Gaming Machine

• US 20100323778A1
• Filed: 09/18/2009
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aruze Corp.
• Original Assignee: Aruze Corp.
• Inventors: YOSHIZAWA, Kazumasa
• Application Number:
  US12/562,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20100323778A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members

Abstract

A gaming machine according to the present invention executes a main game and a sub game in parallel. In sub game processing, the gaming machine judges whether or not the number of times the main game is executed is a predetermined number (S122, S125). In a case where the number is not a predetermined one, the gaming machine stores symbols having been displayed in a stopped manner on a payline L1, thereby displaying them on an upper image display panel. The gaming machine determines a payline L2 for showing a winning combination (S128) and displays the determined payline L2 (S129) during a period from execution of at least one or more main games to execution of the predetermined number of main games. Specifically, the payline L2 determined at S128 is displayed so as to be superimposed on a symbol matrix of the upper image display panel. In a case where the number is a predetermined one, the gaming machine judges whether or not a winning combination for awarding a prize is established (S132). In a case where the winning combination is judged to be established, the gaming machine determines a payout amount in accordance with a given prize (S133).

Claims

1. A gaming machine, comprising:

(i) a first display device that is intended for a main game and on which plural types of symbols are rearranged in a display region every time the main game is executed;

(ii) a second display device that is intended for a sub game;

forms a symbol matrix in association with an arrangement outcome of the symbols rearranged in the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed on the first display device a predetermined number of times; and

shows an outcome of the sub game by displaying a payline on the symbol matrix;

(iii) a memory that stores data concerning the symbols rearranged in the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed the predetermined number of times, and stores a game number as a number of times that the main game is executed; and

(iv) a controller, the contorller being configured to;

(a) execute the main game in which the plural types of symbols are rearranged in the display region on the first display device;

(b) determine whether to award a first prize in accordance with a displayed outcome of the plural types of symbols rearranged in the process (a), in the display region on the first display device;

(c) award the first prize as a prize for the main game, in a case where the the first prize is determined to be awarded as a result of the process (b), and then activate a subsequent main game;

or

activate the subsequent main game, in a case where the first prize is determined not to be awarded as a result of the process (b);

(d) execute the sub game in parallel with the main game executed in the processes (a) to (c) on the first display device, the sub game in which the symbol matrix is formed by arranging in the second display device based upon the data stored in the memory, the symbols rearranged in the display region on the first display device every time the main game is executed on the first display device the predetermined number of times;

(e) judge based upon data concerning the game number stored in the memory, whether the predetermined number of main games executed in the processes (a) to (c) have been executed;

(f) display the payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device during a period from execution of the at least one or more main games to execution of the predetermined number of main games, upon judging that the predetermined number of main games have been executed;

(g) judge whether the symbols for awarding a second prize are displayed on the payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device;

(h) award the second prize as a prize for the sub game, upon judging as a result of the process (g) that the second prize is to be awarded; and

(i) initialize the game number for the main game, stored in the memory.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:

the controller displays the payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device during a period from completion of execution of one less than the predetermined number of main games to display of an outcome of the predetermined number of main games, upon judging in the process (f) that the predetermined number of main games have been executed.

3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:

the controller stores in the memory, a result of random determination of the predetermined number of main games; and

executes the sub game in the process (d) based upon the predetermined number of main games stored in the memory, in parallel with the main game executed on the first display device in the processes (a) to (c).

4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:

the controller;

randomly predetermines a given payline from among the plurality of paylines that are settable on the symbol matrix of the second display device; and

executes the process (f) so as to display the randomly-predetermined given payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device.

5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

an input device for selecting a given payline from among the plurality of paylines that are settable on the second display device, wherein;

the controller executes the process (f) based upon a result of the selection of the given payline by the input device, so as to display the selected given payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device.

6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:

the controller;

predetermines a given payline to be set on the first display device;

sets the predetermined given payline on the first display device;

stores the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed the predetermined number of times; and

executes the sub game in the process (d) in parallel with the main game executed in the processes (a) to (c) on the first display device, the sub game in which the symbol matrix is formed by arranging in the second display device based upon the data stored in the memory, the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device every time the main game is executed on the first display device the predetermined number of times.

7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

an input device for selecting a given payline from among the plurality of paylines that are settable on the first display device, wherein;

the controller;

sets the selected given payline on the display region of the first display device, based upon a result of the selection of the given payline by the input device;

stores in the memory the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed the predetermined number of times; and

executes the sub game in the process (d) in parallel with the main game executed in the processes (a) to (c) on the first display device, the sub game in which the symbol matrix is formed by arranging in the second display device based upon the data stored in the memory, the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device every time the main game is executed on the first display device the predetermined number of times.

8. A gaming machine, comprising:

(i) a first display device that is intended for a main game and on which plural types of symbols are rearranged in a display region every time the main game is executed;

(ii) a second display device that is intended for a sub game;

forms a symbol matrix in association with an arrangement outcome of the symbols rearranged in the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed on the first display device a predetermined number of times; and

shows an outcome of the sub game by displaying a payline on the symbol matrix;

(iii) a memory that stores data concerning the symbols rearranged in the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed the predetermined number of times, and stores a game number as a number of times that the main game is executed; and

(iv) a controller, the contorller being configured to;

(a) execute the main game in which the plural types of symbols are rearranged in the display region on the first display device;

(b) determine whether to award a first prize in accordance with a displayed outcome of the plural types of symbols rearranged in the process (a), in the display region on the first display device;

(c) award the first prize as a prize for the main game, in a case where the the first prize is determined to be awarded as a result of the process (b), and then activate

a subsequent main game;

or activate the subsequent main game, in a case where the first prize is determined not to be awarded as a result of the process (b);

(d) execute the sub game in parallel with the main game executed in the processes (a) to (c) on the first display device, the sub game in which the symbol matrix is formed by arranging in the second display device based upon the data stored in the memory, the symbols rearranged in the display region on the first display device every time the main game is executed on the first display device the predetermined number of times;

(e) judge based upon data concerning the game number stored in the memory, whether the predetermined number of main games executed in the processes (a) to (c) have been executed;

(f) display the payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device during a period from completion of execution of main games whose number is one less than the predetermined number to display of an outcome of the predetermined number of main games, upon judging that the predetermined number of main games have been executed;

(g) judge whether the symbols for awarding a second prize are displayed on the payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device;

(h) award the second prize as a prize for the sub game, upon judging that the second prize is awarded, as a result of the processes (g); and

(i) initialize the game number for the main game, stored in the memory.

9. The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein:

the controller;

stores in the memory, a result of random determination of the predetermined number of main games; and

executes the sub game in the process (d) based upon the predetermined number of main games stored in the memory, in parallel with the main game executed on the first display device in the processes (a) to (c).

10. The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein:

the controller;

randomly predetermines a given payline from among the plurality of paylines that can be set on the symbol matrix of the second display device; and

executes the process (f) so as to display the randomly-predetermined given payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device.

11. The gaming machine according to claim 8, further comprising:

an input device for selecting a given payline from among the plurality of paylines that can be set on the second display device, wherein;

the controller executes the process (f) based upon a result of the selection of the given payline by the input device, so as to display the selected given payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device.

12. The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein:

the controller;

predetermines a given payline to be set on the first display device;

sets the predetermined given payline on the first display device;

stores the symbols rearranged on the payline set in the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed the predetermined number of times; and

executes the sub game in the process (d) in parallel with the main game executed in the processes (a) to (c) on the first display device, the sub game in which the symbol matrix is formed by arranging in the second display device based upon the data stored in the memory, the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device every time the main game is executed on the first display device the predetermined number of times.

13. The gaming machine according to claim 8, further comprising:

an input device for selecting a given payline from among the plurality of paylines that are settable on the first display device, wherein;

the controller;

sets the selected given payline on the display region of the first display device, based upon a result of the selection of the given payline by the input device;

stores in the memory the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed the predetermined number of times; and

executes the sub game in the process (d) in parallel with the main game executed in the processes (a) to (c) on the first display device, the sub game in which the symbol matrix is formed by arranging in the second display device based upon the data stored in the memory, the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device every time the main game is executed on the first display device the predetermined number of times.

14. A gaming machine, comprising:

(i) a first display device that is intended for a main game and on which plural types of symbols are rearranged in a display region every time the main game is executed;

(ii) a second display device that is intended for a sub game;

form a symbol matrix in association with an arrangement outcome of the symbols rearranged in the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed on the first display device a predetermined number of times; and

shows an outcome of the sub game by displaying a payline on the symbol matrix;

(iii) a memory that stores data concerning the symbols rearranged in the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed the predetermined number of times, and stores a game number as a number of times that the main game is executed; and

(iv) a controller, the contorller being configured to;

(a) randomly determine the game number for the main game executed on the first display device, and stores the determined game number in the memory;

(b) execute the main game in which the plural types of symbols are rearranged in the display region on the first display device;

(c) determine whether to award a first prize in accordance with a displayed outcome of the plural types of symbols rearranged in the process (b), in the display region on the first display device;

(d) award the first prize as a prize for the main game, in a case where the the first prize is determined to be awarded as a result of the process (c), and then activate a subsequent main game;

or

activate the subsequent main game, in a case where the first prize is determined not to be awarded as a result of the process (c);

(e) execute the sub game in parallel with the main game executed in the processes (b) to (d) on the first display device, the sub game in which the symbol matrix is formed by arranging in the second display device based upon the data stored in the memory, the symbols rearranged in the display region on the first display device every time the main game is executed on the first display device the predetermined number of times;

(f) judge based upon data concerning the game number stored in the memory, whether the predetermined number of main games executed in the processes (b) to (d) have been executed;

(g) display the payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device during a period from execution of the at least one or more main games to execution of the predetermined number of main games, upon judging that the predetermined number of main games have been executed;

(h) judge whether the symbols for awarding a second prize are displayed on the payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device;

(i) award the second prize as a prize for the sub game, upon judging as a result of the process (g) that the second prize is to be awarded; and

(j) initialize the game number for the main game, stored in the memory.

15. The gaming machine according to claim 14, wherein:

the controller displays the payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device during a period from completion of execution of one less than the predetermined number of main games to display of an outcome of the predetermined number of main games, upon judging in the process (g) that the predetermined number of main games have been executed.

16. The gaming machine according to claim 14, wherein:

the controller;

randomly predetermines a given payline from among the plurality of paylines that are settable on the symbol matrix of the second display device; and

executes the process (g) so as to display the randomly-predetermined given payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device.

17. The gaming machine according to claim 14, further comprising:

an input device for selecting a given payline from among the plurality of paylines that are settable on the second display device, wherein;

the controller executes the process (f) based upon a result of the selection of the given payline by the input device, so as to display the selected given payline on the symbol matrix of the second display device.

18. The gaming machine according to claim 14, wherein:

the controller;

predetermines a given payline to be set on the first display device;

sets the predetermined given payline on the first display device;

stores the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed the predetermined number of times; and

executes the sub game in the process (e) in parallel with the main game executed in the processes (b) to (d) on the first display device, the sub game in which the symbol matrix is formed by arranging in the second display device based upon the data stored in the memory, the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device the main game is executed on the first display device the predetermined number of times.

19. The gaming machine according to claim 14, further comprising:

an input device for selecting a given payline from among the plurality of paylines that are settable on the first display device, wherein;

the controller;

sets the selected given payline on the display region of the first display device, based upon a result of the selection of the given payline by the input device;

stores in the memory the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device, every time the main game is executed the predetermined number of times; and

executes the sub game in the process (e) in parallel with the main game executed in the processes (b) to (d) on the first display device, the sub game in which the symbol matrix is formed by arranging in the second display device based upon the data stored in the memory, the symbols rearranged on the payline set on the display region on the first display device every time the main game is executed on the first display device the predetermined number of times.