JP2007296404A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the fading of the players' desires for games as much as possible even when a game presents none of the jackpot though continuity to so much extent. <P>SOLUTION: In a game machine having a variable display device in which left, middle and right figures are variably displayed on a screen 9, a criterion value 1 is set for offering the variable probability win or a criterion value 2 for offering none. Extracted values at random 4 are judged by the criterion value 1 or 2 to vary reels being fed frame by frame thereby elevating expectation of appearance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by, for example, a pachinko gaming machine or a coin gaming machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine having a variable display device whose display state can be changed.

  Conventionally known as this type of gaming machine has, for example, a variable display device that can variably display a plurality of types of identification information, and a display result of the plurality of types of identification information is predetermined. There has been a gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state (big hit state) advantageous to a player when a specific display mode is achieved. Further, in this type of gaming machine, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the gaming machine is configured to be controlled to a special gaming state advantageous to a player different from the specific gaming state, such as a probability variation state, for example. was there.

  In the conventional gaming machine as described above, in order to increase the player's expectation, after the display result of the identification information becomes a specific display mode, the special gaming state is separated from the plurality of types of identification information described above. It is considered to variably display special game state information indicating whether or not the game is to be performed and to notify the player whether or not the special game state is to be obtained based on the display result.

  However, simply displaying the special game state information variably after the display result of the identification information is in a specific display form, the identification is made despite whether or not the special game state is entered. There has been a problem that it is impossible to effectively produce a notification regarding whether or not to enter a special gaming state, for example, the player's sense of expectation during the variable display of information cannot be sufficiently increased.

  Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to reduce the player's willingness to play as much as possible even when a specific display mode is not derived and displayed on the variable display device even though the game has continued to some extent. This is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing this.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a gaming machine having a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of pieces of identification information in a predetermined arrangement in a plurality of variable display units, and the display result of the variable display device is specified It is possible to control to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player on the condition that the display mode is changed, and to a player different from the specific gaming state on the condition that the display mode is a special display mode among the specific display modes A game control means capable of adding an advantageous special game state, a first variable display for variably displaying the identification information and recognizing whether or not to obtain a specific display result, and the first variable display Variable display control means capable of controlling display of the second variable display for effect display so as to recognize whether or not the specific display result is obtained when the result of the variable display is the specific display result. The variable display control means includes Control that synchronizes all the variable display sections in the variable display and repeats the pause display in a specific display mode excluding at least a part of the specific display mode that is not a special display mode to perform variable display a plurality of times. Is possible.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration of the invention of claim 1, the variable display control means displays only the special display mode in the pause display in the second variable display.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the configuration of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the arrangement of the identification information is the same in all the variable display sections, and the identification information constituting the special display mode and the special information It is characterized by being alternately arranged with identification information that cannot constitute the display mode.

[Action]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the result of the first variable display is a specific display result, the second variable display is displayed in an effect so that it can be recognized whether or not the specific display result is obtained. In the second variable display, all the variable displays are synchronized, and the pause display in the specific display mode excluding at least a part of the specific display mode that is not the special display mode is repeatedly displayed a plurality of times. To do.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, in the second variable display, only a special display mode is displayed in a paused manner.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, the arrangement of the identification information is made the same in all the variable display sections, and the identification constituting a special display mode Information and identification information that cannot constitute a special display mode are alternately arranged.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a coin gaming machine, a slot machine, or the like, and the display state can be changed. Any game machine having a variable display device can be applied.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention and a card unit 50 installed correspondingly.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. There is a hitting ball supply tray 3 on the lower surface of the glass door frame 2. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing prize balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the hitting ball. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the rear of the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided in front of the game board 6.

  Near the center of the game area 7, a variable display device 8 having an image display area 9 is provided. The variable display device 8 has a variable display 10 at the top, and a start winning memory display 18 at the bottom. Each is provided.

  In addition, a starting electric accessory 15 constituting a starting winning opening 14 is provided below the variable display device 8, and a passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided on each side thereof. Further, a variable winning ball apparatus 19 is attached below the start winning opening 14.

  In the image display area 9 of the variable display device 8, three special symbols “left symbol”, “middle symbol”, and “right symbol” are variably displayed by scrolling from top to bottom. In this pachinko gaming machine 1, 12 symbols in total are displayed as special symbols, which are common to the left, middle, and right symbols, number symbols “1” to “9”, and alphabetic symbols “A” to “C”. The special symbol is variably started on the basis that the hit ball starts and wins the start winning opening 14. In addition, in the image display area 9, various characters for enhancing the effect of the game are displayed.

  After hitting the passing gate 11 on the side of the variable display device 8, the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12, and then guided to the start winning opening 14 through the ball outlet 13. When a hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12, the normal symbol stopped and displayed on the variable display 10 is variably started. When the display result is a predetermined specific display result (for example, 7), the starter electric accessory 15 constituting the start winning opening 14 is predetermined by exciting the solenoid 16. The time is established, and it becomes easy to make the hitting ball easily enter the start winning opening 14. When the hit ball passes through the passage gate 11 during the variable display of the variable indicator 10, the passage is stored, and after the variable display of the variable indicator 10 is finished and the state where the variation can be started again is obtained. The variable display 10 starts variably based on the passage memory. The upper limit of the passing memory is set to “4”, for example, and the current passing memory number is displayed by a passing memory display (not shown).

  The start winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is detected by the start opening switch 17. When a hitting ball is detected by the start port switch 17, the special symbol of the variable display device 8 is variably started. For example, when a hitting ball is detected by the start opening switch 17 during the variable display of the special symbol, the start winning is stored, and the variation of the special symbol is finished and the variation can be started again. The special symbol starts variably based on the start winning memory. The upper limit of the start winning memory is set to, for example, “4”, and the current start winning memory number is displayed by the start winning memory display 18. The start winning memory display 18 has four display units (LEDs), and each time a start winning is stored, one LED is added and lights up. Each time the variable display of the special symbol is started in the image display area 9, one LED is extinguished.

  The scrolling of the special symbols on the left, middle, and right in the variable display device 8 ends in the order of the left symbol, the right symbol, and the middle symbol, for example, and the final display result is derived and displayed. As a result, when the same type of symbols (for example, 111, 222, etc.) are stopped and displayed, it is a big hit. When a big hit occurs, the solenoid 21 is excited and the opening / closing plate 20 tilts, and the big winning opening of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is opened. As a result, the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is in a first state that is advantageous to the player. This first state ends when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number of hit balls (for example, 10) wins, whichever comes first, which is disadvantageous for the player. The second state is entered. The large winning opening is provided with a V count switch 22 for detecting a winning ball that has entered a specific area (V pocket) and a count switch 23 for detecting a winning ball that has won a normal area other than the specific area. If the hit ball that has entered the variable winning ball apparatus 19 in the first state wins a specific area (V pocket) and is detected by the V count switch 22, the end of the first state of that time is completed. After waiting, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again to be in the first state. The repeated continuation control in the first state can be executed up to 15 times, and the gaming state in which the repeated continuation control is executed is referred to as a specific gaming state (big hit state). In the repeated continuation control, the state where the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is in the first state is called a round. When the upper limit number of executions of the repeated continuation control is 16, the variable winning ball apparatus 19 can be set to the first state for 16 rounds from the first round to the 16th round.

  When the result of jackpot displayed on the variable display device 8 is composed of a predetermined probability variable symbol, the probability fluctuation state in which the probability of the jackpot occurrence is improved compared to the normal gaming state It becomes. In the following, jackpots with probability variation symbols are referred to as probability variation jackpots. A jackpot symbol other than the probability variation symbol is referred to as a non-probability variation symbol, and a jackpot of the non-probability variation symbol due to a doublet is referred to as a non-probability variation symbol. For example, a total of 6 symbols including the odd number symbols among the number symbols “1” to “9” and the alphabet symbols “B” and “D” are the probability variation symbols, and the other even symbols and the alphabet symbols “A”, “C” is an uncertain variable.

  When a probabilistic big hit occurs, the probability variation state is controlled at least until the next big hit occurs. In addition, if a probable big hit occurs next time, the probability fluctuation state continues. In this pachinko gaming machine 1, an upper limit is set for the number of times that a probable big hit is continuously generated during the probability variation state in order to limit the continuous control of the probability variation state from being performed indefinitely. When the big hit display mode is determined to be an uncertain change big hit based on the upper limit number of times, the continuous control of the probability variation state is forcibly terminated at that time. It is to be noted that the restriction that prohibits the big hit with the probability variation symbol is called a limiter operation.

  Further, in this pachinko gaming machine 1, even when the result of variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device 8 is out of place, there may be a specific gaming state based on the display result. In the following description, such a special outage that causes a specific gaming state is referred to as a “pseudo-out” to distinguish it from a normal outage.

  This “pseudo deviation” occurs only when the display state of the image display area 9 satisfies a certain condition. Specifically, “help marks (also referred to as special characters)” suggesting that bonuses will be given as bonuses are sequentially displayed in the image display area 9 with a predetermined probability every time a discontinuity occurs. When the number of “help marks” is two, “pseudo miss” can occur in the next variable symbol variable display. When two “help marks” are displayed on the variable display device 8 and a “pseudo miss” occurs, one more “help mark” is added and a total of three are displayed. In addition, a human character notifying that a bonus is won as a bonus is displayed.

  As described above, in this pachinko gaming machine 1, “help marks” are sequentially displayed in the image display area 9 with a predetermined probability every time the discontinuity occurs, and depending on the number, the variable display result is disengaged. In this case, since the game state may be controlled to a specific game state, it is possible to prevent the player's willingness to play as much as possible even if the discontinuity occurs continuously.

  In addition, the game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning holes 24. In addition, decorative lamps 25 that are lit and displayed during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7, and an outlet 26 for collecting hit balls that have not won a prize is provided at the bottom. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a game effect LED 28a and game effect lamps 28b and 28c are provided. In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 is provided in the vicinity of one speaker 27 so as to be turned on when the prize ball is paid out, and a ball-out lamp 52 that is turned on when the supply ball is cut out is provided in the vicinity of the other speaker 27. Is provided.

  Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables ball lending by inserting a prepaid card. The card unit 50 is provided with a card availability display lamp 151, and the player is notified by the lighting or blinking of the card availability display lamp 151 that the card unit 50 is in a usable state. This card unit 50 is installed in a state where it is inserted between a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 installed on the gaming machine installation island, and it indicates which of the left and right gaming machines is connected to the connected table. Displayed by the instrument 153.

  When the player inserts a prepaid card in which the card balance is recorded into the card insertion slot 155, the card balance recorded in the prepaid card is read. Next, when the player performs a predetermined ball lending operation, the balance for the lending unit amount set in advance is reduced, and the hit ball for the lending unit amount is supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 It is rented out to dish 3.

  The card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display switch 152. By pressing the fraction display switch 152, for example, information such as a card balance or an error code when an error occurs is displayed on an information display (not shown) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the figure, reference numeral 156 denotes a card unit lock, which is configured to open the front side of the card unit 50 by inserting a predetermined key into the card unit lock 156 and performing an unlocking operation.

  Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing a partial internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine with adjacent card units.

  A mechanism plate 36 is provided on the back side of the game board 6 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A ball tank 38 is provided on the upper portion of the mechanism plate 36, and pachinko balls are supplied to the ball tank 38 from above in a state where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island. The pachinko balls in the ball tank 38 are supplied to the ball dispensing device through the guide rod 39. The mechanism plate 36 includes a variable display control unit 29 that performs display control of the image display area 9 via the relay board 30, a game control board 31 that is covered with a board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer, and the like. A relay board 33 for relaying signals between the control unit 29 and the game control board 31, and a prize ball board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing payout control of pachinko balls and the like are mounted. Further, on the mechanism plate 36, a ball hitting device 34 for launching a hit ball to the game area 7 using the rotational force of the motor, and a lamp for sending a signal to the speaker 27 and the game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c. A control board 35 is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the game board 6 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. On the back surface of the game board 6, as shown in FIG. 3, a winning ball collective cover 40 is provided for guiding the winning balls that have won the winning holes and the winning ball devices along a predetermined winning path. The winning ball guided by the winning ball collective cover 40 is supplied to a winning ball processing device (not shown) for processing one winning ball. The winning ball processing device is provided with a winning ball detection switch 99 (see FIG. 4), and a detection signal of the winning ball detection switch 99 is sent to the game control board 31.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the game control board 31. FIG. 4 shows a game control board (also referred to as a main board) 31, a prize ball board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, a launch control board 91, and a display control board 80 as control boards.

  The winning ball board 37, the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, the launch control board 91, and the display control board 80 are equipped with microcomputers, and are provided with, for example, a CPU and an I / O port.

  A ball dispensing device 97 and a card unit 50 are connected to the prize ball substrate 37. Connected to the lamp control board 35 are a game effect LED 28a, a prize ball lamp 51, a ball break lamp 52, and game effect lamps 28b and 28c. An operation knob (hit ball operation handle) 5 and a drive motor 94 for driving a ball hitting hammer (not shown) are connected to the firing control board 91. The driving force of the drive motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. A variable display device 8 (not shown) is connected to the display control board 80. A speaker 27 is connected to the sound control board 70.

  The game control board 31 includes a basic circuit (game control microcomputer) 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a game control program, a switch circuit 58, a solenoid circuit 59, a lamp / LED circuit 60, and an information output circuit. 64, an initial reset circuit 65, and an address decode circuit 67 are provided.

  The basic circuit 53 is a microcomputer for game control, and includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program, a RAM 55 used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing control operations in accordance with a control program, and an I / O port 57. Including. The basic circuit 53 repeatedly executes the game control program that is reset periodically (for example, every 2 msec) and stored in the ROM 54 from the top.

  The initial reset circuit 65 is a circuit that resets the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on. The basic circuit 53 initializes the pachinko gaming machine 1 in response to the initial reset pulse sent from the initial reset circuit 65. The address decode circuit 67 is a circuit that decodes the address signal supplied from the basic circuit 53 and outputs a signal for selecting any one of the I / O ports 57.

  The switch circuit 58 is a circuit that supplies signals from various switches to the basic circuit 53. The switch circuit 58 is connected to the gate switch 12, the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning ball detection switch 99.

  The information output circuit 64 is based on the data given from the basic circuit 53, probability variation information indicating that a probability variation has occurred and a probability variation state, jackpot information indicating that a big hit has occurred and a specific gaming state has occurred, In addition, the circuit is a circuit for outputting start winning information indicating the occurrence of the start winning that is effectively used for variable display of the image display area 9 to the host computer such as a hall management computer.

  The solenoid circuit 59 is a circuit that drives the solenoid 16 that operates the movable piece of the starting electric accessory 15 and the solenoid 21 that opens and closes the opening / closing plate 20 of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53.

  The lamp / LED circuit 60 is a circuit that controls lighting and extinction of the variable display (ordinary symbol variable display) 10, the decorative lamp 25, and the start-up memory display 18.

  A command, which is an example of command information, is transmitted from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37, the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, and the display control board 80.

  The commands transmitted from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37 include commands as command information related to prize ball payout control and commands as command information related to ball payout control (for example, ball lending prohibition command, Lending prohibition release command, etc.).

  The command transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 is a display control command, and a change start command for starting the change of the variable display device 8 is a command related to a special symbol among the display control commands. And a fixed symbol designation command for designating a fixed symbol (scheduled stop symbol), a symbol fixed command for designating the end of variation, and the like. This display control command is composed of two sets of 2-byte data of MODE data and EXT data each consisting of 1-byte data. The MODE data is data indicating a command type such as a change start command or a fixed symbol designation command, and the EXT data is data that specifically specifies a specific display control content among the command types indicated by the MODE data.

  The basic circuit 53 outputs a predetermined lamp control command to the lamp control board 35 based on occurrence of a big hit or winning. On the lamp control board 35, lighting control of the electrical decorative component is performed based on the lamp control command.

  The basic circuit 53 outputs a predetermined voice control command to the voice control board 70 based on occurrence of a big hit or winning. The sound control board 70 performs control to output a predetermined sound effect from the speaker 27 based on the sound control command.

  The basic circuit 53 pays out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the detection signal of the winning ball detection switch 99, the detection signal of the start port switch 17, the detection signal of the V count switch 22, and the detection signal of the count switch 23. A prize ball signal is output to the prize ball substrate 37. The prize ball substrate 37 controls the ball dispensing device based on the outputted prize ball signal to perform a control for dispensing a predetermined number of prize balls.

  More specifically, for example, 15 prize balls are paid out for each winning ball for the winning ball that has won the big winning gate of the variable winning ball apparatus 19, and one for the winning ball that has won the starting winning port 14. For example, 6 prize balls are paid out for each winning ball, and for the other winning balls 24 awarded to the winning opening 24, for example, 10 prize balls are paid out for each winning ball.

  In order to pay out such three kinds of prize balls, the game control board 31 performs a control operation as follows. When a detection signal from the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 is input, the detection signal is used as a payout number determination data used when determining the payout number of the award balls. The number of payouts is temporarily stored internally. Thereafter, if a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99 is input, it is determined by referring to the payout number determination data whether there is a detection signal from the start port switch 17 before the input. The game control board 31 outputs a prize ball command signal for instructing the prize ball board 37 to pay out the number of prize balls “6”. On the other hand, when there is a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99 and there is a detection signal from the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 before that, the game control board 31 has a prize ball of “15”. A number of prize ball command signals are output to the prize ball substrate 37. Further, when there is a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99, if no detection signal has been input from any of the start port switch 17, V switch 22 and count switch 23 before that, game control is performed. The board 31 outputs a prize ball command signal to the prize ball board 37 for giving a command of paying out the number of prize balls of “10”.

  The prize ball number signal sent from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37 is received by a payout control microcomputer (not shown) provided on the prize ball board 37. The payout control microcomputer drives the ball payout device 97 to perform control for paying out the number of prize balls specified by the prize ball number signal.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the display control board 80 together with a CRT 82 for realizing image display. The display control CPU 101 incorporating the RAM 101a operates in accordance with a program stored in the control data ROM 102, and receives an INT signal (also called a strobe signal or an interrupt signal) from the game control board 31 via the input buffer 105a in the input buffer circuit 105. Is input, the display control CPU 101 enters an interrupt operation state and takes in display control command data. Then, display control of an image displayed on the CRT 82 is performed according to the fetched display control command data. The control data ROM 102 stores a plurality of types of data related to display patterns for probability-changing lottery effects.

  Specifically, the display control CPU 101 gives a command according to the display control command data to the VDP 103. VDP 103 reads necessary data from character ROM 86. The VDP 103 generates image data to be displayed on the CRT 82 in accordance with the input data, and stores the image data in the VRAM 87. The image data in the VRAM 87 is converted into R (red), G (green), and B (blue) signals (RGB signals), converted into analog signals by the D / A conversion circuit 104, and output to the CRT 82. .

  In FIG. 5, a reset circuit 83 for resetting the VDP 103, an oscillation circuit 85 for supplying an operation clock to the VDP 103, a character ROM 86 for storing frequently used image data, and an input for inputting display control command data A buffer circuit 105 is also shown. The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 86 is, for example, a person, animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the CRT 82.

  The display control CPU 101 has a built-in RAM 101a for storing display control command data, which will be described later. When a display control command is received from the game control board 31, it is predetermined for each variation pattern (effect pattern). Control to move and display the current background and character on the screen. Note that the background and the character are switched at a predetermined timing, and the display control CPU 101 also controls them independently.

  The input buffer circuit 105 to which a display control command is input on the display control board 80 side allows signal transmission only in the direction from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80, but game control is performed from the display control board 80 side. This is an irreversible input means that does not transmit a signal toward the substrate 31 side. As the input buffer 105a constituting the input buffer circuit 105, for example, a general-purpose CMOS-IC 74HC244 is used in two chips. The enable terminal of the input buffer 105a is always given a low level (GND level). According to such a configuration, the possibility that a signal is given from the display control board 80 to the game control board 31 can be reliably eliminated. Accordingly, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the display control board 80 side to the game control board 31 side, and even if unauthorized modification is added to the transmission path of the display control command, the signal output by the unauthorized modification is sent to the game control board 31 side. There is no transmission. For this reason, one-way communication between the game control board 31 and the display control board 80 is secured, and an illegal signal (data) is input to the game control board 31 via the transmission path of the display control command. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act that causes a proper control operation. Further, since the irreversible input means is composed of a buffer IC circuit, it is possible to prevent illegal information from being input to the game control means relatively easily. Note that other circuit elements such as individual transistors may be provided as the irreversible input means.

  Similarly, the output buffer circuit 63 from which the display control command is output on the game control board 31 side permits signal transmission only in the direction from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80, but from the display control board 80 side. This is an output interface having irreversibility that does not transmit a signal toward the game control board 31 side. Accordingly, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the display control board 80 side to the game control board 31 side, and even if unauthorized modification is added to the transmission path of the display control command, the signal output by the unauthorized modification is sent to the game control board 31 side. There is no transmission.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing various random counters used by the basic circuit 53 on the game control board 31 side for game control. FIG. 6 shows seven types of random counters of random 1, random 2, random 3 (3-1, 3-2, 3-3), random 4, and random 5.

  Random 1 is a jackpot determination random counter used to determine whether or not to make a big hit the result of variable symbol special display based on the start memory when there is a start memory. This random counter is incremented and incremented by 1 every timer interrupt (specifically every 0.002 seconds), incremented and updated from 0 to the upper limit of 299, and then incremented and updated again from 0. The

  Random 3 (3-1, 3-2, 3-3) is a fixed symbol (scheduled stop symbol) when it is determined that the result of variable display of the special symbol is not based on the extracted value of random 1. ) Is a random counter for determining a miss.

  Random 3-1 is for determining the left symbol, and is added from 0 again when it is added from 0 and added to 11 which is the upper limit. Random 3-1 is incremented by 1 every timer interrupt, that is, every 0.002 seconds. Random 3-2 is a random counter for medium symbol determination, and is added from 0 again when it is added from 0 and added to 11 which is the upper limit thereof. Random 3-2 is incremented by 1 for each carry of random 3-1. Random 3-3 is a random counter for determining the right symbol, is added from 0 and is added up to 11 which is the upper limit thereof, and is added again from 0. Random 3-3 is incremented by one for each carry of random 3-2.

  Random 4 is a reach type determination random counter for displaying the reach state. Random 4 is added from 0 again when it is added from 0 to 121 which is the upper limit thereof. Random 4 is incremented by 1 for each timer interrupt, that is, for every 0.002 seconds, and for each extra interrupt processing time.

  Here, the reach (reach state) has a variable display device whose display state can be changed, and the variable display device derives and displays a plurality of display results at different times, and the plurality of display results are preliminarily displayed. In a gaming machine in which the gaming state becomes a gaming state advantageous for the player (specific gaming state) when a combination of specific display modes is determined, some of the plurality of display results are still derived and displayed. This means a display state in which a display result that has already been derived and displayed satisfies a condition that is a combination of the specific display modes at a stage that is not present.

  In other words, the reach state is a display condition that becomes the specific display mode even when the variable display control of the variable display device proceeds and reaches the stage before the display result is derived and displayed. A display mode that is not deviated from. For example, the reach state includes a state in which variable display by a plurality of variable display units is performed while maintaining a state where the combinations of the specific display modes are aligned.

  The reach state is a display state at the time when the display control of the variable display device progresses and reaches a stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and is determined before the display result is derived and displayed. The display state in the case where at least a part of the display results of the plurality of variable display sections that have been satisfied the condition for the specific display mode.

  Furthermore, some reach is likely to generate a big hit (a high degree of expectation for a big hit) compared to a normal reach when it appears. Such a specific reach is called super reach.

  Random 5 determines the jackpot symbol used to determine the type of the final symbol (scheduled stop symbol) when it is determined that the special symbol variable display result is a jackpot based on the random 1 extraction value. It is a random counter. Random 5 is added from 0 and added to 5 which is the upper limit, and then added again from 0. Random 5 is incremented by 1 every timer interrupt, that is, every 0.002 seconds.

  7 to 10 are explanatory diagrams for explaining display control commands. The display control command is composed of a total of 2 bytes of data including MODE data composed of 1 byte data and EXT data composed of 1 byte data. Of these, MODE data is data that designates the type of display control data. On the other hand, the EXT data is data that specifically designates a specific display control content among the command types indicated by the MODE data.

  FIG. 7 shows a fixed symbol designation command. The MODE data of the fixed symbol designation command is “90H”, “91H”, and “92H” for the left middle right symbol. FIG. 8 shows a change start command. The MODE data of the change start command is “80H”. FIG. 9 shows special screen commands. The MODE data of the special screen command is “81H”. FIG. 10 shows a jackpot screen designation command. The MODE data of the jackpot screen designation command is “82H”.

  First, the fixed symbol designation command will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows the correspondence between the random 5 and random 3 counter values and the fixed symbol designation command. As described above, the random 5 is a random counter used for determining the jackpot symbol, and the random 3 is a random counter used for determining the off symbol. In addition, the value of 0-11 shown in parentheses is a random 3 counter value, and the value of 0-5 shown above the counter value is a random 5 counter value.

  The fixed symbol designation command is a command for designating a fixed symbol (scheduled stop symbol) to the display control board 80. By this fixed symbol designation command, the fixed symbols are designated for the left middle right symbol. Specifically, the left symbol is designated by the MODE data “90H”, the middle symbol is designated by the MODE data “91H”, and the right symbol is designated by the MODE data “92H”. As EXT data corresponding to each MODE data, 12 types of “00H” to “0BH” are prepared, and each EXT data designates one specific symbol. For example, the combination of the MODE data and the EXT data “90H 00H” specifies that the left confirmed symbol is a symbol corresponding to the EXT data “00H”. On the display control board 80 side, symbol data corresponding to each of the EXT data “00H” to “0BH” is stored in the arrangement order, and the symbol at the arrangement position according to the received EXT data is selected as the final symbol. The

  Each symbol designated by the EXT data “00H” to “0BH” is defined in advance as a non-probable variable symbol or a probable variable symbol as illustrated. For example, each symbol specified by “01H, 03H, 05H, 07H, 09H, 0BH” is a probability variable symbol, and each symbol specified by “00H, 02H, 04H, 06H, 08H, 0AH” is not It is a probable variation.

  In the data area of the ROM 54 on the game control board 31 side, a probability variation symbol selection table composed only of EXT data “01H, 03H, 05H, 07H, 09H, 0BH” for designating probability variation symbols and a non-probability variation symbol are designated. The non-probable variable symbol selection table composed only of EXT data “00H, 02H, 04H, 06H, 08H, 0AH” to be stored is stored.

For example, if it is determined in advance on the game control board 31 side that a non-probable variation big hit is made, a random value of 5 is determined by the non-probable variation symbol selection table, and EXT data designating the non-probable variation symbol is selected. . As a result, one non-probable variable symbol is designated from among a plurality of types of non-probable variable symbols. On the other hand, if it is determined in advance on the game control board 31 side that the probability variation jackpot is determined, a random value of 5 is determined by the probability variation symbol selection table, and EXT data designating the probability variation symbol is selected. As a result, one probability variation symbol is designated from among a plurality of types of probability variation symbols. In addition, when it is determined in advance that the game control board 31 is shifted, the value of random 3 (3-1, 3-2, 3-3) is determined, and the EXT data specifying the lost symbol is determined. It is selected according to the left middle right design.
As described above, the type of the definite symbol is determined by the random 3 or random 5 counter value, and more precisely, the type of the display control command for designating the definite symbol is determined. That is, the game control board 31 does not specify any special symbol form, but simply specifies the type of probability variation / non-probability variation and the symbol arrangement position. On the display control board 80 side, a special symbol corresponding to the confirmed symbol designation command output from the game control substrate 31 is selected and set as a confirmed symbol. However, when the variable display result is set to be false as described later, a symbol other than the symbol designated by the confirmed symbol designation command is selected as the confirmed symbol.

  Next, referring to FIG. 8, as the change start command, seven types of commands for specifying display contents by EXT data “00H” to “06H” are prepared. As shown in the figure, a display time (variable display period) is designated by each change start command. The display time becomes longer in the order of T1 to T7. On the display control board 80 side, data of a variation pattern (effect pattern) corresponding to the display time designated by these commands is stored. That is, the game control board 31 side indirectly designates an effect pattern such as a reach type and an effect method corresponding to the display time by designating a display time with a change start command to the display control board 80. However, the specific contents are left to the display control board 80 side. Control programs and image data for effect display such as display contents in the reach state corresponding to these fluctuation patterns (effect patterns) are stored in the ROM 102, VDP 103, and character ROM 86 on the display control board 80 side, and display control is performed. The CPU 101 displays effects corresponding to various variation patterns (effect patterns) according to the control program.

  When a specific display time (variable display period) is designated by a change start command, the display time itself may be designated as a command instead of being designated by the EXT data shown. For example, when the variable display period is 10 seconds, “0AH” that specifies the time may be used as the EXT data.

  Next, referring to FIG. 9, as special screen command data, four types of commands for specifying the display control contents by EXT data “00H” to “03H” are prepared. The power-on screen designated by the EXT data “00H” is data for designating a screen to be displayed in the image display area 9 when the pachinko gaming machine is turned on. Thereby, when the power of the pachinko gaming machine is turned on, a screen with 4 for the left symbol, 4 for the middle symbol, and 5 for the right symbol is displayed. The customer standby screen 1 specified by the EXT data “01H” and the customer standby screen 2 specified by the EXT data “02H” are alternately displayed when it is determined that there is no start memory. It is. For example, the customer standby screen 1 is a screen that displays the name of the gaming machine, etc., and the customer standby screen 2 is a screen that shows the outcome based on the previous start winning (the display result of the variable display device 8). The error screen specified by the EXT data “03H” is data for specifying a screen to be displayed in the image display area 9 when an error occurs in the pachinko gaming machine.

  Next, referring to FIG. 10, as the big hit screen designation command data, a plurality of types of commands for designating the display control contents by EXT data “00H” to “30H” are prepared. For example, the EXT data “00H” specifies to display the big hit start screen, and the EXT data “10H” specifies to display the big hit first round screen. When a big hit occurs, these commands are output to the display control board 80 in order from the higher order command.

  Next, a part of the processing executed by the basic circuit 53 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing game control main processing and interrupt processing executed by the basic circuit 53. In FIG. 11, (a) shows a game control main process, and (b) shows an interrupt process.

  Referring to FIG. 11A, in the game control main process, first, a stack setting process for setting a designated address of the stack pointer is performed (S1). Next, initialization processing is performed (S2). In the initialization process, it is determined whether an error is included in the RAM 55. If an error is included, the RAM 55 is initialized and various flags are initialized. Further, in the initialization process, a process of setting a timer interruption time (for example, 0.002 seconds) that defines timing for executing an interruption process, which will be described later, to the CPU 56 is performed. As a result, timing for defining the execution timing of the first interrupt process after reset due to power-on or the like is started.

  Next, a display random number update process for determining a stop symbol is performed (S3). In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the stop symbol of the special symbol in the variable display of the variable display device 8 is determined based on the random number (counter value of the random counter). In S3, the display random number for determining the stop symbol is updated. The display random number update process continues to be repeatedly executed by an infinite loop. However, when an interrupt process described later is started, the display random number update process is temporarily stopped at the position in the program that constitutes the display random number update process. When the interrupt process ends, execution resumes from the position of the paused program.

  Next, referring to (b) of FIG. 11, the interrupt process is performed each time the timer value for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 56 reaches the set value (the timer interrupt time set in S2 or S13). Execution starts.

  In the interruption process, first, a process for transmitting a predetermined command for generating a sound or controlling the LED lighting to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 is performed, and a hall management computer is provided via the information output circuit 64. Data output processing for transmitting data such as jackpot information, start-up information, probability variation information is performed (S4). Next, various abnormality diagnosis is performed by the self-diagnosis function provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and error processing is performed to generate an alarm if necessary according to the result (S5). Next, determination random number update processing for updating each random counter indicating various determination random numbers used for game control is performed (S6).

  Next, a special symbol process is performed (S7). In the special symbol process, one of a plurality of types of processing is selected and executed according to the value of the special symbol process flag. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Next, a normal symbol process is performed (S8). In the normal symbol process, a corresponding process is selected and executed in accordance with a normal symbol process flag for controlling the normal symbol variable display 10 using the 7-segment LED in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Next, switch processing is performed to input the states of the gate switch 12, the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, etc., and determine whether or not each winning port or variable winning ball apparatus has been won. (S9). When a start winning is detected by the start port switch 17, a start storage process is executed in this switch process. Specifically, when a start winning is detected by the start port switch 17, a counter value of a random counter for jackpot determination is extracted at that timing, and the extracted value is stored in a special symbol determination bank for starting storage. The As a result, the start memory is stored. There are four special symbol determination banks for start-up memory, bank 0 to bank 3, and a maximum of four start-up memories are enabled by these four banks. Therefore, when a start winning is detected and there is a memory in all the banks, the start winning is invalidated.

  Next, a display random number update process similar to S3 is performed (S10). Next, winning ball signal processing with the winning ball substrate 37 is performed (S11). That is, when a prize ball number request signal is input from the prize ball board 37, the basic circuit 53 selects a prize ball command (prize ball number designation signal) to be output to the prize ball board 37. Next, a prize ball command output process for outputting the selected prize ball command is performed (S12). The prize ball substrate 37 drives and controls the ball payout device 97 based on the prize ball number designation signal.

Next, a timer interrupt time setting process is performed (S13). In S13, a process for setting the timer interruption time (for example, 0.002 seconds) as described above is performed in the same manner as in S2. After S13, this interrupt process ends. As a result, at the end of this interrupt process, the timer interrupt time is set by S13, and the timing for defining the execution timing of the next interrupt process is started. Therefore, the time for timer interruption is counted every time the interruption process is completed, and the interruption process is executed every time the timer interruption time elapses thereafter. When this interrupt process is completed, the execution of the main process program described above is resumed from the position where it was temporarily stopped.
Next, the outline of the special symbol process shown in S7 of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG. In the special symbol process, first, when the variable display of the special symbol ends and the variable symbol can be displayed again (Start SW ON), the jackpot judgment extracted when the start prize is generated The random value (random 1) is read out and it is determined whether or not it is a big hit determination value (S20). For example, when the extracted value of random 1 is the jackpot determination value “7”, it is determined in advance that the variable display result is a jackpot, and in the case of other values, it is determined in advance that it will be lost. . When a probability change flag, which will be described later, is set and the gaming state is in a probability variation state, the big hit determination value is “7, 11, 79”, and the big hit probability is improved.

  If it is determined that the variable display result is to be out of place (NO in S20), the left, middle, and right out of position are determined based on the random values for determining outliers (random 3-1, 3-2, 3-3). A symbol is set (S26). More precisely, the type of the definite symbol designation command to be output to the display control board 80 is determined. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S28 described later.

  When it is determined to be a big hit in S20, a big hit flag is set (S21). Next, it is determined whether or not the limiter is operating (S22). As described above, in this pachinko gaming machine 1, the limiter is activated (the limiter flag is ON) when the number of times that the probability variation has continued continuously reaches a predetermined limit value. If it is determined that the limiter is not in operation, it is determined whether or not to use high probability (probability big hit) based on the random 2 extracted value for probability variation determination (S23). When it is determined to be per high probability (probability big hit), the big hit symbol is decided from the probability variation symbols (S24). More precisely, the random 5 extracted value is determined using the probability variation symbol selection table described with reference to FIG. 7, and the type of the definite symbol designation command for designating the probability variation symbol is determined. Next, the probability variation flag is set (S27). The probability variation hit flag is a flag indicating that the probability variation big hit has been determined.

  If it is determined in S23 that the probability variation big hit is not made, or if it is determined in S22 that the limiter is operating, the big hit symbol is selected from the non-probable variation symbols (S25). More precisely, the random 5 extracted value is determined using the non-probable variable symbol selection table described with reference to FIG. 7, and the type of the definite symbol designating command for designating the non-probable variable symbol is determined.

  After the type of the fixed symbol designation command is determined in any one of S25 to S27, a change start command is sent (S28). When the change start command is received on the display control board 80 side, the variable display device 8 starts variable display of special symbols. Subsequently, the confirmed symbol designation command set in S25 to S27 is sent (S29). On the display control board 80 side, the variable symbol display result of the special symbol is determined based on this fixed symbol designation command.

  Next, after the variable display period designated by the change start command ends (S31), it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is set (S32). If the big hit flag is not set, the display result of the variable display device 8 is out of order, so that the state waits for start (wait for start) (S33). On the other hand, if it is determined that the big hit flag is set, the probability variation flag is cleared (S34), and then the big hit command is sent to the display control board 80 (S35). The jackpot command is the command “82H 00H” for the jackpot start screen shown in FIG. On the display control board 80 side, by receiving this jackpot command, control is performed to switch the screen showing the jackpot display result to the jackpot start screen. Next, after the big hit control is finished (S36), it is determined whether or not the confirmed symbol is a probability variation symbol (S37), and if it is a probability variation symbol, a probability variation flag is set (S38). Thereby, it is controlled to the probability fluctuation state. On the other hand, if the confirmed symbol is not a probability variation symbol, the probability variation flag is not set, and a start waiting (start waiting) state is entered (S39).

  FIG. 13 is a timing chart for explaining the relationship between the display control command output timing and the variation of the left middle right symbol. When starting the change of the special symbol, first, the change start command “80HxxH” specified by the MODE data “80H” is output from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. Note that “80H xxH” is one of the commands “80H 00H” to “80H 0AH” shown in FIG. At the timing when this change start command is received by the display control board 80, the simultaneous change of the special symbol is started. As described above, the presence / absence of reach and the variable display period are specified by the type of the change start command. Based on the command, the display control board 80 determines reach contents, presence / absence of jackpot notice effect, and the like.

  Thereafter, following the change start command, three confirmed symbol designation commands corresponding to the left middle right symbol are sequentially output. The figure includes a left symbol design command 1 “90H XXH”, a middle symbol design symbol designation command 2 “91H XXH”, and a right symbol design symbol designation command 3 “92H XX”. It is shown that “H” is output in that order. “XXH” is any one of “00H” to “0BH” shown in FIG. On the display control board 80 side, based on this fixed symbol designation command, the type of the fixed symbol that is finally derived and displayed as the display result is determined.

  As the variation pattern (effect pattern) of each symbol, for example, a pattern is shown in which a fast symbol is changed from an acceleration variation to a low-speed variation, and a fixed symbol is stopped and displayed via a shaking variation. In the timing chart shown in the figure, the left symbol is first switched from the low speed fluctuation to the fluctuation fluctuation, and then the low speed fluctuation is changed to the fluctuation fluctuation in the order of the right symbol and the middle symbol.

  A symbol confirmation command is output from the game control board 31 when the variation time Tn specified by the variation start command has elapsed since the simultaneous variation of symbols has started. As a result, the fluctuation of the symbol ends, and the confirmed symbol is stopped and displayed.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 13, from the game control board 31 side to the display control board 80, regarding the change of the special symbol, “change start time”, “determined symbol”, “symbol determined time” Only three types of information are output. The display control board 80 uniquely determines the contents of reach production according to these three types of information, and performs display control. In this way, the display control is performed on the display control board 80 side that is separate from the game control board 31, so the burden of display control on the game control board 31 side is reduced.

  In addition, since the change start command is output at the timing when the variable display device 8 is variably started, and the symbol confirmation command is output at the timing when the display result is derived and displayed, the display control on the display control board 80 side is performed by these commands. The CPU 101 can specify the variable start time and the time when the display result is derived and displayed. Furthermore, the change start command includes data that can specify a variable display period (display time shown in FIG. 8), a change pattern (effect pattern) such as the presence or absence of reach, and the display control CPU 101 uses that command to specify data. In addition to the variable start time, a variation pattern (effect pattern) can also be specified.

  FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining the output timing of the display control command data and the data capture timing of the display control command on the display control board 80 side. As described above, the timer interruption time on the game control means (basic circuit 53) side is 2 ms. A display control command is output during the timer interruption time of 2 ms.

  First, the basic circuit 53 starts outputting 1-byte (D0 to D7) MODE data in accordance with the timer interrupt, and switches the INT signal from the invalid state to the valid state. On the display control board 80 side, MODE data is fetched at the timing when the INT signal is switched from the invalid state to the valid state. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the INT signal is switched from the valid state to the invalid state. Subsequently, output of 1-byte (D0 to D7) EXT data is started, and the INT signal is disabled for a predetermined waiting time, and then switched to a valid state. On the display control board 80 side, EXT data is taken in at the timing of switching to the effective state.

  In this way, the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 does not continuously output the same display control command data to the display control board 80, but provides display control by providing a predetermined waiting time. In consideration of the data reception performance on the substrate 80 side, the display control command data is output only once in a manner that the display control substrate 80 side can recognize. Thereby, the processing load when the basic circuit 53 outputs the display control command data to the display control board 80 can be reduced.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a random counter used by the display control CPU 101 for display control. The display control CPU 101 uses two types of random counters, random D1 and D2, for display control. Random D1 corresponds to the case where a command (all three EXT symbol designating commands for designating left, middle and right determined symbols are the same) is received from the game control board 31 side. This is a random counter used to determine whether or not to display the jackpot display result as a false deviation. This random counter is repeatedly updated one by one in the range of 0 to 6 in the display random number updating process 2 described later.

  The random D2 is a random counter used for determining whether or not to display a special character (help mark). This random counter is repeatedly updated one by one in the range of 0 to 293 in display random number update processing 1 described later.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the symbol table. The symbol table data is stored in the control data ROM 102. There are two types of symbol tables: a normal symbol table and a pseudo-offset symbol table. The pseudo-offset determination symbol table is a symbol table used when it is determined that the display result of pseudo-offset is derived and displayed, and the normal symbol table is a symbol table used in other cases. Both symbol tables store symbol data for designating special symbol types, and each symbol data is associated with a command value of a confirmed symbol designation command (see FIG. 7) output from the game control board 31 side. It is arranged.

  First, the normal time symbol table will be described. The normal time symbol table is a symbol table common to both the left, middle and right symbols. For example, when “00H” is received as the left symbol fixed symbol designation command, the display control CPU 101 sets the type of the left fixed symbol to “0”. Similarly, when “01H” is received as the determined symbol designation command for the right symbol, “1” is set as the determined symbol for the right symbol. In addition, when it is determined that a big hit is made, a command for designating the same symbol for both the left, middle and right is output from the game control board 31, so the display control CPU 101 accordingly determines the left, middle and right determined symbols. Set to the same type of symbol.

  Next, the pseudo-offset determination symbol table will be described. When the pseudo-offset determination symbol table is determined to be a big hit, that is, when all three types of fixed symbol designation commands output from the game control board 31 side designate the same symbol In addition, this is used when it is determined on the display control board 80 side that the pseudo deviation is determined. By using this pseudo-offset determination symbol table, for example, when all of the confirmed symbol designation commands corresponding to the left middle right symbol are “05H”, the normal symbol table is arranged in five. Is to be selected, the left symbol “5”, the middle symbol “A”, and the right symbol “5” are selected. In this case, since the left symbol and the right symbol are the same, after the reach state is displayed, a display result of a deviation (pseudo deviation) by “5A5” is obtained.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a display control main process executed by the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80. In the display control main process, first, a process of initializing the RAM 101a, I / O, VDP, etc. is executed (S100). Subsequently, an INT interrupt process is executed (S200). In the INT interrupt process, a process of storing display control command data output from the game control board 31 in the display control command storage area is performed. Details are omitted here.

  Next, display random number update processing 1 is executed (S300). By executing the display random number update processing 1, the value of the random D2 shown in FIG. 15 is updated. Next, the process proceeds to S200, and the processes of S200 and S300 are repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining timer interrupt processing. A timer interrupt occurs every 2 ms, for example. Timer interrupt processing is executed at the time of the timer interrupt generated every 2 ms. In the timer interrupt process, first, a display control process process is executed (S400). The display control process is a process for performing various displays in the image display area 9 in accordance with the value of the display control process flag. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, display random number update processing 2 is executed (S500), and the value of random D1 shown in FIG. 15 is updated.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the display control process. In this display control process, after the command process (S401) is executed, each process of S402 to S406 is executed according to the value indicated by the display control process flag. In FIG. 19, display control process flag values are shown as PF1 to PF5 on the left shoulders of steps S402 to S406.

  Command processing (S401) is processing for determining the type of the received display control command and updating the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the type of the display control command. Details are omitted here. The variable display process (S402) is a process for controlling a special character (help mark) and other characters displayed in the image display area 9 in addition to a special symbol. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The symbol determination process (S403) is a process for stopping the fixed symbol by ending the variation of the special symbol, and the jackpot display process (S404) is a process for performing display control during the jackpot state, and a display screen process. (S405) is a process of displaying a demonstration screen, and the error display process (S406) is a process of displaying that fact when the gaming machine is in an error state. Detailed description of these S403 to S406 will be omitted.

  FIG. 20 is a screen view of the variable display device. The contents displayed in the image display area 9 of the variable display device 8 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, each time the display result of the deviation is repeated, the meter value of the chance meter 93 as an example of the special character is gradually increased in the direction in which “CHANCE” is displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 20 (a), if the meter value of the chance meter 93 reaches the maximum value at one more scale, a false deviation can occur. The display state as shown in FIG. 20A is referred to as a “pseudo-reach reach state”. Although illustration is omitted here, a special reach state effect such as blinking of the chance meter 93 is performed so that the reach state can be seen.

  For example, when the display result of the special symbol after FIG. 20A is false, the chance meter 93 shows the maximum value as shown in FIG. 20B, and the notification character 92 appears. . Thereby, it is notified that it is a big hit. It should be noted that the display mode may be aligned in a flat manner instead of the appearance of the special character.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 20 (c), a lottery screen indicating whether the screen is changed or the probability is changed is displayed. While maintaining a state where the special symbols are aligned, the reels of the special symbols in each variable area on the lottery screen are changed according to the expected degree of probability change, while repeating the stop once, and the reels described in FIG. Change to either. In this state, since the same reel is used for each variable area, the special symbols are maintained in the non-display area. Specifically, the higher the degree of expectation, the greater the proportion of the probabilistic symbols among the changing symbols.

  Next, the result of the lottery screen is displayed as shown in FIG. In the figure, a case where the probability change symbol is displayed and the probability variation big hit is illustrated. The fact is also notified by the character information “probability big hit” so that the player can easily identify it. Here, the three symbols on the middle left and right are changed on the lottery screen. However, since the lottery is a probability variation / non-probability variation, one symbol may be varied. Moreover, you may comprise so that the symbol only for a lottery of probability variation / non-probability variation may be changed.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing three types of reels used when changing special symbols. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, a total of 12 symbols of numeric symbols “0” to “9” and alphabetic symbols “A” and “B” can be displayed as special symbols serving as identification information. Of these, odd symbols “1”, “3”, “5”, “7”, “9” and a total of six symbols of alphabetic symbol “B” are a probabilistic variation that is a combination of identification information accompanying a special gaming state. And the other even-numbered symbols “0”, “2”, “4”, “6”, “8” and the alphabetic symbol “A” are non-probable variable symbols that are combinations of identification information not accompanied by a special gaming state. .

  In the reel 1, the probability variation design and the non-probability variation design are alternately arranged. When this reel 1 is used, 12 symbols are sequentially displayed.

  In reel 2, the non-probability variation symbols “0” and “6” are hidden behind the other probability variation symbols, and the two non-probability variation symbols are invalidated. When this reel 2 is used, six probability variation symbols and four non-probability variation symbols are sequentially displayed. For this reason, the reel 2 has a higher expectation of certainty in appearance than the reel 1.

  In reel 3, non-probability variation symbols “0”, “2”, “4”, “6”, “8”, “A” are alternately arranged so as to be hidden behind the other probability variation symbols, Non-probable symbols are invalid. When this reel 3 is used, six probability variation symbols are displayed and non-probability variation symbols are not displayed. For this reason, the reel 3 has a higher degree of expectation of certainty in appearance than the reel 2.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a random counter used by the display control CPU 101 for display control. In this embodiment, random D3 (D3-1, D3-2, D3-3) for determining a stop symbol and random D4 for setting the reel type are used in addition to the above-mentioned random D2 for displaying a special character. Note that the random D1 described above is not used.

  Random D3 (D3-1, D3-2, D3-3) is used to determine the type of the left middle right stop symbol corresponding to the pseudo deviation when it is determined that the display result is a pseudo deviation. Random counter used. Random D3-1 is for determining the left symbol, Random D3-2 is for determining the middle symbol, and Random D3-3 is for determining the right symbol. The random D3-1 is added and updated one by one in the display random number update process 1. Random D3-2 is added and updated one by one in display random number update processing 2. Random D3-3 is added and updated by one for each carry of random D3-2. Any random counter is repeatedly updated in the range of 0 to 11 corresponding to the number of types of special symbols.

  Random D4 is a random counter used for setting the reel type of the screen for probability variation lottery. The random D4 is added and updated one by one in the display random number updating process 1 in the range of 0 to 8.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the value of the random D4 and the reel type. The correspondence between the random D4 and the reel type differs between the determination value 1 and the determination value 2. In the judgment value 1, “0-5”, “6-7”, “8” of the random D4 are associated with the reel 1, the reel 2, and the reel 3, respectively. In the case of the determination value 2, the counter values “0”, “2-3”, “4-8” of the random D4 are associated with the reel 1, the reel 2, and the reel 3, respectively. For this reason, when the extraction value of the random D4 is determined with the determination value 1, the probability of being set to the reel 1 is the highest and decreases in the order of the reel 2 and the reel 3. On the other hand, when the extraction value of the random D4 is determined with the determination value 2, the probability of being set to the reel 3 is the highest and decreases in the order of the reel 2 and the reel 1.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the variable display process. In the variable display process, one of S2001 to S2003 is executed according to the value of the display control process flag (PF1 to PF3). The symbol variation processing (S2001) will be described later with reference to FIG. The probability variation lottery process (S2002) will be described later with reference to FIG. The change stop process (S2003) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the process during symbol variation. In the symbol changing process, first, a setting for setting the special symbol to the changing state is made (S2101). As a result, when the left middle right special symbols are stopped, the special symbols begin to fluctuate all at once. In addition, after the simultaneous change, the change is continued.

  Next, it is determined whether or not it is a change start time (S2101a), that is, whether or not a special symbol simultaneous change is started. If the special symbol simultaneous change is started, the counter value of the start number counter is incremented by 1 (S2102). Here, the start number counter is a counter that counts the number of times that variable display of the special symbol is started on the variable display device 8 (in other words, the number of times the display result of the variable display device 8 is derived and displayed). This start number counter is reset to 0 when the display result of the variable display device 8 is in a big hit mode (excluding pseudo-offset) or when the display of the special character is updated.

  After S2102, or when it is determined that it is not the time when the special symbol simultaneous change is started in S2101a (the special symbol is changing because the process of S2101 has already been executed last time), the confirmed symbol designation command is It is determined whether or not an input has been made (S2103). If the fixed symbol designation command has not been input, the process ends. If a confirmed symbol designation command has been input, it is determined based on the command whether or not the variable display result is designated to be a big hit mode (horizontal) (S2104). Specifically, it is determined whether or not all three pieces of EXT data of the fixed symbol designation commands corresponding to the symbols in the middle left and right are the same. If it is not designated to be a big hit, that is, if it is designated to be out of play, the process ends. In this case, the symbol based on the confirmed symbol designation command is selected as the confirmed symbol.

  On the other hand, if it is designated as a big hit, the value of the special counter is referred to, and it is determined whether or not it is the value (= 2) indicating the above-described false deviation reach state (S2105). . Here, the special character counter is a counter for specifying the situation of the chance meter 93 (see FIG. 20) as an example of the special character. If the value of the special character counter has not yet reached 2, and if it is not in the “pseudo-reach state”, the process ends. In this case, the jackpot symbol based on the confirmed symbol designation command is selected as the confirmed symbol, and the display result of the jackpot with the doublet is derived and displayed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the special character counter is a value indicating the reach state of false deviation, the effect display pattern at the time of determination of false deviation is set (S2106). By setting the effect display pattern at the time of determination of pseudo-offset, the chance meter 93 shows the maximum value at the timing when the display result of pseudo-offset is derived and displayed, and the big hit control is executed even if the display result is out of place An informing character 92 for informing that it will be displayed is displayed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the value of the special character counter is a value (= 2) indicating the false reach reach state, the false play determination display effect display pattern is always set. The

  Next, the counter value of the special character counter is cleared (S2107). Next, the type of the stop symbol (deterministic symbol) constituting the pseudo-deviation is set based on the extracted value of the random D3 (D3-1, D3-2, D3-3) (S2108), and the symbol variation processing ends. To do.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the probability variation lottery process. In the probability variation lottery process, first, the timer value of the timer for counting the variable display period is updated (S2201). Next, it is determined whether or not all symbols have been stopped (S2202). If it is determined that all symbols have not been stopped, the process ends. If it is determined that all symbols have been stopped, it is determined whether or not an effect of false deviation based on the effect display pattern at the time of determination of false error has been performed (S2203).

  If it is determined that the pseudo-offset effect has not been performed, the process ends. In this case, the process exits from the probability variation lottery process and shifts to a fluctuation stop process described later with reference to FIG. If it is determined that the pseudo-offset effect has been performed, it is determined whether or not it is time to start changing the symbol for the probability variation extraction line (S2204). If it is determined that it is not time to start symbol variation, the process ends.If it is determined that it is time to initiate symbol variation, it is determined whether it is a probabilistic value or a non-probable variable value. Determination is made (S2205). This determination is made based on the confirmed symbol designation command input in S2103 of FIG.

  When the probability variation value is set, the determination value 1 shown in FIG. 23 is set (S2206), and when the probability variation is not taken (when the probability variation is not taken), the decision value 2 shown in FIG. S2207).

  Next, the type of reel is determined by determining the extracted value of random 4 with the determination value 1 or the determination value 2 (S2208). For this reason, when it is determined that the probability variation is determined, the ratio of selection of reels having a high probability of probability variation is high.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the change stop process. In the change stop process, first, the timer value of the timer for measuring the variable display period is updated (S2301). Next, it is determined whether or not all symbols have been stopped (S2302). If the symbols have been stopped, the process ends. If they have not been stopped, is the big hit mode (excluding false deviations)? It is determined whether or not (S2303). In the case of the big hit mode, the counter value of the special character counter and the counter value of the starting number counter are cleared (S2304, S2304a), and then the display command input waiting is set (S2305), and the process is terminated.

  When it is determined that the display result is not the big hit mode, the value of the start number counter is extracted (S2306). Next, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the starting number counter is 300 or more (S2307), and if it has not reached 300 times, the process proceeds to S2305 described above. On the other hand, if it has reached 300 times, it is determined whether or not the display state of the chance meter 93, which is an example of the special character, is a reach state (a state where the maximum value is reached on one scale) (S2308). ). If it is determined that it is in the reach state, the process proceeds to S2305 described above. In other words, when the chance meter 93 is already in the reach state, the scale of the chance meter 93 is not updated even if the value of the start count counter reaches 300 times. This is because, as described with reference to S2105, the display result of the false deviation is derived and displayed when the meter value of the chance meter 93 reaches the maximum value.

  If it is determined in S2308 that the reach state has not been reached, the value of random D2 is extracted (S2309), and then it is determined whether or not the extracted value matches a predetermined determination value ( S2310). If it is determined that it does not match the determination value, the process proceeds to S2305 described above, but if it is determined that it matches the determination value, a special character is added and displayed (S2311). Thereby, the meter value of the chance meter 93 is further added and updated by one scale.

  Next, the counter value of the special character counter is updated by 1 (S2312). Next, the counter value of the start number counter is cleared (S2312a). Next, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the special character counter has reached a predetermined value (= 2) (S2313). If it is not the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S2305. The production setting corresponding to the reach state is made (S2314). Thereby, for example, the chance meter 93 blinks to notify the player that the player is in the reach state. Thereafter, display command input waiting is set (S2305), and the process ends.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent loss of the player's sense of expectation for the big hit as much as possible. In particular, if the value of the starting number counter is 300 times or more when the display result of the variable display device 8 is off, it is determined whether or not to update the display of the special character (chance meter) 93. In other words, the display of the special character (chance meter) 93 can be updated every time the number of starts reaches 300 times or more. For this reason, the display of the special character (chance meter) 93 is a privilege given to continuing the game for a long time from the standpoint of the player. In addition, in this embodiment, since the expected degree of probability variation varies depending on the number of probability variation symbols displayed at the time of probability variation extraction, it becomes easier for the player to recognize the expected degree of probability variation. In addition, such a reel may be used as a reel of a final stop symbol when reaching a reach and invalidate other than the reach symbol.

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

Specific examples of means for solving the problem

  A gaming machine having a variable display device that can change the display state is configured by the pachinko gaming machine 1. The basic circuit 53 constitutes game control means that can be controlled to a specific game state when the display result of the variable display device is in a specific display mode.

  In the probability variation lottery process shown in FIG. 26, the CPU 101 as the variable display control means sets a determination value 1 when a probability variation value is set, and sets a determination value 2 when not a probability variation. Based on these determination values, the type of reel as a special symbol displayed on the variable display device is determined. As shown in FIG. 21, 15 symbols “0” to “9” and “A” to [E] are sequentially displayed on the reel 1, and a part of the non-probability variable symbols is hidden behind other probability variable symbols on the reel 2. In reel 3, all of the non-probability variation symbols are hidden behind the other probability variation symbols, and the expectation of probability variation is increased in the order of reel 3> reel 2> reel 1.

Effects of specific examples of means for solving the problem

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of identification information in a predetermined arrangement in a plurality of variable display portions, wherein the display result of the variable display device is a specific display. It is possible to control to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player on the condition that it has become a mode, and it is advantageous to a player different from the specific gaming state on the condition that it has become a special display mode among the specific display modes A game control means capable of controlling to add a special game state, a first variable display for variably displaying identification information and recognizing whether or not to obtain a specific display result, and the first variable display Variable display control means capable of controlling display of the second variable display for effect display so as to recognize whether or not the display result is a specific display result when the display result is a specific display result; The display control means is the second By making all the variable display sections synchronized in display and variably displaying a pause display in a specific display mode excluding at least a part of a specific display mode that is not a special display mode, the display is variably displayed. The expectation level can be increased and the expectation can be raised.

  With regard to claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the appearance expectation can be further enhanced by temporarily stopping except all combinations of identification information not accompanied by a special gaming state.

  With respect to claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or claim 2, the arrangement of the identification information is the same in all variable display areas, and the identification information accompanying the special gaming state and the identification information not accompanying are alternately displayed. By arranging in the position, the tempo can be improved because the frame advance is the same.

It is a whole front view showing a pachinko gaming machine. It is a whole rear view which shows a partial internal structure of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a rear view of the game board of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows a part of circuit structure in a game control board. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit circuit structure in a display control board with CRT which implement | achieves an image display. It is a figure which shows the various random counters which the basic circuit by the side of a game control board uses for game control. It is a figure for demonstrating a fixed symbol designation | designated command. It is a figure for demonstrating a fluctuation | variation start command. It is a figure for demonstrating a special screen command. It is a figure for demonstrating the command for jackpot screen designation | designated. It is a flowchart which shows the game control main process and interruption process which are performed by the basic circuit. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the outline | summary of a special symbol process process. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the relationship between the output timing of a display control command, and the fluctuation | variation of a left middle right design. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the output timing of display control command data, and the data taking-in timing of the display control command by the display control board side. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various random counters used for display control by the display control board side. It is a figure which shows a design table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the display control main process which CPU for display control of a display control board performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display control process process. It is a screen figure of a variable display apparatus. It is a figure which shows three types of reels used when changing a special symbol. It is a figure for demonstrating the various random counters used for display control by the display control board | substrate side. It is a figure for showing the correspondence of the value of random D4, and a reel kind. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a fluctuation | variation display process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a symbol fluctuation process. It is a flow chart for explaining processing of probability variation lottery. It is a flow chart for explaining change stop processing.

Explanation of symbols

  9 Image display area, 31 Game control board, 53 Basic circuit, 56 CPU, 63 Output buffer circuit, 80 Display control board, 92 Notification character, 93 Special character, 96 character, 101 Display control CPU, 101a RAM, 102 Control data ROM , 103 VDP, 105 input buffer circuit.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine having a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of identification information in a predetermined arrangement in a plurality of variable display units,
Condition that the display result of the variable display device can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player on the condition that the display result has become a specific display mode, and that a special display mode is selected among the specific display modes. Game control means capable of adding a special game state advantageous to a player different from the specific game state,
When the identification information is variably displayed and the first variable display for recognizing whether the specific display result is recognizable or not and the result of the first variable display is the specific display result And a variable display control means capable of controlling display of the second variable display for effect display so as to recognize whether or not the specific display result is obtained,
The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the variable display control means is capable of performing control to synchronize all the variable display units in the second variable display and to perform variable display by repeating the pause display a plurality of times.

Images