US 6,206,781 B1 · Game machine with reel light control means

Abstract

In conventional types of slot machines, the prize status is determined by random selection using random numbers for each game. In this type of conventional slot machine, for example, the current game prize status is determined by the random selection of the prize status when a token is put into the slot machine to operate the start lever. When the current game prize status is determined, the reels are rotated to begin the game. In the type of slot machine in which the prize status is determined by random selection using random numbers in the present invention, a demonstration is made by unusual lights or sounds or by unusual operations when the randomly selected prize status is a “big jackpot” or when a “big jackpot” is missed by one reel symbol among all the reels (this condition of two matching symbols is referred to as “one-shy”). In one method for making this demonstration, reel lights are provided on the reverse side of reel belts on which are imprinted the symbols around the reels, and these reel lights, which in conventional slot machines are flashed only when the prize status has been confirmed after all the reels have stopped, are flashed before all the reels stop. In the present invention, a demonstration is made by flashing reel lights when the game prize status is “one-shy,” making it possible to provide an exciting game environment which is visually appealing to the player and arouses the anticipation of the player.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of operating a slot machine, comprising:

randomly selecting game result conditions from among a plurality of conditions that include at least a first specific condition corresponding to a win condition and a second specific condition corresponding to a one-shy condition, before a plurality of reels, which are rotated at the start of a game, come to a stop, wherein said slot machine includes reel light control means for flashing the reel lights on the inside which illuminate the symbols imprinted on the circumference of the aforementioned plurality of reels when the randomly selected game results correspond to specific conditions;
initiating flashing of said reel light control means upon selecting said first or second specific conditions;
in response to the first specific condition, continuing to flash at least one reel light of said reel light control means after all of the reels have come to a stop;
and
in response to the second specific condition, stopping the reel light control means from flashing when all of the reels have come to a stop;
and
a player is alerted by said reel light control means to the fact that the aforementioned randomly selected game result condition corresponds to one of the aforementioned specific conditions when the rotation of all but one specific reel among the aforementioned plurality of reels has stopped.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Game machine with reel light control means

Life of this patent

Game machine with reel light control means

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18