JP2001059955A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate maintenance and to reduce maintenance costs while keeping constant lightness by constructing a liquid crystal display device provided freely attachably and detachably with a light source unit which is integrally constituted of a light source and a reflection plate. SOLUTION: A CFL back light 46 is integrated together with a substrate 46A and a reflection plate 47 to form a CFL unit 45 and freely attachably and detachably connected to a connector 44 provided on a substrate of a LCD unit 24 by a connector 48. The CFL unit 45 can be easily attached to and detached from the LCD unit 24 because the CFL unit 45 is attached to the LCD unit 24 by inserting the CFL unit 45 in a recessed part 25B formed by a liquid crystal substrate 25A. Thereby, when CFL back light 46 becomes dark or does not emit light due to aging, the CFL unit 45 can be detached from the LCD unit 24 and a new CFL unit 45 can be attached to the LCD unit 24 in a lump.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device used for a game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine or a slot machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device provided with a light source for projecting light on the back side of a liquid crystal layer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A liquid crystal display device for a game machine of this type, which has been conventionally known, can display predetermined information by controlling the state of light transmission from the back side to the front side. And a light source for projecting light on the back side of the liquid crystal layer. Then, this liquid crystal display device is provided on the board of a game machine, and a plurality of variable display portions are formed linearly or in a matrix by utilizing the fact that an arbitrary figure can be displayed by the liquid crystal display device. One or more combination effective columns are determined from the arrangement of the variable display units, and when a specific combination of identification information is established on the combination effective columns according to the display result when the variable display device is stopped, a game is executed. In some cases, the game state is such that a predetermined game value can be given to a player. In this case, by providing the light source on the back surface side of the liquid crystal layer, the contrast of the displayed symbol can be increased so that the player can clearly recognize the symbol.

[0003]

However, in this kind of conventional liquid crystal display device for a game machine, compared with the life of the liquid crystal layer used, the CFL (cold cathode fluorescent tube) and the EL used as a light source are compared. The liquid crystal layer is still usable, but the light source becomes unusable because of the short lifetime such as (electroluminescence), or it becomes dark enough to be unusable due to aging. The device itself has to be replaced, which makes maintenance of the gaming machine difficult and increases the cost for that. In addition, there is also a problem that the impression becomes worse when there are some gaming machines that are darkened due to aging, and when a large number of gaming machines are provided like a game arcade.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such a situation, and its object is to keep the brightness constant.
An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine liquid crystal display device that can easily perform maintenance and reduce maintenance costs.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device for displaying predetermined information, which is used in a game machine, for projecting light on a liquid crystal layer and a back side of the liquid crystal layer. Are provided on the liquid crystal display device main body, and the light source is configured to be detachable from the liquid crystal display device main body.

[0006]

According to the present invention, since the light source is detachably attached to the main body of the liquid crystal display device, when any trouble occurs in the light source, only the light source is replaced without replacing the main body of the liquid crystal display device. The gaming machine can then be used again as usual.

[0007]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gaming board surface of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a gaming machine using the gaming machine liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. When the player operates a hit ball operation handle (not shown), pachinko balls stored in a hit ball waiting gutter (not shown) are hit one by one into a game area formed on the front surface of the game board 1. In the game area 2,
A variable display device 3 using a liquid crystal display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information is provided, and start winning holes 10a, 10b, and 10c are provided. The pachinko balls that have won in the start winning prize openings 10a, 10b, and 10c are the start winning prize ball detectors 11a and 11b, respectively.
11c.

[0009] Starting winning ball detectors 11a, 11b, 11c
, Each symbol display unit of the variable display device 3 is variably started. The variable display device 3 is formed with nine symbol display portions arranged in a matrix of 3 rows × 3 columns by the image of the liquid crystal display device, and each symbol display portion displays a predetermined plurality of symbols during the variable display. Scroll display sequentially. Then, based on the elapse of the predetermined time, the first symbol displayed on the upper left and lower right symbol display units is first stopped, and then the second row in the leftmost column (referred to as “middle left”), and then the central row Of the first and third rows (referred to as “middle upper” and “middle lower”, respectively), and the second row (referred to as “middle right”) in the rightmost column. The second symbol stops, and finally the third row in the leftmost row (referred to as “upper left”), the second row in the center row (referred to as “middle middle”), and the first row in the rightmost row (“upper right”) Is called)
The third symbol displayed on the three symbol display sections stops.

When the display result at the time of stoppage becomes predetermined specific identification information, the opening / closing plate 6 of the variable winning ball device 4 is opened to be in a first state advantageous to the player, and a predetermined game value is given. Make it possible. If the condition for combination of specific identification information is satisfied when the first symbol stops or when the first and second symbols stop, this is called a reach state.

As described above, the symbols displayed by the variable display device 3 are arranged in a 3 × 3 matrix.
With this matrix, three horizontal lines,
A total of eight display lines including three vertical lines and two diagonal lines are formed. In the present embodiment, each of the eight lines is a combination effective column, and specific identification information (in this embodiment, “7
If “77”) is stopped and displayed, the gaming machine is controlled to be in the first state. Also, if a symbol representing "fruit" is displayed on all the symbol display portions at the time when all nine symbols have stopped, the gaming machine will also have a big hit in this case so as to be in the first state. Controlled.

For example, if the symbol of "7" is displayed on both the upper left and lower right when the first symbol stops, a big hit if the symbol at the center (called "middle and middle") becomes "7" Is generated, and the diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right is in the reach state. In this case, in the variable display device 3 of the present embodiment, a frame surrounding the symbol is displayed on each symbol display portion of the effective line that may be in the reach state, indicating a valid column in the reach state. It is displayed as a frame.
By displaying the display frame, the player can easily know the occurrence of the reach state, and by watching this column until the variable display of this column is stopped, the interest of the game will increase.

In this way, the control of displaying the frame surrounding each symbol display section on the activated line where the reach has occurred in the reach state is performed even when the second symbol is stopped. In this case, the reach state may occur in the other six effective lines except the two diagonal lines, and when the reach state occurs, a display frame is displayed on each symbol display unit on the effective line. . Similarly, at this point, if all of the stopped symbols are fruit symbols, a big hit may occur if all the identification information of the third symbol at the time of stop is fruit. Therefore, in this case, the variable display device 3
A display frame for reach occurrence display is displayed on all the upper symbol display sections. By displaying the display frame indicating the occurrence of the reach in this way, the player gazes at the display on the variable display device 3 until the third symbol stops, and the interest of the game is further enhanced.

If a pachinko ball wins in the start winning openings 10a to 10c during the variable display of the variable display device 3, the start winning is stored. The display device 3 is variably started. The upper limit of the starting prize memory is, for example, "4".
Stipulated. The start prize storage count is displayed on the start storage display 16.

In the above description, the number of effective combination lines is eight. However, the effective line is not limited to this, and may be, for example, one line or a plurality of other lines. In the above-described embodiment, the symbol display unit is stopped in the order of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol, but the present invention is not limited to this. Also, the first
The upper left and lower right symbols were selected as the symbols, and the lower left, middle, upper right symbols were selected as the second symbol as the second symbol, and the lower left, middle, and upper right symbols were selected as the third symbol. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Although the display method of the identification information is scroll display for each symbol in the above-described embodiment, the display may be switched instead of scrolling.

On the other hand, the variable winning prize ball device 4 is in a second state, which is disadvantageous for a player who cannot normally win pachinko balls in the opening 5 because the opening 5 is closed by the opening / closing plate 6 in the normal state. However, opening of the opening / closing plate 6 results in a first state that is advantageous to a player who can win pachinko balls in the opening 5. In the first state of the variable winning prize ball device 4, the condition that the earlier of the winning of the predetermined number (for example, 10) of pachinko balls into the opening 5 or the elapse of the predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) is satisfied. And the variable winning ball device 4 is switched to the second state. on the other hand,
A specific winning area 7 is formed at a predetermined position in the opening 5. When a pachinko ball that has won the variable winning ball apparatus 4 wins in the specific winning area 7, the variable winning ball apparatus 4 in that time is used. After the first state ends and the second state is reached, the open / close plate 6 is opened again, and the first state is repeatedly and continuously controlled. The upper limit number of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times. The number of winning balls that have won the variable winning ball device 4 is displayed on the winning number display 12. In the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a solenoid for driving the opening and closing plate 6 to open and close.

The second state of the variable winning prize ball device 4 may be a state in which hitting a ball is not possible, but a state in which hitting is difficult.

The number of symbol display units is not limited to nine, but may be eight or less or ten or more. Further, the variable display of the variable display device 3 is displayed by a stop button (not shown) of the player.
May be stopped by the pressing operation of the player, or the stop control may be performed based on the elapse of a predetermined time or the pressing operation of the stop button of the player, whichever is earlier.

A lamp cover 1 is provided above the variable display device 3.
7 are provided. The game area 2 is further provided with decorative lamps 18 to 22 and a normal winning opening 14. The decorative LED 23 is provided on both sides of the variable winning ball device 4.
Is provided. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes an out port for collecting out balls.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the structure of the LCD unit constituting the variable display device. FIG.
Is a partially exploded perspective view of the LCD unit 24 as viewed from the back. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part, showing a state in which the LCD unit 24 is attached to the game board 1.

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a unit base 31 having an opening 32, a CFL unit 45 mounted on the back side of the liquid crystal display panel 25 and housed in the opening 32 of the unit base 31,
The liquid crystal display panel 25 mounted on the front surface of the L unit 45 with a diffusion plate 49 for diffusing light interposed therebetween. On the front surface of the liquid crystal display panel 25, a metal holding frame 2 having an opening 29 having the same size as the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel 25 is further provided.
7 is attached to a screw hole 33 provided in the back of the opening 32 of the unit base 31 by a screw hole and a screw provided in the mounting projection 30. A mounting recess 34 is formed around the front surface of the opening 32 of the unit base 31, and the protection plate 3 is divided into an opaque portion 37 and a transparent portion 36 by screen printing from the back surface in the mounting recess 34.
5 is attached.

The CFL unit 45 includes a CFL board 46A.
(See FIG. 3) CFL backlight 46 attached to
Provided on the back surface of the CFL backlight 46,
A reflection plate 47 for reflecting light generated by the backlight 46 and making the light incident on the diffusion plate 49;

A substrate 25A on which a number of liquid crystal drivers for driving liquid crystal are arranged is provided around the liquid crystal display panel 25, and a ground wire of the substrate 25A is connected to a holding frame 27 by a cord 28. . The connector cable 26 pulled out from the liquid crystal display panel 25 is connected to the unit base 31.
The connector pin 26A is pulled out to the back surface from an opening 38 formed on the back surface of the unit base 31, and is connected to a connector 41 of a substrate 40 which is attached to a mounting boss 39 on the back surface of the unit base 31 by a screw. The substrate 40 is an LCD (described later).
The control microcomputer 92 and the liquid crystal display panel 25 are relayed, and a volume 43 for adjusting a voltage for driving the liquid crystal display panel 25 is provided. Also on the side of the substrate 40 is a CFL backlight 46.
A connector 44 for supplying power to the CFL unit 45 is connected to a connector 48 drawn from a substrate 46A of the CFL unit 45.

The rear surface of the unit base 31 is protected by a cover 50 having a concave portion 51. One side surface of the concave portion of the cover 50 is an opening 52, and a side cover 57 for attaching and detaching the CFL unit 45 is formed in the opening 52.
Are attached by screws. On the back of the cover 50,
An opening 53 facing the connector 42 provided on the back surface of the substrate 40 and a volume adjustment hole 56 facing the volume 43 are formed.

On the back surface of the cover 50, a mounting boss 54 and an engagement opening 55 are formed.
The board 58 on which the microcomputer interface 61 and the LCD control microcomputer 92 are mounted is attached with screws. A connector 59 is provided on the substrate 58 at a position facing the opening 53 of the cover 50, and the connector 59 is connected to the connector 42 on the back surface of the substrate 40 by assembling the substrate 58 to the cover 50. Also, the substrate 5
8, a notch 60 is formed in the center of the lower side, and as shown in FIG. Can be adjusted.

By providing the light source with a volume for adjusting the brightness, the brightness of the light source is slightly suppressed at the beginning of use, and the volume is adjusted when the brightness decreases with the aging of the light source. By increasing the brightness of the light source, the display brightness of the liquid crystal display device for gaming machines can be kept constant. In addition, when installed in a game arcade, there is also an effect that the brightness of the display of each gaming machine can be kept substantially the same.

From further behind the substrate 58, the engaging claws 64
The back cover 63 having the
It is attached by engaging with. An opening 65 is formed in a part of the back cover 63 from the back surface to the side surface. The back surface of the substrate 58 facing the opening 65 is used to connect the LCD unit 24 and the game control microcomputer. Are provided.

Referring to FIG. 3, CFL backlight 46
Is integrated with a substrate 46A and a reflection plate 47 as a CFL unit 45, and a connector 4 provided on the substrate 40 of the LCD unit 24 by a connector 48.
4 and detachable. Further, by inserting the CFL unit 45 into the concave portion 25B formed by the liquid crystal substrate 25A,
4, the side cover 57 is attached to the cover 50.
By removing the CFL unit 45 from the L
It can be attached to and detached from the CD unit 24. Therefore, if the CFL backlight 46 becomes dark or does not emit light due to a change with time due to use, the
The L unit 45 can be removed from the LCD unit 24 at a time, and a new CFL unit 45 can be attached. For this purpose, the entire LCD unit 24 is replaced or a complicated operation is performed to perform the CFL backlight 46.
This eliminates the need for replacement, and has the effect of greatly reducing maintenance costs and labor compared to the past.

Referring to FIG. 4, this LCD unit 24
Is attached to the game board 1 by screwing to a mounting boss 68 formed on the winning ball collecting cover body 69 so as to face the opening 1A formed in the center portion of the game board 1 from the back surface. The rear part of the LCD unit 24 is covered by a back cover member 70 attached to the winning ball collecting cover body 69. An opening 71 is formed on the back surface of the back cover member 70, and the LCD 71 is formed through the opening 71.
Unit 24 and microcomputer 81 for game control
Are the connector cable 67 and the connectors 66 and 62
Connected by

A decoration unit 72 is attached to the opening 1A of the game board 1. The table decoration unit 72 is mounted on the game board 1, a lamp cover (covering member) 75 provided on the upper front surface, and a liquid crystal display protruding toward the LCD unit 24 side, which can be visually recognized by a player. And an opening frame 76 having an opening 77 formed as described above. The mounting substrate 73 is formed in a window frame shape as a whole, and is configured so that light from the outside does not enter the display surface of the LCD unit 24 to make it difficult to view the display. The inner surface of the opening formed in the mounting board 73 is matte black to make the display easier to see. The lower surface of the opening is a ball rolling surface 74.

At a position away from the game board 1 by a predetermined distance,
Front glass plates 78A and 78B are arranged.

FIG. 5 shows the symbols displayed by the variable display device 3 at each display position in a developed figure format in accordance with the symbol display order. These symbols are a first symbol consisting of an upper left symbol 79A and a lower right symbol 79B,
It consists of a second design consisting of a middle upper design 79C, a left middle design 79D, a middle lower design 79E, and a right middle design 79F, and a third design consisting of an upper right design 79G, a lower left design 79H, and a middle middle design 79I.

The first symbol and the second symbol are respectively provided for one big hit symbol "7", six fruit symbols, between the big hit symbol and the fruit symbol, or between the fruit symbol and the fruit symbol. There are a total of 13 symbols, including 6 missing symbols. The number described on the left side in FIG. 5 is a symbol number assigned to each symbol in advance.
The first symbol and the second symbol are used again using this symbol number.
The pattern will be described as follows. Symbol numbers 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, and B are missing symbols. Symbol numbers 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and A are fruit symbols. The symbol number C is a big hit symbol.

Similarly, the third symbol is symbol numbers 0, 2,
3,5,7,9, B out of design and design number 1,
4, 6, 8, and A, and a big hit symbol of symbol number C. The third design has one less fruit design and the first fruit design used is
It differs from the first and second symbols in that it is different from that of the symbol and the second symbol. This third
Among the designs, the designs 79G and 79H are the same color and the same design, and the design of the design 79I is the same as the designs 79G and 79H, but the design of the design is different from the others. For this reason, since the fruit design of the same design does not line up on each line, there is less possibility that the player mistakes the big design for a big hit.

The middle and middle symbol 79I of the third symbol shown in FIG.
, The jackpot symbol and the fruit symbol are each at a height L1, and the missing symbol has a height L2 smaller than L1. The height in the vertical direction of each symbol display section of the variable display device is a height L3 larger than L2. Therefore, if the symbol at the time of stop is a lost symbol, at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion of the symbol display portion displays a part of the big hit symbol or the fruit symbol. Therefore, even if the symbol at the time of stop does not eventually become the specific identification information, the player can know that the jackpot symbol or the fruit symbol that can be seen slightly is not a big difference due to a slight difference. Because of this, it is possible to further enhance the interest of the game.

FIG. 6 shows one mode in which the variable display device 3 is variably displayed and stopped in a pachinko game machine using the game machine liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment. FIG.
In (A), all the symbol display sections 79A to 79I
Is scrolling in each symbol display section. For example, in the symbol display section 79A, the symbols in the leftmost column among the symbols shown in FIG. 5 are scroll-displayed in order.

After a predetermined time has elapsed, the first symbol consisting of the upper left symbol 79A and the lower right symbol 79B stops as shown in FIG. 6 (B). When both the upper left symbol 79A and the lower right symbol 79B at the time of stop are "7", there is a possibility that specific identification information "777" is generated on a diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right, so-called reach state. Becomes In this case, the mark display frames 80A, 80I, and 80B for displaying the reach lines are respectively displayed on the respective symbol display sections on the effective combination rows where the specific identification information may be generated. By performing such display, the player can easily know the occurrence of the reach, and the interest of the game is further increased in order to check the symbols at the time of stopping the subsequent second and third symbols. It will rise.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 6C, FIG.
, The second symbol consisting of the upper middle symbol 79C, the middle left symbol 79D, the middle lower symbol 79E, and the middle right symbol 79F stops.
In the example shown in FIG. 6 (C), the middle left symbol is a big hit symbol “7”, the middle upper symbol and the middle and lower symbol are a fruit symbol, and the middle right symbol is a detached symbol. At this time, the lower left symbol, the middle middle symbol, and the upper right symbol are all scroll-displayed. When the identification information at the time of stopping the second symbol is as shown in FIG. 6C, in addition to the diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right, the specific identification information “777” is also displayed on the active line from the upper left to the lower left. May occur. Therefore, in addition to the mark display frames 80A, 80I, and 80B shown in FIG. 6B, mark display frames 80D and 80H are displayed. By increasing the display frame indicating the reach line, the interest of the player is further increased.

By stopping the third symbol, it is finally determined whether or not a specific combination of identification information has occurred. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (D), when a specific combination of identification information occurs, each mark display frame on the activated line flashes to notify the establishment of the specific combination of identification information. The mark display frame on the activated line where the specific identification information is not displayed while in the reach state is deleted.

FIG. 7 shows the progress at the time of stop of the symbol when the symbols at the time of stop are all fruit symbols and a big hit occurs. First, as shown in FIG. 7A, each symbol display section starts variable display when a start winning is achieved. When the first symbol stops as shown in FIG. 7 (B) and the second symbol stops as shown in FIG. 7 (C), all the six symbols stopped and displayed are fruit symbols. In this case, if the remaining three third symbols are fruit symbols, a big hit may occur.
Therefore, at this point, the reach line mark display frame is displayed on all the symbol display sections. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (D), when all the fruit symbols are aligned at the time of stopping the third symbol, the occurrence of specific identification information is notified by lighting a mark display frame or the like. If the fruit symbols are not aligned as a result of stopping the third symbol, these mark display frames are deleted. In the reach state of the occurrence of the big hit due to the alignment of the fruit symbols as described above, the mark display frames are displayed on all the symbol display portions on the variable display device, and the player's expectation of the occurrence of the big hit is further increased. Will be.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing scroll control when symbols are stopped. If the symbol is finally stopped,
As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8F, after the scroll control is performed so that the stop symbol is completely displayed at the stop position, as shown in FIG. After the stop position has been excessively moved by D, the scroll is scrolled by the length D in the reverse direction as shown in FIG. Such a stop control is realized by imitating the state of the stop of the symbol by the rotating drum by electronic control, and particularly when the symbol to be stopped is a big hit symbol, the stop symbol is a big hit symbol. This will increase the player's anxiety and expectation of whether or not there will be scrolling, and the interest of the game will become more exciting.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in a pachinko gaming machine. The control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine includes a game control microcomputer 81 for controlling the gaming machine in accordance with a program for controlling various devices, and start winning ball detectors 11a, 11a.
b, 11c, the special winning ball detector 8 and the winning number detector 9
A detection circuit 91 for supplying to the O port 85, a solenoid driving circuit 93 for driving the solenoid 13 in accordance with a command from the microcomputer 81, and a driving circuit for driving the decorative lamps 18 to 22 in accordance with data supplied from the microcomputer 81; Lamp drive circuit 94
And a segment L for driving the start prize storage display 16, the decorative LED 23, and the prize number display 12 in accordance with data provided from the microcomputer 81.
The speaker 98 is driven in accordance with the ED drive circuit 95 and the sound data given from the microcomputer 81,
And an amplifier 96 for generating a sound effect.

Game control microcomputer 81
In addition to the above-mentioned I / O port 85, a CPU (central processing unit) 82, a ROM (read only memory) 83 in which a game control program is written in advance, and a RAM (writable and readable) as needed Random Access
Memory) 84, a power-on reset circuit 87 for resetting the CPU 82 when the power is turned on, and a CPU
A clock generation circuit 88 for generating a clock signal for operating the clock signal generator 82, and a clock signal generated by the clock generation circuit 88 are frequency-divided (for example, 2 ms).
ec), a reset pulse is given to the CPU
A pulse frequency dividing circuit 89 for repeatedly executing the game control program stored in the CPU 83 from the beginning;
Sound generator 86 for generating sound data to be given to amplifier 96 in accordance with a command given from
And an address decoding circuit 90 for decoding an address signal given from the CPU 82 and outputting a signal for selecting one of the ROM 83, the RAM 84, the I / O port 85, and the sound generator 86. The I / O port 85 includes a detection circuit 91, a solenoid drive circuit 93, a lamp drive circuit 94, and a segment LE.
In addition to the D drive circuit 95, the LCD unit 24 is also connected.

The control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine includes A
A power supply circuit 97 that is connected to a C24V AC power supply and generates a plurality of types of DC voltages is included.

Referring to FIG. 10, the electrical connection in LCD unit 24 is as follows. Inside the cover 50, a liquid crystal display panel 25, an LCD power supply IC 100, a volume 43 for adjusting a voltage applied to the liquid crystal display panel 25 from the LCD power supply IC 100, a CFL backlight 46, FIGS. The CFL backlight 46 is provided on a substrate 44 shown in FIG. 1 and converts a +12 V DC current supplied from a power supply circuit (not shown) into an AC current.
And an inverter 101 for supplying the power to the inverter.

The liquid crystal display panel 25 is connected to the microcomputer interface 61 via connectors 42 and 59. The microcomputer interface 61 and the LCD control microcomputer 92 are on the same substrate 58 (see FIG. 3).
And connected by a common bus 99 formed on the substrate 58. The LCD control microcomputer 92 receives display data from the game control microcomputer 81 and drives the microcomputer interface 61.

The LCD power supply IC 100 and the volume 43 are connected to the same power supply circuit that supplies a DC current of +12 V to the inverter 101 from the same power supply circuit as +5 V.
DC voltages of V, +45 V, and -7 V are provided.

The game control microcomputer 81 is supplied with the following signals via the detection circuit 91. The winning number detector 9 gives a detection signal of a winning ball that has won the variable winning ball device 4 to the microcomputer 81 via the detection circuit 91. The specific prize ball detector 8 detects a prize ball that has won the specific prize area 7 of the variable prize ball device 4, and supplies a detection signal to the microcomputer 81 via the detection circuit 91. Starting winning ball detectors 11a, 11b,
11c is a starting winning opening 10a, 10b, 10c, respectively.
The pachinko ball that has won the prize is detected, and the detection signal is detected by the detection circuit 9.
1 to the microcomputer 81 for game control.

The LCD unit 24 is controlled by the game control microcomputer 81 to perform display as follows. First, at normal times, the LCD unit 24 stops and displays all nine symbols. When a winning start occurs and the variable start is performed, all the symbols rotate at a high speed (vertical scroll). This vertical scroll is a vertical scroll for each symbol display unit. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the first symbol is stopped. That is, the upper left symbol and the lower right symbol are scrolled slowly from two symbols before the scheduled stop symbol, and are stopped at the scheduled stop symbol. The stop symbol is determined in advance by using a random number based on a winning start as described later.

When a predetermined time has elapsed after the first symbol has stopped, the second symbol
The symbol is stopped. That is, similar to the stop of the first symbol,
The left middle, upper middle, lower middle, and middle right symbols are slowly scrolled and rotated from two symbols before the scheduled stop symbol to stop at the scheduled stop symbol. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the third symbol is similarly stopped. However, in this case, if a reach line occurs when the second symbol stops, the third symbol is scrolled slowly longer (for example, for 10 seconds) than at the time of normal stop, and stopped at the scheduled stop symbol. .

According to the display result at the time of stoppage, when a specific identification information “777” is arranged in any one of the activated lines, or when all the symbols at the time of stoppage become fruit symbols, a big hit occurs. In this case, the microcomputer 81 drives the speaker 98 to generate a fanfare sound, and displays a fanfare character on the display surface of the LCD unit 24.

While the variable winning prize ball device 4 is in the open state due to a big hit, the symbol at the time of stop is displayed on the LCD unit 24, but the line frame provided with the specific identification information is displayed in the specific color. And flashing display. Then, when a pachinko ball wins in the specific winning area 7 within a predetermined period, the LCD unit 24 displays a character displayed at the time of winning a V for two seconds.

When a V prize is won, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of pachinko balls is won in the variable prize ball device 4, or a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses, and then the variable prize ball device is temporarily set. After the closing of the ball 4, the variable winning ball device 4 is opened again at an interval of 2 seconds. During this interval, the LCD unit 24 displays a character for displaying the number of times of opening. The upper limit of the repetition continuation number is limited to a predetermined number (for example, 16 times), and a character is displayed according to each number.

The number of continuous repetitions of the variable winning ball device 4 is 16
When the final opening is completed, the LCD unit 2
4 displays a big hit end character for 10 seconds.

The LCD unit 24 informs the player and the operator of the occurrence of an error by displaying an error character when the pachinko gaming machine is in an abnormal state.

Decorative LED 23 and Decorative Lamps 18-2
2 turns on, turns off, and blinks according to the game state. The speaker 98 generates a predetermined sound effect according to the game state. The solenoid 13 opens and closes the variable winning ball device 4 under the control of the microcomputer 81. The start prize storage display 16 stores and displays the number of start prizes when a variable prize is displayed during variable display or the like. The winning number display 12 is one of the variable winning ball devices 4.
The number of winning pachinko balls in the opening of the round is displayed.

FIGS. 11 and 12 and FIGS. 15 to 25 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the main program, and FIGS. 12 and 15 to 25 show flowcharts of the subroutine program.

The main routine program shown in FIG. 11 is executed, for example, once every 2 msec as described above.
This execution is started in response to a reset pulse generated once every 2 msec by the pulse dividing circuit 89 in FIG.
First, in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, a stack setting process is performed, and in S2, it is determined whether or not a RAM error has occurred. This determination is based on the RA in FIG.
This is performed by reading the contents of the predetermined address of M84 and checking whether or not the value is equal to the predetermined value. At the time of program runaway or immediately after the power is turned on, the data stored in the RAM 84 is undefined, so the answer to this determination is NO, and the control proceeds to S3. In S3, initial data is written to a predetermined address of the RAM 84. Then control is S
Go to 9. Since the initial data is written in S3,
Thereafter, when this main routine is executed, the answer to the determination in S2 is YES, and the control directly proceeds to S4.

At S4, a process of outputting predetermined data to the I / O port 85 in the game control microcomputer 81 is performed. Subsequently, in S5, it is determined whether or not the alarm flag is set. The alarm flag is defined as S32, S39, S
This flag is set by the processing of 114, and determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the winning number detector 9. When the alarm flag is not set, the control proceeds to S6, and after the process processing is executed, the control proceeds to S7. If the alarm flag is set, S6
Is not executed, and the process proceeds directly to S7.

The process processing of S6 is a step for performing necessary processing according to a game process, as described later with reference to FIG.

Subsequently, at S7, the LCD shown in FIG.
The control microcomputer 92 (hereinafter referred to as a sub-CP
U) to the I / O port 8
5 and output to the sub CPU. By this processing, the LCD of the LCD unit 24
A command for performing display according to the game state is given to the control microcomputer 92.

Subsequently, in S8, a switch input process for inputting detection signals from various detectors is performed.

Next, in S9, a process of updating the count values of the random 1 counter and the random 2 counter is performed. The random 1 counter and the random 2 counter are used to determine whether or not the display result when the variable display device 3 is stopped is a combination (for example, 777) of specific identification information that causes a big hit. The random 1 counter is for a primary lottery described later, and the random 2 counter is for a secondary lottery described later. Also, random 2
As will be described later, the counter is also used for determining a stop symbol when a big hit is determined.

Then, the program proceeds to S10, in which it is determined whether the number of resets is "0" or "other than 0". The number of resets means the number of resets in accordance with the periodic reset pulse issued from the pulse dividing circuit 89. Each time the reset is performed, the number of steps is increased by one from "0", and after reaching "7". It becomes "0" by being further advanced. If the number of resets is 0, S11
To the sound generator 86 and the speaker 9
8 is output. S
The post-processing of 11 proceeds to S14.

If the number of resets is other than 0, the process proceeds to S
Proceed to 12. In S12, selection of an output data table,
A process of setting each data of the LED / lamp data is performed.
Output from the / O port 85. Based on the output data,
As described above, the decorative lamps 18 to 22, the decorative LED 23
Is displayed.

Subsequently, the flow proceeds to S14, where a winning storage area storing process described later is performed. The post-processing of S14 proceeds to S15, in which a random 1 counter, a random 2 counter, and a random 3 counter are updated. The random 3 counter is a random counter used for determining a display symbol at the time of a loss. The process of S15 is
Time (2 m) reset by the pulse dividing circuit 89
The processing of S1 to S14 is performed within sec), and the processing is performed using the reset waiting time which is the remaining time.
Therefore, since the processing time of S1 to S14 is random, the processing time of S15 is also random, and S1
As a result of the update process by 5, the count values of the random 1 counter, random 2 counter, and random 3 counter take random values.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the process processing shown in S6. S
At 16, it is determined what value the process flag indicating the state of the game is set to. This process flag is determined in S70, S74, S76,
S80, S86, S90, S92, S94, S96, S
97, S100, S101, S106, S107, S1
The values are set to the respective values in steps S11 and S112, and are necessary for controlling the pachinko gaming machine while maintaining a predetermined control time. As shown in FIG. 12, a program to be executed is selected according to the value of the process flag. If the process flag is "0", the normal process in S17 is performed. If the process flag is "1", the random 2 counter check process is performed in S18. If the process flag is "2", the big hit symbol set in S19. The process is performed. In the case of "3", a lost symbol setting process in S20 is performed, and in the case of "4" to "7", each symbol stop process in S21 (4 is the first symbol stop process, 5 is The second symbol stop process, 6 is the third symbol stop process, 7
Is the third symbol stop process at the time of reach), "8,
In the case of "9", a big hit check (8 out, 9 big hit) processing is performed in S22, and in the case of "10, 11", the game is being opened in S23 (10 is before V winning, 11 is V).
After winning, the processing is performed. In the case of "12, 13", the processing is performed after opening in S24 (12 is normal opening, 13 is the end of the final opening).

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the sub CPU command shown in S7. FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing the timing of parallel transmission of data from the game control microcomputer to the sub CPU.

Referring to FIG. 13, the sub CPU command area prepared in the game control microcomputer includes data d1 to d9 designating each stop symbol which can take 13 different values (0 to C). 14 ways (0
D) a process flag d10 that takes the value of D), and a jackpot flag area d representing the contents of the jackpot flag and the reach flag.
11 and an alarm flag area d12 indicating the alarm flags A, B, and C. These data d1 to d12
The same area as that described above is also prepared as a sub CPU command input area in the LCD control microcomputer (sub CPU), and the data of each area of the game control microcomputer is stored in the corresponding data of the sub CPU command input area. Transmitted to the area.

Referring to FIG. 14, eight signal lines D0 to D7 are provided between the game control microcomputer and the LCD control microcomputer. The signal line D0 is for a chip select signal CS indicating the timing of data transmission from the game control microcomputer to the sub CPU. The signal line D1 is for transmitting a clock signal transmitted from the microcomputer for game control to the sub CPU and indicating a timing for latching data D2 to D7 described later in the sub CPU. The data lines D2 to D7 are for sequentially transmitting the 0th to 5th bits of the data stored in the data areas d1 to d10, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 14, chip select signal C
When S rises, the 0th to 5th bits of the data in the upper left stop symbol area d1 are first sent to the data lines D2 to D7. The clock signal is applied to the signal line D1. The sub CPU operates the data lines D2 to D2 at the timing defined by the rise of each pulse of the clock signal.
7 is latched. Thereafter, the data in the data areas d2 to d12 are sequentially transmitted to the data lines D2 to D7 at the same cycle as the cycle of the clock signal. Each of these data is sequentially stored in the sub CPU command input area at the timing specified by the rising edge of each pulse of the clock signal D1, similarly to the data d1 indicating the upper left stop symbol in the sub CPU.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the switch input processing shown in S8. First, in S25, a process of inputting detection signals of various detectors from the I / O port 85 is performed. Next, S2
6, 10 count switch (winning number detector) 9
Is determined whether or not is turned on. If the answer to the determination is NO, the process proceeds to S27, where the process of clearing the ON counter of the 10-count switch is performed, the alarm flag B is cleared, and the process proceeds to S37. The ON counter of this 10-count switch is used for S
It is incremented by 1 at 29, and is used to determine whether or not it is the timing of the winning determination in S30. The alarm flag B is an alarm flag that is set when the process proceeds to S32 to be described later, and is a flag indicating that the 10-count switch has been continuously turned on for more than a predetermined time. When the alarm flag B is set, the winning number detector 9 (10-count switch) may be disconnected, short-circuited, or jammed.

When the answer to the determination in S26 is YES, the process proceeds to S28, and it is determined whether or not the value of the ON counter of the 10-count switch is the maximum value. If it is the maximum value, the process proceeds to S37, but if it is not the maximum value, the process proceeds to S29. In S29, 1
A process of incrementing the ON counter of the 0 count switch by 1 is performed. Subsequently, in S30, it is determined whether or not the value of the 10-count switch is a predetermined value (for example, 3). If the value is 3, it is determined that there is a winning in the 10-count switch, and the process proceeds to S33. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S31. In S31, it is determined whether or not the ON counter of the 10-count switch is at the maximum value (for example, 1450 corresponding to 2.9 seconds).
In the case of the maximum value, the ON counter of the 10-count switch has been kept ON for a predetermined time or more, and therefore, as described above, the winning number detector 9 may be short-circuited or jammed. Conceivable. S32 for that
, The alarm flag B is set, and the routine proceeds to S37.

When a pachinko ball wins in the variable winning ball device 4 and is detected by the winning number detector 9, a detection pulse having a predetermined pulse width is derived from the winning number detector 9, and this game control micro Given to the computer. In this case, every time the subroutine of the switch input process is executed during the time of the pulse width of the detection pulse, the determination of YES is continuously performed in S26. Each time the ON counter of the 10 count switch is counted up,
The count value is a predetermined value (for example, 3) as described above.
Is reached, the determination of YES is made in S30, and it is determined that a prize has been won. On the other hand, there is a case where the output from the winning number detector 9 is instantaneously determined to be ON due to noise due to static electricity or the like. In such a case, the input from the winning number detector 9 is used. Is a pulse signal whose pulse width is almost zero. Therefore, the determination in S26 is performed once at the same timing as the timing at which such noise is input, and S2 is determined.
Even if the value of the ON counter is incremented by 1 by S9, S
In the case of No. 30, since the judgment is NO, immediately
It is not determined that the count switch has detected a pachinko ball. Then, when the subsequent switch input processing is executed, the noise falls, so the determination in S26 is NO, and as a result, the ON counter of the 10-count switch is cleared in S27. Therefore, there is no possibility that the 10 count switch is erroneously determined to be ON due to noise.

If it is determined in S30 that a prize has been won, the process proceeds to S33, in which the alarm flags A, C and V-
The 10 check timer is cleared. The alarm flag A is a flag set in S114 as described later with reference to FIG.
This is set when there is no prize in the variable prize ball device 4 during the opening time. The alarm flag A is for detecting occurrence of a shift from a predetermined detection position or the like due to improper operation of the winning number detector 9. The alarm flag C is set in S39 described below, and is set when the pachinko ball detected by the specific winning ball detector 8 is not detected by the winning number detector 9 within a predetermined time. is there. That is, the alarm flag C is for detecting a shift from a predetermined detection position of the winning number detector 9 or occurrence of a ball jam between the specific winning number detector 8 and the winning number detector 9. is there. The V-10 check timer is a timer used for determining whether or not to set the alarm flag C. The V-10 check timer is used until the pachinko ball detected by the specific winning ball detector 8 is detected by the winning number detector 9. It is for timing the maximum time allowed.

Subsequently, in S34, it is determined whether or not the process flag is 10 or more. Process flag is 1
The case where it is 0 or more is a case where the variable prize ball device 4 is being opened or after being opened (including an interval) as described above with reference to FIG. If the answer to the determination in S34 is NO, the control proceeds directly to S37,
If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to S35, and the variable winning ball device 4
A determination is made as to whether or not the number of prizes won is the maximum (for example, 10). If it is the maximum, it is not necessary to add the currently detected prize, and the process directly proceeds to S37.

In S37, it is determined whether or not the V-10 check timer has expired. If it has not ended, the process proceeds to S40. If it has ended, the value of the check timer is decremented by 1 in S38, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has ended. If not, the process proceeds to S40, but if not, the alarm flag C is set in S39. S39
Thereby, if the pachinko ball detected by the specific winning ball detector 8 is not detected by the winning number detector 9 within the time set in the V-10 check timer, the alarm flag C is set.

In S40, it is determined whether or not the alarm flag is set. If it is set, this subroutine ends immediately without performing the processing described later. As a result, the V winning and the starting winning during the alarm are invalidated. If it is not set, the process proceeds to S41, where it is determined whether or not the V switch (specific winning ball detector 8) is ON. ON
If so, the process proceeds to S43. If not, the process proceeds to S42, where the contents of the ON counter of the V switch are cleared. Then, the process proceeds directly to S52. On the other hand, S
When the process proceeds to 43, it is determined whether the value of the ON counter of the V switch is the maximum value. If it is the maximum value, the process proceeds directly to S52. If the value is not the maximum value, the process proceeds to S44, where the value of the ON counter of the V switch is incremented by one.
Subsequently, in S45, it is determined whether or not the value of the ON counter of the V switch is a predetermined value (for example, 3), thereby determining whether or not it is determined that there is a prize. If the result of the determination is that the value of the ON counter has not yet reached the predetermined value, the process proceeds directly to S52, but if it is determined that the value has reached the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S46 and proceeds to the specific winning area 7. Is performed when it is determined that the pachinko ball has been won. Thus, S41, S42,
By performing the processing of S43, S44, and S45, 1
As with the 0 count switch, V
Erroneous determination of the switch can be prevented.

In S46, since the pachinko ball is detected by the specific winning ball detector 8, first, V-10
A predetermined time (for example, 2.9 seconds) is set in the check timer.
(For example, 1450) is set. The value set in the V-10 check timer is set in advance as a time allowed until the pachinko ball detected by the specific winning ball detector 8 is detected by the winning number detector 9 as described above. It is something. Subsequently, in S47, V
It is determined whether or not a winning flag is set. The V winning flag is provided to determine whether or not a pachinko ball has been won in the specific winning area 7 during one opening of the variable winning ball device 4. If this flag has already been set, there is no need to set it again, so the process proceeds directly to S52; otherwise, the process proceeds to S48.

In S48, it is determined whether or not the process flag is "10". When the process flag is 10, it means that the variable winning prize ball device 4 is being opened and the pachinko ball has not been won in the specific winning area 7 yet, so that the processing is S.
Proceeding to 50, the process flag is set to 11 and the V winning sound (sound effect) generated from the speaker 98
Is set. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S51, the V winning flag is set, and the process proceeds to S52.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S48 that the process flag is not 10, it is further determined in S49 whether the process flag is 12. The case where the process flag is 12 means that, after the opening of the variable winning ball device 4 is completed, before the time set in advance as the V reception time elapses. The reason why the V reception time is valid only for a predetermined time after the end of the variable prize ball device 4 is that the V reception time is set immediately before the variable prize ball device 4 is closed.
There is a possibility that the pachinko ball which has won the prize may win a specific prize area after the opening of the variable prize ball device 4 is completed. This is because it is necessary to do so. S
If the answer to the determination at 49 is YES, S51
The V winning flag is set.

It should be noted in the processing of S41 to S51 that it is once determined that the V prize has been won, and the V-10 is determined in S46.
Immediately after the check timer is set, if there is another V prize during the opening of the variable prize ball device 4,
Since the process of S46 is executed again, the V-10 check timer is newly set. As described above, since the V-10 check timer is reset, the prize in the specific prize area 7 continues a plurality of times during the single opening of the variable prize ball device 4 before the V-10 check timer expires. If the pachinko ball has not been detected within a predetermined time since the last V prize,
Is detected, the alarm flag C is not set. In addition, a plurality of V-10 check timers may be provided, and if a V win is made while one check timer is operating, another check timer may be operated to check V-10.

In S52 and subsequent steps, starting winning ports 10a to 10
A determination is made as to whether or not a prize has been won. S5
The processing of 2 to S57 is performed by three start winning ball detectors 11a to
11c, once for each of them, a total of three times.

First, in S52, it is determined whether or not the start winning ball detector is ON. If it is not ON, the corresponding ON counter is cleared in S53 and the process proceeds to S57. If it is ON, in S54, it is determined whether or not the value of the corresponding ON counter is a predetermined value (for example, 3), so that it is determined whether or not the winning should be determined. If the value has not yet been determined to be a winning, the process proceeds directly to S57. If the value is determined to be a winning, a determination is made in S55 as to whether or not the already stored start storage number is a predetermined maximum value (for example, 4). If it is already the maximum, there is no room for further storage, so the process proceeds directly to S57. If it is not the maximum yet, the process proceeds to S56, and the number of start storages and the number of start winnings are each increased by one. Subsequently, in S57, it is determined whether or not the check has been completed for all the winning prize ball detectors. If the check has not been completed, the process returns to S52, and the process returns to S52.
The processing of 52 or less is repeatedly performed. If the check has been completed for all the start winning ball detectors, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for performing the LED / lamp data setting process performed in S12 of FIG. S
At 58, it is determined whether or not any of the alarm flags A, B, and C is set. If the alarm flag is set, the process proceeds to S60, where the data at the time of the alarm is set, and the solenoid 13 is set. Is set to turn OFF. The set data is output in S13 of FIG. The data at the time of the alarm is data for lighting or blinking the state of the alarm on the decoration lamps 18 to 22, the decoration LED 23, and the like. Further, since the data for turning off the solenoid 13 is set and output, the opening / closing plate 6 of the variable winning ball device 4 is closed, and the second state is disadvantageous for the player.

If the alarm flag has not been set, the flow advances to step S59, and the LED / lamp data at the corresponding address is set according to the value of the process flag.
The set data is output in S13 of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the winning storage area storing process shown in S14 of FIG. By S61, the starting winning number is “0”.
Is determined. This starting prize is
In step S56, "1" is added by one.
“1” is subtracted by 63 at a time. The start winning number is "0"
In this case, the subroutine program is terminated as it is, but if the starting winning number is not 0, the process proceeds to S62, in which the process of storing the values of the random 1 counter and the random 2 counter in the corresponding area of the starting winning storage area. Done. The start prize storage area has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) count value storage areas for storing the value of each random 1 counter and the value of the random 2 counter in accordance with the number of start prize storage. Have.

Then, the program proceeds to S63, in which a process of subtracting "1" from the starting winning number as described above is performed.
Return to The processing of S61 to S63 is repeatedly performed until the number of start winnings becomes "0". By the winning storage area storing process, the value of the random 1 counter and the value of the random 2 counter corresponding to the start winning are stored in the respective winning storage areas.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the normal processing shown in S17 of FIG. First, in S64, it is determined whether or not there is a winning memory. The winning memory is incremented by "1" at S56 described above and decremented by "1" at S77 described later.

If there is no winning storage, the process proceeds to S65, where the primary lottery flag is set to "losing", and the subroutine program ends as it is. On the other hand, if there is a winning storage, the process proceeds to S66, where the count value of the random 1 counter stored in the area 1 of the winning storage area and the current random 1 counter are added, and the result A determination is made as to whether the primary lottery has been won based on the value. Area 1 of the prize memory area
Is an area storing the oldest count value among the count values stored in S62. The determination process in S66 is performed based on the oldest count value. In S66, the oldest count value is added to the count value of the current random 1 counter, and the loss of the primary lottery is determined based on the addition result. The randomness is further improved as compared with the case where the hit or miss is determined based only on the count value of the random 1 counter.

Subsequently, the flow advances to S67 for determining whether or not the result of the primary lottery is a hit. If it is determined that it is not a hit, the process proceeds to S68, the primary lottery flag is set to "out", and the process proceeds to S70. On the other hand, if it is determined that a hit has occurred, the process proceeds to S69, the primary lottery flag is set to "hit", and the process proceeds to S70. In S70, a process of setting the process flag to "1" is performed. As a result, when the process processing of S6 is executed next time, the check processing of the random 2 counter shown in S18 of FIG. 12 is executed.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the random 2 counter check process shown in S18 of FIG. First, in S71, it is determined whether or not the primary lottery flag is “hit”. If not, the process directly proceeds to S76. On the other hand, if it is "hit", the process proceeds to S72.
Proceed to.

At S72, it is determined whether or not the value of the random 2 counter stored in the area 1 of the winning storage area is a value for winning the secondary lottery. In the determination result S73, it is determined whether or not the secondary lottery has won. If not, the process proceeds to S7.
Proceeding to 5, the primary lottery flag is set to "out" and S
Proceed to 76. In S76, a process of setting the process flag to 3 is performed, and the process proceeds to S77. Process flag is 3
When the process process of S6 is executed next time, the lost symbol setting process shown in S20 of FIG. 12 will be executed.

On the other hand, if the secondary lottery is determined to be a hit in S73, the process proceeds to S74, and the big hit symbol number (9 × 9) is determined based on the value of the random 2 counter stored in the area 1 of the winning storage area. A value indicating which column of “777” is displayed in the display area of No. 9 or a value indicating that all the symbols are fruit symbols is set, and the process flag is set to “2”. When the process flag is set to “2”, the next time this process process is executed, the big hit symbol setting process shown in S19 of FIG. 12 is executed. S
The post-processing of 74 proceeds to S77.

In S77, a process of subtracting "1" from the number of stored winning prizes is performed. Next, in S78, a process of shifting the start winning storage area by one is performed. As described above, the start winning storage area has a plurality of (four) areas for storing the count values of the random 1 counter and the random 2 counter, respectively, corresponding to the start winning numbers. Of these areas, the oldest count value is stored in area 1, the second oldest count value is stored in area 2, the third oldest count value is stored in area 3, and the newest count value is stored in area 4. Is stored. By this S78, the count value stored in area 2 is shifted and stored in area 1 by one. Similarly, the count value stored in area 3 is shifted by one in area 2 and stored. Similarly, the count value stored in area 4 is also shifted by one to area 3 and stored, and area 4 is further cleared. After S78, this random 2 check processing ends.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a subroutine of the big hit symbol setting process performed in S19 of FIG. This subroutine is executed when the process flag is set to "2". First S7
At 9, the big hit symbol when the variable display device 3 is stopped is set based on the big hit symbol number set in S74. Note that the value of the random 3 counter is also used in the set of the big hit symbols. That is, the big hit symbol number is displayed as “77” on any of the eight activated lines.
In the case of the content to stop "7", the stop symbol on the line corresponding to the number is set to "777".
The value of the random 3 counter is used for determining the stop symbol of the other symbol display section. In addition, in the case of the content in which the fruit design is stopped in all the design display portions, the value of the digit which is not the value corresponding to the fruit design is changed to the value corresponding to the fruit design by referring to the value of the random 3 counter. (For example, by changing the value of the digit to the value of the closest fruit design), the fruit design is stopped in all the design display portions. Further, in S80, a value indicating the reach and the big hit is set in the big hit flag. “4” is set in the process flag. The first symbol stop waiting time is set in the process timer. Since the value representing the reach is set in the big hit flag, when the first symbol or the second symbol is stopped, the mark display frame 80 for displaying the reach line is displayed on the display column in the reach state.
A to I are displayed. When the process flag is set to “4”, when the next process processing is executed, the stop processing of the first symbol is executed among the symbol stop processings shown in S21 of FIG. . The first symbol stop waiting time is a waiting time until the first symbol stops after the variable start, and the stop control is performed in the subsequent symbol stop processing according to the time set in S80.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the lost symbol set shown in S20 of FIG. This processing is executed when the process flag is set to “3”, that is, when it is determined that the result of the primary lottery or the secondary lottery is out of order.

First, in S81, a lost symbol (stop symbol number indicating a combination of stop symbols displayed on the variable display device 3) corresponding to each digit is set based on the value of the random 3 counter. Next, in S82, two first symbols stopped first and a second symbol stopped 4
It is determined whether or not the two second symbols satisfy the condition for generating the combination of the big hit symbols on any one of the activated lines. If not, the process proceeds directly to S86. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S83, a value indicating the reach is set in the big hit flag, and the process proceeds to S84.
In S84, further, the first symbol, the second symbol, the third symbol,
It is determined whether the combination of the big hit symbols is satisfied. If it is not a big hit symbol, the process is directly S86
The process proceeds to step S85 if it is a big hit symbol.
, The process of adding 1 to the symbol number on the line which is a combination of the big hit symbols among the third symbols is performed, and the process proceeds to S86. Thus, the symbol at the time of stop is forcibly shifted by 1 by adding 1 to the symbol number on the line which is a combination of the big hit symbol of the third symbol,
It becomes a missing symbol.

In S86, the process flag is set to "4" and a value indicating the first symbol stop waiting time (for example, 5 seconds) is set in the process timer. After the variable start, the first symbol is stopped after the stop waiting time set in S86 elapses.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a subroutine of each symbol stop process executed in S21 of FIG.

First, in S87, it is determined whether or not the process timer has expired. If not finished, this subroutine immediately ends without doing anything. If the process has been completed, the process proceeds to S88, and a symbol stop process according to the value of the process flag is performed in S88 and thereafter. In this way, the process is waited until the process timer expires, and the symbol stop control is executed only after the process timer expires, so that after the variable start, the first symbol is stopped until the first symbol is stopped. A predetermined waiting time is set until the second symbol is stopped and further after the second symbol is stopped until the third symbol is stopped.

In S88, a process of setting data representing a sound effect (symbol stop sound) to be generated from the speaker 98 when stopping the symbol is performed. This data is shown in FIG.
This is output in S11 shown in FIG. Then in S89,
It is determined whether or not the process flag is "4". If the process flag is "4", it is necessary to set the time from stopping the first symbol to stopping the second symbol, so that the process flag is set to "5" in S90, and The second symbol stop waiting time (for example, 1 second) is set in the timer.

If the process flag is not "4", S
Proceeding to 91, a determination is made as to whether the process flag is "5". When the process flag is "5", the process proceeds to S92, and when the process flag is other than "5", the process proceeds to S95. If the process flag is “5”, the second
After stopping the symbol, it is necessary to set a waiting time from the stop of the second symbol to the stop of the third symbol. First, the process flag is set to “6”, and the third timer is set to the process timer. (For example, 1 second) is set.

After S92, the process proceeds to S93, where it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is a value indicating the reach. If it is reach, the process proceeds to S94, the process flag is further set to "7", and the third symbol stop waiting time (reach operation time) at the time of reach (reach operation time) (for example, 8 to 10 seconds) is set in the process timer. By the processing of S94,
At the time of the reach, the time from the stop of the second symbol to the stop of the third symbol is longer than in the normal state. The reach operation time is selected and set from 13 types of time according to the type of stop symbol. If the big hit flag is not the value indicating the reach in S93, nothing is performed and this subroutine ends.

If it is determined in S91 that the process flag is not "5", the process proceeds to S95, and it is determined whether the big hit flag is a value representing a big hit. If it is not a big hit, proceed to S96,
“8” is set in the process flag, the waiting time (for example, 0.6 seconds) is set in the process timer, and the subroutine ends. On the other hand, if the value indicating the big hit has been set in the big hit flag, the process proceeds to S97.
, The process flag is set to "9", and the process timer is set to the time before initial release (for example, 4 seconds). Since the process flags are set to “8” and “9” respectively in S96 and S97, the big hit check process S20 shown in FIG. 12 is executed when the next process process is executed. In addition, since the waiting time is set in the process timer in S96, when the variable display device 3 is stopped, the missing symbol is stopped and displayed only for the waiting time, so that the player can confirm the missing symbol. Further, since the initial opening wait time is set in the process timer in S97, the opening operation of the opening and closing plate 6 of the variable winning ball device 4 is started after the time before the first opening after the symbol of the variable display device 3 is stopped. Will be.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the jackpot check process shown in S22 of FIG. This big hit check process is executed when the process flag is set to either “8” or “9”.

First, in S98, it is determined whether or not the process timer has expired. If it has not been completed, the jackpot check process is immediately terminated. If the process timer has expired, the flow advances to S99 to perform the processing from S99. Since no processing is performed until the process timer expires, the processing after S99 is not executed until the out-of-wait time and the pre-opening time set in S96 and S97 in FIG. 22 elapse. .

In S99, it is determined whether or not a value indicating a big hit is set in the big hit flag. If the big hit flag has not been set to a value indicating a big hit, the process proceeds to S100, where "0" indicating normal processing is set in the process flag, and this subroutine ends. On the other hand, when the value indicating the big hit is set in the big hit flag, the process proceeds to S101, the value "10" indicating the opening is set in the process flag, and the opening time (for example, 30 seconds) is set in the process timer. , The value of the release counter is set to 1, and this subroutine ends.

Since the process flag is set to "0" in S100, when the next process processing is executed, the normal processing shown in S17 of FIG. 12 is executed. On the other hand, in step S101, the process flag is set to “1”.
If "0" is set, in the next execution of the process processing, the processing of the open processing S23 shown in FIG. 12 will be executed. Further, since the release time is set in the process timer, the release in S23 is performed only for a predetermined time.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a subroutine of the opening process performed in S23 of FIG. In this process, the process flag is set to “10” or “1”.
1 ”.

First, in step S102, big hit information for notifying the occurrence of a big hit to a hall management computer or the like (not shown) and data for turning on the solenoid 13 to open the opening / closing plate 6 are set.
This data is output in S4 of FIG.

Subsequently, in S103, the number of winnings in the variable prize ball device 4 is a predetermined maximum number (for example, 10
Is determined. If it is not the maximum, the process proceeds to S104, and furthermore, S104
Then, a determination is made as to whether the process timer has expired. If the processing has not been completed yet, this subroutine ends in order to continue opening the variable winning ball apparatus 4 as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined in S103 that the winning number is the maximum, or if it is determined in S104 that the process timer has expired, that is, if it is determined that the predetermined opening time has ended, the variable winning ball device 4 is opened. The process proceeds to S105 because it is necessary to end the process once.

In S105, it is determined whether or not the number of times of repetition continuation control of the variable winning ball device 4 is a predetermined maximum value (for example, 16 times).
If it is not the maximum value, it is necessary to temporarily change the variable winning prize ball device 4 to the second state and then control it again to the first state on condition that there is a prize in the specific winning area 7 during opening. Then, the process proceeds to S106, in which a process flag is set to "12", and a process timer is set to the above-described V reception time (for example, 2 seconds), and this subroutine ends. "1" for the process flag
2 ”is set during opening this time and S10
If a V prize is detected during the V reception time set in 6, the process flag is set to "10" again in S111 of the post-opening process described later, and the during-opening process is repeatedly performed.

If it is determined in S105 that the number of times of release is the maximum, the repetition continuation control is terminated and there is no need to repeatedly open the variable winning prize ball device 4 anymore.
In step 07, "13" is set in the process flag.
The end display time is set in the process timer. The end display time is for displaying a character indicating that the repetitive continuation control has been repeated on the variable display device 3 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) after the release of the variable winning ball device 4 is completed. Since “13” is set in the process flag in S107, in the switch input processing already described with reference to FIG.
The answer to the judgment at 9 is always NO. Therefore, in this case, the V winning flag is not set in S51. In this case, in the post-opening process described later with reference to FIG. 25, "0" is always set as the next process flag, and the normal process is started. After S107, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of the post-opening process shown in S24 of FIG. In this process, the process flag is set to “12” or “1”.
3 ". First, in S108, data for turning off the solenoid 13 is set to close the open / close plate 6 of the variable winning ball device 4. Next, in S109, it is determined whether or not the process timer has expired. If the process timer has not expired, this subroutine ends without performing the processing of S110 and thereafter. Then, the program is repeatedly executed, and the process proceeds to S110 only after the process timer ends, and in S110, it is determined whether or not the V winning flag is set. As described above, when the process flag is "13", the V winning flag is not set, and the answer to the determination in S110 is always NO, and the process proceeds to S112. Process flag is 12
However, if there is no V winning during the opening of the variable winning ball apparatus 4 and during the subsequent V reception time, the V winning flag is not set, so the process proceeds to S112. S
At 112, the opening counter is first cleared to end the repeated continuation control according to the big hit. Also,
In order to notify the hall management computer of the end of the big hit, a big hit information OFF output is set. After the primary lottery flag and the big hit flag are both cleared, the process flag is set to “0” and S11
Proceed to 3. Since “0” is set in the process flag, the next time the process processing in FIG.
7 is executed.

On the other hand, when the V winning flag is set, the process proceeds from S110 to S111, and a process for repeatedly opening the variable winning ball device 4 is performed. That is, first, a value “10” indicating that the opening is being performed is set in the process flag, and the next opening time of the opening / closing plate 6 is set in the process timer. Further, the release counter is incremented by one, and the process proceeds to S113. The value of the opening number counter is used to check the maximum opening number of the repetition continuation control as described above.

In S113, the variable winning prize ball device 4
A determination is made as to whether or not the winning number detected during the opening of the game is zero. If the value is 0, the winning number detector 9 may be shifted from a predetermined detection position due to fraud or the like, so the flow proceeds to S114, the alarm flag A is set, and the flow proceeds to S115. If the winning number is not 0, it is not necessary to set an alarm flag, and the process directly proceeds to S115.

In S115, the winning number and the V winning flag are both cleared, and this subroutine ends.

[0119]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the light source provided in the liquid crystal display device main body is detachably attached to the liquid crystal display device main body, the light source cannot be used due to a temporal change. The light source is removed from the main body of the liquid crystal display device when the brightness of the liquid crystal display device becomes significantly lower than the light source used for the liquid crystal display device of another gaming machine in the game arcade, and a new light source is used. Can be easily attached to the liquid crystal display body. Therefore, maintenance of the game machine liquid crystal display device can be performed easily and at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a gaming area of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a gaming machine using a gaming machine liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, and a gaming machine liquid crystal display device and other various devices provided in the gaming area. It is a front view.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an LCD unit constituting the variable display device.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a rear portion of the LCD unit.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the game board, showing a state in which the LCD unit is attached to the game board.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing various symbols displayed on each display unit of the variable display device.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a display mode of the variable display device.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a display mode of the variable display device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a display mode of a symbol when each symbol display unit of the variable display device is stopped.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing a connection state of a game control microcomputer and a gaming machine liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a program for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of a process process.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a command area for transmitting data from the game control microcomputer to the sub CPU.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing a method of transmitting data to a sub CPU.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a switch input process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of LED / lamp data set processing.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a winning storage area storing process.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a normal process.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of a check process of a random 2 counter.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a big hit symbol setting process.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a lost symbol setting process.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of each symbol stop process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a big hit check process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of an open process.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of post-open processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a game board, 3 is a variable display device, 4 is a variable winning ball device,
7 is a specific winning area, 8 is a specific winning ball detector, 9 is a winning number detector, 10a to 10c are starting winning openings, 11a to 11
c is a start winning ball detector, 24 is an LCD unit, 25 is a liquid crystal display panel, 31 is a unit base, 40 is a substrate, 43
Is a volume, 45 is a CFL unit, 46 is a CFL backlight, 46A is a CFL board, 47 is a reflector, 49
Is a diffusion plate, 52 is a side opening, 56 is a volume adjustment hole, 57 is a side cover, 58 is a board, 61 is a microcomputer interface, 72 is a decorative unit, 79A to 79
I denotes a symbol display unit, 80A to 80I denote mark display frames, 81 denotes a microcomputer for game control, and 92 denotes a microcomputer for LCD control.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 9, 2000 (200.8.9)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Title of the Invention] game machine

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a gaming machine typified by the pachinko machine or a coin game machine or a slot machine. For details, see
The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a crystal display device .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0002

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art As this kind of gaming machine, in what is conventionally known in general, for example, the display state can be varied
Liquid crystal display device is provided, and the liquid crystal display device
After that, the display result is derived and displayed, and the display result is
It became a specified specific display mode (for example, 777)
In the case, a predetermined specific game advantageous to the player
Some were configured to cause a condition. Soshi
To increase the contrast of the variable display of the liquid crystal display device.
Liquid crystal display device so that technicians can see clearly
A light source was provided on the back surface side of the liquid crystal layer.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0003]

[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION] However, Oite the conventional game machine of this type, compared to the lifetime of the liquid crystal layer to be used, for example CFL (cold cathode fluorescent tube) used as a light source, EL ( Although the liquid crystal layer is still usable due to its short lifetime such as electroluminescence, the light source becomes unusable or becomes dark enough to be unusable due to aging. It has to be replaced, which makes the maintenance of the gaming machine difficult and increases the cost for that. Also, if one is darkened by aging, there is a problem that the impression is deteriorated when a large number of gaming machines as the game arcade are provided.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0004

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0004] The present invention has been conceived in view of the actual information relating, liquid crystal display and its object is that can be while low cost easily and Maintenance maintenance maintaining the brightness at a constant
An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine provided with a display device .

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having a liquid crystal display device capable of changing a display state.
The liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal layer.
Indicating part and a light source for projecting light on the back side of the liquid crystal layer
And provided on the back side of the light source to reflect light forward.
Reflector, and the light source and the reflector are integrated with each other.
Light source unit is attached to and detached from the liquid crystal display device.
It is characterized by being freely configured . Claim 2
The present invention described above has, in addition to the structure of the invention described in claim 1,
The light source unit is arranged laterally with respect to the liquid crystal display device.
That it is configured to slide in and out
Features. The present invention described in claim 3 is based on claim 1 or
Is the variable display in addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 2.
The device has a control board for controlling the liquid crystal display device.
And the control signal from the control board is a flat cable.
Transmitted to the liquid crystal display unit via a
I do.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

According to the present invention, a liquid crystal display device is provided.
A light source for projecting light is provided on the back side of the liquid crystal layer
Light is reflected by the reflector provided on the back side of the light source.
Reflected forward. And the light source and the reflector
The light source unit with the integrated
It is configured to be removable. According to the invention of claim 2
Then, in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 1, the light source
The unit slides laterally with respect to the liquid crystal display
Can be attached and detached. According to the invention of claim 3
For example, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1 or 2,
Control from the control board for controlling the liquid crystal display section.
The control signal is sent to the LCD unit via a flat cable.
Sent.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0119

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The liquid crystal layer 25 is formed by the liquid crystal display panel 25.
Having a liquid crystal display unit. To the reflection plate 47
From the back side of the light source (CFL backlight 46).
And a reflector for reflecting light forward is configured.
ing. And, as described above, the light source and the reflection
Light source unit (CFL unit 4)
5) is configured to be detachable from the liquid crystal display device,
(See FIG. 2). The light source unit is as described above.
Then, slide the LCD horizontally to remove
(See FIG. 2). The substrate 58
Thereby, a control board for controlling the liquid crystal display section is configured.
Has been established. Flattened by the connector cable 26
A cable having a shape is configured (see FIG. 2).

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention described in claim 1, wherein
The light source unit is configured to be detachable from the liquid crystal display device.
The light source becomes unusable due to changes over time.
Or the brightness of the LCD of other gaming machines in the game hall
Significantly lower than the light source used for display devices
In this case, take out only the light source unit from the liquid crystal display device,
A light source unit consisting of a new light source can be easily added to the LCD
Can be mounted on For that purpose, liquid crystal display devices
Maintenance can be facilitated and inexpensive. Only
Also, the one that is configured to be removable is the light source and the reflector
Is a light source unit integrated with the
Light source unit in a state where the relative positional relationship with the plate is fixed
For example, to leave the reflector,
In comparison with the case where only the source is
The positional relationship between the light source and the reflector is shifted,
Inconvenience that it is difficult to be reflected correctly in the direction as designed
It can be prevented as much as possible. The invention according to claim 2
According to the description, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, light
The source unit projects light to the liquid crystal layer.
Generally, the shape is wide along the liquid crystal layer.
However, the light source unit slides in the horizontal direction and
The opening for inserting and removing the slide is relatively small
Is enough. According to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, claim
In addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention,
The control signal from the control board that controls the display
Transmitted to the liquid crystal display via the cable and displayed on the LCD,
Use multiple cables called cables
Multiple wires are separated and coherent
It can prevent the inconvenience of becoming
Bends relatively flexibly
And the arrangement position of the control board and the like with respect to the liquid crystal display unit is
Minimize inconvenience of being restricted due to wiring
can do.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09F 9/00 337 G09F 9/00 350Z 350 G02F 1/1335 530

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal display device for displaying predetermined information used in a game machine, comprising: a liquid crystal layer; and a light source for projecting light on the back side of the liquid crystal layer. Wherein the light source is configured to be detachable from the liquid crystal display main body.