JP2002018034A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an interest in a game by enhancing a game player's expectation if he comes to a ready-to-win state or not by indicating a display. SOLUTION: When the left pattern, the middle pattern and the right pattern start to vary (a) to (b), even the left pattern and the right pattern do not become a ready-to-win state, but once stop temporarily, a UFO character 03 notifying in advance that variation can be restarted is displayed (c). After that, the left pattern and the right pattern are temporarily stopped (d), 'press' 03a is displayed on the side of the UFO character 03, and this is output by voice, thereby informing that the left pattern and the right pattern again vary to develop (e). After that, capsules 02a and 02c are pressed designated number of times, thereby again varying the left pattern and the right pattern in the capsules (f). By this variation, sometimes the ready-to-win state is caused.

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 gaming machine for playing a special figure game, for example, there is a pachinko gaming machine having a first-class special electric accessory. In this pachinko gaming machine, a game ball fired in a game area is provided with a first type start port (start chucker).
When a prize port is called, a random number value is extracted, that is, a jackpot lottery is performed, and the effect display and the stop symbol mode in the special figure game are determined based on the extracted random number value.

A typical effect display in a special figure game is, for example, a reach effect display. The reach effect display is a state in which a symbol other than the display symbol that is the final stop symbol is stopped and rocked in a state where the symbol continues for a predetermined time and coincides with the specific display mode that is a jackpot. State is referred to as a temporary stop), and the effect display is performed in a state where the possibility of a big hit continues until the final result is displayed (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 include a left symbol, a right symbol,
It stops in the order of the middle symbol, and when these display symbols are all temporarily stopped at the same symbol, a big hit is assumed. 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]

In a conventional pachinko gaming machine, various effects have been devised in the production after reaching the reach state. This is for increasing the player's expectation of a jackpot after the player has reached the reach state, and it is assumed that the player will be in the reach state in order to achieve the jackpot. Therefore, the player must expect to reach the reach state first before the jackpot.

However, in conventional pachinko gaming machines, little attention has been given to how to increase the player's expectation before reaching the reach state. In other words, before reaching the reach state, as an effect until the update of the final stop symbol is stopped more broadly, only a predetermined character symbol is conventionally displayed on the display screen. The effect was poor.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to increase the player's expectation regarding whether or not the display mode on the special symbol display device is in the reach state, thereby improving the interest of the 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. The variable display control means displays a predetermined character image on the image display device based on a result of the lottery of the lottery means, and performs a predetermined action operation on the character image. By performing this, restart the variable display of multiple pieces of identification information other than the identification information that ultimately stops updating and temporarily suspends updating. To.

In the above-mentioned gaming machine, since the identification information other than the identification information for finally stopping the update display is changed again, even if the reach display mode is not achieved, for example, the variable display is resumed to reach the reach display mode. It is possible to give the player a sense of expectation. In addition, by displaying the predetermined character image, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation that resumption of the variable display is possible.

In the above-mentioned gaming machine, after resuming the variable display by the variable display control means, a plurality of types of identification information whose order is determined in advance may be switched and updated a predetermined number of times.

Here, at least one of the pieces of identification information for performing the switching update may be sequentially updated by a number corresponding to the number of times of the switching update. This makes it easy to determine the identification information before and after restarting the variable display.

Further, the gaming machine may be in a reach display mode with a predetermined probability by the switching update. In this case, the player can be expected to be in the reach display mode.

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 process, and a predetermined character image is displayed on the image display device based on a lottery result of the lottery process. In addition, by causing the character image to perform a predetermined action operation, a change that restarts the change display of a plurality of pieces of identification information other than the identification information that finally stops the update display and the update display is temporarily stopped. A program for causing a computer to execute the restart process is recorded.

That is, by causing a computer device (including a game device) or the like to read a program included in a recording medium and to execute 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 preset variable start condition is satisfied. A variable display control procedure for causing the variable display to be performed and stopping the variable display by stopping the update display after a predetermined time has elapsed, and a lottery procedure for determining a process and a result of the variable display by the variable display control procedure. And displaying a predetermined character image on the image display device based on the lottery result of the lottery procedure, and causing the character image to perform a predetermined action operation, thereby finally stopping the update display. A variable restart procedure for restarting variable display of a plurality of pieces of identification information other than information and for which update display is temporarily stopped.

That is, by causing a computer device (including a game device) or the like to execute the procedure according to the above method, the same effect as that of the gaming machine of the present invention can be obtained. 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.

Further, 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.

[0018]

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.

The gaming machine in this embodiment 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, one corresponding to a number from "1" to "12" is used.
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 gaming 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 section 200 and other functional blocks, that is, the input / output section 300, the display control section 400, the sound control section 500, the lamp control section 600, and the payout control section 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 the 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 an initial reset signal for resetting the game control MCU 203 via the signal line 251 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned 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 a 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 the jackpot is in a probability variation state. , 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, and 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 the 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 section 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 section 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 winning game balls is stored up to four in the special symbol determination bank, and a random number at the time of winning is determined. 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, the processing contents of 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 unit 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 the specific area switch processing 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 special symbol determination random number R1, a normal symbol determination random number R2, a jackpot symbol determination random number RT, and a reach determination random number RH, 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 openings 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 section 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 R1 for special symbol determination, a random number R2 for ordinary symbol determination, a random number RT for jackpot symbol determination, a random number RL for special symbol left, a random number RC for special symbol middle, 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 in a 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].

[0069]

[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.

The special symbol has a plurality of variable display patterns. 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 is equal to 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 a change processing in the special figure game is executed on 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 “special area effective time processing” for monitoring the passage of the game ball to the specific area switch and determining whether or not 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 process are not limited to the above-described processes, but may be replaced with other processes or 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 processing when the CPU 421 of 0 executes the program and changes the symbol on the special symbol display device 6 will be described. Here, since there is a feature in whether or not a reach state is reached, that is, a mode until the left symbol and the right symbol stop, the mode during this period will be described in detail. The CPU 421 of the display control unit 400 does not necessarily need to execute the program according to the following flowchart as long as an apparently similar image is displayed on the special symbol display device 6. However, each pattern will be described assuming that the processing shown in each flowchart is performed.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process of displaying symbols in a variable manner in this embodiment. 8 and 9
Is a diagram showing a display example on the special symbol display device 6 in this embodiment.

When the special figure game starts, first, the left symbol,
All of the middle symbol and the right symbol are variably displayed (S170).
1). For example, from the end state of the last special figure game, FIG.
As shown in (a), the special symbols in the capsules 02a to 02c are scroll-displayed and fluctuated. In addition,
As shown in FIG. 8A, a character 01 of the mother ship is displayed on the upper part of the special symbol display device 6 as a background image.

Next, as will be described later, the left symbol and the right symbol do not enter the reach state, that is, a temporary stop is performed once in a state where they are not the same symbol, and then a predetermined notice is given that the fluctuation can be resumed. A character (hereinafter referred to as a preview character) is displayed on the special symbol display device 6 (S1).
702). Here, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), a UFO character 03 is displayed as a preview character swinging right and left below the mother ship character 01 and above the middle capsule 02b.

Next, every time a fixed period elapses, the left symbol fluctuating in the capsule 02a is temporarily stopped (S170).
3), the right symbol fluctuating in the capsule 02c is temporarily stopped (S1704). Here, as shown in FIG. 8C, the left symbol is temporarily stopped at symbol "4" and the right symbol is temporarily stopped at symbol "6". Further, the notice character is caused to perform a predetermined action to notify that the left and right symbols fluctuate in an evolutionary manner (S1705). Here, as shown in FIG. 8D, a horizontal balloon 0 of the UFO character 03 is displayed.
"Press" is displayed in 3a. The word “press” is also output as sound from a stereo speaker by the sound control unit 500.

Thereafter, the left symbol temporarily stopped in S1703 and the right symbol temporarily stopped in S1704 are changed again (S1706). Here, as shown in FIG.
The capsules 02a and 02c are pressed a predetermined number of times (for example, two times) to perform compression and expansion operations, and the design in each capsule is changed for each press operation. Here, the right symbol in the capsule 02c is
Each time a press is made, the symbols are updated in the order of the next one. on the other hand,
The left symbol in the capsule 02a is not always the same, and even if the symbol is switched to the next symbol in each press based on the command sent from the game control unit 200 depending on the result of the lottery, the symbol is randomly selected. Is updated,
You may make it update only to the number which will be in a reach state later.

Further, the left symbol and the right symbol, which have been changed again in S1706, are temporarily stopped again (S1707). In this example, when the capsules 02a and 02c complete the predetermined number of press operations, the left symbol and the right symbol are temporarily stopped based on the update result. Then, it is determined whether or not the display mode on the special symbol display device 6 has reached the reach state as a result of the second temporary stop (S1708). In addition, when such a pressing operation of the capsules 02a and 02c (re-change of the left symbol and the right symbol) is performed by the random number lottery described above,
There is a case where a reach state is reached with a certain probability.

As a result of the determination, when the vehicle is in the reach state (S1708; Yes), for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the symbols in the capsules 02a and 02c are aligned at "8", The preview character displayed on the special symbol display device 6 in S1702 disappears on the spot (S170
9). Here, as shown in FIG. 9B, the UFO character 03 is disappeared by fading out, etc., while being displayed on the special symbol display device 6 at the same position as that of the temporary stop of the UFO character 03. Thereafter, a predetermined reach effect process is performed (S1710), and the process proceeds to S1712. As the reach effect process, any process conventionally used in such a pachinko gaming machine can be applied.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in S1708 is that the reach state has not been reached (S1708; No), for example, as shown in FIG. If the symbols inside are "8" and the respective symbols do not match, the preview character is moved out of the display area of the special symbol display device 6 (S1).
711). For example, as shown in FIG. 9D, the UFO character 03 moves to the left to the outside of the frame of the special symbol display device 6 and exits. Then, the process proceeds to S1712.

In S1712, the middle symbol which is still in the fluctuation state in the capsule 02b is temporarily stopped. Then, after a certain period has elapsed, all the symbols of the left symbol, the middle symbol and the right symbol are completely stopped and fixed (S1713).

As described above, even when the normal reach state is not attained, an evolving variation pattern is adopted in which the temporarily suspended symbol variation is restarted and updated. For this reason, first, the player's expectation regarding whether or not to be in the reach state can be raised, and the interest of the game can be improved. Here, according to the random number lottery described above, the reach state can be set at a certain probability, so that if the left symbol and the right symbol temporarily stop and then change again, the player is informed that the reach state is set. You can always expect it.

Further, when such an evolving type variation is performed, a notice is given by a notice character (UFO character 03). More specifically, when the UFO character 03 appears in S1702 (FIG. 8 (b)), the player is given an expectation that there may be a re-variation without reaching the reach state, and furthermore, S1705 (FIG. 8B).
In (d)), when a character string "press" is displayed and output, the player is given an expectation that the character string will actually change again. That is, the player's expectation can be gradually increased, and the interest of the game is improved.

Further, when the left symbol and the right symbol are changed again, the number of times the capsules 02a and 02c are pressed is fixed, so that the process from restarting the change display to temporarily stopping again is inevitably complicated. Never be. In addition, since at least the right symbol in the capsule 02c is frame-advanced according to the pressing operation of the capsule 02c, it is easy to determine the symbol before and after the re-change.

Further, when a reach state is caused by such an advanced type re-variation, the reach design processing is always performed, and then the middle symbol is stopped. For this reason, the player's sense of expectation that has been increased step by step until the player reaches the reach state can be further increased depending on whether or not a big hit is to be made, so that the interest of the game is improved.

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 notice character (UFO character 03) appears before the left symbol and the right symbol are temporarily stopped, that is, when all symbols are changing. However, the notice character may appear at the timing when only the left symbol is temporarily stopped, or when the left symbol and the right symbol are temporarily stopped and the reach state is not reached.

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.

[0097]

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the identification information other than the identification information for which the update display is finally stopped is changed again, for example, although the reach display mode is not achieved, the variable display is restarted. It is possible to give the player a sense of expectation of the reach display mode. In addition, by displaying the predetermined character image, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation that resumption of the variable display is possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the processing after restarting the variable display does not have to be complicated.

According to the third aspect of the invention, it is easy to determine the identification information before and after restarting the variable display.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the switching is updated, the player can be expected to be in the reach display mode.

[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 showing a symbol changing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example on a special symbol display device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example on a special symbol display device.

[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, a predetermined character image is displayed on the image display device, and a predetermined action operation is performed on the character image to temporarily stop the update display other than the identification information for finally stopping the update display. A gaming machine characterized by resuming variable display of a plurality of pieces of identification information. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein after the variable display is restarted by said variable display control means, a plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order are switched and updated a predetermined number of times.
A gaming machine according to claim 1. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the pieces of identification information for performing the switching update is sequentially updated by a number corresponding to the number of times of the switching update. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the switching update causes a reach display mode with a predetermined probability.