Patent Publication Number: US-2007123337-A1

Title: Gaming machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
      The present application is based upon and claims priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-340793, filed on Nov. 2005, the entire content of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, the gaming machine that provides an interactive bonus game to a player.  
     BACKCGROUND  
      Conventionally, a gaming machine has been proposed which has a bonus game in which a bomb is put in one of plural blocks, and when a player selects the block in which the bomb is put, displaying awards, which to be acquired by the player, allocated to neighboring blocks. If a player-selects the bomb-loaded block, the player can acquire the total of awards allocated to the neighboring blocks. Such a gaming machine can increase the interest of games because an award a player can acquire can be increased by selecting the bomb-loaded block.  
      Examples of such gaming machines are disclosed in the documents listed below.  
      (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,137 B2  
      (2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,944 B2  
      (3) US 2005/0064929 A1  
      However, in the above-described conventional gaming machine, the award the player acquires in the bonus game is increased when the player selects a privilege-providing block from a plurality of blocks that are all selectable by the player. Thus configured bonus game might cause a player to feel the bonus game to be monotonous when the player plays games continuously for a long time.  
     SUMMARY  
      One of objects of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing interest of a player to a game by providing a privilege which the player acquires in a manner that is not directly related to a selecting manipulation by the player.  
      According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine including: a display device; all input device; and a processor that is operable to perform a game. The processor is operable with the display device to: (a) display a plurality of first selectable elements and a second selectable element; (b) allow a player to select at least one of the first selectable elements through the input device; (c) select the second selectable element if the player selects one of the first selectable elements that is associated with the second selectable element; and (d) provide an award to the player in accordance with the selected first selectable element and the selected second selectable element. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In the accompanying drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine as a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  shows nine variable display blocks of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 3  shows eight activated pay lines of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a liquid crystal drive circuit of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 6  shows an array of symbols (video reel) that are variably displayed (scrolled) in the variable display blocks;  
       FIG. 7  shows a stop display symbol lottery table which is used when a game is performed by using the variable display blocks;  
       FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram of an award table showing winning combinations and their awards which is used when a game is performed by using the variable display blocks;.  
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of an exemplary main process of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an exemplary start reception process of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart of an exemplary lottery process of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart of an exemplary base game process of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of an exemplary bonus game process of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 14  shows an example that a scatter symbol is stop-displayed in three variable display blocks of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 15  shows an image that is displayed on a lower liquid crystal display when advancement is made to a SHELL CHANCE GAME in the slot machine;  
       FIG. 16  is a table which is used in determining the content of each shell in the SHELL CHANCE GAME;  
       FIG. 17  shows an exemplary image showing the content of each shell on the lower liquid crystal display in the SHELL CHANCE  
       FIG. 18  shows exemplary images which are displayed on an upper liquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display when a TREASURE BONUS GAME is performed in the slot machine;  
       FIG. 19  is a flowchart of an exemplary treasure bonus process of the slot machine;  
       FIG. 20  shows a table which is used in determining the content of each normal treasure box in the TREASURE BONUS GAME;  
       FIG. 21  shows a table which is used in determining the content of each special treasure box in the TREASURE BONUS GAME;  
       FIG. 22  shows other exemplary images which are displayed on the upper liquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display when the TREASURE BONUS GAME is performed in the slot machine; and  
       FIG. 23  shows further exemplary images which are displayed on the upper liquid-crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display when the TREASURE BONUS GAME is performed in to slot machine. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      A slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail with reference to the drawings.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine a. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the slot machine  1  has a cabinet  2  as a framework of the entire slot machine  1 . An upper liquid crystal display  3  occupies a front-top portion of the cabinet  2 , and a lower liquid crystal display  4  occupies a front-middle portion of the cabinet  2  so as to be placed inside an apparatus front panel  20 . The upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4  are general-purpose liquid crystal displays, and a transparent touch panel  201  is placed on the front surface of the lower liquid crystal display  4 . The upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4  serve as a display device.  
      Pieces of information relating to a game such as a gaming method, an award table  123  (see  FIG. 8  (referred to later)) showing kinds of winning combinations and their awards, and various kinds of representation which relate to a game are displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , nine variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , eight activated pay lines L 1 -L 8  at the maximum are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 . Symbols constituting a video reel  100  (see  FIG. 6  (referred to later)) are variably displayed in each of the variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C so as to be scrolled leftward.  
      A manipulation table  5  is disposed below the lower liquid crystal display  4  so as to project to the front side. A CHANGE button  6 , a CASHOUT button  7 , and a HELP button  8  are arranged in this order rightward on the manipulation table  5 . A coin insertion slot  9  and a bill insertion slot  10  are provided on the right of the HELP button  8 . Furthermore, a 1-bet button  11 , a SPIN/REPEATBET button  12 , a 3-BET button  13 , a 5-BET button  14 , and an 8-BET button  15  are arranged in this order rightward on a front portion of the manipulation table  5 .  
      The CHANGE button  6  is a button which is pressed in changing a bill that is inserted through the bill insertion slot  10 . The CASHOUT button  7  is a button which is pressed when a game has is finished. When the CASHOUT button  7  is pressed, coins as game medium, acquired by the game are paid out to a coin receiving tray  17  through a coin payout opening  16 . The HELP button  8  is a button which is pressed when a game manipulation method, for example, is unknown. When the HELP button  8  is pressed, a proper one of various kinds of help information is displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3 .  
      A coin sensor  65  (described later), which is disposed adjacent to the coin insertion slot  9 , detects an inserted coin. A bill sensor  66  (described later), which is disposed adjacent to the bill insertion slot  10 , detects an inserted bill. The 1-BET button  11  is a button which effects one bet each time it is pressed. The SPIN/REPEATBET button  12  is a button for starting variable display of the symbols on the variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C of the lower liquid crystal display  4  with a current number of bets or a previous number of bets when pressed. The numbers of possible bets that can be effected by pressing the SPIN/REPEATBET button  12  are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8.  
      The 3-BET button  13  is a button for starting a game with three bets when pressed. The 5-BET button  14  is a button for starting a game with five bets when pressed. The 8-BET button  15  is a button for starting a game with eight bets when pressed. The cabinet  2  is formed with the coin payout opening  16  at a bottom position, and the coin receiving tray  16  for receiving coins paid through the coin, payout opening  16  is provided at the bottom of the cabinet  2 .  
      As described above, because of the presence of the 1-BET button  11 , the SPIN/REPEATBET button  12 , the 3-BET button  13 , the 5-BET button  14 , and the 8-BET button  15 , 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 bets are possible. In this connection, a predetermined one activated pay line is displayed when the number of bets is one. Predetermined two activated pay lines are displayed when the number of bets is two. Predetermined three activated pay lines are displayed when the number of bets is three. Predetermined five activated pay lines are displayed when the number of bets is five. The activated pay lines L 1 -L 8  (i.e., the maximum number of activated pay lines) are displayed when the number of bets is eight.  
      Next, a configuration relating to a control system of the slot machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a block diagram schematically showing the control system of the slot machine  1 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the control system of the slot machine  1  is basically built around a CPU  50  which serves as a controller. A ROM  51  and a RAM  52  a reconnected to the CPU  50 . Various programs, data tables, etc. for execution of processes necessary for controlling the slot machine  1  such as a main process, a start reception process, a lottery process, a base game process, an bonus game process, and a lottery table for determining, by a lottery, stop display symbols of a game (described later) are stored in the ROM  51 . The RAM  52  is a memory for temporarily storing various kinds of data as results of computation by the CPU  50 .  
      This embodiment is not limited to the case that the programs, data, etc. that are used for controlling the slot machine  1  are stored in the ROM  51  or the RAM  52  in advance and may be changed when necessary. For example, similar programs, data, etc. may be stored in a recording medium such as a Compact Flash (registered trademark) card and downloaded to the ROM  51  or the like from the recording medium.  
      A clock pulse generation circuit  53  for generating reference clock pulses and a frequency divider  54  are connected to the CPU  50 . A random number generator  55  for generating a random number and a random number sampling circuit  56  are also connected to the CPU  50 . A random number that is sampled through the random number sampling circuit  56  is used for various lotteries for determining a winning combination etc. A spin switch  57  which accompanies the SPIN/REPEATBET button  12 , a 1-BET switch  58  which accompanies the 1-BET button  11 , a 3-BET switch  59  which accompanies the 3-BET button  13 , a 5-BET switch  60  which accompanies the 5-BET button  14 , an 8-BET switch  61  which accompanies the 8-BET button  15 , a CHANGE switch  62  which accompanies the CHANGE button  6 , a CASHOUT switch  63  which accompanies the CASHOUT button  7 , and a HELP switch  64  which accompanies the HELP button  8  are also connected to the CPU  50 . When each button is pressed, the CPU  50  performs a control to perform one of various operations corresponding to the button on the basis of a switch signal that is output from the corresponding switch.  
      The coin sensor  65  which is disposed adjacent to the coin insertion slot  9  and the bill sensor  66  which is disposed adjacent to the bill insertion slot  10  are also connected to the CPU  30 . The coin sensor  65  detects coins that are inserted through the coin insertion slot  9 , and the CPU  50  performs computation to determine the number of inserted coins on the basis of coin detection signals that are output from the coin sensor  65 . The bill sensor  66  detects a kind/amount of money of a bill that as inserted through the bill insertion slot  10 , and the CPU  50  performs computation to determine the number of coins that is equivalent to the amount of money of the bill on the basis of a bill detection signal that is output from the bill sensor  66 .  
      A hopper  71  is connected to the CPU  50  via a hopper drive circuit  70 . When a drive signal is output from the CPU  50  to the hopper drive circuit  70 , the hopper  71  pays out a predetermined number of coins through the coin payout opening  16 . A coin detection unit  73  is connected to the CPU  50  via a payout completion signal circuit  72 . The coin detection unit  73  is disposed inside the coin payout opening  16 . When detecting that a predetermined number of coins have been paid out through the coin payout opening  16 , the coin detection unit  73  outputs, to the payout completion signal circuit  72 , a coin payout detection signal, based on which the payout completion signal circuit  72  outputs a payout completion signal to the CPU  50 ,  
      The upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4  are connected to the CPU  50  via a liquid crystal drive circuit  74 , and the CPU  50  controls the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the liquid crystal drive circuit  74  is composed of a program ROM  81 , an image ROM  82 , an image control CPU  83 , a work RAM  84 , a VDP (video display processor)  85 , a video RAM  86 , etc.  
      An image control program relating to display on the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4  and various selection tables are stored in the program ROM  81  shown in  FIG. 5 . For example, dot data etc. for formation of images such as various images for demonstration representation and a TREASURE BONUS GAME to be displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4 , various kinds of help information and award tables to be displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3 , and various symbols of the video reel  100  (see  FIG. 6 ) to be displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  are stored in the image ROM  82 . The image control CPU  83  determines images to be displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3  and/or the lower liquid crystal display  4  among the dot data stored in the image Rom  82  in advance according to the image control program stored in the program ROM  81  in advance on the basis of parameters set by the CPU  50 . The work RAM  84  is a temporary storage which is used when the image control CPU  83  runs the image control program. The VDP  85  generates image data corresponding to a display content determined by the image control CPU  83  and outputs the generated image data to the upper liquid crystal display  3  and/or the lower liquid crystal display  4 . As a result, the various symbols of the video reel  100  (see  FIG. 6 ) are variably displayed or stop-displayed in each of the variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C. The video RAM  86  serves as a temporary storage when the VDP  85  forms an image.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the transparent touch panel  201  is connected to the CPU  50  via a touch panel drive circuit  202 .  
      Placed on the surface of the lower liquid-crystal display  4 , the transparent touch panel  201  outputs, via the touch panel drive circuit  202 , coordinate information of a position of a touch by a player to allow the CPU  50  to determine the touch position.  
      In the embodiment, the transparent touch panel  201  and the buttons  11 - 15  serve as an input device.  
      LEDs  78  are connected to the CPU  50  via an LED drive circuit  77 . A plurality of LEDs  78  are arranged on the front side of the slot machine  1 , and are controlled (i.e., turned on/off) by the LED drive circuit  77  on the basis of a drive signal from the CPU  50  in performing various kinds of representation. A sound output circuit  79  and a speaker  80  are also connected to the CPU  50 . The speaker  80  produces various sound effects on the basis of an output signal of the sound output circuit  79  in performing various kinds of representation.  
      Next, the symbols used in games of the slot machine  1  will be described.  FIG. 6  shows an array of symbols (video reel) which are variably displayed (scrolled) in each of the variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C of the lower liquid crystal display  4  when a game is performed. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the symbol array consists of ten symbols that are a scatter  101 , a turtle  102 , a stonefish  103 , a sea horse  104 , a hermit crab  105 , a box fish  106 , an ammonite  107 , a yellow-tailed anemone fish  108 , a seal  109 , and a marlin  110  which constitute the video reel  100 .  
      These symbols of the video reel  100  are stop-displayed in each of the nine variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C according to a lottery table shown in  FIG. 7 . FIG  7  shows a stop display symbol lottery table which is used when a game is performed by using the nine variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C. The lottery table of  FIG. 7  is stored in the ROM  51 .  
      Symbols to be stop-displayed in the respective variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C are determined for the respective variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C. To this end, code numbers “0” to “9” are assigned to the respective symbols of the video reel  100  in left-to-right order in  FIG. 6  and the lottery table shown in  FIG. 7  is provided. Nine random numbers corresponding to the respective variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C are sampled through the random number sampling circuit  56 .  
      As for the symbols constituting the video reel  100  for the variable display block  23 A, as shown in  FIG. 7 , if a random number sampled through the random number sampling circuit  56  is in a range of “0” to “1,” the symbol of the scatter  101  to which the code number “0” is assigned is stop-displayed in the variable display block  23 A. The symbols to which the other code numbers are assigned are likewise stop-displayed according to the lottery table shown in  FIG. 7 . The symbols constituting the reel  100  for each of the other variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 B- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C are handled in the same manner as the symbols constituting the reel  100  for the variable display block  23 A.  
      After the symbols constituting the reel  100  have been variably displayed (scrolled) in each of the variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C, one of those symbols is stop-displayed there. Various combinations of symbols are set in advance as winning combinations (see  FIG. 8  (referred to later)). If symbols corresponding to a winning combination are stopped on one of activated pay lines (L 1 -L 8 ), coins are paid out through the coin payout opening  16  according to the winning combination as in the case of conventional slot machines$ Therefore, this feature will not be described any further.  
      Next, a description will be made of winning combinations and their awards that are used when a game is performed in the slot machine  1  by using the nine variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C.  FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram of an award table showing winning combinations and their awards which are used when a game is performed by using the nine variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C.  
      The award table  123  shown in  FIG. 8  is composed of an ANY-odds award table  121  and a LINE-odds award table  122  and is stored in the ROM  51 .  
      The ANY-odds award table  121  shows, for each symbol, an award corresponding to the number of same symbols that are stop-displayed in the variable display blocks (see  FIG. 2 ) on activated pay lines (see  FIG. 3 ) being displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 . For example, if the code number of symbols that are stop-displayed in five, on the activated pay lines, of the nine variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C is one of “2” to “19,” a winning combination “ANY-5 of turtle” is established (see  FIG. 7 ). In this case, the turtle  102  is then displayed in each of the five variable display blocks on the activated pay lines (see  FIG. 6 ) and the player acquires an award “1.” Likewise, awards for other kinds of ANY-odds winning combinations are determined according to the ANY-odds award table  121  shown in  FIG. 8 .  
      The LINE-odds award table  122  shows, for each symbol, an award corresponding to each activated pay line (displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 ) all the variable display blocks on which have the same symbol being stop-displayed. For example, if the code number of symbols that are stop-displayed in all the variable display blocks on one activated pay line among the-nine variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C is one of “2” to “19,” a winning combination “turtle-turtle-turtle” is established for the activated pay line (see  FIG. 7 ). In this case, the turtle  102  is then displayed in all the variable display blocks on the activated pay line concerned and the player acquires an award “5.” If there are plural activated pay lines for which the winning combination “turtle-turtle-turtle” is established, the player acquires an award that is equal to “5” multiplied by the number of these activated pay lines. Likewise, awards for other kinds of LINE-odds winning combinations are determined according to the LINE-odds award table  122  shown in  FIG. 8 , If the code numbers of symbols that are stop-displayed in three or more variable display blocks on the activated pay lines being displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  among the nine variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C are “0” (i.e., the symbol is the scatter  101 ) and a SHELL CHANCE GAME is thereafter performed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 . The SHELL CHANCE GAME will be described later.  
      Next, an exemplary operation of the above-configured slot machine  1  will be described.  
      In the embodiment, the CPU  50  serves as a processor that is operable to perform a game process for providing a game to the player.  
      First, an example of a main process which is performed in the slot machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the exemplary main process. As soon as the slot machine  1  (more specifically, the CPU  50 ) starts the main process, a start reception process is performed at step S 11 . The start reception process is a process for receiving a switch signal that is output from the spin switch  57 , the 1-BET switch  58 , the 3-BET switch  59 , the 5-BET switch  60 , or the 8-BET switch  61  in response to a manipulation of the SPIN/REPEATBET button  12 , the 1-BET button  11 , the 3-BET button  13 , the 5-BET button  14 , or the 8-BET button  15 . A game is started upon reception of the switch signal from the switches.  
      Herein, the CPU  50  is enabling the player to initiate a slot game as a base game by making a bet (first bet) through the buttons  11 - 15 .  
      The start reception process which is performed in the slot machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an exemplary start reception process. At step S 11  of the main process shown in  FIG. 9 , first, at step S 21  the CPU  50  determines whether or not a predetermined time (e.g., 15 seconds) has elapsed. When determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed yet (S 21 : no), the CPU  50  proceeds to step S 23  without performing any processing. On the other hand, When determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S 21 : yes), the CPU  50  performs, at step S 22 , a demonstration representation process using the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4  and proceeds to step S 23 . The demonstration representation process is performed according to a predetermined representation pattern.  
      At step S 23 , the CPU  50  determines whether or not the SPIN/REPEATBET button  12 , the 1-BET button  11 , the 3-BET button  13 , the 5-BET button  14 , or the 8-BET button  15  has been manipulated. When determined that none of the 1-BET button  11  etc. have been manipulated (S 23 : no), the CPU  50  returns to step S 21  and performs the above steps again. On the other hand, When determined that one of the 1-BET button  11  etc. has been manipulated (S 23 : yes), the CPU  50  interrupts the demonstration representation process even if it is underway, displays predetermined activated pay lines (L 1 -L 8 ) corresponding to the number of bets on the lower liquid crystal display  4  and displays, for example, the award table  123  which consists of the ANY-odds award table  121  and the LINE-odds award table  122  on the upper liquid crystal display  3 . Then, the CPU  50  returns to the main process shown in  FIG. 9  and proceeds to a lottery process (S 12 ). Although in this embodiment predetermined activated pay lines (L 1 -L 8 ) corresponding to the number of bets are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 , a modification is possible in which the activated pay lines L 1 -L 8  (i.e., the maximum number of activated pay lines) are activated by one bet and the award is increased in accordance with the number of bets.  
      Next, the lottery process (S 12 ) which is performed in the slot machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 11  is a flowchart of an exemplary lottery process. At step S 12  of the main process shown in  FIG. 9 , first, the CPU  50  performs a symbol determination process (S 31 ). In the symbol determination process, symbols to be stop-displayed in the respective variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C in a game (step S 42  in  FIG. 12  (described later)) are determined for the respective variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C. More specifically, as described above, nine random numbers are sampled from the range of “0” to “127” by the random number sampling circuit  56  for the respective variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C and stop display symbols are determined through code numbers according to the lottery table shown in  FIG. 7 .  
      When symbols to be stop-displayed in the respective variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C have been determined, a winning combination determination process is performed at step S 32 . In the winning combination determination process, a winning combination and its award are determined with activated pay lines (L 1 -L 8 ) that are being displayed oil the lower liquid crystal display  4  according to the award table  123  of  FIG. 8  which is stored in the ROM  51 . After finishing the winning combination determination process (S 32 ), the CPU  50  returns to the main process shown in  FIG. 9  and proceeds to a base game process (S 13 ).  
      Next, the base game process (S 13 ) which is performed in the slot machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  is a flowchart of an exemplary base game process. At step S 13  of the main process shown in  FIG. 9 , first, at step S 41  the CPU  50  performs a rotation process for scrolling, leftward, the images of the symbols constituting the video reel  100  in each of the variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C in response to a switch signal that was output from the spin switch  57 , the 1-BET switch  58 , the 3-BET switch  59 , the 5-BET switch  60 , or the 8-BET switch  61  and received in the start reception process (S 11 )  
      At step S 42 , the CPU  50  stop-displays the image of one of the symbols constituting the reels  100  in each of the variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C according to lottery results of the lottery process (S 12 ), more specifically, the symbol determination process (S 31 ).  
      At step S 43 , the CPU  50  performs a payout process in which coins or the like ate paid out that correspond to an award that is preset in the award table  123  as corresponding to winning combination symbols that are stop-displayed in (part of) the variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C on activated pay lines (L 1 -L 8 ) being displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 . If a winning combination is established on plural ones of the activated pay lines (L 1 -L 8 ), awards of those winning combination: are summed up. After finishing the payout process (S 43 ), the CPU  50  returns to the main process shown in  FIG. 9  and proceeds to a bonus game process (S 14 ).  
      Next, the bonus game process (S 14 ) which is performed in the slot machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a flowchart of an exemplary bonus game process. At step S 14  of the main process shown in  FIG. 9 , first, at step S 51  the CPU  50  determines whether or not a predetermined number or more of symbols of the scatter  101  are stop-displayed in (part of) the variable display blocks  22 A- 22 C,  23 A- 23 C, and  24 A- 24 C on the activated pay lines (L 1 -L 8 ) being displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the predetermined number is three.  
      When determined that the predetermined number or more of symbols of the scatter  101  are not stop-displayed (S 51 : no), the CPU  50  motes to step S 59  (payout process: described later). On the other hand, When determined that the predetermined number or more of symbols of the scatter  101  are stop-displayed (S 51 : yes), the CPU  50  performs a SHELL CHANCE GAME using the lower liquid crystal display  4 .  
      The details of the SHELL CHANCE GAME will be described below.  FIG. 14  shows an example that the symbol of the scatter  101  is stop-displayed in three variable display blocks of the lower liquid crystal display  4 . In this embodiment, advancement to a SHELL CHANCE GAME is possible when at least three activated pay lines are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 .  
      When the process proceeds to a SHELL CHANCE GAME, five shells  211  are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  as shown in  FIG. 15 . The five shells  211  contain one of “A,” “B,” “10,” “20,” and “30.” In this embodiment, the content of each shell  211  are determined by performing a lottery according to a table shown in  FIG. 16  using a random number that is sampled from a range of “0” to “127” through the random number sampling circuit  56 .  
      According to the table shown in  FIG. 16 , “A” is selected as the content of a shell  211  concerned if a random number that is sampled through the random number sampling circuit  56  is one of “0” to “26.” Character “B” is selected as the content of a shell  211  concerned if a random number is one of “27” to “53.” Numeral “10” is selected as the content of a shell  211  concerned if a random number is one of “54” to “78.” Numeral “20” is selected as the content of a shell  211  concerned if a random number is one of “79” to “104.” Furthermore, “30” is selected as the content of a shell  211  concerned if a random number is one of “105” to “127.” 
      When the player selects one of the five shells  211  being displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  by touching the transparent touch panel  20 , the content (“A”, “B,” “10,” “20,” or “30”) of the five shells  211  are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  as shown in  FIG. 17 . At this time, the content of every shell  211  and an arrow clearly indicating the shell  211  selected by the player are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 .  
      The CPU  50  proceeds the process to a TREASURE BONUS GAME if the content of the shell  211  selected by the player is “A.” 
      The details of the TREASURE BONUS GAME will be described later. If the content of the shell  211  selected by the player are “B,” the process can proceeds to another bonus game, a description of which will be omitted. If the content of the shell  211  selected by the player are “10,” the player can acquire an award “10.” Likewise, if the content of the shell  211  selected by the player are “20” or “30,” the player can acquire an award “20” or “30.” 
      In this embodiment, it is preferable that to secure a state that the player can select a TREASURE BONUS GAME and another bonus game the content of the five shells  211  being displayed On the lower liquid crystal display  4  be determined so as to necessarily include “A” and “B.” 
      After the process of determining the content of the shells  211  in the SHELL CHANCE GAME was performed at step S 52 , it is determined at step S 53  whether or not one of the five shells  211  being displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  has been selected by the player. This determination processing is performed repeatedly until one of the shells  211  is selected by the player. The content of a selected shell  211  are displayed at step S 54 , and it is determined at step S 55  whether or not the content of the selected shell  211  correspond to a bonus game.  
      In the determination at step S 55 , it is determined that the content of the shell  211  selected by the player correspond to a bonus game if the content are “A” or “B” and it is determined that the content do not correspond to a bonus game if the content are “10,” “20,” or “30.” If it is determined that the content of the shell  211  selected by the player do-not correspond to a bonus game (S 55 : no); the CPU  50  proceeds to step S 59  (payout process; described later). On the other hand, if it is determined that the content of the shell  211  selected by the player correspond to a bonus game (S 55 : yes), the CPU  50  proceeds to step S 56 .  
      At step S 56 , the CPU  50  determines whether or not the bonus game is a TREASURE BONUS GAME. In this determination, it is determined that the bonus game is a TREASURE BONUS GAME if the content of the shell  211  selected by the player are “A” and it is determined that the bonus game is not a TREASURE BONUS GAME if the content of the shell  211  selected by the player are “B.” If it is determined that the bonus game is not a TREASURE BONUS GAME (S 56 : no), another bonus process is performed at step S 57  and the CPU  50  proceeds to step S 59 . Another bonus game is performed in the bonus process of step S 57 , a description of which will be omitted. On the other hand, if it is determined that the bonus game is a TREASURE BONUS GAME (S 56 : yes), a treasure bonus process shown in  FIG. 19  (described later) is performed at step S 58  and the CPU  50  proceeds to step S 59 .  
      The payout process is performed at step S 59 . In the payout process, if the content of the shell  211  selected by the player were determined to be “10,” “20,” or “30” (S 55 : no), coins or the like corresponding to an award meant by the determination result (numerical value) are paid out. The award that is acquired by the player in the bonus game of step S 57  or the TREASURE BONUS GAME of step S 58  are also paid out in this payout process.  
      When the payout process (S 59 ) has been performed, the current main process of  FIG. 9  is finished and a new main process of  FIG. 9  is started.  
      Next, the TREASURE BONUS GAME which is performed in the slot machine  1  will be described. In this embodiment, as a treasure bonus, three games are performed consecutively without a bet of coins or the like. Alternatively, the number of games to be performed consecutively may be determined by a lottery or the like in making a transition to the TREASURE BONUS GAME. For example, in the SHELL CHANCE GAME, a shell  211  may contain not only “A” indicating a TREASURE BONUS GAME but also a numeral that is a lottery result and indicates the number of games to be performed consecutively.  
      In the TREASURE BONUS GAME, as shown in  FIG. 18 , a plurality of treasure boxes (hereinafter referred to as “normal treasure boxes”)  131  as first selectable elements from which the player can select are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  and plural treasure boxes (hereinafter referred to as “special treasure boxes”)  132  as second selectable elements from which the player cannot select directly but a selection can be made when a predetermined condition is satisfied are displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3 . The content of each of the normal treasure boxes  131  are information on an award the player can acquire; for example, each normal treasure box  131  contains an award “5,” “10,” “20,” “50,” or “100.” 
      In the embodiment, the content of each of the normal treasure boxes  131  serves as first award information that indicates an amount of a first payout (such as “5,” “10,” “20,” “50,” or “100”).  
      On the other hand, the content of each special treasure box  132  contains information on a certain privilege that increases an award the player can acquire; for example, each special treasure box  132  contains a special award (e.g., “200” or “100”) that is larger than the awards of the normal treasure boxes  131 , information to the effect that an award that has been acquired with a normal treasure box  131  is increased (e.g., “(total award)×2,” “award×10,” “award×5,” “award×3,” or “award×2”), or information to the effect that the number of times the player can select a normal treasure box  131  is increased (e.g., “(number of times)+3,” “(number of times)+2,” or “(number of times)+1”). An object  133  capable of causing display of the content of a special treasure box  132  is assigned to a particular normal treasure box  131  . For example, the particular normal treasure box  131  which is assigned the object  133  capable of causing display of the content of a special treasure box  132  is determined by a lottery. Examples of the object  133  are a fish which sails to a certain special treasure box  132  and causes display of its content and characters that specify a certain special treasure box  132 . In the following description, it is assumed that the object  133  is the fish image. That is, when the term “object  133 ” is used solely, it will mean the fish image.  
      In the embodiment, the special award such as “200” or “100” contained in the special treasure boxes  131  serves as second award information that indicates an amount of a second payout. The special award such as “(total award)×2,” “award×10,” “(number of times)+3,” or “(number of times)+2,” serves as privilege information that indicates a privilege for increasing the amount of the first payout.  
      By selecting a normal treasure box  131  being displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 , the player can acquire an award that is assigned to it. If the object  133  is assigned to the selected normal treasure box  131 , the player can also acquire a privilege that is assigned to a special treasure box  132  that is specified by the object  133 . That is, whereas a privilege of increasing an award the player can acquire is assigned to each special box  132 , the object  133  appears in response to a manipulation of selecting the particular normal treasure box  131  and causes display of the content of a special-treasure box  132  that is associated with (invisibly linked to) the normal treasure box  131  in which the object  133  is assigned. In this manner, the interest of games is increased by providing a privilege that a player can acquire in a manner that is not directly related to a selecting manipulation by the player.  
      Next, the treasure bonus process which is performed in the slot machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 19  is a flowchart of the treasure bonus process.  
      In the treasure bonus process (S 58 ) of the bonus game process shown in  FIG. 13 , first, the CPU  50  performs a process of determining the content of normal treasure boxes  131  (S 61 ). In this process, plural normal treasure boxes  131  are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  (see  FIG. 18 ) and the content of each normal treasure box  131  are determined by performing a lottery according to a table shown in  FIG. 20  using a random number that is sampled from a range of “0” to “127” through the random number sampling circuit  56 .  
      According to the table shown in  FIG. 20 , “5” is selected as the content of a normal treasure box  131  concerned if a random number that is sampled through the random number sampling circuit  56  is one of “0” to “26.” In particular, an object  133  is added if the random number is one of “24” to “26.” Numeral “10” is selected as the content of a normal treasure box  131  concerned if a random number is one of “27” to “53.” In particular, an object  133  is added if the random number is one of “51” to “53.” Numeral “20” is selected as the content of a normal treasure box  131  concerned if a random number is one of “54” to “78.” In particular, an object  133  is added if the random number is one of “76” to “78.” Numeral “50” is selected as the content of a normal treasure box  131  concerned if a random number is one of “79”to“104.” In particular, an object  133  is added if the random number is one of “102” to “104.” Furthermore, “100” is selected as the content of a normal treasure box  131  concerned if a random number is one of “105” to “127.” In particular, an object  133  is added if the random number is one of “125” to “127.” 
      After finishing the process of determining the content of the normal treasure boxes  131 , at step S 62  the CPU  50  performs a process of determining the content of special treasure boxes  132 . In this process, plural special treasure boxes  132  are displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3  (see  FIG. 18 ) and the content of each special treasure box  132  are determined by performing a lottery according to a table shown in  FIG. 21  using a random number that is sampled from a range of “0” to “127” through the random number sampling circuit  56  as in the process of determining the content of each normal treasure box  131 .  
      According to the table shown in  FIG. 21 , a special award “200” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number that is sampled through the random number sampling circuit  56  is one of “0” to “4.” A special award “100” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number is one of “5” to “14.” Award increase “(total award)×2” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number is one of “15” to “24.” Award increase “award×10” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number is one of “25” to “34.” Award increase “award×5” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number is one of “35” to “54.” Award increase “award×3” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number is one of “55” to “74.” Award increase “award×2” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number is one of “75” to “94.” Number-of-times increase “(number of times)+3” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number is one of “95” to “104.” Number-of-times increase “(number of times)+2” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number is one of “105” to “114.” Number-of-times increase “(number of times)+1” is selected as the content of a special treasure box  132  concerned if a random number is one of “115” to “127.” 
      After finishing the process of determining the content of special treasure boxes  132 , the CPU  50  determines at step S 63  whether or not the player has selected one of the plural normal treasure boxes  131  being displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 . The player can select one of the normal treasure boxes  131  by touching the transparent touch panel  201 .  
      If the player has selected one of the normal treasure boxes  131  (S 63 : yes), the CPU  50  proceeds to step S 64 , where it displays the content of the normal treasure box  131  selected by the player on the lower liquid crystal display  4 . This determination processing is performed repeatedly until one of the normal treasure boxes  131  is selected by the player.  
      After displaying the content of the selected normal treasure box  131  on the lower liquid crystal display  4 , the CPU  50  determines at step S 65  whether or not an object  133  is assigned to the selected normal treasure box  131 . If an object  133  is assigned to the selected normal treasure box  131 , at step S 66  the CPU  50  displays the content of a special treasure box  132  corresponding to the object  133  on the upper liquid crystal display  3 . In displaying the content of the corresponding special treasure box  132 , the CPU  50  performs representation of causing the object  133  to sail from the lower liquid crystal display  4  to the corresponding special treasure box  132  being displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3 . After the object  133  reaches the corresponding special treasure box  132 , as described above the CPU  50  displays the content of the special treasure box  132  on the upper liquid crystal display  3 .  
      After displaying the content of the special treasure box  132  corresponding to the object  133 , the CPU  50  determines at step S 67  whether or not a predetermined number (in this embodiment, three; three plus an increment if the number of selectable normal treasure boxes  131  has been increased by a privilege of the special treasure box  132 ) of normal treasure boxes  131  have been selected by the player. When determined that the predetermined number of normal treasure boxes  131  have not been selected yet (S 67 : no), the CPU  50  returns to step S 63  and performs the same steps again. On the other hand, When determined that the predetermined number of normal treasure boxes  131  have been selected (S 67 : yes), the CPU  50  finishes the treasure bonus process and proceeds to the payout process (S 59 ) of the bonus game process shown in  FIG. 13 .  
      In the payout process (S 59 ), the contents of the selected ones (or the ones the contents of which are displayed) of the normal treasure boxes  131  and the special treasure boxes  132 , are considered as the award that is acquired by the player.  
      Exemplary images which are displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4  when a TREASURE BONUS GAME is performed in the slot machine  1  will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 18, 22 , and  23 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , if one of plural normal treasure boxes  131  being displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  has been selected by the player and an object  13  is assigned to the selected normal treasure box  131 , the object  133  appears near the selected normal treasure box  131 .  
      The object  133  that has appeared on the lower liquid crystal display  4  is correlated with a special treasure box  132  in advance. After a while, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the object  133  that appeared on the lower liquid crystal display  4  starts to sail toward the corresponding special treasure box  132 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 23 , the object  133  jumps from the lower liquid crystal display  4  to the upper liquid crystal display  3 , reaches the corresponding special treasure box  132 , and causes the content of the special treasure box  132  to be displayed.  
      The example of  FIGS. 18, 22 , and  23  corresponds to a case that “10” is acquired as an award of the selected ordinary box  131  and, a privilege of increasing an award (award increase, more specifically, information to the effect that an award is multiplied by 10 (“award×10”)) is displayed as the content of the special treasure box  132  to which the object  133  reaches. In this case, the award “10” of the selected normal treasure box  131  is multiplied by 10 because of the privilege of the special treasure box  132  and hence the player can acquire an award “100.” 
      As described above, in the slot machine  1  according to the embodiment, a privilege is given to a player in accordance with information that is correlated with a special treasure box  132  which can be selected when a predetermined condition is satisfied.  
      This makes it possible to provide a privilege that a player can acquire in a manner that is not directly related to a selecting manipulation by the player, which in turn makes it possible to enhance the expectation of the player and to thereby increase the interest of games.  
      More specifically, a special treasure box  132  is selected when a particular normal treasure box  131  is selected by a player and a privilege is given to the player in accordance with information that is correlated with the selected special treasure box  132 . This makes it possible to cause a player to be interested in a selection result in selecting a normal treasure box  131  and to thereby let the player focused on the game.  
      In particular, in the above-described slot machine  1 , a special treasure box  132  is specified by an object  133  which appears in response to a manipulation of selecting a particular normal treasure box  131 . This makes it possible to attract interest of a player in the object  133  and to thereby let the player focused on the game. Since the object  133  proceeds to the special treasure box  132  to be specified, it is possible to keep the player interested in the object  133  until it reaches the special treasure box  132 .  
      In the above-described slot machine  1 , the normal treasure boxes  131  are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  and the special treasure boxes  132  are displayed on the upper liquid crystal display  3 . Displaying the special treasure boxes  132  on the different display than the normal treasure boxes  131  are displayed amplifies the sense of accomplishment that a player would feel when the player has succeeded in selecting a special treasure box  132 , which makes it possible to increase the interest of games further.  
      Furthermore, in the above-described slot machine  1 , whereas award information is correlated with each normal treasure box  131 , award information, privilege information relating to award information of a particular normal treasure box  131 , or privilege information relating to selecting manipulation on the normal treasure boxes  131  is correlated with each special treasure box  132 . For example, information on a privilege of increasing an award is employed as the privilege information relating to award information of a particular normal treasure box  131  and information on a privilege of increasing the number of times of selection of normal treasure boxes  131  is employed as the privilege information relating to selecting manipulation on the normal treasure boxes  131 . This makes it possible to attract interest of a player and to thereby increase the interest of games further.  
      The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The sizes, shapes, etc. shown in the accompanying drawings for the embodiment should not be construed as limiting the invention and can be modified as appropriate within such ranges that the advantages of the invention are maintained. In other respects, the embodiment can be practiced in such a manner as to be modified as appropriate without departing from the range of the object of the invention. Exemplary modifications of the embodiment will be described below.  
      In the above-described slot machine  1 , a special treasure box  132  is selected by an object  133  which appears in response to a manipulation of selecting a particular normal treasure box  131 . However, the method for selecting a special treasure box  132  may be changed as appropriate. For example, a player may be allowed to select a special treasure box  132  if the player has selected a particular normal treasure box  131 . In the case of this modification, a player is allowed to select a special treasure box  132  if the player has selected a particular normal treasure box  131  and a privilege is given to the player in accordance with information that is correlated with a selected special treasure box  132 . This makes it possible to cause a player to be interested in a selection result in selecting a normal treasure box  131  and to feel a sense of accomplishment because the player can resultingly select a special treasure box  132  he or she cannot select directly. As a result, this modification makes it possible to cause a player to be focused on the game and to thereby increase the interest of games further.  
      Although in the above embodiment the coin is used as an exemplary game medium, the game medium is not limited to the coin and may be of any form as long as playing with the slot machine  1  is enabled. In particular, when a player is paid game medium that are acquired by a game, the player may receive a magnetic card on which the number or amount of game medium is recorded is or a receipt on which the number or amount of game medium is printed. Furthermore, the number or amount of game medium to be paid out may be managed by a server which performs information management for the slot machine  1 .  
      In the slot machine  1  according to the embodiment, a lottery (performed in the lottery process, for example) is performed according to a lottery table which describes a relationship between random numbers and symbols, for example. However, the manner of a lottery is not limited to the above and may be modified as appropriate.  
      In the present invention, a privilege is given to a player in accordance with information correlated with a selected one of first selectable elements from which the player can select and information correlated with a selected one of second selectable elements from which a selection can be made when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A privilege that the player can acquire in a manner that is not directly related to a selecting manipulation by the player is thus provided, whereby the interest of games is increased. As such, the invention has sufficient industrial applicability.