Patent Publication Number: US-2009227331-A1

Title: Gaming machine performing another action to further determine an award if a specified symbol is displayed in a predetermined area

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/034,421, 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 which performs another action for further determining an award when a specified symbol is displayed at a predetermined area. 
     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. 
     However, although the slot machine described above produces novel and powerful effects in a game by providing the video display, the method of determining an award is still the same as that of the conventional slot machines and the game tends to lack in variety. Thus, a gaming machine which can arouse a player&#39;s interest by exhibiting a new method of determining an award that has not existed thus far is anticipated. 
     The present invention provides a gaming machine with new entertainment properties which provides an award based on a combination of stationary symbols displayed and provides another award by performing another action for further determining an award when a specified symbol is displayed within a predetermined area, whereby the gaming machine can arouse a player&#39;s interest, and enhance excitement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine includes: a display for displaying a plurality of symbols used in a game; 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 corresponding to the random number generated, to stationarily display on the display; (d) rearranging the determined symbol corresponding to the processing of (c), by displaying a symbol stationarily on the display; (e) providing a first award to a player playing the game in a case where a combination of the rearranged symbols matches a predetermined condition; (f) aside from providing the first award, newly displaying a symbol selection image for selecting a symbol on the display in a case where a specified symbol is rearranged within a predetermined area of the display and a symbol for providing a second award is rearranged around the predetermined area; (g) moving the displayed symbol selection image by sequentially displaying the newly displayed symbol selection image on each of the symbols rearranged around the predetermined area; (h) stopping the movement of the symbol selection image; and (i) providing the second award to the player playing the game in a case where the symbol for providing the second award has been ed at the position where the movement of the symbol selection image has been stopped. 
     The gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to execute following operations: (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 corresponding to the random number generated, to stationarily display on the display; (d) rearranging the determined symbol corresponding to the processing of (c), by displaying a symbol stationarily on the display; (e) providing a first award to a player playing the game in a case where a combination of ed symbols matches a predetermined condition; (f) aside from providing the first award, newly displaying a symbol selection image for selecting a symbol on the display in a case where a specified symbol is rearranged ed within the predetermined area of the display and the symbol for providing a second award is rearranged around the predetermined area; (g) moving the displayed symbol selection image by sequentially displaying the newly displayed symbol selection image on each of the symbols rearranged around the predetermined area; (h) stopping the movement of the symbol selection image; and (i) providing the second award to the player playing the game in a case where the symbol for providing the second award has been rearranged at the position where the movement of the symbol selection image has been stopped. 
     In a second aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine includes: a display for displaying a plurality of symbols used in a game; 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 corresponding to the random number generated, to stationarily display on the display; (d) rearranged ing the determined symbol corresponding to the processing of (c), by displaying a symbol stationarily on the display; (e) providing a first award to a player playing the game in a case where a combination of the rearranged symbols matches the predetermined condition; (f) aside from providing the first award, newly displaying a symbol selection image for selecting a symbol on the display in a case where a specified symbol is rearranged within a predetermined area of the display and the symbol for providing a second award is rearranged around the predetermined area; (g) newly generating a random number after the processing of (f); (h) moving the displayed symbol selection image by sequentially displaying the newly displayed symbol selection image on each of the symbols rearranged around the predetermined area; (i) stopping the movement of the symbol selection image according to the random number thus newly generated; and (j) providing the second award to the player playing the game in a case where the symbol for providing the second award has been rearranged at the position where the movement of the symbol selection image has been stopped. 
     The gaming machine according to the second aspect of the present invention is configured to execute the following operations: (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 corresponding to the random number thus generated, to stationarily display on the display; (d) rearranging the determined symbol corresponding to the processing of (c), by displaying a symbol stationarily on the display; (e) providing a first award to a player playing the game in a case where a combination of the rearranged symbols matches the predetermined condition; and (f) aside from providing the first award, newly displaying a symbol selection image for selecting a symbol on the display in a case where a specified symbol is rearranged within a predetermined area of the display and the symbol for providing a second award is rearranged around the predetermined area; (g) newly generating a random number after the processing of (f); (h) moving the displayed symbol selection image by sequentially displaying the newly displayed symbol selection image on each of the symbols rearranged around the predetermined area; (i) stopping the movement of the symbol selection image according to the random number thus newly generated; and (j) providing the second award to the player playing the game in a case where the symbol for providing the second award has been rearranged at the position where the movement of the symbol selection image has been stopped. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing characteristics of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         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 award according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a symbol layout table according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing basic game processing executed in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing processing of providing a second award according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a first example of a display screen of a game displayed by the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an example of the display screen continued from  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an example of the display screen continued from  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an example of the display screen continued from  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram showing a symbol selection image movement table according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram showing a second example of the display screen of the game displayed by the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram showing an area table for rearranging a specified symbol according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram showing a third example of the display screen of the game displayed by the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     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 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 a basic game; (b) starting scrolling of symbols displayed on the 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 first award to a player in a case where a combination of the rearranged symbols matches a predetermined condition, (f) aside from providing the first award, newly displaying a symbol selection image for selecting a symbol on the liquid crystal display  30  in a case where a specified symbol (for example, a sun symbol  94 ) is rearranged within a predetermined area of the liquid crystal display  30  and the symbol for providing a second award is rearranged around the predetermined area; (g) moving the displayed symbol selection image by sequentially displaying the newly displayed symbol selection image on each of the symbols rearranged around the predetermined area; (h) stopping the movement of the symbol selection image; and (i) providing the second award to the player playing the game in a case where the symbol for providing the second award has been rearranged at the position where the movement of the symbol selection image has been stopped. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing the characteristics of the gaming machine  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 ,  30  indicates a display for displaying a plurality of symbols used in a game and  912  indicates a cell positioned at the first row and the second column of a display screen  31   a  (which is described later referring to  FIG. 3 ), where the symbols are to be rearranged. The gaming machine  10  according to the present invention, upon starting a basic game, rearranges the symbols in the cells, and provides a first award to a player in a case where a combination of the rearranged symbols matches a predetermined condition. Furthermore, the gaming machine  10  according to the present invention newly displays a symbol selection image (for example, a shaded frame  903  in  FIG. 1 ) in a case where a specified symbol (for example, a sun symbol  94 ) is rearranged within a predetermined area (for example, the area indicated by a thick line frame  902  in  FIG. 1 ) and the symbol for providing a second award (for example, a smile symbol  91 ) is rearranged around the predetermined area, moves the symbol selection image (for example, the movement indicated by the broken line  905  shown in  FIG. 1 ), and then stops the movement. Subsequently, the gaming machine  10  according to the present invention provides the second award in a case where the symbol for providing the second award (for example, the smile symbol  91 ) is rearranged at the position where the movement of the symbol selection image has been stopped. Thus, the gaming machine  10  according to the present invention provides an award based on a combination of rearranged symbols, and in a case where the specified symbol is rearranged within a predetermined area and a symbol for providing a second award is rearranged, further performs another action for providing another award, and, based on the action, provides another award thereby providing with new entertainment properties that can arouse a player&#39;s interest and enhance excitement. 
     First Embodiment 
       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 a 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 push operation on either the start switch  25  or the spin repeat bet switch  24  triggers starting the game. 
     A payout switch  26  is disposed adjacent to the coin insertion slot  22  on the operation panel  21 . Upon push 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 has a display screen  31   a  and a display screen  31   b . The display screen  31   a  displays cells  911  to  935  arranged in a matrix. 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  935  are basic units of the display arranged in a matrix provided on the display screen  31   a.    
     The display screen  31   a  displays the cells  911  to  935  which are divided into a matrix of three rows and five columns. Here, the cell  911  indicates the cell at row  1  and column  1 , and the cell  935  indicates the cell at row  3  and the column  5 . On each of the cells  911  to  935 , symbol data of moon symbols  90 , a smile symbol  91 , heart symbols  92 , star symbols  93 , a sun symbol  94 , and a ribbon symbol  95  are displayed. 
     The payout amount display unit  18  displays an amount of an award to be paid out when a combination of stationary symbols displayed on the display screen  31   a  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. 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 electric 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 or 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. 8  (hereinafter referred to as routine execution program”), initial data for executing the control program, and various data tables. The routine executing program includes the abovementioned first award providing processing, the second award providing processing, and the like. The tables shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  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 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 speakers  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 speakers  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 input 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 of the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The electrical configuration of the display control device  200  is described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     The abovementioned display control device  200  is a sub-microcomputer for performing 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 these data to the driving circuit  218  as display signals via the VDP  212 , whereby cells  911  to  935  are displayed on the display screen  31   a . 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  935  are rotatably displayed on the display screen  31   a.    
     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 the first award according to the embodiment of the present invention. The symbol data table for the first award includes columns of “Symbol Data”, “Base Dividend Amount”, and “Random Number Range”. 
     “Symbol Data” shows the symbol data that is to be rearranged in cells  911  to  935  on the display screen  31   a . “Base Dividend Amount” shows a dividend amount that is to be provided to a player in a case where a combination of the symbol data matches a predetermined condition. The dividend amount that is to be provided when the symbols represented by the symbol data form adjacent arrangement is one example. An adjacent arrangement is formed in a case where identical symbol data is rearranged in one of the cells (for example, a cell  922 ) and also in an immediately adjacent cell which lies on one of the upper side (for example, a cell  912 ), the lower side (for example, a cell  932 ), the left side (for example, a cell  921 ) and the right side (for example, a cell  923 ) of the cell. In other words, the adjacent arrangement is formed when identical symbol data is rearranged in two or more than two adjacent cells. The dividend amount is determined by the base dividend amount multiplied by the number of cells forming the adjacent arrangement. For example, when symbols represented by three identical symbol data form an adjacent arrangement, the dividend amount equals a base dividend amount multiplied by three. “Random Number Range” shows a range of random numbers for rearranging symbol data in cells  911  to  935  corresponding to a random number generated. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a symbol data table for a second award according to the embodiment of the present invention. The symbol data table for the second award includes columns of “Symbol Data”, “Dividend Amount of the Second Award”, and “Random Number Range of Symbol for providing second award”. 
     “Symbol Data” shows the symbol data that is to be rearranged in cells  911  to  935  on the display screen  31   a . “Dividend Amount of the Second Award” shows the dividend amount provided in a case where the condition for providing the second award is met supposing the “Symbol Data” is the symbol for providing the second award. “Random Number Range” shows the range of the random number which determines the symbol data for providing the second award, corresponding to the random number generated. For example, the smile symbol  91  can be the symbol for providing the second award in accordance with a generated random number. In this case, when the sun symbol  94  is rearranged at the predetermined area as the specified symbol and the smile symbol  91  is rearranged around the predetermined area, the CPU  106  newly displays the symbol selection image and subsequently moves the symbol selection image. In a case where the smile symbol  91  is rearranged at the position where the symbol selection image has been stopped, then the dividend amount of 2000 is provided as the second award. 
       FIG. 8  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. 8  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 13 . 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. Specifically, the CPU  106  determines the amount of coins to bet in the present game based on the operation of the bet switch  23 . The CPU  106  reads the credit amount C stored in a 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 13 , 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 13 ), 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 13 ), 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. 
     Specifically, the CPU  106  extracts a random number from the random number generator  112 . Based on the symbol data table for the first award, the CPU  106  determines symbols to arrange in each of cells  911  to  935  with the extracted random number (0 to 65535), and accordingly, determines the symbol for providing the second award, then stores the symbol thus determined in the RAM  110 . Subsequently, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 6 . 
     In Step S 6 , the CPU  106  executes the scrolling display of the symbols in cells  911  to  935 . Specifically, the CPU  106  executes the scrolling display of the symbols in the cells  911  to  935  sequentially or simultaneously, based on the symbol stored in the abovementioned RAM  110 . Subsequently, the CPU  106  the advances processing to Step S 7 . 
     In Step S 7 , the CPU  106  waits for a predetermined period of time to elapse, and 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 the following Step S 8 , the CPU  106  terminates the scrolling of the symbols and advances the processing to Step S 9 . 
     In Step S 9 , the CPU  106  determines whether or not the predetermined condition has been met. Specifically, the CPU  106  determines whether or not an adjacent arrangement has been formed for each symbol, and in a case where the CPU  106  determines that an adjacent arrangement has been formed, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 10 , and in a case where the CPU determines that an adjacent arrangement has not been formed, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 11 . 
     In Step S 10 , the CPU  106  executes a processing for providing the first award. Specifically, the CPU  106  counts the number of cells forming an adjacent arrangement for each of the symbol data, calculates the award based on the symbol data table for the first award, and provides the award. Subsequently, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 11 . 
     In step S 11 , the CPU  106  determines whether or not the condition for performing another action has been met. Specifically, the CPU  106  rearranges the specified symbol within the predetermined area, and subsequently determines whether or not the symbol for providing the second award has been rearranged around the predetermined area. In a case where the CPU  106  determines that the condition for performing another action has been met, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 12 , and in a case where the CPU  106  determines that the condition for performing another action has not been met, the CPU  106  terminates the routine. 
     In step S 12 , the CPU  106  executes processing for providing the second award. Specifically, the CPU  106  advances the processing to the processing of providing the second award (see  FIG. 9 ), and terminates the routine. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart for processing of providing the second award executed by the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     Firstly, the CPU  106  displays a symbol selection image (Step S 101 ), and advances the processing to Step S 102 . In Step S 102 , the CPU  106  advances the symbol selection image and advances the processing to Step S 3 . In the following Step S 103 , the CPU  106  stops the movement of the symbol selection image and advances the processing to Step S 104 . In Step S 104 , the CPU  106  determines whether or not the symbol displayed at a position in cells  911  to  935  where the symbol selection image has stopped is the symbol for providing the second award. In a case where the CPU  106  determines that the symbol displayed is the symbol for providing the second award, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 105 , and in a case where the CPU  106  determines that the symbol displayed is not the symbol for providing the second award, the CPU  106  terminates the processing, then executes the processing, and returns to the next step of the second award providing processing (Step S 12 ) in the basic game processing routine. In Step S 105 , the CPU  105  executes the processing of providing the second award, terminates the processing thereof, executes the processing, and returns to the next step of the second award providing processing (Step S 12 ) in the basic game processing routine. 
       FIG. 10  is a first example of a display screen of a game displayed by the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the example described here, it is supposed that the specified symbol is the sun symbol  94  and the symbol for providing the second award is the smile symbol  91 . 
       FIG. 10  shows that symbols have been displayed in the cells  911  to  935  on the liquid crystal display  30 , that the basic game has been started in response to input of an instruction for starting the game, that a random number has been generated, that a stationary symbol has been determined together with a symbol for providing the second award, and that a scrolling display of the symbols is being executed in each of cells  911  to  935 .  FIG. 10  also shows that the bold line frame  902  indicates the predetermined area. 
       FIG. 11  is an example of the display screen continued from  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 11  shows that the symbols have been rearranged in the cells  911  to  935  on the liquid crystal display  30  and that a first award has been provided, since the rearranged symbols form an adjacent arrangement (the star symbols  93  have been arranged adjacently in the cells  911 ,  921  and  931 , and the heart symbols  92  have been arranged adjacently in the cells  912  and  922 ). Furthermore,  FIG. 11  shows that the sun symbol  94 , which is the specified symbol, has been rearranged in the cell  924  positioned within the area surrounded by the bold line frame  902  and the smile symbol  91 , which is the symbol for providing the second award, has been rearranged in the cell  932  positioned around the bold line frame  902 , whereby the shaded frame  903  is being newly displayed as the symbol selection image. In addition,  FIG. 11  shows that the smile symbol  91  is being marked by a mark  904 , since a second award is provided in a case where the shaded frame  903  moves and stops at the smile symbol  91 . 
       FIG. 12  is an example of the display screen continued from  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 12  shows that the shaded frame  903 , which is the symbol selection image, has been moved to the cell  925  positioned one cell below. 
       FIG. 13  is an example of the display screen continued from  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 13  shows that the shaded frame  903 , which is the symbol selection image, has been stopped, and the smile symbol  91 , which is the symbol for providing the second award, has been rearranged ed at the cell  932  where the shaded frame  903  has stopped, whereby the second award is being provided. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the second embodiment, a random number is newly generated after a symbol selection image for selecting a symbol is newly displayed on the display. 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram showing a symbol selection image movement table according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The symbol selection image movement table includes columns of “Number of Cells Moved” and “Random Number Range”. “Number of Cells Moved” indicates the number of cells over which the symbol selection image has been moved. “Random Number Range” indicates the range for the random number newly generated. The number of cells over which the symbol selection image moves is determined based on the random number table for the symbol selection image with the random number thus generated. 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram showing a second example of the display screen of the game displayed by the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  shows a state in which symbols have been rearranged ed in the cells  911  to  935  on the liquid crystal display  30 , a first award has been provided, a specified symbol (for example, the sun symbol  94 ) has been rearranged within the bold line frame  902 , and the heart symbol  92 , which is the symbol for providing the second award, has been rearranged in the cells  912  and  933  around the bold line frame  902 , whereby the shaded frame  903  has been newly displayed as a symbol selection image and a random number is being newly generated. The shaded frame  903  is moved based on the random number thus generated, and in a case where a symbol for providing the second award has been rearranged at a position where the symbol selection image has been stopped among cells  911  to  935  (for example, the shaded image  903  has been stopped over cell  912  or cell  933 ), the second award is provided. 
     By the abovementioned configuration, a chance of providing the second award is provided according to a result of newly generating a random number, whereby the gaming machine  10  can further arouse a player&#39;s interest and enhance the player&#39;s excitement while the random number is being generated. 
     Third Embodiment 
     In a third embodiment of the present invention, the gaming machine  10  determines a predetermined area based on a dividend amount of a first award. 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram showing an area table for determining a specified symbol according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The area table includes columns of “Number of cells within the area” and “Dividend amount of the first award”. “Number of Cells within the Area” indicates that the number of cells within the predetermined area for determining whether or not the specified symbol has been rearranged. “Dividend Amount of the First Award” indicates that the dividend amount provided as a first award. The number of cells within the predetermined area for determining whether or not the specified symbol has been rearranged is determined based on the area table with the dividend amount of the first award. The cell to be positioned in the predetermined area is determined among cells  922  to  924  based on the number of cells within the area thus determined. In a case where the number of cells within the area thus determined is 1, one of the cells among the cell  921 , the cell  922  and the cell  923  is determined as the cell to be positioned within the predetermined area, based on the random number. Furthermore, in a case where the number of cells within the area thus determined is 2, either the cells  921  and  922 , or the cells  922  and the cell  923  are determined as the cells positioned within the predetermined area based on the random number. Subsequently, the specified symbol is rearranged within the predetermined area, and whether or not the symbol for providing the second award has been rearranged around the predetermined area is determined. In a case where the condition met, another action for providing the second award is performed. 
       FIG. 17  is a diagram showing a third example of a display screen of the game displayed by the gaming machine  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  shows an example in which symbols are rearranged in the cells  911  to  935  on the liquid crystal display  30 , a first award is provided, and a predetermined area for determining the second award according to the first award is determined. 
     The example shows that a bold line frame  902  is set in cells  921  and  922  according to a first award. In a case where the specified symbol (for example, the sun symbol  94 ) is rearranged and the symbol for providing the second award is rearranged around the bold line frame  902  (cells  911  to  914 , cells  914  to  934 , cells  934  to  931 , and cells  931  to  911  are the cells positioned around the bold line frame  902 , and the cells on the fifth column, which are cells  915  to  935 , are not included), another action is performed for providing the second award. 
     The predetermined area may be enlarged in a case where the dividend of the first award is high, and the predetermined area may be reduced in a case where the dividend of the first award is low or none. According to the first award, the player&#39;s interest can be aroused, and excitement can be enhanced. 
     On the other hand, the predetermined area may be reduced in a case where the dividend of the first award is high, and the predetermined area may be enlarged in a case where the dividend of the first award is low or none. Although the dividend of the first award is low, there is a chance that a second award will be provided, whereby the player&#39;s interest can be aroused and the excitement is enhanced. 
     In the present embodiment, cells on the display screen are configured with video-based reels, but may also be configured with mechanical reels. Another action for providing the second award can be performed by disposing a transparent liquid crystal display in front of a mechanical reel. 
     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.