JP2005304776A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinball game machine which makes possibility of not only enhancing the expectation of a player by making the player feel unexpectedness and interesting the player, but also expanding the advance of a game. <P>SOLUTION: The machine decides a case of vary-displaying pictures of a plurality of kinds of patterns in a prescribed standard order so as to display the pictures of alternative patterns which can be alternated with any other kind of patterns by a prescribed turn and a case of vary-displaying the pictures of the plurality of kinds of patterns in a non-standard order where the displaying turn of the picture of the alternative patterns is different from the the prescribed order, by a lottery processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine that has an image display device and displays an image of a symbol including a so-called almighty symbol on the image display device.

Conventionally, there has been an image display device for a ball game machine that displays an image of a symbol including a so-called almighty symbol. This almighty symbol can replace its role with a role played by any other type of symbol. In particular, when an almighty symbol is displayed, such as when reaching a reach, the role can be replaced with a symbol that makes the game most advantageous. For this reason, an almighty symbol is handled as a symbol useful for the progress of a game (for example, refer patent document 1).
JP 2004-049335 A

  However, in conventional ball game machines, although the almighty symbol is a useful symbol, the order in which it is displayed is set in a certain order like the other symbols, so its effectiveness is It was not fully utilized.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the purpose of the present invention is to fully utilize the role of almighty symbols, to broaden the progress of the game, and to give interest to the player. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine that can enhance the feeling.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a plurality of types of images in a predetermined standard order are displayed so that images of substitutable symbols that can be replaced with any other types of symbols are displayed in a predetermined order. A lottery process determines the case where a symbol image is displayed in a variable manner and the case where a plurality of types of symbol images are displayed in a non-standard order in which the display order of substitutable symbol images is different from a predetermined order.

In particular,
A ball game machine including image display means for displaying an effect image including images of a plurality of types of symbols,
A game board on which a ball game in which the progress of the game is determined based on the flow-down mode of the game ball, and
Image data storage means for storing the effect image as image data;
Unit game control means for reading out the image data of the symbol image from the image data storage means, and performing the unit game with the image display means in a single process from the time when the symbol image is variably displayed to the time when it is stopped. Including, and
The plurality of types of symbols include substitutable symbols that can replace any other types of symbols, and
Standard display control means for variably displaying the images of the plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined standard order so that the images of the substitutable symbols are displayed in a predetermined order, and the display order of the images of the substitutable symbols is A non-standard display control means for variably displaying the images of the plurality of types of symbols in a non-standard order different from the predetermined order, and a symbol image display control means,
And lottery means for determining, by lottery processing, whether the images of the plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed in the standard order or the non-standard order.

  In this way, there are cases where multiple types of symbol images are displayed in a non-standard order in which the display order of substitutable symbols is different from the predetermined order, so that the substitutable symbols can be used effectively. , Since the substitutable symbols may be displayed even in the order that they are not originally displayed, there is a possibility that it can give the player an unexpected feeling or give the player an interest and increase their expectation. In addition to the occurrence, it is possible to increase the opportunity to replace with the role of other types of symbols, so that the progress of the game can be widened.

  Here, the variation display of the symbol image displays the symbol image in such a manner that the identification information constituting the symbol image is sequentially changed, or the symbol image is displayed in such a manner that the display position of the symbol image is changed. Display method. The time when the variable display of the symbol image is started is when the unit game is started. The variably displayed symbol image is stopped and displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed. In the stop display of the symbol image, certain identification information is displayed at a certain position of the image display means. Note that the stop display mode includes a mode in which the image display unit is finely moved or rocked about a certain position of the image display means. Anything can be displayed as long as it can be displayed.

  In addition, “substitutable design that can be replaced with any other type of design” is a design that can be visually recognized if the image of the substitutable design is different from the image of any other type of design, and can be replaced It means a symbol that can replace the role of the symbol with the role played by any other type of symbol. In this way, the role of the substitutable symbol can be replaced with the role of any other type of symbol, but in particular the substitutable symbol so that the progress of the game and the result of the game are advantageous to the player. It is preferable to replace the role of

  Furthermore, the “order” means the arrangement or arrangement of the display in order to display each of a plurality of types of symbols in order. Here, “first and second” means first and last in time, and first and last in the order. Furthermore, the “order” means an absolute or relative position, order, or arrangement in a predetermined order in order to specify one symbol.

  The lottery means determines whether or not the unit game is to be reached by lottery processing, and when the lottery means determines that the unit game is to be reached, What displays the image of a pattern is preferable.

  Further, when the images of the plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed in the non-standard order, when the unit game is reached, the image of the substitutable symbol is the reach indicating the reach. It is desirable that the image is displayed as an image of symbols positioned in a specific order.

  In addition to the possibility that the player can be surprised or can be interested in the player to increase the expectation of the player, the progress of the game can be widened.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<< Configuration of front surface of pachinko gaming machine 10 >>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an outline of an example of a pachinko gaming machine that is one embodiment of a ball and ball game machine according to the present invention. The example shown in FIG. 1 is a view showing the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 12, a front frame 14, and a game board 24.

<Outer frame 12>
The outer frame 12 constitutes an outline of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and has a rectangular shape. In the pachinko hall, the pachinko gaming machine 10 is attached to a support member (not shown) of the game island through the outer frame 12.

<Front frame 14>
The outer frame 12 is provided with a front frame 14 that is pivotally supported so as to be freely opened and closed. The front frame 14 is provided with various members such as a glass door 16, a receiving tray 18 for receiving a game ball, a hitting ball handle 22, and a housing portion for housing the game board 24.

<Game board 24>
A game area 28 defined by rails 26 is formed in the game board 24. An image display device 30 for displaying various images such as images of symbols is provided at a substantially central portion of the game area 28. Furthermore, in the game area 28, a start winning opening 32 that defines conditions for starting display of variation of the symbol image, a special winning opening 34 that opens and closes when the game is a big hit, and normal symbol variation display openings 36 and 38 are displayed. In addition, a plurality of other general winning ports 39a to 39d, windmills 40 and 42 that affect the fall of the game ball, a large number of game nails, and an out port 44 are also provided.

  When the player rotates the hitting ball handle 22 described above, the game balls are supplied one by one from the receiving tray 18 to the hitting ball launching unit (not shown), and the game balls correspond to the turning operation of the hitting ball handle 22. With strength, it is launched as a hit ball into the game area 28 by a hit ball launcher (not shown).

  The hit ball launched into the game area 28 falls while changing the moving direction by repeatedly contacting the windmill and the game nail described above, and flows into the various winning holes 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d and the out hole 44 described above. . “Ballball game” is performed by the game balls flowing down on the game board 24, and the progress of the ball game is determined based on the flow mode of the game balls, and the game balls are used in various winning holes 32 to 38 and 39a. The result of the ball game is determined by flowing into .about.39d and the out port 44.

<Winning detection sensor>
Each of the above-described winning holes 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d is provided with a winning detection sensor (not shown) that emits a detection signal indicating that a hit ball has been won at these winning holes. The winning detection sensor is provided in a flow path formed so that a game ball can pass through the back of these winning openings, and generates a detection signal every time it detects that a game ball has passed through the flow path. In FIG. 3 described later, all of the winning detection sensors provided in each of the winning openings 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d are shown as a winning detection sensor group 70. The winning detection sensor is electrically connected to a main control circuit 50 (shown in FIG. 2) described later by a signal cable. A detection signal generated from the winning detection sensor is transmitted to the main control circuit 50. The main control circuit 50 can obtain that the game ball has won a winning opening among the winning openings 32 to 38 or 39a to 39d by transmitting the detection signal. As will be described later, when a hit ball wins any of the winning openings 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the tray 18 as prize balls. In this embodiment, four winning balls are paid out when winning at the start winning opening 32, and 15 winning balls are paid out when winning at the special winning opening 34. When winning 39a-39d, 13 prize balls are paid out.

<Payout exit>
A payout opening (not shown) for paying out game balls as prize balls is formed on the back side of the tray 18 described above. When the main control circuit 50 (shown in FIG. 2) determines that the hit ball has won any of the above-described winning openings 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d, the main control circuit 50 (shown in FIG. 2) performs payout control. A control command is issued to a circuit (not shown). A payout motor (not shown) is electrically connected to the payout control circuit, and the payout control circuit that has received the control command is based on information indicating the number of prize balls included in the control command. A drive signal is issued to the payout motor. When the payout motor is driven, the prize balls are delivered to the tray 18 while counting the number of prize balls to be paid out.

<Image display device 30>
As described above, the image display device 30 is provided in a substantially central portion of the game area 28. As will be described later, various images such as a pattern image and a character image are displayed as effect images on the image display device 30. In the image display device 30, a game based on a graphic image, that is, a graphic image game simulating a slot game performed in a so-called slot machine is executed.

  The symbol includes identification information for indicating the result of the symbol image game, for example, identification information such as numbers such as “0”, “1” to “9”, and other characters and patterns. The symbol image is an image displayed on the image display device 30 so that this identification information can be visually recognized by the player. The image of the symbol is variably displayed or stopped on the image display device 30 by the image control circuit 52 described later. The variation display of the symbol image is displayed in such a manner that the identification information constituting the symbol image is sequentially changed, or the display position of the symbol image or the size or color of the symbol image is changed. This is a display method in which an image display mode is changed. The time when the symbol image variation display is started is the time when the symbol image game is started. The variably displayed symbol image is stopped and displayed by the image control circuit 52 after a predetermined time has elapsed. The stop display of the symbol image is a display mode that allows the player to visually recognize certain identification information at a certain position of the image display device 30. In particular, among the symbol image games, a period from when the symbol image is variably displayed until it is stopped is referred to as a unit game.

  The image display device 30 displays not only a symbol image but also a character image and a background image for enhancing the effect of the symbol image game.

<Starting prize opening 32>
When a hit ball is won at the start winning port 32 of the above-described winning ports 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d, the image of the symbol displayed on the image display device 30 starts to be changed, and a predetermined moving image or symbol is displayed. After the image is displayed for a predetermined time in a changing manner, the design image is stopped and displayed. That is, one unit game is started every time one hit ball wins the start winning opening 32. As will be described later, when a hit is won in the start winning opening 32 when a unit game is being performed in the image display device 30, the predetermined number, for example, four, is held. When the winning to the start winning opening 32 is held, when one unit game is finished, the next unit game is started based on the holding.

  When the symbol image is stopped and displayed, if the symbol image displayed on the image display device 30 has a specific aspect, the symbol image game is a so-called jackpot. For example, if three images of three symbols are displayed on the image display device 30 and all of the three symbols that are stopped and displayed after the variable display become so-called rough eyes, the symbol image game is a big hit. When the symbol image game is a big hit, the ball game is shifted to a special game. When the game is shifted to the special game, a predetermined demo image is displayed on the image display device 30 and the special winning opening 34 is opened to make the game ball easy to win, and the game ball flows into the special winning opening 34. It becomes easy to do. In this way, by winning the symbol image game, the ball game is shifted to a special game advantageous to the player.

  Two movable pieces 33a and 33b are provided in the vicinity of the left and right sides of the start winning opening 32 so as to be operable. When the game ball passes through the above-described normal symbol variation display ports 36 and 38, the normal symbol game is started in the normal symbol display unit 31 provided on the left side of the game board 24. When the game result of the normal symbol game is a win, the two movable pieces 33a and 33b are opened for a predetermined time so that the game ball can easily win the start winning opening 32. The normal symbol display unit 31 shown in FIG. 1 includes two lamps. When the game ball passes through the normal symbol variation display ports 36 and 38, the two lamps start blinking. After that, only one of the lights is turned on after a predetermined time has elapsed, and a normal symbol game is decided or missed by the lighted lamp.

<Special prize opening 34>
As described above, when the symbol image game in the image display device 30 is a big hit, the ball game is shifted to the special game, and the special winning opening 34 is opened to make it easy to win the ball. The easy winning state of the special winning opening 34 is, for example, 30 seconds until a predetermined number of hit balls are won in the special winning opening 34, for example, ten pieces are won, or until a predetermined time elapses after the special winning opening 34 is opened. Continue until it has passed. Thereafter, the special winning opening 34 is closed to make it difficult to win. A special area (not shown) is provided on the back of the special prize opening 34. The fact that the hit ball has passed through the specific area while the special winning opening 34 is opened is a condition for opening the special winning opening 34 again. That is, when a hit ball passes through a specific area while the special winning opening 34 is open, the special winning opening 34 is temporarily closed after a predetermined time, and then opened again to make it easy to win. The operation of opening and closing the special prize opening 34 is repeated a plurality of times, for example, 15 times, and then the special prize opening 34 is closed. A game from when the special winning opening 34 is opened until it is closed next is referred to as a single special game, and the number of times a single special game is played is referred to as the number of rounds.

<< Configuration of the back of the pachinko gaming machine 10 >>
FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the back of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

<Main control circuit 50>
As shown in FIG. 2, a circuit board of the main control circuit 50 is provided at the lower part of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main control circuit 50 performs overall control of the pachinko gaming machine 10. For example, the main control circuit 50 performs control for paying out the number of game balls corresponding to the winning opening as winning balls when winning a winning ball such as the start winning opening 32 or the special winning opening 34.

  The main control circuit 50 includes a CPU (central processing unit) (not shown) that performs operations and the like, a ROM (read only memory) (not shown) that stores a program for controlling the entire pachinko gaming machine 10, And a RAM (random access memory) (not shown) for temporarily storing each data. These CPU, ROM, and RAM are electrically connected by an input / output bus (not shown) so that various data signals and address signals can be transmitted to the input / output bus.

  In the present embodiment, in the ROM described above, in addition to a program for controlling the entire pachinko gaming machine 10, a program for executing a game ball winning process shown in FIG. 4 and a lottery process shown in FIG. A program for executing the process of transmitting the determination result is stored. The RAM also stores variable values used in these programs. Further, as will be described later, normal storage means for storing a random number value and a reserved area are allocated to the RAM.

<Image control circuit 52>
An image display device 30 is provided above the main control circuit 50, and a circuit board of the image control circuit 52 is provided on the back surface of the image display device 30 (the front side of the drawing in FIG. 2). . The image control circuit 52 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 50 by a signal cable (not shown). The image control circuit 52 controls the image display device 30 based on the control signal generated from the main control circuit 50. The image control circuit 52 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) for performing calculations, a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) in which a program for controlling the image display device 30 is stored, and each A random access memory (RAM) (not shown) for temporarily storing data is included. These CPU, ROM, and RAM are electrically connected by an input / output bus (not shown) so that various data signals and address signals can be transmitted to the input / output bus.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described ROM has a program for controlling the display of the pattern image and the character image, for example, an image display processing program as shown in FIG. A program of processing for generating a display order of simple symbol images is stored. Further, the ROM also stores image data of symbol images and character images. The image control circuit 52 reads the image data stored in the ROM, and displays the pattern image and the character image on the image display device 30 in a predetermined display mode.

<< Function in Pachinko machine 10 >>
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of main control functions in the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes a control unit 500, a winning detection unit 400, and an effect unit 300. The control means 500 is electrically connected to the winning detection means 400 and the rendering means 300, and a winning detection signal emitted from the winning detection means 400 is transmitted to the control means 500. Further, the control signal issued from the control means 500 is transmitted to the effect means 300.

<Winning detection means 400>
The winning detection means 400 detects whether or not the game ball moving on the game board has won a predetermined winning opening. For example, it is detected whether or not a game ball has won any of the winning openings 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d. The winning detection means 400 includes a winning detection sensor group 70 that generates a detection signal when it detects the passage of a game ball that has won a winning opening. The winning detection sensor group 70 is preferably a winning detection sensor that is provided in the flow path of the game ball formed behind each of the above-described winning ports 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d and detects the passage of the game ball.

<Control means 500>
The control unit 500 includes a main control unit 510 and a sub control unit 610. The main control unit 510 and the sub control unit 610 are electrically connected to each other, and a control command issued from the main control unit 510 is sent to the sub control unit 610.

<Main control means 510>
The main control unit 510 includes a lottery unit 512, a random number storage unit 540, a ball game control unit 520, a winning determination processing unit 530, and a unit game start signal transmission unit 560, which will be described later. The main control means 510 is preferably composed of the main control circuit 50 described above.

<Lottery means 512>
The lottery means 512 performs a lottery for winning or losing. Whether or not to shift to a special game, which will be described later, is determined by this hit or miss. In addition, this lottery process also determines whether or not to variably display a plurality of types of symbols, which will be described later, in either a standard order or a non-standard order.

  The lottery means 512 is extracted by, for example, a random number generating means (hardware random number, etc.) 514 for winning or losing lottery, a random number extracting means 516 for extracting random numbers generated by the random number generating means, and a random number extracting means 516. Random number determination means 518 for determining the presence / absence of winning based on the random number value.

  The random number generation means 514 of the lottery means 512 generates random numbers within a predetermined positive integer range (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation). The random number extraction unit 516 extracts the random number generated by the random number generation unit at a predetermined timing. The random number determining means 518 determines whether the random value is hit or wrong according to the region to which the random value belongs, by comparing the random value extracted by the random number extracting means 516 with a lottery table (not shown).

  In addition, in the winning or losing determined by the random number judging means 518, the information regarding the winning mode or the losing mode in the above-described symbol image game, or the display order of the symbol images when the unit game is reached is changed. Whether or not is included. For example, in the case of losing, in addition to simply losing the symbol image game, various kinds of information such as the progress of the process of reaching the detachment, such as when the symbol image game is once reached and then released. It also includes information on the detachment mode and information on whether or not to change the display order of the symbol images when the unit game is reached. In addition, in the case of winning, in addition to the normal winning in which the symbol image game is simply a hit, so-called probable hitting that shifts to the probability variation state, or once the symbol image game is made reach or super reach, the winning is made Whether to change the order of the display of the symbols when the unit game is reached, such as information on various types of hits such as information on the type of hits, information on the progress of the hitting process, etc. Information on whether or not is included.

  The random number generation by the random number generation means 514 described above is executed in step S13 or S17 of FIG. The determination process by the random number determination unit 518 is executed in step S46 of FIG.

<Random number storage means 540>
The random number storage unit 540 includes a normal storage unit 542 and a holding area 544. The random number storage means 540 is preferably composed of the RAM of the main control circuit 50 described above. Both the normal storage unit 542 and the reserved area 544 store the value of the random number generated by the random number generation unit 514 described above.

<Normal storage unit 542>
The normal storage means 542 is a random number when a unit game is not executed in the image display means 330 when a game ball is won at the start winning opening 32 and all the reserved areas 544 described later are vacant. The random number value generated by the generating means 514 is stored. In this case, random number value storage processing is executed in step S14 of FIG. 4 described later, and random number value reading processing stored in the normal storage means 542 is executed in step S44 of FIG. 5 described later. The

<Reserved area 544>
The reserved area 544 includes a plurality of, for example, four storage areas. This reserved area 544 is generated by the random number generating means 514 when a unit game is executed in the image display means 330 and at least one storage area constituting the reserved area 544 is free. Stores the value of a random number. In the plurality of storage areas, priorities are determined. When the storage areas are composed of four storage areas, the first candidate storage area, the second candidate storage area, the third candidate storage area, And a fourth candidate storage area. The process of storing the random number value is executed in step S18 of FIG. 4 to be described later, and the process of reading the random number value stored in the holding area 544 is executed in step S48 of FIG. 5 to be described later.

  In the process of storing the random number value in the reserved area 544, the storage areas are used in order from the storage area with the highest priority among the plurality of storage areas. When no random number value is stored in any storage area of the reserved area 544, the random number value is stored in the storage area with the highest priority. For example, in the case of four storage areas, if no random number value is stored in any of the four storage areas, the random number value is stored in the first candidate storage area. Further, when the random number value is already stored in the first candidate storage area, the random number value is stored in the second candidate storage area. In this way, random values are sequentially stored up to the fourth candidate storage area.

  In addition, the process of reading the random number value from the reserved area 544 is always read from the storage area with the highest priority regardless of the number of storage areas in which the random number value is stored. In the case of the four storage areas described above, data is always read from the first candidate storage area. After the random number value is read from the storage area with the highest priority, the storage area is cleared. Next, when a random number value is stored in the storage area with the next highest priority, the random number value is stored again in the storage area with the highest priority. In this way, the random number value is re-stored in the storage area having one higher priority until reaching the storage area in which the random number value is not stored.

  For example, when the reserved area 544 includes four storage areas, the random number value in the first candidate storage area is read, and then the first candidate storage area is cleared. Furthermore, when the random number value is stored after the second candidate storage area, the random number value is stored again in the storage area having one higher priority. That is, after the random number value is read from the first candidate storage area, if the random number value is also stored in the second candidate storage area, the random number value stored in the second candidate storage area Are stored again in the first candidate storage area. When the random number value is also stored in the third candidate storage area, the random number value stored in the third candidate storage area is stored again in the second candidate storage area. In the following description, re-storing the random number value in the storage area having one higher priority is referred to as “shift”.

<Ballball game control means 520>
The bullet ball game control means 520 controls the bullet ball game in which the progress and result of the game are determined based on the manner in which the game balls flow down on the game board 24 described above. Mainly, a winning judgment processing means 530 described later judges whether or not the hitting balls 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d have won the winning ball, and when the hitting ball wins, a predetermined number of game balls are given according to the winning hole. Based on the determination result of the random number determination means 518 described above, the ball game is shifted to the special game and the special winning opening 34 is controlled to be opened and closed.

<Special game control means 522>
The special game control means 522 is based on a predetermined probability, when the image display mode of the symbol stopped and displayed by the image display unit 330 described later is a display mode consisting of an image of a specific symbol or in a specific display mode. At some point, the ball game is shifted to a special game advantageous to the player.

  This predetermined probability is a probability determined by the process of the lottery means 512 described above. Specifically, it is determined in advance so that the determination result determined by the random number determination means 518 described above has a desired probability. Accordingly, a determination result is determined by the random number determination means 518 based on the predetermined probability, and the special winning opening 34 is opened / closed according to the determination result to make the game ball easy to win or difficult to win. To control the progress of special games. In particular, when the determination result of the lottery means 512 is a win, the special game control means 522 shifts the ball game to a special game that is advantageous to the player.

  In addition, the image of a specific design refers to an image of a design that can indicate that the identification information is specific to the player, and the specific display mode refers to the display mode of the design image specified to the player. It means that it is possible to visually recognize that it has become a thing, for example, not only a so-called “smooth” display mode such as “2”-“2”-“2”, but also a specific image of a design The case where the color or size of the image of the arrangement or the pattern is in a specific form is also included.

<Winning determination processing means 530>
The winning determination processing means 530 detects the detection signal issued from the winning detection means 400 described above, and determines whether or not a game ball has won any of the winning openings 32 to 38 and 39a to 39d. This determination process is executed in the process of step S11 or S19 of FIG. In accordance with the result of this determination, as described above, a predetermined number of game balls are controlled to be paid out to the tray 18 in accordance with the winning opening. Further, a random number is stored in the normal storage means 542 or the holding area 544 described above according to the timing at which the hit ball has won the start winning opening 32.

<Unit game start signal transmission means 560>
When the winning determination processing means 530 determines that the game ball has won the start winning opening 32, the unit game start signal transmission means 560 makes a determination by the lottery means 512 as a unit game start signal to the sub-control means 610 described later. The result is sent. This process is executed in step S47 of FIG.

<Sub-control means 610>
The sub-control unit 610 described above includes a unit game start signal receiving unit 620, a unit game control unit 630, and an image display control unit 660. In particular, the sub-control means 610 is preferably composed of the image control circuit 52 described above.

<Unit game start signal receiving means 620>
The unit game start signal receiving unit 620 receives the unit game start signal issued from the unit game start signal transmitting unit 560 of the main control unit 510 described above. By receiving this signal, a single-stroke game is started. The process of receiving the unit game start signal is executed in step S71 of FIG. The unit game start signal is a signal indicating the content of the determination result by the lottery means 512 as described above.

<Unit game control means 630>
The unit game control means 630 reads the image data of the design image from the design image data storage means 672 of the image data storage means 670, which will be described later, and causes the image display means 330 to variably display or stop the read image data as the design image. Display. The time when the symbol image is variably displayed is when the unit game is started, and the time when the symbol image is stopped and displayed at a predetermined timing is when the unit game is ended. The unit game control means 630 executes the unit game in the image display means 330 every time the unit game start signal receiving means 620 receives a unit game start signal issued from the main control means 510. This process is executed in FIG.

  Further, the unit game control means 630 displays not only the image of the pattern but also the image data of the character image from the character image data storage means 674 of the image data storage means 670 and the background image from the background image data storage means 676. The image data is read out, and the read image data is displayed on the image display means 330 as a character image or a background image.

<Probability change effect production means 632>
The probability variation transition effect unit 632 shifts the unit game to a probability variation state in which the probability that the display mode of the symbol image stopped and displayed by the image display unit 330 becomes a specific display mode is higher than a predetermined normal probability. Perform the production. Here, the specific display mode is not limited as long as the player can recognize the specific display. For example, when the identification information itself constituting the symbol is specific, the color of the symbol image, The case of size is included.

<Image display control means 660>
The image display control unit 660 displays the image on the image display unit 330 described later in a display mode in which the effect image gradually changes. Specifically, the image display control unit 660 causes the image display unit 330 to display the image data read from the image data storage unit 670 described later on the image display unit 330 in a display mode that gradually changes. Preferably, the image display control unit 660 causes the image display unit 330 to display an effect image composed of a plurality of types of design images and display images other than the design images.

  The image display control unit 660 includes an image data storage unit 670. The image display control means 660 preferably comprises the image control circuit 52 described above.

<Image Data Storage Unit 670>
The image data storage unit 670 stores effect images as image data. Here, the effect image includes a design image and a plurality of display images other than the design image. The plurality of display images other than the design image include, for example, a character image and a background image. The image data storage unit 670 preferably includes a symbol image data storage unit 672, a character image data storage unit 674, and a background image data storage unit 676.

<Alternative symbol image data storage means 678>
The substitutable symbol image data storage unit 678 stores substitutable symbol image data among the symbol image data.

<Display data storage means 680>
The display data storage means 680 is for temporarily storing image data when displaying a graphic image or a plurality of display images other than the graphic image on the image display means 330. As described above, the plurality of display images other than the design image include, for example, a character image and a background image, and these image data are also written in the display data storage unit 680 in the same manner as the design image data. As a result, the image can be displayed on the image display means 330. The writing of the image data to the display data storage unit 680 is executed in the processes of S75 to S77 and S80 in FIG.

<Design image display control means 690>
The symbol image display control means 690 controls the image display means 330 so that the symbol images are variably displayed in a predetermined order. The symbol image display control means 690 includes standard display control means 692 and non-standard display control means 694. The standard display control unit 692 variably displays images of a plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined standard order so that images of substitutable symbols are displayed in a predetermined order. On the other hand, the non-standard display control means 694 variably displays images of a plurality of types of symbols in a non-standard order in which the display order of substitutable symbols is different from the predetermined order described above.
This process is executed by a subroutine shown in FIG. The non-standard order is generated by a subroutine shown in FIG.

<< Directing means 300 >>
The effect means 300 is an effect means including an image display means 330 described later. In the effect means 300, an effect that can be recognized by the player is performed. Specifically, the effect unit 300 includes an image display unit 330, in which an effect that can be recognized by the player is performed.

<Image display means 330>
The image display means 330 displays a pattern image, a character image, or a background image based on the control signal generated from the image display control means 660 of the sub-control means 610 described above. The image display means 330 is preferably composed of the image display device 30 described above.

<< Control processing >>
Hereinafter, various controls performed in the main control unit 510 and the sub control unit 610 described above will be described. In the following, the pachinko gaming machine 10 has been activated in advance, and the above-described main control means 510 and sub-control means 610 have finished the activation processing such as initialization of various variables used for control, and the pachinko gaming machine 10 10 is assumed to be in steady operation.

  4 and 5 described below show a subroutine executed by the main control unit 510, and FIGS. 6 and 7 show a subroutine executed by the sub control unit 610. Note that the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 show only one example for executing the control process in the main control unit 510 or the sub control unit 610 as long as the same process can be performed. The procedure is not limited to those shown in these flowcharts.

<Winning process>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a winning process subroutine executed by the main control means 510. The subroutine shown in FIG. 4 is called from a main program (not shown) executed in advance by the main control means 510 at every predetermined timing and repeatedly executed.

  First, it is determined whether or not the game ball moving on the surface of the game board 24 has won the start winning opening 32 (step S11). As described above, the start winning opening 32 is provided with a winning detection sensor (not shown) that detects that a game ball has passed and issues a detection signal to the main control means 510. The process of step S11 is determined based on whether or not the above-described winning determination processing unit 530 has transmitted a detection signal from the winning detection sensor to the main control unit 510.

  When it is determined in step S11 that the game ball has won the start winning opening 32, it is determined whether or not the image of the symbol is being variably displayed on the image display means 330 (step S12). This determination is made based on the time when the time measurement is started with reference to the time when the determination result determined by the random number determination means 518 is transmitted to the sub-control means 610 in step S47 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6 described later, the sub-control unit 610 starts to display the variation of the symbol image when the determination result is received from the main control unit 510. Furthermore, the time during which the symbol image is variably displayed in the sub-control means 610 is determined according to the determination result determined in the determination process of step S46 of FIG. From this, the determination in step S12 described above is based on the determination result determined in step S46 of FIG. 5 and the time when the time measurement was started in step S47, and the image of the symbol is variably displayed on the image display means 330. The main control means 510 can determine whether or not it is in the middle.

  When it is determined in step S12 described above that the image of the symbol is not being displayed in the image display means 330, the random number generation means 514 obtains a random number (step S13), and the main control means stores the random number. The obtained random number value is stored in the normal storage means 542 previously assigned to the means 540 (step S14). Next, the value of the flag F_flow is set to 1 (step S15). This flag F_flow is a flag indicating whether or not a game ball has won the start winning opening 32 and the image of the symbol is not variably displayed on the image display means 330. The value of the flag F_flow is 1 when a game ball is won at the start winning opening 32 and the symbol image is not variably displayed on the image display means 330. On the other hand, the value of the flag F_flow is 0 when the game ball has not won the start winning opening 32 or when the image of the symbol is variably displayed on the image display means 330. The value of the flag F_flow is determined in step S43 in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the above-described step S12 that the symbol image is being variably displayed on the image display means 330, the reserved area 544 allocated in advance to the random number storage means 540 of the main control means is empty. It is determined whether or not there is (step S16). As described above, the reserved area 544 includes a predetermined plurality, for example, four storage areas. When it is determined in step S16 that the reserved area 544 is empty, a random number is acquired (step S17), and the value of the random number is stored in the empty area of the reserved area 544 (step S18).

  Further, when it is determined in step S16 described above that there is no space in the reserved area 544, or when the process of step S15 or S18 is executed, the process proceeds to step S20 described later.

  By performing the above-described processing of steps S11 to S18, when a game ball is won at the start winning opening 32, if the image of the symbol is not variably displayed on the image display means 330, a random number is immediately obtained and the value is obtained. Is stored in the normal storage means 542. On the other hand, when a game ball is won at the start winning opening 32 and the image of the symbol is variably displayed on the image display means 330, if there is an empty space in the reserved area 544, the reserved area 544 is acquired. The random numbers are sequentially stored, and when the reserved area 544 is full, the fact that the game ball has won the start winning opening 32 is ignored.

  When it is determined in step S11 described above that the game ball has not won the start winning opening 32, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won the other winning openings 36, 38, etc. (step S19). When it is determined that no game ball has been won in other winning holes 36, 38, etc., this subroutine is immediately terminated.

  When it is determined in step S19 that a game ball has won in another winning opening 36 or 38, when it is determined in step S16 that there is no free space in the holding area 544, or the processing in step S15 or S18 described above is executed. After that, a process of paying out game balls to the tray 18 by the number corresponding to the type of the winning opening is executed (step S20), and this subroutine is finished.

<Judgment result transmission process>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of determination result transmission processing executed in the main control means 510. The subroutine shown in FIG. 5 is called from a main program (not shown) executed in advance by the main control means 510 at predetermined timings and repeatedly executed.

  First, it is determined whether or not the image of the symbol is being variably displayed on the image display means 330 (step S41). When it is determined that the symbol image is being variably displayed, this subroutine is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, when the image display means 330 determines that the symbol image is not being variably displayed, it is determined whether or not a random number value is stored in the holding area 544 (step S42). When it is determined that the random number value is not stored in the reserved area 544, it is determined whether or not the value of the flag F_flow described above is 1 (step S43). When it is determined that the value of the flag F_flow is not 1, that is, when the image of the symbol is not variably displayed on the image display means 330 and the game ball is not won at the start winning opening 32, immediately This subroutine ends.

  When it is determined in step S43 described above that the value of the flag F_flow is 1, the random number value stored in the normal storage unit 542 is read (step S44), and the value of the flag F_flow is set to 0 (step S45). Next, the random number determination means 518 executes determination processing based on the random number value acquired in step S13 or S17 described above (step S46). This determination process is a process for determining whether or not the random number determination means 518 determines whether or not it is hit, and as described above, by comparing the value of the random number generated by the random number generation means 514 with a lottery table (not shown), Whether to win or fail is determined according to the area to which the random number value belongs. As described above, the random number determination means 518 determines the determination result as a result of the determination, and various information relating to the manner in which the image display game 330 is performed and the manner in which the image display game is performed, Also included is information on whether or not to display the design image in a standard order or a non-standard order.

  As will be described later, the determination result determined by the determination process in step S46 is transmitted to the sub-control means 610. When the determination result is transmitted from the main control unit 510, the sub-control unit 610 starts the variable display of the symbol image in the image display unit 330 and executes the unit game. In particular, when the determination result transmitted from the main control means is a win, the sub-control means 610 wins the unit game when the symbol image is started to change and the symbol image is stopped and displayed. . Thereafter, the sub-control means 610 executes a jackpot effect process in step S83 of FIG. 6 described later, while the main control means 510 shifts the ball game to the special game.

  In this way, when the determination result is a win, the main control unit 510 shifts the ball game to the special game, and the sub control unit 610 performs a big hit effect process in the image display unit 330. As described above, when the main control means 510 shifts the ball game to the special game, the special game port 34 is opened to make the game ball easy to win, and the game ball is changed to the special game port 34. A special game that facilitates inflow is performed. In this way, the ball game shifts to a special game that is advantageous to the player.

  After executing the determination process of step S46 described above, the determination result determined in the process of step S46 is transmitted to the sub-control means 610 (step S47), and this subroutine is terminated.

  When it is determined in step S42 described above that the random number value is stored in the reserved area 544, the random number value stored in the storage area having the highest priority among the plurality of reserved areas 544 is read ( Step S48). Next, the random number value remaining in the holding area 544 is shifted one by one to the storage area having a higher priority and stored again (step S49). That is, for example, when the reserved area 544 is composed of four storage areas, the random number value stored in the second candidate storage area is shifted to the first candidate storage area and stored in the third candidate storage area. The random number value is shifted to the second candidate storage area, and the random number value stored in the fourth candidate storage area is shifted to the third candidate storage area.

  After executing the process of step S49 described above, the process proceeds to step S46 described above, the same process as described above is executed, and this subroutine is terminated.

<Image display processing>
FIG. 6 shows a subroutine of image display processing executed in the sub-control means 610 described above. The subroutine shown in FIG. 6 is called from a main program (not shown) executed in advance by the sub-control means 610 at predetermined timings and repeatedly executed.
First, the determination result issued from the main control means 510 is received (step S71). This process is a process corresponding to the process of step S47 of FIG. As described above, the determination result received in step S71 includes information on whether or not the unit game is to be reached, and whether or not to change the display order of the symbols when the unit game is to be reached. Information is included.

  Next, based on the received determination result, a subroutine for processing for generating the display order of the pattern image shown in FIG. 7 to be described later is called and executed (step S72). By executing this subroutine, the display order of the symbol images to be displayed in a variable manner in step S75 described later is generated.

  Next, the image data is read from the image data storage unit 670, and the display position on the image display unit 330 is determined (step S74). The image data is symbol image data, character image data, and background image data. The symbol image data is read from symbol image data storage means 672, and the character image data is read from character image data storage means 674. The background image data is read out from the background image data storage means 676. Next, the read design image data is written into the display data storage means 680 of the image display control means 660 and the design image is displayed on the image display means 330 (step S75), and the read background image data is subjected to image display control. The image is written in the display data storage means 680 of the means 660 and the background image is displayed on the image display means 330 (step S76), and the character image data read in step S74 is displayed as the display data storage means 680 of the image display control means 660. The character image is displayed on the image display means 330 (step S77). By repeatedly executing the processes of steps S74 to S77 described above, the image display means 330 displays the image of the design in a variable manner and displays an image in which the character performs a predetermined action.

  After performing the process of step S77 described above, it is determined whether or not to change the symbol order based on the determination result received in step S71 (step S85). When it is determined that the symbol order is changed and displayed, it is changed to the symbol order generated in step S93 of FIG. 7 described later (step S86). In this step S86, when the order of the symbols generated in step S93 of FIG. 7 is changed, when the process of step S75 is executed next to display the images of the symbols variably, the display is performed based on the changed order of the symbols. Will be.

  When it is determined in step S85 described above that the symbol order is not changed and displayed, or when the process of step S86 is executed, it is determined whether or not it is the timing for stopping and displaying the symbol image (step S79). When it is determined that it is time to stop and display the symbol image, one symbol image of the three symbol images is stopped and displayed (step S80).

  In step S79 described above, when it is determined that it is not the timing to stop and display the symbol image, or when the processing of step S80 is executed, it is determined whether or not all the symbol images have been stopped and displayed (step S81). When it is determined that all the symbol images are not stopped and displayed, the process returns to step S74 described above.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the images of all symbols have been stopped and displayed, it is determined whether or not the big hit effect is to be performed in the image display means 330 based on the determination result received in step S71 (step S82). When it is determined that the jackpot effect is made in the image display means 330, the jackpot effect process (not shown) is called and executed (step S83). When it is determined that the big hit effect is not performed in the image display means 330, or after the processing of step S83 is executed, this subroutine is finished.

<Design image display order generation process>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the symbol image display order generation process called and executed in step S72 of FIG.

  First, based on the determination result received in step S71 of FIG. 6 described above, it is determined whether or not to change the display order of almighty symbols (step S91). This almighty symbol is a symbol that can be visually recognized if it is different from the image of any other type of symbol on display, and the role can be replaced by the role that any other type of symbol plays. . For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E and FIG. 9 to be described later, a symbol made up of characters “C” is an almighty symbol.

  In the present embodiment, the standard order for variably displaying symbol images is the sequence shown in FIG. 8 (a), from the first symbol "1" to the ninth symbol "nine". After the images are variably displayed, the order is determined so that the image of the “right” symbol which is an almighty symbol is variably displayed. In the standard order in the present embodiment, the order of the symbol “to” is the 10th and last. When the symbol image is continuously displayed in a variably displayed manner, the last “to” symbol image is variably displayed and then returned to the first symbol “1” again and displayed again in order. Further, this standard order is referred to not only when the symbol images are variably displayed in ascending order but also when the symbol images are variably displayed in descending order. That is, even when the graphic images are variably displayed in ascending order, such as “1” → “2” → ... → “to”, “to” → “nine” → ... → “one” Even in the case where the symbol images are displayed in a descending order as in the case of "", the symbols to be displayed in a variable manner are determined by referring to this standard order in the variable display.

  If it is determined in step S91 described above that the order of display of almighty symbols is not changed, this subroutine is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the display order of the almighty symbols is to be changed, the order in which the almighty symbols are arranged is determined (step S92), the order of the symbols defining the order is generated (step S93), and this subroutine is executed. finish. When the order of the symbols generated in this subroutine is changed in step S86 of FIG. 6 described above and step S75 is executed, the images of the almighty symbols are variably displayed in an order different from the order in the standard order. The

  As a process of determining the order in which the almighty symbols are arranged in step S92 described above, for example, when a unit game is reached, the order in the standard order of symbols indicating that the reach has been reached and a new almighty symbol There are processing for determining the order of almighty symbols so that the order satisfies a predetermined relationship, and processing for generating a random number and determining the value of the random number as a new order of almighty symbols.

  As an example of processing for determining a new order of almighty symbols so that the order in the standard order of symbols indicating the reach described above and the new order of almighty symbols satisfy a predetermined relationship, reach In some cases, the order in which a predetermined number is added to or subtracted from the order of the symbols indicating that the order has become a new order of the almighty symbols.

  For example, when the predetermined number is set to -2, and the unit game is reached with the symbol "7", the order of the symbol "7" in the standard order is seventh, so this The fifth, which is obtained by subtracting 2 from the seventh, is the new order of the almighty symbol. Also, when the predetermined number is set to +1 and the unit game reaches reach with the symbol “3”, the order of the symbol “3” in the standard order is the third, so this 3 The 4th which added 1 only on the 1st is made into the new order of an almighty symbol.

  Furthermore, in the process of generating the order of the symbols in step S93 described above, even if the order is generated so that the almighty symbols are inserted in a new order, the symbols that are positioned in the new order of the almighty symbols. And the order may be generated so as to replace the almighty symbol.

  FIG. 8B shows an example of the order generated by determining that the almighty symbols are inserted in a new order. In this example, the new order of “a” in the almighty symbol is the fifth, and the almighty symbol “a” is inserted and arranged in the fifth. The fifth almighty symbol “To” is inserted, the symbol “5” originally located in the fifth order in the standard order moves to the sixth, and the symbol “six” located in the sixth is The symbols after the symbol “5” are arranged in the order of movement one by one so as to move seventh. In this way, the symbol order can be generated by inserting the almighty symbol “T” in a new order.

  FIG. 8C shows an example of the order generated by replacing the symbols that are located in the new order of the almighty symbols and the almighty symbols. Also in this example, the new order of “To” in the almighty symbol is fifth, and the almighty symbol “To” is arranged fifth. On the other hand, the symbol located at the fifth position in the standard order is “five”, and this symbol “five” is arranged at the tenth where the almighty symbol “T” was originally located. In this manner, the symbol order can be generated by replacing the symbol positioned in the new order of the almighty symbol with the almighty symbol.

  Furthermore, when the unit game reaches reach, not all types of symbol images may be displayed in a variable manner, but only some specific symbols may be displayed in a variable manner. In such a case, it is only necessary to determine the order of symbols only for symbols necessary for the variable display. For example, as shown in FIG. 8D, when the new order of almighty symbols is determined to be the third, only the two orders before and after the third are determined. Specifically, the order is determined with the first symbol “three”, the second “four”, the third “this”, the fourth “five”, and the fifth “six”. In this way, the size of the storage area required when generating the order can be reduced.

  Furthermore, when the unit game reaches reach, two or more kinds of symbols may be displayed in a variable manner at the same time. In such a case, the order may be determined by arranging two or more kinds of symbols in one order. For example, as shown in FIG. 8E, the symbol order is generated so that the symbol “T” and the symbol “Six” are arranged in the third order. FIG. 9 shows an example when the order is determined in this way. An image as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the image display means 330. FIG. 9 shows a state in which an image when the unit game is reached with the symbol “7” is displayed on the image display means 330. In this case, there are two symbols that are variably displayed, “six” and “this”. By using the order of the symbols shown in FIG. 8E, images of these two symbols are displayed. Are simultaneously displayed on the image display means 330 in a variable manner.

  In this embodiment, when the unit game is reached, the case where the order of the almighty symbol is changed and the image of the symbol is variably displayed is shown. Even in such a case, the order of the almighty symbols may be changed and the symbol images may be variably displayed.

It is a front view showing the outline of an example of the pachinko gaming machine which is one embodiment of the ball game machine concerning the present invention. It is a rear view which shows the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of main control functions in the pachinko gaming machine 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a winning process executed in main control means 510. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of processing for transmitting a determination result executed in main control means 510 to sub control means 610. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of processing for displaying an image executed in sub-control means 610. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the symbol image display order production | generation process called and performed by step S72 of FIG. It is a table | surface which shows the example of the standard order (a) of a symbol, and the non-standard order (b)-(e) of the symbol produced | generated by executing the subroutine of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed on the image display means.

Explanation of symbols

10 bullet ball game machine 24 game board 30 image display device (image display means)
510 Main control means 512 Lottery means 518 Random number judging means 610 Sub-control means 632 Probability change transition effect means 670 Image data storage means 678 Substitutable symbol image data storage means 690 Symbol image display control means 692 Standard display control means 694 Non-standard display control means

Claims (3)

A ball game machine including image display means for displaying an effect image including images of a plurality of types of symbols,
A game board on which a ball game in which the progress of the game is determined based on the flow-down mode of the game ball, and
Image data storage means for storing the effect image as image data;
Unit game control means for reading out the image data of the symbol image from the image data storage means, and performing the unit game with the image display means in a single process from the time when the symbol image is variably displayed to the time when it is stopped. Including, and
The plurality of types of symbols include substitutable symbols that can replace any other types of symbols, and
Standard display control means for variably displaying the images of the plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined standard order so that the images of the substitutable symbols are displayed in a predetermined order, and the display order of the images of the substitutable symbols is A non-standard display control means for variably displaying the images of the plurality of types of symbols in a non-standard order different from the predetermined order, and a symbol image display control means,
A ball game machine comprising: lottery means for determining, by lottery processing, whether or not the images of the plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed in the standard order or the non-standard order. The lottery means determines whether or not to make the unit game reach by lottery processing, and
The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein when the lottery means determines that the unit game is to be reached, the images of the plurality of types of symbols are displayed in the non-standard order.   When the images of the plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed in the non-standard order, when the unit game is reached, the replaceable symbol image is specified for the symbol indicating that the reach has been reached. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball game machine is displayed as an image of symbols positioned in the order of.

Images