US20070123338A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070123338A1
Application number: US11/604,255
Authority: US
Inventors: Kazunobu Sato
Original assignee: Aruze Corp
Current assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
Priority date: 2005-11-28
Filing date: 2006-11-27
Publication date: 2007-05-31
Also published as: ZA200609934B; AU2006241371A1; JP2007143882A

Abstract

A slot machine in which the slot game runs both a base game and a battle bonus game. When the battle bonus game is performed, a special video reel221is recomposed using symbols randomly selected from a plurality of different symbols (except the symbol scatter101) comprising a base video reel100used for the base game. The battle bonus game is performed using this recomposed special video reel221.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-342665 filed on Nov. 28, 2005 in the Japanese Patent Office; the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional gaming machines, such as the slot machine disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-57221 for example, provide a free game performed separate from the base game. When the transition occurs from the base game to the free game, a game is played to determine the number of free games. This game to determine the number of free games determines the number of free games that will be run and the payout rate for a win.

The number of free games that are run as well as the payout rate for each prize change each time a free game is run. The content of the free game itself however, is the same as that of the base game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine (e.g. slot machine1) has a display on which a plurality of symbols are displayed; and a processor in communication with the display, wherein the processor is operable to determine a plurality of symbols used in a game from the plurality of symbols displayed on the display, and to execute the game using the symbols determined to be used in the game.

According to this first aspect of the present invention, some of the symbols displayed on the display are used in the game. The symbols used in the game are selected each time a game is run from among the symbols displayed on the display.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine has a display; a memory; and a processor in communication with the display and the memory, wherein the processor is operable to cause the display to display a base game, to determine whether or not a specified condition arises as the base game is run, to determine a plurality of symbols used in a special game from a plurality of different symbols stored in the memory and used in the base game, and to cause the display to display the special game using the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the special game.

According to this second aspect of the present invention, when the specified condition arises during the base game, some of the symbols used in the base game are determined to be used in the special game.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine has a display; a memory; and a processor in communication with the display and the memory, wherein the processor is operable to determine a plurality of symbols used in a second game from a plurality of different symbols stored in the memory and used in a first game, and to cause the display to display the second game using the symbol determined to be used in the second game.

According to this third aspect of the present invention, some of the symbols used in the first game are used in the second game.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game has the steps of: determining a plurality of symbols used in the game from a plurality of symbols; and executing the game using the symbols determined to be used in the game.

According to this fourth aspect of the present invention, some of the symbols determined from a plurality of symbols are used in the game.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a gaming machine having a display, a processor operably coupled to at least one of the display and a memory, and the method comprises steps of: causing the display to display a base game; determining whether or not a specified condition arises as the base game is run; determining a symbol used in a special game from a plurality of different symbols stored in the memory and used in the base game; and causing the display to display the special game using a selected symbol.

According to this fifth aspect of the present invention, when the specified condition arises during the base game, some of the symbols used in the base game are determined to be used in the special game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of a recomposition of a special video reel using symbols selected from the base video reel;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the nine variable display parts of the slot machine shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the eight winning lines of the slot machine shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system of the slot machine shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the liquid crystal driving circuit of the slot machine shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 7 shows a symbol line (video reel) that is variably displayed while each variable display part ofFIG. 3 is scrolled during a game;

FIG. 8 shows the lottery table for symbols displayed stopped for when the nine variable display parts ofFIG. 3 are used when a game is played;

FIG. 9 shows the winning combinations and payouts for when the nine variable display parts ofFIG. 3 are used when a game is played;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the main process program for the slot machine shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the start receive process program ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the lottery process program ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the game process program ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the other game process program ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 15 shows an example of each of the scatter symbols displayed stopped on the three variable display parts of the lower liquid crystal display;

FIG. 16 shows the content displayed in the lower liquid crystal display when the shell chance game is in progress;

FIG. 17 shows the table used when determining the inside content of each shell for the shell chance game;

FIG. 18 shows an example of the display of the inside content of each shell in the lower liquid crystal display during the shell chance game;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the battle bonus process program ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the symbol selection process program ofFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an example of the table used when a symbol is selected from the base video reel during the battle bonus game;

FIG. 22 shows the content of the lower liquid crystal display when the battle bonus game is in progress;

FIG. 23 shows the content of the lower liquid crystal display and the upper liquid crystal display when the battle bonus game is in progress;

FIG. 24 shows an outline of the lottery table for the symbols displayed stopped when, during the battle bonus game, the game uses the nine variable display parts; and

FIG. 25 shows an example of the lottery table for the symbols displayed stopped when, during the battle bonus game, the game uses the nine variable display parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An example of an embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Firstly, an outline of the configuration of the slot machine relating to this embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 2 toFIG. 5.FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3 shows the nine variable display parts of the slot machine shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 4 shows the eight winning lines of the slot machine shown inFIG. 2 andFIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system of the slot machine shown inFIG. 2.

A control table5 that protrudes out frontward, is disposed in the lower part of the lowerliquid crystal display4, and on this control table5 starting from the furthest left side are arranged achange button6, apayout button7, and ahelp button8 while to the right of the help button8 acoin insertion part9 andbills insertion part10 are arranged. Arranged from left to right on that part of the control table5 closest to a player are a 1-bet button11, a spin (spin/repeat bet)button12, a 3-bet button13, a 5-bet button14 and an 8-bet button15.

Thechange button6 is a button that is pressed when changing bills inserted into thebills insertion part10. Coins issued as change are paid in to acoin receiving part17 from acoins payout opening16 disposed in the lower part of thecabinet2. Achange switch62, as described subsequently, is installed in thechange button6. If thechange button6 is pressed a switch signal is output from thechange switch62 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5).

Thepayout button7 is a button that is pressed when a game finishes. Once thepayout button7 is pressed coins acquired during the game are paid out from thecoins payout opening16 to thecoin receiving part17. Acashout switch63 as described subsequently is installed in thepayout button7. When thepayout button7 is pressed a switch signal is output from thecashout switch63 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5).

Thehelp button8 is pressed when a player is unsure about the method of controlling the game for example. When thehelp button8 is pressed, different kinds of help information are displayed on the upperliquid crystal display3. Ahelp switch64, as described subsequently, is installed in thehelp button8. When thehelp button8 is pressed a switch signal is output from thehelp switch64 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5).

Acoin sensor65, as described subsequently, is arranged in thecoin insertion part9. When a coin is inserted in thecoin insertion part9, a coin detection signal is output via thecoin sensor65 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5).

Abill sensor66, as described subsequently, is arranged in thebills insertion part10. When a bill is inserted in thebills insertion part10, a bills detection signal is output via thebill sensor66 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5).

Each time the 1-bet button11 is pressed a single bet is made. A 1-bet switch58, as described subsequently, is installed in the 1-bet button11. When the 1-bet button11 is pressed, a switch signal is output from the 1-bet switch58 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5).

When the spin/repeat bet button12 is pressed, a game commences with the number of bets at that time, and of each of the different symbols commences in each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C in the lowerliquid crystal display4. Aspin switch57, as described subsequently, is installed in the spin/repeat bet button12. When the spin/repeat bet button12 is pressed, a switch signal is output from thespin switch57 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5). The number of bets that can be placed when the spin/repeat bet button12 is pressed is 1, 2, 3, 5 or 8 bets.

When the 3-bet button13 is pressed, three bets are placed. A 3-bet switch59 as described subsequently, is installed in the 3-bet button13. When the 3-bet button13 is pressed, a switch signal is output from the 3-bet switch59 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5).

When the 5-bet button14 is pressed, five bets are made. A 5-bet switch60, as described subsequently, is installed in the 5-bet button14. When the 5-bet button14 is pressed, a signal is output from the 5-bet switch60 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5).

When the 8-bet button15 is pressed, eight bets are made. An 8-bet switch61, as described subsequently, is installed in the 8-bet button15. When the 8-bet button15 is pressed, a signal is output from the 8-bet switch61 to the CPU50 (referFIG. 5).

The number of bets that can be placed by operating the 1-bet button11, the spin/repeat bet button12, the 3-bet button13, the 5-bet button14 and the 8-bet button15 is 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 respectively. When the number of bets is 1, the activated pay line is any one from among lines L1-L8. When the number of bets is two, the activated pay lines are any two from among the lines L1-L8. When the number of bets is three, the activated pay lines are any three from among the lines L1-L8. When the number of bets is five, the activated pay lines are any five from among the lines L1-L8. When the number of bets is eight, the activated pay lines are all from among the lines L1-L8.

It is also possible to have a machine in which a separate button is installed that enables all eight lines from among L1-L8 to become the activated pay lines by a single bet.

Hereinafter, to facilitate a concise explanation, unless specifically stated otherwise, it is assumed that the game is proceeding in the condition in which all eight lines L1-L8 are activated pay lines.

Thecoins payout opening16 and thecoin receiving part17 for receiving coins paid out from thecoins payout opening16 are disposed in the lower part of thecabinet2. Inside the coins payout opening16 acoins detection part73, as described subsequently, that is comprised of a sensor and other parts, is installed. Thecoins detection part73 detects the number of coins paid out from the coins payout opening16 (referFIG. 5).

The symbols used when a game is played on theslot machine1 will now be described.FIG. 7 shows symbol lines (video reel) that are variably displayed while eachvariable display part22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C of the lowerliquid crystal display4 is scrolled during a game.

The symbol line consists of 10 symbols comprising thebase video reel100, these beingscatter101,sea turtle102,mudskipper103,seahorse104,hermit crab105,blue tang106,ammonite107,clownfish108,seal109 andswordfish110.

The configuration of the control system of theslot machine1 will now be described with reference toFIG. 5.FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system of the slot machine shown inFIG. 2.

As shown inFIG. 5, the control system of theslot machine1 is comprised basically centered around theCPU50.ROM51 andRAM52 are connected to theCPU50. As described subsequently, theROM51 stores the main process program, the start receive process program, the lottery process program, the game process program, the lottery tables for selecting the symbols displayed stopped during the game and other programs required to control theslot machine1 as well as data tables and the like. TheRAM52 acts as memory for temporary storage of different kinds of data calculated by theCPU50.

Moreover, thecoin sensor65 arranged in thecoin insertion part9 and thebill sensor66 arranged in thebills insertion part10 are each connected to theCPU50. Thecoin sensor65 detects coins inserted from thecoin insertion part9. TheCPU50 calculates the number of coins input, based on a coin detection signal output from thecoin sensor65. Thebill sensor66 detects the amount and type of bills input from thebills insertion part10. TheCPU50 acquires the value of bills inserted based on a bills detection signal output from thebill sensor66 and calculates the number of coins equivalent to that value.

Ahopper71 is connected to theCPU50 via ahopper driving circuit70. When a drive signal is output from theCPU50 to thehopper driving circuit70, thehopper71 pays out the required number of coins from thecoins payout opening16.

Further, thecoins detection part73 is connected to theCPU50 via a payoutcomplete signal circuit72. Thecoins detection part73 is disposed inside thecoins payout opening16. Once the detection has been made that the required number of coins has been paid out from thecoins payout opening16, a coin payout detected signal is output from thecoins detection part73 to the payoutcomplete signal circuit72. Once the coin payout detected signal has been output, the payoutcomplete signal circuit72 outputs a payout complete signal to theCPU50. Moreover the upperliquid crystal display3 and the lowerliquid crystal display4 are connected to the randomnumber generation circuit55 via a liquidcrystal driving circuit74. The upperliquid crystal display3 and the lowerliquid crystal display4 are thus controlled by theCPU50.

When the display of each of the symbols displayed changing in each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C as thebase video reel100 scrolls is stopped, each of symbols is displayed stopped in thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C. As shown inFIG. 9, each of the winning combinations is set in advance in relation to each kind of combination of the symbols. When the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is displayed stopped over the activated pay lines L1-L8, coins corresponding to that winning combination are paid out from thecoins payout opening16. No further explanation of this is provided here as it is the same on this point as conventional slot machines.

As shown inFIG. 5 thetransparent touch panel201 is connected to theCPU50 via a touchpanel driving circuit202. Thetransparent touch panel201, as described above, is installed over the screen of the lowerliquid crystal display4. TheCPU50 receives, via touchpanel driving circuit202, information on the position of coordinates on that part that is touched by a player, and, based on this coordinates position information, can determine where on thetransparent touch panel201 the player has touched.

Further, anLED78 is connected to theCPU50 via anLED driving circuit77. A plurality of theseLED78 are arranged on the front surface of theslot machine1 and when each kind of effect is performed, the flashing of these LED is controlled through theLED driving circuit77 based on a drive signal from theCPU50. Moreover, asound output circuit79 andspeakers80 are connected to theCPU50. Thespeakers80 generate different kinds of sound effects, based on a signal output from thesound output circuit79, when each kind of effect is performed.

The lottery tables used when determining the symbols to display stopped in each of the ninevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C when a game is played on theslot machine1 using those variable display parts, will now be described with reference toFIG. 8.FIG. 8 shows the lottery table for symbols displayed stopped when the nine variable display parts ofFIG. 3 are used when a game is played. The lottery tables shown inFIG. 8 are stored in theROM51.

The symbols displayed stopped in thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C, are determined for each of those variable display parts. Each of code number [0]-[9] is allocated to each of those symbols comprising thebase video reel100 shown inFIG. 7, in succession from the left, and the lottery table shown inFIG. 8 is prepared. Nine random numbers corresponding to each of thosevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C are sampled via the randomnumber sampling circuit56.

Thevariable display part23A will now be described to provide an example. When the random number value sampled via the randomnumber sampling circuit56 is a 0 or 1, thesymbol scatter101 corresponding to the code number of [0] is displayed stopped over thevariable display part23A, and in the same manner, each of the code numbers [1]-[9] is utilized in accordance with the lottery table shown inFIG. 8.

The othervariable display parts22A-22C,23B and23C and24A-24C are the same as thevariable display part23A described above).

The winning combinations and their corresponding payouts occurring when a game is played on theslot machine1 utilizing thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C will now be described with reference toFIG. 9.FIG. 9 shows the winning combinations and payouts for when the nine variable display parts are used when a game is played.

The payout table123 shown inFIG. 9 is comprised of any odds payout table121 and the line odds payout table122, stored in theROM51.

The any odds payout table121 shows the payout provided for each symbol, in coordination with the number of the same symbol that are displayed stopped over the activated pay line (referFIG. 4). For example, when the code numbers for the five variable display parts on the activated pay line (referFIG. 4) are any of [2]-[19], the player wins “Sea turtle any 5” and obtains a payout of [1] (referFIG. 9). Here,sea turtle102 has been displayed stopped on the five variable display parts on the activated pay line (referFIG. 4). In the same manner, each payout for any odds is performed based on the any odds payout table121 shown inFIG. 9.

The line odds payout table122 shows the payout provided for each symbol, in coordination with the activated pay line (referFIG. 4) for which the same symbol is displayed stopped on all the variable display parts. For example, if the code numbers for all of the variable display parts on one of the activated pay lines from among any of the activated pay lines (referFIG. 4) are any of [2]-[19], the winning combination on that activated pay line (referFIG. 4) is “sea turtle-sea turtle-sea turtle”, and a payout of [5] is obtained (referFIG. 9). Here,sea turtle102 is displayed stopped (referFIG. 7) over all of the variable display parts on that activated pay line. When there are a plurality of activated pay lines (referFIG. 4) displaying the combination of “sea turtle-sea turtle-sea turtle”, a payout is obtained of that number of the activated pay lines multiplied by [5]. In the same manner, each payout for line odds is performed based on the line odds payout table122 shown inFIG. 9.

When the variable display part code number is [0] or [1], the symbol scatter101 (referFIG. 7) is displayed stopped on that variable display part. If three or more of thesymbol scatter101 is displayed stopped on the activated pay lines, the shell chance game commences on the lowerliquid crystal display4.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which thesymbol scatter101 is displayed stopped on three variable display parts in the lowerliquid crystal display4. In this example, when all of the threescatter101 symbols are displayed over any of the variable display lines, the player proceeds to the shell chance game.

When proceeding to the shell chance game, as shown inFIG. 16, firstly, fiveshells211 are displayed in the lowerliquid crystal display4. Inside of the fiveshells211 can be any of [A], [B], [10], [20] or [30]. For this embodiment, the randomnumber sampling circuit56 is used for each of theshells211, to sample random number values within the range from 0-127. The content of each of theshells211 is determined based on the random numbers sampled and the table as shown inFIG. 17.

According to table17, when the sampled random number value is anywhere between [0]-[26], [A] is selected as the content ofshell211. When the sampled random number value is anywhere between [27]-[53], the content [B] is selected as the content of theshell211. When the sampled random number value is between [54]-[78], the content [10] is selected as the content of theshell211. When the sampled random number value is between [79]-[104], the content [20] is selected as the content of theshell211. When the sampled random number value is anywhere between [105]-[127], the content [30] is selected as the content of theshell211.

Once the player, using thetransparent touch panel201, selects one shell from among the fiveshells211 displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display4, one of [A], [B], [10], [20] or [30] is displayed as the content of theshell211. At this time, an arrow appears on the lowerliquid crystal display4 indicating the shell selected by the player.FIG. 18 shows the example when the player has selected theshell211 that is fourth from the left.

When the content of theshell211 selected by the player is [A], the player can proceed to another bonus game. A description of the content of the other bonus game is not provided here. When the content of theshell211 selected by the player is [B], the player can proceed to the battle bonus game. A description of the content of the battle bonus game is provided subsequently. When the content of theshell211 selected by the player is [10], a payout of [10] is obtained. When the content of theshell211 selected by the player is [20], a payout of [20] is obtained. When the content of theshell211 selected by the player is [30], a payout of [30] is obtained.

It may be suitable that the system operates so as to determine the contents of theshells211 such that [at least one] of the fiveshells211 shown inFIG. 16 contains [A] or [B], in order to maintain a condition in which the other bonus game or the battle bonus game can be selected by the player. For example, after the content of the fiveshells211 has been determined using the table ofFIG. 17, the system would investigate to see whether [A] or [B] is housed in any of the five shells. If [A] or [B] is contained in any of the fiveshells211, the system proceeds to the next process. If [A] or [B] is not contained in any of the five shells, the system would select one of the fiveshells211 and put [A] or [B] in the shell thus selected.

The battle bonus game will now be described. In the battle bonus game a player does not place bets with coins, rather, in this embodiment, the game is performed with five games in succession. The number of games in this succession can be selected by a lottery at the time of transition to the battle bonus game. In the battle bonus game, because the probability of obtaining a kind of winning combination is higher, the special video reel221 (referFIG. 1) recomposition of symbols selected from each of the symbols (except the symbol scatter101) of thebase video reel100 is used, and the varying display and stopped display of the symbols is performed on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C of the lowerliquid crystal display4. Each of the symbols constituting thespecial video reel221 is selected (referFIG. 1) at a lottery probability ratio of 1/2 from each of the symbols (except scatter101) of thebase video reel100.

FIG. 21 is an example of the table used when determining whether or not to select a symbol from each of the symbols of thebase video reel100 as a symbol for thespecial video reel221. Each of the symbols (except scatter101) of thebase video reel100 are selected, in the case of this embodiment, by a lottery performed via the table ofFIG. 21 and the randomnumber sampling circuit56 to provide random number values sampled from within the range 0-127.

That is to say, when the sampled random number value is any of [0]-[63] the appropriate symbol is selected and when the value of the sampled random number is any of [64]-[127] the appropriate symbol is not selected.

Then, using each symbol selected by this lottery from among the symbols (except scatter101) of thebase video reel100 the special video reel221 (referFIG. 1) is recomposed for use during the battle bonus game. In the example shown inFIG. 1, the result of the lottery performed for each symbol of thebase video reel100 is that each of thesymbols sea turtle102,hermit crab105,clownfish108 andswordfish110 are selected, such that thespecial video reel221 used for the battle bonus game is recomposed using the four

symbols

102,105,108 and110 as selected. Hereafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, thesymbol221 may indicate the special video reel shown inFIG. 1 or simply a special video reel used in the battle bonus game.

When thespecial video reel221 is recomposed for use in the battle bonus game, firstly, as shown inFIG. 22, an image consisting of a collection of each of the symbols (except scatter101) of thebase video reel100 is shown on the lowerliquid crystal display4 with a seabed scene as the background. Then, this image in which each of the symbols (except scatter101) of thebase video reel100 is collected against a seabed scene background is displayed on the upperliquid crystal display3, instead of the lowerliquid crystal display4. Thereafter, from the upperliquid crystal display3, comic images are displayed of each of these symbols (except scatter101) of thebase video reel100 in battle. Thereafter, as shown inFIG. 23 for example, only symbols selected by the above described lottery are displayed. On the one hand, on the lowerliquid crystal display4, in each of the ninevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C a single symbol of thespecial video reel221 for the battle bonus game recomposed using the symbol selected by that lottery, is displayed randomly.

In this way, the slot game preparations are completed for the battle bonus game, and, using thespecial video reel221, the same processes are performed as those used for the base game. At this time the number of symbols comprising thespecial video reel221 is smaller than the number of symbols comprising thebase video reel100. Accordingly, when the symbols displayed stopped on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C are determined, the lottery table shown inFIG. 24 is used instead of the lottery table shown inFIG. 8.

The lottery table shown inFIG. 24 has an arrangement of the physical structure that is suitable for the case in which the number of symbols comprising thespecial video reel221 is smaller than the number of symbols comprising thebase video reel100. The lottery table inFIG. 24 is newly created as thespecial video reel221 is recomposed, by allocating a random number starting from 0, one by one, to each of the symbols of thespecial video reel221. In order to enable a newly created lottery table to be used and the symbols to be displayed stopped to be determined, the range of random numbers sampled via the randomnumber sampling circuit56 is the range from 0 to the maximum value allocated. For example, when the foursymbols sea turtle102,hermit crab105,clown fish108 andswordfish110 are selected as the symbols to comprise thespecial video reel221 as shown inFIG. 1, a lottery table as shown inFIG. 25 is newly created with a random number starting from 0 allocated one by one for each symbol, such that the range of random numbers sampled by the randomnumber sampling circuit56 is 0-3.

The number of symbols comprising thespecial video reel221 used in the battle bonus game in general represents a case in which there is a substantially smaller number than the number of symbols comprising thebase video reel100 used in the base game, such that in the case of the battle bonus game, what is called the hit ratio is substantially higher in comparison to the base game and therefore a player is more likely to be able to receive a large number of coins. In the example shown inFIG. 24, as the lottery probability ratio of each of the symbols comprising thespecial video reel221 is equal, where the symbols comprising the symbol combination for a winning combination having a high payout (e.g. swordfish110, seal109 etc.) comprise thespecial video reel221 there will be a substantial number of cases in which a high payout winning combination is realized (hit).

The main process program for running aslot machine1 will now be described with reference toFIG. 10.FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the main process program. InFIG. 10, firstly, at step (hereinafter “S”)11, the start receive process ofFIG. 11, described subsequently, is performed, which involves receiving switch signals output from thespin switch57, the 1-bet switch58, the 3-bet switch59, the 5-bet switch60 and the 8-bet switch61 based on operation of the spin/repeat bet button12, the 1-bet button11, the 3-bet button13, the 5-bet button14 and the 8-bet button15. At the point at which the switch signals output from each switch are received the game commences.

At S12, the lottery process ofFIG. 12, described subsequently, is performed based on switch signals output from thespin switch57, the 1-bet switch58, the 3-bet switch59, the 5-bet switch60 and the 8-bet switch61.

At S13, the game process ofFIG. 13, described subsequently, is run, and thereafter, at S14, another game process as shown inFIG. 14, described subsequently, is performed and this main process program is complete.

The start receive process program performed on theslot machine1 will now be described with reference toFIG. 11.FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the start receive process program. Atstep11 of the main process program ofFIG. 10 the start receive process is run. Firstly, at S21 inFIG. 11, a determination is made on whether a determined period of time (e.g. 15 seconds) has elapsed. If it is determined that the period of time has not elapsed (S21: No) nothing is done and the program proceeds to S23. At S23 a determination is made as to whether there has been an operation of the spin/repeat bet button12, the 1-bet button11, the 3-bet button13, the 5-bet button14 or the 8-bet button15. Here, if it is determined that the 1-bet button11 has not been operated (S23: No), the system returns to S21 and reruns the above described process. On the other hand, if the determination is that the 1-bet button11 has been operated (S23: Yes) the demo effect is stopped, and the determined activated pay lines L1-L8 are displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display4 and a payout table123 comprised of the any odds payout table121 and the line odds payout table122 shown inFIG. 9 is displayed on the upperliquid crystal display3. Thereafter, the system returns to the main process program shown inFIG. 10 and proceeds to the lottery process of S12.

The lottery process program performed by theslot machine1 will now be described with reference toFIG. 12.FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the lottery process program. This lottery process is performed at S12 of the main process program shown inFIG. 10. Firstly, the system proceeds to S31 ofFIG. 12 and runs the symbol determination process, here, the symbols to be displayed stopped on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C {during the game} (S42 inFIG. 13 below), are determined for each of those variable display parts. Basically, as described above, nine random number values corresponding to each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C are sampled from within the range 0-127 by the randomnumber sampling circuit56, and based on the lottery table shown inFIG. 8, the symbols to be displayed stopped are determined via code numbers. Once those symbols to be displayed stopped on the respective variable display parts are determined, at S32 the combination process is performed. At the combination process, basically, as described above, the winning combinations in the activated pay lines L1-L8 and payouts are determined and displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display4, based on the tables stored in theROM51 as the payout table123 ofFIG. 9, via code numbers in S31.

Thereafter, the system returns to the main process program ofFIG. 10 and proceeds to the game process of S13.

The game process program run by theslot machine1 will now be described with reference toFIG. 13.FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the game process program. At S13 of the main process program shown inFIG. 10 the game process is run. Firstly, at S41 inFIG. 13 a reel process is run. At this rotation process, basically, each of the images of the symbols comprising thebase video reel100 are made to scroll from the rightward direction to the leftward direction on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C, based on the switch signals output from thespin switch57, the 1-bet switch58, the 3-bet switch59, the 5-bet switch60 and the 8-bet switch61 received at S11 ofFIG. 10.

At S42 the stop control process is run. Basically, this stop control process involves stopping the scrolling of the symbol images of thebase video reel100 on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C, based on the lottery results of the symbol determining process at S31 in order that each of the appropriate symbols can be displayed stopped.

At S43 coins are paid out corresponding to the payout set in advance in the payout table123 shown inFIG. 9, in conformance with the winning combination symbol combinations displayed stopped on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C of the activated pay lines L1-L8. At this time the payout of each winning combination is calculated when the winning combinations are formed over the plurality of activated pay lines L1-L8. Accordingly, if for example, a plurality of any odds or line odds are simultaneously formed, coins are paid in an amount equivalent to the amount derived by calculating the respective payouts, which involves multiplying by the appropriate multiple of the payout change information for those odds for which payout change information is displayed on the upperliquid crystal display3.

Thereafter, the system returns to the main process program ofFIG. 10 and proceeds to the other game process of S14.

The other game process program performed by theslot machine1 will now be described with reference toFIG. 14.FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the other game process program. This other process program is run at S14 of the main process program inFIG. 10. Firstly, at S51 ofFIG. 14 a determination is made as to whether or not at least the determined number ofscatter100 symbols are displayed stopped on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C of the activated pay lines L1-L8 displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display4. In the case of this embodiment that determined number is three (referFIG. 15).

If it is determined that at least the determined number ofscatter100 symbols are not displayed stopped (S51: No) the system proceeds to the payout process of S59 described subsequently, while if the determination is that the determined number ofscatter100 symbols are displayed (S51: Yes) the system proceeds to S52.

At S52 the shell contents determination process is performed. Basically, as described above, this involves displaying on the lowerliquid crystal display4, five shells211 (referFIG. 16) and then performing a lottery for the contents of each of the fiveshells211 using the table (referFIG. 17) and the random numbers sampled by the randomnumber sampling circuit56 from within the range 0-127, thereby determining a content for each of thoseshells211 that is one from among [A], [B], [10], [20], [30].

At S53, the system waits for the player to select one from among the fiveshells211 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display4 (S53: No), the player being able to select one of the shells by touching thetransparent touch panel201 as described above.

Once the player makes a selection of one of the five shells211 (S53: Yes), the system proceeds to S54 and the content of theshell211 thus selected is displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display4. In the case of this embodiment however, the contents of all of theshells211 are displayed and an arrow appears indicating theshell211 selected by the player as shown inFIG. 18.

At S55, a determination is made as to whether or not the content of theshell211 selected by the player indicates a bonus game. In this determination, if the content of theshell211 selected by the player is [A] or [B], that indicates a bonus game and if the content of theshell211 thus selected is any of [10], [20] or [30] no bonus game results. If the determination is that the content of theshell211 selected by the player does not indicate a bonus game (S55: No) the system proceeds to the payout process of S59 described subsequently, while if the determination is that the content of theshell211 selected by the player does indicate a bonus game (S55: Yes), the system proceeds to S56.

At S56, a determination is made as to whether or not the bonus game is the battle bonus game. For this determination, if the content of theshell211 selected by the player is [A] the battle bonus game does not result while if the content of theshell211 selected is [B] the battle bonus game is played. If it is determined that there is no battle bonus game (S56: No) then after another bonus process is performed at S57, the system proceeds to S59. A description of the other bonus game performed at the other bonus process of S57 is not provided here. If on the other hand the determination is that the bonus game is the battle bonus game (S56: Yes), then the system proceeds to S59 after performing the battle bonus process ofFIG. 19 at S58, described subsequently.

At S59 the payout process is performed. In this payout process, if at S55 it has been determined that the contents of theshell211 selected by the player is any of [10], [20] or [30] (S55: No), the appropriate number of coins corresponding to the payout are paid out as each of those values represents a payout. Further, if the player has obtained a payout at the other bonus game at S57 or at the battle bonus game at S58, the appropriate number of coins corresponding to that payout is paid out by this payout process.

Once S59 is run, the main process program ofFIG. 10 finishes and then the main process program ofFIG. 10 commences anew.

The battle bonus process program performed by theslot machine1 will now be described with reference toFIG. 19.FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the battle bonus process program. The battle bonus process is run at S58 of the other game process program ofFIG. 14. Firstly, at S70 ofFIG. 19, the symbol selection process ofFIG. 20 is run.

The symbol selection process ofFIG. 20 will now be described.FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the symbol selection process program. In this symbol selection process firstly, at S81, a discretionary type of symbol is selected from each of these symbols (except the symbol scatter101) of thebase video reel100. Basically, in the case of this embodiment, as described above, each of the symbols (except the symbol scatter101) of thebase video reel100 is selected by using the table (referFIG. 21) and the random numbers sampled from within the range [0]-[127] via the randomnumber sampling circuit56. If the value of a random number that is sampled is any of [0]-[63] the corresponding symbol is selected while if the sampled random number value is any of [64]-[127] the corresponding symbol is not selected.

At S82, the symbols selected at S81 are rearranged and thespecial video reel221 is recomposed. In the case of this embodiment, the rearrangement of symbols selected is performed by removing those symbols not selected from the symbol arrangement comprising thebase video reel100 shown inFIG. 7, however it is also suitable to have a randomly determined rearrangement sequence.

When thespecial video reel221 is recomposed at S82, as described above, the effects displayed in for exampleFIG. 22 orFIG. 23 are performed on the lowerliquid crystal display4 or the upperliquid crystal display3. Thus the condition is prepared in which the varying display or stopped display of symbols of thespecial video reel221 is displayed on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C of the lowerliquid crystal display4.

Once this process at S82 is performed the symbol selection process program ofFIG. 20 finishes, the system returns to the battle bonus process program ofFIG. 19 and proceeds to S71.

At S71 the lottery process is performed. In this lottery process, the symbols to be displayed stopped on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C during the game (S73 below), are determined for each of those variable display parts. Basically, as described above, firstly a random number value starting from 0 is allocated one by one in respect of each of the symbols comprising thespecial video reel221 and a new lottery table is created based on the lottery table ofFIG. 24. This newly created lottery table (referFIG. 25) is used to determine the symbols to be displayed stopped, further, based on the lottery table123 ofFIG. 9 the winning combinations and payouts therefor are determined for the activated pay lines L1-L8 shown on the lowerliquid crystal display4.

At S72 the rotation process is run. During this rotation process the image of each of the symbols comprising thespecial video reel221 is scrolled from the rightward direction to the leftward direction on each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C.

At S73 the stop control process is run. Basically, this stop control process involves stopping the movement of the image of each of the symbols comprising thespecial video reel221 at each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C, based on the results of the lottery process performed at S71. In this way the stopped image of each of the symbols is displayed. The player is able to receive the payout set in advance in the payout table121 shown inFIG. 9 in conformance with the symbol combinations of the winning combinations displayed stopped on those variable display parts. At this time, if a winning combination is formed on a plurality of activated pay lines L1-L8 each of the payouts for the winning combinations is summed up. Further, as described subsequently, when the game is run again in a new game the payout obtained from the new game is summed up.

At S74 a determination is made as to whether or not the number of games played has reached a determined number of times. In the case of this embodiment, that determined number of times is five times. If the determination is that the game has not been played a determined number of times (S74: No), the system returns to S71 and repeats the above described process so that a new game is played. Here, it is not necessary for a new lottery table to be formed, however this can be done. On the other hand, if the determination is that the game has been played a determined number of times (S74: Yes), the system returns to the other game process program ofFIG. 14 and proceeds to the payout process of S59. The number of times a game is played is stored in theRAM52 and the counting is reset back to zero when the system proceeds to the payout process of S59.

When theCPU50 runs the game process of S13 for the main process program ofFIG. 10, theCPU50 is functioning as the “base game execution means”. When theCPU50 runs the battle bonus process of S58 for the other game process program ofFIG. 14, theCPU50 is functioning as the “special game execution means”. When theCPU50 runs the symbols select process of S70 for the battle bonus process program ofFIG. 19, theCPU50 functions as the “symbols select means”.

As described above, theslot machine1 according to this embodiment of the invention performs both of the slot games comprising the base game and the battle bonus game. When the battle bonus game is performed, thespecial video reel221 is recomposed (S82) using the randomly selected symbols from the plurality of different symbols (excludingscatter101, but includingsea turtle102,mudskipper103,seahorse104,hermit crab105,blue tang106,ammonite107,clownfish108,seal109 and swordfish110), these symbols comprising thebase video reel100 used for the base game. The battle bonus game is run (S71-S73) using thespecial video reel221 thus recomposed. That is to say the content of the battle bonus game is different to the content of the base game. Moreover, as aspecial video reel221 is recomposed for each battle bonus game, the content of the battle bonus game changes each time it is played. For this reason, the battle bonus game provides the player with new stimulation each time.

Various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.

For example the trigger to proceed to the shell chance game (S51: Yes) could take a variety of different forms. For example when all of the symbols comprising the base video reel100 (the ninesymbols excluding scatter101, but includingsea turtle102,mudskipper103,seahorse104,hermit crab105,blue tang106,ammonite107,clownfish108,seal109 and swordfish110) are displayed stopped on thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C. In this case, the base game is run using thebase video reel100 but excluding thesymbol scatter101.

Further, when the special video reel221 (referFIG. 1) is recomposed (S82) before the execution of the battle bonus game, symbols (including the symbol scatter101) not selected in the symbols comprising thebase video reel100 shown inFIG. 7 can be exchanged for symbols (including the symbol scatter101) that are selected. In this kind of case, a common lottery table for determining the symbols to be displayed stopped over each of thevariable display parts22A-22C,23A-23C and24A-24C can be used both in the base game and in the battle bonus game.

Moreover, the table ofFIG. 21 can be made such that the probabilities for selection of the each of the symbols differ.

Again, immediately prior to performance of the lottery process of S12 for the main process program ofFIG. 10, the base game can be run by running the symbol selection process ofFIG. 20. In this case however, at the symbol selection process ofFIG. 20 at S81, random types of symbols can be selected from each symbol of thebase video reel100 including also scatter101. Further, at the lottery process of S12, by allocating a random number value from 0 one by one in respect of each of the symbols comprising the video reel rearranged at S82 of the symbol selection process ofFIG. 20, a new lottery table based on the lottery table ofFIG. 24 can be created, the symbols to be displayed-stopped are determined using the new lottery table thus created, and the winning combinations and payouts therefore are determined for the activated pay lines L1-L8 displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display4 based on the payout table123 ofFIG. 9.

That is to say, in this case, the video reel is recomposed (S82) from the symbols randomly selected from the plurality of different symbols (the 10 symbols, includingscatter101, andsea turtle102,mudskipper103,seahorse104,hermit crab105,blue tang106,ammonite107,clownfish108,seal109 and swordfish110), and that recomposed video reel is used to run the base game (S13). Each time that base game is performed changes are added to the content, such that the player receives new stimulation from the base game.

In this case the player receives new stimulation even though the battle bonus game is not run.

The above embodiment has been described taking the example of theslot machine1 as a typical gaming machine, however the present invention can also be applied to other kinds of gaming machine such as a pachi-slot machine (a Japanese slot-machine), a card gaming machine or a jankyu (combination of Japanese pinball and mahjong) gaming machine.

Also, while the present invention has been described above in more detail, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the present invention. The device of the present invention can be embodied in modified or alternative forms without departing from the spirits and scopes of the present invention as set out in the appended claims. Accordingly, the description of the present invention is meant to be illustrative only and not limiting to the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

a display on which a plurality of symbols are displayed; and

a processor in communication with the display, wherein the processor is operable to determine a plurality of symbols used in a game from the plurality of symbols displayed on the display, and to execute the game using the symbols determined to be used in the game.

2. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, wherein the processor determines a plurality of symbols displayed on the display as a result of the game from the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the game, and if a combination of symbols displayed on the display as the result of the game is a winning combination, the processor gives an award according to a kind of the winning combination.

3. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, wherein the processor is operable to cause the display to display, prior to the commencement of the game, the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the game.

4. A gaming machine comprising:

a display;

a memory; and

a processor in communication with the display and the memory, wherein the processor is operable to cause the display to display a base game, to determine whether or not a specified condition arises as the base game is run, to determine a plurality of symbols used in a special game from a plurality of different symbols stored in the memory and used in the base game, and to cause the display to display the special game using the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the special game.

5. The gaming machine according toclaim 4, wherein the processor executes the base game using a base video reel comprising the plurality of different symbols used in the base game and the special game using a special video reel comprising the symbols determined to be used in the special game.

6. The gaming machine according toclaim 4, wherein the processor determines a plurality of symbols displayed on the display as a result of the special game, and if a combination of symbols displayed on the display as the result of the special game is a winning combination, the processor gives an award according to a kind of the winning combination.

7. The gaming machine according toclaim 4, wherein the processor is operable to cause the display to display, prior to the commencement of the special game, the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the special game.

8. A gaming machine comprising:

a display;

a memory; and

a processor in communication with the display and the memory, wherein the processor is operable to determine a plurality of symbols used in a second game from a plurality of different symbols stored in the memory and used in a first game, and to cause the display to display the second game using the symbol determined to be used in the second game.

9. The gaming machine according toclaim 8, wherein the processor executes the second game using a video reel comprising the symbol determined to be used in the second game.

10. The gaming machine according toclaim 8, wherein the processor determines a plurality of symbols displayed on the display as a result of the second game from the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the first game, and if a combination of symbols displayed on the display as the result of the second game is a winning combination, the processor gives an award according to a kind of the winning combination.

11. The gaming machine according toclaim 8, wherein the processor is operable to cause the display to display, prior to the commencement of the second game, the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the second game.

12. A method of playing a game comprising the steps of:

determining a plurality of symbols used in the game from a plurality of symbols; and

executing the game using the symbols determined to be used in the game.

13. The method of playing a game according toclaim 12, further comprising the steps of:

determining a plurality of symbols displayed as a result of the game from the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the game; and

giving an award, if a combination of symbols displayed as the result of the game is a winning combination, according to a kind of the winning combination.

14. The method of playing a game according toclaim 12, further comprising the step of:

informing, prior to the commencement of the game, the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the game.

15. A method of operating a gaming machine having a display, a processor operably coupled to at least one of the display and a memory, the method comprising steps of:

causing the display to display a base game;

determining whether or not a specified condition arises as the base game is run;

determining a symbol used in a special game from a plurality of different symbols stored in the memory and used in the base game; and

causing the display to display the special game using a selected symbol.

16. The method of playing a game according toclaim 15, further comprising the steps of:

determining a plurality of symbols displayed as a result of the special game from the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the special game; and

giving an award, if a combination of symbols displayed as the result of the special game is a winning combination, according to a kind of the winning combination.

17. The method of playing a game according toclaim 15, further comprising the step of:

informing, prior to the commencement of the special game, the plurality of symbols determined to be used in the special game.