JP2001190773A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine whose display is controlled in sush a manner that can arouse a player's interest when it comes to be in a 'piichih' state (ready for hit). SOLUTION: The display is controlled in such a manner that a stop of a display column 24b of a scroll in the middle, which stops changing last in the state just before a hit is made, looks like being controlled by the change of action of a character symbol 27 (a young witch waving her wand up and down once). This gives the player an impression that the stop of the change is operated with the action of the character symbol 27, interests him and make him expect a lot with a different taste.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine which becomes a big hit game state when a combination of a plurality of symbol rows variably displayed on a symbol display becomes a predetermined combination of big hit symbols. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pattern display such as a liquid crystal display or the like is used to display a plurality of continuous symbol rows composed of characters, graphics, and the like in a plurality of rows in a variable manner, and the combination of the symbols displayed when the symbol rows are stopped is as follows. Many pachinko machines have been provided which give a player a chance to generate a large number of winning balls in a short time as a big hit game state when a predetermined big hit symbol is reached. Then, when the combination at the time of stop of one of the plurality of symbol rows except one is a reach state which is a combination of the big hit symbols, the fluctuation speed of the symbol row is slowed down to pay attention of the player. In most cases, display control is performed so as to attract and improve expectation.

[0003]

However, in the reach state, almost all the pachinko machines perform the control display for reducing only the fluctuation speed as described above.
The current situation is that even if the model changes, it does not shine instead, and the player is getting bored. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing display control capable of attracting a player's interest when in a reach state. It is in.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the present invention, the combination at the time of stopping a plurality of symbol rows variably displayed on the symbol display becomes a predetermined combination of big hit symbols. In the gaming machine that is in the big hit gaming state when the, when the combination at the time of stop of the other symbol row except for one of the plurality of symbol rows is in the reach state is a combination of the big hit symbols, A character symbol is displayed on a symbol display, and display control is performed so as to change the motion of the character symbol in association with a variation stop operation of a symbol row to be stopped last.

[0005]

[Function] The last change in the pattern row that stops changing in the reach state gives the player the impression that it is being operated as a result of the change in the movement of the character design, and the change in the speed of change of the characters and figures simply as in the past. It is possible to give a greater interest and expectation than that which has attracted the interest and expectation of the player by the player alone, and to create a different interest from the past.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 1, a symbol display device 20 having a liquid crystal display 23 as a symbol display according to the embodiment.
The configuration of the game board 1 of the pachinko machine to which the above is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the game board 1. In the figure,
On the front surface of the game board 1, a game area 3 partitioned by a guide rail 2 provided in a substantially circular shape is formed. A symbol display device 20 is disposed substantially at the center of the game area 3.

The symbol display device 20 includes a liquid crystal display 23 for changing and displaying symbols, and starting winning ports 4, 6a, which will be described later.
A plurality (four) of start-up storage LEDs 26 for notifying that the number of winning balls which have won the prize 6b have been stored face each other. It should be noted that the start storage LED 26 is stored and held when a hit ball wins the start winning opening 4, 6a, 6b during the fluctuation display of the liquid crystal display 23 or during the big hit game state, and the start storage is performed for the held number. LED26
Is turned on, and is turned off one by one every time the liquid crystal display 23 starts to change. However, the number of storage is up to 4
The start winning prize of more than one is invalidated.
The symbol display device 20 will be described later in detail.

The variable winning device 8 is arranged below the symbol display device 20. The variable winning device 8 has an opening and closing plate 9 (also referred to as an attacker) that opens and closes forward and backward, and the opening and closing plate 9 is driven to be opened and closed by an attacker solenoid 10. In addition, the variable winning device 8 wins a winning ball number detection switch 12 for counting which detects a winning ball received with the opening / closing plate 9 opened and a V winning opening formed in the center of the opening / closing plate 9. A V winning ball detection switch 11 for detecting a winning ball is provided. The variable prize winning device 8 configured as described above receives a predetermined number of (for example, 10) prizes until the opening / closing plate 9 elapses for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) when a jackpot game state described below is entered. The attacker solenoid 10 is driven and opened until a ball is generated, and such an open state (this is referred to as an open cycle) is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times; Is called a continuation number). Thus, the winning ball detection switch 12 is used to count the number of winning balls accepted during one opening of the open / close plate 9, and the V winning ball detection switch 11 is opened when the open / close plate 9 is repeatedly opened. Is used to detect the condition of

In the game area 3, a symbol display device 20 is provided.
The starting winning opening 4 is provided between the starting winning opening 4 and the variable winning device 8. The start winning opening 4 allows the symbol display device 20 to perform a variable display. For this reason, the starting winning opening 4 has a built-in start winning ball detection switch 5 for detecting a winning of a hit ball. In addition, starting winning ports 6a and 6b having the same function as the starting winning port 4 are provided on the left and right sides of the variable winning device 8. The start winning ports 6a and 6b also have start winning ball detection switches 7a and 7b for detecting winning of a hit ball.

Further, in the game area 3, a symbol display device 20 is provided.
Winning openings 13a to 13d incorporating operation lamps 14a to 14d are arranged on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the game machine. These operation lamps 14a to 14d are turned on or off in accordance with various game states. On both the left and right sides of the game area 3, big hit lamps 15a and 15b, which are a kind of operation lamp and blink when a big hit game state is entered, and notify the player of the blinking are arranged. In addition, the game area 3
At the lowermost part of the game, there is also provided an out opening 16 for collecting hit balls that do not win the above winning opening and the like. Further, the game area 3 is provided with a large number of obstacle nails and a plurality of windmills (both have no sign) for changing the direction and speed of the falling ball.

Next, the configuration of the symbol display device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a front view of the symbol display device 20, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a display symbol when the stop display is performed by a combination of the big hit symbols after the reach state, and FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the display symbol at the time of stop display by the back-off design. As shown in FIG. 2, the symbol display device 20 includes a mounting board 2 mounted on the surface of the game board 1.
1, a substantially rectangular display window 22 is opened in the mounting board 21, and a liquid crystal display 23 faces the display window 22. The liquid crystal display 23 displays three scroll display rows 24a to 24c that scroll vertically from top to bottom. The range displayed from the display window 22 corresponds to three sections of the scroll rows 24a to 24c.

Thus, the scroll change display columns 24a to 24a
At the time of the fluctuation stop of 24c, as shown in FIG. 2, when the same symbols are arranged on any one of the three horizontal hit lines and the two diagonal hit lines, a big hit game state is established. Further, the scroll change display columns 24a to 24c simultaneously start changing based on the start winning signal, but the stop order is such that the left scroll display column 24a stops first, and then the right scroll display column 24c stops. Finally, the center scroll display row 24b stops. When the same symbols are aligned on any one of the hit lines at the time when the left and right scroll display columns 24a and 24c are stopped, a reach state is established, and the fluctuation time of the center scroll display column 24b that stops last is long. At the same time, the change speed is slowly changed, and the character pattern 27 is displayed. The operation of the character pattern 27 will be described later in detail. A decorative LED 25 for decoration is provided above the mounting board 21 of the symbol display device 20, and a start storage LED 26 having the above-described function is provided below it. Further, in the big hit game state, the number of times the opening and closing plate 9 of the variable winning device 8 is opened (also referred to as the number of continuations).
In addition, the number of winnings during one opening is displayed on the liquid crystal display 23. Note that the start memory LED2
Instead of providing 6, the liquid crystal display 23 may also be used for display.

The configuration of a game control circuit for controlling the operation of the symbol display device 20 and the opening and closing plate 9 of the variable winning device 8 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the game control circuit. The game control circuit includes a microcomputer 30
Is used. An external ROM 31 and an external RAM 32 are connected to the microcomputer 30. The symbol data is set in the external ROM 31.

The external RAM 32 has a large hit loss counter 33, a big hit pattern counter 34, a reach pattern counter 35, a loss pattern counter 36, and a fixed memory for storing a value extracted from each of the counters 33 to 36. 37 are formed. Each determination memory 37 corresponding to the big hit loss counter 33 has a memory of the number of reserved balls of the starting winning ports 4, 6a, 6b + 1, and the numerical value for determining the winning of each reserved ball is determined at the time of the starting winning. The determined values are stored in the corresponding determination memory 37. The big hit pattern counter 34 is a counter provided corresponding to all big hit patterns (not shown) indicating which big hit symbol is arranged on which hit line. Similarly, the reach pattern counter 35 is a counter corresponding to all types of reach patterns (not shown), and the deviation pattern counter 36 is a counter corresponding to all types of deviation patterns (not shown). The values of the pattern counters 34 to 36 are determined at the start of the change corresponding to the winning start.

On the other hand, starting winning ball detection switches 5, 7a, 7 for detecting winning balls in the starting winning ports 4, 6a, 6b.
b, a V winning ball detection switch 11 for detecting a winning ball passing through a V winning opening, and a winning ball number detecting switch 12 for detecting a winning ball on the opening / closing plate 9 are connected to the microcomputer 30 via a waveform shaping circuit 38. Have been. Also,
The clock generation circuit 40 outputs an external interrupt signal to the INT terminal of the microcomputer 30 via the frequency divider 39. Then, the microcomputer 30 executes a main program (not shown) in synchronization with the external interrupt signal. The RST of the microcomputer 30
A timing signal output from the timing signal generation circuit 41 is input to one terminal, and a numerical value generation program (not shown) is started in synchronization with the timing signal.
A reset signal output from the reset signal generation circuit 42 due to the ON operation of the power supply circuit 43 is input to the RST2 terminal of the microcomputer 30, and an initial program (not shown) is started by the reset signal.

An LED drive circuit 44, an LCD drive circuit 45, and a driver 46 are connected to each output port of the microcomputer 30. The LED drive circuit 44 includes:
The start storage LED 26 is connected, and the liquid crystal display 23 (displayed as LCD) is connected to the LCD drive circuit 45. Further, the driver 46 includes the microcomputer 30
The drive control of the attacker solenoid 10 and the operation lamps 14a to 14d, 15a, 15b is performed in accordance with the signal from the controller. A microcomputer dedicated to the LCD and a symbol data ROM may be provided between the microcomputer 30 and the LCD drive circuit 45, and the LCD 23 may be controlled by the microcomputer.

Next, among the operations controlled by the above-mentioned game control circuit, the operation in the start winning prize will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In step 10, a ball is hit at one of the start winning prize ports 4, 6a, 6b. It is determined whether or not the start winning prize ball detection switches 5, 7a and 7b are turned on to derive a starting winning signal. If there is no starting winning signal, the subroutine is terminated. If there is a signal, it is determined in step 20 whether or not the value of the starting winning counter C is smaller than four. Start winning prize counter C
Is greater than 4, the start-up prize is already stored, so the subroutine is terminated without performing the following processing. At step 30, the value of the start winning counter C is updated, and then at step 40 the big hit loss counter 33
Is stored in the corresponding determination memory M (c).
In addition, the big hit deviation counter 33 is, for example, 0 to 234.
Is changed every moment, and when the value extracted at the time of the start winning prize is, for example, “0”, it is determined that a hit has occurred,
When it is "1 to 20", it is determined to be reach (however, finally it is out), and when it is any other value, it is determined to be out. When a predetermined condition in a game (for example, a condition that an odd-numbered big hit game state is ended) is satisfied, if the appearance probability of a big hit is set to be a high probability, a big hit loss counter is set. 33
May be changed so as to reduce the upper limit value of.

Next, the variable display operation of the liquid crystal display 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8
5 is a flowchart showing a variable display operation of the liquid crystal display 23. First, during the jackpot gaming state, the liquid crystal display 23
Since the symbol that has become a big hit, the number of continuations, and the number of winnings are usually displayed, if it is determined in step 100 that the big hit flag is set, the following processing is not executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the big hit flag is not set, the display state of the liquid crystal display 23 is determined in steps 110 to 140. Specifically, in step 110, it is determined whether or not all the scroll display rows 24a to 24c of the liquid crystal display 23 are in a state of being changing (state flag F = 1), and step 120 is performed.
It is determined whether or not only the upper scroll display column 24a is in a state where the change is stopped (state flag F = 2). In step 130, the lower scroll display column 24c is a state in which the change is stopped (state flag F = 3). It is determined at step 140 whether or not the combination of symbols displayed on any of the hit lines is in the reach state (state flag F = 4).

When none of the above-mentioned states is present (when the state is not fluctuating), the state flag F is 0. At this time, the winning of the hit ball to the starting winning opening 4, 6a, 6b is stored in step 150. It is determined whether or not the value of the start winning counter C is 1 or more. If the starting winning counter C has no stored value, the process ends without executing the following processing of the variable display subroutine.

When the value of the start winning counter C is 1 or more, the timers t1, t2, and t3 are set in step 160, and in step 170, all the scroll display columns 24 are set.
The fluctuation of a to 24c is started, the value of the state flag F is set to "1", and the value of the start winning counter C is set to 1
It is subtracted one by one. Next, at step 180, the value of the big hit loss determination memory M (c) is updated to a lower memory, and it is determined at step 190 whether the value of M (0) in the updated fixed memory is a big hit. You. If the value of M (0) is determined to be a big hit, step 20
If the value is 0, one value is extracted from the jackpot pattern counter 34 at that time and stored in the corresponding decision memory.
At 0, it is determined whether or not the value of M (0) is reach. If it is reach, at step 220, one value is extracted from the reach pattern counter 35 and stored in the corresponding fixed memory. , Step 23
When the value is 0, one value is extracted from the departure pattern counter 36 and stored in the corresponding determination memory.

Incidentally, the timers t1, t2, t
Numeral 3 regulates the fluctuation time of the right scroll display column 24a, the left scroll display column 24c, and the middle scroll display column 24b, and t1 <t2 <t3; t2-t1 @ t3-
There is a relationship of t2. Then, in step 240, the timer t
It is determined that the time is up, but if the time is not up, step 240 → end of the variable display subroutine → start of the variable display subroutine until the time is up
Step 110 → Step 240 →... Are repeated.

When it is determined that the time of the timer t1 has expired, the variable display of the right scroll display column 24a is stopped in step 250 along the selected pattern, and the value of the status flag F is set to "2". Is set. Similarly, in step 260, it is determined whether or not the time of the timer t2 has expired. If it is determined that the time has expired, the variable display of the left scroll display column 24c is stopped in step 270 along the selected pattern. And the value of the status flag F is set to "3".
Then, when the variable display of the scroll display columns 24a and 24c except the center is stopped, it is determined in step 280 whether the value of M (0) is a big hit or a reach, that is, whether or not the reach display is performed. You.

If it is not the reach display, step 29
It is determined whether or not the timer t3 has timed out at 0,
Until the timer t3 times out, step 290 → end of the variable display subroutine → start of the variable display subroutine
Step 130 → Step 280 → Step 290 →
When the time is up, the process proceeds to step 300, where the variable display of the middle scroll display row 24b is stopped along the selected pattern, and then, in step 310, the status flag is reset and the variable display subroutine ends. I do.

On the other hand, if the reach display is determined, it is determined in step 320 whether or not the value of the status flag F is "4".
To set a new timer t4 and set the value of the status flag F to "4". Here, the timer t4 is used to extend the fluctuation time of the middle scroll display column 24b, which last stops fluctuation when in the reach state, and t4> (t3
−t2). Then step 3
At 40, the character pattern 27 is displayed at a predetermined position.
In this embodiment, the predetermined position is displayed so as to overlap the lower pattern of the right scroll display column 24c as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. The state where the magic wand is lifted is displayed. Thus, it is determined in step 350 whether or not the timer t4 has expired.
Until the time is up, step 350 → end of variable display subroutine → start of variable display subroutine-step 1
.. Are repeated, and when the time is up, the process proceeds to step 360.

At step 360, it is determined whether or not a big hit has occurred.
At 70, the variable display of the middle scroll display row 24b is stopped along the selected pattern while the character symbol 27 is disengaged, and then the variable display subroutine ends. Here, in the detaching operation of the character pattern 27 in the present embodiment, first, the wand is swung up from the lowered state (FIG. 4A) of the magic wand displayed at the time of the reach (the left diagonal hit line). State (FIG. 4 (B))
Then, the wand is slightly shaken in accordance with the stop of the middle scroll display row 24b, but since the stop symbol on the hit line is not a big hit symbol, the wizard girl is slightly moved and a "?" Mark is displayed ( (FIG. 4 (C)).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 360 that the hit is a big hit, then in step 380 the middle scroll display row 24b
Is stopped along the selected pattern, the status flag is reset and the big hit flag is set in step 390, and then the variable display subroutine ends. When the big hit flag is set in step 390, the opening mode of the open / close plate 9 of the variable winning device 8 is executed a predetermined number of times until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number of winning balls are generated. When the opening mode of the opening / closing plate 9 is completed a predetermined number of times, the big hit flag is reset. Also, the hitting operation on the character pattern 27 in step 380 is performed in a state in which the magic wand displayed at the time of the reach (the hit line of the diagonal line going up left) is lowered (FIG. 3).
(A)) When the cane is lifted up (FIG. 3 (B)), a plurality of stars are displayed from the cane at the same time, and then the cane is swung down according to the stop of the middle scroll display row 24b to return to the original state. Return to display the big hit symbol on the hit line (FIG. 3 (C)).

Although the configuration and operation of the pachinko machine having the liquid crystal display 23 according to the embodiment have been described above, according to the embodiment, the fluctuation stop of the middle scroll display row 24b which stops last in the reach state. Gives the player the impression that it is being operated by the change in the motion of the character pattern 27, and attracts the player's interest and expectation by merely changing the speed of change of characters and graphics as in the past. Can give a greater sense of interest and anticipation, and can create a different interest than before.

In the above-described embodiment, the symbol display is constituted by the liquid crystal display 23, but is not necessarily limited to the liquid crystal display 23, and is constituted by, for example, a CRT or the like. It may be a symbol display.
The scroll format in the display area may be not only the vertical direction but also the horizontal direction. In addition, the display position and the motion of the character symbol 27 may be arbitrarily designed, and the number of character symbols appearing is not limited to one, but may be plural, and the probability of a big hit is different for each type. You may. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the character pattern 27 is always displayed in the reach state. However, the character pattern 27 may be displayed with a probability of a fraction of the reach state. In addition, the game contents of pachinko machines are not limited to so-called digital games,
A hikoki type game or a right generation type game may be used.
Furthermore, although a pachinko machine has been illustrated as a gaming machine, a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a TV game may be used.

[0030]

As is clear from the above description, in the present invention, it is possible to give an impression as to whether the stop of the change of the symbol row which finally stops changing in the reach state is operated by a change in the operation of the character symbol. It is possible to give a greater interest and expectation to the player than in the past, which has attracted the interest and expectation of the player simply by changing the variation speed of characters and graphics, and it has been We can bring on different interests.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine to which a liquid crystal display as a symbol display according to an embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a symbol display device having a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a display symbol when the stop display is performed by a combination of the big hit symbols after the reach state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a display symbol in a case where the display is stopped and displayed by a symbol after the reach state.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a game control circuit for controlling a game operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of starting winning.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a variable display operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a variable display operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 gaming board 4 starting winning opening 6a, 6b starting winning opening 8 variable winning device 9 opening / closing plate 20 symbol display device 22 display window 23 liquid crystal display 24a left scroll display column 24b middle scroll display column 24c right scroll display column 27 character pattern 30 Microcomputer

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 14, 2001 (2001.2.1)
4)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

[Title of the Invention] Gaming machine

[Claims]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a display device for variably displaying a symbol, wherein a hit or miss is determined on the display according to the result of the symbol display on the display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pattern display such as a liquid crystal display or the like is used to display a plurality of continuous symbol rows composed of characters, graphics, and the like in a plurality of rows in a variable manner, and the combination of the symbols displayed when the symbol rows are stopped is as follows. Many pachinko machines have been provided which give a player a chance to generate a large number of winning balls in a short time as a big hit game state when a predetermined big hit symbol is reached. Then, when the combination at the time of stop of one of the plurality of symbol rows except one is a reach state which is a combination of the big hit symbols, the fluctuation speed of the symbol row is slowed down to pay attention of the player. In most cases, display control is performed so as to attract and improve expectation.

[0003]

However, in the reach state, almost all the pachinko machines perform the control display for reducing only the fluctuation speed as described above.
The current situation is that even if the model changes, it does not shine instead, and the player is getting bored. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing display control capable of attracting a player's interest when in a reach state. It is in.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises a display device for variably displaying a symbol, and a hit or miss is determined on the display by the result of the symbol display on the display device. A gaming machine is characterized in that a character is displayed on the display device at least in a predetermined reach state, and display control is performed so that the action of the character is made different according to the finalized display result.
Further, a display device for variably displaying symbols is provided, and in a gaming machine in which a hit or miss is determined on the display according to the result of symbol display on the display device, a character is displayed on the display device at least in a predetermined reach state. Until the finalized display is derived, the character's motion is shared regardless of the finalized display result, and display control is performed so that the character's motion is changed according to the finalized display result thereafter. In these cases, the different actions of the character indicate a hit if the result is a confirmed display result that determines the hit on the display, and a suggestion of a miss if the result is a confirmed display result that determines the departure from the display. It is preferably an operation.

[0005]

According to the above-described means, not only the variable display of the symbol for determining the hit or miss but also the character is displayed on the display device, so that the display content is increased in thickness and the interest of the game can be improved. . In addition, since a plurality of movements of the character are prepared and different movements are realized, there is an advantage that the player can be entertained by the movements of the character, and the game does not get tired. In particular,
Even if the same character motion is performed at the beginning of the reach state, by making the character motion different by the time the final result is obtained, it is possible to determine whether the reach state will eventually display a hit or derive a miss. Since it is not clear at first, there is no inconvenience that a hit or miss is known in advance. In addition, if the character action indicates whether the result finally determined and displayed is a hit display or a missed display, the result can be weighted by the character, thereby increasing the thickness of the game.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 1, a symbol display device 20 having a liquid crystal display 23 as a symbol display according to the embodiment.
The configuration of the game board 1 of the pachinko machine to which the above is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the game board 1. In the figure,
On the front surface of the game board 1, a game area 3 partitioned by a guide rail 2 provided in a substantially circular shape is formed. A symbol display device 20 is disposed substantially at the center of the game area 3.

The symbol display device 20 includes a liquid crystal display 23 for changing and displaying symbols, and starting winning ports 4, 6a, which will be described later.
A plurality (four) of start-up storage LEDs 26 for notifying that the number of winning balls which have won the prize 6b have been stored face each other. It should be noted that the start storage LED 26 is stored and held when a hit ball wins the start winning opening 4, 6a, 6b during the fluctuation display of the liquid crystal display 23 or during the big hit game state, and the start storage is performed for the held number. LED26
Is turned on, and is turned off one by one every time the liquid crystal display 23 starts to change. However, the number of storage is up to 4
The start winning prize of more than one is invalidated.
The symbol display device 20 will be described later in detail.

The variable winning device 8 is arranged below the symbol display device 20. The variable winning device 8 has an opening and closing plate 9 (also referred to as an attacker) that opens and closes forward and backward, and the opening and closing plate 9 is driven to be opened and closed by an attacker solenoid 10. In addition, the variable winning device 8 wins a winning ball number detection switch 12 for counting which detects a winning ball received with the opening / closing plate 9 opened and a V winning opening formed in the center of the opening / closing plate 9. A V winning ball detection switch 11 for detecting a winning ball is provided. The variable prize winning device 8 configured as described above receives a predetermined number of (for example, 10) prizes until the opening / closing plate 9 elapses for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) when a jackpot game state described below is entered. The attacker solenoid 10 is driven and opened until a ball is generated, and such an open state (this is referred to as an open cycle) is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times; Is called a continuation number). Thus, the winning ball detection switch 12 is used to count the number of winning balls accepted during one opening of the open / close plate 9, and the V winning ball detection switch 11 is opened when the open / close plate 9 is repeatedly opened. Is used to detect the condition of

In the game area 3, a symbol display device 20 is provided.
The starting winning opening 4 is provided between the starting winning opening 4 and the variable winning device 8. The start winning opening 4 allows the symbol display device 20 to perform a variable display. For this reason, the starting winning opening 4 has a built-in start winning ball detection switch 5 for detecting a winning of a hit ball. In addition, starting winning ports 6a and 6b having the same function as the starting winning port 4 are provided on the left and right sides of the variable winning device 8. The start winning ports 6a and 6b also have start winning ball detection switches 7a and 7b for detecting winning of a hit ball.

Further, in the game area 3, a symbol display device 20 is provided.
Winning openings 13a to 13d incorporating operation lamps 14a to 14d are arranged on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the game machine. These operation lamps 14a to 14d are turned on or off in accordance with various game states. On both the left and right sides of the game area 3, big hit lamps 15a and 15b, which are a kind of operation lamp and blink when a big hit game state is entered, and notify the player of the blinking are arranged. In addition, the game area 3
At the lowermost part of the game, there is also provided an out opening 16 for collecting hit balls that do not win the above winning opening and the like. Further, the game area 3 is provided with a large number of obstacle nails and a plurality of windmills (both have no sign) for changing the direction and speed of the falling ball.

Next, the configuration of the symbol display device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a front view of the symbol display device 20, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a display symbol when the stop display is performed by a combination of the big hit symbols after the reach state, and FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the display symbol at the time of stop display by the back-off design. As shown in FIG. 2, the symbol display device 20 includes a mounting board 2 mounted on the surface of the game board 1.
1, a substantially rectangular display window 22 is opened in the mounting board 21, and a liquid crystal display 23 faces the display window 22. The liquid crystal display 23 displays three scroll display rows 24a to 24c that scroll vertically from top to bottom. The range displayed from the display window 22 corresponds to three sections of the scroll rows 24a to 24c.

Thus, the scroll change display columns 24a to 24a
At the time of the fluctuation stop of 24c, as shown in FIG. 2, when the same symbols are arranged on any one of the three horizontal hit lines and the two diagonal hit lines, a big hit game state is established. Further, the scroll change display columns 24a to 24c simultaneously start changing based on the start winning signal, but the stop order is such that the left scroll display column 24a stops first, and then the right scroll display column 24c stops. Finally, the center scroll display row 24b stops. When the same symbols are aligned on any one of the hit lines at the time when the left and right scroll display columns 24a and 24c are stopped, a reach state is established, and the fluctuation time of the center scroll display column 24b that stops last is long. At the same time, the change speed is slowly changed, and the character pattern 27 is displayed. The operation of the character pattern 27 will be described later in detail. A decorative LED 25 for decoration is provided above the mounting board 21 of the symbol display device 20, and a start storage LED 26 having the above-described function is provided below it. Further, in the big hit game state, the number of times the opening and closing plate 9 of the variable winning device 8 is opened (also referred to as the number of continuations).
In addition, the number of winnings during one opening is displayed on the liquid crystal display 23. Note that the start memory LED2
Instead of providing 6, the liquid crystal display 23 may also be used for display.

The configuration of a game control circuit for controlling the operation of the symbol display device 20 and the opening and closing plate 9 of the variable winning device 8 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the game control circuit. The game control circuit includes a microcomputer 30
Is used. An external ROM 31 and an external RAM 32 are connected to the microcomputer 30. The symbol data is set in the external ROM 31.

The external RAM 32 has a large hit loss counter 33, a big hit pattern counter 34, a reach pattern counter 35, a loss pattern counter 36, and a fixed memory for storing a value extracted from each of the counters 33 to 36. 37 are formed. Each determination memory 37 corresponding to the big hit loss counter 33 has a memory of the number of reserved balls of the starting winning ports 4, 6a, 6b + 1, and the numerical value for determining the winning of each reserved ball is determined at the time of the starting winning. The determined values are stored in the corresponding determination memory 37. The big hit pattern counter 34 is a counter provided corresponding to all big hit patterns (not shown) indicating which big hit symbol is arranged on which hit line. Similarly, the reach pattern counter 35 is a counter corresponding to all types of reach patterns (not shown), and the deviation pattern counter 36 is a counter corresponding to all types of deviation patterns (not shown). The values of the pattern counters 34 to 36 are determined at the start of the change corresponding to the winning start.

On the other hand, starting winning ball detection switches 5, 7a, 7 for detecting winning balls in the starting winning ports 4, 6a, 6b.
b, a V winning ball detection switch 11 for detecting a winning ball passing through a V winning opening, and a winning ball number detecting switch 12 for detecting a winning ball on the opening / closing plate 9 are connected to the microcomputer 30 via a waveform shaping circuit 38. Have been. Also,
The clock generation circuit 40 outputs an external interrupt signal to the INT terminal of the microcomputer 30 via the frequency divider 39. Then, the microcomputer 30 executes a main program (not shown) in synchronization with the external interrupt signal. The RST of the microcomputer 30
A timing signal output from the timing signal generation circuit 41 is input to one terminal, and a numerical value generation program (not shown) is started in synchronization with the timing signal.
A reset signal output from the reset signal generation circuit 42 due to the ON operation of the power supply circuit 43 is input to the RST2 terminal of the microcomputer 30, and an initial program (not shown) is started by the reset signal.

An LED drive circuit 44, an LCD drive circuit 45, and a driver 46 are connected to each output port of the microcomputer 30. The LED drive circuit 44 includes:
The start storage LED 26 is connected, and the liquid crystal display 23 (displayed as LCD) is connected to the LCD drive circuit 45. Further, the driver 46 includes the microcomputer 30
The drive control of the attacker solenoid 10 and the operation lamps 14a to 14d, 15a, 15b is performed in accordance with the signal from the controller. A microcomputer dedicated to the LCD and a symbol data ROM may be provided between the microcomputer 30 and the LCD drive circuit 45, and the LCD 23 may be controlled by the microcomputer.

Next, among the operations controlled by the above-mentioned game control circuit, the operation in the start winning prize will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In step 10, a ball is hit at one of the start winning prize ports 4, 6a, 6b. It is determined whether or not the start winning prize ball detection switches 5, 7a and 7b are turned on to derive a starting winning signal. If there is no starting winning signal, the subroutine is terminated. If there is a signal, it is determined in step 20 whether or not the value of the starting winning counter C is smaller than four. Start winning prize counter C
Is greater than 4, the start-up prize is already stored, so the subroutine is terminated without performing the following processing. At step 30, the value of the start winning counter C is updated, and then at step 40 the big hit loss counter 33
Is stored in the corresponding determination memory M (c).
In addition, the big hit deviation counter 33 is, for example, 0 to 234.
Is changed every moment, and when the value extracted at the time of the start winning prize is, for example, “0”, it is determined that a hit has occurred,
When it is "1 to 20", it is determined to be reach (however, finally it is out), and when it is any other value, it is determined to be out. When a predetermined condition in a game (for example, a condition that an odd-numbered big hit game state is ended) is satisfied, if the appearance probability of a big hit is set to be a high probability, a big hit loss counter is set. 33
May be changed so as to reduce the upper limit value of.

Next, the variable display operation of the liquid crystal display 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8
5 is a flowchart showing a variable display operation of the liquid crystal display 23. First, during the jackpot gaming state, the liquid crystal display 23
Since the symbol that has become a big hit, the number of continuations, and the number of winnings are usually displayed, if it is determined in step 100 that the big hit flag is set, the following processing is not executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the big hit flag is not set, the display state of the liquid crystal display 23 is determined in steps 110 to 140. Specifically, in step 110, it is determined whether or not all the scroll display rows 24a to 24c of the liquid crystal display 23 are in a state of being changing (state flag F = 1), and step 120 is performed.
It is determined whether or not only the upper scroll display column 24a is in a state where the change is stopped (state flag F = 2). In step 130, the lower scroll display column 24c is a state in which the change is stopped (state flag F = 3). It is determined at step 140 whether or not the combination of symbols displayed on any of the hit lines is in the reach state (state flag F = 4).

When none of the above-mentioned states is present (when the state is not fluctuating), the state flag F is 0. At this time, the winning of the hit ball to the starting winning opening 4, 6a, 6b is stored in step 150. It is determined whether or not the value of the start winning counter C is 1 or more. If the starting winning counter C has no stored value, the process ends without executing the following processing of the variable display subroutine.

When the value of the start winning counter C is 1 or more, the timers t1, t2, and t3 are set in step 160, and in step 170, all the scroll display columns 24 are set.
The fluctuation of a to 24c is started, the value of the state flag F is set to "1", and the value of the start winning counter C is set to 1
It is subtracted one by one. Next, at step 180, the value of the big hit loss determination memory M (c) is updated to a lower memory, and it is determined at step 190 whether the value of M (0) in the updated fixed memory is a big hit. You. If the value of M (0) is determined to be a big hit, step 20
If the value is 0, one value is extracted from the jackpot pattern counter 34 at that time and stored in the corresponding decision memory.
At 0, it is determined whether or not the value of M (0) is reach. If it is reach, at step 220, one value is extracted from the reach pattern counter 35 and stored in the corresponding fixed memory. , Step 23
When the value is 0, one value is extracted from the departure pattern counter 36 and stored in the corresponding determination memory.

Incidentally, the timers t1, t2, t
Numeral 3 regulates the fluctuation time of the right scroll display column 24a, the left scroll display column 24c, and the middle scroll display column 24b, and t1 <t2 <t3; t2-t1 @ t3-
There is a relationship of t2. Then, in step 240, the timer t
It is determined that the time is up, but if the time is not up, step 240 → end of the variable display subroutine → start of the variable display subroutine until the time is up
Step 110 → Step 240 →... Are repeated.

When it is determined that the time of the timer t1 has expired, the variable display of the right scroll display column 24a is stopped in step 250 along the selected pattern, and the value of the status flag F is set to "2". Is set. Similarly, in step 260, it is determined whether or not the time of the timer t2 has expired. If it is determined that the time has expired, the variable display of the left scroll display column 24c is stopped in step 270 along the selected pattern. And the value of the status flag F is set to "3".
Then, when the variable display of the scroll display columns 24a and 24c except the center is stopped, it is determined in step 280 whether the value of M (0) is a big hit or a reach, that is, whether or not the reach display is performed. You.

If it is not the reach display, step 29
It is determined whether or not the timer t3 has timed out at 0,
Until the timer t3 times out, step 290 → end of the variable display subroutine → start of the variable display subroutine
Step 130 → Step 280 → Step 290 →
When the time is up, the process proceeds to step 300, where the variable display of the middle scroll display row 24b is stopped along the selected pattern, and then, in step 310, the status flag is reset and the variable display subroutine ends. I do.

On the other hand, if the reach display is determined, it is determined in step 320 whether or not the value of the status flag F is "4".
To set a new timer t4 and set the value of the status flag F to "4". Here, the timer t4 is used to extend the fluctuation time of the middle scroll display column 24b, which last stops fluctuation when in the reach state, and t4> (t3
−t2). Then step 3
At 40, the character pattern 27 is displayed at a predetermined position.
In this embodiment, the predetermined position is displayed so as to overlap the lower pattern of the right scroll display column 24c as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. The state where the magic wand is lifted is displayed. Thus, it is determined in step 350 whether or not the timer t4 has expired.
Until the time is up, step 350 → end of variable display subroutine → start of variable display subroutine-step 1
.. Are repeated, and when the time is up, the process proceeds to step 360.

At step 360, it is determined whether or not a big hit has occurred.
At 70, the variable display of the middle scroll display row 24b is stopped along the selected pattern while the character symbol 27 is disengaged, and then the variable display subroutine ends. Here, in the detaching operation of the character pattern 27 in the present embodiment, first, the wand is swung up from the lowered state (FIG. 4A) of the magic wand displayed at the time of the reach (the left diagonal hit line). State (FIG. 4 (B))
Then, the wand is slightly shaken in accordance with the stop of the middle scroll display row 24b, but since the stop symbol on the hit line is not a big hit symbol, the wizard girl is slightly moved and a "?" Mark is displayed ( (FIG. 4 (C)).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 360 that the hit is a big hit, then in step 380 the middle scroll display row 24b
Is stopped along the selected pattern, the status flag is reset and the big hit flag is set in step 390, and then the variable display subroutine ends. When the big hit flag is set in step 390, the opening mode of the open / close plate 9 of the variable winning device 8 is executed a predetermined number of times until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number of winning balls are generated. When the opening mode of the opening / closing plate 9 is completed a predetermined number of times, the big hit flag is reset. Also, the hitting operation on the character pattern 27 in step 380 is performed in a state in which the magic wand displayed at the time of the reach (the hit line of the diagonal line going up left) is lowered (FIG. 3).
(A)) When the cane is lifted up (FIG. 3 (B)), a plurality of stars are displayed from the cane at the same time, and then the cane is swung down according to the stop of the middle scroll display row 24b to return to the original state. Return to display the big hit symbol on the hit line (FIG. 3 (C)).

Although the configuration and operation of the pachinko machine having the liquid crystal display 23 according to the embodiment have been described above, according to the embodiment, the fluctuation stop of the middle scroll display row 24b which stops last in the reach state. Gives the player the impression that it is being operated by the change in the motion of the character pattern 27, and attracts the player's interest and expectation by merely changing the speed of change of characters and graphics as in the past. Can give a greater sense of interest and anticipation, and can create a different interest than before.

In the above-described embodiment, the symbol display is constituted by the liquid crystal display 23, but is not necessarily limited to the liquid crystal display 23, and is constituted by, for example, a CRT or the like. It may be a symbol display.
The scroll format in the display area may be not only the vertical direction but also the horizontal direction. In addition, the display position and the motion of the character symbol 27 may be arbitrarily designed, and the number of character symbols appearing is not limited to one, but may be plural, and the probability of a big hit is different for each type. You may. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the character pattern 27 is always displayed in the reach state. However, the character pattern 27 may be displayed with a probability of a fraction of the reach state. In addition, the game contents of pachinko machines are not limited to so-called digital games,
A hikoki type game or a right generation type game may be used.
Furthermore, although a pachinko machine has been illustrated as a gaming machine, a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a TV game may be used.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, not only a variable display of a symbol for determining a hit or miss but also a character is displayed on the display device, so that the display content is increased in thickness, and It can improve the interest of people. In addition, since a plurality of movements of the character are prepared and different movements are realized, there is an advantage that the player can be entertained by the movements of the character, and the game does not get tired. In particular, even if the same character movement is performed at the beginning of the reach state, the character movement is made different by the time the final result is obtained, so that the reach state may ultimately indicate a hit or miss. Since it is not clear at first, there is no inconvenience that a hit or miss is known in advance. In addition, if the character action indicates whether the result finally determined and displayed is a hit display or a missed display, the result can be weighted by the character, thereby increasing the thickness of the game.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine to which a liquid crystal display as a symbol display according to an embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a symbol display device having a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a display symbol when the stop display is performed by a combination of the big hit symbols after the reach state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a display symbol in a case where the display is stopped and displayed by a symbol after the reach state.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a game control circuit for controlling a game operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of starting winning.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a variable display operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a variable display operation.

[Description of Signs] 1 Gaming Board 4 Starting Winning Port 6a, 6b Starting Winning Port 8 Variable Winning Device 9 Opening / closing Plate 20 Symbol Display Device 22 Display Window 23 Liquid Crystal Display 24a Left Scroll Display Row 24b Middle Scroll Display Row 24c Right Scroll Display Row 27 Character pattern 30 Microcomputer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine which is in a big hit game state when a combination at the time of stop of a plurality of symbol rows variably displayed on a symbol display becomes a predetermined combination of big hit symbols, When the combination at the time of stop of the other symbol row except one becomes the reach state which is the combination of the big hit symbols, a character symbol is displayed on the symbol display, and the variation of the symbol row to stop at last. A gaming machine wherein display control is performed so as to change the motion of the character symbol in association with a stop motion.