JP2005304543A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To diversify the display form of information relating to a game in a pachinko slot machine. <P>SOLUTION: On a liquid crystal panel 39d for displaying the information relating to the game, at least one of the display size and display position of the information relating to the game is changed and display is executed. Thus, since the display is executed in a game information display area in forms that the display size and display position of the information relating to the game are different at any given time, the display form of the information relating to the game can be diversified. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a technique effective when applied to display of a gaming information display area in a gaming machine.

As a kind of gaming machine, for example, there is a slot machine with a stop button, a so-called pachislot machine. And recent pachislot machines have various and profound gaming characteristics by combination with microcomputer control. For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-286601, a liquid crystal display device that displays various information about a game so that the player can acquire more coins or improve the fun of the game Are provided on the front panel.
JP 2001-286601 A

  Conventionally, information related to games (images that attract the player's interest, guides on how to use pachislot in general, guides that can be used to play games, and so on) It was displayed on the liquid crystal panel (game information display area) with a uniform size.

  Therefore, the display mode of information related to the game tends to be monotonous, and the player's interest may not be sufficiently enhanced.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the interest of a player by making various display modes of information related to the game displayed in the game information display area.

  In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a symbol display means for displaying a plurality of symbols (for example, a transparent display area of reels 2, 3, 4 and a reel display window 39 described later), and a symbol. Symbol changing means (for example, stepping motor 45 described later) for changing the symbol displayed by the display means, and winning combination determining means for determining a winning combination for each unit game (for example, probability of microcomputer 63 described later, step 112) Lottery processing), stop instruction means (for example, stop buttons 31, 32, and 33 described later) for instructing stoppage of symbol change performed by the symbol change means based on the operation by the player, and the stop instruction means When a change stop is instructed, based on the winning combination determined by the winning combination determining means, stop control means (for example, a microcomputer 63 described later) When the variation of the symbol is controlled by the tapping motor 45, the reel position detection circuit 77, step 119, and step 120) and the stop control means, it is determined whether or not a prize is won based on the combination of symbols displayed by the symbol display means. An information display means (for example, a later-described liquid crystal panel 39d) for displaying information related to the game and a winning determination means (for example, a later-described winning search process in step 123) for determining whether or not Game information display control means for changing and displaying at least one of the display size and display position of information related to the game in the reel display window 39) and the game information display area (for example, a microcomputer 63 to be described later, an image) And a control CPU 81 and a VDP 86).

  As a result, the display size and display position of information related to the game are displayed in the game information display area in different forms from time to time, so that the display mode of the information becomes various, thereby improving the interest of the player It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can be used.

  Further, the game information display control means of the gaming machine of the present invention is characterized in that information relating to a game can be divided into two or more and displayed in the game information display area.

  As a result, the display size and display position of information related to the game are displayed in the game information display area in different forms from time to time, so that the display mode of the information becomes various, thereby improving the interest of the player It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can be used.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention has a game information command means (for example, an operation unit 85 described later) for outputting a game information setting signal based on an operation by the player, and the game information display control means includes the game information display control means. Information is selected based on the input of the game information setting signal output from the information command means, and the information is displayed in the game information display area.

  This makes it possible to display information desired by the player himself / herself in the game information display area.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, according to the present invention, since the display size and display position of information displayed in the game information display area can be changed, the display mode of information related to the game is diversified, and the interest of the player is improved. be able to.

  Further, according to the present invention, the display size and display position of the information displayed in the game information display area can be changed as desired by the player himself, so that the interest of the player can also be improved.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

  Three reels 2, 3, 4 are rotatably provided inside the cabinet at the center of the main body of the pachislot machine 1. These reels 2, 3 and 4 variably display various symbols used in the game in a plurality of rows. On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 2, 3, and 4, a symbol row composed of a plurality of types of symbols (hereinafter referred to as “symbols”) is drawn. A reel display window 39 is provided at the front of each of the reels 2 to 4, and the outer periphery of each reel 2, 3, 4 is passed through the display windows 5, 6, 7 formed in the reel display window 39. Three symbols are observed on the surface.

  Here, the transmissive display areas of the reels 2, 3, 4 and the reel display window 39 constitute a symbol display means. Furthermore, the reels 2 to 4 stop and display a predetermined winning mode based on the fact that the winning combination determined by the winning combination determining means described later is a predetermined combination.

  The reel display window 39 is provided with a total of five winning lines, three horizontally and two diagonally.

  In addition, on the lower right side of the display windows 5 to 7, a slot 8 is provided for a player to insert a medal as a game medium. Prior to the start of the game, when the player inserts one medal from the medal insertion slot 8, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the single winning line L1 at the center is activated. When two cards are inserted, as shown in FIG. 2B, the upper and lower horizontal winning lines L2A and L2B are added to the three horizontal winning lines L1, L2A and L2B. The When three cards are inserted, five winning lines L1 (center line), L2A (top line), L2B (bottom line), L3A (cross down line), L3B, as shown in FIG. All of (Cross-up line) are activated. Note that the circles in the figure represent symbols drawn on the reels 2 to 4.

  In addition, on the equipment front panel 38 on the left side of the display windows 5 to 7, from the upper part, an accessory continuous operation increasing device operation indicator 9, an accessory continuous operation device operation indicator 10, a re-game indicator 11, a game stop A display 12, three game medal insertion number display lamps 13 to 15, a stored number display unit 16, and a start lamp 17 are provided. The indicators 9 to 12 and the game medal insertion number display lamps 13 to 15 are controlled to be turned on according to the game state, and the player is notified of the game state and the number of inserted medals. The stored number display unit 16 is composed of a three-digit 7-segment LED (light emitting diode) and displays the number of medals currently credited in the machine. The start lamp 17 blinks when the reels 2 to 4 are operable.

  Further, on the machine front panel 38 on the right side of the display windows 5 to 7, a bonus count display section 18, a WIN lamp 19, a payout number display section 20 and an insert lamp 21 are provided from the top. The bonus count display unit 18 is made up of three-digit 7-segment LEDs, and digitally displays the remaining number of possible winnings of an RB game and a jack game, which will be described later, when a bonus game is won. The WIN lamp 19 is lit when the winning combination symbols are aligned on the activated winning line (hereinafter referred to as “validated winning line”). The number-of-payout display unit 20 is composed of a three-digit 7-segment LED and displays the number of medals to be paid out by winning. The insert lamp 21 is lit when the insertion slot 8 can accept the insertion of medals.

  The reel display window 39 is configured by laminating a liquid crystal panel 39d, which will be described later, as an electrical display panel, and various effect images (information on games) are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d. A cross key 23, an A button 24, a B button 25, a 1 stored medal input switch 26, a 2 stored medal input switch 27, and a 3 stored medal input switch 28 are provided below the left device front panel 38. The cross key 23 is operated to switch in four directions, up, down, left and right, and is used together with the A button 24 and the B button 25 to select information to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d. The stored medal insertion switches 26 to 28 display 1 to 3 per game instead of inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 8 when the number of medals is displayed on the stored number display unit 16 and credited. Used when betting medals.

  Also, below the reel display window 39, a stored medal clearing switch 29, a start lever 30, and stop buttons 31, 32, 33 are provided from the left side. The stored medal clearing switch 29 is used when clearing medals credited inside the machine. The start lever 30 constitutes game start means for starting a game. By operating the start lever 30, the rotation of the reels 2 to 4 starts all at once. The stop buttons 31 to 33 are arranged corresponding to the reels 2 to 4, and the operation is activated when the rotation of the reels 2 to 4 reaches a constant speed. The rotation of the reels 2 to 4 is stopped. These stop buttons 31 to 33 constitute stop instruction means for stopping the rotational movement display of the reels 2 to 4.

  A medal tray 34 is provided at the lower front of the pachi-slot machine 1. The medal tray 34 stores medals paid out from the medal payout opening 35. In addition, a payout display section 36 indicating how many medals are paid out for winning is provided at the upper front portion of the pachislot machine 1.

  3A is a longitudinal sectional view of the reel display window 39, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the reel display window 39. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the reel display window 39 is provided at the front of each reel 2, 3 and 4, and is disposed on the front side of the reels 2 to 4 when viewed from the player. In addition, a transparent display area that can display the winning mode stopped and displayed on the reels 2 to 4 can be displayed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (i), the reel display window 39 has a transparent acrylic plate 39a, a reel glass base 39b, a bezel metal frame 39c, a liquid crystal panel 39d, a liquid crystal holder 39e, a diffusion, from the front side of the device. A sheet 39f, a light guide plate 39g, a rear holder 39h, and an antistatic sheet 39i are arranged. In the diffusion sheet 39f, the light guide plate 39g, and the rear holder 39h, openings 5a, 5b, and 5c that form the display window 5, openings 6a, 6b, and 6c that form the display window 6, and an opening 7a that forms the display window 7 , 7b, 7c are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the reel display window 39 is attached to the equipment front panel 38. As shown in FIG. 3A, each bracket 39ba provided so as to protrude in the vertical direction of the reel glass base 39b is attached to the equipment front panel by each screw 39j. It is carried out by screwing to the back surface of 38. In FIG. 4B, illustration of each bracket 39ba provided on the reel glass base 39b is omitted.

  In addition, a pair of cold cathode fluorescent lamps 40a are provided as light sources of the liquid crystal panel 39d at the upper and lower ends of the light guide plate 39g. A pair of cold cathode tubes 40b for illuminating the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 2 to 4 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the windows 5c, 6c and 7c of the rear holder 39h.

  The liquid crystal panel 39d is a transparent electrical display panel made of ITO or the like that is disposed on the front surface of each reel 2 to 4 and through which each reel 2 to 4 is seen, and the back side around the display portion is a liquid crystal holder 39e. Is held by. The light guide plate 39g is made of a light transmissive resin panel, and is formed with a lens cut that guides light emitted from the cold cathode tube 40a on the side to the back side of the liquid crystal display panel 39d. The diffusion sheet 39f is made of a light-transmitting resin sheet, and constitutes diffusion means for diffusing the light guided by the light guide plate 39g and making the light irradiated to the liquid crystal panel 39d uniform. The liquid crystal holder 39e holding the liquid crystal display panel 39d, the diffusion sheet 39f, and the light guide plate 39g are integrated and the periphery thereof is inserted into the bezel metal frame 39c. By this insertion, the front side around the display portion of the liquid crystal panel 39d is held by the bezel metal frame 39c.

  The liquid crystal holder 39e, the diffusion sheet 39f, and the light guide plate 39g, which are fitted and integrated with the bezel metal frame 39c, are inserted into the reel glass base 39b and the front surface of the liquid crystal panel 39d is opened. It is supported by a reel glass base 39b. The transparent acrylic plate 39a is pressure-bonded to the front surface of the reel glass base 39b when the reel glass base 39b is attached to the device front panel 38 with screws 39j, thereby closing the opening on the front surface of the display unit of the liquid crystal panel 39d.

  The rear holder 39h is made of a white resin plate, and holds the bezel metal frame 39c supported by the reel glass base 39b, the liquid crystal holder 39e holding the liquid crystal panel 39d, the diffusion sheet 39f, and the light guide plate 39g on the reel glass base 39b from behind. doing. The rear holder 39h also functions as a reflecting plate that reflects light emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 40a to the light guide plate 39g toward the liquid crystal panel 39d. The antistatic sheet 39i is transparent and is adhered to the back surface of the rear holder 39h with a double-sided tape, and covers the back surfaces of the openings 5c, 6c, and 7c formed in the rear holder 39h.

  FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view of the peripheral portions of the openings 5c, 6c, and 7c of the rear holder 39h surrounded by the dotted circle shown in FIG. The peripheral corners on the back side of the openings 5c, 6c, 7c of the rear holder 39h, which are indicated by dotted lines in FIG. The antistatic sheet 39i is adhered to the shaved portion.

  FIG. 5 shows symbol rows drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 2, 3, and 4. Each symbol row is configured by arranging 21 types of symbols, and corresponds to the first reel 2, the second reel 3, and the third reel 4 in order from the left in the drawing. Each symbol is assigned a code number of “1 to 21”, and each reel 2, 3 and 4 is rotationally driven so that the symbol row moves downward in the figure.

  The types of symbols are: “red 7” with a hatched mesh, “blue 7” with a diagonally slanting left-down diagonal line, “BAR” with two English BARs, There are seven types: "Watermelon" consisting of watermelon pictures, "Bell" consisting of bell pictures, "Plum" consisting of plum pictures, and "Cherry" consisting of cherry pictures.

  Each reel 2 to 4 is configured as a rotary reel unit shown in FIG. 6 and is attached to the frame 41 via a bracket 42. Each of the reels 2 to 4 has a reel band 44 attached to the outer periphery of the reel drum 43. The symbol row is drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel band 44. Each bracket 42 is provided with a stepping motor 45 that constitutes a symbol changing means, and each of the reels 2 to 4 is rotated by driving the motor 45.

  The structure of each reel 2 to 4 is shown in FIG. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. A lamp case 46 is provided inside the reel drum 43 behind the reel band 44, and back lamps 47a, 47b, 47c are attached to the three rooms of the lamp case 46, respectively. These back lamps 47a to 47c are made of white LEDs having a large light emission amount, and are mounted on a substrate 48 as shown in FIG. 5B, and this substrate 48 is attached to the back of the lamp case 46. A photo sensor 49 is attached to the bracket 42. The photo sensor 49 detects that the shielding plate 50 provided on the reel drum 43 passes through the photo sensor 49 as the reel drum 43 rotates.

  Each of the back lamps 47a to 47c is controlled to be lit by a lamp driving circuit described later. When the back lamps 47a to 47c are turned on, among the symbols drawn on the reel band 44, three symbols positioned at the front of each back lamp 47 are individually illuminated from behind, and the display windows 5 to 7 are illuminated. Three symbols are projected on each. In the present embodiment, since the back lamps 47a to 47c emit a large amount of light, they illuminate the liquid crystal panel 39d at the front thereof. Further, since the back lamps 47a to 47c are made of white LEDs, the symbols drawn on the reel band 44 and the effect colors displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d are visually recognized by the player exactly as the primary colors.

  FIG. 8 is a winning symbol combination table determined in advance in the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, and is shown in the payout display section 36 at the upper front of the pachislot machine 1. When a combination of the symbols “Red 7”-“Red 7”-“Red 7” is aligned on the activated pay line during a general game, 15 medals are paid out, and then a B / B (Big Bonus) game is executed. Is done. In addition, when a combination of the symbols “Blue 7”-“Blue 7”-“Blue 7”, or the combination of the symbols “BAR”-“BAR”-“BAR” is aligned on the activated pay line during a general game, 15 cards After the medals are paid out, the RB (regular bonus) game is executed.

  In addition, at the time of a general game, when three symbols “watermelon” and “bell” are arranged for each of the activated prizes, a small winning prize will be awarded, and 15 medals will be paid out respectively. In addition, when three symbols “Plum” are arranged on the activated pay line during the general game, the game is replayed, and although there is no medal payout, it is possible to play one more game without inserting a medal. Further, the three combinations of the symbol “Plum” are also combinations for generating a jack game prize in the jack game during the R / B game. This jack game is a game in which a combination of “plum”-“plum”-“plum” is arranged on the central winning line L1 in the R / B game.

  In addition, when one symbol “Cherry” stops on one activated pay line on the first reel 2 during a general game, a small win is made and “2 Cherry” is paid out. If one symbol “Cherry” stops on two activated pay lines when three bets are placed, it becomes “four cherries” in which four medals are paid out.

  9 and 10 show circuit configurations configured on the main control board 61 and the sub control boards 62a and 62b for controlling the game processing operation of the pachislot machine 1 described above. The main control board 61 includes a main control circuit, the sub control board 62a includes an image control circuit, and the sub control board 62b includes a sound / lamp control circuit.

  The control unit in the main control board 61 shown in FIG. 9 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) 63 as a main component, and is added to a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 63 includes a main CPU (central processing unit) 64 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a program ROM (read only memory) 65 that is a program storage means, and a control RAM (random access) with a backup function. -Memory) 66. Connected to the CPU 64 are a clock pulse generation circuit 67 and a frequency divider 68 for generating a reference clock pulse, a random number generator 69 for generating a random number in a certain range, and a random number sampling circuit 70 for specifying one of the generated random numbers. Has been. Further, an I / O port 71 for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from a peripheral device (actuator) described later is connected. The ROM 65 has a storage section that stores a winning probability table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, a sequence program, and the like.

  As main actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 63, there are a stepping motor 45 that rotationally drives the reels 2, 3, and 4 and a hopper 72 that stores medals. These are driven by a motor drive circuit 73 and a hopper drive circuit 76, respectively. These drive circuits 73 and 76 are connected to the CPU 64 of the microcomputer 63 via the I / O port 71.

  As main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 63 to generate a control signal, the inserted medal sensor 8S for detecting a medal inserted from the medal slot 8 and the operation of the start lever 30 are used. There are a start switch 30S for detecting the stored medal, the aforementioned stored medal insertion switches 25-27, and the stored medal clearing switch 29. The start switch 30S constitutes a game start command means for outputting a game start command signal based on the result of the operation by the player. The microcomputer 63 constitutes a winning combination determining means for determining a predetermined combination as a winning combination based on the input of the game start command signal output from the game start instruction means.

  As the input signal generating means, there is a reel position detection circuit 77 that receives the output pulse signal from the photosensor 49 and detects the rotational position of each of the reels 2, 3, 4. The photo sensor 49 is included in the driving mechanism of each reel 2 to 4 and is not shown in the drawing. The reel position detection circuit 77 counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 45 after the rotation of the reels 2 to 4 is started, and writes this count value in a predetermined area of the RAM 66. Therefore, the RAM 66 stores a count value corresponding to the rotational position within one rotation range for each of the reels 2 to 4. The photo sensor 49 detects the shielding plate 50 and generates a reset pulse every time the reels 2 to 4 make one rotation. This reset pulse is given to the CPU 64 via the reel position detection circuit 77, and the count value of the drive pulse counted in the RAM 66 is cleared to "0". By this clearing process, the deviation generated between the movement display of each symbol and the rotation of each stepping motor 45 is eliminated every rotation.

  The microcomputer 63, the stepping motor 45, and the reel position detection circuit 77 constitute stop control means for stopping and displaying a predetermined winning mode on the reels 2 to 4 based on the fact that the winning combination is a predetermined combination.

  Further, as the input signal generating means, the reel stop signal circuit 78 for generating a signal for stopping the corresponding reel when the stop buttons 31, 32, 33 are pressed, and the number of medals paid out from the hopper 72 are counted. There are a medal detection unit 72S and a payout completion signal generation circuit 74. The payout completion signal generation circuit 74 generates a signal for detecting completion of medal payout when the medal count value actually paid out input from the medal detection unit 72S reaches the payout number data.

  Each circuit constituting the input signal generating means is also connected to the CPU 64 via the I / O port 71.

  A sub-control unit communication port 79 is connected to the I / O port 71, and the microcomputer 63 sends a signal to the sub-control board 62a via the sub-control unit communication port 79. The sub-control board 62a shown in FIG. 10 is provided with a serial port 80a for receiving this signal. Communication between the sub control unit communication port 79 and the serial port 80a is performed only in one direction from the sub control unit communication port 79 to the serial port 80a. In this embodiment, the signal sent from the sub-control unit communication port 79 to the serial port 80a is a 7-bit command type that represents the control type, and an 8-bit or 24-bit length that represents the contents of the command. It consists of a set with parameters.

  The image control CPU 81 on the sub control board 62a controls an image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d using the work RAM 83 as a storage work area in accordance with a program stored in advance in the program ROM 82. This image control is performed using the date and time input from the calendar IC (highly integrated circuit) 84, and is operated from the operation unit (game information command means) 85 such as the cross key 23, the A button 24, and the B button 25 described above. It is done according to the input. The work RAM 83 and calendar IC 84 are to be backed up during a power failure.

  The operation unit 85 outputs a game information setting signal to the image control CPU 81 based on the player's operation. This game information setting signal is a signal for instructing an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d.

  The image control CPU 81 is connected to a VDP (video display processor) 86 and an image ROM (CROM) 87 storing character data and the like. The VDP 86 has a control RAM 88 and is connected to a video RAM 89 which is a color display display buffer memory. The VDP 86 displays an image on the liquid crystal panel 39d under the control of the image control CPU 81. The image control CPU 81 fetches information such as the gaming state at that time and the type of winning flag from the main control board 61 via the serial port 80a, and selects an effect image to be displayed based on the fetched gaming state and winning flag. Then, the effect image selected by controlling the VDP 86 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d.

  The microcomputer 63 of the main control board 61, the image control CPU 81 of the sub control board 62a, and the VDP 86 display a specific effect mode composed of a plurality of image elements that generate the winning mode stopped and displayed on the reels 2 to 4. The symbol display control means is configured to be displayed in the transmissive display area of the reel display window 39 constituting a part of the means. Further, the microcomputer 63, the image control CPU 81, and the VDP 86 are arranged in the winning mode stopped and displayed on the reels 2 to 4 when the symbol display control means displays a specific effect mode in the transmissive display area of the reel display window 39. Based on this, priority order determining means for determining the display priority order of the plurality of image elements is also configured.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the microcomputer 63, the image control CPU 81, and the VDP 86 display a specific reach effect form constituted by a plurality of image elements that produce the reach variation form stopped and displayed on the reels 2 to 4. The symbol display control means to be displayed in the transmissive display area of the display window 39 is configured. Further, the microcomputer 63, the image control CPU 81, and the VDP 86 are stopped when displayed on the reels 2 to 4 when the symbol display control means displays a specific reach effect mode in the transmissive display area of the reel display window 39. Priority order determining means for determining the display priority order of a plurality of image elements based on the variation mode is also configured.

  That is, the microcomputer 63, the image control CPU 81, and the VDP 86 change the display priorities of the plurality of image elements displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d of the reel display window 39 according to the display of the reels 2 to 4.

  The serial port 80a of the sub control board 62a is connected to the serial port 80b of the sub control board 62b. The sound / lamp control CPU 90 of the sub-control board 62b controls sound output of the speaker 96 and lighting of the lamps 98 and the LEDs 99 based on the signal received by the serial port 80b via the serial port 80a. The lamps 98 are game medal insertion number display lamps 13 to 15, a start lamp 17, a WIN lamp 19, and the like, and LEDs 99 are reel back lamps (white LEDs) 47 a, built in the reels 2 to 4. 47b, 47c, indicators 9 to 12, storage number display unit 16, bonus count display unit 18, winning payout number display unit 20, and the like.

  The sound / lamp control CPU 90 is connected to a program ROM 91 storing the program and a work RAM 92 serving as a work storage area. The sound / lamp control CPU 90 controls the sound source IC 93 according to the program stored in the program ROM 91. In accordance with this control, the sound source IC 93 reads the sound data stored in the sound ROM 94, amplifies the data read with the amplification degree according to the input from the volume control unit 97 by the power amplifier 95, the medal insertion sound, the start Sound effects such as lever operation sounds, stop button operation sounds, and game sounds during bonus games are output to the speaker 96.

  FIG. 11 conceptually shows a probability lottery table stored in the program ROM 65 of the main control board 61.

  This probability lottery table is used when a winning combination is lottery during the general gaming state and the internal winning state in the probability lottery process in step 112 of the main flowchart (FIG. 20) described later. The probability lottery table stores data for dividing the random numbers generated by the random number generator 69 and extracted by the sampling circuit 70 into each winning combination. In the figure, a1 to a3, b1 to b3, c1 to c3, d1 to d3, e1 to e3, f1 to f3 are numerical data set in advance, and the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 70 are divided into each winning combination. Used when This data uses a combination of numerical values “a1 to f1” when the number of inserted medals is one, “a2 to f2” when two, and “a3 to f3” when three. It is done.

  These numerical values are usually set to a magnitude relationship of “a <b <c <d <e <f”, and if the extracted random number value is less than c, it becomes a small role (small hit). In this case, when it is less than a A request flag per “cherry” is set, a request flag per “bell” is set when a is less than b and a request flag per “watermelon” is set when b is less than c. Further, if the extracted random number value is not less than c and less than d, a request flag for “re-game” is set. Further, if the extracted random number value is d or more and less than e, it becomes a medium winning prize (medium hit) and a request flag per “RB” is set, and if the extracted random number value is e or more and less than f, a big winning prize ( A big hit) and a request flag per “BB” is set. On the other hand, if it is greater than or equal to f, it will be “out of” without winning. In other words, the winning mode is determined by which numerical value range one sampled random number value belongs to, and is represented by a winning request flag.

  The bonus request flag “BB” or “RB” is carried over to the game after the flag is set, and the symbol combination “BB” or “RB” is stopped and displayed on the activated pay line, and the bonus winning is actually performed. If this happens, the bonus requirement flag is cleared. Flags other than the bonus requirement flag are valid only in the game in which the flag is set, and are cleared at the end of the game and are not carried over after the next game. The microcomputer 63 constitutes game value giving means for giving a game value to the player when a specific winning mode is stopped and displayed on the display windows 5, 6 and 7 by the stop control means. In this embodiment, the microcomputer 63 displays the game value when the combination of the symbols “red 7”-“red 7”-“red 7” is stopped and displayed as a specific winning mode on the display windows 5, 6, 7. 15 medals are paid out and a big bonus (BB) is given to the player.

  FIG. 12 is a table showing a list of the contents of the work memory area provided in the work RAM 83 of the sub control board 62a. In the work RAM 83, a memory area of each work area name shown in the left column of the table is secured. The middle column of the table shows the range of values that each work area takes, and the right column shows the meaning of each value.

  A value 0 or 1 is stored in the memory area whose work area name is “in-game identifier”. The value 0 means that the game is not currently being played, that is, a state where no game is currently being played, and the value 1 means that the game is currently being played. In addition, a value of 0 to 6 is stored in the memory area whose work area name is “effect identifier”. The value 0 means that the type of production is “Sumo Atari”, the value 1 is the type of production “Susumo Loss”, the value 2 is the type of production “Eating Great Atari”, and the value 3 is the production. The value of “4” means that the type of production is “Eruption Atari”, the value 5 means that the type of production is “Eruption Loss”, and the value 6 means that the type of production is “Normal”. Yes. In the memory area where the work area name is “remaining effect game number counter”, values of 0 to 4 are stored. Each of these values means the number of remaining effect games for each effect performed over a plurality of games.

  In addition, a value from 0 to 4 is stored in the memory area whose work area name is “gaming state identifier”. The value 0 means that the current gaming state is “general gaming state”, the value 1 is the current gaming state “BB internal winning state”, and the value 2 is the current gaming state “RB internal winning state”. “State”, value 3 means that the current gaming state is “BB general gaming state”, and value 4 means that the current gaming state is “RB state”.

  The gaming state of the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes “general gaming state”, “BB internal winning state”, “RB internal winning state”, “BB general gaming state”, and “RB gaming state”. Each of these five game states is basically distinguished by the types of winning combinations that may be won internally and the types of bonuses that can be established. Transition between the game states is performed by a game state monitoring process (FIG. 20, step 111) described later.

  The bonus winning flag of the big bonus (BB) or regular bonus (RB) is carried over to the next game and held as a winning combination until the bonus is actually won after the bonus is won internally. A gaming state that occurs when a BB winning is established and is configured by the “BB general gaming state” and the “RB gaming state” is hereinafter collectively referred to as “BB gaming state”. The “BB internal winning state” and “RB internal winning state” are states in which the bonus is internally won, and these are collectively referred to as “internally winning state” hereinafter. In the “internal winning state”, at least one of the bonus winning flags is carried over. Further, in the general gaming state, the internal winning state, and the BB general gaming state, it is possible to realize winning of “cherry small part”, “bell small part”, and “watermelon small part”.

  Further, in the memory area whose work area name is “winning combination identifier”, values of 00 to FF are stored in hexadecimal (H). Bit 5 of this value is on. That is, when 1 is set in the bit, it means that the big bonus is an internal winning combination. In addition, when bit 4 is on, it means that the regular bonus is an internal winning combination. Similarly, when bit 3 is on, RB in replay or BB is internal winning, If bit 2 is on, watermelon is an internal winner, if bit 1 is on, bell is an internal winner, and if bit 0 is on, cherry is an internal winner Means.

  Further, the memory area whose work area name is “random number counter” stores any value from 0 to 127, and this value is a random number counter update process (step 231) described later in the range of 0 to 127. Is updated (counted up) every 2 ms and used as a random value. In the memory area whose work area name is “stop reel identifier”, one of values 0 to 2 is stored. The value 0 means that the type of the stopped reel is “left reel 2”, the value 1 is the type of stopped reel “middle reel 3”, and the value 2 is the type of stopped reel “right”. It means “reel 4”. In addition, a value of 0 to 20 is stored in the memory area whose work area name is “stop symbol identification number”. This value corresponds to the code number of the symbol on the winning line L1 of the stop reel represented by the stop reel identifier.

  Each of the memory areas whose work area names are “left reel rotation identifier”, “middle reel rotation identifier”, and “right reel rotation identifier” store a value of 0 or 1. The value 0 means that the reel is stopped, and the value 1 means that the reel is rotating. In the memory area whose work area name is “VDP counter”, any value of 0 to 2 is stored. The memory area whose work area name is “unprocessed command storage area” is blank. In the memory area of the “validation winning line”, any value from 0 to 4 is stored. The value 0 means that the type of the activated winning line is “center line L1”, the value 1 is the type of the activated winning line “top line L2A”, and the value 2 is the type of the activated winning line. Is “bottom line L2B”, a value of 3 indicates that the type of the activated winning line is “cross down line L3A”, and a value of 4 indicates that the type of the activated winning line is “cross up line L3B”.

  In addition, a value of 0 to 3 is stored in the memory area whose work area name is “game image identifier”. The value 0 means that the effect image data type is “full screen image display”, the value 1 is the effect image data type “reduced image display”, and the value 2 is the effect image data type “ The “2 divided image display” and the value 3 mean that the type of effect image data is “4 divided image display”.

  In the memory area whose work area name is “image display position correction value A”, any value of −200 to 200 is stored. This value is used to correct the “vertical position” in the “contents of data to be transmitted to VDP” shown in FIG. 19 in the range of −200 to 200 dots by an image display position correction process (step 266B) described later. It is done. For example, if the image display position correction value A is 65, after adding 65 dots to the vertical position, the data is transmitted to the VDP. Here, the initial value of this value is 0, and when the image display position correction value A is initialized, this value becomes 0.

  In the memory area whose work area name is “image display position correction value B”, any value of −200 to 200 is stored. This value is used to correct the “lateral position” of “contents of data to be transmitted to VDP” shown in FIG. 19 within a range of −200 to 200 dots by an image display position correction process (step 266B) described later. It is done. For example, if the image display position correction value B is 65, after adding 65 dots to the horizontal position, the data is transmitted to the VDP. Here, the initial value of this value is 0, and when the image display position correction value B is initialized, this value becomes 0.

  FIG. 13 is a jump table used by the image control CPU 81 of the sub control board 62a in step 243 of a command input process (see FIG. 26) described later, and is stored in the program ROM 82 of the sub control board 62a. The type of command is displayed in the left column of the table, and the jump destination process corresponding to the type of each command is stored in the right column. The image control CPU 81 determines a jump destination according to the type of command from the main control board 61 received by the serial port 80a, and performs the processing shown in the table at the jump destination.

  FIG. 14 is an effect determination table stored in the program ROM 82 of the sub control board 62a. When the game start command is received by the sub control board 62a and the jump destination selected using the jump table is the game start process, the effect determination table is displayed by the image control CPU 81 of the sub control board 62a. This is used in step 263 of a game start process (see FIG. 28) described later. The winning column is displayed in the left column of the table, the middle column is assigned to a random number for production of 0 to 127 divided for each winning combination, and the right column is assigned to each random block in the middle column. Production data is stored. The image control CPU 81 identifies the winning combination determined in the current game probability lottery process from the winning combination identifier included in the received game start command. Then, referring to the effect determination table, the effect data is selected according to the identified winning combination and the extracted random number. This selection is performed by random number lottery using a random number counter formed in the work area name “random number counter” shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is an effect table stored in the program ROM 82 of the sub control board 62a. This effect table is obtained by the image control CPU 81 of the sub control board 62a when a game medal command is received by the sub control board 62a and the jump destination selected using the above jump table is a game medal insertion process. This is used in step 253 of a game medal insertion process (see FIG. 27) described later. In the table, in the order from the left column, “effect” column, “number of remaining remaining games” column, “effect data (BET)” column, “effect data (lever)” column, and “effect data (winning)” column Is provided.

  The “production” column corresponds to the production determined in the production determination table, and the “continuous production remaining game number” column represents the number of remaining remaining continuous production games at that time. The effect data is determined from the effect determined in the effect determination table and the number of remaining continuous effect games remaining at that time. When betting a game medal (BET), the “effect data (BET)” field, start lever The “effect data (lever)” column is referred to during operation 30 (lever), and the “effect data (win)” column is determined when winning (winning).

  FIG. 16 is a large classification data table stored in the program ROM 82 of the sub control board 62a. In this major classification data table, the presentation data in the presentation table shown in FIG. 15 is used as major classification data, and middle classification data is assigned to each major classification data.

  FIG. 17 is a middle classification data table stored in the program ROM 82 of the sub control board 62a. In the middle classification data table, small classification data is allocated to each middle classification data in the large classification data table shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a small classification data table stored in the program ROM 82 of the sub control board 62a. In this small classification data table, display form data is allocated to each small classification data in the medium classification data table shown in FIG. Further, a data number is assigned to the display form data.

  Here, the display form data represents the display form of the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d.

  If the display form name is a full screen image, an effect image is displayed on the entire surface of the liquid crystal panel 39d as shown in FIG. If the display form name is a reduced image, an effect image reduced from the effect image of the full screen image is displayed at a position below the liquid crystal panel 39d as shown in FIG.

  If the display form name is a two-divided image, as shown in FIG. 36, the effect image that is reduced and divided into two parts is displayed at the right and left positions of the liquid crystal panel 39d. Will come to be. If the display form name is a four-divided image, as shown in FIG. 37, the effect image that is reduced and divided into four parts as the full-screen effect image is displayed above, below, right, and left of the liquid crystal panel 39d. It will be displayed at each position.

  More specifically, when the small classification name is a volcanic ash ejection image and the display form name is a full-screen image, the data associated with the data numbers of S901 to S921 is effect image data to be transmitted to the VDP 86 described later. As a result, a volcanic ash ejection image, which is an effect image, is displayed on the entire liquid crystal panel (see FIG. 34).

  On the other hand, when the small classification name is the volcanic ash ejection image and the display form name is the reduced image, the data associated with the data numbers of S1001 to S1021 is the effect image data to be transmitted to the VDP 86 described later (FIGS. 18 and 19). As a result, an effect image (here, a reduced volcanic ash ejection image) reduced from the effect image of the full-screen image is displayed at a position below the liquid crystal panel 39d (see FIG. 35).

  On the other hand, when the small classification name is the volcanic ash ejection image and the display form name is the two-part image, the data associated with the data numbers of S1101 to S1121 is the effect image data to be transmitted to the VDP 86 (FIG. 18, FIG. 18). 19), as a result, the effect image reduced in size and divided into two (here, the reduced and divided image of volcanic ash ejected) is compared with the effect image of the full screen image on the right and left sides of the liquid crystal panel 39d. Each position is displayed (see FIG. 36).

  On the other hand, when the small classification name is the volcanic ash ejection image and the display form name is the quadrant image, the data associated with the data numbers of S1201 to S1221 becomes the effect image data to be transmitted to the VDP 86 described later (FIG. 18, FIG. 19), as a result, the effect image that is reduced and divided into four parts (here, the reduced and divided four-part volcanic ash ejected image) than the effect image of the full screen image is above, below, and to the right of the liquid crystal panel 39d. And are displayed at the left position (see FIG. 37).

  FIG. 19 is an effect image data table stored in the program ROM 82 of the sub control board 62a. This effect image data table stores the contents of effect image data that the image control CPU 81 transmits to the VDP 86 for each data number in the small classification data table shown in FIG.

  The program ROM 82 reduces or divides the effect image data for displaying the full-screen image as shown in FIG. 34 and the effect image displayed in FIG. 34 as shown in FIGS. The effect image data to be displayed is stored as separate data.

  For example, the effect image data stored in association with the data number S1001 is data for reducing and displaying the effect image indicated by the effect image data associated with the data number S901.

  Next, the control operation of the main CPU 64 of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to the main flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  First, the main CPU 64 performs initialization at the start of the game (see step 101 in FIG. 20). Specifically, the contents stored in the control RAM 66 are initialized, the communication data is initialized, and the like. Subsequently, the predetermined stored contents of the control RAM 66 at the end of the game are erased (step 102). Specifically, the data in the writable area of the control RAM 66 used in the previous game is erased, the parameters necessary for the next game are written in the write area of the control RAM 66, and the start address of the sequence program of the next game is set. Make designations. Next, it is determined whether or not "30 seconds" have elapsed since the end of the previous game, that is, after all reels 2, 3, and 4 have stopped (step 103). If this determination is “YES”, a “demo display command” requesting display of a “demo image” is transmitted to the sub-control board 62a (step 104).

Next, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not there is a request for automatic medal insertion, that is, whether or not a replay winning has been established in the previous game (step 105). This determination is “YES”
In this case, medals for the insertion request are automatically inserted (step 106), and the process proceeds to step 108. When the determination in step 105 is “NO”, it is determined whether or not there is a medal inserted. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is an input from the inserted medal sensor 8S or the BET switches 26, 27, and 28 (step 107). When this determination is “YES”, a game medal insertion command indicating that a game medal has been inserted is transmitted to the sub-control board 62 and the process proceeds to step 108, while when the determination is “NO”, processing Returns to step 103 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  Next, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not there is an input from the start switch 30S based on the operation of the start lever 30 (step 108). If this determination is “YES”, then the main CPU 64 extracts the random number for lottery generated by the random number generator 69 by the sampling circuit 70 (step 109), and sets a timer for monitoring one game (step 109). 110). This one-game monitoring timer is a timer that monitors the time of each unit game, and automatically stops the reels 2, 3, and 4 regardless of the player's stop operation of the stop buttons 31, 32, and 33. It also includes an automatic stop timer.

  Next, the main CPU 64 performs a gaming state monitoring process (step 111), and then performs a probability lottery process (step 112). In the gaming state monitoring process, the gaming state is set to the gaming state corresponding to the winning request flag with reference to the winning request flag. Further, in the probability lottery process, a probability lottery table is used according to the gaming state, and it is determined whether the random number value extracted in step 109 belongs to which random number range of the probability lottery table (see FIG. 11). Further, the winning combination is determined based on the value of the request flag per bonus. That is, the predetermined combination is determined as the winning combination. Next, transmission processing at the start of the game is performed (FIG. 21, step 113). Specifically, a process of transmitting a command including information such as a winning combination and a gaming state to the sub control board 62a as a game start command is performed.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not “4.1 seconds” have elapsed since the previous game started (step 114). If this determination is “NO”, a game start waiting time digest process is performed (step 115). Specifically, a process of invalidating an input based on an operation for starting a game by the player (here, reels 2 to 4) until “4.1 seconds” have elapsed since the start of the previous game. Process for waiting for the start of rotation). When the determination in step 114 is “YES” or when the process in step 115 is completed, the main CPU 64 next performs a reel rotation process (step 116), and then the stop buttons 31 to 33 are operated to be “on”. It is determined whether or not it has been done (step 117). If this determination is “NO” without any of the stop buttons 31 to 33 being operated, it is next determined whether or not the value of the automatic stop timer is “0” (step 118). If this determination is “NO”, the process returns to step 117 and the above-described process is repeated.

  When any one of the stop buttons 31 to 33 is operated and the determination in step 117 becomes “YES” or the value of the automatic stop timer becomes “0”, the main CPU 64 next performs a sliding frame number determination process. (Step 119), at the timing when the player's stop operation is performed, the types of symbols displayed on the reels 2, 3 and 4 that are made visible to the player through the display windows 5, 6 and 7 and the winning combination determining means are determined The number of sliding symbols is determined based on the winning combination. Subsequently, the reel corresponding to the stop button for which the stop operation has been performed is rotated by the number of sliding frames and then stopped (step 120). Here, “the number of sliding symbols” indicates the number of symbols to be moved after the stop buttons 31 to 33 are operated and before the reels 2 to 4 are stopped, and may be referred to as “the number of pull-ins”. is there. In the pachi-slot machine 1 according to the embodiment, the “number of pull-in” is controlled to be any value from 0 frame to 4 frames. Therefore, if the player operates the stop buttons 31 to 33 at the timing when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination is in the range of 0 frame to 4 frames, there is a possibility that a winning corresponding to the winning combination may be established. If the player operates the stop buttons 31 to 33 at a timing when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination is not in the range of 0 to 4 frames, a winning corresponding to the winning combination cannot be established. At this time, a spinning cylinder stop command including information that can identify the stopped reels 2, 3, and 4 and information that can identify the type of the symbol displayed by the reels stopped on a predetermined activated pay line is the main. Transmission from the control board 61 to the sub-control board 62a. Subsequently, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not all reels have stopped (step 121). If this determination is "NO", the process returns to step 117, and the above-described processes are repeated. On the other hand, when all the reels 2 to 4 are stopped and the determination in step 121 is “YES”, the main CPU 64 transmits a full cylinder stop command to the sub-control board 62a (step 122).

  Next, the main CPU 64 performs a winning search process (winning determination means). (See FIG. 22, step 123). In this winning search process, the type of combination of symbols actually arranged on the activated winning line is matched with the type of winning combination determined by the probability lottery process. Next, it is determined whether or not the winning flag is normal (step 124). If the determination result is not normal, an illegal error is displayed on the payout number display unit 20 and the liquid crystal panel 39d (step 125). If the winning flag is normal, a winning command is subsequently transmitted to the sub control board 62a via the sub control unit communication port 79 (step 126). This winning command includes a 24-bit parameter indicating a winning combination, a gaming state, and a winning establishment line. Here, the winning line means a winning line in which a combination of symbols representing a winning combination is displayed. For example, a bell symbol is placed in the upper part of the left reel 2, the middle part of the middle reel 3, and the lower part of the right reel 4, respectively. If the bell small part wins as a result of the display, the winning establishment line becomes the cross-down line L3A.

  Next, the game medal is stored or paid out according to the state at that time (step 127). That is, if the game is played with credits, the number of stored coins displayed on the stored coin number display unit 16 is increased by the number of medals acquired by winning, and the game is performed by inserting medals into the medal slot 8. If it is in a state in which the medals are performed, the number of medals won by winning is paid out to the medal tray 34.

  Next, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the current gaming state is operating the BB game or the RB game (step 128). If the BB game or RB game is in operation, the main CPU 64 next checks the number of games played in the BB game or RB game (step 129). Subsequently, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the current gaming state is at the end of the BB game (step 130). If the BB game ends, a BB end command is transmitted to the sub-control board 62a (step 131). The BB end command includes a 3-bit parameter indicating the end operation. When the BB end command is transmitted, a RAM clear process at the end of the BB game is performed on the control RAM 66 (step 132). Thereafter, the process returns to step 102 and the next new game is started.

  Next, game processing controlled by the image control CPU 81 of the sub control board 62a will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an outline of image display control processing for the liquid crystal panel 39d, which is performed by the image control CPU 81.

  24A, 24B, and 24C show interrupt processing performed by interrupting the image control CPU 81 during processing. The interrupt process shown in FIG. 5A is a process performed in response to an interrupt request generated due to reception of a command signal transmitted from the main control board 61. The image control CPU 81 of the sub control board 62a stores the command received from the main control board 61 based on this interrupt request as an unprocessed command in the unprocessed command storage area of the work RAM 83 (step 211). Further, the interrupt process shown in FIG. 5B is a process performed in response to an interrupt request generated due to reception of a signal transmitted from the VDP 86 every 1/60 [sec]. When there is an interruption due to reception of a signal from the VDP 86, the image control CPU 81 adds 1 to the VDP counter in the work RAM 83 and counts up the VDP counter (step 221). In the interrupt process shown in FIG. 12C, an interrupt is generated in the image control CPU 81 every 2 [msec], and a random number counter (FIG. 12) provided as a work area name “random number counter” in the work RAM 83. Reference) is updated (step 231).

  Since the main purpose of this interrupt process is to update the random number counter, the interrupt time interval is not limited to 2 [msec], and is set to an interrupt time interval of about 2 to 10 [msec], for example. . Next, the image control CPU 81 updates the effect data transmitted to the sub-control board 62b that controls the sound / lamp (step 232).

  When the pachislot machine 1 is powered on and a signal is input to the reset terminal of the image control CPU 81, the image control CPU 81 initializes the work RAM 83, the video RAM 89, and the control RAM 88, and an initialization process that permits interrupts. (See step 201 in FIG. 23). Subsequently, the image control CPU 81 performs processing for monitoring inputs (commands) from the operation unit 85 such as the cross key 23, the A button 24, and the B button 25 (step 202).

  Here, an example of the input monitoring process is shown below. When the operation unit 85 receives a request for reduction / division of the effect image from the player, the operation unit 85 outputs a game information setting signal to the image control CPU 81 to instruct the image display form change process. To do. Receiving this command, the image control CPU 81 stores the image display form change process as an unprocessed command in the unprocessed command storage area of the work RAM 83. On the other hand, when the operation unit 85 receives a request to change the display position of the effect image from the player, the operation unit 85 outputs a game information setting signal to the image control CPU 81 to correct the image display position. Command to process. Upon receiving this instruction, the image control CPU 81 stores the image display position correction process as an unprocessed command in the unprocessed command storage area of the work RAM 83.

  After the input monitoring process, a command input process (to be described later) for processing commands from the main control board 61 and the operation unit 85 is performed (step 203). Then, based on the content of the effect selected in accordance with the command input in this command input process, an effect mode other than image control such as sound / lamp is also determined, and further updated by the above-described effect data update process (step 232). The effect data is converted into a command signal, and a command output process is performed to output the command signal to the sub-control board 62b that controls the device other than the image control via the serial port 80a (step 204).

  Next, the image control CPU 81 performs an image drawing process (described later) for drawing an image on the liquid crystal panel 39d (step 205). Subsequently, the image control CPU 81 determines whether or not the above-mentioned VDP counter is 2 or more (step 206), and if not 2 or more, waits until it becomes 2 or more. When the VDP counter becomes 2 or more, that is, when (1/60) × 2 = 1/30 [sec] has elapsed since the previous display of the image on the liquid crystal panel 39d (buffer area) was switched, the image control CPU 81 The VDP counter is reset to 0 (step 207), the bank is switched by the VDP 86, and the bank of image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d is switched (step 208). That is, an image based on the image data stored in the buffer area for data writing out of the two buffer areas provided in the video RAM 89 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d and displayed on the other current liquid crystal panel 39d. The buffer area storing the image data that coincides with the displayed image is switched to write data to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d at the next 1/30 [sec] timing.

  That is, the video RAM 89 is provided with two buffer areas 1 and 2 as banks, and each buffer area 1 and 2 has 3D objects such as polygon data read by the image control CPU 81 from the image ROM 87 and two-dimensional data. The effect image data obtained as a result of calculating the positional relationship in the virtual 3D space is stored. Under the control of the image control CPU 81, the VDP 86 reads out the effect image data stored in one buffer area of the buffer area 1 or the buffer area 2, displays an image based on the data on the liquid crystal panel 39d, and The effect image data to be displayed at the next 1/30 [sec] timing is written in the buffer area. The bank switching process in step 208 is a process of switching the buffer areas 1 and 2 for reading effect image data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d by the VDP 86.

  This process is illustrated in the timing chart of FIG. That is, the drawing image data A read from the image ROM 87 is written into the buffer area 2 shown in the figure from the timing t0 shown in the figure. The drawing image data A stored in the buffer area 2 is read at the timing t1 when 1/30 [sec] has elapsed, and during the 1/30 [sec] up to the timing t2, as shown in FIG. 39d. Further, bank switching is performed at the timing t1, and the next drawing image data B read from the image ROM 87 is written into the buffer area 1 shown in FIG.

  Next, the drawing image data B stored in the buffer area 1 is read at the timing t2 when 1/30 [sec] has elapsed, and during the 1/30 [sec] until the timing t3, as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d. Further, bank switching is performed at this timing t2, and the next drawing image data C read from the image ROM 87 is written into the buffer area 2 shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the drawing image data D, E, F, G,... Read from the image ROM 87 are alternately written in the buffer areas 1 and 2 in the same manner, and these image data are alternately read and the liquid crystal. It is displayed on the panel 39d.

  FIG. 26 is a detailed flowchart of the command input process in step 203 shown in FIG. In this command input process, the image control CPU 81 first determines whether or not an unprocessed command is stored in the unprocessed command storage area of the work RAM 83 (see step 241 in FIG. 26). If there is no unprocessed command, the command input process ends. On the other hand, if there is an unprocessed command, the image control CPU 81 sets the return address in the work RAM 83 (step 242), and then refers to the jump table (see FIG. 13) to determine the type of unprocessed command. Jump to the jump destination (step 243). When the jump destination processing is completed at the jump destination, the image control CPU 81 returns the processing to the set return address and returns from the jump destination. Thereafter, the processed unprocessed command is set to processed, that is, the unprocessed command stored in the unprocessed command storage area of the work RAM 83 is cleared (step 244), and the command input processing is completed.

  FIG. 27 is a detailed flowchart of the process performed in step 243 when the jump destination is the game medal insertion process in the command input process. In the game medal insertion process, the image CPU 81 first refers to the in-game identifier (see FIG. 12) to determine whether the in-game identifier is 0, that is, whether the game is currently out of game ( (See FIG. 27, step 251). If the in-game identifier is not 0, that is, if the game is currently being played, the game medal insertion process ends. On the other hand, when the in-game identifier is 0, that is, when the game is not currently in game, the image control CPU 81 sets 1 in the game identifier (step 252), and the game is currently in game due to the insertion of a medal. Write. Then, the image control CPU 81 refers to the effect table (see FIG. 15) and selects effect data (BET) at the time of BET based on the effect identifier (see FIG. 12) and the remaining effect game number counter (see FIG. 12). (Step 253).

  FIG. 28 is a detailed flowchart of the process performed in step 243 when the jump destination is the game start process in the command input process. In the game start process, the image control CPU 81 first refers to the command received from the main control board 61, that is, the unprocessed command stored in the unprocessed command storage area of the work RAM 83 (transmission at the start of the game on the main control board 61). Information on the gaming state and winning combination is extracted with reference to the value of the process (command transmitted as a processing result of step 113), and the gaming state identifier (see FIG. 12) and winning combination identifier (see FIG. 12) in the work RAM 83 are extracted. 12) is set (see FIG. 28, step 261).

  For example, when the received game start command includes information indicating that the current gaming state BB is in the internal winning state, the gaming state identifier is set to 1. Further, when the received game start command includes information on the internal winning of the bell and big bonus in the probability lottery process (step 112) of the current game, bits 1 and 5 of the winning combination identifier are turned on. And all other bits are turned off. If the received game start command includes information that the big bonus is won internally in the probability lottery process (step 112) of the current game, the winning combination identifier bit 5 is turned on and other bits are set. Are all turned off.

  Next, the image control CPU 81 determines whether or not the value of the remaining effect game counter (see FIG. 12) is 0 (step 262). When the value of the remaining effect game number counter is 0, that is, in the case of a game in which an effect performed over a plurality of games ends, next, an effect determination table (see FIG. 14), winning combination identifier, random number counter Based on (see FIG. 12), the effect data of the next effect is determined (step 263). That is, the image control CPU 81 extracts the value read from the random number counter as a random number value. Then, in the effect determination table, with reference to the effect random number assigned to the internal winning combination indicated by the winning combination identifier, it is determined to which effect random number range the extracted random number value belongs, and the effect data is decide.

  For example, when the internal winning combination is only the bell and the extracted random number value is 10, the effect data becomes “eruption atari” when referring to the effect determination table. When the extracted random number value is 21, the effect data is “eruption loss”. When the internal winning combination is a big bonus and the extracted random number value is 60, the effect data is “eruption atari”, and when the extracted random number value is 96, the effect data is “eruption lost”. . When the internal winning combination is lost, the production data of “Eruption Atari” is not selected.

  Next, the image control CPU 81 sets the effect identifier of the work RAM 83 and the remaining effect game number counter based on the effect table (see FIG. 15) and the effect data determined in step 263 (step 264).

  For example, when the effect data of “Sumo Los” is determined in the above step 263, referring to the effect table, the image control CPU 81 sets 1 to the effect identifier and sets 4 to the remaining effect game number counter. To do.

  If it is determined in step 262 that the value of the remaining effect game number counter is not 0, that is, if the effect is continued for a plurality of games, or if the process of step 264 is completed, then the image is displayed. The control CPU 81 refers to the effect table, and selects effect data (lever) at the time of lever operation based on the effect identifier and the remaining effect game number counter (step 265). Next, the image control CPU 81 sets 1 to each of the left, middle and right reel rotation identifiers (step 266). This indicates that the left, middle, and right reels 2, 3, and 4 are rotating, the game start process ends, and the process proceeds to step 244 based on the return address set in step 242. To do.

  FIG. 29 is a detailed flowchart of the process performed in step 243 when the jump destination is the spinning cylinder stop process in the command input process.

  In the rotation stopping process, the image control CPU 81 first refers to the command received from the main control board 61, that is, the unprocessed command stored in the unprocessed command storage area of the work RAM 83 (the process of step 120 in the main control board 61). The value of the command sent as a result) is referred to, information that can identify the stopped reels 2, 3, and 4 included in the value, and the symbol displayed by the stopped reel on a predetermined activated pay line The information that can identify the type of information is extracted, and the stop reel identifier (see FIG. 12) and the stop symbol identification number (see FIG. 12) in the work RAM 83 are set (see FIG. 29, step 271). That is, when the received command includes information that the left reel 2 is stopped, 0 is set to the stop reel identifier. Further, 1 is set when the information that the middle reel 3 is stopped is included, and 2 is set when the information that the right reel 4 is stopped is included. Moreover, the code number of 0-20 (refer FIG. 5) showing the stop symbol contained in the received spinning cylinder stop command is set as a stop symbol identification number.

  Next, the image control CPU 81 determines whether or not the stop reel identifier is 0 (step 272). If the stop reel identifier is 0, it indicates that the left reel 2 has stopped, so that the left reel rotation identifier is set to 0 (step 273), and the spinning stop processing ends. If the stop reel identifier is not 0, it is next determined whether or not the stop reel identifier is 1 (step 274). If the stop reel identifier is 1, it indicates that the middle reel 3 has stopped, so that the middle reel rotation identifier is set to 0 (step 275), and the spinning stop processing is terminated. If the stop reel identifier is not 1, it is determined that the stop reel identifier is 2, and 0 is set in the right reel rotation identifier indicating that the right reel 4 is stopped (step 276). The cylinder stop process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step 244 based on the return address set in step 242.

  FIG. 30 is a detailed flowchart of the process performed in step 243 when the jump destination is the winning process in the command input process.

  In the winning process, the image control CPU 81 first refers to the command received from the main control board 61, that is, the unprocessed command stored in the unprocessed command storage area of the work RAM 83 (the winning command process of step 126 in the main control board 61). (Command sent as a result of the process), information that can identify a winning combination (winning flag), winning establishment line, etc. in the game is extracted from the value, and a winning in the work RAM 83 is extracted. A combination identifier (see FIG. 12) and a winning establishment line (see FIG. 12) are set (see FIG. 30, step 281). For example, when the received command is that the bell symbols are aligned and stopped on the middle stage (center line L1) of each of the left reel 2, the middle reel 3, and the right reel 4 in this game, When winning information is included, bit 1 of the winning combination identifier is turned on and other bits are turned off, and 0 is set in the winning establishment line of the work RAM 83. Also, based on the received command that the red 7 symbols are aligned and stopped at the lower stage of the left reel 2, the middle stage of the middle reel 3, and the upper stage of the right reel 4 (cross-up line L3B) in this game, If the bonus information is included, the winning combination identifier bit 5 is turned on and the other bits are turned off, and 0 is set in the winning establishment line of the work RAM 83.

  Next, the image control CPU 81 refers to the effect table and selects effect data (winning) at the time of winning based on the effect identifier and the remaining effect game number counter (step 282). Subsequently, the image control CPU 81 subtracts 1 from the remaining effect game number counter of the work RAM 83 (step 283), sets 0 in the game identifier to make it out of game (step 284), and ends the winning process. Based on the return address set in step 242, the process proceeds to step 244. Further, when 1 is subtracted from the remaining effect game number counter in step 283 of the winning process, when the value becomes 0, 6 indicating “normal” effect is set in the effect identifier, and the player in the next game In the game medal insertion process based on the medal insertion by, preparations for selecting “normal 0 (BET)” as the effect data (BET) are prepared.

  FIG. 31 is a detailed flowchart of the process performed in step 243 when the jump destination is the image display form change process in the command input process.

  In the image display form changing process, the image CPU 81 first sets a game image identifier in accordance with a command of a game information setting signal input from the operation unit 85 (step 266A). For example, if the command indicates that the type of effect image data is “full screen image display”, 0 is set, and if the command indicates that the type of effect image data is “reduced image display”, 1 is set. Is set, 2 is set to indicate that the type of effect image data is “2 split image display”, and 3 is set to indicate that the type of effect image data is “4 split image display”. Set.

  FIG. 32 is a detailed flowchart of the process performed in step 243 when the jump destination is the image display position correction process in the command input process.

  In the image display position correction process, first, the image CPU 81 corrects the image display position correction value A and the image display position correction value B in accordance with the command of the game information setting signal input from the operation unit 85 (step 266B). For example, if the instruction is to change the display position of the effect image data upward by 30 dots, 30 is added to the value of the image display position correction value A (the original image display position correction value A is 0). 30 in the case. If the instruction is to change the position downward by 30 dots, -30 is added to the value of the image display position correction value A (if the original image display position correction value A is 0, the value is -30. ). If the instruction is to change the position to the left by 30 dots as seen from the player side, -30 is added to the value of the image display position correction value B (the original image display position correction value B is 0). In the case of -30). If the instruction is to change the dot to the right by 30 dots as seen from the player side, 30 is added to the value of the image display position correction value B (the original image display position correction value B was 0). In that case 30).

  FIG. 33 is a detailed flowchart of the image drawing process performed in step 205 of FIG. In this image drawing process, the image control CPU 81 selects effect image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d from the image ROM 88 (step 291). This selection is performed based on the effect image data determined based on the effect data determined by the command input process or the like and the game image identifier. For example, when the above-mentioned effect image data is a volcanic ash ejection image and the game image identifier is 1, the small classification name is a volcanic ash ejection image and the display form name is associated with a data number (S1001 to S1079) which is a reduced image. Present effect image data is selected (see FIGS. 18 and 19).

  Next, the image control CPU 81 corrects the display position of the effect image data based on the image display position correction value A and the image display position correction value B (step 292). For example, when the image display position correction value A is −100 and the image display position correction value B is +50, −100 dots are corrected to the vertical position of the effect image data, and +50 to the horizontal position. Add dot correction.

  In step 291, effect image data is selected, and after the display position of the effect image data is corrected in step 292, the effect image data is transmitted to the VDP 86 (step 293), and the image drawing process ends. The VDP 86 temporarily stores the received effect image data in the buffer areas 1 and 2 of the video RAM 89 as described above, and displays it on the liquid crystal panel 39d as shown in FIGS. 34 to 38, for example.

  Here, FIG. 35 shows an image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d when the effect image data associated with the data number (S1001 to S1079) is selected in step 291.

  FIG. 38 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d when correction of +100 dots is added to the vertical position and horizontal position of the effect image data selected when displaying FIG. 35 in the process of step 292. An image to be displayed is shown.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the display size and display position of the information displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d can be changed, so that the display mode of information related to the game is diversified, and the interest of the player is improved. Can be made.

  Further, since the display size and display position of the information displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d can be changed as desired by the player himself, this can improve the interest of the player.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this is only a concrete illustration of this invention, and does not limit this invention in particular.

  Note that the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to that.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the game information display control means reduces the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d by separating and using a full-screen image and an image for displaying the image by reducing or dividing the image. -Although division etc. is performed, data enlarged from a normal full screen image may be prepared, and the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d may be enlarged by using the data, or may be divided into two or four Other divided images (for example, eight divided images) may be prepared, and various divided images may be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d by using these data.

  Further, instead of separately preparing an image for enlargement / reduction display, an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d is enlarged / reduced by using a zoom lens as used in a video camera or a digital camera. You may let them.

  In the present embodiment, when an effect image or the like reduced or divided is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39d, no information is displayed in a display area other than the area where the effect image is displayed. Regardless of this, an image that attracts the player's interest (such as an image that lights up at the time of the big hit), a guide on how to use the pachislot in general, or a guide that can be used to play games advantageously (in this area) For example, a jackpot announcement) may be displayed.

  Further, the image control CPU 81 according to the present embodiment performs an image display form change process, an image display position correction process, and the like in accordance with a command from the operation unit 85, but is not limited to this. Of course, the above-described processing may be performed based on the command.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 39d constitutes the game information display area of the information display means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is constituted by another display device such as a CRT display or an EL (electroluminescence) display. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a pachislot machine having a stop button has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to a slot machine in which a reel automatically stops without having a stop button. Is possible. Further, other reels equipped with a transparent liquid crystal display device on the front surface of the mechanical reel, for example, a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, or the reel and the transparent liquid crystal display device are displayed on a screen such as a television screen in a simulated manner. The present invention can be similarly applied to a video game machine or the like.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the pachislot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state in which the winning line marked on the display window of the pachislot machine by this embodiment is validated sequentially. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the reel display window part of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the reel display window part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the symbol drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the rotation reel unit of the pachi-slot machine by this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the rotation reel which comprises the rotation reel unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the symbol combination drawn on the dividend display part of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure comprised by the main control board of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure comprised by the sub control board of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows notionally the probability lottery table used for this embodiment. It is a table which shows the list of the contents of the work area provided in the work RAM of the sub control board of the pachi-slot machine by this embodiment. It is a jump table provided in the work RAM of the sub control board of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is an effect determination table provided in the work RAM of the sub control board of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is an effect table provided in the work RAM of the sub control board of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is a large classification data table provided in the work RAM of the sub control board of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is a middle classification data table provided in the work RAM of the sub control board of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is a small classification data table provided in the work RAM of the sub control board of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is an effect image data table provided in the work RAM of the sub control board of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the outline of the game process by main CPU of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the outline of the game process by main CPU of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a 3rd flowchart which shows the outline of the game processing by main CPU of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the game process by the sub control board for image control of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the interruption process in the sub control board for image control of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a timing chart of the image display process by the sub control board for image control of the pachi-slot machine by this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the command input process in the sub control board for image control of the pachi-slot machine by this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the game medal insertion process in the sub-control board for image control of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart of the game start process in the sub control board for image control of the pachi-slot machine by this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the rotation stop process in the sub-control board for image control of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart of the winning process in the sub-control board for image control of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart of the image display form change process in the sub control board for image control of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the image display position correction process in the sub control board for image control of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the image drawing process in the sub control board for image control of the pachislot machine by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed on a liquid crystal panel by the image drawing process shown in FIG. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reduced image displayed on the liquid crystal panel in the image drawing process illustrated in FIG. 33. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2 division | segmentation image displayed on a liquid crystal panel by the image drawing process shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the 4-part dividing image displayed on a liquid crystal panel by the image drawing process shown in FIG. An example of an image displayed on the liquid crystal panel in the image drawing process shown in FIG. 33 after performing a certain correction in the image display position correction process shown in FIG. 32 to the effect image data selected when displaying FIG. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachi-slot machine 2, 3, 4 Reel 5, 6, 7 Display window 8 Medal slot 8S Slot medal sensor 30 Start lever 30S Start switch 31, 32, 33 Stop button (stop instruction means)
39 reel display window 39d liquid crystal panel (game information display area)
43 reel drum 45 stepping motor 61 main control board 62a, 62b sub control board 63 microcomputer 64 main CPU (central processing unit)
65,82 Program ROM (Read Only Memory)
66,88 Control RAM (Random Access Memory)
71 I / O port 79 Sub-control unit communication port 80a Serial port 81 Image control CPU
82 Program ROM
83 Work RAM
84 Calendar IC (Highly integrated circuit)
85 Operation part (game information command means)
86 VDP (Video Display Processor)
87 Image ROM (CROM)
89 Video RAM

Claims (3)

A symbol display means for displaying a plurality of symbols;
A symbol change means for changing a symbol displayed by the symbol display means;
A winning combination determining means for determining a winning combination for each unit game;
Stop instruction means for instructing stoppage of symbol variation performed by the symbol variation means based on an operation by the player;
When stop of the symbol change is instructed by the stop instructing means, based on the winning combination determined by the winning combination determining means, a stop control means for controlling to stop the variation of the symbol,
When the fluctuation of the symbol is controlled to be stopped by the stop control unit, a winning determination unit that determines whether or not a prize is won based on a combination of symbols displayed by the symbol display unit;
Information display means having a game information display area for displaying information about the game;
Game information display control means for changing and displaying at least one of a display size and a display position of information relating to the game in the game information display area;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising: 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game information display control means can divide information relating to a game into two or more and display the information in the game information display area. Having a game information command means for outputting a game information setting signal based on an operation by the player;
The game information display control means selects information based on a game information setting signal output from the game information command means, and displays the information in the game information display area. Item 1. A gaming machine according to item 1 or 2.

Images