JP2005237707A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game apparatus which can ease the spoiling of the interests felt by the players who get the games suspended while enabling the staffs to determine the elapse period of the error display by causing changes in the error display given for the error condition. <P>SOLUTION: The game apparatus has an error judging means 68 for judging the presence of the prescribed errors attributed to the suspension of the games, an error display data memory means 76 for storing the error display data pertaining to the error display, an error display means 38 for the notice to the effect of being in the error condition and an error display control means 77 for controlling the error display shown on the error display means 38 based on the error display data stored in the error display data memory means 76 and also has a clocking means 78 which measures the error generation period up to the present from the judgment by the error judging means 68 that the error exists. The error display control means 77 extracts the error display data from the error display data memory means 76 based on the error generation period, thereby controlling the error display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique when an error display relating to an error that causes a game to be interrupted is made in a gaming device.

  Game machines represented by slot machines and pachinko machines have a function of notifying that there is an error state when playing a game. For example, when an abnormal state occurs, such as when a foreign object is inserted into the medal / outgoing slot, or when the medal to be paid out or the outgoing ball is empty, an error screen is displayed or a warning sound is emitted from the speaker.

  When an error occurs, the game is interrupted and the player must wait for the store clerk to clear the error. There is no problem if the clerk can respond quickly and cancel the error state, but taking into account the operating status and equipment status in the hall, the clerk's response may be delayed, and you must wait for several minutes The situation continues. This results in a loss of interest for the player who is enjoying the game. Also, the store clerk wants to keep track of the progress of errors that occur because the player does not wait much.

  Therefore, it has become necessary to devise a game that can be enjoyed by a player who is just waiting for the game. As a specific method of such a device, it is conceivable to make the error screen displayed in error display enjoyable.

  However, the image displayed on the error screen is fixedly displayed or moves, such as a letter indicating an error condition, a mark indicating the meaning of the warning, an apologize by a specific character, etc. However, it is only a tasteless display that only loops and makes a certain movement, and it is hard to say that it can be enjoyed by the player.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of notifying an error by displaying information on an error or information prompting maintenance as a graphic or a message on a display screen. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for making a warning sound or turning on a lamp as an error notification. However, none of these technologies fall within the above-mentioned category of expression, and it cannot be said that they are very enjoyable.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-801 JP 2000-317043 A

  In view of the above circumstances, in the present invention, by changing the error display displayed in the error state, it is possible to mitigate the interest of the player who has been interrupted the game, and the store clerk displays the error display. Provided is a gaming device capable of grasping an elapsed period.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an error determination means for determining the presence or absence of a predetermined error that causes a game to be interrupted, and an error display for storing error display data for displaying an error. Control of error display displayed on the error display means based on the error display data stored in the error display data storage means, an error display means for notifying that an error state has occurred An error display control means that includes a timing means for measuring an error occurrence period from when the error determination means determines that there is an error until the present, and the error display control means includes the error display control means, Based on an error occurrence period, the error display data is extracted from the error display data storage means, and error display is controlled. That.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the error display control means changes the number of display objects to be displayed on the error display means in accordance with the error occurrence period. And

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the error display control means displays a display object to be displayed on the error display means corresponding to the error occurrence period. It is characterized by changing the probability.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming device according to the third aspect, the error display control means increases the probability that a display object to be displayed on the error display means appears as the error occurrence period becomes longer. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the error display control means includes a character display indicating that an error has occurred and a character indicating the location where the error has occurred. It consists of a display and a character display related to a game whose display mode changes according to the error occurrence period.

  By extracting error display data according to changes over time and adding a change to the error display displayed in the error state, it is possible to mitigate the loss of interest of the player who has been interrupted, and the store clerk Can grasp the elapsed period of error display.

  Hereinafter, a slot machine is taken as an example of an embodiment of the gaming apparatus of the present invention and will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the slot machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. To do.

  1 is a front view showing the external structure of the slot machine 100, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal structure of the slot machine 100, and FIG. 3 is a configuration of a control system provided in the slot machine 100. It is a block diagram showing.

<Device configuration>
First, the external structure of the slot machine 100 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1. The slot machine 100 includes a front door 101 facing a player, and a case 102 described later in which the front door 101 is attached to be openable and closable. And is configured.

  The front door 101 includes an upper panel portion 103, a middle panel portion 104, and a lower panel portion 105 that are formed of mechanically strong hard plastic.

  The upper panel portion 103 is provided with an effect lamp 103a called an upper lamp, sound emitting portions 103b and 103c to which speakers are attached, and effect display means 103d that displays a predetermined effect, such as a liquid crystal display. ing.

  The middle panel portion 104 is provided with a substantially rectangular display means WD formed of a hard plastic plate and effect lamps 104a and 104b. The reel R1 of the spinning reel device 200 provided in the housing 102, R2 and R3 can be viewed by the player via the display means WD. In addition, you may take the structure which provides the hard plastic for protection further on the front surface of the display means WD.

  Further, an operation unit 104c for a player to operate is provided at the lower end of the middle panel 104, and a medal slot MD for inserting game medals necessary for playing a slot machine game is provided in the operation unit 104c. And bet switches B1, B2, and B3 for presenting the number of medals per game, a start lever ST for instructing the start of one game, and the rotating reels R1, R2, and R3 are individually stopped. Stop switches SP1, SP2 and SP3 are provided.

  Further, a keyhole KY for unlocking the front door 101 is provided in the vicinity of the medal slot MD. Then, if a business operator or administrator on the amusement hall inserts a regular key into the keyhole KY and performs an unlocking operation, the locking mechanism (not shown) is released, and the front door 101 can be opened from the housing 102. It has become.

  An image (not shown) for introducing the game contents of the slot machine 100 is drawn on the lower panel 105, and a discharge port 105a and a tray for paying out the number of game medals acquired by the player. 105b and a sound emitting unit 105c to which a speaker is attached are provided.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the rear surface structure of the front door 101 and the internal structure of the housing 102 will be outlined. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the front door 101 is unlocked and opened from the housing 102.

  In the figure, speakers SR and SL constituting the above-described sound emitting units 103b and 103c are provided on the upper rear surface of the front door 101, and effect display means 103d is provided between the speakers SR and SL.

  Further, a sub-control board 300 formed of an electric circuit board is attached to the back side of the effect display means 103d.

  That is, the sub-control board 300 is a so-called electric circuit board in which electronic components such as an integrated circuit device (IC), a transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor are mounted and connected on an insulating resin substrate on which a conductive wiring pattern is formed. And is attached so as to overlap the back side of the effect display means 103d.

  Below the effect display means 103 d and the sub-control board 300, a substantially rectangular frame body 104 d on which the display means WD and the panel surface of the middle panel section 104 are formed is attached.

  Below the frame body 104d, a selection mechanism G0 that distributes the input inserted from the medal insertion slot MD according to whether it is a regular game medal or a foreign object, and the game medals distributed by the selection mechanism G0 are placed on the housing 102 side. A guide member G1 that guides the provided hopper device HP, a guide member G2 that guides the foreign matter distributed by the selection mechanism G0 to the discharge port 105a, and a payout game medal output from the hopper device HP. A guide member G3 for guiding to 105a is provided, and a speaker SW constituting the sound emitting unit 105c is attached in the vicinity of the discharge port 105a.

  A central display board 400 formed of a long electric circuit board is attached between the frame 104d and the selection mechanism G0. A light emitting diode is formed on one end of the central display board 400. A setting display element CT for performing segment display and a setting button CS are provided.

  That is, like the sub-control board 300, the central display board 400 is also mounted with an electronic component such as an integrated circuit device (IC), a transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor on an insulating resin board on which a conductive wiring pattern is formed. It is formed as a connected so-called electric circuit board, and further, a setting display element CT and a setting button CS are mounted and connected by wiring.

  Next, the housing 102 is provided with a main power supply device PWU and an auxiliary storage portion SHP for storing game medals overflowing from the hopper device HP, as well as reels R1 and R2 facing the display means WD described above. , R3 and a spinning reel device 200 provided with a motor (not shown) for rotationally driving the reels R1, R2, and R3.

  Further, on the side surface (front side in the figure) of the main power supply device PWU, a power supply device board 500 (see FIG. 3) on which a system power switch BQ for supplying control system power and a setting switch BO for changing the output rate setting are mounted. ), A spinning device substrate 600 is attached to the upper end of the spinning reel device 200, and a main control substrate 700 is attached to the upper side of the spinning reel device 200.

Next, the configuration of the control system will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
The above-described main control board 700 is provided for comprehensively managing the operation of the slot machine 100. The sub-control board 300, the central display board 400, the power supply board 500, and the revolving apparatus board 600 with the main control board 700 as the center. Is connected.

  Here, a semiconductor memory ROM and a microprocessor MPU are mounted on the main control board 700, and the microprocessor MPU executes a system program and a slot machine game program stored in advance in the semiconductor memory ROM. By controlling each of the substrates 300, 400, 500, and 600, the operation state of the slot machine 100 and the progress of the game are integrated and managed.

  That is, when a player plays a game by operating the start lever ST and stop buttons SP1, SP2, SP3, etc., and acquires any of a plurality of types of roles determined in advance by a program for a slot machine game, the microprocessor The MPU controls the progress of the game in a control mode corresponding to the combination acquired by the player. In other words, the microprocessor MPU sets a game type and controls a game state to be progressed by executing a slot machine game program in accordance with the game operation of the player.

Further, the sub-control board 300 is mounted with a semiconductor memory ROM and a microprocessor MPU, to which effect speakers SR, SL, SW, effect lamps 103a, 104a, 104b and effect display means 103d are connected. The electric circuit provided on the control board 300 drives the effect speakers SR, SL, SW, the effect lamps 103a, 104a, 104b, and the effect display means 103d in accordance with instructions from the main control board 700, so that the game It is designed to appeal to the visual and auditory sense of the person.
As another configuration, the effect display means 103d itself has a dedicated board, and the semiconductor memory ROM and the microprocessor MPU may be mounted on the board.

  The spinning device substrate 600 is connected to the spinning reel device 200, and controls the driving power to the motor and the driving timing according to a command from the main control substrate 700, thereby rotating and braking the reels R1, R2, and R3. And stop control.

  The central display board 400 is connected to the setting display element CT and the setting button CS, and further connected to the selection mechanism G0, the bet buttons B1, B2, B3, the start lever ST, and the stop buttons SP1, SP2, SP3. Yes.

  The central display board 400 receives operation signals (not shown) in the main control board 700 indicating that the bet buttons B1, B2, B3, the start lever ST, and the stop buttons SP1, SP2, SP3 are turned on or off. To the microprocessor MPU to control the progress of the game.

  Further, the select mechanism G0 is provided with an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, or a magnetic sensor for detecting whether an input inserted from the medal insertion slot MD is a game medal or a foreign object, and an input output from these sensors. The central display board 400 transfers the detection signal (not shown) to the microprocessor MPU in the main control board 700.

  When the microprocessor MPU in the main control board 700 inputs an input detection signal indicating that a game medal has been inserted, the number of inserted medals is totaled. On the other hand, when the microprocessor MPU in the main control board 700 inputs an input detection signal indicating that a foreign object has been input, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and the sub-control board 300 is instructed to produce an effect speaker SR. The alarm sound is generated by SL, SW, the alarm lamp 103a, 104a, 104b displays an alarm, or the effect display means 103d displays an alarm screen.

  In addition, the setting button CS is provided for the business operator or the administrator to change the appearance rate, and the setting display element CT is set by displaying any number from 1 to 6 as a segment. The output rate changed by the button CS is displayed in stages.

  That is, when the setting button CS is turned on, the central display board 400 transfers a setting signal (not shown) to the microprocessor MPU in the main control board 700 every time the setting button CS is turned on. Each time a signal is input, the ball payout rate determined in advance in six stages is changed in order, and a setting display signal (not shown) indicating a number corresponding to the changed ball payout rate is sent to the central display substrate 400. Return it. Then, the central display substrate 400 causes the setting display element CT to display a segment on the basis of the setting display signal, thereby notifying the operator and the manager of the changed payout rate information.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, a system power switch BQ, a setting switch BO, and the like are mounted on the power supply substrate 500. Further, the power supply substrate 500 is formed with a distribution circuit that distributes various power supply voltages generated by the power supply device PWU to the hopper device HP and other parts, and a system necessary for the operation of the slot machine 100 from the distribution circuit. Power is being supplied.

  The system power switch BQ is provided for power-on reset of the control system, and the setting switch BO is provided for the operator or administrator to change the setting of the payout rate manually.

  In other words, the operator or the administrator turns off the system power switch BQ with the proper key inserted into the key hole provided in the setting switch BO, and then rotates the key in the clockwise direction. When the system power switch BQ is turned on, the microprocessor MPU in the main control board 700 shifts to a mode for changing the payout rate at the power-on reset timing described above, and is provided on the central display board 400. Control of the set button CS and the setting display element CT being started is started.

  Then, as described above, when the operator or the administrator appropriately turns on the setting button CS, confirms the number displayed on the setting display element CT, and turns on the start lever ST, the micro of the main control board 700 is turned on. When the processor MPU determines the payout rate corresponding to the number displayed on the setting display element CT, and the above-mentioned key inserted into the setting button CS is operated in the counterclockwise direction and is extracted, It is determined that the operation for changing the setting of the ball rate has been completed, and the game operation is resumed based on the determined ball payout rate.

  The hopper device HP is provided with a sensor that detects whether or not a payout game medal is stored in the hopper device HP. A power supply board 500 transfers a game medal detection signal (not shown) output from the sensor to the microprocessor MPU in the main control board 700. In this way, the storage status of game medals is managed.

  If there are no game medals stored in the hopper device HP, a game medal detection signal indicating that there are no game medals is input to the microprocessor MPU. The microprocessor MPU determines that there are no stored game medals, and instructs the sub-control board 300 to generate an alarm sound by the effect speakers SR, SL, SW, and to alert the effect lamps 103a, 104a, 104b. The alarm screen is displayed by the display or effect display means 103d.

<Control configuration>
Next, an outline of control of the slot machine 100 will be described using the block diagram of FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the outline of the slot machine 100. The control unit 50 of the slot machine 100 is a unit that performs overall control of the entire slot machine 100 including the progress and performance of the game of the slot machine 100. The control means 50 includes a CPU that performs calculations, a ROM that stores programs necessary for the progress of the game, data for presentation, and the like, and temporarily stores the captured data when the CPU performs various controls. RAM etc. which memorize automatically.

  Peripheral devices such as the motor 32 shown below are electrically connected to the output side (right side in the figure) of the control means 50. The motor 32 is for rotating the reel 31, is connected to the center of rotation of the reel 31, and is controlled by the game control means 60.

  (Reel) The reel 31 has a ring shape, and a reel tape on which a plurality of types of symbols (such as symbols constituting a winning combination) are printed is attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof. In the present embodiment, three reels 31 are provided in parallel. Each reel 31 is arranged so that three symbols that are continuous in the vertical direction can be seen from the display means WD provided on the front panel of the slot machine 100. When the reel 31 is rotated by the motor 32, the symbols on the reel 31 are moved and displayed in the vertical direction in the display means WD at a predetermined speed.

  In addition, examples of the winning combination include a special combination, a plurality of types of small combinations, and a replay (re-playing combination). The special role is a role for shifting from a normal game to a special game (a game advantageous to the player). Examples of the special role include a big bonus and a regular bonus.

  The big bonus is a role for shifting to a big bonus game which is one of special games. The big bonus game is a game in which a general game is performed a predetermined number of times and a bonus game can be performed a predetermined number of times under a certain condition during the general game. Furthermore, this bonus game is a game in which a predetermined winning combination is played a predetermined number of times under a certain condition. On the other hand, the regular bonus is a role for shifting to a regular bonus game which is one of special games. In the regular bonus game, a bonus game in the big bonus game is performed once.

  The small combination is a combination for paying out a predetermined number of medals. Furthermore, the replay is a role that allows a re-game to be performed while maintaining the number of inserted medals (the number of bets) in the game.

  A combination of symbols of the reel 31 corresponding to the above various combinations is determined in advance. When all the reels 31 are stopped, when the combination of symbols stopped on the active line matches a predetermined combination of symbols of the winning combination, the winning combination of the winning combination is made, and medals are paid out according to the winning combination. Profit is given to the player.

  Here, in the part including the display means WD on the front panel, for example, five effective lines are set. This effective line is composed of three horizontal upper, middle and lower lines, and two diagonally downward and leftward directions. The three symbols that are continuous from top to bottom of each reel 31 that can be seen from the display means WD are located on three effective lines in the horizontal upper, middle, and lower stages. Also, this valid line is validated according to the number of inserted medals. If one medal is inserted, one effective line in the middle in the horizontal direction is activated. If it is two, three effective lines in the horizontal direction are activated. If three, all five effective lines are activated. The

  (Lamp, Back Lamp, Speaker) The lamp 33 is fixedly disposed on the upper and side portions of the front panel of the slot machine 100, and lights up when a specific condition is satisfied during the game. Etc. The back lamp 34 is fixedly arranged on the inner peripheral surface side (the inner side of the ring-shaped body) of each reel 31, and illuminates the design of the reel 31 from behind by lighting the lamp (or LED or the like). is there. In addition to making the symbols easier to see, the back lamp 34 illuminates the symbols in a predetermined pattern when a specific condition is satisfied during the game, thereby performing a notification effect of the possibility of winning the winning combination. Is. The speaker 35 outputs a predetermined sound so as to perform various effects during the game.

  (Image Display Means) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image display means 36 comprises a liquid crystal display for displaying a color image, a dot image display device, and the like. The image display means 36 is provided on the upper panel 103 in the front panel of the slot machine 100. It is located and provided so as to be visible to the player. The image display means 36 displays various images when performing an effect during the game. The image display means 36 is the same as the effect display means 103d shown in FIG.

  Further, the following peripheral devices are electrically connected to the input side (left side in the figure) of the control means 50. The medal sensor 45 is a sensor that detects a medal inserted from the medal slot 44 by the player. The bet switch 43 is a switch operated when the player inserts medals within the credit range. The start lever 41 is a switch operated when the player starts rotation of the reel 31. Three stop switches 42 are provided independently for each reel 31 and are operated when a player stops the rotation of each reel 31. The hopper device 46 includes a memory for detecting medals stored in the hopper device 46.

  In a normal game, the player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 44 or operates the bet switch 43 to activate the effective line and turns on the start lever 41. Thereby, each reel 31 is started. Then, the player presses the stop switch 42 to stop the rotation of the reel 31. As described above, when the symbol combination of the reel 31 stopped on the active line matches a predetermined symbol combination, a winning combination is made, and a medal is paid out according to the winning combination. .

  Further, during each game, various effects such as lighting of the lamp 33 and the back lamp 34, output of sound from the speaker 35, and image display by the image display means 36 are performed. These effects include effects that notify that there is a possibility of winning a role. Therefore, the lamp 33, the back lamp 34, the speaker 35, and the image display means 36 having a function of performing such an effect are collectively referred to as an effect means 37.

  On the other hand, during each game, when a predetermined abnormal state occurs, an error is displayed by lighting the lamp 33 and the back lamp 34, outputting sound from the speaker 35, and displaying an image by the image display means 36. May be interrupted. Therefore, the lamp 33, the back lamp 34, the speaker 35, and the image display means 36 are collectively referred to as an error display means 38 when notifying that such an error state has occurred.

  The control means 50 includes a game control means 60 and an effect control means 70. The control board game control means 60 performs control related to the progress of the game. In this embodiment, the control board game control means 60 is provided on the main control board 700 in FIG. 3 and includes the following means. The game control means 60 is not limited to the following means.

  (Role lottery means) The role lottery means 61 performs lottery of a role (special role such as a big bonus, small role or replay). The role lottery means 61 is based on, for example, a random number generator for hard lottery (hard random number, etc.), a random number extractor for extracting a random number generated by the random number generator, and a random value extracted by the random number extractor. Determination means for determining whether or not a winning combination has been won and a winning combination.

  The random number generation means of the role lottery means 61 generates random numbers in a predetermined area (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation). The random number extraction means extracts the random number generated by the random number generation means at a predetermined time, in this embodiment, when the start lever 41 is turned on by the player. The determination unit determines the combination corresponding to the area to which the random number value belongs by comparing the random number value extracted by the random number extraction unit with a lottery table corresponding to the number of inserted medals. For example, when the extracted random number value belongs to the big bonus winning area, it is determined that the big bonus is won, and when it belongs to the non-winning area, it is determined not to win.

  (Specific Role Winning Determination Unit) The specific combination winning determination unit 62 determines whether or not a specific combination, for example, a predetermined small combination or special combination is won as a result of the lottery by the combination lottery unit 61. Here, the reason for determining the winning of such a specific combination is to display an image for making it easier for the player to win the selected specific combination when the specific combination is won.

  (Stop operation order detection means) The stop operation order detection means 63 detects the operation order of the stop switch 42. As described above, the stop switch 42 is provided for each reel 31, but the stop switches 42 that are turned on first, second, and third are respectively left, middle, and right reels 31. , Which reel 31 corresponds to the stop switch 42 is detected. Each stop switch 42 is configured to transmit an identification signal to the stop operation order detection means 63 when turned on.

  Note that the stop operation order of the stop switch 42 is detected as described above, for example, even if the stopped symbol combination is the same, the meaning of the symbol combination differs depending on the operation order of the stop switch 42. Because there are cases. For example, when the stop switch 42 is operated in the order of left, middle and right (forward push), the combination of the symbols is “reach eyes”, but the stop switch in the order of right, middle and left (reverse push) This is because when 42 is operated, even if the same symbol combination is used, it may not be a reach.

  Here, “reach” means that when one or more reels 31 are stopped, a special combination of symbols that does not appear in a non-winning game of the special role appears in the display means WD. It is a dice to inform the player that there is sex. Reach eyes generally appear on the condition that a special role is won in the lottery of the slot machine 100, but the probability of winning a special role is not necessarily 100%. What appears when it has (so-called chance eyes) may be included.

  In addition, in the reach, the “first reel fixed reach” determined by the output of only the first reel among the three reels 31 (the output of the second reel and the third reel is optional), the first and The “second reel final reach” is determined by the outcome of the combination of the second reels 31 (the outcome of the third reel is arbitrary), and the reach which is determined by the outcomes of the combinations of all three reels 31 is is there.

  (Inserted medal number detection means) The inserted medal number detection means 64 detects the number of medals inserted by the player. In this embodiment, first, the medal sensor 45 detects the passage of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 44, and the inserted medal number detection means 64 detects the number of inserted medals based on the detection of the medal sensor 45. To do. Secondly, when the bet switch 43 is operated by the player, the inserted medal number detection means 64 detects the inserted medal number by receiving a signal generated by this operation. The reason why the inserted medal number detecting means 64 detects the inserted medal number is that it is used for determining the number of effective lines and for selecting the lottery table corresponding to the inserted number of medals when the winning lottery means 61 is selected. is there.

  (Reel design detection means) The reel design detection means 65 detects a design of each reel 31 at a predetermined position. In this embodiment, the “predetermined position” is an intermediate effective line among the three effective lines in the horizontal direction. One symbol located in the middle effective line is detected. In order to detect the symbol present at the predetermined position, for example, the following may be performed. First, a home position is provided on the reel 31 so that the home position passes the sensor every time the reel 31 rotates once. The motor 32 is provided with a sensor for detecting the rotation angle at the time of driving. Thereby, the position of the reel 31 can be detected.

  Further, a symbol number corresponding to each symbol of the reel 31 is assigned, and a symbol number existing at the home position is stored. Furthermore, the positional relationship between the home position and the effective line (predetermined position) in the horizontal middle is stored. Thereby, the symbol number which exists in a predetermined position is detectable. In the present embodiment, the reel symbol detection means 65 is (1) when the reel 31 is rotating, (2) when the player stops the reel 31 (when the stop switch 42 is turned on), and (3) when the reel 31 is stopped. , A symbol at a predetermined position is detected.

  (Reel stop control means) The reel stop control means 66 is based on the game state (normal game state, special game state, etc.), the lottery result of the hand lottery means 61, the timing when the stop switch 42 is turned on, etc. The stop position of the reel 31 is determined, and the reel 31 is controlled to stop at the determined position. The game control means 60 is provided with a stop position determination table. This stop position determination table is provided corresponding to the lottery result of the combination lottery means 61, the gaming state, and the like, and determines the stop position of the reel 31 based on the operation timing of the stop switch 42.

  The reel stop control means 66 selects a predetermined stop position determination table corresponding to the lottery result of the winning lottery means 61, and when the stop switch 42 is turned on, the reel stop control means 66 determines the stop position determination table based on the timing. The stop position of the reel 31 is determined with reference. The stop position of the reel 31 may be determined without using the stop position determination table. For example, when the stop switch 42 is turned on, it is possible to determine a stoppable position and determine an appropriate stop position among the stoppable positions.

  Then, the reel stop control means 66 controls the drive of the motor 32 so that the reel 31 stops at a predetermined position. Further, when any combination is won by the combination lottery means 61, the combination of the symbols of the reels 31 corresponding to the winning combination is controlled so as to stop on the active line as much as possible. In addition, when the winning lottery means 61 does not win the lottery, the reel 31 is controlled to stop so that a combination of symbols of a certain combination does not stop on the active line.

  (Combination winning determination means) The winning combination determination means 67 determines whether or not the combination of symbols constituting the combination has stopped on the effective line when all the reels 31 are stopped, that is, whether or not the combination has won a prize. It is. In this case, the reel symbol detection means 65 detects a symbol in the effective line in the horizontal middle stage that is a predetermined position. From this detection result and the detection result (number of inserted medals) of the inserted medal number detection means 64. Then, the activated effective line in the game is determined, and the combination of symbols on the activated line is determined, so that it is determined whether or not the combination of symbols constituting the combination is stopped on the activated line.

  (Error determination means) The error determination means 68 is for determining the presence or absence of a predetermined error that causes a game to be interrupted. And when it is determined that there is no error, the game is continued, but when it is determined that there is an error, the game is processed through a series of processes related to error display for giving a warning according to the determined error. Interrupted. Factors that interrupt the game include a case where a medal stored in the hopper device 46 becomes empty (HE error) when the player wins a winning combination and a medal is paid out, Examples include a case where a foreign object is inserted or the inserted medal is clogged and the medal sensor 45 detects an abnormality (CE error).

  The effect control means 70 performs control related to effects among the controls of the slot machine 100. In the present embodiment, the effect control means 70 is provided in the sub-control board 300 in FIG. 3, and includes the following means. The production control means 70 is not limited to the following means.

  (Specific stop symbol discriminating means) The specific stop symbol discriminating means 71 is based on the detection result of the reel symbol detecting means 65 and is displayed on the display means WD when the reel 31 is stopped. It is determined whether or not a combination of symbols at a predetermined position or a combination of symbols at a predetermined position outside the display window that is not displayed on the display means WD is a specific one. Here, the specific stop symbol discriminating means 71 stores symbol array data for each reel 31. Then, the effective line displayed on the display means WD from the symbol at the predetermined position (the effective line in the horizontal direction) detected by the reel symbol detecting means 65 and the data of the symbol arrangement, and the display window A symbol present at a predetermined position or a symbol present at a predetermined position outside the display window that is not displayed on the display means WD is discriminated.

  In the present embodiment, “specific” symbol combinations include the following. First, there is a combination of symbols having a possibility of winning a specific combination (particularly in this embodiment, a special combination), that is, a reach. Here, as described above, the reach eyes include not only the reach eyes when all the reels 31 are stopped, but also the first reel confirmed reach eyes and the second reel confirmed reach eyes.

  In the present embodiment, when the first reel fixed reach appears, for example, when the first reel 31 is stopped, an image display based on the first reel may be performed. In addition, when the second reel fixed reach appears or when a fixed reach appears when all the reels 31 are stopped, an image display based on the determined reach may be performed.

  Second, when at least one reel 31 is stopped and at least one other reel 31 is rotating, the combination of symbols already stopped is a specific combination (particularly in the present embodiment). It is determined whether or not a part of the combination of symbols having the possibility of winning is configured. For example, when two reels 31 are stopped and the last reel 31 is rotating, if a predetermined symbol stops at a predetermined effective line when the last reel 31 is stopped, a reach is obtained. There are cases.

  In determining whether or not the above reach is reached, the specific stop symbol determining means 71 determines based on the detection result of the stop operation order detecting means 63. This is because, as described above, even if the combination of the stopped symbols is the same, there may be cases where the reach is not reached depending on the operation order of the stop switch 42.

  (Moving control determining means) The moving control determining means 72 determines whether or not the reel 31 has been moved by a predetermined number of symbols and stopped after the player has stopped the reel 31. Thus, the movement control of the reel 31 is determined in order to display an image or the like in response to the movement control of the reel 31. As described above, in a game in which a winning combination is won, the reel stop control means 66 performs control so that combinations of symbols of the reels 31 corresponding to the winning combination are stopped on the active line as much as possible. For this reason, after the reel 31 is stopped, the reel 31 may move by a predetermined number of symbols and stop. Such movement control (slip) when the reel 31 is stopped is determined. The “predetermined number of symbols” is not particularly limited, but is, for example, three symbols.

  (Production Data Storage Unit) The production data storage unit 73 is a normal production output from the production unit 37 represented by the lamp 33, the back lamp 34, the speaker 35, the image display unit 36, or the like, and the possibility of winning a special role. Production data related to the notification production is stored. However, other production data may be stored. For example, effect data such as image display by the image display means 36 is stored in accordance with the mode of game progress displayed on the reel 31.

  (Stop Symbol Storage Unit) The stop symbol storage unit 74 stores a combination of symbols when the reel 31 is stopped in one or a plurality of games from the time of winning a special role to the time of winning for a predetermined number of times in the past. It is something to keep. This is used when displaying a combination of stop symbols in a game for a predetermined number of times in the past, which is traced back from the game, when winning a special combination.

  (Image display control means) The image display control means 75 is stored in the result lottery means 61, the detection result of the reel symbol detection means 65, the detection result of the inserted medal number detection means 64, and the effect data storage means 73. Based on the effect data and the like, the mode of game progression during the game is controlled by the image display means 36 so as to display an image.

  Based on the various results described above, the image display control means 75 determines whether or not to produce an effect by image display by the image display means 36. A selection is made from the storage means 73, and control is performed so that the image display means 36 performs image display based on the effect data. The state in which the image display accompanying the effect is performed under the control of the image display control means 75 is referred to as a “specific image display state”. In addition, an image display state other than the specific image display state, that is, a state in which an image display is performed regardless of the effect by the control of the image display control means 75 is referred to as a “normal image display state”. Here, when determining whether or not to produce an effect, the image display control means 75 uniformly displays a predetermined effect when, for example, a specific symbol combination appears when the reel 31 is stopped. You may control to. Further, it may be determined whether or not to produce effects by lottery, or effect data to be used for image display may be selected by lottery.

  Therefore, when the effect data is selected by lottery, different effect data may be selected even if the symbol detected by the reel symbol detection means 65 is the same as the symbol detected last time. Further, even when the symbol detected by the reel symbol detection means 65 is different from the symbol detected last time, the same effect data may be selected.

  (Error display data storage means) The error display data storage means 76 is an error display for displaying an error output from an error display means 38 represented by the lamp 33, the back lamp 34, the speaker 35, the image display means 36, and the like. Stores data. The error display data includes data corresponding to the error content determined by the error determination unit 68. However, other error display data may be stored.

  (Error display control means) The error display control means 77 controls the error display displayed on the error display means 38 based on the error display data stored in the error display data storage means 77. Here, when performing error display, the error display control means 77 may uniformly control display of predetermined error contents. Moreover, you may make it select the error display data which should be used for an error display by lottery.

  (Time measuring means) The time measuring means 78 has a timer function, for example, measures the elapsed time from the occurrence of an error and generates time data. The generated time data can be appropriately converted to generate data having a special meaning. Such data is transmitted to the image display control means 75, the error display control means 77, etc., and the contents of the effect and the error display contents can be transformed by the control of the image display control means 75, the error display control means 77, etc.

<Error display>
When a factor that interrupts the game, such as an HE error or a CE error, is displayed by the error display means 38 for displaying a warning to the player. A series of processes related to error display will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the error determination unit 68 monitors the progress of the game according to detection of medals inserted by the medal sensor 45 or detection of medals stored in the hopper device 46. . If there is no factor that causes an error, the error determination means 68 determines that there is no error and continues to monitor the progress of the game (NO in S1).

  If an error (HE error, CE error, etc.) that causes the game to be interrupted occurs, the error determination means 68 determines that there is an error and outputs the determination result to the error display control means 77 (YES in S1). . Do not accept gaming operations at the same time.

  The error display control unit 77 performs a series of processes for controlling the error display on the determination result of the error determination unit 68, and outputs the processing result to the error display unit 38 (S2). At that time, the time measuring means 78 reads the date and time from the clock 46, and measures the error occurrence period from when the error determination means 68 determines that there is an error to the present.

  The error display control unit 77 performs predetermined calculation processing based on the measured error occurrence period, and extracts corresponding error display data from the error display data storage unit 76 based on the calculation processing result.

  Here, when the error display control means 77 extracts the error display data, it can be selected by lottery by setting a certain probability. As an example, in this lottery, random numbers are generated for extracting error display data, some of the generated random numbers are selected, and the selected random number value is checked against a lottery table corresponding to the type of error.

  The state of the error display control processed in S2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a state in which arithmetic processing for causing one display object to appear in five states is performed in accordance with a change with time since the error display is started by the error display control. The display time of error display due to changes over time is expressed by the number of frames. One frame (1F) is about 1/60 second. A lottery is held every second. FIG. 7 is a table showing error occurrence periods in each state and the appearance probability of one display object corresponding to the period.

  When more than 18001F have passed since the error started (YES in S21), the calculation process in state 5 is performed, and one display object appears with a probability of 1/1 (S25). In the period from 10001F to 18000F (YES in S22), the calculation process in the state 4 is performed, and one display object appears with a probability of 1/10 (S26). In the period of 5001F to 10000F (YES in S23), the calculation process in the state 3 is performed, and one display object appears with a probability of 1/30 (S27). In the period from 2001F to 5000F (YES in S24), the calculation process in the state 2 is performed, and one display object appears with a probability of 1/40 (S28). In the period from 0F (at the start of error) to 2000F (NO in S24), the calculation process in the state 1 is performed, and one display object appears with a probability of 1/60 (S29).

  The error display means 38 performs error display according to the processing result of the error display control means 77 (S3).

  Thereafter, if the error is not resolved, the error display control in S2 continues (NO in S4). As the error state is prolonged, the error occurrence period output by the time measuring unit 78 is changed, so that the content of the error display by the error display unit is changed. Since it is possible for the player to see how the displayed error content changes with time, it is possible to alleviate the loss of interest even though the game is interrupted.

  When an operation for canceling the error is performed, the error determination unit 68 determines that there is no error, and outputs the determination result to the error display control unit 77 (YES in S4). At the same time, the game operation is accepted.

  The error display control unit 77 performs control to cancel the error display on the determination result of the error determination unit 68 (S5). At that time, the time measuring means 78 stops measuring the error occurrence period, and the error display control means 77 stops extracting the error display data from the error display data storage means 76.

  The error display means 38 ends the error display according to the control of the error display control means 77 (S6). Based on these procedures, the game is resumed.

  8A to 8C show how the number of display objects increases over time after the CE error occurs and the error screen by the image display means 36 is displayed. It is controlled so that the probability that a display object appears in each state is high.

  On the error screen, “CE error occurred!” Is displayed at the top of the screen to notify the occurrence of an error. Also, “Check the selector” is displayed at the bottom of the screen to indicate the location of the error. Furthermore, a star-shaped character related to a game in which the number of display objects increases according to the error display period is displayed on the entire screen.

  By performing such error display control, it appears to the player that the number of display objects is rapidly increased over time, and the change can be enjoyed. Therefore, the discomfort caused by the interruption of the game can be alleviated, and the store clerk can grasp the elapsed time of the error display.

  Further, as another error display, FIGS. 9A to 9D show how the display mode of the character displayed on the error screen by the image display means 36 changes with time.

  On the error screen, “CE error occurred!” Is displayed at the top of the screen to notify the occurrence of an error. Also, “Check the selector” is displayed at the bottom of the screen to indicate the location of the error. Furthermore, characters (human, flower, etc.) related to the game whose display mode changes according to the error display period are displayed on the entire screen.

  In (a), when a CE error occurs, a person appears and starts watering the ground. In (b), if the error state is not canceled and it is left as it is, buds emerge from the ground and start to grow. The person begins to be upset. In (c), if left unattended, the person will be surprised and fall over as the cocoon opens. In (d), if the error state is left without being canceled, a flower will eventually bloom, and the person will be stunned by seeing the situation.

  By performing the error display control described above, the player can enjoy the change by watching the growth of flowers, the shaking of the characters, etc. over time. Therefore, the discomfort caused by the interruption of the game can be alleviated, and the store clerk can grasp the elapsed time of the error display.

  In addition, the said form is one form when implementing this invention, and is not limited to this. Therefore, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it is not necessary to perform a calculation process that increases the probability of extracting a display object for every change over time, and the probability can be set arbitrarily. In another error display, the change in the character display mode does not have to take the form of extracting error display data based on the probability, and an arithmetic process based on a predetermined function may be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to slot machines, and for example, it may be used for gaming machines other than slot machines or ball game machines.

2 is a front view showing an external structure of the slot machine 100. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the internal structure of the slot machine 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system provided in the slot machine 100. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of control of the slot machine 100. FIG. It is a flowchart which concerns on the error display of this embodiment. It is an error screen display of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which concerns on the error display control of this embodiment. It is a list of the display probability of the display thing by which display control is carried out in this embodiment. It is another error screen display of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Slot machine 101 Front door 102 Case 103 Upper panel part 103a Production lamp 103b, c Sound emission part 103d Production display means 104 Middle panel part 104a, b Production lamp 104c Operation part 104d Frame body 105 Lower panel part 105a Discharge port 105b Receptacle 105c Sound emitting part 200 Spinning reel device 300 Sub control board 400 Central display board 500 Power supply board 600 Spinning machine board 700 Main control board R1, R2, R3 Reel ST Start lever SP1, SP2, SP3 Stop switch B1, B2, B3 Bet switch MD Medal slot WD Display means KY Keyhole SR, SL, SW Production speaker CT Setting display element CS Setting button PWU Main power supply device HP Hopper device SHP Auxiliary storage unit BQ system Source switch BO setting switch 31 Reel 32 Motor 33 Lamp 34 Back lamp 35 Speaker 36 Image display means 37 Production means 38 Error display means 41 Start lever 42 Stop switch 43 Bet switch 44 Medal slot 45 Medal sensor 46 Hopper device 50 Control means 60 Game control means 61 Role lottery means 62 Special winning combination determination means 63 Stop operation order detection means 64 Inserted medal number detection means 65 Reel symbol detection means 66 Reel stop control means 67 Role winning determination means 68 Error determination means 70 Production control means 70 71 Specific stop symbol discrimination means 72 Movement control discrimination means 73 Production data storage means 74 Stop symbol storage means 75 Image display control means 76 Error display data storage means 77 Error display control means 78 Timing means

Claims (5)

Error determination means for determining the presence or absence of a predetermined error that causes a game to be interrupted;
Error display data storage means for storing error display data for error display;
An error display means for notifying that there is an error state;
A game device having error display control means for controlling error display displayed on the error display means based on the error display data stored in the error display data storage means;
Having time measuring means for measuring an error occurrence period from when the error judging means judges that there is an error to the present,
The gaming machine characterized in that the error display control means extracts the error display data from the error display data storage means based on the error occurrence period, and controls error display.   The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error display control unit changes the number of display objects to be displayed on the error display unit in accordance with the error occurrence period.   The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error display control unit changes a probability that a display object to be displayed on the error display unit is displayed corresponding to the error occurrence period.   The game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the error display control means increases the probability that a display object to be displayed on the error display means appears as the error occurrence period becomes longer.   The error display control means includes a character display indicating that an error has occurred, a character display indicating an error occurrence location, and a character display related to a game whose display mode changes according to the error occurrence period. The gaming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images