JP2002143448A - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko machine for performing image display rich in variety. SOLUTION: This pachinko machine is provided with a character data storage means having plural character ROM (character ROM A 47a, B 47b and C 47c) storing respectively different character data and a program storage means having plural program ROM (program ROM A 43a, B 43b and C 43c) storing control programs corresponding to the respective character data. A player selects a desired character by a select switch (provided on the front face part of the pachinko machine, for example). The data of the selected character are read out of the ROM, controlled by the correspondent control program and displayed on a display screen. Since series of image data in play state and non-play state are stored in the character data with contents different for each of characters, image display is performed differently for each selected character.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pachinko machine having a variable display device, and more particularly to a pachinko machine capable of displaying an image of a character selected from a plurality of types of characters on a display area of the variable display device. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional pachinko machine equipped with a variable display device, when a game ball wins a starting winning opening (starting winning device), a number or a picture (hereinafter, referred to as a character) displayed on the variable display device is displayed. When a predetermined symbol or the like is stopped and displayed after a predetermined time, a special winning opening is opened (big hit state).
In general, many prize balls can be obtained in a short time, and a game state advantageous to the player occurs. Therefore, for the player, the fact that the game ball wins the start winning opening and the variable display of the symbols is started is one factor for increasing the expectation of the big hit state. Also,
In the symbol fluctuation of the variable display device, before the big hit state occurs, two of the three fluctuation symbols are stopped and displayed with the same symbol, and the other one continues to display the fluctuation, so-called reach. A condition occurs. The reach state is a game state in which the expectation of the occurrence of the big hit state is greatly increased for the player, and the presence or absence of the reach state is one of the factors that greatly influence the player's willingness to play. Then, in order to further increase the player's expectation of the jackpot, the changing speed of the symbol which is stopped and displayed last among the three changing symbols is changed, or a character is displayed on the background of the symbol. When a big hit occurs, an effect image of a pachinko machine character is displayed in the display area in order to further enjoy the gaming state. Therefore, in expectation of the occurrence of a big hit state, the player keeps watching the variable symbol and the effect image by the character displayed on the variable display device most of the time during the game.

However, as described above, when a predetermined state such as a reach state or a big hit state occurs, the effect is produced by a symbol or a character, but such a state does not occur frequently, and the player simply works. It is not uncommon for the user to continue to see the variable display of similar symbols. Therefore, as a means for preventing the player from decreasing his / her willingness to play, a pachinko machine having the following contents has been proposed.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-194801, a plurality of different types of symbol groups composed of a plurality of symbols variably displayed on a display unit are prepared, and the symbol groups variably displayed each time a big hit occurs. Are proposed to change sequentially. Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In Japanese Patent No. 7147, data of different types of design characters which are variably displayed on the display unit are respectively stored in separate R characters.
There has been proposed a content that is stored in the OM so that the player can select a desired symbol character from among them, and enjoy the variable display of the display unit by the selected character.

[0005]

By the way, in the pachinko machine characterized by the above-mentioned contents, the symbol of the display unit can be selected according to the preference of the player, but the contents which can be changed are displayed on the display unit. It is only the type of symbol that is displayed in a variable manner, and other display contents, for example, the type of character that appears on the display unit when the so-called reach state occurs and directs the reach state, the state when the big hit state occurs The image of a single content is displayed on the display screen and the type of character appearing there, and the demo screen displayed on the display unit when the variable display operation of the pattern is not performed or when the game is not played. Was only done. For this reason, at the time of the fluctuation display of the symbol,
A player can increase the player's willingness to play a certain game, but there is no change in the content of other display images. It was difficult to provide.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a plurality of types of image data to be displayed on the display area of the variable display device during a series of games and during a non-game are prepared. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pachinko machine in which a favorite image is displayed in a display area by a player's selection, and a variety of games can be enjoyed.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game board having a display area arranged in a plurality of rows in a display area of a variable display device provided on a game board. Based on the winning of the game ball into the starting winning opening provided in the game board, a plurality of symbols are displayed in a variable manner on the display unit, and after a predetermined time, a symbol selected from the plurality of symbols is displayed. In the case of a pachinko machine that generates a special game state that is advantageous to a player when a combination of symbols stopped and displayed on each display unit is a combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed is a predetermined specific symbol combination, Character data storage means having image data of different characters; character selection means for selecting image data of any one of the plurality of different characters; Program storage means having a control program corresponding to the image data of the character, wherein the image data of the character selected by the player is controlled by the control program corresponding to the character, and a series of in-game and non-game The display area is displayed in the display area.

[0008] Since the image of the favorite character can be displayed in the display area by the selection operation of the player, a variety of games having different tastes can be realized with one pachinko machine. Here, the special game state that is advantageous to the player is a state in which a winning hole in a state in which a game ball is hard to win or does not win (closed state) is easy to win based on a stop display of a specific combination symbol ( (Open state), which means that a large number of game balls (prize balls) can be obtained in a short time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of different decorative characters corresponding to the plurality of different characters are arranged on a game board. is there. By providing the same decorative character as the character displayed in the display area of the variable display device on the game board, the player's willingness to play is further enhanced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the types of symbols variably displayed on the display units arranged in the plurality of columns differ depending on the selected character. It is characterized by the following.
By changing the symbol displayed variably on the display unit according to the character selected by the player, a more varied game content is provided.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a pachinko machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a game board of a pachinko machine. The basic operation of the pachinko machine is such that a symbol (a number, a pattern, etc.) displayed in a display area of the display device performs a fluctuation display operation for a predetermined time based on a game ball winning a predetermined winning opening. After that, if you stop and display with a specific symbol, the big winning opening will open, and it will be possible to get many prize balls in a short time,
This is a game content in which a special game state (big hit state) advantageous to the player occurs.

As shown in FIG. 1, a game board 1 has a substantially arc-shaped outer rail 2a and an inner rail 2b for guiding a game ball launched from a firing device by operating a handle (not shown).
Is provided, and a portion surrounded by the two rails 2a and 2b forms a game area 3. A variable display device 5 is provided substantially at the center of the game board 1 (game area 3), and the variable display device 5 is provided with a variable display device 6 for performing variable display of symbols. The display area of the variable display 6 is provided with three display sections, that is, a left display section 6a, a middle display section 6b, and a right display section 6c. And stop displayed.

On the upper part of the variable display device 5, a decorative character (decorative character 8) symbolizing the model of the pachinko machine is displayed.
a, a decorative character 8b, and a decorative character 8c). The number of the decorative characters is determined by the variable display 6
In this embodiment, the same number of characters (three) as the decorative characters 8a, 8b, 8c appears in the display area of the variable display 6 in this embodiment. (To be described later). Further, two LEDs 15 are provided on the left and right sides of the variable display device 5 (a total of four LEDs), and the number of times that the LEDs 15 are lit indicates the number of times the variable display 6 performs the variable display. .

A start winning opening 9 is provided below the variable display device 5, and below the starting winning opening 9 is continuously opened when a specific symbol is stopped and displayed on the variable display 6. The special winning opening 10 is provided. Further, a V winning zone 16 is provided inside the special winning opening 10. When a game ball that has won the special winning opening 10 passes through the V winning zone 16 during occurrence of a big hit state, the open state ends. The large winning opening 10 that has been closed is opened again. A general winning opening 11 is provided on both left and right sides of the special winning opening 10, and an out opening 1 for collecting a lost ball is provided below the large winning opening 10.
2 are provided. Further, on both left and right sides of the variable display device 5, windmills 13 that change the direction and speed of the game ball by contact are provided.

In this embodiment, when the combination of the three symbols stopped and displayed in the respective display areas of the variable display 6 is a specific combination (for example, three identical symbols are stopped and displayed together). In this case, the pachinko machine having a function of generating a gaming state advantageous to the player by setting the jackpot 10 to the open state with the jackpot state being opened, but is limited to the pachinko machine of this embodiment. In addition, as a function for generating a game state advantageous to the player, a probability changing function in which the probability of occurrence of a jackpot state increases based on predetermined conditions, or a variable display of symbols separately from the variable display 6 It may be a pachinko machine that performs an operation, for example, has a normal symbol display and has a time reduction function and the like.

Next, a control device for a pachinko machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. The control of the game of this pachinko machine is executed by a central processing unit (CPU) 20 having a ROM 21, a RAM 22, and the like. The ROM 21 stores control information such as control programs and control data describing a series of control procedures for the pachinko machine. The RAM 22 is used as a work area for writing / erasing control information of the CPU 20.

The CPU 20 has a symbol start switch 23
, A selection switch (character selection means) 33, a count switch 24, and a continuation switch 25 are connected to the input port 3
4 are connected. The symbol start switch 23 is
It is provided in the starting winning port 9 and detects a winning of a game ball to the starting winning port 9 to generate a symbol change start signal.
The selection switch 33 is a switch for selecting the type of image (character type) displayed on the display area of the variable display 6, and generates a selection switch signal upon detecting a switch pressing operation. This switch is provided at a position where the player can easily operate it, for example, at the front of a pachinko machine. The count switch 24 detects the number of gaming balls that have won the special winning opening 10 when the special winning opening 10 is opened due to the occurrence of the big hit, and generates a detection signal. The continuation switch 25 detects whether or not the game ball that has won the special winning opening 10 has passed through the V winning zone 16 for maintaining the open state of the special winning opening 10 and generates a detection signal. Then, signals generated by the respective switches are input to the CPU 20.

The CPU 20 has an indicator light control device 2
6, a voice control device 27, and a special winning opening solenoid 28
, A prize ball payout control device 29 and a symbol display control device 32 are connected via an output port 35, and respective control signals are transmitted from the CPU 20. Indicator light control device 26
To control the indicator light provided on the game board 1, for example, the indicator light for notifying the occurrence of the big hit state, the indicator light for notifying that the symbol change display is occurring, and the like. A signal is transmitted. A signal for controlling a speaker that outputs a sound effect during the game is transmitted to the voice control device 27. A signal for controlling opening and closing of the special winning opening 10 is transmitted to the special winning opening solenoid 28 when a large hit state occurs. To the prize ball payout control device 29, a signal for discriminating which winning port the game ball has won, that is, a signal for controlling the number of prize balls to be paid out to the player is transmitted. A signal for controlling the CPU 40 provided to control the variable display of the symbol of the variable display device 5 is transmitted to the symbol display control device 32.

The CPU 20 is connected to a power supply circuit 31 for supplying power and a reset circuit 30 for outputting a reset signal every predetermined time. Further, a pulse signal periodically generated by the timer counter is input from the CPU 20 to the reset circuit 30, and a monitor signal for monitoring a current supply amount is input from the power supply circuit 31.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the symbol display control device 32. As shown in FIG. The symbol display control device 32 uses the CP
Based on the signal sent from the U20, control data necessary for controlling the display of the variable display (LCD panel) 6 is generated, and the control data is converted to an image processing LSI 4
1 and a program storage means (a program ROMA 43a, a program ROMB 43) for storing a control program describing a control procedure of the CPU 40.
b, program ROMC 43c) and selection switch 33
ROM switching means 44 for switching the program storage means based on the operation described above, RAM 45 functioning as a work area and a buffer memory, an image processing LSI 41 for performing image development processing, and image data developed by the image processing LSI 41 RAM 46 for temporarily storing data, and character data storage means (character RO) storing data necessary for the image processing LSI 41 to develop an image.
MA47a, character ROMB47b, character R
OMC 47c) and a ROM switching means 48 for switching the character ROM based on the operation of the selection switch 33.
And an LCD panel interface circuit 49 for receiving and transmitting image data temporarily stored in the video RAM 46, and an LCD panel for outputting a display image using the image data transmitted from the LCD panel interface circuit 49. 6 is provided.

The character data storage means includes a plurality of character ROMs (character ROMA 47a, character R
OMB 47b and character ROMC 47c), and different ROMs store different character data. The different character data referred to here includes not only the case where the characters themselves are of different types, but also the case where the characters themselves are of the same type but the contents of the images are different. The program storage means includes a plurality of program ROMs (program ROMA 43a,
Program ROMB43b, Program ROMC43
c), and each ROM stores a control program corresponding to the character image data stored in each character data storage means.

Next, an embodiment of a game operation of the pachinko machine according to the present invention will be described. Image data stored in the character data storage means is read and displayed on the variable display (LCD panel) 6 according to each game state. For example,
Image data displayed in a normal gaming state, image data in a symbol variable display state started based on winning of a game ball in the starting winning opening 9, image data in a lost symbol stop display or a reach state symbol display, a big hit state Display image data at the time of occurrence, image data for demonstration displayed during a non-game state, and the like are stored in the character storage means, and are read and displayed according to each game state. A plurality of image data for displaying a series of game states and non-game states are prepared in advance, and are stored in the respective character ROMs (character ROMA 47a, character ROMB47b, character ROMC47c) for each series of image data. In addition, different types of characters (the main characters) appear in each series of image data, and each character has a different story. The display unit 6 of the variable display 6
The types of symbols variably displayed in a, 6b, and 6c also differ depending on the type of the selected character.

The player can operate a selection switch 33 (not shown) provided on the front of the game board, for example, to operate a plurality of characters prepared in advance (decorative characters 8a arranged on the upper part of the variable display device 5, 8b, 8c). The selection switch 33 is provided with two switches, for example, a change switch and a decision switch. Each time the change switch is pressed, a character is sequentially displayed on the variable display 6, and a favorite character is displayed on the variable display 6. When the enter switch is pressed, the character is selected. At this time, the decorative characters 8a, 8 arranged on the variable display device 5
b, 8c correspond to the character displayed on the variable display 6 based on the pressing operation of the change switch, and
Or the like, and the character to be selected may be brightly lit to notify the selected character.

When a character is selected, a character ROM corresponding to the selected character is designated by the ROM switching means 48, and the image data stored in the ROM is read. In addition, when the character ROM is designated by operating the selection switch 33, the program R for controlling the image data of the selected character is simultaneously displayed.
OM is specified by the ROM switching means 44. As a result, a series of image data (an image in which the designated character is the main character) stored in the designated character ROM is converted by the control program stored in the designated program ROM in accordance with each game state. It is controlled and displayed on the variable display (LCD panel) 6.

The character selection by operating the selection switch 33 is effective in the non-game state, and is set so as not to be accepted during the game state. Therefore, during the game, the character displayed by the operation of the selection switch 33 does not change to another character, so that there is no adverse effect such as the player erroneously recognizing the displayed symbol. If a character is not selected by the player when starting the game, the image data of the last character selected by the player who performed the game before that, that is, at the start of the game (non-game The image display of each game state is performed by the image data of the character displayed on the variable display 6 at the time of the state).

The ROMs used as the character data storage means and the program storage means can be replaced with ROMs storing other data, respectively, and the type of character displayed on the variable display 6 (contents of character data) And the control of the image can be easily changed only by replacing the ROM. The image of the exchanged ROM can be selectively displayed on the variable display 6 only by operating the selection switch 33 in the same manner as in the above-described selection method.

In this embodiment, a plurality of storage means (character ROMA 47a) are provided as character data storage means for storing data of each character and program storage means for storing a control program corresponding to each character data. , B4
7b, C47c), (program ROMs A43a, B4
3b, C43c) is described, but the present invention is not limited to this mode, and one character data storage means (character ROM) storing data of a plurality of characters and respective data corresponding to the plurality of character data are provided. When one program storage means (program ROM) storing all control programs is provided, or when a plurality of character data storage means and one program storage means are provided, one character data storage means and a plurality of program storage means are provided. It may be the case.

Further, the types of characters (leading characters) stored in the character data storage means are different for each character storage means (however, when a plurality of character data are stored in one character storage means). The present invention is not limited to the case where each character is different), but the main character of the same type is stored in a plurality of storage units or all storage units, and the story of each image data is different. It may be the case.

[0029]

According to the pachinko machine of the present invention, the player selects a favorite character from a plurality of different character image data stored in advance in the storage means, and a series of game states and In the non-gaming state, since the image data with the selected character as the main character can be displayed on the display screen, the player can enjoy the same fun as playing a plurality of different types of pachinko machines on one pachinko machine. Can be obtained. Due to the varied contents of the game, the period during which the player has interest in the pachinko machine of this model (the life of the pachinko machine) can be lengthened, and the number of times of changing the pachinko hall can be reduced. . In addition, since different image data can be displayed on the display screen by selection even though they are adjacent pachinko machines of the same model, the atmosphere is the same as that of pachinko halls with many models of pachinko machines installed. Can be created, and the interest of the player can be further enhanced. Further, on the game board surface, decorative characters of the same type as the characters that can be selectively displayed on the display screen as image data are provided, so that the player can easily recognize the types of characters that can be selected. it can. Further, since the type of the symbol variably displayed on the variable display is changed depending on the selected character, it is possible to provide more varied game contents.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device of the pachinko machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a symbol display control device of the pachinko machine according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game board 5 Variable display device 6 Variable display (LCD panel) 9 Starting winning opening 10 Big winning opening 6a, 6b, 6c Display section 8a, 8b, 8c Decorative character 33 Selection switch 43a Program ROMA 43b Program ROMB 43c Program ROMC 44 , 48 ROM switching means 47a character ROMA 47b character ROMB 47c character ROMC

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A display area of a variable display device provided on a game board, comprising a display section arranged in a plurality of rows, based on a winning of a game ball to a start winning port provided on the game board. ,
A plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed on the display unit, and after a predetermined time, a symbol selected from among the plurality of types of symbols is stopped and displayed on each display unit. In a pachinko machine that generates a special game state that is advantageous to the player when the combination is a specific symbol obtained, a character data storage unit having image data of a plurality of different characters; and Character selection means for selecting image data of any of the characters, and program storage means having a control program corresponding to the image data of each of the characters, wherein the image data of the character selected by the player is During a series of games, controlled by the control program corresponding to the character And a pachinko machine displayed in the display area during a non-game. 2. The pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of different decorative characters corresponding to the plurality of different characters are arranged on a game board. 3. The pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein the types of symbols variably displayed on the display units arranged in the plurality of rows are different depending on the selected character.