JP2002045497A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of giving high amusement to a player by improving expressive power without loosing the identification property of identification information. SOLUTION: The game machine, which is provided with a game control means for controlling the progress of a game in a game area and a display control means for performing the display control of a variable display device forming a plurality of varying displaying areas based on a command from the game control means and is capable of giving a special treatment when the stopping mode of each identification information in the plurality of varying display areas leads out a specific combination mode, is provided with a ready displaying mode generation means for generating a ready displaying mode when a ready state where the specific combination can be led out is made at the stage of defining identification information except for one of the plurality of varying displaying areas and a gradually magnifying variation means which gradually magnify-displays unidentified identification information vary- displayed in order until variation to next identification information from the appearance of the identification information or until defining with the identification information from the appearance of the identification information when the ready state is generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a variable display device, and in a plurality of variable display regions of the variable display device, a privilege can be given when a stop display mode of a specific combination of identification information is derived. The present invention relates to so-called pachinko machines, pachislot machines, slot machines and other game machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a starting port and a fluctuation display device are provided.
A pachinko machine that performs a variable display game on a variable display device based on a prize at the starting opening (or passes through a starting gate) and generates a jackpot gaming state (special gaming state) that is particularly advantageous for the player depending on the stop result. Game machines such as game machines are known. In such gaming machines,
For example, three display areas are provided on the variable display device, and three symbols (identification information) are displayed in a variable manner at high speed in each of the display areas, and symbols are displayed in the three display areas after a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds). Are successively stopped and displayed, and when the result is a big hit symbol (for example, a slot of "7, 7, 7, 7" or the like), a gaming state of a big hit is generated.

In a process of sequentially stopping and displaying symbols in three display areas, a so-called reach state (for example, “7, □, 7”) in which a big hit state may occur.
(□ indicates that it is still fluctuating), as the reach mode indicating the reach state, the final stop symbol is scrolled at a low speed, or scrolling at a low speed is performed for a long period of time. There is an effect that enhances a player's expectation of occurrence of a big hit by performing lighting control of a decorative lamp or outputting a sound effect in conjunction with scrolling.

Further, in the variable display device, the variable display area is composed of 9 areas of 3.times.3, and when the identification information is stopped in each area, one of the horizontal 3 lines and the slant 2 lines is displayed. There is also known a gaming machine in which a big hit can be stopped in a plurality of patterns (on a plurality of active lines), such as a gaming machine which becomes a big hit if the big hit symbol is stopped.

[0005] In these gaming machines, identification information (symbols) displayed in a variable display area to enhance the interest of the game.
By devising the background or the background, the appearance of the character or the decoration of the identification information is performed, so that the player is notified of the possibility of the reach state or the possibility of the jackpot.

[0006]

However, the area of the game board is limited, and the size of the variable display device arranged in the game area is limited. It is difficult to enhance the expressive power without impairing.

[0007] In order to enhance the expressive power of the limited display device, an invention is proposed in which the unidentified information, which is most closely watched by the player in the reach state, is switched at a low speed and displayed in an enlarged manner. (For example, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 1
0-203290). However, in the invention of the prior application, in order to prevent the discriminability from being impaired, the undetermined identification information is enlarged and displayed so that the already determined identification information does not overlap with the undetermined identification information. For this reason, the unidentified identification information that the player is gazing at most protrudes from the variable display screen, and there is a problem in that the display content has a slightly less interesting appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine capable of enhancing expressive power without deteriorating the identifiability of identification information and giving a high interest to a player. With the goal.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a game control means for controlling the progress of a game in a game area, and a plurality of variable display areas formed based on commands from the game control means. A display control means for performing display control of the variable display device, wherein the stop mode of each identification information of the plurality of variable display areas can give a privilege when a specific combination mode is derived. A reach display mode generating means for generating a reach display mode when a reach state where there is a possibility of deriving the specific combination at a stage where the identification information is determined except for one of the variable display areas of If you reach the above reach state,
Undetermined identification information that is sequentially variably displayed is changed from the appearance of the identification information to the next identification information, or from the appearance of the identification information to the determination of the identification information,
A gradual enlargement / variation display means for gradual enlargement display is provided.

[0010] This allows the player to enjoy the powerful reach display mode while being nervous, because the unidentified identification information that is gradually enlarged appears to approach him from the back of the screen.

[0011] Further, if the undetermined identification information is enlarged and displayed step by step, the player can enjoy a more tense game.

Further, the unidentified identification information (hereinafter, referred to as a jackpot determination symbol) is displayed smaller at first than other determined identification information (hereinafter, referred to as a reach symbol), and thereafter, is displayed from the reach symbol. To be displayed larger.

After the reach state occurs, the player can sufficiently recognize the reach symbol and then enlarge and change the jackpot determining symbol, thereby giving the player a strong impression of the reach symbol. Can enjoy the reach state by paying attention only to the variable display of the symbol for jackpot determination.

[0014] The big hit determining symbol is enlarged and displayed to the extent that it overlaps the reach symbol. At this time, the symbol for jackpot determination may be enlarged and displayed as much as possible within a range in which the reach symbol can be identified. This allows the player to recognize the reach symbol even when the jackpot determination symbol is enlarged and displayed and overlaps the reach symbol, so that individual reach symbols are difficult to recognize. If the player can always compare the reach symbol and the jackpot determining symbol, the player can expect and watch the variation of the jackpot determining symbol in the reach state more, and can increase the degree of excitement in the game. Here, the maximum as far as the reach symbol can be identified is, for example, the reach symbol is hidden behind the jackpot determination symbol except for a part,
This shows a state in which the symbol for jackpot determination is displayed using the entire display area in a range where the reach symbols can be identified by integrating the non-hidden portions of the plurality of reach symbols.

[0015] The symbol for jackpot determination may be enlarged and displayed to the maximum extent that the symbol for jackpot determination can be identified. This makes it possible to produce a more powerful change display of the symbol for jackpot determination. Here, the maximum as long as the jackpot determination symbol can be identified is the maximum, regardless of whether the reach symbol is hidden behind the jackpot determination symbol,
For example, this includes a state in which the symbol for jackpot determination is displayed using the entire display area as much as a part of the symbol for jackpot determination protrudes from the display area.

Further, while the symbol for jackpot determination is displayed in an enlarged manner, a predetermined area of the variable display area in which the symbol for jackpot determination is displayed (for example, "4" when the symbol is "4").
(Except for the line drawing that represents) so that the background is not transparent,
After changing from a state in which the background does not pass through to a state in which the background passes through, the symbol for jackpot determination may shift to the next symbol display. As a result, the end of the variable display of the jackpot determination symbol can be easily notified to the player. In other words, when the background is transmitted in the variable region of the jackpot determination symbol, the symbol disappears and the next symbol appears and the fluctuation continues, but if the background is not transmitted, the fluctuation display is terminated and the symbol is fixed. Will do.

[0017] With this arrangement, the player longs for the background not to be transmitted if the variably displayed jackpot determination symbol is the same as the reach symbol, and conversely, if the jackpot determination symbol is different from the reach symbol, the background is changed. The desire to move to the next symbol after being transmitted is keen, and the interest in the game can be enhanced.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a game board of a pachinko machine as an example of a game machine suitable for applying the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a game board, and an arc-shaped guide rail 101 for guiding a game ball fired from below to an upper portion of the game board is provided on the front of the game board 100. A special symbol display (variable display device) 102 for effect display in a variable display game or a special game (big hit game), a special figure start winning port 103 which is composed of a normal electric accessory and provides a starting condition of the variable game, the normal electric A general-purpose starting gate 104 that gives starting conditions for a public item,
105, a variable winning device 106 called an attacker, a general winning opening 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, and a predetermined number (for example, a maximum of 4) of winning balls in the special drawing starting winning opening.
Special figure start prize storage display 121 that stores up to a predetermined figure, normal symbol display 122 that performs an auxiliary game using the fluctuation display, and stores the number of game balls passed to the general figure start gate 104 up to a predetermined number (for example, up to four). To start the display memory display 123,
Decorative lamps 124 and 125 that enhance the effect of the game, a hitting direction changing member 126 called a windmill that gives randomness to the flow of the hitting ball, and a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are provided.

Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, all the winning openings 103 to 103 provided in the game board 100 are provided.
A winning sensor including a microswitch and a non-contact type sensor is provided for each of the 111 to detect a winning ball there. That is, the special figure start sensor SS1 is arranged inside the special figure start winning opening 103,
A count sensor SS4 and a continuous winning sensor SS5 are arranged inside the variable winning device 106, and winning sensors SS6 to SS10 are arranged inside the general winning openings 107 to 111, respectively. Then, when the game ball wins these winning ports, a winning ball detection signal is sent from the winning port sensors SS6 to SS10 to a game control device 200 described later, and the game control device 2
From 00, the prize ball number data is transmitted to the discharge control device 300.

Here, the general-purpose starting gates 104, 10
When a passing ball to 5 is detected, the normal symbol display 122 is operated to perform a variation display operation for a predetermined time, and when a passing ball is further generated to the ordinary figure starting gates 104 and 105 during that time, the number of the balls is stored. The general-purpose starting prize storage indicator 123 is turned on in accordance with the number of storage. Then, when the variable display of the ordinary symbol display 122 is stopped and the display content becomes a predetermined mode, the special figure starting winning opening 103 composed of the ordinary electric accessory is opened.

When a game ball wins in the opened special figure starting winning opening 103 or the closed special figure starting winning opening 103, the specific symbol display 102 is changed and displayed for a predetermined time, and during that time, the special figure is further displayed. When a winning ball is generated in the starting winning opening 103, the number of the balls is stored, and the special figure starting winning storage display 121 is turned on according to the stored number.

After the random number value extracted in connection with the winning in the special start winning opening 103 is determined, the variable symbol is displayed on the special symbol display 102 in order to derive a stop symbol corresponding to the determination result. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the variable display is terminated to stop at the stop symbol.

Next, when the end of the variable display, the result of the determination relating to the variable display is a hit,
The variable winning device 106 is opened for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of winning balls is reached.

Further, a general prize area and a continuous prize area are provided in the variable prize apparatus 106, and the opening operation of the variable prize apparatus 106 is performed on condition that a game ball has won in the continuous prize area. Repeated up to the number of times.

The control of the progress of the game in the game board 100 and the generation of random numbers used in the game control are performed by the game control device 200 executing a series of programs. The variable display control in the special symbol display 102 is performed by the game control device 200.
Is performed in accordance with a command from the game control device 200 by a display control device 400 provided separately from the game control device 200.

An example of the game control device 200 functioning as game control means and the display control device 400 functioning as display control means will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the game control device 200 and the display control device 400.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game control device 200 includes a game microcomputer 211 composed of a one-chip microcomputer (broadly-defined CPU) formed as a semiconductor integrated circuit for controlling the accessory required for the game. A clock generation circuit (oscillator) 212 that divides the oscillation signal of the crystal oscillator to obtain a clock signal of a predetermined frequency, an input interface 213 that receives signals from various sensors, a driving signal for driving means such as a solenoid, and others. And an output interface 214 for outputting a control signal to the control device.

The above-mentioned gaming microcomputer 211
Is a central processing unit (CPU) as arithmetic control means
In addition, a ROM (read only memory) and a RAM (random access memory) as a storage means, an interrupt control circuit (not shown) and the like are built in, and are manufactured as an IC for a so-called amuse chip. The program and prize ball number data required for the game progress control performed by the CPU are RO
M.

A signal from the prize ball detection sensor 304 in the prize ball discharge flow path, a special figure start sensor SS1 in the special figure start winning port 103, and a general figure are input to the game control device 200 via the input interface 213. The general-purpose starting sensors SS2 and SS3 in the starting gates 104 and 105, and the variable winning device 106
The detection signals from the count sensor SS4 corresponding to the general winning area, the continuous winning sensor SS5 corresponding to the continuous winning area, the winning sensors SS6 to SS10 in the general winning openings 107 to 111, and the like are input.

On the other hand, from the game control device 200 via the output interface 214, the ordinary symbol display 12
2 and the like, the drive signal of the general-purpose solenoid 315 for opening and closing the ordinary electric accessory, the display control device 40
0, a driving signal of an attacker solenoid (large winning opening solenoid) 314 for opening and closing the big winning opening of the variable winning device 106, a data signal for the discharge control device 300, the decoration control device 500, and the sound control device 600;
Board external terminal (data output terminal) 31 for transmitting data such as occurrence of a big hit to a management device of a game store (not shown)
2 is output.

The display control device 400 includes a control microcomputer (CPU) 421, an interface circuit 422 with the game control device 200, and a read-only memory (ROM) 42 for storing control programs and fixed data.
3. a random access memory (RAM) 424 that provides a work area for the control CPU 421 and stores data and display data sent from the game control device 200;
An image display controller (VDC) 425 for driving the display device (special symbol display) 102, a font ROM 426 storing image data to be displayed, a gamma correction circuit 427 for display correction, and data from the RAM 424 to the image display controller 425. DMA controller (DMAC) 42 for DMA (direct memory access) transfer
8, a clock generation circuit (oscillator) 429 for obtaining a clock signal of a predetermined frequency by dividing the frequency of the oscillation signal of the crystal oscillator.

Control CPU 421 of display control device 400
, Display fluctuation time data and stop symbol data from the game control device 200 via the interface 422,
Display control information such as a stop command is input. When display control information is input from the game control device 200, a reception interrupt is applied to the control CPU 421 from the interface 422, and the control CPU 421 stores the received data (display control information) in the buffer area of the RAM 424 in response thereto. I do. Then, the control CPU 421 analyzes the received data, determines an effect pattern (a collection of continuous display design data) to be fluctuated and displayed based on, for example, the fluctuating time data, and displays a code indicating the design to be displayed, a display position, and a scroll. Commands such as RAM 424
To be stored. The effect patterns are stored in the ROM 423 in advance in the form of a table corresponding to the fluctuation time data.

Image display controller (VDC) 425
Reads a data group corresponding to the above-described effect pattern transferred from the RAM 424 by the DMA controller 428 to the internal RAM and develops the data group. Specifically, character font data stored in the font ROM 426 is read in accordance with a code indicating a design, and image data to be displayed as identification information for a special figure game is displayed on a display screen in accordance with display position data and a command. Is stored in the display image storage area of the internal RAM.

Thereafter, the image display controller 425
The display image data is read from the display image storage area of the built-in RAM and sequentially sent to the γ correction circuit 427 to form a display drive signal of the special symbol display 102. At this time, scrolling for variable display is performed by the image display controller 425 according to parameters such as a command and a scroll speed.
Is performed by changing the start position of the image data to be displayed by the address calculation. Further, the image display controller 425 sends a vertical synchronization signal V-SYNC and a horizontal synchronization signal H-SYNC to the display device 102. The γ correction circuit 427 adjusts the display illuminance of the display device 102 by correcting the non-linear characteristic of the illuminance with respect to the signal voltage of the display device. As a result, a predetermined display is performed on the screen of the display device 102.

Next, the contents of display control in the display control device 400 will be described. As described above, the display control device 400 performs display control based on the display control information from the game control device 200. Display control device 400
And the game control device 200 are connected by two control signal lines of a start signal and a strobe signal and eight data signal lines, and communication between the two is performed by the game control device 200 to the display control device 400. The transmission is unidirectional. Specifically, the game control device 200 outputs data after the start signal is activated, and then activates the strobe signal. Then, the display control device 400 detects the rise of the start signal, activates the reception process by interruption, and fetches the signal on the data signal line at that time in synchronization with the rise of the strobe signal.

The display control information transmitted by the data signal line is roughly classified into “call-in display control information” transmitted when the variable display is not executed, and variable display control (from the start to the stop of the variable display). ), And "variable display effect control information" transmitted at the start of the big hit game.
The big hit effect display control may be performed by the judgment of only the display control device without involving the game control device.
In that case, the load on the game control device (the processing load accompanying an increase in the program capacity and data amount) can be reduced.

Further, a specific transmission procedure will be described taking transmission of variable display control information as an example. First, the game control device 200 sends the variable time data,
Stop symbol data (in the case of three variable regions, three data of left, middle, and right) is transmitted. Then, the display control device 400 receives the notification and starts the variable display. in this case,
The display control device 400 stores the sent stopped symbol data in a buffer, and determines whether or not the variable display to start the variable display involves or does not reach based on the variable time data. If it is accompanied by the above, it determines which reach action is to be performed, selects and reads out the image data stored in the font ROM 426, generates display data, and starts variable display.

For example, when it is determined from the fluctuating time data that the fluctuating display accompanies reach, the corresponding image data is selected and fluctuating display is started.
The left and right symbols are stopped based on the left symbol data and the right symbol data among the symbol data stored in the buffer area in 4, and a stop command from the game control device 200 is waited.

Next, when a stop command is transmitted from the game control device 200, the display control device 400 receives this command,
Based on the middle symbol (big hit determination symbol) data stored in the buffer, the variation display in the variation display area of the middle symbol that is still fluctuating is stopped and all symbols are determined.

The fluctuation time and the stop symbol are transmitted to the display control device 400, and the display control device 400 displays all the fluctuations from the time when the fluctuation time and the stop symbol are sent to the temporary stop state, and stops. The control may be such that the command is transmitted to make the main stop state.

Here, the transition state of the display state on the display device 102 of the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram showing the transition state of the display state. Schematically, A indicates a customer waiting state, B indicates a fluctuation state, C indicates a jackpot state, and indicates a transition state between the states.

After the power is turned on, first, for example, a command A for instructing to wait for a customer is transmitted from the game control device 200 to the display control device 400. When this command is transmitted, the CPU 421 of the display control device 400 is transmitted. Decodes the command A, reads the corresponding data from the ROM 423, the RAM 424 and the font ROM 426, and causes the display device 102 to display a demonstration waiting for a customer.

Then, when the game is started and there is a prize in the special figure starting prize port 103, the game controller 200 sends a variable display command a1 based on the starting port prize to the display controller 40.
Sent to 0. Then, the CPU of the display control device 400
421 decodes the command a1 and outputs it to the ROM 423, R
The corresponding data is read from the AM 424 and the font ROM 426 to start the variable display.

If the result of the variable display game is a loss and there is no start-up winning memory, the game control device 200 transmits a customer waiting display command a2 to the display control device 400 at that time. Then, the display control device 400 causes the display device 102 to display the demonstration waiting for the customer again.
On the other hand, if the result of the fluctuation display game is a loss and there is a start opening winning memory, a re-variation display command b3 is transmitted at that time and the fluctuation display is performed again.

When the big hit display command b1 based on the big hit determination is transmitted from the game control device 200 in the state of the variable display, the CPU 42 of the display control device 400
1 decodes the command b1 and outputs it to ROM 423, RAM
The corresponding data is read out from the font ROM 424 and the font ROM 426 to display a big hit on the display device 102. If there is no starting opening winning memory at the end of the big hit, the customer control display command c1 is transmitted from the game control device 200, and the demonstration of the customer waiting is displayed again. On the other hand, if there is a starting opening prize memory at the end of the big hit, the game control device 2
From 00, the fluctuation display command b2 is transmitted, and thereby the fluctuation display is started again.

FIGS. 4 to 7 show an example of a display mode and a reach display mode of the identification information (variable display symbols) according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the variable display symbols of the gaming machine of the present embodiment are composed of a left symbol L, a middle symbol M, and a right symbol R. When a ball wins in the starting winning opening 103, a fluctuation display command is sent from the game control device 200 to the display control device 4.
00, and the three symbols are displayed in order from the upper part of the display device to the lower part. Then, the left symbol L, the right symbol R, and the middle symbol M based on the stop symbol data transmitted when the variation time transmitted together with the variation display command from the game control device 200 to the display control device 400 has elapsed.
Are stopped in this order.

When the left symbol L and the right symbol R become the same symbol, a reach state is established, and a reach display mode displayed based on data transmitted from the game control device 200 is selected.
Executed on a display device.

FIG. 4B is a display screen immediately after the left and right symbols L and R are both stopped at the symbol "seven" and the reach state has occurred. When the reach state occurs, a display is performed in the display area of the middle symbol M (symbol for jackpot determination) such that a small middle symbol M like a firework is gradually ascending from the bottom of the screen. The left and right symbols L and Rh are displayed as they are, so that the player can sufficiently recognize the left and right symbols that are the reach symbols.

Next, the middle symbol M is gradually enlarged as shown in FIG. 4 (c), and is finally enlarged and displayed to the full display screen as shown in FIG. 5 (d). In addition, medium design M
Are enlarged and changed, the portions of the display areas of the left and right symbols L and R that overlap the variable display area A of the middle symbol M are not displayed. In FIG. 5D, since the part B of the “seven” of the reach symbols L and R overlaps with the “four” of the middle symbol M, this part is not displayed. In addition, since the middle symbol M is enlarged to the full screen and does not protrude, the middle symbol M which should be watched most during the reach action can be easily visually recognized without impairing the distinctiveness of the "four" of the middle symbol M. .

Further, the enlarged display of the middle symbol is performed by displaying the left and right portions C1 and C2 displayed without overlapping the middle symbol M even if the left and right symbols B are hidden by the middle symbol M and are not displayed. By combining them, one symbol ("7" in the diagram) can be recognized. Specifically, such display control can be realized, for example, by displaying each of the reach symbols L and R by half or more even when the middle symbol M is enlarged.

In the present embodiment, after the middle symbol M is maximally displayed as shown in FIG. 5D, when the symbol shifts to the next symbol display, the reach symbol is displayed as shown in FIG. 5E. Parts of the right and left symbols L and R of the part B that has been hidden until then are displayed. That is, the so-called background portion excluding the character portion of the middle symbol M is transparently displayed. At this time, the background image is also transparently displayed, and thereafter, the display shifts to the next symbol display. In the present embodiment, the variable region A of the middle symbol M
When the background or the like is transmitted, the display of the middle symbol M shifts to the next symbol, and when the background or the like is not transmitted, the display of the middle symbol M is determined as it is. By transmitting the background image or the like, the player can easily be notified of whether the middle symbol M shifts to the next symbol or is determined as it is. Depending on whether the background image or the like is transparently displayed or not, the expectation for the player is determined. Can be increased.

When a background image or the like is further transmitted, FIG.
The middle symbol M temporarily disappears as shown in FIG. And FIG.
As shown in (g), the next symbol "5" is displayed as a symbol smaller than the reach symbols L and R so as to rise from the bottom of the screen,
As shown in FIGS. 6 (h) and 7 (i), the middle symbol M is enlarged and displayed while the background area overlapping with the variable display area A is not displayed. Further, when the middle symbol "5" shifts to the next symbol display, a background image or the like which is overlapped with the variable region A and is not displayed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the enlarged middle symbol M is the stop symbol of the middle symbol transmitted from the game control device 200 to the display control device 400, the middle symbol M is reduced to the initial size as shown in FIG. The return change display is terminated.

If such a reach display mode is executed when the reach state occurs, the player can enjoy the powerful reach display mode while being nervous while watching the middle symbol approaching himself from the back of the screen. As the medium symbol M approaches a large Atari symbol (the same symbol as the reach symbol), the player can enjoy a game full of interest while increasing the sense of expectation.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an enlarged reach display mode executed when a reach state occurs. Medium pattern M
Are similar to those of the previous embodiment, and only the final display mode of the middle symbol M is different.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8C, the middle symbol M is enlarged until it slightly protrudes from the display screen. Note that the middle symbol M is enlarged in a range where the original shape of the symbol remains even if it protrudes from the display screen. Therefore, even if the player loses his / her gaze on the way, the player immediately recognizes what the middle symbol is when the gaze is returned. In addition to being possible, the game is enlarged and displayed larger than in the previous embodiment, so that a more powerful game can be enjoyed.

Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative in all points and are limited to the disclosed technology. It should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be interpreted in accordance with the description of the claims,
The present invention includes a technology equivalent to the technology described in the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims.

In the present embodiment, the case where the middle symbol is enlarged stepwise in the reach state has been described. However, the reach symbol may be continuously enlarged as the reach display mode. In addition, although the display is enlarged like a fireworks display from the lower part of the screen and then enlarged, it may be simply enlarged display from the center of the screen, or may be lowered from the screen information and enlarged at the center.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example is described in which the present invention is applied to a gaming machine having a variable display symbol composed of a left symbol L, a middle symbol M, and a right symbol R. A variable display symbol is composed of 9 symbols divided into 3 × 3 and arranged on each, and 3 horizontal lines and 2 slanting lines
The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine in which a total of five lines are effective lines that generate a jackpot. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a game in which the upper and lower horizontal lines are set as effective lines. In a game having a plurality of effective lines, a reach state occurs in a plurality of lines, that is, a so-called game. Since there is a possibility that a double-reach / triple-reach state may appear, it is possible to further increase the player's expectation.

[0062]

According to the present invention, game control means for controlling the progress of a game in a game area, and display control of a variable display device in which a plurality of variable display areas are formed based on instructions from the game control means. In a gaming machine comprising a display control means, wherein a privilege can be given when a stop mode of each identification information of the plurality of variable display areas derives a specific combination mode, one of the plurality of variable display areas is excluded. A reach display mode generating means for generating a reach display mode when a reach state where there is a possibility of deriving the specific combination at a stage where the identification information is determined, and sequentially changing when the reach mode is reached. The displayed undetermined identification information is gradually reduced from the appearance of the identification information to the next identification information, or from the appearance of the identification information to the determination of the identification information. Since to comprise a gradually larger variable display means for enlarged display on an effect that it is possible to entertain the reach display mode compelling while straining the player. In addition, after the reach state occurs, the player is made to fully recognize the reach symbol and then starts to change the symbol for the jackpot determination, so the player pays attention only to the change display of the symbol for the jackpot determination. You can enjoy the game in the reach state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration example of a game board of a pachinko machine as an example of a game machine suitable for applying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an entire control system provided on the back side of the pachinko machine including the back side of the gaming board.

FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram showing a display state transition state by a command in the variable display device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode of a variable display symbol and a series of enlarged changes in a reach state.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode of a variable display symbol when a middle symbol is maximally displayed, and a display / non-display of a background.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a series of enlarged changes when a middle symbol shifts to the next symbol and is variably displayed again.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a series of variable displays from a maximum display of a medium symbol to a stop in a reach state.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in another display mode of the fluctuation display symbol in the reach state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 game board 101 guide rail 102 special symbol display device 103 special figure starting winning opening 104, 105 general figure starting gate 106 variable winning device 107, 108, 109, 110, 111 general winning opening 121 special figure starting winning memory display 122 normal Symbol display 123 Regular start winning storage display 124, 125 Decoration lamp 126 Hitting direction conversion member 200 Game control device 211 Game microcomputer 212 Clock generation circuit 213 Input interface 214 Output interface 220 Ejection control device 240 Decoration control device 250 Sound Control device 301 Overflow detector 302 Odd ball detector 303 Open frame detector 304 Prize ball detector 314 Attacker solenoid 315 Normal electric accessory drive solenoid 400 Display control device 421 Display Control microcomputer (CPU) 422 Interface circuit (I / F) 423 Read only memory (ROM) 424 Random access memory (RAM) 425 Image display controller (VDC) 426 Font ROM 427 γ correction circuit 428 DMA controller (DMAC) 429 Clock generation circuit (oscillator) L Left symbol M Medium symbol (Big hit determination symbol) R Right symbol A Medium symbol variation display area B Reach symbol non-display area C1, C2 Reach symbol display area

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A game control means for controlling the progress of a game in a game area, and a display control means for performing display control of a variable display device in which a plurality of variable display areas are formed based on a command from the game control means. A gaming machine capable of providing a privilege when a stop mode of each identification information of the plurality of variable display areas derives a specific combination mode, wherein the identification information is excluded except for one of the plurality of variable display areas. A reach display mode generating means for generating a reach display mode when a reach state in which the specific combination is likely to be derived at the determined stage; and From the appearance of the identification information to the next identification information, or from the appearance of the identification information to the finalization of the identification information, the enlarged identification table is gradually enlarged. Game machine characterized by comprising a progressively larger variable display means for. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said gradually expanding and changing display means expands and displays said undetermined identification information in a stepwise manner. 3. The gradual enlargement / variation display means displays the undetermined identification information at first smaller than other determined identification information, and thereafter displays larger than the determined identification information. Claim 1 or Claim 2
A gaming machine according to claim 1. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gradually enlarged display unit enlarges and displays the undetermined identification information to a range overlapping with the determined identification information. Gaming machine. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gradually enlarged display means enlarges and displays the undetermined identification information to a maximum extent within a range in which the determined identification information can be identified. A gaming machine according to any of the above. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gradually enlarged display means enlarges and displays the undetermined identification information to a maximum extent within a range in which the undetermined identification information can be identified. A gaming machine according to any of the above. 7. The gradual enlargement display means controls the background image not to be transmitted through a predetermined area including the undetermined identification information while the undetermined identification information is enlarged and displayed,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the undetermined identification information is shifted to a display of other identification information after changing from a non-transmission state to a transmission state.