JP2005224286A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To keep a cost low, and at the same time, to ensure a visibility of patterns, and in addition, to prevent a game player or the like from mistakenly thinking that a big jackpot has occurred even when the patterns are displayed by operating an electric displaying device alone. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine such as a pachinko game machine or a slot machine is equipped with a motion controlling means which stops the motion of a mechanical displaying device (reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38 and 44) with the fact that specified motion conditions are satisfied as a trigger. The motions of the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38 and 44 are stopped corresponding to patterns which are displayed on a liquid crystal displaying device 12. Thus, even when the symbols displayed on the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38 and 44 can be recognized, the misrecognition of a big jackpot by a game player when the big jackpot has not occurred actually can be prevented from occurring. Since members such as a liquid crystal shutter or a half mirror are not required separately, the cost can be kept low, and the visibility of the patterns can be ensured as well. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine equipped with a mechanical display and an electrical display.

A conventional pachinko machine includes a drum display unit and a liquid crystal display unit, and a technique for realizing a jackpot game when a combination of symbols [777] or the like is displayed on the drum display unit and the liquid crystal display unit is disclosed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-190486 (pages 12-16, FIGS. 14-23)

  In the conventional pachinko machine, the symbols are always displayed using both the drum display unit and the liquid crystal display unit. The reason for this is in the drum display. That is, the drum display unit is different from the liquid crystal display unit, and the player or the like can recognize the display of the symbols even when the operation is stopped. Therefore, depending on the combination of the symbols that can be recognized from the stopped drum display portion and the symbols displayed on the liquid crystal display portion, the player or the like may be mistaken for a big hit. In order to prevent such misidentification, both the drum display unit and the liquid crystal display unit are always operated to display symbols.

  However, when playing a game, both the drum display unit and the liquid crystal display unit are operated to display the symbols.In another state, the drum display unit is stopped and only the liquid crystal display unit is operated to display the symbols. , It will be more interesting for players.

  In realizing such a display form, it is necessary to make the design invisible when the operation of the drum display unit is stopped from the viewpoint of preventing the above-described misidentification. Therefore, a configuration in which a liquid crystal shutter and a half mirror are provided on the front side (that is, the player side) of the drum display unit is conceivable. However, the cost is high because a liquid crystal shutter and a half mirror must be provided separately from the drum display, and the design is better than nothing because the drum display is viewed through the liquid crystal shutter and half mirror. There is a problem that it becomes difficult to see.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and operates only an electric display (corresponding to a liquid crystal display unit in the above example) while keeping the cost low and ensuring the visibility of the pattern. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine configured such that even when a symbol is displayed, a player or the like is not mistaken for a big hit.

(1) Means for solving the problem (hereinafter, simply referred to as “solution means”) 1 includes a mechanical indicator and an electric indicator capable of displaying symbols, and these mechanical indicator and electric indicator A gaming machine configured to realize a jackpot game when a combination of predetermined symbols is displayed by a combination of expression indicators,
When the predetermined operation condition is satisfied, the mechanical display device is operated in a state where a combination of the symbol displayed on the electric display unit cannot be the combination of the predetermined symbol is displayed. The gist is to have an operation control means for stopping.

The terms described in Solution 1 are interpreted as follows, including the claims and the description.
(A) “Design” is identification information in a game, and covers all that can be displayed on a mechanical display and an electrical display. For example, lottery display symbols (special symbols, normal symbols, etc.) consisting of characters (alphanumeric characters, kanji characters, etc.), symbols, symbols, figures (characters, etc.), images, images, etc., decorative symbols (foreground symbols, background symbols, etc.) Etc.). A plain pattern may also be included.
(B) The “mechanical indicator” only needs to be configured to be able to move a movable body representing a symbol. Examples of the movable body include a rotating member, a slide member, and a swing member.
(C) The “electric display” only needs to be configured to receive power supplied from a power source and display a symbol. For example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an LED display, an EL (Electro Luminescence) display, an FED (Field Emission Display) display, a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) display, and the like are applicable.
(D) As a form “a combination of a predetermined symbol is displayed by a combination of a mechanical display and an electric display”, a form in which a combination of a predetermined symbol is displayed only on an electric display, and a mechanical type This corresponds to a form in which a combination of a symbol displayed on the display and a symbol displayed on the electric display constitutes a predetermined symbol combination.
(E) The “predetermined operating condition” can be appropriately set according to the model of the gaming machine, the date and time, the gaming state, and the like. For example, reaching a specific internal state, winning a specific game, and the like. The specific internal state is, for example, a state in which the period for displaying symbol fluctuation is shortened (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction”), a random number has reached a specific value, a specific reach (super reach or premium) Reach, etc.) and a specific flag is turned on. The specific game only needs to be advantageous to the player. For example, jackpot games, probability fluctuations, specific bonus games (such as a big bonus game and a regular bonus game), and the like are applicable.

  According to the solution 1, the operation control unit stops the operation of the mechanical display when the predetermined operation condition is satisfied. However, the symbols that can be recognized at the time of stop are controlled so that the combination with the symbols displayed on the electric display cannot be a predetermined symbol combination (in other words, a symbol that does not realize the jackpot game). Therefore, even if only the electric display is operated after the mechanical display stops operating, and the symbol is displayed, it is not actually a big hit, but it prevents the player from mistaking it as a big hit. it can. In addition, since a separate member such as a liquid crystal shutter or a half mirror is not required, the cost can be kept low as in the case of a conventional game machine, and the symbols displayed on the mechanical display can also ensure the conventional visibility.

(2) The solution means 2 is the gaming machine described in the solution means 1, and displays a number of symbols that can display a combination of predetermined symbols on an electric display when a predetermined switching condition is met. The gist of the present invention is to have display switching means for switching to do so.
The term “predetermined switching condition” described in the solution 2 can be appropriately set according to the model of the gaming machine, the date and time, the gaming state, and the like. The predetermined operating conditions described above may be the same or different. The interpretation is the same in the claims and the description.

  According to the solution means 2, the display switching means switches the display when a predetermined switching condition is satisfied, and displays the number of symbols that can display a combination of the predetermined symbols on the electric display. Therefore, while preventing misunderstanding by a player or the like, a combination of predetermined symbols can be displayed only with an electric display, and a jackpot game can be realized.

(3) The solution means 3 is the gaming machine described in the solution means 1 or 2, wherein the mechanical display device includes a plurality of variable display bodies, and the operation control means is displayed on each of the plurality of variable display bodies. The gist of the invention is to stop the operation of the mechanical display in a state in which a symbol is displayed such that a symbol combination does not constitute a part of a predetermined symbol combination.

  When using a mechanical display with multiple variable displays, it is mistaken that a player, etc., who has seen the symbols displayed on the multiple variable displays and the electrical display on the electric display has become a big hit. there's a possibility that. According to the solving means 3, the motion control means displays a mechanical display (specifically, a plurality of variable displays) in a state in which a symbol that does not constitute a part of a predetermined symbol combination (that is, a symbol that does not become a big hit) is displayed. The body is controlled so as to be stopped, so that it is possible to reliably prevent misidentification by a player or the like.

(4) The solving means 4 is the gaming machine according to any one of the solving means 1 to 3, and includes an illuminating means for illuminating the mechanical display, and the operation control means is an operation of the mechanical display. And the lighting means is turned off.

  According to the solution means 4, when the illumination means that can be switched between the lighting state and the extinguishing state is provided, the operation control means stops the operation of the mechanical display and turns off the illumination means. If the illuminating means is turned off, it can be clearly shown that even if it can be visually recognized, it is not a target of a predetermined symbol combination. Therefore, it can prevent more reliably that the player etc. mistakenly recognize that it was a big hit.

(5) Solving means 5 is the gaming machine according to any one of solving means 1 to 4, wherein the operation control means can display a lost symbol whose mechanical display does not constitute a predetermined symbol combination. If it is configured, the gist is to stop the operation of the mechanical display in a state where the lost symbol is displayed.

  In general, a lost symbol such as a plain symbol or the like is not used for a predetermined symbol combination. According to the solution means 5, the operation control means stops the operation of the mechanical display in a state in which a lost symbol that does not constitute a predetermined symbol combination is displayed. Examples of the lost symbol include a symbol composed of a solid color (blank), a symbol used for a background, and the like. Therefore, it can prevent more reliably that the player etc. mistakenly recognize that it was a big hit.

(6) The solving means 6 is the gaming machine described in any one of the solving means 1 to 5, and the operation control means has an effective line for determining whether or not a predetermined symbol combination is displayed. In this case, the gist is to stop the operation of the mechanical display in a state in which a symbol is displayed at a position off the effective line.

  Some gaming machines may have an effective line in order to easily determine whether or not a predetermined symbol combination is displayed. According to the solution means 6, the operation control means stops the operation of the mechanical display device in a state where the symbol is displayed at a position off the effective line. It is desirable to display the symbol at a position as far as possible from the effective line. When there are a plurality of effective lines, it is desirable to display the symbol between the effective lines (intermediate position). It is clearly indicated that the symbol displayed at such a position is not a target of a predetermined symbol combination. Therefore, it can prevent more reliably that the player etc. mistakenly recognize that it was a big hit.

(7) The solving means 7 includes a mechanical indicator and an electric indicator that can display a symbol, and a combination of these mechanical indicator and electric indicator displays a jackpot when a predetermined symbol combination is displayed. A gaming machine configured to realize a game,
The gist of the invention is that it has an operation control means for controlling the operation of the mechanical display in a form in which the symbol cannot be visually recognized when a predetermined operation condition is satisfied.

  According to the solution means 7, the operation control means controls the operation of the mechanical display in a form in which the symbol cannot be visually recognized when a predetermined operation condition is satisfied. The “form in which the symbol cannot be visually recognized” may be in any form as long as it is difficult to identify with the naked eye the symbol represented on the movable body constituting the mechanical display. For example, the form which makes the movement of a movable body high-speed, the form which moves a movable body even when the symbol is stopped and displayed on an electric display, etc. correspond. In this way, the symbol becomes invisible when the mechanical display is viewed, so that the combination with the symbol displayed on the electric display does not become a predetermined symbol combination. Therefore, even when only the electric display is operated to display a symbol, the player or the like does not mistakenly recognize that the player has won a big hit, and the cost can be kept low. Note that when the predetermined operating condition is not satisfied, the operation of the mechanical display only needs to be stopped as usual, so that the symbols displayed on the mechanical display can also ensure the conventional visibility.

  According to the present invention, the operation of the mechanical display is stopped so that the combination with the symbol displayed on the electric display becomes a symbol that cannot be a predetermined symbol combination. Therefore, it is possible to keep the cost low and ensure the visibility of the symbols, and even when only the electric display is operated to display the symbols, it is possible to prevent the player from misidentifying that the player has won a big hit.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to examples.

  This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine that is one of gaming machines, and will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the symbol displayed on the mechanical display and the symbol displayed on the electric display are not only the same in the form of the pattern, but also in the case where the form of the pattern is different. If the same meaning content can be recognized, it shall be handled as the same symbol.

[Configuration example of game board for pachinko machines]
First, in FIG. 1, the structural example of the game board 10 with which a pachinko machine is equipped is shown with a front view. The game board 10 includes a liquid crystal display 12 that displays information related to a game including symbols, reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 each representing a plurality of symbols, and symbols represented on each reel. Display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46 for viewing the motors, motors 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 for rotating each reel individually to realize the display of symbol variation, and others Arrange equipment (including start-up entrances, winning entrances, large winning entrances, etc.), gates, obstacle nails, windmills, etc. as appropriate.
In the device for displaying information about games including symbols, instead of the liquid crystal display 12 described above, a display using a segment element such as a 7-segment LED, a display using plasma discharge, and an LED vertically and horizontally A display device arranged in the above may be used.

  As shown in the figure, the six reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are arranged with the three reels 14, 20, and 26 arranged in tandem on the right side of the drawing of the liquid crystal display 12, and the drawing of the liquid crystal display 12 is also shown. Three reels 32, 38, 44 are arranged in a column on the left side. The reels 14, 20, 26 and the reels 32, 38, 44 are opposite to each other in order to be disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal display 12. In accordance with this arrangement, the mounting directions of the motors 18, 24, 30 and the motors 36, 42, 48 are also opposite to each other. The symbol shown on the reel 14 can be seen from the display window 16. Similarly, symbols represented on the reels 20, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 can be individually viewed from the display windows 22, 28, 34, 40, and 46 in order. As each motor, it is desirable to use a motor (for example, a stepping motor) that can rotate in forward and reverse directions, but a motor that rotates only in one direction may be used.

[Example of reel structure]
An example of the reel structure will be described with reference to FIG. Since the six reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 described above are formed with the same structure, the reel 14 will be described as a representative here. 2, a front view of the appearance of the reel 14 is shown in FIG. 2 (A), a right side view of FIG. 2 (A) viewed from the right side is shown in FIG. 2 (B), and FIG. The left side view seen from the left side of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG.

  The reel 14 has an insertion portion 14b, a stepped portion 14c, and the like with a reel body 14a formed in a cylindrical shape as a base. The reel body 14a of this example is formed with a side plate formed at one end (the right end in FIG. 2A) and the other end (the left end in FIG. 2A) left open. To do. The insertion portion 14b is formed integrally with the above-described side plate, and is connected to the rotating shaft (or power transmission mechanism) of the motor to receive power transmission. The shape of the plug-in portion 14b is arbitrary, but a shape that can reliably receive power transmission from the motor, for example, a shape in which a cylindrical part is cut out in a straight line (in other words, a cross-sectional shape similar to the letter “D”) ). The stepped portion 14c is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the reel body 14a, and performs a positioning function when a film (including a seal) representing a design is attached to the outer peripheral portion. When the film is stuck on the outer peripheral portion of the reel body 14a, a part where the film is wrapped and overlapped is generated, and the part may protrude. Since such protrusions are not preferable in the game, it is desirable to form the step of the step portion 14c substantially equal to the thickness of the film.

[Configuration example of reel and motor]
As shown in FIG. 1, the reels 14, 20, and 26 arranged on the right side of the liquid crystal display 12 and the reels 32, 38, and 44 arranged on the left side of the liquid crystal display 12 are used as motors. An example of connection will be described with reference to FIG. 3 shows an example in which the reel 14 is connected to the motor 18, and FIG. 3B shows an example in which the reel 32 is connected to the motor 36. Since the reel 32 is formed in the same structure as the reel 14, the reel body 32a is used as a base and has an insertion part 32b, a step part 32c, and the like.

As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3A, the rotating shaft 18 a of the motor 18 is inserted into the insertion portion 14 b of the reel 14. With this insertion, the reel 14 rotates in a predetermined direction (in this example, the direction indicated by the arrow D2) with the rotation of the rotating shaft 18a. From the opening part of the reel 14, it fixes with the backlight 14d put in the cylinder, and the design shown on the reel 14 is illuminated. The number of the backlights 14d is arbitrary, and may be one or more. The number of emission colors is also arbitrary, and it may be emitted in a single color (for example, white such as a miniature bulb), or may be switched in multiple colors (for example, red, blue, yellow, white, etc.) to be emitted. .
3B, the rotation shaft 36a of the motor 36 is inserted into the insertion portion 32b of the reel 32. With this insertion, the reel 32 rotates in the direction opposite to the reel 14 (in this example, the direction indicated by the arrow D4) with the rotation of the rotating shaft 36a. From the opening part of the reel 32, the backlight 32d is put in the cylinder and fixed. The symbol displayed on the reel 32 is illuminated from the rear side by the backlight 32d. Note that the backlights 14d, 32d,... Correspond to illumination means in that the symbols represented on each reel are illuminated.

  The example of connecting the reels 20 and 26 to the motors 24 and 30 is the same as the example of connecting the reel 14 to the motor 18, and the example of connecting the reels 38 and 44 to the motors 42 and 48 is the reel 32 to the motor 36. Since it is the same as the example of connection, illustration and description of these are omitted. The motors 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, and 48 are driven and controlled to rotate the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44, and the symbols vary through the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, and 46. In terms of realizing the display, it corresponds to a mechanical display.

[Example of film structure]
An example of the film affixed to each of the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 will be described with reference to FIG. The film 50 shown in FIG. 4 shows four symbols 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, all of which can recognize the numeric symbol “7”. These symbols have different colors, and the color and arrangement of the symbols can be arbitrarily set. For example, the symbol 50a is red (illustrated by a vertical hatch), the symbol 50b is blue (illustrated by a horizontal hatch), the symbol 50c is yellow (illustrated by a hatched hatch), and the symbol 50d is white (illustrated only by an outline). ) To set. The symbol displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 is also the same as the symbol shown on the film 50, or a symbol that can be recognized as the same symbol by the player (for example, “7” in Chinese numerals).
In addition, the white part (part surrounded by the outline) of the symbol 50d is applied so that the transmittance of the backlight is higher than that of the other symbols. By doing so, the color of the symbol 50d represented by the backlight becomes the symbol color as it is.

[Control board connection example]
An example of electrically connecting a plurality of control boards will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, the pachinko machine includes a payout control board 52, a main control board 56, a frame decoration distribution board 58, a sub control board 62, a symbol control board 70, and the like.

The payout control board 52 performs control for paying out the pachinko balls through the ball payout device in accordance with the payout signal transmitted from the main control board 56 through the connector 54.
A main control board 56 mainly composed of a CPU (processor) 56a controls the progress of the game in the pachinko machine. In the control, a ROM 56b for storing a game control program and certain data, a RAM 56c for storing temporary data such as a random number and a holding number, an input / output processing circuit and a communication control circuit (not shown) are provided.

  Similar to the main control board 56, the sub-control board 62 is configured around the CPU, and receives peripheral gaming signals transmitted from the main control board 56 to control peripheral devices. That is, the sub-control board 62 controls the display performed on the liquid crystal display 12 through the symbol control board 70, controls the sound emitted from the speaker 68 through the connector 60, and also decorates the frame decoration distribution board 58 through the connector 60. The control which outputs the signal for business is performed.

Similarly to the main control board 56, the symbol control board 70 is also configured around a CPU, and converts the game signal into a display signal and transmits it to the liquid crystal display 12, and motors 18, 24, 30, 36, The control concerning the operation (rotation, stop, etc.) of 42 and 48 is performed. The symbol control board 70 includes storage means (for example, a ROM) including a program for realizing procedures such as a change display process and an effect control process described later.
The frame decoration distribution board 58 controls the sound emitted from the speaker 64 upon receiving the decoration signal transmitted from the sub-control board 62, lighting / flashing of the light emitter 66 (lamp, LED, etc.).

[Variable display of design by liquid crystal display and reel]
In the pachinko machine configured as described above, an example will be described in which a variable display of symbols is performed using the liquid crystal display 12 and the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44. The variation display process shown in FIG. 6 and the effect control process shown in FIG. 7 are both realized on the symbol control board 70 (or sub-control board 62) described above. The variation display of the symbol may be a variation display using a lottery display symbol, or may be a variation display produced using a decorative symbol.
In the variable display using the decorative design, a display different from the internal state of the pachinko machine may be performed. For example, even when reach cannot be taken as an internal state, an effect related to the reach (that is, apparent reach) may be displayed.

  In the variation display process shown in FIG. 6, when a display signal (including a display command) is received from the main control board 56 (YES in step S10) and the variation display is performed by the display signal (step S12). YES), processing is as follows. That is, according to the variation display pattern selected by the symbol control board 70, the variation display of the symbol is started [Step S14], the effect control process for realizing the effect related to a part of the variation display is executed [Step S16], and the variation display is performed. When the variation period to be performed has elapsed, the variation display for the current lottery is terminated and the stop display symbol is displayed [step S18], and the variation display process is terminated. The specific procedure of the effect control process in step S16 will be described next.

  The effect control process shown in FIG. 7 is an example of realizing an effect using the liquid crystal display 12 and the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44. In order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed that the production is performed using both the liquid crystal display 12 and the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44, and the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are performed. A description will be given centering on the timing of stopping. The reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 in this example may be stopped according to a predetermined order (or random order) or simultaneously. The reach display by the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 is not a reach as an internal state but an apparent reach, but will be referred to as “reach display” for convenience.

First, if the current gaming state is not a short time but a normal state (NO in step S20), the number of variable displays performed during one short time (hereinafter simply referred to as “short time variation number”) is cleared with a predetermined value. [Step S32]. Normally, the predetermined value is set to zero, but may be set to other numerical values (for example, 1 or 2) according to the gaming state or the like. If the previous lottery is a big hit with a short time, the time is short (otherwise referred to as “short time mode”) until the end condition is satisfied. The termination condition can be arbitrarily set. For example, it is possible to display a variable display a predetermined number of times (20 times, etc.) after a short time, or to pass a predetermined period (for example, 15 minutes).
In step S32, when the display is performed only on the liquid crystal display 12 by executing step S30 as described later, the liquid crystal display 12 and the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 are used. Return to the standard display mode for displaying symbols.

  If the current gaming state is short (YES at step S20), the number of time fluctuations is increased [step S22], and the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are rotated as follows. Control to stop. That is, when the reach display is performed in the middle of the variable display (YES in step S24) or the jackpot display is performed (YES in step S26), the reel 14 together with the liquid crystal display 12 is used to perform the normal variable display. , 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 are also controlled as usual.

  When the jackpot display is performed (YES in step S26), it may be configured to perform control for rotating one or more reels [step S34]. For example, the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are kept stopped until the jackpot is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12. After the jackpot display is performed on the liquid crystal display 12, one or more reels are rotated in accordance with the jackpot display and the backlights 14d, 32d,. Thereby, since the jackpot display is performed on the liquid crystal display 12 and the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44, it becomes easy for the player to recognize the jackpot (winning).

On the other hand, it is a fluctuation display pattern that loses before reaching reach, and in the first fluctuation display after entering the short time (YES in step S28), the reels 14, 20, After temporarily moving 26, 32, 38, 44, the backlights 14d, 32d,... Are turned off [step S36].
The “moving temporarily” described above is a form in which one or more reels are rotated so as not to reach, and then stopped. In this embodiment, since the rotation angle for preventing the symbols displayed by the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 from reaching reach is sufficient, many rotation angles are less than 360 degrees (one rotation). Just do it. The rotation speed at this time may be arbitrarily set, but it is desirable that the rotation is performed more slowly than the other variation displays so that the player can recognize that the rotation is unrelated to the variation display. The purpose of turning off the backlights 14d, 32d,... Is to clarify to the player that the symbols displayed on the turned-off reels are unrelated to the effect display.

  As described above, the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, and 38 are the variation display patterns that are lost before reaching reach, and in the second and subsequent variation display after entering the short time (NO in step S 28). , 44 are stopped in a state where reach is not reached [step S36]. Therefore, in preparation for the next and subsequent fluctuation display, the liquid crystal display 12 performs fluctuation display only, and after switching the display form so as to enable reach display and jackpot display [step S30], the reels 14, 20, 26 are displayed. , 32, 38, 44 are maintained stopped and extinguished [step S38].

[Example of production using a composite display]
FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 show examples of effects using the composite display composed of the liquid crystal display 12 and the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 by executing the above-described variable display process, effect control process, and the like. The description will be given with reference. Among these figures, FIG. 8 shows an example in which normal variation display is performed, and FIGS. 9 and 10 each show an example in which specific variation display is performed during time reduction.
Here, on the screen of the liquid crystal display 12 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, a decoration display area 12a that simulates a variable display using a decoration pattern, and a normal symbol area that displays a normal symbol related to a lottery symbol. 12b and a special symbol area 12c for displaying a special symbol related to the lottery symbol. The contents of the special symbol can be set arbitrarily, but in this example, symbols representing a circle “◯”, a triangle “Δ”, a cross “+”, and a heart shape are used. In the jackpot display, for example, it is assumed that two symbols having the same shape are displayed for a special symbol. In the normal symbol region 12b, when the condition for starting the variable symbol display of the normal symbol is satisfied (for example, when the pachinko ball passes through the gate), the variable symbol is started and then stopped. Below, the change display of a special symbol is demonstrated.

[First production example]
First, the first effect example is an example applied to a normal variable display excluding a short time performed after the jackpot game is finished, and a variable display including a reach display or a jackpot display during the short time. In this example, variable display including jackpot display will be described.

  In FIG. 8, when the condition for starting the variable symbol display is satisfied (for example, when the pachinko ball wins the start opening), the main control board 56 performs lottery and transmits a display signal to the sub-control board 62. Receiving the display signal, the sub-control board 62 starts the variable display on the liquid crystal display 12 and the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46 as shown in FIG. 8A (step of FIG. 6). S14). In the liquid crystal display 12, the simulated variation display in the decoration display region 12a and the variation display in the special symbol region 12c are performed in parallel. In the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46, the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 are rotated to realize variable display.

In the middle of the variable display, the following effect display is performed (step S26 in FIG. 7). That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, for some display windows, the variable display is stopped by stopping the reels, and the symbols are displayed. In this example, a white symbol “7” is displayed for each of the display windows 22, 28, 34, and 40. In other words, the backlight of the reel displaying the white symbol “7” is lit in white.
Further, when the variable display is stopped for the display windows 16 and 46 and the simulated variable display in the decoration display area 12a is stopped, the display is as shown in FIG. In this example, a white symbol “7” is displayed in the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, and 46, but a red symbol “7” is displayed in the decoration display area 12a. At present, the same color “7” is not arranged on each of the upper horizontal, middle horizontal, lower horizontal, and diagonal lines. Therefore, it is highly likely that the player thinks that the current lottery was a losing.

After the display of FIG. 8 (C) is performed, an effect of switching the light emission colors of the backlights 14d, 32d,... On all the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 is performed. Is controlled to light up in red. In this way, as shown in FIG. 8D, the symbols displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 and the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, and 46 are all red symbols “7”, and the upper row, the middle row The same color “7” is aligned on each of the horizontal, lower horizontal, and diagonal lines. The display of variation in the special symbol area 12c is stopped almost simultaneously with the red lighting of the backlights 14d, 32d,..., And two circular “◯” symbols are displayed (step S18 in FIG. 6). A jackpot display is realized by the above-described display, and a jackpot game is performed. The player who saw the jackpot display knows that the current lottery is a jackpot (winning).
Note that the jackpot game is a game state advantageous to the player, for example, a game in which a predetermined number of rounds is set as an upper limit, and a big winning opening is opened under a predetermined limit in each round. Since a specific configuration, operation, and the like can be realized by using a well-known technique, illustration and description are omitted.

[Second production example]
The second effect example is an example applied to the first variable display after the start of time reduction. In this example, a variable display including a loss display will be described. The following description is based on the premise that the change display shown in FIG. 8 is a big hit and the time is shortened after the big win game. It is assumed that the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 remain stopped during the jackpot game.

  First, the state of the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46 immediately before starting the variable display is as shown in FIG. In the first variation display after the start of time reduction, the liquid crystal display 12 performs variation display, but the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, and 46 do not perform variation display. Therefore, the variable display on the liquid crystal display 12 is started (step S14 in FIG. 6), and preparations are made to make the symbols displayed on the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, and 46 not reach ( Step S36 in FIG.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the reels 20, 32, and 44 are slowly rotated to change the symbols displayed on the display windows 22, 34, and 46 (illustrated by broken lines with arrows). In other words, the reels 20, 32, and 44 are slowly rotated and stopped so that the same color symbols “7” are not aligned on the upper horizontal, middle horizontal, lower horizontal, and diagonal lines. The state after the stop is shown in FIG. In this example, a yellow symbol “7” is displayed on the display windows 22 and 46, and a blue symbol “7” is displayed on the display window 34. Thus, the combination of symbols displayed on the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 cannot be an apparent reach.
After the reels 20, 32, 44 are stopped, the backlights 14d, 32d,... On all the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 are further turned off. In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the light-off state is illustrated by gray shading, and FIG. 9C, FIG. 9D, FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, and FIG. ) Is the same. By turning off the backlight in this manner, the player can recognize the symbols displayed on each display window, but can easily understand that the display is irrelevant to the variable display and the effect display.

  The variation display on the liquid crystal display 12 is performed in parallel with the simulated variation display in the decoration display region 12a and the variation display in the special symbol region 12c in the same manner as in the first effect example. In the first effect example described above, only one variable display is performed, but in this effect example, a plurality of variable displays are performed. In the example shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the variable display is performed for the upper, middle, and lower stages in the decoration display area 12a.

Thereafter, FIG. 9C shows a state in which the variable display of each stage in the decoration display area 12a is sequentially stopped and the upper stage and the lower stage are stopped. In the example shown in FIG. 9C, the yellow symbol “7” is displayed in the upper row, and the red symbol “7” is displayed in the lower row. Eventually, the variable display at the middle stage in the decoration display area 12a is stopped, and the variable display in the special symbol area 12c is also stopped (step S18 in FIG. 6). FIG. 9D shows a display state in which all variable displays are stopped in this way. In the example shown in FIG. 9D, a blue symbol “7” is displayed in the middle, and a circular symbol “◯” and a cross symbol “+” are displayed in the special symbol region 12c. The symbol rows displayed in the upper, middle, and lower rows in the decoration display area 12a are not the same color “7”, and the two symbols displayed in the special symbol area 12c do not match. Loss display is realized by the above-described display, and the player who sees them knows that the current lottery is a loss (losing).
Regarding the relationship with the symbols displayed on the unlit reels, the same-color symbol “7” is not arranged on each of the upper row, middle row, lower row, and diagonal rows. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from misunderstanding that the player has won the jackpot.

[Third production example]
The third effect example is an example applied to variable display that is performed for the second and subsequent times after the start of time reduction. In this example, variable display including jackpot display will be described. Although the first display example may be applied to the variable display including the jackpot display, the present display example may be applied in order to bring out unexpectedness.

  Since the one or more reels are temporarily moved so that the symbols displayed on the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, and 46 are not reached at the time of the first variation display after starting the time reduction ( Second production example; step S36 in FIG. 7), and the state is maintained. Therefore, the display state when the variable display is started is as shown in FIG. 10A, which is the same as the display state of FIG. 9B described above.

  In the liquid crystal display 12, similar to the second effect example, the simulated variation display in the decoration display region 12a and the variation display in the special symbol region 12c are performed in parallel. Subsequently, FIG. 10B shows a state in which the variable display at each stage in the decoration display area 12a is sequentially stopped and the upper stage and the lower stage are stopped. In the example shown in FIG. 10B, the yellow symbol “7” is displayed in the upper and lower stages, respectively, and reach display is realized. Eventually, the variable display at the middle stage in the decoration display area 12a is stopped, and the variable display in the special symbol area 12c is also stopped (step S18 in FIG. 6).

  A display state in which all the variable displays are stopped in this way is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 10C, a yellow symbol “7” is also displayed in the middle stage, and two triangles “Δ” are displayed in the special symbol region 12c. The symbol rows displayed in the upper, middle, and lower rows in the decoration display area 12a match with the same-color symbol “7”, and the two symbols displayed in the special symbol area 12c also match. Then, as shown in FIG. 10D, the liquid crystal display 12 displays a large yellow symbol “7” and all the symbols displayed on the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46 are yellow. One or more reels are temporarily rotated so as to have the symbol “7”, and all the backlights 14d, 32d,... Are turned on (step S34 in FIG. 7). By this operation control, a yellow symbol “7” is displayed on all of the liquid crystal display 12 and the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, and 46, and the upper row, the middle row, the lower row, and the diagonal row above each row. The same color "7" is arranged. A jackpot display is realized by the above-described display, and a jackpot game is performed. The player who saw the jackpot display easily knows that the current lottery is a jackpot (winning). Such a display form is effective when an apparent jackpot display accompanied by a probability variation is performed from an apparent loss display or a normal jackpot display.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the first variable display after the jackpot game (ie, triggered by satisfying a predetermined operation condition), the combination with the symbols displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 does not reach (that is, the predetermined display) The operation of the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 was stopped in a state in which a symbol that cannot be a combination of symbols is displayed) {operation control means; see step S36 in FIG. 7}. Therefore, it is impossible to achieve an apparent reach with only the symbols displayed on the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44. Therefore, even when only the liquid crystal display 12 is operated to display the symbols, the apparent ones are displayed. There is no reach display or jackpot display. Therefore, even when the symbols displayed on the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 can be recognized, it is possible to prevent the player from misidentifying that the player has hit the jackpot even though the jackpot is not actually a jackpot. . Further, since a separate member such as a liquid crystal shutter or a half mirror is not required, the cost can be kept low as in the case of a conventional pachinko machine, and the symbols displayed on the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44. The conventional visibility can be secured.

  In the above-described embodiment, “the first variable display during the short time after the big hit game” is applied as the predetermined operation condition. However, other operation conditions may be set. For example, it means that the time is short, it is a variable display for a predetermined number of times (first time, fifth time, etc.), or a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to operate the reel, and a predetermined result is obtained. To do. If the condition is changed as the gaming state changes, the player plays to satisfy the condition, so the pachinko game becomes interesting.

(2) In the second and subsequent variable display after the jackpot game (that is, triggered by satisfying a predetermined switching condition), the display form is switched so that the variable display is performed only on the liquid crystal display 12 {Display Switching means; see step S30 in FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG. In other words, the liquid crystal display 12 displays a number of symbols that allow reach display and jackpot display. Accordingly, while preventing misunderstanding by the player or the like, the reach display or the jackpot display can be performed only by the liquid crystal display 12, and the jackpot game can be realized.

(3) Six reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are provided as a plurality of variable display bodies (see FIGS. 1 and 8 to 10). The reel operation was stopped in a state where the combination of symbols displayed on the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 did not become an apparent reach (a state that does not constitute a part of the predetermined symbol combination). {Operation control means; see step S36 in FIG. 7}. In particular, as is apparent from the display example shown in FIG. 9D, the symbols displayed on the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are displayed on the display windows 16 and 22 even when they are irrelevant to the fluctuation display by turning off the lights. , 28, 34, 40, 46. However, even in this case, since the symbols are displayed in a state where the reach is not apparent, even if the symbols are combined with the symbols displayed on the liquid crystal display 12, it is not mistaken that the player or the like has a big hit. Therefore, misidentification of a player or the like can be reliably prevented.

(4) Backlights 14d, 32d,... 14d, 32d,... Illuminating the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 are provided {see FIG. In this configuration, the operation of the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 is stopped and the backlights 14d, 32d,... Are turned off {operation control means; see step S36 in FIG. . As described above, if the backlights 14d, 32d,... Are turned off, it can be clearly shown that even if the symbol can be visually recognized, it does not become an object of apparent reach display or jackpot display. Therefore, it can prevent more reliably that the player etc. mistakenly recognize that it was a big hit.
In this example, the backlights 14d, 32d,... Are applied as the illumination means, but other illumination means that can illuminate the symbol may be used. For example, a front light that illuminates from the front side, a side light that illuminates from the side, the upper side, the lower side, or the like is applicable.

[Other Examples]
As mentioned above, although the best form for implementing this invention was demonstrated according to the Example, this invention is not limited to the said Example at all. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following forms may be realized.

(1) In the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine. Instead of this form, it is a gaming machine other than a pachinko machine (for example, a slot machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball game machine, a video game machine, etc.), which has both a mechanical display and an electric display. The present invention can be similarly applied to those provided. For example, the slot machine has a rotating body similar to the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44, and therefore can be an object equipped with an electric display equivalent to the liquid crystal display 12. Even for the other gaming machines, control is performed to stop the operation of the mechanical display so that the combination of the symbols displayed on the electric display becomes a symbol that cannot be a predetermined symbol combination. {See the effect control process of FIG. 7}. In this way, the cost can be kept low and the visibility of the symbol can be secured, and even when only the electric display is operated to display the symbol, it is possible to prevent the player from misidentifying that the player has hit the jackpot.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the operations of the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are controlled in such a manner that the symbols can be visually recognized {see the effect control process in FIG. 7}. Instead of (or in addition to) this form, the operation of the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 may be controlled in a form in which the symbols are not visible. The control may be configured so as to be triggered by satisfying a certain condition (for example, time reduction, a predetermined number of fluctuation displays, etc.), or may be configured to be performed unconditionally. The “form in which the symbols cannot be visually recognized” may be any form in which the symbols shown on the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are difficult to identify with the naked eye. For example, a form in which the rotational speed of the reel is displayed at a high speed, or a form in which the swinging fluctuation is realized such that the symbols are continuously moving up and down by alternately switching the rotational direction of the reels and moving. In this way, when the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are viewed, the symbols cannot be visually recognized at the fixed positions. Therefore, the combination with the symbols displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 is an apparent reach display or a jackpot. There is no indication. Therefore, even when only the liquid crystal display 12 is operated to display a symbol, the player or the like is not mistaken for a big hit, and the cost can be kept low.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the symbols represented by the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are configured only by symbols that can be displayed with an apparent reach or a jackpot display (see FIG. 4). Instead of this form, a symbol that does not become an apparent reach display or jackpot display (that is, a symbol that does not constitute a predetermined symbol combination) is one or more of the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44. It is good also as a structure represented to a reel. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, a film 50 representing a symbol 50e is attached to each reel between the symbol 50d and the symbol 50a. The symbol 50e has a shape simulating an emblem. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, a film 50 representing another design 50f different from the design 50e is attached to each reel. The symbol 50f is a solid color (for example, white) having no shape, and is represented by a broken line for easy understanding. The symbols 50e and 50f are symbols that do not constitute an apparent reach display, jackpot display, or the like, and correspond to a predetermined combination of symbols. If the rotation of the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 is controlled so that the symbols 50e, 50f are displayed on all or part of the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46, a game It is possible to more reliably prevent a person from misidentifying that a big hit has occurred.
In this example, the symbols 50e and 50f are applied as symbols that do not correspond to the predetermined symbol combination, but symbols used as the background may be applied. Further, although only one symbol 50e, 50f is represented on the film 50, two or more may be represented on the film 50. Even in these cases, it is possible to more reliably prevent a player or the like from misidentifying that a big hit has occurred.

(4) In the embodiment described above, in addition to the display of the special symbol area 12c, the decorative display area 12a and the display windows 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46 are arranged in a row above each of the upper side, middle side, lower side, and diagonal lines. The jackpot display was realized by performing a display in which the same color “7” is displayed {see FIGS. 8D and 10D}. Each of these upper row, middle row, lower row, and diagonal rows is called an “effective line”. When the same color symbols “7” are displayed on the active line, an apparent jackpot display is made, and the player recognizes that the player has won the jackpot. Considering this in reverse, when the same color symbols “7” are not displayed on the active line, an apparent loss display is obtained. Therefore, the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 may be controlled to stop the operation in a state where the symbols are displayed at positions deviated from the effective line {operation control means; step S36 in FIG. reference}. A display example by this control is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, each display window 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46 has a yellow symbol 50 c illustrating a lower half of “7” together with a hatched hatch, and an upper half of “7” only by an outline. A white symbol 50d shown in the figure is displayed. For the sake of easy understanding, the effective lines are indicated by broken lines in FIG. When the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 are stopped in a state where the symbols are displayed at a position deviating from the effective line (in this example, at an almost intermediate position between the symbols), an apparent reach is displayed. It becomes clear that it will not be the target of the jackpot display. Therefore, it can prevent more reliably that the player etc. mistakenly recognize that it was a big hit.

(5) In the embodiment described above, the three reels 14, 20, and 26 are arranged in tandem on the right side of the liquid crystal display 12 in the drawing, and the three reels 32, 38, and 44 are similarly arranged on the left side of the liquid crystal display 12 in the drawing. It is set as the structure arrange | positioned in cascade {refer FIG. 1, FIG. 8-FIG. 10}. Instead of this form, the number of reels arranged on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display 12 may be one or five. An example in which the reel 14 (display window 16) is arranged on the right side of the liquid crystal display 12 in the drawing and the reel 32 (display window 34) is arranged on the left side of the liquid crystal display 12 in FIGS. In the example displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 and the reels 14 and 32, FIG. 13 corresponds to the display example of FIG. 8, FIG. 14 corresponds to the display example of FIG. 9, and FIG. . Even in these displays, only the symbols displayed on the display windows 16 and 34 do not provide an apparent reach. Therefore, even when only the liquid crystal display 12 is operated to display the symbols, an apparent reach display or a jackpot display is achieved. It will never be. Therefore, even when the number of reels is different from that of the above-described embodiment, the same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained.

(6) In the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to the special symbol variation display. However, the present invention may also be applied to the normal symbol variation display. The operation of the liquid crystal display 12 and the reels 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 is controlled according to the variable display pattern selected by the symbol control board 70 but specified by the main control board 56. You may follow. Although the present invention is applied to apparent reel display and jackpot display, the present invention may be applied to reel display and jackpot display based on the internal state. In any form, it is possible to prevent a player or the like from misidentifying that a big hit has occurred.

It is a front view which shows the structural example of the game board with which a pachinko machine is equipped. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a reel. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of a reel and a motor. It is a top view which shows an example of the film stuck on a reel. It is a block diagram showing typically the example of connection composition of a control board. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a fluctuation | variation display process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of production control processing. It is a figure explaining the example of an effect realized with a liquid crystal display and a display window. It is a figure explaining the example of an effect realized with a liquid crystal display and a display window. It is a figure explaining the example of an effect realized with a liquid crystal display and a display window. It is a top view which shows an example of the film stuck on a reel. It is a figure explaining the example of an effect realized with a liquid crystal display and a display window. It is a figure explaining the example of an effect realized with a liquid crystal display and a display window. It is a figure explaining the example of an effect realized with a liquid crystal display and a display window. It is a figure explaining the example of an effect realized with a liquid crystal display and a display window.

Explanation of symbols

10 Game board 12 Liquid crystal display (electric display)
14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 Reel (Mechanical display)
14a, 32a, ... Reel body 14b, 32b, ... Insertion part 14c, 32c, ... Step part 14d, 32d, ... Backlight 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46 Display window 18, 24, 30, 36, 42,48 motor (mechanical indicator)
18a, 36a,... Rotating shaft 50 Film 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f Design 52 Dispensing control board 54 Connector 56 Main control board 56b ROM
56c RAM
58 Frame decoration distribution board 60 Connector 62 Sub control board 64, 68 Speaker 66 Light emitter 70 Design control board

Claims (1)

It is equipped with a mechanical display and electrical display that can display symbols, and is configured to realize a jackpot game when a combination of these mechanical displays and electrical displays displays a predetermined combination of symbols. A gaming machine,
A gaming machine having operation control means for stopping the operation of the mechanical display when a predetermined operation condition is satisfied.

Images