JP2006095208A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which enables the players to utilize the function of the selection operation applied even without the preliminary knowledge pertaining to the selection operation by making them accomplish the selection operation automatically. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine which has an image display device in the playing area, a variable display game in which the identifying information is variably displayed on the image display device is executed from the establishment of the given starting conditions and the special game status designed to grant the game values is generated being related to the derivation of the specified result mode in the variable display game. The image display device is provided with an image object setting means for setting the image objects to be selected by the players, a photographing means for photographing the images of the players, a visual point specification means for specifying the visual points of the players from the images of the players photographed by the photographing means, an image object selection means for selecting the image object in which the visual point of the player specified by the visual point specification means is positioned from among the image objects displayed by the image object display means and a display content switching means which switches the display content of the image display device related to the image object selected by the image object selection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine in which information displayed on an image display device can be changed by a player's selection.

  When a game ball is launched into the game area, a variable display game is performed in which a plurality of pieces of identification information (designs) are displayed on an image display device including a liquid crystal display or the like in accordance with the winning of the game ball that has been launched. When the result of this variable display is in a specific mode, there is a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine) that gives a specific gaming value to a player, such as the occurrence of a special game.

Among such gaming machines, there is a gaming machine that detects an instruction act by a player by providing a switch and performs a game effect according to a selection operation instructed by the player (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
JP 2003-19323 A

  However, in the conventional gaming machine described above, a switch or the like that detects a player's selection operation is configured by an optical sensor, and the player's hand is brought close to the sensor to input an operation. Therefore, a player who plays with the gaming machine for the first time does not know the presence of the sensor and is likely to play without performing a selection operation. That is, even if an advanced function for switching the game effect to the player's favorite content by such a player's selection operation is installed, the opportunity to be utilized has been lost.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can perform a selection operation unconsciously even if a player has no prior knowledge about the selection operation, and can use the installed selection operation function. .

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display device in a game area, and a variable display game is displayed in which identification information is displayed in a variable manner on the image display device based on establishment of a predetermined start condition. In a gaming machine that generates a special gaming state that gives a gaming value in relation to deriving an aspect, an image object setting unit that sets an image object to be selected by a player in the image display device, and a game Among the image object set by the image object setting means, the image specifying means for specifying the player's viewpoint based on the image of the player imaged by the image capturing means for capturing the person image, the player image captured by the image capturing means, Image object selecting means for selecting an image object where the player's viewpoint specified by the viewpoint specifying means is located; and the image object In connection with the image object selected by the transfected selecting means, and a display content switching means for switching the display content of the image display device.

  According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the player is photographed when the identification information that is variably displayed on the image display device by the execution of the variability display game moves within the display area of the image display device. Comparison information is generated based on an image, and the viewpoint specifying unit specifies a player's viewpoint based on a comparison result between the player image shot by the shooting unit and the generated comparison information.

  According to a third invention, in the first invention, an output device for outputting information related to the result of the variable display game is provided near the outer edge of the display area of the image display device, and is photographed when the output device is operated. The comparison information is generated based on the player image, and the viewpoint specifying unit specifies the player's viewpoint based on the comparison result between the player image shot by the shooting unit and the generated comparison information.

  According to a fourth invention, there is provided an index image display means for displaying an index image at the position of the player's viewpoint specified by the viewpoint specifying means in the first to third inventions.

  According to a fifth invention, in the fourth invention, the identification information dividing means for dividing and displaying the identification information displayed during the execution of the variable display game into a plurality of image objects to be selected by the player. The index image display means displays an index image corresponding to the display position of the image object divided and displayed by the identification information dividing means, and the display content switching means is a game game selected from the plurality of image objects. The identification information is displayed in a variation manner corresponding to any one of the image objects selected by the person.

  According to the first invention, the image object to be selected by the player is set on the image display device, the player's viewpoint is specified based on the player image taken by the shooting means, and the viewpoint is located. By switching the display content of the image display device to the content corresponding to the image object to be played, even a player who does not have prior knowledge about the selection operation can simply adjust the viewpoint to the image object displayed on the image display device. Thus, it is possible to switch to display contents corresponding to the player's intention, and to utilize the selection operation function installed in the gaming machine.

  According to the second invention, during the execution of the variable display game, the identification information for variable display is moved within the display area of the image display device, and during that time, a player image is photographed to generate comparison information. During the execution of the variable display game, the player image is taken without causing the player to be conscious, and the comparison information is generated. Therefore, the player is less likely to have the consciousness of being photographed and does not feel uncomfortable.

  According to the third invention, while the expectation notification lamp is lit in the vicinity of the outer edge of the image display device, the player image is taken and the comparison information is generated to thereby generate the game during the execution of the variable display game. Since the player image is taken without making the player conscious and the comparison information is generated, the player is less likely to be aware that the image is being taken and does not give any uncomfortable feeling.

  According to the fourth aspect, displaying the index image at the position of the player's viewpoint makes it easier for the player's viewpoint to concentrate on the index image than when the index image is not displayed. Can be easily identified, and the player's intention to select the image object can be accurately detected.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the identification information that is variably displayed during the execution of the variable display game is divided and displayed as an image object, and the index image is displayed in correspondence with the display position of the identification information. Since the identification information is divided into a plurality of parts by switching the identification information to the variation mode corresponding to the image object where the player's viewpoint is located, the interest of the variable display game can be enhanced. Further, since the variation mode corresponding to the player's intention is selected and executed while guiding the player's viewpoint to be determined by the divided identification information, the interest of the variation display game can be further enhanced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine (CR machine with a card ball lending unit 2) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  A front frame 3 of a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine) 1 is assembled to a main body frame (outer frame) 4 through a hinge 5 so as to be capable of opening and closing, and a gaming board 6 is a storage frame (attached to the back of the front frame 3). (Not shown).

  A game area surrounded by guide rails is formed on the surface of the game board 6, and a center case 11 provided with an image display device (special symbol display device) 8 is disposed substantially at the center of the game area. At the outer edge of the screen display device 8 of the center case 11, expectation degree notification lamps 27 to 30 including a CCD camera 17 and LEDs are provided.

  Below the game area, a variable winning device 10 having a big winning opening is arranged. In the game area, general winning ports 12, 13, normal symbol starting gates 14, 15, a starting port 16, an ordinary variable winning device (auxiliary winning means) 9, and the like are arranged. A cover glass 7 that covers the front surface of the game board 6 is attached to the front frame 3.

  The image display device 8 displays three display symbols (identification information), for example, left, middle, and right in the display area. For example, numbers “0” to “9” and alphabet letters “A” to “E” are assigned to these display symbols.

  When there is a game ball winning at the start port 16, the image display device 8 sequentially displays the display symbols composed of the above-described numbers and characters. When a winning at the start port 16 is made at a predetermined timing (specifically, when the special symbol random number counter value at the time of winning detection is a winning value), a big hit state (special gaming state) is entered, Stops when the display symbols are aligned (big hit symbol). At this time, the large winning opening of the variable winning apparatus 10 opens wide for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), and a large number of game balls can be acquired.

  The winning of the game ball to the start port 16 is detected by a special symbol start sensor 52 (see FIG. 3). The game ball passing time (specifically, the value of the special symbol random number counter provided in the game control device 100 (see FIG. 3) at the time of winning detection) is used as the special symbol winning memory and the game control device 100. Is stored in a predetermined storage area (special symbol random number storage area) within a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of four consecutive times). The number stored in the special symbol winning memory is displayed on the special symbol display 18A (see FIG. 3) of the special symbol display unit 18 including a plurality of LEDs provided on the left side of the variable winning device 10. The game control device 100 plays a variable display game (variable display game) on the image display device 8 based on the special symbol winning memory. Further, the special symbol display unit 18 includes a special symbol storage display 18B (see FIG. 3) including a plurality of LEDs for displaying the result of the variable display game (for example, losing, jackpot).

  The normal symbol display 19A (see FIG. 3) of the normal symbol display unit 19 composed of a plurality of LEDs provided on the right side of the variable winning device 10 is normal when a game ball wins to the normal symbol start gates 14 and 15. Start changing the display of symbols. When winning to the normal symbol starting gates 14 and 15 is made at a predetermined timing (specifically, when the normal symbol random number counter value at the time of winning detection is a winning value), a winning state relating to the normal symbol is obtained, A normal symbol stops at a winning symbol (hit number). At this time, the normal variation winning device 9 provided in front of the starting port 16 opens wide for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds), and the winning possibility of the game ball to the starting port 16 is increased.

  The passing of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate is detected by a normal symbol start sensor 53 (see FIG. 3). The passing time of the game ball (specifically, the value when the passing of the normal symbol random number counter provided in the game control device 100 is detected) is a predetermined memory in the game control device 100 as the normal symbol winning memory. In the area (ordinary symbol random number storage area), a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of four consecutive times) is stored as a limit. The number stored in the normal symbol winning memory is displayed on the normal symbol memory display 19B (see FIG. 3) of the normal symbol display unit 19. The game control device 100 performs a normal figure variation display game based on the normal symbol winning memory. It should be noted that the maximum value of the normal symbol winning memory number is set to an arbitrary value.

  An upper plate 21 for supplying a ball to the ball hitting device is provided on the open / close panel 20 below the front frame 3, and a lower plate 23, an operation unit 24 of the ball hitting device, and the like are provided on the fixed panel 22.

  A first notification lamp 31 and a second notification lamp 32 are provided on the front frame 3 on the upper portion of the cover glass 7 to notify a state such as abnormal discharge of a sphere by lighting.

  The operation panel 26 for the card ball lending unit 2 includes a card balance display unit (not shown) for displaying the card balance, a ball lending switch 33 for instructing ball lending, and a card return switch 34 for instructing to return the card. Etc. are provided.

  The card lending unit 2 includes a card reader / writer and a ball lending control device for reading and writing data of a card (a prepaid card or the like) inserted in the card insertion unit 25 on the front surface. An operation panel 26 for the card ball lending unit 2 is formed on the outer surface of the upper plate 21 of the gaming machine 1.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the center case 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The center case 11 is attached to the game board 6 by an attachment board 11a.

  An image display device 8 is provided at the center lower portion of the center case 11. The image display device 8 is attached to a recess provided in the center case 11 at a position deeper than the front surface of the center case 11. That is, the center case 11 surrounds the periphery of the image display device 8 and is provided so as to protrude from the display surface of the image display device 8.

  A camera 17 is provided in the upper center of the outer edge of the image display device 8. The camera 17 is built in a position deeper than the front surface of the center case 11, and the surface is covered with glass. This glass has a property that a player can be visually recognized from the camera 17 but cannot be visually recognized by the player. Therefore, the player does not recognize that the camera 17 is built in the game board 6.

  The center case 11 is formed of a transparent or translucent resin, and includes expectation degree notification lamps 27, 28, 29, and 30 at positions on the upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right of the outer edge of the image display device 8, respectively. . Each of these expectation degree notification lamps is exemplified as an output device of the present invention. The anticipation notification lamp is composed of a light emitter (for example, LED), and has a high probability of occurrence of a state advantageous to the player, such as a high reach occurrence probability and a high probability of jackpot state occurrence during a variable display game. This is notified to the player by lighting.

  The expectation degree notification lamps 27 to 30 are provided in the vicinity of the outer edge of the image display device 8 in order to guide the player's viewpoint by the operation thereof. Note that the output device is not limited to the light emitting device such as the expectation notification lamps 27 to 30, and may be any machine as long as it can be arranged near the outer edge of the image display device 8 and can guide the player's viewpoint. It may be an effect device such as an accessory that performs a target operation.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a part of a control system centering on the game control device 100 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The game control device 100 is a main control device that controls the game in an integrated manner, a CPU that controls game control, a ROM that stores invariant information for game control, and a RAM that is used as a work area during game control Is composed of a gaming microcomputer 101, an input interface 102, an output interface 103, and the like. The game control device 100 functions as game control means.

  The gaming microcomputer 101 receives detection signals from various detection devices (general prize opening sensors 51.1 to 51.N, special symbol start sensor 52, normal symbol start sensor 53, count sensor 54) via the input interface 102. In response, various processes such as a jackpot lottery are performed. Then, through the output interface 103, a command signal is transmitted to each subordinate control device (the display control device 150, the discharge control device 200), the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 9A, the big prize opening solenoid 10A, etc. To control.

  In addition, the gaming microcomputer 101 is connected to a management computer installed in the game hall via the board external information terminal 41 (a game hall for centrally managing the state of each gaming machine installed in the game hall. That is, information regarding the gaming machine 1 is output to a so-called hall control installed in the hall.

  When the variable display game is started by winning a game ball at the start port 16, the result of the variable display game is transmitted to the special symbol display 18A. Further, when the game ball wins the starting port 16 during the execution of the variable display game, the special symbol winning memory number is transmitted to the special symbol memory display 18B.

  When the normal figure change display game is started by passing the game ball to the normal symbol start gates 14 and 15, the result of the normal figure change display game is transmitted to the normal symbol display 19A. Further, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gates 14 and 15 during the execution of the normal symbol change display game, the normal symbol winning memory number is transmitted to the normal symbol memory display 19B.

  From the game control device 100 to the display control device 150, a player change command, a symbol variation start command, a variation display command, an identification information command, a confirmation command, a break screen display command, a demonstration display command, a fanfare command, A jackpot command, an error command, etc. are transmitted. Further, a command signal for changing the display mode according to the difference in the gaming state such as the normal gaming state, the probability variation state, the variation time shortening state, etc. is also transmitted.

  The aforementioned player change command instructs setting of comparison information (see FIG. 10) of a new player after the change. The symbol variation start command instructs the start of the variation display game. The variation display command indicates a variation display mode of the identification information. The identification information command indicates identification information to be stopped and displayed as a display result. The confirmation command instructs to stop the identification information as a display result. The break screen display command is a state in which the variable display game is not played for a predetermined time as a result of the game being continued without changing the player after the comparison information of the player performing the game is set, or the variable display game Is displayed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). The demonstration display command (customer waiting command) instructs a display to be performed when the variable display game is not played for a predetermined time and the break mode process is not executed. The fanfare command instructs the display of the state before shifting to the jackpot. The jackpot command indicates a jackpot display such as a jackpot round display, an interval display, and a jackpot round display. The error command instructs display when there is an abnormality.

  The display control device 150 can grasp the transition of the game state managed by the game control device 100 based on these display control command signals (commands).

  The discharge control device 200 controls the operation of the payout unit based on the prize ball command signal from the game control device 100 and discharges the prize ball. Further, based on the ball rental request signal from the card ball rental unit 2, the operation of the payout unit is controlled to discharge the ball rental.

  The decoration control device 250 controls a decoration light emitting device such as a decoration lamp or LED (a decoration lamp in the center case 11, a decoration lamp in an attacker, etc.) based on a decoration control command signal from the display control device 150.

  The sound control device 300 functions as a sound control device by controlling the sound effect output from the speaker based on the sound control command signal from the display control device 150.

  The image display device 8 switches the image displayed in the display area to a corresponding image based on the image display signal from the display control device 150.

  Based on the lighting command signal from the display control device 150, the expectation degree notification lamps 27 to 30 turn on the LED to notify the player who is playing the game that it is an opportunity.

  The connection interface between the display control device 150 and the game control device 100 is provided with a buffer serving as a signal transmission direction regulating means, and communication between the game control device 100 and the display control device 150 is performed from the game control device 100. Only signal input to the display control device 150 is allowed, and signal output from the display control device 150 to the game control device 100 is prohibited. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized signal from being input to the game control device 100 from the display control device 150. When bidirectional communication is performed between the game control device 100 and the display control device 150, a bidirectional buffer may be used for the buffer circuit.

  A power supply device (not shown) of the gaming machine includes a backup power supply unit and a power failure monitoring circuit in addition to the power supply circuit. When the power failure monitoring circuit detects a voltage drop of the power supply device, the power failure monitoring circuit sequentially outputs a power failure detection signal and a reset signal to the game control device 100 and the like. When the game control device 100 receives a power failure detection signal, the game control device 100 performs a predetermined power failure process, and when it receives a reset signal, stops the operation of the CPU. The backup power supply unit supplies backup power to the RAM of the game control device 100 or the like to back up game data (including game information, game control information: variable display game information) and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the display control device 150 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The display control device 150 is roughly divided into a display control unit 150a that performs image display control and an imaging unit 150b that captures a player.

  The display control unit 150a functions as a display control unit together with the game control device 100. The display control device 150 includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152 that stores programs, a RAM 153, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 156, a ROM 162 that stores image data (design data, background image data, moving image character data, texture data, etc.), an image The RAM 163 is provided with a frame buffer that temporarily stores image data displayed on the display device 8. The contents stored in the ROM 162 and the RAM 163 are read by the VDP 156. That is, the ROM 162 and the RAM 163 constitute a VDP CG memory space.

  The CPU 151 executes a program stored in the ROM 152, and based on a signal from the game control device 100, image control information (a pattern composed of sprite data, polygon data, etc.) for a variable display game according to the game state. Display information, background screen information, moving image object screen information, etc.), and instructs the VDP 156 to generate an image signal to be displayed on the image display device 8.

  The VDP 156 performs, for example, polygon drawing (or normal bitmap drawing) of an image based on the image data stored in the ROM 162 and the content calculated by the CPU 151, and a predetermined texture is applied to each polygon. The data is pasted and stored in the frame buffer of the RAM 163. The VDP 156 transmits the image stored in the RAM 163 to the image display device 8 at a predetermined timing (vertical synchronization signal V_SYNC, horizontal synchronization signal H_SYNC).

  The VDP 156 performs drawing processing such as point drawing, line drawing, triangle drawing, polygon drawing, texture mapping, alpha blending, shading processing (such as glow shading), and hidden surface removal (such as Z buffer processing). The image signal subjected to these drawing processes is output to the image display device 8.

  Here, a plurality of frame buffers are set in predetermined storage areas of the RAM 163, respectively, and the VDP 156 can also superimpose (overlay) arbitrary images and output them.

  An oscillator (not shown) that supplies a clock signal is connected to the VDP 156. The clock signal generated by the oscillator defines the operation period of the VDP 156, and a vertical synchronization signal (V_SYNC) and a horizontal synchronization signal (H_SYNC) are generated based on the clock signal output from the oscillator, and are sent to the image display device 8. It is output as a timing signal.

  Further, the CPU 151 transmits a lighting command signal to the expectation notification lamps 27 to 30 based on a signal from the game control device 100.

  The imaging unit 150b includes an image capturing CPU 141, a ROM 142, a RAM 143, a camera 17, and the like.

  The image capturing CPU 141 controls the capturing timing of the camera 17 according to the capturing timing of capturing data from the camera 17. Further, the degree of similarity between the image captured by the camera 17 and the comparison information (see FIG. 10) is evaluated, and the evaluation result regarding the captured data is transmitted to the display control CPU 151.

  The ROM 142 stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the image capturing CPU 141.

  The RAM 143 temporarily stores data necessary for the operation of the image capturing CPU 141. In particular, image data (shooting data) such as a player image to be evaluated by the image capturing CPU 141 and a player image to be compared information is temporarily stored.

  The camera 17 is constituted by a CCD camera, and functions as a photographing means for photographing a player at a position facing the gaming machine. The player image photographed by the camera is sent to the image capturing CPU 141, and image comparison processing with comparison information is performed as will be described later. The camera 17 is not limited to a CCD camera, and may be a CMOS camera.

  In the first embodiment described above, the decoration control device 250 and the sound control device 300 are provided separately from the display control device 150. However, among the subordinate control devices, the decoration control device 250 and the sound control device 300 are provided. The decoration control device 250 and the sound control device 300 may be integrated with the display control device 150 in addition to the display control device 150.

  Further, the decoration control device 250 and the sound control device 300 may be directly connected to the game control device 100 instead of being connected to the display control device 150.

  FIG. 5 shows a game flow chart of the first embodiment of the present invention. The outline of the game will be described below with reference to this figure.

  First, at the beginning of the game (or before the game is started), the customer is in a waiting state, and a signal (demonstration display command) for instructing display of the customer waiting screen is transmitted from the game control device 100 to the display control device 150. A demonstration display screen (moving image or still image) is displayed on the display surface of the image display device 8.

  Then, when the game ball launched into the game area wins the start opening 16, a predetermined random number is extracted by the game control device 100 based on the winning, and a lottery drawing of the variable display game is performed, and the game control device A signal for instructing a variable display is transmitted from 100 to the display control device 150, and a variable display of a plurality of symbols (identification information) is started at a predetermined position in the variable display area set on the screen of the image display device 8.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the fluctuation display, the fluctuation display is temporarily stopped in the order of, for example, left, right, and middle.In this process, the reach state (for example, the contents other than the symbol that stops last have the same contents) In the state where only the symbol that stops at the last combination is changed, specifically, the symbol on the left and the symbol on the right are temporarily stopped, but the middle symbol is still changing. Therefore, when a situation in which there is a possibility of reaching a big hit) occurs, a predetermined reach effect is performed. In this reach production, as will be described later, the middle symbol is divided into a plurality of variable display modes.For example, the middle symbol is displayed at a very low speed, displayed at a high speed, or displayed at a high speed, or reversed to display a variable display. To do. In addition, background display and character display are performed in accordance with reach production.

  The temporary stop state is a state in which the player can recognize the symbol as a substantially stopped state, and the final stop mode is not determined. The stopped state includes the temporary stop state and the state in which the symbol is stopped. State. As a specific example of the temporary stop state, in addition to the slight fluctuation at the stop position, there are modes such as displaying the symbol in an enlarged scale, changing the color of the symbol, changing the shape of the symbol, and the like.

  And if the result of the jackpot lottery is a jackpot, the symbols on the left, right, and middle will eventually stop in a predetermined jackpot combination and a jackpot (jackpot game) will occur.

  When the jackpot game is generated, a special game is performed in which the variable winning device (big winning opening) 10 is opened for a predetermined period. This special game is executed with a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls to be awarded to the variable prize apparatus 10 or a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) as one unit (one round). A prescribed round (for example, 16 rounds) is repeated on the condition that a winning is made to the continuous winning opening. When a jackpot game occurs, the game control device 100 transmits a signal for instructing display of the jackpot game (for example, jackpot fanfare display, round number display, jackpot effect display, etc.) to the display control device 150 to display an image. The jackpot game is displayed on the screen of the device 8.

  In this case, if the jackpot is a specific jackpot, a specific gaming state occurs after the jackpot game, and the probability of the next jackpot occurrence is set to a high probability (probability variation state), or based on winning the game ball at the start port 16 The variation display time of the variation display game of the image display device 8 is shortened.

  When the game ball wins the start opening 16 during the variable display game or the big hit game (when the special symbol start memory is generated), the big hit game ends after the variable display game ends (when it is lost) or After that, a new variation display game is repeated based on the special symbol start memory. Further, when the variable display game is finished (when lost), or when the big hit game is finished, when there is no special symbol start memory, the waiting state is returned to the customer. At this time, when the comparison information (see FIG. 10) regarding the player who plays the game has already been set and the player has not changed, the rest mode process (see S505 in FIG. 9) is executed as a waiting state for the customer. .

  When the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gates 14 and 15, a random number related to the normal symbol is extracted based on the passing or normal symbol start memory, and if the random number is hit, the normal symbol display 19 displays a hit. As a result, the normal variation winning device 9 at the start port 16 is expanded for a predetermined time, and winning at the start port 16 becomes easy.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the main process of game control according to the first embodiment of this invention, and is executed by the game control apparatus 100.

  When the power to the gaming machine is turned on, the gaming microcomputer 101 executes an initialization process for setting initial values for various control parameters (S201), and sets the gaming machine to an initial state. Subsequently, a stirring random number update process (S202) is performed. Thereafter, this random number update process for stirring is repeated.

  This agitation random number update process (S202) is a process for updating the initial value of the random number update process in S305 of FIG. This process will be described. Among the processes executed by the game control device 100, when a game ball wins the normal symbol start gates 14 and 15 or the special figure start port 16, a corresponding game result mode is derived. For example, some random number processing is included, which is performed in order to perform a lottery for the purpose, or to add randomness to an effect or decoration when the variable display game is advanced based on the lottery result. As an example of these random number processes, there is a process in which the counter value is incremented by 1 in a predetermined time period, for example, 1 millisecond period between 0 and 316, and returned to 0 when the value exceeds 316. . This random number update process corresponds to the random number update process of S305.

  This counter value is extracted when the game control device 100 recognizes the above-described event such as winning of a game ball, and becomes a random value at that time. However, even if it is a random number, if the above-described processing is repeated, a random value extracted at a cycle of 317 milliseconds has a periodicity, and the randomness is degraded. Therefore, further randomness is imparted by disturbing the counter value in the random number updating process for stirring.

  Instead of starting the change of the counter value in the example described above from 0 each time, the value obtained by the random number update process for stirring is changed as the initial value of the counter value. In other words, when the change of one rotation is finished, a new value obtained by the stirring random number update process is set as the initial value of the next counter.

  Further, a process for changing the counter value for one rotation is performed, and the initial value at the time of the counter value change is successively updated. Since the random number update period in the stirring random number update process is considerably shorter than the random number update period in S305, the randomness of the counter can be increased.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the game control timer interrupt process according to the first embodiment of this invention, which is executed by the game control apparatus 100.

  After the power to the gaming machine is turned on, the game control main process (see FIG. 6) is executed, and when a timer interrupt occurs for a predetermined time period (for example, every 1 millisecond), the timer interrupt process is executed. Repeatedly executed. However, the processes of S301 to S311 are not necessarily performed every time an interrupt occurs. For example, the input process S302 monitors the input signal every time, but the output process S303 may be executed every other interrupt occurrence. That is, instead of completing all the processes in one interrupt process, the interrupt process may be repeatedly executed a plurality of times to complete a series of game control processes.

  First, interrupt prohibition setting and register saving processing are performed (S301).

  Thereafter, processing such as chattering removal is performed on signals from various sensors and switches input via the input interface 102, and input processing for determining input information is performed (S302).

  Thereafter, an output process is performed for outputting data related to game control to a predetermined output destination (general power solenoid 9A, special winning opening solenoid 10A, board external information 41, etc.) via the output interface 103 (S303).

  Thereafter, a command transmission process for outputting a display control command signal to the display control device 150 or outputting a prize ball command signal to the discharge control device 200 is performed (S304). The command transmission process for the display control device 150 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  After that, each random number counter for determining whether or not the special figure fluctuation display game is hit, and the production or decoration when the special figure fluctuation display game is advanced (fluctuation display pattern, stop pattern, etc.) A random number update process for incrementing the value of each random number counter for imparting randomness by one is performed (S305).

  After that, an error monitoring process is performed to monitor the ball jam of the gaming machine, abnormality of various switches, sensors, etc. (S306).

  Thereafter, the presence / absence of input from the special figure start sensor 52, the normal figure start sensor 53, the count sensor 54, etc. is detected, and according to the result, the special symbol winning memory, the normal symbol winning memory, the winning count number to the big prize opening, etc. The switch for updating the switch is monitored (S307). At this time, if the special figure start sensor 52 detects the game ball, the special figure random number counter value (random number relating to the result mode of the special figure game) is stored in the special figure start memory, and the special figure start sensor 53 detects the game ball. If detected, the usual figure random number counter value (random number relating to the result form of the usual figure game) is stored in the usual figure start memory.

  Thereafter, special game processing (S308) for controlling the progress of the variable display game and general game processing (S309) are performed.

  The special figure game process (S308) is extracted based on the winning of the game ball to the starting port 16 detected by the special symbol start sensor 52, and is stored in the special figure start memory (extracted in S307). It is determined whether or not the stored random number related to the result mode of the special figure game is successful, and the image display device 8 performs a process for displaying the identification information (special symbol) in a variable manner. If the special figure random number counter value is a predetermined value, it becomes a hit state related to the special symbol, and the variation display of the identification information stops at the hit symbol. Further, when the winning state is reached, the special winning opening solenoid 10A is driven to open the special variation winning apparatus 10, and an open state (a state advantageous to the player) is easily received.

  The normal game process (S309) is extracted based on the passing of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate 14 detected by the normal symbol start sensor 53, and is stored in the normal symbol start memory (S307). It is determined whether or not the random symbol related to the result pattern of the normal symbol game extracted and stored in (1) is a hit, and a process for displaying the variation of the normal symbol storage state display area provided in the image display device 8 is performed. If the common random number counter value is a predetermined value, it becomes a hit state related to the normal figure, and the fluctuation display of the normal symbol stops at the win symbol. Further, when the winning state is reached, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 9A is driven to open the ordinary variation winning device 9, so that the winning at the starting port 16 is easy. Note that the opening time of the normal variation winning device 9 is, for example, 2.9 seconds in a specific gaming state (probability variation, time shortening variation, etc.), and 0.5 seconds in a normal gaming state, depending on the gaming state. Change.

  Thereafter, external information editing processing for editing the board external information for outputting the state of the gaming machine to the management computer connected via the board external information terminal 41 is performed (S310). The board external information includes information related to the progress state of the variable display game, such as whether the symbol has been confirmed, whether it is a big hit, whether the probability is changing, or whether the changing time is shortened (short time).

  Thereafter, the process of restoring the temporarily saved register and the process of setting the permission of the interrupt that has been prohibited are performed (S311), the timer interrupt process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process (see FIG. 6). The stirring random number update process (see FIG. 6) is repeated until the next timer interrupt occurs.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of command transmission processing by the game control apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of this invention, and is executed in S304 of timer interrupt processing (see FIG. 7).

  The game control device 100 monitors the operating state of the gaming machine 1 and determines whether or not a player has been changed (S401). If it is determined that the player has changed, a player change command is transmitted to the display control device 150 (S402). On the other hand, if it is determined that the player has not changed, the process proceeds to S403.

  Note that the game control device 100 determines that there is no player when a sensor that detects a game ball in the game area (winning mouth sensor 51 or special figure start sensor 52) does not detect a game ball for a certain period of time. Then, after it is determined that there is no player in this way, when the sensor that detects the game ball detects the game ball, it is determined that the player has changed and a new game has started.

  However, the player's change is determined by, for example, determining whether or not the player has changed and whether or not the player has changed depending on whether or not a touch signal from a touch sensor provided in the operation unit 24 is detected for a certain period of time. Also good. Further, the state in which the player is absent and the state in which the player is changed may be determined based on whether or not a signal from a load sensor provided in the player seat is detected for a certain period of time.

  When the player change command is transmitted, it is then determined whether or not it is the timing for starting the change of the special symbol (S403). When it is determined that it is the timing for starting the special symbol variation, the game control device 100 transmits a symbol variation start command (S404). On the other hand, if it is not the time to start changing the special symbol, the process proceeds to S405.

  Note that the special symbol variation start timing refers to the timing at which the stopped special symbol starts to be varied, that is, the timing at which a new variation display game is started. As will be described later, even if there is a special symbol winning memory, since the special symbol variation display is not started while the break screen is displayed, the special symbol variation start timing does not occur.

  When the symbol variation start command is transmitted, it is then determined whether or not it is the break screen display timing (S405). When it is determined that it is the break screen display timing, the game control device 100 transmits a break screen display command (S406).

  The break screen display timing refers to a timing at which the execution of the variable display game executed after the player is considered to have changed reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). In this case, the execution of the variable display game is paused, and the break screen display is performed for a certain time (for example, 3 minutes). By setting in this way, it is possible to temporarily rest the eyes of the player who concentrates on the continuous variable display game.

  If a break screen display command is transmitted, it will return to random number update processing (refer FIG. 7) after that.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of main processing by the display control device 150 according to the first embodiment of this invention. The display control device 150 performs the following processing according to the display control command signal (command) transmitted from the game control device 100.

  First, the display control device 150 determines whether or not a player change command is received from the game control device 100 (S501). If a player change command has not been received, the process proceeds to S503.

  On the other hand, when the player change command is received, it is considered that the player has changed, but since the comparison information regarding the player after the change has not been set, the comparison information set flag is turned off (S502). ).

  The comparison information is information (see FIG. 10) for comparing with a player image captured by shooting by the camera 17 for specifying the viewpoint of the player who is currently playing the game. Is generated by photographing the player's face.

  When the comparison information set flag is turned off, it is then determined whether or not a break screen display command has been received from the game control device 100 (S503). If a break screen display command has not been received, the process proceeds to S506.

  On the other hand, when a break screen display command is received, photographing interruption is permitted (S504), and break mode processing is started (S505).

  In the break mode process (S505), the image display device 8 switches from the demonstration display screen or the screen in which the identification information is stopped (the state in which the design is not changed) to the break screen (see FIG. 11). The information selection menu is displayed. Then, the player's viewpoint is specified by photographing the player's face with the camera 17 and comparing the player image captured by the photographing with the already set comparison information. Then, information corresponding to the menu where the identified player's viewpoint is located is displayed.

  If the comparison information set flag is set to OFF as described above (S502), the information to be compared with the photographed player image has not been set yet, and the process proceeds to S506 without performing the break mode process.

  When the break mode process is executed for a certain period of time, it is then determined whether or not a symbol variation start command has been received from the game control device 100 (S506). When the symbol variation start command is not received, the process proceeds to S501 and the main process is continued.

  On the other hand, when the symbol variation start command is received, the variation display game is started. At this time, a random number is extracted by the game control device 100, and whether or not a stop symbol and reach have occurred is determined. When these pieces of information are determined, all symbols start to change (S507). Note that the presence or absence of the stop symbol and reach may be determined after the variation of the symbol starts. In this case, however, the stop symbol must be determined before the first symbol stops, and whether or not reach has occurred must be determined before the second symbol stops.

  When a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of symbol variation, the first symbol (left) and the second symbol (right) are stopped in this order (S508). Here, it is determined whether or not reach has occurred (S509). When the first symbol and the second symbol are stopped by the same combination of numbers or characters, a reach occurs. If the first symbol and the second symbol are different numbers or character combinations, the third symbol stops without performing the reach process (S515).

  If the reach has occurred, it is determined whether or not the comparison information set flag is set (S510). When the comparison information setting flag is not set, that is, when the comparison information has not been set yet after the player has changed, a comparison information setting reach process for setting comparison information is performed (S511).

  In the comparison information setting reach process, the third symbol moves on the reach screen, and the camera 17 photographs the face of the player whose viewpoint is aligned with the third symbol, thereby generating comparison information. (Refer FIG. 10, FIG.13 (d)). When the comparison information is generated, the comparison information set flag is set (ON) (S512), and the third symbol is stopped (S515).

  When the comparison information set flag of the player is set, the shooting interruption is permitted (S513), and the symbol division reach process (see FIG. 12) is performed (S514).

  In the symbol division reach process, during the variation display of the third symbol, the third symbol is divided into a plurality of different variation modes and moved separately on the screen. Then, the player's face is photographed by the camera 17, and the player matches the viewpoint with any of the separated third symbols by comparing the player image captured by photographing with the comparison information that has already been set. To identify. Then, the third symbol is variably displayed based on the variation mode in which the identified player's viewpoint is located.

  When the variation pattern of the third symbol is determined and a certain time has elapsed, the variation of the third symbol stops (S515). When the third symbol stops, the process proceeds to S501 and the main process is continued.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of comparison information according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  After the player has changed, the game starts, and when the variable display game is executed for the first time by winning a game ball at the starting port 16, a comparison information setting reach process (step S511 in FIG. 9) is performed. At this time, the image display device 8 displays a moving third symbol (center symbol) on the screen at regular intervals from the center to the lower left, upper left, upper right, and lower right (in FIG. 13 (d). )reference). At this time, the player performs an action of chasing the position of the third symbol with his eyes. During the movement of the third symbol, the camera 17 shoots the player's face at a predetermined timing, and compares the player image captured by shooting to identify the viewpoint of the player who performs the game. Information stored in the RAM 143 of the display control device 150.

  In this way, the player's face taken from the shooting as the comparison information is shown in a broken line in FIG. Here, an image of a player who pays attention to an image moved to the upper right of the display area and whose line of sight faces the upper right, similarly, an image that faces the lower right, upper left, lower left, and front is illustrated. In addition, you may memorize | store the image (For example, right below, right above, right right, right left) which faced directions other than this as comparison information.

  When the comparison information is generated, the image capturing CPU 141 may identify the player's viewpoint by comparing the player image (target image) captured by shooting with the comparison information. it can.

  Note that the player image stored in the RAM 143 is automatically deleted when the player changes.

  Note that the current player's viewpoint can also be specified by photographing both eyes of the player. When the player's eyes are photographed using the camera 17, the human retina has a high reflectivity for near-infrared light, so that the pupil regions of the left and right eyes are photographed brightly. Then, the display control CPU 151 binarizes the captured image of the eye, and extracts a brightly captured pupil region. When the pupil region is specified, a change in the player's line of sight is detected by tracking the movement of the pupil position. In this case, the player's viewpoint can be specified without generating comparison information in advance.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the image display device 8 that performs the break mode processing according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 11A shows a menu selection screen during the break mode process. First, on the screen during the break mode process, as an initial screen, a cursor serving as an index for attracting the player's attention is displayed at the center of the screen. Further, as a message for menu selection instruction to the player, characters “Please select a menu” are displayed, and information selection menus to be selected by the player are displayed at the four corners of the screen. That is, the image object selected from the viewpoint is set at the four corners of the screen.

  “Today's data” is a menu that displays the gaming results of the gaming machine 1 in which the player is currently playing from the start of the day to the present. “Yesterday data” is a menu for displaying game results of the gaming machine 1 in which the player is currently playing from the start of business one business day before the end of business. “Yesterday data” is a menu that displays the gaming results of the gaming machine 1 in which the player is currently playing from the start of business two business days before the end of business. “In-store information” is a menu for displaying various information related to the game hall.

  FIG. 11B shows a state where the menu is selected by determining the player's viewpoint. When the player moves the viewpoint to any of the menus displayed at the four corners according to the instructions displayed on the screen, the camera 17 captures the player's face at a predetermined timing. Then, when the player focuses on one menu for a certain period of time, the player's viewpoint is specified based on the player image captured by shooting. When the player's viewpoint is specified, the cursor displayed at the center of the screen moves to the menu in which the player's viewpoint is specified.

  FIG. 11C shows a state in which information corresponding to the selected menu is displayed. When one menu is selected by specifying the player's viewpoint, information corresponding to the menu is displayed on the screen of the image display device 8.

  Thus, by displaying the cursor serving as an index, it is possible to attract the player's attention to the cursor, and even a player who does not have prior knowledge about the selection operation can perform the selection operation unconsciously. .

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the symbol division reach process according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  When a reach occurs after the start of the variable display game, a symbol division reach process is performed if the reach occurs after the second change of the player (step S514 in FIG. 9).

  In the symbol division reach process, the fluctuating third symbol is first divided into two different fluctuating modes and moved separately on the screen left and right (S601). Then, the player's face is photographed by the camera 17, and the image of the player captured by photographing is compared with the comparison information that has already been set, thereby determining which of the separated points the player is focusing on. Identify. Then, when the viewpoint is fixed for a certain time (for example, 1 second) with respect to any one of the third symbols, it is determined that the selection of the variation mode of the third symbol is confirmed (S602). Then, when any of the separated third symbol variation modes is selected, the third symbol variation display is switched to the corresponding variation mode, and the reach state continues (S605).

  On the other hand, if the player's viewpoint is not determined in any variation mode and a fixed time has elapsed, the third symbol is displayed in a variable manner by switching to one of the predetermined variation modes (S603, S604).

  In this way, after the start of the symbol division reach process, if the player's viewpoint is not fixed in any variation mode, the game is efficiently advanced by switching the third symbol to the predetermined variation mode and displaying it. As a result, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the entire game arcade.

  13 and 14 are diagrams showing display examples of the image display device 8 that performs the variable display game according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 13A shows a screen where the identification information is stopped, that is, a state where the variable display game is not started. In the center of the screen, the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol are displayed in a stopped state. As each symbol, identification information of either numbers or letters is displayed.

  FIG. 13B shows a state in which the variable display game is started. When a game ball wins at the start port 16, a variation display game starts, and all of the left, middle, and right symbols are displayed in a variable manner. While the symbol is changing, the identification information of each symbol cannot be read.

  FIG. 13C shows a state where the first and second symbols have stopped and reach has occurred. When the variable display of the first to third symbols is started, the first symbol (left) and the second symbol (right) are stopped in this order. And when it stops by the combination of the same identification information of a 1st and 2nd symbol (in FIG.13 (c), both the 1st and 2nd symbols are "7"), reach will generate | occur | produce. At this time, the third symbol is in a variable display.

  FIG. 13D shows a comparison information setting reach state. When reach occurs for the first time after a player is changed, comparison information setting reach is executed to generate comparison information corresponding to a new player (step S511 in FIG. 9). At this time, the fluctuating 3rd symbol moves on the screen of the image display device 8 from the center to the lower left, the upper left, the upper right, and the lower right in order at regular time intervals. However, the order of movement may be from the center to the lower right, upper right, upper left, and lower left. Further, the fluctuating third symbol may be moved to various positions including the four corners of the screen, and may be in an order other than the above (for example, lower right to upper left).

  Then, while the changing third symbol moves, the camera 17 photographs the player's face at a predetermined timing. The player image captured by shooting is stored in the RAM 143 of the display control device 150 as comparison information.

  FIG. 14E shows the start screen of the symbol division reach process. When the second or subsequent reach occurs after the player changes, the symbol division reach process is executed (step S514 in FIG. 9). At this time, a cursor serving as an index for attracting the player's attention is displayed on the changing third symbol. This cursor is displayed so as not to overlap the identification information displayed on the third symbol. By displaying in this way, the visibility of the identification information is not impaired.

  FIG. 14F shows a state where the third symbol is divided. By performing the processing of S601 in FIG. 12, the state shown in FIG. 14F is displayed on the screen of the image display device.

  The fluctuating third symbol is divided into left and right from the state displayed at the center, and changes to different fluctuating modes. Then, each moves toward the lower left or lower right, and stops moving when it reaches the corner of the screen. That is, the image object selected by the viewpoint is set in the lower left and lower right of the screen. Here, one side is scrolled to the left and right to change, and the other is vertically scrolled to change. It should be noted that the cursor remains displayed in the center of the screen even after the changing third symbol displayed in the center of the screen has moved.

  FIG. 14G shows a state where the left-right scroll variation mode is selected. When the player matches the viewpoint for a certain period of time to one of the left and right divided 3 symbols among the divided 3 symbols that have been divided, the player's viewpoint is specified and one of the 3 symbols is selected. To be judged. When the player's viewpoint is specified, the cursor displayed at the center of the screen moves to the position of the third symbol that changes to the left-right scroll selected by the player. FIG. 14G shows a state where the horizontal scroll variation mode is selected.

  When the lower left 3rd symbol is selected by the player, the other 3 symbols (the lower right 3rd symbol) which were not selected are deleted, and the selected lower left 3rd symbol continues to change. It moves to the center of the screen as it is (FIG. 14 (h)). And after a fixed time has passed, the third symbol stops.

  FIG. 14 (i) shows a state in which the vertical scroll variation mode is selected. When the lower right 3rd symbol is selected by the player, the other 3rd symbols that have not been selected (the lower left 3rd symbol) are deleted, and the selected lower right 3rd symbol continues to change. The screen is moved to the center of the screen (FIG. 14 (j)). And after a fixed time has passed, the third symbol stops.

  Note that if the state of FIG. 14 (f) continues for a certain period of time, that is, if the player's viewpoint is not determined by any of the three variations of the divided third symbol, the variation of the third symbol is determined in advance. It is automatically switched to one of the fluctuation modes and displayed in the center of the screen. In this case, the third symbol displayed in the other variation mode is deleted.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the shooting interruption process by the display control apparatus 150 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the main process (FIG. 9) by the display control apparatus 150, a predetermined timing (for example, 0. Interrupted every 2 seconds). However, it is not executed when shooting interruption is not permitted.

  First, the image capture CPU 141 captures the current player's face as a target by the camera 17 (S701).

  Then, a point group set according to some criterion, such as each vertex of the shape of the player image captured by shooting, a bending point, or a point on an arc taken at an arbitrary interval, is extracted as a feature point. These extracted feature points are compared with the feature points of the comparison information of the player stored in advance (S702). As a result of the comparison, the player's viewpoint can be identified as being at the same position as the player image having the closest feature point among the comparison information stored in the RAM 143 (S703).

  When the player's viewpoint is specified, the cursor is moved to a position where the viewpoint is determined (S704). At this time, it is determined whether the symbol division reach process is in progress (S705). If the symbol division reach process is in progress, it is determined whether or not the viewpoint has been determined for any of the divided and changed third symbols (S706).

  When the player's viewpoint is determined to be one of the three patterns of variation, the third pattern of variation is determined (S707), and the third pattern of variation in the determined mode is displayed at the center of the screen. On the other hand, the 3rd design which changes with the change mode which was not selected is deleted. In addition, the cursor serving as the index of the player's viewpoint position is also deleted, and shooting interruption is prohibited (S708). In S706, when a certain period of time has elapsed without the player's viewpoint being determined in any of the third symbols, the third symbol that automatically fluctuates in a predetermined variation mode is displayed, and then the main process ( Return to FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S705 that the symbol division reach process is not being performed, it is determined whether or not the break mode process is being performed (S709). When the break mode process is being performed, it is determined whether or not the viewpoint is fixed in any of the information selection menus displayed on the break screen (S710). When the viewpoint is fixed, the menu on which the player's viewpoint is located is selected, and information corresponding to the selected menu is displayed on the screen of the image display device 8 (S711). When the information corresponding to the selected menu is displayed, the cursor serving as the index of the player's viewpoint position is deleted, and shooting interruption is prohibited (S712). If it is determined in S709 that the rest mode is not being processed, and if the player's viewpoint is not fixed for a certain period of time in any menu in S710 (if the player does not select any menu) Returns to the main process (see FIG. 9) without displaying the information corresponding to the information selection menu.

  FIG. 16 shows a modification of the screen display (FIG. 13D) in the comparison information setting reach state according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  In the screen display shown in FIG. 16, instead of the third symbol moving at the four corners of the display area of the image display device 8, the line of sight is sequentially directed toward the expectation notification lamps 27 to 30 provided near the four corners of the image display device 8. Instruct the player.

  FIG. 16A shows a state in which reach has occurred and the third symbol is changing.

  FIGS. 16B to 16D are screens for notifying the player of the opportunity by lighting up a specific position in the vicinity of the image display device 8. On the screen shown in FIG. 16 (b), an arrow indicating the expectation notification lamp 28 provided at the lower left position of the outer edge of the image display device 8 is displayed, and if this expectation notification lamp 28 is lit, it is an opportunity. That is, it is displayed that the probability of jackpot occurrence is high. At this time, the player pays attention to the expectation notification lamp 28 according to the instruction. Then, the camera 17 takes a picture of the player's face at a timing at which it is considered that the player has turned his gaze toward the expectation notification lamp 28 (for example, when a certain time has elapsed since the arrow is displayed in the figure). The captured game map is stored in the RAM 143 as comparison information.

  Similarly, the screens shown in FIGS. 16C to 16E indicate the expectation degree notification lamps 27, 29, and 30 provided at the upper left, upper right, and lower right positions of the outer edge of the image display device 8, respectively. If an arrow is displayed and the expectation degree notification lamps 27, 29, and 30 are lit, it indicates that there is an opportunity, that is, that the probability of jackpot occurrence is high. Then, when the player pays attention to the expectation notification lamps 27, 29, and 30 according to the instruction, the camera 17 captures the player's face during this time, and stores the game image captured by the shooting in the RAM 143 as comparison information.

  In this way, by notifying the player that it is a good opportunity when the expectation notification lamp is lit, many players who expect a big hit pay attention to the expectation notification lamp. During this time, the player's face is photographed without making the player aware of it, and the comparison information is generated, so that the player is less likely to be aware that the face has been photographed and does not feel uncomfortable.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the player's viewpoint is specified based on the comparison information set in advance, and the menu selection on the screen of the image display device 8 or the variation display area of the identification information is performed. The display contents corresponding to the player's intentions can be obtained even if the player has no prior knowledge about the selection operation by simply unconsciously aligning the viewpoint with the image object displayed on the image display device. It is possible to make use of the selection operation function installed in the gaming machine.

  In particular, when a specific variable display game (variable display game in which symbol division reach occurs) is executed, the identification information to be variablely displayed is divided into two as image objects, and corresponding to the display position of the identification information. By displaying the index image (cursor) and switching the display of the identification information to the variation mode corresponding to the image object in which the player's viewpoint is specified, the identification information is divided into a plurality of parts. Can be increased. In addition, since a variation mode corresponding to the player's intention is selected and executed while guiding the player's viewpoint to be determined by the divided identification information, a highly interesting variation display game can be realized.

  In addition, it is said that the player is shooting the face by shooting and generating the comparison information without making the player aware of the comparison information while moving the identification information on the screen when the reach occurs. It is hard to be conscious and does not cause discomfort.

  Furthermore, by displaying an index image (cursor) for attracting the player's attention when selecting a menu, the player's viewpoint is more easily concentrated on the index image than when no index image is displayed. The viewpoint is easily identified. That is, the player's intention to select the image object can be detected accurately.

  The above-described index image (cursor) is displayed only when a specific variation display game (variation display game in which symbol division reach occurs) is executed, and is not displayed in other variation display games. That is, the index image display means displays the index image when the identification information is divided into a plurality of image objects by the identification information dividing means. Therefore, the visibility of the identification information is better than when the index image always appears. However, the index image may always be displayed.

  Further, only when a specific variation display game (a variation display game in which symbol division reach occurs) can be selected, the variation mode of the identification information can be selected by specifying the viewpoint. In other variation display games, The variation mode of the identification information cannot be selected. That is, the gaming machine 4a has a function (selection validation means) that enables selection of an image object by the image object selection means only when the identification information is divided into a plurality of image objects by the identification information division means. Therefore, as compared with the case where the variation mode of the identification information can always be selected, the variation display game can be smoothly progressed and an effect with enhanced interest can be realized. However, the selection of identification information may always be validated not only during execution of a specific variable display game.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the main process performed by the display control apparatus 150 according to the first embodiment, when a reach occurs for the first time after a player change, a comparison information setting reach process is performed. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, when the player is changed, the comparison information setting screen is displayed before the first variation display game is executed, and the player's face viewing the comparison information setting screen is displayed. This is different from the first embodiment in that the comparison information is generated by photographing. Therefore, in the second embodiment, only the configuration different from the above-described first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of main processing by the display control apparatus 150 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is performed instead of FIG. 9 in the first embodiment.

  First, the display control device 150 determines whether or not a player change command is received from the game control device 100 (S801). If no player change command has been received, the process proceeds to S803. On the other hand, when a player change command is received, a comparison information setting process is performed (S802).

  In the comparison information setting process (S802), an image (see FIG. 18) for attracting the player's attention is displayed on the screen of the image display device 8, and the image is moved on the screen. Then, the camera 17 captures the player's face whose viewpoint is aligned with the image, thereby generating comparison information. The player image captured by shooting is stored as comparison information in the RAM 143 of the display control device 150.

  When the comparison information is set, it is then determined whether a break screen display command has been received from the game control apparatus 100 (S803). If a break screen display command has not been received, the process proceeds to S806. On the other hand, when a break screen display command is received, photographing interruption is permitted (S804), and break mode processing is started (S805). During the break mode process, the screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed as in the first embodiment, and a process corresponding to menu selection is performed by photographing the player's face.

  When the break mode process ends, it is then determined whether or not a symbol variation start command has been received from the game control device 100 (S806). When the symbol variation start command is not received, the process proceeds to S801 and the main process is continued.

  On the other hand, when the symbol variation start command is received, the variation display game is started. At this time, a random number is extracted by the game control device 100 to determine whether or not a stop symbol and reach have occurred. When these pieces of information are determined, all symbols start to change (S807). Note that the presence or absence of the stop symbol and reach may be determined after the variation of the symbol starts. In this case, however, the stop symbol must be determined before the first symbol stops, and whether or not reach has occurred must be determined before the second symbol stops.

  When a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of symbol variation, the first symbol and the second symbol are stopped in this order (S808). Here, it is determined whether or not reach has occurred (S809). When the first symbol and the second symbol are stopped by the same combination of numbers or characters, a reach occurs. If the first symbol and the second symbol are different numbers or combinations of characters, the third symbol is stopped without performing the reach process (S812).

  When reach occurs, photographing interruption is permitted (S810), and symbol division reach processing (see FIG. 12) is performed (S811). In the symbol division reach process, when the variation mode of the third symbol is determined, the third symbol is displayed in the selected variation mode, and stops after a certain period of time (S812). When the third symbol stops, the process proceeds to S801 and the main process is continued.

  FIG. 18 is a display example of the comparison information setting screen in the second embodiment, and is displayed when a player change command is received from the game control device 100 in the main process (see FIG. 17).

  At the center of the screen of the image display device 8, an image for attracting the player's attention (shown with a ★ mark in FIG. 18) is displayed as an initial position. In addition, an instruction to follow the image with the eyes is displayed to the player above the image.

  The image moves on the screen in the order of lower left, upper left, upper right, and lower right from the center at regular intervals. However, the order of movement may be from the center to the lower right, upper right, upper left, and lower left. Further, the fluctuating third symbol may be moved to various positions including the four corners of the screen, and may be in an order other than the above (for example, lower right to upper left).

  During the movement of the image, the camera 17 captures the player's face at a predetermined timing. The player image captured by shooting is stored in the RAM 143 of the display control device 150 as information to be compared in order to specify the viewpoint of the player who performs the game.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, when a player changes, comparison information about a new player is generated before the execution of the variable display game. As a result, even when the player changes, the image object can be selected immediately, and the shooting function of the player can be utilized more effectively.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the main process by the display control device 150 of the first embodiment, when a specific condition is met, the screen is switched to the break mode screen, and the information selection menu is displayed. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, on the condition that comparison information is set, the information selection menu is always displayed on the other screens except the reach occurrence state (FIG. 21). It differs from the first embodiment in that no processing is performed. In the first embodiment, the shooting interruption process is performed only when the shooting interruption is permitted. In the third embodiment, the shooting interruption process is performed any time after the comparison information is set. This is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, in the third embodiment, only the configuration different from the above-described first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart of main processing by the display control apparatus 150 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, which is performed instead of FIG. 9 in the first embodiment.

  First, the display control device 150 determines whether or not a player change command has been received from the game control device 100 (S901). If the player change command has not been received, the process proceeds to S903. On the other hand, when the player change command is received, the comparison information set flag is turned off because the comparison information regarding the player after the change has not been set yet (S902).

  When the comparison set flag is turned off, it is then determined whether or not a symbol variation start command is received from the game control device 100 (S903). When the symbol variation start command is not received, the process proceeds to S901 and the main process is continued.

  On the other hand, when the symbol variation start command is received, the variation display game is started. At this time, a random number is extracted by the game control device 100 to determine whether or not a stop symbol and reach have occurred. When these pieces of information are determined, all symbols start to change (S904). Note that the presence or absence of the stop symbol and reach may be determined after the variation of the symbol starts. In this case, however, the stop symbol must be determined before the first symbol stops, and whether or not reach has occurred must be determined before the second symbol stops.

  When a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of symbol variation, the first symbol and the second symbol are stopped in this order (S905). Here, it is determined whether or not reach has occurred (S906). When the first symbol and the second symbol are stopped by the same combination of numbers or characters, a reach occurs. If the first symbol and the second symbol are a combination of numbers or characters different from each other, the third symbol is stopped without performing the reach process (S911).

  If a reach has occurred, it is determined whether or not a comparison information set flag has been set (S907). When the comparison information setting flag is not set, that is, when the comparison information has not yet been set since the player changed, a comparison information setting reach process for setting comparison information is performed (S908).

  When the comparison information setting reach process is completed and the third symbol is stopped (S911), since the comparison information corresponding to the new player after the change is generated, the shooting interruption is permitted (S912). Thereby, when the information selection menu is displayed on the subsequent screens, the menu can be selected from the viewpoint.

  On the other hand, if the comparison information set flag of the player is set in S907, symbol division reach processing (see FIG. 12) is performed (S910). In this case, since the comparison information has already been set, it is possible to perform shooting interruption in the symbol division reach process.

  When the symbol division reach process ends and the third symbol fluctuates in the selected manner and a certain time has elapsed, the third symbol stops changing display (S911). When the 3rd symbol stops changing display, shooting interruption is permitted (S912), and the menu selection based on the viewpoint can be performed when the information selection menu is displayed on the subsequent screens.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a shooting interruption process performed by the display control device 150 according to the third embodiment. In the main process (FIG. 9) performed by the display control device 150, a predetermined timing (for example, every 0.2 seconds). Is interrupted. However, it is not executed when photographing interruption is not permitted or until the comparison information is newly set after the player changes, that is, when the comparison information set flag is off.

  In the shooting interruption process of the third embodiment, first, the current player's face as a target is shot by the camera 17 (S1001).

  Then, a point group set according to some criterion, such as each vertex of the shape of the player image captured by shooting, a bending point, or a point on an arc taken at an arbitrary interval, is extracted as a feature point. These extracted feature points are compared with the feature points of the comparison information of the player stored in advance (S1002). As a result of the comparison, it is possible to specify that the player's viewpoint is at the same position as the player image having the closest feature point among the comparison information stored in the RAM 143 (S1003).

  When the player's viewpoint is specified, the cursor is moved to a position where the viewpoint is determined (S1004). At this time, it is determined whether the symbol division reach process is in progress (S1005). If the symbol division reach process is being performed, it is determined whether or not the viewpoint has been determined for any of the divided and changed third symbols (S1006).

  When the player's viewpoint is determined to be one of the three patterns of variation, the variation of the third symbol is determined (S1007), and the third symbol that varies in the determined manner is displayed in the center of the screen. On the other hand, the 3rd design which changes with the change mode which was not selected is deleted. Further, the cursor serving as the index of the player's viewpoint position is also deleted, and shooting interruption is prohibited (S1008). In S1006, when a certain time has elapsed without any player's viewpoint being determined in any of the third symbols, the process returns to the main process (see FIG. 19).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1005 that the symbol division reach process is not in progress, the identification information is stopped on the screen of the image display device 8, or the variable display game before the occurrence of the reach is being executed. An information selection menu is displayed on the screen. Therefore, it is determined here whether or not the viewpoint is fixed in the information selection menu (S1009). If the viewpoint is not fixed in any menu, the process returns to the main process (see FIG. 19).

  When the viewpoint is determined in any menu, information corresponding to the menu selected by the determination of the viewpoint is displayed on the screen of the image display device 8 (S1010). When the information corresponding to the menu is displayed, the cursor serving as the index of the player's viewpoint position is deleted, and shooting interruption is prohibited (S1011). When the information display screen is held for a certain time (S1012), the screen is switched to the screen where the identification information is stopped, and the photographing interruption is permitted (S1013).

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the image display device 8 according to the third embodiment. However, the cursor (index) and the information selection menu are not displayed until the comparison information is newly set after the player changes, that is, when the comparison information set flag is off.

  FIG. 21A shows a screen in which the identification information is stopped. On the screen where the identification information is stopped, the first to third symbols which are not changed are displayed in the center of the display area, and in the upper part of the third symbol, the game is placed at a position not overlapping the identification information. A cursor that serves as an index for attracting the attention of the person is displayed. In addition, information selection menus to be selected by the player are displayed at the four corners of the display area.

  FIG. 21B shows a state where the menu is selected by the player. When the player's viewpoint is fixed to any information selection menu, the cursor displayed on the third symbol moves to the menu selected by the player. Then, information corresponding to the selected menu is displayed on the screen of the image display device 8 (see FIG. 11C).

  FIG. 21C shows a state in which the variable display game has started. When a game ball wins at the start port 16, a variable display game starts, and all of the first to third symbols displayed in the center of the screen are displayed in a variable manner.

  FIG. 21D shows a state where reach has occurred. When the first and second symbols are stopped and the identification information is a combination of the same numbers or characters, reach occurs. At this time, the third symbol is in a variable display.

  Thereafter, the information selection menu displayed at the four corners of the display area is deleted. If the current reach state is the first reach after the player is changed, a comparison information setting reach process is performed (see FIG. 13D). In addition, when the current reach state is the second or subsequent reach after the player is changed, symbol division reach processing is performed (see FIG. 12).

  As described above, in the third embodiment, since the information selection menu related to the gaming machine 1 is always displayed on the screen of the image display device 8, the player always selects the menu from the viewpoint. Information about the gaming machine 1 can be obtained.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the main process performed by the display control device 150 according to the third embodiment, when a reach occurs for the first time after a player change, a comparison information setting reach process is performed. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, when the player is changed, the comparison information setting screen is displayed before the execution of the first variable display game, and the face of the player who sees the comparison information setting screen is displayed. This is different from the third embodiment in that comparison information is generated by photographing. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, only the configuration different from the above-described third embodiment will be described, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart of main processing by the display control apparatus 150 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is performed instead of FIG. 19 in the third embodiment.

  The display control device 150 first determines whether or not a player change command has been received from the game control device 100 (S1101). If the player change command has not been received, the process proceeds to S1103. On the other hand, when a player change command is received, a comparison information setting process is performed (S1102).

  The comparison information setting process (S1102) displays an image (see FIG. 18) for attracting the player's attention in the display area of the image display device 8, and moves the image on the screen. Then, the camera 17 captures the player's face whose viewpoint is aligned with the image, thereby generating comparison information. The player image captured by shooting is stored as comparison information in the RAM 143 of the display control device 150.

  When the comparison information is set, it is then determined whether or not a symbol variation start command has been received from the game control device 100 (S1103). When the symbol variation start command is not received, the process proceeds to S1101 and the main process is continued.

  On the other hand, when the symbol variation start command is received, the variation display game is started. At this time, a random number is extracted by the game control device 100 to determine whether or not a stop symbol and reach have occurred. When these pieces of information are determined, all symbols start to change (S1104). Note that the presence or absence of the stop symbol and reach may be determined after the variation of the symbol starts. In this case, however, the stop symbol must be determined before the first symbol stops, and whether or not reach has occurred must be determined before the second symbol stops.

  When a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of symbol variation, the first symbol and the second symbol are stopped in this order (S1105). Here, it is determined whether or not reach has occurred (S1106). When the first symbol and the second symbol are the same combination of numbers or letters, reach occurs. If the first symbol and the second symbol are combinations of numbers or characters different from each other, the third symbol is stopped without performing the reach process (S1108).

  When reach occurs, symbol division reach processing (see FIG. 12) is performed (S1107). In this case, since the comparison information has already been set, it is possible to perform shooting interruption in the symbol division reach process.

  When the symbol division reach ends and the third symbol fluctuates in the selected mode and a certain time has elapsed, the third symbol stops changing display (S1108). When the 3rd symbol stops changing display, shooting interruption is permitted (S1109), and the menu selection can be made according to the viewpoint when the information selection menu is displayed in the subsequent screen display.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when a player changes, comparison information about a new player is generated before the execution of the variable display game. Thereby, even when a player changes, an image object can be selected immediately, and the shooting function of the player can be utilized more effectively. Moreover, since the information selection menu regarding the gaming machine 1 is always displayed on the screen of the image display device 8, the player can select the menu from the viewpoint even when the break screen is not displayed at any time. And information on the gaming machine 1 can be obtained.

  In the present invention, when the player focuses on the image object displayed on the image display device 8, game result data desired by the player is displayed, or the variation mode of the identification information of the variation display game is changed. Or However, the present invention is not limited to these processes as long as the viewpoint of the player is detected and the display content of the image display device 8 is switched. For example, the background during execution of the variable display game may be changed by the player adjusting the viewpoint to the image object set in the image display device 8.

  FIG. 23 shows a display example of the variable display area of the image display device 8 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The image display device 8 displays a background image (clouds, sun, and mountains are displayed in FIG. 23) on the screen, and the background image is displayed in front of the background display during the execution of the variable display game. A variable display area A in which the first to third symbols are displayed is provided. That is, the left, middle, and right symbols are displayed side by side in the variable display area indicated by the broken line A.

  At this time, if the player determines the viewpoint in the lower left corner of the variable display area A (indicated by a cross in FIG. 23), the left, middle and right symbols are moved to the variable display area B indicated by the broken line B. Continue the variable display game. The fluctuation display area B is an area located at the lower left of the fluctuation display area A, and a position (×) where the player's viewpoint is fixed is located at the center of the fluctuation display area B.

  Note that the position of the X mark may remain the background display, and it is not necessary to enter a special character. That is, in this case, it is the same as setting an invisible image object at the position of the x mark. Also, some character may be displayed at the position of the x mark. In this case, it is the same as setting a visually recognizable image object at the position of the x mark.

  In this way, when the player's viewpoint moves from the center to the lower left, by moving the background screen in accordance with the player's viewpoint, a variable display game can be performed at a position that matches the player's viewpoint. .

  In this embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be other gaming machines such as a coin gaming machine.

  As described above, the gaming machine according to the present invention can be applied to gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines, coin gaming machines, and slot machines.

It is a front view which shows the structure of the whole gaming machine of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view of a center case provided in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the game control device of the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the display control apparatus of the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a state transition diagram of the gaming state of the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of the game control of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process of the game control of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the command transmission process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of the display control of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the comparison information of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of a display of the break mode process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the symbol division | segmentation reach process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a display example of the comparison information setting reach state of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of a display of the symbol division | segmentation reach process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the imaging | photography interruption process of the display control of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a deformation | transformation display example of the comparison information setting reach state of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of the display control of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a display example of the comparison information setting screen of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of the display control of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the imaging | photography interruption process of the display control of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a display example of the image display of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main process of the display control of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a display example of the variable display area of the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 gaming machine 8 image display device 17 CCD camera 27, 28, 29, 30 anticipation notification lamp

Claims (5)

A game display area is provided with an image display device, and a variable display game is executed in which identification information is displayed in a variable manner on the image display device based on establishment of a predetermined start condition, and the variable display game derives a specific result mode. In a gaming machine that generates a special gaming state that gives a gaming value in relation to it,
An image object setting means for setting an image object to be selected by the player in the image display device;
Photographing means for photographing a player image;
Viewpoint identifying means for identifying the player's viewpoint based on the player image photographed by the photographing means;
Image object selection means for selecting an image object where the viewpoint of the player specified by the viewpoint specifying means is located from among the image objects set by the image object setting means;
Display content switching means for switching display contents of the image display device in relation to the image object selected by the image object selection means;
A gaming machine comprising: The identification information variably displayed on the image display device by the execution of the variation display game generates comparison information based on the player image taken when moving within the display area of the image display device,
2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the viewpoint specifying unit specifies a player's viewpoint based on a comparison result between the player image shot by the shooting unit and the generated comparison information. Machine. In the vicinity of the outer edge of the display area of the image display device, an output device that outputs information related to the result of the variable display game is provided.
The comparison information is generated by the player image taken when the output device is operated,
2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the viewpoint specifying unit specifies a player's viewpoint based on a comparison result between the player image shot by the shooting unit and the generated comparison information. Machine.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising index image display means for displaying an index image at a position of a player's viewpoint specified by the viewpoint specifying means. Identification information dividing means for dividing and displaying the identification information displayed during the execution of the variable display game into a plurality of image objects to be selected by the player;
The index image display means displays an index image corresponding to the display position of the image object divided and displayed by the identification information dividing means,
5. The game according to claim 4, wherein the display content switching means displays the identification information in a variation mode corresponding to any one of the plurality of image objects selected by the player. Machine.

Images