JP2002018017A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine and a variable display method for improving interest in a game by enhancing a display effect in a variable display and a program recording medium for performing such a variable display. SOLUTION: A line object 01 having the prescribed thickness is moved to the periphery of a three-dimensionally displayed pattern 02(a) on a special pattern display device 6 in a special pattern game while hiding a part of the displaying pattern 02(a), and is renewed to a new pattern 02(b). When renewing the pattern 02(b) to the final supporting pattern 02(c), the line object 01 makes a longitudinal movement such as returning in the inverse direction of the renewing direction in the middle of a renewal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko game machine and a slot machine having a variable display device, and more particularly to a game machine having a variable display function for variably displaying predetermined identification information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a pachinko game machine, for example,
There is a pachinko gaming machine having a first-class special electric accessory. This pachinko gaming machine performs random number extraction, that is, a jackpot lottery, when a game ball fired in the game area wins a winning opening called a first-class starting opening (start chucker). The effect display and the stop symbol mode in the special figure game are determined based on the numerical values.

A typical effect display in a special figure game is, for example, a reach effect display. Reach effect display is a state in which symbols other than the display symbol that is the final stop symbol have been stopped, rocked, enlarged or reduced or deformed in a state where the symbol continues for a predetermined time and matches the specific display symbol that will be a big hit (Hereinafter, these states are called stationary), or a big hit is possible until the final result is displayed, such as a state where multiple display symbols fluctuate synchronously with the same symbol or the position of the display symbol is switched Refers to the effect display performed in a state where the sex is continued (hereinafter, these states are referred to as a reach state).

For example, three display symbols arranged in the horizontal direction, such as a left symbol, a middle symbol, and a right symbol, stop in the order of a left symbol, a right symbol, and a middle symbol, and these display symbols are all the same symbol. It will be a big hit if they are complete. At this time, if the left symbol and the right symbol other than the middle symbol, which is the final stopped symbol, are stopped at the same symbol, the reach state is established. In the case of the reach state as described above, the variation display pattern of the medium symbol is changed to a variation display pattern different from the normal one, thereby improving the entertainment of the game.

[0005]

By the way, in the above-described pachinko gaming machine, generally, when the finally stopped symbol becomes a specific display mode to be given a predetermined game value,
For example, the large winning opening is set to the released state, so that the game balls can easily win. Therefore, it is very important for the player whether or not the finally stopped symbol becomes the specific display mode. For this reason, the player has a great expectation especially in the process from when the reach state is reached to when the displayed symbols are finally stopped. Therefore, the higher the effect of the reach effect display, the more interesting the game.

However, in the reach effect display of the conventional pachinko gaming machine, the design is merely switched in any case, so that the display has little change and the effect output is poor. For this reason, it was not possible to sufficiently attract the player's interest in the reach effect display. As described above, the reach effect display in the conventional pachinko gaming machine is hard to say that a sufficiently high effect is obtained.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that enhances the effect of a variable display and thereby enhances the interest of a game.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to a first aspect of the present invention provides an identification display displayed on an image display device when a predetermined change start condition is satisfied. A variable display control means for causing the variable display to be performed by updating and displaying the information and stopping the variable display by stopping the update display after a predetermined time has elapsed, and determining a process and a result of the variable display by the variable display control means. Lottery means for performing, the variable display control means, based on the lottery result of the lottery means, for the three-dimensionally configured identification information in the virtual space, similarly to the identification information, The identification information is updated and displayed in accordance with the movement of the configured update line object.

In the above-mentioned gaming machine, a state in which the identification information similarly similarly three-dimensionally updated gradually to new identification information is displayed by the three-dimensionally constituted update line object. The interest of the players can be attracted, and the interest of the game improves.

In the above-mentioned gaming machine, the identification information may include identification information composed of a character design and an identification code, and the identification design may have a transparent portion that transmits a background image.

In the above-mentioned gaming machine, the identification symbol is a character symbol with an identification code, and the character symbol has a transparent portion to allow the background image to be transmitted. Is enhanced.

[0012] In the above gaming machine, the update line object may be formed in a ring shape and arranged around the identification information.

In the above gaming machine, the ring-shaped update line object three-dimensionally surrounds the identification symbol and can be seen through the transparent portion of the identification symbol. Therefore, the three-dimensional effect of the effect can be enhanced.

In the gaming machine, the identification information may be updated and displayed by moving the update line object in a vertical direction.

In the above-mentioned gaming machine, when the symbol is updated, the update line object moves up and down, such as once returning downward during the upward movement, so that it takes a long time for the determination and the player's expectation. The feeling can be enhanced.

In order to achieve the above object, a computer-readable recording medium according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises:
If the preset change start condition is satisfied, the change information is displayed by updating the identification information displayed on the image display device, and the change display is stopped by stopping the update display after a predetermined time has elapsed. A variable display control process to be performed, a lottery process for determining a process and a result of the variable display by the variable display control means, and identification information three-dimensionally configured in a virtual space based on the lottery result of the lottery means. On the other hand, a program for causing a computer to execute an update display process of updating and displaying the identification information with the movement of the update line object three-dimensionally formed in the same manner as the identification information is recorded. I do.

That is, by causing a computer device (including a game device) or the like to read a program contained in a recording medium and executing a series of processes, the gaming machine of the present invention can be easily realized. That is, by adopting a form of a recording medium on which a program is recorded, production, sale, distribution, and the like can be easily performed as a software product independent of the device. Further, the effect display technology of the present invention can be easily implemented by incorporating this software into hardware such as a computer device (including a game device).

In order to achieve the above object, a variable display method according to a third aspect of the present invention updates and displays identification information displayed on an image display device when a predetermined variable start condition is satisfied. A variable display control procedure for causing the variable display to be performed and stopping the update display after a predetermined time has elapsed, and a variable display control procedure for determining the process and result of the variable display by the variable display control means. And, based on the lottery result of the lottery means, for the identification information three-dimensionally configured in the virtual space,
An update display procedure for updating and displaying the identification information in accordance with the movement of the three-dimensionally formed update line object in the same manner as the identification information.

That is, the same effects as those of the gaming machine of the present invention can be obtained by causing a computer device (including a game device) or the like to execute the procedure according to the above method. That is, by realizing the above-described processing procedure using hardware such as a computer device (including a game device), the effect display technique of the present invention can be easily implemented on the hardware.

Also, a program or data for causing a computer device (including a game device) or the like to execute the procedure according to the above method is encoded, transmitted as a program code signal superimposed on a carrier wave, and superimposed on the carrier wave. By receiving the program code signal, decoding it into the original program or data, and causing a computer device (including a game device) to execute the program code signal, the effect display technique of the present invention can be easily implemented.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the reach effect display refers to a display symbol other than the display symbol that is the final stop symbol, for example, stopped, rocked, enlarged or reduced or deformed in a state in which it matches the specific display mode that is a big hit. State, that is, a state in which the update display is continuously stopped within a predetermined area for a certain period of time (hereinafter, these states are temporarily stopped), or a state in which the display positions of the display symbols are switched, or This refers to an effect display in which the possibility that the display result becomes a specific display mode is apparently increased before the final result is displayed, such as a state in which a plurality of display symbols are updating and displaying in synchronization.

In the present embodiment, the gaming machine is an LCD.
As an example of a gaming machine that performs a special figure game using a special symbol display device including a card reader (CR: Card Reader) type 1 pachinko gaming machine that lends a ball with a prepaid card, The gaming machine is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine such as a slot machine equipped with an LCD.

In addition, even if it is a ball-and-ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, if it has an image display device, for example,
Pachinko gaming machines classified as Type 2 or Type 3,
A general electric machine or a ball game machine with a probability setting function called a pachicon may be used. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a CR-type pachinko gaming machine (CR machine) that lends a ball with a prepaid card, but also to a pachinko gaming machine (cash machine) that lends a ball with cash. That is, any game machine having a special symbol display device such as an LCD and capable of performing an effect display corresponding to a special figure game may be used.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, and shows an arrangement layout of main members. The pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1 is roughly divided into a gaming board (gauge board) 10 constituting a gaming board surface, and a gaming machine frame (base frame) 30 for supporting and fixing the gaming board 10.
The game board 10 has a substantially circular game area 13 surrounded by a guide rail including an inner rail 11 and an outer rail 12.

At a substantially central position of the game area 13, a special symbol display device 6 as an image display device is arranged.
The special figure game played on the special symbol display device 6 enhances the gaming interest in the pachinko gaming machine 1. The special symbol display device 6 is configured by an active matrix type LCD using a TFT (Thin Film Transistor).
Along with the special figure game, a background image, a character image, a special design, and the like are displayed.

As the special symbol of the pachinko gaming machine in the present embodiment, 1 corresponding to the numbers “1” to “12”
Two display symbols are prepared. Also, in the display area of the special symbol display device 6, three symbols for displaying "special symbol left symbol", "special symbol middle symbol", and "special symbol right symbol" are displayed.
Two special symbol display areas 6a, 6b, 6c are provided. The special symbol display device 6 is not limited to the LCD in this embodiment, but may be a CRT display device, an FED (Field
Emission Display), PDP (Plasma DisplayPane)
l), EL (Electro Luminescence), a fluorescent display tube, or a display device using LEDs can be used.

At the lower position of the special symbol display device 6, a special symbol starting port (start chucker) 5 also serving as an electric tulip type accessory (ordinary electric accessory) 4 and a solenoid or the like are driven when a big hit occurs. A large winning opening (a first-class special electric accessory) 7 that performs an opening operation is arranged vertically. The special winning opening 7 performs an opening operation when a special figure game is played based on the timing of winning the special symbol starting opening 5 and a jackpot is won. This opening operation is continuously performed up to 15 times on condition that the game ball passes through the specific area 9 in the special winning opening 7. In the lower part of the special symbol display device 6, special symbol holding storage display sections 5a to 5d for displaying a storage state of winning in the special symbol starting port 5 are arranged.

The game machine frame 30 is roughly composed of a plastic front plate 31 and a front frame 32, and a wooden outer frame 33. An upper saucer unit 41 is attached to a lower position of the front plate 31.
Below, a lower tray unit 51 is attached. On the right side of the lower tray unit 51, a handle 56 for driving the firing motor 55 is provided. Further, stereo speakers 61L and 61R for reproducing and outputting a sound effect are provided at upper left and right positions of the front plate 31, respectively.
On the left side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a prepaid card unit 900 is arranged.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration centering on a game control unit. The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a power supply unit (power supply board) 100.
And a game control unit (game control board) 200 and an input / output unit 3
00, a display control section (display control board) 400, a sound control section (sound control board) 500, a lamp control section (lamp control board) 600, and a payout control section (payout control board) 700.
And an information output unit (information terminal board) 800.

The game control unit 200 and other functional blocks, that is, the input / output unit 300, the display control unit 400, the sound control unit 500, the lamp control unit 600, and the payout control unit 70
0, and the information output unit 800 are connected by signal lines, respectively, and are configured to be able to exchange control commands and data including a variable display pattern command with the game control unit 200. . In the present invention, the functions of the variable display control unit and the lottery unit are mainly realized by the game control unit 200 and the display control unit 400.

The power supply unit 100 includes a fuse circuit 101,
And a power supply circuit 102. Fuse circuit 1
Reference numeral 01 denotes a protection circuit for preventing a current exceeding the rated current from flowing to the power supply circuit 102. Power supply circuit 102
Converts the alternating current supplied from the alternating current source 99 into a direct current and then converts the rectified voltage into a predetermined voltage.
Are supplied to each of the circuits. The AC current source 9
Numeral 9 is for converting a high-voltage alternating current obtained from a general commercial power supply into an alternating current of 24 volts and supplying it.

The game control section 200 is composed of various circuits provided in a game control board, and includes an initial reset circuit 201, a periodic reset circuit 202, and a game control MCU (Micro Control) called a security one chip.
ller Unit) 203 and an address decode circuit 204
, I / O port 205, switch input circuit 206
, A solenoid drive circuit 207, a special symbol display device circuit 208, an LED drive circuit 209, and a sound signal circuit 21.
0, a ramp signal circuit 211, a winning data signal input circuit 212, a winning ball number signal output circuit 213, and an information output circuit 214.

The game control unit 200 has a function of generating uniform random numbers used in the special figure game and the general figure game, and a display control unit 4.
00, a function of outputting a fluctuation command, a function of displaying blinking of a lamp and an LED, a management device of a pachinko hall (amusement shop),
A function to output various information such as the number of effective start of special figure game, occurrence of big hit in special figure game, number of rounds at the time of big hit, probability fluctuation or time reduction operation, irregularity due to winning, irregularity due to disconnection of connector, etc. have.

The initial reset circuit 201 outputs, via a signal line 251, an initial reset signal for resetting the game control MCU 203 when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is powered on. The periodic reset circuit 202 generates a periodic reset signal about every 2 milliseconds by dividing the frequency of the reference clock signal output from the internal clock oscillator, and as a timer interrupt signal, the game control MCU 203 via the signal line 252. Is output to CPU 22
1 executes the game control program again from the beginning each time the periodic reset signal is input.

The game control MCU 203 has an 8-bit CP.
U (Central Processing Unit) 221 as the core
ROM (Read Only Memory) 222 and RAM (Random
This is a so-called single-chip microcomputer in which the Access Memory (223) is integrated into one chip, and forms a control center in the game control unit 200 of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

The game control MCU 203 has a ROM 222
RAM 2 according to the program processing procedure read from
While writing or reading data from / to 23 as needed, various program processes are executed in units of one sequence.

The address decode circuit 204 receives and decodes an address signal output from the game control MCU 203 via a signal line 253. As a result of decoding,
The control target of the game control MCU 203 is the game control MC
ROM 222 and RAM 223 included in U203,
Alternatively, a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports 205 is transmitted to the game control M via the signal line 254.
This is output to the CU 203.

The I / O port 205 is a game control MCU.
It is an interface for various input / output signals handled by 203, and outputs a control signal input through a signal line 255 to the outside, and outputs various signals input from the outside
The signal is output to the game control MCU 203 via the signal line 255.

The switch input circuit 206 includes a signal line 256
After the input signal output from the input switch group via the input terminal is shaped as a pulse wave through a low-pass filter or the like, the signal is amplified by a buffer gate or the like, and the signal line 25
7 to the I / O port 205.
Solenoid drive circuit 207 provides I via signal line 258
Based on a control signal output from the / O port 205,
A drive control signal (excitation signal) is output to a group of output solenoids via a signal line 259.

The special symbol display device circuit 208 is connected to the signal line 2
Based on a control signal output from the I / O port 205 via the control line 60, the display control unit 400 via the signal line 261.
And outputs a command from the game control MCU 203 and a display timing signal. The LED drive circuit 209 is connected to the I / O port 20 via signal lines 262, 264, 266.
Based on an input signal input from the control unit 5, a control signal for controlling the blinking operation of the special figure reserved storage display units 5 a to 5 d is output via the signal line 263. Further, it outputs a control signal for driving the ordinary symbol display device 3 via the signal line 265. Furthermore, the general-purpose hold storage display unit 2a is connected via the signal line 267.
2d is outputted as a control signal for controlling the blinking operation.

The sound signal circuit 210 sends the sound data from the game control MCU 203 to the sound control unit 500 via the signal line 269 based on the control signal output from the I / O port 205 via the signal line 268. Is output. The ramp signal circuit 211 is connected to the I / O port 20 via a signal line 270.
5 outputs a lamp control command or the like to the lamp control unit 600 via the signal line 271 based on the control signal output from the control signal 5.

The winning data signal input circuit 212 outputs the winning data signal output from the payout control unit 700 via the signal line 272 to the game control MCU 203 via the signal line 273 and the I / O port 205. The prize ball number signal output circuit 213 outputs the signal line 27 based on the control signal output from the I / O port 205 via the signal line 274.
5 to the payout control unit 700 to output a prize ball number signal. That is, in response to the winning data signal from the payout control unit 700, the payout control unit 700 is provided with a prize ball number signal.

The information output circuit 214 is based on a control signal output from the I / O port 205 via the signal line 276, and has jackpot information indicating that a jackpot is occurring, and probability variation information indicating that a probability variation state is present. , Special symbol determination information indicating the determination of a special symbol in the special figure game, effective starting ball information indicating the number of starting winning balls used for starting the special figure game, normal symbol determination indicating the determination of a normal symbol in the general figure game Information and the like are transmitted to the information output unit 80 via the signal line 277.
Output to 0.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration in the display control unit. The display control unit 400 includes various circuits provided in a display control board, and performs display control for image processing in a special figure game independently of the game control unit 200. Display control unit 400
Displays on the special symbol display device 6 an image used for the special symbol game based on a display data signal output from the special symbol display device circuit 208 via the signal line 261. Therefore, the display control unit 400 includes an oscillation circuit 401, a reset circuit 402, a display control MCU 403, and a control R
The OM 404, the I / O port 405, and a video display processor (hereinafter, VDP: Video Display Processes)
ser) 406, character ROM 407, VRAM
(Video RAM) 408 and an LCD drive circuit 409.

The oscillation circuit 401 outputs a reference clock signal to the display control MCU 403 via the signal line 451. The reset circuit 402 resets the display control MCU 403 via the signal line 452. It outputs a signal. Display control MCU40
3 is a display control MCU 403 is a 64-bit CPU 4
21 and a work RAM 422 as a core.

The CPU 421 is a special symbol display device circuit 2
When command data is input from the signal line 08 via the signal line 261, the control signal R is transmitted via the signal line 482 while using the work RAM 422 as a work area via the signal line 481.
The control data for display control is read from the OM 404. Further, the CPU 421 outputs a control signal to the VDP 406 via the signal line 454 based on the read control data.

The control ROM 404 includes a display control MCU 4
This is a semiconductor memory that stores various control programs and the like used by the CPU 03. The I / O port 405 is an interface for transferring an input signal from the game control unit 200 to the display control MCU 403. VDP406
Has a function for displaying a screen and a high-speed drawing function, and operates in accordance with a drawing command from the CPU 421. In addition, it has a two-dimensional address space independent of the CPU 421, and the VRAM 408 is mapped therein.

The VDP 406 receives a character ROM 407 via a signal line 483 based on the input control signal.
From the character image data. Then, display image data is generated using the read character image data, and the image data is transmitted to the VRA via the signal line 484.
It is stored in M408. The image data stored in the VRAM 408 is finally read by the VDP 406.
The VDP 406 is connected to the VRA via the signal line 484.
The image data read from M408 is output to LCD drive circuit 409 via signal line 455.

The character ROM 407 stores character image data frequently used among images displayed on the special symbol display device 6, for example, persons, animals, characters, figures or symbols. VRAM
Reference numeral 408 denotes a frame buffer memory for storing image data generated by the VDP 406. LCD
The driving circuit 409 is connected to the VDP 406 via the signal line 455.
Is converted into a video signal composed of a color signal and a synchronization signal, and is output to the LCD constituting the special symbol display device 6 via the signal line 456.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration in the sound control unit. The sound control unit 500 includes various circuits provided in the sound control board, and mainly performs sound control for sound processing in the special figure game.

The sound control section 500 includes an oscillation circuit 501, a reset circuit 502, a sound control MCU 503, an I / O
Ports 504 and 505, a voice synthesis circuit 506, and a voice amplification circuit 507 are provided. The oscillation circuit 501
A reference clock signal is output to the MCU 503 for sound control via the signal line 551, and the reset circuit 502
Outputs a reset signal for resetting the sound control MCU 503 via the signal line 552.

The sound control MCU 503 includes a CPU 521 as a core, and a ROM 522 and a RAM 523. When command data is input from the sound signal circuit 210 via the signal line 269, the CPU 521 reads data for voice control from the ROM 522 via the signal line 581. Then, the RAM is connected via the signal line 582
While using 523 as a work area, a control signal corresponding to data read from the ROM 522 is transmitted to the signal line 554.
Through the I / O port 505.

The I / O port 504 is connected to the game control unit 200
Is an interface for passing an input signal from the MCU to the voice control MCU 503, and the I / O port 505 is
An interface for transferring an output signal from the voice control MCU 503 to the voice synthesis circuit 506. The voice synthesis circuit 506 controls the BGM (BackGr
The sound amplification circuit 507 amplifies the sound signal generated by the sound synthesis circuit 506, and outputs the stereo speakers 61L and 61R.
For output to

That is, the sound control section 500 reproduces sound used for the special figure game from the stereo speakers 61L and 61R based on the sound data signal output from the sound signal circuit 210 via the signal line 269.

Next, the operation (operation) of this embodiment will be described.

First, an outline of a game flow in the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment will be described. Pachinko machine 1
By operating the handle 56 provided at the lower right position of the game ball, the game ball fired by the firing motor 55 is guided by the guide rail and fired into the game area 13 in the game board 10.

The game control unit 200 monitors the presence or absence of an input of a normal symbol start switch, a special symbol start switch, a count switch, a specific area switch, etc. in the input / output unit 300. When the game ball wins the special symbol starting port 5,
At the special symbol start switch, the winning of the game ball is detected, chattering of the detection signal is removed, the logic conversion is performed, and the input process is performed.

When a winning of a game ball is detected at the special symbol starting port 5, the number of the winning game balls is stored up to four in the special symbol determination bank, and a random number at the time of winning is selected. The value is also temporarily stored in the special symbol determination bank. Then, the special symbol game is started in the special symbol display device 6 based on the prize memory of the game ball in the special symbol starting port 5, that is, the data stored in the special symbol determination bank.

Hereinafter, processing contents in the game control section will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation in the game control section. As described above, the game control MCU 203 according to the present embodiment normally uses the timer interrupt signal output from the
Fire every millisecond. That is, the game control unit 200
The following processing is performed for each timer interrupt using the timer interrupt method.

The game control unit 200 is operated by a timer interrupt signal.
Is started, the game control unit 200 performs a so-called stack setting process of setting the stack pointer designated address in the stack pointer (step S101:
Simply referred to as S101). Next, the game control unit 200 checks flag information for system check. Here, as in the case of a program runaway or immediately after power-on, the RAM 22
If the content of No. 3 is indefinite and the flag information for system check is different from the normal operation determination value, RA
A system check process for clearing the work area in M223 is performed (S102).

Next, the game control section 200 performs information output processing for acquiring various flag information and the like in the special figure game and the general figure game, output of sound effects in the special figure game and the general figure game, and a ball rental CR unit. Time division processing is performed with sound output processing for outputting a buzzer sound when the connection is not made (S10).
3). Next, the state of the count switch is detected, and a count switch process corresponding to the detected state is performed (S10).
4).

Subsequently, the state of the specific area switch is detected, and a specific area switch process corresponding to the detected state is performed (S105). Next, the state of the special symbol start switch is detected, a special figure start switch process corresponding to the detected state is performed (S106), and a special symbol process process, which will be described in detail later, is executed (S107). Similarly, the state of the ordinary symbol start switch is detected, the ordinary symbol start switch process corresponding to the detected state is performed (S108), and the ordinary symbol process process, which will be described in detail later, is executed (S109).

Next, a random number R1 for special symbol determination, a random number R2 for normal symbol determination, a random number RT for jackpot symbol determination, and a random number RH for reach determination, which are random numbers for determination used in the special figure game and the ordinary figure game. A random number update process for updating random numbers is performed (S110). Subsequently, a display symbol random number update for updating each random number of the special symbol left random number RL, the special symbol middle random number RC, and the special symbol right random number RR, which are the display symbol random numbers used in the special symbol game and the ordinary symbol game. Processing is performed (S111).

Then, the game control unit 200 sets the count switch to an “unwinning error” in which no game ball was won during the opening time of the special winning opening 7, or the game ball was stuck in the special winning opening 7. It detects the presence or absence of an irregularity such as a "ball clogging error", determines whether or not an error has occurred, and performs error processing for generating a buzzer sound as necessary when an error occurs (S112).

The game control unit 200 receives a detection signal from the input switch group via the switch input circuit 206 and determines whether or not each of the winning ports or the winning devices has won. Further, the game control unit 200 outputs audio data, a display control signal, a decorative lamp / LE for each output port.
D, an output process for transmitting commands such as an information signal, a solenoid drive signal, and a prize ball number signal is performed (S11).
3).

Thereafter, the game control unit 200 repeats the display symbol random number updating process for updating the display symbol determination random number and the judgment random number until a timer interrupt signal is given from the periodic reset circuit 202 (S114). It should be noted that what is updated here is a reach determination random number RH in addition to the display symbol determination random number, and these random numbers are not changed until a timer interrupt signal (for example, every 2 milliseconds) is input. Each one is added.

The random numbers used in this embodiment are a random number for special symbol determination R1, a random number for normal symbol determination R2, a random number for jackpot symbol determination RT, a random number for special symbol left RL, a random number for special symbol middle RC, and a random number for special symbol right RR and reach number random number RH. By obtaining these random numbers, for example, at the timing of winning a game ball, the function as the lottery means in the present embodiment is realized. That is, the game control unit 200
, A variable display pattern command and a stop symbol command sent to the display control unit 500 are determined.

The special symbol determination random number R1 is a random variable for determining whether or not to make a big hit in the special figure game, and is in the range of “0” to “630” every reset interrupt (2 milliseconds). Is added one by one to "63
It is configured to return to “0” next to “0.” The random number RT for jackpot symbol determination is a random variable for determining the display symbol at the time of the jackpot, and is “0” to “1”.
Within the range of "1", the value is incremented by one for each timer interrupt (2 milliseconds), and returns to "0" after "11".

The special symbol left random number RL, the special symbol middle random number RC, and the special symbol right random number RR are used to determine a temporary stop symbol when a loss occurs in a special symbol game or when a re-variable display is performed. It is a random variable. The special symbol left random number RL, the special symbol middle random number RC, and the special symbol right random number RR are both added one by one within a range of “0” to “11”, and “0” is added after “11”. The configuration is as follows. However, the special symbol left random number RL is incremented by one every timer interrupt (2 milliseconds) and during the display symbol random number updating process shown in S114 of FIG. 5, and the special symbol random number RC is the special symbol left random number. Each time the RL increases from "11" to "0", and the special symbol right random number RR increases by one each time the special symbol in the random number RC increases from "11" to "0". I do.

The reach determination random number RH is an effect pattern at the time of the reach state (hereinafter, reach effect pattern).
Is a random variable for judging “0” to “29”.
9 ”range, every timer interrupt (2 milliseconds), and
During the display symbol random number update process shown in S114 of FIG. 5, one is added at a time, and the value returns to "0" after "299". The reach determination random number RH is extracted when the reach flag is set, and is used to select a reach pattern from “reach distribution table data” as shown in [Table 1].

[0072]

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, here, the pattern A
ＰP is set, and which reach pattern is selected by the value of the reach determination random number RH. For example, at the time of low probability, if the value of the reach determination random number RH is "38", the pattern A is selected if the special symbol determination random number R1 is lost, and the special symbol determination random number R1 is hit. In some cases, pattern C is selected. On the other hand, at high probability,
If the value of the reach determination random number RH is "168", the pattern A is used if the special symbol determination random number R1 is lost.
Is selected, but when the special symbol determination random number R1 is a hit, the pattern A, B, D, or F is not selected regardless of the value of the reach determination random number RH, and the jackpot is determined to be a premium. The reach pattern L is selected.

There are a plurality of variable display patterns in the special symbol. The game control unit 200 selects a variable display pattern to be used depending on the operation state of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the display control unit 400 displays a predetermined variable display pattern. The designated fluctuation display pattern command is output. Accordingly, the display control unit 400 performs various effects control including the above-described reach effect patterns by performing display based on a preset variable display pattern.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example in the special symbol processing of FIG. In the special symbol process processing, the corresponding processing is selectively executed according to special figure flag information for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. Then, the value of the special figure flag information is updated during each processing according to the gaming state. In the special symbol process process, the following processes are executed corresponding to the special figure flag information.

When the value of the special figure flag information is "0", it is determined whether or not the random number value drawn in the special figure game matches the jackpot value, or the special figure holding storage corresponding to the special symbol winning storage counter. A "special symbol normal process" in a normal game state such as a process of notifying the outside by lighting the display units 5a to 5d is executed (S201). When the value of the special figure flag information is "1", a "special symbol jackpot determination process" for determining whether or not the symbol stopped on the special symbol display device 6 has become a big hit mode (S202).

When the value of the special symbol flag information is "2", a "special symbol stop symbol setting process" for setting a stop symbol in the special symbol game performed on the special symbol display device 6 is executed (S203). When the value of the special figure flag information is “3”, “variable display pattern setting processing” for setting a variable display pattern of a symbol of a special figure game performed on the special symbol display device 6.
Is executed (S204).

When the value of the special figure flag information is "4", "special design change processing" for performing the change processing in the special figure game is executed in the special symbol display device 6 (S205). When the value of the special figure flag information is “5”, “special symbol stop processing” for executing a special symbol principle stop processing is executed (S20).
6).

When the value of the special figure flag information is "6", a "large winning opening pre-opening process" for performing an initialization process for the big hit operation is executed (S207). When the value of the special figure flag information is “7”, various processes relating to the jackpot operation and “the process of opening the special winning opening 7” for checking the opening time of the special winning opening 7 per time are executed (S208).

When the value of the special figure flag information is “8”, the “specific area effective time processing” for monitoring the passage of the game ball to the specific area switch and determining whether the special symbol process has been completed is executed. (S209). When the value of the special figure flag information is “9”, it is determined whether or not the special symbol process has been completed. If the special symbol process has been completed, the demonstration display (big hit screen) flag is cleared, the big hit display pattern is cleared, and the big hit end display is performed. A "big hit end process" for clearing and clearing the big hit information is executed (S210).

The processes executed in the special symbol process are not limited to the above-described processes, but may be replaced with other processes or further other processes may be added. Further, when the processing content of each processing branched depending on the value of the special figure flag information becomes complicated and the processing cannot be completed within the reset interruption time, a plurality of the same processings may be added.

In the special symbol game, when the game ball passes through the special symbol starting port 5, a special symbol jackpot or a loss is determined based on the value of the special symbol determination random number R1. As a result of the determination, when the jackpot is won, the special symbol display device 6 displays a combination of special symbols corresponding to the value of the random number RT for jackpot symbol determination on the special symbol display device 6. On the other hand, when a loss occurs, a special symbol corresponding to the value of the special symbol left random number RL, the special symbol middle random number RC, and the special symbol right random number RR is displayed.

Hereinafter, as described above, the game control unit 200
Display control unit 40 based on the command sent from
The process in the case where the CPU 421 of 0 executes a program to perform a reach effect with a symbol that fluctuates on the special symbol display device 6 will be described. The CP of the display control unit 400
The U421 does not necessarily need to execute the following flowchart as long as an apparently similar image is displayed on the special symbol display device 6, but here, the CPU 42
1 is assumed to perform the processing shown in the flowchart.

In the following description, it is assumed that the winning is determined at the symbol "6".

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the reach effect of the embodiment. Also, FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (h)
Is a diagram showing a display example on the special symbol display device 6 at the time of the reach effect.

From the state in which the last stop symbol in the previous special figure game is displayed, the state is changed to a state in which the special figure game is started. Next, the game control unit 2
Based on the command from 00, the left symbol (left symbol)
And the right symbol (right symbol) are temporarily stopped in order. At this point, a reach state is achieved in which the left symbol and the right symbol are the same symbol (in this example, “6”). Therefore, the display controller 400 executes the program shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, the displayed symbol is a symbol composed of a character symbol three-dimensionally arranged in the virtual space.

First, the entire screen is faded with a white tint, and the symbol “6” displayed on the left and right is reduced and displayed on the lower left and lower right of the special symbol display device 6 (S1101). . Further, a stage (not shown) is displayed at the center of the screen (S1102). next,
As shown in FIG. 8A, the central symbol (middle symbol) 02 (a) (indicating "4") of the special symbol display device 6 is temporarily stopped, and the symbol is enlarged and displayed on the stage. (S11
03).

Next, the enlarged and displayed middle pattern 02 (a)
A ring-shaped object (hereinafter, referred to as an update line object) 01 is displayed below the middle symbol 02 (a). This update line object 01
Moves upward while surrounding the middle symbol 02 (a) (S1104). The update line object 01 has a diameter that can surround the medium pattern 02 (a),
It is represented as a three-dimensionally configured ring having a predetermined thickness in the moving direction. The thickness of the update line object 01 is set to be equal to or less than half the size of the middle pattern 02 (a) in the moving direction.

As the update line object 01 moves upward, the middle pattern 02 (a) is covered by the update line object 01, and the other parts are displayed.
However, here, as shown in FIG.
When (a) is a three-dimensional design having a transparent portion that transmits the background image, the update line object 01 is displayed along with the background image through the transparent portion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, as the update line object 01 moves upward, below the portion hidden by the update line object 01,
A part of the medium symbol 02 (b) indicating "5" is newly displayed in a variable manner. Then, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, as the update line object 01 moves further upward, the middle symbol 02 (a) is updated to a new middle symbol 02 (b). At this time, the update line object 01
Is the middle symbol 02 even when moving upward.
While a part of the front of (a) is hidden, the middle pattern 02
(A) is displayed together with the background image in the transparent portion of the design.

When the update line object 01 is the middle symbol 02
When reaching the upper part of (a), as shown in FIG.
The middle design 02 (a) is completely covered by the update line object 01 and the middle design 02 (b) and disappears. After this state, the update line object 01 moves further upward, but is displayed such that the thickness of the update line object 01 gradually disappears and disappears as the movement proceeds.

As shown in FIG. 8D, when the update line object 01 completely disappears, the update of the middle pattern 02 (a) to the middle pattern 02 (b) is completed, and the middle pattern 02 (b) is completed.
Is temporarily stopped. And at this time, medium design 02
It is determined whether (b) is the final stop symbol "6" (S
1105). Here, the middle symbol 02 (b) is not the final stop symbol but the middle symbol 02 shown in FIGS. 8 (f) to 8 (h).
It is assumed that (c) (indicating "6") is the final stop symbol.

If it is determined in S1105 that the symbol is not the final stop symbol, the process returns to S1104, and as shown in FIG.
The update line object 01 reappears from the lower part of the middle symbol 02 (b). As shown in FIGS. 8 (e) to 8 (g),
As the update line object 01 moves upward, the middle design 02 (b) is updated to a new middle design 02 (c).

Here, the middle symbol 02 (c) is the final stop symbol. In this case, the update line object 01 once advances to near the upper portion of the middle symbol 02 (b) (S1106).
The update line object 01 that has moved to near the top is
As shown in FIG. 8F, the process starts to return in the opposite direction (S1107). As the update line object 01 returns downward, the middle symbol 02 (b) is displayed again (S1108). As shown in FIG. 8 (g), the middle design 02
Update line object 0 reaching near the bottom of (b)
1 starts moving upward again (S1109), and the middle symbol 02 (c) is displayed according to the upward movement (S1110).

At S1111, it is determined whether or not the middle symbol 02 (c) has been completely updated and displayed. If the updating has not been completed, the updating of the middle symbol 02 (c) is continued as it is. Update line object 01 that has advanced to the upper part of middle pattern 02 (b)
Goes further and completely erases the middle pattern 02 (b),
Eventually disappears. In S1111, middle design 02 (c)
Are completely updated and displayed, the three symbols are completely stopped and determined (S1112). At this time,
Since the three symbols are aligned at "6", the jackpot is determined.

As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, the three-dimensionally structured symbols in the virtual space on the special symbol display device 6 in the special symbol game are similarly used. The update to a new symbol is performed while moving a three-dimensionally configured update line object 01 to hide a part of the symbol.

Thus, the player can use the three-dimensionally constructed update line object to gradually change the three-dimensionally designed pattern from, for example, the character's feet to another character. You can enjoy it visually. For this reason, the production effect at the time of the reach production is high, and the interest of the game for the player is improved.

[0098] The symbol is a character symbol with a sign. The character symbol has a transparent portion that allows the background image to pass through, and the three-dimensionality of the character symbol and its operation is enhanced, and the effect is enhanced.

Further, the ring-shaped update line object 01 three-dimensionally surrounds the character design, and the upward movement of the ring when updating the design can be seen through the transparent portion of the character design. Such effects can further enhance the three-dimensional effect of the effect.

In addition, at the time of updating the symbol, the update line object once returns downward during the upward movement.
Since the vertical movement is performed in the vicinity of the center of the symbol, it takes a long time until the display symbol is determined, thereby increasing the sense of expectation of the player.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

In the above embodiment, the special symbol display device 6
The design that is enlarged or reduced at the top was assumed to be without numbers. However, as such a design,
Symbols with numbers such as "0" to "11" can also be used. When the symbol is a combination of a numeral and a character, only one of the character and the numeral can be displayed at a predetermined position on the corresponding symbol display device 6 when the symbol is enlarged or reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the update line object 01 used for updating the variable symbol is of a ring shape. However, the update line object 01 may be anything having a shape surrounding a three-dimensionally displayed pattern, such as a headband shape, or a character appearing, for example, turns a “hand” around the pattern. The operation may be such that a part of the symbol is covered by a simple operation, and the symbol is updated to the next symbol. Further, the moving direction of the update line object 01 is not limited to the direction from the bottom to the top of the screen.

In the above embodiment, the symbols updated by the update line object are different from each other. However, the symbols may be randomly updated to the same symbol.
For example, you may make it update many times with the same symbol which a middle symbol becomes a big hit. However, if the updated symbols are different, the player's expectation can be further increased.

In the above embodiment, a design having a transparent portion that transmits a background image completely transmits the background through the transparent portion. However, for example, the background may be displayed through a thin clothing of the character, and the image of the background may be translucent and partially transmitted.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been described. On the other hand, the present invention can be applied to a game machine or the like that simulates the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1. That is, when the CPU of the game machine executes a predetermined program to simulate the movement of the above-mentioned game ball, and as a result, when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the above-mentioned special symbol starting port 5, the above-mentioned A lottery similar to that described above is performed, and the symbols can be displayed in a variable manner.
The game machine program can be stored in a CD-ROM or the like and distributed separately from the game machine. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a slot machine or the like that includes a liquid crystal display device and displays an image to perform an effect.

[0107]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, similarly, the three-dimensionally constituted update line objects gradually update the similarly three-dimensionally constituted identification information to new identification information. Since the information is displayed, the interest of the player can be attracted, and the interest of the game is improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the identification symbol is a character symbol with an identification code, and the character symbol has a transparent portion to allow the background image to be transmitted. Effect is enhanced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the ring-shaped update line object three-dimensionally surrounds the identification symbol and can be seen through the transparent portion of the identification symbol. Therefore, the three-dimensional effect of the effect can be enhanced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the symbol is updated, the update line object moves up and down, such as once returning downward during the upward movement. Expectation of the player can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration centering on a game control unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration in a display control unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration in a sound control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation example in the game control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example in the special symbol process processing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a variable display pattern according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a variation display example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko gaming machine 6 Special symbol display device 200 Game control unit 400 Display control unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] When a predetermined change start condition is satisfied, identification information displayed on an image display device is updated and displayed, and the update display is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. A variable display control means for stopping the variable display, and a lottery means for determining a process and a result of the variable display by the variable display control means, wherein the variable display control means is based on a lottery result of the lottery means. In addition, for the identification information configured three-dimensionally in the virtual space, the identification information is updated and displayed along with the movement of the update line object configured three-dimensionally in the same manner as the identification information. Gaming machine. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes identification information composed of a character design and an identification code, and the identification design has a transparent portion that transmits a background image.
A gaming machine according to claim 1. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the update line object is formed in a ring shape, and is disposed around the identification information. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is updated and displayed by moving the update line object in a vertical direction.