JP2001259147A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of minutely and easily setting and changing the advantageous degree of every game machine. SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with variable prize winning ports 60, 65 which are prize winning ports other than a starting port and having condition devices 61, 66 such as movable pieces for changing the state of the prize winning ports into a closed state less apt for the ball to win a prize and an open state easy for the ball to win the prize. The condition devices 61, 66 are opened when the ball makes a winning entry into the starting port. The length of an open period and opening/closing frequency when opening the condition devices are set and changed through a setting switch 230.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game system which executes a predetermined display game based on the fact that a ball fired on a game board has entered a starting port, and when the execution result is a predetermined prize display mode, Related to a special prize state that is advantageous to the rider.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game machines such as pachinko machines, when a ball wins at a starting port provided on a game board, execute a display game on a liquid crystal display as a slot machine, As the execution result, "777"
There is a so-called fever machine that generates a special prize state advantageous to a player by opening and closing a special winning opening that is normally closed when a special prize display mode in which specific identification information is aligned is formed.

[0003] In such a fever machine, normally, when a ball wins in the starting port, a random number lottery for determining the execution result of the display game is performed, and the display game is developed according to the lottery result. I have. In order to cope with various business modes such as service day and service time, the winning probability in the random number lottery can be changed by a switch operation by a staff member or a remote operation from a hall computer.

[0004]

In a conventional gaming machine, the only item that can be easily changed by operating a switch or the like is the winning probability in a random number lottery for determining the execution result of a displayed game. The advantage of each machine was adjusted solely by nail adjustment. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is not possible to cope with various business modes in detail.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a gaming machine capable of finely adjusting the advantage of each gaming machine and easily changing the setting. It is intended to be.

[0006]

The gist of the present invention to achieve the above object lies in the following inventions. [1] The ball fired on the game board (12) is
0), a predetermined display game is executed based on winning, and when the execution result is in a predetermined special prize display mode, in a gaming machine which is in a special prize state advantageous to the player, a game other than the starting port (50) is provided. One or two or more variable winning ports (60) provided with condition devices (61, 66) for changing the winning port state between a closed state where the ball is difficult to win and an open state where the ball is easy to win. , 65) and the condition device (61, 6)
Condition device control means (130) for controlling the opening and closing operation of 6)
Setting means (23) for changing the control content when the condition device control means (130) controls the opening / closing operation of the condition device (61, 66) based on an external instruction.
0), and the condition device control means (130) is configured to control the condition device (61, 6) in the closed state in a normal state.
6) setting the opening to the open state for a predetermined period when a ball wins in the starting port (50), and the setting means (230) changes the length of the period. A gaming machine characterized by:

[2] A predetermined display game is executed based on the fact that the ball fired on the game board (12) has won the starting port (50), and when the execution result is in a predetermined special prize display mode, In a gaming machine that is in a special prize state advantageous to a player, the state of the winning port is changed between a closed state in which the ball is difficult to win and an open state in which the ball is easy to win, other than the starting port (50). 1 or 2 provided with a condition device (61, 66) for causing
The above variable winning openings (60, 65) and the condition device (6
1, 66) for controlling the opening and closing operation of the condition device (1).
30) and setting means (2) for changing the control content when the condition device control means (130) controls the opening / closing operation of the condition device (61, 66) based on an external instruction.
30), wherein the condition device control means (130) comprises:
In the normal state, the condition device (61, 6) in the closed state
6) is opened and closed a predetermined number of times when a ball wins in the starting port (50), and the setting means (23)
0) The gaming machine wherein the predetermined number of times is changed.

[3] A predetermined display game is executed based on the fact that the ball fired on the game board (12) has entered the starting port (50), and when the execution result is in a predetermined special prize display mode, In the gaming machine in a special prize state advantageous to the player, the state of the winning port other than the starting port (50) is changed between a closed state where the ball is difficult to win and an open state where the ball is easy to win. One or more variable winning openings (60, 65) provided with a condition device (61, 66);
66) Condition device control means (13) for controlling the opening / closing operation of (13)
0) and setting means (23) for changing the control content when the condition device control means (130) controls the opening / closing operation of the condition device (61, 66) based on an external instruction.
0), and the condition device control means (130) is configured to control the condition device (61, 6) in the closed state in a normal state.
6) is opened and closed a predetermined number of times when a ball wins in the starting port (50), and the setting means (23)
(0) The gaming machine wherein the length of the period in which the condition device (61, 66) is in the open state at the predetermined number of times and each time is changed.

[4] A plurality of the variable winning ports (60, 65) are arranged on the gaming board (12), and the plurality of variable winning ports (60, 65) are divided into a plurality of groups. (230) The gaming machine according to [1], [2], or [3], wherein the control content can be changed for each group.

[5] The setting means (230) is a switch for switching the control content, and is mounted at a place where the player cannot operate it. [1], [2], The gaming machine according to [3] or [4].

[6] The gaming machine according to [1], [2], [3], [4] or [5], wherein the setting means receives a remote operation through a transmission line. .

[7] The setting means (230) selects the control content to be changed from among a plurality of types prepared in advance, [1], [2],
The gaming machine according to [3], [4], [5] or [6].

[8] The setting means (230) can set and change the control content to an arbitrary value [1], [2], [3], [4], [5],
The gaming machine according to [6] or [7].

[9] A large winning opening (90) capable of changing the state of the winning opening between a closed state where the ball is difficult to win and an open state where the ball is easy to win is provided. Wherein the large winning opening (90) in the closed state is set to the open state [1], [2],
[3], [4], [5], [6], [7] or [8]
A gaming machine according to claim 1.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. The variable winning opening (60, 65) is a winning opening different from the starting opening (50) for obtaining the right to execute a display game, and is a so-called electric tulip-type winning opening. A condition device (61, 66) for changing the state of the winning port between a state and an open state where the ball is easy to win is provided. The condition device control means (130) controls the opening / closing operation of the condition device (61, 66). When the condition device (61, 66) in the normal state is closed, a ball is inserted into the starting port (50). When a prize is won, it is controlled to be in an open state for a predetermined period.

The setting means (230) changes the control contents when the condition device control means (130) controls the opening / closing operation of the condition devices (61, 66) based on an external instruction. Specifically, the condition device (61, 66)
The setting of the length of the period in which the is opened is changed.

As described above, the length of the period during which the condition device (61, 66) of the variable winning opening (60, 65) is open can be set and changed, so that the advantage of each gaming machine can be changed more finely and easily. can do.

In the normal state, the condition device (6
1, 66) is opened and closed a predetermined number of times when the ball wins the starting port (50), the setting means (230) changes the number of times of opening and closing of the condition device (61, 66). Furthermore, the number of times of opening and closing and the condition device (6
1, 66) may be set to change both the length of the period during which the open state is set.

A variable winning port (6) is provided on the game board (12).
0, 65), and divide them into a plurality of groups. Then, the setting means (230) individually changes the open period and the number of times of opening and closing of the condition device (61, 66) for each group. For example, two variable winning openings (60, 6
5) is arranged, and the number of times of opening / closing and the length of opening time are set according to the variable winning opening (60, 65) on the left and the variable winning opening (60, 6) on the right.
And 5) are individually set.

As described above, the setting can be made for each group.
Finer adjustments can be made.

The setting means (230) may be a switch, which may be attached to a place where the player cannot operate, for example, inside or at the back of the gaming machine. The setting means may receive a remote operation via a transmission path.

The setting means (230) may be configured to select a control content to be changed from a plurality of types prepared in advance, or the opening period, the number of times of opening and closing, etc. may be changed to any value. It may be configured as follows.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2, a gaming machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention
This is a pachinko machine that launches a ball on the game board 12 by rotating the ball and enjoys winning of the hit ball.

The game board 12 is a place where the hit ball flows down and stands substantially vertically, and its front face is covered with a glass door with a predetermined gap. The gap between the game board 12 and the glass door is a space for the ball to move. On the periphery of the game board 12, a rail 16 for defining a game area and guiding a hit ball to an upper portion of the game board 12 is provided.

At a substantially central portion of the game board 12, a special symbol display device 30 composed of a color liquid crystal display (LCD) is arranged. The special symbol display device 30 has a CR
It may be a T display, a TFT type display or the like. In the present gaming machine, a symbol matching game, which looks like a slot machine, is developed as a display game on the special symbol display device 30.

When executing the display game, the display area of the special symbol display device 30 is divided into a matrix of 3 × 3 in length and width. Each column of the matrix plays a role of one reel in the slot machine, and after the identification information (design) is scrolled from top to bottom for each column, the scrolling operation is sequentially stopped for each column. Has become. When the scroll operation of each column is stopped, individual identification information is stopped and displayed in each display area divided into a 3 × 3 matrix.

In the display game, "7" is displayed on the upper, middle, and lower horizontal lines of the matrix divided into 3 rows and 3 columns, and diagonal lines of diagonally lower right and lower left.
A state in which three identical numeric symbols such as "77", "555", and "333" are arranged is set as a special prize display mode as a jackpot stop mode.

Immediately above the special symbol display device 30, 7
A normal symbol display device 40 composed of LED segments is arranged. In the ordinary symbol display device 40, after the display content fluctuates over a predetermined period (variable display period), 0 to 0 is displayed.
The second display game in which any one of the numbers 9 is stopped and displayed is developed. In the second display game, the variable display period is 15
The operation is performed in one of a normal mode set to a normal value of about seconds and a time saving mode in which the length of the variable display period is set shorter than that in the normal mode. Here, the variable display period in the time saving mode is set from 1 second to 2 seconds.

A special symbol storage and display device 30a is disposed on the lower right side of the special symbol display device 30, and a normal symbol storage and display device 40a is disposed on the lower left portion of the special symbol display device 30. 50 are provided. The starting opening 50 is a winning opening for securing the execution right of the display game developed on the special symbol display device 30.

The special symbol storage and display device 30a includes a starting port 5
Among the execution rights secured by winning the ball to 0, the number of execution rights that have not been executed (the number of suspensions) is displayed. The number of holds is limited to 4 times.
The right to execute the display game is discarded. The special symbol storage and display device 30a has four lamps, and the number of the lamps is increased or decreased to display the current reserved number.

The left gate 71 disposed on the left of the special symbol display device 30 and the right gate 72 disposed on the right of the special symbol display device 30 are pass-through winning ports. The gates 71 and 72 are pass-through winning openings for securing the right to execute the second display game developed on the normal symbol display device 40.

The normal symbol storage and display device 40a has a gate 7
Among the execution rights secured by the ball passing through 1, 72, the number of execution rights that have not been executed (the number of suspensions) is displayed. The number of holds for the second display game is also limited to four, and for more than that, the execution right is discarded. The ordinary symbol storage and display device 40a has four lamps, and the number of lit lamps is increased or decreased to display the current number of suspensions.

A left variable winning port 60 is disposed slightly below the starting port 50 on the left side, and a right variable winning port 65 is disposed slightly below the starting port 50 on the right side. The left variable winning opening 60 and the right variable winning opening 65 are provided with condition devices 61 and 66 comprising movable pieces arranged on the left and right sides near the winning opening.

The condition device 61 of the left variable winning opening 60
Is driven to open and close by a first condition device driving unit 206 including a solenoid or a stepping motor. The condition device 66 of the right variable winning opening 65 is driven to open and close by a second condition device drive unit 207 including a solenoid or a stepping motor. The left variable winning port 60 and the right variable winning port 65 are provided with condition devices 61 and 66, respectively.
By the opening and closing operation of the ball, the ball changes between a closed state in which it is difficult to win and an open state in which it is easy to win.

Below the starting port 50, a special winning port 90 is arranged. The large winning opening 90 is configured so that the winning opening can be changed between a closed state where the ball is hard to win and an open state where the winning is easy by a driving source such as a solenoid. The inside of the special winning opening 90 is divided into a plurality of parts, a part of which is a specific area.

Below the large winning opening 90, there is arranged a small winning opening 80 that is temporarily opened when a hit occurs in the second display game developed on the normal symbol display device 40.
The small winning opening 80 is also configured so that the winning opening can be changed between a closed state in which the ball is hard to win and an open state in which the winning is easy by a drive source such as a solenoid.

At the bottom of the game board 12, there is provided an out port 19 for taking in a ball which could not win any of the winning ports and discharging the ball from the game board 12. When a ball enters the OUT port 19, no privilege is given to the player, and no prize ball is paid out. other than this,
The game board 12 has various winning ports 13 and windmills 14,
Numerous obstacle nails 15 for changing the falling speed and direction of the hit ball are arranged.

Further, at both left and right ends of the game board 12, there are arranged illumination lamps 17 which blink in accordance with the progress of each display game, such as when a special prize state appears in the display game. Although not shown in FIG. 2, various decorative lamps 18 (see FIG. 1) are provided, which flicker irrespective of the progress of each display game after the power is turned on to provide a decorative effect.

On the front of the gaming machine 10 and below the game board 12, there is an upper plate 20 for storing balls to be used for the game, and a lower plate 21 for receiving and storing balls overflowing from the upper plate 20. Is provided. On the bottom surface of the lower plate 21, there is an openable / closable outlet for discharging balls to a ball box (not shown) placed below the lower plate 21. Ball release lever 2 for opening and closing the door
2 are provided.

The handle 11 is arranged on the right side of the lower plate 21. When the rotary operation type handle 11 is rotated, balls are fired one by one onto the game board 12 with a launching force according to the angle. Note that the gaming machine 10
A circuit portion for controlling various operations of the game board 12 is mounted inside the body such as the back surface of the game board 12.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a circuit configuration of the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 includes a main control unit 100, a display control circuit 140, and a voice control circuit 170 as main circuit parts. The main control unit 100 is a central circuit part that controls the operation of the gaming machine 10, and includes a one-chip microcomputer 110, a reset circuit 101, a clock circuit 102, an I / O port 103, a driver circuit 104.
It is composed of

The one-chip microcomputer 110 has a start-up winning ball detection switch 210 via an I / O port 103,
The big winning opening winning ball detecting switch 211, the specific area winning ball detecting switch 212, the safe ball detecting switch 213, the external information input terminal 214, the ball passing detecting switch 215, the setting switch 230 and the like are connected.

Of these, the starting opening winning ball detection switch 210
Is a switch for detecting that a ball has won the starting port 50. In the starting opening winning ball detection switch 210,
In addition to a mechanical switch, various sensors such as an optical sensor that detects a prize when light is blocked by a sphere and a magnetic sensor that detects a change in a magnetic field due to the passage of a sphere can be used.

The special winning opening winning ball detection switch 211 is a switch for detecting that a ball has won the special winning opening 90. Like the starting opening winning ball detection switch 210, the mechanical, magnetic or optical type is used. Such various sensors can be used as switches.

The specific area winning ball detection switch 212 detects a ball that has won a specific area in the special winning opening 90. The safe ball detection switch 213 is a switch for detecting that a ball has won one of the winning ports (safe ports) 13 arranged on the game board. The winning of a ball into the left variable winning opening 60 and the right variable winning opening 65 is also detected by the safe ball detecting switch 213. The external information input terminal 214 is a terminal for inputting a firing control signal (stop signal) from a hall computer.

The external information input terminal 214 has a function of inputting a remote setting signal for remotely setting the contents set by the setting switch 230 from the hall computer through the transmission path instead of setting the contents by the setting switch 230. If the setting content of the remote setting signal is different from the setting content of the setting switch 230, the content set later is prioritized.

The ball passage detection switch 215 is connected to the gate 7
This is a switch for detecting that a ball has passed through 1, 72. In addition, the one-chip microcomputer 110 includes
Various components are connected via the / O port 103 and the driver circuit 104.

More specifically, a solenoid 201 for driving the opening and closing of the special winning opening 90, a special symbol storage and display device 30a composed of four lamps, a decorative lamp 18, an external information output terminal A202, an electric decoration circuit 203, a payout circuit 204, a normal symbol display device 40, a normal symbol storage and display device 40a, a first condition device driving unit 206 for opening and closing the condition device 61 of the left variable winning opening 60, a condition device 66 of the right variable winning opening 65.
And a second condition device driving unit 207 for opening and closing the unit. The payout circuit 204 has an external information output terminal B20.
5 is connected.

Of these, the external information output terminal A 202 and the external information output terminal B 205 are used to attach a data transmission line for electrically communicating with a hall computer for centrally managing a large number of gaming machines installed in a game arcade. Terminal. The external information output terminal A202 is a terminal for transmitting a signal from the gaming machine such as a probability variation signal, a jackpot signal, a start signal, etc. to the hall computer. The external information output terminal B205 is a terminal for transmitting the winning ball payout number (10 pulses for one winning ball), a ball lending signal, a winning ball tank ball out signal, and a door open detection signal to the hall computer.

The illumination circuit 203 includes a special symbol display device 30.
Illuminated lamp 17 with the progress of the display game developed above
Is a circuit part for controlling blinking. For example, the illumination lamp 17 is made to blink when a special prize state occurs.

The one-chip microcomputer 110 has a game control C
It comprises a PU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113 as circuits.
The ROM 112 stores a program representing an operation procedure of the game control CPU 111 and various fixed data. The game control CPU 111 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 112. RAM 113 is
This is a work area for temporarily storing various data when the game control CPU 111 operates.

The clock circuit 102 generates a clock signal of a predetermined frequency. One-chip microcomputer 1
Reference numeral 10 inputs a clock signal generated by the clock circuit 102 as a reference signal for the operation speed. The clock circuit 102 includes an oscillation circuit, a frequency dividing circuit, and the like.
The reset circuit 101 receives a signal every several ms from the one-chip microcomputer 110, generates a reset signal in which the clock signal supplied from the clock circuit 102 is synchronized with the previous signal, and sends the reset signal to the one-chip microcomputer 110. Output.

The reset circuit 101 outputs a reset signal from the time when the power is turned on until the time when a predetermined number of clock signals generated by the clock circuit 102 have been counted.

The one-chip microcomputer 110 has a ROM 11
2 by executing the program stored in the random number lottery means 121 and the special prize control means 12 as shown in FIG.
2, execution right management means 123, prize ball management means 124, game progress selection means 125, sound effect management means 126, second display game control means 127, operation mode switching means 128, second
Various functions such as opening / closing control means 129 and condition device control means 130 are performed.

Among them, the random number lottery means 121 operates the special symbol display device 30 when the ball wins the starting port 50.
When the execution right of the display game is secured, the random number lottery for determining the execution result of the game is performed.
The random number lottery means 121 determines a predetermined number from “0” (here,
A counter function for repeatedly generating the numerical value up to 1023) in a very short time cycle (here, every several ms), a function for reading the count value at the time when the starting-port winning ball detection switch 210 detects the winning of the ball, and a function for reading. The counted value to R
It has a function of storing in a predetermined memory area provided in the AM 113.

Before the start of the special symbol change, it is determined whether or not the count value stored in the previous memory area is a big hit value, and in the case of a big hit, the game control CPU 111 sets the I / O port of the display control unit 150 to A signal for displaying a big hit symbol is transmitted to 151. The ROM 112 has a reference table for jackpot determination, and performs a jackpot determination at the time of low probability and at the time of high probability by changing the number of hit values registered according to the jackpot probability.

The game progress selecting means 125 is a part for selecting a progress pattern of the displayed game according to the lottery result of the random number lottery means 121. That is, when the lottery result of the random number lottery means 121 is “special prize”, a special prize pattern is played. Is selected as the progress pattern.

The special prize pattern is a progress pattern in which a special prize display mode is finally formed as a result of the execution through the reach state during the execution of the display game as a slot machine. The disconnection pattern is a progress pattern in which the disconnection state is stopped and displayed without passing through the reach state. The out-of-reach pattern is a progress pattern in which a reach state is formed during the execution of a display game likened to a slot machine, and an out-of-reach state is finally formed.

The game progress selecting means 125 also has a function of selecting each identification information group constituting the execution result of the displayed game. For example, in the case of a special prize pattern, a group of three identical numerical values, such as "777" and "333", is selected as an identification information group constituting an execution result. If the game progress pattern is out of pattern, "539"
A group of identification information that does not go through the reach state and ends is removed. When the game progress pattern is the out-of-reach pattern, the out-of-reach identification information group that ends in the out-of-reach mode is selected because only one identification symbol such as “747” is different.

In the display game, an execution start command (execution start signal) including the progress pattern of the game determined by the game progress selection means 125 and information indicating the identification information group forming the execution result is sent to the one-chip microcomputer 110. To the display controller 150 via the I / O port 151.

The sound effect managing means 126 is a part for managing the type of sound effect to be played during the execution of a display game and the timing of its generation. The timing at which a sound effect or the like is played is determined in advance for each game progress pattern, and the one-chip microcomputer 110 measures the elapsed time from when the display game execution command is transmitted to the display control unit 150, and When a predetermined timing comes, a reproduction instruction such as a sound effect is output to the audio control circuit 170.

The special prize control means 122 controls the opening and closing of the special winning opening 90 when the special prize display mode is stopped and displayed in the special game display device 30 and the special prize display mode is stopped, so that the special value is obtained. Is performed. Specifically, when a special prize state appears in the display game, the solenoid 2
01 is driven to open and close the special winning opening 90 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 29 seconds) and then close for a short time (about 2 seconds) up to a predetermined number of times.

In each round from the opening of the special winning opening 90 to the closing thereof, a predetermined allowable upper limit number (here, 10) of balls are set in the special winning opening 90 before the above-mentioned predetermined time (29 seconds) elapses. When a prize is won, the special winning opening 90 is closed at that time. Furthermore, if at least one ball wins a specific area provided inside the special winning opening 90 during each round and the number of rounds has not reached the upper limit, the process proceeds to the next round. On the other hand, if no ball wins the specific area during the current round, the operation of giving the special value is ended in that round.

The execution right management means 123 manages the number of unexecuted display game execution rights generated by winning a ball into the starting port 50. Specifically, when a ball is won in the starting port 50, the number of reserves at the present time is checked,
If the number of holdings has not reached the upper limit, “1” is added to the number of holdings and the number of lighting of the special symbol storage and display device 30a is set to 1
One. On the other hand, if the number of reservations has already reached the upper limit, the execution right based on the current winning is not secured. Further, each time a display game is executed on the special symbol display device 30 based on the secured execution right, the number of holdings is subtracted by “1” each time, and the number of lighting of the special symbol storage display device 30a is reduced. Is performed by one.

Further, the execution right management means 123
A function is provided for managing the number of unexecuted execution rights among the execution rights of the second display game generated when the ball passes through 1, 72. That is, when the ball passes through the gates 71 and 72,
The number of holds for the second display game at the present time is checked, and if the number of holds does not reach the upper limit, “1” is added to the number of holds and the number of lights of the ordinary symbol storage display device 40a is increased by one.

On the other hand, if the number of holds has already reached the upper limit,
No execution rights will be secured based on this prize. Further, each time the second display game is executed on the ordinary symbol display device 40 based on the secured execution right, each time the number of holdings is reduced by “1”, and the ordinary symbol storage and display device 40a An operation of reducing the number of lights by one is performed.

The prize ball management means 124 manages the number of prize balls to be paid out. The payout circuit 204 transmits one pulse for every 10 prize balls to the hall computer, and transmits the pulse from the hall computer to the prize ball tank. This is to instruct the payout of the ball.

The second display game control means 127 is a part which fulfills the function of developing and displaying the second display game on the ordinary symbol display device 40. The second display game control means 127 executes a random number lottery for determining the execution result of the second display game when the ball passes through the gates 71 and 72, and when the result is a winning, the number "7" Executes the second display game so that the final stop display is performed, and when the result of the random number lottery is out, the second display game is developed so that the numbers other than “7” are stopped and displayed. .

The second display game control means 127 operates according to the operation mode specified by the operation mode switching means 128.
The second display game is executed in one of the time saving mode and the normal mode. The operation mode switching means 128 switches the operation mode of the second display game, and particularly manages the timing of returning from the time saving mode to the normal mode.

The second opening / closing control means 129 controls the small winning opening 80
When the number “7”, which is the winning display mode, is stopped and displayed as the execution result of the second display game, the small winning opening 80 set to the closed state in the normal state is The open state is established until a predetermined closing condition is satisfied. Here, when a predetermined number (one or two) of balls have entered the small winning opening 80 after opening the small winning opening 80, the closing condition is satisfied and the ball is closed.

The condition device control means 130 controls the opening and closing of the condition device 61 of the left variable winning opening 60 and the condition device 66 of the right variable winning opening 65. How to open the condition device 61 and the condition device 66 is changed by the setting switch 230 or the like. Conditioning devices 61, 6
Reference numeral 6 indicates that the ball is opened when the ball enters the starting port 50.

The display control circuit 140 is a circuit portion that controls display of the special symbol display device 30 based on an instruction received from the main control section 100. That is, the main control unit 100
Is the execution result of each display game by random number lottery,
A game progress pattern or the like is determined, and the display control circuit 140
It has a function of determining the specific development content of the display game according to the execution result and the progress pattern determined by the main control unit 100, creating display data corresponding thereto, and sequentially transmitting the display data to the special symbol display device 30. ing.

The display control circuit 140 determines a specific display content of the display game in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 100, and actually performs a drawing process in accordance with the display content determined by the display main control unit 150. And a display processing unit 160 for executing and transmitting display data to the special symbol display device 30. The display control circuit 140 includes a clock circuit 142 for generating a clock signal to be supplied to the display main control unit 150 and a reset circuit 141 for generating a reset signal.

The display main control unit 150 includes an I / O port 15 for inputting and outputting various signals to and from the main control unit 100.
1, a display control CPU 180, a control ROM 153,
And a RAM 154. The control ROM 153 includes a control program and control data for executing a display game,
Various set values and the like are stored. Display control CPU 18
0 performs display control of a display game according to a control program or the like stored in the ROM 153. RAM 154
This is a work area for temporarily storing data required when the display control CPU 152 executes the control program.

The display control CPU 180 controls the control ROM 15
3 is a part that performs a function of developing and displaying a display game, which looks like a slot machine, on the special symbol display device 30 by executing the program stored in the special symbol display device 30. More specifically, the display control CPU 180 divides the display area of the special symbol display device 30 into a matrix of 3 × 3 vertically and horizontally, and displays a state in which the identification information scrolls from top to bottom for each column. The game is advanced in accordance with the game progress pattern selected by the game progress selection means 125, and the detailed display content at each time is determined so that the identification information group determined by the game progress selection means 125 finally appears. , And the drawing instructions corresponding thereto are sequentially output to the display processing unit 160.

The display processing section 160 is a VDP (Video Digit
al Processor) 161, image data ROM 162,
And a VRAM 163. Image data RO
M162 is a read-only memory in which various kinds of identification information appearing in a display game and image data of its background are stored in advance. The VRAM 163 is a video memory for storing display data for the special symbol display device 30 for at least one screen.

The VDP 161 reads the background of the display screen and various identification information from the image data ROM 162 based on an instruction from the display main control unit 150, and reads them from the VRAM 16
3 to constitute display data for one screen to be displayed on the special symbol display device 30. VDP 161 is V
A function of sequentially reading out display data for one screen stored in the RAM 163 in accordance with a predetermined image timing signal and transmitting the display data to the special symbol display device 30 is provided.

The voice control circuit 170 has a function of voice-synthesizing a voice signal such as a sound effect according to an instruction received from the game control CPU 111 of the one-chip microcomputer 110 and outputting the synthesized signal to the speaker 175.

The audio control circuit 170 includes an I / O port 171 for transmitting and receiving various signals to and from the one-chip microcomputer 110, an audio synthesis circuit 172, and an audio amplification circuit 1
73. The audio synthesis circuit 172 is a circuit that synthesizes audio signal waveforms of various kinds of music and sound effects according to a control signal received through the I / O port 171. The audio amplification circuit 173 amplifies the audio signal synthesized by the audio synthesis circuit 172 and outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker 175.

FIG. 4 shows the mounting position of the setting switch 230. As shown in the figure, the gaming machine 10 is capable of opening a front door 240 constituting the gaming board 12, and a setting switch 230 is attached to the back side of the front door 240. Since the front door 240 is locked, the setting switch 230 disposed on the back side of the front door 240
Cannot be operated by the player without permission.

Here, as the setting switch 230, 5
A changeover switch for selecting one of the three buttons 231 to 235 is used. Depending on which button you press,
The length of the period for opening the condition devices 61 and 66, the condition device 61,
The setting of the number of times of opening and closing 66 can be changed.

For example, when the first button 231 is pressed,
The open period is 0.3 seconds, the second button 232 is pressed, the open period is 0.6 seconds, the third button 233 is pressed, the open period is 1.0 seconds, and the fourth button 234 is pressed, the open period. Is set to 2 seconds, and when the fifth button is pressed, the open period is set to 3 seconds.

Next, the flow of a game executed by the gaming machine 10 will be described. First, a flow when the right to execute the display game is secured will be described. As shown in FIG.
When a ball as a game medium wins (step S501;
Y), the condition device control means 130 includes the setting switch 230
The condition devices 61 and 66 of the left variable winning port 60 and the right variable winning port 65 are opened and closed according to the control contents set in (step S502). For example, if the condition devices 61 and 66 are set to 1
When the switch is opened only once and the length of the open period is set by the setting switch 230, the setting switch 230
The condition device 61 and the condition device 66 are opened only for the time set by.

When the condition devices 61 and 66 are opened and closed a plurality of times and the number of times of opening and closing is changed by the setting switch 230, the setting switch 230 is used.
The condition devices 61 and 66 are opened and closed the number of times selected by. Note that both the number of times of opening and closing and the length of the open period at each time may be set by the setting switch 230.

As described above, the length of the open period when the condition device 61 of the left variable winning port 60 and the condition device 66 of the right variable winning port 65 are opened and the number of times of opening and closing can be changed through the setting switch 230. The advantage of each gaming machine,
It can be changed more finely and easily.

When a ball, which is a game medium, wins in the starting port 50 (step S501; Y), the condition devices 61, 66
At the same time as the opening / closing process, the execution right management means 123 determines whether or not the number of suspensions at the present time has reached the upper limit of four (step S503). If the number of reserves has already reached the upper limit (step S503; Y), the execution right of the display game based on the current winning is not secured.

On the other hand, if the number of reservations has not reached the upper limit (step S503; N), "1" is added to the current number of reservations to secure (pend) the execution right (step S50).
4, S505). The random number lottery means 121 performs a random number lottery for determining the final execution result of the display game performed based on the secured execution right (step S50).
6). Whether the numerical value extracted by the random number lottery corresponds to the special prize is checked by referring to the reference table for jackpot determination, and the execution result of the display game executed based on the execution right is obtained (step S507).

Further, a progress pattern corresponding to the execution result and an identification information group (for example, a combination of identification information such as “777” and “747”) constituting the final execution result are selected by random number drawing or the like ( Step S508),
These are stored in the memory (step S509).

Next, the flow of executing the display game based on the reserved execution right will be described with reference to FIG. If the number of holds for the display game is not 0 (step S601; Y), the execution right management unit 123 subtracts “1” from the number of holds and displays the special symbol storage and display device 30.
One lamp of a is turned off (step S602).

Next, the display game execution result and the like stored in the memory are read (step S603), and a predetermined execution start command including the read information and a display game start instruction is sent to the I / O port 151. Display main controller 1 through
50 to the display control CPU 180. In order to synchronize the output timing of the sound effect and the like with the display screen, the one-chip microcomputer 110 measures the elapsed time from when the execution start command is output.

Upon receiving the display game execution start instruction, the display control CPU 180 starts execution of the display game by scrolling the identification information from top to bottom for each column of the matrix (step S604). In the display game, as shown in FIG. 7, on the display area of the special symbol display device 30 divided into a matrix of three columns and three rows, identification information is scrolled from top to bottom in units of each column. Is displayed (FIG. 7a). In the figure, a downward arrow 701 simulates a state in which the identification information is scrolling.

After performing such scroll display for a predetermined time, the scroll speed gradually decreases, and the scroll operation is sequentially stopped in the order of the left column 31, the center column 32, the right column 33, etc. The indicated identification information is stopped and displayed in each cell of the matrix. In the example of FIG. 7, in the course of the display game, a reach state in which two numbers “7” are aligned on the middle horizontal line appears. In FIG. 7C, a special prize display mode of “777” appears and a big hit occurs. In FIG. 7d, it finally comes off.

If the execution result of the display game is a special prize in which the special prize display mode appears (step S605; Y), the special winning opening 90 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times to give a special value (step S606). That is, the special winning opening 90
Each time a ball wins, 10 to 13 prize balls are placed in the upper plate 2.
Since the payout is zero, a large number of balls are given to the player by opening the big winning port 90 and forming a state in which the balls have a high winning probability.

In this way, when a special prize appears in the display game and the operation of giving the special value by opening and closing the special winning opening 90 ends, the special prize control means 122 requests the operation mode switching means 128 to change to the time saving mode. Is output (step S607).

FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing performed by the operation mode switching means 128. When the operation of providing the special value based on the appearance of the special prize in the display game (opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 90) is completed and a request to change to the time saving mode is received from the special prize control unit 122 (step S801; Y), the operation is performed. The mode switching unit 128 switches the operation mode of the second display game to the time saving mode (step S802). Thereby, the time required to execute the second display game once is 1 to
It is reduced to about 2 seconds.

At the same time as shifting to the time saving mode, the operation mode switching means 128 sets a reference value indicating the number of times of the second display game to be executed until the time saving mode is canceled in the subtraction counter, and starts counting ( Step S80
3). For example, the subtraction counter sets a reference value such as 50 times or 80 times. The count value of this subtraction counter is the second
Each time the display game is executed once, it is decremented by one. When the count value of the subtraction counter becomes 0 (step S804; Y), the operation mode is returned from the time saving mode to the normal mode (step S805).

FIG. 9 shows a flow when the right to execute the second display game is secured. When the ball passes through the left gate 71 or the right gate 72 as a game condition change detection unit (step S901; Y), the execution right management unit 123
It is determined whether or not the number of holds for the second display game at the present time has reached the upper limit of four (step S902).
When the number of reserved games has already reached the upper limit (step S902; Y), the right to execute the second display game based on the current winning is not secured.

On the other hand, when the number of reservations has not reached the upper limit (step S902; N), “1” is added to the number of reservations for the second display game at the present time to secure the execution right (reservation).
(Steps S903 and S904). Further, a random number lottery for determining a final execution result of the second display game performed based on the secured execution right is performed (step S9).
05). Whether or not the numerical value extracted by the random number lottery corresponds to the winning is checked by referring to the winning determination reference table, and the execution result of the second display game executed based on the execution right is obtained (step S906). This is stored in the memory (step S907).

FIG. 10 shows a flow of executing the second display game based on the reserved execution right. Second
If the number of holds for the displayed game is not 0 (step S
1001; Y), the number of reservations is subtracted by "1", and one lamp of the ordinary symbol storage / display device 40a is turned off (step S1002). Next, the execution result of the second display game stored in the memory is read (step S10).
03), the second display game is executed so that an execution result according to the third appearance appears (step S1004).

At this time, if the operation mode is the normal mode, the display contents of the normal symbol display device 40 are changed for 10 to 15 seconds, and then the final execution result is stopped and displayed. On the other hand, when the operation mode is set to the time saving mode, the execution result is stopped and displayed after a fluctuation period of 1 to 2 seconds. Thereafter, the count value of the subtraction counter that counts the number of times the second display game is executed during the time saving mode is decremented by one (step S1005). When the count value of the subtraction counter becomes 0 during the time saving mode, the time saving mode is canceled.

If "7" is stopped and displayed in the second display game and the winning is achieved (step S1006; Y), the small winning opening 80 is opened until the closing condition is satisfied (step S1).
007 to S1009). Here, when the small winning opening 80 picks up one or two balls that are going to be out balls, it closes.

In the embodiment described above, the condition device 61 for the left variable winning opening 60 and the condition device 6 for the right variable winning opening 65
6, the setting switch for the condition device 61 and the setting switch for the condition device 66 are provided.
The contents of the opening and closing operation of the condition device 61 and the contents of the opening and closing operation of the condition device 66 may be set independently. In this way, for example, it is possible to set such that the condition device 61 is opened for 3 seconds and the condition device 66 is opened for 6 seconds.

In the embodiment, one variable winning port provided with the condition device is provided on each of the left and right sides. However, more variable winning ports may be provided. At this time, the large number of variable winning ports may be divided into a plurality of groups, and a setting switch may be provided for each group so that the content of the opening / closing operation can be set independently for each group.

In the embodiment, the condition switches 61, 6 are set by setting switches 230 disposed on the back of the front door 240.
Although the setting of the number of times of opening and closing of the condition device 6 is changed, the setting change of the control contents of the condition devices 61 and 66 may be received by remote control from a hall computer or the like through a transmission path. Further, it may be configured such that only the remote operation is received without providing the setting switch 230 on the back surface of the front door 240. When both the setting switch 230 and the remote control are provided, it is preferable that one of the settings is fixedly given priority, and the one whose setting content is changed last is given priority.

Further, in the embodiment, five switches 2
31 to 235 are provided, each of which is associated with one setting content.
Although the configuration is such that one is selected, the configuration may be such that an arbitrary value can be set through the setting switch 230. For example, when setting the number of times of opening and closing, by making five switches correspond to binary numbers, it is possible to select an arbitrary number of times of opening and closing from 0 to 31 times.

In the embodiment, the setting switch 23
Although 0 is arranged on the back surface of the front door 240, the setting switch 230 may be arranged on the back surface of the main body of the gaming machine 10, for example, in a place where the player cannot operate without permission.

[0107]

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the length of the period during which the condition device having the variable winning opening is opened and the number of times of opening and closing can be changed by a switch operation or a remote operation through a transmission line. Can be changed more finely and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of a game control CPU included in the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing locations where setting switches of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention are installed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention secures a right to execute a display game.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow when the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention executes a display game based on the secured execution right.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of screen transition of a display game performed by the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow when the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention manages the duration of the time saving mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention secures the right to execute the second display game.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow when the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention executes the second display game based on the secured execution right.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game machine 11 ... Handle 12 ... Game board 13 ... Various winning holes 14 ... Windmill 15 ... Obstacle nail 16 ... Rail 17 ... Electric lamp 18 ... Decoration lamp 19 ... Out opening 20 ... Upper plate 21 ... Lower plate 22 ... Ball release lever 30 ... Special symbol display device 30a ... Special symbol memory display device 40 ... Normal symbol display device 40a ... Normal symbol memory display device 50 ... Starting opening 60 ... Left variable winning opening 61,66 ... Condition device 65 ... Right variable winning Gate 71: left gate 72: right gate 80: small winning opening 90: large winning opening 100: main control unit 101: reset circuit 102: clock circuit 103: I / O port 104: driver circuit 110: one-chip microcomputer 121: random number Lottery means 122 ... Special prize control means 123 ... Execution right management means 124 ... Prize ball management means 125 ... Game progression selection means 126 ... Sound effect tube Means 127 Second display game control means 128 Operation mode switching means 129 Second opening / closing control means 130 Condition device control means 140 Display control circuit 150 Display main control unit 160 Display processing unit 170 Voice control circuit 180 ... Display control CPU 201 ... Solenoid 202 ... External information output terminal A 203 ... Decoration circuit 204 ... Dispensing circuit 205 ... External information output terminal B 206 ... First condition device drive unit 207 ... Second condition device drive unit 210 ... Start port Winning ball detection switch 211: large winning opening winning ball detection switch 212 ... specific area winning ball detection switch 213 ... safe ball detection switch 214 ... external information input terminal 215 ... ball passage detection switch 230 ... setting switch 240 ... front door

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A prize state advantageous to a player when a predetermined display game is executed based on the fact that a ball fired on a game board has won a start port and the execution result is a predetermined prize display mode. A gaming machine having at least one or more condition devices that change the state of the winning port between a closed state where the ball is difficult to win and an open state where the ball is easy to win, which is a winning port other than the starting port. Variable winning openings,
Condition device control means for controlling the opening and closing operation of the condition device, and setting means for changing the control content when the condition device control means controls the opening and closing operation of the condition device based on an external instruction The condition device control means, in a normal state, the condition device in the closed state, when the ball wins in the starting port, to open the condition for a predetermined period, the setting means, the setting means of the period A gaming machine wherein the length is changed. 2. A special prize state advantageous to a player when a predetermined display game is executed based on the fact that a ball fired on a game board has won a starting port and the execution result is a predetermined prize display mode. A gaming machine having at least one or more condition devices that change the state of the winning port between a closed state where the ball is difficult to win and an open state where the ball is easy to win, which is a winning port other than the starting port. Variable winning openings,
Condition device control means for controlling the opening and closing operation of the condition device, and setting means for changing the control content when the condition device control means controls the opening and closing operation of the condition device based on an external instruction The condition device control means is configured to open and close the condition device in the closed state in a normal state a predetermined number of times when a ball wins in the starting port, and the setting means changes the setting of the predetermined number of times. A gaming machine characterized by being a thing. 3. A special prize state advantageous to the player when a predetermined display game is executed based on the fact that the ball fired on the game board has entered the starting port and the execution result is in a predetermined prize display mode. A gaming machine having at least one or more condition devices that change the state of the winning port between a closed state where the ball is difficult to win and an open state where the ball is easy to win, which is a winning port other than the starting port. Variable winning openings,
Condition device control means for controlling the opening and closing operation of the condition device, and setting means for changing the control content when the condition device control means controls the opening and closing operation of the condition device based on an external instruction The condition device control means, in a normal state, opens and closes the condition device in the closed state a predetermined number of times when a ball wins in the starting port, and the setting means performs the predetermined number of times and A gaming machine wherein the length of a period in which the condition device is in the open state is changed. 4. A plurality of variable winning ports are arranged on the game board, the plurality of variable winning ports are divided into a plurality of groups, and the setting means can change the control content for each of the groups. The gaming machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting means is a switch for switching a control content and is attached to a place where a player cannot operate.
The gaming machine according to 3 or 4. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting means receives a remote operation through a transmission line.
The gaming machine according to 2, 3, 4 or 5. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting means selects a control content whose setting is to be changed from a plurality of types prepared in advance. Gaming machine. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said setting means is capable of setting and changing said control content to an arbitrary value. . 9. A large winning opening which can change the state of the winning opening between a closed state in which the ball is difficult to win and an open state in which the ball is easy to win. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, wherein the special winning opening is set to the open state.