JP2003169942A - Game machine, game information reporting program and recording medium recording the game information reporting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine helping a player resume a game by an unerring and advantageous procedure to the player and not spoiling enthusiasm for a game even when power is restored after power supply is interrupted during the game, a game information reporting program and a recording medium recording the game information reporting program. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine has a storage means 21 for temporarily storing game information, a storage control means 19A making the storage means 21 store game information when power supply is interrupted, a navigation information display control means 19B displaying and controlling navigation information showing a game procedure advantageous to the player in the display means 9 arranged on a game board 1 on the basis of game information stored in the storage means 21 when power supply is restored. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine, such as a pachinko machine, which displays navigation information on display means when power is restored, a game information notification program, and a recording medium recording the game information notification program. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in pachinko and other gaming machines,
For example, power supply may be interrupted during a game due to a power outage or the like. In such a case, when the power supply is restored, the special symbol is usually redisplayed on the special symbol display device provided in the gaming machine, or a message indicating that the power supply is restored is displayed. It was nothing more than a thing, and it was difficult for the player who tried to restart the game.

[0003]

That is, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, since the game information at the time of power-off, for example, the information such as the jackpot state is erased, when the power supply is restored, The player who resumed the game,
There is a drawback in that the player cannot know the game state when the power supply is cut off, and he is forced to restart the game in a situation that is disadvantageous to the player.

Further, when the power supply is restored, even if the game state when the power supply is cut off can be known,
There remains concern that the player may not always be able to restart the game in an advantageous procedure.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the game is restarted when the power supply is restored after the power supply is cut off during the game, the game can be restarted in a reliable and advantageous procedure for the player. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine, a gaming information notification program, and a recording medium recording the gaming information notification program, which does not diminish the willingness to play the game.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, the present invention has the following constitution. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the storage means for temporarily storing the game information, the storage control means for storing the game information when the power supply is cut off in the storage means, and the power supply is restored. At this time, it has a navigation information display control means for controlling display of navigation information indicating a game procedure advantageous to the player on the display means arranged on the game board, based on the game information stored in the storage means. There is.

In this configuration, the game information when the power supply is cut off is temporarily stored in the storage means, and when the power supply is restored, the navigation information based on the game information when the power supply is cut off. Can be displayed on the display means. Therefore, when the power supply is restored, the game may be restarted in the game procedure according to the navigation information displayed on the display means arranged on the game board, so that the player can play the game in an advantageous state. Yes, so it does not diminish the willingness to play.

The game machine according to claim 2 is characterized in that the display means is a special symbol display device for displaying a special symbol which suggests that a special gaming state such as a jackpot is entered. is there.

A gaming machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the navigation information includes a wording for prompting launching of a game ball, a wording for refraining from launching a game ball, or both of them.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the navigation information is characterized in that the navigation information includes a graphic for prompting the launch of a game ball, a graphic for refraining from launching the game ball, or both of them.

A gaming machine according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that the navigation information display control means controls the display of the game information together with the navigation information.

According to a sixth aspect of the game information notification program, a game information storing step of temporarily storing the game information when the power supply is cut off in the storage means, and the storage means when the power supply is restored. A navigation information display step of controlling display of navigation information showing a game procedure advantageous to the player on the display means arranged on the game board based on the stored game information, to a computer controlling the game machine. The content is to let.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium having the above-mentioned game information notification program recorded therein.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is an external perspective view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a gaming board provided in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

A gaming machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a gaming machine) A according to one embodiment has a vertically long gaming machine main body 2 having a gaming board 1 fixed to a front surface thereof, and a glass door 3 covering the gaming board 1 which can be freely opened and closed. It has an external structure attached.

The glass door 3 is a vertically long rectangular frame 4 into which a substantially circular glass 5 for visually recognizing the game board 1, which will be described in detail later, is fitted, and a frame lamp 6 is provided in the upper center of the rectangular frame 4. However, speakers 7 and 7 are arranged on the left and right sides of the speaker.

A glass door 3 on the front of the gaming machine main body 2
Below, the launching device H provided with an operating handle Ha for launching the game balls toward the game board 1 one by one and the tray 8 for storing the paid-out prize balls are arranged in parallel. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 1 is formed in a substantially square shape on the front surface. For example, an LCD (Liquid C
display means 9, a start winning port 10, four reserved ball lamps 11 ..., a surface lamp 1
2, 12, an electric accessory 13, normal winning holes 14, 14, a special winning hole 15, a windmill 16 ... Are properly arranged. The nails are not shown.

In the present embodiment, the display means 9 is a special symbol display device capable of variably displaying the special symbol, and is arranged in the central portion of the game board 1. Here, the special symbol refers to a symbol that suggests a transition to a special gaming state such as a jackpot, and examples thereof include "777".

The starting winning opening 10 is arranged at the lower part of the display means (hereinafter referred to as a special symbol display device) 9, is launched from the launching device H, and is launched along the guide rail 17 into the game area 1a. By winning the game ball,
The display of the special symbol display device 9 is changed.

The reserved ball lamps 11 are for displaying the number of reserved balls, that is, the number of times of fluctuation storage obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of special symbol working memories, and it is during the display fluctuation of the special symbol display device 9, Each time the game ball is won in the start winning hole 10, the variable storage count is added up to a predetermined number (for example, 4 times), and the variable storage count is subtracted each time the variable display of the special symbol display device 9 ends by one variation Hold ball counter
The value (not shown) is displayed. Here, the variable storage number indicates the number of variable storages for which the variation is suspended, and the special symbol working storage number is a value obtained by adding 1 to the variable storage number if the variation is in progress, or 0 if the customer is waiting. Indicates.

Next, the circuit system will be described. Figure 3
3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the gaming machine A. FIG.
Reference numeral 18 denotes a main controller, which has a function of controlling the entire game machine A according to a game control program.
U (Central Processing Unit) 19, ROM storing the game control program (including a random number table) and the like
A (Read Only Memoly) 20 and a RAM (Randam Access Memory) 21 functioning as a work memory (including a state data table and a random number memory) of the CPU 19 are mounted.

In addition to the function of controlling the entire gaming machine A in accordance with the game control program, the CPU 19 executes the following functions by the game information notification program stored in the ROM 20 which is a recording medium.

The game information includes the number of special symbol working memory when the power supply is cut off, a low probability game state or a high probability game state, an abnormal occurrence information such as an excessive prize ball or an error state.

The game information notification program is a game information storing step for temporarily storing the game information when the power supply is cut off in the RAM 21 which is a storage means, and is stored in the RAM 21 when the power supply is restored. A navigation information display step for controlling display of navigation information indicating a game procedure advantageous to the player based on the above game information on the special symbol display device 9 arranged on the game board 1, and a computer for controlling the game machine A. CPU 19
The contents are to be executed by. With this game information notification program, the CPU 19 can execute the following functions.

A function (storage control means) 19A for storing the game information when the power supply is cut off in the RAM 21 which is a storage means.

When the power supply is restored, the RAM 2
A function to control the display of navigation information indicating a game procedure advantageous to the player based on the game information stored in 1 on a special symbol display device 9 which is a display means arranged on the game board (navigation information display control means). ) 19B. In the present embodiment, the game information 1 to 3 are displayed and controlled together with navigation information, the details of which will be described later.
As the display means, in addition to the special symbol display device 9 exemplified in the present embodiment, a normal symbol display device 4 described later.
It is also possible to use 0.

The ROM 20 stores a correspondence table T having the contents shown in FIG. 4 in addition to the game control program and the game information notification program. In the illustrated correspondence table T, the game information 1 to 3 and the navigation information (in the figure, described as "launch restart navigation"), the power off recovery screen NO.1 to be displayed on the special symbol display device 9 is displayed. It corresponds to 20.

The power-off recovery screen (hereinafter referred to as a notification screen) is a screen that is temporarily displayed on the special symbol display device 9 when the power supply is restored, that is, when the power is turned on. is there.

This notification screen is, as shown in FIG. 5, a game information 1 display area 9A and a game information 2 display area 9 on the upper half side.
B and the game information 3 display area 9C are displayed in two rows vertically, and the navigation information display area 9 is provided on the lower half side.
D is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the game information 1 has display screens U1 to U5 shown in the right column corresponding to the special symbol working memory numbers 1 to 5 shown in the left column in the figure. . The display screens U1 to U5 show "Restart start hold count = 0-
5 ”and the corresponding 4 in the right column
One square mark is lit / unlit.

Specifically, when the number of hold-on-start at return = 0, all four square marks are displayed in the navigation information display area 9D in the off state. Similarly, when the number of start reservations at the time of return = 1, only one of the four square marks on the left side in the figure is displayed in the navigation information display area 9D in the state of being turned on. For the hour start hold number = 2 to 4, the corresponding number of square marks are displayed in a lit state.

As shown in FIG. 7, the game information 2 corresponds to the high-probability game state and the low-probability state shown in the left column of the figure, and displays a state in which nothing is displayed and the phrase "Now, the probability is changing!" It has a display screen to display. Specifically, in the low probability state, nothing is displayed in the navigation information display area 9D, and in the high probability game state, the phrase "Now, now changing!" Is displayed in the navigation information display area 9D. ing.

It should be noted that some display may be made even in the low-probability state, and the high-probability game state is not limited to the wording "currently in progress!" You may make it display the content suggested.

As shown in FIG. 8, the game information 3 corresponds to the fluctuation types consisting of the reachless fluctuation and the reach fluctuation shown in the left column of the drawing, and a state in which nothing is displayed and "reaching, cha.
nce! It has a display screen that displays the wording "." Specifically, nothing is displayed in the navigation information display area 9D when there is no reach, and the word "reaching, change!" Is displayed in the navigation information display area 9D when there is a reach change. .

The navigation information is the above game information 1
Based on 3 to 3, the content of the game procedure is advantageous to the player, and as shown in FIG. 9, the display screen V1, corresponding to the launch determination information or the launch determination information waiting for a while as shown in FIG.
It has V2.

The display screen V1 is the display content of "The game is returned to normal due to the power off. It is not a normal screen, but the launch can be resumed." is doing.

The display screen V2 has a display content of "The game is restored due to the power off, but please wait for a while until it returns to the normal fluctuation screen." Corresponds to information.

In the present embodiment, "When the power is cut off,
The game is returning. Although it is not a normal screen,
You can restart the launch. "Is a phrase that prompts the player to launch a game ball, and also says," The game has been restored due to power interruption, but please wait for a while before returning to the normal fluctuation screen. " It corresponds to the wording that makes you refrain.

The navigation information includes, in addition to the words for prompting the launch of the game ball and the words for refraining from launching the game ball, a graphic V1 'for prompting the launch of the game ball and a graphic V2' for refraining from the launch of the game ball. There is.

Graphic V for prompting the launch of game balls
In the present embodiment, the reference numeral 1'denotes a launching device H which shows the state of being launched. Further, the graphic V2 'for refraining from launching a game ball has a state in which the player releases the hand together with the launching device H.

By the way, on the input side of the main controller 18, a power supply circuit 22 and a reset pulse are periodically provided to the CPU 1.
Random number generation circuit 23 to send to 9, ball lending signal control circuit 2
4. In addition to the central control device 25, the input interface 26
Via a starting winning ball detection sensor 27 for detecting a game ball winning the starting winning opening 10, a game ball launch detection sensor 28 for detecting a game ball launched from the launching device H,
A big winning ball detection sensor 29, a continuous winning ball detection sensor 30, a small winning ball detection sensor 31, a prize ball payout detection sensor 32, etc. are connected.

On the output side of the main controller 18, via the output interface 33, a pattern controller 34, a lamp controller 35, a voice controller 36, a payout controller 37.
And a firing control device 38 are connected, the details of which are as follows.

The symbol control device 34 includes a CPU 34A, a ROM 34B and a RAM 34 connected to the CPU 34A.
C is mounted on the output side of the image display processor (VDP: Video Display Processo).
The special symbol display device 9 is also connected via r) 39, and the ordinary symbol display device 40 such as an LCD is connected without the image display processor 39.

That is, the symbol control device 34 controls the display of the special symbol display device 9 via the image display processor 39 based on the control signal transmitted from the main control device 18, and the ordinary symbol display device 40. Display control. Here, the normal symbol means a symbol that suggests that the state in which the prize is more easily won is suggested by opening the electric accessory 13 provided in the starting winning opening 10.

The lamp control device 35 includes a CPU 35A, a ROM 35B and a RAM 3 connected to the CPU 35A.
5C is mounted, and based on the control signal transmitted from the main control device 18, the reserved ball lamp 11
... has a function of controlling blinking of the panel lamps 12 and 12 and the frame lamp 6.

The voice control device 36 includes a CPU 36A, a ROM 36B and a RAM 36 connected to the CPU 36A.
It is equipped with C and has a function of controlling the speakers 7, 7 based on a control signal transmitted from the main control device 18.

The payout control device 37 includes a CPU 37A, a ROM 37B and a RAM 37 connected to the CPU 37A.
C is mounted, and the payout device 41 and the CR are based on the control signal transmitted from the main control device 18.
It has a function of controlling the (Card Reader) unit 42.

The firing control device 38 is the main control device 18 described above.
It has a function of controlling the launching device H based on a control signal transmitted from.

The operation of the gaming machine A having the above configuration will be described. 10 is a flowchart showing an interrupt operation when the power supply is cut off, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation at power-on, and FIG. 12 is a timing chart.

<When the power supply is cut off> When the power supply is cut off, an interrupt process consisting of the following steps is executed.

Step 1 (abbreviated as S1 in the figure; the same applies hereinafter): Each register in the CPU 19 is saved. Step 2: Save the interrupt status. Step 3: Save the stack pointer.

Step 4: The prize ball is detected. Specifically, it manages the prize balls detected within the interrupt time (updates the RAM area).

Step 5: Calculate the RAM checksum. Specifically, when returning after the power supply is cut off,
It is calculated in order to check whether the value of the RAM area is normal when the power supply is cut off. The calculation method is R
The content is to add the values of all the RAM areas except the AM checksum storage area and store the added value in the RAM checksum storage area.

Step S6: A check flag indicating that the power supply has been cut off is set. This step corresponds to the game information storage step. That is, when the power is turned on, the value at which the power supply is cut off is stored in the RAM area used for checking whether or not the power supply has been restored from when the power supply was cut off.

<When the power is turned on> When the power is turned on, the process including the following steps is executed. Step 1 '(abbreviated as S1' in the figure. The same applies hereinafter):
The CPU 19 is reset. Step 2 ': Check that the power supply is cut off.

Step 3 ': It is judged whether or not the power supply is cut off, and if the power supply is cut off, the operation is returned to step 4'and the power is cut off. If it is a return from the state where it is not, go to step 5 '. Specifically, the state of the RAM clear switch is checked, and by turning on / off the RAM clear switch, it is determined whether or not the power supply has been cut off.

Step 4 ': A process of returning from the state where the power supply is cut off is performed. Note that this step corresponds to the navigation information display step. Specifically, the stack pointer is restored, and a restore command is transmitted to each control command corresponding to the game state immediately before the power supply is cut off, each register is restored, and the interrupt state is restored.

At this time, in the special symbol display device 9,
The notification screen shown in FIG. 13A, for example, is displayed at the timing shown in FIG. This notification screen shows a case where, in the correspondence table T, the special symbol working memory number 3, high probability game state, reachless fluctuation, and launch are possible, and therefore corresponds to the notification screen No. 11. .

In this case, the game information 1 display area 9A of the special symbol display device 9 has a screen in which two of the number of hold start at return = 2 and four square marks are turned on, the game information 2
In the display area 9B, the wording "Now, the probability is changing!" Is displayed, but in the game information 3 display area 9C, nothing is displayed.

In the navigation information display area 9D,
Along with the words, "The game is returning due to the power interruption. It is not a normal screen, but you can restart the launch." And the graphic of the launcher H showing the launching state, that is, the launch of the game ball is prompted. The graphic V1 'is displayed.

The notification screen shown in FIG. 13 (B) shows, in the correspondence table T, the number of special symbol working memory 4, low probability game state, reach variation, and a case of waiting for a while. Therefore, in the notification screen No. 18. Corresponding.

In this case, the game information 1 display area 9A of the special symbol display device 9 has a screen in which the number of start reservations at return = 4 and all four square marks are lit, and the game information 3 display area 9C has "reach." The phrase "Mid chance!" Is displayed, but nothing is displayed in the game information 2 display area 9B.

Also, in the navigation information display area 9D, the message "The game has been restored due to the power off, but please wait for a while until the normal fluctuation screen is displayed." Is displayed. , With the launcher H, a graphic with the hand released from it, that is, a graphic V2 'for refraining from launching a game ball
Is displayed.

Step 5 ': Normal startup processing is performed.
Specifically, the stack pointer is initialized and the entire RAM area is cleared.
Initialize the area.

Step 6 ': Main loop processing is performed.
Specifically, the update processing of the special symbol initial value random number, the update processing of the effect selection random number, and the update processing of the special symbol out-of-design random number are respectively performed.

The special symbol initial value random number means a random number for determining the next starting random number value when the special symbol jackpot determination random number value makes a round. The effect selection random number is a random number for determining the game content of the change at the start of the change. The special symbol out-of-symbol selection random number means a random number for determining the stopped symbol at the time of out-of-shift variation.

After that, a normal system timer interrupt process having contents such as updating of the timer and updating of the random number for special symbol jackpot determination is performed at predetermined time intervals.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but the following modifications can be made. A switch for turning the power on / off is provided, and by turning the switch on / off, the game information and the navigation information described above when the power supply is cut off are temporarily displayed on, for example, a special symbol display device. You may Thus, when the power supply is actually cut off, it is possible to confirm whether or not the above-mentioned gaming information and navigation information are displayed for each gaming machine.

In the above, ROM (Read Only Memo)
Although the game information notification program is recorded in (ly), it may be recorded in a so-called recording medium such as a hard disk in addition to a magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical disk.

Further, in the above, Pachinko is illustrated as an example of the gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can be applied to, for example, a so-called slot machine, and is stored in a host computer in a computer network. Of course, it can be applied to the case where the game information notification program is used in an endless computer.

[0072]

According to the present invention, the game information when the power supply is cut off is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the power supply is cut off when the power supply is restored. The navigation information based on the game information at the time of playing can be displayed on the display means. Therefore, when the power supply is restored, the game may be restarted in the game procedure according to the navigation information displayed on the display means arranged on the game board, so that the player can play the game in an advantageous state. Yes, so it does not diminish the willingness to play.

In addition to the common effects obtained by the inventions described in claims 1 to 7, according to the invention described in each claim, the following effects can be obtained. According to the second aspect of the invention, since the special symbol display device arranged on the game board is used as the display means, detailed navigation information can be displayed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the navigation information includes a word for prompting the launch of the game ball, a word for refraining from launching the game ball, or both of them. Can be executed accurately.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the navigation information includes a graphic for prompting the launch of the game ball, a graphic for refraining from launching the game ball, or both of them, so that it is easy to understand intuitively and the player can easily understand. Therefore, the game procedure can be executed accurately and quickly.

According to the invention of claim 5, since the navigation information display control means controls the display of the game information together with the navigation information, the game information when the power is cut off can be confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board provided in the above gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the above gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence table of game information 1 to 3, navigation information and a notification screen.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a notification screen displayed on a notification unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode of the game information 1.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode of the game information 2.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode of the game information 3.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display mode of navigation information.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an interrupt operation when the power supply is cut off.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when the power is turned on.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing cutoff and restoration of power supply, and notification timings of these and notification screens.

13A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification screen, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a notification screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 game board 9 Special symbol display device as display means 19 CPU which is a computer 19A Memory control means 19B Navigation information display control means 20 recording media 21 RAM as storage means A game machine V1, V2 Notification screen showing navigation information

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for temporarily storing game information, storage control means for storing game information in the storage means when power supply is cut off, and storage when power supply is restored. Based on the game information stored in the means, navigation information showing a game procedure advantageous to the player,
A gaming machine having a navigation information display control means for controlling display on a display means arranged on a game board. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display means is a special symbol display device for displaying a special symbol that suggests a transition to a special gaming state such as a jackpot. 3. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the navigation information includes a wording for prompting the launching of the game ball, a wording for refraining from the launching of the game ball, or both of them. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the navigation information includes a graphic for prompting the launch of a game ball, a graphic for refraining from launching the game ball, or both of them. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the navigation information display control means controls the display of the game information together with the navigation information. 6. A game information storing step for temporarily storing game information in a storage means when power supply is cut off, and based on the game information stored in the storage means when power supply is restored. A navigation information display step for controlling the display of navigation information indicating a game procedure advantageous to the player on a display means arranged on the game board,
A game information notification program that is executed by a computer that controls a gaming machine. 7. A computer-readable recording medium on which the game information notification program according to claim 6 is recorded.