Patent Publication Number: US-2009239606-A1

Title: Slot machine with wild symbol feature and control method thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/038,857, filed on Mar. 24, 2008; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a slot machine for playing games using medals and so on, and a control method of a slot machine. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Each slot machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,459, U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,697, United States Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003/0069073, European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1192975, U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,483, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,730, U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,088, U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,981, U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,896, U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,016, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,820, U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,482, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,731, U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,957, U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,048, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,402, U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,013, U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,709, European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0631798, German Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4137010, United Kingdom Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2326830, German Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3712841, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,638, U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,980, U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,909, U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,303, U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,409, U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,533, U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,817, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,704, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,707, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,728, European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1302914, U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,459, U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,700, International Patent Application Laid-Open No. 03/083795, German Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3242890, European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0840264, German Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10049444, International Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04/095383, European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1544811, U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,963, European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1477947 and European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1351180, is known as a relevant slot machine. 
     In the slot machine, for example, total fifteen symbols in a three-rows by five-columns arrangement start scrolling in display areas on a display provided on a front face of a cabinet after a player has inserted monetary value(s), such as a medal(s), a coin(s) or a bill(s), into an insertion slot of the slot machine and has pressed a start switch, and then the symbols automatically come to stops. After the fifteen symbols has come to stops, appearing a prescribed number of scatter symbols causes an award. 
     In the slot machine, since there is a case where a wild symbol(s), that can acts as any symbol, may come to a stop in the display area(s), a probability for more awards will increase if the wild symbol(s) has come to a stop. In the slot machine like this, since a pay out amount is much affected by the number of the displayed wild symbols, it becomes difficult to control whether or not to stop the wild symbol(s) in the display areas. A slot machine having a new entertainment feature by wild symbols is desired to be produced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the present invention provides a slot machine that includes a display including a fixing display area and plural varying display areas, in which symbols are arranged, and a controller. The controller is operable to (A) rearrange symbols had been displayed in the varying display areas after receiving an input from an external, (B) change a symbol being arranged in the fixing display area to a wild symbol when a specific symbol has been displayed in any of the varying display areas, and (C) provide an award according to a symbol combination displayed in the fixing display area and the varying display areas. 
     A second aspect of the present invention provides a slot machine that includes a display including a first display area composed of a fixing display area and plural varying display areas and a second display area, in which symbols are arranged, and a controller. The controller is operable to (A) rearrange symbols had been displayed in the varying display areas and the second display area after receiving an input from an external, (B) change a symbol being arranged in the fixing display area to a wild symbol when a specific symbol has been displayed in the second display area, and (C) provide an award according to a symbol combination displayed in the first display area. 
     A third aspect of the present invention provides a slot machine that includes a display including a first display area and a second display area, in which symbols are arranged, and a controller. The controller is operable to (A) rearrange symbols had been displayed in the first area and the second display area after receiving an input from an external, (B) activate a wild symbol had been rearranged in the first area when a specific symbol has been displayed in the second display area, and (C) provide an award according to a symbol combination displayed in the first display area. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a control method of a slot machine that includes, rearranging symbols had been arranged in plural varying display areas provided on a display, changing a symbol in a fixing display area provided on the display to a wild symbol when a specific symbol has been rearranged in any of the varying display areas, and providing an award according to a symbol combination displayed in the varying display areas and the fixing display area. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a flow-chart showing an outline of process procedures in embodiments of a slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an overall view showing a configuration of the slot machine in a first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing display areas provided on a display of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an example of an awards setting table used in the first embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow-chart of slot game execution processing in the first embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow-chart of image effect control processing in the first embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow-chart of pay out processing in the first embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is another screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is yet another screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an overall view showing a configuration of the slot machine in a second embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a flow-chart of slot game execution processing in the second embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a flow-chart of image effect control processing in the second embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the second embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is another screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the second embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is yet another screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the second embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in a modified example of the second embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is another screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the modified example of the second embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is yet another screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the modified example of the second embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a flow-chart of slot game execution processing in a third embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a flow-chart of image effect control processing in the third embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the third embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is another screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the third embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is yet another screen example showing symbols displayed on the display of the slot machine in the third embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is an overall view showing a configuration of the slot machine in a fourth embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine in the fourth embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 28A  is a perspective view of a spinning reel device of the slot machine employed in the fourth embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 28B  is a side view of the spinning reel device of the slot machine employed in the fourth embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 29  is an arrangement diagram of symbol rows drawn on each reel of the slot machine in the fourth embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 30  is a flow-chart of slot game execution processing in the fourth embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 31  is a flow-chart of reel control processing in the fourth embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 32  is a flow-chart of image effect control processing in the fourth embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a flow-chart showing an outline of process procedures of the slot machine according to the present invention.  FIG. 2  is an appearance view of the slot machine according to the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine according to the present invention.  FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram showing arrangements of display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  on a display  16 . The outline of the process procedures of the slot machine according to the present invention will be explained hereinbelow with reference to the flow-chart shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a CPU  106  of a controller  40  shown in  FIG. 2  judges whether or not a start switch  27  has been pressed after starting a slot game (step S 11 ). If the start switch  27  has been pressed, the CPU  106  determines symbols to be stopped in varying display areas (fourteen areas other than a center display area q 2   c ) among fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  shown in  FIG. 4  (step S 12 ). 
     Next, the CPU  106  scrolls symbols in the fourteen varying display areas other than the fixing display area q 2   c  and then stops symbols (step S 13 ). In other words, symbols had been arranged in the fourteen varying display areas are rearranged. 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not a specific symbol has appeared in any of the varying display areas (step S 14 ). If the specific symbol has appeared (YES in step S 14 ), a wild symbol is displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  (step S 15 ). Specifically, a “SUN” symbol had been displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  is changed to a “WILD” symbol. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  executes pay out processing for providing an award according to symbols displayed in the display areas (the fixing display area and the varying display areas) q 1   a  to q 3   e  (step S 16 ). In this manner, it is determined whether or not to change a symbol in the fixing display area q 2   c  to the “WILD” symbol based on a condition whether the specific symbol appears in any of the fourteen varying display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (except q 2   c ). Since dividends may vary largely due to that result, a slot machine with a superior entertainment feature can be provided. 
     Next, a configuration of a slot machine  10  in the present embodiment will be explained in detail. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the slot machine  10  in the present embodiment includes a cabinet  11 , a top box  12  provided on top of the cabinet  11  and a main door  13 . The cabinet  11  has a display  16  disposed on its plane facing a player. In addition, various component devices are disposed within the cabinet  11 , such as the controller  40  (see  FIG. 3 ) for electrically controlling the slot machine  10  and a hopper  44  (see  FIG. 3 ) for controlling an insertion, pooling, and a cash-out of medals. 
     Here in the present embodiment, medals are used for gaming media used at game executions. However, gaming media are not limited to medals only. For example, coins, tokens, electronic money or other equivalent electronic value information (credits) may be also used as gaming media. 
     The main door  13  is attached to the cabinet  11  so that it can be opened and closed. The display  16  is disposed on an upper portion of the main door  13 . As explained later, images relating to various games including a slot game are displayed on the display  16 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , in a slot game, scrolled and then stopped are symbols which had been displayed in the fourteen display areas (varying display areas) other than the central display area q 2   c  (fixing display area) among the total fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  disposed in a three-rows by five-columns matrix manner (symbols had been arranged are rearranged). And then, a predetermined amount of a payout will be awarded in appearing a prescribed number of identical specific symbols in the fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (the fixing display area and the varying display areas) as defined in an awards setting table shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Here, as shown in  FIG. 4 , suffixes “a” to “e” attached to the display areas “q” are represent columns and suffixes “1” to “3” are represent rows. Therefore, the central display area is indicated as “q 2   c ”. Note that, in the present embodiment, a slot game is executed with the three-rows by five-columns display areas. However, the present invention is not limited to this. 
     In addition, a payout counter  48  for displaying a payout amount is disposed at the lower-left area on the display  16  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     A medal insertion slot  21 , into which medals are inserted at game plays, and a bill validator  22 , which validates bills and accepts valid ones, are disposed beneath the display  16 . Various operational switches are disposed nearby the medal insertion slot  21  and the bill validator  22 . 
     A cash-out switch  23 , a max-bet switch  24 , a bet switch  25 , a spin/repeat-bet switch  26  and the start switch  27  are provided as the operational switches. 
     The bet switch  25  is a switch for determining a bet amount on each slot game executed by on the display  16 . Each time the bet switch  25  is pressed, one credit corresponding to one medal is bet. 
     The spin/repeat-bet switch  26  is a switch for placing a bet again on a current slot game without changing a bet amount had been placed by the bet switch  25  on the last slot game. 
     The start switch  27  is a switch for starting a slot game after a bet with desired credits has been placed by the bet switch  25 . A slot game is started with the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  on the display  16  after a bet has been placed by a medal(s) insertion into the medal insertion slot  21  or by the bet switch  25  and then the start switch  27  has been pressed. 
     The cash-out switch  23  is a switch for cashing out medals being inserted. The medals to be cashed out are discharged from a medal cash-out chute  28  opened in the front lower part of the main door  13  and then pooled on a medal tray  18 . 
     The max-bet switch  24  is a switch for betting maximum credits amount (e.g. equivalent to thirty medals) that can be bet on a single game by one pressing. 
     A foot display  34  is disposed on the lower front of the main door  13  to display various images relating to games of the slot machine  10 . These images are, for example, characters of the slot machine  10  and so on. 
     Lamps  47  are disposed on both side of the foot display  34  to be illuminated based on preset illuminating patterns for the slot machine  10 . The medal cash-out chute  28  is disposed beneath the foot display  34 . 
     An upper display  33  is disposed on the front of the top box  12 . The upper display  33  has a display panel to display relationships between the number of displayed symbols and awards, etc. 
     In addition, speakers  29  are provided on the top box  12 . A ticket printer  35 , a card reader  36 , a data display  37  and a keypad  38  are disposed beneath the upper display  33 . The ticket printer  35  prints a bar-code, which contains data, such as a credit amount, time and date and an identification number of the slot machine  10 , on a ticket and outputs it as a bar-code ticket  39 . 
     A player can play games at another slot machine with the bar-code ticket  39  being read by the other slot machine, and can exchange the bar-code ticket  39  for bills and so on at a predetermined site in an amusement facility (e.g. a cashier in a casino). 
     A smart card can be inserted into the card reader  36 , and the card reader  36  reads data from the inserted smart card and writes data onto the smart card. A smart card is carried by a player and stores the player&#39;s identification data, gaming history data of games played by the player and so on. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the controller  40  and various components connected to the controller  40 , which are provided within the slot machine  10  of the present embodiment. The controller  40  of the slot machine  10  shown in  FIG. 3  is a microcomputer and includes interface circuits  102 , an input/output (I/O) bus  104 , a CPU  106 , a ROM  108 , a RAM  110 , a signal communication interface (I/F) circuit  111 , a random number generator (RNG)  112 , a speaker drive circuit  122 , a hopper drive circuit  124 , a display control circuit  128  and a display controller  140 . 
     The interface circuits  102  are connected to the I/O bus  104  and the I/O bus  104  transmits data signals and address signals with the CPU  106 . 
     The start switch  27  is connected to the interface circuits  102 . A start command output from the start switch  27  is transmitted to the CPU  106  via the I/O bus  104  after converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuits  102 . 
     Furthermore, the bet switch  25 , the max-bet switch  24 , the spin/repeat-bet switch  26  and the cash-out switch  23  are connected to the interface circuits  102 . A switching signal output from each of the switches  25 ,  14 ,  26  and  23  is transmitted to the CPU  106  via the I/O bus  104  after converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuits  102 . 
     In addition, a medal sensor  43  is connected to the interface circuits  102 . The medal sensor  43  is a sensor for detecting a medal(s) has been inserted into the medal insertion slot  21  and disposed inside the medal insertion slot  21 . A detection signal output from the medal sensor  43  is transmitted to the CPU  106  via the I/O bus  104  after converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuits  102 . 
     In addition, the ROM  108  for storing system programs and the RAM  110  for storing various data are connected to the I/O bus  104 . Furthermore, the RNG  112 , the signal communication I/F circuit  111 , the display controller  140 , the hopper drive circuit  124 , the speaker drive circuit  122  and the display control circuit  128  are connected to the I/O bus  104 . 
     The CPU  106  is triggered by the start switch  27  receiving a game start operation and then reads out the game execution programs to execute a slot game. The game execution programs are programs for executing a slot game on the display  16  via the display controller  140 . 
     Specifically, the game execution programs are programmed to execute a slot game, in which symbols are scrolled and then stopped in the fourteen varying display areas (see  FIG. 4 ) and an award is provided based on symbols displayed in the fourteen varying display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (except q 2   c ) and the fixing display area q 2   c.    
     The signal communication I/F circuit  111  is connected to a hall server etc. and transmits gaming history data of the slot machine  10  etc. to the hall server. In addition, the signal communication I/F circuit  111  receives various data transmitted from the hall server. 
     The RNG  112  generates random numbers for determining whether or not to achieve a winning combination in a slot game executed on the display  16 . 
     The display control circuit  128  controls displaying a payout amount on the payout counter  48  provided at the lower-left area on the display  16 . 
     The speaker drive circuit  122  outputs sound data to the speakers  29 . Specifically, the CPU  106  reads the sound data stored in the ROM  108  and transmits the sound data to the speaker drive circuit  122  via the I/O bus  104 . As a result, predetermined effect sounds are output from the speakers  29 . 
     The hopper drive circuit  124  outputs a cash-out command to the hopper  44  when providing a cash-out. Specifically, the CPU  106  outputs a drive command to the hopper drive circuit  124  via the I/O bus  104  when receiving the cash-out command from the cash-out switch  23 . As a result, the hopper  44  cashes out medals equivalent to current credits stored in a prescribed memory area within the RAM  110 . 
     The display controller  140  controls displaying executions of slot games on the display  16 . Specifically, the CPU  106  generates an image display command according to a status and a game result of a slot game and then outputs the image display command to the display controller  140  via the I/O bus  104 . On receiving the image display command, the display controller  140  generates a drive command for the display  16  based on the image display command and then outputs the drive command to the display  16 . As a result, prescribed images are displayed on the display  16 . 
     Next, relationships between symbols displayed in the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  on the display  16  and awards to be provided to a player will be explained with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     Any one of seven symbols “LIGHTING”, “$”, “A”, “K”, “Q”, “J” and “UMBRELLA” will be displayed in each of the fourteen varying display areas on the display  16 . In addition, the “SUN” symbol, which has no relationship with awards, is being displayed in the central fixing display area q 2   c  ordinarily. The “SUN” symbol is changed to the “WILD” symbol when the specific symbol (a symbol with a star in q 1   b  shown in  FIG. 11 ) has appeared in any of the varying display areas. The relationships between symbols displayed in the fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  and awards are defined as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     For example, an award with twenty medals is provided when four “LIGHTING” symbols have appeared. An award with thirty medals is provided when the five symbols have appeared. An award with forty medals is provided when the six symbols have appeared. An award with fifty medals is provided when the equal-to or more-than seven symbols have appeared. In addition, a “WILD” symbol can act as an alternative to all other symbols. For example, it is regarded that four “LIGHTING” symbols have appeared if three “LIGHTING” symbols have appeared in the varying display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (except q 2   c ) and also a symbol had been displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  has been changed to a “WILD” symbol. In this case, an award with twenty medals will be provided. 
     Next, operations of the slot machine  10  in the first embodiment will be explained with reference to flow-charts shown in  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 6  is a flow-chart showing procedures in slot game execution processing executed by the slot machine  10  in the first embodiment. 
     First, the CPU  106  shown in  FIG. 3  accepts a player&#39;s bet with medals or credits (step S 31 ). Specifically, when the player placed a bet with a desired credit amount by pressing the bet switch  25  or inserted medals corresponding to a desired medal amount into the medal insertion slot  25 , the amount is input as a bet amount. 
     The CPU  106  reduces current credits by the credits amount when the bet has been placed by pressing the bet switch  25  (step S 32 ). For example, if a ten-credit bet has been placed under thirty credits, the credits become twenty by reducing. 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the start switch  27  has been pressed (step S 33 ). If the start switch  27  has been pressed (YES in step S 33 ), stop symbol determination processing is executed for the fourteen varying display areas (step S 34 ). In this processing, determined are symbols to be displayed in the fourteen display areas (varying display areas) other than the center display area q 2   c  (fixing display area) among the fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e , based on random numbers generated by the RNG  112 . 
     The CPU  106  executes image effect control processing (step S 35 ). In this processing, the stop symbols determined in step S 34  are displayed in the varying display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (except q 2   c ). The image effect control processing will be explained later in detail. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  executes payout processing based on the symbols had been displayed in the fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (step S 36 ) The payout processing will be explained later in detail. 
     Next, the image effect control processing of step S 35  in  FIG. 6  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     First, the CPU  106  transmits a command signal to start symbol scrolling to the display controller  140 . The display controller  140  starts symbol scrolling in the fourteen varying display areas on the display  16  on receiving the command signal (step S 50 ). 
     The CPU  106  counts an elapsed time since the symbol scrolling has been started and judges whether or not a predetermined time (e.g. five seconds) has elapsed (step S 51 ). If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S 51 ), the CPU  106  stops symbols sequentially in the fourteen varying display areas other than the central fixing display area q 2   c  (step S 52 ). As a result, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the “SUN” symbol is still displayed in the central fixing display area q 2   c  and symbols are displayed in the other fourteen varying display areas, respectively. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  judges whether or not the specific symbol has appeared in the fourteen varying display areas (step S 53 ). If the specific symbol has not appeared (NO in step S 53 ), this processing is terminated. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the “SUN” symbol is still displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  when the specific symbol (the symbol with a star in q 1   b  shown in  FIG. 11 ) has not appeared in the fourteen varying display areas. 
     On the other hand, if the specific symbol has appeared (YES in step S 53 ), The “WILD” is symbol is displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  (step S 54 ). Specifically, the “SUN” symbol in the fixing display area q 2   c  is changed to the “WILD” symbol when the specific symbol (the symbol with a star) has appeared in the varying display area q 1   b  as shown in  FIG. 11 . And then, this processing is terminated. 
     Next, the payout processing of step S 36  in  FIG. 6  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     First, the CPU  106  judged whether or not a winning combination has been achieved according to symbols displayed in the fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (the fixing display area and the varying display areas) (step S 71 ). At this time, it is judged whether or not a winning combination has been achieved with the “WILD” symbol considered into the judgment when the “WILD” symbol is being displayed. In the example shown in  FIG. 11 , since three “A” symbols are displayed and then it is regarded that four “A” symbols are displayed with the “WILD” symbol included, a five medal award is provided as defined in the awards setting table shown in  FIG. 5  (step S 72 ). 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  judges whether or not another winning combination has been achieved (step S 73 ). For example, in an example shown in  FIG. 11 , since three “K” symbols are displayed other than the “A” symbols and it is regarded that four “K” symbols are displayed with the “WILD” symbol included, a three medal award is provided as defined in the awards setting table shown in  FIG. 5 . As a result, a combined eight medal award is provided with three medals added to five medals due to the “A” symbols (step S 74 ). 
     If no more winning combination has been achieved (NO in step S 73 ), the CPU  106  provides credits or medals corresponding to the summed-up award (step S 75 ). In this manner, the eight medal award is provided in the example shown in  FIG. 11  and then a payout with credits or medals is provided. 
     On the other hand, if no “WILD” symbol has appeared as shown in  FIG. 10 , an award is provided according to symbols displayed in the fourteen varying display areas. In an example shown in  FIG. 10 , since four “UMBRELLA” symbols is displayed, a two medal award is provided as defined in the awards setting table shown in  FIG. 5 . In this manner, the payout processing is executed. 
     As explained above, in the slot machine  10  according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the “WILD” symbol is displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  when the symbol with a star (specific symbol) has appeared in the fourteen display areas (varying display areas) other than the fixing display area q 2   c  among the fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e . Therefore, since a winning amount of an award is varied, an entertainment feature is advanced. 
     Next, a slot machine in a second embodiment according to the present invention will be explained.  FIG. 12  a perspective view showing a configuration of the slot machine  10   a  in the second embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 12 , in the slot machine  10   a  in the second embodiment, three-rows by five-columns first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  are provided on the display. In addition, a second display area Q 1  is provided on an upper-right area to the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e . Furthermore, its electrical configuration is the same as the configuration of the block diagram shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     After starting a slot game, symbol scrolling is started in the varying display areas (other than the fixing display area q 2   c ) among the first display areas and also in the second display area Q 1  and then symbols come to stops. And then, the “SUN” symbol had been displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  is changed to the “WILD” symbol when a “JOKER” symbol (the specific symbol, see  FIG. 17 ) has appeared in the second display area Q 1 . 
     Hereinbelow, slot game execution processing in the slot machine  10   a  according to the second embodiment will be explained with reference to a flow-chart shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     First, the CPU  106  shown in  FIG. 3  accepts a player&#39;s bet with medals or credits (step S 111 ). Specifically, when the player placed a bet with a desired credit amount by pressing the bet switch  25  or inserted medals corresponding to a desired medal amount into the medal insertion slot  25 , the amount is input as a bet amount. 
     The CPU  106  reduces current credits by the credits amount when the bet has been placed by pressing the bet switch  25  (step S 112 ). For example, if a ten-credit bet has been placed under thirty credits, the credits become twenty by reducing. 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the start switch  27  has been pressed (step S 113 ). If the start switch  27  has been pressed (YES in step S 113 ), stop symbol determination processing is executed for the varying display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (except q 2   c ) (step S 114 ). In this processing, determined are symbols to be displayed in the fourteen varying display areas based on random numbers generated by the RNG  112 . 
     Furthermore, the CPU  106  determines a symbol to be displayed in the second display area Q 1  based on a random number generated by the RNG  112  (step S 115 ). 
     The CPU  106  executes image effect control processing (step S 116 ). In this processing, the stop symbols determined in steps S 114  and S 115  are displayed in the varying display areas and the second display area Q 1 . The image effect control processing will be explained later in detail. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  executes payout processing based on the symbols had been displayed in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (step S 117 ). Detail of the payout processing is the same as the above-mentioned processing shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Next, the image effect control processing of step S 116  in  FIG. 13  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 14 . 
     First, the CPU  106  transmits a command signal to start symbol scrolling to the display controller  140 . The display controller  140  starts symbol scrolling in the fourteen varying display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (except q 2   c ) and the second display area Q 1  on the display  16  on receiving the command signal (step S 130 ). 
     The CPU  106  counts an elapsed time since the symbol scrolling has been started and judges whether or not a predetermined time t 1  (e.g. five seconds) has elapsed (step S 131 ). If the predetermined time t 1  has elapsed (YES in step S 131 ), the CPU  106  stops symbols sequentially in the fourteen varying display areas (step S 132 ). As a result, as shown in  FIG. 15 , symbols are displayed in the fourteen varying display areas, respectively. At this time, the “SUN” symbol is still displayed in the central fixing display area q 2   c  and the second display area Q 1  is still under symbol scrolling. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  judges whether or not a predetermined time t 2  (e.g. eight seconds) has elapsed (step S 133 ). If the predetermined time t 2  has elapsed (YES in step S 133 ), the CPU  106  stops a symbol in the second display area (step S 134 ). As a result, there are cases where the second display area Q 2  become blanked as shown in  FIG. 16  and where the “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol) appears in the second display area Q 1  as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol) appears in the second display area Q 1  (step S 135 ). 
     If it is determined that the “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol) appears in the second display area Q 1  (Yes in step S 135 ), the CPU  106  changes the “SUN” symbol displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  to the “WILD” symbol (step S 136 ). For example, the “WILD” symbol is displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  when the “JOKER” symbol has appeared in the second display area Q 1  as shown in  FIG. 17 . The “WILD” symbol can act as an alternative to all other symbols. And then, this processing is terminated. 
     On the other hand, if it is not determined that the “JOKER” symbol appears in the second display area Q 1  (NO in step S 135 ), the symbol in the fixing display area q 2   c  is not changed. For example, the “SUN” symbol in the fixing display area q 2   c  is still being displayed when the second display area Q 2  has become blanked as shown in  FIG. 16 . And then, this processing is terminated. 
     As explained above, in the slot machine  10   a  according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the “SUN” symbol had been displayed in the fixing display area q 2   c  is changed to the “WILD” symbol when the “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol) has appeared in the second display area Q 1 . Therefore, since a winning amount of an award is varied due to an appearance of the “JOKER” symbol in the second display area Q 1 , an entertainment feature is advanced. 
     Next, a modified example of the second embodiment will be explained. In this modified example, two display areas “q 2   b ” and “q 2   d ” are defined as the fixing display areas among the fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  and other thirteen display areas are defined as the varying display areas. Therefore, symbols are scrolled in the thirteen varying display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (except q 2   b  and q 2   d ). Specifically, symbols are scrolled in the thirteen varying display areas other than the two fixing display areas q 2   b  and q 2   d  as shown in  FIG. 18  just after the symbol scrolling has been started. At this time, the “SUM” symbol is displayed in each of the two fixing display areas q 2   b  and q 2   d.    
     And then, symbols come to stops in the thirteen varying display areas and the second display area Q 1  displays the “JOKER” symbol or becomes blanked. If the second display area Q 1  has become blanked as shown in  FIG. 19 , the “SUN” symbols had been displayed in the two fixing display areas q 2   b  and q 2   d  are still being displayed. Therefore, an award is determined based on the symbols displayed in the thirteen varying display areas other than the two fixing display areas q 2   b  and q 2   d.    
     Otherwise, if the second display area Q 1  has displayed the “JOKER” symbol as shown in  FIG. 20 , the “SUN” symbols had been displayed in the two fixing display areas q 2   b  and q 2   d  are changed to the “WILD” symbols. Therefore, an award is determined based on the “WILD” symbols displayed in the two fixing display areas q 2   b  and q 2   d  and the symbols displayed in the thirteen varying display areas. 
     As explained above, in the modified example of the slot machine  10   a  according to the second embodiment, the “WILD” symbols are displayed in the two fixing display areas q 2   b  and q 2   d  when the “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol) has appeared in the second display area Q 1 . Therefore, since a winning amount of an award is varied due to an appearance of the “JOKER” symbol in the second display area Q 1 , an entertainment feature is advanced. 
     Next, a slot machine in a third embodiment according to the present invention will be explained. The overall configuration of the slot machine in the third embodiment is the same as that shown in  FIG. 12 . In addition, its electrical configuration is the same as the configuration of the block diagram shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     After starting a slot game, symbol scrolling is started in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  and also in the second display area Q 1  and then symbols come to stops. And then, if the “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol, see  FIG. 25 ) has appeared in the second display area Q 1 , the “WILD” symbol(s) had been displayed in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  is (are) activated. 
     Hereinbelow, slot game execution processing in the slot machine  10   a  according to the third embodiment will be explained with reference to a flow-chart shown in  FIG. 21 . 
     First, the CPU  106  shown in  FIG. 3  accepts a player&#39;s bet with medals or credits (step S 211 ). Specifically, when the player placed a bet with a desired credit amount by pressing the bet switch  25  or inserted medals corresponding to a desired medal amount into the medal insertion slot  25 , the amount is input as a bet amount. 
     The CPU  106  reduces current credits by the credits amount when the bet has been placed by pressing the bet switch  25  (step S 212 ). For example, if a ten-credit bet has been placed under thirty credits, the credits become twenty by reducing. 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the start switch  27  has been pressed (step S 213 ). If the start switch  27  has been pressed (YES in step S 213 ), stop symbol determination processing is executed for the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (step S 214 ). In this processing, determined are symbols to be displayed in the fifteen first display areas based on random numbers generated by the RNG  112 . 
     Furthermore, the CPU  106  determines a symbol to be displayed in the second display area Q 1  based on a random number generated by the RNG  112  (step S 215 ). 
     The CPU  106  executes image effect control processing (step S 216 ). In this processing, the stop symbols determined in steps S 214  and S 215  are displayed in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  and the second display area Q 1 . The image effect control processing will be explained later in detail. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  executes payout processing based on the symbols had been displayed in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (step S 217 ). Detail of the payout processing is the same as the above-mentioned processing shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Next, the image effect control processing of step S 216  in  FIG. 21  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 22 . 
     First, the CPU  106  transmits a command signal to start symbol scrolling to the display controller  140 . The display controller  140  starts symbol scrolling in the fifteen first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  and the second display area Q 1  on the display  16  on receiving the command signal (step S 230 ). 
     The CPU  106  counts an elapsed time since the symbol scrolling has been started and judges whether or not a predetermined time t 1  (e.g. five seconds) has elapsed (step S 231 ). If the predetermined time t 1  has elapsed (YES in step S 231 ), the CPU  106  stops symbols sequentially in the fifteen first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (step S 232 ). As a result, as shown in  FIG. 23 , symbols are displayed in the fifteen first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e , respectively. The second display area Q 1  is still under symbol scrolling. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  judges whether or not a predetermined time t 2  (e.g. eight seconds) has elapsed (step S 233 ). If the predetermined time t 2  has elapsed (YES in step S 233 ), the CPU  106  stops a symbol in the second display area (step S 234 ). As a result, there are cases where the second display area Q 2  become blanked as shown in  FIG. 24  and where the “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol) appears in the second display area Q 1  as shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the “WILD” symbol(s) appears in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (step S 235 ). And then, if no “WILD” symbol appears (NO in step  235 ), this processing is terminated. If the “WILD” symbol(s) appears (YES in step S 235 ), the CPU  106  judges whether or not the “JOKER” symbol appears in the second display area Q 1  (step S 236 ). 
     If it is determined that the “JOKER” symbol appears in the second display area Q 1  (YES in step S 236 ), the CPU  106  changes activates the “WILD” symbol(s) displayed in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (step S 237 ). For example, the “WILD” symbols had been displayed in the two first display areas q 1   a  and q 2   d  are activated when the “JOKER” symbol has appeared in the second display area Q 1  as shown in  FIG. 25 . The activated “WILD” symbol can act as an alternative to all other symbols. 
     On the other hand, if it is not determined that the “JOKER” symbol appears in the second display area Q 1  (NO in step S 236 ), the symbol(s) had been displayed in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  is deactivated (step S 238 ). For example, the “WILD” symbols had been displayed in the two first display areas q 1   a  and q 2   d  are deactivated when the second display area Q 1  has become blanked as shown in  FIG. 24 . The deactivated “WILD” symbol cannot act as an alternative to all other symbols. And then, this processing is terminated. 
     As explained above, in the slot machine  10   a  according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the “WILD” symbol(s) had been displayed in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  is activated when the “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol) has appeared in the second display area Q 1 . Otherwise, the “WILD” symbol(s) had been displayed in the first display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  is deactivated when the “JOKER” symbol has not appeared in the second display area Q 1 . Therefore, since a winning amount of an award is varied due to an appearance of the “JOKER” symbol in the second display area Q 1 , an entertainment feature is advanced. 
     Next, a slot machine in a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIG. 26 . As shown in  FIG. 26 , the slot machine  10   b  in the fourth embodiment includes a cabinet  11 , a top box  12  provided on top of the cabinet  11  and a main door  13 . The cabinet  11  has a display  16  disposed on its plane facing a player. In addition, various component devices are disposed within the cabinet  11 , such as the controller  40  (see  FIG. 27 ) for electrically controlling the slot machine  10   b  and a hopper  44  (see  FIG. 27 ) for controlling an insertion, pooling, and a cash-out of medals. 
     Here in the present embodiment, medals are used for gaming media used at game executions. However, gaming media are not limited to medals only. For example, coins, tokens, electronic money or other equivalent electronic value information (credits) may be also used as gaming media. 
     The main door  13  is attached to the cabinet  11  so that it can be opened and closed. The display  16  is disposed on an upper portion of the main door  13 . In addition, five windows  16   a  to  16   e , through which the inside behind the display  16  can be seen, are provided on the display  16 . The display  16  is configured by a transmissive liquid crystal panel, with which each of areas within the five windows  16   a  to  16   e  is set in a transmissive state and a remaining area is set as an image-displaying area. 
     In addition, a display area Q 1  for displaying a symbol is provided on an upper-right area on the display  16 . Furthermore, as explained later, a spinning reel device  53  including five reels  53   a  to  53   e  is provided within the cabinet  11  behind the display  16 . Therefore a player at the slot machine  10   b  can see the reels  53   a  to  53   e  provided behind the windows  16   a  to  16   e . Tree symbols drawn on each of circumferential surfaces of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  can be seen when the reels  53   a  to  53   e  are being stopped. In other words, the player can see total fifteen symbols in a three-rows by five columns matrix manner through the windows  16   a  to  16   e  when the reels  53   a  to  53   e  of the spinning reel device  53  are being stopped. 
     The spinning reel device  53  includes the five reels  53   a  to  53   e  each corresponding to the windows  16   a  to  16   e  on the window  16  as shown in  FIG. 28A  and  FIG. 28B . In addition, the reels  53   a  to  53   e  are coupled with driving motors  56   a  to  56   e , respectively. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 29 , twenty-one symbols are drawn at even intervals on each circumferential surface of the reels  53   a  to  53   e . These symbols are composed of eight symbols “WILD”, “LIGHTING”, “$”, “A”, “K”, “Q”, “J” and “UMBRELLA”. 
     And then, three symbols on each of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  can be seen through the corresponding windows  16   a  to  16   e  by the player. Therefore, symbols are arranged and then rearranged by spinning/being-stopped of the reels  53   a  to  53   e.    
     In addition, a payout counter  48  for displaying a payout amount is disposed at the lower-left area on the display  16  shown in  FIG. 26 . 
     A medal insertion slot  21 , into which medals are inserted at game plays, and a bill validator  22 , which validates bills and accepts valid ones, are disposed beneath the display  16 . Various operational switches are disposed nearby the medal insertion slot  21  and the bill validator  22 . 
     A cash-out switch  23 , a max-bet switch  24 , a bet switch  25 , a spin/repeat-bet switch  26  and the start switch  27  are provided as the operational switches. 
     The bet switch  25  is a switch for determining a bet amount on each slot game executed by on the display  16 . Each time the bet switch  25  is pressed, one credit corresponding to one medal is bet. 
     The spin/repeat-bet switch  26  is a switch for placing a bet again on a current slot game without changing a bet amount had been placed by the bet switch  25  on the last slot game. 
     The start switch  27  is a switch for starting a slot game after a bet with desired credits has been placed by the bet switch  25 . A slot game is started with the spinning reel device  53  after a bet has been placed by a medal(s) insertion into the medal insertion slot  21  or by the bet switch  25  and then the start switch  27  has been pressed. 
     The cash-out switch  23  is a switch for cashing out medals being inserted. The medals to be cashe dout are discharged from a medal cash-out chute  28  opened in the front lower part of the main door  13  and then pooled on a medal tray  18 . 
     The max-bet switch  24  is a switch for betting maximum credits amount (e.g. equivalent to thirty medals) that can be bet on a single game by one pressing. 
     A foot display  34  is disposed on the lower front of the main door  13  to display various images relating to games of the slot machine  10   b . These images are, for example, characters of the slot machine  10   b  and so on. 
     Lamps  47  are disposed on both side of the foot display  34  to be illuminated based on preset illuminating patterns for the slot machine  10   b . The medal cash-out chute  28  is disposed beneath the foot display  34 . 
     An upper display  33  is disposed on the front of the top box  12 . The upper display  33  has a display panel to display relationships between the number of displayed symbols and awards, etc. 
     In addition, speakers  29  are provided on the top box  12 . A ticket printer  35 , a card reader  36 , a data display  37  and a keypad  38  are disposed beneath the upper display  33 . The ticket printer  35  prints a bar-code, which contains data, such as a credit amount, time and date and an identification number of the slot machine  10   b , on a ticket and outputs it as a bar-code ticket  39 . 
     A player can play games at another slot machine with the bar-code ticket  39  being read by the other slot machine, and can exchange the bar-code ticket  39  for bills and so on at a predetermined site in an amusement facility (e.g. a cashier in a casino). 
     A smart card can be inserted into the card reader  36 , and the card reader  36  reads data from the inserted smart card and writes data onto the smart card. A smart card is carried by a player and stores the player&#39;s identification data, gaming history data of games played by the player and so on. 
       FIG. 27  is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the controller  40  and various components connected to the controller  40 , which are provided within the slot machine  10   b  of the present embodiment. The controller  40  of the slot machine  10  shown in  FIG. 22  is a microcomputer and includes interface circuits  102 , an I/O bus  104 , a CPU  106 , a ROM  108 , a RAM  110 , a signal communication I/F circuit  111 , an RNG  112 , a speaker drive circuit  122 , a hopper drive circuit  124 , a display control circuit  128 , a display controller  140 , a motor driving circuit  51  and a reel position detecting circuit  52 . 
     The interface circuits  102  are connected to the I/O bus  104  and the I/O bus  104  transmits data signals and address signals with the CPU  106 . 
     The start switch  27  is connected to the interface circuits  102 . A start command output from the start switch  27  is transmitted to the CPU  106  via the I/O bus  104  after converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuits  102 . 
     Furthermore, the bet switch  25 , the max-bet switch  24 , the spin/repeat-bet switch  26  and the cash-out switch  23  are connected to the interface circuits  102 . A switching signal output from each of the switches  25 ,  14 ,  26  and  23  is transmitted to the CPU  106  via the I/O bus  104  after converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuits  102 . 
     In addition, a medal sensor  43  is connected to the interface circuits  102 . The medal sensor  43  is a sensor for detecting a medal(s) has been inserted into the medal insertion slot  21  and disposed inside the medal insertion slot  21 . A detection signal output from the medal sensor  43  is transmitted to the CPU  106  via the I/O bus  104  after converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuits  102 . 
     In addition, the ROM  108  for storing system programs and the RAM  110  for storing various data are connected to the I/O bus  104 . Furthermore, the RNG  112 , the signal communication I/F circuit  111 , the display controller  140 , the hopper drive circuit  124 , the speaker drive circuit  122 , the display control circuit  128  the motor driving circuit  51  and the reel position detecting circuit  52  are connected to the I/O bus  104 . 
     The CPU  106  is triggered by the start switch  27  receiving a game start operation and then reads out the game execution programs from the ROM  108  to execute a slot game. The game execution programs are programs for executing a slot game by driving the driving motors  56   a  to  56   e  of the spinning reel device  53  via the motor driving circuit  51 . 
     Specifically, the game execution programs are programmed to execute a slot game, in which the reels  53   a  to  53   e  are stopped (symbols had been arranged are rearranged) after scrolling symbols drawn on the circumferential surfaces of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  by spinning the reels  53   a  to  53   e  of the spinning reel device  53  and an award is provided based on symbols visible trough the windows  16   a  to  16   e  (total fifteen three-rows by five-columns symbols). 
     The signal communication I/F circuit  111  is connected to a hall server etc. and transmits gaming history data of the slot machine  10   b  etc. to the hall server. In addition, the signal communication I/F circuit  111  receives various data transmitted from the hall server. 
     The RNG  112  generates random numbers for determining whether or not to achieve a winning combination in a slot game executed on the display  16 . 
     The display control circuit  128  controls displaying a payout amount on the payout counter  48  provided at the lower-left area on the display  16 . 
     The speaker drive circuit  122  outputs sound data to the speakers  29 . Specifically, the CPU  106  reads the sound data stored in the ROM  108  and transmits the sound data to the speaker drive circuit  122  via the I/O bus  104 . As a result, predetermined effect sounds are output from the speakers  29 . 
     The hopper drive circuit  124  outputs a cash-out command to the hopper  44  when providing a cash-out. Specifically, the CPU  106  outputs a drive command to the hopper drive circuit  124  via the I/O bus  104  when receiving the cash-out command from the cash-out switch  23 . As a result, the hopper  44  cashes out medals equivalent to current credits stored in a prescribed memory area within the RAM  110 . 
     The display controller  140  controls displaying executions of slot games on the display  16 . Specifically, the CPU  106  generates an image display command according to a status and a game result of a slot game and then outputs the image display command to the display controller  140  via the I/O bus  104 . On receiving the image display command, the display controller  140  generates a drive command for the display  16  based on the image display command and then outputs the drive command to the display  16 . As a result, prescribed images are displayed on the display  16 . In addition, The “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol) may be displayed in the display area Q 1  on the display  16 . 
     The motor driving circuit  51  executes a control to spin the reels  53   a  to  53   e  when receiving a drive command signal from the CPU  106  by the start switch  27  being pressed after a slot game has been started and then stop the reels  53   a  to  53   e  when a predetermined time (e.g. five seconds) has elapsed. 
     The reel position detecting circuit  52  receives detecting signals from sensors  54   a  to  54   e  provided nearby the reels  53   a  to  53   e  to detect stop positions of the reels  53   a  to  53   e . Specifically, identification data is allocated to each symbol on the reels  53   a  to  53   e  as magnetic data, a bar-code and so on. The stop positions of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  can be detected by reading out the identification data by the sensors  54   a  to  54   e  provided correspondingly to the reels  53   a  to  53   e , respectively. As a result, total fifteen three-rows by five-columns symbols displayed in the windows  16   a  to  16   e  can be detected. 
     Next, operations of the slot machine  10   b  in the fourth embodiment will be explained with reference to flow-charts shown in  FIG. 30 ,  FIG. 31  and  FIG. 32 .  FIG. 30  is a flow-chart showing procedures in slot game execution processing executed by the slot machine  10   b  in the fourth embodiment. 
     First, the CPU  106  shown in  FIG. 27  accepts a player&#39;s bet with medals or credits (step S 151 ). Specifically, when the player placed a bet with a desired credit amount by pressing the bet switch  25  or inserted medals corresponding to a desired medal amount into the medal insertion slot  25 , the amount is input as a bet amount. 
     The CPU  106  reduces current credits by the credits amount when the bet has been placed by pressing the bet switch  25  (step S 152 ). For example, if a ten-credit bet has been placed under thirty credits, the credits become twenty by reducing. 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the start switch  27  has been pressed (step S 153 ). If the start switch  27  has been pressed (YES in step S 153 ), stop symbol determination processing is executed (step S 154 ). In this processing, stop positions of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  are determined based on random numbers generated by the RNG  112 . 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  determines a symbol to be displayed in the display area Q 1  (step S 155 ). In this process, it is determined whether the “JOKER” symbol is to be displayed in the display area Q 1  or the display area Q 1  is to become blanked. 
     The CPU  106  executes reel control processing to stop the reels  53   a  to  53   e  sequentially at the determined symbols (step S 156 ). The reel control processing will be explained later in detail. 
     The CPU  106  executes image effect control processing (step S 157 ). In this processing, the symbol determined in step S 155  is displayed in the display area Q 1 . The image effect control processing will be explained later in detail. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  executes payout processing based on the symbols had been displayed on the front sides of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  (the symbols in positions corresponding to the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  in the second embodiment) and the symbol in the display area Q 1  (step S 158 ). The payout processing will be explained later in detail. This payout processing is the same as the processing shown in  FIG. 8  and explained in the first embodiment. 
     Next, the reel control processing of step S 156  in  FIG. 30  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 31 . 
     The CPU  106  shown in  FIG. 27  transmits a spinning drive command for the reels  53   a  to  53   e  to the motor driving circuit  51  when the start switch  27  has been pressed. Furthermore, a timer is set within the RAM  110  to count the elapsed time T from a spinning start of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  (step S 171 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 1  (step S 172 ). If T is equal-to or more-than T 1  (YES in step S 172 ), the reel  53   a  is stopped (step S 173 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 2  (step S 174 ). If T is equal-to or more-than T 2  (YES in step S 174 ), the reel  53   b  is stopped (step S 175 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 3  (step S 176 ). If T is equal-to or more-than T 3  (YES in step S 176 ), the reel  53   c  is stopped (step S 177 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 4  (step S 178 ). If T is equal-to or more than T 4  (YES in step S 178 ), the reel  53   d  is stopped (step S 179 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 5  (step S 180 ). If T is equal-to or more than T 5  (YES in step S 180 ), the reel  53   e  is stopped (step S 181 ). In this manner, the five reels  53   a  to  53   e  are stopped sequentially from the left side. 
     Next, the image effect control processing of step S 157  in  FIG. 30  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 32 . 
     First, the CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time from the spinning start of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  has reached the predetermined time T 5  (step S 191 ). In other words, it is judged whether or not all of the five reels  53   a  to  53   e  have come to stops. 
     If the predetermined time T 5  has elapsed (YES in step S 191 ), a symbol is stopped in the display area Q 1  (step S 192 ). As a result, the “JOKER” symbol (specific symbol) is displayed in the display area Q 1  or the display area Q 1  becomes blanked. These displays are the same as the above-mentioned displays shown in  FIG. 24  and  FIG. 25 . 
     Subsequently, a payout is awarded according to the symbols displayed by the reels  53   a  to  53   e  and the symbol displayed in display area Q 1 . In this manner, a slot game is executed. 
     As explained above, in the slot machine  10   b  according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, total fifteen three-rows by five-columns symbols are displayed in the windows  16   a  to  16   e  on the display  16  by spinning and then being-stopped of the reels  53   a  to  53   e . In addition, a symbol is displayed in the display area Q 1  provided at the upper-right area on the display  16 . And then, the “WILD” symbol(s) is activated when the “WILD” symbol(s) had been displayed in the windows  16   a  to  16   e  and also the “JOKER” symbol has displayed in the display area Q 1 . Therefore, since a winning amount of an award is varied due to an appearance of the “JOKER” symbol, an entertainment feature is advanced. 
     In addition, since a symbol is stopped in the display area Q 1  after all of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  have come to stops, a player can feel a sense of expectant. 
     Although embodiments of the present invention have been described as above, they are only presented as concrete examples, without particularly limiting the present invention. Concrete arrangements of respective units may be changed in design as appropriate. In addition, the effects set forth in the embodiments of the present invention are merely an enumeration of the most preferred effect which occurs from the present invention, and the effects by the present invention is not limited to those set forth in the embodiments of the present invention. 
     In the above detailed description, mainly characteristic portions have been set forth so that the present invention can be understood more easily. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth in the above detailed description and can be applied to other embodiments, with a wide range of applications. In addition, terms and wordings used in the present specification are used to precisely explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Also, those skilled in the art will easily conceive, from the concept of the invention set forth in the present specification, other arrangements, systems or methods included in the concept of the present invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the scope of the claims includes equivalent arrangements without deviating from the scope of technical ideas of the present invention. In addition, the purpose of the abstract is to facilitate the Patent Office and general public institutions, or engineers in the technological field who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or specific terms to quickly evaluate technical contents and the essence of this application by simple investigation. Therefore, the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which should be evaluated by descriptions of the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is desirable to take into consideration the already disclosed literatures sufficiently in order to completely understand the objects and specific effects of the present invention. 
     The above detailed description includes processes executed by a computer. The aforementioned descriptions and expressions are described with a purpose that those skilled in the art will understand them most efficiently. In the present specification, each step used for deriving one result should be understood as a self-consistent process. Also, transmission, reception and recording of electric or magnetic signals are executed in each step. In the processes in respective steps, although such signals are expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms or numerals, it should be noted that these are merely used for convenience of explanation. Additionally, although the processes in respective steps may be described using an expression common to human activities, the processes described in the present specification are executed, in principle, by a variety of devices. Furthermore, other arrangements required to execute respective steps are self-evident from the aforementioned description.