JP2005131297A - Pinball machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinball machine having an improved amusement property further regardless of players by more simplified performances. <P>SOLUTION: In a Pachinko game machine 10, in the case that a drawing result is big winning, the ON/OFF of a complete advance notice mode for surely notifying that it is the big winning before stopping patterns is set through the manual operation of an input part 100 by the player. In the case that the complete advance notice mode is ON and the drawing result is the big winning, fixed time before stopping the patterns, the player is notified of the big winning through at least one of the lighting of a notifying lamp 102, sound output from a loudspeaker 104 and the display of a notifying image 106 at a pattern display device 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine, and more particularly to a technology for controlling production contents for enhancing the amusement of the ball game machine.

  Conventionally, among the various ball game machines, in particular, the first type pachinko game machine displays a plurality of symbols in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially at the center of the game board (hereinafter referred to as such). The display is called “symbol change” or “change display”). This game machine is a special game called so-called jackpot, in which a larger number of prize balls can be obtained than usual when the special symbol when the symbol variation is stopped according to the result of the lottery becomes a specific aspect. It is known as a transition (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The variable display of the symbols in the display area is not only a variable display of the symbols, but also the time of the variable display in a state where it is a big hit if one more symbols are aligned, as in the so-called reach screen. For example, it is made longer to increase the player's expectation. In addition, the player's expectation is enhanced by such control that a character is used for an image such as a design to give a story to the variable display, or the probability of transition to a special game is changed.

In recent years, it has become common to visually produce a lottery result using a decorative design instead of a special design. Since special symbols have many restrictions on expression, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of expression is increased by performing using the decorative symbols. Also, the control processing in the gaming machine is divided into, for example, the main board and the sub board, and the effect process using the decorative design is performed on the sub board side, so that the main process and the effect process in the gaming machine can be developed separately. There are also development advantages. In addition to the effects using such decorative patterns, there is a tendency to actively incorporate effects using electrical decorations, accessories, and audio. Here, Toyomaru Sangyo's pachinko machine “CR Hisai Musume.” (For example, see Non-Patent Document 1), if the result of the lottery is a win, it is an area other than the liquid crystal display with a predetermined probability. It has a function to display.
JP 2003-230714 A “Pachinko Strategy Magazine”, Futabasha Co., Ltd., April 24, 2003, No. 2003.5.24, p. 25

  However, while the degree of freedom of production has increased due to the use of decorative symbols and the like, the content of the production also tends to be complicated, and there are actually players who do not necessarily like it. In addition, regarding the display method disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, whether or not to display a win in an area other than the liquid crystal display depends on the probability set in advance in the gaming machine, and such setting is preferred. Some players are not. Therefore, although the production content goes against the sophistication and complexity, there is a case where the production which is simplified or simplified by returning to the origin produces freshness and is preferred.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, The objective is to provide the bullet ball game machine which can improve amusement property further irrespective of a player.

  In order to solve the above problems, a ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention provides a start winning processing unit that acquires start winning information indicating a drop in a game ball into a start winning opening, and acquires start winning information. A lottery execution unit that executes a lottery as an opportunity, a pattern determination unit that determines a display pattern indicating a display order of the symbol variation based on a result of the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit, and a symbol variation with the determined display pattern Based on the instructions of the player, the display processing unit to be displayed on the display device, the notification processing unit that notifies the winning before the symbol change stops if the lottery result is a winning, and whether or not the winning is surely notified A notification setting section for switching.

  According to this aspect of the ball game machine, if the mode for making a successful announcement is set by the player's selection, if the result of the lottery is successful, that fact will be announced, and a win will occur without notification. There is nothing. Therefore, even if the lottery result is a win, there is a higher expectation that notification will appear than a model that may not be notified, and entertainment is high. Further, since the player can arbitrarily set the presence or absence of the notification, the player who does not like the notification can fully enjoy the game.

  The notification processing unit randomly decides whether or not to forcibly announce the win if the result of the lottery is a win when the mode is set to a mode other than the mode that always notifies the win by the notification setting unit However, the winning may be announced according to the result of the determination. In this case, even if the notification mode is not always set, it is possible to enhance the entertainment by the unexpectedness of unexpectedly appearing the notification.

  The notification processing unit may notify the winning a predetermined time before the timing when the winning symbol that is variably displayed stops. In this case, since the player does not realize whether or not a notice appears until immediately before the symbol to be displayed in a variable manner is stopped, the player's expectation can be maintained for a long time. Further, even if the lottery result is not successful, the player does not realize that the notice does not appear until the symbol stops, so that the player's sense of expectation is not lost.

  A holding number acquisition unit for acquiring the number of lottery results stored within a predetermined number as a holding number, which is a result of the lottery made in response to a drop in the starting winning opening of the game ball during the variable display You may prepare. When the number of holds is 1 or more, the notification processing unit may notify the winning if there is a winning in the stored lottery result. In this case, the waiting time varies from the appearance of the notice to the display of the winning symbol, and the player's expectation can be further enhanced.

  The notification processing unit may notify the winning using at least one of a change in display content on the display device, lamp lighting, and audio output. As described above, there are various notification methods, and when a plurality of notification means are provided in one model, the notification method may be changed for each hit, and entertainment can be further enhanced.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention may be mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, whether or not the lottery result is notified can be set according to the player's preference, and the entertainment can be further enhanced regardless of the player.

  The ball ball game machine in the embodiment is a first-class pachinko game machine, and the game proceeds in a mode (hereinafter referred to as “complete first notice mode”) in which a lottery result is surely notified. be able to. This gaming machine can be switched on / off of the complete advance notification mode according to the player's preference. The player can manually switch on / off the complete advance notification mode by pressing an input button provided on the outer peripheral portion of the pachinko gaming machine. Hereinafter, after giving a general description of the pachinko gaming machine, details of the embodiment will be described.

(General description)
FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. Hereinafter, a so-called first-type pachinko game machine will be described as an example of a ball game machine. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board surface.

  The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a glass door 13, a set board 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 is a frame having an opening, and is fixed at a position where the pachinko gaming machine 10 is to be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be freely opened and closed. The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The glass door 13 and the set board 14 are attached to the front frame 12 so as to be freely opened and closed. The set board 14 includes a storage tank for prize balls, a flow path for prize balls, a prize ball apparatus for paying prize balls, and the like. The prize balls paid out from the prize ball device are supplied to the upper ball tray 15 or the lower ball tray 16 via a predetermined flow path. The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending out the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. When the player rotates the firing handle 17, the game ball is launched, and when the single shot switch near the launch handle 17 is pressed, the launch of the game ball is temporarily stopped.

  On the game board surface of the pachinko gaming machine 10, there are a large number of game nails 20, a windmill 21, an outer rail 22 and an inner rail 23, a general winning port 24, an out port 25, a symbol display device 26, a center decoration component 27, A one-type start winning opening (hereinafter referred to as “start opening”) 28, a large winning opening 29, a normal symbol operating port 30, and a normal symbol display device 32 are provided. A large number of game nails 20 and windmills 21 change the falling direction of the launched game balls. The outer rail 22 guides the launched game ball to the game area 31, and the inner rail 23 defines the game area 31. A game ball dropped into each winning port such as the general winning port 24 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball flowing into the out port 25 is processed as an out ball. Note that each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes, and “incoming” in this specification includes “passing”.

  The symbol display device 26 displays on the screen while changing a symbol called a first type special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol”) and a decorative symbol linked to the special symbol. Here, the special symbol is a symbol for indicating whether or not to generate a jackpot according to the result of the lottery performed when the game ball falls into the start port 28, and the decorative symbol is the result of the lottery. It is a design for producing visually. The symbol display device 26 is composed of a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays a moving image of symbol variation imitating a slot machine game as a decorative symbol in the central area of the screen. When displaying a decorative symbol, the special symbol does not need to have an effect role, and is displayed in an inconspicuous area at the corner of the symbol display device 26. The special symbol may take a display form in which the symbols of “O” and “X” are repeated during the fluctuation, but in the following, a case of taking a display mode in which numbers from 0 to 9 are repeated is shown. The special symbol stop symbol indicates whether or not it is a jackpot. For example, when the stop symbol is “3”, the jackpot is displayed. When the stop symbol is “7”, the jackpot with probability variation is displayed. It may indicate a miss. Note that the jackpot with probability variation means a jackpot subject to probability variation.

  A center decorative component 27 is provided around the symbol display device 26, and has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the symbol display device 26, and decoration. One or a plurality of start ports 28 are provided at a position such as below the center decorative component 27, for example. The big winning opening 29 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol stops in a specific manner, and is provided, for example, above the out opening 25. The inside of the special winning opening 29 is divided into a specific area (so-called V zone) and a general area. On the normal symbol display device 32, symbols such as numbers are variably displayed as normal symbols. The normal symbol variation display is started when a game ball enters the normal symbol operating port 30. The normal symbol display device 32 is composed of, for example, a 7-segment display.

  When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are launched one by one into the game area 31 with the strength corresponding to the turning angle, and the player launches the launch handle 17. When the rotation position is fixed by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at a constant time interval. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 31 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting the plurality of game nails 20, and when it falls into each prize opening such as the general prize opening 24 and the start opening 28, the prize is given. A prize ball corresponding to the type of mouth is paid out to the upper ball tray 15. When the game ball falls into the start opening 28, the special symbol and the decorative symbol are variably displayed on the symbol display device 26. The variation display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is stopped after a certain time has elapsed, and when the special symbol at the time of the stop is in a specific mode, the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 29 is started as a so-called “big hit”. At this time, the decorative symbol imitating the game of the slot machine takes a display mode in which, for example, three symbols are matched.

  The special winning opening 29 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after 10 or more game balls are dropped. If at least one game ball falls into the specific area while the big prize opening 29 is open, the big prize opening 29 is opened again. In this way, the opening / closing of the big prize opening 29 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times, on condition that at least one or more game balls drop into the specific area while the big prize opening 29 is opened once.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 41 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as lottery when winning the start opening 28 in particular. The sub board 49 includes a liquid crystal unit 42, controls display contents on the symbol display device 26, and changes display contents according to a lottery result by the main board 41 in particular. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 31 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 3 is a basic functional block diagram focusing on a configuration for controlling a game in the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main control unit 70 corresponds to the function of the main board 41 in FIG. 2 and mainly controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the basic operation of the game. The sub-control unit 80 corresponds to the function of the sub-board 49 of FIG. 2 and mainly controls staging operations such as decorative display variation display and illumination around the pachinko gaming machine 10. Instruction signals relating to various controls are sent from the main control unit 70 to the sub control unit 80, but feedback information or signals are not sent from the sub control unit 80 to the main control unit 70. To one-way communication to the sub-control unit 80. The main control unit 70 and the sub control unit 80 include elements such as a ROM for storing data and programs and a CPU used for arithmetic processing in terms of hardware. In this figure, the various functions are divided into the main control unit 70 and the sub control unit 80, but the division method is not limited to the illustrated example. Further, the main control unit 70 and the sub control unit 80 may be configured integrally.

  The general winning detection unit 50 is a sensor provided in the general winning opening 24, detects the falling of a game ball into the general winning opening 24, and displays the general winning information indicating that there has been a general winning. The data is sent to the processing unit 55. When receiving the general winning information from the general winning detection unit 50, the general winning processing unit 55 sends a payout instruction such as the number of prize balls to the payout control unit 79 of the payout control board 45.

  The start winning detection unit 51 is a sensor provided in the start opening 28, detects a drop of a game ball into the start opening 28, and indicates start win information indicating that the drop has occurred. Send to 56. Upon receiving the start winning information from the start winning detection unit 51, the start winning processing unit 56 sends a payout instruction such as the number of prize balls to the payout control unit 79, and also to a special symbol lottery execution unit 60 that executes a lottery for the start win. Send lottery instructions.

  The special symbol lottery execution unit 60 receives the start winning information, and specifically receives a lottery instruction from the start winning detection unit 51 and then executes the lottery. The special symbol lottery execution unit 60 generates a random number for the start winning and determines a random number determination unit 72, acquires a random number to determine whether or not the lottery is successful, and determines whether the lottery is successful or not. A special symbol determining unit 62 that determines a stop symbol and a special symbol pattern determining unit 73 that determines a display pattern of the special symbol are included. The special symbol may be composed of numbers, symbols, marks, etc., for example, and in the present embodiment, it is composed of numbers from 0 to 9. Each time the random number determination unit 72 receives a lottery instruction from the start winning processing unit 56, the random number determination unit 72 generates a count value in a predetermined count range, for example, a range from 0 to 65535, as a random number, and stores the random number in the special symbol hold storage unit 63 To do. The special symbol hold storage unit 63 has a storage area that can store a predetermined number, for example, a maximum of four random numbers, as an upper limit of the number of holds, and when the reserved number is stored, a random number larger than that until a free area is generated Do not remember. If the symbol variation is not performed at the time of determining the random number, the random number determination unit 72 sends the random number to the success / failure determination unit 61 without storing the random number in the special symbol hold storage unit 63.

  The success / failure determination unit 61 determines whether the lottery result is “big hit” or “out” according to the random number value stored in the special symbol hold storage unit 63 or according to the random number value directly sent from the random number determination unit 72. Which of the following is determined. These results are respectively defined in the form of numerical ranges in the success / failure table of the success / failure determination unit 61. In the success / failure table, for example, the range from 0 to 207 is the jackpot value range, and the range from 208 to 65535 is the outlier range. A part of the jackpot value range from 0 to 207 may be set as a jackpot range with probability variation. The special symbol determination unit 62 determines the symbol number of the stop symbol of the special symbol according to the lottery result by the success / failure determination unit 61. When the display mode of the special symbol is to repeatedly display numbers from 0 to 9 during symbol variation, if the lottery result is a big hit, “3”, if the lottery with probability variation is “7”, If it is off, other numbers are determined as stop symbols. The special symbol pattern determination unit 73 determines a display pattern of the special symbol, for example, determines a variation time of the special symbol.

  The determination of the success / failure by the determination unit 61, the determination of the special symbol stoppage by the special symbol determination unit 62, and the determination of the special symbol display pattern by the special symbol pattern determination unit 73, the symbol variation based on the previous lottery result ends. This is performed when the effect display based on the current lottery result is started. Note that the execution timing of these processes may be performed when the random number determination unit 72 determines a random number. The number of random numbers held by the special symbol storage unit 63, the success / failure result by the success / failure determination unit 61, the symbol number of the stop symbol by the special symbol determination unit 62, and the display pattern number of the special symbol by the special symbol pattern determination unit 73 are sub-control units. 80.

  The display processing unit 74 displays a special symbol in the upper right corner of the symbol display device 26 according to the determined special symbol display pattern and stop symbol. Specifically, as the display pattern of the special symbol, it is determined that the variation time of the special symbol is 60 seconds, the stop symbol is “3”, and the stop symbol is displayed in the last 2 seconds of the variation time. If it is determined that the display processing unit 74 cyclically displays the numbers from 0 to 9 until 58 seconds have elapsed from the start of fluctuation, and then 60 seconds after 58 seconds have elapsed. “3” is displayed as a stop symbol until the time elapses. Note that the special symbol may be displayed in another place in the symbol display device 26 or may be displayed on a display unit provided other than the symbol display device 26. Further, the display processing unit 74 displays the number of special symbols on hold in the screen of the symbol display device 26, that is, up to four random numbers for which the special symbols are not yet displayed. Note that the number of holds may also be displayed on a display unit other than the symbol display device 26.

  The sub-control unit 80 includes a decorative symbol determination unit 82, a decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84, a decorative symbol pattern storage unit 86, and a display processing unit 92. The decorative symbol determination unit 82 determines a stop symbol of the decorative symbol to be displayed on the symbol display device 26 based on the result of the determination in the determination unit 61. The decorative symbol determination unit 82 may determine the stop symbol of the decorative symbol based on the stop symbol number of the special symbol determined by the special symbol determination unit 62. The decorative symbol determination unit 82 has a table in which the result of the determination or the symbol number of the special symbol is associated with the symbol number of the decorative symbol, and determines the stop symbol of the decorative symbol based on this table. In this table, for example, the decorative symbol associated with the special symbol of “7” is “111,” “333,” “555,” “777,” “999,” which indicates to the player that it is a jackpot with probability variation. The decorative symbol associated with the special symbol which is an odd symbol “3” may be an even symbol “000” “222” “444” “666” “888”. As described above, there is no need for one-to-one correspondence between the special symbol and the decorative symbol, and a plurality of decorative symbol images may be associated with the symbol number of the special symbol. The decorative symbol determination unit 82 may select and determine any one of the plurality of associated decorative symbols.

  As described above, a table in which special symbols and decorative symbols are associated with each other may be prepared in advance. However, when three rows of stopped symbols are displayed as decorative symbols on the screen of the symbol display device 26, the decoration is displayed. The symbol determination unit 82 may select each symbol number of the left symbol, the central symbol, and the right symbol at random within a predetermined symbol number range. However, the decorative symbol determination unit 82 determines each symbol number so that the left symbol, the central symbol, and the right symbol are the same when the stop symbol number of the special symbol indicates “big hit”, and further stops the special symbol. When the number indicates “big jackpot with probability variation”, the symbol number that indicates to the player that the jackpot with probability variation is determined. On the other hand, if the result is “out” or the stop symbol number of the special symbol indicates “out”, the special symbol determination unit 62 determines that at least one of the left symbol, the central symbol, and the right symbol is another symbol. Each symbol number is determined so as not to match.

  The decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 determines at least a display pattern indicating the display order of the symbol variation of the decorative symbol based on the lottery result. Specifically, the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 generates a decorative symbol image, a decorative symbol display pattern, and a variable display effect pattern based on the special symbol display pattern number determined by the special symbol pattern determining unit 73. decide. The decorative symbol pattern storage unit 86 stores various images such as a decorative symbol image, a background image, and a character image, and in what display form these images are changed in the screen of the symbol display device 26. And a plurality of effect patterns that determine how to reach or produce the reach operation. The image of the decorative symbol is associated with the symbol number of the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining unit 62 of the special symbol lottery executing unit 60, and the variation pattern and the effect pattern are determined by the special symbol pattern determining unit 73. It is associated with the display pattern of the special symbol. The decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 determines a display pattern indicating the display order of the symbol variation of the decorative symbol up to the stop symbol and an effect pattern in the display order. This effect pattern also indicates the display order directly or indirectly, and in this sense, it can also be called a display pattern indicating the display order. Note that the variation time of the decorative symbol is set equal to the variation time of the special symbol. The display processing unit 92 causes the symbol display device 26 to display the variation of the decorative symbol in the decorative symbol display pattern and the effect pattern determined by the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84, and the decorative symbol determining unit 82 determines the variation after the variation is completed. The stop symbol of the decorated decoration is displayed.

  In the main control unit 70, when the display processing unit 74 starts to display the variation of the special symbol, the display processing unit 74 sends a variation start instruction to the display processing unit 92 of the sub-control unit 80 to count the display time of the symbol variation. When the display processing unit 92 of the sub-control unit 80 receives the change start instruction, the display processing unit 92 starts to display the decorative symbol change display. The display processing unit 74 displays the special symbol stop symbol on the symbol display device 26 at the timing when the special symbol variation time ends, and sends a variable display stop instruction to the sub-control unit 80. Upon receiving the variable display stop instruction, the display processing unit 92 displays the decorative symbol stop symbol on the symbol display device 26. Thereby, the display process by one lottery result is complete | finished.

  When the random number value read from the special symbol hold storage unit 63 is a jackpot value, the success / failure determination unit 61 sends a special game start instruction to the special game execution unit 64 after the stop symbol is displayed. The special game execution unit 64 includes a special game processing unit 65, a continuation determination unit 66, and a probability variation determination unit 67. The special game processing unit 65 sends an instruction to open the big prize opening to the big prize processing unit 58. The special prize processing unit 58 opens the special prize opening 29 based on the opening instruction received from the special game processing unit 65. The game ball that falls into the opened big winning opening 29 is detected by the big winning detecting unit 53 that is a sensor provided in the big winning opening 29, and when the gaming ball falls into the big winning opening 29, the big winning prize is obtained. The processing unit 58 sends a payout instruction such as the number of prize balls to the payout control unit 79 and counts the number of game balls falling in one open of the big winning opening 29. The big prize processing unit 58 temporarily closes the big prize opening 29 when an opening period of about 30 seconds elapses or when ten game balls drop into the big prize opening 29 reach.

  The area passage detection unit 54 is a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball to a specific area (V zone) provided in the special winning opening 29, and specific area passage information indicating that a game ball has passed. Is sent to the region passage processing unit 59. The region passage processing unit 59 receives the specific region passage information from the region passage detection unit 54 and sends it to the continuation determination unit 66 of the special game execution unit 64. The continuation determination unit 66 instructs the special game processing unit 65 to perform the next opening when the passing of one or more balls to the specific area is detected in the opening of the one big winning opening 29. The special game processing unit 65 repeats the special winning opening 29 up to 15 times in the open state under the continuation condition that the continuation determination unit 66 has determined passage of the specific area. The probability variation determination unit 67 determines whether the game after the big hit is a normal game or a probability variation game with a high winning probability according to the stop symbol pattern of the special symbol, and the determination result is a probability variation execution unit 68. Send to. The probability variation determination unit 67 determines that the next game should be transferred to the probability variation game when the stop symbol is a specific symbol.

  When the probability change execution unit 68 receives a determination from the probability change determination unit 67 that it should shift to the probability variation game, the probability change execution unit 68 changes the success / failure table of the success / failure determination unit 61 to the probability variation game. For example, the range of the jackpot value in the normal game is from 0 to 207, while the range of the jackpot value in the probability variation game is from 0 to 1093. Thereby, the jackpot probability at the time of the probability variation game becomes larger than that at the time of the normal game.

  The operation detection unit 52 is a sensor provided inside the normal symbol operation port 30, detects the ingress of the game ball into the normal symbol operation port 30, and displays the normal symbol operation information indicating that the intrusion has occurred. This is sent to the operation processing unit 57. When receiving the normal symbol operation information from the operation detection unit 52, the operation processing unit 57 sends a normal symbol lottery instruction to the normal symbol lottery execution unit 69. When the normal symbol lottery execution unit 69 receives the lottery instruction, the normal symbol lottery execution unit 69 acquires a random number as the lottery result and stores the random number in the normal symbol holding storage unit 71. The normal symbol lottery execution unit 69 acquires a count value in the range from 0 to 9, for example, as a random number for the normal symbol lottery. The normal symbol holding storage unit 71 has a storage area for storing a predetermined number of random numbers, for example, a maximum of four random numbers as the normal symbol lottery results. The normal symbol lottery execution unit 69 reads a random number from the normal symbol hold storage unit 71 and determines whether or not the lottery is appropriate. For example, 7 is defined as a winning value and a value other than 7 is defined as an outlier in the success / failure table of the normal symbol lottery execution unit 69. The normal symbol lottery execution unit 69 determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery is successful based on whether the read random number is a winning value or an outlier. The determination result is sent to the display processing unit 74 and the operation processing unit 57. The display processing unit 74 causes the normal symbol display device 32 to display the symbol variation of the normal symbol having the received random value as the stop symbol. When the operation processing unit 57 receives the winning determination result from the normal symbol lottery execution unit 69, the operation processing unit 57 operates the movable pieces (so-called electric tulips) provided on both sides of the predetermined winning port, for example, the start port 28 for a certain period of time. The game ball is more likely to fall into the start port 28 than in the normal state.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of shifting from a normal game to a special game. First, when the start winning detection unit 51 detects the drop of the game ball into the start port 28 (Y in S10), the random number determination unit 72 determines whether or not the symbol is changing (S12). If the symbol is not changing (N in S12), the random number determination unit 72 determines a random number (S14), and the winning / not determining unit 61 determines whether or not the lottery is appropriate based on the random number (S28). On the other hand, if the symbol is changing (Y of S12), the random number determination unit 72 determines whether or not the random number can be stored in the special symbol storage unit 63 (S16). For example, if four random numbers are held in the special symbol hold storage unit 63 during symbol change, no more random numbers can be held (N in S16), so the special symbol hold storage unit 63 stores the random number. Do not get. If the random number cannot be suspended, the random number determination unit 72 may not generate the random number itself ignoring the winning. On the other hand, if the number of reserved random numbers is within three, it is determined that the storage area for storing random numbers is free (Y in S16). In this case, the random number determination unit 72 determines a random number (S18), and stores the random number in an empty area of the special symbol reservation storage unit 63 (S20). If the random number cannot be suspended in S16 (N in S16), the steps S18 and S20 are skipped.

  In S10, if there is no winning at the starting port 28 (N in S10), the success / failure determination unit 61 determines whether or not a random number is stored in the special symbol storage unit 63 (S22). If it is not held (N in S22), this flow is ended, and if it is held (Y in S22), it waits for the end of the symbol variation performed at that time. Note that the case where the random number is held indicates a state in which a winning has occurred before and the symbol variation of the winning lottery result has not yet been performed. At this time, in the symbol display device 26, the special symbol and the decorative symbol are displayed in a variable manner for the winning lottery result before the holding ball. Note that the symbol variation in S12 and the symbol variation displayed at the time of determination in S22 are referred to as “previous symbol variation” in this flow for convenience of explanation, and the symbol variation following this is referred to as “the current symbol variation”. This will be called “variation”.

  When the previous symbol variation is completed, the success / failure determination unit 61 reads out the random number stored first as the lottery result among the lottery results held in the special symbol hold storage unit 63 and erases the stored content (S24). If random numbers of lottery results are stored in the second and subsequent areas, they are each shifted to the previous storage area (S26). The success / failure determination unit 61 determines whether or not the lottery is successful based on the read random number (S28), and subsequently the display content of the symbol variation is determined. The display processing unit 74 and the display processing unit 92 variably display the special symbol and the decorative symbol of the current time on the symbol display device 26 (S30). If the random number is a jackpot value as a result of the success / failure determination in S28 (Y in S32), the game shifts to a special game (S34), and if the random number in the lottery result is an outlier (N in S32). , S34 is skipped.

  When the current symbol variation ends, the success / failure determination unit 61 determines whether or not a random number is reserved in the special symbol storage unit 63 (S38). If it is held (Y in S38), the steps from S24 to S34 are repeated, and if it is not held (N in S38), this flow is terminated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail the process for determining whether or not the lottery is successful in S28 of FIG. Below, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are used to show the determination of whether or not the lottery is successful and the determination of the display content of the subsequent symbol variation. FIG. 5 shows processing S28a in the main control unit 70, and FIG. 6 shows processing S28b in the sub-control unit 80.

  When the random number read by the success / failure determination unit 61 in S24 or the random number determined in S14 corresponds to the jackpot value (Y in S50), it is further determined whether or not the random number is a jackpot value with probability variation. (S51). In the case of the jackpot value with probability variation (Y in S51), the special symbol determination unit 62 determines the stop symbol of the special symbol for probability variation, and the special symbol pattern determination unit 73 determines the special symbol for probability variation. A display pattern is determined (S52). When it is not a jackpot value with probability variation (N in S51), the special symbol determination unit 62 determines a stop symbol of a special symbol for normal winning, and the special symbol pattern determination unit 73 displays a special symbol for normal winning. A pattern is determined (S53). In S50, when the random number is an outlier (N in S50), the special symbol determining unit 62 determines a stop symbol of the special symbol for detachment, and the special symbol pattern determining unit 73 is a special symbol for losing. A symbol display pattern is determined (S54). As a result of the determination, the stop symbol and the display pattern of the special symbol are sent to the sub-control unit 80.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the decorative symbol determination process. The decorative symbol determination unit 82 determines the stop symbol of the decorative symbol based on the result of the determination or the stop symbol of the special symbol (S60). Subsequently, the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 determines whether or not to reach the decorative symbol based on the display pattern of the special symbol (S61). This determination may be made based on the time length of the special symbol display pattern. For example, if the variation time of the special symbol is longer than the first predetermined time, it is determined that the reach effect is to be performed (Y of S61), while if it is shorter than the first predetermined time, it is determined that the reach effect is not performed. (N in S61). If the lottery result indicates that the lottery result is a big win due to the result of the success or failure or the special symbol stop symbol, it is determined in S61 that a reach effect is always performed regardless of the variation time of the special symbol (Y in S61). ). The decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 determines whether or not to perform a super reach effect when performing a reach effect (S62). This determination may also be made based on the variation time of the special symbol. For example, if the variation time of the special symbol is longer than the second predetermined time, it is determined to perform the super reach effect (Y of S62), and if it is shorter than the second predetermined time, the super reach effect is not performed. It is determined to perform a normal reach production (N in S62). When performing the super reach effect (Y of S62), the decorative design pattern determining unit 84 determines the pattern of the decorative design for super reach (S63). When performing a normal reach effect (N in S62), the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 determines a decorative symbol pattern for normal reach (S64). When the reach effect is not performed (N in S61), the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 determines a decorative symbol pattern without reach (S65). The decorative symbol pattern here is a series of display patterns that define the display order from the start to the end of the variation of the decorative symbol.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation of the special game in S34 of FIG. When the special game starts, the big prize processing unit 58 opens the big prize opening 29 (S70), and when the big prize detection unit 53 detects the drop of the game ball into the big prize opening 29 (Y in S71), the big prize winning unit 29 opens. The winning processing unit 58 counts the number of balls (S72), and when the region passing detection unit 54 detects that the game ball dropped into the big winning opening 29 has passed the specific region (Y in S73), the region passing The processing unit 59 turns on the passage flag (S74). If no drop of the game ball to the special winning opening 29 is detected (N in S71), S72 to S74 are skipped. When the game ball dropped into the special winning opening 29 does not pass through the specific area (N in S73), S74 is skipped, and the area passage processing unit 59 leaves the passage flag as it is. The processing from S71 to S74 is repeated until the count value of the number of dropped balls to the big winning opening 29 reaches 10 balls or more, or until the opening time of the big winning opening 29 reaches 30 seconds (N in S75). When any one of these conditions is reached (Y in S75), the big prize processing unit 58 temporarily closes the big prize opening 29 (S76). Here, if the passing flag is on (Y of S77), the passing flag and the count value of the number of falling balls are reset as having passed to the specific area (S78), and the number of rounds of the special game is set. Increment (S79) and repeat the processing from S70 to S79 until the number of rounds reaches 15 (N in S80). When the number of rounds reaches 15 (Y in S80), or when the passing flag is not turned on (N in S77), the special game is terminated. The above is a general description of a pachinko gaming machine.

(Example)
The pachinko gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment further has the following configuration and functions in addition to the configuration and functions of the general pachinko gaming machine described above.

  FIG. 8 shows the structure on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment. As a configuration added to the structure shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an input unit 100 that accepts an input by a manual operation from a player. The player turns on / off the complete advance notification mode through a manual operation on the input unit 100. The input unit 100 may be formed as a mechanical button, for example, or may be formed as an infrared sensor or a touch sensor. The player can input an instruction to the input unit 100 by performing a predetermined manual operation such as pressing on the input unit 100. It is preferable that the input unit 100 is provided on the left side of the pachinko gaming machine 10 so that the player can operate with a free left hand. Furthermore, since the input unit 100 is formed with a relatively large diameter, it is easy for the player to operate. Through such an operation, the player can turn on / off the complete advance notification mode according to his / her preference.

  The pachinko gaming machine 10 further includes a notification lamp 102 and a speaker 104. When the player turns on the complete advance notification mode, the pachinko gaming machine 10 uses the display on the symbol display device 26, the lighting of the notification lamp 102, or the sound output from the speaker 104 to win the lottery result. Inform the player to that effect. For example, the symbol display device 26 may display a notification image 106 that suggests that the symbol that is currently being displayed in a variation is a big hit, or may output a special sound effect from the speaker 104 in accordance with the display. Good. The notification lamp 102 may be blinked. Any one of the three notification means of the notification lamp 102, the speaker 104, and the notification image 106 may be used at random, or some of them may be notified together. .

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram centering on a configuration for controlling a game in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment. The configurations denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 have the same or similar functions as the configurations described in FIG. As a configuration added to FIG. 3, the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an input detection unit 110, a notification setting unit 93, a notification processing unit 94, and a reserved number acquisition unit 95. The notification setting unit 93, the notification processing unit 94, and the reserved number acquisition unit 95 are included in the sub control unit 80.

  The input detection unit 110 detects a player switching instruction regarding on / off of the complete advance notification mode input via the input unit 100. For example, when the player presses the input unit 100 while the symbol variation is stopped, the notification setting unit 93 causes the symbol display device 26 to display a setting screen regarding on / off switching of the complete first notification mode. In the setting screen, the player selects ON or OFF of the complete advance notification mode by pressing the input unit 100. The notification setting unit 93 switches on / off of the complete first notification mode based on a player switching instruction received from the input detection unit 110. The notification processing unit 94 determines at random whether to notify using the lighting of the notification lamp 102, the sound output from the speaker 104, or the display of the notification image 106.

  When the complete prior notification mode is turned on and the lottery result determined to be a success / failure by the success / failure determination unit 61 is a jackpot, the notification processing unit 94 notifies the jackpot. The notification processing unit 94 notifies the jackpot a certain time before, for example, 5 seconds before the timing at which the symbols variably displayed by the display processing unit 74 and the display processing unit 92 are stopped.

  When a mode other than the complete first notification mode, for example, the normal mode is set, the notification processing unit 94 does not notify the jackpot in principle. However, even if the perfect advance notification mode is off, if the lottery result is a big hit, the notification processing unit 94 randomly determines whether or not to announce the big hit, and depending on the result of the decision, the big hit Is forcibly announced. In that case, the appearance probability of the notification may be relatively low. Thereby, even in the normal mode, an unexpected notice can appear, and the entertainment of the player can be enhanced.

  The number-of-holds acquisition unit 95 acquires the number of reservations as a lottery result from the special symbol reservation storage unit 63. When the number of reservations acquired by the number-of-holds acquisition unit 95 is 1 or more, the notification processing unit 94 notifies the winner of any lottery result stored in the special symbol storage unit 63. The special symbol hold storage unit 63 may store not only a random number indicating the lottery result but also a value directly indicating the success / failure result, and the hold number acquisition unit 95 stores the value of the success / failure result as a special symbol hold storage. You may acquire from the part 63. The notification processing unit 94 may determine the notification timing in a case where a jackpot is included in the success / failure result stored in the special symbol storage unit 63 at random. For example, when the fourth hold is a big hit, the notification may be given at an arbitrary timing, for example, a notice may appear while the second hold is displayed in a variable manner. Thereby, the player cannot predict the time required from the notification to the actual big hit, and the player's expectation can be further increased.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for notification in the present embodiment. The flow shown in this figure corresponds to the flow showing S30 in FIG. 4 in detail. This flow shows a process from the start to the end of the symbol variation for one time, but here, the description of the processing related to the symbol variation display is omitted, and the processing related to the notification will be mainly described.

  In S30 of FIG. 4, first, the symbol variation display is started (S90). When the lottery result is not a big win (N of S91), the subsequent S92 to S108 are skipped, and when the lottery result is a big hit (S91) Y), the process proceeds to S92. Here, when the complete advance notification mode is turned on (Y in S92), the notification processing unit 94 determines which of the notification means of the notification lamp 102, the speaker 104, and the notification image 106 should be used for notification ( S94). In S92, even if the complete pre-notification mode is off (N in S92), the notification processing unit 94 determines the notification means when determining to execute the forced notification (Y in S93) (S94). When it is determined in S93 that the notification processing unit 94 does not execute forced notification (N in S93), S94 to S108 are skipped.

  While the symbols are variably displayed, the system waits until a timing is reached 5 seconds before the symbols are stopped (N in S96). If it is about 5 seconds before the symbol is stopped (Y in S96), when the notification using the notification lamp 102 is selected in S94 (Y in S98), the notification processing unit 94 turns on the notification lamp 102 (S100), and the notification is made. When the notification using the lamp 102 is not selected (N of S98), S100 is skipped. Similarly, when the notification using the notification image 106 is selected in S94 (Y in S102), the notification processing unit 94 displays the notification image 106 on the symbol display device 26 (S104), and performs the notification using the notification image 106. If not selected (N in S102), S104 is skipped. When the notification via the speaker 104 is selected in S94 (Y of S106), the notification processing unit 94 outputs the notification sound from the speaker 104 (S108), and when the notification via the speaker 104 is not selected (S108) N) of S106 and S108 are skipped. After the above process, the symbol variation display ends (S110).

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to each component and combination of processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a bullet ball game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a ball game machine. It is a basic functional block diagram centering on the structure which controls the game in a pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process which transfers to a special game from a normal game. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail a process for determining whether or not a lottery is successful in S28 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the determination process of a decoration symbol. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the special game in S34 of FIG. 4 in detail. It is a figure which shows the structure in the front side of the pachinko game machine of a present Example. It is a functional block diagram centering on the structure which controls the game in the pachinko game machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process for the notification in a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

  10. Pachinko machine, 26 design display device, 28 start port, 41 main board, 42 liquid crystal unit, 49 sub board, 70 main control unit, 73 special symbol pattern determination unit, 74 display processing unit, 80 sub control unit, 84 decoration Symbol pattern determination unit, 92 display processing unit, 93 notification setting unit, 94 notification processing unit, 95 reserved number acquisition unit, 100 input unit, 102 notification lamp, 104 speaker, 106 notification image, 110 input detection unit.

Claims (5)

A start winning processing unit for acquiring start winning information indicating a drop in the start winning opening of a game ball;
A lottery execution unit that executes a lottery with the acquisition of the start prize information;
A pattern determining unit that determines a display pattern indicating a variation display process of a symbol based on a result of the lottery executed by the lottery executing unit;
A display processing unit that displays a symbol variation on the display device in the determined display pattern;
When the result of the lottery is a win, a notification processing unit that notifies the win before the symbol variation stops,
A notification setting unit that switches whether or not to always notify the hit based on an instruction from the player;
A ball game machine characterized by comprising:   If the result of the lottery is a win when the notification processing unit is set to a mode other than the mode in which the win is surely notified by the notification setting unit, whether or not to forcibly notify the win The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball game machine is determined at random and the winning is notified according to a result of the determination.   The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification processing unit notifies the winning unit a predetermined time before the timing at which the winning symbol that is variably displayed stops. A holding number acquisition unit for acquiring the number of lottery results stored within a predetermined number as a holding number, which is a result of the lottery made in response to the game ball dropping into the start winning opening during the variable display; Prepared,
3. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein, when the number of holds is one or more, the notification processing unit notifies the winning if there is a winning in the stored lottery result. . 5. The notification unit according to claim 1, wherein the notification processing unit notifies the winning by using at least one of a change in display content on the display device, lighting of a lamp, and output of sound. Ball game machine.

Images