JP2004188057A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the shortened notification while securing the least necessary time of notification presentation for the notification executed with the same time axis independently through the visual and auditory sense without making a player feel incompatibility on the visual sense about the story and the string of illumination (lamps) and on the auditory sense about the string of sounds at the skip time. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine, a variation period till a shortening button 100 is operated is counted when the shortening button 100 is operated, and based on the measured time t, a skip pattern to satisfy either a condition 1 or a condition 2 is selected among a plurality of predetermined skip patterns A-C. Then, the time is skipped to the selected destination of the skip. The selection based on the condition 1 is to select the pattern A when the variation time till the shortening button 100 is operated is at least five seconds. On the other time, the selection based on the condition 2 is to select a pattern in which the variation time till the shortening button 100 is operated is less than five seconds and is the shortest period to be at least five seconds by adding t1, t2 and t3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with an informing means for informing a player of a result of the lottery through visual and auditory hearing, in which a random lottery is performed when a game ball is awarded to a starting port.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a gaming machine, particularly a pachinko machine, a lottery is performed by detecting a game ball (pachinko ball) which has won a start winning prize port (special symbol start prize port). The mouth is opened a predetermined number of times for a predetermined period (one opening and closing is one round and generally lasts 10 to 16 rounds), and a function (big hit) that increases the winning rate of pachinko balls and is in a state advantageous to the player. There is a pachinko machine that has.
[0003]
In this type of pachinko machine, a display unit (usually a liquid crystal display screen) is provided at the center of the gauge board of the pachinko machine in order to notify the player of the result of the lottery. The display unit is configured with a symbol variation pattern screen of a plurality of columns (for example, three columns) (there is also a background screen), and notifies the hit / out with the arrangement of symbols when stopped after the effect of the varying symbol variation pattern. It has become. The player can give a sense of expectation by seeing the symbol change screen, because the player is delighted with whether it is a hit or a miss.
[0004]
Here, in recent years, the pattern variation pattern effect has tended to be redundant, and some players want to speed up the progress of the game rather than enjoy the effect.
[0005]
For this reason, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873 proposes to fast-forward a symbol variation pattern effect. However, in fast-forwarding, the time to be shortened is limited, and often does not meet the player's wishes.
[0006]
It has also been proposed that a symbol variation pattern effect can be shortened by a player's intention.
[0007]
On the other hand, in the case of shortening the symbol variation pattern effect, when the shortening instruction is given, the process is immediately skipped to the end on the preset effect time axis to end the effect.
[0008]
However, at such a skip position of one pattern, the effect state when a shortening instruction is given and the effect state after skipping may not be properly matched.
[0009]
In particular, although the effect image includes a predetermined story, this story is completely ignored.
[0010]
For this reason, the applicant has provided an invalidation period (mainly at the beginning and end of the production time axis) for invalidating this instruction, and during this period (particularly at the beginning of the production), there is no shortening instruction. However, he proposes to continue the production until the end of the invalidation period.
[0011]
According to this, since a series of stories can be shortened and completed, the player does not feel uncomfortable.
[0012]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-327703 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above proposal is effective if only the notification is made visually, but when the notification is also made through the auditory sense, the progress of the musical notes becomes unscheduled, and furthermore, the illumination and the illumination (lamp) The progress is not synchronized, giving the player a sense of discomfort.
[0014]
In consideration of the above facts, the present invention secures the minimum required information production time for information that is independently executed on the same time axis through visual and auditory senses, and provides a visual story at the time of skipping. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of executing a short notification without giving a sense of incongruity to a connection between illuminations (lamp) and a connection between auditory sounds.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is provided with a game machine provided with an informing means for informing a player of a result of the lottery through visual and auditory senses, in which the game ball is entered into the starting port and a random lottery is performed. A visual informing device for informing through the visual sense, a start instructing unit for instructing both of the auditory informing devices for informing through the hearing independently to start informing, and the visual informing device based on an instruction from the start instructing unit. The notification device and the auditory notification device are controlled, the notification control means so that both are notified along the same time axis, the shortening instruction means for instructing the shortening of the notification time, and the shortening instruction means by the shortening instruction means. Skipping means for skipping to the end of the notification on the time axis, wherein the skip means sets a plurality of skip destinations in advance on the end of the time axis, and It is characterized by securing the minimum necessary time, and most broadcast time to select a short skip destination knowledge.
[0016]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the winning opening is won, the lottery result is notified. This notification includes notification through vision and notification through hearing. By instructing each of the visual notification device and the auditory notification device to start notification, the notification is executed along the same time axis.
[0017]
Here, when a shortening instruction is given, the notification is skipped to a predetermined skip destination to the end of the notification based on the notification time up to the shortening instruction. In other words, a plurality of skip destinations are set in advance at the end on the time axis, at least a minimum time required for visual notification is secured, and a skip destination with the shortest notification time is selected.
[0018]
Thereby, for example, it is possible to secure the minimum notification time required in the story, and since it is a selective skip to a plurality of predetermined skip destinations, each skip destination that can lead to the flow of the notification is set. If set, the player will not feel uncomfortable.
[0019]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of skip destinations are positions where there is no sense of incongruity in both the notification through the visual sense and the notification through the auditory sense. .
[0020]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 2, since the notification through the auditory sense, which performs the notification on the same time axis, is simultaneously shortened with respect to the notification through the visual sense, the plurality of skip destinations are not included in the notification through the auditory sense. Also, by providing a connection, the player does not feel uncomfortable even when hearing.
[0021]
In the present invention, the visual connection means that, for example, a walking character on a moving image suddenly moves from one end of the screen to the other end, or a fluctuating design suddenly stops without a deceleration period. No state.
[0022]
In addition, the auditory connection means, for example, that when there is a time signature, the condition of the time signature is not changed, the tone and the volume are largely changed, and the dialogue of the character is not interrupted and the meaning does not occur. Say.
[0023]
It should be noted that the connections felt by the player vary widely and differ depending on the theme to be expressed, and thus the definition of the connections described above is an example, and is not limited to this.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a pachinko machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 12, and one side (a left side in FIG. 1) of a frame-shaped inner frame 14 having a window is mounted on the front surface of the outer frame 12 so as to be openable and closable.
[0025]
The inner frame 14 is provided with a plurality of displays 62 and 63 and speakers 64 and 66. A window is formed in the center of the inner frame 14, and a glass frame in which a pair of glasses 16 (double structure) which are parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in the depth direction of the paper is mounted. 20 are provided. A locking device (cylinder) 22 is provided on the right side of the inner frame 14 in FIG.
[0026]
An integrated plate 26 having a ball plate portion 24 is disposed below the glass frame 20. The ball dish portion 24 of the integrated dish is provided with a communication port 23 which communicates with a ball storage tank (not shown) and allows the pachinko balls in the ball storage tank to flow out to the ball dish portion 24.
[0027]
One side (left side in FIG. 1) of the integral plate 26 is attached to the inner frame 14 so as to be openable and closable. An ashtray 28 is disposed on the lower left side on the front surface of the integrated tray 26, and a firing handle 30 for adjusting the flight distance of a hit ball fired from the firing device 164 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the lower right side.
[0028]
In the window of the inner frame 14, a game board 32 which can be exchanged by being mounted on a game board mounting table is installed corresponding to the window.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 32 has a substantially circular game area 40 surrounded by an outer band 36 and an inner band 38.
[0030]
In the game area 40, in addition to nails and windmills (not shown), center articles 42, special symbol display devices 43 provided in the center articles 42, and special prize openings (variable prize apparatus) 44 and the like, starting Gaming parts such as a mouth 46, a passing device 48, a winning device 49, and the like are attached, and an out mouth 54 is arranged at the lowest position.
[0031]
FIG. 3 schematically shows a control system for controlling the pachinko machine 10. The control system is categorized by function such as a payout control board 152, a voice control board 154, a lamp control board 156, a firing control board 158, a symbol display control board 160, and the like, with the main control board 150 at the center (hereinafter, referred to as a control board). These are collectively referred to as a sub control board 151).
[0032]
The main control board 150 and the sub-control board 151 are connected to the pachinko parlor hall computer 208 via the management control board 206, so that the operation status of the pachinko machine can be managed.
[0033]
The main control board 150 stores a basic program related to the game, and the other sub-control boards 151 execute the program independently based on a command signal from the main control board 150.
[0034]
The payout control board 152 controls the payout prize ball device 162 to pay out pachinko balls in accordance with payouts at the time of lending balls and prize balls at the time of winning, and the voice control board 154 is provided in the pachinko machine 10. The output of the sound effects and the like from the speakers 64 and 66 is controlled. In addition, the lamp control board 156 controls turning on and off of the plurality of display lights 62 and 63 attached to the pachinko machine 10, and the firing control board 158 controls the firing device 164 so that the handle 30 of the player can be controlled by the player. Launch a pachinko ball according to the operation.
[0035]
The symbol display control board 160 is connected to the special symbol display device 43, and executes a display for providing a predetermined effect based on a command signal from the main control board 150.
[0036]
The main control board 150 includes a start winning sensor 168 provided in the starting port 46, a passing device 48, a winning sensor 171, 172 for detecting a pachinko ball winning the winning device 49, and a pachinko winning in the special winning opening 44. A special winning opening sensor 173 for detecting a ball is connected. The special winning opening 44 is provided with a V zone for continuing the opening and closing operation of the special winning opening, and a V zone sensor 177 is also provided in this V zone, which is connected to the main control board 150. ing.
[0037]
The main control board 150 is connected with a solenoid 174 for opening and closing the electric tulip 47 provided in the starting port 46 and a solenoid 175 for opening and closing the special winning opening 44.
[0038]
In addition, the main control board 150 performs random / outside lottery using a random number counter for a special symbol or a normal symbol, selects the display content on the special symbol display device 43 based on the lottery result, and sends an instruction signal to the symbol display control substrate 160. Is output. That is, data of different display contents based on a plurality of types of instruction signals is stored in the symbol display control board 160 in advance, and data is selected based on the instruction signals and activated.
[0039]
Although not shown, the main control board 150 also controls a normal symbol display device, a holding lamp, and the like provided on the game board 32.
[0040]
Here, the present embodiment has a function of shortening the symbol variation pattern. This shortening is performed by operating a shortening button 100 provided on the front surface of the ball plate portion 24 of the integrated plate 26 shown in FIG.
[0041]
Although shortening of the pattern fluctuation pattern (reduction by the intention of the player) has been conventionally proposed, one of the features of the present embodiment is that the symbol fluctuation pattern is maintained for a predetermined time (5 seconds in the present embodiment). ) Above, and in order to produce the shortest, and to give continuity to the story of the pattern fluctuation pattern.
[0042]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of skip destinations (skip patterns A to C shown in FIG. 4) are provided in advance.
[0043]
The skip pattern and the selection condition will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0044]
The horizontal axis in FIG. 4 is a time axis, and when the fluctuation starts at a predetermined time (see the arrow A in FIG. 4), the measurement of the fluctuation time t starts. The fluctuation time t ends when the shortening button 100 is operated, and first, a condition (1) is determined to determine whether the fluctuation time t is 5 seconds or more.
[0045]
The selection under the condition (1) is to select the pattern A if the fluctuation time until the shortening button 100 is operated is 5 seconds or more.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, three types of skip patterns A to C are prepared as described above, and each of the positions can be connected in a story regardless of the state in which the shortcut button 100 is operated. Is set to
[0047]
When the condition (1) is cleared, the shortest skip pattern (here, skip pattern A) is selected.
[0048]
On the other hand, if the condition (1) is not satisfied, the variation time (t1, t2, t3) of each of the skip patterns A to C is added to the variation time t, so that the time becomes 5 seconds or more. A skip pattern having a short time is selected (condition (2)).
[0049]
The condition (2) is selected by selecting the shortest time pattern in which the fluctuation time until the shortening button 100 is operated is less than 5 seconds, and adding t1, t2, and t3 to be 5 seconds or more. is there.
[0050]
Next, another feature of the shortened effect in the present embodiment is synchronization with sound effects by the speakers 64 and 66 which are executed simultaneously with the symbol variation pattern.
[0051]
That is, when designating a symbol change, a command signal is output from the main control board 150 (see FIG. 3) to the sub control board 151, and the sub control boards 151 are executed independently. . However, since each sub-control board 151 operates on the same time axis, the respective effects are performed in an apparently synchronized form.
[0052]
At this time, if the skip destination is determined in consideration of only the symbol variation, there is no connection to the sound effect, the rhythm, the sound pressure, and the like, which gives the player an uncomfortable feeling.
[0053]
Therefore, the skip patterns A to C are set in consideration of the condition that the connection of the sound effects is less uncomfortable.
[0054]
Note that the lamp operation also requires the continuity because the lamp operates on the same time axis in the same manner. However, there is no problem even if the blinking interval is slightly shifted (there is no sense of incongruity). Description is omitted.
[0055]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for selecting the skip pattern on the symbol display control board 160.
[0056]
The command signal from the main control board 150 (see FIG. 3) is input to the command signal analysis unit 102, whereby the command signal is analyzed and the symbol variation pattern is specified.
[0057]
A pattern signal indicating the specified symbol variation pattern is sent to the symbol variation pattern reading unit 104, and the symbol variation pattern reading unit 104 reads symbol variation pattern data from the symbol variation pattern memory 106 based on the pattern signal.
[0058]
The read symbol variation pattern data is sent to the symbol variation control unit 108, and the symbol variation control unit 108 controls the driver 43A of the special symbol display device 43 to display an image on the LCD 43.
[0059]
The above is the normal symbol variation control system. In the present embodiment, a shortening control system for skipping the symbol variation pattern based on the operation state of the shortcut button 100 is provided.
[0060]
That is, the shortcut button 100 is connected to the shortcut button operation recognizing unit 110, and receives an operation signal. When the operation signal (signal when the shortening button 100 is operated) is input, the shortening button operation recognizing section 110 sends a recognition signal to the fluctuation time calculation section 112, and the symbol fluctuation is performed based on the recognition signal. Is calculated from the start of the calculation. Specifically, the timer is started at the same time as the symbol change starts, and is stopped when the shortening operation button is operated.
[0061]
The calculated fluctuation time t is sent to the skip destination selection unit 114. A skip pattern memory 116 is connected to the skip destination selection unit 114. The skip pattern memory 116 stores three types of skip patterns A to C shown in FIG. Here, the skip destination selection unit 114 selects a skip pattern corresponding to the condition (1) or the condition (2) based on the fluctuation time t.
[0062]
The selected skip pattern is sent to skip destination designating section 118. The skip destination designating unit 118 sends a skip destination designating signal to the symbol variation control unit 108, and instructs a skip destination for the symbol variation that is being operated in the symbol variation control unit 108.
[0063]
When receiving the skip destination designation signal, the symbol variation control unit 108 immediately skips the variation screen to the skip destination on the time axis regardless of whether the variation screen is currently changing. Thus, the screen on the LCD 43A suddenly reaches the end and ends with the shortened fluctuation.
[0064]
The operation of the present embodiment will be described below.
[0065]
First, the flow of a normal game will be described.
[0066]
When the player grips the handle 30 and performs an operation for firing, a pachinko ball is launched with an intensity corresponding to the handle operation amount (rotation amount).
[0067]
When the pachinko ball is hit, the ball is guided by the outer band 36 and the inner band 38 and abuts against nails, windmills, and the like on the board 32, and falls while moving unpredictably. Here, when a pachinko ball is won in the starting port 46, a jackpot lottery is started with a predetermined probability using a random number counter. As a result of the jackpot lottery, when a win / miss is determined, a symbol variation pattern prepared in advance is selected (or a random number counter may be selected), and the symbol variation pattern is displayed on the special symbol display device 43. In this symbol variation pattern, there are various effects such as hitting through reach, out-of-reach, and out-of-reach, and the player can wait for the lottery result with a sense of expectation.
[0068]
If the result of the lottery is a hit, a jackpot process of a preset number of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) is executed. During the jackpot process, the special winning opening 44 is almost open, so that the player can be in an advantageous state. When the jackpot process of the predetermined round ends, the game returns to the normal game.
[0069]
Here, in the present embodiment, when the shortening operation button 100 is operated after the symbol change is started, immediately from the current operation, a plurality of skip destinations set in advance to the end on the time axis are selectively selected. And the symbol change can be completed in a short time. The operation of the shortening button 100 is left to the player, and it cannot be predicted when the operation will be performed.
[0070]
In this case, in the related art, since the control is immediately shifted to the fluctuation stop control immediately after the operation of the shortening operation button, there is a possibility that there is no connection between the image fluctuation state before skipping and the image fluctuation state after skipping. In addition, it may not be possible to secure the minimum time required to complete the story. Furthermore, it was necessary to provide a shortened operation prohibition period for executing the story.
[0071]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of skip destinations are set, and the skip destination is set based on the fluctuation time until the shortening operation button 100 is operated. In addition, the story was completed.
[0072]
Hereinafter, the symbol variation control including the skip control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0073]
In step 250, it is determined whether or not a command signal has been input from the main control board 150. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 252, where the command signal is analyzed. In addition, the design fluctuation pattern is specified by the analysis.
[0074]
In the next step 254, the symbol variation pattern is read from the symbol variation pattern memory 106, and then the process proceeds to step 256 to start changing the symbol variation pattern.
[0075]
When the symbol change is started, in the next step 258, the timer t is reset / started, and the routine proceeds to step 260.
[0076]
In step 260, it is determined whether or not the shortening button 100 has been operated. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 262, and it is determined whether or not the change has been completed. If a negative determination is made in step 262, the process returns to step 260, and steps 260 and 262 are repeated until a positive determination is made in any of the steps.
[0077]
If an affirmative determination is made in step 260, the process proceeds to step 264 to stop the timer t, and then in step 266 it is determined whether the time measured by the timer t is 5 seconds or longer.
[0078]
If an affirmative determination is made in step 266, the process proceeds to step 268, where the shortest skip pattern (in this embodiment, skip pattern A) is selected, and the process proceeds to step 272. If a negative determination is made in step 266, the process proceeds to step 270, and a skip pattern having a time shorter than 5 seconds (5-t) and the shortest time is selected, and the process proceeds to step 272. Transition.
[0079]
In step 272, the current symbol variation state is skipped to the skip destination of the skip pattern selected in step 268 or step 270, and the process proceeds to step 262.
[0080]
In step 262, it is determined whether or not the symbol change has been completed as described above. If an affirmative determination is made, this routine ends.
[0081]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the shortening button 100 is operated on the symbol display control board 160, the fluctuation time until the shortening button 100 is operated is measured, and based on the measured time t. Since a skip pattern that satisfies either the condition (1) or the condition (2) is selected from a plurality of preset skip patterns A to C and skipped to the selected skip destination, the story is completed. The required minimum time can be ensured, and since the skip destination is a preset skip destination, the connection of images and the like can be considered, so that the player does not feel uncomfortable.
[0082]
Note that the skip control performed by the symbol display control board 160 is preferably skipped by the same control on the audio control board 154. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, skip patterns A _Z , B _Z , C _Z , D _Z , and E _Z set for visual notification on the symbol display control board 160 and the voice control board 154. In the skip patterns A _O , B _O , C _Y , D _O , E _O , and F _O set for notification through hearing, a common term on the time axis is selected (A _Z in FIG. 7). , B _Z , C _Z and A _O , B _O , E _O ), even if they operate independently, it is possible to maintain apparent synchronization. The skip patterns A _Z , B _Z , C _Z , D _Z , and E _Z are appropriate as visually related skip destinations. The skip patterns A _O , B _O , C _Y , D _O , E _O , F _O is appropriate as a skip destination with an auditory connection.
[0083]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a minimum required information production time is ensured for information executed independently on the same time axis through visual and auditory senses, and a visual story and electronic The short notification can be performed without giving a sense of incongruity to the connection of decorations (lamp) and the connection of auditory sounds.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system in the pachinko machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a time chart schematically showing a skip state to a skip pattern according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a control block diagram for symbol display control including skip control according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a symbol display control procedure including skip control according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a procedure for selecting a skip pattern common to both visual and auditory notification.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Pachinko machines (game machines)
32 game board 42 center role 43 special symbol display device (information device through vision)
46 Starting ports 64, 66 Loudspeaker (information device through hearing)
100 Shortcut button (shortcut instruction means)
102 Command signal analysis unit 104 Symbol variation pattern reading unit 106 Symbol variation pattern memory 108 Symbol variation control unit 110 Short button operation recognition unit 112 Variation time calculation unit 114 Skip destination selection unit (skip means)
116 skip pattern memory (skip means)
118 Skip destination designation part (skip means)
150 Main control board (start instruction means)
160 Symbol fluctuation control board 168 Start winning sensor

Claims (2)

A gaming machine provided with an informing means for informing a player of a result of the lottery through visual and auditory senses, in which the lottery is performed in response to a prize of a game ball to a starting opening,
A visual informing device for informing through the visual sense, and a start instructing unit for instructing the informing start independently to both of the auditory informing devices for informing through the hearing,
Based on the instruction by the start instructing unit, the visual informing device and the auditory informing device are controlled, so that both are informed along the same time axis,
Shortening instructing means for instructing shortening of the notification time,
At the time of the shortening instruction by the shortening instruction means, skip means for skipping to the end of the notification on the time axis,
The skip means sets a plurality of skip destinations at the end of the time axis in advance, secures at least a minimum time required for visual notification, and selects a skip destination having the shortest notification time. A gaming machine characterized by: 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of skip destinations are positions where there is no sense of incongruity in both the notification through the visual sense and the notification through the auditory sense.

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