JP2006305399A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the amount of storage data necessary for controlling to derivingly display a combination of identification information to be a display result of a variable display at an arbitrary probability. <P>SOLUTION: When determining possible stop signals in a case of determining to produce a next-to-win condition, this game machine determines a next-to-win symbol identical in the right/left symbol based on an extraction value of a random counter (S 75), and determines the center symbol based on the determined next-to-win symbol and a symbol difference determined based on the extraction value of the random counter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a pachinko gaming machine, a coin gaming machine, a slot machine and the like. Specifically, when a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information and deriving a display result is provided, and the display result of the variable display device is a combination of predetermined specific identification information The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to a player.

  What is conventionally known as this type of gaming machine has a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information such as symbols and deriving a display result. In some cases, when the display result is a combination of specific identification information determined in advance, the game can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player such as a big hit state.

  In such a conventional gaming machine, in order to derive and display a combination of identification information that is a display result in variable display with an arbitrary probability, a game control means including a game control microcomputer displays the display result as a display result. For all combinations of identification information that can be performed, data specifying the combination of identification information is stored in advance together with data indicating the appearance probability of each combination of identification information, and when the variable display is performed, all the stored information The scheduled stop symbol was selected and determined from the display results.

  However, as in the conventional case, data of combinations of identification information of all display results is stored in advance, and data indicating the combination of identification information as display results is selected from when the variable display is executed. In this way, the amount of data that must be stored in advance increases. As a result, the game control means has a problem that the amount of stored data for control increases.

  The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to store data necessary for performing control for deriving and displaying a combination of identification information as a display result at the time of variable display with an arbitrary probability. To reduce the amount.

Specific examples of means for solving the problems and their effects

(1) Variable display (variable display, update display, variable display) of a plurality of types of identification information (symbols, etc.), and a plurality of display areas (left, middle and right symbol display areas 91) from which display results can be derived and displayed , 92, 93) and a variable display device (variable display device 8 including a special symbol display unit 9), and the display result of the variable display device is a combination of specific identification information (a jackpot symbol A gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 1) that is controllable in a specific gaming state (a big hit control state, opening of an electric accessory, giving a valuable value (for example, paying out coins), etc.) advantageous to the player when the combination ) And
Reach determination means (FIG. 10, S68) for determining whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is a reach mode;
Identification information selection means (FIG. 10, S66, S75 to S77, S69 to S71) for selecting identification information that is a display result of the variable display device;
A data table (FIG. 6) storing a plurality of types of identification information selection data (design differences) used by the identification information selection means to select identification information;
Numeric data used to determine which identification information selection data to use from among a plurality of types of identification information selection data stored in the data table is updated at a predetermined update timing (every 0.002 seconds, interrupt processing remainder Numerical data updating means (random difference determination R8 for design difference determination) that is updated every hour)
The identification information selecting means includes
Reach formation identification information (consisting of left and right symbols) that forms a reach aspect of the combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device when the reach determination means determines that the reach mode is set. Reach formation identification information selection means (FIG. 10, S75) for selecting a reach pattern);
Based on the reach formation identification information selected by the reach formation identification information selection means and the identification information selection data determined using the data table and the numerical data, identification information other than the reach formation identification information is still present. Non-reach formation identification information selection means (FIG. 10, S76, S77) for selecting identification information (medium symbol) of a display area that has not been selected.

  According to such a configuration, in order to determine which identification information selection data is to be used from among a plurality of types of identification information selection data stored in the data table for the numerical data updated at a predetermined update timing. Therefore, according to the relationship between the numerical data and the selected identification information selection data, the identification information is still selected from the combination of identification information that is the display result when the reach mode is determined. The selection probability of the identification information of the display area that is not set can be arbitrarily set. Thereby, it is possible to perform control for deriving and displaying a combination of identification information that is a display result in variable display in a reach mode with an arbitrary probability. In addition to the selection of reach formation identification information, the identification information of the display area in which the identification information is not yet selected from the combination of identification information that is the display result is selected. It is no longer necessary to prepare data for the combination, and as a result, the amount of stored data required for performing control for deriving and displaying the combination of identification information that is the display result in variable display with an arbitrary probability is reduced. Can do.

(2) further includes reach determination data update means (FIG. 4, random counter R6) for updating numerical data used for determining whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is a reach mode;
The reach determination means determines whether or not to make the variable display mode of the identification information a reach mode based on the numerical data updated by the reach determination data update unit (FIG. 10, S68).

  According to such a configuration, the numerical data updated at a predetermined update timing is used for determining whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is set as the reach mode. According to the association, it is possible to arbitrarily set the probability of whether or not to reach the reach mode.

(3) In the plurality of types of identification information, permutations displayed in variable display are predetermined (FIGS. 5 and 13).
The identification information selection data includes the reach formation identification information (left and right reach symbols) in the combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device, and the identification of the display area in which the identification information is not yet selected. This is data (FIG. 6, symbol difference) indicating the number of permutations between the information (medium symbol).

  According to such a configuration, the identification information selection data is between the reach formation identification information in the combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device and the identification information of the display area in which the identification information is not yet selected. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the relevance of the identification information of the display area where the identification information is not yet selected to the reach formation identification information on the data.

(4) The plurality of types of identification information can be specified by identification information specifying data (symbol position number) given to each of them (FIGS. 5 and 13).
The reach formation identification information selection means selects identification information specifying data (the symbol position number of the left and right reach symbols) that can specify the reach formation identification information (FIGS. 5 and 13),
The non-reach formation identification information selection means performs the predetermined calculation (addition) using the identification information specifying data selected by the reach formation identification information selection means and the identification information selection data, so that the identification is not yet performed. The identification information specifying data of the identification information of the display area in which no information is selected is calculated (S77 in FIG. 10).

  According to such a configuration, the identification information specifying data for specifying the selected reach formation identification information is the selection of the identification information of the display area in which the identification information is not yet selected from the combination of the identification information that is the display result. Since the identification information specifying data is obtained by using a relatively simple process of calculation, the identification information specifying data is still obtained. It is possible to easily perform processing for selecting identification information of a display area in which identification information is not selected.

  (5) The reach formation identification information selection means and the non-reach formation identification information selection means execute selection of identification information only when the reach determination means determines that the reach mode is set (FIG. 10, S68). ~ S78).

  According to such a configuration, selection of identification information is executed only when the reach mode is determined, so that the processing burden for selecting identification information that is a display result can be reduced.

  (6) The identification information selection data includes data (−1 to +2) selected by only one numerical data and data (+3 to +10) selected in common by a plurality of numerical data (FIG. 6). ).

  According to such a configuration, since the identification information selection data includes data selected only by one numerical data and data selected in common by a plurality of numerical data, one identification information selection data is selected. The selection probability of the data selected as the identification information selection data can be easily made unequal based on the selection setting of the number of numerical data to be performed. Furthermore, by providing identification information selection data that is selected in common among a plurality of numerical data, the amount of data used to select identification information can be reduced.

  (7) When the numerical data updated by the numerical data updating unit is determined to be in the reach mode by the reach determination unit (FIG. 6), the determination to be in the reach mode by the reach determination unit In both cases (FIG. 12), it is used for determining the identification information that is the display result (second embodiment).

  According to such a configuration, one numerical value is used to determine the identification information that is the display result, regardless of whether the reach mode is determined or not. Since the numerical data updated by the data updating means is used, the number of numerical data updating means is prevented from increasing by realizing the numerical data updating means by expanding the use target range for the numerical data of the numerical data updating means. Increase in program data necessary for the game machine can be prevented, and as a result, an increase in the amount of program data related to the control of the gaming machine can be prevented.

(8) Reach formation identification information selection data update means (random counter R7) for updating numerical data used for selecting the reach formation identification information;
The reach formation identification information selection means selects the reach formation identification information based on numerical data updated by the reach formation identification information selection data update means (FIG. 10, S75).

  According to such a configuration, the numerical data updated at a predetermined update timing is used for selection of reach formation identification information. Therefore, the numerical data is selected according to the relationship between the numerical data and the selected reach formation identification information. The probability of reach formation identification information can be arbitrarily set.

(9) variable display pattern determination data updating means (random counter R4) for updating numerical data used to determine a variable display pattern (variation pattern) of variable display in the variable display device;
Variable display pattern determining means (FIG. 10, S67, S78, S73, S74) for determining the variable display pattern;
The variable display pattern determining means includes at least numerical data (R4 value) updated by the variable display pattern determining data updating means and numerical data (R7) updated by the reach formation identification information selection data updating means. The variable display pattern is determined based on (value) and the numerical data (value of R8) updated by the numerical data updating means (FIG. 10, S78).

  According to such a configuration, numerical data updated at a predetermined update timing is used for determining a plurality of types of variable display patterns. Therefore, various types of numerical data to be used and variable display patterns to be determined are various. It is possible to arbitrarily set the probability of the variable display pattern to be determined according to the association.

(10) Variable display device (variable display device 8 including special symbol display unit 9) capable of performing variable display (variable display, update display, variable display) of plural types of identification information (symbols, etc.) and deriving display results And when the display result of the variable display device is a predetermined combination of specific identification information (a combination of jackpot symbols), a specific gaming state (a jackpot control state, an A gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 1) that can be controlled for opening, giving valuable value (for example, paying out coins),
Numeric data update means (random counters R2-A to R2-C) for updating the numeric data used for determining the display result at a predetermined update timing (every 0.002 seconds, every interrupt processing surplus time, etc.); ,
Identification information creation means (FIG. 21, S101) for creating in advance a combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device based on the numerical data updated by the numerical data update means;
An attribute discriminating unit (S104 in FIG. 21) for discriminating which of a plurality of predetermined attributes corresponds to a combination of identification information created by the identification information creating unit;
Storage means capable of storing the combination of identification information created by the identification information creation means for each attribute determined by the attribute determination means (attribute 0 data storage area 580 to attribute 0 data storage area 585) (FIG. 17, Off-symbol storage unit 58),
Attribute determining means (FIG. 22, S68a) for determining an attribute of a combination of identification information as a display result of the variable display device;
Variable display pattern determining means (FIG. 22, S67, S78a, S73, S74) for determining a variable display pattern of variable display for deriving a combination of identification information as a display result as a display result;
After selecting the combination of identification information to be the display result from the combination of identification information stored in the storage unit based on the attribute determined by the attribute determination unit (FIG. 22, S69a), the variable display The variable display pattern is determined by the pattern determining means (FIG. 22, S78a, S73, S74).

  According to such a configuration, a combination of identification information is created in advance and stored for each attribute, and when variable display is performed, an attribute of the combination of identification information that is a display result is determined, and the determination is performed. Since the combination of identification information as a display result is selected from the stored combinations of identification information based on the attribute, the method of determining the attribute of the combination of identification information as the display result, and the attribute In accordance with the relationship between the identification information combination and the identification information combination, it is possible to perform control for deriving and displaying the identification information combination as a display result with an arbitrary probability. And since the combination of the identification information is stored in the attribute unit of the combination of the identification information and is selectively used during variable display, it is not necessary to prepare data for all combinations of the display results of the identification information, As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of stored data necessary for performing control for deriving and displaying a combination of identification information that is a display result in variable display with an arbitrary probability.

  (11) The combination of identification information determined as not corresponding to any of the plurality of types of attributes by the attribute determination means is deleted (FIG. 21, S103).

  According to such a configuration, if it is determined that the created combination of identification information does not correspond to any of the multiple types of attributes, the combination of identification information is deleted. Only these combinations can be stored as selection targets for display results in variable display, and useless data storage can be prevented.

  (12) The combination of identification information determined as not corresponding to any of a plurality of types of attributes by the attribute determination means is corrected by a predetermined calculation (modified example of FIG. 21, S103).

  According to such a configuration, if it is determined that the created combination of identification information does not correspond to any of the multiple types of attributes, the combination of identification information is corrected by a predetermined calculation, Only an appropriate combination of identification information can be stored as a display result selection target in variable display, and useless data storage can be prevented. Furthermore, the data once created can be used effectively.

(13) In the plurality of types of identification information, permutations displayed in variable display are predetermined (FIGS. 5 and 13).
The attribute of the combination of identification information discriminated by the attribute discriminating means is whether or not a reach mode is formed (whether it is a reach symbol) and reach formation identification information (left and right reach symbols) forming the reach mode ) And the non-reach formation identification information (medium symbol) other than the reach formation identification information, the attributes are classified according to the number of permutations (design difference) (FIG. 15).

  According to such a configuration, the attribute of the combination of identification information depends on whether or not to form a reach aspect and the number of permutations between the reach formation identification information and the non-reach formation identification information that form the reach aspect. Since the classification attribute is included, the combination of identification information forming the reach mode can be divided and stored by the difference number of permutations between the reach formation identification information and the non-reach formation identification information, and selected as a display result. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily set a method of selecting a symbol difference from a specific combination of identification information when a combination of identification information forming a reach mode is selected as a display result.

(14) attribute determination data update means (random counter R9) for updating numerical data used to determine the attribute of the combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device;
Variable display pattern determination data update means (random counter R4) for updating numerical data used to determine a variable display pattern of variable display in the variable display device;
The attribute determination means determines the attribute based on numerical data (value of R9) updated by the attribute determination data update means (S68a),
The variable display pattern determination means is based on at least numerical data (R4 value) updated by the variable display pattern determination data update means and numerical data (R9 value) updated by the attribute determination data update means. Then, the variable display pattern is determined (FIG. 22, S78a).

  According to such a configuration, the numerical data for determining the attribute of the combination of identification information updated at the predetermined update timing and the numerical data used for determining the variable display pattern are determined as the variable display pattern. Therefore, the determined variable display pattern can be a variable display pattern based on attributes.

  (15) The updating of the numerical data in the numerical data updating means is executed during an interrupt process (timer interrupt process) that is periodically started to control the progress of the game (FIGS. 8, 9, and 19). , FIG. 20).

  According to such a configuration, since the update timing of the numerical data in the numerical data updating means is during interruption processing that is periodically started to control the progress of the game, the numerical data is reliably updated. The randomness of numerical data can be ensured.

  (16) The updating of the numerical data in the numerical data updating means is also executed during the remaining time (main processing in FIGS. 7 and 23) after the interruption process is executed.

  According to such a configuration, the updating of the numerical data in the numerical data updating means is executed even during the surplus time after the execution of the interrupt process, so that the number of updates of the numerical data is increased, and the numerical data is randomly updated. Sex can be further secured.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that 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 and a slot machine. It has a variable display device capable of variably displaying identification information and deriving and displaying the display result, which is advantageous to the player when the display result of the variable display device is a combination of predetermined specific identification information Any gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state is targeted.

First Embodiment First, an overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2a that is framed in a vertically long rectangular shape, and is pivotally supported inside the outer frame 2a so as to be openable and closable. The front frame 2b is provided in an aggregated manner, and the frame-shaped glass door frame 2 is provided by being pivotally supported on the front upper portion of the front frame 2b so as to be opened and closed. A hitting ball supply tray 3 is provided on the lower surface of the glass door frame 2. In the front frame 2b, below the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing the stored balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3, and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the hitting balls. A game board 6 having a game area 7 formed on the front side is detachably provided on the front frame 2b positioned behind the glass door frame 2. The front frame 2b and the glass door frame 2 are pivotally supported at the left end when viewed from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and are opened and closed with the pivot position as an opening / closing axis. The glass door frame 2 is provided with a see-through window through which the game area 7 of the game board 6 can be almost seen through, and a glass plate is mounted from the rear surface of the see-through window.

  In this game area 7, a game ball launched by a ball striking device (ball striking device 34 shown in FIG. 2) in response to operation of the ball striking operation handle 5 is guided and driven by a guide rail 76. The game ball is detected by a driving ball switch 77 constituted by a proximity switch provided at the boundary between the guide rail 76 and the game area 7. The number of game balls detected by the driving ball switch 77 is specified by a game control board 31 described later.

  Near the center of the game area 7, a variable display device 8 including a special symbol display unit 9 made of a liquid crystal display and a normal symbol display unit 3 made of an LED display is provided. The special symbol display unit 9 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, but is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an FED (Field Emission Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), a dot matrix, or a 7-segment LED. ), Other image display type display devices such as electroluminescence and fluorescent display tubes. In addition, the special symbol display unit 9 is not limited to an image display type display device, and is a rotary drum type that rotates and rotates a rotary drum having a plurality of types of symbols drawn on the outer periphery, and a belt having a plurality of types of symbols drawn on the surface. Even if it is a variable display device of other mechanical type (mechanical type driven by an electric drive source) such as a type that rotates and moves a disk on which a plurality of types of patterns are drawn (rotamint) Good.

  The special symbol display unit 9 can variably display (also referred to as update display or variable display) special symbols as a plurality of types of identification information (special identification information) such as numbers, characters other than numbers, figures, patterns, and characters. The normal symbol display unit 3 can variably display normal symbols as a plurality of types of identification information (normal identification information) such as graphics. Here, the character means an image representing a person, an animal, or an object displayed on the variable display device. The identification information variably displayed by the special symbol display unit 9 and the normal symbol display unit 3 may be any identification information as long as the identification information is a number, a character, a figure, a pattern, a character, etc. Only numbers, letters only, figures only, patterns only, characters only, or a combination of these may be used.

  In the special symbol display unit 9, a plurality of (three) display areas 91, 92, 93 that can perform variable display by arranging a plurality of (three) symbols of the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol and display and display the display result. These symbols can be variably displayed by a method such as scrolling. The display area 91 is a display area where variable display of the left symbol is performed, the display area 92 is a display area where variable display of the middle symbol is performed, and the display area 93 is a display area where variable display of the right symbol is performed. The regions are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Here, the case where the display area is fixedly shown is shown as an example. However, the display area is not limited to this, and the display area range is enlarged or reduced as a display area for variably displaying symbols. The position of the display area may be changed. That is, the display area shown here may be any display area as long as the identification information is variably displayed and the display result can be derived and displayed.

  Further, the normal symbol display unit 3 includes a hit indicator 31 capable of lighting and displaying a symbol “O” as a hit symbol, and a miss indicator 32 capable of lighting and displaying a symbol “x” as a miss symbol. The hit indicator 31 and the miss indicator 32 are configured to be lit and displayed by LEDs (light emitting diodes), and are provided side by side at a predetermined distance. In such a normal symbol display unit 3, the hit display 31 and the disparity display 32 are blinked so as to be alternately lit (since they are alternately lit, each display is blinking at a predetermined cycle). As a result, the O and X marks as normal symbols are variably displayed (also referred to as update display or variable display) at predetermined time intervals.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the hit indicator 31 and the off indicator 32 made of LEDs are used in the normal symbol display unit 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other numbers such as a number such as a 7-segment display can be used. What can variably display symbols may be used for the normal symbol display unit 3. In other words, the normal symbol may be any symbol that can be distinguished from the special symbol in some form. Here, an example in which the normal symbol display unit 3 is separated from the special symbol display unit 9 is shown, but the normal symbol display unit is formed by a part of the display area of the liquid crystal display constituting the special symbol display unit 9. It may be configured.

  Further, the variable display device 8 is provided with a start memory display 18 and a gate passing memory display 41 each consisting of four LEDs. The number of winnings to the starting winning opening 14 for starting the variable symbol special display is stored with an upper limit of 4 based on the number of LEDs of the starting memory display 18 that are lit (referred to as starting winning memory). Is displayed. In addition, the number of passing game balls to the pass gate 11 for starting the variable symbol display of the normal symbol is stored with an upper limit of 4 depending on the number of lit LEDs of the gate pass memory display 41 (normally Is displayed).

  A starting ball switch 17 that detects a winning ball (winning ball) that is a winning game ball is provided in the path of the gaming ball that has passed through the starting winning port 14, and the starting ball switch 17 detects the gaming ball. If so, control for turning on the start memory indicator 18 is performed, and control for starting variable display of the special symbol is performed. In addition, a gate switch 12 that detects the game ball that has passed is provided in the path of the game ball that has passed through the pass gate 11, and when the gate switch 12 detects the game ball, the gate pass memory display 41. The control for turning on is performed, and the control for starting the variable display of the normal symbol is performed.

  At the lower position of the variable display device 8, a start winning opening 14 that also serves as a start winning ball device 15 (electric tulip accessory) that is opened and closed by a solenoid (solenoid 16 in FIG. 3), and a solenoid (solenoid 21 in FIG. 3). ) And the variable winning ball apparatus 30 having the large winning opening 20 that is opened and closed by the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing plate 29 is arranged in order from the top. The ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is detected by the start opening switch 17 and then guided to the back of the game board. The ball that has entered the special winning opening 20 is detected by the V count switch 23 or the count switch 22 and then guided to the back of the game board. Of the balls that have entered the variable winning ball device 30 from the big winning opening 20, the balls detected by the V count switch 23 are then guided toward the count switch 22 and detected by the count switch 22. Accordingly, all the balls that have entered from the special winning opening 20 are detected by the count switch 22 as a result.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning openings 19, 24 as normal winning openings. The winning of the game balls to the winning ports 19 and 24 is detected by the winning port switches 19a and 24a, respectively. Since the prize opening switches 19a and 24a are provided corresponding to the plurality of prize winning openings 19 and 24, the winning balls are quickly detected for each of the prize winning openings 19 and 24, respectively.

  Decorative lamps 25 that are lit and displayed during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7. In addition, at the lower part of the game area 7, there is provided an out port 26 for absorbing a hit ball that has not won a prize. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. A game effect LED (not shown) is provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7.

  A game effect lamp 28 a is provided above the game area 7, a game effect lamp 28 b is provided on the left side of the game area 7, and a game effect lamp 28 c is provided on the right side of the game area 7. In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 is provided in the vicinity of the game effect lamp 28b, which is turned on when the prize ball is paid out, and a ball cut lamp 52 is provided in the vicinity of the game effect lamp 28a. ing. Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables a ball rental by inserting a prepaid card. When the remaining amount information is stored in the card inserted into the card unit, the game ball is lent to the player in accordance with the withdrawal of the remaining amount.

  The card unit 50 has a usable display lamp 151 indicating whether or not the card unit 50 is in a usable state, and when a fraction (a number less than 100 yen) remains in the remaining amount information stored in the card, the fraction is indicated as a hitting tray. 3 is a fraction display switch 152 for generating a frequency display LED provided in the vicinity of 3, a connecting table direction indicator 153 indicating which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 corresponds to the card unit 50, a card unit 50, a card insertion display lamp 154 indicating that a card is inserted, a card insertion slot 155 into which a card as a storage medium is inserted, and a card reader / writer mechanism provided on the back surface of the card insertion slot 155 A card unit lock 156 is provided for opening the card unit 50 when checking the card.

  The hit ball (hit ball) launched from the hit ball launcher 34 and entering the game area 7 descends the game area 7. When the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passing gate 11, the normal symbol display unit 3 is variably displayed for a predetermined period based on the detection signal (flashing so as to be alternately turned on as described above), Control is performed so that the display result is derived and displayed (stopping blinking and lighting one of them). When the variable display result of the normal symbol display unit 3 is a display mode predetermined as a winning symbol in the normal symbol, that is, a lighting display of the winning indicator 31 (lighting display of a circle mark), a starting winning ball apparatus 15 is controlled from the closed state to the open state for a predetermined time, so that it becomes easy for the hit ball to win the start winning opening 14. Thereafter, the starting winning ball device 15 is closed.

  When the hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start opening switch 17, the special symbol display unit 9 performs control to start the variable symbol variable display if the variation of the symbol can be started. On the other hand, if the symbol variable display cannot be started, the start winning memory is incremented by one. Each time the variable display on the special symbol display unit 9 is started, the start winning memory is decreased by 1, and the LED to be lit is decreased by 1.

  The special symbol variable display in the special symbol display unit 9 is stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed, and the display result is derived and displayed. When the combination of symbols at the time of stoppage is a combination of big hit symbols (for example, a specific symbol combination such as 777), a big hit gaming state which is a specific gaming state advantageous to the player is generated, and the normal gaming state Is then controlled to shift to the big hit gaming state. In the big hit game state, the opening / closing plate 29 is operated to open the big winning opening 20 that is closed in the normal state until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, ten) of hit balls wins. Control is performed. Then, when the hit ball enters the specific winning area and is detected by the V count switch 23 while the special winning opening 20 is opened, the continuation right is generated and the control for opening the special winning opening 20 is performed again. Generation of such a continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds). Control that repeats the generation of such a continuation right is called repeated continuation control.

  Although illustration is omitted, inside the variable winning ball apparatus 30 (inside the large winning opening 20), a large winning opening guide plate is provided as a seesaw type ball distribution member. This special winning opening guide plate can be switched between a state inclined toward the direction of the V count switch 23 and a state inclined toward the direction opposite to the V count switch 23. The drive is controlled by the solenoid 33. In that case, when the special winning opening 20 is opened once (during one round), the sorting member is inclined toward the V count switch 23 until the V count switch 23 detects one ball. As a result, the ball is easily detected by the V count switch 23, and after the V count switch 23 detects one ball, the sorting member is directed in the opposite direction to the V count switch 23. Thus, the ball is made difficult to be detected by the V count switch 23.

  Further, a reach state (reach display) may occur during variable display of the variable display device 8 (in this case, during update display of the special symbol display unit 9). Here, “reach” includes a variable display device whose display state can be changed, and the variable display device derives and displays a display result of a plurality of identification information at different times, and the plurality of display results are determined in advance. In a gaming machine in which the gaming state is a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the combination of the specific display modes is determined, a part of the display results of the plurality of identification information is not yet derived and displayed In the display state, the display result of the identification information that has already been derived and displayed satisfies the condition for the combination of the specific display modes. In other words, the reach is when the display result of the identification information in the variable display device having a plurality of variable display units whose display states can be changed is a combination of a predetermined specific display mode. A variable display mode in which a combination of the specific display modes is easily displayed at a stage where the display result of the variable display device has not yet been derived and displayed in a gaming machine in which the gaming state is in a specific gaming state advantageous for the player. A display state that makes the player think that it has become. For example, a state in which variable display by the plurality of variable display units is performed while maintaining a state where the combinations of the specific display modes are aligned is also included in the reach display state. In addition, some reach is likely to generate a big hit when it appears compared to a normal reach. Such a specific reach is called super reach.

In addition, the reach state is out of the display condition that becomes the specific display mode even when the display control proceeds after the variable display device is variably started and the display result is reached before the display result is derived and displayed. It also refers to a display mode that does not exist.
The reach state is a display state at the time when the display control of the variable display device progresses and reaches a stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and is determined before the display result is derived and displayed. This also refers to a display state in a case where at least a part of the display results of the plurality of variable display areas that have been satisfied the conditions for the specific display mode.

  The special symbol combination in the special symbol display unit 9 when the variable display is stopped is a combination of jackpot symbols with a probability variation of jackpot occurrence (also called a combination of probability variation symbols), or a big hit separately from the jackpot symbol If a lottery for determining whether or not to change the occurrence probability is displayed on the display unit and the winning is made, the probability of the next big hit becomes high. That is, in such a case, it becomes a more advantageous state for the player in the probability variation state (hereinafter referred to as “probability variation”) as a special gaming state until a predetermined probability variation end condition is satisfied.

  Further, in the probability variation state, the probability that the stop symbol in the normal symbol display unit 3 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and the opening time of the start winning ball apparatus 15 is increased and the number of times of opening is increased (it is opened a plurality of times). Is done. Further, in the probability variation state, time-shortening control (variation time shortening control) is performed in which the time from the update start to the update stop in the special symbol display unit 9 and the normal symbol display unit 3 is shortened.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
On the back surface of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 2, a gaming machine tank 38 is provided above the mechanism board 36, and the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island so that a gaming ball can be seen from above. It is supplied to the game ball tank 38. The game balls in the game ball tank 38 pass through the guide rod 39 and reach the ball dispensing device 97.

  The mechanism panel 36 includes a display control unit 20a including a display control board 80 and a display device for controlling the special symbol display unit 9 and the normal symbol display unit 3, a game control microcomputer covered by the substrate case 32, and the like. Is a game control board 31 (also called main board) 31, game effect lamps 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, award ball lamp 51 and a ball break lamp 52 for sending signals, and control related to sound Power is supplied to the voice control board 70 to be performed, the payout control board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing payout control of prize spheres, etc., and the electric parts and electric parts control boards provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are supplied. A power supply board 910 and the like are installed. Further, a hitting ball launching device 34 that launches a hitting ball into the game area 7 using the rotational force of the motor is installed below the mechanism board 36. Further, a connector 100 for connecting the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 so as to communicate with each other is provided on the lower card unit 50 side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Further, the other end of the harness 55 having one end connected to the connector 100 is connected to a connector 500 provided in the card unit 50.

  In addition, the game ball that has passed through the guide rod 39 passes through the ball break detector 187 and reaches the ball dispensing device 97 via the supply rods 186a and 186b. The game balls paid out from the ball payout device 97 are supplied to the hitting ball supply tray 3 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the connection port. A surplus ball passage communicating with the surplus ball receiving tray 4 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is formed on the side of the communication port. A lot of premium balls based on the winnings are paid out, the hitting ball supply tray 3 is filled, and when the game balls are finally paid out after the game balls reach the contact port, the game balls are passed through the extra ball path and the extra balls. Guided to the tray 4. When the game ball is further paid out, the sensing lever presses the full tank switch 48 and the full tank switch is turned on. In this state, the rotation of the stepping motor in the ball dispensing device 97 is stopped, the operation of the ball dispensing device 97 is stopped, and the driving of the hitting ball launching device 34 is stopped as necessary. In this embodiment, a ball payout device 97 for paying out game balls by rotation of a stepping motor is illustrated as a ball payout device for paying out game balls by driving an electric drive source. A ball payout device having a structure for delivering a game ball may be used, or a ball payout device having a structure in which a stopper is removed by driving of an electric drive source and payout is performed by the weight of the game ball may be used.

  In addition, signals from the prize opening switches 19a and 24a, the start opening switch 17 and the V count switch 23 are sent to the game control board 31 in order to perform prize ball payout control. The CPU 56 of the game control board 31 knows that a winning corresponding to six prize ball payout has occurred when the start port switch 17 is turned on. Further, when the count switch 22 is turned on, it is known that a winning corresponding to 15 prize ball payouts has occurred. When the winning opening switches 19a and 24a are turned on, it is known that a winning corresponding to ten winning ball payouts has occurred. In this embodiment, for example, a game ball won in the winning opening 24 is detected by a winning opening switch 24 a provided in a safe ball flow path from the winning opening 24 and won in the winning opening 19. Is detected by a winning port switch 19 a provided in a safe ball flow path from the winning port 19.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control circuit including various control boards in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In FIG. 3, a game control board 31, a payout control board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, and a display control board 80 are shown as control boards.

  The game control board 31 includes a game control microcomputer 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 12, a start port switch 17, a V count switch 23, a count switch 22, winning port switches 19a and 24a, A switch 148, a ball break switch 187, a ball break detection switch 167, a switch circuit 58 for supplying a signal from the prize ball count 301A to the game control microcomputer, a solenoid 16 for opening and closing the winning ball apparatus 15, and a big prize A solenoid circuit 59 for driving the solenoid 21 for opening and closing the opening / closing plate 29 of the mouth 20 in accordance with a command from the game control microcomputer 53 is provided.

  In addition, the game control board 31 determines the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot and the number of start winning balls used for the variable display start (start) of the special symbol display unit 9 according to the data given from the game control microcomputer 53. It includes an information output circuit 64 that outputs effective start information to be displayed and probability change information to indicate that probability fluctuation has occurred to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

  The game control microcomputer 53 includes a ROM 54 as an example of a storage means for storing a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 as an example of a storage means used as a work memory, a CPU 56 and an I for performing a control operation in accordance with the control program. This is a game control microcomputer including the / O port unit 57. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and RAM 55 are mounted on the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. Note that the CPU 56, the ROM 54, and the RAM 55 may not be integrated into one chip. That is, the ROM 54, the RAM 55, and the I / O port unit 57 may be external or built in. The I / O port unit 57 is a terminal capable of inputting and outputting information in the microcomputer. The game control microcomputer 53 receives signals from various connected switches (detectors), and performs control to drive the connected devices to be controlled.

  Further, the game control board 31 outputs an address for decoding an address signal supplied from the game control microcomputer 53 and outputting a signal for selecting one of the I / O port units 57. A decode circuit 67 is provided. In addition, there is switch information input to the game control board 31 from the ball payout device 97, but these are omitted in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the lamp control microcomputer 350, which is a lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35, includes game effect LEDs 28a28b and 28c, a prize ball lamp 51, a ball-out lamp 52, and a start memory display. 18 and display control of the light emitter such as the gate passing memory display 41 is performed. The configuration of the lamp control microcomputer 350 is the same as that of the game control microcomputer 53 described above.

  Information such as a lamp control command, which is command information for controlling devices controlled by the lamp control board 35, is transmitted from the game control board 31 to the lamp control board 35.

  On the lamp control board 35, the lamp control microcomputer 350 performs control to drive the control target device in accordance with the lamp control command.

  The display control of the special symbol display unit 9 for variably displaying the special symbol and the normal symbol display unit 3 for variably displaying the normal symbol is a display control microcomputer 800 which is a display control means mounted on the display control board 80. Is done by. The configuration of the display control microcomputer 800 is the same as that of the game control microcomputer 53 described above. Information such as a display control command as command information regarding display control of the variable display device 8 is transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. On the display control board 80, the display control microcomputer 800 controls the display of the special symbol display unit 9 and the normal symbol display unit 3 in accordance with the display control command.

  In addition, information such as sound control commands as command information related to sound control such as sound effects output from the speaker 27 by the sound control board 70 is transmitted from the game control board 31 to the sound control board 70. The sound control board 70 is equipped with a sound control microcomputer 700 (sound control means), and this sound control microcomputer controls the sound output from the speaker 27 in accordance with the sound control command. The configuration of the sound control microcomputer 700 is the same as that of the game control microcomputer 53 described above.

  Further, information such as a payout control command as command information relating to payout control of prize balls by the ball payout device 97 driven and controlled by the payout control board 37 is transmitted from the game control board 31 to the payout control board 37. This payout control command is a command for instructing the number of payout balls according to the occurrence of winning balls. The payout control board 37 is equipped with a payout control microcomputer 370 (payout control means), and the payout control microcomputer 370 performs payout control of prize balls according to payout control commands. The configuration of the payout control microcomputer 370 is the same as that of the game control microcomputer 53 described above. In addition, the payout control microcomputer 370 also performs payout control of lending in accordance with a command from the card unit 50 by performing information communication with the card unit 50.

  In this embodiment, the RAM provided on the game control board 31 and the payout control board 37 is backed up by a backup power source. That is, even if the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped, the contents of the RAM are saved for a predetermined period. When the CPU on each control board detects a drop in the power supply voltage, it performs a predetermined process (for example, a process for storing the contents of the RAM) and then waits for power recovery. When the power is turned on, the CPU in each control board restores the state before the power is turned off based on the stored data when the data is stored in the RAM.

  The information transmitted from the game control board 31 (game control microcomputer 53) to each control board includes a control command indicating the content of the control command and an INT signal indicating the timing of fetching the command. Here, the command is composed of 2-byte data, and 1-byte MODE data for instructing the type of the control mode and specific control contents in the control mode instructed by the MODE data are instructed. It is composed of 1-byte EXT data. The game control microcomputer 53 commands the control contents by sequentially transmitting such 2-byte data to each control board as the command destination.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters for generating random numbers used for game control of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 randomly determines whether or not to generate the above-described big hit state based on the count value (random number) of a random counter. The following are typical examples of random counters.

  The random counter R1 is numerical data updating means for randomly determining whether or not to generate a big hit as a specific gaming state based on the display result of the special symbol display unit 9. This R1 counts up from 0, counts up to the upper limit of 249, and then counts up again from 0. This count operation is incremented and updated by one for each timer interrupt process (every 2 msec in this embodiment).

  When a start winning is detected by the start port switch 17, the count value of R1 is extracted accordingly. A determination is made as to whether or not the extracted R1 value matches a predetermined jackpot determination value (for example, 7). When the extracted R1 value matches the big hit determination value, control for generating a big hit is performed. In a normal probability state other than the probability variation state, the jackpot determination value is set to one numerical value, for example. In the probability variation state, the big hit determination value is set to five numerical values, for example. As a result, in the case of the probability variation state, the occurrence probability of the big hit becomes five times that of the normal probability state, and thus the probability of being determined as a big hit is improved. Such a probability variation state is also referred to as a high probability state.

  The random counter R2-1 is numerical data updating means that counts up from 0, counts up to 11 that is the upper limit thereof, and then counts up again from 0. The count value of R2-1 is used to randomly determine the left stop symbol when the deviation is determined, that is, the scheduled stop symbol of the left symbol variably displayed on the special symbol display unit 9. This R2-1 is added and updated by "1" for each timer interrupt process (every 2 msec in the present embodiment), and is added and updated in an infinite loop using the remaining interrupt process time. As will be described later, the CPU 56 performs various controls by executing periodic interrupt processing. However, during the period from the end of the interrupt processing to the start of execution of the next interrupt processing, the CPU 56 is in an interrupt processing waiting state. During the extra time waiting for such interrupt processing, a predetermined random counter addition update process is repeatedly executed using an infinite loop. R2-1 also performs addition processing using this infinite loop.

  The count values 0 to 11 of R2-1 are respectively associated with 12 types of left stop symbols, and are extracted at a predetermined timing (predetermined timing before the start of change) when performing variable display. Then, the symbol corresponding to the extracted count value is determined as the left stop symbol at the time of loss, and is stopped and displayed.

  The random counter R2-2 is numerical data updating means that counts up from 0, counts up to 11 that is the upper limit thereof, and then counts up again from 0. This R2-2 is added and updated by "1" for every carry when R2-1 counts up to the upper limit value 11. The count value of R2-2 is used to randomly determine the middle stop symbol when the deviation is determined, that is, the scheduled stop symbol of the middle symbol variably displayed on the variable display device 8.

  The count values 0 to 11 of R2-2 are respectively associated with 12 types of medium stop symbols, and are extracted at a predetermined timing (timing before the start of fluctuation) when performing variable display. Then, the symbol corresponding to the extracted count value is determined as the middle stop symbol and is stopped and displayed.

  The random counter R2-3 is numerical data updating means that counts up from 0, counts up to 11 that is the upper limit thereof, and then counts up again from 0. The random R2-3 counter is incremented and updated by “1” for every carry of R2-2. The count value of R2-3 is used to randomly determine the right stop symbol when the deviation is determined, that is, the scheduled stop symbol of the right symbol variably displayed on the special symbol display unit 9.

  The count values 0 to 11 of R2-3 are associated with 12 types of right stop symbols, respectively, and are extracted at a predetermined timing (predetermined timing before the start of change) when performing variable display. Then, the symbol corresponding to the extracted count value is determined as the right stop symbol at the time of detachment, and is stopped and displayed.

  The random counter R3 is a numerical data updating unit that counts up from 0, counts up to 11 that is the upper limit thereof, and then counts up again from 0. This R3 is updated by 1 for each timer interrupt process (in this embodiment, every 2 msec). The count value of R3 is used to determine the stop symbol at the time of big hit predetermination (the same stop symbol is left, middle, and right). The count value of R3 is extracted at a predetermined timing (variation start timing). Then, the left, middle and right symbols corresponding to the extracted count value are displayed as a combination of jackpot symbols.

  The random counter R4 is numerical data updating means that counts up from 0 and counts up to 250, which is the upper limit, and then counts up from 0 again. This R4 is incremented and updated by “1” for each timer interrupt process (every 2 msec in the present embodiment), and is incremented and updated in an infinite loop using the remaining interrupt process time. The count value of R4 is used to select and determine the type of variation pattern in variable display such as the type of reach variable display mode for displaying the reach state from among a plurality of types of variation patterns. In the case of this embodiment, the count value of R4 is extracted at a predetermined timing (a predetermined timing before the start of fluctuation). Then, variable display is performed with a variation pattern of a type corresponding to the extracted count value.

  The random counter R5 is numerical data updating means that counts up from 3 and counts up to 13 that is the upper limit thereof, and then counts up again from 3. The count value of R5 is for randomly determining whether or not to generate a normal hit based on the display result of the normal symbol display unit 3. For example, R5 is incremented by 1 for each timer interrupt process (every 2 msec in this embodiment), and when the gate switch 12 detects the passage of the gate, the count value is extracted accordingly. When the gate passage is detected, it is determined whether or not the extracted value of R5 matches the normal hit determination value (for example, “7”). If they match, the normal hit is generated. Control is performed. When the normal hit is determined, the stop symbol (◯) corresponding to the normal hit is determined accordingly, and when the loss is determined, the stop symbol (x) corresponding to the loss is determined.

  The random counter R6 is a numerical data updating unit that counts up from 0, counts up to the upper limit of 23, and then counts up again from 0. This R6 is updated by 1 for each timer interrupt process (every 2 msec in the present embodiment) and is updated by an infinite loop using the remaining interrupt process time. The count value of R6 is extracted at a predetermined timing (predetermined timing before the start of fluctuation) when variable display is performed, and whether or not the reach state is displayed when it is determined that the big hit determination is shifted. Used to determine. When the extracted value of R6 is any one of “3 to 23”, it is determined not to reach the reach state. On the other hand, when the extracted value is any one of “0 to 2”, it is determined to reach the reach state.

  The random counter R7 is a numerical data updating unit that counts up from 0, counts up to 11 that is the upper limit thereof, and then counts up again from 0. This R7 is updated by 1 for each timer interrupt process (every 2 msec in the present embodiment) and is updated by an infinite loop using the remaining interrupt process time. The count value of R7 determines the reach formation symbol (the left and right symbols are the same stop symbol, hereinafter also referred to as the reach symbol) when it is determined that the display in the variable reach display mode is determined by R5. Used to do. The count value of R7 is extracted at a predetermined timing (a predetermined timing before the start of fluctuation). The left and right symbols corresponding to the extracted count value are displayed as a combination of reach symbols.

  R8 is numerical data updating means that counts up from 0, counts up to 23, which is the upper limit, and then counts up again from 0. This R8 is updated by 1 for each timer interrupt process (every 2 msec in the present embodiment) and is updated by an infinite loop using the remaining interrupt process time. The count value of R8 is extracted at a predetermined timing before the start of variable display (predetermined timing before the start of fluctuation), and is determined to be shifted in the jackpot determination, and is determined to be in the reach state by the reach determination. When a symbol is displayed, a symbol difference (for example, the number of differences) indicating a correlation between a reach symbol (for example, left and right symbols) that stops first and a symbol for final stop (for example, middle symbol) is randomly selected. Used to determine. The count value of R8 is extracted at a predetermined timing (predetermined timing before the start of fluctuation) when performing variable display. Then, the scheduled stop symbol of the middle symbol is controlled to be different from the left and right symbols forming the reach by the symbol difference corresponding to the extracted count value.

  Next, the relationship between the values of the random counters R2-1 to R2-3 and the selected left, middle and right symbols will be described. FIG. 5 is a table showing data indicating the relationship between the extracted values of the random counters R2-1 to R2-3 and the selected left, middle, and right symbols in a table format. The ROM 54 of the game control microcomputer 53 described above stores a data table showing the following relationship, which is read out to the RAM 55 and used for determining the stop symbol selection.

  In this embodiment, the types and order of symbols variably displayed as the left, middle and right special symbols are the same for the left, middle and right, and 12 (plural types) “1” to “12”. It is a design. In such 12 symbols “1” to “12”, symbol position numbers 1 to 12 are defined in order. The symbol displayed is specified by the symbol position number. These symbols are scrolled in the order of the symbol position number when the variable is displayed, and when the symbol “12” of symbol position number 12 is displayed, the symbol “1” of symbol position number 1 appears next. It is displayed in the mode. And among these symbols, when the left, middle, and right are all stopped at “7”, for example, the probability variation state occurs. A symbol in such a probability variation state is called a probability variation symbol (probability variation symbol for short). The extracted values “0” to “11” of R2-1 to R2-3 are associated with the symbol position numbers “1” to “12” of the symbols, respectively. The symbol of the corresponding symbol position number is determined in advance as a stop display symbol in variable display.

  Also, the relationship between the value of R3 when determining the jackpot stop symbol described above and the selected jackpot symbol (matched in the left, middle and right symbols), and the value of R7 when determining the reach symbol described above The relationship with the selected reach symbols (matched on the left and right symbols) is the same as the relationship shown in FIG. 5 respectively, and a data table showing such a relationship is stored in the ROM 54 and read into the RAM 55 to be a big hit Used for stop symbol determination and reach symbol determination.

  Next, the relationship between the value of R8 and the selected symbol difference will be described. FIG. 6 is a table showing data indicating the relationship between the extracted value of the random counter R8 and the selected symbol difference in a table format. The ROM 54 of the game control microcomputer 53 described above stores the data (data table) indicating the relationship between the extracted value of R8 and the selected symbol difference shown below, and is read out to the RAM 55 to display the reach state. After that, it is used to select a symbol difference necessary for determining a middle symbol in the case of a shift display result. The symbol difference used here can be shown as a symbol position number difference shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the values of R8 from 0 to 23 are assigned to any of a plurality of symbol differences of −1 to +10. In this example, a relatively small symbol difference such as −1, +1, +2 is set to be selected in a lower ratio than a symbol difference of +3 or more. The symbol difference with the highest selected ratio is a symbol difference of +4 to +8.

  For example, when the left and right symbols are all stopped at “7” to form a reach state, if “+3” is selected as the symbol difference, the scheduled stop symbol for the middle symbol is “10” ( In FIG. 5, when the symbol position number of “7” is calculated by +3, the symbol position number is calculated as “10”, and the symbol difference symbol of +3 is calculated as “10”).

  Next, the control executed by the CPU 56 of the game control microcomputer 53 will be described. First, game control main processing and timer interrupt processing, which are processing for controlling the progress of the game, will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the game control microcomputer 53.

  Referring to FIG. 7, in the main processing, first, in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, execution of the initial setting module determines in advance the setting of the designated address of the stack pointer and the initialization of the built-in device register. The initial setting process is performed.

  Next, the process proceeds to S2, and it is determined whether or not a backup process (a process for storing the contents of the RAM described above) performed when power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped has been performed. If it is determined in S2 that the backup process has been performed, the process proceeds to S3, and the execution of the recovery process module changes the control state of various control means such as the game control board 31 and the display control board 80 to the state when the power supply is stopped. Returned.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S2 that the backup process has not been performed, the process proceeds to S4, and processing for initializing various data such as a counter used for game control is performed by executing the initialization processing module. Further, in this initialization processing module, processing for setting a timer interruption time (for example, 0.002 seconds) for specifying timing for executing an interruption processing described later is performed. As a result, timing for designating the execution timing of the first interrupt process after reset due to power-on or the like is started.

  Next, after proceeding to S5 and interrupt processing is prohibited, a random counter (R2-1 to R2-3, R4, R6, R7) is added and updated during the interrupt waiting time such as a missing symbol, fluctuation pattern, etc., according to S6. , R8) is updated for display random number. After S6, the interrupt process is permitted by S7 and the process returns to S5, and the processes from S5 to S7 are repeatedly executed in an infinite loop. As a result, the update process of the random counter in the interruption process surplus time is repeatedly executed in an infinite loop. This repetitive execution in an infinite loop is paused at the position where the program that constitutes this infinite loop is running, excluding the interrupt-prohibited period, when the timer interrupt process described later is started. When is finished, execution resumes from the position of the paused program.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing executed by the game control microcomputer 53. This timer interrupt process starts every time the timer interrupt timer value managed by the CPU 56 reaches a set value (timer interrupt time set in S4: specifically 0.002 seconds). Is done.

  First, various registers are saved in S11, and then switch processing is executed in S12. In the switch process, the states of the gate switch 12, the start port switch 17, the V count switch 23, the count switch 22 and the like are input, and whether or not there is a winning for each winning port 19, 24, the starting winning port 14, the variable winning ball device 15, etc. Processing to determine whether or not is performed.

  Next, it progresses to S13 and the random number update process for determination is made. This is a process for updating each random counter indicating various random numbers for determination used for game control. Specifically, this is a process of updating the counters R1, R3, and R5.

  Next, it progresses to S14 and the display random number update process is performed. This process is a process for updating the same random counter as the random counter updated in S6 described above.

  Next, it progresses to S15 and special symbol process processing is made. In this special symbol process, one of a plurality of types of processing is selected and executed according to the value of the special symbol process flag. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Determination of whether or not to generate a jackpot using the value of R1 as described above, determination of a special symbol outlier using the values of R2-1 to R2-3, determination of a jackpot symbol using the value of R3 The determination of the variation pattern using the value of R4, the determination of whether or not to reach using the value of R6, the determination of the reach design using the value of R7, the determination of the design difference using the value of R8, This special symbol process is executed.

  Next, the normal symbol process is performed in S16. In this normal symbol process, a process for controlling the normal symbol display unit 3, such as variable display of a normal symbol, is selected and executed according to the normal symbol process flag. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. For example, the normal symbol hit determination using the value of R5 is performed by this normal symbol process.

  Next, it progresses to S17 and a special symbol command control process is performed. This special symbol command control process displays the scheduled stop symbol, the occurrence of the big hit state, the end of the big hit state, the probability fluctuation state, the non-probability fluctuation state, etc., according to the determination of the display control contents in the special symbol process process described above. This is a process in which the game control microcomputer 53 transmits data such as a display control command, which is a command for designating control contents, to the display control board 80 or the like.

  Next, the process proceeds to S18, and the normal symbol command control process is executed. The normal symbol command control process is a process in which the game control microcomputer 53 transmits display control command data for controlling the display of the normal symbol display unit 3 to the display control board 80.

  Next, it progresses to S19 and an information output process is made. This information output process is a process of outputting external output information such as probability variation information, jackpot information, start information, etc. to the outside via the information output circuit 64. Next, it progresses to S20 and a solenoid output process is made. This solenoid output process is a process for outputting a control signal for exciting and controlling the solenoids 16 and 21 to the solenoid circuit 59. Next, it progresses to S21 and a prize ball process is made. This prize ball process is a process for the game control microcomputer 53 to send a prize ball number signal and a prize ball possible signal to the prize ball board 37 and issue a prize ball payout command.

  Next, it progresses to S22 and the test terminal process which outputs a test signal from a predetermined test terminal is made. Thereafter, the process of restoring the register is performed in S23, and the interrupt is permitted in S24. Thereafter, this timer interrupt process is terminated.

  Next, the details of the display random number update process shown in S14 of FIG. 8 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the display random number update processing.

  First, in S31, a process of adding and updating the variation pattern determination counter R4 by +1 is performed. Next, proceeding to S32, it is determined whether or not the value of R4 has exceeded the upper limit value (250). If it is determined in S32 that the upper limit value has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S34 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined by 32 that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S33, and after the process of carrying the R4 value (returning to “0” again) is performed, the process proceeds to S34.

  When the process proceeds to S34, a process for adding and updating the reach determination counter R6 by +1 is performed. Next, proceeding to S35, it is determined whether or not the value of R6 has exceeded the upper limit (23). If it is determined in S35 that the upper limit has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S37, which will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined by 35 that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S36, and after processing for carrying the value of R6 (returning to “0” again) is performed, the process proceeds to S37.

  When the process proceeds to S37, a process of adding and updating the reach symbol determination counter R7 by +1 is performed. Next, proceeding to S38, it is determined whether or not the value of R7 has exceeded the upper limit value (11). If it is determined in S38 that the upper limit value has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S40 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S38 that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S39, and after processing for carrying the value of R7 (returning to “0” again) is performed, the process proceeds to S40.

  When the process proceeds to S40, a process of adding and updating the symbol difference determination counter R8 by +1 is performed. Next, in S41, it is determined whether or not the value of R8 exceeds the upper limit value (23). If it is determined in S41 that the upper limit has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S43, which will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S41 that the upper limit has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S42, and after the process of carrying the value of R8 (returning it back to “0”) is performed, the process proceeds to S43.

  When the process proceeds to S43, a process of adding and updating the counter R2-1 for determining the left-off symbol by +1 is performed. Next, in S44, it is determined whether or not the value of R2-1 exceeds the upper limit value (11). If it is determined in S44 that the upper limit has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S46, which will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S44 that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S45, and after the process of carrying the R2-1 value (returning to “0” again) is performed, the process proceeds to S46. When the process proceeds to S46, it is determined whether or not the carry of R2-1 has been performed in S45. If it is determined in S46 that no carry has been performed, this display random number update process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S46 that the carry has been performed, the process proceeds to S47.

  In S47, a process of adding and updating the counter R2-2 for determining the missed symbols by +1 is performed. Next, in S48, it is determined whether or not the value of R2-2 exceeds the upper limit value (11). If it is determined in S48 that the upper limit value has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S50 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S48 that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S49, and after the process of carrying the value of R2-2 (returning to “0” again) is performed, the process proceeds to S50. When the process proceeds to S50, it is determined whether or not the carry of R2-2 has been performed in S49. If it is determined in S50 that no carry has been performed, this display random number update process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S50 that the carry has been performed, the process proceeds to S51.

  In S51, a process of adding and updating the counter R2-3 for determining the right off-set symbol by +1 is performed. Next, proceeding to S52, it is determined whether or not the value of R2-3 has exceeded the upper limit (11). If it is determined in S52 that the upper limit value has not been exceeded, this display random number update process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S52 that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S53, where the process of updating the value of R2-3 (returning to “0” again) is performed, and then this display random number update process is performed. Ends.

  Next, functions related to jackpot determination, reach determination, stop symbol determination, and variation pattern determination in the timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 8 will be described in one flowchart.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the game control microcomputer 53 for jackpot determination, reach determination, stop symbol determination, and variation pattern determination.

  Referring to FIG. 10, first, in S61, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the start winning memorized number is “0”. If it is determined in S61 that the start winning memory number is “0”, this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S61 that the starting winning memory number is not “0”, the value of R1 stored in the buffer (buffer 0) corresponding to the starting winning memory number = 1 is read in S62, and S63. As a result, the value of the number of stored start winning prizes is decreased by 1, and the stored contents of each buffer (buffers 1 to 3) are shifted. That is, the value such as R1 stored in the buffer area (buffers 1 to 3) corresponding to the start winning memory number = n (n = 2, 3, 4) corresponds to the starting winning memory number = n−1. Stored in the buffer area (buffers 0 to 2).

  In S64, transmission of a start winning memorized number designation command is requested. Here, the start winning memory number designation command is one of the lamp control commands transmitted to the lamp control board 35, and is a command for instructing lighting of a lamp indicating a new starting prize memory number.

  Next, in S65, based on the read value of R1, it is determined (determined) whether the result of the variable display is a big hit or not. When it is determined (determined) that the jackpot is made in S65, the value of R3 is extracted in S66, and the jackpot symbol is selected and determined by the selection method using the data table as described above based on the extracted value. Then, in S67, the value of R4 is extracted, and after the variation pattern at the time of variable display is selected and determined based on the extracted value of R4 and the extracted value of R3 described above, this process ends. Specifically, for each type of jackpot symbol, a plurality of data tables for selecting a variation pattern from the value of R4 are stored in the ROM, and data used for selecting the variation pattern based on the extracted value of R3 A table is selected, and a variation pattern is selected and determined based on the extracted value of R4 using the selected data table.

  On the other hand, when it is determined (determined) to be disengaged in S65, the value of R6 is extracted in S68, and it is determined whether or not to reach based on the extracted value. When it is determined not to reach in S68 (non-reach selection), the values of R2-1, R2-2, and R2-3 are extracted in S69 to S71, and based on the respective extracted values, as described above. The process of selecting and determining the left, middle and right scheduled stop symbols is performed by a selection method using a simple data table. Next, in S72, it is determined whether or not the current state is changing in probability.

  If it is determined in S72 that the probability change is in progress, the process ends after the change pattern in variable display is determined as the off-time shortening change pattern in S73. Here, the loss variation variation pattern means a variation pattern in which the variable display time is shorter than a normal variation pattern described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S72 that the probability change is not in progress, the process ends after the change pattern in variable display is determined to be a normal change pattern in S74. Here, the normal variation pattern refers to a variation pattern that is performed mainly when an out-of-progress display result in a non-stochastic variation state.

  On the other hand, when it is determined to reach at S68 described above (reach selection), the value of R7 is extracted at S75, and the selection method using the data table as described above based on the extracted value. As a result, the type of the reach symbol (the symbol having the same left and right symbols) is selected and determined. Thereby, the scheduled stop symbols of the left and right symbols are determined. Next, in S76, the value of R8 is extracted, and based on the extracted value, the symbol difference is selected and determined by the selection method using the data table as described above.

  Next, in S77, the scheduled stop symbol of the middle symbol is determined based on the reach symbol selected and determined in S75 and the symbol difference selected and determined in S76. Specifically, in S77, the middle symbol corresponding to the symbol position number calculated by adding the symbol difference value to the symbol symbol number of the reach symbol is determined as the scheduled stop symbol of the middle symbol in the variable display.

  Next, in S78, the value of R4 is extracted, and after the variation pattern at the time of variable display is selected and determined based on the extracted value of R4 and the extracted values of R7 and R8 described above, this processing is performed. finish. Specifically, a plurality of types of data tables for selecting a variation pattern from the value of R4 are stored in the ROM for each type of reach symbol. A plurality of types of these data tables are provided corresponding to each reach symbol, and a data table group including a plurality of data tables having different selection modes for each symbol difference (−1 to +10) is provided. In S78, the data table group corresponding to the reach symbol is selected based on the extracted value of R7, and further, the symbol difference selected based on R8 of the selected data table group based on the extracted value of R8. Are selected as a data table used for selecting a variation pattern. Then, a variation pattern is selected and determined based on the extracted value of R4 using the selected data table.

  In FIG. 10, after the reach symbol is determined based on the value of R7 in S75, the symbol difference is determined based on the value of R8 in S76. However, the present invention is not limited to this. After the symbol difference is determined based on, the reach symbol may be determined based on the value of R7.

  Next, processing contents of the special symbol process shown in S16 of FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol process.

  In the special symbol process, after the processes of S310 and S311, any one of S300 to S309 is executed according to the value of the special symbol process flag. Here, the special symbol process flag is a flag that specifies a process to be executed when variable display of each special symbol is executed. By executing the special symbol process, the special symbol variable display is controlled and the control in the big hit state is performed.

  First, the fluctuation shortening timer subtraction process is executed in S310. This variation shortening timer subtraction process is a timer for managing the variation time when special symbol variation time shortening control is performed, and is set for each start winning memory. In S310, a timer is subtracted to manage the variation time in the variation time reduction control. In the special symbol jackpot determination process of S301, which will be described later, for example, the value of the fluctuation shortening timer is “0”, and in the non-stochastic fluctuation state, the start winning memory number is the maximum value (4), and the probability fluctuation In the state, if the start winning memorized number is “2” or more, the variation time shortening control is performed.

  Next, in S311, a start port switch confirmation process is executed. In this start port switch checking process, when the start port switch 17 is turned on, the count value of the random counter R1 for determining the big hit is extracted at that timing, and a special symbol determining bank for starting winning memorization (hereinafter referred to as starting winning prize). The extracted value is stored in a storage buffer. As a result, the start winning memory is made. The start winning memory buffer is composed of four buffers 0 to 3, and a maximum of four start winning memories can be stored by these four buffers. Therefore, when a start winning is detected, if there is a memory in all the buffers, the start winning is invalidated.

  Next, any one of S300 to S309 is executed according to the value of the special symbol process flag.

  In S300, special symbol normal processing is executed. In the special symbol normal process, when there is a start winning memory, the special symbol process flag is updated, and the process can be shifted to the special symbol jackpot determination process.

  In S301, a special symbol jackpot determination process is executed. In the special symbol jackpot determination process, data related to the start winning memory is extracted, and whether or not to win is determined in advance. In the special symbol jackpot determination process, the special symbol process flag is updated, and the process can be shifted to the stop symbol process. That is, in the special symbol jackpot determination process, a process corresponding to S61 to S65 shown in FIG. 10 is executed.

  In S302, a stop symbol setting process is executed. In the stop symbol setting process, a scheduled stop symbol for the left, middle and right special symbols is determined, reach is determined, and the like. In the stop symbol setting process, the special symbol process flag can be updated to shift to the variation pattern setting process. That is, in the stop symbol setting process, processes corresponding to S66, S68 to S71, S75 to S77, etc. shown in FIG. 10 are executed.

  In S303, a variation pattern setting process is executed. In the variation pattern setting process, a variation pattern to be displayed at the time of variable display is set. In the variation pattern setting process, the special symbol process flag can be updated to shift to the special symbol variation process. That is, in the variation pattern setting process, processes corresponding to S67, S78, S72 to S74, etc. shown in FIG. 10 are executed.

  In S304, special symbol variation processing is executed. In the special symbol variation process, the special symbol display unit 9 performs control for starting the variable symbol variable display. At this time, a display control command is transmitted to the display control board 80 by the special symbol command control process of S17 described above. In the special symbol variation process, the special symbol process flag can be updated to shift to the special symbol stop process.

  In S305, a special symbol stop process is executed. In the special symbol stop process, control is performed to stop the special symbol started to vary in the special symbol display unit 9 as a predetermined time (variable display time, variation time) elapses. In the special symbol stop process, when the big hit is determined, the special symbol process flag is updated so as to shift to the pre-opening process for the big winning opening. On the other hand, when the determination is made that the deviation is made, the special symbol process flag is updated so as to shift to the special symbol normal processing.

  In S306, the pre-opening process for the special winning opening is executed. In the pre-opening process for the big prize opening, control for starting the opening of the big prize opening 20 is performed. Further, in the pre-opening process for the big winning opening, in addition to the control for executing the big hit display indicating the occurrence of the big hit, the process for initializing various counters and flags is performed. In the pre-opening process for the special winning opening, the special symbol process flag is updated, and the process can be shifted to the opening process for the special winning opening.

  In S307, a special winning opening opening process is executed. In the big prize opening opening process, a process for confirming the closing condition of the big prize opening 20 being opened, a process for display control of the special symbol display unit 9 in the big hit state, and a round number display of the repeated continuation control For example, processing related to the big hit gaming state is performed. In the special prize opening opening process, when the special prize opening closing condition is satisfied, the special symbol process flag is updated and the process can be shifted to a specific area valid time process to be described later.

  In S308, specific area valid time processing is executed. In the specific area valid time processing, the presence or absence of ball detection in the V count switch 23 is monitored to confirm that the continuation condition for the big hit gaming state is satisfied (generation of the continuation right for carry-over continuation control). Specifically, in the specific area valid time process, if the continuation condition is established within a predetermined valid time and there are still remaining rounds, the special symbol process flag is set so as to shift to the special winning opening open process. Updated. On the other hand, when the continuation condition is not satisfied within the predetermined effective time, or when all the rounds are finished, the special symbol process flag is updated so as to shift to a jackpot end process described later.

  In S309, a big hit end process is executed. In the big hit end process, a display for notifying the player that the big hit gaming state has ended is performed. When this display is completed, the process flag, flag, etc. are returned to the initial state, and the process proceeds to special symbol normal processing.

Next, main effects obtained by the first embodiment will be described together.
The numerical data of the symbol difference determining random counter R8 updated at a predetermined update timing is extracted and stored in the data table shown in FIG. 6 as shown in S76 and S77 of FIG. Since it is used to determine which symbol difference is to be used from among the symbol differences, the reach is determined according to the relationship between the extracted numerical data and the selected symbol difference data (correspondence mode of correspondence). It is possible to arbitrarily set the selection probability of the display result of a medium symbol other than the reach symbol when the determination is made to display the state (the symbol to be finally stopped, the symbol in the display area where the symbol has not yet been selected). it can. Thereby, it is possible to perform control for deriving and displaying a combination of special symbols, which is a display result at the time of variable display in a reach state, with an arbitrary probability. Then, as shown in S76 and S77 of FIG. 10, apart from the selection of reach symbols in S75, medium symbols other than the reach symbols (designs for the display area that has not been selected yet) are selected. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to prepare the data related to the display results for all combinations of display results that can be left, middle, and right special symbols, and as a result, the display results for the variable display can be changed. The amount of stored data required to perform control for deriving and displaying combinations with arbitrary probabilities can be reduced in the memory (ROM 54 and RAM 55).

  Further, as shown in S68 of FIG. 10, whether or not the numerical data of the reach determination random counter R6 updated at a predetermined update timing is extracted to set the special symbol variable display mode to the reach state. Since it is used for the determination, the reach mode according to the relationship between the numerical data extracted as described above and the presence / absence of the selected reach state (relationship between the value of R6 and the not-reach state) It is possible to arbitrarily set the probability of whether or not.

  In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like, the data for selecting a middle symbol other than the reach symbol is a symbol of the reach symbol and the middle symbol other than the reach symbol in the combination of the special symbols as the display result. Since the data indicates the difference (design position number difference), the relevance to the reach design can be easily set on the data for the selected middle design.

  In addition, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 10, a medium symbol other than the reach symbol in the case of selecting the scheduled stop symbol to be in the reach state (the symbol in the combination of symbols as the display result is still selected). The symbol position calculated by selecting a symbol (with no display area) and performing a predetermined operation (adding symbol difference) using the symbol position number data specifying the selected reach symbol and the symbol difference data. Since the processing is performed based on the number data, the middle symbol data is obtained by using a relatively simple process called calculation, and therefore the processing for selecting the middle symbol other than the reach symbol can be easily performed.

  Further, as shown in S68 to S78 of FIG. 10, the process for selecting the reach symbol and selecting the middle symbol is executed only when it is determined that the reach state is set in S68. It is possible to reduce the processing load for selecting a combination of symbols to be a display result.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the data of the symbol difference in the data table of FIG. 6 is data (−1 to +2) selected only with one extracted value data, and a plurality (two) of numerical data. Select data selected as symbol difference data based on the selection setting of the number of R8 extracted values for selecting each symbol difference data. Probabilities can easily be unequal. Furthermore, by providing data (+3 to +10) that are selected in common among a plurality of numerical data, the amount of data used to select a symbol (design difference) can be reduced.

  Further, as shown in S75 of FIG. 10, since the numerical data of the reach design determination random counter R7 updated at a predetermined update timing is extracted and used for selection of the reach design, the extraction as described above is performed. The probability of the selected reach symbol is arbitrarily set according to the relationship between the numerical data to be selected and the selected reach symbol (the mode of correlation between the R7 value and the selected reach symbol) Is possible.

  Further, as shown in S78 of FIG. 10, numerical data updated at a predetermined update timing is extracted and used for determining a variation pattern by extracting a plurality of types (R4 value, R7 value, R8 value). Various relations between a plurality of types of numerical data extracted as described above and the determined variation pattern (an aspect of relation relation between the value of R7 and the selected data table group, the value of R8, and The probability of the variation pattern to be determined is arbitrarily set according to the manner of associating the correspondence relationship with the selected data table and the manner of associating the correspondence relationship between the value of R4 and the variation pattern selected from the data table) It becomes possible to set.

  As described with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, the numerical data in the random counter is updated during interrupt processing that is periodically started to control the progress of the game. Therefore, the randomness of the extracted numerical data can be ensured.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7, the update of numerical data in the random counter is executed in the main process during the interrupt processing surplus time after executing the interrupt process, so that the number of updates of the numerical data increases. In addition, the randomness of the extracted numerical data can be further secured.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, a random counter R2-2 dedicated to determining a middle symbol at the time of failure that does not become reach is provided in order to determine a failure symbol that does not become reach as a scheduled stop symbol, and based on the extraction of R2-2. An example of determining a scheduled stop symbol of a symbol was shown. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the random counter R2-2 is not provided, and the random counter R8 for determining the symbol difference is also used for determining the middle symbol at the time of detachment that does not reach. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing, in a tabular form, data indicating the relationship between the extracted value of the random counter R8 and the selected middle symbol according to the second embodiment. The ROM 54 of the gaming control microcomputer 53 described above stores data (data table) indicating the relationship between the extracted value of R8 shown below and the selected middle symbol, and is read out to the RAM 55 to indicate the reach state. It is used to determine the middle symbol when it is not displayed but results in a shift display.

  Referring to FIG. 12, two values of 0 to 23 of R8 are assigned to each of the middle symbols 1 to 12 (for example, “1” for R8 is “0”, “ 1 ”is assigned). Therefore, in this example, all the middle symbols 1 to 12 are selected with the same probability.

  In the case of the second embodiment, instead of S70 in FIG. 10 described above, R8 is extracted, and using the data table shown in FIG. 12, the process of selecting and determining the middle symbol based on the extracted value is performed. Provided.

  In the case of such a second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. First, the effect obtained from the configuration common to the first embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment described above.

  Further, in the case of the second embodiment, the display result of the special symbol is displayed regardless of whether the R8 is used, that is, whether the reach state is determined or not. Since R8 is used for the determination, it is necessary to prevent the increase of the number of random counters by expanding the range of use of the numerical data of the random counter R8 and to realize the random counter by the control program (software). An increase in the game control program data can be prevented, and as a result, an increase in the amount of program data related to the control of the gaming machine can be prevented.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, for a plurality of types of special symbols that can be displayed, an example is shown in which there is a correlation between the meaning of symbols (the magnitude of numerical values) and the arrangement order. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of types of symbols having no correlation between the meaning of symbols and the order of arrangement may be used as special symbols. An example of such a special symbol is shown as a third embodiment. In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 13 is a table showing data showing the relationship between the extracted values of the random counters R2-1 to R2-3 and the selected left, middle, and right symbols according to the third embodiment. The ROM 54 of the game control microcomputer 53 described above stores a data table showing the following relationship, which is read out to the RAM 55 and used for determining the stop symbol selection.

  In the third embodiment, the types and order of symbols variably displayed as the left, middle, and right special symbols are the same for the left, middle, and right, and “blue 7” to “bell” 12 (plural It is a symbol of type. The twelve symbols are actually symbols showing a graphic, but here, for convenience of explanation, the graphic will be described with characters. For example, “blue 7” is a figure indicating a blue 7-shaped number, and “bell” is a figure in the shape of a bell. In such 12 symbols, symbol position numbers 1 to 12 are set in order. The symbol displayed is specified by the symbol position number. These symbols are scrolled and displayed in the order of symbol numbers during the variable display. When symbol “bell” of symbol position number 12 is displayed, symbol “blue 7” of symbol position number 1 is displayed next. The Then, if the left, middle, and right of these symbols are all stopped at “red 7”, for example, the probability variation state occurs. A symbol in such a probability variation state is called a probability variation symbol (probability variation symbol for short). The extracted values “0” to “11” of R2-1 to R2-3 are associated with the symbol position numbers “1” to “12” of the symbols, respectively. The symbol of the corresponding symbol position number is determined in advance as a stop display symbol in variable display.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of types of scheduled stop symbols that are out of date are created, and when variable display is performed, a scheduled stop symbol to be displayed as a display result is selected from the created scheduled stop symbols. An example will be described.

  This fourth embodiment has the same structure and control circuit configuration as the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in the first embodiment, but differs in control contents. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters for generating random numbers used for game control of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

  In FIG. 14, random counters of R1, R2-A, R2-B, R2-C, R3, R4, R5, and R9 are shown. Of the random counters shown in FIG. 14, the ones different from those shown in FIG. 4 are four counters R2-A, R2-B, R2-C, and R9.

  R2-A, R2-B, and R2-C are random counters that perform counting operations in the same count range and the same timing as R2-1, R2-2, and R2-3, respectively. It is numerical data update means used for pre-creation of stop symbols. The relationship between the extracted values of R2-A, R2-B, and R2-C and the left, middle, and right symbols created is the same as the extracted values of R2-1, R2-2, and R2-3 shown in FIG. This is the same as the relationship with the left, middle, and right symbols.

  In the case of the fourth embodiment, in the case where it is determined in advance that the variable display result is out of place, every time a winning prize is generated, selection determination is not performed using the value of the random counter for each symbol. , R2-A, R2-B, R2-C values are extracted each time the above-described interrupt processing is executed, and a plurality of combinations of left, middle, and right stop symbols are created in advance based on the extracted values. When a start prize is generated, the combination of symbols created and stored at that stage is selected and read out and used as a scheduled stop symbol in variable display.

  R9 is numerical data updating means that counts up from 0, counts up to 255, which is the upper limit, and then counts up again from 0. This R9 is incremented by one for each timer interrupt process (every 2 msec in the present embodiment), and is incremented and updated in an infinite loop using the remaining interrupt process time. That is, R9 is updated in the display random number update process in both the main process and the timer interrupt process. The count value of R9 is extracted at a predetermined timing (predetermined timing before the start of fluctuation) when variable display is performed, and when it is determined that the shift is determined in the jackpot determination, the attribute of the shift symbol is determined. Used.

  The combination of the previously created symbols (hereinafter referred to as the created symbols) is given one of the attribute values of a plurality of attribute values by a predetermined attribute value assigning method. Each combination of created symbols is stored. Then, a combination of created symbols having the same attribute value as the attribute value determined by the count value of R9 is selected as the scheduled stop symbol in the variable display.

  Next, the relationship between a combination of created symbols created in advance and an attribute value will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing data indicating the relationship between a combination of created symbols and attribute values in a tabular format. The ROM 54 of the game control microcomputer 53 described above stores a data table showing the following relationship, which is read out to the RAM 55 and used for determining the attribute of the combination of created symbols.

  Referring to FIG. 15, a plurality of attribute values “0” to “5” are provided. When the combination of the created symbols is a reach symbol and the symbol position number of the middle symbol is the symbol position number +11 with respect to the symbol position number of the reach symbol, the attribute value is “5”. An example of the symbol with the attribute value “5” is “7, 6, 7” for the left, middle, and right symbols. When the combination of the created symbols is a reach symbol and the symbol position number of the middle symbol is the symbol position number +10 with respect to the symbol position number of the reach symbol, the attribute value is “4”. An example of the symbol with the attribute value “4” is “7, 5, 7” for the left, middle, and right symbols. When the combination of the created symbols is a reach symbol and the symbol position number of the middle symbol is a symbol position number +2 to +9 with respect to the symbol position number of the reach symbol, the attribute value is “3”. An example of the symbol with the attribute value “3” is “7, 9, 7” for the left, middle and right symbols. When the combination of the created symbols is a reach symbol and the symbol position number of the middle symbol is symbol position number +1 with respect to the symbol position number of the reach symbol, the attribute value is “2”. An example of the symbol with the attribute value “2” is “7, 8, 7” for the left, middle and right symbols. When the combination of the created symbols is a non-reach symbol and the symbol position number of the right symbol is symbol position number +1 with respect to the symbol position number of the middle symbol, the attribute value is “1”. An example of the symbol with the attribute value “1” is “3, 3, 4” for the left, middle, and right symbols. If the created symbol combination is a complete loss as a symbol combination that does not correspond to any of the attribute values “1” to “5”, the attribute value is “0”. An example of a symbol with the attribute value “0” is “2, 5, 1” for the left, middle, and right symbols.

  In this way, the attributes of the created symbol are classified according to whether or not it is a reach symbol and the symbol difference between the reach formation symbol (left, middle reach symbol) and the reach formation non-reach symbol (middle symbol). Attribute. When the created symbol is a reach symbol, it can be said that the attributes are classified according to the reach of the reach symbol (the likelihood of the jackpot symbol).

  Next, a description will be given of a procedure of attribute determination processing for a combination of created symbols executed by the game control microcomputer 53. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of attribute determination processing for a combination of created symbols, using a data table for determination.

  Referring to FIG. 16, the attribute determination of the combination of the created symbols is for checking which symbol is the left symbol check table 8a for checking which symbol is the left symbol, and which symbol is the middle symbol. A middle symbol check table 8b and a right symbol check table 8c for checking which symbol is the right symbol are used. Each of the left symbol check table 8a, the middle symbol check table 8b, and the right symbol check table 8c stores data specifying all symbols set as scheduled stop symbols (hereinafter referred to as symbol specifying data). It is possible to check which design specific data the combination of the created symbols corresponds to.

  When a symbol is created in the interrupt process, first, it is checked using the left symbol check table 8a which symbol is the left symbol in the created symbol combination. Subsequently, it is checked using the right symbol check table 8c which symbol is the right symbol in the created symbol combination. For example, if the left symbol checked using the left symbol check table 8a matches the right symbol checked using the right symbol check table 8c, it can be determined that the left and right symbols are reach formation symbols. .

  Next, it is checked using the middle symbol check table 8b which symbol is the middle symbol in the created symbol combination. Thereby, for example, the symbol position number difference of the right symbol relative to the middle symbol, the symbol position number difference of the middle symbol relative to the reach symbol, etc. can be checked. The value can be determined. As a result of such attribute value discrimination, if the combination of the created symbols is not a combination of outlier symbols but a combination of jackpot symbols, the created symbol combination is deleted. This is because in the case of this embodiment, the combination of jackpot symbols is determined at the time of variable display using R3.

  Next, the storage mode of the combination of created symbols will be described. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a storage mode of a combination of created symbols. Referring to FIG. 17, RAM 55 is provided with a detachable symbol storage unit 58 as a storage area for storing a combination of created symbols (combination of detachable symbols). Then, the off-set symbol storage unit 58 stores an attribute value 0 data storage area 580 for storing (storing) a combination of a created symbol having an attribute value 0, and attribute value 1 data for storing (storing) a combination of a created symbol having an attribute value 1 A storage area 581, an attribute value 2 data storage area 582 that stores (stores) a combination of created symbols of attribute value 2, an attribute value 3 data storage area 583 that stores (stores) a combination of created symbols of attribute value 3, and an attribute value An attribute value 1 data storage area 584 for storing (storing) a combination of four created symbols, and an attribute value 5 data storage area 585 for storing (storing) a combination of created symbols of attribute value 5 are provided as storage areas. Yes.

  The combination of the created symbols is stored (stored) in the storage area of the corresponding attribute value among the attribute value 0 data storage area 580 to the attribute value 5 data storage area 585 after the attribute is determined by the attribute determination processing described above. The In the case of this embodiment, the number of combinations of created symbols stored in one data storage area is one, and the data of the attribute value corresponding to the data of the combination of created symbols obtained in accordance with the execution of the interrupt process When newly stored in the area, the data of the combination of the created symbols stored so far is deleted. That is, in each of the attribute value 0 data storage area 580 to the attribute value 5 data storage area 585, the combination of the created symbols is overwritten as storage data.

  In addition, when an initial value of a created symbol corresponding to each attribute value is provided and stored in the ROM in advance, when there is no created symbol data corresponding to each attribute value, such as when a pachinko machine is turned on These initial values may be stored (stored) in each of the attribute value 0 data storage area 580 to the attribute value 5 data storage area 585. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a problem that a created symbol corresponding to the attribute value is not stored immediately after power-on. In addition, when the created symbol corresponding to the attribute value is not stored normally due to a data defect in the stored data, etc., the created symbol corresponding to the attribute value does not exist by reading out and using the initial value described above instead. Can be prevented from occurring.

  Next, the relationship between the value of the random symbol R9 for determining the off symbol attribute and the selected attribute value will be described. FIG. 18 is a table showing data indicating the relationship between the extracted value of the random counter R9 for determining the off symbol attribute and the attribute value to be selected. The ROM 54 of the game control microcomputer 53 described above stores data (data table) indicating the relationship between the extracted value of R9 and the selected attribute value shown below, and is read out to the RAM 55 for variable display. Used to select the scheduled stop symbol that will be the display result.

  Referring to FIG. 18, the values of R9 from 0 to 256 are assigned to correspond to any of attribute values 0 to 5. For example, when the value of R9 is 0 to 230, the attribute value “0” is selected. When the value of R9 is 231, the attribute value “1” is selected. When the value of R9 is 232 to 235, the attribute value “2” is selected. When the value of R9 is 236 to 250, the attribute value “3” is selected. When the value of R9 is 251 to 253, the attribute value “4” is selected. When the value of R9 is 254 to 256, the attribute value “5” is selected. In this example, the attribute value that is most easily selected is “0”, and the attribute value that is most difficult to be selected is “2”.

  Next, timer interrupt processing executed by the game control microcomputer 53 will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by the game control microcomputer 53 according to the fourth embodiment. The processing steps of the timer interrupt process in FIG. 19 are different from those in FIG. 8 in that a symbol creation process (S14a) is executed between S14 and S15. Furthermore, in addition to the processing content of the display random number update process (S14), the processing content related to reach determination, stop symbol determination, and variation pattern determination is also partially different.

  The symbol creation process executed by S14a creates left, middle, and right scheduled stop symbols using the extracted values of R2-A to R2-C in the above-described procedure in the timer interrupt process, and creates combination symbol data Is a process for allocating storage areas by attribute values and storing them in the symbol storage unit 56.

  Next, the processing content of the display random number update processing shown in S14 of FIG. 20 will be described in detail. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the contents of the display random number update process according to the fourth embodiment.

  First, in S31, a process of adding and updating the variation pattern determination counter R4 by +1 is performed. Next, proceeding to S32, it is determined whether or not the value of R4 has exceeded the upper limit value (250). If it is determined in S32 that the upper limit has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S34a described later. On the other hand, if it is determined by 32 that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S33, and after the process of carrying the R4 value (returning to “0” again) is performed, the process proceeds to S34a.

  When the process proceeds to S34a, a process of adding and updating the off symbol attribute determination counter R9 by +1 is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S35a, and it is determined whether or not the value of R9 exceeds the upper limit value (255). If it is determined in S35a that the upper limit has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S43a described later. On the other hand, if it is determined by 35a that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S36a, and after processing for carrying the value of R9 (returning to “0” again) is performed, the process proceeds to S43a.

  When the process proceeds to S43a, the left symbol creation counter R2-A is added and updated by +1. Next, the process proceeds to S44a, where it is determined whether or not the value of R2-A exceeds the upper limit value (11). If it is determined in S44a that the upper limit has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S46a described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S44a that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S45a, and after the process of carrying the value of R2-A (returning to “0” again) is performed, the process proceeds to S46a. When the process proceeds to S46a, it is determined whether or not the carry of R2-A has been performed in S45a. If it is determined in S46a that no carry has been performed, this display random number update process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S46a that the carry has been performed, the process proceeds to S47a.

  In S47a, a process of adding and updating the counter R2-B for determining out-of-order symbols by +1 is performed. Next, proceeding to S48a, it is determined whether or not the value of R2-B has exceeded the upper limit value (11). If it is determined in S48a that the upper limit has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to S50a described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S48a that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S49a, and after the process of carrying the R2-B value (returning to “0” again) is performed, the process proceeds to S50a. When the process proceeds to S50a, it is determined whether or not the carry of R2-B has been performed by S49a. If it is determined in S50a that no carry has been performed, this display random number update process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S50a that the carry has been performed, the process proceeds to S51a.

  In S51a, a process of adding and updating the counter R2-C for determining the right off-set symbol by +1 is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S52a, and it is determined whether or not the value of R2-C exceeds the upper limit value (11). If it is determined in S52a that the upper limit value has not been exceeded, this display random number update process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S52a that the upper limit value has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S53a, and after the process of carrying the R2-C value (returning to “0” again) is performed, this display random number update process Ends.

  Next, the symbol creation process, which is a process of creating and storing the left, middle and right symbols in advance every time the timer interrupt process is executed, will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the symbol creation processing according to the fourth embodiment. This symbol creation process is a process separate from the special symbol process (S15 in FIG. 19) in which the game control microcomputer 53 performs display control from the variable variable start to the derivation of the display result in the timer interrupt process (S15 in FIG. 19). This is the process performed in S14a).

  Referring to FIG. 21, the symbol creation process is executed every time the timer interrupt process is executed. First, in S101, a combination of left, middle, and right symbols is created. Specifically, in S101, a count value is extracted from each of R2-A, R2-B, and R2-C, and the left, middle, and right are determined based on the relationship between the extracted value and the left, middle, and right symbols as described above. , Create data indicating the scheduled stop symbol on the right.

  Then, the process proceeds to S102, where it is determined whether or not the symbol created in S101 is a jackpot symbol combination. If it is determined in S101 that the combination is a big hit symbol, the process proceeds to S103, and processing for deleting the big hit symbol combination data created in S101 is performed. Thereafter, the symbol creation process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S101 that the combination is not a jackpot symbol (is a missing symbol), the process proceeds to S104, and the attribute determination process described with reference to FIG. 16 is used to use the data table shown in FIG. Processing for determining the attribute value of the combination of the created symbols is performed.

  Next, the process proceeds to S105, in which the combined symbol combination data is distributed and stored in the attribute value 0 data storage area 560 to the attribute value 5 data storage area 565 in the loss symbol storage unit 56 based on the attribute value. Made. Thereafter, the symbol creation process ends.

  In this way, in the created symbol combination data, only the missing symbol combination is stored separately for each attribute value. The combination of outlier symbols includes both reach symbols and non-reach symbols as described above.

  In the symbol creation process as described above, the data used for the left, middle, and right scheduled stop symbols when variable display is performed is created each time the timer interrupt process is executed, regardless of whether there is a start prize. And updated and stored.

  FIG. 21 shows an example in which the data of the symbol is deleted when the combination of the created symbols is a combination of jackpot symbols. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the combination of the created symbols is a combination of jackpot symbols. In such a case, correction processing (for example, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. of a predetermined value) is performed by shifting the symbol position number of any of the symbols of the left, middle, and right symbols. Etc.) may be performed.

  Next, functions related to jackpot determination, reach determination, stop symbol determination, and variation pattern determination in the timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 19 will be described in one flowchart.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the game control microcomputer 53 regarding jackpot determination, reach determination, stop symbol determination, and variation pattern determination according to the fourth embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 22, the same processing as S61 to S67 shown in FIG. 10 described above is executed in S61 to S67. Here, the description of S61 to S67 will not be repeated in order to avoid the description of duplicate processing contents.

  If it is determined (determined) that it is out of place in S65, the value of R9 is extracted in S68a, and the attribute value of the out symbol is determined using the data table of FIG. 18 based on the extracted value. And according to the attribute value determined by S68a, the process which determines the plan stop symbol used as a variable display result from the combination of the creation symbols stored in the loss symbol memory | storage part 65 is made. Specifically, in S69a, the combination symbol combination data stored as the attribute value data matching the attribute value determined in S68a is read, and the failure symbol specified by the data is determined as the scheduled stop symbol.

  Next, in S70a, it is determined whether or not the reach stop symbol (left and right symbols with the same symbol) is included in the scheduled stop symbol determined in S69a. If it is determined in S70a that the reach formation symbol is not included, that is, if the reach state is not set (non-reach selection), the process proceeds to S72, and the same processes as S72 to S74 shown in FIG. 8 are performed. As a result, an off-time shortened variation pattern or a normal variation pattern is determined as a variation pattern depending on whether or not the current state is in a probability variation.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S70a that the reach formation symbol is included, that is, when the reach state is set (reach selection), the value of R4 is extracted by S78a, and the extracted value of R4 and After the change pattern for variable display is selected and determined based on the extracted value of R9 described above, this process ends. Specifically, for each attribute value of the combination of created symbols, a data table for selecting a variation pattern from the value of R4 is stored in a plurality of types of ROMs. The plurality of types of data tables are set to have different selection modes so that the variation patterns can be selected in different selection modes for each attribute value. In S78a, a data table corresponding to the reach symbol is selected based on the extracted value of R9, and a variation pattern is selected and determined from the extracted value of R4 using the selected data table. Thereafter, this process ends.

Next, main effects obtained by the fourth embodiment will be described together.
As shown in S105 of FIG. 21, a special symbol combination that will be a variable display display result is created in advance and stored separately for each attribute value in the symbol storage unit 58. When variable display is performed, S68a As shown in FIG. 4, the attribute value of the combination of outlier symbols that becomes the display result is determined, and based on the determined attribute value, the display result is selected from the combinations of outlier symbols stored in the outlier symbol storage unit 58. Since the combination of symbols is selected, how to determine the attribute value of the combination of symbols that is the display result, and the relationship between the attribute value and the combination of the special symbol (the attribute value and the classification content of the symbol In accordance with the correspondence relationship), it is possible to perform control for deriving and displaying a special symbol combination as a display result with an arbitrary probability. Since special symbol combinations are created and stored in units of special symbol combinations and selectively used for variable display, it is not necessary to prepare data for all combinations of special symbol display results. As a result, the memory data (ROM 54 and RAM 55) can be reduced in memory (ROM 54 and RAM 55) required for performing control for deriving and displaying the combination of special symbols that are the display results in variable display.

  Also, as shown in S103 of FIG. 21, if the generated symbol combination is determined to be a jackpot symbol that does not correspond to (does not belong to) any attribute value among a plurality of types of attribute values, the symbol combination Since this data is deleted, it is possible to store only combinations of symbols that are appropriate as missing symbols as selection targets for display results at the time of variable display, and it is possible to prevent storing unnecessary data.

  Also, as described above as a modification of S103 in FIG. 21, if the combination of the created symbols is determined to be a jackpot symbol that does not correspond to (does not belong to) any attribute value among a plurality of types of attribute values, Since the jackpot symbol combination is corrected to a missing symbol combination by a predetermined calculation so that it belongs to the attribute value, only the appropriate symbol combination as a missing symbol is stored as a display result selection target in variable display. It is possible to prevent unnecessary data from being stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the attribute of the combination of the created symbols is classified by whether or not it is a reach symbol and the symbol difference between the left and right reach symbols and the middle symbol that form the reach mode. Since a combination of created symbols including reach symbols can be stored by selecting the difference between the symbols for reach symbols and stored as a display result, a combination of symbols including a reach symbol is selected as a display result. In this case, it is possible to arbitrarily set a method of selecting a symbol difference with respect to the jackpot symbol (a ruggedness with respect to the jackpot).

  Further, as shown in S78a of FIG. 22, numerical data (value of R9) for determining the attribute of the combination of symbols updated at a predetermined update timing, and numerical values used for determining the variable display pattern Since the data (R4 value) is used to determine the variable display pattern, the variable display pattern to be determined can be a variable display pattern based on the attribute.

  Further, since the numerical data updated at a predetermined update timing is extracted in plural types (R4 value, R9 value) and used to determine the variable display pattern, the plural types of numerical data extracted as described above are used. And various variable display patterns to be determined (relationships between R9 values and selected data tables, relations between R4 values and variation patterns selected from the data tables) It is possible to arbitrarily set the probability of the variation pattern to be determined according to the mode of association).

  As described with reference to FIGS. 14, 19, and 20, the numerical data in the random counter is updated during interruption processing that is periodically started to control the progress of the game. Therefore, the randomness of the extracted numerical data can be ensured.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 7, the update of numerical data in the random counter is executed in the main process during the interrupt processing surplus time after executing the interrupt process, so the number of updates of the numerical data increases. In addition, the randomness of the extracted numerical data can be further secured.

Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described. This fifth embodiment has the same structure and control circuit configuration as the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in the fourth embodiment, and the processing contents of main processing and timer interrupt processing that are processing for controlling the progress of the game. Are different. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the game control microcomputer 53 according to the fifth embodiment. In the main process, first, the same processes as S1 to S4 shown in FIG. 7 are executed in steps S401 to S404. After the initialization processing module is executed in S404, the loop processing in S405 to S417 is repeatedly executed.

  In the loop processing, first, interrupt processing is prohibited (set to disable interrupt) in S405, and then input information (switch input in the switch processing) stored in the timer interrupt processing switch processing described later in S406. Information) is read out and set (stored) in the RAM work area. Then, after the display random number update process having the same processing contents as S6 shown in FIG. 7 is executed, the interrupt process is permitted in S408. Thereafter, with the same processing contents as the processes shown in S14a to S22 of FIG. 19, the symbol creation process (S409), the special symbol process (S410), the normal symbol process (S411), and the special symbol command control process (S412), normal symbol command control processing (S413), information output processing (S414), solenoid output processing (S415), prize ball processing (S416), and test terminal processing (S417) are executed. In S410 to S415, various processes are executed with reference to the switch input information set in the RAM area set in S406.

  After execution of the test terminal process (S417), the process returns to S405 described above, and the process described above is repeated. This repetitive execution in an infinite loop is paused at the position where the program that constitutes this infinite loop is running, excluding the interrupt-prohibited period, when the timer interrupt process described later is started. When is finished, execution resumes from the position of the paused program.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing executed by the game control microcomputer 53 according to the fifth embodiment. This timer interrupt processing is started every time the timer interrupt timer managed by the CPU 56 reaches a set value (timer interrupt time set in S404: specifically 0.002 seconds). Is done.

  The processing contents similar to those shown in S11 to S14 of FIG. 19, register saving (S501), switch processing (S502), determination random number update processing (S503), display random number update processing (S504). Is executed. In the switch processing, in accordance with input signals from various switches (all detection means), various types of switch information (all detection information) input are stored in a predetermined manner so that they can be used in the input information setting processing in the main processing. Remember to area. After S504, the process of restoring the register is performed in S505, and the interrupt is permitted in S506. Thereafter, this timer interrupt process is terminated.

  According to the fifth embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained in the fourth embodiment, the following characteristic effects can be obtained. In the case of the fifth embodiment, the processing steps executed in the timer interrupt process are narrowed down and reduced as compared with the case of the fourth embodiment described above. As a result, the amount of program to be executed and the amount of data to be handled are reduced from the start to the end of the timer interrupt process, and the execution period (interrupt period) of the timer interrupt process can be accurate and stabilized.

Next, modifications and feature points of the embodiment described above are listed below.
(1) In the first embodiment described above, as an example of the special game state, the case where various game states are added to the probability variation state is shown as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the special game state is as follows. These may be used alone or in combination. (A) a probability variation state, (b) a gaming state in which time reduction control is performed to shorten the variation time from the start of variation of a normal symbol until the display result is derived and displayed, and (c) a normal symbol hit A gaming state in which normal symbol per unit probability improvement control for improving the probability of occurrence is performed. (D) Variation time shortening control is performed to shorten the variation time from the start of variation of a special symbol until the display result is derived and displayed. Gaming state, (e) a gaming state in which a control for increasing the number of times of opening to increase the number of times of opening a pair of left and right movable pieces (electric tulips) provided at the start winning opening 14 is performed, and (f) an opening time of the movable piece. A game state in which extended opening time control is performed.

  (2) In the first embodiment described above, the case where the combination of jackpot symbols is selected and determined using the random counter R4 dedicated to determining the jackpot symbol has been described. A random counter (for example, R2-1) may also be used.

  (3) In each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the count is returned to a certain initial value (for example, “0”) after counting up to the upper limit value for each random counter. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the initial value to be returned after counting up to the upper limit value by each random counter may be determined at random. Specifically, one or more random counters for determining such initial values are provided and updated at a predetermined cycle, and when the values of the random counters return to the initial values, the random counters for determining such initial values A value is extracted, and the value corresponding to the extracted value is counted as an initial value. Such initial values may be determined at random for all random counters or some random counters.

  (4) In each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which each random counter is updated by a fixed value in one update. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of updates of the random counter in the interrupt waiting time is randomly determined. And the random counter may be updated. Specifically, a random counter that randomly determines the number of updates at one time is provided and updated in a predetermined cycle, and the number of updates performed once when updating a random counter that is targeted for randomization of the number of updates once May be changed within a predetermined range based on an extraction value from a random counter that randomly determines.

  (5) In the fourth embodiment described above, an example is shown in which symbols are created and stored only for outliers, and are selected during variable display. However, this is not limiting, and timer interrupts are also generated for jackpot symbols. Each time a symbol is created, a symbol is created and stored in the jackpot symbol storage unit of the RAM. When variable display is made to determine that the jackpot is to be made, the symbol combination data is read and used as a variable display display result. Control may be performed.

  (6) As in the fourth embodiment described above, when a symbol is created and stored for a shifted symbol and selected during variable display, one symbol combination data is stored corresponding to one attribute value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of pieces of data may be stored corresponding to one attribute value, and may be read and selected during variable display according to the stored order. In this case, the selection may be performed randomly using the extracted value of the random counter. Further, the control for storing and reading data of a combination of a plurality of symbols as described above may be applied to a case where a big hit symbol is created and stored as described above and is selected during variable display.

  (7) When determining the middle symbol based on the reach symbol and the symbol difference as in the first embodiment, the middle symbol is added to the symbol position number of the aforementioned reach symbol. In addition, the middle symbol may be determined based on the symbol position number obtained by performing other operations such as subtraction, multiplication, and division on the symbol position. That is, the middle symbol may be obtained by performing a predetermined calculation on the symbol position number of the reach symbol, and the calculation method is not limited to the addition described above.

  (8) In the above-described fourth embodiment, when the reach state is set (reach selection), an example in which the variation pattern for variable display is selected and determined based on the extracted value of R4 and the extracted value of R9. Although shown as a modification, the following processing may be performed. For example, for each of the reach symbols, a data table (a data table in which a plurality of numerical data and a plurality of types of variation patterns are associated) is provided (stored in the ROM) for selecting a variation pattern (variable display pattern). When the stop symbol determined based on the attribute value (R9) is a reach symbol, this data table is used to update predetermined numerical data (updated by a predetermined random counter) at a predetermined timing. Numerical data extracted in response to the establishment of a predetermined extraction condition. The numerical data may be numerical data of a dedicated random counter, or numerical data of a combined random counter (for example, R4). By selecting the variable display pattern corresponding to Selecting and determining the variation pattern.

Such a configuration can be expressed as a superordinate concept as follows.
Attribute determination data update means (random counter R9) for updating numerical data used to determine the attribute of the combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device;
Variable display pattern determination data update means (random counter R4) for updating numerical data used to determine a variable display pattern of variable display in the variable display device;
The attribute determining means determines the attribute based on numerical data (value of R9) updated by the attribute determining data update means;
The gaming machine according to claim 11, wherein the variable display pattern determination unit determines the variable display pattern based on a combination of identification information selected based on the attribute.

  According to such a configuration, the probability of the variable display pattern determined by the combination of identification information derived as the display result can be arbitrarily set.

  (9) The pachinko gaming machine according to each of the above embodiments mainly includes a variable display device having a plurality of display areas capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information on the basis of start winnings and deriving and displaying the display results. The first type pachinko gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the display result of the variable display device is a combination of specific identification information determined in advance. The first type of pachinko machine that includes the second type pachinko gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player even when there is a winning in a predetermined area of the electric game that is released based on the starting winning. A variable pachinko machine or a variable display device having a plurality of display areas capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information on the basis of start winnings and deriving and displaying the display result, and the display result of the variable display device Is predetermined It is possible to perform control to release a predetermined electric combination when a combination of specific identification information is given, and a specific game advantageous to the player when a prize is won for the electric combination The present invention can be applied even to a third type pachinko gaming machine capable of performing control for generating or continuing a predetermined right as a state.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to pachinko gaming machines in which the game medium used for games is a game ball (pachinko ball), but also to slot machines that use game media such as coins. Specifically, the player can input (use) a valuable value owned by the player, such as coins, and the player inputs the number of bets on the game result of one game, and then performs a predetermined start operation to change the display device. The slot is configured so that a predetermined value is given to the player, such as paying out premium coins (including a case where the payout amount is stored so that the payout amount is stored), and the game is finished after the variable is started. Even in the case of a gaming machine such as a machine, when the display result of the variable display device becomes a combination of predetermined specific identification information, it can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player. Can be applied.

  Further, for example, the player can input (use) a valuable value owned by the player, such as coins, and the player inputs the number of bets on the game result of one game, and then performs a predetermined start operation so that the variable display device is A game such as a coin-operated gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the variable display device is stopped after being variably started and the display result of the variable display device becomes a combination of specific identification information determined in advance. The present invention can also be applied to a machine.

  As described above, the present invention includes a variable display device that includes a plurality of display areas that can perform variable display of a plurality of types of identification information and derive and display a display result, and the display result of the variable display device is predetermined. Any gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when a combination of specific identification information is provided can be applied to gaming machines other than pachinko gaming machines.

  (10) The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko gaming machine from the front. It is a whole rear view which shows the internal structure of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control circuit containing the various control boards in a pachinko game machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various random counters for producing | generating the random number used for the game control of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the data which show the relationship between each extracted value of the random counters R2-1 to R2-3 and the selected left, middle and right symbols in a table format. It is a figure which shows the data which show the relationship between the extracted value of random counter R8, and the symbol difference selected in a table format. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed by the microcomputer for game control. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed with the microcomputer for game control. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the random number update process for a display. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the microcomputer for game control regarding jackpot determination, reach determination, stop symbol determination, and fluctuation pattern determination. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of special symbol process processing. It is a figure which shows the data which show the relationship between the extraction value of random counter R8 by 2nd Embodiment, and the middle symbol selected in a table format. It is a figure which shows the data which show the relationship between each extracted value of random counter R2-1 to R2-3 by 3rd Embodiment, and the left, middle, and right symbols selected in a table format. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various random counters for producing | generating the random number used for the game control of the pachinko game machine by 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data which show the relationship between the combination of a creation symbol, and an attribute value with a table form. It is a figure explaining the procedure of the attribute discrimination | determination process of the creation symbol combination using the data table for discrimination | determination. It is a block diagram which shows the memory | storage aspect of the combination of a creation symbol. It is a figure which shows the data which show the relationship between the extracted value of the random counter R9 for outlier symbol attribute determination, and the attribute value selected in a table format. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed with the microcomputer for game control by 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the display random number update process by 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the symbol creation process by 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the microcomputer for game control regarding the jackpot determination, reach determination, stop symbol determination, and change pattern determination by 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed by the microcomputer for game control by 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed with the microcomputer for game control by 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  9 special symbol display unit, 8 variable display device, 1 pachinko machine, 53 game control microcomputer, 55 RAM.

Claims (16)

A variable display device having a plurality of display areas capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information and deriving and displaying the display results, and a combination of specific identification information with predetermined display results of the variable display devices A gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when
Reach determination means for determining whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is a reach mode;
Identification information selection means for selecting identification information to be a display result of the variable display device;
A data table storing a plurality of types of identification information selection data used by the identification information selection means to select identification information;
Numerical data updating means for updating numerical data used for determining which identification information selection data to use from among a plurality of types of identification information selection data stored in the data table at a predetermined update timing. ,
The identification information selecting means includes
Reach formation identification information for selecting reach formation identification information that forms a reach aspect of the combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device when the reach determination means determines that the reach mode is set. A selection means;
Based on the reach formation identification information selected by the reach formation identification information selection means and the identification information selection data determined using the data table and the numerical data, identification information other than the reach formation identification information is still present. A gaming machine comprising: non-reach formation identification information selection means for selecting identification information of an unselected display area. Reach determination data update means for updating numerical data used for determining whether or not the variable display mode of the identification information is a reach mode,
2. The reach determination unit determines whether or not to make the variable display mode of the identification information a reach mode based on numerical data updated by the reach determination data update unit. The gaming machine described in 1. The plurality of types of identification information has a predetermined permutation displayed in variable display,
The identification information selection data is a permutation between the reach formation identification information of the combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device and the identification information of the display area where the identification information is not yet selected. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is data indicating a difference number. The plurality of types of identification information can be specified by identification information specifying data assigned to each of the types of identification information,
The reach formation identification information selection means selects identification information specifying data capable of specifying reach formation identification information,
The non-reach formation identification information selection means selects the identification information still by performing a predetermined calculation using the identification information specifying data selected by the reach formation identification information selection means and the identification information selection data. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the identification information specifying data of the identification information of the display area that has not been calculated is calculated.   The reach formation identification information selection unit and the non-reach formation identification information selection unit perform selection of identification information only when the reach determination unit determines that the reach mode is set. The gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 4.   6. The identification information selection data according to claim 1, wherein the identification information selection data includes data selected by only one numerical data and data selected in common by a plurality of numerical data. Gaming machine.   The numerical data updated by the numerical data updating means includes a case where the reach determining means determines that the reach mode is set and a case where the reach determining means determines that the reach mode is not set. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is used for determining identification information that is a display result in either case. Reach formation identification information selection data update means for updating numerical data used for selecting the reach formation identification information,
8. The reach formation identification information selection unit selects the reach formation identification information based on numerical data updated by the reach formation identification information selection data update unit. The gaming machine described in Crab. Variable display pattern determination data update means for updating numerical data used to determine a variable display pattern of variable display in the variable display device;
Variable display pattern determining means for determining the variable display pattern,
The variable display pattern determination means includes at least numerical data updated by the variable display pattern determination data update means, numerical data updated by the reach formation identification information selection data update means, and the numerical data update means. 9. The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein the variable display pattern is determined based on updated numerical data. A variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information and deriving a display result, and for the player when the display result of the variable display device is a combination of predetermined specific identification information A gaming machine that can be controlled to an advantageous specific gaming state,
Numerical data updating means for updating numerical data used for determining the display result at a predetermined update timing;
Identification information creating means for creating in advance a combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device based on the numerical data updated by the numerical data updating means;
Attribute identification means for determining which of a plurality of predetermined attributes corresponds to a combination of identification information created by the identification information creating means;
Storage means capable of storing a combination of identification information created by the identification information creation means for each attribute determined by the attribute determination means;
Attribute determining means for determining an attribute of a combination of identification information as a display result of the variable display device;
Variable display pattern determining means for determining a variable display pattern of variable display for deriving a combination of identification information as a display result as a display result,
After selecting the combination of identification information that is the display result from the combination of identification information stored in the storage unit based on the attribute determined by the attribute determination unit, the variable display pattern determination unit determines the variable A game machine characterized by determining a display pattern.   11. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein a combination of identification information determined as not corresponding to any of a plurality of types of attributes by the attribute determination means is deleted.   11. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein a combination of identification information determined as not corresponding to any of a plurality of types of attributes by the attribute determination means is corrected by a predetermined calculation. . The plurality of types of identification information has a predetermined permutation displayed in variable display,
The attribute of the combination of identification information discriminated by the attribute discriminating means is whether or not a reach mode is formed and between reach formation identification information forming the reach mode and non-reach formation identification information other than the reach formation identification information. The gaming machine according to claim 10, further comprising an attribute classified by a difference number of permutations. Attribute determination data update means for updating numerical data used to determine the attribute of the combination of identification information that is the display result of the variable display device;
Variable display pattern determination data update means for updating numerical data used to determine a variable display pattern of variable display in the variable display device,
The attribute determination means determines the attribute based on numerical data updated by the attribute determination data update means,
The variable display pattern determination means determines the variable display pattern based on at least numerical data updated by the variable display pattern determination data update means and numerical data updated by the attribute determination data update means. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein:   The update of the numerical data in the numerical data updating means is executed during an interrupt process that is periodically started to control the progress of the game. Gaming machine.   16. The gaming machine according to claim 15, wherein the updating of the numerical data in the numerical data updating means is executed even during a surplus time after the interruption process is executed.

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