JP2005204783A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine having an indirect assisting function partially serving a player who is poor at meoshi (operation to stop intended patterns) in trying the meoshi. <P>SOLUTION: In the beginning, a sub CPU 82 determines whether 30 seconds have elapsed after an automatic stop time measurement start signal (S211) is received. When the determination is "Yes", a sound source IC 91 and a power amplifier 95 are controlled, a chime informing the elapse of 30 seconds is generated from speakers 96 and 96 (S212). If the determination at S211 is "No", the sub CPU 82 determines whether 35 seconds have elapsed after the automatic stop time measurement start signal is received (S213). If the determination is "Yes", the sound source IC 91 and the power amplifier 95 are controlled, and a ring is generated from the speakers 96 and 96 to inform the player of the elapse of 35 seconds (S214). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with an automatic stop means for automatically stopping the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display means.

  Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, for example, there is a slot machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In this slot machine, the rotation of each reel is started by operating the start switch, and whether or not to allow establishment of a predetermined internal winning combination among a plurality of internal winning combinations is determined by lottery means. As a result of the lottery, when a specific internal winning combination such as a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as BB) or a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as RB) is selected, a winning flag corresponding to the specific internal winning combination is set. Then, an LED (light emitting diode) emits light with a light emission color corresponding to the winning flag, and the player is informed of the type of the specific internal winning combination selected by the lottery means.

When the player is notified of the type of the specific internal winning combination, the operation timing of the stop switch that can establish the symbols constituting the specific internal winning combination on the activated winning line is The player is notified by flashing. As a result, even a player who is not good at the so-called pushing operation that stops the display on the activated winning line aiming at the fluctuating symbols, by operating the stop switch according to the blinking of the LED, The winning combination can be established with certainty, and the loss due to the loss of a specific internal winning combination can be reduced.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-47352 (paragraphs [0036] and [0037], FIG. 4)

  However, informing the stop switch operation timing directly in this way and completely navigating the establishment of the internal winning combination also leads to fluctuations in the lottery probability of the internal winning combination, and it relates to the production of gaming machines. It is not allowed under the current rules. Therefore, the conventional gaming machine cannot be actually manufactured. For this reason, instead of the above-mentioned auxiliary function of the pushing operation that directly assists the operation timing of the stop switch, the player who is not good at the pushing operation becomes a part of the assistance that tries the pushing operation. The realization of a gaming machine having an indirect auxiliary function has been desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and includes a variation display means for variably displaying a plurality of kinds of symbols, a variation display start means for starting variation display of the variation display means, and a variation display means. Stop instruction means for instructing to stop the fluctuation display, elapsed time measurement means for measuring the elapsed time of the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display means, and an elapsed time measurement means that is determined in advance without a stop instruction by the stop instruction means In the gaming machine configured to include automatic stop means for automatically stopping the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display means regardless of the stop instruction, the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement means is automatically A notification sound generating means for generating a notification sound when a predetermined time shorter than an elapsed time for stopping is reached.

  According to this configuration, when the elapsed time of the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display means reaches a predetermined time, a notification sound is generated, and then the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display means is automatically stopped. For this reason, when the player tries to align the desired symbol with the fluctuation display means by the stop instruction operation, the player can grasp that the fluctuation display means will automatically stop soon due to the generation of the notification sound, and the occurrence of the notification sound is displayed in a variable manner. It can be used as a guideline until automatic stop of the means. As a result, the player is prompted to stop by the stop instructing means due to the generation of the notification sound, and can prepare for the stop instructing operation of the fluctuation display means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the change display means suddenly stops automatically before the timing of the stop instruction operation can be grasped, and a desired symbol cannot be stopped.

  Further, the present invention provides that a plurality of predetermined times are set, and the notification sound generating means generates a notification sound every time the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means reaches a predetermined set time. Features.

  According to this configuration, the notification sound is generated every time the elapsed time of the variable display of the variable display means reaches each predetermined time, and the player is prompted to stop the variable display. For this reason, the player can grasp the elapsed time of the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display means in detail until the fluctuation display is automatically stopped.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the notification sound generating means generates the notification sound in a different manner every predetermined time.

  According to this configuration, the notification sound is generated in a different manner every time the elapsed time of the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display means reaches each predetermined time. For this reason, the player can clearly grasp each elapsed time of the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display means until the fluctuation display is automatically stopped.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, as described above, the player can use the generation of the notification sound as a guideline until the fluctuation display means automatically stops, and the stop instruction means can perform the stop instruction operation of the fluctuation display means. Preparation can be done. As a result, a gaming machine having an indirect auxiliary function that is part of the assistance for a player who is not good at the pushing operation to attempt the pushing operation is realized.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a pachislot machine 1 according to an embodiment in which a gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachislot machine.

  Three reels 2, 3, 4 are rotatably provided at the center of the main body of the pachislot machine 1. On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 2, 3, and 4, a symbol row composed of a plurality of types of symbols is drawn. Three of these symbols are visually recognized through the display windows 5, 6 and 7 in front of the pachislot machine 1. The display windows 5, 6 and 7 are provided with a total of five pay lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, and L3B, three horizontally and two diagonally. Each reel 2, 3 and 4 constitutes a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols on the winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and L3B. Further, on the lower right side of the display windows 5 to 7, a medal slot 8 into which a medal, which is a game medium for a player to bet on a game, is inserted.

  Prior to the start of the game, when the player inserts one medal from the medal insertion slot 8, the central one winning line L1 is activated. When two cards are inserted, two upper and lower horizontal winning lines are added to the three horizontal winning lines L1, L2A, and L2B. When three cards are inserted, two diagonal winning lines are added to the five winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, and L3B.

  In addition, on the left side of the display windows 5 to 7, four game state display lamps 9 to 12, three inserted medal number display lamps 13 to 15, a stored number display unit 16, and a start lamp 17 are provided from the top. It has been. The game state display lamps 9 to 12 and the inserted medal number display lamps 13 to 15 are controlled to be turned on according to the game state, and the player is notified of the game state at that time. The stored number display unit 16 is made up of a three-digit 7-segment LED, and displays the number of medals currently credited on a medal counter inside the machine. The start lamp 17 blinks when the reels 2 to 4 are operable.

  Further, on the right side of the display windows 5 to 7, a bonus count display section 18, a WIN lamp 19, a payout number display section 20, and an insert lamp 21 are provided from the top. The bonus count display unit 18 is composed of a three-digit 7-segment LED, and digitally displays the remaining number of possible winnings of an RB game and a jack game described later when winning a bonus game such as BB or RB. The WIN lamp 19 is turned on when the winning combination symbols are aligned on the activated winning line. The number-of-payout display unit 20 is composed of a three-digit 7-segment LED and displays the number of medals to be paid out by winning. The insert lamp 21 is lit when a medal can be accepted at the medal slot 8.

  A liquid crystal display device 22 is provided immediately below the display windows 5 to 7. The liquid crystal display device 22 displays a plurality of information items such as game information, the number of games, and a slump graph. On the left side of the liquid crystal display device 22, a cross key 23, a “o” button 24, an “x” button 25, a 1 stored medal insertion switch 26, a 2 stored medal insertion switch 27, and a 3 stored medal insertion switch 28 are provided. . The cross key 23 is used when detecting the four-way switch operation in the up / down / left / right directions and selecting an information item to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 22. The “◯” button 24 is a button for determining the information item selected by the cross key 23, and the “X” button 25 is a button for canceling the information item selected by the cross key 23. The stored medal insertion switches 26 to 28 display 1 to 3 per game instead of inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 8 when the number of medals is displayed on the stored number display unit 16 and credited. Used when betting medals.

  Further, a stored medal settlement switch 29, a start lever 30, and stop buttons 31, 32, and 33 are provided below the liquid crystal display device 22 from the left side. The stored medal settlement switch 29 is used when a medal credited in the machine is settled. The start lever 30 is an operation unit that is operated by a player when starting a game operation by the pachislot machine 1, and its operation end is configured to be tiltable in four directions, up, down, left, and right. The start lever 30 constitutes a fluctuation display starting means for starting the fluctuation display of each reel 2 to 4. When the start lever 30 is operated by the player, the rotation of the reels 2 to 4 starts simultaneously.

  The stop buttons 31 to 33 are arranged corresponding to the reels 2 to 4, and the operation is validated when the rotations of the reels 2 to 4 reach a constant speed. The stop buttons 31 to 33 constitute stop instruction means for instructing the stop of the variable display of the reels 2 to 4, and stop the rotation of the reels 2 to 4 in response to the player's stop instruction operation.

  A medal tray 34 is provided at the lower front of the pachi-slot machine 1. The medal tray 34 stores medals paid out from the medal payout opening 35. In addition, a payout display unit 36 indicating how many medals are paid out in response to a prize is provided at the upper front portion of the pachislot machine 1, and a pair of speakers 96, 96 are provided on the left and right sides of the payout display unit 36. Is provided.

  Each reel 2 to 4 is configured as a rotary reel unit shown in FIG. 2 and is attached to a frame 41 via a bracket 42. Each of the reels 2 to 4 has a reel band 44 attached to the outer periphery of the reel drum 43. A symbol row is drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel band 44. Each bracket 42 is provided with a stepping motor 45, and each of the reels 2 to 4 is rotated by driving the motor 45.

  The structure of each reel 2-4 is shown in FIG. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, a lamp case 46 is provided inside the reel drum 43 behind the reel band 44. In each of the three chambers of the lamp case 46, reel back lamps 47a and 47b are provided. 47c are attached. These back lamps 47a to 47c are configured such that LEDs 47 that emit a plurality of different colors are attached to a substrate 48, as shown in FIG. 5B, and the substrate 48 is attached to the back surface of the lamp case 46. Yes. A photo sensor 49 is attached to the bracket 42. The photo sensor 49 detects that the shielding plate 50 provided on the reel drum 43 passes through the photo sensor 49 as the reel drum 43 rotates.

  Each of the back lamps 47a to 47c is a light source whose lighting is controlled by a lamp driving circuit 89 described later. Each of the back lamps 47a to 47c individually illuminates three symbols located on the front surface of each of the back lamps 47a to 47c from among the symbols drawn on the reel band 44, and each of the display windows 5 to 7 is respectively illuminated. Project 3 symbols each.

  FIG. 4 shows a symbol row in which 21 types of symbols represented on the reel band 44 of each of the left, middle, and right reels 2, 3, and 4 are arranged. Each reel 2, 3 and 4 is rotationally driven so that the symbol row moves in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Each symbol is assigned a code number of 00 to 20, and this code number is stored in a program ROM 65 (see FIG. 5) described later as a data table. On each reel band 44, “Don-chan” (see the code number “13” of the left reel 2), “Seven” (see the code number “07” of the left reel 2), “HANABI” (the code number of the left reel 2) “09”), “three shawls” (see code number “00” on left reel 2), “mountain” (see code number “02” on left reel 2), “cherry” (code number on left reel 2) A symbol row composed of symbols of “08” and “fan” (see code number “01” of the left reel 2) is shown.

  Next, an outline of (1) general game, (2) R · B game, and (3) B · B game performed by the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  (1) General game

  In general games, if the three symbol combinations “mountain” and “three shakudama” are arranged on the activated winning line, a small win will be awarded, and 12 and 8 dividends will be paid out to the player, respectively. This is the end of one game. Also, if one symbol “Cherry” stops on the left or right activated pay line in the center of the left reel 2, “Small Cherry” or “Square Cherry” wins a small win, and 2 or 4 dividends are paid respectively. One game is completed after being paid out to the player. Further, when three combinations of the “Folding Fan” symbols are aligned on the activated winning line, a re-play winning is established, and the game can be played again without inserting a medal. Further, if the symbol combination arranged on the activated pay line does not correspond to any of the payout tables, it becomes “out of” (no payout). Also, when the combination of three symbols “HANABI” is aligned on the activated pay line, an RB win is made, and after 15 medals are paid out, the game proceeds to the following RB game. Also, if the combination of the three symbols “Don-chan” or “Seven” is aligned on the activated pay line, it becomes a BB prize, and after 15 medals are paid out, the general game and the above-mentioned R / B game Move to the following B / B game that can be played multiple times in a set.

  (2) R / B game

  The RB game occurs when the above symbol combinations are arranged on the activated pay line during a general game. In the R / B game, a game of betting one medal called a jack game can be performed a plurality of times. In this jack game, when three combinations of the “Folding Fan” symbols are arranged on the single horizontal winning line L1, a jack game winning occurs, and eight medals are paid out. The jack game also causes “out of game”, but the jack game prize is generated with a high probability of about 9/10. This R / B game ends when, for example, a jack game winning is generated eight times, or when the total number of jack games executed during the R / B game reaches, for example, twelve.

  (3) B / B game

  (I) The B / B game is composed of a plurality of sets in which the R / B game and the general game are combined. When the B / B game occurs, first, a general game is executed. In the general game during this B / B game, “out of game” also occurs, but the small winning prize by the symbol “mountain”, “three shakudama”, “medium cherry”, “horn cherry” was mentioned in (1) above. It occurs with a higher probability than in general games other than during the B / B game.

  (Ii) In addition, when three combinations of “Folder” symbols are arranged on the activated pay line during the general game in the B / B game, eight medals are paid out.

  (Iii) Thereafter, the game shifts to an R / B game in which a plurality of jack games can be played. The R / B game in the B / B game is also terminated when, for example, a jack game prize is generated eight times or the total number of jack games executed during the bonus game reaches, for example, twelve.

  (Iv) When the above R / B game ends, the general game in the B / B game described in (i) above is performed again, and the symbol combination described in (ii) above is included in this general game. When it occurs, the RB game described in (iii) above is further performed. The B / B game is a repetition of a set of a series of general games and R / B games shown in (i) to (iii) above. When this set is performed a predetermined number of times, for example, three times, the B / B game is repeated. The game ends. However, during this B / B game, the total number of games excluding the number of games in the general game of (i) and (ii) above, in other words, the number of jack games in the R / B game of (iii) above is The B / B game is also ended when it is performed a predetermined number of times, for example, 30 times.

  5 and 6 show circuit configurations configured on the main control board 61 and the sub control board 62 that control the game processing operation of the pachislot machine 1 described above.

  The control unit in the main control board 61 shown in FIG. 5 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 63 as a main component, and is added with a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 63 includes a main CPU (central processing unit) 64 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a program ROM (read only memory) 65 that is a program storage means, and a control RAM (random access) with a backup function. -Memory) 66.

  The main CPU 64 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 67 and a frequency divider 68 for generating a reference clock pulse, a random number generator 69 for generating a certain range of random numbers, and a random number sampling circuit for extracting and specifying one of the generated random numbers. 70 is connected. Further, an I / O port (input / output port) 71 for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from a peripheral device (actuator) described later is connected.

  The program ROM 65 has a storage section that stores a probability lottery table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, a sequence program, and the like.

  FIG. 7 conceptually shows a probability lottery table used during a general game stored in the program ROM 65. This probability lottery table is used to classify the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 70 during the general game into each internal winning combination in a probability lottery process (see S114 in FIG. 9) described later. It stores data that partitions a given range of generated random numbers into each internal winning combination. In the figure, a1 to a3, b1 to b3, c1 to c3, d1 to d3, e1 to e3, f1 to f3, g1 to g3 are preset numerical data, and the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 70 are represented by each. Used to divide into internal winning roles. This data uses a combination of numerical values “a1 to g1” when the number of inserted medals is one, “a2 to g2” when two, and “a3 to g3” when three. It is done.

  These numerical values are normally set in a magnitude relationship of “a <b <c <d <e <f <g”, and if the extracted random number value is less than d, a small win is won (small hit). If it is less than “b”, a request flag per “middle cherry” is set. If “b” is less than “b”, a request flag is “per square cherry”. In the case of, a request flag per “three shawls” is set. Further, if the extracted random value is greater than or equal to d and less than e, a request flag per re-game (“fan”) is set. Further, if the extracted random number value is e or more and less than f, it becomes a middle win (medium hit) and a request flag per “RB” is set, and if the extracted random value is more than f and less than g, a big win ( A big hit) and a request flag per “BB” is set. Moreover, if it is more than g, it will be a "miss" without winning. That is, the internal winning combination is determined by which numerical range of the probability lottery table a sampled random number value belongs to, and is represented by a hit request flag. Each hit request flag is stored in a predetermined area in the control RAM 66.

  The bonus request flag “BB” or “RB” is carried over to the game after the flag is set, and the symbol combination “BB” or “RB” is stopped and displayed on the activated pay line, and the bonus winning is actually performed. If this happens, the bonus requirement flag is cleared. Flags other than the bonus requirement flag are valid only in the game in which the flag is set, and are cleared at the end of the game and are not carried over after the next game.

  The symbol table (not shown) stored in the program ROM 65 associates the rotational positions of the reels 2 to 4 with the symbols drawn on the reel bands 44, and symbol strings are represented by symbols. Is. In this symbol table, a code number that is sequentially assigned for each fixed rotation pitch of each reel on the basis of the rotation position where the reset pulse is generated, and a symbol code indicating a symbol provided corresponding to each code number Is stored.

  In the program ROM 65, a winning symbol combination table (not shown) is stored. This winning symbol combination table stores symbol codes for each winning symbol combination shown in the payout table, symbol codes for symbol combinations constituting “reach eyes”, winning determination codes representing each winning, winning medal dividend number, etc. Has been. Here, the reach is a pattern that suggests that the occurrence of the B / B or R / B game is close to the player when the request flag per B / B or R / B has been set. It is a combination. This winning symbol combination table is referred to when the reels 2, 3 and 4 are stopped and when winning is confirmed after all reels 2 to 4 are stopped. Further, in the program ROM 65, a sequence program for executing a game with the pachislot machine 1 is stored.

  The main actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 63 include a stepping motor 45 that rotationally drives the reels 2, 3, 4, various lamps (inserted medal number display lamps 13 to 15, start lamp 17, WIN There are a lamp 19, an insert lamp 21), various display parts (game state display lamps 9 to 12, a stored number display part 16, a bonus count display part 18, a payout number display part 20), and a hopper 72 for storing medals. These are driven by a motor drive circuit 73, each lamp drive circuit 74, each display unit drive circuit 75, and a hopper drive circuit 76, respectively. These drive circuits 73 to 76 are connected to the main CPU 64 via the I / O port 71 of the microcomputer 63.

  If the microcomputer 63, the stepping motor 45, and the motor drive circuit 73 are not instructed to stop by the stop buttons 31 to 33 and a predetermined elapsed time is measured by the microcomputer 63, the change display of each reel 2 to 4 is stopped. An automatic stop means for automatically stopping regardless of the stop instruction by 31 to 33 is configured. The microcomputer 63 has a function as an automatic stop timer for automatically stopping the reels 2 to 4 regardless of the player's operation of the stop buttons 31 to 33. The elapsed time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time of the variable display is configured.

  The main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 63 to generate a control signal includes an inserted medal sensor 8S for detecting a medal inserted from the medal slot 8, and the above-described stored medal insertion. There are switches 26 to 28 and a stored medal settlement switch 29. Further, there is a start switch 30S that detects the operation of the start lever 30. The start switch 30 </ b> S detects the tilting operation of the start lever 30 in any of the four directions, up, down, left, and right, and outputs an operation detection signal to the main CUP 64 via the I / O port 71.

  There is also a reel position detection circuit 77 that receives the output pulse signal from the photosensor 49 and detects the rotational position of each reel 2, 3, 4. The photo sensor 49 is included in the driving mechanism of each reel 2 to 4 and is not shown in the figure. The reel position detection circuit 77 counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 45 after the rotation of the reels 2 to 4 is started, and writes this count value in a predetermined area of the control RAM 66. Accordingly, the control RAM 66 stores a count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range for each of the reels 2 to 4. The photo sensor 49 generates a reset pulse every time the reels 2 to 4 make one rotation. This reset pulse is given to the main CPU 64 via the reel position detection circuit 77, and the count value of the drive pulse counted by the control RAM 66 is cleared to "0". By this clearing process, the deviation generated between the movement display of each symbol and the rotation of each stepping motor 45 is eliminated every rotation.

  Further, as the above input signal generating means, a reel stop signal circuit 78 for generating a signal for stopping the corresponding reel when the stop button 31, 32, 33 is pressed, and a medal for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 72. There are a detection unit 72S and a payout completion signal generation circuit (not shown). These are also connected to the main CPU 64 via the I / O port 71. When the medal count value actually paid out input from the medal detection unit 72S reaches the payout number data represented by the count signal input from the display unit drive circuit 75, the payout completion signal generation circuit generates a medal payout. Generate a signal to detect completion.

  A sub-control unit communication port 79 is connected to the I / O port 71, and the microcomputer 63 sends a signal to the sub-control board 62 via the sub-control unit communication port 79. The sub control board 62 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with a main control unit communication port 88 for receiving this signal. Communication between the sub control unit communication port 79 and the main control unit communication port 88 is performed only in one direction from the sub control unit communication port 79 to the main control unit communication port 88. In the present embodiment, the signal sent from the sub-control unit communication port 79 to the main control unit communication port 88 is a 7-bit command type indicating the control type and a maximum 24-bit length command content. It is composed of the parameters represented.

  The control unit in the sub-control board 62 is configured with the microcomputer 81 as a main component. Similarly to the microcomputer 63 on the main control board 61, the microcomputer 81 includes a sub CPU 82 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a program ROM 83 that is a program storage unit, and a control RAM 84 with a backup function. A clock pulse generation circuit 85 for generating a reference clock pulse and a frequency divider 86 are also connected to the sub CPU 82. Further, the sub CPU 82 further transmits / receives signals to / from the main control unit communication port 88 and an actuator described later. / O port 87 is connected.

  As an actuator whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 81, there are reel back lamps 47a, 47b, 47c built in each reel 2-4. Lighting of these back lamps 47 a to 47 c is controlled by a drive signal from a lamp drive circuit 89 connected to the I / O port 87. Further, as the input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 81 to generate a control signal, there are the above-described cross key 23, “◯” button 24 and “×” button 25.

  In addition, an image control IC (highly integrated circuit) 90 and a sound source IC 91 are connected to the I / O port 87. The image control IC 90 is connected to a character ROM 92 storing character data and a video RAM 93 which is a color display display memory. The microcomputer 81 fetches various commands from the main control board 61 via the main control unit communication port 88 and controls the image control IC 90 based on the fetched commands to display an image on the liquid crystal display device 22.

  In addition, a sound ROM 94 storing sound data is connected to the sound source IC 91, and the sound source IC 91 emits sound from the speakers 96 and 96 through the power amplifier 95 under the control of the microcomputer 81. The microcomputer 81 controls the sound source IC 91 and the power amplifier 95 in accordance with an instruction input from the main control board 61 via the main control unit communication port 88 and prompts the player to give a stop instruction using the stop buttons 31 to 33, which will be described later. Sound effects such as notification sounds, medal insertion sounds, start lever operation sounds, stop button operation sounds, and game sounds during bonus games are emitted from the speakers 96 and 96. In addition, sound is output from the speakers 96, 96 in a sound output pattern based on the game state fetched from the main control board 61 and an effect mode selected based on the winning flag.

  When the microcomputer 81 receives an automatic stop time measurement start signal, which will be described later, transmitted from the main control board 61 (see S111 in FIG. 9), the microcomputer 81 measures the elapsed display time of each reel 2-4. An elapsed time measuring unit similar to the microcomputer 63 of the substrate 61 is configured. In addition, the microcomputer 81, the sound source IC 91, the sound ROM 94, the power amplifier 95, and the speakers 96 and 96 have an elapsed time measured by the microcomputer 81 that is longer than an elapsed time in which the reels 2 to 4 are automatically stopped by the automatic stop means. A notification sound generating means for generating a notification sound when a short predetermined time is reached is configured. In the present embodiment, the fluctuation display of the reels 2 to 4 is automatically stopped by the automatic stop means when about 40 seconds elapse from the start of the fluctuation display. When the elapsed time of the variable display on the reels 2 to 4 reaches a predetermined time of 30 seconds or 35 seconds, the sound data stored in the sound ROM 94 is referred to by the sound source IC 91 to notify the chime sound or bell sound. Sound is output from the speakers 96, 96 as described later.

  Next, the operation of the pachislot machine 1 controlled by the control circuit described above will be described.

  8 to 10 are flowcharts showing an outline of the game process controlled by the main CPU 64 of the main control board 61.

  First, an initialization process at the start of a game is performed (see FIG. 8, step (hereinafter referred to as S) 101). In this initialization process, a predetermined area of the control RAM 66 is cleared, and communication data between the main control board 61 and the sub control board 62 is initialized. Next, a RAM clear process at the end of the game is performed by the main CPU 64 to erase the data stored in the control RAM 66 at the end of the previous game (S102). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not 30 seconds have elapsed since the end of the previous game (S103). If 30 seconds have elapsed, the liquid crystal display device is transferred from the sub-control unit communication port 79 to the sub-control board 62. A standby screen command for displaying the standby screen in 22 is transmitted (S104). That is, the standby screen command is transmitted when the non-game state continues for 30 seconds.

  Next, as a result of the previous game, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not there is a replay (replay) and there is an automatic insertion request for medals (S105). If there is an automatic insertion request, next, game medals for the insertion request are automatically inserted (S106). On the other hand, when there is no automatic insertion request, a game medal insertion process is performed in which medals are betted by the operation of the medal insertion into the medal insertion slot 8 or the stored medal insertion switches 26 to 28 (S107).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a start signal is input from the start switch 30S by operating the start lever 30 (S108). If there is no start signal input and this determination is “No”, the process of S108 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is a start signal input and the determination is “Yes”, it is then determined whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the previous game (S109). If 4.1 seconds have not elapsed, the game function waits until 4.1 seconds have elapsed after the wait function is activated (S110). Accordingly, a wait time command is transmitted to the sub control board 62 side via the sub control unit communication port 79. If the operation of the start lever 30 is performed before the elapse of 4.1 seconds, a non-reelable sound is emitted from the speakers 96, 96, and the player is notified that the weight function has been activated.

  When 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the previous game, an automatic stop time measurement start signal is then transmitted to the sub control board 62 side via the sub control unit communication port 79 (see S111 in FIG. 9). Subsequently, the random number for probability lottery generated by the random number generator 69 is extracted by the sampling circuit 70 (S112), and then a one game monitoring timer is set (S113). This one game monitoring timer includes the above-described automatic stop timer for automatically stopping the reels 2 to 4 regardless of the operation of the player's stop buttons 31 to 33 by the automatic stop means. .

  When one game monitoring timer is set, next, a probability lottery process is performed (S114). In this probability lottery process, the internal winning combination is determined by determining which internal winning combination the random number extracted in S112 belongs to in the probability lottery table (see FIG. 7). At this time, the probability lottery data a1 to g1, a2 to g2, or a3 to g3 shown in any one of the probability lottery tables in FIG. 7 are used according to the number of medals inserted into the machine. When any of the internal winning combinations is won in this probability lottery process, a winning request flag for the internal winning combination is set.

  When the probability lottery process is completed, a reel rotation process is then performed (S115). In the reel rotation processing, first, a predetermined area of the control RAM 66 in which the rotation positions of the reels 2 to 4 are written is initialized by the main CPU 64 at the start of the rotation of the reels 2 to 4, and each reel 2 to 4 is subsequently stepped. The motor 45 is rotationally driven. A start command is transmitted along with the reel rotation process (S116). The start command is transmitted to the sub control board 62 side via the sub control unit communication port 79 based on the start signal input from the start switch 30S to the main CPU 64. This start command is configured to include a 16-bit parameter indicating the internal winning combination, the type of the activated winning line, and the gaming state.

  Next, it is determined whether or not any of the stop buttons 31 to 33 has been turned on (S117). If the button has not been turned on, it is determined whether or not the automatic stop timer set in S113 has become zero. It is determined (S118).

  When any of the stop buttons 31 to 33 is turned on, or when the automatic stop timer becomes 0 after about 40 seconds have elapsed from the start of the variable display of each reel 2 to 4, the next time on the activated pay line The number of symbols of the symbol drawn into the frame, that is, the number of sliding symbols is determined (S119). The number of sliding symbols is determined from the gaming state, winning request, number of control symbols, symbol position, etc. If the number of symbols from the activated winning line to the winning symbol is within the range of control symbols, it is determined as the number of sliding symbols. The Next, the number of sliding frames is stored in a predetermined area of the control RAM 66. Thereafter, a stop request flag for the first stop reel is set, and in response to the stop request flag being set, reel pull-in control is performed in which the first stop reel is rotated by the determined number of sliding frames. The rotation of the individual reels is stopped (S120). At this time, a reel stop command including information on the type of stop symbol stopped by this control is transmitted to the sub control board 62 side via the sub control unit communication port 79.

  Next, it is determined whether or not all the reels 2 to 4 are stopped (S121). If the second stop reel and the third stop reel have not stopped yet, the process returns to S117, and the above processes are repeated. When all the reels 2 to 4 are stopped, next, the main CPU 64 performs a winning search process (see S122 in FIG. 10). In this winning search process, the type of the combination of symbols actually arranged on the activated winning line is matched with the type of the internal winning combination determined by the probability lottery process of S114. Next, it is determined whether or not the winning flag is normal (S123). If this determination result is not normal, for example, if the symbol combination of “mountain” is on the activated pay line, but the winning request flag corresponding to the internal winning combination is the flag of “cherry”, An illegal error is displayed on the payout number display unit 20 and the liquid crystal display device 22 (S124). If the winning flag is normal, the game medal is stored or paid out according to the state at that time (S125). That is, if the game is played with credits, the number of stored coins displayed on the stored coin number display unit 16 is increased by the number of medals acquired by winning, and the game is performed by inserting medals into the medal slot 8. If it is in a state in which the medals are performed, the number of medals won by winning is paid out to the medal tray 34. Accordingly, a winning command is transmitted to the sub control board 62 side via the sub control unit communication port 79. The winning command includes a 24-bit parameter representing a winning combination, a gaming state, and a winning line. When the medal is stored or paid out, the WIN lamp 19 is turned on by the WIN lamp lighting process, and the player is notified of the winning (S126).

  Next, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the current gaming state is operating the BB game or the RB game (S127). When the BB game or the RB game is not in operation, the game processing by the main CPU 64 returns to S102, and the next new unit game is started. If the BB game or RB game is in operation, the number of games of the BB game or RB game is checked by the main CPU 64 (S128). Subsequently, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the current gaming state is at the end of the BB game (S129). At the end of the BB game, a BB end command is transmitted to the sub-control board 62, and a RAM clear process at the end of the BB game is performed on the control RAM 66 (S130). Thereafter, the game process returns to S102. The next new unit game is started. If it is determined at S129 that the BB game has not ended, the game process returns to S102 and the next new unit game is started.

  Next, game processing controlled by the sub CPU 82 of the sub control board 62 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of game processing controlled by the sub CPU 82. In the sub control board 62, various commands received from the main control board 61 side are always analyzed by the sub CPU 82, and various game processes based on the commands are appropriately performed (see S201 in FIG. 11).

  When the command received from the main control board 61 side is the automatic stop time measurement start signal transmitted in FIG. 9, S111, the process of starting the measurement of the elapsed time from the reception of this automatic stop time measurement start signal Is performed by the sub CPU 82. The measurement of the elapsed time is almost synchronized with the elapsed time measurement for the automatic stop of the reels 2 to 4 by the main CPU 64 in the main control board 61, and the same elapsed time is used for the main control board 61 and the sub control board 62. It is measured. When the automatic stop time measurement start signal is received from the main control board 61, the sub control board 62 performs the following notification sound generation processing at regular time intervals.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of the notification sound generation process controlled by the sub CPU 82.

  First, it is determined whether or not 30 seconds have elapsed since the reception of the automatic stop time measurement start signal, that is, whether or not the elapsed time of the variable display of each reel 2 to 4 has reached 30 seconds. The determination is made by the CPU 82 (see S211 in FIG. 12). When this determination is “Yes”, the sound source IC 91 and the power amplifier 95 are controlled, and a chime sound for notifying the passage of 30 seconds is generated from the speakers 96, 96 (S212). If the determination in S211 is “No”, whether or not 35 seconds have elapsed since the reception of the automatic stop time measurement start signal, that is, when the elapsed time of the variable display of each reel 2 to 4 has reached 35 seconds. Is determined by the sub CPU 82 (S213). When this determination is “Yes”, the sound source IC 91 and the power amplifier 95 are controlled, and a bell sound is generated from the speakers 96, 96 to notify the passage of 35 seconds (S214). If the determination in S213 is “No”, the notification sound generation process ends.

  According to the pachislot machine 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, when the elapsed time of the variable display of each reel 2 to 4 reaches 30 seconds and 35 seconds, a notification sound is generated, and then each reel The fluctuation display of 2-4 stops automatically. For this reason, when the player tries to align the desired symbols on the display windows 5 to 7 by the stop instruction operation by the stop buttons 31 to 33, the reels 2 to 4 are automatically stopped soon due to the generation of the notification sound. It is possible to grasp and the generation of the notification sound can be used as a guideline until the reels 2 to 4 are automatically stopped. As a result, the player is prompted to stop by the stop buttons 31 to 33 due to the generation of the notification sound, and can prepare for the stop instruction operation of the reels 2 to 4. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the reels 2 to 4 suddenly automatically stop before the timing of the stop instruction operation by the stop buttons 31 to 33 can be grasped, and a desired symbol cannot be stopped. become.

  In the present embodiment, since the notification sound is generated every time the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means reaches 30 seconds and 35 seconds, the player can change the reels 2 to 4. Until the display is automatically stopped, the elapsed time of the variable display of each reel 2 to 4 can be grasped in detail.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, every time the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means reaches 30 seconds and 35 seconds, a different notification sound such as a chime sound and a bell sound is generated to generate each reel. In order to prompt the instruction to stop the fluctuation display of 2 to 4, the player can clearly grasp the elapsed time of the fluctuation display of each reel 2 to 4 until the fluctuation display of each reel 2 to 4 is automatically stopped. .

  In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which different types of notification sounds such as a chime sound and a bell sound are generated each time the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means reaches each predetermined time. However, the notification sound in the present invention is not limited to a chime sound or a bell sound, and may be any sound. For example, it may be a sound such as the sound of an instrument or the sound of an animal. Moreover, every time the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time, the notification sound is generated once at the time of 30 seconds and the notification sound is generated twice at the time of 35 seconds. Thus, the configuration may be such that the number of occurrences of the notification sound is changed. Further, every time when the elapsed time reaches each predetermined time, the length, pitch, loudness, etc. of the sound to be emitted may be changed corresponding to the predetermined time.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the notification sound is generated twice at 30 seconds and 35 seconds after the start of the variable display of each reel 2 to 4. It is not something that can be done. There may be a configuration in which the notification sound is generated only once when the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means reaches a predetermined time. Moreover, you may be the structure which a notification sound generate | occur | produces over 3 times.

  In any of the above-described configurations, the same operations and effects as the pachislot machine in the above-described embodiment are exhibited.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a pachislot machine has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to other gaming machines having a function of stopping and displaying a predetermined symbol by a stop instruction operation. . Even when the present invention is applied to such a gaming machine, the same effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the pachislot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the reel unit which constitutes the pachi-slot machine by one embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of each reel which comprises the reel unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the symbol row drawn on the outer peripheral part of the reel shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the main control board of the pachi-slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the sub control board of the pachi-slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows notionally the probability lottery table used for the pachi-slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the outline of the game process by main CPU of the pachislot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the outline of the game processing by main CPU of the pachislot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd flowchart which shows the outline of the game processing by main CPU of the pachislot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the game process by sub CPU of the pachislot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the notification sound generation process by sub CPU of the pachislot machine by one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachi slot machine 2, 3, 4 ... Reel 30 ... Start lever 31, 32, 33 ... Stop button 45 ... Stepping motor 61 ... Main control board 62 ... Sub control board 63, 81 ... Microcomputer 64 ... Main CPU
65, 83 ... Program ROM
66, 84 ... Control RAM
73 ... Motor drive circuit 82 ... Sub CPU
91 ... Sound source IC
94 ... Sound ROM
95 ... Power amplifier 96 ... Speaker

Claims (3)

Variation display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, variation display start means for starting variation display of the variation display means, stop instruction means for instructing stop of variation display of the variation display means, and variation display means The elapsed time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time of the fluctuation display, and when the predetermined elapsed time is measured by the elapsed time measuring means without the stop instruction by the stop instruction means, the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display means is displayed. In a gaming machine configured to include automatic stop means for automatically stopping regardless of the stop instruction,
And a notification sound generating means for generating a notification sound when an elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means reaches a predetermined time shorter than the elapsed time at which the automatic stop is automatically stopped by the automatic stop means. A gaming machine.   A plurality of the predetermined times are set, and the notification sound generating means generates the notification sound every time the predetermined times set for a plurality of elapsed times measured by the elapsed time measuring means are reached. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the notification sound generating means generates the notification sound in a different manner at each predetermined time.

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