JP2004097249A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To concentrate a user's attention on a pattern variation by tactfully reporting the number of starts stored by the variation time of patterns and improving the functionality of a pattern variation. <P>SOLUTION: In a first-type Pachinko machine, a game ball that has successfully entered a first-type start opening 3 is detected by a first-type start opening switch and stored as an opportunity for starting a pattern variation. A pattern variation pattern is determined at every opportunity for a start and a pattern display device 2 is controlled on the basis of the variation pattern. The variation pattern includes time information to inform a user of the number of opportunities for starts stored by the pattern variation time. Time information is composed by combining the time from the start of the variation of all patterns to the stop of left patterns with the time from the stop of the left patterns to the stop of right patterns. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a function of storing a game ball that has won a symbol starting area as a trigger of symbol change.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2002-78889.
In the paragraph number 0002 of Patent Literature 1, a game ball that has won a first-type starting port of a game board is detected by a switch, and the winning ball is stored as a trigger for changing the symbol, and the number of stored triggers is the same as that number. There is described a technique of notifying a player by turning on a lamp. Also, in paragraph number 0010 of the same document, a technique of notifying a player of the number of start memories by displaying the same number of background images as the number of memories of the start trigger on the display area of the symbol display device is displayed. I have.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the method of notifying the number of starting memories by lighting the lamp has been giving the player a rut feeling since the same method has been adopted for many years. In addition, since the same number of lamps (normally four) as the upper limit of the number of startup memories is provided in a part of the symbol display device, when increasing the upper limit in developing a new model, the number of lamps is increased. It was also necessary to change the design of the symbol display device in order to add it. On the other hand, the method of notifying by the background image is that freshness and fun are recognized in that the number of background images changes in accordance with the number of starting memories, but the point of notifying the number of starting memories by the same number of background images is a lamp. Like, it was a simple and fixed method. For this reason, counting the number of background pictures makes it easy for anyone to easily know the number of starting memories, regardless of the level of proficiency in the game, and there is a problem that the depth of the gaming machine is impaired.
[0004]
Further, in a conventional gaming machine, for example, three symbols are variably displayed in the display area of the symbol display device. However, the time during which the player pays attention to the symbol variation during the entire symbol variation period is a normal loss variation. However, it is limited to the time zone in which all the symbols finally stop, and if the reach is changed, it is limited to the time zone from the start of the reach change to the stop. Since the first symbol that stops first and the second symbol that stops second fluctuate at high speed in an invisible manner, during the fluctuation of these symbols, the attention of the player is not directed to the symbol display device. It is a fact. Therefore, there is a problem that the player is utilized only for a part of the entire symbol fluctuation period, and the function of symbol fluctuation is evaluated to be low.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of skillfully informing the number of starting memories by the symbol variation time, enhancing the functionality of symbol variation, concentrating the player's attention on it, and playing a deep game. To provide.
[0006]
[Means, actions and effects for solving the problem]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gaming machine according to the invention of claim 1 includes a symbol display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols, and a detecting unit that detects that a game ball has won a symbol starting area of a gaming board. A storage means for storing the detected game balls as a trigger of the symbol change, a determining means for determining a symbol change pattern for each of the stored triggers, and controlling the symbol display device based on the determined change pattern. The variation pattern includes time information for notifying the player of the number of times of starting triggered by the symbol variation time, and the time information is the first symbol from the start of variation of all symbols. It is characterized by combining the time until the stop and the time from the stop of the first symbol to the stop of the second symbol.
[0007]
In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the fluctuation time of the symbol changes according to the stored number of the start trigger. Since the difference in the fluctuation time is subtle, unlike the conventional notification method, the player cannot judge the number of starting memories at a glance. In addition, since the variable time includes two pieces of time information relating to the first symbol and the second symbol as variables, it becomes more complicated for the player to determine the number of starting memories. Therefore, in order to know exactly how many more triggers remain, symbol fluctuations, especially the fluctuations of the first and second symbols, are more important than ever, and the player changes the symbol fluctuations to the starting point. Will focus on the game and play. Also, as you become accustomed to the game, you will be able to judge the number of starting memories intuitively, so for functions that do not affect the profit much, you will make a difference in the familiarity between the experienced player and the beginner, and increase the depth of the game Can be given.
[0008]
In the gaming machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, the time information included in the fluctuation pattern includes the time from the start of the fluctuation of all the symbols until the first symbol stops, and the second symbol stops after the first symbol stops. And the stop time of the last symbol is combined. According to this configuration, the change time includes three time information regarding the first symbol, the second symbol, and the final symbol as variables, so that the determination of the number of starting memories is further complicated, and the player can change the symbol from the beginning to the end of the symbol variation. Until then, they will maintain a sense of tension throughout the entire period and focus on the pattern fluctuation.
[0009]
In the gaming machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, the time information included in the fluctuation pattern includes the time from the start of the fluctuation of all the symbols until the first symbol stops, and the time information from the start of the fluctuation of all the symbols to the stop of the second symbol. The time is gradually reduced in accordance with an increase in the number of memories of the start trigger. In this case, as the number of start memories increases, the total fluctuation time per operation gradually decreases, so that even when the upper limit value of the number of start memories is increased or eliminated, a large number of start triggers are quickly consumed. Then, a rhythmical game can be performed.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a first-class pachinko machine will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, in this pachinko machine, a symbol display device 2 is installed substantially at the center of a game board 1. The symbol display device 2 is provided with three areas 2A, 2B, 2C for displaying special symbols, a left symbol as a first symbol in a left area 2A, and a right symbol as a second symbol in a right area 2B. , The middle symbol as the final symbol is changed (scrolled) and displayed by the liquid crystal in the middle area 2C. Then, the symbol variation starts simultaneously in the three regions 2A, 2B, and 2C, and the symbol variation stops in the order of the left region 2A, the right region 2B, and the middle region 2C.
[0011]
A first-type starting port 3 is provided below the symbol display device 2 as a symbol starting area, and when a game ball is won, the symbol display device 2 starts changing symbols. A variable winning device 4 is installed below the first-type starting opening 3, and, for example, “1.1.1”, “2.2.2” in three areas 2 A, 2 B, and 2 C of the symbol display device 2. When the big hit symbol such as is confirmed and displayed, the door member 4a of the variable winning device 4 continuously opens the big winning port 5 a predetermined number of times to execute a big hit game advantageous to the player. It should be noted that the symbol display device 2 of this pachinko machine is not provided with a lamp for notifying the number of start storages, unlike the related art.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2, a main control board 11 is provided in the electric control system of the pachinko machine, and a microprocessor 12 is mounted on the main control board 11. The microprocessor 12 is provided with a CPU 13 for controlling devices of each part of the pachinko machine, a ROM 14 for storing various control programs and control data, and a RAM 15 for temporarily storing control commands and setting data by the CPU 13. I have. The main control board 11 includes a first-type starting port switch 16 as detecting means for detecting that a game ball has won the first-type starting port 3, and a symbol control board 17 for controlling the symbol display device 2. Is connected. The symbol control board 17 is provided with a ROM 18 for storing a variation pattern of a special symbol, a stop symbol, and the like.
[0013]
In this pachinko machine, the RAM 15 of the main control board 11 functions as a storage unit that stores the game ball detected by the first-type start-up switch 16 as a trigger for symbol change. The CPU 13 functions as a determination unit that determines a symbol variation pattern for each of the stored triggers and as a control unit that controls the symbol display device 2 via the symbol control board 17 with a control command based on the determined variation pattern. I do. The ROM 18 of the symbol control board 17 stores a large number of variation patterns corresponding to the control commands of the CPU 13. As shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 10, the variation pattern includes time information for notifying the player of the number of stored start triggers (hereinafter referred to as the number of stored starts) to the player based on the symbol variation time. The specific configuration of this time information will be described later.
[0014]
Next, a control method of the symbol display device 2 by the CPU 13 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the first-type starting port process shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 13 determines whether or not a game ball has won the first-type starting port 3 based on a signal of the first-type starting port switch 16 (S1). When a game ball is awarded in the first type starting port 3, it is determined whether or not the starting storage number U is less than a preset upper limit value (S2). Is stored in the RAM 15 as a trigger for symbol fluctuation (S3). Then, a big hit random number at the time of winning is obtained from the big hit random numbers from 0 to 952 (S4), and the obtained value is stored in the RAM 15 in association with the starting opportunity (S5), and then the next special symbol display processing is performed. Transition.
[0015]
In the special symbol display process shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the symbol display device 2 is changing the special symbol (S11). It is confirmed whether or not it is above (S12). If the starting storage number U is equal to or more than "1", "1" is subtracted from the storage number U (S13), the random number value of the big hit is read (S14), and the random number value is compared with the set value to obtain the "big hit". It is determined whether or not (S15). If "big hit" is determined, a big hit flag is set (S16), and a big hit symbol is determined (S17). If "losing" is determined, a lost symbol is determined (S18). Then, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined (S19), the variation start command of all symbols is transmitted to the symbol control board 17 (S20), the timer is started (S21), and thereafter, the measured time T of the timer is compared. While controlling the fluctuation of the three special symbols.
[0016]
Here, after confirming that the symbol is being changed (S11: Yes), the CPU 13 first monitors the fluctuation time Ta of the left symbol that first stops (S22), and when the fluctuation time Ta has elapsed, the left symbol is displayed. It stops (S23), then monitors the fluctuation time Tb of the right symbol (S24), and stops the right symbol when the fluctuation time Tb elapses (S25). Next, it is determined whether or not there is a reach variation (S26). If the reach pattern is included in the variation pattern, the reach image is displayed on the symbol display device 2 (S27), and the middle symbol that stops last is displayed. The fluctuation time Tc is monitored (S28), and when the fluctuation time Tc has elapsed, the middle symbol is stopped (S29). Then, the temporary stop time Td from the stop of the middle symbol to the stop of all the symbols is monitored (S30), and after the temporary stop time Td has elapsed, the final stop time Te of all the symbols is monitored (S31), and the final stop time Te is determined. When the time has elapsed, the timer is reset (S32), and the process proceeds to the next special symbol control.
[0017]
Next, a specific configuration of the special symbol variation pattern used for the control will be described based on two embodiments.
<First embodiment>
5 to 9 show a first embodiment of the variation pattern. FIG. 5 shows time information for notifying the number of start storages, and FIGS. 6 to 9 show special symbols controlled according to the time information. This shows a variation mode.
[0018]
In FIG. 5, the left symbol change time (Ta) is the time from the start of the change of all the symbols to the stop of the left symbol, and the right symbol change time (Tb) is the time between the start of the change of all the symbols and the right symbol. It is a time until it stops, and the medium symbol fluctuation time (Tc) is a time from the start of fluctuation of all the symbols to the stop of the medium symbol. Each of the fluctuation times (Ta, Tb, Tc) is set so as to be gradually reduced as the number of start storages (U) increases. For this reason, the total fluctuation time per cycle also gradually decreases with the increase in the number of start memories (U) (see the rightmost column in FIG. 5), and even when the upper limit of the number of start memories is increased or eliminated, Many triggers can be promptly consumed.
[0019]
The temporary stop time (Td) is the time from when the middle symbol stops until all symbols stop, and depending on the variation pattern, each symbol may change again after this time has elapsed. The fixed stop time (Te) is a time in which all the symbols are completely stopped without changing again. The temporary stop time (Td) and the fixed stop time (Te) are all unified to 0.5 seconds, regardless of the number of stored memories (U). Since a large number of medium symbol fluctuation times (Tc) are prepared in preparation for reach fluctuation, FIG. 5 exemplifies a time applied to normal loss fluctuation.
[0020]
In this embodiment, the time information for notifying the player of the number of start memories is the time (Ta) from the start of the change of all the symbols until the left symbol stops, and the right symbol stops after the left symbol stops. And the time (Tb−Ta) until the operation is completed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the number of stored memories is 0, the variation time of the left symbol is 8 seconds and the variation time of the right symbol is 9 seconds. "0" is notified. As shown in FIG. 7, when the number of stored memories is one, the fluctuation time of the left symbol is 7 seconds and the fluctuation time of the right symbol is 8 seconds. Therefore, the number of stored memories is “1” at a time ratio of 7: 1. Is notified. As shown in FIG. 8, when the number of startup memories is two, the variation time of the left symbol is 6 seconds and the variation time of the right symbol is 8 seconds. Therefore, the number of startup memories is “2” at a time ratio of 6: 2. Is notified. As shown in FIG. 9, when the number of startup memories is three, the variation time of the left symbol is 6 seconds and the variation time of the right symbol is 7 seconds. Therefore, the number of startup memories is “3” at a time ratio of 6: 1. Is notified.
[0021]
According to this notification method, even if the fluctuation time of the left symbol is the same, if the time from the stop of the left symbol to the stop of the right symbol is different, the notification result of the start storage number is different. Also, even if the time from the left symbol stop to the right symbol stop is the same, if the fluctuation time of the left symbol is different, the notification result of the start storage number is also different. Therefore, in order for the player to know the starting memory number accurately, it is necessary to watch the symbol variation and compare the left and right symbol variation status to judge. Therefore, the symbol fluctuation, especially the fluctuation of the left symbol and the right symbol, becomes more important than ever, and the player plays a game by focusing attention on the symbol fluctuation from the beginning. Also, since the subtle difference in the fluctuation time can be intuitively judged as becoming accustomed to the game, with regard to the starting memory function that does not affect the profit much, the difference between the familiar player and the novice , Can give depth to the game. In addition, since the start memory number is set by the time information, when the upper limit value of the start memory number is increased, it can be easily dealt with by changing the control data, and unlike the conventional lamp notification method, There is also an advantage that a mechanical design change of the symbol display device can be made unnecessary.
[0022]
<Second embodiment>
10 to 12 show a second embodiment of the variation pattern. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the time information for notifying the player of the number of start memories is the time Ta from the start of the change of all the symbols to the stop of the left symbol, and the time when the left symbol stops. And the time until the right symbol stops (Tb-Ta) and the stop time of the middle symbol are combined to make the configuration more complicated than in the first embodiment. Here, the stop time of the middle symbol is the total time (Td + Te) of the temporary stop time and the fixed stop time. In the illustrated example, the temporary stop time Td is 0 second (temporary stop cancel) or 0.5 second (temporary stop). By setting “Stop execution”, two types of long and short stop times for the medium symbol are prepared. Of course, by setting different times for the fixed stop time Te, it is also possible to make the stop times of the medium symbols different.
[0023]
According to the above time information, for example, when the number of stored memories is 0, 1, 3, the three special symbols are in the forms shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 9, respectively, as in the first embodiment. fluctuate. On the other hand, when the number of start memories is two as shown in FIG. 11, the variation time of the left symbol is 6 seconds, the variation time of the right symbol is 8 seconds, and the stop time of the middle symbol is 0.5 seconds (temporary). (Stop time = 0 second), the start storage number “2” is notified at a time ratio of 6: 2: 0.5. Further, when the number of start memories is four as shown in FIG. 12, the fluctuation time of the left symbol is 5 seconds, the fluctuation time of the right symbol is 7 seconds, and the stop time of the middle symbol is 0.5 seconds. The start storage number “4” is notified at a time ratio of 5: 2: 0.5. Therefore, according to the notification method of the second embodiment, it is possible to further complicate the determination of the number of starting memories, and to concentrate the player's meticulous attention on the symbol variation from the beginning to the end.
[0024]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented by appropriately changing the configuration of each unit without departing from the spirit of the invention, as exemplified below.
(1) In the above embodiment, the variation pattern of the special symbol is stored in the ROM 18 of the symbol control board 17, but the variation pattern may be stored in the ROM 14 of the main control board 11 and executed.
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 13 of the main control board 11 executes the special symbol variation control (FIG. 4: S21 to S32). In accordance with a command from the CPU 13, the sub CPU may execute a special symbol variation control based on the variation pattern in the ROM 18.
(3) In the above embodiment, the upper limit (see S2 in FIG. 3) is set for the number of starting memories. However, this upper limit is eliminated and all game balls that have won the first-type starting port 3 are replaced with symbols. The change may be stored as a trigger.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board showing an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a first-class pachinko machine.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of an electric control system of the pachinko machine.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first type start-up process executed by a CPU of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a special symbol display process executed by the CPU of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a chart showing a first embodiment of time information for notifying the number of start storages;
FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a symbol variation mode when the number of stored memories is 0 in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a symbol variation mode when the number of stored starts is one in the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a symbol variation mode when the number of stored starts is two in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a time chart showing a symbol variation mode when the number of stored starts is three in the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a chart showing a second embodiment of time information for notifying the number of stored starts.
FIG. 11 is a time chart showing a symbol variation mode when the number of start storages is two in the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a time chart showing a symbol variation mode when the number of stored starts is four in the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game board 2 Symbol display device 3 1st kind starting port 11 Main control board 12 Microprocessor 13 CPU
14 ROM
15 RAM
16 First-type starting port switch 17 Symbol control board 18 ROM

Claims (3)

A symbol display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols, a detection unit that detects that a game ball has won a symbol start area of the game board, and a storage unit that stores the detected game ball as a trigger for symbol change, Determining means for determining a pattern fluctuation pattern for each stored start opportunity, and control means for controlling the symbol display device based on the determined fluctuation pattern,
The variation pattern includes time information for notifying the player of the number of times of starting trigger in the symbol variation time, and the time information is the time from the start of variation of all symbols until the first symbol stops, A gaming machine comprising a combination of time from when a first symbol stops until when a second symbol stops. The time information is obtained by combining the time from the start of the change of all the symbols to the stop of the first symbol, the time from the stop of the first symbol to the stop of the second symbol, and the stop time of the final symbol. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured. The time information sets the time from the start of the change of all the symbols to the stop of the first symbol and the time from the start of the change of the all symbols to the stop of the second symbol as the number of stored start triggers increases. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the length of the game machine is reduced stepwise.

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