JP2006341005A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust a game sound delivered to a player and make effective use of the game sound and a sound effect in a related condition by sampling the game sound and combining an actual game sound and the sampled false game sound with a prescribed audibility balance. <P>SOLUTION: Since a variety of performances (amplification, muting, sound source conversion or the like) are made possible by using a putting out sound which has not been applied as a sound effect through a hearing sense, a new sound performance is added and can improve the interesting property of a game. Mode selection to a player's liking is possible, a pachinko machine 10 can be suited to the need of an individual player, a unique pachinko machine can be formed even if the pachinko machine 10 is the same type. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention makes it possible to play a game by inserting a game medium, the game proceeds according to a predetermined operation, and a winning or a defeat of a role is drawn in a lottery, and a gaming medium can be paid out based on the winning combination In particular, the present invention relates to a gaming machine that executes an acoustic effect for a pachinko ball in a pachinko machine or a medal payout sound in a pachislot machine.

  In gaming machines, particularly pachinko machines, when pachinko balls launched on the game board win a prize opening, prize balls (for example, 5 balls, 10 balls, 15 balls) set in advance for each of the prize winning openings. Etc.) are paid out.

  The paid-out pachinko balls are temporarily stored in a so-called upper tank (hereinafter referred to as a hopper) provided on the upper part of each pachinko ball from a pachinko ball circulation path installed on the store side.

  A flow path piped from the hopper to a tray for receiving a player's pachinko ball is provided with a sprocket having a plurality of semicircular grooves that can accommodate a part of the pachinko ball on the outer periphery. By rotating the sprocket with the driving force of the motor, it is configured to pay out while counting pachinko balls.

  Here, when a pachinko ball wins in the starting winning opening provided on the game board, a lottery is executed inside, and when winning the lottery, it becomes a big hit, and an normally closed attacker (big winning opening) A number of pachinko balls released on the game board for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times win a prize (a jackpot process). For this reason, during the jackpot processing, the pachinko ball is paid out almost without interruption, and the player can hear the sound (impact sound) of the pachinko ball flowing down to the tray at the time of the payout.

  In addition, including the jackpot process, while the game is in progress, sounds (music and sound effects) corresponding to the respective game states are output from the speaker, and the player is motivated to play.

  As prior art related to sound effects, for example, in Patent Document 1, in a sound control device that generates sound effects and the like from a speaker in accordance with the progress of a game, PCM sound is used to avoid noise generation due to analog signals as much as possible. A structure in which a digital amplifier is arranged near the speaker is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 1, any one of the plurality of speakers is arranged above the gaming machine casing toward the player, and any of the other speakers is placed below the gaming machine casing in a direction opposite to the player. It is arranged with.

  In Patent Document 2, a plurality of speakers are arranged forward on the gaming machine main body side, and a sound conduit for guiding sound effects generated from the speakers to a desired position is provided on the opening / closing lid side which is the front side of the gaming board main body. Disposed technology is disclosed, and this structure can reduce damage to the speaker due to opening and closing of the open / close lid.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which the space in the upper plate of the pachinko machine is separated and speakers are arranged separately in each of the spaces in order to improve sound quality.

In the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 to 3, sound effects are generated mainly during the role lottery, the results of the lottery, the announcement of the lottery results, and the use of the winning combination. Since the medium increases in a concentrated manner and this state continues, production stimuli from hearing by sound effects promote the improvement of gameability.
JP 2004-97694 A JP 2002-856627 A JP 2003-88619 A

  However, in the related art in general regarding sound effects including the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 to 3, the sound effects prepared in advance are unilaterally output according to the progress of the game, and the player's preference is not taken into consideration. .

  On the other hand, game sounds such as a pachinko ball payout sound in a pachinko machine and a medal payout sound in a pachislot machine also affect the player's willingness to play as one of the sound effects. In other words, since it is advantageous for the player to make a payout, there are players who listen to the payout sound well, and there are players who can only catch noise.

  Conventionally, there is no relation between the above-mentioned sound effect and the payout sound, and each is a sound effect that is unilaterally or inevitably generated. In particular, for the payout sound that greatly affects the player, Effective use as a means to increase game motivation has not been established.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention can adjust the game sound that reaches the player by sampling the game sound and synthesizing the actual game sound and the sampled pseudo game sound with a predetermined auditory balance. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a gaming machine that can effectively use game sounds and sound effects in association with each other.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a game can be made by inserting a game medium, and a game is progressed according to a predetermined operation, and a winning or a defeat of a role is drawn in lots. And a sound effect output control means for outputting a sound effect in accordance with the progress of the game through hearing to the player based on the progress of the game by the game execution control means, The sound effect output control means samples the game sound that can be generated when the game including the collision sound between the game medium and the game medium flow path when the game medium is paid out, and the sampling means samples Editing means for editing the played game sound into a pseudo game sound to be applied during the progress of the game, and the actual game generated when the simulated game sound edited by the editing means is actually progressed Respect, is characterized in that it is a pseudo-game sound output control means, in construction outputs to be synthesized at a given perceptual balance.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sound effect output control means steadily outputs a sound effect in accordance with the progress of the game through hearing to the player.

  In parallel with this, the sampling means samples the game sound that can be generated when the game including the collision sound between the game medium and the game medium flow path proceeds when the game medium is paid out.

  The sampled game sound is edited by the editing means into a pseudo game sound applied when the game progresses. The pseudo game sound output control means outputs the pseudo game sound edited by the editing means so as to be synthesized with a predetermined auditory balance with the real game sound actually generated when the game progresses.

  This audibility balance includes volume balance, localization between channels, mixing ratio of normal or reverse phase, phase displacement amount, relative time difference related to a delay component generated between channels or between each instrument and sound, and the like. Further, this audibility balance may be adjustable by a player's operation. For example, an operator such as a lever protruding in a radial direction from one point on the peripheral surface of the trackball may be provided, and the volume of multiple channels may be adjusted to determine the localization of the output sound or adjust the phase. Good.

  Thereby, the game sound can be effectively used as a sound effect, and can be synthesized and output with a predetermined audible balance such as amplifying or attenuating according to the player's preference, and arouses game motivation. Can do.

  In the present invention, the sound effect means sound data (music, voice, sound effect) stored in a memory or the like in advance, and the game sound means an impact sound or the like generated during the progress of the game. Furthermore, the actual game sound is a sound that is emitted when a game medium or the like actually collides with the game medium flow path, and the pseudo game sound is an artificial sound created in the same way as the actual game sound (here, editing means) Edited by

  In the present invention, “sampling” refers to writing (recording) part or all of the game sound generated from a gaming machine to an electronic recording medium (memory) as the game progresses. Part or all of the played game sound is converted into a digital signal and edited.

  In addition, the game sound is an operation sound of a switch, a lever, etc. provided in the gaming machine, a collision sound generated with the game medium, a sound effect sound and an error sound generated from the gaming machine, each of the gaming machine It includes mechanism sounds of game members (so-called actors, spinning cylinders, game media take-in / out processing devices, and their peripheral members) provided in the configuration.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the pseudo game sound output control means controls the phase of the specific real game sound and the specific pseudo game sound, so that the player It is characterized by amplifying or attenuating the specific game volume that reaches.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the specific game volume reaching the player can be amplified or attenuated by controlling the phases of the specific real game sound and the specific pseudo game sound. For example, by setting the phases opposite to each other, the actual game sound can be attenuated, leading to noise reduction. In addition, by setting the same phase to each other, it is possible to amplify the actual game sound, and it is possible to give an emphasis on the progress of the game.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the editing means has an equalizer function.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the width of the effect by sound by dividing the frequency band of the pseudo game sound edited by the editing means and adjusting the volume etc. independently.

  As described above, in the present invention, the game sound that reaches the player can be adjusted by sampling the game sound and synthesizing the actual game sound and the sampled pseudo game sound with a predetermined auditory balance. It has the outstanding effect that a game sound and a sound effect can be associated and used effectively.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of pachinko machine)
FIG. 1 shows a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an inner frame, a glass frame, and a game board applied to the pachinko machine according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes a rectangular outer frame 12 that constitutes an outline of the pachinko machine 10 and is installed in an island facility of the pachinko hall. A rectangular frame-shaped inner frame 14 is disposed on the front surface of the outer frame 12 (see FIG. 2), and the inner frame 14 has a pair of hinge portions 16 and 18 provided on the outer frame 12 with a left end portion as an axis. It is supported so that it can be opened and closed. A lower decoration 20 serving as a decorative panel is attached to the lower front portion of the outer frame 12.

  A glass frame 26 having a glass frame 24 fitted with a glass plate 22 in a window portion 25 is disposed on the front upper portion of the inner frame 14, and the left end of the glass frame 26 is pivotally supported by the inner frame 14 to open and close. It is attached as possible. Further, the glass plate 22 mounted on the glass frame 24 has a double structure composed of a pair of glass plates arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval in the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. A rectangular opening 28 is provided in the upper part of the inner frame 14 on the back side of the glass frame 26 (see FIG. 2). An exchangeable game board 100 is set in the opening 28, and the game board 100 is covered with the glass frame 26 (glass plate 22) with the glass frame 26 closed by the inner frame 14. It has become.

  On the front surface of the glass frame 26, a lighting effect indicator lamp 142 that turns on, turns off, and blinks as the game progresses to produce an effect effect by illumination surrounds the glass plate 22 (the game area 101 of the game board 100). Further, in the upper left corner and the upper right corner, an error indicator lamp 144 for notifying various errors such as a prize ball payout error and a payout state error is provided. In addition, speakers 146L and 146R for outputting game sound effects in stereo are arranged inside each error indicator lamp 144.

  An integrated dish 30 serving as a hitting ball supply dish having functions of a general upper dish and lower dish is disposed at the lower front portion of the inner frame 14. The integrated dish 30 is attached so that the left end of the panel member 32 is pivotally supported by the inner frame 14 and can be opened and closed, and a ball dish part 34 for storing game balls is formed on the front surface of the panel member 32. A ball tray main body 36 is projected.

  Although illustration is omitted, the bottom surface of the ball tray portion 34 is inclined in both directions, one of which is arranged on the front side from the left side to the right side in the front view of FIG. 1, and the other is from the right side to the left side. The slopes are arranged on the back side, and both slopes are smoothly and continuously formed on the right side when viewed from the front.

  The front side tilt accepts a cash game ball lending machine (not shown) provided between the gaming machines from the front side of the ball tray 34, and guides it to roll to the right side, while the back side tilt is a ball. A game ball received in the tray 34, a prize ball, which will be described later, or a rental ball via a card-type lending machine, is received from the ball discharge port 46 and rolled and guided from the right side to the left side.

  This back side inclination is formed so that the width dimension is gradually narrowed along the inclination, whereby a ball feeding device (not shown) in which the game balls in the ball tray portion 34 are arranged on the back surface of the panel member 32. ) Are sent in a line.

  On the upper right side of the front surface of the panel member 32, a ball discharge port 46 through which a prize ball discharged from a payout device 160 (see FIG. 5) provided in the pachinko machine 10 is discharged is formed. The prize balls discharged from the ball outlet 46 are stored in the ball tray 34, flow down to the left in the ball tray 34, are aligned in a line by the alignment passage, and are sent to the ball feeder.

  Further, an ashtray 38 is provided at the lower left portion on the front surface of the panel member 32, and a firing handle 39 for adjusting the firing force (flying distance) of the hit ball is attached to the lower right portion.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a launching device 40 is disposed at the lower left side of the game board 100 on the back side of the integrated dish 30 at the lower front surface of the inner frame 14, and is positioned behind the ball dish main body 36. A ball storage tank 42 detachably attached to 14 is attached by two plastic fasteners 43. The launching device 40 and the storage tank 42 are covered with the integrated tray 30 when the integrated tray 30 is closed by the inner frame 14.

  The storage tank 42 has a box shape with an open top surface, and a bottom surface 44 is inclined downward from the left side to the right side in a front view. A tank inlet (not shown) is formed on the left side of the storage tank 42 on the upstream side in the tilt direction of the bottom surface 44, and the panel member of the integrated dish 30 is formed on the right side of the front surface of the storage tank 42 on the downstream side in the tilt direction. A tank outlet 45 is formed at a position corresponding to the ball discharge port 46 provided at 32. Therefore, in a state where the integrated dish 30 is closed by the inner frame 14, the storage tank 42 and the ball tray portion 34 of the integrated dish 30 are communicated with each other via the tank outlet 45 and the ball outlet 46.

  In addition, a shutter plate that is movable in the vertical direction is provided at a lower position of the ball outlet 46 on the back surface of the panel member 32 of the integrated dish 30 and a lower position of the tank outlet 45 on the lower right side of the front surface of the inner frame 14. (Only the shutter plate 50 on the inner frame 14 side is shown in FIG. 2). These shutter plates move downward when the integrated plate 30 is closed (position of the shutter plate 50 shown in FIG. 2), and the tank outlet 45 and the ball discharge port 46 communicate with each other. When opened, the shutter plate 50 on the inner frame 14 side is configured to block the lower edge side of the tank outlet 45, and the shutter plate on the side of the integrated dish 30 is configured to block the lower edge side of the ball discharge port 46. . The shutter plate prevents the game ball (prize ball) from flowing out of the ball storage tank 42 and the ball tray portion 34 when the integrated dish 30 is opened.

  A locking device 52 extending in the vertical direction is attached to the left end (the right end in front view) of the back surface of the inner frame 14. A cylinder lock (lock) 54 is provided at the lower portion of the locking device 52, and the key hole 56 of the cylinder lock 54 is exposed from a pedestal 55 provided at the lower right portion of the front surface of the inner frame 14.

  A pair of inner frame fixing hooks 60 </ b> A and 60 </ b> B protruding rearward are provided in the vicinity of the upper and lower end portions on the back surface side of the locking device 52. A pair of glass frame fixing hooks 62A and 62B are provided at positions corresponding to the glass frame 26 on the front surface side of the locking device 52. The glass frame fixing hooks 62A and 62B are provided on the right side of the front surface of the inner frame 14. It protrudes forward through slits 64A and 64B formed at the ends. In addition, a pair of integrated dish fixing key receiving members 66A and 66B that slide in the vertical direction are provided at positions corresponding to the integrated dish 30 on the front side of the locking device 52.

  As a result, when the inner frame 14 is closed to the outer frame 12, the inner frame fixing hooks 60A and 60B of the locking device 52 are engaged with a pair of key receiving portions (not shown) provided on the right inner surface in front view of the outer frame 12. The inner frame 14 is held by the outer frame 12. When the glass frame 26 is closed to the inner frame 14, a pair of key receiving portions 70 </ b> A and 70 </ b> B provided on the glass frame reinforcing plate 68 attached to the right end of the rear surface of the glass frame 26 are used for fixing the glass frame of the locking device 52. The glass frame 26 is held by the inner frame 14 by engaging with the hooks 62A and 62B. When the integrated dish 30 is closed by the inner frame 14, a pair of hooks (not shown) attached to the right end of the back surface of the integrated dish 30 are engaged with the integrated dish fixing key receiving members 66 </ b> A and 66 </ b> B of the locking device 52. The integrated dish 30 is held by the inner frame 14.

  The inner frame fixing hooks 60A and 60B and the glass frame fixing hooks 62A and 62B are released from the engaged state by inserting a key (not shown) into the key hole 56 of the cylinder lock 54 and turning it in a predetermined direction. It has come to be unlocked. The integrated dish fixing key receiving members 66A, 66B are pushed down by releasing the release lever 72 of the locking device 52 that is exposed when the glass frame 26 is opened, so that the integrated dish fixing key receiving members 66A, 66B slide downward. The engaged state with each hook of the plate 30 is released.

  By this locking device 52, the inner frame 14 is locked to the outer frame 12 and the glass frame 26 is locked to the inner frame 14, and the integrated dish 30 is locked to the inner frame 14 and fixed in a closed state.

(Game board configuration)
The game board 100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a resin sheet-like cell attached to a plywood board serving as a substrate, and the surface of the cell is a board surface 100A. In the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the board surface 100A, An arc-shaped outer rail 102 and an inner rail 104 are attached. In the circular area surrounded by the outer rail 102 and the inner rail 104, the game ball PB launched and driven from the launching device 40 can be moved by its own weight fall, and this area is a game area 101 where the game is played. It is said that.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a center accessory 105 that is large and has a rectangular central opening is disposed in the approximate center of the game area 101 of the game board 100. In the opening, there is provided a special symbol display device 106 composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying images of special symbols such as lottery (variation and stoppage) and various effects on the display screen. Is provided with a normal symbol display device 107 for displaying a normal symbol lottery (change and stop).

  Although details will be described later, a special symbol variation pattern is displayed on a small screen area (special symbol display portion 106A) provided at the lower end of the display screen on the display screen of the special symbol display device 106. The effect symbol variation pattern is displayed on a large area screen area (effect symbol display part 106B) provided on the upper side.

  Passing gates (through chuckers) 118 </ b> L and 118 </ b> R as normal symbol starting winning holes are arranged on the left and right of the center accessory 105. Also, just below the center role 105, an upper start opening 108 as a special symbol start winning opening (start chucker) and a lower start opening 110 as a winning opening relating to an ordinary electric accessory (electric tulip) are arranged. Further below that, a variable winning device (special electric accessory) 112 is arranged near the lower end of the game area 101.

  The variable winning device 112 is provided with a rectangular large winning opening (attacker) 114 whose longitudinal direction is the left-right width direction, and in this large winning opening 114 is a continuous name called “V zone” according to game specifications. An accessory operating port (not shown) may be provided. The special winning opening 114 is opened or closed by opening or closing the opening / closing door 116. When the opening / closing door 116 is opened, the game ball dropped on the opening / closing door 116 is guided to the opening / closing door 116. Win a prize at the big prize opening 114.

  In addition, the game area 101 is provided with a windmill 122 and a number of game nails (not shown) for guiding a game ball that falls by itself in the game area 101 to a predetermined route. Is provided to the rear side of the game board 100. Furthermore, the center effect object 105 and the variable prize device 112 provided in the game area 101 are turned on, turned off, and blinking according to the progress of the game to produce a lighting effect light-emitting element 126 (FIG. 4) are provided.

(Control system configuration)
Next, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the control system of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment is configured around a main control unit 150. The main control unit 150 stores a basic program relating to games, and the operation of each unit is controlled based on a command signal from the main control unit 150.

  The main control unit 150 includes an upper start winning sensor (first start opening winning sensor) 180 for detecting a winning ball to the upper starting opening 108, a lower starting winning sensor 182 for detecting a winning ball to the lower starting opening 110, Passing gate winning sensors 184L and 184R that detect winning balls to the passing gates 118L and 118R, which are normal symbol starting openings, a big winning opening sensor 186 that detects winning balls to the big winning opening 114, and a big winning according to game specifications V zone sensors 188 for detecting a winning ball in the V zone provided in the mouth 114 are connected to each other, and each of these sensors outputs a detection signal to the main control unit 150 when a winning ball is detected.

  Further, the main control unit 150 includes a normal winning combination port for opening / closing the open / close door 116 of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 174 for operating the electric tulip provided in the lower starting opening (starting winning apparatus) 110 and the large winning opening 114. A solenoid 175, a holding lamp 176, and a normal symbol display device 107 are connected to each other, and these electric components and display devices are directly controlled by a port output from the main control unit 150.

  Here, when the game balls pass through the passing gates 118L and 118R, the lottery of winning / defeating the normal symbol is executed by the main control unit 150 by detecting this with the passing gate winning sensors 184L and 184R, and the lottery result In the case of winning, the main control unit 150 drives and controls the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 174 to open the lower start port 110 (electric tulip) for a predetermined time.

  Further, when a game ball wins the upper start opening 108, the main control unit performs a lottery of winning or losing a special symbol (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "special drawing lottery") by detecting this with the upper start winning sensor 180. If the result of the special drawing lottery is a win, the main control unit 150 controls the game state to shift from the normal game state to the special game state. As for this hit, there are provided a normal hit and a probability change hit in which the next hit probability is increased after the special gaming state ends.

  Also, information (start winning signal, jackpot signal, symbol determination number signal) indicating the progress of the game is transmitted from the main control unit 150 to the hall computer via the board external terminal 190.

  Furthermore, an effect control unit 152 and a payout control unit 154 are connected to the main control unit 150, and these control units are controlled by command transmission from the main control unit 150.

  A special symbol display device 106 is connected to the effect control unit 152 via a symbol control unit 156. In addition, the effect control unit 152 is a light-emitting element 126 for lighting effects provided in various game parts of the game board 100, a display lamp 142 for lighting effects and a display lamp 144 for errors provided in the glass frame 26. Is turned on, off, and blinking, and the speakers 146L and 146R provided on the front surface of the glass frame 26 are operated to control the output of sound effects and the like.

  On the special symbol display device 106 controlled by the effect control unit 152, an effect image of the symbol variation pattern for notifying the result of the special symbol lottery is displayed, and from the speakers 146L and 146R, the symbol variation pattern effect is displayed. BGM is output. Thereby, the player can enjoy the production | presentation by the design symbol corresponding to the result of special drawing lottery through vision and hearing. The display contents by the normal symbol display device 107 and the hold lamp 176 may be displayed by the special symbol display device 106.

  There are two types of symbol variation patterns: special symbol variation patterns and production symbol variation patterns, both of which notify the result of special symbol lottery, but the special symbol variation pattern performs a predetermined variation and stop and special symbol lottery While the result of the form is officially notified after a lapse of a predetermined time, the directing pattern variation pattern takes effect into the process of notifying the result of the special drawing lottery, and makes it awkward whether it is a hit or miss. However, it is of the nature to notify.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the effect symbol variation pattern is displayed in a relatively wide area on the upper side of the display screen of the special symbol display device 106, and the special symbol variation pattern is displayed in a relatively narrow area on the lower side of the display screen. Is displayed.

  Here, when the result of the special symbol lottery becomes “winning” and the fact is notified by the symbol variation pattern effect on the special symbol display device 106 and the BGM output from the speakers 146L and 146R, the big hit processing in the special gaming state is completed. Is executed.

  In this jackpot process, the big winning opening 114 is opened a predetermined number of times (rounds), and the opening time of one round is about 30 seconds, during which a maximum of 10 game balls can be won. In other words, if one of 30 seconds, which is the time limit, or 10 numbers, which is the number limit, is satisfied first, the round ends, and in the case of a game specification with a V zone, the current round is If there is a winning in the V zone in the big winning opening 114 during the game, it is promised to move to the next round. If the game specification omits the V zone, a predetermined number of winnings are simply counted and the next round is entered.

  For this reason, in the special gaming state, more winnings are expected in a shorter period than in the normal gaming state, and a gaming state advantageous to the player can be achieved.

  Further, as described above, when the special symbol display device 106 newly wins the upper start port 108 during execution of the symbol variation pattern effect, and when the upper start port 108 is won during the big hit process, the holding lamp 176 The number of lights increases up to 4 according to the number of winnings.

  On the other hand, when the previous symbol variation pattern effect ends or the jackpot process ends, the special symbol display device 106 starts a new symbol variation pattern effect in order to notify the reserved special symbol lottery result. Along with this, one hold lamp 176 is extinguished, and the player is informed of the digestion of the hold.

  Further, the payout control unit 154 is connected to the payout device 160 and the launch control unit 164, and the launch control unit 164 is connected to the launch device 40. The payout control unit 154 operates the payout device 160 provided in the pachinko machine 10 to control the payout and lending ball payout and stop operations and the number of payouts. In addition, the launch control unit 164 operates the launch device 40 by operating the launch handle 39 by the player, and controls the launch force of the game ball and the launch force according to the operation amount of the launch handle 39.

  Further, the payout control unit 154 transmits payout information to the hall computer installed in the hall via the frame external terminal 191.

(Sound production function using payout sound)
Here, in the production control unit 152 of the present embodiment, as one of the productions through the hearing by the speakers 146L and 146R, the actual sound when the pachinko ball is paid out is recorded and the recorded actual sound is recorded. The payout sound effect control that is edited and output from the speakers 146L and 146R as sound effects is performed. In addition to the speakers 146L and 146R, a woofer speaker 146W may be mounted as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the sound effect control system including payout effect sound control in the effect control unit 152 by function.

  A game state information signal is input to the sound source control unit 200, and based on the game state information signal, the sound source data is taken from the sound source data memory 202 and sent to the mixer unit (MIXER) 206 of the output control unit 204. . The mixer unit 206 is connected to the main amplifier unit 208, and converts and amplifies the sound source data (digital) into an analog sound signal (normal sound effect), and outputs it from the speakers 146L, 146R (and 146W).

  In addition to the sound source data, the sound source control unit 200 sends a synchronization signal for outputting a sound effect in synchronization with the gaming state, separately from the sound source data.

  In addition, a microphone unit 210 is installed in any part of the pachinko machine 10 (for example, the vicinity of the pachinko ball discharge channel on the back side or the vicinity of the ball discharge port 46 is preferable). 212.

  The microphone unit 210 includes a sound collection microphone (MIC) 210A and a microphone switch (MIC / SW) 210B that turns the sound collection microphone 210A on and off. When the microphone switch 210B is on, The sound microphone 210A becomes active (capable of recording).

  A payout information signal is input to the preamplifier unit 212. When this payout information signal is input, an ON signal is output from the preamplifier unit 212 to the microphone switch 210B. Thereby, the sound collection microphone 200A can be activated in synchronization with the payout timing of the pachinko ball.

  The preamplifier unit 212 adjusts the state (sound quality) of the sound collected by the sound collection microphone 210A, removes noise (noise reduction), and the like, and finally converts the analog sound signal into a digital sound signal. In this state, it is sent to the game sound generation unit 214.

  The game sound generation unit 214 is connected to the mixer unit 206 via the mute circuit unit (MUTE) 216 of the output control unit 204, and the digital sound signal is normally output when the mute circuit unit 216 is in an inactive state. And is output to the main amplifier unit 208.

  The main amplifier unit 208 amplifies the input digital sound signal, converts it into an analog sound signal, and sends it to the speakers 146L, 146R (and 146W), thereby producing sound effects from the speakers 146L, 146R (and 146W). Output.

  The game sound generation unit 214 is connected to the mode selection unit 218, the sound source data memory 202, and the phase adjustment unit 220.

  The mode selection unit 218 is a selection operation unit that selects how to adjust the collected payout sound (mainly, four types of emphasis / mute / amplify / sound source conversion of some frequencies). It is provided at a position where it can be operated by the player. For example, a push button switch 218SW (see FIG. 1) provided on the ball tray main body 36 is applicable. Here, the mode may be scrolled and selected each time the push button switch 218SW is operated at the time when the mode can be selected. The selected mode information is sent to the phase control unit 220 and the output control unit 204 in addition to the game sound generation unit 214.

Based on the mode selection result by the mode selection unit 218, the game sound generation unit 214 generates a game sound from the input digital sound signal according to (1) to (4) shown below.
(1) Frequency emphasis mode As shown in FIG. 6, the volume in a predetermined frequency unit is adjusted (equalizer). For example, it is possible to enhance the game preference by emphasizing the bass to make a powerful payout sound or enhancing the treble to enhance the pleasure of the prize ball. Note that FIG. 6 shows a state in which bass is emphasized.
(2) Silence mode Silence is based on the physical principle of the generated sound and the canceling sound, as shown in FIG. 7, and a canceling sound whose phase is converted by 180 ° is added to the generated sound. The principle is that they are effectively neutralized.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the digital sound data is sent to the phase adjustment unit 220 (not sent to the mute circuit unit 216), thereby converting the phase by 180 ° and the mute circuit unit (MUTE) of the output control unit 204. ) 222. In this silencing mode, the digital sound data with the 180 ° phase converted is input to the mixer unit 206, so that they cancel each other out and cancel the sound. As a result, it becomes easier to hear other sound effects.
(3) Amplification mode Simply increase the volume of the payout sound.
(4) Sound source conversion mode Converts to desired sound source (for example, instrument sound such as piano sound source, guitar sound source, gunshot sound, river flow, waterfall sound effect, etc.) according to the scale and rhythm of the payout sound .

  The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

(Game flow of pachinko machine 10)
In the game using the pachinko machine 10, when the player operates the launch handle 39, the game balls stored in the ball tray portion 34 of the integrated dish 30 are supplied to the launch device 40 one by one by the ball feeding device. (See FIG. 2). The launched game ball PB is driven into the game area 101 of the game board 100 along the outer rail 102 and falls in the game area 101 while changing the direction by hitting the game nail. Then, the game ball that has reached the lower end of the game area 101 without winning a prize is collected into the pachinko machine 10 from the out port 124.

  When the game balls pass through the passing gates 118L and 118R, the main control unit 150 executes a lottery process for hitting / losing the normal symbol, and the lottery result is displayed on the normal symbol display device 107 as a two-digit normal symbol. It is changed and is displayed by the combination of stop symbols after the change.

  When the normal symbol lottery result is “winning”, the lower start port 110 (electric tulip) is opened for a predetermined time, and the game ball is likely to win the lower start port 110 easily.

  In addition, when winning at the start port 108, the main control unit 150 executes a lottery process for hitting / losing special symbols, and the lottery results are obtained in two areas in the lower part of the special symbol display device 106. The symbol is changed in a predetermined pattern, and is displayed by a combination of stop symbols that have passed the fluctuation pattern. Further, along with this display, in the upper part (substantially the entire area) of the special symbol display device 106, the effect symbol is changed in a predetermined pattern and is stopped and displayed through the change pattern. In the effect image of the effect symbol variation pattern, for example, a number of patterns that take various effects and tastes into consideration are prepared, such as display of a winning symbol after reach, display of a missed symbol, or display of a failing symbol without reach. The player receives these effects and observes the lottery result of the special symbol with a sense of expectation. Furthermore, as described above, when a reach occurs or when a bonus is given, etc., the character is rendered by the movement of the covering members 202L and 202R of the center object 105, and the player receives the effects of the game. The interest for is enhanced.

  If the lottery result of the special symbol is “winning”, a predetermined combination of predetermined winning symbols such as “444” is displayed on the special symbol display unit 106A of the special symbol display device 106, for example. At the same time, effects such as blinking of the indicator lamp 142 for lighting effects and output of sound effects from the speakers 146L and 146R are added to notify the player that a big hit has occurred, and a predetermined jackpot operation is executed.

  As the jackpot operation, the opening / closing operation of the door 116 opens the grand prize opening 114, for example, 10 counts (the number of winning prizes) or a maximum of 30 seconds (one opening time) / up to 16 rounds (continuous number of times), and a big winning prize. In the case of a game specification in which a V zone is provided in the mouth 114, an operation of continuing the next round by performing winning in the V zone when the one big winning opening 114 is opened is performed. Thus, the player can easily win a large number of prize balls by, for example, receiving 15 payouts per prize, for example, by winning the launched game balls to the big prize opening 114. At this time, the payout device 160 operates to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls, and the payout prize balls are discharged from the ball discharge port 46 to the ball tray portion 34 of the integrated dish 30.

  In addition, when the winning symbol is a combination of predetermined specific symbols such as “777”, for example, the “probability changing function” in which the next jackpot probability is increased after the above-described jackpot operation ends, or Although the jackpot probability does not change, an additional function such as a “short-time function” that shortens the fluctuation time of the normal symbol display device 107 and makes the lower start port 110 easy to open and improves the ball holding time is advantageous for the player. The state is expanded.

  Here, sound effects (including music and voice) are output from the speakers 146L, 146R (and 146W) in accordance with the various gaming states described above, thereby enhancing the game preference through hearing.

  By the way, although the sound effect is a sound created according to the gaming state, apart from this, a natural sound is generated when the actual pachinko ball is paid out on the ball tray 34 at the time of paying out. Conventionally, this natural sound has not been involved at all.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, this natural sound (paid-out sound) is recorded using the sound collecting microphone 210A, and the actual sound or a sound effect that has been subjected to predetermined processing (collectively “game sound”). Used to enhance the production effect through hearing.

  The flow of game sound generation output control will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 250, it is determined whether or not it is a payout time. If a negative determination is made, this routine ends. If the determination in step 250 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 252 where the microphone switch 210B is turned on. Thereby, recording of the payout sound by the sound collecting microphone 210A is started.

  In the next step 254, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (corresponding to the payout time) has elapsed. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 256 to turn off the microphone switch 210B. Thereby, the recording of the payout sound by the sound collecting microphone 210A is completed, and the process proceeds to step 258.

  In step 258, the mode is determined. In the present embodiment, the mode is selected by the player operating the push button switch 218SW, and this selection state is determined.

In this embodiment, any one of (1) emphasizing some frequencies, (2) silencing, (3) amplifying, and (4) sound source conversion is selected as the mode. Then, a game sound is generated based on the mode determined in step 258.
(1) When the frequency emphasis mode is selected Adjust the volume in a predetermined frequency unit, for example, emphasize the bass to make a powerful payout sound, or emphasize the treble to enhance the pleasure of the prize ball As a result, the sound quality suitable for the player can be obtained, and the game preference can be improved.
(2) When the mute mode is selected In this case, the digital sound data is sent to the phase adjustment unit 220 and sent to the mute circuit unit (MUTE) 222 of the output control unit 204 with the phase converted by 180 °. (The digital sound data is not sent to the mute circuit 216, or the mute circuit 216 becomes active even if it is sent).

For this reason, they cancel each other out with the actual payout sound. This makes it easier for a player who recognizes the payout sound as noise to hear other sound effects.
(3) When the amplification mode is selected Some players prefer a large volume, and by increasing the payout sound that could not be controlled until now, it can be matched to the preference of the player.
(4) When sound source conversion mode is selected There are scales and rhythms in the payout sound. In accordance with this, the sound is converted into a desired sound source (for example, instrument sounds such as a piano sound source and a guitar sound source, sound effects such as gunshots, river flow, and waterfalls). For example, conversion can be easily performed by using a MIDI sound source or the like.

  Thereby, since the payout sound can be converted into a sound that suits the player's preference, the player can satisfy the effect through hearing.

  In the next step 262, the generated game sound is combined with the normal effect, and the process proceeds to step 264. In step 264, it is determined whether or not it is an output time, and if an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 266, where the synthesized sound is output from the speakers 146L, 146R (and 146W), and this routine ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a variety of effects (amplification, mute, sound source conversion, etc.) have been made possible by using a payout sound that has not been applied as a sound effect through hearing. Can be added to improve the game preference. In addition, since the mode can be selected according to the player's preference, the pachinko machine 10 can be tailored to the individual needs of each player, and even pachinko machines 10 of the same model have individuality. A pachinko machine can be formed.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the perspective view seen from the front side which shows the inner frame, glass frame, and game board in the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a front view which shows the game board which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system of the pachinko machine concerning this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of game sound generation output control in the effect control unit according to the present embodiment. It is a frequency-volume characteristic figure which shows an example (equal to low sound) of an equalizer setting state. It is a volume characteristic figure accompanying the time change which shows a silence function. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the game sound production | generation output control which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Game board 100A Board surface 106 Special symbol display apparatus 105 Center object 146L, 146R, 146W Speaker 150 Main control part (game execution control means)
152 Production control unit 156 Symbol control unit 200 Sound source control unit 202 Sound source data memory 204 Output control unit (sound effect output control means, pseudo game sound output control means)
206 Mixer section 208 Main amplifier section 210 Microphone unit (sampling means)
210A Microphone for sound collection 210B Microphone switch 212 Preamplifier unit 214 Game sound generation unit (editing means)
218 Mode selection unit 220 Phase control unit 222 Mute circuit unit

Claims (3)

A gaming machine that allows a game to be played by inserting a game medium, the game proceeds according to a predetermined operation, and a winning or a defeat of a role is drawn, and a gaming medium can be paid out based on the winning of the role,
Based on the progress of the game by the game execution control means, it has a sound effect output control means for outputting a sound effect according to the progress of the game through hearing to the player,
The sound effect output control means,
Sampling means for sampling a game sound that can be generated when a game including a collision sound between the game medium and the game medium flow path progresses when the game medium is paid out;
Editing means for editing the game sound sampled by the sampling means into a pseudo game sound to be applied when the game progresses;
A pseudo game sound output control means for outputting the pseudo game sound edited by the editing means so as to be synthesized with a predetermined auditory balance with respect to the actual game sound actually generated during the progress of the game, A gaming machine characterized by being made.   The pseudo game sound output control means amplifies or attenuates the specific game volume reaching the player by controlling a phase between the specific real game sound and the specific pseudo game sound. Item 1. A gaming machine according to item 1.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the editing means has an equalizer function.

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