shown in FIG. 7, the medal
insertion slot 22 is fixed to a frontward projection portion 10
having a predetermined angle (described later) in the forward
direction with respect to a horizontal line H, and has a stopper
109. When the player abuts a plurality of medals against an inner
peripheral part 104 (described later) before inserting the medal
into the opening 101, the stopper 109 is provided for preventing
the medal from dropping in the forward direction of the pinball
slot machine 1. Referring again to FIG. 4, the medal insertion
slot 22 is provided with a return button 108; when the player
presses the return button 108, a medal is returned.
-
The medal guide projection 102 includes the
above-mentioned inner peripheral part 104 and a pair of
projection parts 110R and 110L.
The inner peripheral part 104, which is a circular arc in
cross section, is bent more gently than the outer peripheral
surface of the medal and comes in contact with a part of the outer
peripheral surface of the medal. The inner peripheral part 104
is formed with a plurality of grooves placed away from each other
in the forward width direction (side-to-side direction on the
front of the pinball slot machine 1) in the forward direction
of the pinball slot machine 1. As the plurality of grooves are
formed, when the player slides a plurality of medals along the
inner peripheral part 104 into the opening 101, the friction
between the outer peripheral surface of each medal and the inner
peripheral part 104 is decreased.
The projection parts 110R and 110L are formed away from
each other in the forward width direction of the pinball slot
machine 1 on the tops of both ends of the inner peripheral part
104 and project upward from the frontward projection portion 10,
as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The projection parts 110R and 110L
are bent downward along the forward width direction of the pinball
slot machine 1; one of the projection parts is bent more gently
than the other 110L. In FIG. 7, an angle γ between a ridgeline
105R of one projection part 110R and the horizontal line H differs
from an angle β between a ridgeline 105L of the other projection
part 110L and the horizontal line H.
-
The ridgeline 105R of one projection part 110R is bent
downward in the forward direction of the pinball slot machine
1, and the curvature grows gradually in the forward direction
of the pinball slot machine 1. The curvature refers to the
reciprocal of the curvature radius.
The relationship among an angle a between the surface of
the frontward projection portion 10 and the horizontal line H,
the angle β between the ridgeline 105L of the other projection
part 110L and the horizontal line H, and the angle γ between the
ridgeline 105R of one projection part 110R and the horizontal
line H shown in FIG. 7 will be discussed. The angle α between
the surface of the frontward projection portion 10 and the
horizontal line H is substantially equal to the angle β between
the ridgeline 105L of the other projection part 110L and the
horizontal line H. The angle γ between the ridgeline 105R of
one projection part 110R and the horizontal line H is larger than
the angle α between the surface of the frontward projection
portion 10 and the horizontal line H. The angle γ between the
ridgeline 105R of one projection part 110R and the horizontal
line H is larger than the angle β between the ridgeline 105L of
the other projection part 110L and the horizontal line H. The
angle between a bottom 104R of the inner peripheral part 104 (see
FIG. 6) and the horizontal line H is equal to the angle β between
the ridgeline 105L of the other projection part 110L and the
horizontal line H. The relationship among the angles is that
the angle α nearly equals to the angle β, and the angles α and
β are smaller than the angle γ.
-
The projection parts 110R and 110L have bend sides 107R
and 107L, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The side 107R of one
projection part 110R has a bend portion with a smaller curvature
than that of the side 107L of the other projection part 110L.
In FIG. 6, an angle R between a line TR connecting a top 200R
of one projection part 110R and a bottom 201R and the surface
of the frontward projection portion 10 is smaller than an angle
L between a line TL connecting a top 200L of the other projection
part 110L and a bottom 201L and the surface of the frontward
projection portion 10. In the embodiment, the surface of the
frontward projection portion 10 is parallel with the horizontal
line in the forward width direction. Thus, the angle R is made
smaller than the angle L, so that the player can easily insert
a plurality of medals held with the right hand into the nip between
the paired projection parts 110R and 110L along the side 107R
of one projection part 110R.
As shown in FIG. 8, a height hR of the start point of the
ridgeline 105R of one projection part 110R on the side of the
opening 101 (see FIG. 4) is the same as a height hL of the start
point of the ridgeline 105L of the other projection part 110L
on the side of the opening 101 (see FIG. 4). Thus, when the player
inserts a plurality of medals held with the right hand into the
opening 101 (see FIG. 4), retaining of the medals in the forward
width direction can be solidified on the side of the opening 101.
Particularly, a height h1 of the ridgeline 105R of the
projection part 110R from the frontward projection portion 10
shown in FIG. 6 is lower than a height h2 of the ridgeline 105R
of the projection part 110R from the frontward projection portion
10 shown in FIG. 8. According to the structure, the medal is
firmly held in the vicinity of the opening 101 (see FIG. 4); on
the other hand, the medal is easily inserted on the side of the
stopper 109 (see FIG. 7).
In the embodiment, the medal insertion slot 22 is provided
on the right of the frontward projection portion 10 as shown in
FIG. 1. However, the invention is not limited to the structure
shown in FIG. 1. The medal insertion slot 22 may be provided
on the left of the frontward projection portion 10. In this case,
the relationship between the projection parts 110R and 110L
described above may be switched so as to enable the player to
easily insert a plurality of medals into the opening 101 with
the left hand.
-
As described above, in the embodiment, the medal insertion
slot 22 is formed as described above, so that when the player
inserts a plurality of medals held with the right or left hand
into the opening 101, failure of inserting medal as the thumb
or the forefinger of the player or the medal hits with the
projection part 110R can be lessened and the player can easily
insert medals into the opening 101.
-
According to the invention, when the player inserts a
plurality of medals held with the right or left hand into the
opening, failure of inserting medal as the thumb or the forefinger
of the player or the medal hits with the projection part can be
lessened and the player can easily insert medals into the opening.
-
Although only some exemplary embodiments of the invention
have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art
will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in
the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the
novel teachings and advantages of the invention. Accordingly,
all such modifications are intended to be included within the
scope of the invention.
-
In the above description, it is described of the pinball
slot machines that have a plurality of stop buttons. However,
the present invention can be applied to other gaming apparatus
that is configured without a stop button and is featured so that
the reels start spinning by activation of a start lever or a start
button and stop automatically after a prescribed time elapsed.