Slot machine with random number generation

• US 4,573,681 A
• Filed: 04/03/1984
• Issued: 03/04/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aruze Corp.
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Universal
• Inventors: Okada, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lastova, MaryAnn Stoll
• Application Number:
  US06/596,303
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 273/1 E, 273/1 GC, 273/85 G, 273/138 A, 273/143 R, 364/410-412, 364/717, 194/30, 194/DIG. 11
• US Class Current: 463/21
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A slot machine is provided which has a winning probability table for storing a relation between a group and random numbers, the group being one of a plurality of groups made up by classifying prize-winning symbol combinations. The range of random numbers is properly fixed so that the winning probability is determined. Prior to the start of a game, one of the random numbers is sampled from a plurality of random numbers. The decisions on whether there is a win or not, and on which group the sampled random number belongs to if there is a win, are made with reference to the winning probability table. A hit request signal is generated for the latter decision. The hits are of different sizes, that is to say that different hits pay different numbers of wins. The larger the hit, the fewer random numbers correspond to it. The stopping series of symbols is controlled in accordance with the hit request signal.

Claims

1. A slot machine of the type having plural series of moving symbols juxtaposed to each other, each of said plural series of symbols comprising a plurality of moving symbols arranged in an array and in which a predetermined number of coins is ejected when combinations of symbols on prize-winning lines on said array coincide with predetermined prize-winning combinations, said slot machine comprising:

random number generator means for generating a plurality of random numbers within a predetermined range;

sampling means for selecting one random number out of said plurality of random numbers generated by said generator means;

a winning probability table for storing a relationship between a group and said random numbers, the group being one of a plurality of groups made up by classifying prize-winning combinations;

judgment means including means for judging whether the value of said random number corresponds to any of said numerical values representing said groups said judgment means also including means to judge whether a win can be awarded or not and, in the affirmative, further including means for judging to which of said groups said random number belongs, by referring to said winning probability table;

hit request signal generator means for generating a hit request signal upon judgment of a win by said judgment means, said signal requesting the machine to stop said moving symbols so as to display one of a particular group of prize-winning combinations in the group judged by said judgment means; and

control means responsive to said hit request signal for so stopping said symbols.

2. A slot machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising count means for calculating the remaining number of winnings for each of said groups, means for deciding the number of wins obtainable during a predetermined N number of games for each of said groups, means for reducing the hit request signal by "1" every time said hit request signal is generated, wherein the remaining number of wins for a group corresponds to the generated hit request signal being reduced by "1", and means for inhibiting display of said prize-winning symbol combinations belonging to said group when the remaining number of wins reaches "0", even if a further hit request signal for said group is generated.

3. A slot machine as set forth in claim 1, in which said plurality of groups are classified into three kinds, namely, a big hit, a middle hit, and a small hit.

4. A slot machine as set forth in claim 3, in which said sampling means is made operative after the start of the movement of said plural series of symbols, and derives one of said random numbers.

5. A slot machine as set forth in claim 1, in which said series of movable symbols are disposed on a plurality of reels, and a pulse motor rotates each of said reels.

6. A slot machine as set forth in claim 5, further comprising evaluation means for evaluating, every time one of said reels stops, whether it is possible to complete a prize-winning symbol combination belonging to said group previously determined, and means to control said control means in accordance with the evaluated results.

7. A slot machine as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a start lever for initiating the rotation of said plurality of reels.

8. A slot machine as set forth in claim 7, further comrising stop buttons each for stopping the rotation of respective reels.

9. A slot machine as set forth in claim 8, further comprising judging means for judging symbols on said winning lines at a time instant when said stop button is operated, and in which a stop position of the reel to be stopped by said stop button operation, is controlled so as to complete a prize-winning symbol combination belonging to said group previously determined.

10. A slot machine as set forth in claim 9, in which the stop control for said reel is carried out for M frames following the time instant when said stop button is operated.

11. A slot machine as set forth in claim 10, in which M is four.

12. A slot machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising hit request count means for storing the hit request signal, until the prize-winning symbol combinations corresponding to the said hit request signal are caused not to be completed, and means for applying the said hit request signal for the subsequent game.