JP2005261980A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which makes a player feel expectations impressively for winning by predicting whether or not the ready for win state presently appearing will turn to the win. <P>SOLUTION: A figure matching game execution means 81 carries out the random lottery responding to the winning of a starter prize winning slot 60 with a ball to set up the figure matching game on a variable display means 30 according to the result in the lottery. When the ready-for-win state emerges in the execution process of the figure matching game, an advance notice lamp control means 83 starts the lighting of advance notice lamps 40 arrayed in plurality from a starting point 41, and when the win is decided in the result of the random lottery, the number of the lamps lit is increased sequentially to an ending point 42. But, when the loss is decided in the result of the lottery, the operation of increasing the number of the lamps lit is stopped somewhere before the ending point 42. Thereafter, the figure matching game execution means 81 stops and displays the rest of figures according to the result of the random lottery and the result of the execution of the figure matching game is stopped and displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that gives a special value to a player in association with the appearance of a predetermined specific stop mode by sequentially stopping and displaying a plurality of symbols after a plurality of symbols are variably displayed.

  In conventional gaming machines such as pachinko machines, a liquid crystal display is provided on the game board surface to display a symbol matching game that is similar to a slot machine, and the symbols are displayed on the liquid crystal display based on the ball winning at the start winning opening. Matching game is to be executed.

  In the symbol matching game, after a plurality of symbols are variably displayed over a predetermined period, they are stopped and displayed in order, and when a predetermined specific stop mode such as “777” appears, a win appears. In such a hit appearance process, a reach state is formed when another predetermined symbol is aligned, and the reach state finally transitions to a win depending on what symbol is stopped and displayed in the remaining part. It is decided whether to end or to end. In addition, when the reach state appears, the remaining symbols are displayed in a fluctuating state for a while and then the changing speed is gradually reduced to stop the display in order to evoke the player's sense of expectation. Yes.

  In such a conventional gaming machine, after the reach state appears, the remaining symbols are gradually stopped and displayed over a certain period of time, so that the player's expectation for winning is not aroused. However, since the player has no expectation as to which symbols will eventually be stopped and displayed, even if the reach state appears, the player will gradually lose the high expectation for winning and will remain in the reach state. There is a problem that the game content is monotonous and uninteresting until the symbol is stopped and displayed.

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to such problems of the conventional technology, and by notifying whether or not the reach that has appeared this time will be a hit, the player's sense of expectation for the hit will be sharpened. It aims to provide a gaming machine that can be turned on.

The gist of the present invention for achieving this object resides in the following invention.
[1] In a gaming machine (10) in which a plurality of symbols are variably displayed in order, and a plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in order, and a special value is given to a player in connection with the appearance of a predetermined specific stop mode. ,
A notice lamp (40) for sequentially increasing the number of lighting is provided on the game board surface (11), and symbol corresponding portions (44 to 47) in which a plurality of types of specific symbols are associated are set in the notice lamp (40). ,
Among the plurality of symbols that are variably displayed, the same symbol as the specific symbol associated with the symbol corresponding portion (44 to 47) is included,
In the variation display process, when one more predetermined symbol is aligned, when the reach state in which the specific stop mode is formed appears, the symbol constituting the reach state corresponds to the symbol corresponding portion (44 to 47). When the same symbol as one of the attached specific symbols is included, the number of lighting of the warning lamp (40) is increased from the lighting start position, thereby informing the expectation to the specific stop mode. A gaming machine (10) characterized by:

The present invention operates as follows.
In this gaming machine (10), when a reach state in which a specific stop mode is formed appears when one more predetermined symbols are gathered in the process of displaying a plurality of symbols, the number of lights of the warning lamp (40) is turned on. Increase gradually from the starting position. For example, the notice lamp (40) is arranged so as to make a round around the variable display means (30), and the number of lighting is increased clockwise from the upper left corner to the start point (41).

  In the notice lamp (40), symbol corresponding portions (44 to 47) in which a plurality of types of specific symbols are associated are set. For example, in the middle of the warning lamp (40) from the start point (41) to the end point (42), a symbol corresponding portion (44) associated with a predetermined specific symbol, for example, a number such as “3”, “7”, etc. ~ 47) should be set. Among the plurality of symbols displayed in a variable manner, the same symbols as the specific symbols associated with the symbol corresponding portions (44 to 47) are included.

  Then, in the variation display process, when one more predetermined symbol is ready, when the reach state in which the specific stop mode is formed appears, the symbol corresponding portion (44 to 47) is displayed on the symbol constituting the reach state. If the same symbol as any one of the specific symbols associated with is included, the number of lighting of the warning lamp (40) increases from the lighting start position, so that a sense of expectation to the specific stop mode is achieved. Is notified.

  In this way, the player is informed of whether or not the reach state is a hit based on the lighting state of the notice lamp (40), so the player's interest gathers how far the number of lights of the notice lamp (40) increases. It is possible to increase the fun of the game content from the reach until the last symbol is stopped and displayed. In addition, the result of the advance notice can add a clearer feeling to the player's expectation.

  In addition, it is good to display so that a player can recognize where and which specific symbol is matched with the symbol corresponding | compatible location (44-47). For example, a notice lamp (40) that displays a pattern of a specific symbol associated with the side of the notice lamp (40) or that causes the associated specific symbol to appear at the symbol corresponding parts (44 to 47). And so on.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, when the reach state appears, the symbol constituting the reach state includes the same symbol as any one of the specific symbols associated with the symbol corresponding portion of the warning lamp. If the number of the warning lamps increases from the lighting start position, the expectation to the specific stop mode is notified, so the player's interest gathers how much the number of the warning lamps increases, It is possible to increase the fun of the game content from the reach state until the last symbol is stopped and displayed. In addition, the result of the advance notice can add a clearer feeling to the player's expectation.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention launches a ball on the game board surface 11 when the player rotates the handle 12, and enjoys winning the winning of the hit ball. It is a pachinko machine.

  Near the center of the game board surface 11, there is provided variable display means 30 provided with variable display sections 31 to 39 that can display arbitrary symbols arranged in a vertical and horizontal matrix of 3 columns and 3 rows. Here, a color liquid crystal display is used as the variable display means 30, and each of the variable display sections 31 to 39 is obtained by dividing the display area of the liquid crystal display into a matrix.

  On the variable display means 30, a symbol that looks like a slot machine that hits when the same symbol such as “777” is aligned on each of the effective lines on the upper, middle, and lower horizontal lines and the left and right diagonal lines. The match game is displayed in an expanded manner. The variable display means 30 may be a monochrome liquid crystal display or a CRT display instead of a color liquid crystal display.

  During the execution of the symbol matching game, the symbols are scroll-displayed in units of columns of the matrix, and the symbols that are the execution results of the symbol matching game are displayed on the variable display units 31 to 39 arranged in a vertical and horizontal matrix. Each is stopped and displayed.

  Around the variable display means 30, a notice lamp 40 composed of a number of lamps is arranged so as to go around the variable display means 30. As shown in FIG. 4A, the warning lamp 40 is arranged at the upper left corner as a start point (lighting start position) lamp 41, and the lamp immediately below it is set as an end point lamp. Also, the lamp in the lower left corner is set at a small hit correspondence location 43, which will be described later, and is different in color from other lamps. The notice lamp 40 starts to be lit from the start lamp 41, and is controlled to be lit up in a clockwise direction.

  A reserved ball display unit 50 is provided immediately below the variable display means 30. Further, a start winning opening 60 is disposed further below the reserved ball display unit 50. The start winning opening 60 is a winning opening for securing the right to execute the symbol matching game developed on the variable display means 30.

  The holding ball display unit 50 indicates the number (holding number) of the symbol matching game that has not been executed on the variable display means 30 among the right to execute the symbol matching game secured by winning the start winning opening 60. To display. The number of holds is limited to 4 times, and if it is more than that, the execution right is discarded. The holding ball display unit 50 has four lamps, and displays the current holding number according to the number of lights.

  Below the start winning opening 60, a large variable winning opening 70 is arranged. The variable winning opening 70 has an opening / closing plate 71 for switching the winning opening between a closed state where a ball is difficult to win and an open state where a ball is easily won.

  In addition to the various winning holes 13 and windmills 14 on the game board surface 11, in addition to the obstacle nails 15 and the outlet 16 for playing the ball, the ball that has been launched is guided to the upper part of the game board surface 11. Rails 17 and the like are arranged. A lamp 18 for performing electrical decoration or the like is attached to the upper part of the gaming machine 10.

  Further, in front of the gaming machine 10 and below the game board surface 11, a front plate 19 for storing balls for use in games and a lower plate 20 for receiving and storing balls overflowing from the front plate 19 are provided. It has been. On the right side of the lower plate 20, a handle 12 is provided as an operation unit of a launching mechanism that launches a ball onto the game board surface 11. The control unit 80 that controls various operations of the gaming machine 10 is attached to the inside of the machine body such as the back surface of the gaming board surface 11.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 includes a control unit 80 including a circuit having a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), and a RAM (random access memory) as main parts.

  Various peripheral devices are connected to the control unit 80. Of these, the start winning opening 60 has a winning detection switch 61 for detecting a winning of a ball. As the winning detection switch 61, various sensors such as a mechanical switch, an optical sensor that detects a winning when light is blocked by a sphere, and a magnetic sensor that detects a change in magnetic field due to passage of the sphere are used. Can do.

  The variable winning opening 70 (attacker) includes a solenoid 72 that opens and closes the opening / closing plate 71 and a winning detection switch 73 that detects the winning of a ball in the variable winning opening 70. The opening / closing plate 71 of the variable winning opening 70 is opened for a certain period (for example, 29 seconds) and then for a short time (about 2 seconds) when a winning or small hitting occurs in the symbol matching game developed on the variable display means 30. The opening / closing operation of closing is repeated up to a predetermined number of times. Here, the variable winning opening 70 is opened and closed for a maximum of 16 rounds for a normal winning and for a maximum of 5 rounds for a small winning.

  The open / close plate 71 opens and closes when a predetermined allowable upper limit number (here, 10 balls) wins the variable winning opening 70 before the predetermined time (29 seconds) elapses in each round. The plate 71 is closed.

  The control unit 80 performs overall control of various operations of the gaming machine 10 by executing a program stored in the ROM, and includes a symbol matching game execution means 81, a notice lamp control means 83, and special value imparting control. The functions of the means 84 and the reserved ball counting means 85 are realized.

  Among these, the holding ball counting means 85 is a part that performs a function of securing and holding the right to execute the symbol matching game up to a predetermined number of times based on the fact that the ball has won the start winning opening 60. The symbol matching game executing means 81 has a function of developing and displaying the symbol matching game on the variable display means 30. That is, after the symbols on the variable display means 30 are variably displayed over a predetermined period, the symbols are sequentially stopped and displayed for each column. The symbol matching game executing means 81 has a random lottery unit 82 for performing random lottery for determining the execution result of the symbol matching game. The random lottery is performed before the execution of the symbol matching game, and the symbol matching game proceeds according to the execution result.

  There are four types of results of the random lottery performed by the random lottery unit 82: winning, small hitting, missed reach, and missed. In the case of winning, small hit, or unreach, reach in the process of executing the symbol matching game is reached when two identical symbols are aligned on a variable display part on a certain active line, and one more predetermined symbol is aligned. A state is formed. If the lottery result is a win, the same symbol is stopped and displayed at the remaining portion of the active line, and a specific stop mode such as “777” is formed.

  In the case of small hits, a predetermined symbol such as an asterisk is displayed at the remaining one place. In the case of a loss of reach, a symbol different from the above is stopped and displayed at the remaining one place, and the disengaged state that is not a hit or small hit is stopped and displayed. Further, when the lottery result is out, a stop mode of disengagement is formed without going through the reach state. The warning lamp control means 83 is a circuit part that controls the lighting state of the warning lamp 40. The notice lamp control means 83 functions to turn on the notice lamp 40 from the starting lamp 41 when the reach state is formed in the process of executing the symbol matching game, and gradually increase the number of lights in the clockwise direction. . How far the number of lights is increased depends on the result of random lottery.

  The special value giving control means 84 performs various controls for giving a special value to the player when a win or a small win appears in the symbol matching game. The special value imparting control means 84 is configured to give the special value by controlling the opening / closing of the open / close plate 71 of the variable winning opening 70 to form a state in which a ball is easy to win. Actually, every time one ball wins the variable winning opening 70, 10 balls are paid out to the front plate 19, so that the special value is given to the player as a prize ball.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 3 shows a flow when the symbol matching game is executed based on winning at the start winning opening 60. FIG. 4 shows an example of the transition of the display state of the variable display means 30 and the warning lamp 40 while the symbol matching game is being executed. When a ball wins the start winning opening 60 (step S301; Y), a random lottery for determining the execution result of the symbol matching game executed based on the current winning is executed by the random lottery unit 82 (step S301). S302).

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4A, the symbol matching game execution means 81 scrolls and displays the symbols on the variable display means 30 to start execution of the symbol matching game (step S303). In addition, in the figure, the state which the pattern is fluctuating with the downward arrow is shown.

  The symbol matching game execution means 81 displays all symbols in a variable manner over a predetermined time, and then stops and displays symbols sequentially from the leftmost column (step S304). If the result of the random lottery is one of hit, small hit, and out of reach, the left and center vertical symbols are stopped and displayed so that a reach state is formed. In FIG. 4B, a reach state of “3, 3” appears on the diagonal line descending to the right.

  When the reach state is displayed in this way (step S305; Y), the warning lamp control means 83 increases the number of lighting of the warning lamp 40 clockwise from the start lamp 41 (step S306). In the drawing, the lit warning lamp 40 is shaded.

  When the result of the random lottery corresponding to the current symbol matching game is a win (step S307; Y), the notice lamp control means 83 increases the number of lights of the notice lamp 40 until the end lamp 42 is reached. All the warning lamps 40 are turned on (step S308). When the operation of increasing the number of lighting of the warning lamp 40 is completed in this way, the symbol matching game executing means 81 stops and displays the remaining symbols so that a winning appearance appears (step S309).

  In the example of FIG. 5, all the warning lamps 40 are turned on, the specific stop mode “3, 3, 3” is stopped and displayed, and a win appears. Thereafter, the special value giving control means 84 opens and closes the variable prize opening 70 for a maximum of 16 rounds and gives the special value to the player (step S310).

  On the other hand, when the result of the random lottery corresponding to the current symbol matching game is a small hit (step S311; Y), the number of lighting of the warning lamp 40 is increased to the small hit corresponding point 43 (step S312). ). When the operation of increasing the number of lighting of the warning lamp 40 is completed in this way, the symbol matching game execution means 81 stops and displays the remaining symbols so that a small hit appears (step S313).

  In the example of FIG. 6, the warning lamp 40 is lit from the starting lamp 41 to the small hit corresponding point 43, the small hit stop mode of “3, 3, stars” is stopped and the small hit appears. . Thereafter, the special value giving control means 84 opens and closes the variable winning opening 70 for a maximum of 5 rounds, and gives a special value less than usual to the player (step S314).

  If the result of the random lottery corresponding to this symbol matching game is neither a hit nor a small hit and a reach failure (step S311; N), an increase in the number of lighting of the warning lamp 40 reaches the small hit corresponding point 43. The process is canceled up to this point (step S315). When the operation of increasing the number of lighting of the warning lamp 40 is completed in this way, the symbol matching game execution means 81 stops and displays the remaining symbols so that a miss appears (step S316).

  In both the examples of FIGS. 7A and 7B, since the lighting of the warning lamp 40 is stopped before the small hitting corresponding portion 43, the stoppage of disengagement such as “3, 3, 1” is stopped. An aspect is formed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, symbol corresponding portions 44 to 47 associated with specific symbols (specific symbols) are provided at several locations of the warning lamp 40.

  FIG. 9 shows the flow of the symbol matching game in the second embodiment. When a ball is won at the start winning opening 60 (step S901; Y), the execution of the symbol matching game is started on the variable display means 30 (step S902), and the symbols are sequentially stopped and displayed after a predetermined time variation display. (Step S903). When the reach state appears in the process of stopping the symbols in order (step S904; Y), the warning lamp control means 83 starts lighting the warning lamp 40 from the starting lamp 41, and the number of lights at a randomly selected location. Is stopped (step S905).

  When the lighting operation is stopped and the end lamp 42 is lit (step S906; Y), the symbol matching game executing means 81 stops and displays the remaining symbols so that a win appears (step S907). Thereafter, the variable prize opening 70 is opened and closed to give a special value to the player (step S908).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the operation of increasing the number of lights is stopped at the symbol corresponding location 46, the symbol associated with the symbol corresponding location 46 can make the reach state transition. The change of the symbol is stopped and displayed so as to enter. When the operation of increasing the number of lighting stops at the symbol corresponding portion 46 associated with the same symbol as the symbol constituting the reach symbol as shown in FIG. 10B (step S909), the reach state is determined depending on the symbol. Transitions to a hit state (step S907) and a special value is given (step S908). At this time, the symbol corresponding portion 46 may be blinked or the like so that the player can clearly recognize that the number corresponding to the symbol corresponding portion 46 has changed the reach state.

  In each of the embodiments described above, an example has been described in which variable display units are arranged in a 3 × 3 matrix, but variable display units are arranged in a 3 × 2 matrix or a 3 × 1 matrix. It may be what you did. Further, the notice lamp 40 does not necessarily have to be arranged so as to go around the variable display means 30.

  In the first embodiment, the player is informed that the spot is corresponding to the small hitting position 43 by making the color of the lamp different from that of the other, but the spot corresponds to the small hitting by another method. It may be displayed to the player that the location is 43. For example, a character “small” is displayed on the side of the lamp. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, numbers such as “3” and “7” are printed on the surface of the lamp, and the position of each symbol corresponding portion 44 to 47 and the symbol associated with the portion are displayed on the player. However, the display method is not limited to this.

  Also in the second embodiment, a random lottery may be executed before the start of the symbol matching game, and the lighting state of the warning lamp and the progress of the symbol matching game may be controlled according to the result. Conversely, in the first embodiment, the progress of the symbol matching game after the reach may be determined based on the lighting state of the notice lamp.

  In each embodiment, an example of a pachinko machine is shown as a gaming machine, but a slot machine may be used. In this case, when a coin is inserted and a predetermined start lever is operated, the starting condition for starting the symbol matching game is set, and the special value is a coin payout or the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the game machine which concerns on each embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the game machine which concerns on each embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the game machine which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention performing a symbol matching game. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the progress of the symbol matching game which the game machine which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the stop aspect in which the notice lamp turned on completely and the hit appeared. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the stop aspect which the notice lamp lighted to the location corresponding to a small hit, and the small hit appeared. It is explanatory drawing which shows the stop aspect when the number of lighting of a warning lamp is few and it has finished off. It is a front view which shows the variable display means and notice lamp of the gaming machine which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the game machine which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performing a symbol matching game. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the progress of the symbol matching game which the game machine which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game machine 11 ... Game board surface 12 ... Handle 30 ... Variable display means 40 ... Notice lamp 41 ... Start point lamp 42 ... End point lamp 43 ... Corresponding part 44-47 ... Corresponding part 50 ... Reservation ball display part 60 ... Starting winning opening 70 ... Variable winning opening 71 ... Opening / closing plate 80 ... Control part 81 ... Pattern matching game execution means 82 ... Random lottery part 83 ... Notice lamp control means 84 ... Special value imparting control means 85 ... Reserved ball counting means

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine that gives a special value to a player in connection with the appearance of a predetermined specific stop mode, in which a plurality of symbols are displayed in a stop after a plurality of symbols are variably displayed.
On the game board surface, a notice lamp for increasing the number of lighting in order is provided, and in the notice lamp, a symbol corresponding portion in which a plurality of types of specific symbols are associated is set,
Among the plurality of symbols displayed in a variable manner, the same symbol as the specific symbol associated with the symbol corresponding location is included,
In the variation display process, when a reach state in which the specific stop mode is formed appears when one more predetermined symbols are arranged, a specific symbol associated with the symbol corresponding portion is displayed in the symbol constituting the reach state. When the same design as any of the above is included, the number of lighting of the warning lamp is increased from the lighting start position, thereby informing the expectation to the specific stop mode. .

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