JP2008099986A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which makes it possible to easily recognize the time during which a game is not performed. <P>SOLUTION: When fixed time elapses in the state that first to third reels are stopped, a first standby image is displayed on a liquid crystal panel. The timing of display time is started accompanying the display start of the first standby image. When game stop time composed of the fixed time and the display time exceeds first image switching time, a second standby image is displayed instead of the first standby image. Then, when the game stop time exceeds second image switching time, a third standby image is displayed instead of the second standby image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that is installed and used in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor.

  There are slot machines, pachinko machines, and the like as game machines used in game halls such as pachinko parlors. Most of these gaming machines enter a demonstration (demo) state when a certain amount of time has elapsed since the power was turned on, or when a certain amount of time has elapsed since the game was not performed. is there. When shifting to the demo state, for example, a standby image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel instead of the effect image.

Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a demonstration image (standby) for notifying an image display device that an internal winning state is in effect if a game is not performed for a predetermined time when an internal winning state advantageous to the player is carried over. The slot machine on which (image) is displayed is described.
JP 2005-334533 A

  However, when transitioning to the demo state, a standby image with the same content is repeatedly displayed until the game is played. For this reason, after the standby image is displayed, the employees of the game hall and the players cannot know how long the game has not been played. In Patent Document 1, the demonstration image reports that the internal winning state has been carried over, but it is impossible to know how long the game has not been played by using the demonstration image (standby image).

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that informs a game hall employee and a player in an easy-to-understand manner how long the game has not been played. And

  In order to achieve the above object, a standby image is displayed on the image display device when a game is not performed until a certain time elapses after the power is turned on or when a certain time elapses after the game is not performed. In the gaming machine, a storage unit that stores standby image data corresponding to a plurality of types of the standby images having different modes, a timing unit that measures a display time after the standby image is displayed on the image display device, Time determination means for determining whether a display time has passed a preset image switching time, and when the display time has passed the image switching time, the standby image being displayed is different in aspect And display control means for selecting standby image data and displaying the standby image on the image display device based on the selected standby image data. .

  A plurality of image switching times may be set, and the display control means may select the plurality of types of standby image data in a predetermined order every time the image switching time elapses.

  In addition, it is preferable that the display time counted by the timing unit is reset when the game start operation is performed. Note that the game start operation is, for example, a press operation of a start lever that rotates a reel when the gaming machine is a slot machine, and a launch that launches a pachinko ball into the game area when the gaming machine is a pachinko machine. It is an operation.

  The gaming machine of the present invention displays a standby image on the image display device when a game is not performed until a certain time elapses from power-on, or when a certain time has elapsed since the game is not performed, When this display time has passed the image switching time, a standby image that is different from the displayed standby image is displayed, so that employees and players in the game hall can check how long the game is by checking the standby image. It is possible to easily determine whether it is not performed for a predetermined time.

  In addition, a plurality of image switching times are set, and each time the standby image display time passes the image switching time, standby images having different modes are displayed on the image display device in a preset order. Employees and players can easily determine how long the game has not been performed by checking the standby image.

  In the present embodiment, a description will be given using medals as game media and slot machines as game machines. In addition, “inserting a medal” includes betting a medal stored (credited) in addition to actually inserting a medal from a medal insertion slot.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 2 includes a housing 7 including a storage box 5 and a front door 6. A display window 10 is provided on the front door 6. A first reel 11a, a second reel 11b, and a third reel 11c are rotatably incorporated in the back of the display window 10. A plurality of types of symbols are arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of the first to third reels 11a to 11c. When the first to third reels 11a to 11c are stopped, three symbols per reel can be observed through the display window 10. In addition, a total of five straight winning effect lines 13 in which the symbols of each reel are combined one by one and three by two are set.

  A liquid crystal panel 21 (image display device) is provided above the display window 10. From the liquid crystal panel 21, an effect image and a standby image are displayed by, for example, characters or characters. As the effect image, an effect image for notifying that BB (Big Bonus), RB (Regular Bonus), a small role or the like has been won by the winning combination determination lottery is displayed. In addition, as the standby image, for example, first to third standby images 22 to 24 shown in FIG. 3 are provided, and when the game is not performed for a certain period of time after the slot machine 2 is turned on, This message is displayed when a certain amount of time has passed since the operation was stopped.

  In the slot machine 2, medals can be credited (stored) up to 50 sheets. The credited medal number is displayed on the credit display 26.

  On the operation panel arranged below the display window 10, a bet button 31, a MAX bet button 32, a start lever 33, stop buttons 34a to 34c, and a payout button 35 are provided. When the bet button 31 is depressed, credited medals are inserted one by one. When the MAX bet button 32 is pressed, three credited medals are inserted at a time.

  When the start lever 33 is pressed after the medal is inserted, the first to third reels 11a to 11c rotate all at once. When a certain time has elapsed since the rotation of the first to third reels 11a to 11c has started, the operation of the stop buttons 34a to 34c is validated. When the activated stop buttons 34a to 34c are pressed, the corresponding first to third reels 11a to 11c are individually stopped.

  At the lower part of the front door 7, a medal tray 36 and a speaker 37 are provided. A predetermined number of medals are paid out to the medal tray 36 from a payout slot 38 when a winning combination with payout of medals wins a prize. Speakers 37 are provided on both sides of the payout port 38. The speaker 37 outputs a background sound corresponding to the game situation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 2 includes a main control unit 44 including a CPU 40, a main memory 41, a winning combination lottery unit 42, a first timer 43, and a credit control unit 51. The operation of the slot machine 2 is basically controlled by the CPU 40. Connected to the CPU 40 are a medal sensor 45 for detecting the inserted medal, a start signal sensor 46 for detecting that the start lever 33 is pressed, a hopper device 47 for paying out medals, and the like.

  The main memory 41 includes a ROM area and a RAM area, and a game control program and various data when the CPU 40 executes a game are stored in the ROM area. The RAM area is a work area.

  The power switch 50 turns on / off the power supply to the slot machine 2. When the power switch 50 is turned on, power is supplied to each part of the slot machine 2, and upon receiving this power supply, the CPU 40 inputs a timing start signal to the first timer 43.

  The medal sensor 45 detects an appropriate medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 16 and inputs a medal detection signal to the credit control unit 51 via the CPU 40.

  The credit control unit 51 (counting unit) stores the number of medals inserted based on the detection signal from the medal sensor 45. Further, when various winning combinations are won by a winning combination lottery to be described later, the credit control unit 51 receives payout number data corresponding to the winning combination, and adds and stores the number of payouts. Further, the credit control unit 51 receives a credit insertion signal when the bet button 31 or the MAX bet button 32 is pressed. The credit control unit 51 subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the pressed button and inserts the subtracted number of medals. Further, the credit control unit 51 displays the medal number stored (credit) on the credit display 26.

  The start signal sensor 46 detects that the start lever 33 has been pressed. When pressing of the start lever 33 is detected, a game start signal is input from the start signal sensor 46 to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 controls the reel drive controller 56 in response to the game start signal and starts game processing according to the game program stored in the ROM area of the main memory 41. Then, the reel drive controller 56 rotates the first to third reels 11a to 11c.

  Sensors 57a to 57c are provided inside the stop buttons 34a to 34c. When the stop buttons 34a to 34c are operated, stop signals are input to the CPU 40 from the sensors 57a to 57c. The CPU 40 inputs a stop signal to the reel drive controller 56, whereby stop control of the first to third reels 34a to 34c is performed.

  The reel unit 57 includes the first to third reels 11a to 11c (see FIG. 1), the stepping motors connected to the drive shafts of the first to third reels 11a to 11c (not shown), A photo sensor that detects the passage of a signal piece provided at the reference position of the reel during rotation is unitized.

  The reel drive controller 56 controls driving and stopping of each stepping motor. A start signal is input to the reel drive controller 56 via the CPU 40. The reel drive controller 56 drives each stepping motor based on the start signal to rotate the first to third reels 11a to 11c. Further, the first to third reels 11a to 11c are stopped by controlling the stop of each stepping motor based on the stop signal from the stop buttons 34a to 34c and the detection signal of the signal piece by the photo sensor.

  The winning combination determining unit 42 performs the winning combination lottery in response to the input of the game start signal from the start signal sensor 46. The winning combination determining unit 42 includes a random number generator and a random number sampling circuit, and draws one random number every time a game start signal is input. Then, the winning combination determining unit 42 determines whether or not the winning combination is to be won by comparing the lottery random value with the lottery table. When the winning combination is won, stop control of the first to third reels 11a to 11c is performed so that the winning symbol corresponding to the winning combination is stopped.

  As the winning combination to be set, for example, BB to be shifted to the BB (Big Bonus) mode, RB to be shifted to the RB (Regular Bonus) mode, a small role with payout of medals, and the next game without medals being inserted. It may be set as appropriate, such as a replay that can be performed.

  The hopper device 47 wins a winning combination that involves paying out medals, and when 50 or more medals are stored in the credit control unit 51, the medals for the 50 medals are stored in the medal tray 36. Pay out. Also, when the payout button 35 is pressed, the number of medals stored in the credit control unit 51 is paid out to the medal tray 36.

  The first timer 43 measures the time from when the power is turned on to the slot machine 2 until the game is played, or the time from when the game is stopped until the next game is played. The CPU 40 inputs a timing start signal to the first timer 43 in response to turning on the power switch 50 or pressing the sensors 57a to 57c. The first timer 43 starts measuring time in response to the timing start signal. The time measured is sequentially input to a time determination unit 55 provided in the CPU 40.

  The time determination unit 55 determines whether or not the time input from the first timer 43 has passed a certain time (for example, 10 minutes). When the time determination unit 55 determines that the measured time has passed a certain time, the CPU 40 inputs a first standby signal to the sub CPU 61.

  Further, when the start lever 33 is operated (game start operation) during the time measurement by the first timer 43, a game start signal is input to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 inputs a reset signal to the first timer 43 in response to the game start signal. The first timer 43 responds to the reset signal and resets the time that has been counted. Thereby, the time input to the time determination unit 55 is also reset. Further, the CPU 40 to which the game start signal is input inputs an effect signal corresponding to the lottery result of the winning combination lottery to the sub CPU 61.

  The sub-control unit 60 performs an effect execution process. The sub control unit 60 includes a sub CPU 61, a second timer 62, and a sub memory 63. The sub CPU 61 (display control means) is connected to the CPU 40. When the winning combination determining unit 42 wins BB, RB, small combination, etc., the sub CPU 61 displays an effect image corresponding to the winning combination on the liquid crystal panel 21. In addition, when the time determination unit 55 determines that the game has not been performed for a certain time, a standby image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21.

  In the sub memory 63 (storage means), in addition to the effect image table 64 and the standby image table 65, an effect program (not shown), a sound table, and the like are stored. The effect program is read out and executed by the sub CPU 61 when images and characters are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21. The effect image table 64 stores a plurality of effect image data having different modes according to the winning combination, and the standby image table 65 has three types of first to third standby image data 65a to 65c having different modes. Is stored.

  The various effect image data and the first to third standby image data 65a to 65c are graphic data, and a head address is assigned to each data. The effect signal input from the CPU 40 to the sub CPU 61 includes the head address of effect image data to be used. The sub CPU 61 identifies the effect image data to be read based on the head address of the input effect signal, and displays various effect images on the liquid crystal panel 21 based on the read effect image data.

  As will be described in detail later, the CPU 40 subtracts the first to third standby signals including the first addresses of the first to third standby image data 65a to 65c described above according to the time when the game is not performed. Input to the CPU 61 in order. The sub CPU 61 identifies the first to third standby image data 65a to 65c to be read based on the first addresses of the input first to third identification signals, and reads the first to third standby image data 65a to 65c. Based on the above, the first to third standby images 22 to 24 shown in FIG. It should be noted that the first standby signal is the start address of the first standby image data 65a, the second standby signal is the start address of the second standby image data 65b, and the third standby signal is the start of the third standby image data 65c. The address is included.

  In addition, the sound table stores sound data of a plurality of background sounds to be output along with the display of various effect images and the first to third standby images 22 to 24. These sound data are also assigned the same head addresses as the various effect image data and the first to third standby image data 65a to 65c. The sub CPU 61 identifies the sound data to be read in response to the effect signal or the first to third standby signals, and outputs background sounds from the speaker 37 in accordance with the display of various effect images and the first to third standby images 22 to 24. Output.

  The second timer 62 (timer) measures the display time during which the first to third standby images 22 to 24 are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21. In response to the input of the first standby signal from the CPU 40, the sub CPU 61 displays the first standby image 22 (see FIG. 3A) on the liquid crystal panel 21. Then, the sub CPU 61 inputs a second timing start signal to the second timer 62. The second timer 62 starts measuring the display time in response to the second timing start signal. The measured display time is sequentially input to the time determination unit 55 via the sub CPU 61.

  The time determination unit 55 determines whether or not the display time counted by the second timer 62 has passed a preset image switching time. In the time determination unit 55, first and second image switching times are set. For example, 5 minutes is set as the first image switching time, and 15 minutes is set as the second image switching time. Then, the time determination unit 55 determines whether or not the display time has passed the first image switching time (5 minutes). When it is determined that the display time has passed the first image switching time (5 minutes), the CPU 40 inputs a second standby signal to the sub CPU 61. Based on the second standby signal, the sub CPU 61 reads the second standby image data from the standby image table 65 of the sub memory 63 and displays the second standby image 23 shown in FIG. 3B on the liquid crystal panel 21.

  Next, the time determination unit 55 determines whether or not the display time has passed the second image switching time (15 minutes). While the game is not performed and the display time has not passed the second image switching time (15 minutes), the second standby image 23 (see FIG. 3B) is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21. When it is determined that the display time has passed the second image switching time (15 minutes), the CPU 40 inputs a third standby signal to the sub CPU 61. The sub CPU 61 reads out the third standby image data 65c based on the third standby signal, and displays the third standby image 24 (see FIG. 3C) on the liquid crystal panel 21. The first and second image switching times are preferably set as appropriate. Also, the image switching time may be changed as appropriate by an employee of the game hall.

  Further, when any one of the first standby image 22 to the third standby image 24 (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21, a pressing operation of the start lever 33 (game starting operation) is performed, and the CPU 40 When a game start signal is input to the sub CPU 61, a reset signal is input to the sub CPU 61. The sub CPU 61 resets the displayed display time in response to the reset signal. Thereby, the display time input to the time determination unit 55 is also reset. Then, the CPU 40 inputs an effect signal corresponding to the lottery result of the winning combination lottery to the sub CPU 61. Thereby, the sub CPU 61 displays the effect image on the liquid crystal panel 21 instead of the standby image.

  Next, a procedure of standby image display processing by the slot machine 2 will be described. As the game hall is opened, the power switch 50 of the slot machine 2 is turned on, and the slot machine 2 provided in the game hall is provided to the player in a playable state. At this time, an opening image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21 of the slot machine 2. When the game played after the power is turned on is finished, the effect image displayed last is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21.

  When a game is not performed for a certain period of time after the power of the slot machine 2 is turned on, or when 10 minutes (a certain period of time) has elapsed since the last stop operation of the first to third reels 11a to 11c, A first standby image 22 shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21 instead of the opening image or the effect image.

  Then, when 5 minutes (first image switching time) has elapsed since the display of the first standby image 22 was started without playing a game, the first standby image 22 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21, and FIG. A second standby image 23 shown in B) is displayed. Furthermore, when 15 minutes (second image switching time) have elapsed since the first standby image 22 was displayed without playing a game, the liquid crystal panel 21 is replaced with a second standby image increase 23, and FIG. ) Is displayed. The third standby image 24 is continuously displayed until a game start operation (depressing the start lever 33) is performed by the player.

  Therefore, when the opening image or the effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21, the employee of the game hall can determine that the game stop time during which no game is played in the slot machine 2 is less than 10 minutes. When the first standby image 22 is displayed, it can be determined that the game stop time is between 10 minutes and less than 15 minutes. When the second standby image 23 is displayed, it can be determined that the game stop time is between 15 minutes and less than 25 minutes. Similarly, when the third standby image 24 is displayed, it can be determined that the game stop time is 25 minutes or more. Thus, by confirming the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21, the employee can easily determine the time when the game is not being performed. Therefore, it can be easily understood how long the player has left the seat while the slot machine 2 is credited with medals. As a result, for example, when a player has been away for more than 25 minutes, an in-store broadcast is performed and the player is returned to the slot machine 2 to discover fraudulent acts involving multiple slot machines alone. Can be prevented.

  Also, a medal is inserted from the medal slot 16 within 10 minutes after the power is turned on, or within 10 minutes after the last game is performed (before the first standby image 22 is displayed). When the lever 33 is pressed (game start operation), an effect image corresponding to the lottery result of the winning combination lottery is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21. Similarly, even when any one of the first to third standby images 22 to 24 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21, when the game start operation is performed, the first displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21 is displayed. In place of the third standby images 22 to 24, an effect image corresponding to the lottery result of the winning combination lottery is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the first to third standby images 22 to 24 having different modes are used to display the first standby image 22 to the third standby image 24 in order according to the game stop time. The number of standby images is not limited to this, and at least two types may be used, or three or more types may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is described using a slot machine, but the present invention may be used for a pachinko machine. In this case, the game start operation is a launch operation in which a pachinko ball as a game medium is launched into the game area, and the first standby image 22 is displayed on the image display device when the pachinko ball is not launched in the game area for a certain period of time. . Then, when the display time of the first standby image 22 passes the preset first image switching time, the second standby image 23 is displayed instead of the first standby image 22, and the display time is set to the second image switching time. When the time has elapsed, the third standby image 24 may be displayed instead of the second standby image 23. Thereby, the employee of a game hall can discriminate | determine how much time has passed since a game was no longer played with a pachinko machine (game machine).

It is a front perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine using this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st-3rd standby image displayed on a liquid crystal panel. It is a flowchart which shows the flow which displays a standby image.

Explanation of symbols

2 Slot machines (game machines)
21 Liquid crystal panel (image display device)
22 First standby image 23 Second standby image 24 Third standby image 40 CPU (counting means)
55 Time determination unit (time determination means)
61 Sub CPU (display control means)
62 Second timer (time measuring means)
63 Sub memory (storage means)
65a to 65c First to third standby image data

Claims (3)

In a gaming machine that displays a standby image on an image display device when a game is not performed until a certain time elapses after the power is turned on, or when a certain time elapses after the game is not performed,
Storage means for storing standby image data corresponding to a plurality of types of standby images having different modes;
Clocking means for clocking a display time after the standby image is displayed on the image display device;
Time determination means for determining whether the display time has passed a preset image switching time;
When the display time has passed the image switching time, the standby image data that is different from the standby image being displayed is selected, and the standby image is displayed on the basis of the selected standby image data. A gaming machine comprising display control means for displaying on a game machine. A plurality of the image switching times are set,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit selects the plurality of types of standby image data in a predetermined order every time the image switching time elapses.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the game start operation is performed, the display time counted by the timing unit is reset.

Images