JP2000126398A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the certainty of a pattern action display and to facilitate the inspection and development of a game machine. SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with a display control device 40 controlling the display of a variable display device 4 based on the instruction signal from a game control device 20. When the action display mode of identification information is to be changed, the action display mode direction signal directing the action display mode and the identification information recognition signal indicating the identification information serving as a base point are transmitted as the instruction signal, the identification information based on the identification information recognition signal is displayed as the base point, and the action display mode is variably displayed based on the action display mode direction signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to an improvement on a command signal transmitted from a game control device to a display control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a game is played by a variable display game on a variable display device arranged substantially at the center of a game area. In the variable display game, when the symbols on the left, middle, and right of the variable display device start to fluctuate by winning a winning opening of the game area, and after a predetermined time, the symbols stop and a specific symbol is aligned. Is to give the player a prize value such as a prize ball as a jackpot.

In order to display symbols on the variable display device, a display control device for controlling the display of the variable display device and a game control device separate from the display control device are provided.
This game control device is the main device of game control,
In addition to the function of determining the occurrence of the above-mentioned jackpot, it also has a function of transmitting a command signal for commanding the display mode of the symbol to the display control device.

The command signal includes symbol number information for designating the left, middle, and right symbols to be displayed, and symbol position information for designating a slight vertical shift of the symbol to be displayed. The symbol number information and the symbol position information are individually prepared for the left, middle, and right symbols. Then, a block of data in which these pieces of information are put together is transmitted as a command signal from the game control device to the display control device periodically (for example, every 16 milliseconds).

[0005] Upon receiving the command signal, the display control device displays each symbol as it is on the variable display device in the form of the symbol specified by the command signal. When it is desired to change each symbol, the symbol number information and the symbol position information of each symbol are updated inside the game control device, and the updated information is transmitted to the variable display device as a command signal. That is, when the symbol number information and the symbol position information are transmitted to the variable display device as a command signal without being updated, the symbol is displayed in a stopped state, and the symbol number information and the symbol position information are changed while being updated as the command signal. When the symbols are transmitted to the display device, the symbols are changed and displayed, and the symbol changing speed is determined in accordance with the information update speed.

[0006] Further, the information communication form between the game control device and the display control device is configured to transmit data only in the direction from the game control device to the display control device. This eliminates the need for the game control device to have a data reception program, thereby simplifying the configuration of the game control device.

[0007]

As described above, conventionally,
The game controller updates the symbol number information and symbol position information included in the instruction signal, and continuously sends the instruction signal to the display controller, thereby changing / stopping the symbol while freely changing the symbol variation speed. Was controlled.

That is, the variable display of the symbol on the variable display device corresponds to the command signal transmitted from the game control device to the display control device on a one-to-one basis, and one frame is performed for each command signal. The symbol number information and the symbol position information must be transmitted as a command signal for each frame, and the amount of information transmitted as the command signal has been enormous. For example, during a symbol change for 16 seconds, a command signal of 1000 blocks was transmitted.

For this reason, when the display on the variable display device is inspected by an inspection organization, or when a game machine is developed by a manufacturer, the command signal of this enormous amount of information is confirmed in correspondence with the screen display one by one. A great deal of effort was required.

[0010] In recent years, complicated and various display patterns have been adopted for variable display of symbols on the variable display device in order to enhance the interest of games.
Therefore, the program for updating the symbol number information and the symbol position information in the game control device is more complicated than in the past.

[0011] This imposes more burden on the program verification of the game control device in the inspection organization, and even during the development by the manufacturer, it takes time to verify the command signal and verify the program of the game control device.

Here, considering a method in which the relation between the display mode of the symbol and the command signal is most easily understood by the human sense, a series of operation patterns from the start to the stop of the symbol change are all displayed. If the command signal for selecting one of all these operation patterns is transmitted from the game control device in addition to being stored in the control device, the sequence from the start to the stop of the change of the command signal and the symbol can be obtained. Action is 1
Since it corresponds to one-to-one, it can be said that recognition is easy.

[0013] However, the combination of a series of operation patterns from the start of the symbol change to the stop of the symbol change is left, middle,
Since each symbol on the right includes at least a pattern that specifies which symbol is finally stopped, the number of patterns is equal to the number of symbols multiplied. Also, when the left and right symbols stop at the same symbol, when performing the operation of slowing down the fluctuation speed of the middle symbol (so-called reach operation),
It is necessary to send a command signal different from that at other times without the reach operation, and since there are many types of reach operations, the number of patterns eventually becomes an astronomical number. Therefore, verifying all of the astronomical command signals is an inefficient operation.

On the other hand, since a large number of metal game balls are used in a pachinko machine or the like, noise due to static electricity resulting therefrom may adversely affect transmission of a command signal and control in a display control device. . For this reason, the transmission of the command signal from the game control device is a condition that the command signal is not easily disturbed by the influence of noise or the like.

According to the present invention, if a series of operation patterns from the start of the change of the symbol to the stop of the symbol change are classified into portions where the symbol variation speed changes, the change of the symbol variation speed is commanded by a command signal. Focusing on the fact that all types of reach operations can be instructed by a combination of several types of command signals, improving the certainty of display on the variable display device, and examining problems in inspection by inspection organizations and development of manufacturers. It is an object to provide a gaming machine that can be solved.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game control device for integrally controlling a game, a variable display device capable of displaying variable identification information in a plurality of display areas, and the game control device. A display control device that controls display on the variable display device based on a command signal from the game control device, when changing the operation display mode of the identification information, as a command signal, An operation display mode instruction signal for instructing an operation display mode, and a transmission unit capable of transmitting an identification information recognition signal indicating identification information serving as a base point, the display control device transmits identification information based on the identification information recognition signal. Control means for displaying the identification information at the base point and controlling the display on the variable display device so as to change and display the operation display mode based on the operation display mode instruction signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the transmission of the operation display mode instruction signal and the identification information recognition signal by the transmission means and the display control by the control means based on these signals include the variable display of the identification information. Is performed in the process of gradually decelerating from the state of the operation display mode in which high speed is performed.

[0018] In a third aspect based on the first and second aspects, the transmitting means, when changing the operation display mode of the identification information, includes the identification information at a predetermined time before the change and the change information at the time of the change. An identification information recognition signal indicating at least one of the identification information is transmitted.

In a fourth aspect based on the first to third aspects, the display control device is capable of controlling a display device to display a plurality of symbol rows each including a plurality of pieces of identification information on the display device. The display control device includes symbol row recognizable information capable of recognizing a predetermined symbol row from a plurality of symbol rows.

[0020]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the command signal (operation display mode instruction signal, identification information recognition signal, etc.) from the game control device to the display control device changes the operation display mode of each identification information on the variable display device. The information is transmitted when it is changed, and the operation of each piece of identification information is displayed by the display control device based on the transmitted command signal. In this case, for example, for various reach operations, various reach operation displays can be performed by combining several types of command signals in which operation display modes and the like are set according to the types of the reach operations. Therefore, the total output amount of the command signal can be sufficiently reduced. Further, since the transmission of the command signal corresponds to the change in the operation display mode, the relation between the command signal and the display of the variable display device is visually associated and checked at the time of inspection by an inspection organization or development of a game machine. be able to. In addition, since it is not necessary to specify the state of the identification information in the command signal in detail, the command signal can be simplified, and the verification of the command signal and the program verification of the game control device can be easily performed. Therefore, the inspection by the inspection organization and the development of the gaming machine by the manufacturer become easy.

Further, since the command signal is transmitted each time the operation display mode of each identification information is changed, even if an abnormality occurs in the display of the variable display device due to the influence of noise or the like, the display is performed based on the next command signal. Is corrected and the display is restored to the correct one.

According to the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, even if the command signal may not be transmitted correctly due to noise or the like in the process of gradually decelerating from the state of high-speed fluctuation,
The display is corrected to display the correct identification information, and the display can be stopped at the request stop symbol. In addition, each identification information can be naturally switched to desired identification information during high-speed fluctuation.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board 1 of a ball and ball game machine (pachinko game machine).

On the surface of the game board 1, a portion surrounded by the guide rail 2 becomes a game area 3. A variable display device (special symbol display device) 4 for displaying an image corresponding to the progress of the game is provided substantially at the center of the game area 3. The display screen portion of the variable display device 4 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (CRT), and the like (the LCD is used in the present embodiment). The image display of the variable display device 4 is controlled by the display control device 40 (see FIG. 2).

Below the variable display device 4, a special variable winning device (large winning opening) 5 is provided. Immediately above the special variable winning device 5, a starting port 7 having an electric gate (ordinary variable winning device) 6 is provided. The starting port 7 has a special symbol starting sensor (switch) 30 for detecting a winning ball. (See FIG. 2). The winning timing of the game ball to the starting port 7 is stored in the game control device 20 (see FIG. 2) as a winning memory, and the number of the winning memories is stored in the special symbol storage display 8 on the upper part of the variable display device 4. Will be displayed. The game control device 20 performs a lottery for a jackpot based on the winning memory.

Each time the jackpot is selected, the image display on the variable display device 4 is changed to a variable state. Specifically, the identification information (special symbol) displayed in each of a plurality of display areas (for example, three display areas) on the display screen is changed (for example, scrolled). Then, when the game becomes a big hit state by lottery, the changed identification information stops in a predetermined combination, and the special variable winning device 5 does not accept the ball for a predetermined period in a closed state (a state disadvantageous to the player). Is converted into an open state (a state advantageous to the player) in which the ball can be easily received, and the player is provided with a greater chance of acquiring a prize ball.

The special fluctuation winning device 5 includes a count sensor (switch) 31 (see FIG. 2) for counting the number of winning balls to the special fluctuation winning device 5 and the special fluctuation winning device 5.
A continuation sensor (switch) 32 (see FIG. 2) for detecting a winning ball to a continuous winning opening provided therein is provided.

The above open state is determined by the count sensor 31
A predetermined number (for example, 10) of prizes or a predetermined period of time (for example, 30)
Second) as one unit (one round). The round is repeated up to a predetermined upper limit (for example, 16 rounds) as long as there is a predetermined number of winnings in the special variable winning device 5 in each round and there is a winning in the continuous winning opening detected by the continuous sensor 32. It is supposed to be.

At the base of the starting port 7, an ordinary symbol display 10 for displaying an ordinary symbol, for example, a single-digit number, is provided. Then, based on the passage of the game ball to the passage 11 provided in the game area (normal symbol start memory) detected by the ordinary symbol start sensor (switch) 33 (see FIG. 2), the ordinary symbol display 10 , And a lottery for a normal symbol in the game control device 20 is performed.
When the lottery for the ordinary symbol is won, the ordinary symbol indicator 10 stops at a predetermined winning symbol, and the electric gate 6 of the starting port 7 is opened. The normal symbol start memory indicating the timing at which the game ball has passed through the passage 11 is stored in the game control device 20, and the stored number is displayed on the normal symbol memory display 12 around the normal symbol display 8. It has become.

In the game area 3, in addition to the above-described structure, general winning ports 13, 14, a game ball rolling guide member (windmill) 1
5. Decorative lamps 71 (see FIG. 2) including the side lamps 16 are provided. The side lamp 16
Also serves as an abnormality notification lamp, and notifies the occurrence of an abnormality such as fraud by changing the blinking pattern. In addition, most of the game nails arranged in the game area 3 and a plurality of decorative LEDs
72 (see FIG. 2) is omitted from the illustration.

At the lower part of the gaming machine, an operation unit of a hit ball launching device (not shown) is provided, and by this operation, game balls (pachinko balls) are launched one by one into a game area.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system centered on the game control device 20 of the ball game machine.

As shown, the game control device 20 comprises:
Arithmetic processing unit 2 with built-in ROM 21A and RAM 21B
1, an input interface 22, an output interface 23, an oscillator 24, a reset signal generation circuit 25, and the like.

The arithmetic processing unit 21 receives a special symbol starting sensor 30 of the starting opening 7, a count sensor 31 and a continuation sensor 32 in the special fluctuation winning device 5, a normal symbol starting gate sensor 33 of the passing opening 11, and a safe sensor 34. Is input. Here, the safe sensor 34 refers to each of the winning devices (the special variable winning device 5, the starting port 7, the general winning port 13,
When the game balls (winning balls) winning in 14) are collected in a safe unit (not shown), this sensor detects the winning balls.

Based on these detection signals, the arithmetic processing unit 21 uses a program (game program) stored in the ROM 21A in units of a predetermined sequence.
Performs overall control (game control) of the game in the ball game machine.

More specifically, the arithmetic processing unit 21 determines a jackpot lottery (determination of whether or not a game ball has entered the starting opening 7 at the timing of the jackpot based on the above-mentioned winning memory), and the display control unit 40. Control of the variable display device 4 by transmitting command signals (symbol-related command signals, background-related command signals, and character-related command signals) to the display, a normal symbol display 10, a special symbol storage display 8, a normal symbol storage display 12
, The solenoid for driving the special variable winning device 5 (the special variable winning device solenoid) 35 and the starting port 7
Special variable winning device 5 by transmitting a control signal to a solenoid (ordinary variable winning device solenoid) 36 for driving the electric gate 6, opening and closing control of the electric gate 6, decorative lamp 7
1. Control of blinking operation of decoration LED 72, sound control device 50
51 by transmitting a command signal (sound command information) to the speaker 51
, And control of the discharge of the prize ball and the lending ball from the ball discharge device 61 by transmitting the ball discharge command information to the ball discharge control device 60. The various control signals from the arithmetic processing unit 21 are output to a port of the output interface 23, converted into a communication format, and transmitted to various control devices.

The reset signal generation circuit 25 includes the oscillation circuit 2
4 clock pulse is divided into a predetermined period (for example, 2 m
sec), a reset interrupt signal is generated, and the arithmetic processing unit 2
1 is input to the reset terminal. The arithmetic processing unit 21 executes the game program from a predetermined address every time the reset interrupt signal is input. The processing of one sequence of the game control described above is configured to be within the interrupt time (signal cycle) of the reset interrupt signal. In addition,
The reset of the arithmetic processing unit 21
You can also call it soft within.

The game control device 20 is connected to a hall computer (central management device) 70 of a game store, and receives a jackpot signal when a jackpot occurs, a probability variation signal indicating transition to a probability variation state, and a variable display device 4. A symbol stop signal indicating a symbol stop, an abnormal signal, and the like are transmitted to the hall computer 80.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the display control device 40.

As shown, the display control device 40 comprises:
CPU 41, ROM 41, RAM 43, DMA 44, input interface 45, output interface 46,
It comprises a VDP 47, a font ROM 48 storing image data of the variable display device 4, a clock 59, and the like.

The CPU 41 has an input interface 45
Command signal (display control signal) from the game control device 20 when a communication interrupt from the game control device 20 is received via the
And generates screen information (symbol display information, background screen information, moving image character screen information, etc.) based on the command signal, and stores the information in the RAM 43.

This screen information is transmitted from the VDP 47 to the CPU 4
At the timing of the vertical synchronization interrupt to 1, the data is transferred to the VDP 47 by the DMA 44 that has received the transfer command from the VDP 47. The VDP 47 takes in the corresponding image data in the font ROM 48 based on the image information, and performs a horizontal scan and a vertical scan on the screen of the variable display device 4 to display a predetermined image.

The game control device 20 and the display control device 4
0 is communicated from the game control device 20 to the display control device 40.
Only one-way communication to is possible. This allows
It is possible to prevent a fraudulent act in which an illegal signal is sent from the display control device 40 to the game control device 20, and to facilitate the inspection of the game control device 20 by an inspection organization.

FIG. 4 is a table showing the data contents of the symbol related command signal (identification information related command signal) transmitted from the game control device 20 to the display control device 40.

The symbol-related command signal is composed of, for example, 3-byte data, and includes symbol selection data, operation selection data, and symbol number data, each of which is composed of 1-byte data as shown in the figure.

The symbol selection data is a code indicating which of the three display areas (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) of the variable display device 4 the left, middle and right symbol-related command signals are. , 01H if command signal for left symbol
Is 02H if the command signal is for the right symbol, and 03H if the command signal is for the middle symbol. That is, the symbol-related command signal becomes a left symbol-related command signal, a right symbol-related command signal, and a middle symbol-related command signal according to whether the symbol selection data is 01H, 02H, or 03H. The left symbol-related command signal, the right symbol-related command signal, and the middle symbol-related command signal are transmitted on the same signal line and are output at different timings.

The symbol number data (corresponding to the identification information recognition signal) is a code for determining which symbol is to be displayed, and the variable display device 4 displays a hexadecimal symbol corresponding to the hexadecimal data of the symbol number data. Is displayed as an image.

The operation selection data (corresponding to the operation display mode instruction signal) is a code for instructing selection of the operation content (operation display mode) of the symbol in the image display. Specifically, for example, as shown in the figure, 01H is an operation for changing the variation mode of the symbol display to a "stop operation", 02H is a replacement operation for replacing the displayed symbol with the symbol indicated by the symbol number data, and 03H is an operation for replacing the symbol designated by the symbol number data. In the operation of changing the variation mode of the symbol display to “low-speed variation”, the operation of setting the variation mode of the symbol display to “medium-speed variation”, the operation of setting the variation mode of the symbol display to “high-speed variation” are performed. 06H is an operation to change the symbol display variation mode to “swinging operation”, 07H is an operation to set the symbol display variation mode to “rotational operation”, and 08H is an operation to set the symbol display variation mode to “temporary stop”. , Respectively.

Here, the "low speed fluctuation", "medium speed fluctuation", and "high speed fluctuation" are all operations in which symbols are displayed one after another on the screen of the variable display device 4 while scrolling symbols in the vertical direction. is there. In "low speed fluctuation", a slow scroll fluctuation of, for example, about 800 milliseconds per symbol is performed. In "medium speed fluctuation", a scroll fluctuation of a medium speed of, for example, about 400 milliseconds per symbol is displayed. In the "variation", a high-speed scroll variation of about 64 milliseconds per symbol, in which the symbol cannot be identified to the player, is displayed. Further, the “swaying motion” is a motion in which the symbol is slightly shaken in the vertical direction (the player often recognizes that the symbol is stopped). In addition, the “rotation operation” is an operation in which a symbol looks as if it is rotating around a vertical central axis.

The symbol-related command signal is transmitted each time a communication interrupt request data signal is transmitted, and three transmission data (symbol selection data, operation selection data, and symbol number data) are transmitted in synchronization with the strobe signal. In addition, while no command signal is transmitted, no-data information (for example, 00H) is transmitted. Since the communication interrupt request data signal may be transmitted once for each sequence of the game control described above, the transmission is performed at a minimum interval of 2 milliseconds.

As a command signal from the game control device 20 to the display control device 40, in addition to such a symbol-related command signal, a background-related command signal and a character-related command signal are transmitted.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure of one sequence of game control in the game control device 20. As described above, this one sequence of game control is repeated for each reset interrupt signal of a fixed period.

In step S1, a power-on determination process is executed to determine whether or not the reset interrupt signal from the reset signal generation circuit 25 is the first one after power-on, and is the first one after power-on. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S2.

In the initialization processing of step S2, the RAM 2
The processing of storing a predetermined value in the 1B test data area and the processing of initializing the register of the arithmetic processing unit 21 are executed, and the routine ends as it is.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the reset interrupt signal is not the first signal after the power is turned on, the flow advances to step S3 to execute a switch reading process. In this switch reading process, various sensors (special symbol start sensor 30, count sensor 31, continuation sensor 32, normal symbol start sensor 33, safe sensor 3
The detection data input from 4) to the port of the input interface 22 is read into the arithmetic processing unit 21 by performing processing such as chattering elimination.

In step S4, port output processing is executed, and various control output data in the buffer of the arithmetic processing unit 21 is output to the port of the output interface 23.

In step S5, an event counter updating process is executed, and the counter value of the event counter provided in the arithmetic processing unit 21 is updated by +1. Here, the event counter refers to steps S6 and S
11, for determining a branch in the time-division processing in step S12, and includes, for example, an octal counter that is circulated and updated in the range of 0 to 7.

Step S6 is time-division processing, and a corresponding processing is selectively executed according to the value of the event counter.

Specifically, when the event counter value is 2, the left symbol-related command port output process of step S6.2 is performed. When the event counter value is 3, the right symbol-related command port output process of step S6.3 is performed. When the event counter value is 4, the middle symbol related command port output process in step S6.4 is executed. If the event counter value is 5, step S
The background-related command port output process of 6.5, the character-related command port output process of step S6.6 when the event counter value is 6, and the step S6.7 of step S6.7 when the event counter value is 7. A sound command information port output process is executed. In these command port output processes, data of various command signals edited according to the state of the game (data of left symbol related command signal, data of right symbol related command signal, data of middle symbol related command signal, background related command signal, background related command Signal data, character-related command signal data, sound command information)
Output to port 3 The data output to the port is converted into a communication format and output to various control devices. If the event counter value is 0 or 1, no processing is performed.

In step S7, switch read information corresponding processing is executed. In this switch read information handling process, the winning process of the special symbol start sensor 30, the winning process of the normal symbol start sensor 33, the number of winnings to the big winning opening based on the detection by the count sensor 31 are counted, and the detection by the continuation sensor 32 is performed. A determination is made as to whether or not to continue the round.

In step S8, award ball command information editing processing is executed, and the award ball command information transmitted to the ball discharge control device 60 is edited.

In step S9, first various random number updating processing is executed, and processing such as updating of a special symbol random number counter used for determining a jackpot is executed.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the game is in an abnormal state. Then, if the game is not in an abnormal state, the following steps S11 and S12
Are sequentially executed. On the other hand, if the game is in an abnormal state, the time division processing of step S12 is executed without performing the time division processing of step S11.

Step S11 is time-division processing that is not executed when an abnormal state occurs, and processing related to a game for determining awarding of a prize (prize ball) is collectively arranged. Specifically, when the event counter value is 0, the special symbol game progress control processing in step S11.0 is performed. When the event counter value is 1, the special symbol change control processing in step S11.1 is performed. If the value is 2, the normal symbol game progress control processing of step S11.2.
If the event counter value is 3, step S11.3.
Is performed, respectively. In the special symbol game progress control process, a process of determining whether or not there is a prize memory in the starting port 7, a process of monitoring a change stop of the special symbol, a process of determining a jackpot regarding the special symbol, various operations at the time of the jackpot Is performed. In the special symbol change control process, a process of updating a pointer indicating a special symbol to be displayed and the like are executed. In the normal symbol game progress control process and the normal symbol variation control process, processes corresponding to the special symbol game progress control process and the special symbol variation control process are executed for the ordinary symbols. When the event counter value is 4 to 7, no processing is performed.

Step S12 is a time-division process that is executed even when an abnormal condition occurs, and processes irrelevant to the game for deciding the award are collectively arranged. In particular,
If the event counter value is 2, step S12.2.
In the event that the event counter value is 3, the mechanical device output information processing in step S12.3 is performed. When the event counter value is 4, the light emitting device output information editing process in step S12.4 is performed. When the event counter value is 5, various output information synthesizing processes in step S12.5 are executed, and when the event counter value is 7, the sales information editing process in step S12.7 is executed. The data of the various command signals output to the port of the output interface 23 in the time division processing in step S6 is edited in the various output information synthesis processing in S12.5. If the event counter value is 0, 1, or 6, no processing is performed.

Step S21 is a second various random number updating process, and the updating process of the various random numbers is repeated over the remaining time until the next reset interrupt signal.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are tables showing specific examples of the symbol-related command signals output from the game control device 20 to the display control device 40. FIG. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the fluctuation state of three symbols (identification information) of the variable display device 4 based on the symbol-related command signals shown in FIGS. FIGS. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams showing specific symbol displays on the variable display device 4 based on the symbol-related command signals shown in FIGS.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the output modules X, Y, and Z correspond to the left symbol-related command port output process (the process of step S6.2 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6) and the right symbol-related command, respectively. The output corresponds to the port output process (the process of step S6.3 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6) and the middle symbol-related command port output process (the process of step S6.4 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6). The command signal of the module X is a left symbol related command signal, the command signal of the output module Y is a right symbol related command signal, and the command signal of the output module Z is a middle symbol related command signal.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of FIG.
In the explanatory diagrams of FIG. 0 and FIG. 11, the correspondence to the command signal transmission time is taken by the symbols a, b,...

As shown in FIG. 10A, the variable display device 4
In a state where all the symbols of the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol are stopped and displayed, the game control device 20 which detects that there is a special symbol start memory based on the winning in the start port 7 is:
As shown in FIG. 7, a left symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, operation selection data = 03H, symbol number data = 01H, for example) that causes the left symbol to change at a low speed.
A right symbol related command signal in which the right symbol variation mode is a low speed variation (symbol selection data = 02H, operation selection data = 03H,
The symbol number data = for example, 03H, and the middle symbol related command signal (the symbol selection data =
03H, operation selection data = 03H, symbol number data = for example, 02H) are transmitted. The time points of these transmissions are the starting points (symbols a, a, c). This allows the left,
The middle and right symbols start low-speed scroll fluctuations (shown as fluctuation A in FIG. 9) indicated by a single arrow in FIG. 10B from the stopped state shown in FIG. 10A, respectively.

After a lapse of a predetermined time from the starting point (symbol d,
E, f), a left symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, operation selection data = 04H, symbol number data = 02H, for example) with the left symbol fluctuation mode as medium speed fluctuation, and a right symbol fluctuation mode as medium speed Right symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 02H, action selection data = 04H, symbol number data = 04H, for example) to be changed, and medium symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H,
Operation selection data = 04H, symbol number data = for example 03
H) is transmitted. As a result, the left, middle, and right symbols of the variable display device 4 change from low-speed fluctuation to medium-speed fluctuation (shown as fluctuation B in FIG. 9 and double arrow in FIG. 10), as shown in FIGS. To increase the scroll speed.

Further, after a lapse of a predetermined time,
C), the left symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, operation selection data = 05H, symbol number data = 04H, for example), and the right symbol variation is referred to as high-speed variation. Right symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 02H, motion selection data = 05H, symbol number data = for example 06H), a medium symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H,
Operation selection data = 05H, symbol number data = for example, 05
H) is transmitted. Left, middle,
The right symbol changes from a medium speed fluctuation state to a high speed fluctuation state (shown as fluctuation C in FIG. 9 and shown by a triple arrow in FIG. 10) as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (d).
High-speed scroll fluctuation is performed as shown in FIG.

In this case, the symbol number is indicated each time the left, middle and right symbols are changed from the stopped state to the low speed, medium speed and high speed variations, but the player cannot identify the high speed variations. Therefore, if the symbols are updated in order from the stopped state on the display control device 40 side, the symbol number does not have to be instructed, and it is possible to naturally shift to the high-speed change.

Next, when the high speed fluctuation is continued for a predetermined time (symbol C), a left symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, designating the symbol number of the left symbol and changing the variation of the left symbol to the medium speed). (Operation selection data = 04H, symbol number data = for example, 05H) are transmitted. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 (f) and 10 (g), the variation of the left symbol is changed from the designated symbol of "5" to the middle speed variation, and the scroll variation speed is reduced only for the left symbol. When changing from high-speed fluctuation to medium-speed fluctuation, a symbol number is indicated.
It is possible to shift from a desired symbol to a medium speed fluctuation.

After the change, when a predetermined time has elapsed (symbol S), a left symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 01H, operation selection data) indicating the symbol number of the left symbol and making the variation of the left symbol swing. = 06H, symbol number data = for example, 07H). As a result, as shown in FIG. 9 by dashed lines and as shown in FIG.
With the instruction symbol “7”, a swing operation (operation that appears to swing right and left around the center of the symbol as a fulcrum) is started.

Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses (symbol S),
The right symbol related command signal (symbol selection data =
02H, motion selection data = 04H, symbol number data = for example, 05H). Thus, FIG. 9 and FIG.
As shown in 0 (i) and (j), the variation pattern of the right symbol is changed from the designated symbol of “5” to the medium speed variation. When changing from the high-speed fluctuation to the medium-speed fluctuation, the symbol number is indicated, so that the desired symbol can be shifted to the medium-speed fluctuation.

After the change, when a predetermined time has elapsed (symbol S), a right symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 02H, operation selection) instructing the symbol number of the right symbol and making the variation of the right symbol swing. (Data = 06H, symbol number data = for example, 07H). As a result, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10 (k), the right symbol starts the swinging motion at the designated symbol “7”.

FIG. 10 (k) shows the reach state (the left and right symbols are the same).

When the reach state is generated, a predetermined time after the occurrence of the reach state (symbol C), the symbol number of the middle symbol is designated, and the variation pattern of the middle symbol is changed at a low speed to the middle symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H). , Operation selection data = 03
H, symbol number data = for example, 0DH). As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 (l) and 11 (m), the fluctuation speed of the middle symbol is reduced to a low speed from the designated symbol "D". When changing from the high-speed fluctuation to the low-speed fluctuation, the symbol number is designated, so that the desired symbol can be shifted to the low-speed fluctuation.

Next, when the low-speed fluctuation is continued for a predetermined time (symbol S), a middle symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H, which indicates the symbol number of the middle symbol and temporarily stops the variation mode of the middle symbol). After the operation selection data = 08H and the symbol number data = 03H, for example, and a predetermined time elapses (symbol タ), a middle symbol-related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H, in which the variation mode of the middle symbol is a rotation operation). (Operation selection data = 07H) is transmitted. As a result, the middle symbol temporarily stops at the instruction symbol “3” as shown in FIG. 11 (n), and then performs a rotating operation as shown in FIGS. 11 (o) to (r). The symbols displayed in the rotation operation are updated on the display control device 40 side. Note that the rotation operation is an operation in which the symbol appears to rotate around the central axis as shown in FIG. 11, and is shown as a fluctuation R in FIG. 9.

Then, when the stop time comes (the symbols J, T,
T), a left symbol related command signal for stopping the left symbol at "7" (symbol selection data = 01H, operation selection data = 01H,
Symbol number data = 07H), right symbol related command signal to stop right symbol at "7" (symbol selection data = 02H, operation selection data = 01H, symbol number data = 07H), medium symbol is "6", for example. A middle symbol related command signal (symbol selection data = 03H, operation selection data = 01H, symbol number data = 06H) to be stopped is transmitted. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The middle and right symbols finally become “767” and stop.

The reach operation (FIGS. 11 (l) to 11 (r))
Various operation display modes are set in accordance with the type of the reach operation, and various reach operation displays can be performed by combining several types of symbol-related command signals each of which sets the operation selection data of the operation display mode. it can.

When changing the left, middle, and right symbols from the high-speed variation to the medium-speed variation or the low-speed variation, the symbol number is indicated. Therefore, when the left, right symbols are stopped from the medium-speed variation, When changing the middle symbol from high-speed variation to low-speed variation, when temporarily stopping from low-speed variation, or when temporarily rotating after stopping, etc., do not indicate the symbol number,
Also configured so that the game control device 20 manages the time from the transmission time of the previous command signal, and transmits the left symbol related command signal, the right symbol related command signal, and the middle symbol related command signal excluding the symbol number data. it can.

As described above, according to the present invention, a symbol-related command signal (operation display mode instruction signal, identification information recognition signal, symbol selection signal) from the game control device 20 to the display control device 40.
Is transmitted when the operation display mode of each symbol on the variable display device 4 is changed, and the display control device 40 displays the operation of each symbol based on the transmitted symbol-related command signal. The total amount can be reduced sufficiently. The reach operation (FIGS. 11 (l) to 11 (r))
In the case where there are many types of reference operations, various reach operation displays can be performed by combining several types of symbol-related command signals in which the operation display mode during the reach operation is set according to the type of the reach operation. For this reason, even if there are many types of reach operation, the symbol-related command signal does not increase so much, and the burden on the inspection by the inspection organization of the display on the variable display device 4 and the operation confirmation at the time of the development of the gaming machine, etc. Can be reduced.

Since the transmission of the symbol-related command signal corresponds to a change in the operation display mode, the relationship between the symbol-related command signal and the display of the variable display device 4 is checked during inspection by an inspection organization or when developing a game machine. It can be visually associated and confirmed, which facilitates inspection and development of the gaming machine.

Further, since it is not necessary to specify the scroll position of the symbol in the symbol-related command signal in detail, the symbol-related command signal can be simplified, and the verification of the command signal and the program verification of the game control device become easy.

Further, the symbol-related command signal is divided into a left symbol-related command signal, a middle symbol-related command signal, and a right symbol-related command signal. Contains the data about the design on the left, middle,
What is necessary is just to transmit as a right symbol related command signal, and it is not necessary to transmit the command signal regarding other symbols. That is, since the symbol-related command signal does not include data indicating no change regarding the symbol that does not change, the symbol-related command signal can be a reasonable signal having a short data length.

Further, since the symbol-related command signal is transmitted each time the operation display mode of each symbol is changed, when an abnormality occurs in the image display due to, for example, the influence of noise or the like (a symbol other than the symbol to be displayed is displayed). Etc.)
Abnormalities in the image display are corrected based on the next symbol-related command signal, and the display is reliably returned to the correct display. In particular, if there is a drop in the command signal in the process of gradually decelerating from a high-speed fluctuating state, the symbol that eventually stops may change. Since the command signal is transmitted every time the symbol is displayed, the display is corrected to the correct symbol display, and the display can be stopped at the requested symbol.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
This means that when the high-speed fluctuation of the left, middle, and right symbols continues for a predetermined time, the left, middle, and right symbols are designated and the left, middle, and right symbols are designated.
Although the left symbol-related command signal, the right symbol-related command signal, and the middle symbol-related command signal that change the variation mode of the middle and right symbols to the middle-speed variation or the low-speed variation are transmitted, the mode is shifted to the middle-speed variation or the low-speed variation. In this case, the left symbol-related command signal, the right symbol-related command signal, and the middle symbol-related command signal for designating the symbol number are transmitted at predetermined times before the shift, respectively, during the high-speed fluctuation. The left, middle, and right symbols are replaced with the instruction symbols, respectively (symbols a,
b, c).

In this case, the symbols displayed at the time of the transition are transmitted at the time of the transition by managing the time from the time before the transition to the time of the transition and setting the transmission timing of the command signal before the transition, respectively. It becomes the same as the instruction symbol of the command signal.

In this way, the left, middle, and
The right symbol can be more naturally switched to the desired symbol. Further, even if the command signal at the time of transition is not correctly transmitted due to noise or the like, the operation display of the symbol can be accurately performed. Further, the command signal at the time of transition can be omitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a display control device.

FIG. 4 is a table showing data contents of a symbol-related command signal.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of game control.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of game control.

FIG. 7 is a chart showing an example of transmission of a symbol-related command signal.

FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of transmission of a symbol-related command signal.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of a change in the display mode of each symbol with respect to the transmission of the symbol-related command signal.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display variation in the variable display device.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display variation in the variable display device.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing another embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 4 Variable display device 20 Game control device 40 Display control device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A game control device for controlling a game as a whole, a variable display device capable of displaying variable identification information in a plurality of display areas, and the variable display based on a command signal from the game control device. A game control device having a display control device for controlling display on the device, wherein the game control device, when changing the operation display mode of the identification information, as a command signal, an operation display mode instruction for instructing an operation display mode. Signal, and transmission means capable of transmitting an identification information recognition signal indicating identification information serving as a base point, the display control device displays the identification information based on the identification information based on the identification information recognition signal, A gaming machine comprising: control means for controlling display on the variable display device so as to change and display an operation display mode based on an operation display mode instruction signal. 2. The transmission of the operation display mode instruction signal and the identification information recognition signal by the transmission unit and the display control by the control unit based on these signals are performed from the state of the operation display mode in which the identification information is displayed at a high speed. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the step is performed in a stepwise deceleration process. 3. The transmitting means transmits an identification information recognition signal indicating at least one of the identification information at a predetermined time before the change and the identification information at the time of the change when the operation display mode of the identification information is changed. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The display control device is capable of controlling the display device to display a plurality of symbol rows composed of a plurality of pieces of identification information on the display device, and the command signal is provided on the display control device side from a plurality of symbol columns in a predetermined manner. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising symbol sequence recognizable information capable of recognizing a symbol sequence.