Patent Publication Number: US-2009227325-A1

Title: Slot machine having variety of awards with point-allocated symbols 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. 61/034,732, filed on Mar. 7, 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. 6,960,133 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,983 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, an award is determined only according to the number of appearing scatter symbols and then a slot machine having a new entertainment feature 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 plural display areas in which symbols are arranged and points are allocated to the symbols, and a controller. The controller is operable to rearrange symbols in the display areas after receiving an input from an external and also change points of the symbols in the display areas, and provide, when total points allocated to all identical symbols are equal-to or more-than a predetermined value, an award according to the total points. 
     A second aspect of the present invention provides a slot machine that includes a display including plural display areas in which symbols are arranged and points are allocated to the symbols, and a controller operable to (A) rearrange symbols in the display areas after receiving an input from an external, (B) allocate points to each of the rearranged symbols, and (C) provide, when total points allocated to all identical symbols are equal-to or more-than a predetermined value, an award according to the total points. 
     A third aspect of the present invention provides a slot machine that includes a display including plural display areas in which symbols are arranged and points are allocated to the symbols, an awards setting table in which relationships between a total of the points and an award are defined and the awards are defined higher as the total of the points becomes larger, and a controller. The controller is operable to rearrange symbols in the display areas after receiving an input from an external and also change points of the symbols in the display areas, and provide, when total points allocated to all identical symbols are equal-to or more-than a predetermined value, an award according to the total points with reference to the awards setting table. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a control method of a slot machine that includes, rearranging symbols had been arranged in plural display areas provided on a display and allocating points to each of the symbols, and providing, when total points allocated to all identical symbols are equal-to or more-than a predetermined value, an award according to the total points. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a screen example showing symbols and points displayed on a display of a slot machine of embodiments according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an example of an awards setting table used in the embodiments of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an overall view showing a configuration of the slot machine in a first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing display areas provided on a display of the slot machine in the first embodiment 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 payout 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 a screen example showing symbols and points displayed on the display of the slot machine in the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow-chart of payout processing in a modified example of 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 block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine in the second embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a spinning reel device of the slot machine employed in the second embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 14B  is a side view of the spinning reel device of the slot machine employed in the second embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is an arrangement diagram of symbol rows drawn on each reel of the slot machine in the second embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a flow-chart of slot game execution processing in the second embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a flow-chart of reel control processing in the second embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a flow-chart of image effect control processing in the second embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram showing an example of symbols displayed on a display of a slot machine according to the present invention.  FIG. 3  is an overall view of the slot machine.  FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the slot machine according to the present invention. 
     Total fifteen three-rows by five columns symbols had been displayed in the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  shown in  FIG. 3  start scrolling after starting a slot game and then come to stops after a predetermined time has elapsed (symbols had been arranged are rearranged). As a result, fifteen symbols are displayed as shown in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, points are allocated to each symbol, such as “10p”, “5p” and so on. 
     In the slot machine according to the present invention, points allocated to identical symbols are accumulated to calculate a total point and an award is provided when the total points becomes equal-to or more-than a predetermined value. Specifically, an awards setting table shown in  FIG. 2  is stored in a RAM  110  shown in  FIG. 4  and an award to be provided to a player is determined with reference to the awards setting table. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , in case where five “LIGHTING” symbols have appeared and points 3p, 10p 1p, 20p and 1p have been allocated to each of the “LIGHTING” symbols, a total points are 20 points. Since it corresponds to “39p to 20p” in the awards setting table shown in  FIG. 2 , a fifty-medal award is provided. 
     In the slot machine like this, various kinds of awards can be prepared with limited kinds of symbols and then an entertainment feature is advanced. 
     Next, a configuration of a slot machine  10  in the present embodiment will be explained in detail. As shown in  FIG. 3 , 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. 4 ) for electrically controlling the slot machine  10  and a hopper  44  (see  FIG. 4 ) 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. 5  in a slot game, scrolled and then stopped are symbols which had been displayed in 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). As explained later, points are allocated to each of the symbols stopped in the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 10 ) and then an award is provided when a total points (e.g. ten points) of all points allocated to identical symbols become equal-to or more-than a predetermined value. 
     Here, as shown in  FIG. 5 , suffixes “a” to “e” attached to the display areas “q” are represent columns and suffixes “1” to “3” are represent rows. 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. 3 . 
     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 points allocated to 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. 4  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. 4  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 fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (see  FIG. 5 ) (symbols had been arranged are rearranged) and an award is provided based on displayed symbols and points allocated thereto. 
     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 points displayed together with the symbols and awards to be provided to a player will be explained with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     Any one of seven symbols “LIGHTING”, “$”, “A”, “K”, “Q”, “J” and “UMBRELLA” will be displayed in each of the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  on the display  16 . In addition, relationships between points displayed together with symbols and awards are defined as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     For example, no award is provided when a total of points (p) allocated to all “LIGHTING” symbols is less than 10p. An award with ten medals is provided when a total points are 10p to 19p. An award with fifty medals is provided when a total points are 20p to 39p. An award with five hundred medals is provided when a total points are 40p to 69p. An award with two thousand medals is provided when a total points are 70p to 99p. An award with two thousand medals is provided when a total points are 70p to 99p. An award with five thousand medals is provided when a total points are equal-to or more-than 100p. 
     Alternatively, no award is provided when a total of points (p) allocated to all “UMBRELLA” symbols is less than 20p. An award with two medals is provided when a total points are 20p to 39p. An award with twenty medals is provided when a total points are 40p to 69p. An award with one hundred medals is provided when a total points are 70p to 99p. An award with two hundred medals is provided when a total points are equal-to or more-than 100p. 
     As mentioned above, awards are determined according to not the number of displayed symbols but a total of points allocated to identical symbols. 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, appearing probabilities in the display areas become higher in the order “LIGHTING”, “$”, “A”, “K”, “Q” “J” and “UMBRELLA”. The appearing probability of “UMBRELLA” symbol is highest and the appearing probability of “LIGHTING” symbol is lowest. Therefore, the controller  40  shown in  FIG. 4  controls image effects displayed on the display so that symbols which may bring more higher awards appear in the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  at lower probability. 
     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. 4  accepts a player&#39;s bet with medals or credits (step S 11 ). 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 12 ). 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 13 ). If the start switch  27  has been pressed (YES in step S 13 ), stop symbol determination processing is executed (step S 14 ). In this processing, symbols to be displayed in the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  are determined based on random numbers generated by the RNG  112 . 
     The CPU  106  executes image effect control processing (step S 15 ). In this processing, the stop symbols determined in step S 14  are displayed in the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e . 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 display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  and after-mentioned total points (step S 16 ). The payout processing will be explained later in detail. 
     Next, the image effect control processing of step S 15  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 display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  on the display  16  on receiving the command signal (step S 31 ). 
     The CPU  106  counts an elapsed time (step S 32 ) and if a predetermined time (e.g. five seconds) has elapsed (YES in step S 32 ) the CPU  106  stops symbols sequentially in the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e . As a result, as shown in  FIG. 9 , symbols are come to stops in the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e , respectively. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  displays points (p) for each of the displayed symbols (step S 34 ). As a result, points are allocated at a lower-right position of each of the symbols as shown in  FIG. 10 . And then, this processing is terminated. 
     Next, the payout processing of step S 16  in  FIG. 6  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     First, the CPU  106  confirms the points allocated to the symbols in the process of step S 34  in  FIG. 7  and sums up the points allocated to identical symbols, respectively (step S 51 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 , three “LIGHTING” symbols have appeared and the points 10p, 5p and 20p have been allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 35p. In addition, one “$” symbol has appeared and the points 5p have been allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 5p. One “A” symbol has appeared and the points 20p have been allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 20p. Furthermore, three “K” symbols have appeared and the points 4p, 2p and 5p have been allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 11p. Two “Q” symbols have appeared and the points 5p and 10p are allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 15p. In addition, one “J” symbol has appeared and the points 5p have been allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 5p. If four “UMBRELLA” symbols have appeared and the points 5p, 15p, 10p and 1p have been allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 31p. 
     And then, the CPU  106  judges whether or not any kinds of symbols have points equal-to or more-than each predetermined value (step S 52 ). Here, since the predetermined value is “10” with respect to each symbol “LIGHTING”, “$”, “A” and “K” as shown in  FIG. 2 , an award is provided when total points thereof are equal-to or more-than 10p. In addition, since the predetermined value is “20” with respect to each symbol “Q”, “J” and “UMBRELLA”, an award is provided when total points thereof are equal-to or more-than 20p. 
     The CPU  106  determines an award with respect to each kind of symbols which has total points equal-to or more-than the predetermined value thereof with reference to the awards setting table shown in  FIG. 2  (step S 53 ). For example, the total points of “LIGHTING” symbols are 35p which reach the predetermined value “10”, thus a fifty-medal award is provided according to the awards setting table. 
     In addition, the total points of “$” symbol are 5p which don&#39;t reach the predetermined value “10”, thus no award is provided. The total points of “A” symbol are 20p which reach the predetermined value “10”, thus a twenty-medal award is provided. Furthermore, the total points of “K” symbols are 11p which reach the predetermined value “10”, thus a one-medal award is provided. The total points of “Q” symbols are 15p which don&#39;t reach the predetermined value “20”, thus no award is provided. In addition, the total points of “J” symbol are 5p which don&#39;t reach the predetermined value “20”, thus no award is provided. The total points of “UMBRELLA” symbols are 31p which reach the predetermined value “20”, thus a two-medal award is provided. 
     Next, the CPU  106  sums up awards (step S 54 ). In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , a summed-up award with seventy-three medals is provided. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  provides credits or medals corresponding to the summed-up award (step S 55 ). Specifically, seventy-three medals or credits are awarded. 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, symbols are scrolled and then stopped in the fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  and points are allocated at the lower-right position of each of the symbols. And then, if total points allocated to all identical symbols reach a predetermined value, an award is provided according to the total value. Therefore, since an award to be provided to a player is determined according to both displayed symbols and points allocated thereto, various kinds of payout amounts can be prepared. 
     Next, a modified example of the slot machine  10  in the first embodiment will be explained. In the slot machine of the modified example, an award based on a total points allocated to symbols only when equal-to or more-than a predetermined number (e.g. three) of the symbols have appeared. Since payout processing is different from that in the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , only the payout processing in the modified example will be explained hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 11 . 
     First, the CPU  106  judges whether or not any kinds of symbols have appeared equal-to or more-than three among all kinds of symbols had been displayed in the display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  (step S 61 ). If no kind of symbols has appeared equal-to or more-than three (NO in step S 61 ), this processing is terminated. In other words, no payout is awarded. 
     If any kinds of symbols have appeared equal-to or more-than three (YES in step S 61 ), the CPU  106  confirms the points allocated to the symbols in the process of step S 34  in  FIG. 7  and sums up the points allocated to identical symbols which have appeared equal-to or more-than three, respectively (step S 62 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 , three “LIGHTING” symbols have appeared and the points 10p, 5p and 20p have been allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 35p. In addition, three “K” symbols have appeared and the points 4p, 2p and 5p have been allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 11p. Four “UMBRELLA” symbols have appeared and the points 5p, 15p, 10p and 1p have been allocated thereto, thus the total points thereof are 31p. 
     And then, the CPU  106  judges whether or not any kinds of symbols have points equal-to or more-than each predetermined value (step S 63 ). Here, since the predetermined value is “10” with respect to each symbol “LIGHTING”, “$”, “A” and “K” as shown in  FIG. 2 , an award is provided when total points thereof are equal-to or more-than 10p. In addition, since the predetermined value is “20” with respect to each symbol “Q”, “J” and “UMBRELLA”, an award is provided when total points thereof are equal-to or more-than 20p. 
     The CPU  106  determines an award with respect to each kind of symbols which has total points equal-to or more-than the predetermined value thereof with reference to the awards setting table shown in  FIG. 2  (step S 64 ). For example, the total points of “LIGHTING” symbols are 35p which reach the predetermined value “10”, thus a fifty-medal award is provided according to the awards setting table. 
     In addition, the total points of “K” symbols are 11p which reach the predetermined value “10”, thus a one-medal award is provided. The total points of “UMBRELLA” symbols are 31p which reach the predetermined value “20”, thus a two-medal award is provided. 
     Next, the CPU  106  sums up awards (step S 65 ). In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , a summed-up award with fifty-three medals is provided. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  106  provides credits or medals corresponding to the summed-up award (step S 66 ). Specifically, fifty-three medals or credits are awarded. In this manner, the payout processing in the modified example is executed. 
     As explained above, in the slot machine  10  according to the modified example of the first embodiment, symbols are scrolled and then stopped in the fifteen display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  and points are allocated at the lower-right position of each of the symbols. And then, if identical symbols are displayed equal-to or more-than three and also total points allocated to all of the identical symbols reach a predetermined value, a award is provided according to the total value. Therefore, since an award to be provided to a player is determined according to both the number of displayed symbols and points allocated thereto, various kinds of payout amounts can be prepared. 
     Note that, the predetermined number of symbol for providing an award is set to three in the above-explained modified example. However, the predetermined number may be set to a number other than three (such as, two, four or five). 
     Next, a slot machine in a second embodiment according to the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIG. 12 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the slot machine  10   a  in the second 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. 13 ) for electrically controlling the slot machine  10   a  and a hopper  44  (see  FIG. 13 ) 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, 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   a  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. 14A  and  FIG. 14B . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 15 , 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 seven symbols “LIGHTING”, “$”, “A”, “K”, “Q”, “J” and “UMBRELLA”. Here, the numbers of each kind of symbols drawn on each circumferential surface of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  become larger in the order “LIGHTING”, “$”, “A”, “K”, “Q”, “J” and “UMBRELLA”. In other words, the appearing probability of “UMBRELLA” symbol is highest and the appearing probability of “LIGHTING” symbols is lowest. Therefore, the larger award may be brought by a kind of symbols, the lower the appearing probability of the kind of symbols becomes. 
     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. 12 . 
     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 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   a . These images are, for example, characters of the slot machine  10   a  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   a . 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 points allocated to 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   a , 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   a  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) and points allocated to the 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   a  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 . 
     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   a  in the second embodiment will be explained with reference to flow-charts shown in  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 16  is a flow-chart showing procedures in slot game execution processing executed by the slot machine  10   a  in the second embodiment. 
     First, the CPU  106  shown in  FIG. 13  accepts a player&#39;s bet with medals or credits (step S 71 ). 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 72 ). 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 73 ). If the start switch  27  has been pressed (YES in step S 73 ), stop symbol determination processing is executed (step S 74 ). In this processing, stop positions of the reels  53   a  to  53   e  are determined based on random numbers generated by the RNG  112 . 
     The CPU  106  executes reel control processing to stop the reels  53   a  to  53   e  sequentially at the determined symbols (step S 75 ). The reel control processing will be explained later in detail. 
     The CPU  106  executes image effect control processing (step S 76 ). In this processing, points are displayed at the lower-right position of each of the total fifteen three-rows by five columns symbols after the reels  53   a  to  53   e  have stopped. 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 display areas q 1   a  to q 3   e  and an after-mentioned total points (step S 77 ). The payout processing will be explained later in detail. This payout processing is the same as the processing shown in  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 11  and explained in the first embodiment. 
     Next, the reel control processing of step S 75  in  FIG. 16  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 17 . 
     The CPU  106  shown in  FIG. 13  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 101 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 1  (step S 102 ). If T is equal-to or more-than T 1  (YES in step S 102 ), the reel  53   a  is stopped (step S 103 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 2  (step S 104 ). If T is equal-to or more-than T 2  (YES in step S 104 ), the reel  53   b  is stopped (step S 105 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 3  (step S 106 ). If T is equal-to or more-than T 3  (YES in step S 106 ), the reel  53   c  is stopped (step S 107 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 4  (step S 108 ). If T is equal-to or more than T 4  (YES in step S 108 ), the reel  53   d  is stopped (step S 109 ). 
     The CPU  106  judges whether or not the elapsed time T has reached a predetermined time T 5  (step S 110 ). If T is equal-to or more than T 5  (YES in step S 110 ), the reel  53   e  is stopped (step S 111 ). In this manner, the five reels  53   a  to  53   e  are stopped sequentially. 
     Next, the image effect control processing of step S 76  in  FIG. 16  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 18 . 
     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 131 ). 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 131 ), points are displayed at lower-right positions of each of the symbols (step S 132 ). As a result, points are displayed on the display  16  at lower-right positions of each of the stopped symbols as shown in above-mentioned  FIG. 10 . And then, this processing is terminated. In this manner, a slot game is executed. 
     As explained above, in the slot machine  10   a  according to the second 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 . Furthermore, points are displayed at the lower-right position of each displayed symbol. 
     And then, if total points allocated to all identical symbols reach a predetermined value, an award is provided according to the total value. Therefore, since an award to be provided to a player is determined according to both displayed symbols and points allocated thereto, various kinds of payout amounts can be prepared. 
     In addition, since the points are allocated 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.