JP2005168605A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine enabling a novel performance using modes of game media. <P>SOLUTION: A Pachinko game machine is so formed that a general winning detecting part 50, a start winning detecting part 51, and an operation detecting part 52 include color sensors 102, 104 and 106; and the color sensors detect colors of game balls. Among the game balls used are a plurality of colors of game balls whose outer surfaces are colored previously. A color detecting part 100 detects the color of the game ball falling in a start winning hole, and a special symbol pattern determining part 73 and an ornamental symbol pattern storage part 86 determine performance contents according to the detected color. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to an effect control technique for enhancing the playability of a gaming machine.

Conventionally, the gaming machine includes a pachinko gaming machine, a ball ball gaming machine, a ball ball gaming machine such as an arrangement ball, a revolving gaming machine using medals, and the like. Here, some of the game balls used are colored, and when the colored game balls enter the grand prize opening, more prize balls are paid out than when the normal game balls win. A bullet ball gaming machine is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 2772915

  In the above background art, the number of award balls is changed by changing the number of award balls depending on whether or not the colored game balls fall into the big prize opening. Since it is difficult for the player to determine whether or not the number of games has increased, entertainment is not always improved. In addition, the colored game balls are a small part of a large number of game balls, and even if the number of prize balls increases at such a low frequency, it is difficult for the player to grasp the fact. Therefore, it is important to express in a form that is easier for the player to understand if the entertainment is truly enhanced.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a player with an element that gives a sense of expectation to the jackpot.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a gaming machine according to an aspect of the present invention is a color detection method for detecting a color applied to an outer surface of a gaming medium that has fallen into a predetermined location and triggered execution of an effect by symbol display. And a control means for generating an advantageous state for the player when the content of the symbol display is in a predetermined state in an effect executed in response to the drop of the game medium to a predetermined location, and the color of the game medium Storage means for storing the correspondence between the display contents and the effect contents by the symbol display, a determination means for determining the effect contents by the symbol display according to the detected color of the game medium, and the effect by the symbol display is executed with the determined contents And directing means.

  The “predetermined portion” may be a winning slot into which a game medium should be dropped on the game board, or may be a slot into which a gaming medium is to be inserted. The “game medium” may be a game ball used for a ball game machine or a medal used for a revolving game machine. The color of the game medium may be detected using, for example, a color sensor. `` Triggered the execution of effects by symbol display '' means that, for example, in the case of a ball game machine, the symbol change in the display device started, such as the falling of a game ball at the start port. May be. “When the content of the symbol display is in a predetermined state” may mean, for example, a state where a plurality of symbols in the display device are arranged. The “favorable state for the player” may be, for example, paying out a prize ball to a player in the case of a ball game machine, or paying out a medal to a player in the case of a revolving game machine. May be.

  According to this aspect, the plurality of game media used for the game are colored in various colors, and different effects are executed according to the colors. In addition, visual effects are achieved through display of symbols using a display device such as a liquid crystal display as a medium. Therefore, it is possible to show the player a different effect depending on the color of the game medium used, and to easily recognize the difference in the effect, thereby enhancing the entertainment of the gaming machine. Also, the store side where the gaming machine is installed can express the individuality of the store by adjusting the color type and distribution of the rented game media. The player is also provided with an opportunity to change the game content through an operation of changing the timing at which the game ball colored with a specific color is changed.

  The determining means may execute an effect having contents that would be advantageous to the player when the detected color is a specific color. Thereby, it is possible to produce as if the probability of jackpot fluctuates depending on the color of the game medium, and the player's expectation can be enhanced.

  The determining means may determine the contents of the effect according to the combination of colors detected for a plurality of game media that have been continuously dropped. Thereby, different effects can be shown to the player in accordance with the color combination and continuity of the game media used in the gaming machine, and the entertainment can be enhanced.

  The color detector may detect the color of the game medium by detecting identification information emitted as a radio signal from a wireless tag stored inside the game medium and recognizing the color information indicated by the identification information. If information indicating the color of the game medium is stored in the wireless tag in advance, the color of the game medium can be recognized without using optical means such as a color sensor.

  A start winning processing unit that acquires start winning information indicating a drop in the start winning gate of a game ball, a lottery executing unit that executes a lottery triggered by acquisition of the starting winning information, and a symbol variation based on a lottery result is displayed. And a display processing unit to be displayed on the apparatus. The color detection unit detects the color of the game ball dropped into the winning opening as a game medium, and the effect determination means displays a display pattern indicating a variation display process of the symbol variation according to the result of the lottery and the detected color. May be determined. The gaming machine may be realized in the form of a ball ball gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine. By using a plurality of pre-colored game balls in a pachinko game machine, it is possible to execute different effects depending on the color of the game balls and enhance the entertainment.

  The display processing unit may present information regarding the detected color to the display device. Many game balls are used in pachinko machines, and game balls are launched on the board one after another, so it may be difficult to instantaneously grasp which color of the game ball has dropped into the winning opening etc. Conceivable. By displaying on the display device which color of the game ball has fallen, the player can clearly recognize which color and what effect has been made.

  The lottery execution unit may change the probability of the lottery according to the detected color. Thereby, it is possible to perform control such as increasing the lottery probability when a game ball of a specific color falls, and it is possible to increase the player's expectation due to the difference in color.

  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, the entertainment of the gaming machine can be enhanced by changing the production.

  The gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention is a pachinko gaming machine. The game balls used in this pachinko gaming machine are colored in advance, and different colors are given depending on the game balls. The pachinko gaming machine displays effects such as fluctuating symbols on the display device, but executes different effects depending on the color of the game ball dropped into the winning opening. Thereby, the player can see different effects for each color of the game ball, and the entertainment is enhanced. Hereinafter, after a general description of pachinko gaming machines, 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 gaming machine will be described as an example of a bullet ball gaming 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, a large number of game nails 20, windmills 21, outer rails 22 and inner rails 23, general winning openings 24, out openings 25, symbol display devices 26, center decoration parts 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, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays a plurality of rows of symbol variation moving images simulating 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 “O” and “X” are repeated during the fluctuation, but in the following, a case in which a display form in which C and the numbers 0 to 9 are repeated is shown. Specifically, the special symbol is displayed in the order of C, 0, 1,..., 8 and 9 during the fluctuation, and takes a display mode in which C to 9 are repeated again. The special symbol stop symbol indicates whether or not it is a jackpot. For example, if the stop symbol is an odd number of “1”, “3”, “5”, “7”, “9”, the jackpot with probability variation is displayed. Further, when “0”, “2”, “4”, “6”, “8” is an even number, a normal jackpot may be indicated, and “C” other than that may indicate a loss. Here, the jackpot with probability variation means a jackpot subject to probability variation. In addition, from the viewpoint of improving the expandability of the production effect in the pachinko gaming machine 10, the numbers used as the special symbols are not limited to 10 numbers from 0 to 9, but for example, 12 numbers from 0 to 11 are used. May be. The twelve types of numbers can be equally divided into three or four, thus providing expansion of production.

  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 change display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is stopped after a lapse of a certain time, and when the special symbol at the time of stoppage is a number from “0” to “9”, the opening / closing operation of the big winning opening 29 is started as a so-called “hit” . At this time, the decorative pattern imitating the game of the slot machine takes a display mode in which the three patterns 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 a lottery when a winning is made to 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 in FIG. 2 and mainly controls staging operations such as decorative display variation display and lighting 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, for example, numbers, letters, symbols, marks, and the like. In this embodiment, the special symbol is composed of letters “C” and numbers “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 special symbol display mode is to repeatedly display C and symbols from 0 to 9 during symbol variation, if the lottery result is a normal jackpot, “0”, “2”, “4”, If “6”, “8” are jackpots with probability variation, “1”, “3”, “5”, “7”, “9” are determined, and if they are off, “C” is determined as the stop symbol. . Therefore, in this case, in the success / failure table, the range of the jackpot value from 0 to 207 is further divided into 10 ranges and associated with the numbers of the special symbols, and the special symbol determination unit 62 determines the random number value. The special symbol stop symbol is determined accordingly.

  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 lower left 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, the display processing unit 74 cyclically displays C and the numbers from 0 to 9 until 58 seconds have elapsed from the start of fluctuation, and 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 reserved special symbols on the screen of the symbol display device 26, that is, up to four random numbers that have not yet been subjected to the special symbol variation display. 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 stop symbols of the decorative symbols of a plurality of columns to be displayed on the symbol display device 26 based on the result of the success / failure determination unit 61. The decorative symbol determination unit 82 may determine a plurality of decorative symbols, generally three columns, based on the special symbol stop symbol number 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 the table below, the correspondence of the jackpot stop symbol of the decorative symbol associated with the jackpot stop symbol of the special symbol is shown.

  The jackpot stop symbol of the decorative symbol is a display mode in which three symbols of the left symbol, the central symbol, and the right symbol are aligned. When the lottery result is a jackpot, when the special symbol determining unit 62 determines the special symbol jackpot stop symbol, the decorative symbol determining unit 82 determines the jackpot stop symbol of the decorative symbol based on the correspondence in the above table. To do. The odd symbols of “111”, “333”, “555”, “777”, and “999” indicate that the player is a jackpot with probability variation, and “000” “222” “444” “666” “888” An even number symbol indicates that it is a normal jackpot.

  On the other hand, when the lottery result is out, the decorative symbol determination unit 82 determines each symbol number so that at least one of the left symbol, the central symbol, and the right symbol does not match the other symbols. Note that there is no need for one-to-one correspondence between special symbols and decorative symbols, and a plurality of decorative symbol images may be associated with symbol numbers of special symbols. In this case, 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 hit with probability variation”, in order to present to the player that the jackpot is with probability variation, the odd symbol numbers that are all arranged are determined. On the other hand, when the result of the success / failure indicates “off” or when the stop symbol number of the special symbol indicates “out”, the decorative symbol determination unit 82 has at least one of the left symbol, the central symbol, and the right symbol as 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 of symbol variation of the decorative symbol based on the lottery result. Specifically, the decorative symbol display pattern mainly represents a decorative symbol image, a decorative symbol variation pattern, and a variation display effect pattern. The variation pattern defines the variation process of the decorative pattern. The effect pattern defines how the display process including the decorative symbol change display and the reach operation proceeds or is effected. The decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 determines a decorative symbol image, a decorative symbol variation pattern, and a variation display effect pattern based on the special symbol display pattern number determined by the special symbol pattern determining unit 73. 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. Are stored, and a plurality of effect patterns are stored. The variation pattern and the effect pattern are associated with a special symbol display pattern determined by the special symbol pattern determination unit 73. Note that the variation pattern and the effect pattern are determined so that the overall effect time including the change display of the decorative symbol and the reach operation is equal to the change time of the special symbol. The display processing unit 92 causes the symbol display device 26 to display the symbol variation of the decorative symbol with the variation pattern and the effect pattern of the decorative symbol determined by the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84, and the decorative symbol determining unit 82 determines the variation after the change. The stop symbol of the decorated decoration is displayed.

  The decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 refers to the effect pattern table and determines the effect pattern corresponding to the display pattern number received from the special symbol pattern determining unit 73. In the effect pattern table, the correspondence between the display pattern number and the effect pattern is defined.

  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 jackpot is a normal game or a probability variation game with a high probability of hitting according to the random number value or the stop pattern of the special symbol, and the determination result is reliably varied. The data is sent to the execution unit 68. 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 in S12), the random number determination unit 72 determines the random number (S16), and determines whether the random number can be stored in the special symbol storage unit 63 (S18). ). For example, if four random numbers are held in the special symbol hold storage unit 63 during the symbol variation, no more random numbers can be held (N in S18), so the special symbol hold storage unit 63 stores the random number. Do not get. Note that when the determination that the random number cannot be suspended is made before the random number is determined, the random number determination unit 72 may not ignore the winning and not generate the random number itself. On the other hand, if the number of reserved random numbers is within three, the random number determination unit 72 determines that the storage area for storing random numbers is free (Y in S18). In this case, the random number determination unit 72 stores the random number in an empty area of the special symbol reservation storage unit 63 (S20).

  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 for the next change, 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 (0 to 207) (Y in S50), the random number is a jackpot value with probability variation. Is determined (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 (208 to 65535) (N in S50), the special symbol determination unit 62 determines a stop symbol of the special symbol for removal, and the special symbol pattern determination unit 73 Then, the display pattern of the special symbol for detachment is determined (S54). As a result of the determination, the special symbol stop symbol and the display pattern number 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 display pattern number of the special symbol. For example, when the display pattern number of the special symbol indicates a display pattern to be reached (Y in S61) and further indicates a display pattern to be effected in a super reach (Y in S62), the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 is Then, the display pattern of the decorative pattern for super reach is determined (S63). When a display pattern that produces a reach that is not super-reach is shown (N in S62), the decorative design pattern determining unit 84 determines a display pattern of a decorative design for normal reach (S64). In S61, when the display pattern number of the special symbol indicates a display pattern that does not reach (N in S61), the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 determines the display pattern of the decorative symbol without reach (S65). In addition, when the winning / losing result or the special symbol stop symbol indicates that the lottery result is a big hit, the display pattern for the reach effect is always determined. In addition, the decoration symbol stop design determination in S60 may be performed simultaneously with the display pattern determination in S63, S64, and S65, or may be performed after the display pattern determination.

  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 pachinko machines.

(Example 1)
The pachinko gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment detects the color of a game ball colored in advance and executes different effects according to the color. The pachinko gaming machine 10 further has the following configuration and functions in addition to the configuration and functions of the general pachinko gaming machine.

  FIG. 8 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 a color detection unit 100. The general winning detection unit 50, the start winning detection unit 51, and the operation detection unit 52 include color sensors 102, 104, and 106, respectively. Each of the color sensors 102, 104, and 106 includes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode and a light receiving element such as a photodiode, and detects the color applied to the outer surface of the game ball. In other words, the light emitted from the light emitting element reflects the game ball and is detected by the light receiving element, and the color of the game ball is optically recognized based on the detected light. The recognition result is sent to the color detection unit 100 of the main control unit 70.

  The color detection unit 100 is based on the recognition result by the color sensors 102, 104, and 106 for the color applied to the outer surface of the game ball dropped into any of the general winning opening 24, the start opening 28, and the normal symbol operation opening 30. To detect.

  When determining the display pattern of the special symbol, the special symbol pattern determination unit 73 generates a new random number for determining the display pattern, and determines the display pattern corresponding to the random value by referring to the display pattern table. . The display pattern table defines the correspondence between the random number values and the display patterns. For example, when the random number value is 0 to 2, the display pattern at the time of super reach when the rendering time is longer than the normal reach, 3 to 9 are Corresponding relationships are defined such as a display pattern for normal reach, which is a normal reach, and a display pattern for 10 to 99, which indicates a release without reach. The special symbol pattern determining unit 73 sends the random number value as a display pattern number to the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 of the sub-control unit 80.

  The decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 refers to the effect pattern table and determines the effect pattern corresponding to the display pattern number received from the special symbol pattern determining unit 73. In the effect pattern table, the correspondence between the display pattern number and the effect pattern is defined. For example, when the display pattern number is 0 to 2, the effect pattern at the time of super reach, 3 to 9 are the effect patterns at the time of normal reach, 10 From 99 to 99, a correspondence relationship such as a production pattern without reach is defined.

  At least one of the special symbol pattern determining unit 73 and the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 stores the correspondence between the color of the game ball and the content of the effect displayed by the symbol display. Specifically, the special symbol pattern determination unit 73 stores a plurality of tables for determining the special symbol display pattern. Each of the plurality of tables is prepared corresponding to the color of the game ball, and based on the detection result of the color detection unit 100, the table corresponding to the detected color of the game ball is selected. The special symbol pattern determination unit 73 determines a display pattern based on a table corresponding to the color of the game ball, and sends the display pattern number to the sub-control unit 80. The special symbol pattern determination unit 73 may select a table according to a combination of colors or color continuity detected for a plurality of game balls dropped into the start port 28 in succession. In that case, even if there are about three types of colors of game balls, for example, the number of combinations can be increased to several tens of types, so the number of types of tables can be increased and entertainment can be enhanced.

  The decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 stores a plurality of tables for determining the effect pattern. Each of the plurality of tables is prepared corresponding to the color of the game ball, and based on the detection result of the color detection unit 100, the table corresponding to the detected color of the game ball is selected. The decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 determines the effect pattern based on a table corresponding to the color of the game ball. The decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 may select a table according to a combination of colors or continuity of colors detected for a plurality of game balls dropped into the start port 28 in succession. In this case as well, even if there are about three types of colors of the game ball, for example, the number of combinations can be increased to several tens of types, so that the number of types of tables can be increased and entertainment can be enhanced.

  At least one of the display processing unit 74 and the display processing unit 92 presents information about the color detected by the color detection unit 100 to the display device, thereby determining how many colors the dropped game ball was. May be clearly indicated to the person. In particular, the player may not be able to keep track of all of the game balls that are continuously launched into the game area 31, and therefore may not be able to grasp which color of the game ball actually falls. Therefore, it is possible to increase the player's expectation more reliably by clearly indicating the color of the game ball.

  Note that the random number determination unit 72 of the special symbol lottery execution unit 60 may change the probability of the lottery according to the detected color. For example, it is possible to control such that the probability of the lottery is increased only when a game ball of a specific color falls into the start port 28, and the player's expectation can be increased. In that case, the random number determination unit 72 holds a plurality of success / failure tables corresponding to the colors of the game spheres in advance, and selects one of the success / failure tables according to the color of the game sphere that is dropped, so that the lottery is determined for each color. Probability can be changed.

  FIG. 9 schematically shows the contents of the effect pattern table. In the effect pattern table 110 shown in the figure, the first column 112 indicates that “silver” which is the color of the game ball corresponds to “first table”. The “first table” is a table for determining a display pattern of special symbols or a table for determining an effect pattern. Similarly, the second column 114 indicates that the “red” game ball corresponds to the “second table”, and the third column 116 corresponds to the “green” game ball and the “third table”. The effect is shown. The fourth column 118 indicates that the “blue” game ball corresponds to the “fourth table”. The effect pattern table 110 as described above is held in advance by at least one of the special symbol pattern determining unit 73 and the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84, and a table corresponding to the color of the game ball is selected based on the effect pattern table 110 To do.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows the contents of the table for determining the display pattern of the special symbol or the first table for determining the effect pattern. The first table 120 is associated with a “silver” game ball in the first column 112 of the effect pattern table 110 shown in FIG. The first table 120 stores a correspondence between a random number for determining a display pattern and a display pattern, or stores a correspondence between a display pattern number and an effect pattern. The first table 120 is a table used in the production when a normal “silver” game ball is dropped, and the display pattern or production pattern at the time of super reach is associated with values 0 to 2. ing. Values 3 to 9 are associated with display patterns or production patterns during normal reach. Values 10 to 99 are associated with an unreachable display pattern or effect pattern. As a result, a super reach is displayed with a probability of 3/100, a normal reach is displayed with a probability of 7/100, and a miss without reach is displayed with a probability of 90/100.

  FIG. 11 schematically shows the contents of a table for determining a special symbol display pattern or a second table for determining an effect pattern. The second table 122 is associated with the “red” game ball in the second column 114 of the effect pattern table 110 shown in FIG. The second table 122 stores a correspondence between a random number for determining a display pattern and a display pattern, or stores a correspondence between a display pattern number and an effect pattern. The second table 122 is a table used in the production when the “red” game ball is dropped, and the display pattern or production pattern at the time of super reach is associated with the values 0 to 8. A display pattern or an effect pattern at the time of normal reach is associated with the values 9 to 10. Values 11 to 99 are associated with an unreachable display pattern or effect pattern. As a result, a super reach is displayed with a probability of 9/100, a normal reach is displayed with a probability of 2/100, and a non-reach out is displayed with a probability of 89/100. Therefore, the probability that the super reach is displayed when the game ball is “red” is three times as high as that of “silver”, and the player's expectation for the “red” game ball can be enhanced. Similarly, by preparing a different table corresponding to each color, it is possible to increase the player's expectation for each color.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen for presenting the color of the game ball to the player. For example, when a “red” game ball enters the start port 28, a notification sentence 132 “red reach!” Is displayed on the display screen 130, thereby indicating that the dropped game ball is “red”. To the player. As a result, even if the player overlooks which color of the game ball has entered the start port 28, the game display color is displayed on the symbol display device 26 to increase the player's expectation more reliably. be able to. As a modification, the color of the game ball may be presented to the player by means other than the symbol display device 26, for example, the lighting color of the holding lamp.

(Example 2)
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a radio signal is used instead of a color sensor as the color detection means of the game ball. The plurality of game balls used in the pachinko gaming machine 10 are colored with individual colors, and a wireless tag (RFID) is stored therein. The wireless tag is composed of a minute IC chip of 1 mm or less and a minute antenna, for example. The wireless tag stores identification information indicating the color of the game ball, and is driven by a radio wave received from the outside to transmit the identification information in the form of a wireless signal. In FIG. 8, the general winning detection unit 50, the start winning detection unit 51, and the operation detection unit 52 include wireless transceivers as the color sensors 102, 104, and 106, respectively. Those wireless transceivers receive the identification information emitted from the wireless tag of the game ball that has entered the general winning detection unit 50, the start winning detection unit 51, and the operation detection unit 52. The received identification information is sent to the color detection unit 100. The color detection unit 100 acquires the identification information and detects the color of the game ball by recognizing the color information indicated by the identification information. According to the present embodiment, even if the game ball is soiled or discolored, the color can be detected without being influenced by it, so that the detection accuracy can be improved. Further, even if the outer surface of the game ball is colored in a specific color for an unauthorized purpose, the correct color of the game ball is detected by the wireless tag, so that an unauthorized game can be prevented. In particular, in a gaming machine in which the lottery probability changes according to the color of the game ball, the effect of preventing illegal games is great.

(Example 3)
The gaming machine in the present embodiment is a slot machine (rotating type gaming machine). The game medium in the slot machine is a medal. When a medal is inserted into the slot machine and the start switch is pressed, one game is executed. During the game, the reels are rotated and the symbol changes. When the symbols are arranged in a specific combination on one or more active lines that are valid according to the number of medals, the player is in a state advantageous for the player. The control means pays out medals.

  The slot machine according to the present embodiment includes a color detection unit that detects the color applied to the outer surface of the inserted medal, and changes game content or game content in accordance with the detected color of the medal, thereby improving game performance. Increase. For example, when the detected medal color is a predetermined color, it may be controlled so that the symbols are easily arranged in a specific combination, or only when the medal color is a predetermined color May be executed. In addition, when the color of the medal is a predetermined color, control may be performed so that the mode can be easily shifted to a mode that supports the player so that the symbols have a specific combination. In the present embodiment, the predetermined storage means stores in advance the correspondence between the medal color and the effect content, and the predetermined determining means stores the effect content according to the combination of the medal color or the continuously inserted medal color. decide. The effect means executes the effect by the symbol display with the determined content.

  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. Hereinafter, modifications will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the color detection unit 100 is provided in the main control unit 70. However, in a modified example, the color detection unit 100 may be provided in the sub-control unit 80, the general winning detection unit 50, the start winning detection unit 51, The operation detector 52 may be provided.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the appearance frequency of super reach changes according to the color of the game ball has been described. In the modification, the appearance frequency of the jackpot notice may be changed according to the color of the game ball. Further, the appearance frequency of a mission screen for displaying an operation necessary for winning the lottery result in the form of a command (mission) to the player may be changed according to the color of the game ball.

  The “control means” in the claims indicates, for example, the special symbol lottery execution unit 60, the special game execution unit 64, the normal symbol lottery execution unit 69, and the like, and “storage means” and “determination means” are, for example, special symbol patterns. The determination part 73 and the decoration design pattern determination part 84 are shown. “Production means” indicates, for example, the display processing unit 74 or the display processing unit 92.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko 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 functional block diagram centering on the structure which controls the game in the pachinko gaming machine of a present Example. It is a figure which shows typically the table content of an effect pattern. It is a figure which shows typically the content of the 1st table for determining the table for determining the display pattern of a special symbol, or an effect pattern. It is a figure which shows typically the content of the 2nd table for determining the table for determining the display pattern of a special symbol, or an effect pattern. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which shows the color of a game ball to a player.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Pachinko machines, 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, 100 color detection unit, 102 color sensor, 104 color sensor, 106 color sensor, 110 effect pattern table, 120 display pattern table, 130 display screen, 132 notification sentence.

Claims (7)

A color detection unit that detects the color applied to the outer surface of the game medium that has entered the predetermined location and triggered the execution of the effect by the symbol display;
Control means for generating a state advantageous to the player when the content of the symbol display is in a predetermined state in the effect executed with the drop of the game medium into the predetermined place;
Storage means for storing a correspondence relationship between the color of the game medium and the effect contents by the symbol display;
Determining means for determining the contents of the effect by the symbol display according to the color of the detected game medium;
Production means for performing production by the symbol display with the determined content;
A gaming machine comprising:   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit executes an effect having a content that is advantageous to a player when the detected color is a specific color.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determining means determines the content of the effect according to a combination of colors detected for a plurality of game media that are continuously dropped.   The color detection unit detects identification information emitted as a radio signal from a wireless tag stored inside the game medium, and detects the color of the game medium by recognizing color information indicated by the identification information. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 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 display processing unit for displaying on the display device the symbol variation based on the result of the lottery,
The color detection unit detects the color of the game ball that has entered the winning opening as the game medium,
The game according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination means determines a display pattern indicating a variation display process of the symbol variation according to the result of the lottery and the detected color. Machine.   The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the display processing unit presents information regarding the detected color on a display device. The gaming machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the lottery execution unit changes the probability of the lottery according to the detected color.

Images