JP2004130116A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine having a good interesting property attracting a player's interest. <P>SOLUTION: The game board 1 of the pachinko machine is formed of a transparent plate member 94, an electronic paper 98 arranged on the rear of the transparent member 94 and varyingly displaying display information. The display information of the electronic paper 98 located on the rear surface of the transparent plate member 94 can be seen from the front side of the transparent plate member 94, the display information displayed on the electronic paper 98 is rewritten new display information and displayed. The change of the display information of the electronic paper 98 helps execute a display performance to make the impression of the appearance of the pachinko machine different and gives a good interesting property that attracts a player's interest. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

This invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines.

Conventionally, pachinko machines are a typical example of gaming machines. If the pachinko machines are the same model, the configuration is the same. In a game arcade, a plurality of these pachinko machines are arranged and installed.

However, the conventional example having such a configuration has the following problem.

That is, in the conventional pachinko machines, only a plurality of pachinko machines of the same model are arranged side by side in a game store, and only a plurality of pachinko machines having the same appearance are arranged, and the change is poor. There is a problem that it is not of interest to the player.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that is attractive and interesting to a player.

The present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve such an object.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a gaming machine having a gaming area, the gaming area variably displays display information disposed on a transparent plate-shaped member and a back surface of the transparent plate-shaped member. And a display means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a gaming machine having a game area, the game area includes a transparent plate-shaped member and display information disposed on a back surface of the transparent plate-shaped member. Is variably displayed, so that the display information of the display means located on the back of the transparent plate member can be visually recognized from the front side of the transparent plate member. Also, the display information displayed on the display means can be rewritten and displayed with new display information, and a display effect such as changing the appearance impression of the gaming machine by changing the display information on the display means can be performed. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that is attractive and interesting to the player. Furthermore, even when changing the model, the display information of the display means can be rewritten and changed to new display information, and the gaming machine itself of the gaming machine or the display member of the gaming board can be replaced with a new one. Since it is not necessary to replace the game board, the game board can be continuously used in a new display mode without discarding the game board itself or the display member of the game board. Can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to replace the game board itself or a display member of the game board with a new one, it is possible to easily change the model. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond to a model change, and the degree of freedom of the gaming machine can be improved.

This specification also discloses the following inventions relating to gaming machines.

(1) In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The display means displays predetermined display information by moving a charged particle in a display layer sandwiched between the first member and the second member to change a color. Gaming machine.

According to the invention described in the above (1), the display means changes the color by moving the charged particles in the display layer sandwiched between the first member and the second member, thereby changing the predetermined display information. Is displayed, so that the display information displayed on the display means can be rewritten and displayed with new display information, and a display such as changing the appearance impression of the gaming machine by changing the display information of the display means. An effect can be produced, and a gaming machine excellent in interest and interest that attracts the player can be provided. Furthermore, even when changing the model, the display information of the display means can be rewritten and changed to new display information, and the gaming machine itself of the gaming machine or the display member of the gaming board can be replaced with a new one. Since it is not necessary to replace the game board, the game board can be continuously used in a new display mode without discarding the game board itself or the display member of the game board. Can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to replace the game board itself or a display member of the game board with a new one, it is possible to easily change the model. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond to a model change, and the degree of freedom of the gaming machine can be improved.

(2) In the gaming machine according to (1),
The gaming machine, wherein the display means is electronic paper.

According to the invention described in the above (2), since the display means is electronic paper, there is no viewing angle dependency, so that it is easy to see from the side, and is suitably used as a display member for displaying desired display information. be able to.

(3) In the gaming machine according to (1) or (2),
The display means includes, on one of the first member and the second member, a plurality of pixel electrodes for forming an electric field applied to the display layer, and the pixel electrode provided for each of the pixel electrodes. A switching element that switches between formation and disappearance of an electric field, and, on the other side, a common electrode for forming the electric field together with the pixel electrode,
Further, the display unit includes a receiving unit that receives a control signal, and a drive control unit that drives and controls the plurality of switching elements according to the control signal received by the receiving unit. Gaming machine.

According to the invention described in (3), the display means includes, on one of the first member and the second member, a plurality of pixel electrodes for forming an electric field to be applied to the display layer; A switching element for switching between formation and disappearance of an electric field by the pixel electrode, and a common electrode for forming an electric field together with the pixel electrode on the other side, and further, the display means receives a control signal. And a drive control unit that drives and controls a plurality of switching elements in accordance with a control signal received by the reception unit. Therefore, the display information displayed on the display means can be rewritten and displayed with new display information, and a display effect such as changing the appearance impression of the gaming machine by changing the display information on the display means can be performed. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that is attractive and interesting to the player. Further, when the display content of the display means is to be changed such as a model change, the control signal need only be received by the receiving means of the display means, and the display means is newly displayed according to the received control signal. Since the information can be rewritten and displayed, the model can be changed more easily. In addition, the display information can be rewritten and changed to new display information, and it is not necessary to replace the gaming machine itself of the gaming machine or the display member of the gaming board with a new one, so that component replacement is unnecessary. This machine body can be continuously used in a new display mode without discarding parts such as the game board itself or display members of the game board, and the generation of discarded parts due to a model change can be reduced.

(4) In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The display means, a light source, a display panel on which light from the light source is incident, a projection optical system for enlarging and projecting an image displayed on the display panel, and a rear surface of the transparent plate member, And a screen on which the image of the display panel is enlarged and projected by the projection optical system.

According to the invention described in the above (4), the display means includes: a light source; a display panel on which light from the light source is incident; a projection optical system for enlarging and projecting an image displayed on the display panel; A screen disposed on the back of the transparent member, on which the image of the display panel is enlarged and projected by the projection optical system. It can be seen from the front side of. Also, the display information displayed on the display means can be rewritten and displayed with new display information, and a display effect such as changing the appearance impression of the gaming machine by changing the display information on the display means can be performed. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that is attractive and interesting to the player. Furthermore, even when changing the model, the display information of the display means can be rewritten and changed to new display information, and the gaming machine itself of the gaming machine or the display member of the gaming board can be replaced with a new one. Since it is not necessary to replace the game board, the game board can be continuously used in a new display mode without discarding the game board itself or the display member of the game board. Can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to replace the game board itself or a display member of the game board with a new one, it is possible to easily change the model. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond to a model change, and the degree of freedom of the gaming machine can be improved. Note that the “display panel” referred to in this specification includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel.

(5) In the gaming machine according to claim 1, or in the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4),
A gaming machine, wherein the transparent plate-shaped member has a plurality of nails disposed on a front side thereof.

According to the invention described in the above (5), since the transparent plate-shaped member is provided with a plurality of nails on the front side, the board surface can be variably displayed, and the ball can be guided or played. Thus, it is possible to obtain a game board in which nails that can enhance the playability are appropriately arranged in the game area.

(6) In the gaming machine according to claim 1, or in the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (5),
The transparent plate-shaped member and the display means are provided with a first opening penetrating a front side and a back side at respective locations corresponding to the variable winning means and the normal winning means. Machine.

According to the invention described in the above (6), the transparent plate-shaped member and the display means have the first openings penetrating the front side and the back side at the respective positions corresponding to the variable winning means and the normal winning means. Since the ball is formed, the ball which has won the variable prize means or the normal prize means provided on the front side of the game board can be guided to the back side of the game board through the transparent plate member and the first opening of the display means. it can.

(7) In the gaming machine according to claim 1, or in the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (6),
The transparent plate-shaped member and the display means may have a second opening penetrating the front side and the back side at a position corresponding to the identification information change display means for variably displaying the identification information. A gaming machine characterized by:

According to the invention described in the above (7), the transparent plate member and the display means are provided with the front side and the back side at positions corresponding to the display screen of the identification information change display means for changing and displaying the identification information. Since the penetrating second opening is formed, the transparent plate-shaped member and the display means are excluded on the display screen side of the identification information change display means, and the image quality of the display screen of the identification information change display means is reduced by the transparent plate. It does not decrease due to the shape member or the display means.

(8) In the gaming machine according to claim 1, or in the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (7),
A gaming machine comprising a display control means for controlling display information of the display means.

According to the invention described in the above (8), since the display control means for controlling the display information of the display means is provided, external control is provided separately from the gaming machine to change the display information of the display means. There is no need to control the display means by connecting to the means or the like, and the display information on the display means can be quickly and easily changed by an instruction from the display control means.

(9) In the gaming machine according to (8),
The display control means, based on an instruction from identification information display control means for controlling display of the main control means for controlling the game of the gaming machine or the identification information variation display means for variably displaying the identification information of the gaming machine, A gaming machine characterized by controlling display information on a display means.

According to the invention described in (9), the display control means is a main control means for controlling the game of the gaming machine or an identification information display control for displaying and controlling the identification information variation display means for variably displaying the identification information of the gaming machine. Since the display information of the display means is controlled based on the instruction from the means, it is possible to change and control the display information of the display means based on the instruction from the main control means or the identification information display control means.

(10) In the gaming machine according to (8) or (9),
The gaming machine, wherein the display control means controls display of the display means so that display information of the display means is changed and displayed according to a state of the gaming machine.

According to the invention described in the above (10), the display control means controls the display of the display means so that the display information of the display means is changed and displayed according to the state of the gaming machine. Various display information can be displayed on the display means, and by changing the display information on the display means according to the state of the gaming machine, it is possible to perform a display effect such as changing the appearance impression of the gaming machine. By looking at the display information on the display means according to the state of the gaming machine, the player can feel more interesting in the game, can be more enthusiastic about the game, and can provide a gaming machine that is extremely interesting.

(11) In the gaming machine according to (10),
The gaming machine, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display display information for a standby state when the gaming machine is in a standby state.

According to the invention described in (11), when the gaming machine is in the standby state, the display device displays the display information for the standby state on the display means, so that the gaming machine not used in the game is used. That is, the waiting gaming machine can be effectively used, and a display effect that attracts the player's interest can be performed.

(12) In the gaming machine according to (10),
The gaming machine, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display display information for a normal gaming state when the gaming machine is in a normal gaming state.

According to the invention described in (12), when the gaming machine is in the normal gaming state, the display control means causes the display means to display the display information for the normal gaming state. Information can be shown, the player can be notified that the game is in the normal game state, and the player can enjoy the game with a sense of security toward the acquisition of the special game state.

(13) In the gaming machine according to (10),
The game machine, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display display information for the reach state when the game machine is in the reach state.

According to the invention described in (13), when the gaming machine is in the reach state, the display control means causes the display means to display the display information for the reach state. Apart from the displayed identification information of the reach state, the player can be shown the display information of the reach state, and the player can be notified of the reach state more easily, and the player acquires the special play state. It is possible to more strongly feel the expectation that the game can be performed, and it is possible to further enjoy the game in the reach state.

(14) In the gaming machine according to (10),
The gaming machine, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display display information for a special gaming state when the gaming machine is in a special gaming state.

According to the invention described in (14), when the game machine is in the special game state, the display control means displays the display information for the special game state on the display means. Apart from the special game state identification information displayed on the means, it is possible to show the display information of the special game state to the player, to make it easier for the player to know that the special game state is present. The special game state can be sufficiently enjoyed, and the game in the special game state can be further enjoyed.

(15) In the gaming machine according to claim 1, or in the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (14),
The gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine.

According to the gaming machine described in (15), it is possible to perform a display effect such as changing the appearance impression of the gaming machine by changing the display information of the display means, and to enhance the interest of the player. An excellent pachinko machine can be provided. The pachinko machine has an operation handle as a basic configuration, and a ball as a game medium is fired in a predetermined game area in accordance with the operation of the operation handle, and the ball is disposed at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition for winning a prize (or passing through the operation gate) to the operation port, there is a case where identification information (symbol or the like) dynamically displayed on the display device is fixedly stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special game state occurs, the variable winning means (specific winning opening) arranged at a predetermined position in the game area is opened in a predetermined mode so that the ball can win, and a value corresponding to the winning number is obtained. A value (including data written on a magnetic card as well as a prize ball) is given.

(16) The gaming machine according to claim 1, or the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4) or (8) to (14),
The gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine.

According to the gaming machine described in (16), it is possible to perform a display effect such as changing the appearance impression of the gaming machine by changing the display information of the display means, and to enhance the interest of the player. We can provide excellent slot machines. Note that the basic configuration of the slot machine is as follows: "variable display means for determining and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of pieces of identification information is provided for operating the starting operation means (for example, the operation lever). The dynamic display of the identification information is started due to the operation, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed. A game machine having special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player, on the condition that the fixed identification information at the time is the specific identification information. In this case, coins and medals are typical examples of the game medium.

(17) In the gaming machine according to claim 1, or in the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (14),
A gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine is a combination of a pachinko machine and a slot machine.

According to the gaming machine described in (17), it is possible to perform a display effect such as changing the appearance impression of the gaming machine by changing the display information of the display means, thereby increasing the interest of the player. An excellent combination of a pachinko machine and a slot machine can be provided. As a basic configuration of the united product, there is provided an identification information change display unit for dynamically displaying an identification information sequence including a plurality of identification information and then confirming and displaying the identification information. ), The dynamic display of the identification information is started, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed. A special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player, on the condition that the fixed identification information at the time of the stop is the specific identification information, and using a ball as a game medium. A game machine that requires a predetermined number of balls at the start of the dynamic display of the identification information and is paid out when the special game state occurs.

(18) In the gaming machine according to (16),
The gaming machine, wherein the display means is provided on a display plate on the outside front side of the body of the slot machine.

According to the invention described in (18), since the display means is provided on the display plate on the outside front side of the body of the slot machine, the display information displayed on the display means is rewritten with new display information. Display, the display information on the display plate can be rewritten with new display information and displayed, and display effects such as changing the appearance impression of the slot machine by changing the display information on the display plate can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a slot machine which is attractive and interesting to a player. Further, even when the model is changed, the display information on the display means can be rewritten to the new display information by rewriting and changing the display information on the display means to the new display information. Since the replacement of the display plate with a new one is not required, the aircraft can be continuously used in the new display mode without discarding the aircraft itself or parts of the display plate of the aircraft. In addition, it is possible to reduce the generation of discarded parts due to the model change. Further, since it is not necessary to replace parts of the body of the slot machine itself or parts of the display plate of the body with new ones, it is possible to easily change models. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond to a model change, and it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the slot machine.

(19) In the gaming machine according to claim 1, or in the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (18),
The gaming machine, wherein the display means always displays game information in a predetermined area regardless of a game state.

According to the invention described in (19), the display means always displays the game information in the predetermined area irrespective of the game state, so that the player sees the game information displayed in the predetermined area of the display means. And game information of the gaming machine can be obtained.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the gaming area of the gaming machine is formed by the transparent plate-shaped member and the display means disposed on the back of the transparent plate-shaped member for variably displaying display information. Therefore, the display information of the display means located on the back side of the transparent plate member can be visually recognized from the front side of the transparent plate member, and the display information displayed on the display means can be rewritten and displayed with new display information. In addition, it is possible to perform a display effect such as changing the appearance impression of the gaming machine by changing the display information of the display means, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that is attractive and interesting to the player.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a pachinko machine, which is a kind of a ball-and-ball game machine, is described as an example of a game machine, in particular, a first-type pachinko game machine. Note that it is naturally possible to use the present invention for other gaming machines such as a third-type pachinko gaming machine (also referred to as a right), a coin gaming machine, and a slot machine.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the pachinko machine of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a game board of the pachinko machine, and FIG. 3 illustrates an electrical connection of the pachinko machine of the first embodiment. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine P of the first embodiment includes a game board 1, an upper tray 2 and a lower tray 3 for storing balls, and a firing handle 4 for firing balls to the game board 1. And a main controller 70 (see FIG. 3) for controlling the entire pachinko machine P. The game board 1 is covered with a transparent plate 1b made of glass fitted into the front frame 1a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 1 has a normal symbol display device 32 arranged at the center upper portion of the game board 1, and a normal symbol arranged at the left and right portions of the game board 1 to detect the passage of a ball. Normal symbol display device operation gates 34a and 34b having starting port switches 36a and 36b, a special symbol display device 40 arranged below the ordinary symbol display device 32, and a special symbol display device 40 arranged below the special symbol display device 40. A starting port 42 having a special symbol starting port switch 44 for detecting a winning of a ball, a tulip-type ordinary electric accessory 46 attached to the starting port 42 and capable of being opened and closed, and disposed below the starting port 42. Big winning opening 50 that can be opened and closed, four normal winning openings 60a to 60d arranged in total at the lower left and right sides of the game board 1, and an outro 69 as a collecting opening for collecting a ball that did not enter any of the winning openings. And Eteiru. In addition, the above-mentioned large winning opening 50 corresponds to the variable winning means in the present invention, and the above-mentioned ordinary winning openings 60a to 60d and the starting port 42 correspond to the ordinary winning means in the present invention.

The ordinary symbol display device 32 includes symbols 32a and 32b of "O" and "X" which are variably displayed by switching the lighting of a lamp (not shown) provided behind, and symbols "O" and "X". It is provided with four ordinary symbol change holding lamps 33a to 33d arranged above the symbols 32a and 32b. The symbols 32a and 32b of "O" and "X" are started to be displayed when the ball has passed through the normal symbol display device operation gates 34a and 34b. The variable display is ended in a state where one of the symbols 32a and 32b of "x" is turned on. The normal symbol change holding lamps 33a to 33d are turned on each time the ball passes the normal symbol display device operation gates 34a and 34b during the change display of the symbols 32a and 32b of "O" and "X" by the ordinary symbol display device 32. Are turned on one by one in order from the left side, and are turned off in the reverse order of the lighting each time the change display of the symbols 32a and 32b of "O" and "X" by the normal symbol display device 32 is started. The number of passes through the normal symbol display device operation gates 34a and 34b during the display is shown as the number of reserved balls up to a maximum of four times.

The tulip-type ordinary electric accessory 46 provided at the starting port 42 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 as a hit when the variation display by the ordinary symbol display device 32 is stopped at the symbol 32a of “O”. Thus, the opening is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds).

The special symbol display device 40 is configured as a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by the display control device 90 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the special symbol display device 40 is composed of three columns of a left column L, a middle column M, and a right column R, and each column includes three symbols of an upper symbol, a middle symbol, and a lower symbol in order from the top. Is displayed, and the display is fluctuated vertically from top to bottom. The display control device 90 variably displays a series of symbols in each of the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R when detecting that the ball has entered the starting opening 42. A series of symbols is composed of a main symbol (for example, a mahjong tile) and a sub symbol (for example, a dice), and the main symbol and the sub symbol are displayed in a cyclic manner from top to bottom. In the middle row M and the right row R, the display order of the series of symbols is as follows: a main symbol consisting of "10,000" mahjong tiles, a sub-design consisting of dice, a main symbol consisting of "20,000" mahjong tiles, and a dice. , A main pattern consisting of mahjong tiles "San", a sub pattern consisting of dice, a mahjong tile "Shiman" main pattern, a sub pattern consisting of dice, and a mahjong tile "50,000" Main pattern, sub-pattern consisting of dice, main pattern consisting of mahjong tiles "60,000", sub-pattern consisting of dice, main pattern consisting of mahjong tiles, "seven thousand", sub-pattern consisting of dice, mahjong tile "eight" Main pattern consisting of "man", sub pattern consisting of dice, main pattern consisting of mahjong tiles "90,000", sub pattern consisting of dice, main pattern consisting of mahjong tiles with a dragon, sub pattern consisting of dice, mahjong tiles The main design consisting of "", the sub-design consisting of dice, The main design consisting of a "medium" of Suzumepai, is the order that is, in ascending order of the sub-pattern consisting of a dice, returns to the main symbol consists of a "Ichiyorozu" again after this Mahjong tiles. On the other hand, in the left column L, a similar series of symbols is displayed, but the display order is not the ascending order but the descending order. Then, the variable display is stopped in the order of the left column L, the right column R, and the middle column M, and the main line is displayed in any one of the horizontal upper row L1, the horizontal center row L2, the horizontal lower row L3, the diagonally upper right column L4, and the diagonally upper left column L5. When the symbols are completed, a special game video is displayed as a jackpot. In addition, the above-mentioned main symbol and sub symbol correspond to the identification information in the present invention.

The game board 1 is provided with four special symbol change holding lamps 41a to 41d between the ordinary symbol display device 32 and the special symbol display device 40. The special symbol change holding lamps 41a to 41d are used when the ball is started during the change display of the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R by the special symbol display device 40 or during the display of the special game video. Each time a prize is awarded, the light is turned on one by one from the left side, and is turned off in the reverse order of the lighting each time the variable display of the left row L, the middle row M, and the right row R by the special symbol display device 40 is started. In this way, the number of balls won in the starting port 42 during the fluctuation display or during the display of the special game moving image is indicated as the number of reserved balls up to a maximum of four.

The special winning opening 50 is normally in a closed state in which the ball is not received. In a big hit, the open state and the normal closed state in which the large winning opening driving device 52 shown in FIG. It is driven to be repeated based on the conditions. The big winning opening 50 has a 10 count switch 54 (see FIG. 3) for counting the winning of the ball, and a V count switch for detecting that the ball has won a V zone 56 provided on the right side of the big winning opening 50. 58 (see FIG. 3).

In addition to the above, the game board 1 has a rail 62 for guiding a shot ball on an arc, lamp windmills 64a and 64b disposed on left and right shoulders for guiding to the center of the game board 1, and a normal symbol display device operation. Windmills 66a, 66b arranged near the gates 34a, 34b, and a plurality of indicators 68a, 68b mounted on both sides of the special symbol display device 40 are also mounted. In addition, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, illustration of a plurality of nails for guiding and playing a ball to enhance its playability is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main control device 70 includes a one-chip microcomputer 71 and a power supply circuit 73 for supplying power to the one-chip microcomputer 71. The one-chip microcomputer 71 includes a CPU 72 for performing arithmetic processing, a ROM 74 for storing various processing programs, a RAM 76 for temporarily storing data, and a clock circuit 78 for outputting a rectangular wave of a predetermined frequency. It is housed inside. The CPU 72, the ROM 74, the RAM 76, and the clock circuit 78 are connected to an input / output processing circuit 80 by a bus 82. The main control device 70 includes a passing signal from the normal symbol starting port switches 36a and 36b, a starting signal from the special symbol starting port switch 44, a count signal from the 10 count switch 54, and a V signal from the V count switch 58. A signal and an input signal from another input device 88 such as a normal winning switch and a prize ball counting switch are input via the input / output processing circuit 80. In addition, from the main control device 70, a drive signal to the normal symbol display device 32, a drive signal to the special winning opening drive device 52, and a normal symbol change holding lamps 33a to 33d and special symbol change holding lamps 41a to 41d. , A drive signal to the ordinary electric accessory 46, a control signal to the audio control device 84 to which the speaker 86 is connected, and a display signal to the display control device 90 that controls display of the special symbol display device 40. Control signals and the like are output via the input / output processing circuit 80.

構成 Here, the configuration which is one of the characteristic portions of the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIG. 17, on the front side of the game board 1 of the pachinko machine P of the first embodiment, a plurality of nails 96 are punched at predetermined positions on the front side, and as shown in FIG. A transparent plate member 94 provided with ordinary winning openings 60a to 60d and the like, and an electronic paper 98 attached in contact with the rear side 94a of the transparent plate member 94 are provided. The transparent plate member 94 and the electronic paper 98 have, for example, a rectangular shape larger than the game area of the game board 1 into which a ball as a game medium is driven when viewed from the front, and have a thickness when viewed from the side. Is a thin plate-shaped member.

Further, in the transparent plate member 94 and the place corresponding to the normal winning openings 60a to 60d in the electronic paper 98, through holes 97a penetrating the front side and the back side in a shape corresponding to the normal winning openings 60a to 60d. Is formed. In this way, the balls that have won the normal winning openings 60a to 60d arranged at predetermined positions on the front side of the transparent plate-shaped member 94 pass through the transparent plate-shaped member 94 and the through-hole 97a of the electronic paper 98 to form the game board 1. It is guided to the back (back) side.

{Circle around (2)} At a position corresponding to the starting port 42 in the transparent plate member 94 and the electronic paper 98, a through hole 97b penetrating the front side and the back side is formed in a shape corresponding to the starting port 42. In this way, the ball that has won the starting port 42 arranged at a predetermined position on the front side of the transparent plate member 94 passes through the transparent plate member 94 and the through hole 97b of the electronic paper 98 to the rear surface (the back surface) of the game board 1. ) Will be guided to the side.

Further, in a portion corresponding to the special winning opening 50 in the transparent plate member 94 and the electronic paper 98, a through-hole 99 is formed in a shape corresponding to the special winning opening 50 and penetrating through the front side and the back side. I have. By doing so, the ball that has won the special winning opening 50 arranged at a predetermined position on the front side of the transparent plate member 94 passes through the transparent plate member 94 and the through hole 99 of the electronic paper 98 to the back of the gaming board 1 ( It is guided to the back) side.

The above-mentioned outro 69 is formed on the transparent plate member 94, and a portion corresponding to the outro 69 in the electronic paper 98 penetrates the front side and the back side in a shape corresponding to the outro 69. A through hole 100 is formed. By doing so, the ball collected by the outro 69 of the transparent plate-shaped member 94 is guided to the back (back) side of the game board 1 through the through hole 100 of the electronic paper 98.

貫通 The above-described through holes 97a, 97b, 99 correspond to the first openings in the present invention. The configuration of the display function of the electronic paper 98 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pachinko machine P according to the first embodiment displays information on electronic paper 98 provided on the game board 1 based on an instruction from the display control device 90 receiving an instruction from the main control device 70. Is provided with an electronic paper control device 207 for controlling the electronic paper.

The electronic paper control device 207 controls the display of the electronic paper 98 so that the display information of the electronic paper 98 is changed and displayed according to the state of the pachinko machine P.

Specifically, when receiving the game start detection signal from the game start detection unit 202, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 changes the display information of the electronic paper 98 of the game board 1 of the pachinko P to the display information for the normal game state ( The display control device 90 is controlled so that the display is changed and displayed as shown in FIG. The display information for the normal game state of the electronic paper 98 here is, for example, the display information as shown in FIG. 18A, such as the model name drawn or pasted on the conventional game board. Is displayed on the electronic paper 98.

Also, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 executes the big hit variation pattern command determination process (S312) shown in FIG. 14 of the display command determination process (S227) of FIG. When it is determined that “set pattern B”, “set pattern C”, “set pattern D”, and “set pattern E” and transmit the display command of FIG. 7 (S228), the game board of the pachinko machine P The display information of the first electronic paper 98 is changed and displayed to the display information for the reach state (see FIG. 19A). That is, when the symbol on the special symbol display device 40 is in the reach state, for example, as shown in FIG. 19A, the display information for the reach state, which is a display effect in which the character K moves in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the electronic paper 98. In addition, as the display information for the reach state, various other display modes may be adopted.

When the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 transmits a jackpot execution command shown in FIG. 8 described below (S238), the display information of the electronic paper 98 of the gaming board 1 of the pachinko P is changed to the display information for the jackpot state (FIG. 19). (See (b)). That is, when the special symbol display device 40 has a big hit state in which the symbols are aligned, for example, as shown in FIG. 19B, the display information for the reach state, which is a display effect having a game description that is beneficial to the player, is displayed. It is displayed on the electronic paper 98. In addition, as the display information for the big hit state, FIG. 19B shows where the ball should be put in the special winning opening 50, but other various display modes may be adopted.

When receiving the game end detection signal from the game end detection unit 204, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 changes the display information of the electronic paper 98 of the game board 1 of the pachinko P to the display information for the standby state (FIG. 18B The display control device 90 is controlled so that the display is changed and displayed in ()). The display information for the standby state of the electronic paper 98 referred to here is, for example, as shown in FIG. 18B, that the big hit probability is 1/315, and the probable variable pattern is 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 This is display information including information that the player wants to convey to the player, such as the fact that the number of big hits is N (for example, 5) today.

The game start detection unit 202 detects the start of the game of the pachinko machine P by the player. As shown in FIG. 1, on the left side of the pachinko machine P, a rectangular card reading unit 5 that is vertically long in a front view is provided side by side. The card reading unit 5 is for reading the data of the balance amount stored on a card having a value equivalent to money (prepayment card), and for inserting the card in a substantially central portion in the vertical direction. Card insertion slot 7 is provided. The game start detection unit 202 can be realized by, for example, a sensor that detects that a card has been inserted into the card insertion slot 7 and outputs a detection signal to the main control device 70. It is to be noted that detecting that cash has been inserted into the pachinko machine P, detecting the start of operation of the firing handle 4 for firing a ball on the game board 1, and allowing the player to enter the seat in front of the pachinko machine P The game start may be detected by various detection methods such as detecting arrival.

The game end detection unit 204 detects the end of the game of the pachinko machine P by the player. The game end detection unit 204 detects, for example, that the operation of the firing handle 4 for firing a ball on the game board 1 is not performed for a predetermined time or more, and outputs this detection signal to the main control device 70. It can be realized with a sensor that performs In addition, to detect that the ball is not thrown into the upper tray 2 within a predetermined time after the possession of the ball is lost, or to detect that the player has left the seat in front of the pachinko machine P for a predetermined time or more, The end of the game may be detected by various detection methods.

Note that the above-described electronic paper control device 207 corresponds to the display control means in the present invention, the above-described main control device 70 corresponds to the main control means in the present invention, and the above-mentioned special symbol display device 40 corresponds to the identification information in the present invention. The display control device 90 described above corresponds to the variable display means, and corresponds to the identification information display control means in the present invention.

Next, the configuration of the electronic paper 98 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the electronic paper 98, and FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a microcapsule of the electronic paper 98 shown in FIG.

The electronic paper 98 shown in FIG. 20 is a display means (display medium) capable of rewriting or erasing a display pattern using electrophoresis.

The electronic paper 98 includes a flexible sheet-like first base material 221, a flexible sheet-like second base material 220, and the first base material 221 and the second base material 220. And an electronic ink layer 222 formed therebetween. The upper surface of the electronic ink layer 222 in FIG. 6 is a display surface 222A on which a display pattern is displayed.

The electronic ink layer 222 is composed of a light-transmitting (transparent) binder 223 and a plurality of microcapsules 224 fixed in the binder 223 in a state of being uniformly dispersed. The thickness a of the electronic ink layer 222 is preferably about 1.5 to 2 times the outer diameter (diameter) b of the microcapsule 224. Further, as the binder 223, for example, polyvinyl alcohol or the like can be used.

マ イ ク ロ As shown in FIG. 21, the microcapsule 224 has a hollow spherical capsule body 225 having optical transparency. The capsule body 225 is filled with a liquid (solvent) 226, and a plurality of negatively charged particles 227 are dispersed in the liquid 226. In the charged particles 227, the colors of the charged particles 227 and the liquid 226, which are composed of the core 228 and the coating layer 229 that covers the core 228, are set to be different from each other. For example, the color of the charged particles 227 is white, and the color of the liquid 226 is blue, red, green, or black. By doing so, color display can be performed.

When an external electric field (electric field) is applied to the microcapsule 224, the charged particles 227 move in the capsule body 225 in a direction opposite to the direction of the electric field.

For example, when a positively charged electrode is located on the upper side of the microcapsule 224 in FIG. 22 (the display surface 222A side), an electric field is generated toward the lower side in FIG. 22 moves (floats) upward in FIG. Due to the charged particles 227, the upper color of the microcapsule 224 in FIG. 22 becomes white.

Conversely, when the negatively charged electrode is located on the upper side of the microcapsule 224 in FIG. 23, an electric field is generated toward the upper side in FIG. 23, so that the charged particles 227 are formed in the capsule body 225 on the lower side in FIG. Move to (sink). In this case, since the liquid 226 is located inside the capsule body 225 in FIG. 23, if the color of the liquid is blue, the color of the microcapsule 224 in FIG. 23 is blue.

The microcapsules 224 are configured such that the specific gravity of the liquid 226 is equal to the specific gravity of the charged particles 227.

Thereby, the charged particles 227 can remain at a fixed position for a long time even if the electric field disappears after moving to the upper side in FIG. 22 or the lower side in FIG. The upper color is maintained for a long time in white or liquid color, for example blue. That is, the display on the electronic paper 98 is maintained for a long time.

In order to make the specific gravity of the liquid 226 equal to the specific gravity of the charged particles 227, for example, the thickness d of the coating layer 229 may be adjusted. The outer diameter b of the microcapsule 224 is preferably equal to or less than 180 μm, and more preferably about 10 to 20 μm. As the core 228 of the charged particles 227, for example, TiO2 (rutile structure) or the like can be used. Further, as the coating layer 229 of the charged particles 227, for example, polyethylene or the like can be used. Further, as the liquid 226, for example, a solution in which an anthraquine dye is dissolved in ethylene tetrachloride and isoparaffin can be used.

The above-described first base material 221 corresponds to a first member in the present invention, the above-described second base material 220 corresponds to a second member in the present invention, and the above-described electronic ink layer 222 corresponds to a display layer in the present invention. Is equivalent to

共通 A common electrode (lower electrode) 323 is formed on the first base material 221. In addition, a circuit board 313 including a plurality of pixel electrodes (upper electrodes) is formed on the second base 220. FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically illustrating the circuit configuration of the circuit board 313. As shown in FIG. 24, the circuit board 313 includes a resin substrate 261 having flexibility (flexibility).

On this substrate 261, a plurality of square pixel electrodes 264 arranged (arranged) in a matrix, a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) 265 for switching the conduction and non-conduction of each pixel electrode 264, and a plurality of A gate driver 262 for applying a voltage (signal) to the gate, a source driver 263 for applying a voltage (signal) to the source of each thin film transistor 265, a plurality of gate lines 271 extending in the horizontal direction in FIG. 24, and a vertical in FIG. A plurality of source lines 281 extending in the direction are formed respectively.

One pixel electrode 264 corresponds to one pixel (dot). The pitch of each pixel electrode 264 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 500 to 5000 dpi (dot / inch). It is needless to say that the shape of the pixel electrode 264 is not limited to a square. The pattern of the arrangement of the pixel electrodes 264 is not limited to a matrix, and for example, the pixel electrodes 264 may be arranged in a delta shape.

Hereinafter, in FIG. 24, the uppermost horizontal array is referred to as “first row (first row)”, and the Nth horizontal array from the upper side is referred to as “Nth row (Nth row)”. In FIG. 24, the leftmost vertical arrangement is referred to as “first column (first column)”, and the Nth vertical arrangement from the left is referred to as “Nth column (Nth column)”.

A plurality of gate lines 271 extending in the horizontal direction in FIG. 24 are connected to the gate driver 262, respectively. Further, a plurality of source lines 281 extending in the vertical direction in FIG. 24 are connected to the source driver 263, respectively. The gate of each thin film transistor 265 is connected to a corresponding gate line 271. The source of each thin film transistor 265 is connected to the corresponding source line 281, and the drain of each thin film transistor 265 is connected to the corresponding pixel electrode 264.

(4) The gate driver 262 sequentially scans the gate line 271 for each row (line). For example, “scan the gate line 271 in the Nth row” means that a voltage (scanning voltage) is applied to the gates of all the thin film transistors 265 in the Nth row for a scanning time (time) t, and the Nth row is scanned. This means that all the thin film transistors 265 (gates of the thin film transistor 65) are turned on only during the scanning time t. As described above, the role of the gate driver 262 is to sequentially scan the (N + 1) th row after the Nth row and the (N + 2) th row after the (N + 1) th row, that is, sequentially in row units (for each row). That is, all the thin film transistors 265 in the row are turned on only during the scanning time t.

The source driver 263 is also called a data line driving circuit. When a scanning voltage is applied to a predetermined gate line 271, that is, when all the thin film transistors 265 in a predetermined row are turned on, the source electrode 281 and the source line 281 are connected to the pixel electrode 264. This is a circuit for applying a voltage according to a control signal (a signal indicating a display pattern) via the thin film transistor 265.

(4) When a scanning voltage is applied to a predetermined gate line 271, the voltage is applied to a predetermined source line 281 so that the corresponding pixel electrode 264 is turned on. Thereby, for example, when a voltage (potential) of a predetermined magnitude (for example, V volt) is applied to the corresponding pixel electrode 264, the pixel electrode 264 is positively charged as shown in FIG. it can. Note that the potential of the common electrode 323 is set to V / 2 volts, and an electric field is formed (generated) toward the common electrode 323. When a voltage (potential) of a predetermined magnitude (for example, 0 volt) is applied to the corresponding pixel electrode 264, the potential of the common electrode 323 is set to V / 2 volts. As shown, the pixel electrode 264 can be negatively charged, and an electric field is formed (generated) toward the pixel electrode 264. As a result, two electric fields having different directions are selectively formed between each pixel electrode 264 and the common electrode 323 to display a display pattern. Since two electric fields having different directions can be selectively formed between each pixel electrode 264 and the common electrode 323, the display pattern can be overwritten.

The magnitude of the voltage (the potential difference between the pixel electrode 264 and the common electrode 323) applied between the pixel electrode 264 and the common electrode 323 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 volts or more, and more preferably 20 volts or more in absolute value. More preferred.

As shown in FIG. 24, the electronic paper 98 is connected to a gate driver 262 and a source driver 263, and receives a control signal from the electronic paper control device 207, a connector 208, the connector 208, the gate driver 262 and the source. And a wiring unit 209 for connecting each of the drivers 263. The connector 208 is provided integrally at a predetermined position on the end of the electronic paper 98. The driving of each thin film transistor 265 is controlled by the control means 207 via the gate driver 262 and the source driver 263, respectively. The electronic paper control device 207 is generally formed of an integrated circuit including a logic circuit and a memory circuit, and controls each thin film transistor 265 based on an instruction from the display control device 90.

Note that the above-described thin film transistor 265 corresponds to a switching element in the present invention, the above-described connector unit 208 and the wiring unit 209 correspond to a receiving unit in the present invention, and the above-described gate driver 262 and source driver 263 correspond to drive control in the present invention. It corresponds to a means.

Here, a method for controlling the voltage (potential) of the pixel electrode 264 of the second base 220 and the common electrode 323 of the first base 221 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the voltage (potential) of the pixel electrode 264 of the second base 220 and the common electrode 323 of the first base 221 and the corresponding display pattern.

When a display pattern is formed on the electronic paper 98 by this method, the voltage 242 of the common electrode 323 is set to an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of the voltage 241 of the pixel electrode 264 (intermediate value = constant value). Set. That is, when the voltage 241 of the pixel electrode 264 changes from 0 to V volt (when the maximum value is V volt and the minimum value is 0 volt), the voltage 242 of the common electrode 323 is set to V / 2 volt.

For example, when the display pattern 243 shown in FIG. 27 is drawn on a predetermined row of the electronic paper 98, when the gates of the thin film transistors 265 in the row corresponding to that row are turned on, a voltage pattern is applied to the sources of the thin film transistors 265. A voltage indicated by reference numeral 241a, that is, a voltage of 0 or V volt is applied. At this time, the voltage 242 of the common electrode 323 is set to the voltage indicated by the voltage pattern 242a, that is, V / 2 volts.

In this way, for example, in the (N-2) th column, the voltage 241 of the pixel electrode 264 is V volts and the voltage 242 of the common electrode 323 is V / 2 volts. Each of the charged particles 227 of the electronic paper 98 formed toward the electrode 323 moves to the upper side in FIG. 22 in the capsule main body 225, and the color of the display surface 222A of the electronic paper 98 becomes white.

Conversely, in the (N-1) th column, the voltage 241 of the pixel electrode 264 is 0 volt and the voltage 242 of the common electrode 323 is V / 2 volts, so that the electric field travels from the common electrode 323 to the pixel electrode 264. Each of the charged particles 227 of the electronic paper 98 moves to the lower side in FIG. 23 in the capsule body 225, and the color of the display surface 222A of the electronic paper 98 becomes blue.

Hereinafter, in the same manner, the direction of the electric field formed between the pixel electrode 264 and the common electrode 323, that is, the color of the electronic paper 98 in the Nth column to the (N + 3) th column is also determined according to the voltage 241 of the pixel electrode 264. Is determined, and the display pattern 243 can be drawn on a predetermined line of the electronic paper 98.

In this manner, the color of a predetermined portion (pixel) of the display surface 222A of the electronic paper 98 is uniquely determined only by the voltage 241 of the pixel electrode 264. Regardless of the color, the display pattern can be drawn on the electronic paper 98 by controlling the pixel electrodes 264 and the common electrode 323 of the electronic paper 98 (the white and blue patterns are uniquely determined). Determined). That is, a display pattern can be overwritten on the electronic paper 98, and a predetermined display pattern (for example, a display pattern as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19) such as characters, numerals, and figures is repeatedly written on the electronic paper 98. Can be drawn. The above-described electronic paper 98 corresponds to a display unit in the present invention.

Next, the operation of the pachinko machine P thus configured will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main routine executed by the main control device 70. This routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 2 ms [milliseconds]).

When the main routine is executed, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 executes a start winning process (step S100) illustrated in FIG. 6, a change start process (step S102) illustrated in FIG. 7, and a change stop process illustrated in FIG. (Step S104), the counter updating process (Step S106) illustrated in FIG. 9 is executed, and then the out-of-design symbol counter updating process (Step S108) illustrated in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed during the remaining time. For ease of explanation, first, the counter update process and the out-of-design symbol counter update process will be described, and then other processes will be described.

[Counter update processing]
In the counter updating process, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 executes a process of incrementing each of the internal random number counter C1, the reach random number counter C2, the big hit symbol counter C3, and the variation pattern counter C4. (S240). As shown in FIG. 11, the internal random number counter C1 is a counter used to determine whether or not a big hit has occurred. In the first embodiment, 0 to 599 are sequentially incremented by one, and the maximum value (ie, 599) is a loop counter that returns to 0 again. The reach random number counter C2 is a counter used when deciding whether or not to perform a reach game at the time of departure. In the first embodiment, 0 to 11 are sequentially incremented by 1 each time, and the maximum value (that is, 11) is obtained. Is a loop counter that returns to 0 again after reaching. The big hit symbol counter C3 is a counter used to determine a symbol (big hit symbol) when the change of the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R, which is variably displayed on the special symbol display device 40 at the time of the big hit, is stopped. In the first embodiment, the loop counter increments the value from 0 to 59 in order by 1 and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 59). The variation pattern counter C4 is a counter used when determining a pattern for variably displaying the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R of the special symbol display device 40. In the first embodiment, 0 to 99 is used. This is a loop counter that increments by one in order and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value (that is, 99). When each counter is updated in this way, each counter is stored in the counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 76 (step S242), and the counter update processing ends.

[Missing symbol counter update processing]
In the missing symbol counter updating process, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first executes a process of incrementing the missing symbol left column counter CL (S250). The off symbol left column counter CL is a left symbol L of the symbols (off symbol) at the time when the variation of the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R is variably displayed on the special symbol display device 40 when the symbol is out. It is a counter used when determining the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol. As shown in FIG. 11, in the first embodiment, 0 is subtracted from the number of symbols by 1 in order of 1 in order. This is a loop counter that increments and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value. FIG. 12A is a table showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the value of the off symbol left column counter CL and the upper, middle, and lower symbols of the left column L. As is clear from this table, the left column L appears in descending order from top to bottom.

Next, it is determined whether or not the left symbol left column counter CL has a value of 0 (S252). If the left symbol left column counter CL has a value of 0, the missing symbol right column counter CR is incremented (S254). The right symbol counter CR of the right symbol R of the symbols (missing symbols) at the time of the stop of the variation of the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R, which are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 40 at the time of the miss, is displayed. It is a counter used when determining the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol. As shown in FIG. 11, in the first embodiment, the value 1 is calculated from the number of symbols 0 to 0 in the same manner as the off symbol left column counter CL. This is a loop counter that increments the value by 1 in order up to the reduced number, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. FIG. 12B is a table showing an example of a correspondence relationship between the value of the off symbol right column counter CR and the upper symbol, middle symbol, and lower symbol of the right column R. As is apparent from this table, the right column R appears in ascending order from top to bottom.

Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the right symbol counter CR is 0 (S256). If the value of the right symbol counter CR is 0, the middle symbol counter CM of the missing symbol is incremented (S258). Here, the missing symbol middle row counter CM is the middle one of the left-row L, middle row M, and right row R symbols (out-of-shift symbols) that are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 40 at the time of losing. It is a counter used when determining the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol of the column M. As shown in FIG. 11, in the first embodiment, it is the same as the missing symbol left column counter CL and the missing symbol right column counter CR. Is a loop counter that sequentially increments the value from 0 to the number obtained by subtracting the value 1 from the number of symbols, and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value. FIG. 12C is a table showing an example of a correspondence relationship between the value of the off symbol middle row counter CM and the upper, middle, and lower symbols of the middle row M. As is clear from this table, in the middle row M, as in the right row L, they appear in ascending order from top to bottom.

It is determined that all the off-design symbol column counters CL, CR, and CM are incremented, or if the off-design left column counter CL is determined not to be a value 0 in S252, or if the out-of-design symbol right column counter CR is not a value 0 in S256. 4, the main symbols of the left column L and the right column R are aligned in any one of the horizontal upper row L1, the horizontal center row L2, the horizontal lower row L3, the diagonally upper right column L4, and the diagonally upper left column L5 shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not there is (S260). When the main symbols of the left column L and the right column R are not aligned in any of the lines, the values of the individual symbol counters CL, CR, and CM are stored in an external symbol buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 76 ( S262), this routine ends. On the other hand, when the main symbols of the left row L and the right row R are aligned on any of the lines, it is determined whether or not the main symbols of the middle row M are also aligned on the same line (S264). Here, when the main symbols in the middle row M are not aligned, a so-called out-of-reach symbol is obtained. Therefore, the values of the out-of-line symbol counters CL, CR and CM are stored in the out-of-reach symbol buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 76. (S266), this routine ends. On the other hand, when the main symbols in the middle row M are also aligned, the routine is terminated without storing the values of the respective missing symbol counters CL, CR, and CM in the missing symbol buffer or the missing reach symbol buffer because they are not the missing symbols.

As shown in the flowchart of the main routine illustrated in FIG. 5, the out-of-design symbol counter updating process is repeatedly performed at intervals of a predetermined time during the idle time until the main routine is executed. Therefore, while other counters such as the internal random number counter C1 and the reach random number counter C2 count up each time the main routine is executed, the out-of-design symbol left column counter CL is additionally provided each time the main routine is executed. It counts up each time it is executed repeatedly during idle time.

[Start winning process]
In the start winning process, as shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first determines whether or not the ball has won the start port 42 (S200). This determination can be made based on whether or not the special symbol starting port switch 44 is turned on. When it is determined that the ball has won the starting port 42, it is checked whether or not the number of reserved balls N is less than 4 (S202). This is because, as described above, in the first embodiment, there are four pending upper limit values.

When the number of reserved balls N is less than 4, the number of reserved balls N is incremented by 1 (S204), and one of the special symbol change pending lamps 41a to 41d is turned on in order from the left (S206), and the counter updating process of FIG. 10 and the internal random number counter value, the reach random number counter value, the big hit symbol counter value, the missed symbol counter set value stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 76 in the lost symbol counter updating process S262 of FIG. Is stored in the first of the free storage areas of the reserved ball storage area set in the predetermined area of the RAM 76 (S208). FIG. 13 shows an example of the structure of the reserved ball storage area. As shown in the figure, the reserved ball storage area is composed of one execution area and four reserved areas (reserved first to fourth areas), and each area has an internal random number counter value, a reach random number counter value, and a big hit symbol counter value. , A set value of a missing symbol counter can be stored.

After the process of storing each counter value in the reserved ball storage area is completed, when it is determined in S200 that the ball has not won the starting port 42, or in S202, the number N of retained balls is determined to be less than 4. If not, it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls N is greater than 0 (S210), and the upper, middle, and lower symbols are being displayed on the special symbol display device 40 in a variable manner in each row L, M, R. It is determined whether or not there is, or whether or not a big hit is being made (S212). When the number N of the reserved balls is not 0 and the special symbol display device 40 is not displaying the fluctuation or the big hit, the variable permission flag F1 (zero at the time of initial setting) is set to 1 (S214), and this routine is executed. When the number of reserved balls N is 0, when the special symbol display device 40 is displaying a fluctuation, or when a big hit is being performed, the present routine ends without setting the fluctuation permission flag F1 to 1.

[Change start processing]
In the variation start process, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first executes a process of determining whether or not the variation permission flag F1 has a value of 1 (S220). When the variation permission flag F1 is not the value 1, whether the number N of reserved balls is the value 0, or whether the special symbol display device 40 is displaying the symbols at the top, center, and bottom in the columns L, M, and R in a variable manner, It is determined that it is either a big hit or not, and this routine ends.

When the change permission flag F1 has the value 1, the special symbol change holding lamps 41a to 41d are turned off one by one from the right side (S222), and the number N of holding balls is decremented by 1 (S224), and the holding ball storage area. Then, a process of shifting the data stored in is performed (S226). This data shift process is a process of shifting the data stored in the reserved first to fourth areas illustrated in FIG. 13 by one block toward the execution area. That is, the data in the reserved first area is in the execution area, the data in the reserved second area is in the reserved first area, the data in the reserved third area is in the reserved second area, and the data in the reserved fourth area is the reserved third area. This is the process of moving to.

(4) Next, a process for determining a display command is performed (S227). The display command includes a stop symbol command for setting a symbol when the variable display is stopped after the symbols in the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R of the special symbol display device 40 are variably displayed in the vertical direction, and a special symbol display device. 40, a variation pattern command for setting a variation pattern of the symbols in the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R. Then, the display command determined in S227 is transmitted to the display control device 90 via the input / output processing circuit 80 (S228), a value 0 is set to the variation permission flag F1 (S229), and this routine ends. Upon receiving the display command, the display control device 90 variably displays the symbols in the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R of the special symbol display device 40 in accordance with the variation pattern command among the display commands, and outputs a confirmation command to be described later. When received, the variation display of the symbols in the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R of the special symbol display device 40 is stopped according to the stop symbol command. The display command determination processing in S227 is performed using the flowchart illustrated in FIG.

[Display command decision processing]
In the display command determination processing, as shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first determines whether or not the value of the internal random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area is a big hit. It is determined based on the relationship between and the mode (S300). Specifically, the internal random number counter value is a numerical value from 0 to 599, of which 7 and 307 are normal hourly values, and a number that is 7 when the remainder when divided by 60 (7, 67, 127) , ...) are determined as high probability hourly values. For this reason, the jackpot determination is normally performed by determining whether the internal random number counter value is either 7 or 307, and when the probability is high, the internal random number counter value is any one of 7, 67, 127,. This is performed by determining whether or not. The high probability time means a state in which the subsequent big hit probability is increased as added value when a big hit is made by a predetermined probability variation symbol (referred to as a probability change), and the normal time is not such a probability change state. Time.

By the way, if it is determined that there is a big hit, a table which does not show a symbol corresponding to the value of the big hit symbol counter C3 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area (a table showing a correspondence relationship between the big hit symbol counter value and the symbol) The symbol is set as a stop symbol command (S310). Specifically, the jackpot symbol counter value is a numerical value of any of 0 to 59, and there are 60 types of jackpot symbols since any of the 12 main symbols are aligned on any of the five lines L1 to L5, Each of the counter values corresponds to one of the 60 big hit symbols. Therefore, any of the 60 big hit symbols is set in the stop symbol command. In addition, when a predetermined specific symbol among the big hit symbols is completed, the state shifts to the probable change state, but when the non-specific symbols are aligned, the state does not shift to the probable change state. Next, a large hit variation pattern command determination process illustrated in FIG. 15 is performed to set the variation pattern command (S312), and the present routine ends. In the big hit variation pattern command determination process, the value of the variation pattern counter C4 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 76 is checked (S340). If the variation pattern counter C4 is less than 10, pattern B is set as the variation pattern command ( S342) When the variation pattern counter C4 is 10 or more and less than 50, the pattern C is set to the variation pattern command (S344), and when the variation pattern counter C4 is 50 or more and less than 95, the pattern D is set to the variation pattern command (S346). When the variation pattern counter C4 is 95 or more, the pattern E is set as the variation pattern command (S348). Each variation pattern will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S300 that it is not a big hit, it is determined whether or not the value of the reach random number counter C2 stored in the execution area of the reserved sphere storage area is reachable (S302). In the first embodiment, the reach random number counter C2 is one of 0 to 11, and the value with reach is set to 7. Therefore, the probability of reaching is 1/12. When it is determined that there is a reach, the values of the left symbol left column counter CL, the missing symbol middle column counter CM, and the missing symbol right column counter CR stored in the lost symbol buffer of the RAM 76 are set to the stop symbol command ( (S320) Then, a variation pattern command at the time of out-of-reach illustrated in FIG. 16 is determined to set a variation pattern command (S322), and this routine ends. In the out-of-reach variation pattern command determination process, the value of the variation pattern counter C4 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 76 is checked (S350), and if the variation pattern counter C4 is less than 50, the pattern B is set as the variation pattern command. (S352) When the variation pattern counter C4 is 50 or more and less than 85, the pattern C is set to the variation pattern command (S354), and when the variation pattern counter C4 is 85 or more, the pattern D is set to the variation pattern command (S356).

If it is determined in S302 that there is no reach, the outlier symbol counter set value stored in the execution area is set as a stop symbol command (S330), and the pattern A is set as a fluctuation pattern command (S332). End the routine.

で は In the first embodiment, each variation pattern is set as follows. "Pattern A" is a pattern for displaying a missing symbol, and the symbol of the left column L is displayed 7 seconds after the symbol display of the left column L, the middle column M, and the right column R is started to be changed and displayed by the special symbol display device 40. The change is stopped, and the pattern change of the right column R is stopped after 8 seconds (the main symbols of the left column L and the right column R are not aligned in any of the lines L1 to L5 (see FIG. 4)), and after 9 seconds This is set as a pattern for stopping the symbol fluctuation in the middle row M.

“Pattern B” is a so-called normal reach pattern, and starts changing the pattern of the left row L, middle row M, and right row R by the special symbol display device 40, and then changes the pattern of the left row L seven seconds later. 8 seconds later, the symbol change of the right column R is stopped (the main symbols of the left column L and the right column R are aligned in any of the lines L1 to L5). , The symbols in the left column L and the right column R are brought closer to the symbols in the middle column M, and the symbols in the left column L and the symbols in the right column R are shifted from top to bottom. , The left and right rows L and R are separated from the pattern of the middle row M and returned to the original position, and the pattern of the middle row M is stopped.

"Pattern C" is a so-called super-reach pattern. After temporarily stopping the display of the symbols in the middle row M at the stop timing of the symbols in the middle row M of the pattern B, the pattern of the middle row M is again displayed. This is set as a pattern in which the fluctuation display is started, and after the fluctuation display is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), the display is stopped.

“Pattern D” is a so-called special reach pattern, and a display effect other than pattern C was performed at the timing of stopping the symbol in the middle row M of the pattern B without stopping the variable display of the symbol in the middle row M. It is set as a pattern for stopping the symbols in the middle row M later. In the super reach and the special reach, not only the symbols in the left row L, the middle row M, and the right row R are displayed in a variable manner, but also a predetermined reach game, a display of a reach animation, and the like are performed. In the first embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the pattern D is more easily set in the big hit variation pattern command determination process than in the out-reach variation pattern command determination process. In the variation pattern command determination process at the time of reach, the pattern B is more easily set than the variation pattern command determination process at the time of the big hit. That is, a special reach often results in a big hit, and a normal reach often results in a missed reach.

“Pattern E” is a so-called premium reach pattern in which a 100% big hit is obtained because the pattern is usually not used as a change pattern at the time of out-of-reach but is used only as a change pattern at the time of big hit.

[Change stop processing]
In the fluctuation stop processing, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first determines whether or not a big hit is occurring (S230). Here, the big hit includes a special game displayed on the special symbol display device 40 at the time of the big hit and a predetermined time after the end of the special game. The predetermined time after the end of the special game is set as, for example, a time required for adjusting each state of the pachinko machine P. If it is determined that it is not a big hit, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation time in the fluctuation pattern has ended (S232). This process is performed by determining whether or not the time has elapsed since the variation time is set for each variation pattern as described in the variation start process. When the fluctuation time is over, the stop symbol set for stopping and confirming the fluctuation is transmitted to the display control device 90 as a determination command (S234), and it is determined whether or not a big hit has occurred (S236). At the time of a big hit, a big hit execution command is transmitted to the display control device 90, the special winning opening driving device 52, and the like (S238), and this routine is ended. After receiving the jackpot execution command, the display control device 90 causes the special symbol display device 40 to display the special game animation after the stop symbol is displayed. The special winning opening driving device 52 drives the opening and closing of the special winning opening 50. Here, since the big hit determination in S236 has been performed in the display command determination processing (FIG. 14) in S227 in the fluctuation start processing, the determination result may be used, or may be stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area. The determination may be made using the value of the internal random number counter C1. When it is determined in S230 that a big hit is being performed, when it is determined in S232 that the fluctuation time has not ended, or when it is determined that the big hit is not a big hit in S236, the present routine is terminated after the determination.

Here, the process of changing and displaying the display information of the electronic paper 98 in accordance with the state of the pachinko machine P, which is one feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 18, and 19.

First, the case where the pachinko machine P is in the normal game state, that is, the case where display information for the normal game state is displayed on the electronic paper 98 of the game board 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, when the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 receives the game start detection signal from the game start detection unit 202, the display information of the electronic paper 98 of the game board 1 of the pachinko P is displayed for the normal game state. The display control device 90 is controlled so as to change and display the information (see FIG. 18A). That is, when the display control device 90 receives a game start instruction from the main control device 70, the electronic paper control device 207 causes the electronic paper 98 to display display information for a normal game state (see FIG. 18A). Control.

Next, a case where the pachinko machine P is in the reach state, that is, a case where display information for the reach state is displayed on the electronic paper 98 of the gaming board 1 will be described. The CPU 72 of the main controller 70 determines the “pattern” in the big hit variation pattern command determination process (S312) or the out-reach variation variation pattern command determination process (S322) shown in FIG. 14 of the display command determination process (S227) of FIG. B is set, the pattern C is set, the pattern D is set, and the pattern E is set, and the display command of FIG. 7 is transmitted (S228). The display information of the electronic paper 98 is changed and displayed as the display information for the reach state (see FIG. 19A). That is, when the display control device 90 receives the reach instruction from the main control device 70, the display control device 90 controls the electronic paper control device 207 so that the display information for the reach state (see FIG. 19A) is displayed on the electronic paper 98. I do.

Next, the case where the pachinko machine P is in the big hit state, that is, the case where the display information for the big hit state is displayed on the electronic paper 98 of the game board 1 will be described. When the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 transmits a jackpot execution command shown in FIG. 8 (S238) described later, the display information of the electronic paper 98 of the gaming board 1 of the pachinko P is changed to the display information for the jackpot state (FIG. ) See)). That is, when the display control device 90 receives the big hit instruction from the main control device 70, the display control device 90 controls the electronic paper control device 207 to display the big hit state display information (see FIG. 19B) on the electronic paper 98. I do.

Next, a case where the pachinko machine P is in the standby state, that is, a case where display information for the standby state is displayed on the electronic paper 98 of the gaming board 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, when the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 receives the game end detection signal from the game end detection unit 204, the display information of the electronic paper 98 of the game board 1 of the pachinko machine P becomes the display information for the standby state. The display control device 90 is controlled so that the display is changed and displayed (see FIG. 18B). That is, when the display control device 90 receives the game end instruction from the main control device 70, the display control device 90 controls the electronic paper control device 207 to display the display information for the standby state (see FIG. 18B) on the electronic paper 98. Control.

As described above, according to the pachinko machine P of the first embodiment, the game board 1 includes the transparent plate-shaped member 94 and the electronic device disposed on the back of the transparent plate-shaped member 94 for variably displaying display information. Since the electronic paper 98 is formed by the paper 98, display information of the electronic paper 98 located on the back surface of the transparent plate member 94 can be visually recognized from the front side of the transparent plate member 94. Further, the display information displayed on the electronic paper 98 can be rewritten and displayed as new display information, and a display effect such as changing the appearance impression of the pachinko machine P by changing the display information of the electronic paper 98 is performed. And a gaming machine with a high level of interest that attracts the player's interest can be provided.

Also, the electronic paper 98 displays predetermined display information by moving the charged particles 227 in the electronic ink layer 222 sandwiched between the first base material 221 and the second base material 220 to change the color. Therefore, the display information displayed on the electronic paper 98 can be rewritten and displayed as new display information, and the appearance information of the pachinko machine P can be changed by changing the display information of the electronic paper 98. A display effect can be provided, and a gaming machine excellent in interest and interest that attracts the player's interest can be provided.

In the past, when changing the model of a pachinko machine, it was necessary to replace certain parts of an old model pachinko machine with parts of a new model, and there was a problem that discarded parts were generated due to the model change. The pachinko machine P of one embodiment can also solve such a problem. In the pachinko machine P of the first embodiment, even when the model is changed, the display information of the electronic paper 98 can be rewritten and changed to new display information, and the machine itself of the pachinko machine P or a game board of this machine can be used. 1 can be replaced with a new one, so that it is not necessary to replace the aircraft itself or the game board 1 of the aircraft, and the aircraft can be continuously used in a new display mode, It is possible to reduce the generation of discarded parts due to the model change.

Further, in the related art, such a replacement work is necessary when changing the model, and there is a problem that the change of the model is not easy because the replacement work is complicated. In the example of the pachinko machine P, such a problem can be solved. In the pachinko machine P of the first embodiment, it is not necessary to replace the machine itself of the pachinko machine P or the game board 1 of the machine with a new one, so that the model can be easily changed. be able to. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond to a model change, and the degree of freedom of the gaming machine can be improved.

Further, since the electronic paper control device 207 for controlling the display information of the electronic paper 98 is provided, the electronic paper 98 is connected to external control means separately from the pachinko machine P in order to change the display information of the electronic paper 98. Thus, there is no need to control the electronic paper 98, and the display information of the electronic paper 98 can be quickly and easily changed by an instruction from the electronic paper control device 207.

Further, the electronic paper control device 207 controls the display information of the electronic paper 98 based on an instruction from the display control device 90 that controls the display of the special symbol display device 40 that variably displays the symbol of the pachinko machine P. The display information of the electronic paper 98 can be changed and controlled based on an instruction from the display control device 90.

In addition, the electronic paper control device 207 controls the display of the electronic paper 98 so that the display information of the electronic paper 98 is changed and displayed according to the state of the pachinko machine P. Therefore, various displays according to the state of the pachinko machine P are performed. Information can be displayed on the electronic paper 98, and display effects such as changing the appearance impression of the pachinko machine P can be performed by changing the display information of the electronic paper 98 according to the state of the pachinko machine P. By looking at the display information on the electronic paper 98 according to the state of the pachinko machine P, the player can feel more interesting in the game, can be enthusiastic about the game, and can provide the pachinko machine P which is extremely excellent in interest.

Further, when the pachinko machine P is in the standby state, the electronic paper control device 207 displays the display information for the standby state on the electronic paper 98, so that the pachinko machine P not used for the game, that is, the standby state The pachinko machine P can be effectively used, and a display effect that attracts the player's interest can be performed.

In addition, when the pachinko machine P is in the normal game state, the electronic paper control device 207 displays the display information for the normal game state on the electronic paper 98, so that the player can see the display information for the normal game state. The player can be notified that the game state is the normal game state, and the player can enjoy the game with a sense of security toward the acquisition of the special game state.

Further, when the pachinko machine P is in the reach state, the electronic paper control device 207 causes the display information for the reach state to be displayed on the electronic paper 98, and is displayed on the special symbol display device 40 of the pachinko machine P. Aside from the symbols in the reach state, the display information of the reach state can be shown to the player, the player can be notified of the reach state more easily, and the player can acquire the special game state. It is possible to feel the feeling of expectation more strongly, and to further enjoy the game in the reach state.

When the pachinko machine P is in the special game state, the electronic paper control device 207 displays the display information for the special game state on the electronic paper 98, so that the information is displayed on the special symbol display device 40 of the pachinko machine P. In addition to the special game state symbol, the player can show the display information of the special game state, and the player can be notified of the special game state in a more easily understandable manner. Can be enjoyed, and the game in the special game state can be further enjoyed.

Also, since the electronic paper 98 is capable of color display, the electronic paper 98 does not have a viewing angle dependency, so it is easy to see from the side, and can be suitably used as a display member for displaying desired display information.

Further, the transparent plate member 94 has a plurality of nails 96 disposed on the front side thereof, so that the board surface of the game board 1 can be variably displayed, and the ball can be guided or played to play the game. Game board 1 in which nails 96 capable of increasing the height of the game board are appropriately arranged in the game area.

In addition, the transparent plate member 94 and the electronic paper 98 are respectively provided on the front side and the back side at positions corresponding to the variable winning means (large winning opening 50) and the normal winning means (normal winning openings 60a to 60d and the starting opening 42). Since the through holes 97a and 97b penetrating through the sides of the game board 1 are formed, the ball that has won the large winning opening 50, the normal winning openings 60a to 60d or the starting opening 42 provided on the front side of the game board 1 is formed into a transparent plate. It can be guided to the back side of the game board 1 through the members 94 and the through holes 97a and 97b of the electronic paper 98.

Here, game information fixedly displayed in the fixed display area EA as a predetermined area of the electronic paper 98 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 28A is a view showing a fixed display area EA of the electronic paper 98 of the gaming board 1, and FIG. 28B is a partially enlarged view showing the fixed display area EA of the electronic paper 98 in an enlarged manner. As shown in FIG. 28 (a), the electronic paper 98 is always in the fixed display area EA of the game board 1, for example, in the upper right partial area around the circular area EB into which the ball is driven, regardless of the gaming state. The game information is displayed. As shown in FIG. 28 (b), the game information includes “big hit probability 1 / 315.5”, “probable change rate 1/2”, “limit 200 times”, “prize balls 5 & 10 & 15”, and the like. . The fixed display area EA may be set at a location other than the above, or game information other than the above may be displayed.

Next, a description will be given of a pachinko machine P according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The pachinko machine P of the second embodiment is greatly different in that a liquid crystal projector 400 is employed in place of the electronic paper 98 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 29A, the liquid crystal projector 400 of the pachinko machine P of the second embodiment is, for example, of a single-panel (single-panel) type, and includes a light source 410, a condenser lens 420, A liquid crystal display panel 430 as a display panel on which light from a light source 410 is incident, two polarizing plates 440 sandwiching the liquid crystal display panel 430, and an image (display information) displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 430 is enlarged and projected. And a screen 460 disposed on the rear surface of the transparent plate member 94, on which an image on the liquid crystal display panel 430 is enlarged and projected by the projection lens 450.

ス ク リ ー ン The screen 460 is attached, for example, in contact with the rear side 94 a of the transparent plate member 94 and is approximately the same size as the transparent plate member 94. The screen 460 may be provided on the rear side 94a of the transparent plate member 94 with an interval from the rear side 94a, or the size of the screen 460 may be an arbitrary size.

The single-panel system described above uses one liquid crystal display panel 430 in which red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color filters are formed for each liquid crystal cell (unit pixel for display). is there. The liquid crystal display panel 430 is irradiated with white light (including light of all colors) from the light source 410 to form a color image, and the color image is enlarged and displayed on the screen 460 by the projection lens 450. The screen 460 of the second embodiment is capable of transparent display. In other words, an image enlarged and projected on the rear surface (projection surface) 460a side of the screen 460 can be viewed from the front surface (opposite to the projection surface) 460b side of the screen 460. The screen 460 has various through holes 97a, 97b, 99, and 100 formed in the same manner as the electronic paper 98 of the first embodiment described above.

In FIG. 29, the light source 410, the liquid crystal display panel 430, the projection lens 450, and the screen 460 are arranged in a straight line. However, a reflection mirror or the like is provided between the projection lens 450 and the screen 460 to change the projection path. The image may be folded back, that is, the image from the projection lens 450 may be reflected by a reflection mirror and enlarged and projected on the screen 460. By doing so, it is possible to improve that the depth of the pachinko machine P becomes longer due to the projection path of the liquid crystal projector 400.

As shown in FIG. 30, the pachinko machine P of the second embodiment displays a screen 460 provided on the game board 1 based on an instruction from the display control device 90 which receives an instruction from the main control device 70. A liquid crystal projector control device 470 that controls the display information to be projected, that is, the image (display information) displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 430 is provided.

The liquid crystal projector control device 470 controls the display of the liquid crystal display panel 430 in the same manner as in the first embodiment so that the display information of the liquid crystal display panel 430 is changed and displayed according to the state of the pachinko machine P. It is. Therefore, the display information of the liquid crystal display panel 430 is enlarged and projected on the screen 460, so that the display mode as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 in the first embodiment is displayed on the game board 1.

As described above, according to the pachinko machine P of the second embodiment, the game board 1 has the light source 410, the liquid crystal display panel 430 on which the light from the light source 410 is incident, and the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 430. Since the liquid crystal projector 400 includes a projection lens 450 for enlarging and projecting the image, and a screen 460 disposed on the rear surface of the transparent plate member 94, the image of the liquid crystal display panel 430 is enlarged and projected by the projection lens 450. The display information enlarged and projected on the screen 460 located on the rear surface of the transparent plate member 94 can be visually recognized from the front side of the transparent plate member 94. In addition, display information that has been enlarged and projected on the screen 460 can be rewritten and displayed with new display information, and display effects such as changing the appearance impression of the pachinko machine P by changing display information on the liquid crystal display panel 430 can be provided. It is possible to provide a pachinko machine P which is capable of performing the game and has a great interest in attracting the player. Further, even when the model is changed, the display information on the liquid crystal display panel 430 can be rewritten and changed to new display information, and the game board 1 itself of the pachinko machine P or the display member of the game board 1 can be replaced with a new one. Since it is not necessary to replace parts, the game board 1 can be continuously used in a new display mode without discarding the game board 1 itself or display members of the game board 1 and the like. It is possible to reduce the generation of discarded parts due to the model change. In addition, it is not necessary to replace the game board 1 itself or a display member or the like of the game board 1 with a new one, so that a model change can be easily performed. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond to a model change, and the degree of freedom of the gaming machine can be improved.

The liquid crystal projector 400 employs a single-panel type as described above, but may adopt a three-panel (three-panel) type as described below. That is, instead of the configuration including the condenser lens 420, the liquid crystal display panel 430, and the polarizing plate 440 illustrated in FIG. 29A, an optical system that forms a three-plate optical system as illustrated in FIG. The unit 500 is employed.

The optical unit 500 includes an integrator 510, three liquid crystal display panels 520 that handle respective colors, two dichroic mirrors DM1 and DM2 for color separation, and two dichroic mirrors DM3 and DM4 for color synthesis. And two mirrors M1 and M2.

The white light emitted from the light source 410 is divided into blue (B), red (R), and green (G) in order by the color separation dichroic mirrors DM1 and DM2, and is input to the liquid crystal display panel 520 which is in charge of each color. , Make an image. This is superimposed on a color synthesizing dichroic mirror DM3 and DM4 to form a color image, which is then enlarged and displayed by a projection lens 450. Thus, even when the three-panel type liquid crystal projector 400 is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned single-panel type liquid crystal projector 400 are obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified as follows.

(1) In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, a matrix including a plurality of pixel electrodes 264, a thin film transistor 265, a gate driver 262, and a source driver 263 on electronic paper using electrophoresis. Although a circuit is provided, the above-described matrix circuit may be provided on toner-type electronic paper or other types of electronic paper.

(2) In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the electronic paper 98 is used for the game board 1 of the pachinko machine P. The electronic paper 98 may be adopted as a member visible to the user, or as shown in FIG. 28, the electronic paper 98 is adopted as other members (parts) such as the upper plate 15 and the lower plate 16 of the slot machine 10. Is also good. The upper plate 15 displays various display contents. The lower plate 16 displays a model name, characters related to a game, and the like. The upper plate 15 and the lower plate 16 described above correspond to the display plate in the present invention. Further, in the above-described second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29, the game board 1 employs the liquid crystal projector 400, that is, the screen 460 of the liquid crystal projector 400 is provided on the back surface of the transparent plate member 94. The screen 460 of the liquid crystal projector 400 may be used for other members (parts) such as the upper plate 15 and the lower plate 16 of the slot machine 10 shown in FIG.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the transparent plate member 94 and the electronic paper 98 have a square shape in a front view, but they are not limited to a square shape. Various shapes such as a polygon, a circle, and an ellipse may be used.

(4) In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, the special plate display device 40 and the display screen of the special symbol display device 40 (for example, a liquid crystal display screen) on the transparent plate member 94 and the electronic paper 98 are provided. A through hole 102 corresponding to the symbol display device 40 may be provided. Note that the above-described through hole 102 corresponds to the second opening in the present invention. In this case, the transparent plate member 94 and the electronic paper 98 are excluded from the display screen side of the special symbol display device 40, and the image quality of the display screen of the special symbol display device 40 is reduced. 98 and the like.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the connector 208 and the wiring unit 209 receive control signals from external devices in a wired manner. May be provided, and control signals from the electronic paper control device 207 and the liquid crystal projector control device 470 may be wirelessly received.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the electronic paper control device 207 and the liquid crystal projector control device 470 are based on an instruction from the display control device 90 that controls the display of the special symbol display device 40 that variably displays the symbol of the pachinko machine P. Controls the display information of the electronic paper 98 and the liquid crystal projector 400, but controls the display information of the electronic paper 98 and the liquid crystal projector 400 by receiving an instruction directly from the main controller 70 for controlling the game of the pachinko machine P. May be.

(7) The present invention may be applied to a pachinko machine or the like of a type different from the above-described embodiment. For example, once a jackpot has been hit, a pachinko machine (commonly known as a twice-rights item or a three-times right item) can increase the jackpot expectation value until a jackpot state occurs a plurality of times (for example, two or three times). ). Further, the pachinko machine may be implemented as a pachinko machine which enters a special game state on condition that a ball is won in a predetermined area after the big hit symbol is displayed. Further, the present invention may be implemented as a pachinko machine that enters a special game state when a ball enters a predetermined winning opening. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, the present invention may be implemented as various game machines such as an arrangement ball type pachinko, a sparrow ball, a game machine in which a so-called pachinko machine and a slot machine are combined.

In the slot machine, for example, a symbol is fluctuated by operating the operation lever in a state where a coin is inserted and a symbol valid line is determined, and the symbol is stopped and determined by operating a stop button. is there. Therefore, the basic concept of the slot machine is as follows: "variable display means for variably displaying a symbol row composed of a plurality of symbols and then displaying the symbols in a fixed manner is provided. Is started, and the fluctuation of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the fixed symbol at the time of the stop is the specific symbol. And a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player "as a necessary condition. In this case, coins and medals are typical examples of the game medium.

In addition, as a specific example of a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are integrated, a variable display means for confirming and displaying a symbol after variably displaying a symbol row including a plurality of symbols is provided, and a handle for hitting a ball is provided. Those not provided. In this case, after throwing in a predetermined amount of balls based on a predetermined operation (button operation), the fluctuation of the symbol is started, for example, due to the operation of the operation lever, and, for example, due to the operation of the stop button, or By the passage of time, the fluctuation of the symbols is stopped, and a jackpot state advantageous to the player is generated on condition that the final symbol at the time of the stop is a so-called jackpot symbol, and the lower tray is provided to the player. A large number of balls are paid out.

As described above, the present invention is suitable for gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines.

1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which illustrates the electrical connection of the pachinko machine of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the pattern of the left row, the middle row, and the right row which consist of the main symbol and the sub symbol in the special symbol display device. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main routine executed by the main control device. It is a flowchart of a start winning process. It is a flowchart of a change start process. It is a flowchart of a fluctuation stop process. It is a flowchart of a counter update process. It is a flowchart of a miss symbol counter update process. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a counter buffer and various counters. It is a table showing an example of a correspondence relationship between the value of each off symbol counter and the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol of each stage. It is explanatory drawing of a reserved ball storage area. It is a flowchart of a display command determination process. It is a flowchart of a big hit variation pattern command determination processing. It is a flowchart of a variation pattern command determination process at the time of out-of-reach. It is a schematic perspective view for explaining the composition of the game board of a 1st example. (A), (b) is a figure for demonstrating the display aspect of a game board. (A), (b) is a figure for demonstrating the display aspect of a game board. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the electronic paper according to the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the microcapsule of the electronic paper of 1st Example. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when the display surface of the electronic paper of the first embodiment looks white. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when the display surface of the electronic paper according to the first embodiment looks blue. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of a circuit board typically. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating one pixel of the electronic paper according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating one pixel of the electronic paper according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating voltages of a pixel electrode of a second base material and a common electrode of the first base material and a display pattern corresponding thereto. (A), (b) is a figure for demonstrating the display aspect of a game board. (A) is a block diagram showing a configuration of a single-panel type liquid crystal projector, and (b) is a block diagram showing a configuration of a three-panel type liquid crystal projector. It is a block diagram which illustrates the electrical connection of the pachinko machine of 2nd Example. It is a perspective view when electronic paper is adopted as a display plate of a slot machine. It is an outline perspective view for explaining composition of a game board in an example different from a 1st example.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 ... game board 15 ... upper plate (display plate)
16… Lower plate (display plate)
40 ... Special symbol display device (identification information change display means)
50… Grand Prize Winner (Variable Winners)
60a ~ 60d ... Ordinary winning opening (Ordinary winning means)
70: Main control device (main control means)
90 ... display control device (identification information display control means)
94: Transparent plate member 96: Nail 97a, 97b: Through hole (first opening)
98… Electronic paper (display means)
99 ... through-hole (first opening)
102 ... through-hole (second opening)
208… Connector part (receiving means)
209… Wiring unit (receiving means)
220 ... second base material (second member)
221 First substrate (first member)
222: Electronic ink layer (display layer)
224: microcapsules 227: charged particles 262: gate driver (drive control means)
263: source driver (drive control means)
264: Pixel electrode 265: Thin film transistor (switching element)
323: common electrode 207: electronic paper control device (display control means)
400… Liquid crystal projector (display means)
410: light source 430: liquid crystal display panel 450: projection lens (projection optical system)
460… screen

Claims (5)

In a gaming machine with a gaming area,
The gaming machine, wherein the game area is formed by a transparent plate-shaped member and display means disposed on the back of the transparent plate-shaped member for variably displaying display information. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The display means displays predetermined display information by moving a charged particle in a display layer sandwiched between the first member and the second member to change a color. Gaming machine. The gaming machine according to claim 2,
The display means includes, on one of the first member and the second member, a plurality of pixel electrodes for forming an electric field applied to the display layer, and the pixel electrode provided for each of the pixel electrodes. A switching element that switches between formation and disappearance of an electric field, and, on the other side, a common electrode for forming the electric field together with the pixel electrode,
Further, the display unit includes a receiving unit that receives a control signal, and a drive control unit that drives and controls the plurality of switching elements according to the control signal received by the receiving unit. Gaming machine. The gaming machine according to claim 2,
The display means, a light source, a display panel on which light from the light source is incident, a projection optical system for enlarging and projecting an image displayed on the display panel, and a rear surface of the transparent plate member, And a screen on which the image of the display panel is enlarged and projected by the projection optical system. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A gaming machine comprising a display control means for controlling display information of the display means.

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