JP2004024595A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine widening the presenting direction of judging symbol itself in a judging symbol, realizing abundant image expression, widening the presenting direction of individual pixels constituting the judging symbol, realizing abundant image expression, improving the amusement of the game and reducing data quantity related to image processing. <P>SOLUTION: Among a plurality of judging symbols, at least one judging symbol is constituted of two or more kinds of pixels of main judging symbol parts and auxiliary judging symbol parts. To make it possible to separate and integrate each of pixels constituting one judging symbol during variation presenting and present the exchange and the like of front and behind, a separation presenting control means for controlling presenting control data containing presenting priority independent of every pixel is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００５６】
ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａは、大当たり及び外れを判定する乱数カウンタであり、当該遊技機１における当否判定手段に相当するものである。このラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａは、遊技機１の電源投入時、‘０’から始まり、所定の割り込み時間（例えば４ｍｓｅｃ）毎に１ずつ加算され、数値が‘６２９’に至ると、再び‘０’に戻って前記加算を繰り返すようになっている。ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａの数値は、遊技球が第１種始動入賞口１０，１１に入賞して特別図柄変動開始スイッチによって検出されたときに取得され、予め決定されている大当たり数値、この実施例では平時（低確率状態時）には‘５’，‘５００’と対比され、前記確率変動状態時（高確率状態時）には‘５’，‘５０’，‘１００’，‘２００’，‘３００’，‘３５０’，‘４００’，‘４５０’，‘５００’，‘６００’と対比されて大当たりか否か判断される。また、当否の判定が終了するまでの間に、遊技球が第１種始動入賞口１０，１１に入賞してラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａの数値が再び取得されることがあるため、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａの記憶取得値（更新取得数値）は、現在変動中に係わる取得値を含めず最大４個が、前記メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ７３にいったん格納され、順次判定に供される。
【００５７】
ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１は、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａによる大当たり当否判定結果が外れとなる場合において、リーチ状態となるか否かを決定するものであり、具体的には前記画像表示部５０の各表示領域のうち、最終停止図柄表示領域（この例では中央表示領域）だけを残して、残りの２つの表示領域で図柄が特定の組み合わせ（この例では同一図柄）で仮停止表示（停止表示）されるか否かを決定するものである。ここで、前記仮停止表示とは、前出のとおり、特別図柄がいったん停止表示されたと遊技者に思わせるが、まだ図柄変動中であること、つまり、まだ全図柄が確定停止されていないことを示す表示である。
【００５８】
このラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１は、遊技機１の電源投入時、‘０’から始まり、前記割り込み時間毎に１ずつ加算され、数値が‘４９’になると、再び‘０’に戻って前記加算を繰り返すようになっている。当該ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１の数値は、前記第１種始動入賞口１０，１１への入賞球が特別図柄変動開始スイッチによって検出されたときに取得され、大当たり当否判定結果が外れの場合に、その数値が予め決定されているリーチ成立数値と対比されてリーチ状態成立か否か判断される。この実施例では、前記リーチ成立数値は‘２４’又は‘４９’となっており、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１の取得数値が当該リーチ成立数値となった場合には、リーチ状態が成立する。当該ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１の取得数値は、メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ７３に所定数、この例では、決定中の数値を含めて、最大５個まで格納される。なお、この実施例では、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａによる大当たり当否判定結果が大当たりとなる場合には、必ずリーチ状態が成立するようになっているので、このラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１は使用されない。
【００５９】
ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−ＡＺ１は、大当たり成立時、前記画像表示部５０の左側表示領域、中央表示領域、右側表示領域に確定停止して揃う確定大当たり停止図柄組み合わせを決定するものであり、当該遊技機１における停止判定図柄決定手段に相当する。このラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−ＡＺ１は、電源投入時に‘０’から始まって前記割り込み時間毎に‘１’ずつ加算され、‘１１’に至ると再び‘０’に戻る繰り返しを行う。ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−ＡＺ１の数値は、前記第１種始動入賞口１０，１１への入賞球が特別図柄変動開始スイッチによって検出されたときに取得され、変動表示中の図柄に対するものを含めず、最大４個までメイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ７３の特別図柄乱数記憶領域に格納される。前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−ＡＺ１の数値には、各数値に対応する確定大当たり停止図柄組み合わせが予め割り当てられている。実施例においては、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−ＡＺ１の数値が‘０’の場合には零と銭のぞろ目、‘１’の場合には壱とハートのぞろ目、‘２’の場合には弐と刀のぞろ目、‘３’の場合には参と桃のぞろ目、‘４’の場合には四と銭のぞろ目、‘５’の場合には伍とハートのぞろ目、‘６’の場合には六と刀のぞろ目、‘７’の場合には七と桃のぞろ目、‘８’の場合には八と銭のぞろ目、‘９’の場合には九とハートのぞろ目、‘１０’の場合には幻と刀のぞろ目、‘１１’の場合には剣と桃のぞろ目を確定大当たり停止図柄組み合わせとして最終的に確定停止表示する。なお、この実施例では、上記のように、確定大当たり停止図柄組み合わせに応じて特別遊技実行時のラウンド数や特別遊技終了後に確率変動するか否かが決まるようになっているため、当該ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−ＡＺ１は、前記ラウンド数の選択及び確率変動するか否かの選択にも使用されることになる。
【００６０】
ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３は、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａによる大当たり当否判定結果が外れとなる場合において、画像表示部５０に確定停止表示する外れ図柄組み合わせの決定に用いられるものであり、当該遊技機１における停止判定図柄決定手段に相当するものである。前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１は左側表示領域の左特別図柄、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２は右側表示領域の右特別図柄、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３は中央表示領域（最終停止図柄表示領域）の中特別図柄（最終停止特別図柄）にそれぞれ対応する。
【００６１】
前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１は、電源投入時に‘０’から始まって前記割り込み時間毎に‘１’ずつ加算され、‘１１’に至った後、再び‘０’から始まって加算が繰り返される。また、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２は、電源投入時に‘０’から始まって、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の数値が再び‘０’に戻る際に‘１’ずつ加算され、‘１１’に至った後、再び‘０’から始まって加算が繰り返される。さらに、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３は、電源投入時に‘０’から始まって、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２の数値が再び‘０’に戻る際に‘１’ずつ加算され、‘１１’に至った後、再び‘０’から始まって加算が繰り返される。これによって、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の各乱数範囲が同一であっても、当該ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３が同期（同一の組み合わせで加算）するのを避けることができる。
【００６２】
前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の数値には、各数値に対応する図柄が予め割り当てられている。この実施例では、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の各数値に対して、数値が‘０’の場合には零と銭、‘１’の場合には壱とハート、‘２’の場合には弐と刀、‘３’の場合には参と桃、‘４’の場合には四と銭、‘５’の場合には伍とハート、‘６’の場合には六と刀、‘７’の場合には七と桃、‘８’の場合には八と銭、‘９’の場合には九とハート、‘１０’の場合には幻と刀、‘１１’の場合には剣と桃が割り当てられている。そして、前記特別図柄変動開始スイッチによって入賞球が検出される毎にラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３から取得される数値の組み合わせによって、外れ時に画像表示部５０の左側表示領域、、右側表示領域、中央表示領域に表示される確定停止図柄が定まる。また、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の取得数値は、メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ７３に所定数、この例では、表示中の外れ図柄組み合わせに対する数値を含めず、最大４個まで格納される。
【００６３】
この実施例では、外れの際にラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の全ての数値が一致し、かつラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１の数値によりリーチ状態が成立する場合には、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３の数値に１加算し、その値とラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１，Ｂ２の数値に割り当てられている各図柄が確定停止表示されるようになっている。また、外れの際にラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の全ての数値が一致し、かつリーチ状態が成立しない場合、及びラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１，Ｂ２の２つの数値が一致し（ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３の数値は異なる。）、かつリーチ状態が成立しない場合には、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２の数値に１加算し、その値とラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１，Ｂ３の数値に割り当てられている各図柄が確定停止表示されるようになっている。さらに、外れの際にラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１の数値によりリーチ状態が成立するにもかかわらず、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１とＢ２の数値が一致しない場合には、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２の数値をラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の数値と同一数値に変更するとともに、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３の数値を前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の数値に１加算した数値に変更し、それらの変更した値とラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の数値に割り当てられている各図柄が確定停止表示されるようになっている。
【００６４】
ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｔ１は、それ単独或いは前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３とともに、リーチ状態時のリーチ種類、すなわち、前記リーチ時に画像表示部５０で表示される特別図柄（判定図柄）の表示態様等の決定に用いられるものである。このラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｔ１の数値は遊技機１の電源投入時、‘０’から始まり、前記割り込み時間毎に１ずつ加算され、数値が‘３５’になると、再び‘０’に戻って前記加算を繰り返すようになっている。当該ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｔ１の数値は、前記第１種始動入賞口１０，１１への入賞球が特別図柄変動開始スイッチによって検出されたときに取得され、決定中に対するものを含めて、最大５個まで前記メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ７３に格納される。なお、このラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｔ１及びラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の各数値に基づくリーチについては後述する。
【００６５】
また、メイン制御回路７０又は表示制御回路９０に設けられるカウンタとしては、特別図柄の変動時におけるその他の表示態様、例えば大当たり又はリーチ状態となる可能性が高いことを報知するための予告を演出するか否かを決定するカウンタや、該予告の態様を決定するカウンタや、確定当たり図柄組み合わせの確定停止表示前に、画像表示部５０に仮の当たり図柄組み合わせ（ここではぞろ目）を微妙な揺れ変動等の所定動作態様で仮停止表示し、その後、前記仮停止によっていったん揃った全ての特別図柄を、図柄が揃った状態のまま一緒に所定時間スクロール変動させてから、前記確定当たり図柄組み合わせを確定停止表示する、所謂再抽選演出を行うか否かを決定するカウンタ等が適宜追加されることがある。
【００６６】
前記メイン制御回路７０或いは表示制御回路９０に設けられる複数のフラグとしては、大当たり（特別遊技）フラグＡ１、確率変動フラグＢ１、リーチフラグＣ１等が挙げられ、その他適宜のカウンタにより成立する特別遊技実行中フラグ、普通図柄当たり（小当たり）フラグ等が挙げられる。なお、これらのフラグは、初期設定時には全て０にセットされている。
【００６７】
次に、本発明に係る遊技機１において前記メイン制御回路７０が行う一連の処理について、前記カウンタとの関係から詳述する。なお、図３に示したメイン制御回路７０のＣＰＵ７２は、割り込み時間（４ｍｓｅｃ）毎にメイン制御回路７０のＲＯＭに記憶されている各プログラム（メインルーチン）を実行する。
【００６８】
図５のフローチャートから理解されるように、メイン処理Ｍにおいては、まず、電源投入がなされたか否か確認されてから（Ｓ１０）、初期設定（Ｓ２０）、出力処理（Ｓ３０）、入力処理（Ｓ４０）、乱数更新処理（Ｓ５０）、第１種始動入賞口１０，１１への入賞の確認（Ｓ６０）、乱数取得処理（Ｓ７０）、大当たり当否判定条件（特別図柄始動条件）成立の確認（Ｓ８０）、大当たり当否判定処理（Ｓ９０）、リーチ決定処理（Ｓ１００）、確定停止特別図柄決定処理（Ｓ１１０）、特別図柄表示態様決定処理（Ｓ１３０）、その他の処理（Ｓ１６０）が行われる。
【００６９】
初期設定（Ｓ２０）では、スタックの設定、定数設定、ＣＰＵの設定、ＳＩＯ，ＰＩＯ，ＣＴＣの設定等を行う。なお、電源投入時のみに必要な処理は１順目のみに実行され、後は実行されることがない。
【００７０】
出力処理（Ｓ３０）では、図６のフローチャートから理解されるように、前記メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ７３中のコマンドバッファ内に出力データの有無が確認され（Ｓ３１）、出力データがある場合には、当該コマンドバッファ内の出力データが出力される（Ｓ３２）。出力データがない場合には、データの出力は行われず終了する。なお、前記出力データには、変動パターン指定コマンド、停止図柄指定コマンド等がある。
【００７１】
入力処理（Ｓ４０）では、第１種始動入賞口１０，１１、普通図柄変動開始用ゲート１９，２１、大入賞口１５等に取り付けられたスイッチ（センサー）が遊技球を検出した場合に遊技に関する各種データの入力処理が行われる。
【００７２】
乱数更新処理（Ｓ５０）では、図７のフローチャートから理解されるように、各カウンタ（ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２，Ｂ３を除く。）の各数値Ｑｎ（ｎ＝１〜４，７）が前記所定時間毎に１ずつ加算され（Ｓ５１）、前記各数値Ｑｎが所定最大値Ｘ（ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａの場合は６２９、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１の場合は４９、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−ＡＺ１の場合は１１、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の場合は１１、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｔ１の場合は３５）に至ると次に再び‘０’に戻る繰り返しを行う（Ｓ５２，Ｓ５３）。そして、各カウンタの更新数値がメイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭの各カウンタと対応する乱数記憶エリアにそれぞれ記憶される（Ｓ５４）。図７中における『Ｑｎ’』は、加算（更新）される前の各カウンタの数値を意味する。なお、各カウンタは割り込み時間（４ｍｓｅｃ）毎に１ずつ加算され、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２はラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１に連動して数値Ｑ５が加算され、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３はラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２に連動して数値Ｑ６が加算され、前記ＲＡＭの乱数記憶エリアにそれぞれ記憶されるようになっている。
【００７３】
前記乱数更新処理（Ｓ５０）の後、前記第１種始動入賞口１０，１１に入賞があったか否かが前記特別図柄変動開始スイッチの検出により確認される（Ｓ６０）。そして、前記第１種始動入賞口１０，１１への入賞ありと判断された場合には、乱数取得処理（Ｓ７０）が実行される。なお、前記Ｓ６０で入賞なしと判断された場合には、乱数取得処理（Ｓ７０）は省略される。
【００７４】
乱数取得処理（Ｓ７０）では、図８のフローチャートから理解されるように、まず、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａ，ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１，ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−ＡＺ１，ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３，ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｔ１の更新数値Ｑｎ（ｎ＝１〜７）が取得され（Ｓ７１）、次いで、前記取得された各数値Ｑｎを、メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭの取得乱数記憶エリアに各々記憶する（Ｓ７２）。
【００７５】
前記乱数取得処理（Ｓ７０）の後、或いは第１種始動入賞口１０，１１への入賞確認（Ｓ６０）の後、大当たり当否判定条件が成立しているか否かが確認される（Ｓ８０）。ここで、大当たり当否判定条件が成立しているとは、現在特別遊技実行中でない或いは特別図柄変動中でないことをいう。そして、前記大当たり当否判定条件成立と判断された場合には、以降で、大当たり当否判定処理（Ｓ９０）、リーチ決定処理（Ｓ１００）、確定停止特別図柄決定処理（Ｓ１１０）、特別図柄表示態様決定処理（Ｓ１３０）、及びその他の処理（Ｓ１６０）が行われる。一方、前記Ｓ８０で大当たり当否判定条件不成立と判断された場合は、その他の処理（Ｓ１６０）にジャンプし、上記した大当たりに関する処理（Ｓ９０，Ｓ１００，Ｓ１１０，Ｓ１３０）はなされない。
【００７６】
大当たり当否判定処理（Ｓ９０）では、図９のフローチャートから理解されるように、まず、確率変動フラグＢ１が１か否か判断され（Ｓ９１）、該確率変動フラグＢ１が１ではなく０の場合、すなわち低確率状態時（２／６３０）では、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ａの取得数値Ｑ１が大当たり数値である‘５’，‘５００’と対比され（Ｓ９２）、前記大当たり数値の何れかであれば特別遊技実行可、つまり大当たりとなり、大当たりフラグＡ１が１にセットされるとともに、該大当たりフラグＡ１（＝１）がメイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ内に格納される（Ｓ９３）。一方、前記確率変動フラグＢ１が１の場合、すなわち高確率状態時（１０／６３０）では、前記取得数値Ｑ１が大当たり数値である‘５’，‘５０’，‘１００’，‘２００’，‘３００’，‘３５０’，‘４００’，‘４５０’，‘５００’，‘６００’と対比され（Ｓ９４）、前記大当たり数値の何れかと一致すれば大当たりとなり、大当たりフラグＡ１が１にセットされるとともに、該大当たりフラグＡ１（＝１）がメイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ内に格納される（Ｓ９３）。
【００７７】
リーチ決定処理（Ｓ１００）においては、リーチの有無、つまり、特別図柄表示装置４３の画像表示部５０でリーチ状態（大当たり及びリーチ外れ）となるか否かの決定がなされる。図１０のフローチャートから理解されるように、このリーチ決定処理（Ｓ１００）では、最初に大当たりフラグＡ１が１か否か確認され（Ｓ１０１）、大当たりフラグＡ１が１ではなく０、つまり大当たり不成立となる場合、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１の記憶取得数値Ｑ２が読み出され、その取得数値Ｑ２が‘２４’又は‘４９’であるか否か判断される（Ｓ１０２）。そして、両値が一致しない場合、リーチ無し（リーチ状態移行不可）となることが決まる。一方、前記取得数値Ｑ２が‘２４’又は‘４９’である場合、リーチ有り（リーチ状態移行可）となることが決定し、リーチフラグＣ１が１にセットされるとともに、該リーチフラグＣ１（＝１）がメイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ内に格納される（Ｓ１０３）。また、前記Ｓ１０１において大当たりフラグＡ１が１の場合、つまり大当たり（特別遊技実行可）となる場合にも、リーチ有りとなることが決定し、リーチフラグＣ１が１にセットされるとともに、該リーチフラグＣ１（＝１）がメイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ内に格納される（Ｓ１０３）。
【００７８】
確定停止特別図柄決定処理（Ｓ１１０）では、前記大当たり当否判定処理（Ｓ９０）に基づき特別図柄表示装置４３の画像表示部５０に確定（最終）停止表示する特別図柄の決定が行われる。図１１のフローチャートから理解されるように、この確定停止特別図柄決定処理（Ｓ１１０）では、まず、前記大当たりフラグＡ１の値が１か否か判断される（Ｓ１１１）。該値が１と判断された場合、すなわち大当たり（特別遊技実行可）となる場合、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−ＡＺ１の記憶取得数値Ｑ３が読み出され、その取得数値Ｑ３に対して予め決められている図柄の組み合わせが、画像表示部５０に確定停止表示される確定大当たり停止図柄組み合わせとして決定される（Ｓ１１２）。なお、前記したように、この例の確定大当たり停止図柄組み合わせは、判定図柄列において順番を表す要素画像である主判定図柄部と当該主判定図柄部と所定の結びつきを持つ要素画像である副判定図柄部より構成される左，中，右３つの特別図柄（判定図柄）同士の組み合わせとなる。
【００７９】
それに対して、前記Ｓ１１１で大当たりフラグＡ１の値が１でない、すなわち前記値が０と判断され、外れと判定された場合には、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の記憶取得数値Ｑ４〜Ｑ６が読み出され、その読み出された全数値Ｑ４〜Ｑ６が一致するか否か判断される（Ｓ１１３）。全数値Ｑ４〜Ｑ６が一致する場合、続いてリーチ有り（前記リーチフラグＣ１＝１）か否か、ここでは前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｒ１の記憶取得数値Ｑ２が‘２４’又は‘４９’か否か判断される（Ｓ１１４）。そして、リーチ無し（リーチフラグＣ１＝０）と判断された場合、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２（右特別図柄用）の取得数値Ｑ５を１加算し、その値とラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１，Ｂ３の取得数値Ｑ４，Ｑ６に対して予め決められている図柄が、画像表示部５０の左側表示領域、右側表示領域、中央表示領域に確定停止表示される外れ図柄組み合わせとして決定される（Ｓ１１５）。一方、前記Ｓ１１４で、リーチ有り（リーチフラグＣ１＝１）と判断された場合、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３（中特別図柄用）の取得数値Ｑ６を１加算し、その値とラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１，Ｂ２の取得数値Ｑ４，Ｑ５に対して予め決められている図柄（主，副判定図柄部の組合せからなる特別図柄、以下同様）が、画像表示部５０の各表示領域に確定停止表示される外れ図柄組み合わせとして決定される（Ｓ１１６）。
【００８０】
また、前記Ｓ１１３で、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の取得数値Ｑ４〜Ｑ６のうち、少なくとも１つが異なる数値となる場合には、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の取得数値Ｑ４とラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２の取得数値Ｑ５が一致するか否か判断され（Ｓ１１７）、両値が一致する場合、さらにリーチ有り（リーチフラグＣ１＝１）か否か判断される（Ｓ１１８）。そして、リーチ無し（リーチフラグＣ１＝０）と判断された場合、前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２の取得数値Ｑ５を１加算し、その値とラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１，Ｂ３の取得数値Ｑ４，Ｑ６に対して予め決められている図柄が、画像表示部５０の各表示領域に確定停止表示される外れ図柄組み合わせとして決定される（Ｓ１１５）。一方、前記Ｓ１１８で、リーチ有り（リーチフラグＣ１＝１）と判断された場合、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の取得数値Ｑ４〜Ｑ６に対して予め決められている図柄が、画像表示部５０の各表示領域に確定停止表示される外れ図柄組み合わせとして決定される（Ｓ１１９）。
【００８１】
さらに、前記Ｓ１１７でラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の取得数値Ｑ４とラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２の取得数値Ｑ５が一致しない場合、続いてリーチ有り（リーチフラグＣ１＝１）か否か判断される（Ｓ１２０）。そして、リーチ有り（リーチフラグＣ１＝１）と判断された場合には、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ２の取得数値Ｑ５をラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の取得数値Ｑ４と同一数値に変更し、かつラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３の取得数値Ｑ６を前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の取得数値Ｑ４に１加算した数値に変更し、それらの数値とラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１の取得数値Ｑ４に対して予め決められている図柄が、画像表示部５０の各表示領域に確定停止表示される外れ図柄組み合わせとして決定される（Ｓ１２１）。一方、前記Ｓ１２０で、リーチ無し（リーチフラグＣ１＝０）と判断された場合、ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１〜Ｂ３の取得数値Ｑ４〜Ｑ６に対して予め決められている図柄が、画像表示部５０の各表示領域に確定停止表示される外れ図柄組み合わせとして決定される（Ｓ１１９）。
【００８２】
特別図柄表示態様決定処理（Ｓ１３０）では、先に説明した大当たり当否判定処理（Ｓ９０），リーチ決定処理（Ｓ１００），確定停止特別図柄決定処理（Ｓ１１０）に基づいて、前記特別図柄表示装置４３の画像表示部５０における特別図柄の表示態様決定が行われる。図１２のフローチャートから理解されるように、この特別図柄表示態様決定処理（Ｓ１３０）においては、まず、前記大当たりフラグＡ１の値が１か否か判断され（Ｓ１３１）、該大当たりフラグＡ１＝０の場合、つまり大当たり不成立（特別遊技実行不可）となる場合、前記メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ７３に格納されているリーチフラグＣ１が１か否か確認される（Ｓ１３２）。前記リーチフラグＣ１＝０の場合、つまりリーチ無し（リーチ状態移行不可）の場合、リーチ状態の演出を行うことなく外れ図柄組み合わせで確定停止するリーチ無し外れ表示態様に決定される（Ｓ１３３）。決定された表示態様（特別図柄の変動及び停止態様を含む）は、特別図柄変動表示データとして前記メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ内に格納される（Ｓ１３４）。
【００８３】
一方、前記リーチフラグＣ１＝１の場合、つまりリーチ有り（リーチ状態移行可）である場合、この例では前記確定停止特別図柄決定処理（Ｓ１１０）で決定された確定停止特別図柄の中特別図柄が大当たり図柄（右特別図柄及び左特別図柄）−１の図柄配列関係にある図柄か否か、言い換えれば前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３の取得数値Ｑ６が前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１，Ｂ２の取得数値Ｑ４，Ｑ５よりも１小さいか否か（但し、Ｑ４，Ｑ５が‘０’の場合はＱ６が‘１１’か否か）判断され（Ｓ１３５）、その場合には、特別図柄の表示態様としてリーチ状態を構成するリーチＸ１に決定される（Ｓ１３６）。
【００８４】
また、前記確定停止特別図柄の中特別図柄が大当たり図柄（右特別図柄及び左特別図柄）−１の図柄配列関係にない図柄である場合、続いて、前記中特別図柄が大当たり図柄（右特別図柄及び左特別図柄）＋１の図柄配列関係にある図柄か否か、言い換えれば前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ３の取得数値Ｑ６が前記ラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｂ１，Ｂ２の取得数値Ｑ４，Ｑ５よりも１大きいか否か（但し、Ｑ４，Ｑ５が‘１１’の場合はＱ６が‘０’か否か）判断され（Ｓ１３７）、その場合には、さらに前記メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ７３に格納されているラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｔ１の記憶取得数値Ｑ７が読み出され、その記憶取得数値Ｑ７が‘０’〜‘１５’に属するか否か判断される（Ｓ１３８）。そして、前記記憶取得数値Ｑ７が‘０’〜‘１５’の何れかである場合には、特別図柄の表示態様としてリーチ状態を構成するリーチＹ１に決定される（Ｓ１３９）。一方、前記記憶取得数値Ｑ７が‘０’〜‘１５’でない場合、すなわち‘１６’〜‘３５’の何れかである場合には、特別図柄の表示態様としてリーチ状態を構成するリーチＺ１に決定される（Ｓ１４０）。
【００８５】
さらに、前記Ｓ１３７で前記確定停止特別図柄の中特別図柄が大当たり図柄（上特別図柄及び下特別図柄）＋１の図柄配列関係でもない図柄である場合には、特別図柄の表示態様としてリーチ状態を構成するリーチＷ１に決定される（Ｓ１４１）。
【００８６】
上記説明において、前記中特別図柄が大当たり図柄（右特別図柄及び左特別図柄）−１の図柄配列関係にある図柄とは、判定図柄列において左，右特別図柄（特に主判定図柄部の要素画像）より１つ手前の中特別図柄（特に主判定図柄部の要素画像）を示す。具体的には、左，右特別図柄が‘八と銭’であるとき、中特別図柄が‘七と桃’となる。また、前記中特別図柄が大当たり図柄（右特別図柄及び左特別図柄）＋１の図柄配列関係にある図柄とは、左，右特別図柄が‘剣と桃’であるとき、中特別図柄が‘零と銭’となる。
【００８７】
なお、前記表示態様としてリーチＸ１，リーチＹ１，リーチＺ１，リーチＷ１に決定後（Ｓ１３６，Ｓ１３９，Ｓ１４０，Ｓ１４１）、リーチフラグＣ１の値が０にセットされる（Ｓ１４２）とともに、決定された前記表示態様は、特別図柄変動表示データとして前記メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ内に格納される（Ｓ１３４）。
【００８８】
また、前記Ｓ１３１で大当たりフラグＡ１＝１の場合、つまり大当たり成立（特別遊技実行可）となる場合、図１３に示すとおり、メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ７３に格納されているラベル−ＴＲＮＤ−Ｔ１の記憶取得数値Ｑ７が読み出され、その記憶取得数値Ｑ７が‘０’〜‘２’又は‘３’〜‘１５’又は‘１６’〜‘１８’のうち何れの範囲に属するか否か順次判断される（Ｓ１４３〜Ｓ１４５）。そして、前記記憶取得数値Ｑ７が‘０’〜‘２’の何れかである場合には、特別図柄の表示態様がリーチＸ２に決定される（Ｓ１４６）。
【００８９】
また、前記記憶取得数値Ｑ７が‘３’〜‘１５’の何れかである場合には、特別図柄の表示態様がリーチＹ２に決定される（Ｓ１４７）。さらに、前記記憶取得数値Ｑ７が‘１６’〜‘１８’の何れかである場合には、特別図柄の表示態様がリーチＺ２に決定される（Ｓ１４８）。またさらに、前記記憶取得数値Ｑ７が‘０’〜‘１８’の何れの範囲でもない場合、すなわち‘１９’〜‘３５’の何れかである場合には、特別図柄の表示態様がリーチＷ２に決定される（Ｓ１４９）。前記表示態様をリーチＸ２，リーチＹ２，リーチＺ２，リーチＷ２に決定後（Ｓ１４６〜Ｓ１４９）、リーチフラグＣ１の値が０にセットされる（Ｓ１５０）とともに、決定された前記表示態様は、特別図柄変動表示データとして前記メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ内に格納される（Ｓ１５１）。
【００９０】
前記メイン制御回路７０のＲＡＭ内に格納された特別図柄変動表示データは、判定条件の成立に起因して表示制御回路９０に送信される。そして、メイン制御回路７０から表示制御回路９０に特別図柄変動表示データ及び装飾図柄データが送信されると、表示制御回路９０において、前記送信されたデータを基に特別図柄を構成する主，副判定図柄部、背景、キャラクタ等の各要素画像は編集（合成）され、前記特別図柄表示装置４３の画像表示部５０で変動及び停止表示（表示演出）する。なお、各特別図柄は変動態様毎に定められた変動開始からの特定時間後にメイン制御回路７０から図柄停止信号を送信し、前記確定停止特別図柄決定処理（Ｓ９０）で決定された確定停止特別図柄組み合わせで確定（最終）停止表示される。また、外れ特別図柄組み合わせで確定停止表示されると、次の変動表示に関する入賞記憶があれば、その後、当該次の入賞記憶に関する変動表示を開始する。
【００９１】
ここで、図１５及び２１に示される表示態様について述べる。リーチ無し外れ（Ｓ１３３）は、特別図柄が所定時間変動後、リーチ状態となることなく外れ図柄組み合わせで全ての特別図柄が確定停止する表示態様である。リーチＷ１（Ｓ１４１）及びリーチＷ２（Ｓ１４９）は、主判定図柄部と副判定図柄部の結合からなる左，中，右特別図柄が所定時間、両画像が結合したまま変動後に仮停止し、主判定図柄部と副判定図柄部の結合が解かれ両者が分離し（図１７等に図示）、副判定図柄部の要素画像が変動表示を始め、副判定図柄部の要素画像同士がぞろ目を成すか否かの表示演出（図１９等に図示）が行われた後、主，副判定図柄部ともに本来の形態に復帰して各表示領域に全特別図柄が停止図柄組み合わせで確定停止するリーチ表示態様である。
【００９２】
なお、リーチＸ１（Ｓ１１６）及びリーチＸ２（Ｓ１２６）、リーチＹ１（Ｓ１１９）及びリーチＹ２（Ｓ１２７）、リーチＺ１（Ｓ１２０）及びリーチＺ２（Ｓ１２８）として示される態様は、特に限定されるわけではない。例えば、主，副図柄判定部の要素画像の結合からなる左，中，右特別図柄が所定時間、両画像が結合したまま変動後に仮停止し、該左，中，右特別図柄の副判定図柄部が拡大表示して主判定図柄部を覆い隠したまま、前記主判定図柄部は変動（図示せず）し、所定時間変動後、前記副判定図柄部は縮小表示され、主，副図柄判定部ともに本来の形態に復帰して各表示領域に全特別図柄が停止図柄組み合わせで確定停止するリーチ表示態様である。
【００９３】
他に、所定時間全ての特別図柄が変動した後、左，右特別図柄がリーチ図柄で仮停止し、その後に中特別図柄が所定時間縦スクロール変動し、各表示領域に全特別図柄が停止図柄組み合わせで確定停止するリーチ表示態様、所定時間全ての特別図柄が変動した後、左，右特別図柄がリーチ図柄で仮停止し、その後所定時間、左又は右特別図柄が拡大縮小、回転等の変動を行いつつ、中特別図柄が縦スクロール変動し、各表示領域に全特別図柄が停止図柄組み合わせで確定停止するリーチ表示態様等のリーチ表示態様が挙げられ、種々適宜態様が画像表示部５０表示される。実施例において、リーチＸ１，Ｘ２，Ｙ１，Ｙ２，Ｚ１，Ｚ２は、リーチＷ１，Ｗ２との差を強調するため、副判定図柄部の要素画像同士のみによる表示演出は行われないものとする
【００９４】
また、メイン処理Ｍにおいては、上述した各処理の他、遊技状態時に必要となるその他の処理（Ｓ１６０）、例えば仮停止特別図柄変更決定処理、ラウンド数選択処理、確率設定処理、特別遊技実行処理、普通図柄変動開始用左右ゲート１９，２１の通過の確認、普通図柄当たり当否判定処理、普通図柄表示態様決定処理、始動入賞口開放処理、表示装置表示処理、及びその他のエラーの処理等が行われて、爾後の処理に備えて待機状態となる。
【００９５】
次に図１４を用いて表示制御制御回路９０の表示制御制御用ＣＰＵ９１が実行する特別図柄分離制御処理Ｓ１７０について説明する。前記処理Ｓ１７０では、メイン制御回路７０から送られた特別図柄変動表示指示データがリーチＷ１又はＷ２か否か確認される（Ｓ１７１）。前記データがリーチＷ１又はＷ２である場合、副判定図柄部が一致し、かつ主判定図柄部が３つとも異なる特別図柄に変更され仮停止する（Ｓ１７２）。前記仮停止の後、左，中，右特別図柄内の主，副判定図柄部の結合はいったん解消され、両者は分離し、副判定図柄部を構成する要素画像（全種類）についての画像データを前記画像データＲＯＭ９６から引き出し、前記ＶＤＰ９４でマッピングし表示される（Ｓ１７３）。Ｓ１７３の分離表示が行われた後、前記確定停止特別図柄決定処理（Ｓ１１０）において予め決定された特別図柄が表示される。この場合、主，副判定図柄部の分離表示からもとの結合した状態に復帰し表示される（Ｓ１７４）。一方、特別図柄変動表示指示データがリーチＷ１又はＷ２でない場合は上記Ｓ１７２〜１７４の処理は行われず終了する。なお、前記画像データＲＯＭ９６には、前記リーチＷ１又はＷ２における、零から剣及び銭，ハート，刀，桃の全ての要素画像の画像データが格納されており、仮停止特別図柄に応じて適宜選択され合成されている。
【００９６】
続いて、前記画像表示部５０に表示される特別図柄の表示態様の具体例について図１５ないし図２１を用いて説明する。実施例における各特別図柄は、上述のように主，副判定図柄部を構成する要素画像同士の組み合わせにより構成されるものである。すなわち、左特別図柄Ｌは主判定図柄部Ｌｍ０と副判定図柄部Ｌｓ０との組み合わせから構成され、中特別図柄Ｍも主判定図柄部Ｍｍ０と副判定図柄部Ｍｓ０との組み合わせ、右特別図柄Ｒも主判定図柄部Ｒｍ０と副判定図柄部Ｒｓ０との組み合わせから構成される。図１５より明らかなように副判定図柄部は通常時、主判定図柄部の右下に位置する。また、実施例において、１つの特別図柄を構成する主，副判定図柄部は、それぞれ１つの要素画像から構成され、２つの要素画像からなる集合体といえる。これらの前記各特別図柄は、空Ｓ、城Ｃ、町Ｂ、猫Ｋ、ウェイトレスＷ、町人Ｄ等の背景要素画像上を縦スクロール変動する。ここに挙げる主，副判定図柄部（要素画像）及び背景要素画像の全てには、所定時間（１／６０秒）毎に前述の説明のとおり表示優先順位が割り振られ、時間の経過とともに差し替えられる（図２２，２３の説明において詳述）表示制御が行われる。
【００９７】
図１５ないし図２１の例は、特別図柄表示態様決定処理（Ｓ１３０）において前記特別図柄を構成する主，副判定図柄部が分離するリーチＷ１（Ｓ１４１）に決定された場合である。まず、リーチＷ１の変動表示態様が前記メイン制御回路７０から出力され、表示制御回路９０側で受信されると、図１５に示す表示画像のように、前記画像表示部５０の左側表示領域、中央表示領域及び右側表示領域のそれぞれに対応して左特別図柄Ｌ（Ｌｍ０，Ｌｓ０）、中特別図柄Ｍ（Ｍｍ０，Ｍｓ０）、右特別図柄Ｒ（Ｒｍ０，Ｒｓ０）の全図柄が縦スクロールして変動開始する。
【００９８】
その後図１６に示す表示画像のように、特別図柄（判定図柄）である左特別図柄Ｌ、中特別図柄Ｍ、右特別図柄Ｒは変動開始から所定経過後に、いったん全特別図柄が仮停止する。図１６において、左特別図柄Ｌは判定図柄列の順番を表す主判定図柄部Ｌｍ０である‘四’と副判定図柄部Ｌｓ１である‘銭（手足付き）’より組み合わされ連動移動表示し、主，副判定図柄部（２つの要素画像）が微妙に上下する仮停止表示が行われる。同様に中特別図柄Ｍは主判定図柄部Ｍｍ０である‘八’と副判定図柄部Ｍｓ１である‘銭（手足付き）’より、右特別図柄Ｒは主判定図柄部Ｒｍ０である‘零’と副判定図柄部Ｍｓ１である‘銭（手足付き）’より組み合わされている状態のまま連動移動表示され、微妙に上下しながら仮停止する。図１６に示すとおり、前記リーチＷ１の主，副判定図柄部の分離を行う表示態様の場合、前記Ｓ１７２に説明したように左，中，右特別図柄の副判定図柄部Ｌｓ１，Ｍｓ１，Ｒｓ１の全てが同一（‘銭（手足付き）’）となり、主判定図柄部Ｌｍ０，Ｍｍ０，Ｒｍ０は３つとも異なる。図１５及び図１６の変動等の表示では、前記第一要素画像Ｌａと第二要素画像Ｌｂ、ＭａとＭｂ、ＲａとＲｂの各組み合わせが前述の所定の結びつき（セルスプライト）を維持したまま画像表示部５０上をスクロール変動し、仮停止する。
【００９９】
前記図１６に示す仮停止状態の左，中，右特別図柄Ｌ，Ｍ，Ｒのとおり、副判定図柄部が３つとも揃った場合、図１７及び図１８に示す表示画像から理解されるように、主，副判定図柄部における要素画像同士の所定の結びつき（‘零’と‘銭’、‘壱’と‘ハート’、‘弐’と‘刀’等の連動性）、つまり連動移動表示（セルスプライト表示）は一度解消される。図１７及び図１８において、左，中，右特別図柄の主判定図柄部（要素画像）Ｌｍ１，Ｍｍ１，Ｒｍ１は画像表示部５０の下方に縮小しながら移動する。一方の副判定図柄部については、主判定図柄部の裏に後退し、前記判定図柄列に属する全種類の副判定図柄部の要素画像ｓｐ１‘銭（手足付き）’、ｓｐ２‘桃（手足付き）’、ｓｐ３‘刀（手足付き）’、ｓｐ４‘ハート（手足付き）’、ｓｐ５‘銭（手足付き）’、ｓｐ６‘桃（手足付き）’、ｓｐ７‘刀（手足付き）’、ｓｐ８‘ハート（手足付き）’が表示され順に背景ｈ１上を左周りし、要素画像ｓｑ１‘銭（手足付き）’、ｓｑ２‘桃（手足付き）’、ｓｑ３‘刀（手足付き）’、ｓｑ４‘ハート（手足付き）’、ｓｑ５‘銭（手足付き）’、ｓｑ６‘桃（手足付き）’、ｓｑ７‘刀（手足付き）’、ｓｑ８‘ハート（手足付き）’が表示され順に背景ｈ１上を右周りする変動表示が行われる。前記ｓｐ１〜ｓｐ８及びｓｑ１〜ｓｑ８の各要素画像が左右に周る変動表示中、図１８の破線内部に並ぶ副判定図柄部の要素画像（この場合はｓｐ４，ｓｐ８，ｓｑ８，ｓｑ４の配列）の変化に併せ、主判定図柄部が切り替え表示される。図１８の例では、ｓｐ４‘ハート（手足付き）’にはＬｍ１‘九’、ｓｐ８，ｓｑ８‘ハート（手足付き）’にはＭｍ１‘壱’、ｓｑ４‘ハート（手足付き）’にはＲｍ１‘伍’のように前述した所定の結びつき（判定図柄列内における結びつき）を持つ要素画像が適宜表示される。
【０１００】
前記の図１８に示す画像表示部５０内の中央部（破線内部）の副判定図柄部（ｓｐ１〜ｓｐ８，ｓｑ１〜ｓｑ８）が４つとも揃った場合、さらに、図１９及び図２０に示す変動表示に切り替わる。前記確定停止特別図柄決定処理（Ｓ１１０）において予め決定されたリーチ外れ図柄のうち図１９及び図２０では、リーチ状態を成す左、右主判定図柄部Ｌｍ１‘四’，Ｒｍ１‘四’及びこれに対応する左，右副判定図柄部Ｌｓ２‘銭（手足付き）’，Ｒｓ２‘銭（手足付き）’が仮停止し、遊技者にリーチ状態の成立をわかりやすく表示する。一方、中副判定図柄部では、前記判定図柄列に属する全種類の副判定図柄部の要素画像が表示され、背景ｈ２上を周回し始める。図１９において、中副判定図柄部は、Ｍｓ３‘銭（手足付き）’、Ｍｓ４‘ハート（手足付き）’、Ｍｓ５‘桃（手足付き）’、Ｍｓ６‘刀（手足付き）’の４種類である。そして、画像表示部５０内のほぼ中央部に位置する中副判定図柄部（この場合はＭｓ５‘桃（手足付き）’）に対応する中主判定図柄部（この場合はＭｍ１‘七’）が切り替え表示される。続いて図２０では、中副判定図柄部（この場合はＭｓ６‘刀（手足付き）’）が中央部に位置し、これに対応する中主判定図柄部（この場合はＭｍ１‘弐’）が切り替え表示される。
【０１０１】
そして、図２１に示されるように、前記変動開始後から所定時間経過の後、リーチ状態の変動時から確定停止に戻る際には、前記分離表示制御は行われないため、主，副判定図柄部を構成する各要素画像の分離表示は解消される。従って、左，右，中特別図柄Ｌ（Ｌｍ０，Ｌｓ０），Ｒ（Ｒｍ０，Ｒｓ０），Ｍ（Ｍｍ０，Ｍｓ０）は、当初の特別図柄の表示に復帰し、それぞれ画像表示部５０の変動開始時おける左，中，右の表示位置に連動移動表示（セルスプライト表示）され、停止図柄組み合わせとして確定停止する。
【０１０２】
なお、図１５ないし図２１において、副判定図柄部は大きさや手足が付くといった形状の変更を伴った異なる要素画像に交換して表示されるが、遊技者には、副判定図柄部Ｌｓ０，Ｍｓ０，Ｒｓ０と手足付き副判定図柄部ｓｐ１〜ｓｐ８，ｓｑ１〜ｓｑ８及び拡大した手足付きの副判定図柄部Ｌｓ２，Ｍｓ３〜６，Ｒｓ２は同一内容（外観）であるとわかるレベルとして副判定図柄部（要素画像）が設計される。
【０１０３】
図２２及び図２３に示すタイムチャートは、時系列毎（１／６０秒毎）に作成される静止画（表示画像）の表示優先順位（縦方向）と表示される時間（横方向）に記したものである。時系列Ｔｑは図１５の表示を構成する１／６０秒間の静止画に表示される全ての要素画像を表示優先順位の順列に従って並べたものである。同様に時系列Ｔｒは図１６、時系列Ｔｓは図１７、時系列Ｔｔは図１８、時系列Ｔｕは図１９、時系列Ｔｖは図２０における各要素画像の表示優先順位を順列に従って並べたものである。各時系列に対してそれぞれの要素画像の表示優先順位はｐ番号（プライオリティ番号）であるｐ１，ｐ２，ｐ３，．．．として表記され、この実施例では、表示優先順位はｐ番号の数値の大きい方が数値の小さい方より優位であるものとし、下方になるほどｐ番号の数値が大きくなる。なお、図２２及び図２３のタイムチャートにおいて、１つの時系列内に含まれる要素画像に同一の表示優先順位が割り振られることはない。
【０１０４】
前記時系列Ｔｑ及びＴｒにおいて、空Ｓに表示優先順位ｐ１、城Ｃにｐ２、町Ｂにｐ３、町人Ｄにｐ４、ウェイトレスＷにｐ１０が割り振られる。そして、各特別図柄の主，副判定図柄部のそれぞれの要素画像について、Ｌｍ０（剣）にｐ４０、Ｌｓ０（桃）にｐ４１、Ｒｍ０（九）にｐ５０、Ｒｓ０（ハート）にｐ５１、Ｍｍ０（弐）にｐ６０、Ｍｓ０（刀）にｐ６１、Ｌｍ０（幻）にｐ７０、Ｌｓ０（刀）にｐ７１、Ｒｍ０（八）にｐ８０、Ｒｓ０（ハート）にｐ８１、Ｍｍ０（壱）にｐ９０、Ｍｓ０（刀）にｐ９１が割り振られる。同様に、時系列Ｔｒにおいても、Ｌｍ０（四）にｐ４０、Ｌｓ１（銭）にｐ４２、Ｒｍ０（幻）にｐ５０、Ｒｓ１（刀）にｐ５２、Ｍｍ（八）にｐ６０、Ｍｓ１（銭）にｐ６２が割り振られる。なお、前記各要素画像の両端の破線は時系列をまたいで表示されていることを表す。
【０１０５】
時系列Ｔｑ及びＴｒに示されるとおり、特別図柄を構成する主，副判定図柄部の要素画像において、縦スクロール変動から副判定図柄部が一致する仮停止態様等に表現される要素画像の交換（手足付きの副判定図柄部に交換）は、表示優先順位を介して行われる。
【０１０６】
図１７の表示態様を表す時系列Ｔｓにおいて、背景ｈ１に表示優先順位ｐ１、副判定図柄部ｓｐ１（銭）にｐ１１、ｓｐ２（桃）にｐ１２、ｓｐ３（刀）にｐ１３、ｓｐ４（ハート）にｐ１４、ｓｐ５（銭）にｐ１５、ｓｐ６（桃）にｐ１６、ｓｐ７（刀）にｐ１７、ｓｐ８（ハート）にｐ１８、また、ｓｑ１（銭）にｐ２１、ｓｑ２（桃）にｐ２２、ｓｑ３（刀）にｐ２３、ｓｑ４（ハート）にｐ２４、ｓｑ５（銭）にｐ２５、ｓｑ６（桃）にｐ２６、ｓｑ７（刀）にｐ２７、ｓｑ８（ハート）にｐ２８、さらにＬｍ１（四）にｐ４０、Ｒｍ１（零）にｐ５０、Ｍｍ１（八）にｐ６０が割り振られる。続いて図１８の表示態様を表す時系列Ｔｔ（図２３に図示）のように、前記副判定図柄部ｓｐ１〜ｓｐ８及びｓｑ１〜ｓｑ８を左右に周回表示させる場合、それぞれの要素画像の表示優先順位を順にずらことにより表示を制御している。従って、主，副判定図柄部の間における前後関係の入れ替え、重なり合い等の表示制御が表示優先順位を介することにより可能となる。
【０１０７】
図１９の表示態様を表す時系列Ｔｕにおいて、背景ｈ２に表示優先順位ｐ１、副判定図柄部Ｍｓ３（銭）にｐ１１、Ｍｓ６（刀）にｐ１６、Ｍｓ４（ハート）にｐ２１、Ｍｓ５（桃）にｐ２６、さらにＬｍ１（四）にｐ４０、Ｒｍ１（四）にｐ５０、Ｍｍ１（七）にｐ６０が割り振られる。続いて図２０の表示態様を表す時系列Ｔｖに示すように副判定図柄部の周回表示は表示優先順位の変更により制御される。上記と同様に主，副判定図柄部の間における前後関係の入れ替え、重なり合い等の表示制御が可能となる。
【０１０８】
従来、特別図柄（判定図柄）は、１つの要素画像で構成されていたため、例えば図１９等の縮小された主判定図柄部Ｌｍ１（四）と拡大された副判定図柄部Ｌｓ２からなる特別図柄を表示する場合、縮小された主判定図柄部と拡大された副判定図柄部を別途設計しなければならず、要素画像のデータ量の増加が避けられなかった。しかるに、図２２及び図２３から理解されるとおり主，副判定図柄部はそれぞれ個別の表示優先順位により独立した表示制御データの元に表示されるため、左，右特別図柄において、主判定図柄部の表示優先順位を副判定図柄部に対し高く設定することにより前後関係の入れ替え、拡大縮小が互いに干渉されず表現可能となる。従って、逐一両方を組み合わせた１つの要素画像を複数設計するというような画像作成の煩雑さは解消され、画像データ量の増加が抑制できる。加えて、中副判定図柄部Ｍｓ５等の周回する要素画像を作成しようとする場合、既存の要素画像について表示優先順位の設定及び画像表示部における表示位置の設定を含む表示制御データを調整することにより、新たに新規画像を作成することなく表示が可能となる。
【０１０９】
本発明は、上記実施例に限定されるものではなく、発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲において構成の一部を適宜に変更して実施することができる。例えば、上記実施例の特別図柄（判定図柄）は、主判定図柄部（‘零’から‘剣’）と副判定図柄部（‘銭’、‘ハート’、‘刀’、‘桃’）より構成されるものとしたが、これに限定されることはなく、例えば、七福神、黄道十二宮星座、複数種の人物、植物、動物、物等視覚的に識別力を損ないにくい画像を適宜種類用いることができる。実施例の主判定図柄部には１つの要素画像、副判定図柄部にも１つの要素画像としたが、主判定図柄部には２つの要素画像、副判定図柄部にも２つの要素画像と要素画像数を拡張することも可能である。加えて背景要素画像を‘空’、‘町’、‘猫’等としたが特に限定されるものではなく、他の風景、人物、植物、動物、物等を表示しても何ら問題はない。
【０１１０】
また、上記実施例の特別図柄（判定図柄）において、主判定図柄部は、‘零と銭’から‘剣と桃’の当該特別図柄の属する判定図柄列において同一の要素画像を含まず、副判定図柄部は、同一の要素画像を含む構成と設定としたが、実施例の主，副判定図柄部からなる特別図柄の構成に限られるものではない。例えば、図示はしないが特別図柄（判定図柄）を‘丸と銭’，‘丸とハート’，‘三角とハート’，‘三角と刀’，‘四角と刀’，‘四角と桃’，‘星形と桃’，‘星形と銭’等の要素画像の集合とし、主判定図柄部を‘丸’，‘三角’，‘四角’，‘星形’等と１つの判定図柄列内に複数個存在するように設定することも可能である。
【０１１１】
さらに、上記実施例における表示演出は、左，中，右特別図柄のうち主判定図柄部が全て異なり、副判定図柄部が全て一致となった際のリーチ演出の一表示態様としてなされるものであったが、実施例のリーチ時に限定されることはない。例えばリーチ予告等において、少なくとも２つの判定図柄の副判定図柄部が同一もしくは図示はしないが「盾」と「矛」等の互いに意味上の関連性を有するもの等が表示される所定の表示態様となった際に行うこともできる。
【０１１２】
加えて、上記実施例の遊技機１においては、画像表示部５０における特別図柄の変動時に該特別図柄を縦スクロールするようにしているが、これに限定されず、特別図柄の変動開始時に該特別図柄を横スクロールや他のスクロール、その他の変動をさせる遊技機に対しても本発明を適用することができる。さらに、上記の説明では、パチンコ遊技機を用いて説明してきたが、本発明はこれに限定されず、コイン遊技機やスロットマシン等であってもよく、可変表示装置に図柄，背景，図柄利用演出，文字等を変動表示可能な遊技機であれば何ら問題なく、適宜の遊技機に適用することができる。
【０１１３】
【発明の効果】
以上図示し説明したように、請求項１の発明にによると、複数の特別図柄（判定図柄）のうち、少なくとも１つの特別図柄は、少なくとも２種類以上の要素画像から構成され、各特別図柄内の要素画像のそれぞれを変動表示中に互いに分離して表示制御可能に分離表示制御手段が設けられているため、特別図柄の表示演出性を向上させた興趣の高い遊技機を提供することができる。
【０１１４】
また、請求項２の発明に係る遊技機によると、表示手段に表示される複数の特別図柄のそれぞれは、複数の判定図柄列より構成され、前記分離表示可能な少なくとも１つの特別図柄の要素画像は、複数の判定図柄列のうち、１つの判定図柄列に同一の要素画像が存在する副判定図柄部を備えるため、同一の要素画像が存在する副判定図柄部のみからでは、他の特別図柄との相違を視認困難に構成することができ、遊技の視認困難性を高めることができる。
【０１１５】
請求項３の発明に係る遊技機によると、表示手段に表示される複数の特別図柄のそれぞれは、複数の判定図柄列より構成され、前記分離表示可能な少なくとも１つの判定図柄の要素画像は、前記複数の判定図柄列のうち、１つの判定図柄列に同一要素画像が存在しない主判定図柄部より構成されるため、遊技者は少なくとも主判定図柄部により、当該特別図柄を認識することができる。
【０１１６】
請求項４の発明に係る遊技機によると、特別図柄を構成する要素画像をそれぞれ分離して表示する分離表示制御は、少なくとも２つ以上の特別図柄の副判定図柄部が揃う等の所定の表示態様となった際に行われるため、副判定図柄部の表示態様に着目させ、新たな興趣を与えることができる。
【０１１７】
請求項５の発明に係る遊技機によると、表示手段に同時期に表示される要素画像のうち、副判定図柄部の少なくとも２つ以上を同一とした表示態様を表示するため、遊技者は副判定図柄部の同一性に着目するといった新たな興趣を得ることができる。
【０１１８】
請求項６の発明に係る遊技機によると、複数の特別図柄を停止表示前に予め決定された特別図柄に仮停止する仮停止表示を行うため、仮停止した特別図柄に対し、遊技者の以降の遊技への期待感を高揚させることができる。
【０１１９】
請求項７の発明に係る遊技機によると、特別図柄の停止表示時には、該特別図柄を構成する要素画像の分離表示制御を行わず、当初の特別図柄の形態に復帰するため、遊技者は確定停止特別図柄を容易に識別することができる。
【０１２０】
請求項８の発明に係る遊技機によると、複数の特別図柄（判定図柄）の内、少なくとも１つの特別図柄について、少なくとも２種類の表示優先順位の異なる要素画像によって構成されるため、１つの特別図柄の表示変更を行う場合、各要素画像の表示変更は、互いの干渉を受けることなく独立して行うことが可能となり、斬新で幅の広い表示態様が実現し、遊技の興趣を向上させる効果が得られる。
【０１２１】
請求項９の発明に係る遊技機によると、特別図柄における要素画像毎の分離表示制御は、互いに独立した表示制御データにより制御されるため、当該表示制御データを操作することにより、表示画像に関係するデータ量を増やすことなく容易に分離表示を伴った要素画像同士の合成が可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施例に係る遊技機全体の正面図である。
【図２】同遊技機の遊技盤の正面図である。
【図３】同遊技機のシステム制御を簡略に示すブロック図である。
【図４】同遊技機の表示制御を簡略に示すブロック図である。
【図５】同遊技機のメイン制御回路が実行するメイン処理に関するフローチャートである。
【図６】出力処理に関するフローチャートである。
【図７】乱数更新処理に関するフローチャートである。
【図８】乱数取得処理に関するフローチャートである。
【図９】大当たり当否判定処理に関するフローチャートである。
【図１０】リーチ決定処理に関するフローチャートである。
【図１１】確定停止特別図柄決定処理に関するフローチャートである。
【図１２】特別図柄表示態様決定処理に関する第１フローチャートである。
【図１３】特別図柄表示態様決定処理に関する第２フローチャートである。
【図１４】特別図柄分離制御処理に関するフローチャートである。
【図１５】リーチＷ１が選択された場合におけるリーチ状態成立前の表示演出態様例である。
【図１６】リーチＷ１が選択された場合における最初の仮停止の表示演出態様例である。
【図１７】リーチＷ１が選択された場合における主判定図柄部と副判定図柄部が分離表示されている第１表示演出態様例である。
【図１８】リーチＷ１が選択された場合における主判定図柄部と副判定図柄部が分離表示されている第２表示演出態様例である。
【図１９】リーチＷ１が選択された場合におけるリーチ状態成立時の主判定図柄部と副判定図柄部が分離表示されている第１表示演出態様例である。
【図２０】リーチＷ１が選択された場合におけるリーチ状態成立時の主判定図柄部と副判定図柄部が分離表示されている第２表示演出態様例である。
【図２１】リーチＷ１が選択された場合における確定停止時の表示演出態様例である。
【図２２】表示画像の第１タイムチャートである。
【図２３】表示画像の第２タイムチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１　遊技機
３　遊技盤
９　表示装置
４３　特別図柄表示装置
５０　画像表示部
７０　メイン制御回路
７３　メイン制御回路ＲＡＭ
９０　表示制御回路[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a pachinko gaming machine, a coin gaming machine, a slot machine, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a slot machine determines whether a hit or a miss has occurred due to establishment of a determination condition such as entering a game ball into a specific winning opening or passing a game ball to a specific passing gate. There are models that execute a predetermined special game called "big hit" when the result of the determination is a hit. In such a model, a game board is generally provided with a display device such as a liquid crystal display, a dot matrix display, or an LED display device that fluctuates and stops and displays a plurality of determination symbols including numbers, symbols, pictures, and the like. .
[0003]
Generally, the display device has a configuration in which a plurality of display areas are arranged, and for each display area, a plurality of determination symbols are scrolled as if a so-called slot machine drum rotates. It can be displayed in a fluctuating manner and then stopped. Then, the determination symbol displayed on the display device starts to fluctuate due to the establishment of the determination condition, and the symbols which have been fixed and stopped are displayed in a plurality of display areas of the display device after a predetermined time change, and the determined symbol is displayed. When the stop symbol is a predetermined combination (winning symbol combination, for example, a double stitch, etc.), it constitutes a "big hit", and when it is another combination (missing symbol combination), it becomes "missing". In the case of the "big hit", a large winning port on the game board surface is continuously opened, so that a large number of game balls can be won, and a large amount of prize balls are paid out during the winning.
[0004]
In addition, in the gaming machine, generally, in order to further increase the player's expectation of the "big hit" and further enhance the fun of the game, at least before confirming (final) stop display of the plurality of determination symbols, There is a case where a temporary stop display mode is performed in which one determination symbol is temporarily stopped (that is, a display mode that makes the player think that the game has stopped but is not actually stopped), and the other determination symbols are displayed in a variable manner. . For example, in the case where the display device has three display areas in a horizontal row and displays a determination symbol in each display area, first, the determination symbol is variably displayed in the three display areas, and then one display is performed. The determination symbol is temporarily stopped in the remaining two display regions while the determination symbol is variably displayed only in the region (final stop display region), and then the determination symbol is temporarily halted in the display region that has been variably displayed after a predetermined time delay. It stops, and then, for example, a fixed stop is displayed for all determination symbols. With this configuration, the final designating display area is temporarily stopped in the remaining two display areas, leaving only the final stop display area, forming a specific combination, and a so-called reach state in which the possibility of a “big hit” is high. In this case, the player will continue to increase his or her sense of expectation for the "big hit" until the determination symbol finally stops in the final stop display area. In addition, the determination symbol for displaying the determination result of the "big hit" or not is also referred to as a special symbol, and the stop order of the display area is left middle right, left middle, right middle, upper middle lower, upper middle lower, etc. But are not particularly limited.
[0005]
Then, at the time of performing the variation display mode from the start of the variation of the determination symbol to the stop of the determination symbol determination, a decorative symbol such as a character, a character, or a background different from the determination symbol is caused to appear on the display device, and together with the determination symbol. There was a case where a display effect was performed using the decorative pattern. Also, recently, a judgment symbol is configured as an aggregate of a plurality of element images (cells), and a change display mode is executed from the start of the change of the judgment symbol to the stop of the determination of the judgment symbol (at the above-described temporary stop, at the time of the reach, etc.) From time to time, gaming machines that change the display content of judgment symbols have appeared.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional gaming machine, one determination symbol is combined from a plurality of element images (cells) and fluctuates integrally as a determination symbol. For this reason, the display effect of the judgment symbol is limited to a simple expression such as a combination with a decorative symbol constituting the background, and the effect of each element image constituting the judgment symbol is not sufficiently utilized and lacks in the taste. Was. In addition, in a case where an effect is to be performed by changing one determination symbol into a different shape, it is necessary to create element images (cells) of various types of determination symbols according to the deformed determination symbol that appears in each time series. Rather, it was time-consuming to create.
[0007]
The present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and provides a wide range of display effects of the determination symbol itself in one determination symbol, realizes abundant image expression, and at least configures the one determination symbol. By controlling the display of two or more types of element images (cells) separately from each other, when a predetermined display mode is selected, the display effects of the individual element images (cells) constituting the determination symbol have a certain width. It is intended to provide a gaming machine which realizes abundant image expression, further enhances the interest of the game, and reduces the amount of data related to image processing.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In other words, the invention according to claim 1 is based on a plurality of determination symbols when the determination result by the hit determination unit that determines whether or not the game is a hit or failure due to establishment of a determination start condition is a hit. A stop determination symbol determining means for determining a stop determination symbol of a hit determination symbol combination and, in the case of a deviation, a stop determination symbol determining means for determining a stop determination symbol of a deviation determination symbol combination comprising a plurality of determination symbols, and displaying the plurality of determination symbols Possible display means, and a game machine comprising a display control means for variably displaying a plurality of determination symbols on the display means and then displaying a final stop display in a combination of the determination symbols determined by the stop determination symbol determination means, At least one of the plurality of determination symbols is composed of at least two or more types of element images, and the display control means is configured to determine the at least one determination symbol. According to the gaming machine, which comprises a separating display control means for displaying separately controlled from each other in the variable display each element images constituting the pattern.
[0009]
Further, in the invention according to claim 2, each of the plurality of determination symbols displayed on the display means is composed of a plurality of determination symbol columns, and the element image of the at least one determination symbol that can be separately displayed is the plurality of determination symbols. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-determination symbol section in which the same element image is present in one determination symbol row among the determination symbol rows.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of judgment symbols displayed on the display means is constituted by a plurality of judgment symbol columns, and the element image of the at least one judgment symbol that can be separated and displayed is the plurality of judgment symbols. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a main determination symbol portion in which the same element image does not exist in one determination symbol column among the symbol columns.
[0011]
In the invention according to claim 4, the plurality of determination symbols are displayed so as to be separable, and the separate display control is such that the sub-determination symbol portion of at least two determination symbols displayed on the display means has a predetermined display mode. The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the game is performed at the time.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the predetermined display mode, at least two or more sub-determination symbol portions are the same among the element images displayed at the same time on the display means. Pertaining to a gaming machine.
[0013]
In the invention according to claim 6, the display control means performs a temporary stop display in which a plurality of determination symbols are variably displayed and then temporarily stopped at a predetermined determination symbol before the determination stop display of the plurality of determination symbols. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined display mode is a display mode at the time of a temporary stop.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 7 relates to the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the determination stop display does not perform the separate display control of the determination symbol.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 8, wherein the at least one determination symbol is composed of two or more types of element images having different display priorities, and the separate display control of the determination symbol is performed for each of the element images having different display priorities. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gaming machine is performed.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the separate display control for each of the element images constituting the at least one determination symbol is controlled by display control data independent of each of the element images. A gaming machine according to any one of the preceding claims.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a front view of an entire gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a gaming board of the gaming machine, FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing system control of the gaming machine, and FIG. It is a block diagram which briefly shows the display control of the gaming machine.
[0018]
In the gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine in this case) 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an outer guide rail 4 and an inner guide rail 5 of a game ball are erected substantially at the edge of a game board 3, and the inner guide rail 5 is provided. On the center line of the game area 6 surrounded by, the display device 9, the upper first kind start winning opening 10, the lower first kind start winning opening 11, which is an ordinary electric accessory, and the special electric motor in order from the upper part to the lower part. There are provided a special winning opening 15 and an out opening 17, which are character objects, lamp windmills 18a and 18b on both upper sides, and a lower right gate 21 for starting a normal symbol change and a right gate 21 for starting a normal symbol change below them. Below the windmills 22a and 22b, a left sleeve winning port 23 and a right sleeve winning port 25 are provided below, and further, on both sides of the large winning port 15, a left drop winning port 27 and a right drop winning port 29 are provided. When a game ball wins in the various winning ports, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls. In addition, the special winning state 15 is opened under a predetermined special game state under specific conditions, which will be described in detail later. In addition, when the normal symbol reaches a predetermined value based on the detection signals of the normal symbol change start gates 19 and 21, the lower first type start winning opening 11 is opened.
[0019]
On the front side of the gaming board 3, a glass frame 31, an upper ball receiving tray 32 for receiving paid out game balls, a mounting plate 33 for mounting the upper ball receiving tray 32, and a game when the upper ball receiving tray 32 is saturated. A lower ball receiving tray 34 for receiving a ball, lamp indicators 35 and 36 for informing the player of the game state, a speaker 37 for emitting a sound or sound effect to notify the player of the player's playing state, and a game in response to a firing operation of the player. A launching device H or the like for launching a ball toward the game area 6 is mounted. Next, the required components will be described in more detail.
[0020]
The display device 9 comprises an ordinary symbol display device 41 at the upper part thereof and a special symbol display device 43 at the center thereof, and changes ordinary symbols or special symbols (judgment symbols) such as numbers, alphabets, symbols or pictures (characters). Display and stop display are possible. The ordinary symbol display device 41 has an ordinary symbol display section 45 composed of a 7-segment LED or the like. Further, on both sides of the ordinary symbol display section 45, an ordinary symbol variation number storage display 47 made of an LED or the like is provided, and a game ball passes through the ordinary symbol variation start left gate 19 and the ordinary symbol variation start right gate 21. The number of symbol fluctuation starts caused by this operation is stored and displayed as the number of suspensions (in this example, a maximum of four times), excluding those currently changing.
[0021]
The special symbol display device 43 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal, a dot matrix or an LED display device. In this embodiment, the special symbol display device 43 is composed of a liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD module) capable of color display in the window frame 49. An image display unit (variable display area) 50 is provided. The image display unit 50 corresponds to a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of special symbols (judgment symbols), and is divided into three display areas (a left display area, a center display area, and a right display area) arranged horizontally. A left special symbol is displayed in the left display area, a middle special symbol is displayed in the central display area, and a right special symbol is displayed in the right display area.
[0022]
In the embodiment, the special symbols (judgment symbols) respectively displayed in the left display area, the center display area, and the right display area are, as shown in FIG. It is configured by interlocking movement display (cell sprite display) together with the main determination symbol portion during display, or a combination with a sub-determination symbol portion separately displayed from the main determination symbol portion. Specifically, the special symbols (judgment symbols) are “Zero and Zen”, “Ichi and Heart”, “Ni and Sword”, “San and Peach”, “Four and Zen”, “Goto and Heart”, and “Six and Sword”. There are twelve types of ',' seven and peach ',' eight and sen ',' nin and heart ',' phantom and sword ', and' sword and peach '. Is “zero” (the former), and the sub-determination symbol part is “sen” (the latter). When the left, middle, and right special symbols (judgment symbols) fluctuate in each display area as in the gaming machine of the embodiment, each of the left, middle, and right special symbols is described above in the order of “zero and sen”. (It switches to 'Peach' and returns to 'Zero and Zen')) It is displayed as a judgment symbol sequence which is a loop-like repetition. As can be understood from the specific example, in one determination symbol row, the same element image does not exist in the main determination symbol portion. On the other hand, the same element image exists in the sub determination symbol portion.
[0023]
The image display unit 50 displays a background element image (building, landscape, etc.) in addition to the special symbol during the change of the special symbol (judgment symbol) composed of the combination of the main judgment symbol portion and the sub judgment symbol portion. A decorative pattern composed of character element images (persons, animals, plants, objects, etc.) and element images such as characters is displayed, and the special pattern is the same as the decorative pattern due to predetermined starting conditions such as the start of change. The fluctuation display is performed at the same time. Note that a special symbol change number storage indicator 51 made up of an LED or the like is provided on the left and right inner sides of the window frame portion 49 of the special symbol display device 43.
[0024]
In the present invention, the element image is stored as one image data in an image creation stage, and means an image of a minimum unit which is integrally moved and scaled when moving, scaling and the like are controlled, Also called a cell. In this embodiment, the element images constitute main and sub-decision design parts such as 'four', 'sen', 'sen (with limbs)', etc., which constitute special symbols shown in FIG. 'Sky', 'town' waitress, etc., are each image, etc., especially the main determination symbol portion indicating the order of the arrangement of special symbols, the sub-determination symbol portion which moves in conjunction with the main determination symbol portion in a separable manner, It is distinguished into individual background element images and the like constituting the background.
[0025]
The upper and lower first kind start winning openings 10 and 11 are provided directly below the display device 9, and the lower first kind start winning opening 11 has two movable pieces 11a and 11b for the first kind start winning opening on the back. While the solenoid is controlled so as to be changeable between a substantially vertical narrow opening state and a substantially V-shaped expanding opening state which are a normal state, the upper first kind start winning opening 10 is simply opened. I have. The opening of the lower first type start winning opening 11 is performed when the symbol of the ordinary symbol display section 45 stops changing and comes to an ordinary symbol where a specific ordinary symbol is displayed. In this example, if the stop symbol of the ordinary symbol display section 45 is a specific symbol during the normal game state, the lower first type start winning opening 11 is opened and opened once for 0.3 seconds, and further expanded. When the number of winning balls in the first-type start winning openings 10 and 11 reaches 6 during opening and opening, the expanding and opening is forcibly terminated. On the other hand, when the stop symbol of the ordinary symbol display section 45 is a specific symbol in the probability fluctuation state described later, the lower first type start winning opening 11 is opened for 1.7 seconds at intervals of 2 seconds (during this period). The opening is forcibly terminated when the number of winning balls in the first-type starting winning openings 10 and 11 reaches six during the opening. Have been.
[0026]
On the back of the game board 3, a special symbol change start switch for detecting a ball which has won the first-class starting winning opening 10, 11 is provided in a path of the winning ball. The symbol change of the special symbol display device 43 is started. At this time, the number of balls that have won the first-type start winning openings 10 and 11 during the change of the special symbol (judgment symbol), that is, the number of times that the change of the special symbol is started, is the number of times of holding (in this example, a maximum of four times). Is displayed on the special symbol variation number storage display 51, and the number of displays on the display 51 is reduced by reducing the storage number.
[0027]
The left gate 19 for normal symbol change start and the right gate 21 for normal symbol change start are provided on the left and right of the display device 9 and include a normal symbol change start switch, which passes through both gates 19 and 21 with the normal symbol change start switch. By detecting a game ball to be played, the ordinary symbol display device 41 starts changing the ordinary symbol. Further, a detection switch for a left sleeve winning opening and a detection switch for a right sleeve winning opening for detecting a winning ball of the left sleeve winning opening 23 and the right sleeve winning opening 25, a winning of the left lower winning opening 27 and a right lower winning opening 29. A detection switch for a leftward winning port and a detection switch for a rightward winning port for detecting a ball are provided on the corresponding game board rear surfaces.
[0028]
The special winning opening 15 is provided below the first-class starting winning openings 10 and 11, and includes a solenoid for opening a special winning opening and an opening / closing plate 61 which is opened and closed by the solenoid. The large winning opening 15 is usually in a state in which the opening and closing plate 61 is closed, and a specific area winning opening 63 is provided inside the large winning opening 15 so that the special winning opening 15 can be opened simultaneously with opening of the large winning opening 15. Having. Further, the specific area winning opening 63 is provided with an opening / closing door (not shown) which is opened and closed by a specific area opening solenoid under predetermined conditions. The specific area winning opening 63 is provided with a specific winning ball detection switch for detecting a specific winning ball, and the detection of the winning ball establishes a continuation right to reopen the special winning opening 15. At the approximate center of the special winning opening 15, there is provided a winning ball count switch for detecting a winning ball that has won the special winning opening 15 and has not won the specific area winning opening 63.
[0029]
The operation of the special symbol display device 43 and the operation of the special winning opening 15, that is, the operation at the time of executing the special game (at the time of winning the big hit) will be described. As described above, when a game ball wins in the first kind start winning openings 10 and 11 and a winning ball is detected by the special symbol change start switch, a winning signal is shown in FIG. 3 described later by the special symbol change start switch. It is sent to the main control circuit 70, and accordingly, various types of the main control circuit 70 such as label-TRND-A, label-TRND-R1, label-TRND-AZ1, label-TRND-B1-B3, label-TRND-T1, etc. Random numbers (Q1 to Q7, etc.) are obtained (extracted), and the obtained numerical values are temporarily stored in the special symbol random number storage area of the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70. Then, based on each of the stored numerical values, the jackpot is determined, the presence or absence of the reach is determined, the variation display mode of the special symbol variation / stop pattern, and the background (decorative symbol composed of element images such as background components and characters) are determined. The determination of the type, the determination (creation) of the stop symbol combination, and the like are performed. The right display area, the center display area, and the left display area of the image display unit 50 in the special symbol display device 43 are composed of the main and sub determination symbol parts. Start changing the special symbol (judgment symbol). The main control circuit 70 corresponds to main control means for performing main control of the gaming machine 1.
[0030]
A predetermined time from the start of the change of the special symbol (judgment symbol) (after the time change defined by the selected special symbol change / stop patterns, the special symbol stops changing and is fixedly displayed as a stopped symbol. In the example, first, the special symbol starts changing in the right display area, the center display area, and the left display area, and the special symbol (determination symbol) stops changing in the order of the left display area, the right display area, and the center display area, At this time, the stop symbol is fixedly displayed, and the reach state may be established depending on the display mode of the determined stop symbol, the special symbol, the decorative symbol, etc. Here, the reach state is the image display unit 50. After the display of the change of the special symbol (judgment symbol) is started, a specific display mode, that is, a jackpot combination is displayed before the display control progresses and the display result is stopped and displayed. In this embodiment, one of the reach states is defined as a final stop symbol (here, middle) in one of the display areas of the image display unit 50 as one of the reach states. Reach variation display processing is performed in which only the display area (in this case, the central display area) for displaying the special symbol is left and the symbols are temporarily stopped in a specific combination (for example, the same symbol) in the remaining two display areas. The temporary stop described above indicates a stop mode that is different from the fixed stop because the temporary stop appears to have stopped but may be displayed in a variable manner. After variably displaying a plurality of special symbols, a temporary stop display for temporarily stopping at a predetermined special symbol is performed before the plurality of special symbols are stopped and displayed, and the predetermined display mode is displayed at the time of temporary stop. It is a display mode of the reach or the like.
[0031]
Further, in the reach state, the fluctuation time of the special symbol (mainly the final stop special symbol) in the image display unit 50 is increased, the design utilizing effect using the special symbol in the image display unit 50 and the background behind the special symbol are used. , And a decorative design such as a character or a background to be displayed is displayed to produce a reach action. Prior to the reach state, a notice (sign) for notifying that there is a high possibility of the reach state or a large hit may be produced. Examples of the notice include display of a character on the image display unit 50 and display of an afterimage.
[0032]
If the combination of the fixed stop symbols is a big hit symbol combination composed of a combination of the same symbols or the like, the state shifts to a big hit state. When the jackpot state is reached, the opening / closing plate 61 of the special winning opening 15 is opened to receive the game ball falling on the surface of the game area 6 so that the winning can be made to the special winning opening 15 and there is a winning in the special winning opening 15. Then, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls by a prize ball payout device (not shown). The opening / closing plate 61 is configured to close after a predetermined time (for example, 29.5 seconds) has elapsed or when the number of winning balls detected by the winning ball number counting switch reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10). . The number of winning balls detected by the winning ball count switch is displayed on the image display section 50 of the special symbol display device 43 as a number from 0 to 10 or as a bar graph.
[0033]
If the specific prize ball detection switch detects a prize ball to the specific area prize port 63 during opening of the special prize port 15 or within about two seconds after the close of the special prize port 15, the right to repeat the jackpot is repeated. And the opening and closing of the open / close plate 61 is repeated a predetermined maximum number of times (for example, 15 times or 13 times at the maximum). In the embodiment, the combination of the jackpot symbols that are determined and stopped when the jackpot is established is a predetermined symbol combination, specifically, “Ichi and Heart”, “San and Peach”, “Guang and Heart”, “Seven and Peach”. In the case of a stochastic variation (probable change) symbol combination consisting of any one of ',' 9 and heart 'and' sword and peach ', the maximum number of times the jackpot continuation right occurs, the so-called number of rounds, is 13 ( Times), and the jackpot symbols that are fixed and displayed are “Zero and Zen”, “Ni and Sword”, “Four and Zen”, “Six and Sword”, “Eight and Zen”, and “Phantom and Sword”. In the case of a non-probabilistic variation (low-probability, non-probable variation) symbol combination (normal symbol combination) composed of any of the doubles, the number of rounds is 15 rounds (times).
[0034]
Further, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, a bonus game in which a bonus different from a bonus (special game) privilege is provided to the player after the end of the jackpot is executed. Specifically, the gaming machine 1 is a model having a probability variation (probability change) function and a time reduction (time reduction) function, and when the winning symbol combination that is determined and stopped when a big hit is established is the aforementioned probability variable symbol combination. The probability fluctuation and time reduction occur after the end of the jackpot, that is, transition to the probability fluctuation state (high probability state, 10/630) in which the next jackpot occurrence probability is higher than the normal game state (low probability state, 2/630) in normal times. At the same time, the time from when the special symbol starts to fluctuate until the final stop is displayed (the time required for displaying the determination result) is shorter than usual, and the probability fluctuation state and the time reduction state continue until the next big hit. It has become. On the other hand, when the winning symbol combination displayed as the fixed stop is the non-probable changing symbol combination, the normal gaming state (low probability state, 2/630) is set after the end of the big hit, and the time is not shortened. Will continue until the next jackpot.
[0035]
Also, in the embodiment, the winning combination in the winning combination, the probability variation state and the time reduction state by the execution of the bonus game after the jackpot, the winning rate to the lower first type start winning opening 11 is improved, It is set so that the chance of the jackpot determination is increased. That is, by increasing the opening and opening time of the lower first type start winning opening 11 due to the ordinary symbol contact (small winning), shortening the fluctuation time of the ordinary symbol of the ordinary symbol display device 41, or the like. For example, the frequency of occurrence of the wide open state of the lower first kind start winning opening 11 is increased. In addition, at the time of the probability fluctuation state, the time reduction state, and the determination opportunity increase state, when the jackpot is established again by the probability change symbol combination, the probability variation state, the time reduction state, and the determination opportunity increase state are again set after the end of the jackpot. Become.
[0036]
As described above, a game value given to a player, such as a prize value at the time of executing a special game, such as the number of possible rounds in which a jackpot continuation right can be generated, or a bonus value due to a bonus game, such as a change in probability, a reduction in time, or an increase in determination opportunities. If the (big hit mode) is changed depending on the symbol in the winning symbol combination that is determined and stopped, the interest of the player in the winning symbol combination is increased, the range of the game is expanded, and the game can be made more interesting. .
[0037]
FIG. 3 shows a main control circuit 70 that performs main control of a game system installed on the back side of the gaming machine 1 and a special symbol in the image display unit 50 of the special symbol display device 43 under the control of the main control circuit 70. A display control circuit (sub-control circuit) 90 for selecting and controlling (determination symbols), separate display control of each element image forming a special symbol, display control of a decorative symbol (background), advance notification, and the like; A system control block of the gaming machine 1 is shown, such as an audio control circuit 85, a light emitter control circuit 88 for controlling a lamp indicator (light emitter) such as a lamp and an LED, and the like.
[0038]
The main control circuit 70 includes a one-chip microcomputer 71 having a CPU 72 that internally performs a control operation according to a game control program, a RAM 73 that functions as a work memory of the CPU 72, and a ROM 74 that stores a game control program. It comprises I / O (input / output) buses 75 and 76 connecting the computer 71 and the display control circuit 90 and the like, an output port 77, a driver 78, a buffer gate 79, an interface 80, an initial reset circuit 81, a periodic reset circuit 82, and the like. ing.
[0039]
The CPU 72 includes a control unit, an operation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, and performs arithmetic control. In addition, the probability of occurrence of a big hit (special game state) and a hit by a normal symbol (lower first type start winning) A random number or the like that determines the probability of occurrence of the opening and opening of the mouth 11) is also generated. The RAM 73 has a storage area for a detection signal of a special symbol variation start switch and a detection signal of a normal symbol variation start switch, a storage area for various random numbers generated by the CPU 72, and a storage area for temporarily storing various data. And a work area for the CPU 72. Further, in the ROM 74, in addition to a control program, control data, and a control command for a game, a hit determination value based on a big hit and a normal symbol and the like are written.
[0040]
The initial reset circuit 81 is a circuit for resetting the one-chip microcomputer 71 when power is turned on by the power supply circuit 87. In response to the initial reset pulse sent from the initial reset circuit 81, the one-chip microcomputer 71 initializes various control information.
[0041]
The periodic reset circuit 82 applies a reset pulse to the one-chip microcomputer 71 periodically (every 4 msec in this example), and repeatedly executes the game control program stored in the ROM 74 of the one-chip microcomputer 71 from the top. It is a circuit for making it.
[0042]
Further, based on a control signal output from the main control circuit 70, the lower first type start winning opening 11, the big winning opening 15 and the like connected to the driver 78 are controlled. In addition, various game information such as jackpot information, symbol determination information, and probability variation information are output to a hall management device 84 as a host computer via a driver 78 and an information output circuit 83.
[0043]
Further, a display control circuit 90 is connected to the one-chip microcomputer 71 via the output port 77. The display control circuit 90 includes a normal symbol display device 41, a special symbol display device 43, and a normal symbol variation number storage. The display 47 and the special symbol change number storage display 51 are connected and controlled. Further, the luminous body control circuit 88 receives the luminous body control signal via the output port 77 and the display control circuit 90, and the lamp indicators 35 and 36 are controlled based on the control signal.
[0044]
In addition, an audio control circuit 85 is connected to the one-chip microcomputer 71 via an I / O bus 75 and a display control circuit 90. The speaker 37 is connected to the audio control circuit 85.
[0045]
Furthermore, various detections such as a special symbol change start switch, a normal symbol change start switch, a winning ball count switch, a specific winning ball detection switch, and other detection switches for the winning opening, which detect a game ball winning various winning ports. The detection signal output from the device is transmitted to the main control circuit 70 via the interface 80.
[0046]
In addition, the main control circuit 70 includes a power supply circuit 87, a launch control circuit 100 for controlling the launch of the game balls by the launch device H, and a payout of a prize ball or a lending ball by a payout device (not shown). Is connected to a payout control circuit 110 for controlling the payout.
[0047]
The display control circuit 90 is a sub-control circuit that performs a predetermined display control process based on a control signal from the main control circuit 70, and together with the main control circuit 70, a display control unit and a separate display control unit in the gaming machine 1. (It also controls the display of decorative symbols). In addition, the display control circuit 90 controls the display (game) image (special symbol (main, sub-determination symbol portion), character and background) displayed on the display device 9 (particularly, the image display portion 50 of the special symbol display device 43). And the like, from the main control circuit 70, and performs display control by setting display control data.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 4, the display control circuit 90 includes a display control ROM 92 that stores display control data for displaying a display image such as a display priority order, a display position, and a display multiple of an element image on the display device 9. A display control RAM 93 that rewritably stores the display control data, and a display control CPU (control unit, arithmetic unit, Various counters, various registers, various flags, etc. are provided.) 91, CGROM 96 for storing image data such as special symbol change / temporary stop / fixed stop display data and background, and the like, based on instructions from the display control CPU 91. The necessary data is read out from the CGROM 96, and the special symbols (combination of element images) and the display of the VDP94 that generates map data of a plurality of elements between images having different rank, consisting VRAM95 for storing image data generated by said VDP94.
[0049]
In the VDP 94, a system register is set based on the display control data received from the display control CPU 91, the data of the element image is appropriately read from the CGROM 96, and the compressed data of the element image is expanded. Transfer to VRAM95. In the VDP 94, display attributes (display size, display coordinate axes, etc.) accompanying the data from the display control CPU 91 and display priority data of a plurality of element images are prepared, and the drawing engine 94a in the VDP 94 includes the plurality of element images. The drawing data is synthesized. At this stage, the drawing data is synthesized based on the display priorities assigned to the plurality of element images so that the element image with the highest display priority is displayed for a portion where the plurality of element images overlap. The drawing data synthesized by the drawing engine 94a is drawn again as RGB data in the drawing area of the VRAM 95, and the RGB data is read out at a predetermined timing (60 times per second in the embodiment), It is displayed on the display device 43. That is, one RGB data is set every 1/60 second and displayed on the image display unit 50. That is, by sequentially switching the RGB data (still image at this time) every 1/60 second, a continuous display image is displayed as a moving image.
[0050]
The display priority is a numerical value assigned to each of the element images such as the main and sub-decision symbols and the background. That is, the moving image displayed on the image display unit 50 is replaced and displayed every certain time (1/60 second), and is seen as a moving image. This is a rank value on a rank array allocated to control the overlapping of all element images, such as the anterior-posterior relationship and perspective relationship, so that no inconsistency occurs. That is, the display priority is controlled in the display control circuit 90 so that, when the respective element images are overlapped and displayed, only the overlapping part is displayed with the element image having the higher rank numerical value. Means that
[0051]
Separation of each element image constituting the special symbol (judgment symbol), that is, separation display control for separating and displaying the main judgment symbol and the sub judgment symbol is performed by changing the left and right in the image display section 50 (display means). In the three special symbols in the middle and right, the sub-determination symbol portions in at least two special symbols displayed at the same time are in a predetermined display mode such that they are aligned with the same element image (FIG. 19 and the like) described later. It is performed when
[0052]
In the separated display control, different display priorities are assigned to the element images (main and sub-determination symbol portions) constituting the twelve left, middle, and right special symbols listed above. Through the display priorities assigned to the element images of the individual main and sub-determination symbol portions, one of the element images (main and sub-determination symbol portions) can be appropriately changed in accordance with the variation mode, in addition to the overlapping of the element images and the change in perspective. It is possible to change whether to select and display (FIG. 17 etc.).
[0053]
In the separate display control, the display control circuit 90 forms, in the display control ROM 92, display priority assigned to each element image constituting at least one determination symbol as display control data independent of each other for each element image. The image is synthesized by the display control CPU 91 and the VDP 94 (drawing engine 94a).
[0054]
As main counters of the CPU 72 of the main control circuit 70 in this embodiment, there are seven types of counters as shown in Table 1. Numerical values acquired by the respective counters at predetermined times are stored in the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70 up to a maximum of four. The value of each counter stored in the RAM 73 is cleared after a series of game operation processing based on the counter. The operation of each counter will be described below.
[0055]
[Table 1]

[0056]
The label -TRND-A is a random number counter that determines a jackpot or a miss, and corresponds to a hit / fail determination unit in the gaming machine 1. When the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on, this label -TRND-A starts from "0" and is incremented by one every predetermined interruption time (for example, 4 msec). When the numerical value reaches "629", it becomes "0" again. And the above addition is repeated. The numerical value of the label -TRND-A is acquired when a game ball has won the first-type starting winning openings 10 and 11 and detected by the special symbol change start switch, and a predetermined jackpot numerical value, this embodiment. In normal times (in the low probability state), it is compared with '5', '500', and in the probability fluctuation state (in the high probability state), '5', '50', '100', '200', It is determined whether it is a big hit by comparing with '300', '350', '400', '450', '500', and '600'. Also, before the determination of the success or failure is completed, the game ball may win the first kind start winning openings 10 and 11 and the numerical value of the label -TRND-A may be obtained again. A maximum of four stored acquired values (updated acquired numerical values) of A, including the acquired value relating to the current fluctuation, are temporarily stored in the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70, and are sequentially subjected to determination.
[0057]
The label -TRND-R1 is for determining whether or not to be in the reach state when the jackpot success / failure determination result by the label -TRND-A is out of order. Specifically, each of the image display units 50 Of the display areas, only the final stop symbol display area (the center display area in this example) is left, and the symbols are temporarily stopped in a specific combination (the same symbol in this example) in the remaining two display areas (stop display). It is determined whether or not to be performed. Here, the temporary stop display, as described above, makes the player think that the special symbol has been once stopped and displayed, but the symbol is still changing, that is, all symbols have not yet been fixed and stopped. It is a display showing.
[0058]
When the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the label -TRND-R1 starts from "0" and is incremented by one at each interruption time. When the value becomes "49", the label -TRND-R1 returns to "0" again and repeats the addition. It is supposed to repeat. The numerical value of the label -TRND-R1 is acquired when the winning sphere to the first-type starting winning opening 10, 11 is detected by the special symbol change start switch, and when the result of the jackpot success / failure determination is out of order, It is determined whether or not the reach state is established by comparing the numerical value with a predetermined reach establishment numerical value. In this embodiment, the reach-established value is “24” or “49”, and the reach state is established when the acquired value of the label −TRND-R1 becomes the reach-established value. The acquired numerical value of the label -TRND-R1 is stored in the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70 in a predetermined number, in this example, up to five including the numerical value being determined. In this embodiment, when the jackpot determination result based on the label -TRND-A is a jackpot, the reach state is always established, so the label -TRND-R1 is not used.
[0059]
The label -TRND-AZ1 is for determining a fixed jackpot stop symbol combination that is fixedly stopped in the left display area, the center display area, and the right display area of the image display unit 50 when the big hit is established. Corresponds to the stop determination symbol determining means. The label -TRND-AZ1 repeats starting from "0" when the power is turned on, adding "1" at every interruption time, and returning to "0" again when it reaches "11". The numerical value of the label -TRND-AZ1 is obtained when the winning ball to the first-type starting winning openings 10 and 11 is detected by the special symbol change start switch, and does not include the symbol for the symbol in the variable display. Up to four are stored in the special symbol random number storage area of the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70. A fixed jackpot stop symbol combination corresponding to each numerical value of the label -TRND-AZ1 is assigned in advance. In the embodiment, when the numerical value of the label -TRND-AZ1 is "0", it is zero and a random number, when it is "1", it is a random number and a heart, and when it is "2", it is a random number. Is 2 and a sword, 3 is a ginseng and a peach, 4 is a 4 and a zen, 5 is a heart and a heart. In the case of '6', six and sword, in the case of '7', seven and peach, in the case of '8', eight and sen, In the case of 9's, the combination of 9 and hearts, in the case of '10', the vision and swords, and in the case of '11', the swords and peaches are fixed jackpot stop symbol combinations Finally, the final stop is displayed. In this embodiment, as described above, the number of rounds at the time of executing the special game and whether or not the probability fluctuates after the end of the special game are determined according to the fixed jackpot stop symbol combination. TRND-AZ1 is also used for selecting the number of rounds and for determining whether or not the probability varies.
[0060]
The labels -TRND-B1 to B3 are used to determine a combination of out-of-design symbols to be fixedly stopped and displayed on the image display unit 50 when the result of the jackpot success / failure determination by the label -TRND-A is out of order. This corresponds to stop determination symbol determination means in the machine 1. The label -TRND-B1 is a left special symbol in a left display area, the label -TRND-B2 is a right special symbol in a right display area, and the label -TRND-B3 is a special symbol in a central display area (final stop symbol display area). Final stop special symbol).
[0061]
When the power is turned on, the label -TRND-B1 is incremented by '1' at every interruption time, and after reaching '11', the label -TRND-B1 is repeated from '0' again. Also, the label-TRND-B2 starts from '0' when the power is turned on, and is incremented by '1' when the value of the label-TRND-B1 returns to '0' again, and reaches '11'. Thereafter, the addition is repeated starting from '0' again. Further, the label-TRND-B3 starts from '0' when the power is turned on, and is incremented by '1' when the value of the label-TRND-B2 returns to '0' again, and reaches '11'. Thereafter, the addition is repeated starting from '0' again. Thereby, even if the respective random number ranges of the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 are the same, it is possible to prevent the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 from synchronizing (adding in the same combination).
[0062]
Symbols corresponding to the numerical values of the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 are assigned in advance. In this embodiment, for each numerical value of the label -TRND-B1 to B3, if the numerical value is "0", it is zero and sens, if it is "1", it is one and heart, and if it is "2", it is one and heart. Two and sword, "3" for ginseng and peach, "4" for four and sen, "5" for five and heart, "6" for six and sword, "7" For '7' and peach, '8' for eight and sen, '9' for nine and heart, '10' for phantom and sword, '11' for sword And peaches are assigned. Each time a winning ball is detected by the special symbol change start switch, a combination of numerical values obtained from the labels -TRND-B1 to BND3 is used, so that the left display area, the right display area, and the center The fixed stop symbol displayed in the display area is determined. In addition, the acquired numerical values of the labels -TRND-B1-B3 are stored in the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70 up to a predetermined number, in this example, up to four without including the numerical value for the out-of-display symbol combination being displayed.
[0063]
In this embodiment, when all the values of the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 coincide with each other and the reach state is established by the value of the label -TRND-R1, the value of the label -TRND-B3 is changed to the value of the label -TRND-B3. One is added, and the symbols assigned to the value and the numerical values of the labels -TRND-B1 and B2 are fixedly stopped and displayed. In addition, when all the values of the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 coincide with each other and the reach state is not established, and when the two values of the labels -TRND-B1 and B2 coincide (label -TRND-B3 Are different from each other.) If the reach state is not established, 1 is added to the value of the label -TRND-B2, and each symbol assigned to the value and the value of the label -TRND-B1, B3 is determined. The display is stopped. Further, when the reach state is established by the numerical value of the label -TRND-R1 at the time of departure, if the numerical values of the label -TRND-B1 and B2 do not match, the numerical value of the label -TRND-B2 is changed to the label- While changing the numerical value of TRND-B1 to the same numerical value as the numerical value of the label -TRND-B1, the numerical value of the label -TRND-B1 is changed to a numerical value obtained by adding 1 to the numerical value of the label -TRND-B1, and the changed value and the numerical value of the label -TRND-B1 are changed. Each symbol assigned to the numerical value is determined and stopped and displayed.
[0064]
The label -TRND-T1 is used alone or together with the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 -B3 in a reach type in a reach state, that is, a display mode of a special symbol (judgment symbol) displayed on the image display unit 50 in the reach. Is used to determine When the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the value of the label -TRND-T1 starts from "0" and is incremented by one at each interruption time. When the value becomes "35", the value returns to "0" and returns to "0". Is to be repeated. The numerical value of the label -TRND-T1 is acquired when a winning ball to the first-type starting winning opening 10 or 11 is detected by the special symbol change start switch, and a maximum of 5 numerical values including the one for determination is provided. Up to this point are stored in the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70. The reach based on the numerical values of the label -TRND-T1 and the labels -TRND-B1 to -TR3 will be described later.
[0065]
In addition, the counter provided in the main control circuit 70 or the display control circuit 90 produces another display mode when the special symbol fluctuates, for example, a notice for notifying that there is a high possibility of a jackpot or a reach state. A counter for deciding whether or not to make a decision, a counter for deciding the mode of the notice, and a tentative winning symbol combination (in this case, a double eye) are delicately displayed on the image display section 50 before the final stop display of the winning symbol combination is displayed. The temporary stop is displayed in a predetermined operation mode such as a swing fluctuation, and then, all the special symbols once aligned by the temporary stop are scrolled together for a predetermined time while the symbols are aligned. May be added as appropriate to determine whether to perform a so-called re-lottery effect.
[0066]
The plurality of flags provided in the main control circuit 70 or the display control circuit 90 include a jackpot (special game) flag A1, a probability variation flag B1, a reach flag C1, and the like. A medium flag, a normal symbol hit (small hit) flag, and the like are given. Note that these flags are all set to 0 at the time of initial setting.
[0067]
Next, a series of processes performed by the main control circuit 70 in the gaming machine 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail in relation to the counter. The CPU 72 of the main control circuit 70 shown in FIG. 3 executes each program (main routine) stored in the ROM of the main control circuit 70 every interruption time (4 msec).
[0068]
As can be understood from the flowchart of FIG. 5, in the main process M, first, it is confirmed whether or not the power is turned on (S10), then, the initial setting (S20), the output process (S30), and the input process (S40). ), Random number update processing (S50), confirmation of winning in the first kind start winning openings 10 and 11 (S60), random number acquisition processing (S70), confirmation of establishment of jackpot success / failure determination condition (special symbol start condition) (S80) The jackpot success / failure determination process (S90), the reach determination process (S100), the fixed stop special symbol determination process (S110), the special symbol display mode determination process (S130), and other processes (S160) are performed.
[0069]
In the initial setting (S20), stack setting, constant setting, CPU setting, SIO, PIO, CTC setting, and the like are performed. Note that the processing required only at the time of turning on the power is performed only in the first order, and is not performed thereafter.
[0070]
In the output processing (S30), as can be understood from the flowchart of FIG. 6, the presence or absence of output data in the command buffer in the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70 is confirmed (S31). The output data in the command buffer is output (S32). If there is no output data, the process ends without outputting data. The output data includes a fluctuation pattern designation command, a stop symbol designation command, and the like.
[0071]
In the input process (S40), when the switches (sensors) attached to the first-type starting winning openings 10, 11; the normal symbol change starting gates 19, 21; Input processing of various data is performed.
[0072]
In the random number update processing (S50), as understood from the flowchart of FIG. 7, each numerical value Qn (n = 1 to 4, 7) of each counter (excluding labels -TRND-B2 and B3) is set to the predetermined time. Each value is incremented by one (S51), and each numerical value Qn is a predetermined maximum value X (629 for label-TRND-A, 49 for label-TRND-R1, 11 for label-TRND-AZ1, 11 When it reaches 11 in the case of the label -TRND-B1, and in 35 in the case of the label -TRND-T1, it repeats returning to '0' again (S52, S53). Then, the updated numerical value of each counter is stored in a random number storage area corresponding to each counter of the RAM of the main control circuit 70 (S54). “Qn ′” in FIG. 7 means the value of each counter before being added (updated). In addition, each counter is incremented by 1 every interruption time (4 msec), a numerical value Q5 is added to the label -TRND-B2 in conjunction with the label -TRND-B1, and a label -TRND-B3 is added to the label -TRND-B2. In conjunction with this, the numerical value Q6 is added and stored in the random number storage area of the RAM.
[0073]
After the random number updating process (S50), it is confirmed whether or not the first type start winning openings 10 and 11 have a winning by detecting the special symbol change start switch (S60). When it is determined that there is a prize in the first kind start prize port 10, 11, a random number acquisition process (S70) is executed. If it is determined in S60 that there is no winning, the random number acquisition process (S70) is omitted.
[0074]
In the random number acquisition process (S70), as can be understood from the flowchart of FIG. 8, first, the label -TRND-A, the label -TRND-R1, the label -TRND-AZ1, the label -TRND-B1 to B3, and the label -TRND An updated numerical value Qn (n = 1 to 7) of -T1 is obtained (S71), and the obtained numerical values Qn are stored in the obtained random number storage area of the RAM of the main control circuit 70 (S72).
[0075]
After the random number acquiring process (S70) or after confirming the winning in the first-type starting winning openings 10 and 11 (S60), it is confirmed whether or not the jackpot success / failure determination condition is satisfied (S80). Here, that the jackpot hit determination condition is satisfied means that the special game is not currently being executed or the special symbol is not being changed. If it is determined that the jackpot hit determination condition is satisfied, the jackpot hit determination process (S90), the reach determination process (S100), the fixed stop special symbol determination process (S110), and the special symbol display mode determination process are performed thereafter. (S130) and other processing (S160) are performed. On the other hand, when it is determined in S80 that the jackpot hit determination condition is not satisfied, the process jumps to another process (S160), and the above-described processes related to the jackpot (S90, S100, S110, S130) are not performed.
[0076]
In the jackpot success / failure determination process (S90), as is understood from the flowchart of FIG. 9, first, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag B1 is 1 (S91). If the probability variation flag B1 is 0 instead of 1, That is, in the low probability state (2/630), the acquired numerical value Q1 of the label -TRND-A is compared with the jackpot numbers '5' and '500' (S92). A special game can be executed, that is, a jackpot is reached, the jackpot flag A1 is set to 1, and the jackpot flag A1 (= 1) is stored in the RAM of the main control circuit 70 (S93). On the other hand, when the probability variation flag B1 is 1, that is, in the high probability state (10/630), the acquired numerical value Q1 is a jackpot value of “5”, “50”, “100”, “200”, “200”. It is compared with 300 ',' 350 ',' 400 ',' 450 ',' 500 ', and' 600 '(S94), and if any of the above jackpot numbers is matched, a jackpot is set, and the jackpot flag A1 is set to 1. At the same time, the big hit flag A1 (= 1) is stored in the RAM of the main control circuit 70 (S93).
[0077]
In the reach determination process (S100), the presence or absence of reach, that is, the image display unit 50 of the special symbol display device 43 determines whether or not a reach state (big hit or out of reach). As can be understood from the flowchart of FIG. 10, in the reach determination processing (S100), it is first checked whether the jackpot flag A1 is 1 (S101), and the jackpot flag A1 is not 1, but 0, that is, the jackpot is not established. In this case, the stored and obtained numerical value Q2 of the label -TRND-R1 is read, and it is determined whether or not the obtained numerical value Q2 is '24' or '49' (S102). If the two values do not match, it is determined that there is no reach (reach state transition is impossible). On the other hand, when the obtained numerical value Q2 is “24” or “49”, it is determined that the reach is made (the reach state can be shifted), the reach flag C1 is set to 1, and the reach flag C1 (= 1) is stored in the RAM of the main control circuit 70 (S103). Also, when the jackpot flag A1 is 1 in S101, that is, when a jackpot (special game execution is possible), it is determined that there is reach, the reach flag C1 is set to 1 and the reach flag is set to 1. C1 (= 1) is stored in the RAM of the main control circuit 70 (S103).
[0078]
In the fixed stop special symbol determination process (S110), a special symbol to be fixed (finally) stopped and displayed on the image display unit 50 of the special symbol display device 43 is determined based on the big hit success / failure determination process (S90). As can be understood from the flowchart of FIG. 11, in the fixed stop special symbol determination process (S110), first, it is determined whether or not the value of the big hit flag A1 is 1 (S111). When the value is determined to be 1, that is, when a big hit (special game execution is possible), the stored acquired numerical value Q3 of the label -TRND-AZ1 is read, and the acquired numerical value Q3 is predetermined. The combination of symbols is determined as a fixed jackpot stop symbol combination that is fixedly stopped and displayed on the image display unit 50 (S112). As described above, the fixed jackpot stop symbol combination in this example is a main determination symbol portion which is an element image representing an order in the determination symbol sequence and a sub-determination image which is an element image having a predetermined association with the main determination symbol portion. It is a combination of three special symbols (judgment symbols) consisting of left, middle and right symbols composed of symbol parts.
[0079]
On the other hand, if the value of the jackpot flag A1 is not 1 in S111, that is, if the value is determined to be 0 and it is determined to be out of range, the stored acquisition numerical values Q4 to Q6 of the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 are changed. It is read and it is determined whether or not all the read numerical values Q4 to Q6 match (S113). When all the numerical values Q4 to Q6 match, it is determined whether or not there is a reach (the reach flag C1 = 1). In this case, whether or not the stored and acquired numerical value Q2 of the label -TRND-R1 is '24' or '49'. It is determined (S114). When it is determined that there is no reach (reach flag C1 = 0), the obtained numerical value Q5 of the label -TRND-B2 (for the right special symbol) is added by 1, and the value and the labels -TRND-B1, B3 are obtained. A symbol determined in advance for the numerical values Q4 and Q6 is determined as an off symbol combination that is fixedly stopped and displayed in the left display area, the right display area, and the center display area of the image display unit 50 (S115). On the other hand, if it is determined in S114 that there is a reach (reach flag C1 = 1), the obtained numerical value Q6 of the label -TRND-B3 (for medium special symbol) is incremented by 1, and the value is added to the label -TRND-B1. , B2, a predetermined symbol (a special symbol composed of a combination of main and sub-determination symbol portions, the same applies hereinafter) for the acquired numerical values Q4, Q5 is fixedly stopped and displayed in each display area of the image display section 50. It is determined as a lost symbol combination (S116).
[0080]
In S113, if at least one of the obtained numerical values Q4 to Q6 of the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 is different, the obtained numerical value Q4 of the label -TRND-B1 and the obtained numerical value of the label -TRND-B2 are obtained. It is determined whether or not the numerical values Q5 match (S117). If both values match, it is further determined whether or not reach is present (reach flag C1 = 1) (S118). If it is determined that there is no reach (reach flag C1 = 0), the obtained numerical value Q5 of the label -TRND-B2 is added by 1, and the obtained value is added to the obtained numerical values Q4 and Q6 of the labels -TRND-B1 and B3. The predetermined symbol is determined as an off-set symbol combination that is fixedly stopped and displayed in each display area of the image display unit 50 (S115). On the other hand, if it is determined in S118 that there is a reach (reach flag C1 = 1), a symbol predetermined for the acquired numerical values Q4 to Q6 of the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 is displayed on the image display unit 50. It is determined as an out-of-design symbol combination that is fixedly stopped and displayed in each display area (S119).
[0081]
Further, when the obtained numerical value Q4 of the label -TRND-B1 and the obtained numerical value Q5 of the label -TRND-B2 do not match in S117, it is subsequently determined whether or not there is reach (reach flag C1 = 1) (S120). If it is determined that there is reach (reach flag C1 = 1), the acquired numerical value Q5 of the label -TRND-B2 is changed to the same numerical value as the acquired numerical value Q4 of the label -TRND-B1, and the label -TRND- The obtained numerical value Q6 of B3 is changed to a numerical value obtained by adding 1 to the obtained numerical value Q4 of the label -TRND-B1, and the symbols and the symbols predetermined for the obtained numerical value Q4 of the label -TRND-B1 are displayed as images. It is determined as an out-of-design symbol combination that is fixedly stopped and displayed in each display area of the display unit 50 (S121). On the other hand, if it is determined in S120 that there is no reach (reach flag C1 = 0), a symbol predetermined for the obtained numerical values Q4 to Q6 of the labels -TRND-B1 to B3 is displayed on the image display unit 50. It is determined as an out-of-design symbol combination that is fixedly stopped and displayed in each display area (S119).
[0082]
In the special symbol display mode determination process (S130), the special symbol display device 43 of the special symbol display device 43 is determined based on the jackpot hit determination process (S90), the reach determination process (S100), and the fixed stop special symbol determination process (S110) described above. The display mode of the special symbol on the image display unit 50 is determined. As can be understood from the flowchart of FIG. 12, in the special symbol display mode determination processing (S130), first, it is determined whether or not the value of the jackpot flag A1 is 1 (S131). In this case, that is, if the jackpot is not established (special game cannot be executed), it is checked whether the reach flag C1 stored in the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70 is 1 (S132). When the reach flag C1 is 0, that is, when there is no reach (the reach state cannot be shifted), the reach-less-off display mode is set in which the reach state is determined and stopped without performing the reach state effect (S133). The determined display mode (including the special symbol variation and stop mode) is stored in the RAM of the main control circuit 70 as special symbol variation display data (S134).
[0083]
On the other hand, when the reach flag C1 = 1, that is, when there is a reach (reach state transition is possible), in this example, the middle special symbol of the fixed stop special symbol determined in the fixed stop special symbol determination process (S110) is used. Whether or not the symbols are in the symbol arrangement relationship of the jackpot symbol (the right special symbol and the left special symbol) -1; in other words, the acquired numerical value Q6 of the label -TRND-B3 is equal to the acquired numerical value Q4 of the label -TRND-B1, B2. It is determined whether Q5 is one less than Q5 (however, if Q4 and Q5 are '0', Q6 is '11' or not) (S135). In this case, the reach state is set as the special symbol display mode. The reach X1 to be configured is determined (S136).
[0084]
In addition, when the middle special symbol of the fixed stop special symbol is a symbol that is not in the symbol arrangement relationship of the big hit symbol (right special symbol and left special symbol) -1, then the middle special symbol is the big hit symbol (right special symbol). And the left special symbol) +1 or not, in other words, whether or not the obtained numerical value Q6 of the label -TRND-B3 is larger than the obtained numerical value Q4, Q5 of the label -TRND-B1, B2. (However, if Q4 and Q5 are '11', whether Q6 is '0' or not) is determined (S137). In this case, the label -TRND stored in the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70 is further determined. The stored acquired numerical value Q7 of -T1 is read, and it is determined whether the stored acquired numerical value Q7 belongs to '0' to '15' (S138). If the stored acquired numerical value Q7 is any one of '0' to '15', the reach Y1 constituting the reach state is determined as the special symbol display mode (S139). On the other hand, when the stored acquired numerical value Q7 is not '0' to '15', that is, when it is any of '16' to '35', the reach Z1 constituting the reach state is determined as the special symbol display mode. Is performed (S140).
[0085]
Further, in the case where the middle special symbol of the fixed stop special symbol is not a symbol arrangement relationship of the big hit symbol (the upper special symbol and the lower special symbol) +1 in S137, the reach state is configured as the special symbol display mode. To be reached W1 (S141).
[0086]
In the above description, the symbols in which the middle special symbol is in the symbol arrangement relationship of the big hit symbol (right special symbol and left special symbol) -1 are the left and right special symbols in the judgment symbol row (particularly, the element image of the main judgment symbol portion). ) Shows the middle special symbol (particularly, the element image of the main judgment symbol portion) immediately before the parent symbol. Specifically, when the left and right special symbols are “eight and sen”, the middle special symbol is “seven and peach”. Also, the symbols in the middle special symbol in the symbol arrangement relationship of the jackpot symbol (the right special symbol and the left special symbol) + 1 are the symbols in which the left and right special symbols are "sword and peach" and the middle special symbol is "zero". And sen '.
[0087]
After the reach X1, the reach Y1, the reach Z1, and the reach W1 are determined as the display modes (S136, S139, S140, S141), the value of the reach flag C1 is set to 0 (S142), and the determined The display mode is stored in the RAM of the main control circuit 70 as special symbol variation display data (S134).
[0088]
When the big hit flag A1 = 1 in S131, that is, when the big hit is established (special game execution possible), as shown in FIG. 13, the storage of the label -TRND-T1 stored in the RAM 73 of the main control circuit 70. The acquired numerical value Q7 is read out, and it is sequentially determined whether the stored acquired numerical value Q7 belongs to any range of '0' to '2', '3' to '15', or '16' to '18'. (S143 to S145). If the stored acquisition numerical value Q7 is any of '0' to '2', the display mode of the special symbol is determined to be reach X2 (S146).
[0089]
If the stored numerical value Q7 is any one of '3' to '15', the display mode of the special symbol is determined to be reach Y2 (S147). Further, when the stored acquisition numerical value Q7 is any one of '16' to '18', the display mode of the special symbol is determined to reach Z2 (S148). Further, when the stored acquired numerical value Q7 is not in any range of '0' to '18', that is, in any of '19' to '35', the display mode of the special symbol is set to reach W2. It is determined (S149). After the display mode is determined to reach X2, reach Y2, reach Z2, reach W2 (S146 to S149), the value of the reach flag C1 is set to 0 (S150), and the determined display mode is a special symbol. The display data is stored in the RAM of the main control circuit 70 (S151).
[0090]
The special symbol variation display data stored in the RAM of the main control circuit 70 is transmitted to the display control circuit 90 when the determination condition is satisfied. Then, when the special symbol variation display data and the decorative symbol data are transmitted from the main control circuit 70 to the display control circuit 90, the display control circuit 90 causes the main and sub determinations to constitute the special symbol based on the transmitted data. Each element image such as a symbol part, a background, and a character is edited (synthesized), and is fluctuated and stopped (display effect) on the image display part 50 of the special symbol display device 43. In addition, each special symbol transmits a symbol stop signal from the main control circuit 70 after a specific time from the start of the variation determined for each variation mode, and the final stop special symbol determined in the final stop special symbol determination process (S90). The final (fixed) stop is displayed in combination. In addition, when the fixed stop display is performed in the special combination of missed symbols, if there is a winning memory related to the next variable display, then the variable display related to the next winning memory is started.
[0091]
Here, the display modes shown in FIGS. 15 and 21 will be described. The non-reach-free departure (S133) is a display mode in which, after the special symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, all the special symbols are fixed and stopped in the deviated symbol combination without entering the reach state. In the reach W1 (S141) and the reach W2 (S149), the left, middle, and right special symbols, which are the combination of the main determination symbol portion and the sub-determination symbol portion, temporarily stop after changing for a predetermined period of time while both images are combined. The connection between the judgment symbol portion and the sub judgment symbol portion is released and the two are separated (illustrated in FIG. 17 and the like), the element image of the sub judgment symbol portion starts to be displayed in a fluctuating manner, and the element images of the sub judgment symbol portion are aligned. After a display effect (illustrated in FIG. 19 and the like) is made, both the main and sub-determination symbol portions return to their original forms, and all the special symbols are stopped in each display area in a fixed symbol combination. It is a reach display mode.
[0092]
The modes shown as reach X1 (S116) and reach X2 (S126), reach Y1 (S119) and reach Y2 (S127), reach Z1 (S120) and reach Z2 (S128) are not particularly limited. . For example, the left, middle and right special symbols, which are composed of the element images of the main and sub symbol determination units, are temporarily stopped after fluctuating while the two images are being combined for a predetermined time, and the left, middle and right special symbol sub-determination symbol is determined. The main determination symbol portion fluctuates (not shown) while the portion is enlarged and covers the main determination symbol portion, and after a predetermined time variation, the sub-determination symbol portion is reduced and displayed, and the main and sub symbol determination is performed. This is a reach display mode in which all the special symbols return to their original forms and all the special symbols are fixedly stopped in each of the display areas in a stopped symbol combination.
[0093]
In addition, after all special symbols fluctuate for a predetermined time, the left and right special symbols temporarily stop at the reach symbol, then the middle special symbol fluctuates vertically for a predetermined time, and all special symbols stop in each display area. Reach display mode in which the combination is fixed and stopped, the left and right special symbols temporarily stop at the reach symbol after all the special symbols have fluctuated for a predetermined time, and then the left or right special symbol changes in size, rotation, etc. for a predetermined time While performing, the middle special symbol fluctuates vertically, and reach display modes such as a reach display mode in which all the special symbols are fixedly stopped in a stop symbol combination in each display area, and various appropriate modes are displayed on the image display unit 50. You. In the embodiment, in order to emphasize the difference between the reach X1, X2, Y1, Y2, Z1, Z2 and the reach W1, W2, it is assumed that the display effect only by the element images of the sub-determination symbol portion is not performed.
[0094]
In the main process M, in addition to the above-described processes, other processes (S160) required during the game state, such as a temporary stop special symbol change determination process, a round number selection process, a probability setting process, and a special game execution process , Confirmation of passing of the normal symbol change start left and right gates 19 and 21, normal symbol hit / fail judgment processing, normal symbol display mode determination processing, start winning opening opening processing, display device display processing, and other error processing. Then, it enters a standby state in preparation for the subsequent processing.
[0095]
Next, the special symbol separation control processing S170 executed by the display control control CPU 91 of the display control control circuit 90 will be described with reference to FIG. In the processing S170, it is confirmed whether or not the special symbol change display instruction data sent from the main control circuit 70 is reach W1 or W2 (S171). If the data is reach W1 or W2, the sub-determined symbol portions match, and the main determined symbol portions are changed to special symbols different from all three, and temporarily stopped (S172). After the temporary stop, the combination of the main and sub-determination symbol portions in the left, middle, and right special symbols is temporarily canceled, the two are separated, and the image data of the element images (all types) constituting the sub-determination symbol portion Is extracted from the image data ROM 96, mapped by the VDP 94 and displayed (S173). After the separated display in S173 is performed, the special symbol determined in the fixed stop special symbol determination process (S110) is displayed. In this case, the main and sub determination symbol portions are returned from the separated display to the original combined state and displayed (S174). On the other hand, when the special symbol change display instruction data is not reach W1 or W2, the processing of S172 to 174 is not performed, and the process ends. The image data ROM 96 stores the image data of all the element images from zero to sword and sen, heart, sword, and peach in the reach W1 or W2, and is appropriately selected according to the temporary stop special symbol. Has been synthesized.
[0096]
Next, a specific example of a display mode of a special symbol displayed on the image display unit 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. Each special symbol in the embodiment is configured by combining element images constituting the main and sub-determination symbol portions as described above. That is, the left special symbol L is composed of a combination of the main judgment symbol portion Lm0 and the sub judgment symbol portion Ls0, the middle special symbol M is also a combination of the main judgment symbol portion Mm0 and the sub judgment symbol portion Ms0, and the right special symbol R is also It is composed of a combination of a main judgment symbol portion Rm0 and a sub judgment symbol portion Rs0. As is clear from FIG. 15, the sub-decision symbol portion is normally located at the lower right of the main decision symbol portion. Further, in the embodiment, the main and sub-determination symbol portions constituting one special symbol are each composed of one element image, and can be said to be an aggregate composed of two element images. Each of these special symbols vertically scrolls on background element images such as the sky S, castle C, town B, cat K, waitress W, and townsman D. The display priority order is assigned to each of the main and sub-determination symbol portions (element images) and the background element images as described above every predetermined time (1/60 second), and is replaced as time elapses. (Detailed in the description of FIGS. 22 and 23) Display control is performed.
[0097]
The examples of FIGS. 15 to 21 are cases where the main symbol and the sub-decision symbol portions constituting the special symbol are determined to be reach W1 (S141) in which the special symbol is separated in the special symbol display mode determination process (S130). First, when the variable display mode of the reach W1 is output from the main control circuit 70 and received by the display control circuit 90, as shown in the display image of FIG. All the symbols of the left special symbol L (Lm0, Ls0), the middle special symbol M (Mm0, Ms0), and the right special symbol R (Rm0, Rs0) are vertically scrolled and changed corresponding to the display area and the right display area, respectively. Start.
[0098]
After that, as shown in the display image shown in FIG. 16, all the special symbols temporarily stop temporarily after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the fluctuation of the left special symbol L, the middle special symbol M, and the right special symbol R which are the special symbols (determination symbols). In FIG. 16, the left special symbol L is combined with “4”, which is the main determination symbol portion Lm0 indicating the order of the determination symbol row, and “Sen (with limbs)”, which is the sub-determination symbol portion Ls1, and is interlockingly moved and displayed. , A temporary stop display in which the sub-determination symbol portion (two element images) is slightly moved up and down. Similarly, the middle special symbol M has a main judgment symbol portion Mm0 of “eight” and the sub judgment symbol portion Ms1 of “sen (with limbs)”, and the right special symbol R has a main judgment symbol portion Rm0 of “zero”. It is interlocked and displayed while being combined with "sen (with limbs)" which is the sub-determination symbol portion Ms1, and temporarily stops while slightly moving up and down. As shown in FIG. 16, in the case of a display mode in which the main and sub-determination symbol portions of the reach W1 are separated, the sub-determination symbol portions Ls1, Ms1, and Rs1 of the left, middle, and right special symbols are described as described in S172. All are the same ('sen (with limbs)'), and the three main determination symbol portions Lm0, Mm0, Rm0 are different. In the display of the fluctuation and the like in FIGS. 15 and 16, each combination of the first element image La and the second element image Lb, Ma and Mb, and Ra and Rb maintains the above-described predetermined connection (cell sprite). The scroll on the display unit 50 fluctuates, and the display is temporarily stopped.
[0099]
As shown in the special symbols L, M, and R in the temporary stop state shown in FIG. 16, when all three sub-determination symbol portions are aligned, it can be understood from the display images shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. In addition, a predetermined connection between the element images in the main and sub-determination symbol portions (the interlocking operation of "zero" and "sen", "1" and "heart", "2" and "sword"), that is, interlocking movement display (Cell sprite display) is canceled once. In FIGS. 17 and 18, the main judgment symbol portions (element images) Lm1, Mm1, and Rm1 of the left, middle, and right special symbols move while shrinking below the image display unit 50. As for one of the sub-determination symbol parts, the element images sp1 'sen (with limbs) and sp2' peach (with limbs) of all types of sub-determination symbol parts which retreat behind the main determination symbol part ) ', Sp3' sword (with limbs) ', sp4' heart (with limbs) ', sp5' sen (with limbs) ', sp6' peach (with limbs) ', sp7' sword (with limbs), sp8 ' A heart (with limbs) 'is displayed and turns left on the background h1 in order, and the element images sq1' sen (with limbs) ', sq2' peach (with limbs) ', sq3' sword (with limbs) ', sq4' heart (With limbs) ', sq5' sen (with limbs) ', sq6' peach (with limbs) ', sq7' sword (with limbs) ', sq8' A moving fluctuation display is performed. During the variable display in which the respective element images sp1 to sp8 and sq1 to sq8 rotate left and right, the element images (in this case, the arrangement of sp4, sp8, sq8, and sq4) of the sub-determination symbol portion arranged inside the broken line in FIG. The main determination symbol portion is switched and displayed in accordance with the change. In the example of FIG. 18, Lm1 'nine' for sp4 'heart (with limbs)', Mm1 '1' for sp8, sq8 'heart (with limbs)', Rm1 'for sq4' heart (with limbs) ' An element image having the above-described predetermined connection (connection in the determination symbol sequence) such as “5 ′” is appropriately displayed.
[0100]
When all four sub-determination symbol portions (sp1 to sp8, sq1 to sq8) in the center (inside the broken line) in the image display unit 50 shown in FIG. 18 are aligned, the fluctuation shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 is further obtained. Switch to display. Among the out-of-reach symbols determined in the final stop special symbol determination process (S110), in FIGS. 19 and 20, the left and right main determination symbol portions Lm1'4 ', Rm1'4' and Rm1'4 'which form the reach state are shown. The corresponding left and right sub-judgment symbol portions Ls2 'sen (with limbs)' and Rs2 'sen (with limbs) are temporarily stopped, and the player is clearly displayed as to whether the reach state has been established. On the other hand, in the middle sub-decision symbol portion, the element images of all types of sub-decision symbol portions belonging to the judgment symbol row are displayed, and start to go around on the background h2. In FIG. 19, there are four types of middle sub-determination symbol parts: Ms3 'Sen (with limbs)', Ms4 'Heart (with limbs)', Ms5 'peach (with limbs)', Ms6 'sword (with limbs)'. is there. Then, the middle main determination symbol portion (Mm1'7 'in this case) corresponding to the middle sub determination symbol portion (Ms5' peach (with limbs) ') in the image display portion 50 located substantially at the center is provided. The display is switched. Subsequently, in FIG. 20, the middle / secondary determination symbol portion (Ms6 'in this case, sword (with limbs)') is located at the center, and the corresponding main main determination symbol portion (Mm1'2 'in this case) is located at the center. The display is switched.
[0101]
Then, as shown in FIG. 21, after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of the change, when returning to the fixed stop from the time of the change of the reach state, the separate display control is not performed. Separated display of each element image constituting the section is eliminated. Therefore, the left, right, and middle special symbols L (Lm0, Ls0), R (Rm0, Rs0), and M (Mm0, Ms0) return to the initial special symbol display, and each of the image display units 50 starts changing. The display is interlocked and displayed (cell sprite display) at the left, middle, and right display positions, and is fixedly stopped as a stop symbol combination.
[0102]
In FIGS. 15 to 21, the sub-determination symbol portion is replaced with a different element image accompanied by a change in shape such as size or limbs, and is displayed to the player, but the sub-determination symbol portion Ls0, Ms0 is displayed to the player. , Rs0 and the limb sub-decision design parts sp1 to sp8, sq1 to sq8, and the enlarged limb-attached sub-decision design parts Ls2, Ms3 to 6, Rs2 as sub-decision design parts ( Element image) is designed.
[0103]
The time charts shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 indicate the display priority (vertical direction) and the display time (horizontal direction) of a still image (display image) created for each time series (every 1/60 second). It was done. The time series Tq is obtained by arranging all the element images displayed in the 1/60 second still image constituting the display of FIG. 15 according to the display priority order. Similarly, the time series Tr is shown in FIG. 16, the time series Ts is shown in FIG. 17, the time series Tt is shown in FIG. 18, the time series Tu is shown in FIG. 19, and the time series Tv is shown in FIG. It is. For each time series, the display priority of each elemental image is p number (priority number) p1, p2, p3,. . . In this embodiment, the display priority is such that the larger the numerical value of the p-number is superior to the smaller the numerical value of the p-number, and the numerical value of the p-number increases as it goes downward. In the time charts of FIGS. 22 and 23, the same display priority is not assigned to the element images included in one time series.
[0104]
In the time series Tq and Tr, the display priority order p1 is assigned to the sky S, p2 to the castle C, p3 to the town B, p4 to the townspeople D, and p10 to the waitress W. Then, for each element image of the main and sub-determination symbol portions of each special symbol, p40 for Lm0 (sword), p41 for Ls0 (peach), p50 for Rm0 (ninth), p51 for Rs0 (heart), Mm0 (2 ) To p60, Ms0 (sword) to p61, Lm0 (phantom) to p70, Ls0 (sword) to p71, Rm0 (eight) to p80, Rs0 (heart) to p81, Mm0 (ichi) to p90, Ms0 (sword) Is assigned to p91. Similarly, in the time series Tr, p40 for Lm0 (four), p42 for Ls1 (sen), p50 for Rm0 (phantom), p52 for Rs1 (sword), p60 for Mm (eight), and p62 for Ms1 (sen). Is allocated. Note that the broken lines at both ends of each of the element images indicate that they are displayed over time series.
[0105]
As shown in the time series Tq and Tr, in the elemental images of the main and sub-determined symbol portions constituting the special symbol, the exchange of the element images expressed in the temporary stop mode or the like where the sub-determined symbol portions match due to vertical scroll fluctuation ( The sub-design symbols with limbs are exchanged) through the display priority order.
[0106]
In the time series Ts representing the display mode of FIG. 17, the display priority order is p1 for the background h1, p11 for the sub-decision symbol part sp1 (sen), p12 for sp2 (peach), p13 for sp3 (sword), and p13 for sp4 (heart). p14, p5 for sp5 (sen), p16 for sp6 (peach), p17 for sp7 (sword), p18 for sp8 (heart), p21 for sq1 (sen), p22, sq3 (sword) for sq2 (peach) P23, sq4 (heart) p24, sq5 (penny) p25, sq6 (peach) p26, sq7 (sword) p27, sq8 (heart) p28, and Lm1 (four) p40, Rm1 (zero) Is assigned to p50 and Mm1 (eight) is assigned to p60. Subsequently, when the sub-determination symbol portions sp1 to sp8 and sq1 to sq8 are displayed in a horizontal direction as in a time series Tt (shown in FIG. 23) representing the display mode of FIG. 18, the display priority order of each element image is displayed. Are sequentially shifted to control the display. Therefore, the display control such as the exchange of the front-rear relationship and the overlap between the main and sub-determination symbol portions becomes possible through the display priority.
[0107]
In the time series Tu representing the display mode of FIG. 19, the display priority order is p1 for the background h2, p11 for the sub-decision symbol portion Ms3 (sen), p16 for Ms6 (sword), p21 for Ms4 (heart), and p21 for Ms5 (peach). p26, p40 is assigned to Lm1 (4), p50 is assigned to Rm1 (4), and p60 is assigned to Mm1 (7). Subsequently, as shown in the time series Tv representing the display mode of FIG. 20, the circling display of the sub-determination symbol portion is controlled by changing the display priority. In the same manner as described above, it is possible to perform display control such as exchanging the front-rear relationship between the main and sub-determination symbol portions and overlapping.
[0108]
Conventionally, a special symbol (judgment symbol) is composed of one element image. For example, a special symbol including a reduced main judgment symbol portion Lm1 (four) and an enlarged sub-decision symbol portion Ls2 as shown in FIG. In the case of displaying, the reduced main determination symbol portion and the enlarged sub-determination symbol portion had to be separately designed, and an increase in the data amount of the element image was inevitable. However, as can be understood from FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, the main and sub-determination symbol portions are displayed under independent display control data according to the respective display priorities, and therefore, in the left and right special symbols, the main determination symbol portion By setting the display priority of the sub-decision symbol portion higher than that of the sub-decision symbol portion, the exchange of the context and the enlargement / reduction can be expressed without interference. Therefore, the complexity of image creation, such as designing a plurality of one element images each of which is a combination of both, is eliminated, and an increase in the amount of image data can be suppressed. In addition, in the case of creating an orbiting element image such as the middle and sub-determination symbol part Ms5, the display control data including the setting of the display priority order and the setting of the display position in the image display unit is adjusted for the existing element image. Accordingly, display can be performed without creating a new image.
[0109]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented by appropriately changing a part of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the special symbol (judgment symbol) of the above embodiment is composed of a main judgment symbol portion (from 'zero' to 'sword') and a sub judgment symbol portion ('sen', 'heart', 'sword', 'peach'). Although it is assumed that the image is not limited to this, for example, the images of the seven deities of good fortune, the zodiac constellation, multiple types of people, plants, animals, objects, etc., which are hard to visually impair the discriminating power as appropriate Can be used. In the embodiment, the main determination symbol portion has one element image and the sub determination symbol portion has one element image. However, the main determination symbol portion has two element images, and the sub determination symbol portion has two element images. It is also possible to extend the number of element images. In addition, the background element image is set to 'sky', 'town', 'cat', etc., but is not particularly limited, and there is no problem in displaying other landscapes, people, plants, animals, objects, etc. .
[0110]
Also, in the special symbol (judgment symbol) of the above embodiment, the main symbol symbol portion does not include the same element image in the symbol sequence to which the special symbol from “zero and sen” to “sword and peach” belongs, Although the determination symbol portion is configured and set to include the same element image, the configuration is not limited to the special symbol configuration including the main and sub determination symbol portions in the embodiment. For example, although not shown, special symbols (judgment symbols) are “maru and sen”, “maru and heart”, “triangle and heart”, “triangle and sword”, “square and sword”, “square and peach”, “ It is a set of element images such as “star and peach” and “star and zen”, and the main judgment symbol part is “circle”, “triangle”, “square”, “star” etc. in one judgment symbol sequence. It is also possible to set so that there exist a plurality.
[0111]
Further, the display effect in the above embodiment is performed as one display mode of the reach effect when the main determination symbol portions of the left, middle, and right special symbols are all different and the sub-determination symbol portions all match. However, there is no limitation at the time of reaching the embodiment. For example, in a reach announcement or the like, a predetermined display mode in which at least two determination symbols have the same or not shown sub-determination symbol portions but have a meaningful relationship with each other such as "shield" and "inconsistency" It can be done when it becomes.
[0112]
In addition, in the gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment, the special symbol is vertically scrolled when the special symbol is changed in the image display unit 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine that causes a symbol to be horizontally scrolled, another scrolled, or otherwise fluctuated. Furthermore, in the above description, the description has been made using a pachinko gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a coin gaming machine, a slot machine, or the like. Any gaming machine capable of displaying effects, characters and the like in a variable manner can be applied to an appropriate gaming machine without any problem.
[0113]
【The invention's effect】
As shown and described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one special symbol among a plurality of special symbols (judgment symbols) is composed of at least two or more types of element images. Since the separate display control means is provided so that each of the element images can be separately displayed and controlled during the variable display, it is possible to provide a highly entertaining gaming machine with improved display performance of special symbols. .
[0114]
According to the gaming machine of the second aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of special symbols displayed on the display means is composed of a plurality of judgment symbol columns, and the element image of the at least one special symbol that can be separated and displayed. Is provided with a sub-determination symbol portion in which the same element image is present in one determination symbol column among a plurality of determination symbol columns, so that only a sub-determination symbol portion in which the same element image exists exists in another special symbol. Can be configured to be difficult to visually recognize, and the visibility of the game can be increased.
[0115]
According to the gaming machine of the third aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of special symbols displayed on the display means is composed of a plurality of determination symbol rows, and the element image of at least one determination symbol that can be separated and displayed is Of the plurality of determination symbol columns, since one determination symbol column has a main determination symbol portion in which the same element image does not exist, the player can recognize the special symbol by at least the main determination symbol portion. .
[0116]
According to the gaming machine of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the separated display control for separately displaying the element images constituting the special symbol is performed by a predetermined display such that at least two or more special symbol sub-determination symbol portions are aligned. Since it is performed when it becomes a mode, it is possible to give attention to the display mode of the sub-determination symbol portion and give a new interest.
[0117]
According to the gaming machine of the fifth aspect of the present invention, among the element images displayed on the display means at the same time, a display mode in which at least two or more of the sub-determination symbol portions are the same is displayed. A new interest can be obtained, such as focusing on the identity of the judgment symbol part.
[0118]
According to the gaming machine according to the invention of claim 6, a temporary stop display for temporarily stopping a plurality of special symbols at a predetermined special symbol before the stop display is performed. Expectations of the game can be raised.
[0119]
According to the gaming machine of the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the element image constituting the special symbol is not separated and displayed, and the display returns to the original special symbol form. Stop special symbols can be easily identified.
[0120]
According to the gaming machine according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, at least one special symbol among a plurality of special symbols (judgment symbols) is constituted by at least two types of element images having different display priorities, so that one special symbol is displayed. In the case of changing the display of symbols, the display of each element image can be changed independently without interference from each other, and a novel and wide display mode is realized, thereby improving the interest of the game. Is obtained.
[0121]
According to the gaming machine of the ninth aspect, the separate display control for each element image in the special symbol is controlled by the display control data independent of each other. It is possible to easily combine element images with separated display without increasing the amount of data to be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an entire gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board of the gaming machine.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing system control of the gaming machine.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing display control of the gaming machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to a main process executed by a main control circuit of the gaming machine.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to an output process.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart relating to a random number update process.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart relating to a random number acquisition process.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart relating to a jackpot success / failure determination process.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart relating to reach determination processing.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart relating to a fixed stop special symbol determination process.
FIG. 12 is a first flowchart relating to a special symbol display mode determination process.
FIG. 13 is a second flowchart relating to a special symbol display mode determination process.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart relating to a special symbol separation control process.
FIG. 15 is an example of a display effect mode before a reach state is established when reach W1 is selected.
FIG. 16 is a display effect example of a first temporary stop when reach W1 is selected.
FIG. 17 is a first display effect example in which a main determination symbol portion and a sub determination symbol portion are separately displayed when a reach W1 is selected.
FIG. 18 is a second display effect example in which the main determination symbol portion and the sub determination symbol portion are separately displayed when reach W1 is selected.
FIG. 19 is a first display effect example in which a main determination symbol portion and a sub determination symbol portion are separately displayed when a reach state is established when reach W1 is selected.
FIG. 20 is a second display effect example in which a main determination symbol portion and a sub determination symbol portion are separately displayed when a reach state is established when reach W1 is selected.
FIG. 21 is an example of a display effect mode at the time of fixed stop when reach W1 is selected.
FIG. 22 is a first time chart of a display image.
FIG. 23 is a second time chart of the display image.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 gaming machines
3 game board
9 Display device
43 Special symbol display device
50 Image display section
70 Main control circuit
73 Main control circuit RAM
90 Display control circuit

Claims (9)

Hit / fail judgment means for judging whether a game has hit or missed due to establishment of a judgment start condition;
When the determination result by the hit / fail determination means is a hit, a stop determination symbol combination of a hit determination symbol combination composed of a plurality of determination symbols is determined, and in the case of a deviation, a deviation determination symbol combination composed of a plurality of determination symbols is determined. Stop determination symbol determining means for determining a stop determination symbol,
Display means capable of displaying the plurality of determination symbols,
A game machine comprising: a display control unit that variably displays a plurality of determination symbols on the display unit, and a display control unit that displays a final stop with a combination of the determination symbols determined by the stop determination symbol determination unit.
Among the plurality of determination symbols, at least one determination symbol is composed of at least two or more types of element images, and the display control unit is configured to display each of the element images constituting the at least one determination symbol while changing and displaying each of the element images. A gaming machine comprising a separated display control means for performing separate display control. Each of the plurality of determination symbols displayed on the display means is composed of a plurality of determination symbol columns, and the element image of at least one determination symbol that can be separately displayed is one of the plurality of determination symbol columns. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-determination symbol portion in which the same element image exists in the determination symbol row. Each of the plurality of determination symbols displayed on the display means is composed of a plurality of determination symbol columns, and the element image of at least one determination symbol that can be separately displayed is one of the plurality of determination symbol columns. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a main determination symbol portion having no identical element image in the determination symbol row. The plurality of judgment symbols are displayed so as to be separable, and the separated display control is performed when a sub-judgment symbol portion of at least two judgment symbols displayed on the display means has a predetermined display mode. The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein, in the predetermined display mode, at least two or more sub-determination symbol portions are the same among the element images displayed on the display unit at the same time. The display control means, after variably displaying the plurality of determination symbols, performs a temporary stop display of temporarily stopping at a predetermined determination symbol before the determination stop display of the plurality of determination symbols, and the predetermined display mode is 6. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the display mode is a temporary stop display mode. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the determination stop display does not perform the separate display control of the determination symbol. The at least one determination symbol is composed of two or more types of element images having different display priorities, and the separated display control of the determination symbol is performed for each element image having a different display priority. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separate display control for each element image constituting the at least one determination symbol is controlled by display control data independent from each other for each of the element images. 10. Gaming machine.

Images