JP2002346130A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which achieves a higher variety of playing by raising or lowering the appearance rate of a certain specified advance notice performance according to the frequency of games. SOLUTION: In the game machine for executing various game states based on the holding of starting conditions, there are arranged a game state decision means for determining whether specified game states are offered or not based on the holding of the starting conditions, an advance notice performance selection means which has the advance notice performances with a higher possibility of reaching the specified game states and those with a lower possibility thereof and selects any advance notice performance from those as mentioned above by achieving the specified conditions pertaining to the game state involved, and a game state performance control means which works to display the game state containing the advance notice performance on a display means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a symbol display device for displaying a symbol in a variable manner and a stop display on condition that one of the game balls enters a starting winning port.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a ball-and-ball game machine (such as a pachinko game machine) has a liquid crystal image display area, usually called digital, provided on the front of the game machine. In this image display device,
There is a main display area for variably displaying a plurality of symbols (including pictures and numbers). In this main display area, the symbols are displayed in a variable manner as if they are rotating at a high speed. Are displayed in order to stop the rotation sequentially with the time difference of. In such a main display area, after a first symbol of a plurality of symbols is stopped, when the next symbol to be stopped (a second stopped symbol) is aligned with the first stopped symbol, a so-called reach state is established, and the remaining symbols are stopped. When all the symbols are aligned, a jackpot as a game situation advantageous to the player occurs. In other words, if the symbol pattern stopped in the main display area is a predetermined specific symbol pattern pattern, for example, a combination of “7”, “7”, and “7”, the pachinko game machine uses a pachinko ball. A game situation occurs in which a large number of game balls can be obtained.

[0003] In addition, when the stop symbol is a predetermined specific symbol, the probability variation that the jackpot is likely to occur during the next game continues even after the jackpot game situation ends. Some gaming machines have been used.

[0004] Next, a procedure for generating a jackpot will be described for a pachinko gaming machine. In other words, in order to win a jackpot in a pachinko gaming machine, a random number value that becomes a jackpot must be allocated from the jackpot random number generation range value in the jackpot determination program. In addition, the jackpot determination program,
This is for determining whether a big hit or a loss has occurred, and a plurality of symbols to be displayed in the main display area are all determined based on random numbers assigned by a symbol determination program described later.

In a pachinko gaming machine, when a sensor provided in a starting winning opening detects a game ball passing through the starting winning opening (hereinafter, a game ball is referred to as a ball), a jackpot determining program is started to execute a jackpot. One of the random number generation range values is determined. Then, in the main display area, a plurality of symbols are variably displayed as if they are rotating, and the plurality of symbols stop sequentially from the first symbol (first stopped symbol) based on the random number value assigned by the symbol determination program. Is displayed.

In the case of a jackpot, an image indicating the jackpot is displayed on the entire surface of the image display device including the main display area, and a lamp for producing the jackpot using a decorative lamp or a speaker provided on the front of the gaming machine. Flashing or music is output. On the other hand, if the player loses the game instead of the big hit, the image display device displays a normal symbol with the fluctuation, and the image display device waits until the next big hit occurs. Note that the symbol displayed in the main display area is a variable symbol indicating a big hit or a loss, and is therefore called a special symbol.

[0007] Further, before the symbols are stopped and displayed, a notice effect for notifying a big hit is displayed on the image display device in order to increase the player's sense of expectation. This notice production is at the time of high probability game (at the time of probability fluctuation game) and at the time of low probability game (at the time of normal game)
Are set to have a constant appearance rate.

[0008]

By the way, as the psychology of the player, it is considered that the greater the number of games, the higher the expectation of the jackpot. However, even if a large number of games have been played since the previous jackpot occurred, a losing notice effect may occur frequently. As described above, when the degree of expectation of the player is increasing, if a notice effect that does not meet expectations is made, there is a problem that interest is reduced. The present invention proposes to increase the appearance rate of a particular notice effect in accordance with the number of games played, or to reduce the appearance rate of a particular notice effect, thereby proposing a gaming machine having a wide variety of gaming properties. Technical issues.

[0009]

A game machine according to the present invention is configured as follows to solve the above-mentioned technical problem. That is, a gaming machine of the present invention is a gaming machine that executes various gaming states based on the establishment of a start condition, and a game state determination unit that determines whether or not to enter a specific gaming state based on the establishment of the start condition; A notice effect selecting means for selecting a notice effect from among the notice effects from among the notice effects according to the achievement of the specific condition related to the game state, having a notice effect with a high possibility of being in a specific game state and a notice effect with a low possibility And a game state effect control means for controlling a game state including the notice effect to be displayed on a display means.

[0010] With this configuration, the announcement effect can be selected by achieving a specific condition regarding the game state. Therefore, the appearance rate of a specific announcement effect can be increased according to the number of games, or the appearance ratio of a specific announcement effect can be increased. By lowering the value, it is possible to provide a variety of game characteristics.

The gaming machine of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned essential components, but is established even when the components are specifically as follows. That is, the gaming machine of the present invention
The game history counting means for counting the number of executions related to the game state, the specific conditions related to the game state, the determination of the presence or absence of the specific game state by the game state determination means, the count value of the game history counting means, It is characterized by including.

Further, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the count value of the game history counting means includes the number of times the start condition is satisfied.

Further, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the count value of the game history counting means includes a display number of reach effects to be effected when two combinations of symbols displayed on the display means are prepared. Features.

Still further, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the count value of the game history counting means includes a number of reach effects that are likely to be in the specific game state.

Further, the gaming machine of the present invention further comprises a symbol change holding means for holding a symbol change up to a predetermined number of times when the game ball wins during the symbol change display, and the game history counting means. The count value includes the winning number when the number of holdings of the symbol change holding unit is the predetermined number.

Further, the gaming machine according to the present invention is characterized in that there are a plurality of announcement effects each of which is likely to be in the specific game state and a plurality of announcement effects each of which has a low possibility.

Still further, the gaming machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the announcement effect that is likely to be in the specific gaming state is preferentially selected.

Further, the gaming machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the announcement effect having a low possibility of being in the specific gaming state is preferentially selected.

Still further, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the count value of the game history counting means is returned to an initial value when the specific game state ends.

Still further, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the count value of the game history counting means is a state in which the probability of the specific game state is high.

According to this configuration, a feeling of expectation can be increased by making a notice effect with a low appearance rate (high jackpot reliability) corresponding to the degree of expectation appear. In addition, the appearance of an announcement effect having a high appearance rate (low jackpot reliability) corresponding to the expectation degree can be prevented from lowering the expectation for the announcement effect having a high jackpot reliability. That is,
Despite the appearance of a notice effect with high jackpot reliability, it is possible to reduce a state in which the jackpot does not become a jackpot (a state in which the player is disappointed). The present invention is particularly effective when the jackpot has not appeared for a long time.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, a ball-and-ball game machine (hereinafter, referred to as a “pachinko ball”) that uses a ball (hereinafter, referred to as a “pachinko ball”) unless otherwise specified as a game ball is exemplified.

The pachinko gaming machine I shown in this embodiment is
It is classified as "Type 1" according to the bylaws of the Business Administration Law (Rules on Customs Sales Business and Law on Suitability of Business).

First, an overall image of a pachinko gaming machine will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine I as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 2 is a front view thereof.

The gaming board 1 of the pachinko gaming machine I includes:
A guide rail 2 for guiding a pachinko ball fired by operating a handle 28 as a firing device into the game board 1 is planted in a substantially circular shape. A substantially circular area defined by the guide rail 2 becomes the game area 3.

The pachinko gaming machine I is compatible with a prepaid card system, and is provided with a prepaid card unit II adjacent thereto.

The prepaid card unit II has a card reader 29 therein, and the player inserts the prepaid card 35 purchased before executing the game into the reading port 33 of the card reader 29, and the pachinko machine. Get ready to play the game.

At a substantially central portion of the game area 3, a plurality of identification information (hereinafter, referred to as numbers, symbols, patterns, etc.) is displayed by a liquid crystal display.
It is called "design". ) Is variably displayed.

The symbols displayed by the symbol display device 30 are not limited to those displayed on a liquid crystal display, but include those having a design drawn on the surface of a rotating drum, those having a design drawn on the surface of a rotating sphere, and dot matrix lamps. Display, CRT, EL
Any device, such as a display, can be used as long as it can change and display the design.

The symbol display device 30 is provided at the center of the game board surface 1, and the symbol display device displays a variable display mode and a fixed stop display mode using well-known three-digit symbols (32a, 32b, 32c). A determination result display unit 32.
The three-digit symbol (32
a, 32b, 32c) are displayed as follows. That is, when the starting winning ball detection sensor 5 provided near the starting winning port 4 detects a winning ball, a detected signal is sent to the main board 60 inside the pachinko gaming machine I. Then, on the main board 60, a determination program for determining a specific game state is executed, a random number lottery is performed, and based on the extracted values, the form of each fluctuating symbol, the fluctuating symbol background, and the display mode of the fixed stop symbol are determined. Then, as a result, the determination result display section 32 hits and displays a fixed stop symbol indicating the departure.

When the combination of the fixed stop symbols has a predetermined fixed stop display mode, a specific game state (a big hit or a big hit with a probability variation) in which the player can advantageously proceed with the game starts.

The specific game state refers to a jackpot state that appears after all of the variable displays on the determination result display section 32 have stopped, or a jackpot state with probability fluctuation that appears after all of the variable displays have stopped. If it is not in the specific game state, it is a loss. Therefore, the patterns 32a, 32b and 32c
Is a symbol that determines the presence or absence of a hit, so this is called a special symbol.

A mode in which at least one of the symbols 32a, 32b and 32c is changing is called a symbol change display mode.
A specific behavior of the special symbol (behavior during a change: reach effect, etc.) and a change display mode of the background of the special symbol (a sign effect, a notice effect, etc. using a change in a character, a background, or the like) are also included. On the other hand, a display mode when all the symbols are stopped is called a stopped symbol mode. By shifting the pattern from the variable display mode to the stop mode, the player is notified of whether the jackpot is a big hit or a losing, and in the case of a big hit, which of the symbols has hit the big hit, or whether it is a big hit with probability variation. Is done. Therefore, it can be said that the variable display mode of the symbol is related to the stopped symbol mode.

Above the symbol display device 30, a winning induction port 34 and decorative LEDs 35a and 35b are provided. Further, below the symbol display device 30, the above-mentioned starting winning opening 4 is provided. If the pachinko ball enters the starting winning opening 4, the pattern will be changed. Therefore, when the pachinko ball enters the starting winning opening 4, the start winning prize opening 4 is also referred to as the starting opening. The winning pachinko ball is hereinafter referred to as "winning ball" unless otherwise specified. The presence or absence of a prize is detected when a pachinko ball enters the starting winning port 4 by a prize detection sensor 5 which is a prize ball detector.

The number of pachinko balls that have won the starting winning opening 4 is stored in the reserved ball storage memory (RAM 60c) of the pachinko gaming machine I up to a predetermined maximum number (for example, four) as reserved balls. Note that the number of pieces stored in the reserved ball storage memory is referred to as a special symbol change storage number.

The number of reserved balls can be known to the player by the number of lighted reserved ball display LEDs 44, which are reserved ball lamps provided on the game board. Then, from the number of the lighted reserved ball display LEDs 44, the player can know how much of the remaining symbol changes (drum rotation). Therefore, the number of lit pending ball display LEDs 44 is
It can be said that the start storage information indicates a predetermined number of valid times (for example, four times) of a winning as a condition for starting the symbol change.
Since the start storage information holds the symbol variation up to a predetermined number of valid times, the reserved ball storage memory can be said to be symbol variation holding means.

In the vicinity of the starting winning port 4, there is a large winning device 6 corresponding to a variable winning device. The grand prize winning device 6
This is a type commonly called an attacker, and has an opening / closing member 9 that closes the special winning opening 8 in a normal state so that a pachinko ball is not won, and is not shown for a certain period only in the specific game state. The open / close member 9 is tilted forward and opened by a solenoid provided on the back of the game board, so that a pachinko ball can easily enter the large winning opening 8. The certain period refers to, for example, a period until a predetermined time (about 29 to 30 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number (9 to 10) of winning balls is generated.

Furthermore, the inside of the special winning opening 8 is divided into two right and left. The left section is a specific area in which the specific ball detector 11 is provided, and the right section is a normal area in which the winning ball detector 12 is provided.

A special winning ball detection sensor is disposed so as to detect a pachinko ball when the special winning opening 8 is won, and detects the special winning pachinko ball. In addition, a continuous winning area (not shown) provided so as to pass with a predetermined probability is provided inside thereof, and a continuous ball detecting sensor arranged to detect a pachinko ball passing through the continuous winning area. , A continuous winning pachinko ball is detected, and the acquired large winning detection signal and continuous winning detection signal are sent to the main board 60. Therefore,
Based on the signals detected by the special winning detection sensor and the continuous ball detecting sensor, the continuous control of the special winning device 6 is controlled by the
The program is executed by a program incorporated in the OM 60b.

That is, when the pachinko ball wins the starting winning opening 4 and the winning opening sensor 5 is turned on, the RO of the main substrate 60 is turned off.
Random numbers are assigned by the jackpot determination program, the symbol determination program, and the variation pattern determination program incorporated in the M60b. That is, if the random number value assigned by the jackpot determination program is the same as a predetermined jackpot random number value, it is determined to be a jackpot,
The symbol is determined by the random number value assigned by the symbol determination program, and the variation pattern including the reach is determined by the random number value assigned by the variation pattern determination program.

The symbol control board 61 is connected to the main board 60, and controls the symbol display device 30 based on a command output from the main board 60.

That is, the symbol display device 30, for example,
A special design is displayed in a variable manner, and a symbol that indicates a jackpot,
It is controlled to display the reach state and the special game state. Here, the special game state means that the symbol displayed on the determination result display section 32 is a predetermined specific symbol (“3”,
In the case of “3”, “3”, “7”, “7”, “7”), a state in which a jackpot is likely to occur during the next game continuously even after the jackpot game situation ends (probability variation) State).

In the main board 60 (ROM 60b), the presence or absence of a jackpot is determined by a jackpot determination program, and then a special symbol is determined by the random number value assigned by the symbol determination program. When the board 61 receives it, the symbol display device 30
Starts the change of the symbol displayed on the determination result display section 32, and after a lapse of a predetermined time after the start of the change, stops the change of the special symbols 32a, 32b, 32c in the order of left, middle, and right to stop the special symbol. Is determined based on the determination of the symbol determination program.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the left special symbol 32a is referred to as a first stop symbol, the middle special symbol 32b is referred to as a second stop symbol, and the right special symbol 32c is referred to as a third stop symbol.

Further, on the main board 60 (ROM 60b), a variation pattern including the presence or absence of the reach state is determined by the random number value assigned by the variation pattern determination program, and when the symbol control board 61 receives a command indicating the variation pattern, the symbol The display device 30 displays a preview effect including a reach effect based on the fluctuation pattern. Also, if the jackpot is determined by the jackpot determination program,
It becomes a specific game state (also called a jackpot game state), and the symbol display device 30 displays the jackpot symbol on the entire display screen after the announcement effect.

In addition, before the confirmation, in addition to the notice effect, the symbol 32a, 32b, 32c itself exhibits a special mode, and various effects such as a sign effect for indicating the occurrence of the specific game state are performed. There is.

Further, windmill type decorative lamps 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d each having a built-in light emitting lamp are provided on the left and right sides of the upper and lower portions of the symbol display device 30. Further, on both left and right sides of the special winning device 6, lamps 16a and 16b for notifying the winning are provided. Also,
Auxiliary decorative lamps 24a, 24b, 24c, 2 for notifying the prize are provided at the upper central portion and the left and right end portions of the game area 3.
4d and 24e are provided.

Illuminated articles 55 (see FIG. 3) such as auxiliary decorative lamps 24a to 24e include a resin lens formed of a translucent synthetic resin material, and a fluorescent lamp or LED provided in the resin lens. And the like, and are turned on or off according to the progress of the game. That is, it has a function as a light effect device. In addition, the illuminated article 55 is the
2, for example, and is controlled so as to be repeatedly turned on and off when the progress state of the game has shifted to the big hit state or the special game state. The lamp control board 62 is connected to the main board 60, and controls the electric decoration 55 based on a command output from the main board 60.

Further, a speaker unit 56 including the speakers 42, 42 provided above the symbol display device 30 is provided.
(See FIG. 3) outputs a sound in accordance with the progress of the game. That is, it has a function as a sound production device. Note that the speaker unit 55 is connected to the audio control board 62, and is controlled to output audio in response to, for example, a state in which the progress of the game has shifted to a jackpot state or a special game state. The audio control board 63 is connected to the main board 60, and controls the speaker unit 56 based on a command output from the main board 60.

Next, various control boards for controlling the gaming machine I will be described with reference to FIG. Main board (main control board) 6
Reference numeral 0 denotes a main board that controls and controls the gaming machine I, and includes a CPU 60a, a RAM 60b that temporarily stores processing items of the CPU 60a, and a ROM 60c that stores various programs executed by the main board 60. ROM60
The programs stored in c include a jackpot determination program, a symbol determination program, a variation pattern determination program, and the like. The main board 60 is connected to each sub-control board (sub-boards such as a symbol control board 61, a lamp control board 62, a voice control board 63, and a payout control board 64). Then, the main board 60 stores, in each sub-board, 8-bit data indicating the presence or absence of the jackpot assigned by the jackpot determination program, the symbol assigned by the symbol determination program, and the variation pattern including the reach assigned by the variation pattern determination program. Is transmitted by a 2-byte transmission method.

The symbol control board 61 is a sub-board for performing image (symbol display) processing based on the processing of the main board 60.
The symbol control board 61 includes a CPU 61a, a CPU 6
A RAM 61b for temporarily storing the processing items of 1a and for storing a selection table (see FIGS. 10 to 14) for a notice effect
A ROM 61c for storing various control programs executed by the symbol control board 61 is provided. Examples of the programs stored in the ROM 61c include a main program, an interrupt processing program by a main board, an interrupt processing program by a VDP (image display processor) of the symbol control board 61, and the like.

The lamp control board 62 is a sub-board that performs an effect processing by illumination based on the processing of the main board 60. The lamp control board 62 includes a CPU 62a and a CPU 6a.
A RAM 62b for temporarily storing the processing items 2a, a ROM 62c for storing a lighting effect program, and the like are provided.

The sound control board 63 is a sub-board that performs sound effect processing based on the processing of the main board 60. The sound control board 63 includes a CPU 63a and a CPU 63a.
And a ROM 63c for temporarily storing a sound effect program and the like.

The payout control board 64 is a sub-board for performing payout processing of game balls based on the processing of the main board 60. The payout control board 64 includes a CPU 64a, a RAM 64b for temporarily storing processing items of the CPU 64a, A ROM 64c for storing a payout processing program and the like are provided.

The launch control board 65 is a sub-board that controls the launch device 68 by the player's handle operation to launch a game ball into the gaming board 1. This launch control board 65
Includes a CPU and an RA for temporarily storing processing items of the CPU.
M and a ROM or the like for storing a control program or the like may be provided.

Next, the main board 60 executes the main control program to execute "power-on processing (see FIG. 4)", "system timer interrupt processing (see FIG. 5)", and "power-off interrupt processing".
(See FIG. 6) "will be described based on each flowchart.
The priority of the program execution performed by the main board 60 is as follows.
(A) Power-on processing, (b) system timer interrupt processing, and (c) power-off interrupt processing.

The power-on process is a process executed first after the power is turned on, as shown in FIG.
After performing initial settings such as the operation setting of the CPU 60a, a loop process to be repeatedly executed is configured.

That is, when the power is turned on, the CPU 6
0a is a CPU 60a such as a permission to access a built-in RAM
(Step 10)
1).

Next, the CPU 60a performs a power-off check process (step 102). In the power-off check processing, whether or not the power is turned on after the occurrence of the power-off and whether the power-up is started from the power return or the normal state is determined. There are three conditions for this distribution: the state of the RAM clear switch, the value of a flag to be set when power is turned off, the contents of all RAM areas when power is turned off, and the contents of all RAM areas when power is turned on.

In the condition of the state of the RAM clear switch, when "ON", the operation is started from the normal state, and when "OFF", the condition of the value of the flag to be set when the power is cut off is checked.

The condition of the value of the flag set when the power failure occurs is that when the flag value is “0”, the operation is started from the normal state, and when the flag value is “other than 0”, The contents of the RAM area and the conditions of the contents of all the RAM areas when the power is turned on are checked.

Under the conditions of the contents of all the RAM areas when the power is turned off and the contents of all the RAM areas when the power is turned on, when the contents of all the RAM areas are “mismatched”, the operation is started from the normal state, and If the content is “match”, the operation is started from power-off recovery.

Next, the CPU 60a determines whether or not the power has been restored (step 103). If the result of the determination is that the power has been restored (step 103; YES), the CPU 60a starts up from the power-off restoration (step 103). 104).

The activation from the power-off recovery in step 104 includes the return of the stack pointer, the transmission of a return command to each control command corresponding to the game state immediately before the power-off occurs, the return of each register, the return of the interrupt state, etc. After executing these, when power is turned on, the process returns and the subsequent processes are repeated.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that the power is not restored (step 103; NO), startup from the normal state is performed (step 105). The activation of the normal state in step 105 includes initialization of the stack pointer, “clearing to 0” of all RAM areas, initialization of the RAM area at normal startup,
Proceed to step 106.

In step 106, the CPU 60a performs a random number update process. In this random number updating process, the CP
U60a performs update processing such as updating of the special symbol initial value random number, updating of the random number for effect selection, and updating of the random number for special symbol loss symbol selection. Note that the special symbol initial value random number is a random number for determining the next start random number value when the special symbol jackpot determination random value has completed one round. The effect selection random number is a random number for determining the game content of the change at the start of the change. Further, the special symbol loss symbol selection random number is a random number for determining a stop symbol at the time of a loss change. Further, the processing of step 106 has a main loop structure, and updating processing such as updating of a special symbol initial value random number, updating of a random number for effect selection, and updating of a random number for selecting a special design loss symbol are repeated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the system timer interrupt process is a process executed periodically (for example, 3 ms), and updates a timer and updates a special symbol big hit determination random number.

That is, when the system timer interrupt process is started, the CPU 60a performs a save process for each register (step 201). Next, the RAM area is initialized (step 202), and the special symbol jackpot determination random number is updated (step 203). Step 2
In the RAM area initialization of 02, the output port buffer area and the like are initialized.

Next, the CPU 60a reads the port (step 204). In this port read, CP
U60a is a winning opening sensor (first-type starting opening switch) 5
For example, switch-related reading and edge detection are performed.

Next, the CPU 60a performs switch input management (step 205). This switch input management relates to winning invalidity determination means, and will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Next, the CPU 60a monitors for an abnormality such as an error of running out of supply balls or a full tank error (step 20).
6), special symbol control (special symbol management processing) is performed (step 207). This special symbol control (special symbol management processing)
In, the CPU 60a manages from the start to the stop of the change of the special symbol and prepares to send a command to the symbol control board 61. In this case, at the start of the change, a hit determination of the change and a change time are determined. In addition, the CPU 60a determines a hit at the time of the fluctuation stop, and in the case of a hit, performs management such as an open / close check of the ordinary electric accessory. The special symbol management process will be described later based on the flowchart of FIG.

Next, the CPU 60a performs normal symbol control (step 208). In this ordinary symbol control, C
The PU 60a normally manages from the start to the stop of the change of the symbol and prepares to send a command to the symbol control board (the display drive circuit 81 and the display selection circuit 82). In this case, at the start of the change, a hit determination of the change and a change time are determined. In addition, the CPU 60a determines a hit at the time of the fluctuation stop, and in the case of a hit, performs management such as an open / close check of the ordinary electric accessory.

Next, the CPU 60a operates the lamp control board 6
Then, a command is transmitted to 2 to perform lamp control (step 209). That is, in this lamp control, the CPU 60a transmits a special symbol operation storage number display lamp command, transmits a normal symbol operation storage number display lamp command, and further corresponds to a special symbol game state (for example, a special symbol A ramp) command for informing the player of the game state is transmitted. Further, a prize ball payout state display lamp command is transmitted.

Next, the CPU 60a operates the payout control board 64
, A command is transmitted to perform award ball payout control (step 210). That is, in the prize ball payout control, the CPU 60a refers to the value of the prize ball counter area updated by the switch input, transmits the command of the number of prize balls corresponding to each switch, updates the RAM area for confirming the prize ball payout number, and The value of the award ball counter area is updated by “−1”.

Next, the CPU 60a sets an output signal to a hall computer (not shown) and a game machine test signal, and outputs external information (step 211). The signal set here is a special symbol jackpot signal or the like.

Next, the CPU 60a operates the symbol control board 6
1. A command is transmitted to the lamp control board 62, the voice control board 63, and the like (step 212).

Next, the CPU 60a outputs the signal set in the special symbol control, the ordinary symbol control and the external information output to the output port (step 213).

Next, the CPU 60a performs a process of restoring each register (step 214), permits an interrupt (step 215), and returns to the process before the system timer interrupt process.

The power interruption process is a process executed when a power interruption occurs, as shown in FIG. That is, when a power interruption occurs, the CPU 60a of the main board 60 saves each register (step 301).
The interrupt state is saved (step 302), and the stack pointer is saved (step 303).

Next, the CPU 60a performs a prize ball detection process (step 304). In this prize ball detection process, the prize balls detected within the power interruption time are managed (the RAM area is updated).

Next, the CPU 60a performs a RAM checksum calculation process (step 305). In this RAM checksum calculation process, the CPU 60a performs a calculation to check whether or not the value of the RAM area at the time of the power failure is normal when the power is restored after the power failure. This calculation method is based on R
This is to add the values of all RAM areas except the AM checksum storage area, and the CPU 60a
It is stored in the AM checksum storage area.

Next, the CPU 60a sets a power-off check flag (step 306). With the setting of the power-off check flag, the CPU 60a stores the power-off occurrence value in the RAM area used for checking whether or not the power-off state has been restored when the power is turned on. Then, after the processing of step 306, the CPU 60a waits until the next interrupt processing is performed.

Next, the switch input management processing will be described with reference to FIG. The main board 60 performs an input check of each switch based on a switch signal (sensor signal) indicating that a pachinko ball has won a winning port including the starting winning port 4. In the case of a sensor signal from the starting winning port 4 (starting winning ball detection sensor; special symbol related switch), the main board 60 determines whether winning is invalid via the symbol control board 61.

That is, the CPU 60a of the main board 60
When the switch management process (Step 205 in FIG. 5) starts, an input check of a special symbol-related switch (Step 401), an input check of an ordinary symbol-related switch (Step 402), an input check of a prize ball-related switch (Step 403), And so on.

Then, the CPU 60a checks the input of the special symbol-related switch (step 401),
When the seed starting port switch check process (step 411) is started, it is determined whether or not the starting winning ball detection sensor 5 is "ON (winning)" (step 421). CPU6
0a is the result of the determination, the starting winning ball detection sensor 5 is "ON"
If (Step 421; YES), Step 422
If it is not "ON" (step 421;
NO), and return to the process of step 411.

In the process of step 422, the CPU 60a determines whether or not the planned number of symbol fluctuations scheduled to be executed by the winning sphere exceeds the maximum scheduled execution number (for example, four times). That is, it is determined whether or not the special symbol operation storage number (storage status value) is full. CP
If the result of the determination is that the number of executions exceeds the maximum number of executions (if the storage status value is full; step 42)
2; YES), the process proceeds to step 423, and if the maximum number of executions is not exceeded (unless the storage status value is full; step 422; NO), step 42 is executed.
Go to step 4. If the special symbol operation storage number exceeds four, the lighting of the reserved ball display LED 44 is fully lit, and winning more than that is invalid.

In the process of step 423, the CPU 60a increments the invalid storage counter by “1” and proceeds to step 4
It returns to the process of 11.

On the other hand, in the process of step 424, the CPU 60a adds "1" to the special symbol operation storage number (storage status value) and returns to the process of step 411.

Next, in the process of step 412, the CPU 60a of the main board 60 performs a count switch passing process and a specific area passing process (step 413).
That is, the addition of the symbol operation storage number and the storage of the special symbol jackpot determination random number in the RAM area are performed. When the count switch is "ON", a special winning opening winning counter is added. Further, when the specific area switch is "ON", a V establishment flag (RAM area) is set and a special winning opening winning counter is added. Then, after the process of step 428, the CPU 60a returns to the process of step 401.

Next, in the process of step 402, the CPU 60a of the main board 60 performs an input check process of the ordinary symbol related switch. That is, when the normal symbol operation gate is “ON”, addition of the normal symbol operation storage number and storage of the RAM area of the random number for normal symbol hit determination are performed.

Next, in the process of step 403, the CPU 60a performs an input check process of the prize ball related switch. That is, the state of the switch related to the winning ball (for example, the starting winning ball detection sensor 5 or the like) is checked, and “O
In the case of the "N" state, the value of the RAM area (prize ball counter area) corresponding to each switch is updated by "+1". Also,
When the award ball counting switch (switch for detecting the paid-out ball) is in the “ON” state, the value of the payout request RAM area is updated by “−1”. Then, after the processing of step 403, the CPU 60a returns to the processing of step 205 in FIG.

[Game State Effect Control Means] Next, the special symbol management processing related to the game state effect control means will be described with reference to FIG. That is, when the special symbol management process (step 207 in FIG. 5) starts, the CPU 60a of the main board 60 updates the special symbol related timer via the symbol control board 61 (step 501), and executes the special symbol related timer. Special symbol game control processing to be monitored (step 50)
2), etc. The update of the special symbol-related timer means updating the time from the start to the end of the special symbol fluctuation time, the special symbol determination time, the jackpot time, the special electric auditors character opening time, and the like.

Next, the special symbol game control processing performed in step 502 will be described in more detail. First, when the special symbol game control process starts, the CPU 61a of the symbol control board 61 performs a special symbol operation storage number check process (step 511).

In this special symbol operation storage number check processing, the CPU 61a of the symbol control board 61
It is determined whether or not the special symbol operation memory number in 1a is “0” (operation memory number = 0 ?; step 521). If the special symbol operation memory number is “0” (step 521; YE)
S), a customer waiting demonstration is performed on the symbol display device 30.
Is output (step 522), and the process returns to step 511.

On the other hand, if the special symbol operation storage number is not "0" (step 521; NO), the CPU 61a performs the processing from step 523. That is, the CPU 61
In the case of a, a special symbol change start time is set in the RAM 61b (step 523), and a special symbol jackpot is determined based on a command of the main board 60 (step 524).
If there is an instruction to further reduce the variation time, a special symbol variation time reduction determination is performed (step 525), and a special symbol variation pattern selection process is performed (step 526). This special symbol variation pattern selection processing will be described later based on the flowchart of FIG.

Next, the CPU 61a determines a special symbol stop symbol based on the command of the main board 60 (step 5).
27), and set the fluctuation time of the special symbol (step 52).
9), subtract "1" from the number of stored special symbols (step 52).
9) Return to step 511.

In step 512, the CPU 61a monitors the special symbol fluctuation time and performs a special symbol fixed time monitoring process (step 513). In the special symbol determination time monitoring process, the CPU 61a first determines whether or not it is the special symbol determination time (step 531). If it is not the special symbol determination time (step 531; NO), step 51
The process returns to step 3. On the other hand, if it is the special symbol determination time (step 531; YES), the number of times the special symbol has changed is counted as a parameter (step 532). The parameter of the counted number of changes is stored in the RAM 61b.

Next, the CPU 61a determines whether or not the reach fluctuation is performed (step 533). If the reach fluctuation is not performed (step 533; NO), the process returns to the step 513. On the other hand, if the reach fluctuation has been performed (step 533; YES), the number of times the reach fluctuation has been performed is counted as a parameter (step 534). The parameter of the counted number of reach fluctuations is stored in the RAM 61b.

Next, the CPU 61a determines whether or not the high-probability reach fluctuation has been performed (step 535), and if the high-probability reach fluctuation has not been performed (step 53).
5; NO), and returns to the process of step 513. On the other hand, if the high probability reach fluctuation has been performed (step 535; YE
S), the number of times that the high probability reach fluctuation has been performed is counted as a parameter (step 536). The parameter of the counted number of reach fluctuations is stored in the RAM 61b. When the processing in step 536 is completed, the CPU 61a returns to the processing in step 513.

At step 514, the CPU 61a monitors the jackpot start display time, and monitors the opening time of the special electric accessory (ie, the special winning device 6) (step 51).
5), monitor after the special electric accessory is closed (step 51)
6), a jackpot end display time monitoring process is performed (step 517). In the big hit end display time monitoring process, the CPU 61a first determines whether or not it is a big hit end time (step 541). If it is not a big hit end time (step 541; NO), the process returns to step 517. On the other hand, if it is the jackpot end time (step 54)
1; YES), switching between a low probability and a high probability is performed (step 542), each parameter temporarily stored in the RAM 61a is cleared (step 543), and the process returns to the step 517.

In the processing of step 518, the CPU 6
1a monitors the end of special symbol operation, and proceeds to step 5
02, and further returns to the process of step 207 in FIG.

[Notification Effect Selection Means] Next, the special symbol variation pattern selection processing according to the notice effect selection means will be described with reference to FIG. The notice effect is selected from the notice effect selection tables shown in FIGS. Therefore, FIG.
The selection table of the announcement effect shown in FIG. 14 will be described.

The selection table for the announcement effect shown in FIG.
Notice of parameters such as probability variation parameter (a), rotation speed parameter (b), reach number parameter (c), high-probability effect parameter (d), invalid number parameter (e), etc., and default values It is a table that corresponds to the effect (default value), the notice effect that gives priority to the case where the appearance rate of the jackpot is high (high-probability selection priority), or the notice effect that gives priority to the case where the appearance rate is low (low-probability selection priority), It is registered in the ROM 61c of the symbol control board 61.

In this selection table of the announcement effect, each parameter is divided into a plurality of stages in every case.
In each case, "default value (normally used value)",
“High-probability selection priority” or “low-probability selection priority” is allocated and assigned.

FIG. 11 illustrates the selection table of the notice effect in FIG. 10 in more detail. In FIG. 11, the effect mode table is arranged corresponding to the selection range of the display announcement effect at the time of the big hit and the selection range of the display announcement effect at the time of the loss.

Then, in the special symbol variation pattern selection processing according to the notice effect selection means, the C of the symbol control board 61
When the special symbol variation pattern selection process (step 526 in FIG. 8) starts, the PU 61a acquires the content of either the high-probability game or the low-probability game switched in step 542 (step 601), and The selection table of the notice effect for the block of the corresponding condition (FIG. 10)
(See step 602 and step 60)
3) Obtain a block of the parameter (a) that satisfies this condition (step 604).

Next, the CPU 61a acquires the numerical value of the number of times the special symbol has changed in step 532 (step 60).
5) A block of the condition corresponding to the obtained numerical value is searched from the selection table of the announcement effect (steps 606 and 607), and a block of the parameter (b) satisfying the condition is obtained (step 608).

Next, the CPU 61a obtains the numerical value of the number of reach fluctuations in step 534 (step 609), and searches the selection table of the announcement effect for a block corresponding to the obtained numerical value (steps 610 and 611). ), A block of the parameter (c) that satisfies this condition is obtained (step 612).

Next, the CPU 61a obtains the numerical value of the number of times of high probability reach fluctuation in step 536 (step 61).
3) Retrieve a block of the condition corresponding to the acquired numerical value from the selection table of the announcement effect (steps 614 and 615), and acquire a block of the parameter (d) that satisfies the condition (step 616).

Next, the CPU 61a obtains the numerical value of the number of invalid occurrences of the special symbol storage in step 423 (step 6).
17) Retrieve a block of the condition corresponding to the acquired numerical value from the selection table of the announcement effect (steps 618 and 619), and acquire a block of the parameter (e) that satisfies the condition (step 620).

Next, the CPU 61a determines whether or not it is a big hit (step 621). If it is a big hit (step 621: YES), the CPU 61a selects a big hit effect mode table (step 622). On the other hand, if it is not a jackpot (step 621; NO), the CPU 61a selects an effect mode table at the time of loss (step 62).
3).

Next, the CPU 61a determines the announcement effect based on the selected effect mode table and the effect determination random number (step 624), and returns to the process of step 526 in FIG. The announcement effect displayed on the symbol display device 30 can be exemplified by (1) a jackpot determination pattern, (2) a high expectation pattern, (3) a medium expectation pattern, and (4) a small expectation pattern.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of FIG. Since the contents of each step are the same as those in FIG. 7, the detailed description is omitted.

[0113] In the notice effect of the claims of the present invention, for example, a jackpot notice that expects a player to have a possibility of reaching a jackpot, and a player expects that there is a possibility of reaching a hit. There is a reach announcement, a probable change announcement that expects the player to be a jackpot with probability fluctuation, and the like.

The present invention is suitable for a game machine such as a slot machine in addition to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine.

[0115]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the announcement effect can be selected by achieving a specific condition relating to the game state, the appearance rate of a particular announcement effect is increased in accordance with the number of games, or the appearance ratio of a particular announcement effect is lowered, thereby improving the playability. Can be varied.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game machine of the present invention applied to a ball-and-ball game machine, viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control unit of the gaming machine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process at power-on.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process when a system timer interrupt occurs.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing when a power interruption occurs.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a switch input management process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a special symbol management process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a special symbol variation pattern selection process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a selection table of a notice effect.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a selection table of a notice effect.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the switch input management process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 I Pachinko machine 1 Gaming board 2 Guidance rail 3 Gaming area 4 Starting winning opening 5 Winning detection sensor 6 Variable winning ball unit 8 Winning area 9 Opening / closing member 10 Solenoid 11 Specific ball detector 12 Winning ball detector 13 Number display LED 14 Display LED 15a winning opening 16a attacker lamp 16b attacker lamp 17a windmill lamp 17b windmill lamp 18a windmill 18b windmill 19a shoulder lamp 19b shoulder lamp 20a winning opening 20b winning opening 21a sleeve lamp 21b sleeve lamp 22a winning opening 22a winning opening 22b winning opening 22b 22 25 Ball guide member 26 Out opening 27 Lamp 30 Symbol display part 32a First stop symbol (special symbol) 32b Second stop symbol (special symbol) 32c Third stop symbol (special symbol) 34 Winning opening 35a Decoration LED 35b Decoration LED 5 0 Main display area 52 Sub display area 60 Main control board (main board) 61 Sub control board (symbol control board)

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine that executes various gaming states based on the establishment of a start condition, a game state determining means for determining whether to enter a specific game state based on the establishment of the start condition, and the specific game state. An announcement effect selecting means for selecting an announcement effect from among the announcement effects by achieving a specific condition relating to the gaming state, having an announcement effect having a high possibility of becoming an announcement effect and an announcement effect having a low possibility of the announcement, A gaming machine, comprising: a game state effect control unit that controls a game state including an effect to be displayed on a display unit. 2. A game history counting means for counting the number of executions related to the game state, wherein the specific condition related to the game state includes a determination of the presence or absence of the specific game state by the game state determination means and a game history count. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
A gaming machine according to claim 1. 3. The count value of said game history counting means includes the number of times the start condition has been satisfied.
A gaming machine according to claim 1. 4. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein the count value of the game history counting means includes the number of reach effects displayed when two combinations of symbols are displayed on the display means. The gaming machine described. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the count value of the game history counting means includes the number of reach effects that are likely to be in the specific game state. 6. When the game ball wins during the display of the symbol change, a symbol change holding means for holding the symbol change up to a predetermined number of times is provided, and the count value of the game history counting means is the symbol change hold. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the number of holdings of the means includes the number of winnings at the predetermined number of times. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of announcement effects each of which is likely to be in the specific gaming state and a plurality of announcement effects each of which has a low possibility. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a notice effect having a high possibility of being in the specific game state is preferentially selected.
A gaming machine according to any one of the above. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein a priority is given to a notice effect that is unlikely to be in the specific game state.
A gaming machine according to any one of the above. 10. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the count value of said game history counting means is returned to an initial value at the end of said specific game state. 11. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein the count value of said game history counting means is a state in which the probability of being in the specific game state is high.