Patent Publication Number: US-2009227344-A1

Title: Gaming Machine Including a Reel with a New Configuration for Variably Displaying a Plurality of Symbols

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/034,408, filed Mar. 6, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a gaming machine that includes a new reel configuration. 
     2. Related Art 
     It is known that conventional slot machines start a game when a predetermined amount of credit is bet and then a plurality of reels, on which a plurality of symbols are depicted, start to rotate and the rotations of the plurality of the reels stop after a predetermined period of time elapses. As a result, an award is provided to a player based on a displayed stationary symbol combination. U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,433 discloses that, to improve a shortcoming of common expressions lacking dynamism on a display, a video display is provided in front of rotatable reels to provide a video image superimposed upon the rotatable reels thereby displaying visual effects including information associated with games correlating with the images of reels, whereby novel and powerful effects are produced in games. Furthermore, the slot machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,874 includes reels and roulette, and provides an award based on a symbol combination which is displayed statically and the payout rate determined by the roulette. 
     However, although the former slot machine described above produces novel and powerful effects in games by providing a video display, the configuration of reels is still the same as that of conventional slot machines and the game tends to lack in variety. Furthermore, although the latter slot machine also includes roulette to determine the payout rate, the reel itself is the same as that of conventional slot machines. Thus, a gaming machine which is provided with a reel configuration that has not existed thus far is expected. 
     The present invention provides a gaming machine that includes a new reel configuration which has is not existed thus far, and has new entertainment properties which provide an award according to the configuration of the reel which is not existed thus far, thereby arousing a player&#39;s interest and can enhancing excitement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine includes: a display for displaying each of a first symbol group and a second symbol group having a plurality of symbols used in a game, the second symbol group arranged to be adjacent to the first symbol group; an input device for starting a basic game; and a controller configured to execute the following processing of: (a) generating a random number in response to an input to the input device and starting a basic game; (b) starting scrolling of the symbols displayed on the display; (c) determining a symbol to stationarily display on the display corresponding to the random number thus generated; (d) rearranging the symbols thus determined by displaying the symbols stationarily on the display corresponding to the processing of (c); (e) providing a predetermined award to a player in a case where a combination of the symbols rearranged on a winning line, which combines symbols included in the first symbol group, set on the display in advance matches a predetermined combination; and (f) in addition to the processing of (e), in a case where a symbol indicating a payout rate of the award among the rearranged symbols of the second symbol group is rearranged on an extended line of the winning line on which the predetermined combination is formed, further providing an award to the player which equals the predetermined award multiplied by the payout rate of the award indicated by the symbol. 
     The gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes: a display for displaying each of a first symbol group and a second symbol group having a plurality of symbols used in a game, the second symbol group arranged to be adjacent to the first symbol group; an input device for starting a basic game; and a controller configured to execute the following processing of: (a) generating a random number in response to an input to the input device and starting a basic game; (b) starting scrolling of the symbols displayed on the display; (c) determining a symbol to stationarily display on the display corresponding to the random number thus generated; (d) rearranging the symbols thus determined by displaying the symbols stationarily on the display corresponding to the processing of (c); (e) providing a predetermined award to a player in a case where a combination of the symbols rearranged on a winning line, which combines symbols included in the first symbol group, set on the display in advance matches a predetermined combination; and (f) in addition to the processing of (e), in a case where a symbol indicating a payout rate of the award among the rearranged symbols of the second symbol group is rearranged on an extended line of the winning line on which the predetermined combination is formed, further providing an award which equals the predetermined award multiplied by the payout rate of the award indicated by the symbol to the player. 
     In a second aspect of the present invention, the controller of a gaming machine according to the first aspect is configured to further execute the following processing of: (g) in the rearranging processing of (d), rearranging each of the symbols in the first symbol group, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, subsequently rearranging each of the symbols in the second symbol group. The gaming machine according to the second aspect of the present invention includes the controller of the gaming machine according to the first aspect, which is configured to further execute the following processing of: (g) in the rearranging processing of (d), rearranging each of the symbols in the first symbol group, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, subsequently rearranging each of the symbols in the second symbol group. 
     In a third aspect of the present invention, the controller of a gaming machine according to the second aspect is configured to further execute the following processing of: (h) displaying the first symbol group with a frame image for aiding distinction of symbols on the display. 
     The gaming machine according to the third aspect of the present invention includes the controller of the gaming machine according to the second aspect, which is configured to further execute the following processing of: (h) displaying the first symbol group with a frame image for aiding distinction of symbols on the display. 
     In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine includes: a display for displaying each of a first symbol group and a second symbol group having a plurality of symbols used in a game, the second symbol group arranged to be adjacent to the first symbol group; an input device for starting a basic game; and a controller configured to execute the following processing of: (a) generating a random number in response to an input to the input device and starting a basic game; (b) starting scrolling of the symbols displayed on the display; (c) determining a symbol to stationarily display on the display corresponding to the random number thus generated; (d) rearranging the symbols thus determined by displaying symbols stationarily on the display corresponding to the processing of (c); (e) providing a predetermined award to a player in a case where a combination of the symbols rearranged on a winning line, which combines symbols included in the first symbol group, set on the display in advance matches a predetermined combination; and (f) in addition to the processing of (e), in a case where a combined combination of the rearranged symbols of the first symbol group forming the predetermined combination on the winning line and the symbols of the second symbol group rearranged on an extended line of the winning line on which the predetermined combination is formed matches a predetermined combination, further providing a predetermined award to the player. 
     The gaming machine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes: a display for displaying each of a first symbol group and a second symbol group having a plurality of symbols used in a game, the second symbol group arranged to be adjacent to the first symbol group; an input device for starting a basic game; and a controller configured to execute the following processing of: (a) generating a random number in response to an input to the input device and starting a basic game; (b) starting scrolling of the symbols displayed on the display; (c) determining a symbol to stationarily display on the display corresponding to the random number thus generated; (d) rearranging the symbols thus determined by displaying symbols stationarily on the display corresponding to the processing of (c); (e) providing a predetermined award to a player in a case where a combination of the symbols rearranged on a winning line, which combines symbols included in the first symbol group, set on the display in advance matches a predetermined combination; and (f) in addition to the processing of (e), in a case where a combined combination of the rearranged symbols of the first symbol group forming the predetermined combination on the winning line and the symbols of the second symbol group rearranged on an extended line of the winning line on which the predetermined combination is formed matches a predetermined combination, further providing a predetermined award to the player. 
     In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the controller in a gaming machine according to the fourth aspect is configured to further execute the following processing of: (g) in the rearranging processing of (d), rearranging each of the symbols in the first symbol group, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, subsequently rearranging each of the symbols in the second symbol group. 
     The gaming machine according to the fifth aspect of the present invention includes the controller of the gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, which is configured to further execute the following processing of: (g) in the rearranging processing of (d), rearranging each of the symbols in the first symbol group, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, subsequently rearranging each of the symbols in the second symbol group. 
     In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the controller in a gaming machine according to the fifth aspect is configured to further execute the following processing of: (h) displaying the first symbol group with a frame image for aiding distinction of symbols on the display. 
     The gaming machine according to the sixth aspect of the present invention includes the controller of the gaming machine according to the fifth aspect, which is configured to further execute the following processing of: (h) displaying the first symbol group with a frame image for aiding distinction of symbols on the display. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing characteristics of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The diagram is showing an example of a display screen displayed by the gaming machine; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an appearance of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged front view showing a display area of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a controller of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a display control device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a symbol data table for a first symbol group according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing columns of symbols depicted on the respective video reels of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a symbol layout table for a second symbol group of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a combination table for a first symbol group of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing a payout rate table for a rate symbol of a second symbol group of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a symbol combination table for a combined combination of the symbols of the first symbol group and the symbols of the second symbol group of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart for a basic game processing executed by the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a second award providing processing executed in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram showing a first example of a display screen of a game performed by the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is an example of a display screen continued from  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an example of a display screen continued from  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram showing a second example of a display screen of the game performed by the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is an example of a display screen continued from  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the attached drawings. 
     A gaming machine  10  according to the present invention includes a start switch  25  and a CPU  106 , which executes the following operation of: (a) generating a random number in response to an input to the start switch  25 , and starting the basic game; (b) starting scrolling of symbols displayed on a liquid crystal display  30 ; (c) determining a symbol to stationarily display corresponding to the random number thus generated; (d) rearranging the symbol thus determined by displaying a symbol stationarily on the liquid crystal display  30 ; (e) providing a predetermined award to a player in a case where a combination of the symbols rearranged on winning lines L 1  to L 8 , which combines symbols included in the first symbol group, set on the liquid crystal display  30  in advance matches a predetermined combination; and (f) in addition to the processing of (e), in a case where the symbol indicating a payout rate of the award among the rearranged symbols of the second symbol group, is rearranged on an extended line of the winning line on which the predetermined combination is formed, further providing an award which equals a predetermined award multiplied by the payout rate of the award indicated by the symbol to the player. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing characteristics of the gaming machine  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , “ 900 ” indicates a display for displaying a plurality of symbols used in a game, “ 901 ” indicates a first symbol group, and the “ 902 ” indicates a second symbol group. The gaming machine  10  according to the present invention starts a basic game, accordingly rearranges symbols of the first symbol group, and in a case where a combination of the rearranged symbols matches a predetermined condition, provides a predetermined award to a player. Furthermore, as a result of rearranging the second symbol group, in a case where a symbol indicating a payout rate of the award is rearranged on the extended line of winning lines L 1  to L 8  (for example, L 2  in  FIG. 1 ) on which the first symbol group forms a combination that matches the predetermined combination, the gaming machine  10  according to the present invention further provides an award that equals a provided award multiplied by the payout rate. 
     The gaming machine  10  according to the present invention provides an award based on the combination of the rearranged first symbol group and further provides an award which equals the award multiplied by the payout rate in a case where the symbol indicating a payout rate among the second symbol group is rearranged on the extended line of the winning line on which the predetermined combination is formed, whereby the gaming machine  10  is provided with new entertainment properties that can arouse a player&#39;s interest and enhance excitement. 
     Moreover, the gaming machine  10  according to the present invention provides an award in a case where a combined combination of the rearranged symbols of the first symbol group forming the predetermined combination on the winning line and symbols of the second symbol group rearranged on the extended line of the winning line on which the combination is formed (for example, L 2  in  FIG. 1 ) matches the predetermined combination, whereby the gaming machine  10  is provided with new entertainment properties that can arouse a player&#39;s interest and enhance excitement. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an appearance of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     The gaming machine  10  includes a cabinet  12  and a main door  42 . 
     The cabinet  12 , which has a surface open to a player, is installed in a certain place of a casino, for example. The cabinet  12  contains various kinds of constructional members, including members such as a controller  100  (see  FIG. 4 ) for electrically controlling the gaming machine  10 , and a hopper  44  (see  FIG. 4 ) for controlling the inserting, storing and paying of coins (game media). 
     The main door  42  serves as a member which covers the cabinet  12  so as to protect the inside components of the cabinet  12  from being exposed to the outside. The main door  42  is attached to a left side of the cabinet  12  about an axis as seen from the front side, so that the door  42  swings about the axis in the forward and backward directions, and settles in either a selectable open or closed positions. The liquid crystal display  30  is disposed substantially in the center of the main door  42 . 
     The liquid crystal display  30  is a display means for displaying various kinds of images associated with a game, and the player advances the game while visually confirming the various kinds of images thus displayed on the liquid crystal display  30 . It should be noted that a detailed description regarding the configuration of the liquid crystal display  30  is given later. 
     A substantially horizontal operation unit  21  is provided below the liquid crystal display  30 . A coin insertion opening  22 , which allows the player to insert coins into the gaming machine  10 , is provided on the right side of the operation unit  21 . On the other hand, a bet switch  23  for selecting the amount of coins to bet on a single game and a spin repeat bet switch  24  for playing the subsequent game without changing the amount of coins to bet from the amount of coins bet in a previous game are disposed on the left side of the operation unit  21 . Such an arrangement allows the player to determine the amount of coins to bet on a single game by pushing either the bet switch  23  or the spin repeat bet switch  24 . 
     A start switch  25  is disposed on the left side of the bet switch  23  on the operation panel  21 . At the start of each game, the start switch  25  receives an instruction given by the player for starting a game. A pushing operation of either the start switch  25  or the spin repeat bet switch  24  triggers starting of the game. 
     A payout switch  26  is disposed adjacent to the coin insertion slot  22  on the operation panel  21 . Upon a pushing operation of the payout switch  26  by the player, coins in the gaming machine  10  are paid out through a coin payout opening  27  disposed at the lower portion of the front face of the main door  42  into a coin tray  28 . Sound outlets  29  for conveying sound effects generated by speakers  41  (see  FIG. 3 ), which are contained inside of the cabinet  12 , to the outside of the cabinet  12 , are disposed on both the right and left sides of the coin payout opening  27  above the coin tray  28 . 
     Moreover, it should be noted that, although the gaming machine  10  according to the present embodiment employs a coin as a game medium, the game medium is not limited thereto, and any kind of game medium such as cash, a medal, a token, electronic money, a ticket, an IC card, and the like may be used, for example. 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged front view showing a display area of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The liquid crystal display  30  is described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     The liquid crystal display  30  is configured with a publicly known liquid crystal display and includes a display screen  31   a   1 , a display screen  31   a   2 , and a display screen  31   b.  The display screen  31   a   1  displays cells  911  to  933  arranged in a matrix as a display area of the first symbol group. The display screen  31   a   2  displays a center reel  902  and a left reel  903  as a display area of the second symbol group. The display screen  31   b  includes a payout amount display unit  18 , a credit amount display unit  19 , and a bet amount display unit  20 . The cells  911  to  933  are the basic unit of the display arranged in a matrix provided on the display screen  31   a   1 . 
     The display screen  31   a   1  displays the cells  911  to  933  which are divided into matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, as the first symbol group. Here, the cell  911  indicates the cell positioned in row  1  and column  1  and the cell  933  indicates the cell positioned in row  3  and the column  3 . On each of the cells  911  to  933 , a moon symbol  90 , a smile symbol  91 , a heart symbol  92 , a star symbol  93 , a sun symbol  94 , a thunder symbol  95 , and a wild symbol  96  is displayed. 
     The first symbol group includes eight winning lines L 1  to L 8  for providing an award as shown in  FIG. 3 . The winning lines L 1  to L 8  for providing each award are extended so as to pass through one symbol in each of the cells  911  to  933  when symbols are rearranged in each of the cells  911  to  933 . Specifically, the first symbol group includes a winning line L 1  combining cells  911 ,  912  and  913 , a winning line L 2  combining cells  921 ,  922  and  923 , a winning line L 3  combining cells  931 ,  932  and  933 , a winning line L 4  combining cells  911 ,  921  and  931 , a winning line L 5  combining cells  912 ,  922  and  932 , a winning line L 6  combining cells  913 ,  923  and  933 , a winning line L 7  combining cells  911 ,  922  and  933 , and a winning line L 8  combining cells  913 ,  922  and  931 . 
     Upon the player pushing the bet switch  23  once, the winning lines L 1  to L 3  are activated and one coin is spent as a credit medal, for example. 
     Furthermore, upon the player pushing the bet switch  23  twice, the winning lines L 4  to L 6  are activated in addition to the aforementioned 3 pay lines, and two coins are spent as credit medals, for example. 
     Moreover, upon the player pushing the bet switch  23  three times, the winning lines L 7  and L 8  are activated in addition to the aforementioned six winning lines, and three coins are spent as credit medals, for example. 
     Video reels  902  and  903  are displayed on the display screen  31   a   2  as the second symbol group. On the video reels  902  and  903 , a moon symbol  90 , a smile symbol  91 , a heart symbol  92 , a star symbol  93 , a sun symbol  94  and a thunder symbol  95  as well as a rate symbols including a double symbol  97 , a 5 times symbol  98 , and a 10 times symbol  99  are displayed. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the winning lines L 1  to L 3  of the first symbol group are extended onto the video reels  902  and  903 . 
     The payout amount display unit  18  on the display screen  31   b  displays an amount of an award to be paid out in a case where a combination of displayed stationary symbols matches a predetermined combination. The credit amount display unit  19  displays the credit amount which the player currently possesses. The bet amount display unit  20  displays the amount of coins bet by the player (a bet amount) on a single game. In other words, the bet amount which indicates an amount of coins bet on the abovementioned winning lines is displayed. Each of the display units  18  to  20  includes a seven-segment display. Alternatively, the display units  18  to  20  may be used for displaying images. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a controller of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The electrical configuration of the gaming machine  10  is described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The abovementioned controller  100  is a microcomputer, which includes an interface circuit group  102 , an input/output bus  104 , a CPU  106 , ROM  108 , RAM  110 , a communication interface circuit  111 , a random number generator  112 , a speaker driving circuit  122 , a hopper driving circuit  124 , a display unit driving circuit  128 , and a display control device  200 . 
     The interface circuit group  102  is electrically connected with the input/output bus  104 , which inputs and outputs data signals and address signals to and from the CPU  106 . 
     The start switch  25  is electrically connected with the interface circuit group  102 . The start signal generated by the start switch  25  is converted into a predetermined form of signal in the interface circuit group  102 , to be supplied to the input/output bus  104 . 
     The bet switch  23 , the spin repeat bet switch  24 , and the payout switch  26  are also electrically connected with the interface circuit group  102 . Each of the switching signals output from these switches  23 ,  24 , and  26  is also supplied to the interface circuit group  102 , and is converted into a predetermined form of signal by the interface circuit group  102 , and the switching signals thus converted are subsequently supplied to the input/output bus  104 . 
     A coin sensor  43  is also electrically connected with the interface circuit group  102 . The coin sensor  43  which is disposed at an appropriate position relative to the coin insertion slot  22  is a sensor for detecting detects coins inserted into the coin insertion slot  22 . The sensing signal output from the coin sensor  43  is also supplied to the interface circuit group  102 , and is converted into a predetermined form of signal by the interface circuit group  102 , and the sensing signal thus converted is subsequently supplied to the input/output bus  104 . 
     Furthermore, the ROM  108  and the RAM  110  are connected to the input/output bus  104 . 
     Upon accepting an instruction for starting a basic game via the start switch  25 , the CPU  106  reads a game program and performs a basic game. The ROM  108  stores a control program for centrally controlling the gaming machine  10 , a program for executing the routines shown in  FIG. 12  (hereinafter referred to as “routine program”), initial data for executing the control program, and various data tables. The tables shown in  FIGS. 9 to 11  are examples of data tables. 
     The RAM  110  temporarily stores flags, variables, and the like used for the abovementioned control program. 
     The communication interface circuit  111  is also connected to the input/output bus  104 . The communication interface circuit  111  communicates with a server and the like via various kinds of communication networks, including a public telephone line network, a LAN, and the like. 
     The random number generator  112  for generating a random number is also connected to the input/output bus  104 . The random number generator  112  generates random numbers lying in a predetermined range of for example, 0 to 65535 (two to the sixteenth power minus one). Alternatively, random numbers may be configured to be generated by the processing of the CPU  106 . 
     The display unit driving circuit  128  for driving the abovementioned various display units  18  to  20  is electrically connected with the input/output bus  104 . The CPU  106  controls the various display units  18  to  20  via the display unit driving circuit  128  in response to occurrences of predetermined events. 
     The speaker driving circuit  122  for driving the speaker  41  is also electrically connected with the input/output bus  104 . The CPU  106  reads sound data stored in the ROM  108 , and transmits the sound data thus read to the speaker driving circuit  122  via the input/output bus  104 . In this way, the speaker  41  generates predetermined sound effects. 
     The hopper driving circuit  124  for driving the hopper  44  is also electrically connected with the input/output bus  104 . The CPU  106  outputs a driving signal to the hopper driving circuit  124  via the input/output bus  104  in response to receiving a payout signal from the payout switch  26 . Accordingly, the hopper  44  pays out amount of coins equivalent to the current amount of credits remaining, which is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  110 . 
     The display control device  200  is also electrically connected with the input/output bus  104 . The CPU  106  generates an instruction for displaying an image according to the status and outcome of a game and outputs an instruction for displaying images thus generated to the display control device  200  via the input/output bus  104 . Upon reception of an image display instruction from the CPU  106 , the display control device  200  generates a driving signal for driving the liquid crystal display  30  according to the image display instruction thus input, and outputs the generated driving signal to the liquid crystal display  30 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a display control device  200  of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The electric configuration of the display control device  200  is described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     The abovementiond display control device  200  is a sub-microcomputer for executing image displaying processing, and includes an interface circuit  202 , an input/output bus  204 , a CPU  206 , ROM  208 , RAM  210 , a VDP  212 , video RAM  214 , image data ROM  216 , and a driving circuit  218 . 
     The interface circuit  202  is connected to the input/output bus  204 . An instruction for displaying an image generated by the CPU  106  of the controller  100  is output to the input/output bus  204  via the interface circuit  202 . The input/output bus  204  inputs and outputs data signals and address signals to and from the CPU  206 . 
     The ROM  208  and the RAM  210  are also connected to the input/output bus  204 . The ROM  208  stores a display control program for generating a driving signal to be supplied to the liquid crystal display  30 , according to an image display instruction received from the CPU  106  included in the abovementioned controller  100 . On the other hand, the RAM  210  stores flags and variables used by the abovementioned program for controlling display. 
     The VDP  212  is also connected to the input/output bus  204 . The VDP  212  includes a so-called sprite circuit, a screen circuit, a palette circuit, and the like, and can execute various kinds of processing for displaying images on the liquid crystal display  30 . The video RAM  214  for storing the image data according to an instruction from the CPU  106  of the controller  100 , and the image data ROM  216  for storing various image data (including image data of symbols) are connected with the VDP  212 . Further, the driving circuit  218  for outputting a driving signal for driving the liquid crystal display  30  is also connected to the VDP  212 . 
     The CPU  206  reads the image data of various symbols from the image data ROM  216  via the VDP  212  in response to receiving an instruction for displaying the image from the CPU  106  of the controller  100 , and stores the data thus read to the predetermined memory area of the video RAM  214  which corresponds to the displaying position. The CPU  206  supplies this data to the driving circuit  218  as display signals via the VDP  212 , whereby cells  911  to  933  are displayed on the display screen  31   a   1  and the video reels  902  and  903  are displayed on the display screen  31   a   2 . In addition, the CPU  206  sequentially rewrites the image data of symbols to be stored in the video RAM  214  via the VDP  212 , whereby the symbols to be displayed in the cells  911  to  933  are variably displayed on the display screen  31   a   1  and the symbols to be displayed on the video reels  902  and  903  are variably displayed on the display screen  31   a   2 . 
     As explained above, it is understood that various processing described in the appended claims are executed by the controller  100  which includes the CPU  106  for executing various kinds of controls in accordance with the program stored in the ROM  108  for storing the routine execution program, the RAM  110  for serving as a working area for CPU  106 , and the display control device  200  for controlling driving of the liquid crystal display  30 . In other words, the controller  100  serves as an example of a game controller. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a symbol data table for a first symbol group according to the embodiment of the present invention. The symbol data table for a first symbol group includes columns of “Symbol Data” and “Random Number Range”. “Symbol Data” shows the symbol data that is to be rearranged in cells  911  to  933  on the display screen  31   a   1 . “Random Number Range” is probability for rearranging each of symbols in each of the cells. In other words, the CPU  106  determines a symbol to display stationarily according to the random number thus generated. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram showing columns of symbols depicted on the respective video reels of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  shows columns of  21  symbols arranged on the video reels  902  and  903 . The column for the left reel corresponds to the video reel  903  and the column for the center reel corresponds to the video reel  902 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , code numbers of “00” to “20” refer to each symbol on the video reels  902  and  903 . These code numbers are stored in the abovementioned ROM  108  ( FIG. 4 ) in the form of a data table. 
     The symbol columns on each video reels  902  and  903  are moved by displaying an image in which the reels  902  and  903  are scrolling in a forward direction. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a symbol layout table for a second symbol group of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The symbol layout table includes columns of “Code Numbers” indicating a position of each symbol arranged on the symbol columns in relation with each symbol on the video reels  902  and  903 . 
       FIG. 9  is diagram showing a combination table for the first symbol group of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The symbol combination table for the first symbol group includes columns of “Combination Kind”, “Lower Limit Value”, “Upper Limit Value”, “Range”, and “Payout Amount”. The “Combination Kinds” indicates a kind of symbol combination to be rearranged on a winning line. “Lower Limit Value” indicates a lower limit value of a generated random number, “Upper Limit Value” indicates an upper limit value of a generated random number, and “Range” indicates a range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value. In other words, in a case where the generated random number lying in a range of values between the lower limit value and the upper limit value, the combination kind is determined with the corresponding generated random number. “Payout Amount” is an award provided to a player based on the kind of symbol combination rearranged on a winning line. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram showing a payout rate table for a rate symbol of the second symbol group of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The payout rate table for the rate symbol includes columns of “Rate Symbol” and a “Payout Rate”. “Rate Symbol” is a symbol which indicates a payout rate of an award among symbols of the second symbol group. “Payout Rate” is a rate of an award corresponding to the rate symbol. In a case where a predetermined condition is met, an award which equals the award multiplied by the payout rate indicated by the rate symbol is provided. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a symbol combination table for a combined combination of the symbols of the first symbol group and the symbols of the second symbol group of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The combination table for the combined combination of the first symbol group and the second symbol group includes columns of “Symbols of the First Symbol Group”, “Symbols of the Second Symbol Group”, and “Payout Amount”. “Symbols of the First Symbol Group” indicate a symbol combination of the first symbol group rearranged on the winning line. “Symbols of the Second Symbol Group” indicate a combination of symbols rearranged on an extended line of the winning line on which the first symbol group formed the combination. “Payout Amount” indicates an award that is further provided in a case where the combination is formed. 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing basic game processing executed in the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The routine of  FIG. 12  is a unit game. 
     It is supposed that the gaming machine  10  is activated in advance, and that the variables used in the CPU  106  on the controller  100  are initialized to predetermined values, whereby the gaming machine  10  is operated in a normal state. 
     The CPU  106  of the controller  100  determines whether or not there are remaining credits, which are remaining coins inserted by a player (Step S 1 ). More specifically, the CPU  106  reads a credit amount C stored in the RAM  110 , and executes processing according to the credit amount C thus read. In a case where the credit amount C equals “0” (“NO” in the determination processing in Step S 1 ), the CPU  106  terminates the routine without executing any other processing, since the game cannot be started. On the other hand, in a case where the credit amount C is not less than “1” (“YES” in the determination processing in Step S 1 ), the CPU  106  determines that there is a remaining credit, and the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 2 . 
     In Step S 2 , the CPU  106  determines whether or not a pushing operation has been executed on the spin repeat bet switch  24 . In a case where the spin repeat bet switch  24  has been pushed and the CPU  106  receives an operation signal from the spin repeat bet switch  24  (“YES” in the determination processing in Step S 2 ), the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 14 . On the other hand, in a case where the CPU  106  does not receive the operation signal from the spin repeat bet switch  24  after the predetermined period of time elapses (“NO” in the determination processing in Step S 2 ), the CPU  106  determines that the spin repeat bet switch  24  has not been pushed and advances the processing to Step S 3 . 
     In the following Step S 3 , the CPU  106  sets the game conditions. More specifically, the CPU  106  determines the amount of coins to be bet in the present game based on the operation of the bet switch  23 . Here, the CPU  106  receives the operation signal output in response to the operation of the bet switch  23 , and stores the bet amount in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  110  according to the number of times the CPU  106  has received the operation signal. The CPU  106  reads the credit amount C stored in the predetermined memory area of the RAM  110 , subtracts the total bet amount, which is the sum of the bet amounts, from the credit amount C thus read, and stores the subtracted value in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  110 . Subsequently, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 4 . 
     In the following Step S 4 , the CPU  106  waits for the start switch  25  to be operated by determining whether or not the start switch  25  has been activated. Upon the start switch  25  being operated, and accordingly, upon the operation signal being input from the start switch  25  (“YES” in the determination processing in Step S 4 ), the CPU  106  determines that the start switch  25  has been operated, and the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 5 . 
     On the other hand, in Step S 14 , the CPU  106  determines whether or not the credit amount C is equal to or greater than the total bet amount in a previous game. In other words, the CPU  106  determines whether or not the CPU  106  can start a game in response to a pushing operation executed on the spin repeat bet switch  24 . Specifically, when the spin repeat bet switch  24  has been pushed, and the operation signal has been input to the CPU  106  from the spin repeat bet switch  24 , the CPU  106  reads the credit amount C and the credit amount bet in the previous game stored in the RAM  110 . Then, the CPU  106  determines whether or not the credit amount C is equal to or greater than the total credit amount bet in the previous game based on the relation between the credit amount C and the bet amounts thus read, and executes processing based on the determination results. In a case where the CPU  106  determines that the abovementioned credit amount C is less than the total bet amount in the previous game (“NO” in the determination processing in Step S 14 ), the CPU  106  terminates the routine without executing any other processing since the CPU  106  cannot start a game. On the other hand, in a case where the CPU  106  determines that the credit amount C is equal to or greater than the total bet amount in the previous game (“YES” in the determination processing in Step S 14 ), the CPU  106  subtracts the total bet amount in the previous game from the credit amount C, and stores the subtracted value in a predetermined area of the RAM  110 . Subsequently, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 5 . 
     In Step S 5 , the CPU  106  executes processing for determining a stationary symbol. The specific contents of the processing for determining a stationary symbol are as follows, for example. 
     In regards to the first symbol group, the CPU  106  extracts a random number from the random number generator  112 . Then, the CPU  106  determines the combination of the stationary symbols to be formed on the winning lines L 1  to L 8  with the random number extracted according to the combination table for the first symbol group. In a case where the combination thus determined is the specified combination for providing an award, the CPU  106  activates a flag for providing an award. The activated flag, which indicates an award is to be provided, is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM  110  by the CPU  106 . On the other hand, in a case where the combination of the stationary symbols to be formed on the winning lines L 1  to L 8  matches any one of the other combinations, that are the losing combinations, the CPU  106  does not activate the flag which indicates that an award is to be provided. Then, the CPU  106  reads payout rate setting data so as to be stored in the RAM  110 , refers to the symbol weighing data corresponding to the payout rate setting data, and determines symbols of each cells  911  to  913  based on the random numbers thus selected. 
     In regards to the second symbol group, the CPU  106  extracts a random number from the random number generator  112  and then selects random numbers corresponding to each of the two video reels  902  and  903  among a random number range of 0 to 255. Then, the CPU  106  refers to the symbol weighing data corresponding to the payout rate setting data and determines code numbers (see  FIG. 8 ) for each video reels  902  and  903  based on the two random numbers thus selected. The code numbers selected for each video reels  902  and  903  correspond to the symbol code numbers of the symbols which are to be rearranged along the winning line L 2 . Subsequently, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 6 . 
     In Step S 6 , the CPU  106  displays an image in which cells  911  to  933  of the first symbol group and the video reels  902  and  903  of the second symbol group start to scroll, and then advances processing to Step S 7 . In Step S 7 , the CPU  106  waits for a predetermined period of time to elapse. When the predetermined period of time has elapsed (“YES” in the determination processing in Step S 7 ), the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 8 . In Step S 8 , the CPU  106  automatically stops scrolling of the cells  911  to  933 . Subsequently, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 9 . 
     In Step S 9 , the CPU  106  determines whether or not a predetermined symbol combination has been formed based upon the results of the stationary symbol determination processing performed in Step S 5 . Specifically, the CPU  106  makes this determination based upon the state of the flag which indicates that the award is to be provided with respect to the winning lines stored in the predetermined memory area of the RAM  110 . In a case where the flag, which indicates that the award is to be provided, has not been activated, in other words, in a case where the symbol combination matches any one of the “other” combinations, which are combinations other than the specified combinations for providing an award (“NO” in the determination processing in Step S 9 ), the CPU  106  determines that the specified combination for providing an award has not been formed, and advances the processing to Step S 11 . On the other hand, in a case where the flag, which indicates that an award is to be provided, has been activated, in other words, in a case where the symbol combination matches any one of the combinations other than the “other” combinations (“YES” in the determination processing in Step S 9 ), the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 10 . 
     In Step S 10 , the CPU  106  executes processing of providing the award. Specifically, based upon the combination table for the first symbol group ( FIG. 9 ), the CPU  106  provides the award corresponding to combination kinds. Subsequently, the CPU  106  advances processing to Step S 11 . 
     In Step S 11 , the CPU  106  stops scrolling of the second symbol group. The CPU  106  stops the scrolling of the first symbol group, and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, subsequently stops the scrolling of the second symbol group. Subsequently, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 12 . 
     In Step S 12 , the CPU  106  determines whether or not a predetermined symbol combination including the second symbol group has been formed. In a case where the CPU  106  determines that the predetermined symbol combination has been formed, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 13 , and in a case where the CPU  106  determines that the predetermined symbol combination has not been formed, the CPU  106  terminates the routine. 
     In Step S 13 , the CPU  106  executes processing for providing the award including the second symbol group. Specifically, the CPU  106  advances the processing to the processing for providing the second award (refer to  FIG. 13 ), and subsequently, terminates the routine. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a second award providing processing executed in the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     At first, the CPU  106  determines whether or not a rate symbol is rearranged (Step S 101 ). Specifically, the CPU  106  determines whether or not a “2 times” rate symbol  97 , a “5 times” rate symbol  98 , and a “10 times” rate symbol  99  are rearranged in the second symbol group on the extended line of the winning lines on which the first symbol group forms a predetermined combination. In a case where the CPU  106  determines that the rate symbol is rearranged thereon, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 102 , and in a case where the CPU  106  determines that the rate symbol is not rearranged, the CPU advances the processing to Step S  103 . In step S 102 , the CPU  106  calculates the amount of the award and provides the award. Specifically, the CPU  106  provides an award that equals the award corresponding to the predetermined combination formed by the first symbol group multiplied by the payout rate corresponding to the rate symbol which indicates the payout rate of the award. The payout rate is stored in the payout rate table of the rate symbol (refer to  FIG. 10 ) in correlation with the rate symbols. Subsequently, the CPU  106  terminates the processing, and returns to the next step of the second award providing processing in the basic game processing. 
     In Step S 103 , the CPU  106  determines whether or not the predetermined symbol combination has been formed. Specifically, the CPU  106  determines whether or not a combined combination of the rearranged symbols of the first symbol group forming the predetermined combination on the winning line and the rearranged symbols of the second symbol group on the extended line of the winning line matches a predetermined combination based upon the symbol combination table ( FIG. 11 ). In a case where the predetermined combination is formed, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 104 . In a case where the predetermined combination is not formed, the CPU  106  terminates the processing, and returns to the next step of the second award providing processing of the basic game processing. 
     In Step S 104 , the CPU  106  provides the award. Specifically, the CPU  106  reads a payout amount corresponding to the combined combination of the first symbol group and the second symbol group based on the symbol combination table for the combined combination of the first symbol group and the second symbol group. The CPU  106  provides the payout amount. Subsequently, the CPU  106  terminates the processing, and returns to the next step of the second award providing processing of the basic game processing. 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram showing a first example of a display screen of a game performed by the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The first example shows an example of providing an award for the first symbol group and of further providing an award which equals the award multiplied by the payout rate for the second symbol group. 
       FIG. 14  shows that the first display area  901  as the first symbol group including 3 rows and 3 columns, and the central reel  902  and the left reel  903  as the second symbol group are disposed on the display area of the liquid crystal display  30 . The first display  901  area is shown with a flame image  904 . Winning lines L 1  to L 8  are set in the first display area  901  in advance. 
     Furthermore,  FIG. 14  shows that upon reception of an input of the instruction for starting the game, the basic game is started, then scrolling of the cells  911  to  933  in the first display area  901  is started subsequently, scrolling is stopped and symbols in the cells are rearranged.  FIG. 14  shows that as a result of the rearrangement, a thunder symbol  95  formed a predetermined combination together with a wild symbol  96  on a winning line L 2 . Moreover,  FIG. 14  shows that a smile symbol  91  forms a predetermined combination together with a wild symbol  96  on a winning line L 8 . In addition,  FIG. 14  shows that the center reel  902  and the left reel  903  are in the process of rearranging. 
       FIG. 15  is an example of the display screen continued from  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 15  shows that the symbols in the first symbol group is stopped, and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the symbols in the second symbol group are subsequently stopped and stationary symbols are displayed on the center reel  902  on the liquid crystal display  30 . The stationary symbols thus displayed include a star symbol  93 , a smile symbol  91  and a thunder symbol  95 . Here, neither symbols are a rate symbol which indicates a rate of an award. 
       FIG. 16  is an example of the display screen continued from  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 16  shows that stationary symbols are displayed on the left reel  903  of the second symbol group on the liquid crystal display  30  and the stationary symbols displayed thereon are a thunder symbol  95 , the 10 times symbol  99 , and a sun symbol  94 .  FIG. 16  also shows that the “10 times” rate symbol  99  of the second symbol group is rearranged on the extended line of the winning line L 2  on which the first symbol group forms the predetermined combination, whereby an award multiplied by 10 is to be provided. 
       FIG. 17  is a diagram showing the second example of the display screen of the game performed by the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The second example is an example showing that an award is provided for the combination formed in the first symbol group and an award is further provided for the combined combination of the first symbol group and the second symbol group. 
       FIG. 17  shows that upon reception of an input of the instruction for starting the game, the basic game is started, then scrolling of the cells  911  to  933  in the first display area is started, scrolling is subsequently, stopped and symbols in the cells are rearranged.  FIG. 17  shows that as a result of the rearrangement, a thunder symbol  95  forms a predetermined combination together with a wild symbol  96  on a winning line L 2 . Furthermore,  FIG. 17  shows that a smile symbol  91  forms a predetermined combination together with a wild symbol  96  on a winning line L 8 . Moreover,  FIG. 17  shows that the symbols in the first symbol group are stopped, after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the center reel  902  of the second symbol group is subsequently stopped, and the left reel  903  are in the process of rearranging. 
       FIG. 18  is an example of the display screen continued from  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 18  shows that as a result of rearranging symbol within the display area of the liquid crystal display  30 , a thunder symbol  95  forms a predetermined combination together with a wild symbol  96  on a winning line L 2 . Furthermore,  FIG. 18  shows that a moon symbol  90 , a thunder symbol  95  and a star symbol  93  are rearranged on the left reel  903  and a sun symbol  94 , a thunder symbol  95  and a heart symbol  92  are rearranged on the center reel  902  of the second symbol group. Moreover,  FIG. 18  shows that since a combined combination of the thunder symbol  95  rearranged on the winning line L 2  of the first symbol group and the thunder symbol  95  rearranged on the extended line of the winning line L 2  matches the predetermined combination, a predetermined award is additionally provided. 
     In the present embodiment, although the first symbol group is configured with video reels including 3 rows and 3 columns, and the second symbol group is configured with video reels including 2 columns, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first symbol group may be configured with mechanical reels including 3 rows and 3 columns, and the second symbol group may be configured with mechanical reels including 2 columns. Similarly, the combination of a video reel and a mechanical reel may be utilized as well. 
     While the embodiments of the gaming machine  10  according to the present invention have been described above, it should be clearly understood that the embodiments in no way restrict the present invention, and that the specific configurations such as the means and members may be modified and altered as suitable. Moreover, it should be understood that the advantages described in association with the embodiments are merely a listing of the most preferred advantages, and that the advantages of the present invention are by no means restricted to those described in connection with the embodiments.