JP2006341014A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of executing a performance giving an impact to persons around the game machine. <P>SOLUTION: When this game machine 1a determines that no game is executed in the own machine, a single picture is displayed across all the screens of the respective upper-part displays 2a-2e, reel part displays 3a-3e, and the trunk part displays 4a-4e of game machines 1a-1e. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that displays effects and information related to games.

  A plurality of reels each having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the peripheral surface are provided, the reels are rotated and then stopped, and game media such as medals are ejected according to the symbol combinations displayed at the time of the stop. Conventionally, slot machines are widely known as gaming machines that give benefits to players. A reel having a window for displaying a reel, as well as a lower plate for receiving a medal to be paid out for a game operation and a winning portion, in general, on the front surface (a surface facing a player) of this type of gaming machine An upper panel on which a part panel, a payout table and the like are written, a trunk panel on which a decorative pattern such as a character in accordance with the model name of the gaming machine and the concept of the gaming machine is drawn are arranged.

In the above-mentioned gaming machine, it is possible to easily attach and detach the pattern sheet on which the model name and concept of the gaming machine is drawn from the torso panel unit, and to change the model of the gaming machine and to perform maintenance or image change of the torso panel. A gaming machine that can be easily performed has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In addition, a gaming machine has been proposed that uses a liquid crystal display with a reel display window as a reel section panel to display a variety of effect images fused with the design of the reel, thereby further enhancing the effect. (See Patent Document 2).
JP2004-321578 JP 2004-166899 A

  By the way, in the conventional gaming machine, the body panel is merely drawn with a model name, a picture, and the like, and does not contribute to any effects during the game. Further, the effect image is displayed only in the area of the reel unit panel, and the displayed image is independent for each gaming machine. For this reason, the performance is limited to only those who play games on the gaming machine, and it is not sufficient to appeal the presence to those in the vicinity.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can execute an effect that can give an impact to a person around the gaming machine.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a gaming machine having a plurality of image display devices and a display control unit that performs display control in the plurality of image display devices. When a plurality of gaming machines are arranged side by side, the position of the gaming machine of one's own in the plurality of gaming machines arranged side by side is recognized, and the position of each gaming machine arranged side by side, and the above-mentioned each gaming machine has Corresponding to each display area of a plurality of image display devices, among the image areas obtained by dividing one image into a plurality of parts, the position of the recognized own gaming machine and the plurality of image displays possessed by the own gaming machine An image of an image area corresponding to each display area of the device is displayed on each of the plurality of image display devices.

In the gaming machine, the gaming machine further includes a setting unit that sets a numerical value corresponding to the position of its own gaming machine in the plurality of gaming machines arranged side by side, and the display control unit is a numerical value set in the setting unit Based on the above, the position of the game machine is recognized.

According to the gaming machine described above, when a plurality of gaming machines are arranged side by side, the display control unit of each gaming machine has a plurality of image display devices included in the gaming machine of its own, and the original one of the images. The image area of the part corresponding to the position of its own gaming machine and each image display area of the plurality of image display devices provided in the gaming machine is displayed. That is, when a plurality of gaming machines of the present invention are arranged side by side, one image is displayed over all the image display devices provided in these gaming machines.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of gaming machines including a plurality of image display devices are arranged in parallel, one image is displayed across all the image display devices included in these gaming machines. It will be possible to produce a great impact on those who are in the vicinity.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a slot machine as an example of a gaming machine.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The game executed on the gaming machine 1 includes a normal game and a bonus game that increases the chance of paying out more medals to the player than the normal game. BB game) and regular bonus game (hereinafter referred to as RB game).

  On the front surface of the gaming machine 1, that is, the surface facing the player, the upper display 2 on which the payout of the gaming machine is displayed and the outer peripheral surfaces of three reels installed inside the gaming machine 1 are drawn. A reel unit display 3 on which a reel symbol display window for displaying symbols is formed, and a torso display 4 on which the model name of the game is displayed. The plurality of image display devices are liquid crystal displays, and image display on each display is controlled by a main control unit and a sub control unit described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the shapes of the upper display 2, the reel unit display 3, and the body unit display 4 are all rectangular, and the vertical dimensions of each display screen are different in the figure, The dimensions in the width direction are almost the same. Further, the left and right sides of the screens are arranged so as to be in a straight line so that the screens of the respective displays are not displaced in the horizontal direction.

  The reel unit display 3 is provided with reel symbol display windows 3L, 3C, 3R for displaying symbols respectively drawn on three reels provided in the gaming machine 1. These reel symbol display windows are configured so that a total of three symbols can be visually recognized, one for each of the upper, middle, and lower stages, before and after the game starts. Since the structure of the reel unit display 3 provided with the reel symbol display windows 3L, 3C, 3R is the same as that of the prior art described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The gaming machine 1 also has a winning line that serves as a reference for determining success or failure of winning based on the symbols displayed in the reel symbol display windows 3L, 3C, 3R when the rotation of the three reels is stopped. Is stipulated. As the winning lines, there are provided a rising line L1, an upper line L2, a middle line L3, a lower line L4 and a lowering line L5.

  A winning line to be activated (hereinafter referred to as an effective line) changes according to the number of medals inserted. The medals are inserted by inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 6 described later, and the maximum number of medals that can be inserted in one game is three. Further, depending on the number of medals inserted, for example, one (middle line L3) for two, three (in addition to the upper line L2 and lower line L4) for two, and five for three (in addition) In addition, the winning line of the right rising line L1 and the right falling line L5) is activated.

  A pedestal portion 5 is formed between the reel portion display 3 and the body portion display 4. The pedestal 5 is provided with a medal slot 6 on the right side of the upper horizontal plane in the drawing, and the effective line is determined as described above according to the number of medals inserted into the medal slot 6. . When three medals are inserted and then medals are continuously inserted, the medals inserted after the fourth are stored in the gaming machine 1. In the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, a maximum of 50 medals can be stored.

  A game state display unit 7 is provided in the approximate center of the upper horizontal surface of the pedestal unit 5. The gaming state display unit 7 is provided with a plurality of LEDs and a 7-segment display, and displays the current state of the gaming machine 1 by lighting or displaying numbers.

  Here, as an LED indicating the state of the gaming machine 1, an insert lamp indicating that a medal can be inserted is present, and a BET lamp indicating the number of medals inserted for one game by three LEDs. A start lamp indicating that the game can be started, a replay display lamp indicating that the game is replayed, a hit display lamp indicating that the so-called bonus symbols can be aligned, and stopping Alternatively, there is a game stop display lamp that indicates that a game cannot be performed due to an error or the like.

  The 7-segment display indicating the state of the gaming machine 1 includes a bonus count display section indicating the number of bonus games and the number of winnings in the bonus game, and a payout number display section indicating the number of medals to be paid out when winning as a result of the game. In addition, there is a stored number display portion that indicates the number of medals stored in the gaming machine 1.

  Various BET switches 8 and 9 for inserting medals from medals stored in the gaming machine 1 are provided on the left side of the upper horizontal surface of the pedestal unit 5. When the MAX-BET switch 8 is operated once in a state where medals are stored in the gaming machine 1, three medals from the stored medals are inserted into the gaming machine 1 at a time in the normal game or the BB game. In the RB game, one medal is inserted. When the 1-BET switch 9 is operated, a maximum of three medals are inserted into the gaming machine 1 one by one from the stored medals each time it is operated.

  In this way, by operating the various BET switches 8 and 9, medals are inserted into the gaming machine 1 in the same manner as when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 6, and according to the number of inserted medals. The above-mentioned effective line is determined.

  Stop switches 10L, 10C, and 10R are disposed at substantially the center of the vertical surface of the pedestal 5 so as to correspond to the lower portions of the reel symbol display windows 3L, 3C, and 3R, respectively. These stop switches 10L, 10C, and 10R correspond to three reels, respectively. For example, when the stop switch 10L is pressed, the main control unit performs stop control of the left reel. Similarly, the stop control of the middle reel is performed when the stop switch 10C is pressed, and the right reel is stopped when the stop switch 10R is pressed.

  On the right side of the stop switches 10L, 10C, 10R, a selection switch 11a for the player to select gaming machine information to be displayed on the reel unit display 3, and a decision switch for displaying the gaming machine information selected by the player 11b. Examples of gaming machine information that can be displayed with these switches include, for example, so-called slump specifications, game specification information such as the type of reach, the reel symbol arrangement, and the winning probability of the BB role and RB role in the internal lottery. There is a game history information such as a graph and the number of games between bonus games.

  In addition, on the left side of the stop switches 10L, 10C, 10R, a start is made to start the change of the symbols displayed on the reel symbol display windows 3L, 3C, 3R by rotating the three reels by a tilting operation by the player. A lever 12 is provided. Further, a medal discharge switch 13 for discharging medals stored in the gaming machine 1 is provided on the left side of the start lever 12. By pushing the medal discharge switch 13, medals stored in the gaming machine 1 are discharged from the medal payout opening 14 provided on the lower side of the body display 4.

  Note that even when a prize is won as a result of the game being performed in the gaming machine 1, the number of medals corresponding to the type of the prize is discharged from the medal payout opening 14. The medals discharged from the medal payout opening 14 are stored in the medal receiving unit 15.

  Speakers 16 </ b> L and 16 </ b> R are provided on the left and right sides of the medal discharge port 14. From the speakers 16L and 16R, operation sounds, production sounds, notification sounds, and the like according to the game situation are output. In addition, an upper lamp 17 is provided at the top of the gaming machine 1 to emit light with a light emission pattern according to the game situation, and to perform presentation and notification.

  Next, the configuration of the main control unit and the sub control unit described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the main control unit, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the sub control unit.

  The main controller 20 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) 30 disposed on a circuit board as a main component, and a circuit for random number sampling is added to the microcomputer. The microcomputer 30 includes a main CPU 31 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a program ROM 32 that is a storage unit, and a control RAM 33.

  The main CPU 31 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 34 that generates a reference clock pulse, a frequency divider 35 that divides the reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 36 that generates a random number within a predetermined numerical range (for example, 0 to 16383). And a sampling circuit 37 for sampling the generated random number. The main CPU 31 also exchanges signals with various input / output devices described later via the I / O port 38.

  Note that random number sampling may be executed on the operation program of the main CPU 31 as means for random number sampling. In that case, the random number generator 36 and the sampling circuit 37 can be omitted, or can be left as a backup for the random number sampling operation.

  The main CPU 31 performs processing based on the reference clock pulse generated by the clock pulse generation circuit 34 and performs interrupt processing and the like at regular intervals based on the pulse signal generated by the frequency divider 35.

  The program ROM 32 of the microcomputer 30 stores various tables such as a symbol table, a plurality of probability lottery tables, a stop table group, and a symbol combination table in addition to a program for performing game control in the gaming machine 1. .

  Here, in the symbol table, the reference position of the reel (described later) is set to 0, and the code number previously assigned to each step of the stepping motors 51L, 51C, 51R and the symbol drawn on each reel in advance. The assigned symbol codes are associated with each other. For example, when a reel in which 21 symbols are arranged at equal intervals is rotationally driven by a stepping motor of 400 steps, the rotational position of the stepping motor corresponding to the reference position of the reel is set to 0, and each step is sequentially started from 0. A code number of 399 is assigned in advance, and a symbol code of 0 to 20 is assigned in advance to each symbol on the reel. Each code number is associated with a design code, such as code numbers 0 to 18 for symbol code 0 and code numbers 19 to 37 for symbol code 1.

  The probability lottery table defines the correspondence between each numerical value and various roles in the numerical value range of the random number generated by the random number generator 36. The probability lottery table shows the internal role based on the result of random sampling performed by the sampling circuit 37 described above. This is referred to when performing a lottery (hereinafter referred to as an internal lottery).

  Here, there are three types of winning combinations determined by internal lottery: winning combination, replay winning combination, and loss. The winning combination is a combination that grants a privilege to the player, and there are a plurality of types of winning combinations depending on the content of the privilege to be granted. For example, the small combination is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the player, and the BB combination or the RB combination is a combination in which a BB game or an RB game game is started from the next game. is there. In addition, the replay role is a role in which the next game becomes a replay, and the off-play is a role in which no privilege is given to the player other than the winning combination and the replay role.

  And, for example, when an internal lottery is performed with reference to a lottery probability table in which 0 to 68 is a BB role, 69 to 100 is an RB role, 101 to 919 is a small role, 920 to 4084 is a replay role, and 4085 to 16383 are off When the random number value sampled by the sampling circuit 37 is “863”, it means that a small role is won internally.

  In addition, a symbol combination corresponding to each winning combination is determined in advance for the winning combination and the replay winning combination, and a symbol combination other than the symbol combination corresponding to the winning winning combination and the replay winning combination is associated with the gap.

  The stop table group is composed of a plurality of stop tables corresponding to the result of the internal lottery and the reels to be controlled, and each stop table is a predetermined position in the reel symbol display window with respect to each symbol code. Information indicating whether or not it can be stopped at (for example, the lower stage) is associated. This stop table is referred to when reel symbol stop control is performed according to the operation of the stop switches 10L, 10C, and 10R.

  In the symbol combination table, combinations of symbols in which various winning combinations and replay combinations are established, and medal payout numbers corresponding to various symbol combinations in which winning combinations are established are set. This symbol combination table is referred to when winning determination is performed after all reels are stopped.

  Various information generated during the process of the main CPU 31 is set in the control RAM 33. For example, information such as a set value for setting a probability lottery table that is referred to when performing an internal lottery, an internal winning combination, and various game states is set. These pieces of information are transmitted to the sub control unit 60 via the sub control unit communication port 40.

  The sub-control unit 60 mainly controls effects by images and sounds in the gaming machine 1. In addition, as will be described in detail later, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of gaming machines of the same model that are arranged in a line (that is, arranged side by side) in the game hall. A unit (hereinafter, this unit is referred to as an island), and the sub-control unit 60 of each gaming machine cooperates to produce one effect (hereinafter, this effect is referred to as an island effect) for all the gaming machines constituting the island. Do.

  The exchange of various information transmitted from the main control unit 20 to the sub control unit 60 is performed in one direction from the main control unit 20 to the sub control unit 60, and some information is transmitted from the sub control unit 60 to the main control unit 20. Send it never. Information transmitted from the main control unit to the sub-control unit 60 includes information indicating that the start lever 12 is operated and the game is started (game start information), information on the internal lottery result (internal lottery information), Information (game type information) regarding the game type (during normal game / bonus flag carryover / RB game / BB game, etc.), information indicating which stop switch has been operated (stop operation information), and winning There is information on the result of the determination (winning determination information) and the like.

  In the block diagram of FIG. 2, as the main output devices whose operation is controlled by the control signal from the microcomputer 30, each LED and 7-segment display provided in the gaming state display section 7 (see FIG. 1), There are a hopper (including a payout driving unit) 50 for paying out medals, and stepping motors 51L, 51C, 51R for rotationally driving the reels.

  As described above, the LEDs provided in the game state display unit 7 include the insert lamp 7a, the BET lamp 7b, the start lamp 7c, the re-game display lamp 7d, the winning display lamp 7e, and the game stop display lamp 7f. The microcomputer 30 drives and controls these LEDs via each lamp driving circuit 41. The 7-segment display includes a bonus count display section 7g, a payout number display section 7h, and a stored number display section 7i. The microcomputer 30 receives these 7-segment displays via each display section drive circuit 42. Is controlled.

  Further, the microcomputer 30 controls the driving of the hopper 50 through the hopper driving circuit 43, and controls the driving of the stepping motors 51L, 51C, 51R that rotate the reels through the motor driving circuit 44. The various drive circuits described above are connected to the main CPU 31 via the I / O port 38, and each receives a control signal such as a drive command output from the main CPU 31 to control the operation of the corresponding output device. .

  As main input devices for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 30 to generate a control command, first, a medal insertion switch 6S for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 6, and BET switches 8, 9 , Stop switches 10L, 10C, 10R, a start switch 12S, and a medal discharge switch 13. Signals output from these switches are output to the main CPU 31 via the I / O port 38.

  For the stop switches 10L, 10C, and 10R, a stop signal corresponding to the stop switch pressed by the player is output from the reel stop signal circuit 53 and output to the main CPU 31 via the I / O port 38. .

  In addition to the switches described above, the main CPU 31 has a signal output from a photocoupler (not shown) provided corresponding to each reel and a medal detection unit 52 that detects medals paid out by the hopper 50. Is also entered. Each photocoupler is connected to a reel position detection circuit 45 in the main control unit 20, and when a reference position (index) provided on the corresponding reel is detected, the reel position detection circuit 45 corresponds to that reel. A reference position signal is output to the main CPU 31 via the I / O port 38.

  In addition, the medal detection unit 52 outputs a detection signal to the payout signal generation circuit 46 in the main control unit 20 every time the hopper 50 discharges one medal. The payout signal generation circuit 46 outputs the detection signal output from the medal detection unit 52 to the main CPU 31 via the I / O port 38.

  In the main control unit 20 having the above-described configuration, the insert lamp 7a is blinked by the microcomputer 30 via each lamp driving circuit 41 before the game is started. When a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 6 or operates the BET switches 8 and 9, the microcomputer 30 turns off the insert lamp 7 a via each lamp drive circuit 41 and inserts the inserted medal. The same number of BET lamps 7b as the number of sheets are turned on. Further, when a medal insertion operation is performed by the BET switches 8 and 9, the number obtained by subtracting the number of inserted coins from the numerical value displayed on the stored number display portion 7i together with the lighting of the BET lamp 7b described above. Change the display contents.

  The start lamp 7c blinks to indicate that the game can be started and to prompt the player to operate the start lever 12. Further, the above-described game type information is transmitted to the sub-control unit 60 via the sub-control unit communication port 40.

  Thereafter, when the operation of the start lever 12 by the player is detected by the start switch 12S, the microcomputer 30 starts one game. That is, the start lamp 7c is turned off, the three reels are rotated via the motor drive circuit 44, and the random number generated by the random number generator 36 is sampled by the sampling circuit 37. Then, an internal lottery is performed based on the sampled random number and a lottery probability table corresponding to the set value stored in the control RAM 33 to determine a combination in the game. Further, the game start information and the internal lottery information are transmitted to the sub control unit 60 via the sub control unit communication port 40.

  The microcomputer 30 counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 51L, 51C, 51R during the rotation of the reel, and sequentially stores the count value in a predetermined area of the control RAM 33. The reel position detection circuit 45 outputs a reference position signal for each reel each time the photocoupler provided corresponding to each reel detects the reel index every rotation. When these reference position signals are input to the microcomputer 30, the drive pulse count value stored in the control RAM 33 is cleared to zero. As a result, a count value (corresponding to the code number described above) corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range is set in the control RAM 33. Therefore, the microcomputer 30 can determine the symbols displayed in the reel symbol display windows 3L, 3C, 3R based on the count value (code number) and the symbol table stored in the program ROM 32.

  When any of the stop switches 10L, 10C, 10R is operated by the player, a stop signal corresponding to the operated stop switch is output from the reel stop signal circuit 53 to the microcomputer 30. Thereby, the microcomputer 30 transmits stop operation information to the sub-control unit 60 via the sub-control unit communication port 40, and starts the reel stop control corresponding to the operated stop switch.

  That is, first, the stop used for stop control based on the result of the internal lottery, the reel to be stopped, and the symbol that is stopped and displayed in the reel symbol display window if there is a reel that is already stopped. Determine the table. Then, referring to the symbol table, the symbol currently displayed in the reel symbol display window is judged, and in the determined stop table, the upper symbol in the reel symbol display window is determined from the symbol displayed in the lower part of the reel symbol display window. The symbols that can be stopped at the lower stage of the reel symbol display window (hereinafter referred to as “stoppable symbols”) are determined from among the seven consecutive symbols up to the symbol that is four symbols higher than the symbol of FIG.

  Then, when the stoppable symbol comes to the lower stage of the reel symbol display window, the stepping motor that rotates the reel that is subject to stop control is stopped via the motor drive circuit 44. In this way, each time the stop switch is operated, the microcomputer 30 performs stop control of the corresponding reel and transmits stop operation information to the sub-control unit 60.

  When all the reels are stopped, the microcomputer 30 makes a winning determination with reference to the symbol combination table. That is, it is determined whether there is a winning symbol combination or a winning symbol combination on the active line, and the winning determination information is transmitted to the sub-control unit 60. If there is a winning symbol combination on the active line as a result of the winning determination, the hopper 50 is driven via the hopper driving circuit 43. When the number of times the payout signal is output from the payout signal generation circuit 46 matches the payout number of the winning combination stored in the symbol combination table, the payout of medals by the hopper 50 is stopped and the sub-control unit 60 is not informed. The game type information indicating the game state is transmitted, and the insert lamp 7a indicating that the next game can be started is blinked.

  If the winning combination is determined to be a symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination, the game is terminated, the re-game display lamp 7f is turned on, and then the BET lamp 7b is set to the number of medals inserted in the game. The same number is lit and the start lamp 7c is blinked. Furthermore, when the result of winning determination is a loss, the game is finished, and information indicating that the game is in a non-game state is transmitted to the sub-control unit 60, and an insert indicating that the next game can be started The lamp 7a is blinked.

  Next, the configuration of the sub-control unit 60 will be described with reference to FIG. The sub-control unit 60 includes an image control unit 70 and a sound / lamp control unit 80. The image control unit 70 and the sound / lamp control unit 80 are configured on different circuit boards from the circuit board configuring the main control unit 20. Communication between the image control unit 70 and the sound / lamp control unit 80 is performed in one direction from the image control unit 70 to the sound / lamp control unit 80, and the sound / lamp control unit 80 to the image control unit 70. No information is sent to.

  The image control unit 70 includes a serial port 71 and a display control unit 72. The serial port 71 receives various information transmitted from the main control unit 20. The display control unit 72 determines an effect to be executed based on information received by the serial port 71, and controls image display on the upper display 2, the reel unit display 3, and the trunk unit display 4.

  For example, when the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the display control unit 72 causes the upper display 2 to display a payout table showing payouts for various winning symbol combinations, and the body display 4 displays the model name and the gaming machine 1 Display decorative patterns such as characters in line with the concept. Further, as in the conventional case, the reel unit display 3 displays an image for the effect during the game, and the type of reach described above according to the selection switch 11a and the determination switch 11b shown in FIG. Various gaming machine information such as is displayed.

  Further, the display control unit 72 cooperates with the display control unit 72 in the other gaming machines 1 installed on the same island as the island effect described above, and the upper display 2 and the reel unit display in the gaming machines 1 on the entire island. 3 and an image display in which all the screens of the body display 4 are regarded as one screen.

  Further, the display control unit 72 determines the type and output timing of the sound and lamp effects, and causes the sound / lamp control unit 80 to execute the determined effects via the serial port 71 at each predetermined timing. Send.

  The machine number setting unit 73 is a dip switch provided in the gaming machine 1 and can be operated by employees of the game hall. In order to display the image corresponding to the position, the display number setting unit 73 recognizes the position of the own machine in the island when the island effect described above is executed. This is for setting a unique number (unit number) for the machine.

  Then, the gaming machine set with the number “00” by the machine number setting unit 73 functions as a host for instructing other gaming machines in the same island to start the island effect. That is, on one island, the display control unit 72 of the gaming machine 1 serving as the host and the display control units 72 of the other plurality of gaming machines 1 are respectively connected by signal lines, and the gaming machine serving as the host 1 outputs an island effect synchronization signal to other gaming machines in the same island when a condition (described later) for starting the island effect is satisfied. In addition, when the other gaming machine 1 to which a number other than “00” is set receives the island effect synchronization signal from the host gaming machine 1, each of the gaming machines 1 displays an image corresponding to the machine number set in the own machine. To start.

  In addition, the display control unit 72 is configured to share hardware, and if necessary, can also play the role of the host other than the host and the host other than the host with respect to the island effect. Both terminals are provided. However, it goes without saying that the gaming machine 1 serving as the host does not use the input terminal for the island effect synchronization signal, and the gaming machine 1 serving as the client does not use the output terminal for the island effect synchronization signal.

  Next, the sound / lamp control unit 80 includes a serial port 81, a sound / lamp control CPU 82, a program ROM 83, a work RAM 84, a sound source ROM 85, a sound source IC 86, and a power amplifier 87.

  The serial port 81 receives a command or the like transmitted from the image control unit 70. The sound / lamp control CPU 82 controls the sound / lamp according to the control program stored in the program ROM 83 based on the command transmitted from the image control unit 70. The work RAM 84 is configured as a temporary storage means for work when the sound / lamp control CPU 82 executes the control program stored in the program ROM 83.

  Further, the upper lamp 17 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the sound / lamp control CPU 82 and is output to the upper lamp 17 in accordance with a lighting pattern corresponding to a command transmitted from the image control unit 70 at a predetermined timing. Send a signal. Thus, the upper lamp 17 emits light in a predetermined manner according to the command.

  The sound source ROM 85 stores sound source data (phrase, sound effect source) for generating an audio signal. The sound source IC 86 generates an audio signal according to the command transmitted from the image control unit 70 based on the sound source data stored in the sound source ROM 85 and outputs the sound signal to the power amplifier 87. The audio signal is amplified by the power amplifier 87 and output as audio from the speakers 16L and 16R (see FIG. 1).

  Further, a volume control unit 88 is connected to the sound / lamp control CPU 82. The volume control unit 88 is provided in the gaming machine 1 and can be operated by employees of the game hall, etc., and the volume output from the speakers 16L and 16R is adjusted. The sound / lamp control CPU 82 performs sound volume control so that sound is output from the speakers 16L and 16R at a sound volume corresponding to a set value set in the sound volume adjusting unit 88.

  Next, the configuration of the display control unit 72 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the display control unit 72 includes a display control CPU 74, a program ROM 75, a work RAM 76, image ROMs 77a, 77b, 77c, image control ICs 78a, 78b, 78c, and video RAMs 79a, 79b, 79c. The image ROM 77, the image control IC 78, and the video RAM 79 are provided corresponding to the upper display 2, the reel unit display 3, and the body unit display 4, respectively, as shown in the figure.

  The display control CPU 74 controls the contents of images displayed on the upper display 2, the reel unit display 3, and the trunk unit display 4 based on various information transmitted from the main control unit 20. Further, the selection switch 11a and the determination switch 11b are connected. When these switches are operated by the player, display control corresponding to the operation content is executed.

  The program ROM 75 stores a control program for the display control CPU 74 to execute various processes, and an effect determination table for determining effects to be executed during the game by random lottery. The work RAM 76 is configured as a temporary storage unit for work when the display control CPU 74 executes the control program described above. The contents stored in the work RAM 76 are to be backed up, and even when the power supplied to the display control CPU 74 is cut off, the power is continuously supplied and the stored information is retained. .

  The image ROMs 77a, 77b, and 77c store a plurality of image data, dot data, and the like displayed on the upper display 2, the reel unit display 3, and the body unit display 4, respectively. These various types of data include background image data and sprite image data to be displayed superimposed on the background image data. Examples of sprite image data include characters such as people and animals, symbols, characters, and figures. In addition, in the sprite image data for the reel unit display 3, in order to form the reel symbol display windows 3L, 3C, 3R, the area corresponding to the reel symbol display window is white (that is, light is transmitted to the maximum in the liquid crystal display). State) is included.

  The image control ICs 78a, 78b, 78c read the image data instructed by the display control CPU 74 from the corresponding image ROMs 77a, 77b, 77c, respectively, and correspond to the upper display 2, the reel unit display 3, and the body unit display 4, respectively. Generate image data to be displayed on the display.

  Further, the image control ICs 78a, 78b, 78c store the generated image data in the corresponding video RAMs 79a, 79b, 79c, respectively. The image data stored in the video RAMs 79a, 79b, and 79c are read by the image control ICs 78a, 78b, and 78c, and output to the corresponding displays.

In the display control unit 72 described above, when the display control CPU 74 receives information from the main control unit 20 during the game, the display control CPU 74 performs a process of generating a random number and refers to the above described effect determination table and the generated random number. An effect lottery for determining the content of the effect to be executed based on the information received from the main control unit 20 is performed. Then, a command for performing image display control according to the determined effect, and causing the sound / lamp control unit 80 described above to perform sound generation and lamp drive control according to the effect via the serial port 71. Send. Further, the display control CPU 74 causes the reel unit display 3 to display the aforementioned gaming machine specification information, gaming history information, and the like in accordance with the operation contents of the selection switch 11a and the decision switch 11b.

  The effects and display controls described above, like conventional gaming machines, mainly improve the interest of the game by suggesting the results of the internal lottery to the player, or providing useful game information to the player. It is executed in the reel unit display 3 through the image control IC 78b as in the conventional case. Therefore, the detailed description regarding the process of the display control is omitted, and in the following, display control and effects different from conventional ones will be described.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the image display contents and the image data used for the island effect at the time of executing the island effect controlled by the display control unit 72 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the island effect described below is executed on an island constituted by five gaming machines 1a to 1e installed at equal intervals. Further, the machine number of the gaming machine 1a is “00” (that is, the host), and the machine numbers of the gaming machines 1b to 1e are respectively “01” to “04” (that is, other than the host). It should be noted that the start condition of the island effect is determined as a non-game state when the next game is not started even after a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed after the end of one game in the gaming machine 1a. When it is done.

  The image data P shown in FIG. 6 is integrated with the upper displays 2a to 2e, the reel displays 3a to 3e, and the torso displays 4a to 4e of the gaming machines 1a to 1e constituting the island when the island effect is executed. The contents of the displayed image are shown. The same image data P is stored in the image ROMs 77a, 77b, and 77c in each of the gaming machines 1a to 1e. Further, in the illustrated image data P, regions p0a to p4c surrounded by dotted lines indicate the positions of the gaming machines 1a to 1e constituting the island (that is, corresponding to the machine numbers) and the gaming machines 1a to 1e. It is determined corresponding to each image display area of the upper display 2, the reel part display 3, and the body part display 4.

Here, of the subscripts of the image data area p shown in FIG. 6, the numerals 0 to 4 indicate stand numbers, and the alphabets a to c represent image data areas read by the image control ICs 78a, 78b, and 78c, respectively. ing. For example, the image data area p2b is an area read by the image control IC 78b of the gaming machine 1c (unit number “02”) in FIG.

In FIG. 6, the interval d1 between the image data areas p0a to 4a and the image data areas p0b to 4b is equal to the interval D1 between the upper displays 2a to 2b and the reel unit displays 3a to 3b of each gaming machine shown in FIG. It corresponds. Further, the distance d2 between the image data areas p0b to 4b and the image data areas p0c to 4c corresponds to the distance D2 between the reel part displays 3a to 3b and the body part displays 4a to 4b of each gaming machine shown in FIG. is doing. Furthermore, the interval d3 of the image data area for each gaming machine corresponds to the display interval D3 of each gaming machine shown in FIG.

  Next, the contents of control when the display control CPU 74 shown in FIG. 4 executes the island effect using the image data shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

First, each display CPU 74 of the gaming machines 1a to 1e reads the machine number set in the machine number setting unit 73 of the own machine when the gaming machine is turned on, and stores it in a predetermined area of the work RAM 75. Let Then, the gaming machine 1a whose machine number is set to “00” performs the following processing in order to function as a host with respect to the execution of the island effect.

The display control CPU 74 of the gaming machine 1a starts timing from the time when the winning determination information transmitted from the main control unit 20 is received after all reels are stopped, and the main control is performed even if a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) elapses. If the game type information (transmitted when the medal is inserted) is not received from the unit 20, it is determined that the game is not being performed in the own machine, and the island effect synchronization signal is output to the other game machines 1b to 1e. To do. In addition, image data areas p0a, p0b corresponding to the serial numbers set in the own machine among the image data P shown in FIG. 6 from the corresponding image RAMs 77a, 77b, 77c to the image control ICs 78a, 78b, 78c, respectively. , P0c data is read out and displayed on the corresponding display.

  On the other hand, when each display control CPU 74 of the gaming machines 1b to 1e receives the island effect synchronization signal from the gaming machine 1a, each of the display controlling CPUs 74 refers to the work RAM 75 and recognizes the machine number set for itself. If it is determined that the game is not being played on the own machine, the image control ICs 78a, 78b, and 78c are associated with the corresponding image RAMs 77a, 77b, and 77c in the same manner as the display control CPU 74 of the game machine 1a. An instruction is issued to read out the image data of the area corresponding to the machine number of the own machine from the stored image data P and display it on each corresponding display.

Note that even in gaming machines other than the host, if the game type information is not transmitted even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the winning determination information is sent from the main control unit 20, the game is not being played. to decide. However, the predetermined time described above is set shorter (for example, 30 seconds) than the predetermined time (for example, one minute as described above) so that the player can participate in the island performance as soon as possible. Also good.

  With the above processing, in the gaming machine 1a serving as a host, when one game is completed and the next game is not performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the image control ICs 78a and 78b of the gaming machines 1a to 1e are processed. , 78c read the image data of the area designated by the display control CPU 74 from the image RAMs 77a, 77b, 77c, respectively, and display them on the corresponding displays. As a result, when no game is played in all of the gaming machines 1a to 1e, as shown in FIG. 5, the image data P of FIG. 6 is integrated with each display of the gaming machines 1a to 1e. Will be displayed.

  Thereafter, when the display control CPU 74 of the gaming machines 1a to 1e receives the game type information transmitted when a medal is inserted by the player from the main control unit 20 of the own machine, the image control ICs 78a and 78b. , 78c is instructed to display an image to be displayed at the start of the game on each display. That is, the image control IC 78a is instructed to display the payout table on the upper display 2, the image control IC 78b is instructed to display the game effect image on the reel unit display 3, and the image control IC 78c. Is instructed to display the model name and the decorative pattern on the body display 4. Thereby, when a game is started with any of the gaming machines during the island presentation, the gaming machine stops the island presentation and resumes display related to the game.

  In the gaming machine described above, when it is determined that no gaming is being performed in the gaming machine 1 that is the host, the other game machines on the same island are instructed to start the island effect, and the instruction is received. Each gaming machine performs island production in cooperation with the host gaming machine when a game is not being played in the own machine. For this reason, the presence can be appealed to the person in the vicinity of the island constituted by the gaming machine in the present embodiment. In particular, when there is no game in any game machine, such as immediately after the opening of the game hall, one image is integrated over all of the plurality of image display devices each of the game machines of the entire island. Therefore, it is possible to attract the interest of the player who is selecting which game machine to play, and as a result, it is expected to improve the ability to attract customers.

  In addition, each gaming machine constituting the island has the entire image data displayed across the gaming machines of the entire island, and among the image data, the area corresponding to the machine number set for the own machine In order to display an image, regardless of the position where the gaming machine is installed in the island, the original island effect can be executed by appropriately setting the machine number. That is, each gaming machine can execute the island effect without being caught by the installation position on the island.

  Note that the content of the image data used in the above-mentioned island effects is one large bird, but the content indicated by the image data is not limited to this, such as a logo of a gaming machine manufacturer. It may be a letter or the like. In addition, it is not always necessary to store the entire image data used for the island effect in each image ROM of each gaming machine, and the image data divided into portions corresponding to each of the entire images is individually stored. You may memorize it. That is, for example, the image ROMs 77a, 77b, and 77c of the gaming machine 1a in FIG. 5 store image data of only the areas p0a, p0b, and p0c shown in FIG. Only the image data of the portion corresponding to the installation position of the own device may be stored individually. In this case, although the installation position of each gaming machine is limited, there is an advantage that the number of parts can be reduced because the storage capacity of each image ROM is small and the unit number setting unit 73 is unnecessary.

  Next, in the island effect described above, the image displayed on the entire island is stationary, but it is also possible to scroll in the horizontal direction, for example. For example, when executing the island effect, the gaming machine 1a serving as the host outputs an island effect synchronization signal every predetermined time (for example, 1/30 second). Each game machine other than the host counts the number of times of reception of the island effect synchronization signal, and each time the count value is incremented, the area p to be read out of the image data P shown in FIG. The data is read from the image ROM after being shifted by a predetermined pitch in the direction of arrow A. When the area p to be read reaches the right end of the image data P, the image shown in FIG. 6 is scroll-displayed from right to left by reading from the left end of the image data P.

  In the above island production, even when a game machine is added to the island, it can be flexibly handled. For example, on the island shown in FIG. 5, when one gaming machine 1 is added to the right of the gaming machine 1e, image data P shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the image ROMs 77a, 77b, 77c of the gaming machine 1 to be added. Keep it. Then, “05” is set in the machine number setting unit 73, and the gaming machine set with the machine number “05” causes the image area to be read out of the image data P to be the same area as the machine number “00”. It is determined in advance. By defining in this way, for example, in the island effect, even when the image data P is scrolled in the horizontal direction, a display without a sense of incongruity can be performed.

  As a gaming machine, as long as it has a plurality of image display devices, it can be applied to a slot machine that uses pachinko balls as game media, a slot machine that uses pachinko balls as game media, and a ball game machine. is there.

It is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine as an example of a gaming machine in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main control part in the game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sub control part in the game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the same sub-control part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the island effect performed using two or more game machines in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the image data used for the island production.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Upper display 3 Reel display 4 Body display 72 Display control part 73 Stand number setting part (setting part)
74 CPU for display control
75 Program ROM
76 Work RAM
77a, 77b, 77c Image ROM
78a, 78b, 78c Image control IC
79a, 79b, 79c Video RAM

Claims (2)

A gaming machine having a plurality of image display devices and a display control unit that performs display control in the plurality of image display devices,
The display control unit
When a plurality of the gaming machines are arranged side by side, the position of the own gaming machine in the plurality of gaming machines arranged side by side is recognized,
Corresponding to the position of each of the gaming machines arranged side by side and each display area of the plurality of image display devices possessed by each gaming machine, the recognized self among the image areas divided into a plurality of images. A game characterized in that an image of an image area corresponding to the position of each gaming machine and each display area of the plurality of image display devices possessed by the game machine is displayed on each of the plurality of image display devices. Machine. A setting unit for setting a numerical value corresponding to the position of the game machine of the plurality of gaming machines arranged side by side;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit recognizes the position of its own gaming machine based on a numerical value set in the setting unit.

Images