JP2003310965A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hold or improve the rate of operation of a game machine by averaging the timing of varying a pattern as much as possible to increase the apparent pattern variation. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine such as a pachinko game machine and an arrange ball includes especially a first measuring means 2a for measuring the time intervals ia, ib, ij, etc., of detecting a game ball B by a detector 1 and a period elongating and contracting means 3 for elongating and contracting the variation periods pa, pb,..., pg, etc., of pattern variations 7a, 7b,..., 7g, etc., depending on the time intervals ia, ib,..., ij, etc., measured by the first measuring means 2a. When the variation period of pattern variation is elongated and contracted depending on the time interval of detecting the game ball B by the detector 1, the timing of varying the pattern is averaged so that the apparent pattern variation is increased to reduce interruption of the pattern variation. Accordingly, the game player continues to play the game to get a number of prize balls, so that the rate of operation of the game machine can be held or improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine that changes a symbol due to detection of a game ball.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among pachinko machines, which are one of the gaming machines, there is one in which a liquid crystal display device starts a symbol variation using a symbol group when a pachinko ball wins a starting opening. Since it takes time to finish the symbol variation, a separate pachinko ball may win the starting opening during the variation. In this case, the symbol variation cannot be started immediately, so after the current symbol variation is completed, the symbol variation is suspended so that the next and subsequent symbol variations are possible. Since there is an upper limit on the number of holdings that can be held in a normal pachinko machine, even if a separate pachinko ball wins the starting opening even after the holding number reaches the upper limit value (for example, 4) Only pay out the prize balls and do not hold them. Therefore, the player often cancels the launch of the pachinko ball, and the operation rate of the pachinko machine decreases.

An example of a technique for solving such a decrease in the operating rate is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-851 and 2001-2.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 59159. In the technique disclosed in the former publication, if the waiting time from when the pachinko ball wins the start opening until the symbol fluctuation starts exceeds the reference time, the fluctuation time of the symbol fluctuation is shortened. Further, in the technique disclosed in the latter publication, the variation time of symbol variation is shortened according to the number of reservations.

[0004]

However, generally, the timing at which the pachinko ball wins the starting opening is not average, and there is a wave. That is, while there are times when the pachinko ball wins the starting opening, there are times when the pachinko ball does not win the starting opening at all. In the above-mentioned technology, the variation time of the symbol fluctuation is shortened when the pachinko balls successively win the starting mouth, but the symbol fluctuation is performed at the original fluctuation time when the pachinko balls hardly win the starting mouth at all. , Wave also occurs at the timing of changing the design. Actually, there are more times when pachinko balls do not win the starting mouth,
The period in which the design fluctuation does not occur is also long. The player wants a pachinko machine with a lot of symbol fluctuations (so-called good rotation), and shortening the fluctuation time of the symbol fluctuations lengthens the period in which the symbol fluctuations do not take place and can stop the game midway. As a result, a decrease in operating rate is inevitable as a result. The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and increases the apparent symbol variation by averaging the timing of performing the symbol variation as much as possible to maintain the operating rate of the gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or The purpose is to improve.

[0005]

Means 1 for solving the problems Means 1 for solving the problems are as described in claim 1. Here, the terms described in claim 1 are interpreted as follows. The same applies to the other claims and the detailed description of the invention. (1) The "symbol group" is composed of almost the same symbols or different symbols in a predetermined number of two or more. "Designs" include special designs consisting of characters (alphanumeric characters, kanji, etc.), symbols, codes, figures (characters, etc.), images, ordinary designs, decorative designs (background designs), etc. It may be a moving image such as an animation. "Design fluctuation" is
It means a variation performed using the above-mentioned symbol group. (2) The "display unit" is a part of a portion on which a design can be displayed for one display device (or display device or light-emitting body).
It may be composed of a plurality of indicators.

According to the means 1, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, while the detector 1 detects the game ball B, the lottery is carried out, and the symbol variation 7 (specifically, on the display 4). , 7g, ..., and so on.), And when the detector 1 detects the game ball B during the period in which the symbol fluctuation 7 cannot be started, the symbol fluctuation 7 is suspended. Then, when the symbol variation 7 being executed is finished, the pending symbol variation 7 is consumed. Furthermore, the detector 1 measures the time intervals ia, ib, ..., ij, for detecting the game ball B, and the time intervals ia, ib, ..., Measured by the first measuring means 2a. ... fluctuation period pa, p of the symbol fluctuations 7a, 7b, ..., 7g, ... according to ij, ...
, pg, ... And a period expansion / contraction means 3 for expanding / contracting.

In FIG. 1, when the detector 1 detects the game ball B, the signal turns on (ON) and becomes a pulse signal. In this example, since the interval at which the detector 1 detects the game ball B is short in the period from the time ta to the time tb or after the time tc, the variable periods pa, pb, ..., pg, ... Are also shortened. On the other hand, in the period from the time tb to the time tc, the detector 1 detects the game ball B at a long interval, so the variable periods pd, pe, pf, ... Are also lengthened. Thus, the detector 1
When the variation period of the symbol variation is expanded or contracted according to the time interval for detecting the game ball B, the timing of performing the symbol variation is averaged, and the apparent symbol variation increases. From time ta to time t
The detector 1 detects 6 game balls B by c,
The symbol fluctuation 7f applied to the game ball B detected at time tc starts at time td immediately after the symbol fluctuation 7e is finished. In this way, the timing of performing the symbol variation is averaged, and the interruption of the symbol variation (that is, the time lag of the variation start) is reduced.
As a whole, the player comes to think that it is a gaming machine in which a lot of symbol fluctuations occur (so-called good rotation), so the player continues playing the game in order to obtain many prize balls. Therefore, it is possible to maintain or improve the operating rate of the gaming machine.

[0008]

Means 2 for solving the problems Means 2 for solving the problems are as described in claim 2. Here, the term “predetermined calculation” described in claim 2 can be any calculation according to the model of the gaming machine, the gaming state, and the like.
For example, calculations such as simple average, moving average, weighted average, and standard deviation are applicable. The same applies to the other claims and the detailed description of the invention.

According to the means 2, the period expanding / contracting means 3 has a plurality of time intervals ia, ib, ..., ij obtained by measurement.
Is provided with a calculation means 5 for performing a predetermined calculation, and the symbol variation 7 depending on the calculation result calculated by the calculation means 5.
a, 7b, ..., 7g, ... Fluctuation periods pa, pb ,.
Expand and contract g ,. As an example of the calculation for obtaining the moving average based on the three time intervals, the time intervals ia, ib, ic
The variation period pd of the symbol variation 7d is obtained based on the above, the variation period pe of the symbol variation 7e is obtained based on the time interval ib, ic, id, ..., The variation of the symbol variation 7g based on the time interval id, ie, if The period pg will be obtained. In this way, if the fluctuation period is expanded or contracted according to the change of the time interval,
It is possible to further average the timing of performing the symbol variation and increase the apparent symbol variation. The player comes to think of it as a gaming machine in which a lot of symbol variations occur, so he continues the game in order to obtain many prize balls. Therefore, it is possible to maintain or improve the operating rate of the gaming machine.

[0010]

Means 3 for solving the problem is a means 3 for solving the problem, in the gaming machine according to claim 3 or 4, the second measuring means 2b has a predetermined number (eg 4 or The time interval is measured when it has reached 10). Here, the “predetermined value” can be arbitrarily set according to the model of the gaming machine, the gaming state, and the like, and the upper limit value of the number of holdings, etc. correspond. The same applies to the other claims and the detailed description of the invention.

According to the means 3, even after the detector 1 detects the game ball B, the symbol variation is not reserved after the number of reservations reaches the upper limit value. In this way, by shortening the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation by measuring the detection in the unsuspendable state by the second measuring means 2b, it is possible to increase the number of detections in which the fluctuation of the symbol can be suspended by accelerating the suspension of the symbol fluctuation. it can. On the other hand,
Even if the number of holdings does not reach the upper limit, if the number of holdings is too large, the player tends to cancel the launch of the game ball B. If the second measuring means 2b measures the detection in such an excessive holding state to shorten the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation, it is possible to increase the number of detections in which the fluctuation of the symbol can be held to be promoted by promoting the extinction of the symbol fluctuation. it can.

[0012]

Means 4 for solving the problems Means 4 for solving the problems are as described in claim 3. The means 4
According to the above, a lottery is carried out when the detector 1 detects the game ball B, and the symbol variation 7 is started on the display unit 4, and the detector 1 is the game ball during the period when the symbol variation 7 cannot be started. When B is detected, the symbol variation 7 is suspended, and when the ongoing pattern variation 7 is finished, the suspended symbol variation 7 is consumed. Further, the second measuring means 2b for measuring the number of detections by which the detector 1 detects the game ball B per unit time, and the symbol variation 7 according to the number of detections measured by the second measuring means 2b.
a, 7b, ..., 7g, ... Fluctuation periods pa, pb ,.
and a period expanding / contracting means 3 for expanding / contracting g ,.

In the example of FIG. 1, since the detector 1 detects a large number of game balls B per unit time during the period from the time ta to the time tb and after the time tc, the variable periods pa and p.
Shorten b, ..., pg ,. On the other hand, in the period from time tb to time tc, the number of detectors 1 detecting the game ball B per unit time is small, so the fluctuation periods pd, p
Lengthen e, pf, .... In this way, when the detector 1 expands or contracts the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation according to the number of detections per unit time for detecting the game ball B, the timing of performing the symbol fluctuation is averaged, and the apparent symbol fluctuation increases. In this way, the player will think that it is a gaming machine in which a lot of symbol fluctuations occur (so-called good rotation), so that the player continues the game in order to obtain many prize balls. Therefore, it is possible to maintain or improve the operating rate of the gaming machine.

[0014]

Means 5 for solving the problems Means 5 for solving the problems are as described in claim 4. The means 5
According to the above, the second measuring means 2b measures the number of detections per unit time, triggered by the fact that the number of pending design fluctuations has reached a predetermined value. After the number of reservations reaches the upper limit value, even if the detector 1 detects the game ball B, the fluctuation of the symbols is not reserved. In this way, the second measuring means 2b detects the state in which the holding is impossible.
If the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation is shortened by measuring, it is possible to promote the digestion of the reservation and increase the number of detections in which the fluctuation of the symbol can be reserved. On the other hand, even if the number of holdings does not reach the upper limit, if the number of holdings is large, the player tends to cancel the launch of the game ball B. If the second measuring means 2b measures the detection in such an excessive holding state to shorten the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation, it is possible to increase the number of detections in which the fluctuation of the symbol can be held to be promoted by promoting the extinction of the symbol fluctuation. Since it is possible, the player is allowed to shoot the game ball B.

[0015]

Means 6 for solving the problems is a means 6 for solving the problems in the gaming machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the period expanding / contracting means 3 uses a plurality of detection numbers obtained by measurement to determine a predetermined value. The calculation means 5 for performing calculation is provided, and the symbol variation 7a according to the calculation result calculated by the calculation means 5
The fluctuation periods pa, pb, ..., pg of 7b, ..., 7g ,.
Expand and contract.

According to the means 6, from time ta to time t
The number of detections is large during the period up to b and after the time tc, while the number of detections is small during the period from the time tb to the time tc. In this way, if the fluctuation period is expanded or contracted according to the change in the number of detections,
It is possible to further average the timing of performing the symbol variation and increase the apparent symbol variation. Therefore, it is possible to maintain or improve the operating rate of the gaming machine.

[0017]

Means 7 for solving the problems Means 7 for solving the problems are as described in claim 5. The means 7
According to the period expansion / contraction means 3, the fluctuation period pa, p of the symbol fluctuations 7a, 7b, ..., 7g, ... According to one or both of the number of holdings and the lottery result concerning the pending symbol fluctuations.
Stretch b, ..., pg ,. For example, the variable period is shortened as the number of holdings increases, or the variable period is shortened as the number of lost lottery results increases. Since the variation period is expanded or contracted based on the time interval at which the detector 1 detects the game ball B or the condition different from the number of detections per unit time, the timing of performing the symbol variation is more averaged, and the visible symbol variation is You can do more. Therefore, it is possible to maintain or improve the operating rate of the gaming machine.

[0018]

Means 8 for solving the problems Means 8 for solving the problems are as described in claim 6. The means 8
According to this, when the symbol variation 7 is constituted by the basic variation consisting of the predetermined period regardless of the lottery result and the individual variation consisting of the variable period expanding and contracting according to the lottery result, the period expanding / contracting means 3 expands / contracts the predetermined period. . In the individual fluctuation, it is possible to display according to the lottery result, and the entire fluctuation period is expanded or contracted by expanding or contracting the predetermined period of the basic fluctuation. By doing so, while performing the same display as the conventional one, it is possible to further average the timing of performing the symbol variation and increase the apparent symbol variation.

[0019]

Means 9 for solving the problems Means 9 for solving the problems are as described in claim 7. The means 9
According to the period expanding / contracting means 3, symbol variations 7a, 7b, ..., 7 according to the operating state of the device 6 involved in the firing of the game ball B.
The fluctuation periods pa, pb, ..., pg, ... Of g ,. The operating state of the device 6 corresponds to, for example, the contact state of the firing handle or the operating state of the stop switch. In this example, when the firing handle is not gripped or the stop switch is operated, the variation period is expanded or contracted so as to be disadvantageous to the player. If this is done, the player will be at a disadvantage if he or she does not continue to shoot the game ball B, and therefore tries to shoot the game ball B. Therefore, it is possible to maintain or improve the operating rate of the gaming machine.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment applies the present invention to a pachinko machine which is one of the gaming machines, and will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8. In the following, the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation will be simply referred to as the “fluctuation period”.

First, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the card unit 10 (CR unit) and the pachinko machine 12.
The card unit 10 can input / output balance information, valuable value information, etc. recorded on a recording medium (for example, a magnetic card, an IC card, etc.), and a pachinko ball equivalent to the amount of money desired by the player within the range of the balance information etc. The game ball B (corresponding to the game medium) can be rented. The specific configuration and operation of the card unit 10 are the same as the well-known configuration, and therefore illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

The game board 14 of the pachinko machine 12 has a gate 56 having a gate sensor 54 for detecting a pachinko ball passing therethrough, a starting opening 24 having a pair of movable pieces 50 movable by a solenoid 48, and a solenoid 44 for opening and closing. A special winning opening 26 having an openable / closable lid 28, a compound accessory device 16 having holding number indicators 52 and 58, a liquid crystal display 22 and the like, and a decoration display device 20 having a plurality of decoration displays formed in a predetermined shape. In addition, general prize holes, windmills, obstacle nails, etc. are properly arranged. Here, in addition to the movable piece 50 described above, the starting opening 24 includes a starting opening sensor 46 that detects a winning pachinko ball. The starting opening sensor 46 corresponds to the detector 1. In addition to the above-described opening / closing lid 28, the special winning opening 26 allows the jackpot gaming state to be continued within the required number of times (for example, 16 times) when a pachinko ball wins within the special winning opening opening period (for example, 20 seconds). V that detects a pachinko ball that has entered a zone (special area) or the V zone
The sensor 62 and the like are provided.

The composite accessory device 16 is a liquid crystal display 22 capable of displaying a symbol variation of a normal symbol, a symbol variation of a special symbol, a special reserve number (that is, a reserve number of symbol variations related to a special symbol), a special reserve number. Hold number display 52 for displaying
It has a holding number display 58 or the like for displaying the number of ordinary holdings (that is, the number of holdings of symbol fluctuations related to the normal symbols). Of these, the liquid crystal display 22 corresponds to the display unit 4. Each of the number-of-holds indicator 52 and the number-of-holds indicator 58 is composed of, for example, a predetermined number (for example, four) of LEDs or segment elements. Instead of these LEDs and segment elements, a light bulb (lamp), a plasma display, or the like may be arbitrarily used.

When the pachinko ball passes through the gate 56, the symbol variation of the ordinary symbol is displayed in the specific area 22a of the liquid crystal display 22. The symbol variation of the ordinary symbol is the ordinary symbol indicator provided on the game board 14 separately from the liquid crystal indicator 22 (for example, segment element, liquid crystal indicator, indicator using LED, etc.)
It may be configured to be displayed in. Ordinarily, the pattern is changed and then stopped when a required change period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed, and when the lottery result is hit, the solenoid 48 is operated to move the movable piece 50 of the starting opening 24 into a predetermined pattern (for example, 0.3). It opens and closes after being opened for a second).

Below the game board 14, an ashtray 38 for storing cigarette butts, a lower plate 36 for temporarily storing pachinko balls including prize balls, and a touch for detecting whether or not the player is in contact Handle 32 having sensor 34, upper plate 30
A speaker 40 (sound device) which is provided inside and produces sounds (voice, music, sound effects, etc.) is provided. Lamps 18 that emit light according to the game state and the like around the game area
(Light-emitting body). Above the upper plate 30, a ball lending button 42 for instructing a ball lending, an information display 60 for displaying balance information and the like, a return button 64 for instructing the return of the recording medium, and the like are provided.

Next, an example of various boards having a connection structure for realizing a pachinko game by the pachinko machine 12 will be described with reference to FIG. Still simply "connect"
In that case, it means to be electrically connected unless otherwise specified.

The main control board 120, which is mainly composed of a CPU (processor) 122, has a ROM 124 storing a game control program, required data, etc., a random number, a reserved number,
A RAM 126 or the like capable of storing temporary data such as an upper limit value, measurement time, and elapsed time is provided. The ROM 124
The RAM 126 and the RAM 126 correspond to a storage unit. CPU122
Executes a game control program to realize a pachinko game. The game control program includes a program for realizing each procedure such as a starting opening process and a holding process, which will be described later. For example, ROM 124 has EPRO
Although M is used and DRAM is used as the RAM 126, other storage media (for example, EEPROM, SRAM, flash memory, magnetic card, IC card, etc.) may be used.
Other components are similar to the well-known configuration, so
Illustration and description are omitted.

The main control board 120 receives signals from the touch sensor 34 and the payout control board 112, and controls the drive of the firing motor 100. Signals from the drive sensor 104, the counting sensor 106, and the like. In response to this, a payout control board 112 that drives and controls the payout motor 102, and an interface board 114 that is connected to the card unit 10 and the payout control board 112 to control data transmission / reception, display of the information display 60, and the like (in FIG. 3, "I / F board"), a symbol control board 130 for controlling the pattern displayed on the liquid crystal display 22, a voice control board 132 for controlling the sound emitted from the speaker 40, a lamp for controlling the display of the lamps 18, etc. The control board 134 and the like are connected. All of these boards are C like the main control board 120.
It is configured around the PU. The drive sensor 104 is the motor 1
02 and the driving state of a payout device for paying out pachinko balls are monitored. The counting sensor 106 counts the number of pachinko balls actually paid out. The drive sensor 104, the counting sensor 106, the gate sensor 54, the starting opening sensor 4
As the 6, V sensor 62 and the like, a contact type sensor (for example, a reed switch, a micro switch, a pressure sensor, etc.) or a non-contact type sensor (for example, a proximity sensor, an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, etc.) is used.

In addition to the starting opening sensor 46 and the like described above, the main control board 120 can also transmit signals (including game information such as a big hit, a symbol determination, a probability change, etc.) to an external device of the pachinko machine 12. External terminal board 108,
The decoration display device 20, the number of reserved displays 52, 58, etc. are directly connected. Further, a device provided at a position distant from the main control board 120 (for example, the gate sensor 54, the V sensor 6
2, solenoids 44, 48, etc.) are connected via a relay terminal plate 136 for signal relay. By controlling the operation of the solenoid 44, the opening / closing lid 28 can be reciprocated in the direction of arrow D2 to open and close. By similarly controlling the operation of the solenoid 48, the movable piece 50 can be reciprocated in the direction of arrow D4 to open and close.

The symbol control board 130 is mainly composed of the CPU 140, and is provided with a ROM 142 for storing a display control program and required data, a RAM 144 for storing temporary data such as received data, jackpot symbols, lottery data and the like. The symbol control board 130 stores the symbols in advance and generates a character by receiving a display command or the like, or a VDP (Video Display Pr) for displaying the symbols on the liquid crystal display 22 by receiving the display information sent from the CPU 140.
ocessor) etc. It is desirable that the VDP can independently control display / non-display in two or more layers.
The CPU 140 executes the display control program stored in the ROM 142 to display the symbol on the liquid crystal display 22. RO
EPROM is used for M142 and DR is used for RAM144
Although AM is used, other types of memories described above may be arbitrarily used. The other components are similar to the well-known configurations, and therefore illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the pattern control board 130,
The voice control board 132 and the lamp control board 134 are configured to be directly controlled from the main control board 120, but the voice control board 132 and the lamp control board 134 are indirectly controlled from the main control board 120 through the symbol control board 130. It may be configured to.

In the pachinko machine 12 configured as described above, the procedure executed by the main control board 120 to realize the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. Here, FIG. 4 shows the procedure of the starting opening process for realizing the winning judgment of the pachinko ball to the starting opening 24, FIG. 5 shows the procedure of the holding processing for holding the symbol variation when the fluctuation is impossible, and FIG. Shows the procedure of the digestion process for digesting the pending pattern variation when it can be varied, and FIG. 7 shows the procedure of the regular measurement process for periodically measuring the elapsed time, the number of pachinko balls detected, etc. in a flowchart. . Among these procedures, steps S30, S32, S34, S38,
S40, S42 and the regular measurement process of FIG. 7 correspond to the measuring means 2 (first measuring means 2a, second measuring means 2b), step S56 of FIG. 6 corresponds to the calculating means 5, and steps S56 to S56 of FIG. S64 corresponds to the period expansion / contraction unit 3. The number of detections corresponds to the number of detections. It should be noted that the current value of the special reserved number is simply referred to as “reserved number”, and the upper limit value of the special reserved number is simply referred to as “upper limit value”. The upper limit value is set to 4, for example, but may be unlimited without setting the upper limit value, or the upper limit value may be changed at any timing during the game.

In the starting port process shown in FIG. 4, first, the starting port 2
It is determined whether or not a pachinko ball is won in 4 (step S10). For example, if there is a detection signal from the starting port sensor 46 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it is determined that a prize has been won (YES), and if there is no such detection signal, it is determined that a prize has not been won (NO). If a pachinko ball wins the starting opening 24 (YE
S), various random numbers are read corresponding to each prize [step S12]. As the random number read in step S12, one or both of a software random number using a counter or the like and a hardware random number using an oscillator or the like are used. For example, the winning determination random number RA for determining whether it is a jackpot, the winning symbol random number RB for identifying the jackpot symbol to be confirmed and displayed after stopping the symbol variation, the display pattern from the start to the stop of the symbol variation, etc. The symbol display random number RC or the like is applicable.

When various random numbers are stored in the RAM 126, the payout control board 1 for paying out the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning.
The payout command is transmitted to 12 [step S1
4], the holding process is executed to increase the number of holdings and the like [step S16]. A specific procedure of the holding process will be described with reference to FIG.

In the holding process shown in FIG. 5, first, the starting port 24
In response to the detection of the winning pachinko ball, the measurement time measured from the previous winning to the present winning is stored in the RAM 126 as a detection interval [step S30], and the measurement time is set to 0 in preparation for the next winning. Return to [Step S3
2]. The detection interval corresponds to the time interval. When the player wins in the starting port 24 for the first time, the detection interval is not stored because there is no previous winning. If the number of holdings reaches the upper limit value (holding number ≧ upper limit value; YE in step S36).
S) Then, after increasing the number of detected pachinko balls that have won the start opening 24 per reference time, that is, the number of measurements [step S42], the holding process is ended. On the other hand, when the number of reservations has not reached the upper limit (the number of reservations <the upper limit; NO in step S36), the random number read in step S12 of FIG. 5 is stored in the RAM 126 or the like corresponding to each reservation [step S44. ], The counting result after increasing the number of holdings is displayed on the number of holdings display 52, and [Step S46],
Finish the hold process.

In this example, when the pachinko ball wins the starting opening 24, the detection interval is stored in the RAM 126 and the measurement time is returned to 0 (step S30,
S32), the detection interval is stored in the RAM 126 when the hold number reaches the upper limit value, and the measurement time is set to 0.
May be returned to (steps S38 and S4 indicated by a chain double-dashed line).
0). Similarly, the number of measurements is increased when the number of holdings reaches the upper limit (step S42), but the number of measurements may be increased when the pachinko ball wins the starting opening 24 (two points. Step S34) indicated by a chain line. Whether the pachinko ball wins the winning opening 24,
Whether or not the number of holdings reaches the upper limit value can be arbitrarily set according to the model of the pachinko machine 12, the game state, etc., and may be switched at any timing during the game. Any one of steps S38, S40, and S42 may be executed when the number of reservations reaches a predetermined value (however, a predetermined value ≦ upper limit value).

Returning to FIG. 4 after completing the above-mentioned holding process,
It is determined whether it is impossible to change or whether the number of holdings is 0 or less [step S18]. That is, when the current game state is changing the symbol or during the big hit game, it is determined that it cannot be changed, and when it is not in any of the states, it is determined that it is variable. If the number of reservations is 0 or less, all the symbol variations related to the reservation have already been completed. If it is possible to change the design and the number of holdings is 1 or more (step S1
8), the digestion process is performed in order to reduce the number of reservations in preparation for future processes [step S20]. A specific procedure of the digestion process will be described with reference to FIG.

In the digestion process shown in FIG. 6, the count result after reducing the number of holdings is displayed on the number-of-holding display 52 in order to realize the symbol variation related to the holding [step S50],
A variation pattern according to the symbol variation is determined based on a random number (for example, the symbol display random number RC) [Step S
52]. If it is not the time to expand or contract the variable period (NO in step S54), the digestion process is ended. For example, when the game starts from the initial state of the pachinko machine 12 (specifically, when the power is turned on or when it is reset), the pachinko ball first wins in the starting opening 24, or a considerable amount of time after the last symbol fluctuation is finished. For example, when the pachinko ball wins the starting opening 24 after the passage of time. On the other hand, if it is the timing for expanding or contracting the variable period (YES in step S54), each process described below is executed.

If the calculation is performed (step S56)
YES), a predetermined calculation is performed using one or more data relating to the detection interval, the number of detections, etc. [step S58], and the variation period of the variation pattern determined in step S52 is expanded or contracted based on the calculation result [ Step S60].
The detection interval is stored in step S30 of FIG. 5, and the number of detections is stored in step S74 of FIG. 7, which will be described later. The condition for performing the calculation in step S56 can be arbitrarily set according to the model of the pachinko machine 12, the game state, etc., but for example, the first predetermined time (for example, 1
Time, etc., or winning a predetermined number of pachinko balls, such as 10 or more, in the starting opening 24, also starting from the initial state, and a second predetermined time (eg 15 minutes, etc.) from the previous winning. ) Is applicable.

The predetermined operation in step S58 is, for example, four arithmetic operations performed using a constant value (fixed value or variable value) for any one of the detection intervals and the number of detections,
Exponential functions (Exp etc.), logarithmic functions (Log etc.), etc., function calculation, increase / decrease in the number of holdings compared to when starting the previous symbol fluctuation, detection intervals and detection numbers accumulated from the above initial state, etc. A simple average obtained by dividing by the number of winnings, a moving average obtained by dividing the number of detections or the number of detections of winnings a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times) before this winning by a predetermined number of times, a predetermined number from this winning Weighted average of individual detection intervals and number of detections before winning the number of times, and then dividing by a predetermined number of times Weighted average, obtained using the above-mentioned simple average and the detection interval and number of detections related to this winning Standard deviation, etc. are applicable. Of these calculations, two or more calculations may be arbitrarily combined, such as combining the four arithmetic operations and the moving average.

Further, the expansion and contraction of the fluctuation period in step S60 is such that the fluctuation period is extended when the calculation result (simple average, moving average, etc.) is large, and the fluctuation period is shortened when the calculation result is small. The expansion / contraction amount (that is, the length of the expansion / contraction period) may be determined in proportion to the calculation result, or may be determined stepwise (for example, every 15 seconds). The target of the expanding and contracting period may be, for example, almost the entire period of the fluctuation period,
It may be part of the period. As a part of the period,
For the symbol fluctuations consisting of basic fluctuations and individual fluctuations, the period required for either fluctuation is applicable. Here, the basic variation directs from the variation start to the stop of the second symbol (including the reach), and the individual variation directs from the stop of the second symbol to the stop of all the symbols according to the lottery result, for example.

On the other hand, when the calculation is not performed (NO in step S56), the variation period for the variation pattern determined in step S52 is expanded or contracted based on the data such as the detection interval and the number of detections (step S68). . In this case, the expansion and contraction of the fluctuation period is expanded and contracted so as to be almost the same as the detection interval (that is, the fluctuation period = the detection interval), or almost the same as the fluctuation period obtained by referring to the table based on the number of detections. The variable period is expanded / contracted so as to be the same. The table is stored in the ROM 124 or the like in advance after associating the number of detections with the fluctuation period, and an example thereof is shown in the following table.

[0043]

[Table 1]

With respect to the variable period expanded / contracted in steps S60 and S68, the variable period is further expanded / contracted based on the number of reservations [step S62], or the variable period is expanded / contracted based on the lottery result for the reservation. Step S
64]. For example, the ratio of expanding and contracting the variable period increases as the number of holding increases, and the ratio of expanding and contracting the variable period increases as the number of lost lottery results for holding increases. Then, the variation period is expanded or contracted based on the operating state of the device 6 involved in the firing of the pachinko ball [step S66], and the digestion process is ended. The device 6 corresponds to, for example, the touch sensor 34, the motor 100, the stop switch, or the like. For example, when the player is not touching the handle 32 without receiving a signal from the touch sensor 34, when the motor 100 stops rotating, or when the stop switch is pressed, the player is prompted to shoot. In order to shorten the fluctuation period.

When the holding digestion process is completed in this way, returning to FIG. 4 again, the liquid crystal display 22 starts changing the symbol [step S22]. That is, the display command including the variation pattern determined in step S56 of FIG.
By transmitting to 0, the symbol variation is realized. A predetermined display period (for example, 6
0 seconds, etc.) is required, so during the display period, step S
24, it is necessary to wait for the execution of S26. On the other hand, when the number of holdings is 0 or less, step S52 of FIG. 6 is not executed and the variation pattern is not determined, so the symbol variation is not performed.

After the symbols have been changed, it is determined whether or not the result of the lottery this time is a big hit [step S24]. In the pachinko machine 12 which is not easily affected by external noise and has high reliability, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit (that is, whether or not the random number RA for winning determination = the winning value). If it is a big hit (YES), a big hit process is executed to give the player a chance to achieve a big hit game and obtain a prize ball [step S26]. In the jackpot process, for example, the opening / closing lid 28 of the special winning opening 26 is opened for a required period (for example, 30 seconds), and prize balls are paid out according to the number of pachinko balls that have won the special winning opening 26 or the like. I do. Since the specific procedure of the jackpot process is well known, its description and illustration are omitted. On the other hand, when it is impossible to change or the number of holdings is 0 or less in step S18 (YES), step S2
When the lottery result is a loss in 4 (NO), the starting opening process is finished at that point.

The periodical measurement process shown in FIG. 7 is executed in parallel with the above-mentioned starting port process, holding process, and extinguishing process, and is performed almost regularly (for example, every 4 milliseconds or 5 times) by a timer interrupt or the like.
Every millisecond). First, the measurement time used for measuring the time taken from the previous winning to the present winning is increased [step S70]. If the elapsed time used to measure the unit time reaches the reference time (elapsed time ≧ reference time;
(YES in step S72), the number of measurements increased in steps S34 and S42 in FIG. 5 on the assumption that the unit time division has been reached is stored in the RAM 126 or the like as the number of detections [step S74] and measured in preparation for the next unit time. The number and the elapsed time are reset to 0 [Step S7
6], the regular measurement process ends. On the other hand, when the elapsed time has not reached the reference time (elapsed time <reference time; NO in step S72), the elapsed time is increased because it is still in the unit time [step S78], and the regular measurement process ends.

An example in which the variable period and the like are changed by executing the respective processes shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. First, in the time chart shown in FIG. 8, the output signal of the starting port sensor 46, the number of holdings according to the present invention, and the symbol variation displayed on the liquid crystal display 22 are shown in chronological order from the top (the left side of the drawing). To move to the right). In addition, for comparison and comparison, the number of holdings and the change in symbols in time series according to the conventional technique for shortening the fluctuation period according to the number of holdings are also shown. In addition, design fluctuation x
1, x2, x3, ... are symbol variations 7a, 7b, ..., 7g,
, And the fluctuation periods p1, p2, p3, ... Correspond to the fluctuation periods pa, pb, ..., pg ,.
2, ... Correspond to the time intervals ia, ib, ..., ij ,.

In FIG. 8, nine pachinko balls are shown at time t.
Since the winning opening 24 is won at 1, t2, ..., The starting opening sensor 46 which has detected each winning outputs a signal. The intervals at which the starting opening sensor 46 detects a pachinko ball are indicated by detection intervals i1, i2, .... Of these, the first pachinko ball has won the starting opening 24 at time t1, and at approximately the same time, the liquid crystal display 22 makes a symbol variation x1 and receives the second pachinko ball winning at time t2. The symbol variation x2 is performed from time t4 (step S22 in FIG. 4). When the starting opening sensor 46 detects a pachinko ball during pattern change, the number of holdings increases (step S4 in FIG. 5).
6), when the variation is finished and a new symbol variation is started, the number of holdings is reduced (step S50 in FIG. 6).

First, in the symbol fluctuation according to the conventional technique shown on the lower side, if the number of holdings is 1 or more at the start of fluctuation, the fluctuation period is shortened. When the first symbol variation x11 is matched with the above-mentioned symbol variation x1, the symbol variations x12, x13, x14,
In both x15 and x16, since the number of reservations is 1 or more, the fluctuation period is reduced to about half, for example. As a result of shortening in this way, from the time t6 when the symbol variation x16 is finished to the time t8 when the symbol variation x17 is started, the symbol variation is not performed and the symbol variation is interrupted.

On the other hand, the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation according to the present invention shown on the upper side expands and contracts so as to be substantially equal to the detection interval. That is, the variation period p1 required for the symbol variation x1 based on the first winning is a predetermined period (for example, 3
0 seconds). Further, the fluctuation periods p2, p3, ... Of the symbol fluctuations x2, x3, ... Are made substantially equal to the detection intervals i1, i2, .. (step S68 in FIG. 6). Of these, the detection intervals i4, i5, i6 are the other detection intervals i1, i2, i.
It is longer than 3, i7, ... Therefore, the detection intervals i4, i
The symbol fluctuations x5, x6, x7 become long corresponding to 5, i6, and the symbol fluctuations x2, x3, x4, ... become short corresponding to the detection intervals i1, i2, i3, i7 ,. As a result of expansion / contraction in this way, the pattern fluctuations x1, x2, x3, ... Are averaged at the timing of starting the fluctuations, and the breaks in the pattern fluctuations are smaller than in the prior art. The same result can be obtained by other expansion / contraction performed in step S68 of FIG.

Next, in the time chart shown in FIG. 9, in order from the top, the output signal of the starting port sensor 46, the number of holdings for expanding and contracting the variation period based on the moving average, and the symbol variation displayed on the liquid crystal display 22. , The number of holdings, the number of detections, and the liquid crystal display 2 according to the form in which the variation period is expanded or contracted based on the number of detections
2 shows each time-series change in the symbol variation displayed in 2 (similar to FIG. 8 shifts from the left side to the right side of the drawing).

The fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation according to the present invention shown on the upper side of FIG. 9 expands and contracts according to the result of obtaining the moving average for a predetermined number (three in this example) of the detection intervals. That is, the variation period p21 for the symbol variation x21 performed based on the first prize is a predetermined period like the variation period p1 of the symbol variation x1 described above. However, symbol fluctuation x
The fluctuation period p22 of 22 is made substantially equal to the average value of the detection intervals i1, i2, i3 (step S58 in FIG. 6). Similarly, the fluctuation period p23 of the symbol fluctuation x23, x24, ...
p24, ... Are made substantially equal to the average value of the detection intervals i2, i3, i4, the average value of the detection intervals i3, i4, i5, ... (Step S58 in FIG. 6). As a result of expansion and contraction in this way, the pattern fluctuations x21, x22, x23, ... Are averaged at the timing of starting the fluctuations, and the breaks in the pattern fluctuations are less than in the prior art of FIG. The same result can be obtained by other expansion and contraction performed in step S58 of FIG.

Further, the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation according to the present invention shown on the lower side of FIG. 9 expands and contracts according to the number of pachinko balls winning the starting opening 24 per unit time, that is, the detected number. The unit time in this example corresponds to a period such as time t1 to time t5, time t5 to time t7, time t7 to time t9, and the like. The fluctuation period p31, p32 concerning the symbol fluctuation x31, x32 in which the number of detections is not fixed yet
Is a predetermined period like the variation period p1 of the symbol variation x1 described above. However, symbol fluctuations x33, x3
4, fluctuating periods p33, p34, p35 related to x35 expands and contracts according to "4" of the detected number y31 from time t1 to time t5, and fluctuating periods p36 and p37 related to symbol fluctuations x36 and x37 are from time t5 to time t7. Detection number y
It expands and contracts according to "2" of 32, and so on. As a result of expansion and contraction in this way, symbol variations x31, x3
2, x33, ... Averages the timing of starting fluctuation,
The number of interruptions in the pattern variation is smaller than that in the conventional technique of FIG.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The starting opening sensor 46 measures the detection intervals i1, i2, ... That detect pachinko balls (see step S30 in FIG. 5), and the variation period p is determined according to the detection intervals i1, i2 ,.
1, p2, p3, ... and fluctuation periods p21, p22, p2
3 are expanded and contracted (see steps S60 and S68 in FIG. 6). Further, the number of detections y31, y32, y33, ... Detecting pachinko balls by the starting opening sensor 46 per unit time is measured (see step S74 of FIG. 7), and the number of detections y is detected.
Fluctuating periods p31, p depending on 31, y32, y33, ...
32, p33, ... Expanded and contracted (Step S60 of FIG. 6,
(See S68). In this way, when the variation period is expanded or contracted according to one or both of the detection intervals i1, i2, ... And the number of detections y31, y32, y33, ..., The timing of performing the symbol variation is averaged, and the interruption of the symbol variation is reduced. The variation of the appearance pattern increases (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Overall, the player has what is called a pachinko machine 12 with good rotation.
I will continue to play, trying to get many prize balls. Therefore, the operation rate of the pachinko machine 12 can be maintained or improved.

(2) A plurality of detection intervals i obtained by measurement
1, i2, ... (See step S30 in FIG. 5), moving average, etc. are calculated (see step S58 in FIG. 6). According to the calculation result calculated in this way, the fluctuation period p2
1, p22, p23, ... have been expanded and contracted (step S in FIG. 6).
60). In this way, when the variation period is expanded or contracted according to the change of the detection intervals i1, i2, ..., The timing of performing the symbol variation is averaged, the interruption of the symbol variation is reduced, and the visible symbol variation is increased (see FIGS. 8 and 9). reference). Then, the player comes to think that it is a pachinko machine 12 in which a lot of symbol variations occur, so that the player continues the game in order to obtain many prize balls. Therefore, the operation rate of the pachinko machine 12 can be maintained or improved. In this example, the calculation is performed based on the plurality of detection intervals i1, i2, ..., However, the plurality of detection numbers y31, y32 ,.
The same effect can be obtained even if the calculation is performed based on (see step S74 of FIG. 7 and step S60 of FIG. 6).

(3) The detection intervals i1, i2, ... And the detection number y31 are triggered by the fact that the number of holdings reaches the upper limit.
The number of measurements that is the basis of y32, ... Was measured (see steps S38, S39, and S40 in FIG. 5). After the number of holdings reaches the upper limit value, even if the starting opening sensor 46 detects a pachinko ball that has entered the starting opening 24, the symbol variation is not held. In this way, if the fluctuation period is shortened in the non-holdable state, it is possible to accelerate the digestion of the hold and increase the number of detections that can hold the symbol fluctuation. In this example, although the number of holdings has reached the upper limit value, the number of holdings may reach a predetermined value of a large value. In this case as well, if the holding period is reduced by shortening the variable period, the number of holdings decreases more quickly, and the player starts firing the pachinko ball again. Therefore, the operating rate of the pachinko machine 12 can be maintained or improved.

(4) The fluctuation period is expanded or contracted according to one or both of the number of holdings and the lottery result relating to the held design fluctuations (see steps S62 and S64 in FIG. 6). Specifically, the fluctuation period was shortened as the number of holdings increased, and the fluctuation period was shortened as the number of lost lottery results increased. Detection intervals i1, i2, ... And detection numbers y31, y3
Since the variation period is expanded or contracted based on conditions different from 2, ..., It is possible to further average the timing of performing the symbol variation and increase the apparent symbol variation. Therefore,
The operating rate of the pachinko machine 12 can be maintained or improved.

(5) Symbol fluctuations x1, x2, x3, ... Fluctuation periods p1, p2, p3, ... And symbol fluctuations x21, x2
Fluctuating periods p21, p22, p23, ...
And the like are composed of basic fluctuations and individual fluctuations, the predetermined period for the basic fluctuations is expanded or contracted (step S5 in FIG. 6).
8, S68). In the individual fluctuation, it is possible to display according to the lottery result, and the entire fluctuation period is expanded or contracted by expanding or contracting the predetermined period of the basic fluctuation. By doing so, while performing the same display as the conventional one, it is possible to further average the timing of performing the symbol variation and increase the apparent symbol variation.

(6) The variation period is expanded or contracted according to the operating states of the touch sensor 34, the motor 100, the stop switch, etc. involved in the firing of the pachinko ball (step S6 in FIG. 6).
See 6). That is, when the player is not gripping the handle 32 or is operating the stop switch, the variation period is expanded or contracted so as to be disadvantageous to the player. If this is done, the player will be at a disadvantage if he does not continue to shoot the pachinko ball, so he will try to shoot the pachinko ball. Therefore, the operation rate of the pachinko machine 12 can be maintained or improved.

[Other Embodiments] The pachinko machine 1 described above
In 2 (gaming machine), the structure, shape, size, arrangement, operating conditions, and the like of other parts are not limited to those in the above embodiment. For example, each of the following modes to which the above-described embodiment is applied can be implemented. (1) In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 12. Instead of this form, a game machine other than a pachinko machine (for example, an arrange ball machine, a sparrow ball game machine, a video game machine, etc.) and a game ball B such as a pachinko ball.
The present invention can be similarly applied to the one configured to perform the symbol variation due to the detection of. Even with the other gaming machines, the appearance variation was increased by averaging the timing of performing the variation as much as possible.
It is possible to maintain or improve the operating rate of gaming machines such as the pachinko machine 12.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the symbol variation relating to the special symbol displayed on the liquid crystal display 22 is applied, but the same is also applied to the ordinary symbol displayed on the specific area 22a of the liquid crystal display 22. can do. That is, the gate sensor 54 detects a pachinko ball passing through the gate 56 and measures the detection interval and the number of detections involved in the detection (see step S30 in FIG. 5 and step S74 in FIG. 7). Then, according to the measured detection interval and the number of detections, the variation period required for the symbol variation of the normal symbol is expanded or contracted (see steps S58 to S68 in FIG. 6). If this is done, the timing of performing the symbol variation of the normal symbol is averaged, the interruption of the symbol variation is reduced, and the appearance symbol variation is increased. Since the player usually thinks of the so-called pachinko machine 12 with good rotation about the symbols, he continues the game in order to obtain many prize balls. Therefore, the operation rate of the pachinko machine 12 can be maintained or improved.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the measured detection intervals i1, i2, ... And the number of detections y31, y32, y3.
A predetermined calculation was performed based on 3, ... (See step S58 in FIG. 6). The predetermined calculation is a moving average, four arithmetic operations, a function calculation, etc., but the result obtained by this calculation is local in a game played for a long time. On the other hand, if the wave of the frequency at which the pachinko ball wins the starting opening 24 is known, it is also possible to know how much the fluctuation period should be expanded or contracted in order to average the timing of changing the symbols. For example, when the winning frequency becomes high, the fluctuation period is gradually shortened, and conversely, when the winning frequency is low, the fluctuation period is gradually lengthened, whereby the timing of symbol fluctuation can be averaged.
Therefore, the detection intervals i1, i2, ... And the number of detections y31, y3
It may be configured to predict the situation in which the starting opening sensor 46 detects a pachinko ball based on the detection data such as 2, y33, ... As a specific calculation for performing the prediction, for example, interpolation based on multiple regression analysis or interpolation based on a curve equation (for example, interpolation of spline curve or Bezier curve) is applicable. Since the fluctuation period can be predicted for the symbol fluctuations performed after this time by the obtained interpolation or the like, it is also possible to average the timing of the symbol fluctuations.

(4) In the above embodiment, the detector 1
The starting port sensor 46 is applied as the gate sensor 5
Other sensors, such as the 4 or V sensor 62, may be applied. Further, although the liquid crystal display 22 is applied as the display unit 4,
Other display devices such as the decorative display device 20 and the information display device 60, and illuminants (further, a combination of two or more display devices)
May be applied. Even in such a case, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the above-described embodiment.

(5) The timing at which the pachinko ball wins the starting opening 24 is random (according to Poisson distribution),
Assuming that the length of the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation based on the winning is indefinite (according to the exponential distribution), the queuing theory (Kendall's M / M / 1 model) can be applied. That is, the number of detections by which the starting opening sensor 46 detects a pachinko ball per unit time corresponds to the average arrival rate λ, and the number of symbol variations that can be consumed per unit time corresponds to the average service rate μ. Assuming this, the length of the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation per unit time is represented by 1 / μ, and the probability of being reserved per unit time is the service utilization rate ρ {ρ = λ / μ}. The average number of holdings per unit time is represented by the average number of customers in the queue L _q {L _q = ρ ² / (1-
ρ)}, and the waiting time from the detection by the starting port sensor 46 until the actual fluctuation of the symbol is the average waiting time W _q
It is represented by { _Wq = _Lq / [lambda] = [rho] / ([mu] (1- [rho]))}. According to the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9 shown in the above-described embodiment, the average value of the detection intervals i1, i2, ... And the number of detections y31, y32,
y33, ... Corresponds to the average arrival rate λ, and if the result of subtracting the number of variations in the pattern from the number of detections per unit time is divided by the number of detections, it corresponds to the service utilization rate ρ, and the unit for the number of holdings. The result of obtaining the average value per hour corresponds to the average number of customers L _q in the queue, and for example, the average value of the waiting time from time t1 to time t4 corresponds to the average waiting time W _q . Using these elements, 1 / μ can be obtained as the length of the fluctuation period. If the variation period is expanded or contracted in this way, the timing of performing the symbol variation is averaged, the interruption of the symbol variation is reduced, and the visible symbol variation is increased.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, the appearance variation is increased by averaging the timing of performing the variation as much as possible, so that it is possible to maintain or improve the operating rate of a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of various substrates and devices.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a starting opening process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a holding process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a digestion process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of regular measurement processing.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing an example of changes in the fluctuation period and the like.

FIG. 9 is a time chart showing an example of changes in the fluctuation period and the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Detector 2 Measuring means 2a 1st measuring means 2b 2nd measuring means 3 Period expansion / contraction means 4 Display part 5 Computing means 6 Device 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, ...) Symbol variation B Game ball ia, ib , Ic, id, ie, ... Time intervals pa, pb, pc, pd, pe, ... Fluctuation period 12 Pachinko machine (gaming machine) 22 Liquid crystal display (display section) 24 Starting port 34 Touch sensor (device) 46 Starting port Sensor (detector) 100 Motor (device) 120 Main control board (measurement means, period expansion / contraction means, calculation means) 122,140 CPU 124,142 ROM 126,143 RAM 130 Symbol control board x1, x2, x3, ... p1, p2, p3, ... Fluctuation period i1, i2, i3, ... Detection interval (time interval) y31, y32, ... Detection number (detection number)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A lottery is carried out when the detector detects a game ball, and symbol fluctuation is started on the display unit.
In the gaming machine configured to hold the symbol fluctuation when the detector detects a game ball during a period in which the symbol fluctuation cannot be started, and to absorb the symbol fluctuation that has been held when the symbol fluctuation in execution is finished, First to measure a time interval for the detector to detect a game ball
According to the measuring means and the time interval measured by the first measuring means,
A game machine having a period expansion / contraction means for expanding / contracting the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuation. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the period expanding / contracting means includes an arithmetic means for performing a predetermined arithmetic operation using a plurality of time intervals obtained by measurement, and the arithmetic result calculated by the arithmetic means is used. A gaming machine that expands and contracts the fluctuation period of the symbol fluctuations accordingly. 3. A lottery is carried out when the detector detects a game ball, and symbol fluctuation is started on the display unit,
In the gaming machine configured to hold the symbol fluctuation when the detector detects a game ball during a period in which the symbol fluctuation cannot be started, and to absorb the symbol fluctuation that has been held when the symbol fluctuation in execution is finished, Second measuring means for measuring the number of detections by which the detector detects a game ball per unit time, and period expanding / contracting means for expanding / contracting the variable period of the symbol fluctuation according to the number of detections measured by the second measuring means. A gaming machine having and. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the second measuring means measures the number of detections per unit time when the number of holdings of symbol fluctuation reaches a predetermined value. 5. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the period expanding / contracting means is a symbol depending on one or both of the number of holdings and a lottery result depending on the pending design variation. A gaming machine that expands and contracts the fluctuation period. 6. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a basic change consisting of a predetermined period regardless of a lottery result and an individual change consisting of a variable period that expands and contracts according to the lottery result. When configuring the symbol variation, the period expansion / contraction means expands / contracts the predetermined period. 7. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the period expanding / contracting unit expands / contracts the variable period of the symbol fluctuation according to the operating state of the device involved in the launch of the game ball. .