JP2003010462A - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko machine capable of displaying varying time of patterns and heightening expectation of a player on the basis of the displayed varying time. SOLUTION: A plurality of varying patterns for determining a way of performing the varying display of images are set, and a plurality of ready-to-win varying patterns in which parts of combinations of images are matched with one another to be in a specific mode of display are set in the varying patterns. The pachinko machine is provided with both a varying pattern determining means for determining according to which varying pattern of the images are varied and displayed on the basis of an actuating means and a varying time display means for displaying the time required for the varying display of the images. The ready-to-win varying patterns include a varying pattern of a different possibility of becoming in the specific display mode and of the same varying display time. The varying time of the images is related to a combination mode of the images capable of shifting to a special game state, and the varying time of the images is displayed on the varying time display means provided for an image display device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols in a game section where a hit ball shot by a player flows down, and a symbol display device which detects a ball entering a starting opening. The starting means for starting the variable display, and the special game state based on the combination mode of the display symbols when the variable display is stopped by the symbol display device becomes the special game state, which is disadvantageous to the player.
The present invention relates to a pachinko machine provided with a variable winning device capable of converting a state to a second state advantageous to a player.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, most of the pachinko machines installed in amusement stores and enjoyed by players, the symbol display device starts a variable display based on the entry into the symbol start opening, and after a lapse of a predetermined time. When the symbols to be stopped and displayed are in a predetermined combination mode, a special game state called "big hit" is entered, and the variable winning device is converted into a second state in which the hit ball is extremely easy to win and is advantageous to the player. It is the one. And, the variation time of the symbol is almost fixed, and it is disclosed in JP-A-10-5.
In the gaming machine described in Japanese Patent No. 2534, the remaining time until the variable display is stopped is displayed when the so-called "reach state" in which some of the combinations of symbols are arranged is displayed. Further, in the gaming machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-313945, it is possible to display the elapsed time from a predetermined count time until the symbol is fixedly displayed.

[0003]

However, in the conventional pachinko machine capable of displaying the variable time, the variable time of the symbol is merely visually displayed, so that the symbol to be stopped can be predicted. However, the expectation for the design, that is, the expectation for the combination of the designs that will be a big hit cannot be expected so much. The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a pachinko machine capable of displaying a variation time of a symbol and increasing the player's expectation based on the displayed variation time. .

[0004]

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols, and a variation of the symbol display device based on a ball entering a starting opening. Starting means for starting the display and a special game state based on the combination mode of the symbols when the symbol display device stops the variable display, the first state which is disadvantageous to the player and the second state which is advantageous to the player In a pachinko machine equipped with a variable winning device that can be converted to, while setting a plurality of variation patterns that determine how variable display of symbols is performed, a part of the combination of symbols coincides with the variation patterns. Based on the variation pattern, a plurality of reach variation patterns which are specific display modes are set, and variation pattern determining means for determining which variation pattern the symbols are to be variably displayed based on the starting means, and the variation pattern based on the variation pattern. The variation time display means for displaying the time required for variable display of the symbol is provided, and the reach variation pattern includes the variation pattern having the same variation display time but different possibility of being in a specific display mode. It is a pachinko machine that associates the variation time of the symbols displayed on the display means with the combination mode of the symbols that can be shifted to the special game state. The invention according to claim 2 is, in addition to the configuration of claim 1, a pachinko machine that is provided with a variable time display means in a symbol display device and displays the variable time of the symbol immediately after the symbol starts variable display.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an outline of a pachinko machine 1.
In the pachinko machine 1, a frame-shaped front frame 12 having a window portion is hinged to one side of the outer frame 11 so that the front frame 12 can be opened and closed.
3 is attached, and a glass frame 14 having glass attached is hinged to the upper part of the metal frame 13 and the game board is faced from the rear, and an upper plate 21 for storing balls is provided in the lower part of the window. A panel 22 provided with an upper plate set 2 is hinged to be openable and closable, and an operation handle 31 for adjusting the flight distance of a hit ball and a lower plate for storing balls overflowing from the upper plate 21 are provided in a lower portion of the front frame 12. The lower plate set 3 is provided with 32 and the like.

In the game area where the hit balls shot by the player flow down, that is, in the game section 4 surrounded by the guide rails 41, a center character object 5 provided with a special symbol display device 51 at the center thereof.
Is provided, and the symbol starting opening 6 is provided below the center accessory 5.
Is arranged, the special winning opening unit 7 having the special winning opening 71 is arranged further below, and the outlet 42 is formed at the lowest position. On the left and right of the center accessory 5, as shown in FIG. 2, a normal symbol start switch SW2 as a sphere detector.
The gate 8 provided with is arranged, and when the ball passes through the gate 8, the symbol is displayed on the ordinary symbol display device 72 provided in the special winning opening unit 7. In addition to the above-mentioned devices, the gaming section 4 includes a lamp windmill 43 and a windmill 44, a side lamp 45, and a general winning opening 46 for converting the flow direction of a hit ball.
Etc. are provided. In addition, many obstacle nails (not shown) are appropriately planted on the game board surface.

The center accessory 5 is provided with a special symbol display device 51 using, for example, liquid crystal, and this special symbol display device 51.
Allows a plurality of symbols (identification information) to be variably displayed in three digits. Then, when the symbols stopped and displayed by the special symbol display device 51 become a predetermined combination, a big hit occurs and a special game state is entered, and in this special game, the special winning opening operating solenoid SOL1 shown in FIG. 2 is provided. The large winning opening 71 formed by the variable winning device 70
Open to the state and benefit the player.

In this embodiment, the special symbol display device 51 has a variable time display means D according to the present invention described later.
It is functioning as an SP.

The special winning opening 71 is provided with a special winning opening having a continuation switch SW3 shown in FIG. 2 and a general winning opening having a 10-count switch SW4. Also, the period during which the special winning opening 71 is opened by the special game is 1
It is limited by the number of winnings counted by the 0 count switch SW4 and a time based on a timer formed by a CPU or the like which will be described later, but based on the continuation switch SW3 detecting a ball that has won a special winning opening, a predetermined number of times is reached. It can be updated.

Further, the center accessory 5 is provided with a starting memory display device 52 for displaying that the entry into the symbol starting port 6 is stored. The special symbol display device 51 can display not only the symbol representing the identification information related to the big hit, but also other messages and images.

The symbol starting port 6 is for starting the variable display of symbols in the special symbol display device 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary wing piece 61 stands up and it is difficult to enter a hit ball. It is composed of a normal electric accessory 62 which can be converted into one state and a second state in which the rotary wing piece 61 is tilted by exciting the normal electric accessory operating solenoid SOL2 of FIG. I am doing it. In addition, in this embodiment, the symbol starting port 6 is composed of the normal electric winning device 62 which is a variable winning device, but it may be composed of a normal winning device.

The normal electric auditors product 62 is a hit when the normal symbol display device 72 arranged in parallel with the special winning opening unit 7 displays a predetermined symbol, and excites the ordinary electric auditors working solenoid SOL2. The rotating wing piece 61 is easy to enter
Set to convert to state. Incidentally, the normal symbol display device 72 is constituted by a so-called digital display composed of, for example, a 7-segment light emitting diode, and may display numbers or alphabets as a symbol,
A plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) may be provided and the time when a specific light emitting diode is turned on may be set as the winning.

The pachinko machine as described above is shown in FIG.
A game is played under the control system shown in. That is, CPU
In the main control portion P1 configured by providing the ROM 100 and the RAM 101 centering around the above, other than the special symbol starting switch SW1 described above via the input port P2, a normal symbol starting switch SW2, a continuation switch SW3, a 10 count switch SW4 While connected to, other than the special symbol display device 51 through the output port P3, normal symbol display device 72,
Starting memory display device 52, special winning opening operation solenoid SOL
1. Ordinary electric accessory operating solenoid SOL2, lamp display device 45, sound effect generator SND and prize ball payout device RE
P is connected to the main control unit P1 and input / output ports P2, P
3 forms a control device P. Further, a power supply circuit PW and a clock circuit CLK are connected to the main control unit P1.

The pachinko machine according to the present invention is controlled according to the flow charts of FIGS. 3 to 7 under the control system shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a basic game of a pachinko machine. In this flow chart,
When the pachinko game is started, initial setting is performed in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1. That is, when the power is turned on, initial settings such as clearing the RAM 100 and the input / output ports P2 and P3 are performed. Next, in S2, an illegal process is executed to determine whether an illegal game is being performed.
For example, the 10 count switch SW of the variable winning device 70
When 4 is ON or short-circuited continues for a predetermined time or longer, it is determined to be incorrect, and if the 10-count switch SW4 is not turned ON even after the variable winning device 70 is opened, this is also determined to be incorrect, and the voice processing of S6 is performed. In addition to issuing an alarm, a warning is issued by turning on or blinking a lamp or the like by the indicator light process of S7.

Next, in S3, a normal symbol / normal electric accessory processing which will be described later is executed. That is, in this normal symbol / normal electric accessory processing, as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol starting switch SW2 is turned on in S3-1, and if not turned on, it is ordinary in S3-3. It is determined whether or not there is a symbol starting memory. On the other hand, if the normal symbol starting switch SW2 is turned on in S3-1, the normal symbol starting memory is incremented by 1 in S3-2. In general, the upper limit of the normal symbol starting memory is set to four.

If there is a normal symbol starting memory in S3-3, in the next S3-4, the starting memory is decremented by -1, and then in S3-5,
In the normal symbol display device 72, the variation display of the symbol is started, and the variation is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. S3-
At 6, it is determined whether or not the stopped normal symbol is hit, and if it is out, the process is restored. On the other hand, if it is a hit, the normal electric accessory 62 is opened for a predetermined time, for example, 0.5 seconds in S3-7. The ordinary electric accessory 62 is provided with a special symbol starting switch SW1 in the next special symbol displaying process.

The special symbol display processing in S4 is, as shown in FIG. 5, the special symbol starting switch S in S4-1.
It is determined whether W1 is turned on, and if it is turned on, S4
In −2, a stop symbol is determined, and a random number for selecting a variation pattern that determines the process of stopping and displaying the symbol is acquired. Next, in S4-3, the special symbol starting memory is incremented by one. In S4-4, it is determined whether or not there is a starting memory, and if there is a starting memory, S4-
In step 5, the start memory is decremented by 1. If there is no start memory, the process returns.

In the next S4-6, special symbol variation processing is executed. In this special symbol variation process, as shown in FIG. 6, in S4-6-1, the variation pattern is determined by the variation pattern determination means PAT provided in P on the control device based on the random number acquired in S4-2. decide. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, there are seven types of variation patterns, and these seven types of patterns are selected. The first pattern is
In the case that it becomes off, it is a predetermined time, for example 1
It is a normal variation pattern that is set to stop after displaying the off symbol after 0 seconds.

The second variation pattern is a time reduction pattern in which the variation time is shorter than usual, for example, 6 seconds. According to this time reduction pattern, the game can be changed and the speed can be increased.

The third variation pattern is a part of the symbol, that is, a so-called reach state in which the first symbol and the second symbol are aligned, and the variation time is set to 20 seconds. In addition, in the third variation pattern, the probability of a big hit from the reach is 1/10, in other words, the reach reliability is 10
It is set to%. The third variation pattern will be referred to as reach A hereinafter.

Fourth fluctuation pattern (hereinafter, reach B)
, The variation time of the symbol is set to 30 seconds, and the reliability of reach is 10% like reach A.

Fifth variation pattern (hereinafter, reach C)
, The variation time of the design is the same 30 seconds as reach B, but the reliability of reach is increased to 60%.

Sixth variation pattern (hereinafter, reach D)
The symbol variation time is set to 35 seconds, and the reach reliability is 20%. The reach D is developed from the reach A described above, and the reliability of the reach is enhanced. That is, when the reach A is changed to the reach D, the reliability is increased and the expectation of the player is improved.

In the seventh variation pattern, the symbol variation time is set to 35 seconds, which is the same as the reach D, but the reach reliability is 100%. That is, the pattern is always a big hit.

Then, in S4-6-2, it is determined whether or not the variable time is displayed. If it is displayed, the variable time is displayed on the variable time display means DSP in S4-6-3. The display of this variation time is preferably short enough to be recognized by the player. If the display time is short, the player pays attention to the variable time display means DSP in order to prevent the player from overlooking the display, and the concentration is enhanced. On the other hand, it is undeniable that the attention is distracted if it is displayed constantly or for a long time.
In addition, the variation time display means DSP is formed by the special symbol display device 51 in this embodiment, that is, the variation time display device DSP is configured to display the variation time on the special symbol display device 51.

In S4-6-4, variable display of symbols is started, and in S4-6-5, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, in S4-6-6, the above-mentioned is executed. After stopping and displaying the symbol based on the random number, it returns.

When the symbols stop, in S4-7, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit. If it is a big hit, in S5, a special winning opening opening process is executed.

In the special winning opening opening process shown in FIG. 7, first,
In S5-1, the special winning opening operating solenoid SOL1 is turned on (excited) to rotate the gate plate of the variable winning device 70 to open the special winning opening 71. Also, S5
At -2, the opening timer for measuring the opening time of the special winning opening 71 is started. In S5-3, it is determined whether or not the 10-count switch SW4 that detects a ball that has entered the special winning opening 71 is turned on. If it is turned on, the 10-count counter is incremented by 1 in S5-4.

In S5-5, in order to determine whether or not the special game state can be continued, it is determined whether or not the continuation switch SW3 provided in the special winning opening has been turned on. Continuation switch SW
When 3 is turned on, the continuation counter for counting the number of continuations is incremented by 1 in S5-6.

In S5-7, it is determined whether the open timer is less than 30 seconds, and if it is less than 30 seconds, it is determined in S5-8 whether the 10 count counter has exceeded 10. This one
If the 0 count counter does not exceed 10, that is,
If there are still 10 balls in the special winning opening 71, S5-3
Return to and wait for the ball to enter the big winning opening 71.

On the other hand, when the release timer exceeds 30 seconds in S5-7, or the 10 count counter is set to 1 in S5-8.
When it becomes 0 or more, in S5-9, the special winning opening operating solenoid SOL1 is turned off, the special winning opening 71 is closed, the 10 count counter and the opening timer are cleared, and one cycle of the special game is performed. finish.

Then, in S5-10, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuation counter is 1 or more and less than 16 that allows the special game cycle to be continued, that is, there is a prize at the special winning opening,
And when the big winning opening 71 is still open 16 times,
Return to S5-1 and repeat the special game. On the other hand, when the number of continuations exceeds 16, the special game is ended and the game is returned.

The open timer, the 10-count counter, the continuation counter and the like are formed in the control device P.

By the way, in the present invention, a plurality of fluctuation patterns having different fluctuation times are set at the time of displaying a symbol,
This variation time is displayed to the player by the variation time display means DSP. Therefore, according to the present invention, the player is
Based on the variation time, it is possible to predict a symbol and increase expectation. That is, for example, when there are seven fluctuation patterns as shown in FIG. 8, the displayed fluctuation time is “10
If it is "second", you can expect a big hit only with normal probability.
If the displayed fluctuation time is "6 seconds", the fluctuation time can be shortened to speed up the game, but the expectation of a big hit does not increase.

On the other hand, when the fluctuation time is displayed as "20 seconds", since the fluctuation pattern is the reach A, the reach has a reliability of 10%, so that the fluctuation can be expected to some extent as compared with the normal fluctuation.

When the variation time is displayed as "30 seconds", there are the reach B variation pattern and the reach C variation pattern, and the reliability of the reach C is 60%. Since the player thinks that this variation is Reach C, the player's expectation is improved.

When the variation time is displayed as "35 seconds", there are a reach D variation pattern and a reach E variation pattern, the reach E reliability is 100%, and the jackpot is a big hit. As promised, the player's expectation will be significantly improved.

According to the present invention as described above, since the variation time of the symbol is displayed on the variation time display means DSP, the player can not only predict when the symbol will stop, but also based on the displayed variation time. The expectation improves by predicting whether it will reach or a big hit. Further, even if the displayed fluctuation times are the same, different fluctuation patterns exist, so that the sense of expectation is not interrupted.

Further, for example, when the symbol fluctuation continues for more than 10 seconds in spite of the fact that the fluctuation time is displayed as "10 seconds", the normal fluctuation pattern develops into a fluctuation pattern including reach. Therefore, the expectation is improved. And, the phenomenon of the extension of the fluctuation time serves as a notice of reach.

Further, according to the present invention, the variable time to be displayed may be varied. Also in this case, since it is not known which variation pattern, the expectation is improved. That is, for example, when “20 to 35 seconds” is displayed, reach A to
It becomes either E, and it gets hot in the hope of a more reliable reach. In addition, many combinations such as “within 30 seconds” or “30 seconds or more” are possible, and the expectation can be further enhanced.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately implemented without changing the configuration described in the claims. For example, in the embodiment described above,
Although the case where the special symbol display device is provided with the variable time display means is shown, the variable time display means may be provided with a lamp, an LED or the like, or the variable time may be displayed by voice.

[0042]

In summary, the present invention is a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols, a starting means for starting variable display of the symbol display device based on a ball entering the starting opening, and the symbol display device. Is a special game state based on the combination mode of symbols when the variable display is stopped, and a variation winning device capable of converting from a first state, which is disadvantageous to the player, to a second state, which is advantageous to the player. In the machine, while setting a plurality of fluctuation patterns that determine how variable display of the symbols is performed, a plurality of reach fluctuation patterns that are part of the combination of the symbols and are in a specific display mode are set in the fluctuation patterns. Then, the fluctuation pattern determining means for deciding which fluctuation pattern the symbols are to be variably displayed based on the starting means, and the time required for variably displaying the symbols based on the fluctuation patterns are displayed. A variation time display means is provided, the said reach varying pattern, is included the variation pattern of the same is different variation display time may become a specific display mode,
The variation time of the symbol displayed on the variation time display means,
Since it is associated with the combination mode of the symbols that can be shifted to the special game state, the expectation is improved by predicting whether the reach or the big hit will occur based on the variation time displayed on the variation time display means. . Further, even if the displayed fluctuation times are the same, different fluctuation patterns exist, so that the sense of expectation is not interrupted. Further, when the variation display continues beyond the displayed variation time, it is possible to exert a notice function indicating that the reach has been developed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a control system.

FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing a pachinko game.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of normal symbol / normal electric accessory processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a special symbol display process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a special symbol variation process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a special winning opening opening process.

FIG. 8 is a list showing a relationship between a variation pattern of symbols, a stop time, and a reliability of reach.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Pachinko machine 4 game department 5 Center accessories 6 design starter 7 Big winning unit 45 side lamp 51 Special symbol display device 52 Starting memory display device 62 Ordinary electric accessory 70 Variable prize winning device 71 Grand Prize Winner 72 Ordinary symbol display device P control device P1 main controller P2 input port P3 output port CLK clock circuit DSP fluctuation time display means PW power supply circuit REP prize ball dispenser SND sound effect generator SOL1 special winning opening operation solenoid SOL2 Normal electric accessory operating solenoid SW1 special pattern start switch SW2 Normal pattern start switch SW3 Continuation switch SW4 10 count switch

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols, a starting means for starting a variable display of the symbol display device based on a ball entering a starting opening, and the symbol display device stopped the variable display. In a pachinko machine equipped with a variation winning device which can convert from a first state, which is disadvantageous to the player, to a second state, which is advantageous to the player, in a special game state based on the combination mode of the symbols While setting a plurality of variation patterns that determine how to perform the display, a plurality of reach variation patterns that are part of a combination of symbols and are in a specific display mode are set in the variation patterns, and the starting means is set. Based on the variation pattern based on which variation pattern the pattern is variably displayed, a variation pattern determination means and a variation time display means for displaying the time required for the variation display of the symbol based on the variation pattern are provided. Only, the said reach varying patterns, including variation pattern, variation time of symbols displayed on the variable time display means and a is different but variable display time same potential as the particular display mode,
A pachinko machine characterized in that it is associated with a combination of symbols that can be transferred to a special game state. 2. The pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein the variable time display means is provided in the symbol display device, and the variable time of the symbol is displayed immediately after the symbol starts variable display.