JP2008206623A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine, in which special symbols can be variably displayed to provide aesthetic appearance without enlarging workload even in a case of an increased number of symbols of special symbols. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a special symbol start winning device and a special symbol display device provided on a game board, a special symbol start winning detection device, a special symbol display control means to variably display the special symbol by means of the special symbol display device based on detection of winning by the special symbol start winning detection device, and a presentation symbol display device. In relation with the display results of the variable display getting to a predetermined big winning display result, a big winning game state is provided in the game machine. The special symbol variably displayed by the special symbol display device comprises the plurality of display patterns, and is part of the special symbols of all the display patterns which may be displayed on the special symbol display device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine in which a jackpot gaming state is given to a player in association with a display result of a special symbol that is variably displayed based on winning of a game ball.

  In a pachinko machine that is one of these types of gaming machines, a special symbol variation game in which a special symbol fluctuates is performed when the launched game ball wins a special symbol start winning device (start chucker). In the current pachinko machine, after special symbols are variably displayed over a predetermined time, one special symbol variation game is ended by finally stopping and displaying in a certain display pattern as a display result.

  When the special symbol displayed as the display result of the variable display becomes a predetermined jackpot display result, the player is given a jackpot gaming state and is expected to win a large number of prize balls. Become. Also, in many pachinko machines, if a particular symbol is stopped and displayed among special symbol display patterns to which a jackpot gaming state is given, the probability that the jackpot gaming state is given is high in the subsequent games. And a short time state in which the opening and closing blades are easily opened so that a game ball can easily win a prize in the special symbol start winning device.

  Further, in general pachinko machines, in addition to the above-mentioned special symbols, there are also provided symbols for performing various effects to stimulate the player's interest. In recent years, it has been common to produce a game with a large liquid crystal display device installed in the center of the game board with a dramatic change in the design pattern.

  Regarding the special symbol that displays the result of the lottery (big hit determination) whether or not the big hit gaming state is given, in the current pachinko machine, (a) the fluctuation display and stop display of the special symbol are controlled by the main CPU of the main control board (B) If there are multiple winning jackpot game status contents such as whether the probability variation status or the short-time status is included, they are displayed in different display patterns. (C) Special The change display was not stopped in the middle of the symbol change game.

  Therefore, the CPU load can be distributed by dividing the special symbol display device and the effect symbol display device and controlling the former with the main CPU and the latter with the sub CPU (effect CPU). In addition, by providing a special symbol, for example, an effect symbol that is not given a probability variation state is first stopped to display a jackpot game, and whether or not a probability variation state is granted is determined by displaying the effect symbol during the jackpot game An effect of making the player perceive depending on the content is also possible. Even in the case of performing such an effect, it is possible to identify whether or not it is a big hit with a probability variation state, for example, by looking at the special symbol that is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device. For this reason, especially when performing such effects, there are many special symbol stop display patterns so that the player can easily detect from the special symbol what the content of the granted jackpot gaming state is, and not be awakened. Prepared.

For this reason, in the conventional pachinko machine, the effect symbol display device is installed at the center position of the game board so as to be most noticeable to the player, and the special symbol display device is not conspicuous as compared with the effect symbol display device. Generally, seven segments are arranged. In addition, on pachinko machines with special symbols and production symbols, the production symbols are controlled to start changing at the same time as the special symbols start to change, and the special symbols are also stopped at the same time as the production symbols are stopped. The gaze of the gaze player is not usually collected in a special symbol.
In addition, with regard to the special symbol variation display mode, there are also pachinko machines that only turn on and off one special symbol, so that the player can naturally make the special symbol stand out. In order to know the winning of the big hit gaming state depending on the display content of, the visual effect of the production design is sufficiently exhibited.

  The special symbol display device in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 below is configured by four LEDs provided at the lower edge of the center accessory. Each of these 4 LEDs is turned on and off to form 16 special patterns (15 display patterns excluding the case of full off), and the special symbols are updated sequentially every 40 msec from the start of fluctuation. I have a symbol variation game.

JP 2006-122358 A

  However, even if the special symbol display device is placed in an inconspicuous position so as to concentrate the player's line of sight on the effect symbol display device, the result of the special symbol variation game by the special symbol display device is particularly watched by a skilled player. There are things to do. Moreover, although it arrange | positions in the position which is not conspicuous, the aspect of the special symbol fluctuation game performed with a special symbol display apparatus, especially the fluctuation display with a movement becomes an important element for creating the aesthetics of the whole gaming machine.

  However, with the conventional pachinko machine that displays the fluctuation by simply turning on and off one special symbol, the variation of the special symbol becomes simple, and the player waits for the result of the jackpot determination with expectation and excitement. It can be said that the production during the special symbol variation game is monotonous and lacks diversity.

In the case of the gaming machine described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the variable display is performed by sequentially switching and displaying all the stop display patterns of the special symbol, the effect during the special symbol variation game is lonely. Although the display order of the special symbols that fluctuate was random, it gave a messy impression to the player who saw it, and the visual beauty was also poor.
As described above, a large number of special symbol stop display patterns are prepared according to the number of types of jackpot gaming states to be given and the mode of production, so that these are continuously displayed to give the player a sense of beauty. It is not easy to determine the display order, and there is a problem that the amount of work for setting the variable display pattern in the main ROM of the main control board becomes enormous.
In particular, in recent gaming machines whose game contents are increasingly diversified, the number of special symbols that can be stopped and displayed is also increasing.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a game in which the amount of work for setting the variable display pattern does not become enormous even when the number of symbols of the special symbol is increased while giving such diversity to the variable symbolic display of the special symbol. The purpose is to provide a machine. Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

The present invention
(1) A special symbol start winning device that is installed on the game board and is capable of winning a game ball, and a special symbol display device that can display special symbols in a plurality of display patterns;
Special symbol start winning detection means for detecting the winning to the special symbol start winning device;
Special symbol display control means for variably displaying the special symbol on the special symbol display device based on the fact that the special symbol start winning detection means has detected the winning,
An effect symbol display device that displays an effect symbol in association with the display result of the variable display,
In a gaming machine to which a jackpot gaming state is given in relation to the display result of the variable display being a predetermined jackpot display result,
The special symbol variably displayed on the special symbol display device is a special symbol composed of a plurality of display patterns, and a part of the special symbols of all display patterns that can be displayed on the special symbol display device A gaming machine characterized by being;
(2) a normal symbol starter that is installed on the game board and that allows a game ball to win, and a normal symbol display device that can display normal symbols in a plurality of display patterns;
A normal symbol start detecting means for detecting the passage of the game ball with respect to the normal symbol starter;
And further comprising normal symbol display control means for variably displaying the normal symbol on the normal symbol display device based on the detection of the passage by the normal symbol start detection means,
The gaming machine according to (1) above, wherein an installation area of the normal symbol display device and an installation area of the special symbol display device are adjacent to each other;
(3) The special symbol display device and the normal symbol display device each comprise a plurality of light emitting elements,
At least one light emitting element among the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the normal symbol display device is arranged on a straight line connecting at least two light emitting elements among the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the special symbol display device. A gaming machine according to (2) above, characterized in that:
(4) The gaming machine according to the above (2) or (3), wherein the update interval of the special symbol variable display in the special symbol display device is the same as the update interval of the normal symbol variable display in the normal symbol display device;
(5) The special symbol display control means stops and displays the display result after the special symbol is variably displayed in a plurality of display patterns.
The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the special symbol that is variably displayed includes at least a display pattern that is different from any special symbol that can be stopped and displayed.
Is the gist.

In the present invention, as a more specific embodiment,
(6) The special symbol that is variably displayed on the special symbol display device is a part of all display patterns of the special symbol that can be displayed as a display result of the variable display (1) ) To the gaming machine according to any one of (4);
(7) In the above (2) or (3), the normal symbol display device and the special symbol display device are arranged together without being separated from each other in the display device installation area partitioned on the game board. Described gaming machine;
(8) As a display result of the special symbol variation display in the special symbol display device, when one display pattern of the predetermined jackpot display results is displayed, and when another display pattern is displayed so,
The game machine according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the same effect symbol is displayed on the effect symbol display device;
The object of the present invention can also be achieved.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, by displaying various types of special symbols in a variable manner, only a part of the special symbols that can be displayed in a variable manner or stopped can be selected while enabling various effects during the special symbol variation game. Then, by using it for variable display, it is possible to realize a display effect with special design aesthetics with easy settings.
That is, according to the present invention, it is not necessarily limited by the number and mode of stop display patterns, and a relatively small number of display patterns that are considered to create aesthetics and their display order are selected in advance to set a variable display pattern. Thus, regardless of the content and number of the stop display pattern of the special symbol, it can be variably displayed with aesthetics, and the amount of work for setting the variable display pattern does not become enormous.

  Taking a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a pachinko machine) as an example of the gaming machine of the present invention, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. However, the gaming machine of the present invention may be an arrangement ball machine or the like in addition to a pachinko machine. Further, in the following description, the up, down, left, and right directions indicate the direction when facing the game board 13 as shown in FIG. 1, the front is the front side of the game board 13, and the rear is the back of the game board 13. Means each side.

<Basic configuration of pachinko machine>
FIG. 1 is a schematic view on the machine surface side of the pachinko machine 10. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 13 in which a path for rolling while changing the flow of the game ball is formed by a large number of nails (not shown).

  On the front side of the opening of the outer frame 11 that forms the outer shape of the vertically long rectangular body, an inner frame 12 on which various components are mounted is assembled so as to be freely opened and closed. On the front side of the middle frame 12, a front frame 14 equipped with a protective glass or the like that protects the inside of the machine so that it can be seen through, and an upper ball tray 15 are assembled so as to be openable and closable. The game board 13 visually recognized through the front frame 14 is mounted on the middle frame 12, but is not shown in FIG. Further, the outer frame 11, the middle frame 12 and the front frame 14 are closed with each other by the locking device 42.

  On the front side of the front frame 14 and the game area 13 a of the game board 13, a decoration lamp 16 such as an LED that lights up or flashes to produce a light emission effect is provided. A speaker 17 that outputs various sounds and produces sound effects is housed in a lower part of the outer frame 11. A lower ball tray 18 that is a receiving tray for game balls overflowing from the upper ball tray 15 and a ball ball device 19 that launches game balls to the game area 13a are attached to the lower portion of the middle frame 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 13 provided in the pachinko machine 10 is provided with a rail 41 formed in a substantially circular shape on the board surface, and a game area 13 a is provided inside the rail 41. Is defined. Then, by operating the bullet ball device 19, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are launched into the game area 13a along the rail 41, and flow down the game area 13a.

  Near the center of the game area 13a of the game board 13, there is provided a center accessory 20 as a decorative member provided with an effect symbol display device 40 as a liquid crystal display type game display means. A symbol combination game is performed in which various display effects based on a varying image or image display, in particular, an effect symbol variation effect and a light emission effect that vary and display a plurality of types of effect symbols, and a varying symbol are combined.

  A stage 48 is formed at the inner lower part of the center accessory 20. The game ball swinging left and right on the stage 48 is guided again to the game area 13a from a plurality of ball outlets provided on the stage. The game ball guided to at least one of the plurality of ball outlets is easy to win a special symbol start winning device (starting port) 22 having an opening formed below the stage. In the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, two start ports are provided on the top and bottom. A game ball that has dropped from the ball outlet of the stage 48 and a game ball that has tumbled down the game area 13a without passing through the stage 48 can always win in the upper starting port 22a. The lower starting port 22b can be awarded by opening and closing blades 21 (see FIG. 2) by an actuator (not shown) as will be described later.

  The start openings 22a and 22b are provided with special symbol start winning detection means (winning detection switch) for electromagnetically detecting a winning game ball (see FIG. 7), which is detected by the winning detection switch. The game balls merge at the back of the game board 13 and are discharged out of the pachinko machine 10 through an out-of-machine discharge path (not shown). In addition, when the winning combination detection switch detects the game ball, the effect symbol display device 40 performs a symbol combination game. For example, when a combination such as “777” is prepared, a big hit gaming state advantageous to the player Is granted. The effect display executed by the effect symbol display device 40 is controlled by the display control board 28 (see FIG. 7) as will be described later.

  The game board 13 is provided with a special symbol display device 30 at a position where the player can visually recognize it. When the winning detection switch detects the winning of the game ball, the special symbol changing game is started in the special symbol display device 30 simultaneously with the start of the symbol combination game by the effect symbol display device 40, and after the effect operation for a predetermined time, the effect symbol At the same time as the confirmation stop, the special symbol is also stopped and displayed in a predetermined display pattern. The special symbol change display and stop display in the special symbol display device 30 are controlled by a main control board 26 (see FIG. 7) including a main CPU 26a, a main ROM 26b, and a main RAM 26c, as will be described later. That is, the main control board 26 has a function as special symbol display control means.

  Below the start ports 22a and 22b, a large winning port 24 having a large winning port door 23 that is opened and closed by the operation of an actuator (not shown) is disposed. When the big hit gaming state is given, the big winning opening 24 is opened by the opening operation of the big winning opening door 23 and the game ball can be won, so that the player has a chance to acquire a large number of prize balls. be able to.

  A pair of opening / closing blades 21 are provided on the left and right sides of the start port 22b. The pair of opening / closing blades 21 swings when an actuator (not shown) is operated. For this reason, the upper side of the opening / closing blade 21 is opened to form a reverse C shape so that the game ball can easily win the start port 22b, and conversely, the upper side is closed to form a C shape. It becomes impossible to win a prize.

The opening operation of the opening / closing blade 21 is performed when the game ball passes through the normal symbol starting device (gate) 25 installed in the game area 13a. The gate 25 is equipped with a detection switch for electromagnetically detecting that the game ball has passed through it as a normal symbol start detection means, and when the game ball passes through the gate 25, a normal symbol display is displayed inside the pachinko machine 10. A lottery is performed by the control means, and when this is won, the open / close blade 21 is opened for a predetermined time.
The normal symbol start detecting means used in the present invention includes the above-mentioned gate type detection switch for detecting that the game ball has passed through the inside thereof, and proximity for detecting that the game ball has passed through a specific area. A switch may be used.

On the other hand, the game board 13 is provided with a normal symbol display device 50 at a position where the player can visually recognize it.
When the normal symbol start detecting means detects that the game ball has passed through the gate 25, the normal symbol display device 50 displays the variation of the normal symbol. In the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, a normal symbol variation game is executed in which normal symbols are variably displayed in a plurality of ways and then stopped and displayed in a predetermined display pattern. As a result of the normal symbol variation game, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in a predetermined display pattern, so that the player can know the lottery result in the normal symbol variation game. When the lottery result is a win, the opening / closing blade 21 is opened and the winning probability of the game ball to the start port 22b is increased.

  In the case of the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the normal symbol display control means for controlling the normal symbol variation display and the stop display is realized by the main control board 26. That is, the main control board 26 has both a processing function as a special symbol display control means and a processing function as a normal symbol display control means.

  The game area 13a may be provided with one or a plurality of general winning ports 55 through which prize balls are paid out by winning a game ball.

<Special symbol display device and normal symbol display device>
The special symbol display device 30 of the present embodiment is configured by combining a plurality of light emitting elements such as LEDs. However, in the present invention, a 7-segment display, a liquid crystal display, or a mechanically driven movable body can be used for the special symbol display device 30.
Further, the normal symbol display device 50 of the present embodiment is also a combination of a plurality of light emitting elements such as LEDs.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a display 60 having a special symbol display device 30 and a normal symbol display device 50 adjacent to each other. The display device 60 includes a display device installation area 61, a decoration 62, and two general winning ports 55 on the front surface side of the base 63, and an LED substrate 64 on the back surface side. The base 63 is provided with a plurality of through holes 65, and the base 63 can be fixed to the game board 13 with a fastening tool such as a screw. That is, by attaching the base 63 to the game board 13, the display device installation area 61 is partitioned on the game board 13.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the display device 60. In the display device 60, an LED that forms the special symbol display device 30 and an LED that forms the normal symbol display device 50 are both disposed inside the display device installation area 61 that is partitioned and formed into a circle or the like. In the display device installation area 61, 17 LEDs are arranged side by side without being separated from each other by a partition or the like. Seven of them constitute a special symbol display device 30 and two constitute a normal symbol display device 50. Yes. For convenience, the seven LEDs constituting the special symbol display device 30 are designated as special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g, and the two LEDs constituting the normal symbol display device 50 are designated as normal symbol display LEDs 50a and 50b. The remaining eight of the 17 LEDs are provided as normal symbol storage LEDs 51 (51a, 51b), special symbol storage LEDs 31 (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d), and game state display LEDs 32 (32a, 32b). .

The normal symbol display device 50 includes two normal symbol display LEDs 50a and 50b, so that four display patterns can be displayed according to the respective lighting / extinguishing patterns. Therefore, in the normal symbol display device 50, a maximum of three normal symbols can be displayed in a variable manner and stopped unless the normal symbol display LEDs 50a and 50b are both turned off.
Similarly, the special symbol display device 30 includes seven special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g, so that 2 ⁷ = 128 display patterns can be displayed separately, and therefore, all the special symbol display LEDs are turned off. Except for cases, up to 127 special symbols can be displayed in a variable manner and stopped. That is, in this embodiment, when all the special symbol display LEDs are turned off, the display pattern is not set.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is characterized in that the variable display is performed by continuously switching and displaying only a part of the special symbols of all the display patterns that can be displayed on the special symbol display device 30. . Details will be described later.

  The normal symbol memory LED 51 is a display device for displaying the number of game balls stock that has passed through the gate 25, and the game ball for starting the normal symbol variation game is started by turning on and off the two LEDs. Displays the number of holds (normal symbol start hold number). In the normal symbol variation game in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, up to four holds can be made. When the number of holds is 1, one LED is lit, and when the number of holds is 2, both LEDs are lit. When the number of holds is 3, one LED is turned on and the other LED blinks. When the number of holds is 4, both LEDs blink.

  The special symbol memory LED 31 is a display device for displaying the number of stock of game balls won in the start openings 22a and 22b, and the number of reserved balls (the number of start reservations) according to the lighting / extinction mode of the four LEDs. ) Is displayed. In the special symbol variation game in the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, a maximum of four holds can be made, and the number of LEDs corresponding to the number of the holds is lit.

  The gaming state display LED 32 is a display device for indicating whether the gaming state is a normal state, the probability variation state, the short time state, or the like.

  These LEDs may have the same shape as shown in the figure, or may be partially or entirely different from each other.

  Thus, by arranging the special symbol display device 30 and the normal symbol display device 50 adjacent to each other, it is possible to give the player an impression that they are both integrated from the viewpoint of the arrangement configuration. In particular, like the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the special symbol display device 30 and the normal symbol display device 50 are arranged together without being separated from each other in the display device installation area 61 partitioned on the game board 13. This promotes the effect of such unifying.

  By unifying the special symbol display device 30 and the normal symbol display device 50 on the arrangement configuration, the player cannot instantly determine which LED constitutes the special symbol display device 30. Thus, the special symbol display device 30 is prevented from knowing the result of the big hit determination without waiting for the display result of the effect symbol display device 40. In addition, since the change display and the subsequent stop display respectively performed in the special symbol display device 30 and the normal symbol display device 50 are combined in appearance, it is possible to realize an effect with a sense of unity.

  The display 60 further includes a plurality of round number display LEDs 66 (66a, 66b) for displaying the continuation length of the jackpot gaming state (the number of winning balls expected to be acquired) and LEDs as the decoration lamps 16. ing.

  FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the display device installation area 61, and FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing only the LEDs constituting the special symbol display device 30 and the LEDs constituting the normal symbol display device 50. As shown in the figure, the normal symbol display LED 50a is on a straight line connecting the special symbol display LEDs 30g and 30b. The normal symbol display LED 50b is on a straight line connecting the special symbol display LEDs 30f and 30b. In the present invention, that the normal symbol display LED is on the straight line means that a part of the LED is on the straight line.

  Thus, by arranging at least one light emitting element constituting the special symbol display device 30 on a straight line connecting at least two light emitting elements among the light emitting elements constituting the normal symbol display device 50, the player Therefore, the special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g and the normal symbol display LEDs 50a and 50b cannot be easily identified, and the effect of the natural integration of the special symbol display device 30 and the normal symbol display device 50 is further promoted. The

<Regarding the display pattern of special symbols>
As described above, the gaming machine of the present invention aims to provide a variety of special symbol variation display by easy setting even when a large number of special symbol stop display patterns are prepared.
The pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment is provided with seven LEDs (special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g) as the special symbol display device 30 as shown in each drawing of FIG. A maximum of 127 special symbols can be displayed. When performing variable display, the pattern of turning on or off the LED is continuously switched, and when performing stop display, the state in which any one display pattern is displayed may be held for a predetermined time. In the case of the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, if the special symbol variation game is won, the stop display is continued until the end of the big hit gaming state, and if the game is out of the game, the stop display is continued until the next special symbol variation game is started. It is said.

[Stop display]
First, the stop display pattern which is the final stop form of the special symbol variation game performed by the special symbol display device 30 will be described.
Specific stop display patterns of the special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, 103 stop display patterns from patterns 0 to 102 are performed by the special symbol display device 30. The special symbol display LED that lights up at the time of stop display is indicated as “1” in the table, and the LED that goes out is indicated as “0”.

  The stop display patterns shown in Tables 1 and 2 are stored in a special symbol LED pattern table provided in the main ROM 26b (see FIG. 7), and a predetermined pattern based on a random number value acquired by the main CPU 26a as will be described later. Is selected and called, and the special symbol display LED 30 turns on and off the corresponding special symbol display LED to stop display of the special symbol.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment can display and separately display a large number of display patterns by turning on / off the seven LEDs. Therefore, when there are the following five types of jackpot gaming states that can be given to the player by winning the special symbol variation game, one or a plurality of special symbols can be assigned to each jackpot and lose.

(Big Bonus A) The number of winning balls expected to be won in the big hit gaming state is large (the number of rounds is large), and after the big hit gaming state, the next big hit judgment is won or 10,000 special symbols Jackpots that are both stochastic and short-lived until a fluctuating game is run;
(Big Bonus B) The number of winning balls expected to be won in the big hit gaming state is large (the number of rounds is large), and after the big hit gaming state, the next big hit judgment is won or 10,000 special symbols A jackpot in which a probability fluctuation state is given until the floating game is executed, and the next jackpot determination is also won or a short-time state is given until 100 special symbol fluctuation games are executed;
(Big Bonus C) The number of prize balls expected to be won in the big hit gaming state is small (the number of rounds is small), and after the big hit gaming state, the next big hit judgment is won or 10,000 special symbols Jackpots that are both stochastic and short-lived until a fluctuating game is run;
(Big hit D) The number of winning balls expected to be won in the big hit gaming state is small (the number of rounds is small), and after the big hit gaming state, the next big hit judgment is won or 10,000 special symbols On the other hand, if the game state is won in the probability variation state (d1) until the game is executed, if the jackpot gaming state is won, the next jackpot determination is won or 10,000 special symbol variation games are played. A short-time state is given until it is executed, and (d2) a big hit that is not given a short-time state when the big hit gaming state is won in the non-stochastic fluctuation state (normal state);
(Big jackpot E) The number of winning balls expected to be won in the jackpot gaming state is large (the number of rounds is large), and after the jackpot gaming state is over, the probability variation state is not given, and it is won for the next jackpot judgment Or a jackpot where only a short time state is awarded until 100 special symbol variation games are executed.

  In the case of the pachinko machine 10 in which the jackpot is set as described above, and during or after the jackpot gaming state, whether or not the probability variation state is given by the jackpot is not notified to the player by the effect symbol display device 40. The player who has won any of the big hits A, B, E recognizes the stop display pattern of the special symbol or confirms the gaming state by looking at the gaming state display LED 32, so that the given big hit There are cases in which it is not possible to know which of the above three game states. That is, when a player who knows whether the big hit is A, B, or E according to the number of rounds in the big hit gaming state, when the special symbol variation game is finished 100 times after the big hit gaming state is finished. In the latter case, it is possible to know whether the big hit was a big hit A, or a big hit B or E by the judgment material of whether or not the short-time state continues thereafter. The player can determine whether the winning probability of the special symbol variation game drawn on the main control board 26 is high probability (probability variation state) or low probability (non-probability variation state: normal state). This is because it cannot be known from the production mode. In other words, by preventing the jackpot type from being easily identified from the display pattern of the special symbol that is stopped and displayed when the jackpot is won, even if the player who won the jackpot E is the jackpot With a sense of expectation that might have been a big hit B with a probability variation state, it is possible to touch a special symbol variation game after the end of the big hit gaming state.

Therefore, by making it possible to display a maximum of 127 special symbols as in the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, a number of patterns for each jackpot is provided so that the player cannot easily detect the type of jackpot from the special symbols. Dozens of special symbols should be assigned.
In addition, when the special symbol variation game is lost, the player can easily detect the loss from the effect mode of the effect symbol display device 40, and therefore, one stop display pattern can be assigned to the special symbol. It is enough.

In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, as a display result of the special symbol variation game,
(Small hit F) A small hit that is the same performance mode as the big hit gaming state performed in the big hit C or D, and that neither the probability variation state nor the short-time state is given after the end of the small hit;
May be provided as one of the jackpot display results.

By providing such a small hit F, the player can win the big hit D because the short win state is not given in both the case where the big hit D is won in the non-stochastic state and the case where the small hit F is won. Whether the probability variation state is given or whether the small hit F is won and is not given cannot be discriminated only by the effect mode of the effect symbol display device 40.
Also in this case, a special symbol stop display pattern is assigned to the big hit D and the small hit F in plural ways, so that even if the small hit F is given, the game for the subsequent special symbol variation game It is possible to arouse the interest of the person.

  As described above, when one of the predetermined jackpot display results is displayed as the display result of the special symbol variation display in the special symbol display device 30 (for example, the jackpot B or the jackpot D), Display pattern (similarly big hit E and small hit F) is displayed, and the special symbol display device 30 and the normal symbol display are configured by the effect symbol display device 40 displaying the same effect symbol. It is possible to fully enjoy the effect of the present embodiment that the device 50 is integrated with the device 50 and prevents the player from easily identifying the special symbol stop display result and does not impair the player's expectation.

Specifically, for the big hit A, patterns 29 to 60 shown in Tables 1 and 2 above, patterns 21 to 28 for the big hit B, patterns 1 to 5 for the big hit C, and patterns 6 for the big hit D ˜20, patterns 61 to 92 are assigned to the big hit E, patterns 93 to 102 are assigned to the small hit F, and pattern 0 is assigned to the loss.
As shown in Tables 1 and 2 above, the big hit D and the small hit F both stop 3 or more special symbol display LEDs, and it is easy for the player to determine which special symbol display pattern is assigned to them. Is considered not to be identified.

[About fluctuation display]
Next, the display pattern of the change display performed before the stop display of the special symbol change game will be described.
FIGS. 6A to 6F are schematic diagrams showing the display forms of the special symbol display device 30 that displays the special symbols in a variable manner by continuously switching the display patterns in this order. The white circle represents the lighting state of the special symbol display LED, and the black circle represents the light-off state.
(A) and (c) are the pattern 59 of Table 2, FIG. (B) is the pattern 0 of Table 1, FIGS. (D) and (f) are the pattern 28 of Table 1, and (e) of FIG. This corresponds to the pattern 54 in Table 2. That is, in the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the variation display of the special symbol variation game is performed by sequentially switching a total of six display patterns.

  Specifically, in the case of the present embodiment, when the special symbol variation game is started in response to the winning of the game balls to the start ports 22a and 22b, the variation display always starts from the display pattern of FIG. When the display is continuously switched up to (f) in the figure, the variation display pattern starting from (a) is repeatedly displayed. After repeating this over a predetermined variation display time determined by the main control board 26 (see FIG. 7), one stop display pattern selected from Table 1 or 2 is stopped and displayed once. The special symbol variation game ends.

In the present embodiment, the special symbol LEDs 30a, 30b, 30f are regularly turned on or off according to the following (i-1) to (i-3), so that the variability display in the entire special symbol display device 30 is aesthetically pleasing. Creating.
(I-1) The special symbol display LED 30a is repeatedly turned off, turned on, turned off, turned on, turned off, turned on, turned on, and turned off and turned on alternately.
(I-2) The special symbol display LED 30b is turned on / off → on → off → on → off and on / off alternately.
(I-3) The special symbol display LED 30f is turned off, turned off, turned off, turned on, turned on, turned on and turned off for three symbols, and then turned on for three symbols.
By setting as described above, the special symbol display LEDs 30a and 30b are alternately turned on and off repeatedly. Therefore, the normal symbol variation display pattern by the normal symbol display LEDs 50a and 50b adjacent to the normal symbol variation display pattern is alternately turned on and off in the same manner, thereby changing the special symbol variation display and the normal symbol variation display. Can be integrated as a whole.

In addition, in the present invention,
(Ii) From the special symbol display LED 30a, LED 30b → 30c → 30d → 30e → 30f → 30a →...
(Iii) From the special symbol display LED 30a, LED 30b → 30g → 30e → 30d → 30c → 30g → 30f → 30a →...
(Iv) After turning on only the special symbol display LED 30g, the LEDs 30b, 30c, 30e, and 30f are turned on at the same time, and then the LEDs 30a and 30d are turned on so that the LEDs to be lit are diffused radially;
For example, a variable display pattern that creates aesthetics based on some concept may be determined.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the special symbols variably displayed on the special symbol display device 30 are special symbols composed of a plurality of display patterns, and all the display patterns that can be displayed on the special symbol display device 30 are displayed. Only a part of the special design.

  Thereby, for example, with respect to the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, among the display patterns of special symbols that can be displayed in a maximum of 127 ways, a small number (total of 6 ways) of display patterns is repeated to create aesthetics in the variable display. By preparing a large number (102 ways) of stop display patterns, a plurality of types of big hit gaming states can be suitably identified and separated.

  In the present embodiment, all the special symbols (total of 6 patterns) that are variably displayed are included in the stop display pattern. Thereby, it is possible to assign all display patterns that can be displayed on the special symbol display device 30 to the stop display pattern regardless of which aspect the display pattern of the special symbol used for the variable display is.

  In addition, a special symbol having a display pattern different from the stop display pattern may be used for part or all of the variable display. As a result, for example, in the stop display pattern, it is difficult to identify which display pattern is displayed only by turning on a large number of LEDs at the same time and the player glances at it. Thus, a simple performance can be performed without giving a lonely impression to the player.

  Further, the jackpot probability of the special symbol variation game in the general pachinko machine 10 is several percent in the probability variation state and about 1 percent or less in the normal state (non-probability variation state), and the stop display of the game is overwhelming. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the special symbol display LED 30b is turned on at the beginning of the variable display because the pattern becomes a loss pattern (pattern 0: display pattern of FIG. 6B). Thus, continuity from pattern 0 is exhibited. That is, in the pattern 0, only the LED 30a is turned on for a predetermined time and the stop display is performed. However, by turning on only the LED 30b adjacent thereto, the lighting position of the LED becomes discontinuous or the number of lighting is discontinuous. It will never be.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the special symbol display LEDs 30a and 50b, which are adjacent special symbol display LEDs, are turned on at the beginning of the variable display, thereby arranging the variable symbol display of the special symbol display device 30 and the normal symbol display device 50. It is possible to enhance the above-described effect of being integrated in terms of configuration.
In addition, since the normal symbol display LEDs 50a and 50b are arranged on a straight line connecting the LED 30b and the special symbol display LEDs 30g and 30f, the LED 30b is integrated as described above by lighting the LED at the beginning of the variable display. The effect of further increases.

<About control configuration of pachinko machine>
Next, the control configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.
In the pachinko machine 10, a main control board 26 for controlling the entire gaming machine is mounted on the back side of the gaming board 13, and the like. The main control board 26 includes a main CPU 26a, a main ROM 26b, a main RAM 26c, and a main control circuit 261 for connecting them, executes various processes for controlling the entire gaming machine, and performs various controls according to the processing results. Outputs a signal (control command).

The main CPU 26a updates the values of various random numbers at predetermined intervals.
As random numbers, (a) a jackpot determination random number for determining whether or not a big hit is won in a special symbol variation game, and (b) a jackpot symbol for determining an effect symbol to be stopped and displayed on the effect symbol display device 40 when winning a big hit. Random number, (c) reach determination random number for determining whether or not a so-called reach state for predicting a big win is given in the variation display effect of the effect symbol performed when the special symbol variation game is not drawn The variation pattern distribution random number etc. which are mentioned later are illustrated.
The main ROM 26b includes a main control program for controlling the pachinko machine 10, a special symbol variable display pattern illustrated in each diagram of FIG. 6, a special symbol stop display pattern illustrated in Tables 1 and 2, a jackpot determination value, a reach A judgment value, a variation pattern, and the like are stored.

In addition, the pachinko machine 10 controls the visual control and the visual effect based on the instruction from the main control board 26, and the effect symbol display based on the signal output from the sub control control board 27. The device 40 includes a display control board 28 that displays the effect symbols in a variable manner and a stop manner.
The sub general control board 27 includes a sub general control circuit 271 and a sound / lamp control circuit 272, and transmits a control signal to the sound / lamp control circuit 272 and the display control board 28.

  The sound / lamp control circuit 272 controls the light emission mode of the decorative lamp 16 and the sound output mode of the speaker 17. The display control board 28 controls display contents (display images of symbols, backgrounds, characters, characters, etc.) of the effect symbol display device 40 based on random number values, time information, and the like given from the sub-general control board 27.

  In the case of the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, both the special symbol variation display and the production symbol variation display are started at the same time when a game ball is won at the start ports 22a and 22b, and at the same time, the stop display is stopped and displayed. Made. Therefore, hereinafter, when it is described as “variable display”, it means the variable display of the special symbol on the special symbol display device 30 and the variable display of the effect symbol on the effect symbol display device 40.

  Here, the variation pattern indicates a pattern that is a base of game contents from when the variation display is started until the variation display is confirmed and stopped. Or whether or not the reach involves a big win. A plurality of variation patterns are usually prepared, and a variation display variation time is determined for each variation pattern. The variation pattern is stored in one or a plurality of variation pattern tables, and any one is selected based on the variation pattern distribution random number acquired by the main CPU 26a based on the winning signal of the game ball.

When a game ball wins at the start ports 22a and 22b and a detection signal from each winning detection switch is input to the main CPU 26a, the number of stored start balls stored (set) in the main RAM 26c (hereinafter referred to as “reserved ball”). It is determined whether or not (denoted as “pending storage number”) is less than a predetermined upper limit number (4 in the present embodiment). If this determination result is affirmative (less than the upper limit number), the main CPU 26a adds 1 (+1) to the reserved storage number and rewrites it. Further, the main CPU 26a reads the value of the big hit determination random number and the value of the big hit symbol random number from the main RAM 26c, and sequentially stores (stores) them in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM 26c. The number of reserved memories indicates the number of executions of the variable display effect that is on hold. The main CPU 26a subtracts 1 (-1) from the reserved memory number and rewrites it at the start of the special symbol and effect symbol variation display effect.
Note that the number of reserved memories is displayed on the special symbol memory LED 31 included in the display device 60 described above.

The main RAM 26c stores (sets) various pieces of information (such as random number values) that can be appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10.
The main CPU 26a compares the jackpot determination random number stored in the main RAM 26c with the jackpot determination value stored in the main ROM 26b and determines whether or not it is a jackpot immediately before the start of the variable display. . When the determination result of the big hit determination is affirmative (the value of the random number for big hit determination and the big hit determination value match), the main CPU 26a determines the big hit. The main CPU 26a that has determined the jackpot reads the jackpot symbol random number value stored in the main RAM 26c together with the jackpot determination random number value, and determines the effect symbol associated with the value as the jackpot symbol in advance. The jackpot symbol is a symbol that forms a jackpot symbol combination (final jackpot display result) that is finally displayed on the effect symbol display device 40. Further, the main CPU 26a reads the value of the variation pattern distribution random number, and determines one variation pattern from the variation patterns for the big hit effect based on the value. In the present embodiment, the main control board 26 functions as a variation pattern determining unit.

  As described above, the lottery (hit determination) whether or not the big hit game state is given is determined by the main hit determination acquired by the main CPU 26a when the game ball wins a special symbol start winning device such as the start ports 22a and 22b. It is usually performed immediately before the start of fluctuation based on the random number for use, and it is not necessarily determined whether or not the big hit is made when the fluctuation display is finally confirmed and stopped. In the present invention, it is expressed that “a jackpot gaming state is given in association with the display result of the variable display being the jackpot display result”.

On the other hand, when the determination result of the big hit determination is negative (the value of the big hit determination random number does not match the big hit determination value), the main CPU 26a reads the value of the reach determination random number from the main RAM 26c and stores this value in the main ROM 26b. It is determined (reach determination) whether or not it is a reach (whether or not a reach effect is performed in the variation display of the effect symbol) by comparing with the reach determination value. The main CPU 26a determines reach when the reach determination result is affirmative (the reach determination random number value matches the reach determination value). Since the big hit determination result is negative, the CPU 26a determines the pattern 0 (see Table 1) as the special symbol.
Further, the main CPU 26a reads the value of the variation pattern distribution random number, and determines one variation pattern from the variation patterns for the reach reach production based on the value. Note that the outlier reach effect is an effect that the effect symbol variation display is developed so that the final symbol combination is finally stopped after the reach effect.

Further, the main CPU 26a determines the deviation when the determination result of the big hit determination is negative and the determination result of the reach determination is negative (the value of the reach determination random number and the reach determination value do not match). Since the big hit determination result is denied, the CPU 26a determines the pattern 0 as a special symbol. The off symbol is a symbol that forms a combination of off symbols that are finally displayed in a definite stop on the effect symbol display device 40 without forming a reach.
Further, the main CPU 26a reads the value of the variation pattern distribution random number, and determines one variation pattern from the variation patterns for the off-state effect based on the value. The outlier effect is an effect that the symbol variation display is developed so that the final symbol combination is finally stopped and displayed without going through the reach effect.

  The main CPU 26a that has determined the symbol and the variation pattern outputs a predetermined control command to the sub integrated control board 27 (the integrated CPU 27a) at a predetermined timing. Specifically, the main CPU 26a first instructs a variation pattern and outputs a variation pattern designation command that instructs the start of a symbol variation display effect. Next, the main CPU 26a outputs a symbol designation command indicating a symbol. Thereafter, the main CPU 26a outputs a symbol stop command for instructing symbol stop (determined stop display) when the variation time set in the instructed variation pattern has elapsed.

The sub general control board 27 is provided with a general CPU 27a, a general ROM 27b, a general RAM 27c, and a sub general control circuit 271 for connecting them. The overall ROM 27b mainly stores a program for determining the production contents. The overall CPU 27a determines the production contents based on various commands input from the main control board 26. The general RAM 27c stores (sets) various types of information (such as random number values) that are appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10.
Specifically, when a variation pattern command and a symbol designation command are input from the main control board 26, an effect pattern and an effect symbol in the effect symbol display device 40 are determined based on the variation pattern. For example, when the variation pattern input from the main control board 26 is a variation pattern indicating reach, the overall CPU 27a determines a reach symbol and displays any one of a plurality of effect patterns on the effect symbol display device 40. Decide what you want to do. Then, a command indicating the determined content is generated and output to the display control board 28.
In the present embodiment, the sub integrated control board 27 functions as an effect pattern determination unit.

The display control board 28 is provided with an effect symbol control CPU (not shown), an effect symbol control ROM, an effect symbol control RAM, an effect data ROM, an effect data RAM, an effect control circuit for connecting them, and the like. In the effect control ROM, a display control program for controlling the display contents of the effect symbol display device 40, a light emission control program for controlling the light emission mode of the decorative lamp 16, and an output sound of the speaker 17 are controlled. A voice control program and the like are stored. The effect data ROM stores image data and sound data as effect data. The image data includes moving image data for displaying on the effect symbol display device 40 the effect contents of the symbol variation display. In addition, in the effect data RAM, various information that is appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10 is stored (set).
Then, the effect symbol display device 40 is controlled based on a command input from the sub-general control board 27.

<Control flow of pachinko machine>
A specific control processing operation performed on the main control board 26 of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Since the present invention is characterized by the special symbol change display and stop display in the special symbol display device 30, detailed description of the control processing in the sub-general control board 27 and the display control board 28 is omitted. If so, it can be said that the present invention can be easily implemented by applying a known control flow relating to the sub-integrated control board 27 and the display control board 28.

  8 to 13 are flowcharts of processing (timer interrupt processing) performed by the main CPU 26a of the main control board 26. A program for performing this processing is stored in the main ROM 26b, and is executed in the main CPU 26a every predetermined interrupt period (4 msec in the present embodiment).

  In FIG. 8, the main CPU 26a first transmits the command stored in the transmission buffer of the main control board 26 (S100), then proceeds to the input processing of step S101, and executes a subroutine whose flowchart is shown in FIG.

  The subroutine of FIG. 9 includes the processes of steps S200 to S206. In step S200, the main CPU 26a determines whether or not a game ball has won the start opening 22a or 22b. If there is a winning game ball (step S200: Y), the main CPU 26a proceeds to the process of step S201. On the other hand, when the game ball has not won (step S200: N), the main CPU 26a ends the present subroutine without performing the processing of steps S201 to S206.

  In step S201, the main CPU 26a determines whether or not the number of game balls that are added in step S202 described later and subtracted in step S301 described later is less than “4” at the present time. When the number of reserved balls is less than 4 (step S201: Y), the main CPU 26a proceeds to the process of step S202. On the other hand, when the number of reserved balls is 4 or more (step S201: N), the main CPU 26a ends this subroutine without adding the number of reserved balls any more and without performing the processing of steps S202 to S206. That is, in the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of reserved balls is set to four.

  In step S202, the winning of the game ball is determined in step S200, and since it is determined in step S201 that the number of held balls is less than 4, the main CPU 26a adds 1 to the number of held balls, The process proceeds to step S203. In step S203, the main CPU 26a acquires a random number for hit determination updated at any time in a random number update process step S102 described later, and proceeds to the process of step S204. Note that the random number for hit determination acquired here is used when performing the hit / no-go determination process in step S302 described later. In step S204, the main CPU 26a stores the hit determination random number acquired in step S203 in the random number storage area of the main RAM 26c. Next, the main CPU 26a obtains the jackpot symbol random number in step S205 and stores it in another random number storage area of the main RAM 26c (step S206). This jackpot symbol random number is a random number used in the symbol determination process (step S307) described later. If the hit determination random number acquired in step S203 is a jackpot winning, it is stopped and displayed on the effect symbol display device 40. This is for determining the design to be performed. Then, the main CPU 26a ends this subroutine.

  When the subroutine shown in FIG. 9 ends, the main CPU 26a proceeds to the process (random number update process) in step S102 shown in FIG. Although the specific processing flow of the random number update process is omitted, the main CPU 26a adds a random number for reach determination and a random number for big hit symbol, a random number for reach determination, and a random number for variation pattern distribution, one by one. When the upper limit is reached, it is cleared to zero.

When the random number update process is completed, the main CPU 26a proceeds to the variable display start process of step S103.
The subroutine shown in the flowchart in FIG. 10 includes the processes of steps S300 to S309. In step S300, the main CPU 26a determines whether or not the number of reserved balls is currently “0”. When the number of reserved balls is other than 0 (1 to 4) (step S300: N), the main CPU 26a proceeds to the process of step S301 in order to start the variation display (special symbol variation game). On the other hand, when the number of reserved balls is 0 (step S300: Y), the main CPU 26a ends this subroutine without performing the processing of steps S301 to S309 without further subtracting the number of held balls.

  In step S301, the main CPU 26a decrements the number of reserved balls by 1, and proceeds to the process of step S302. In step S302, the main CPU 26a performs a hit determination in which the hit determination random number stored in the random number storage area of the main RAM 26c in step S204 is compared with the big hit determination value. Regardless of whether the comparison result is coincidence or non-coincidence, the main CPU 26a proceeds to the fluctuation pattern distribution random number acquisition process of step S303.

The main CPU 26a acquires the random number in the fluctuation pattern distribution random number acquisition process (step S303), and then proceeds to the fluctuation pattern designation command generation process in step S304. In step S304, (a) if the comparison result with the jackpot determination value is coincident, the big hit hour variation pattern distribution table is compared with the random number, and (b) the comparison result with the jackpot determination value is inconsistent. In this case, the change pattern distribution table at the time of the loss is compared with the random number, and the change pattern of the change display to be executed is determined.
The loss variation pattern distribution table includes a reach variation pattern distribution table and a reach non-reach variation pattern distribution table.

  Next, the main CPU 26a stores a variation pattern designation command for designating the determined variation pattern in the transmission buffer of the main control board 26 (step S305), and at the time of the next command transmission (step S100), the sub control board. Send this to 27. Further, the main CPU 26a sets the processing time (number of interruptions) X of the determined variation pattern in the timer N of the main RAM 26c (step S306).

  Next, the main CPU 26a determines from the symbol type table a special symbol to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device 30 when the big hit is won based on the big hit symbol random number acquired in step S205 (step S307). If the determination of whether or not the determination in step S302 is negative, that is, the game is lost, the special symbol is uniquely determined as the pattern 0 in the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment. In the case of a special symbol, specifically, one of the stop display patterns is selected from the special symbol LED pattern tables shown in Tables 1 and 2 and stored in the main RAM 26c as a special symbol stop number. Subsequently, the main CPU 26a generates a command for designating the determined symbol (step S308), and transmits the symbol designation command to the transmission buffer of the main control substrate 26 in order to transmit the symbol designation command to the sub control board 27 in the next step. After storing (step S309), the variable display start processing subroutine ends, and the process proceeds to the special symbol display processing of step S104 in the main flow of FIG.

  The special symbol display processing subroutine shown in the flowchart in FIG. 11 includes the processing of steps S400 to S406. In step S400, the main CPU 26a first determines whether or not it is the special symbol variation display stop timing. Specifically, when the special symbol display device 30 performs the variable display and the timer N acquired in step S306 is 0, this is affirmed.

  When the special symbol variation stop timing is affirmed (step S400: Y), the main CPU 26a proceeds to step S401 as described later, and stops and displays the special symbol of the predetermined display pattern as the display result of the variation display of the special symbol. Head for processing. The following will be described later.

When step S400 is negative (step S400: N), that is, when the variable symbol display is not performed on the special symbol display device 30, or when the variable symbol is being displayed and the timer N is not 0, the main CPU 26a executes step S404. Transition to processing. In step S404, the main CPU 26a determines whether or not the special symbol display device 30 is performing variable display.
When the variation process is not performed (step S404: N), the main CPU 26a proceeds to a special symbol output process of step S403 described later.

  On the other hand, when the variable display is performed (step S404: Y), the main CPU 26a subtracts 1 from the value of the timer N (step S405), and the process proceeds to step S406. In step S406, the special symbol display number setting process shown in FIG. 12 is performed.

  The special symbol display number setting process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 includes the processes of steps S500 to S506. The main CPU 26a increments the special symbol update counter starting from the initial value 0 by 1 (step S500), and determines whether this is greater than a predetermined maximum value (in this embodiment, the maximum value is 50). Determination is made (step S501). When this is denied (step S501: N), the subroutine is terminated and the process returns to the special symbol display process of FIG. That is, in the case of this embodiment, the following special symbol update processing is not performed until the control flow interrupted every 4 msec is repeated 50 times. That is, the special symbol is updated every 200 msec.

  When the special symbol update counter exceeds the maximum value (50) (step S501: Y), the main CPU 26a resets the special symbol update counter to 0 (step S502) and sets the special symbol display offset starting from the initial value 0 to 1. Increase (step S503). The special symbol display offset is a numerical value representing an address offset value for calling desired stored data from the special symbol fluctuation display tables shown in Tables 3 and 4. Since the variation display of the special symbol in the present embodiment is performed by switching and displaying a total of six special symbols as described above, the maximum value of the special symbol display offset is set to 6-1 = 5.

(Table 3)

(Table 4)

  Subsequently, when the special symbol display offset exceeds the maximum value (5) (step S504: N), the main CPU 26a resets the special symbol display offset to 0 (step S505).

  Here, the special symbol variation display in the present embodiment is performed by switching and displaying a total of six special symbols that can be displayed on the special symbol display device 30 as stop display patterns as described above. That is, the special symbol display patterns that are variably displayed are both included in the special symbol LED pattern table (see Tables 1 and 2).

First, a case where Table 3 is used as the special symbol variation display table will be described. The flow shown in FIG. 12 shows such a case, and this case is the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the special symbol variation display table shown in Table 3, the pattern numbers of the special symbol LED pattern table corresponding to the display pattern used for the variation display of the special symbol are stored in the display order. The main CPU 26a increases the special symbol display offset by 1 from the initial value 0 to 5, reads the pattern number stored in the address offset value from the special symbol variation display table, and sets it as the special symbol display number.
As will be described later, the special symbol display pattern shown in each figure of FIG. 6 is obtained by calling up the turn-on / off pattern of the special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g corresponding to the special symbol display number (pattern number) from the special symbol LED pattern table. This is realized by the special symbol display device 30.

  Note that when the special symbol display offset exceeds the maximum value (5) as described above (step S504: N), this is reset to 0, so that the variation display of the special symbol is from the mode of FIG. 6 (a). After starting and reaching the mode shown in FIG. 5F, the mode shown in FIG. 5A is displayed again.

Moreover, the case where Table 4 is used for a special symbol fluctuation display table is described as a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the special symbol variation display table shown in Table 4, the variation display mode of the special symbol is directly described in the display order. The table composed of seven bits of 0 or 1 corresponds to the contents of the special symbol LED pattern tables shown in Tables 1 and 2, and the pattern of turning on / off the special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g in order from the left. Is represented by 1 in the on state and 0 in the off state.
Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the main CPU 26a can omit step S506 shown in FIG. 12 and directly read on / off pattern data of the special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g from the special symbol variation display table of Table 4.

As in the second embodiment, by turning on / off the special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g directly in the special symbol variation display table, the variation display pattern of the special symbol is the stop display pattern. It can be set regardless of this, and thereby, variable display can be performed using a special symbol not included in the stop display pattern.
Moreover, the amount of data to be stored in the main ROM 26b can be reduced by using the special symbol variation display table (Table 3) in which only the pattern numbers of the special symbol LED pattern table are stored as in the first embodiment. it can.

  When the special symbol display number setting process subroutine is completed as described above, the main CPU 26a executes the special symbol output process (step S403) shown in FIG.

In the case of the first embodiment, in step S403, the main CPU 26a determines whether the special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g are turned on / off from the address value of the special symbol LED pattern table corresponding to the special symbol display number acquired in step S506. Data (see Tables 1 and 2) is read, and an output signal for the special symbol display device 30 is stored in the transmission buffer of the main control board 26.
In the case of the second embodiment, in step S403, the main CPU 26a similarly stores the acquired data of lighting / extinguishing patterns of the special symbol display LEDs 30a to 30g in the transmission buffer of the main control board 26.

  If the special symbol is not changing (step S404: N), the special symbol display number rewriting process is not performed. Therefore, if the result of the previous special symbol changing game is lost, it indicates a loss. Step S403 is executed by the main CPU 26a in a state where the pattern 0 is designated, and the pattern 0 is continuously stopped and displayed.

  When the special symbol output process of step S403 is completed, the main CPU 26a performs a big hit process (step S105) of the control flow shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol variation stop timing is affirmed in step S400 (step S400: Y), the main CPU 26a inputs the special symbol stop number stored in the main RAM 26c to the special symbol display number.

In subsequent step S402, the main CPU 26a generates end data for the special symbol variation display.
FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of the variable display end processing subroutine (step S402). In step S601, the main CPU 26a generates symbol stop data for stopping the special symbol in the special symbol display device 30, and stores it in the transmission buffer of the main control board 26 in step S602, and the present subroutine is terminated.

  Since the special symbol display number acquired in step S307 is stored in the special symbol display number in step S401, the main CPU 26a sets the special symbol display LED 30a set in the special symbol LED pattern table in step S403. The -30 g on / off pattern data is read, an output signal for the special symbol display device 30 is generated, stored in the transmission buffer of the main control board 26, and this subroutine is terminated.

  Subsequently, the main CPU 26a performs a process similar to the determination of whether or not the random number for hit determination in step S302 is true in the big hit process (step S105) of the main flow in FIG. If the determination result is not a big hit, the main CPU 26a proceeds to the interrupt standby process in step S106. On the other hand, when the determination result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, although the detailed description is omitted, the main CPU 26a opens based on the jackpot setting table stored in the main RAM 26c to instruct the start of the opening period of the jackpot game Controls a specified command, a round specified command for instructing the start of a round period that starts in synchronism with the timing of opening the big winning opening in the jackpot game, and ends in synchronization with the closing timing, and an ending specification command for instructing the end of the jackpot game. After outputting the command to the sub general CPU 27a, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the main CPU 26a waits until a predetermined time (for example, 4 msec) elapses after the process of step S100 is started. After 4 msec have elapsed, the main CPU 26a proceeds to the process of step S100 again.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the control flow of FIG. 8 is executed by timer interruption every 4 msec, and the special symbol variation display is performed only when the special symbol update counter exceeds the maximum value 50 in step S501. Since the main CPU 26a generates an output signal indicating that the transmission is performed, the transmission signal of the main control board 26 stores the output signal every 200 msec. The signal stored in the transmission buffer is read by the special symbol display device 30 every 16 msec, for example, and the special symbol variation display and stop display are executed. In this case, after the variable display is started at time 0, the special symbol variable display is switched at 208 msec, 400 msec, 608 msec, 800 msec.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the update interval of the special symbol variation display in the special symbol display device 30 and the update interval of the normal symbol variation display in the normal symbol display device 50 are set to be the same. Thereby, the special symbol display device 30 and the normal symbol display device 50 can be resolutely integrated from the viewpoint of production.

Here, the control processing method for causing the normal symbol display device 50 to execute the normal symbol variation display in the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment will be briefly described below.
As shown in FIG. 7, a passing signal indicating that the game ball has passed through the gate 25 is sent to the main control board 26 from the detection switch.
When the main CPU 26a acquires such an input signal, the main CPU 26a, in the input process (step S101) shown in the main flow of FIG. 8, has the number of normal symbol start suspensions less than the maximum value (four in this embodiment). In this case, a random number for hit determination of the normal symbol variation game is acquired and stored in the main RAM 26c.

Next, after the end of the special symbol display process (step S104) shown in the main flow, the main CPU 26a executes a normal symbol variation display start process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Specifically, after confirming that the normal symbol start holding number is 1 or more, 1 is subtracted from the holding number, and whether or not the random number for hit determination of the normal symbol variation game is determined. In the determination of success / failure, the winning probability increases when the short-time state is given.
In the case of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the normal symbol start LED is displayed on the normal symbol storage LED 51, the short-time state is displayed on the gaming state display LED 32, and the result of the above-described determination of whether or not it is normal. The change display time of the symbol is uniquely determined.
Therefore, the main CPU 26a next sets the determined variation pattern (variation time) in a timer which is a subtraction counter.

Further, the main CPU 26a executes normal symbol variation display processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Specifically, after determining with reference to the timer value whether or not it is a normal symbol fluctuation stop timing, (1) at the stop timing, stop display patterns that are uniquely determined by winning or losing, respectively. Is displayed on the normal symbol display device 50. (2) While the variable display is being executed, the normal symbol update counter is incremented by one, and when this exceeds the preset 50 as the maximum value. Only normal symbols are variably displayed. The setting of the maximum value is the same as the maximum value of the special symbol update counter. Thereby, the change interval of a normal symbol and the change interval of a special symbol can be made common. (3) When the normal symbol is not changed, the same display pattern is continuously displayed, and as a result, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed.
The main CPU 26 a stores the normal symbol variation display pattern thus determined in the transmission buffer of the main control board 26 and transmits it to the normal symbol display device 50.

The main CPU 26a executes the normal symbol hit processing after the main flow jackpot processing (step S105) is completed.
Specifically, when the normal symbol variation game is won by the above-described determination of the success / failure, the opening / closing blade opening data indicating the opening timing of the opening / closing blade 21 is generated and stored in the transmission buffer of the main control board 26, and the opening time is set. Set to the subtraction counter.
As a result, the opening / closing blade 21 is opened over the specified timing and time, and a game ball can be won in the starting port 22b.

  Since the special symbol display device 30 of this embodiment includes seven LEDs, as shown in Tables 1, 2, and 4, the special symbol LED pattern table and the special symbol variation display table have seven bits of 0. Or it consists of one. Therefore, in the special symbol output process of step S303, for example, a game state display LED 32a that displays the presence / absence of the probability variation state of the special symbol variation game is combined with other LED ON / OFF patterns of 8 bits (1 byte). If the information is stored in the transmission buffer of the main control board 26, the processing efficiency is good. Further, the special symbol display device 30 of the present embodiment requires 3 bits for the special symbol memory LED 31 to display the start suspension number of 0 to 4, the other game state display LED 32b, the normal symbol display LEDs 50a, 50b, and Since the total number of the normal symbol storage LEDs 51a and 51b is five, it takes 5 bits to represent the lighting / extinguishing pattern. Therefore, the lighting / extinguishing pattern of the total 17 LEDs arranged on the display 60 is 2 bytes. There is an advantage that it can be processed with information.

3 is a schematic diagram of the machine surface side of the pachinko machine 10. FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a display device 60. FIG. 3 is a front view of a display device 60. FIG. (A) is an enlarged view of the display device installation area 61, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing only the LEDs constituting the special symbol display device 30 and the LEDs constituting the normal symbol display device 50. (A)-(f) is a schematic diagram which shows the display form of the special symbol display apparatus 30 which carries out the variable display of a special symbol. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the pachinko machine 10. FIG. It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process performed by main CPU26a. It is a flowchart of an input processing subroutine. It is a flowchart of a special symbol display processing subroutine. It is a flowchart of a fluctuation display start processing subroutine. It is a flowchart of a special symbol display number setting processing subroutine. It is a flowchart of a fluctuation display end processing subroutine.

Explanation of symbols

10 Pachinko machine 13 Game board 22 Special design start winning device (start opening)
24 Grand Prize 25 Normal symbol starter (gate)
26 Main control board 30 Special symbol display device 31 Special symbol memory LED
32 Game status display LED
40 Production symbol display device 50 Normal symbol display device 51 Normal symbol memory LED
60 Display 61 Display device installation area

Claims (5)

A special symbol start winning device that can be awarded with a game ball, and a special symbol display device that can display special symbols in a plurality of display patterns, installed on the game board,
Special symbol start winning detection means for detecting the winning to the special symbol start winning device;
Special symbol display control means for variably displaying the special symbol on the special symbol display device based on the fact that the special symbol start winning detection means has detected the winning,
An effect symbol display device that displays an effect symbol in association with the display result of the variable display,
In a gaming machine to which a jackpot gaming state is given in relation to the display result of the variable display being a predetermined jackpot display result,
The special symbol variably displayed on the special symbol display device is a special symbol composed of a plurality of display patterns, and a part of the special symbols of all display patterns that can be displayed on the special symbol display device A gaming machine characterized by being. A normal symbol starter that can be awarded with a game ball, and a normal symbol display device that can display normal symbols in a plurality of display patterns;
A normal symbol start detecting means for detecting the passage of the game ball with respect to the normal symbol starter;
And further comprising normal symbol display control means for variably displaying the normal symbol on the normal symbol display device based on the detection of the passage by the normal symbol start detection means,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein an installation area of the normal symbol display device and an installation area of the special symbol display device are adjacent to each other. The special symbol display device and the normal symbol display device each comprise a plurality of light emitting elements,
At least one light emitting element among the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the normal symbol display device is arranged on a straight line connecting at least two light emitting elements among the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the special symbol display device. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein:   The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the update interval of the special symbol variable display in the special symbol display device is the same as the update interval of the normal symbol variable display in the normal symbol display device. The special symbol display control means stops and displays the display result after the special symbol is variably displayed in a plurality of display patterns,
5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the variably displayed special symbol includes at least a display pattern different from any of the special symbols that can be stopped and displayed.

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