JP2008272315A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new game machine which enables players to enhance the awareness of their own involvement in games without affecting the content of performance to be shown on a display. <P>SOLUTION: Input operations by players are received during the variable display of performance figures shown on a display while a lottery for determining effect sounds for the jackpot is carried out as per each input operation is made by the players. When the effect sounds for the jackpot are earned as the result of the lottery, prescribed effect sounds for the jackpot are generated. This enables the players to audibly grasp the winning of the jackpot when the effect sounds for the jackpot are generated and thus, can enhance the player's awareness of his/her own involvement in games without affecting the content of the visual performance or the like shown on the display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a parrot machine, and in particular, a jackpot lottery result that is performed in response to a winning of a game ball at a start opening is predetermined on a game board or a liquid crystal display provided on the back thereof. The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which the effect symbols are variably displayed in a predetermined variation pattern.

Generally, in a conventional pachinko machine called a digipachi, etc., a lottery of a special prize state called a jackpot is performed when a game ball is won at the start opening, and the lottery result is displayed on the game board and its It is displayed on a large display screen such as a liquid crystal display provided on the back as a combination of production symbols such as numbers and pictures.
And since the combination result of this effect symbol is generally displayed after a predetermined fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time), the player cannot know the lottery result during the fluctuation display. In the case of a variation pattern that is likely to lead to a jackpot called so-called reach production (reach action) among these variation patterns, the variation time is long and the production is various, so the player changes the variation pattern. During the display, you will have a great sense of expectation for the jackpot.

However, the player is involved in the game because such a variation pattern and the type of the effect design are unilaterally determined on the gaming machine side based on the random value extracted for each lottery. You may become less conscious and lose interest in games.
Therefore, recently, the pachinko machine is equipped with external input means called production buttons etc. on the saucer part of the main body of the pachinko machine, etc., and the contents of the production etc. are changed by the player pressing the production button during the game. Is increasing.

For example, in a gaming machine as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a reach effect is started, and at the same time an input by an effect button is enabled, and an expected value of a jackpot is displayed on the liquid crystal display according to the number of times the effect button is input. Raises the player's awareness of involvement in the game.
Further, in Patent Document 2 below, when an effect button input operation is linked to an action of a character or a symbol displayed on the liquid crystal display and the reach effect is started, when the effect button is continuously hit, Increasing awareness of involvement in games by changing characters and designs.
JP 2004-65378 A JP 2005-143819 A

By the way, in the method of displaying the expected value of jackpot according to the number of input of the effect button as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, if the effect button is pressed a certain number of times, it is possible to easily guess whether or not the jackpot is successful. You may lose consciousness.
That is, for example, some variation patterns such as reach action take one minute or more from the beginning of variation to the end of variation (determined display), but in such a long variation pattern, immediately after the start of variation by pressing the effect button quickly Since the result will be known, if the result is “out of”, not only will the subsequent production be wasted, but after that, it will be dismissed by displaying the variable display indefinitely. It may end up.

As a result, if a certain number of games are performed, the player will not use the effect button at all, and even though the effect button is provided, the effect of raising the consciousness of participation in the game is obtained at all. It will disappear. In particular, in the case of a pachinko machine that does not have an effect cancellation function such as a so-called pachislot machine, the problem becomes significant.
On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, since the contents of the reach effect are linked with the input operation of the effect button by the player, the content does not change unless the player performs the input operation of the effect button. become. Therefore, when the reach effect starts, the player is always forced to input the effect button, and there is a disadvantage that the degree of freedom of the game is narrow.

In addition, since any production method is basically a production on a liquid crystal display and appeals to the player's own vision, there is a disadvantage that only the player himself can enjoy the production in principle.
Therefore, the present invention has been devised in order to effectively solve such a problem, and its main purpose is to play the game of the player without affecting the contents of the effects displayed on the display. It is intended to provide a new gaming machine that can raise the awareness of participation in the game.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1
A jackpot lottery means for winning a jackpot lottery when a game ball is won at the start opening, and a lottery result obtained by the jackpot lottery means is selected from a plurality of types of stage designs. A gaming machine having an effect symbol display means for performing a variable display with a predetermined variation pattern selected from patterns and then confirming the display,
The external input means for accepting the player's input operation during the effect symbol display by the effect symbol display means, and the effect symbol display by the effect symbol display means corresponding to the lottery result by the jackpot lottery means, A sound effect lottery means for drawing a jackpot sound effect for each input operation received by an external input means, and a sound effect generator for generating a predetermined jackpot sound effect when the jackpot sound effect lottery is won by the sound effect lottery means And a gaming machine characterized by comprising means.

  In other words, the gaming machine of the present invention receives an external input operation by the player by the external input means and displays an effect when there is an input operation during the variable display of the effect symbol corresponding to the jackpot by the effect symbol display means. A lottery for whether or not a jackpot sound is generated is performed for each input operation by the sound lottery means. As a result of the lottery, when the jackpot sound effect is won, a predetermined jackpot sound effect is generated by the sound effect generating means.

As a result, when the jackpot sound effect is generated, the player can audibly grasp that the jackpot has been won before the jackpot is confirmed and displayed on the display. It is possible to increase the player's awareness of involvement in the game without affecting the contents of the performance.
In addition, since the jackpot sound effect is announced, the jackpot sound is announced, so that the player who listened to it and other players around it can enjoy the performance consciously or unconsciously. Thus, a more innovative and effective production can be realized.

Furthermore, when a jackpot sound effect is generated as a result of the input operation by the player himself, not only the player's sense of superiority for winning the jackpot, but also a sense of achievement by the input operation is further enhanced. be able to.
Further, the presence / absence of the input from the external input means does not affect the contents of the normal visual reach effect by the effect symbol or the like, so that the player is not forced to perform the input operation.

The invention of claim 2
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the sound effect generating means generates a predetermined off sound effect when the sound effect lottery means deviates from the lottery of the big hit effect sound. .
Thereby, even when it is out of lottery for the jackpot sound effect, the response to the input operation by the player can be expressed by voice, and the expectation for the jackpot sound effect can be further enhanced.

The invention of claim 3
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sound effect generating means produces an effect by the effect symbol display means from a plurality of jackpot sound effects when the sound effect lottery means wins a lottery effect sound lottery. A gaming machine characterized by selecting and generating a jackpot sound effect according to the type of design or variation pattern.
As a result, different jackpot sound effects can be generated for each type of effect symbol or variation pattern, so that variations of the jackpot sound effects increase and the gameability is further improved.

The invention of claim 4
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the sound effect generating means shifts to the jackpot sound effect lottery by the sound effect lottery means, the effect is generated from a plurality of outlier sound effects. The gaming machine is characterized in that a sound effect is selected and generated according to the kind of effect symbol or variation pattern by the symbol display means.
As a result, a different off sound effect can be generated for each type of effect symbol or variation pattern, so that variations of the off sound effect increase and the gameability is further improved.

The invention of claim 5
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a first sound effect lottery table defining a probability of generating a jackpot sound effect for each variation display pattern of the effect symbol, and the external input means A second sound effect lottery table that defines the probability of occurrence of a sound effect out of jackpot sound effect for each accepted input operation;
The sound effect lottery means draws a jackpot sound effect for each input operation received by the external input means based on the first jackpot sound effect lottery table, and when the lottery is won, A gaming machine characterized in that a lottery of sound effects is performed based on a sound effect lottery table.

In this way, by drawing lots of jackpot sound effects based on the two types of sound effect lottery tables, for example, when there are few input operations, the probability of winning the jackpot sound effect is low, and as the number of input operations increases, the jackpot sound effect is won. It is possible to perform an accurate probability adjustment such as increasing the probability of occurrence or changing the occurrence probability for each variation pattern.
As a result, it is possible to eliminate such inconveniences that a big hit sound effect is frequently generated and aroused, or that no big hit sound effect is generated even if the input operation is performed many times. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent frequent occurrences such as a big hit sound effect being suddenly generated by the first input operation or about two to three input operations, and subsequent effects on the display being wasted. .

In short, according to the present invention, a sound effect such as a jackpot sound effect is generated in response to an input operation by an external input means, so that the visual effect content displayed on the display is not affected. In addition, it is possible to increase the player's awareness of participation in the game using the external input means.
In addition, because it is an effect such as notifying the jackpot by the occurrence of a jackpot sound effect, it is possible for the player who listened to it, as well as the players around it, to enjoy the effect consciously or unconsciously, A more innovative and effective production can be realized.

Further, when a jackpot sound effect is generated as a result of the input operation, not only the player's sense of superiority for winning the jackpot but also a sense of achievement by the input operation can be further enhanced.
Further, the presence / absence of the input from the external input means does not affect the contents of the normal visual reach effect by the effect symbol or the like, so that the player is not forced to perform the input operation.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a gaming machine 100 according to the present invention.
As shown in the figure, this gaming machine 100 is a so-called “digi-pachi” pachinko machine, and can be freely opened and closed at the front upper part of an outer frame 10 having a vertically long rectangular shape and an inner frame 14 hinged by a hinge mechanism 12. A game board 18 covered with a transparent glass frame unit 16 is provided.

  A game area 22, which is a circular space defined by the guide rails 20, is formed between the game board 18 and the glass frame unit 16 as shown in FIG. A game ball driven into the upper part of the game area 22 through the guide rail 20 falls in the game area 22 due to its own weight, and a part of the game ball 22 passes through the out port 26 provided at the bottom of the game board 18. The game balls are discharged to the outside (the back of the game board 18), and a part of other game balls wins various winning holes formed on the game board 18, thereby making the number of prize balls (1 corresponding to the number of winning balls) To 15) are paid out one after another to the tray unit 28 provided in the lower part of the game area 22.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a large effect symbol display 30 made of a liquid crystal display or the like is provided at the center of the game board 18, and a game ball is fed to the start winning opening 34 provided at the lower part thereof. A combination of predetermined production symbols corresponding to a lottery (special prize) lottery result performed when winning is displayed in a variable manner according to a predetermined variation pattern.
The start winning opening 34 is composed of a normal electric accessory called a so-called electric chew or the like, and when the game ball passes through a normal symbol start gate 32 provided in the vicinity of the guide rail 20. Opening and closing operations are performed in accordance with the result of lottery of normal symbols to be performed, and the winning probability of the game ball to the starting winning port 34 can be controlled.

  In addition, a large winning opening 38 is formed below the starting winning opening 34, which is closed by a rectangular plate-shaped opening / closing lid 36, and triggered by the winning of a game ball in the starting winning opening 34. When winning the winning lottery, the open / close lid 36 is repeatedly opened and closed for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times, so that a large number of game balls falling in the game area 22 are captured and won. ing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, display lamps (indicator lamps) 40 of various colors, such as light bulbs and LEDs, are provided around the glass frame unit 16 so that effects during play and the state of equipment ( For example, it is lit or blinked in linkage with a device error or an open / closed state of the glass frame unit 16 or the like.
Furthermore, full-range speaker units 42 and 42 and a subwoofer unit 43 are provided at the upper left and right corners of the glass frame unit 16 and the lower center of the tray unit 28, respectively. It comes out with powerful heavy bass and high sound quality.

The tray unit 28 provided below the game board 18 protrudes toward the player side, and temporarily holds a game ball supplied from a ball lending device (not shown) or awarded prize ball. The held game balls are sequentially supplied to the launching device 24.
Further, an operation button 44 (ball lending button and card return button) for supplying a game ball from a ball lending device (not shown) is pushed on the front surface of the tray unit 28 and on the upper end of the subwoofer unit 43. A button 46 is provided, and when a player presses the push button 46 from above at a predetermined time during the game (push), various special effects such as a jackpot sound effect and a loss effect sound as described later are provided. Sound effects (SE: sound effects) are generated from the full-range speaker units 42 and 42 and the subwoofer unit 43.

  In FIG. 2, 48 is a general winning opening, 50 is a normal symbol display section showing the lottery result of opening and closing operation of the starting winning opening 34, 52 is a 7-segment LED or the like for displaying a numerical value according to the lottery winning result, etc. A special symbol display section comprising 54, a holding lamp showing the number of starting winning balls to the starting winning opening 34, and a mounting section 56 for attaching / detaching the game board 18 to and from the inner frame 14 side.

Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the gaming machine 100 of the present invention having such a configuration.
As shown in the drawing, the configuration of the control system of the gaming machine 100 of the present invention includes a main control board 200 that performs main control of games such as winning detection of game balls and lottery drawing, and commands from the main control board 200 ( Control sub-control board 300 that mainly performs control related to various effects in response to control commands), and control related to payout of prize balls and rental of game balls in response to commands (control commands) from the main control board 200. A prize ball payout control board 400, a special symbol display 52, a normal symbol display 50, a large winning opening solenoid 500 for opening and closing the large winning opening 38, and an electric chew solenoid 600 for opening and closing a starting winning opening 34. And a power supply board 800 that supplies power to each of these boards and devices.

  First, the main control board 200 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 210, a RAM (main storage device) 220, a ROM (reading storage device) 230, a timer 240, an input port 250, an output port 260 and the like through a bus 270. The CPU 210 is composed of a connected microcomputer, and the CPU 210 performs predetermined processing based on the main control program written in the ROM 220 and various information input from the input port 250, and performs control according to the processing result. Signals are output from the output port 260 to various boards such as the composite sub-control board 300 and the prize ball payout control board 400 through a control command for command, or the special prize opening solenoid 500, the electric chew solenoid 600, and a special symbol display. Various devices such as the device 52 and the normal symbol display device 50 are directly controlled.

  The input port 250 detects the winning of a game ball to the start winning prize detector (switch) 251 for detecting the winning of the game ball to the start winning opening 34 described above and the large winning opening 38 described above. The prize winning detector (switch) 252, the general prize opening 48, the normal symbol starting gate 32, and the like, various prize opening detectors (switches) 253, the operation of the launching device 24, the shortage of prize balls, Various detectors 254 for detecting a full tank state or the like are connected, and signals detected by these detectors 251, 252, 253, 254 are connected to the main control board 200 side via this input port 250. Is input appropriately.

  Next, similarly to the main control board 200, the composite sub-control board 300 is composed of a microcomputer system such as a CPU, RAM, ROM, input port, and output port (not shown), and the CPU is written in the ROM. Based on the dedicated composite sub-control program and various data, a control command receiving unit 301, a control command analyzing unit 302, a control command transmitting unit 303, a button operation receiving unit 304, a voice control unit 305, a sound effect as shown in FIG. Each function such as the lottery unit 306 and the sound effect generator 309 is realized.

  And this composite sub-control board 300 is based on the control command transmitted one by one from the main control board 200 side, the illumination control board 310, the production symbol display board 320, the external input unit 330, the full-range speaker units 42, 42 and the sub-control board 300. The control commands and the like are transmitted to the woofer unit 43 and the like, so that mainly the control related to the production is controlled in a composite manner.

That is, the control command receiving unit 301 mainly monitors the presence / absence of a control command transmitted from the main control board 200 side, and mainly provides a function of receiving a control command when it is transmitted. In addition, the control command analysis unit 302 mainly provides a function of analyzing the content and type of the control command received by the control command reception unit 301 and relaying it to the control command transmission unit 303.
The control command transmission unit 303 has a function of transmitting the control command sent from the control command analysis unit 302 as it is or converting it into a voice signal and transmitting it to a predetermined substrate set for each control command. To provide.

5 and 6 show an example of a control command transmitted from the composite sub control board 300 to the effect symbol display board 320. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, this control command includes a mode (MODE) that is a 1-byte digital data that is an identifier for identifying a normal command classification (function), and 1 indicating the contents of the control command to be executed. For example, if a certain command is “9FH03H” which is a command related to the variation pattern of the effect symbol, “9FH” of all stages is control of the effect symbol. This is an identifier for identifying the command classification, and “03H” in the subsequent stage indicates the content of the control command to be executed.

  Further, in transmitting such a control command “9FH03H” to the effect symbol display board 320, the composite sub-control board 300, as shown in FIG. 6, generates a strobe signal (DUSTB) generated by itself when the command changes. First, the mode data is output in response to the first rising edge, and then the next event data is output in response to the second rising edge of the strobe signal (DUSTB). Then, the effect symbol display board 320 or the like (the CPU) that has received such a control command generates an interrupt in response to the input of the strobe signal (DUSTB), and a process corresponding to the control command is performed by the interrupt process. It is to be executed one by one.

4 receives a button operation signal input from the external input unit 330 when the push button 46 of the external input unit 330 is operated (pushed), and a sound effect described later. A function of notifying the lottery unit 306 is provided.
That is, the external input unit 330 is mainly composed of a button light emitting unit 331, a button operation input unit 332, and a button operation output unit 333 in addition to the push button 46 operated by the player as shown. When the player operates (pushes) the push button 46 when the button operation is valid, the button operation input unit 332 recognizes the operation, and the button operation output unit 333 indicates that the input has been made. Is transmitted to the composite sub-control board 300 by an electric signal or the like, and the button operation accepting unit 304 accepts the signal.

The button light emitting unit 331 is composed of a light emitter such as an LED built in the push button 46, and emits light by a current supplied from the composite sub control board 300, the illumination control board 310, and the like, and pushes it. It is possible to visually notify the player that the button operation of the button 46 has become effective.
Therefore, the control command analysis unit 302 of the composite sub control board 300 analyzes the control command transmitted from the main control board 200. As a result, the effect that the operation of the push button 46 is effective in the effect symbol display 30 varies. When the button is displayed, a control command indicating that the button operation is valid for a predetermined time is linked to the button light emission unit 331, or the push button 46 is caused to emit light for a predetermined time via the illumination control board 310. It is like that.

The voice control unit 305 selects various audio data corresponding to the production contents and various game states (such as jackpots) displayed on the production symbol display 30 from the sound sources stored in the storage unit (ROM), and the speaker as an audio signal. The data can be transmitted to the units 42, 42, and 43 to be generated.
The sound effect lottery unit 306 performs the same lottery for the presence or absence of occurrence of a jackpot sound effect for each operation of the push button 46 received by the button operation accepting unit 304 while the effect symbol display unit 30 displays the variation of the effect symbol. This is performed based on the first sound effect lottery table 307 and the second sound effect lottery table 308 stored in the storage unit (ROM).

7 and 8 show the data structures of the first sound effect lottery table 307 and the second sound effect lottery table 308, respectively.
First, as shown in FIG. 7, the first sound effect lottery table 307 includes a variation pattern command transmitted from the main control board 200 side (a control command for performance corresponding to the jackpot lottery result performed on the main control board 200). The same applies hereinafter) are 88 types of variation pattern numbers “0” to “87”, and the variation pattern commands of variation pattern numbers “0” to “31” correspond to “out” of the lottery result. , The variation pattern commands of variation pattern numbers “32” to “87” correspond to “big hit” of the big win lottery result.

  In addition, the presence / absence (OFF, ON) of occurrence of a jackpot sound effect (direct hit sound) is assigned by “10” random values for each variation pattern, and the variation pattern corresponding to “out of” from the main control board 200. When a variation pattern command of “0” to “31” is sent, all of the “10” random numbers are assigned with the occurrence of the jackpot sound effect (direct hit sound) OFF (no jackpot sound effect) However, when a variation pattern command of variation patterns “32” to “87” corresponding to “big hit” is sent, a part of the random number has a jackpot effect according to the type of the variation pattern. It is specified to be assigned to the occurrence (ON) of sound (direct hit sound) (possibly a jackpot sound effect).

  For example, in the case of the variation pattern number “32” corresponding to “big hit”, among “10” random numbers, “2” is assigned to “big hit sound effect ON (present)” (winning probability 20%). In the case of the variation pattern number “33” corresponding to “big hit”, among “10” random numbers, “3” is assigned to “big hit sound effect ON” (winning probability 30%) Furthermore, in the case of the variation pattern number “87” corresponding to “big hit”, among “10” random number values, “6” is assigned to “big hit sound effect ON (present)” (winning probability 60 %).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the second sound effect lottery table 308 is assigned with random numbers of “100” as the types of sound effects generated according to the lottery result of the first sound effect lottery table 307. Yes, in the case of the variation patterns “1” to “31” corresponding to the reach in “out”, all of the “100” random numbers are the reach corresponding to the respective variation patterns “1” to “31”. Although it will be assigned to the default sound (out of sound effect) of the production, in the case of the variation patterns “32” to “87” corresponding to “big hit”, a part of the random value is the type of the variation pattern. It is stipulated to be assigned to jackpot sound effect (direct hit sound) accordingly.

  For example, in the case of the variation pattern number “1” corresponding to “out”, all of “100” random numbers are allocated to “default sound of reach production 1” (allocation rate 100%), but corresponds to “big hit” In the case of the variation pattern number “32”, “95” out of the “100” random number values are assigned to “default sound of reach production 1” (allocation rate 95%), and the remaining “5” It is designed to be assigned to the jackpot sound effect (direct hit sound) (allocation rate 5%), and the allocation rate of the jackpot sound effect (direct hit sound) has a data structure that varies depending on the variation pattern number. Yes.

  Here, the “hit sound effect (direct hit sound)” in the present invention is a composite sub-control while a predetermined effect symbol is variably displayed on the effect symbol display 30 by a predetermined fluctuation pattern (reach effect). A sound effect for audibly informing the player that the sound effect lottery unit 306 of the board 300 has won the lottery. For example, a bomb explosion sound, “Yatter”, “Oh!”, “ A sound that immediately causes the player to imagine a jackpot by the character's real voice or synthesized sound displayed on the effect symbol display 30 such as “Docker”.

  Also, the “out of sound effect” means that the sound effect lottery unit 306 is shifted to the lottery of the big hit effect sound while the predetermined effect design is variably displayed on the effect design indicator 30 according to the predetermined change pattern. Sound effects that are used to audibly notify the player, such as the sound of hitting an object in accordance with the content of the reach production, the sound of shooting a handgun, and the imitation sound when shooting an arrow or shuriken On the other hand, it is a sound effect that does not let you imagine a big hit.

  Further, the “default sound” means “out-of-range sound effect” set for each reach effect corresponding to each variation pattern. For example, the reach effect 1 corresponding to the variation pattern number 1 is a ninja in the Sengoku period. In the case of the effect as the main character, the onomatopoeia when the ninja released the shuriken, etc., and the reach effect 30 corresponding to the fluctuation pattern number 30 is the effect that the gunman of the American West pioneer era was the main character. In some cases, an imitation sound when the gunman shoots a handgun is a sound effect set for each variation pattern.

Although not shown in the second sound effect lottery table 308 in FIG. 8, the reach corresponding to each variation pattern is also applied to the “big hit sound effect” in the same manner as the “default sound” corresponding to this “out of sound effect”. You may prepare two or more for every production.
The sound effect generating unit 309 has a sound source (ROM) that stores sound data of such a plurality of sound effects (big hit sound effect, out of order sound effect), and the lottery result in the sound effect lottery unit 306 Corresponding sound effects are selected from this sound source and transmitted to the speaker units 42, 42, 43, and the sound effects are generated by the speaker units 42, 42, 43 superimposed on the sound for normal production. .

  On the other hand, the illumination control board 310 controlled by the composite sub-control board 300 performs control related to the indicator lamps such as lighting, blinking, and extinguishing of the illumination lamp 40, and the effect symbol display board 320 is described above. In response to the control command from the composite sub-control board 300, the effect symbol display 30 controls the effect symbol.

In addition, as with the main control board 200 and the composite sub-control board 300, the illumination control board 310 and the production symbol display board 320 are also composed of a microcomputer comprising a CPU, RAM, ROM, timer, input / output port, etc. (not shown). And each dedicated control program and various data written in the ROM, etc., and each effect control is performed in accordance with various control commands transmitted from the composite sub-control board 300.
In addition, the line of the hall computer 700 is connected to the output port 260 of the main control board 200, and the game information of the gaming machine 100, abnormal signals, and the like are output to the hall computer 700 as appropriate. The game status of the game can be monitored remotely at any time.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the prize ball payout control board 400 performs control related to the launching of game balls, the lending of game balls, the payout of prize balls, and the like. When there is a winning in the game, the winning ball according to the type of the winning opening (for example, 1 or 5 for the starting winning opening 34, 10 for the general winning opening 48, the large winning opening A payout device 410 for paying out 15 or the like, and a ball rental (CR) device (not shown) for supplying game balls according to the remaining amount of the prepaid game card, etc. It comes to control.

Further, when the winning prize solenoid 500 wins the “big hit” or the so-called “surprise (abrupt change in probability)”, the winning prize opening 38 is, for example, 29 seconds × 15 times (big hit) or 0.5 seconds × 2 Open / close control is performed with a pattern of rotation (probability).
In addition, when the electric choke solenoid 600 is selected for a normal symbol lottery performed when a game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 32, or when a so-called time-shortening function is activated, for example, 0.5 seconds to It operates for about 5 seconds to increase the winning probability for the starting winning opening 34.

The main control board 200, the composite sub-control board 300, the lighting control board 310, the effect design display board 320, the prize ball payout control board 400, the special prize opening solenoid 500, and various devices controlled by these, that is, lighting Lamp 40, speaker units 42, 42, 43, production symbol display 30, launch device 24, payout device 410, special symbol display 52, normal symbol display 50, etc. are supplied by a DC power source supplied from a power supply substrate 800. It is supposed to work.
Next, the processing related to the control of the sound effect during the variation display (reach effect) of the predetermined effect symbol displayed on the effect symbol display 30 with the game form (action) of the gaming machine 100 of the present invention configured as described above. Is mainly described. The functions not described below are the same as those of a normal digital pachinko machine.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a part of the game ball bounced to the game area 22 by the launching device 24 wins the start winning opening 34, and the winning is detected by the start opening winning detector 251. When a winning signal is input to the main control board 200, the main control board 200 assigns a random number that is updated every “2 to 4 ms” to the winning, for example, based on the random number value, for example, “1 / A jackpot lottery to win with a probability of “400” is performed (a jackpot lottery means).
The main control board 200 (the CPU 210) selects a predetermined fluctuation pattern recorded in the ROM 230 according to the result of the lottery and combines the fluctuation pattern commands (control commands) corresponding to the respective fluctuation patterns. Transmit to the control board 300 side.

  For example, when the jackpot lottery result performed on the main control board 200 is “off”, it corresponds to any one of the variation patterns “0” to “31” as shown in FIG. If the lottery result is “big hit”, the variable pattern command corresponding to any one of the fluctuation pattern numbers “32” to “87” is sent to the composite sub-control board. Send to 300 side. The main control board 200 displays the lottery result on the special symbol display 52 using a combination of predetermined numbers and symbols together with the transmission of the variation pattern command to the composite sub-control board 300.

Next, the composite sub-control board 300 that has received the predetermined variation pattern command in this way analyzes the variation pattern command, selects an effect symbol corresponding to the variation pattern command, and displays it on the effect symbol display board 320. A control command is transmitted, and control related to a lottery of sound effects is performed.
FIG. 9 shows an example of the flow of sound effect control processing performed on the composite sub-control board 300.

That is, the composite sub-control board 300 (or its CPU) constantly monitors the presence / absence of a control command transmitted from the main control board 200, and first determines that it has received a variation pattern command in the first step S100 ( Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S102, the fluctuation pattern command is analyzed, and then, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation pattern command corresponds to the jackpot. Specifically, as described above, the variation pattern number is identified, and when the number is “0” to “31”, it is determined as “out of”, and when it is “32” to “87”, “big hit”. Judge.
If the result of this determination processing is “displacement” (No), the process shifts to the step S200 side to perform a losing sound effect generation process. If “big hit” (Yes), the process shifts to the step S300 side and the jackpot The sound effect generation process is executed and the process of one variation pattern command is terminated.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show the flow of the missed sound effect generation process in step S200 and the jackpot sound effect generation process in step S300, respectively.
First, as shown in FIG. 10, in the deviation sound effect generation processing, in the first step S202, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation pattern command (offset command) corresponds to a fluctuation pattern including a reach effect.
Here, FIG. 13 shows an example of a variation pattern that indicates “out of” that does not include a reach effect, and FIG. 14 shows an example of a change pattern that includes a reach effect (“out” and “big hit”). Is shown respectively.

  First, as shown in FIG. 13, in the normal fluctuation pattern indicating “out”, as shown in FIG. 13 (1), the three effect symbols “4”, “5”, “6” corresponding to the previous lottery result are shown. "" From the state where each is stopped, as shown in Fig. 2 (2), each effect symbol is rotated up and down to change the effect symbol corresponding to the next lottery result. After a while, first, the first effect design “6” on the left side stops ((3) in the figure), then the second effect design “8” on the right side stops ((4) in the figure), and finally In the middle, the third production symbol “2” stops. As a result, it is confirmed that the lottery result is “missing”, so that the player knows that the lottery result corresponding to the start is “missing”. After that, a predetermined combination of effect symbols is displayed in a variable manner with a variation pattern corresponding to the next lottery result. Thereafter, such variation display is repeated for each lottery result.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, in the fluctuation pattern including the reach effect, as shown in FIGS. (1) to (3), until the first and second effect symbols are stopped, the normal pattern as shown in FIG. When the same effect symbols “7” and “7” are arranged as the first effect symbol and the second effect symbol as shown in FIG. ) Through the predetermined reach production as shown in FIG.

  In the example of the reach effect, when the first effect symbol and the second effect symbol are “7” and “7”, the reach effect is started, and the first effect symbol and the second effect symbol are displayed in a small and deformed manner. After that, the undecided third effect symbol located at the center is greatly deformed and emphasized, and a new one is replaced in such a manner that the third effect symbol is divided vertically. The display is variably displayed so that it slowly changes over time until it reaches “7”, which is the same effect design as the 2 effect designs. Then, as shown in FIG. 10 (10), when the undecided third effect symbol finally stops at the effect symbol of “7”, “big hit” is confirmed, and on the contrary, the undecided third effect symbol is Eventually, stopping at another effect symbol, for example, “8” effect symbol, will result in the determination of “out”.

  In this way, when it is determined in the first step S202 of the flow of FIG. 10 that the variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern command does not include the reach effect (No), the processing is terminated as it is. On the contrary, when it is determined that the variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern command includes the reach effect as described above (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S204.

In step S204, it is determined whether or not reach production has started in the variation pattern. For example, in the case of the variation pattern including the reach effect of FIG. 14 described above, it is determined that the reach effect has been started when the state (5) in FIG.
When it is determined that the reach effect has started (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S400, and processing for enabling the operation of the push button 46 is performed.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a processing flow for enabling the push button 46. That is, in the present embodiment, the operation of the push button 46 is not always effective, but is enabled only when the reach effect is started in this way.
As shown in the drawing, first, in the first step S402, an LED or the like built in the push button 46 is turned on to cause the push button 46 to emit red light, for example (light emission on).

Next, the process proceeds to step S404, where it is determined whether or not the push button has been operated (input). If there is an input (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S406 and the input signal is sent to the sub-control board 300. To the side.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S408, where it is determined whether or not the reach effect has ended. When it is determined that the reach effect has not ended (No), the same process is performed until the reach effect is ended by returning to step S404. The process is repeated, but when it is determined that the reach effect has ended, the process proceeds to step S410 and the push button 46 is turned off (light emission is turned off).

  When the operation of the push button 46 becomes valid in this way, the process proceeds to step S206 in the flow of FIG. 10 to determine whether or not there is an input signal of the push button 46, and when it is determined that there is no (No) jumps to step S210, but when it is determined that there is (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S208 to generate a sound effect.

As a result, the player who has performed the input operation of the push button 46 can recognize that it has been “lost” in the lottery of the jackpot sound effect by the input operation.
In step S210, it is determined whether or not the reach effect has ended. When it is determined that the reach effect has ended (Yes), the process ends as it is, but when it is determined that it has not ended (No). Returning to step S206, the same processing is repeated every time the push button input signal is present until the reach effect is completed.

FIG. 15 is a time chart showing an example of the generation of a sound effect that is out of the input operation of the push button 46 corresponding to the sound effect generation process shown in FIG.
As shown in the drawing, when the effect symbol display 30 starts to change into the reach effect, the push button 46 emits light and the operation becomes effective at the same time. It is expected that a jackpot sound is generated by continuously pressing (pushing) the button 46.

However, since this reach effect corresponds to a loss, no matter how many times the push button 46 is pushed, a release sound effect is always generated and no big hit sound is generated.
The example in the figure shows that the player pushed the push button 46 15 times continuously during the reach production, but in the end, each time there was only a sound effect, but no big hit sound was generated until the end. ing.

  On the other hand, in the case of the jackpot sound effect generation process as shown in FIG. 11, it is determined in the first step S302 whether or not the fluctuation pattern command (hit command) corresponds to the fluctuation pattern including the reach effect. When it is determined that the reach effect is not included, that is, when it is determined that the jackpot variation pattern does not have the reach effect (No), the processing is terminated as it is. The process proceeds to step S304 to determine whether or not reach production has started. If it is determined that the reach has started (Yes), the process proceeds to next step S400 to execute the same push button valid process as described above. The process proceeds to the next step S306.

  In this step S306, it is determined whether or not there has been an input operation of the push button 46 during the reach production. When it is determined that there is no (No), the process jumps to step S314, but “Yes”. When it is determined (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S308 to perform a lottery to determine whether or not to generate a jackpot sound effect. When it is determined that the lottery has not been won (No), the process proceeds to the step S312 side. However, when it is determined that the lottery has been won (Yes), the process proceeds to the step S316 to generate a jackpot sound effect.

In the lottery of the big hit sound effect in step S308, as described above, the sound effect lottery unit 306 of the composite sub-control board 300 performs the first sound effect lottery table 307 and the second sound effect as shown in FIGS. This is performed based on the lottery table 308.
That is, first, as shown in FIG. 7, the first lottery is performed for each reach production corresponding to the jackpot based on the first sound effect lottery table 307, and if there is a jackpot sound effect (direct hit sound) in the lottery, Based on the second sound effect lottery table 308 shown in FIG. 8, a second lottery is performed for each reach production corresponding to “big hit”, and if a big win sound effect (direct hit sound) is won in that lottery, the big hit sound effect Will occur, and a shift sound effect will be generated when the lottery shifts.

  For example, when the reach effect corresponding to the jackpot is “reach effect 1” of “variation pattern number 32” as shown in FIG. 7, “10” of the random numbers for lottery effect sound lottery “2” Is assigned to the jackpot sound effect, and if the random number given when the push button 46 is input is not one of the “two” winning random numbers, The “out of” is confirmed and the off sound effect is generated, but in the case of any of the “2” winning random numbers, 2 is directly based on the second sound effect lottery table 308 of FIG. The second jackpot lottery will be held.

  In “Reach production 1” of “Variation pattern number 32” shown in FIG. 8, among “100” random numbers, “5 (5%)” is allocated to the jackpot sound effect, so in the first lottery If the random number given when the winning is confirmed is not one of the “5” winning random numbers, that is, if the remaining “95 (95%)” is a random random number, Out of effect "will be generated and a sound effect will be generated, but if it is any of the" 5 "winning random numbers, it will be considered that the jackpot sound effect has been won. A jackpot sound effect will be generated. In addition, as shown in the figure, this reach production 1 is also adopted in “variation pattern number 1” corresponding to “out of”, so that the player can win a big hit only with this reach production. It is impossible to determine whether or not it is a reach effect that leads to a big hit.

FIG. 16 is a time chart showing an example of the input operation of the push button 46 corresponding to the jackpot sound effect generation processing shown in FIG. 11 and the jackpot sound effect generation.
As shown in the figure, when the reach effect is started on the effect symbol display 30, the push button 46 is activated and activated at the same time, so the player who has visually recognized this pushes the push button 46 continuously. We expect that a jackpot sound will be generated.

In the example shown in the figure, the push operation of the push button 46 is continuously performed, and until the “13th time”, the jackpot sound effect is not won and a shift sound effect is generated for each push operation. It shows that the jackpot sound effect was generated immediately after the big hit sound effect was won by the “push” push operation.
Thereby, the player can grasp by hearing that “big hit” was won before the end of the reach effect on the effect symbol display 30.

As described above, the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention generates an effect such as a jackpot sound effect in response to an input operation by the external input unit 330. Therefore, the visual effect content displayed on the effect symbol display 30 and the like. It is possible to increase the player's awareness of participation in the game without affecting the game.
In addition, because it is an effect such as notifying the jackpot by the occurrence of a jackpot sound effect, it is possible for the player who listened to it, as well as the players around it, to enjoy the effect consciously or unconsciously, A more innovative and effective production can be realized.

Furthermore, a jackpot sound effect is generated as a result of the input operation of the push button 46, so that not only the player's sense of superiority for winning the jackpot but also a sense of achievement by the input operation can be enhanced. it can.
In the present embodiment, since the lottery of the jackpot sound effect is performed in stages using the two tables such as the first sound effect lottery table 307 and the second sound effect lottery table 308 as described above, for example, As shown in FIG. 17, when the number of times the push button 46 is input is small, the probability of winning the jackpot sound effect is small, and as the number of inputs increases, the probability of winning the jackpot sound effect increases or the probability of occurrence for each variation pattern It is possible to make an accurate adjustment of the winning probability, such as making the different.

  This eliminates inconveniences such as frequent jackpot sound effects being generated for each reach production corresponding to jackpots, or no jackpot sound effects being generated at all, regardless of the number of input operations. it can. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of frequent occurrences such as sudden occurrence of a jackpot sound effect in the first input operation or about two to three input operations, and subsequent production on the display is wasted. .

Further, the presence / absence of the input of the push button 46 does not affect the contents of the visual reach effect by the effect symbol or the like in the effect symbol display 30, so that the player can input the push button 46. There is no forced operation.
As shown in FIG. 16, after winning the jackpot sound effect, it is not necessary to generate any sound effect. Therefore, it is desirable to invalidate the input of the push button 46 thereafter.

15 and 16, the operation of the push button 46 and the generation time of the sound effect corresponding to the operation are shifted, but this indicates the presence of the sound effect generation processing time performed in accordance with each operation of the push button 46. Actually, each sound effect is generated almost simultaneously with the operation of the push button 46.
In the example of FIG. 16, the example of winning the jackpot sound effect by the input operation of the push button 46 at the time of the reach effect corresponding to “big hit” is shown, but the reach effect corresponding to “big hit” is also shown. Regardless, the push button 46 has not been won until the end (the jackpot sound effect is not generated), or it seems very rare in this embodiment, but the first or "2-3 times" push button Naturally, a case where a jackpot sound effect is suddenly generated by 46 input operations is also conceivable.

  In addition, when a break-out sound effect is generated, if a default sound determined in advance for each reach production is adopted as shown in FIG. 8, even if the jackpot sound effect is not won, Variations in production can be increased, and game play can be further improved. Similarly, a plurality of jackpot sound effects may be prepared for each reach effect, and different jackpot sound effects may be generated for each reach effect.

Also, in this embodiment, when the big hit sound effect is not selected, the off sound effect is always generated. However, depending on the reach production, the off sound effect is not generated, or other than the big hit sound effect is generated. Sound effects may not be generated at all.
Further, in the present embodiment, the lottery method for the jackpot sound effect is performed step by step using two tables such as the first sound effect lottery table 307 and the second sound effect lottery table 308 shown in FIGS. However, a lottery may be performed using only one of these tables or using another lottery table in combination.

  The jackpot lottery means in claim 1 or the like described in the section for solving the problem corresponds to the jackpot lottery function based on the jackpot random number realized by the main control board 200 in the present embodiment, The effect symbol display means corresponds to the effect symbol display board 320 and the effect symbol display 30 controlled via the composite sub-control board 300 in the present embodiment.

The external input means corresponds to the external input unit 330 in the present embodiment, the sound effect lottery means corresponds to the sound effect lottery section 306 of the composite sub-control board 300 in the present embodiment, and The sound effect generating means corresponds to the sound control unit 305 and the speaker units 42, 42, and 43 of the composite sub-control board 300 in the present embodiment.
Further, the first sound effect lottery table and the second sound effect lottery table according to claim 5 respectively correspond to the first sound effect lottery table 307 and the second sound effect lottery table 308 in the present embodiment. Is.

1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a gaming machine 100 according to the present invention. It is a front view showing one embodiment of game board 18 of gaming machine 100 concerning the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system of the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention. In the control system of the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention, it is a block diagram mainly showing a configuration example around the composite sub-control board. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a control command. It is a figure which shows an example of the transmission time chart of a control command. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the 1st sound effect lottery table. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the 2nd sound effect lottery table. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of an audio | voice control process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of an outlier sound effect generation process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a big hit sound effect generation process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a push button effective process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the fluctuation pattern of a normal (disconnection). It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the fluctuation | variation pattern containing reach production. It is a time chart which shows the example of operation of a push button at the time of reach production corresponding to a gap, and the generation time of the sound effect corresponding to it. It is a time chart which shows the example of operation of a push button at the time of reach production corresponding to jackpot, and the generation time of the sound effect corresponding to it. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the input frequency of a push button, and the jackpot sound effect generation probability.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Game machine 200 ... Main control board 300 ... Composite sub control board 301 ... Control command receiving part 302 ... Control command analysis part 303 ... Control command transmission part 304 ... Button operation reception part 305 ... Voice control part 306 ... Sound effect lottery part 307 ... First sound effect lottery table 308 ... Second sound effect lottery table 309 ... Sound effect generating unit 320 ... Production symbol display board 330 ... External input unit 331 ... Button light emitting unit 332 ... Button operation input unit 333 ... Button operation output unit 30 ... Directional display (display)
46 ... push button 42, 43 ... speaker unit

Claims (5)

A jackpot lottery means for winning a jackpot lottery when a game ball is won at the start opening, and a lottery result obtained by the jackpot lottery means is selected from a plurality of types of stage designs. A gaming machine having an effect symbol display means for performing a variable display with a predetermined variation pattern selected from patterns and then confirming the display,
An external input means for accepting a player's input operation during the variation display of the effect symbol by the effect symbol display means;
Sound effect lottery means for performing lottery of the jackpot sound effect for each input operation received by the external input means during the variation display of the effect symbols by the effect symbol display means corresponding to the lottery result by the jackpot lottery means;
A gaming machine comprising: sound effect generating means for generating a predetermined jackpot sound effect when the sound effect lottery means wins a lottery of the jackpot sound effect. In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the sound effect generating means generates a predetermined loss effect sound when the sound effect lottery means is shifted to the lottery of the big hit effect sound. In the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The sound effect generating means, when the sound effect lottery means wins the jackpot sound effect lottery, from among a plurality of jackpot sound effects, the jackpot sound effect according to the type of effect symbol or variation pattern by the effect symbol display means A game machine characterized by being generated by selecting. In the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the sound effect generating means shifts to the jackpot sound effect lottery by the sound effect lottery means, the off sound effect corresponding to the type of effect design or variation pattern by the effect design display means is selected from among a plurality of out effect sound effects. A game machine characterized by being generated by selecting. In the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A first sound effect lottery table defining a probability of generating a jackpot sound effect for each variation display pattern of the effect design;
A second sound effect lottery table that defines the probability of occurrence of a sound effect outside the jackpot sound effect for each input operation received by the external input means,
The sound effect lottery means draws a jackpot sound effect for each input operation received by the external input means based on the first jackpot sound effect lottery table, and when the lottery is won, A gaming machine, wherein a sound effect lottery is performed based on a sound effect lottery table.

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