Patent ID: 7674175
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A video slot machine in which a plurality of reel images provide the appearance of mechanical slot machine reels, each reel image of the plurality of the reel images defining a virtual reel that includes a symbol arrangement having a plurality of symbols including at least two types of arranged symbols, at least one symbol of the symbol arrangement of each reel image being displayed on a monitor of the video slot machine such that the symbols of the symbol arrangement of each reel image selectively undergoes virtual rotation on the monitor of the video slot machine when a game is played, the video slot machine comprising: a reel image recording unit that stores a different reel image having a different symbol arrangement; a game controller configured to control a game that includes virtual rotation of the plurality of reel images on the monitor of the video slot machine in response to a BET operation; a display controller configured to control the monitor such that the symbols of the plurality of reel images selectively undergo virtual rotation on the monitor of the video slot machine and are then stopped for display on the monitor of the video slot machine; a change timing determination unit configured to determine when it is time to change the reels images; and a reel image changing unit configured to replace the symbol arrangement of at least one reel image of the plurality of reel images after completion of a game and before playing another game with the different reel image having the different symbol arrangement when the change timing determination unit determines that it is time to change the reel images such that the symbol arrangement of the at least one reel image and the different symbol arrangement the different reel image have at least one of the following relationships: the symbol arrangement of the at least one reel image includes a greater number of symbols that provide for an increased in probability for winning a low dividend prize than the different symbol arrangement of the different reel image, the different symbol arrangement of the different reel image includes a greater number of symbols that provide for an increased in probability for winning a high dividend prize than the symbol arrangement of the at least one reel image, the symbol arrangement of the at least one reel image includes a greater number of symbols that provide for an increased in probability for winning a high dividend prize than the different symbol arrangement of the different reel image, and the different symbol arrangement of the different reel image includes a greater number of symbols that provide for an increased in probability for winning a low dividend prize than the symbol arrangement of the at least one reel.