JP2009061091A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of enhancing excitement and enjoyment of the play by increasing the number of kinds of symbols while controlling the data capacity of programs required for generating symbol display data. <P>SOLUTION: A main CPU 31a determines a symbol number from a symbol number table and determines a special symbol B1 by referring to the symbol number. Next, the main CPU 31a selects high-byte data from a first bit table and selects a low-byte data from a second bit table based on the symbol numbers. Further, the main CPU 31a OR-processes bits in specific areas in the high byte data and in the low byte data, and OR-processes the bits in the remaining areas to generate symbol display data. Then, the main CPU 31a controls a special symbol display unit 51 to display the special symbol B1 in the display 51 based on the symbol display data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine including a start winning device, a special symbol display unit, and a decorative symbol display unit.

  In recent years, in order to enhance the fun of games by performing more various effects, gaming machines that perform games using two types of symbols, special symbols and decorative symbols (effect symbols), have been proposed. The special symbol is a symbol determined by the main control means, and includes information such as the type of jackpot (probability variation jackpot with probability variation or non-probability variation jackpot with no probability variation) and the number of rounds in the jackpot gaming state. It is out. On the other hand, the decorative symbol is a symbol that varies in synchronization with the variation of the special symbol.

In addition, by changing the decorative design in a state that can not be clearly identified as non-probable big hit, so that the player will not know whether the probability variation state will be given later, after the jackpot gaming state ends For the first time, a gaming machine that has been notified of the provision of a probability variation state has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, the player has an expectation to give a probability variation state to the player until the big hit gaming state is finished by watching the effect using the decorative design. You can make it.
JP-A-2006-61619 (FIGS. 25, 26, etc.)

  However, since the special symbol is fixed and stopped when the symbol variation ends (that is, the time before the big hit gaming state is started), the player can see the special symbol and the probability variation state is given in advance. There is a possibility of being grasped. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, it is necessary to increase the types of special symbols to make it difficult to grasp the provision of the probability variation state. However, since the symbol display data associated with the special symbol is normally stored in the data table in the same number as the number of the special symbol, the data capacity of the symbol display data increases when the number of the special symbol is increased. The burden on the main control means is increased. For example, if there are 100 kinds of special symbols, symbol display data of 100 bytes is required. Further, the main control means has a data capacity limitation, and also requires a data capacity of a program for realizing various game characteristics (such as small hits and shortening of the variation time). Therefore, in order to improve the interest of the game, there is a situation that the data capacity of the symbol display data cannot be increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to improve the interest of games by increasing the types of symbols while suppressing the data capacity of a program necessary for generating symbol display data. It is to provide a game machine that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a special symbol display for performing a special symbol display game in which a special symbol is fluctuated in response to a start winning device and a winning of a game ball to the start winning device. A game including a display unit, a decorative symbol display unit for performing a symbol combination game for deriving a symbol combination by varying a plurality of types of decorative symbols generated based on the special symbol, and a game control means for controlling the entire gaming machine A winning signal output means for outputting a winning signal in response to a game ball winning in the starting winning device, and a symbol number table in which symbol numbers expressed including a plurality of digits are listed. The symbol number table storage means for storing, the first bit table in which the bit value of the specific area is 1 or 0, and all the bit values of the remaining area are 0, and the specific Bit table storage means for storing a second bit table in which all the bit values of the area are 0 and the bit values of the remaining area are 1 or 0, and the first bit table includes the symbol Corresponding to the value of the upper digit in the number, the upper byte data composed of the bits in the specific area and the bits in the remaining area are distributed, and the value of the lower digit in the symbol number is assigned to the second bit table. And the lower byte data constituted by the bits of the specific area and the bits of the remaining area are distributed, and the game control means is triggered by the input of a winning signal from the winning signal output means. Extracted by random lottery, triggered by the jackpot judging means for judging whether or not the result of the symbol variation game is a jackpot, and the input of the winning signal. The random number acquisition means for acquiring the value of the design random number, and the symbol number table storage means based on the value of the design random number acquired by the random number acquisition means when the determination result by the jackpot determination means is a big hit The symbol number is determined from the symbol number table stored in the table, the special symbol determining means for determining the special symbol with reference to the determined symbol number, and the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining means is a jackpot And the symbol determined by the special symbol determining unit, the decorative symbol determining unit for determining the symbol combination of the decorative symbol capable of recognizing the jackpot based on the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining unit A plurality of bits constituting the upper byte data corresponding to the number and the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means. Change to change the value of at least one of the upper and lower digits constituting the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means by confirming the value of a predetermined bit among a plurality of bits constituting the lower byte data A change process execution determination unit that determines whether or not to execute a process; a change process execution unit that executes the change process when the change process execution determination unit determines to execute the change process; and the change process When the changing process is not executed by the execution unit, based on the symbol number determined by the special symbol determination unit, the upper byte data corresponding to the value of the upper digit constituting the symbol number is converted to the first bit. When the change process is executed by the change process execution means, the result of executing the change process is selected from the table. The upper byte data selection means for selecting upper byte data corresponding to the value of the upper digit obtained from the first bit table, and when the change processing is not executed by the change processing execution means, the special symbol Based on the symbol number determined by the determining means, the lower byte data corresponding to the lower digit value constituting the symbol number is selected from the second bit table, and the changing process is executed by the changing process executing means. The lower byte data selection means for selecting lower byte data corresponding to the lower digit value obtained as a result of executing the change processing from the second bit table, and the upper byte data selection means. Bits in a specific area constituting the upper byte data and the lower byte data selection means OR the bit of the specific area constituting the lower byte data selected in the above and the bits of the remaining area constituting the upper byte data selected by the upper byte data selection means and the lower byte data selection The symbol display data generating means for generating symbol display data composed of a plurality of bits by ORing the bits of the remaining area constituting the lower byte data selected by the means, and the symbol display data generation Based on the symbol display data generated by the means, control is performed to display the special symbol on the special symbol display unit, and on the decorative symbol display unit based on the decorative symbol determined by the decorative symbol determination unit. And a display control means for controlling the display of the decorative design. The gist.

  Therefore, in the first aspect of the present invention, the symbol display data is not stored in the data table in advance, but the symbol display data generating means is the upper byte only when the special symbol determining means determines the symbol number. It is generated by ORing the data and lower byte data. The type of byte data (upper byte data and lower byte data) used for generating the symbol display data is at least the same as the sum of the upper digit type and the lower digit type constituting the symbol number. The number of types of byte data can be made smaller than the number of symbol numbers. Therefore, even if the number of types of special symbols is enormous, the data capacity of the program used for generating the symbol display data can be suppressed, and the burden on the game control means can be reduced. In other words, the data capacity of the program for realizing various game characteristics can be increased by the amount of compression of the data capacity of the program necessary for generating the symbol display data, so that the interest of the game is improved.

  In addition, since a symbol combination game with decorative symbols comes to be performed, various game characteristics can be realized by decorative symbols without increasing the number of special symbols. Therefore, the data capacity of the program used for generating the symbol display data can be suppressed more reliably. Moreover, since the combination of decorative symbols becomes a state in which it is impossible to identify whether or not it is a jackpot to which a probability variation state is given, it becomes difficult to grasp the probability variation state in advance, and the entertainment of the game is further enhanced improves.

  Further, using the symbol number in which at least one of the upper digit and the lower digit is changed by the change process, the upper byte data selecting unit and the lower byte data selecting unit select each byte data, and the selected byte data Based on the above, the symbol display data generating means generates symbol display data. For this reason, it becomes difficult for regularity to appear in the values of a plurality of bits constituting the symbol display data. Therefore, when the special symbol display unit is composed of a plurality of light emitting units, and each light emitting unit is turned on or off according to the values of a plurality of bits constituting the symbol display data, the light emission mode of each light emitting unit is regulated. It becomes difficult to get out. Therefore, the player cannot grasp which light-emitting part is turned on to enter the probability variation state, so that the interest of the game is further improved.

  Here, as a suitable special symbol display section, a display device such as a liquid crystal type, a dot matrix type, an electroluminescence element type, a 7 segment type or the like can be cited. Other special symbol display units include a plurality of light emitting units, a combination of a plurality of light emitting units and the above-described display, and the like. Although any conventionally known light emitting means can be used as the light emitting portion, it is preferable to use a light emitting diode (LED) having advantages of small size, long life, and power saving.

  Further, as a suitable decorative symbol display unit, an electric symbol display unit such as a liquid crystal type, a dot matrix type, an electroluminescence element type, a seven-segment type, or a mechanical type such as a drum type or a belt type. Examples include a symbol display unit. In particular, it is preferable to use an electrical symbol display unit, and it is particularly preferable to use a liquid crystal type among the electrical symbol display units. If it does in this way, it will become easy to perform the complicated production | presentation content by a decoration symbol display part.

  In the first bit table, the values of the bits in the specific area are 1 or 0, and the values of the bits in the remaining area are all 0, while in the second bit table, the values of the bits in the specific area are all 0, and the bit values of the remaining areas are 1 or 0. When the upper byte data allocated to the first bit table is 8-bit (= 1 byte) data composed of the first to eighth digits, the first bit table is divided into a specific area, a remaining area, As a method of dividing the area, the area corresponding to the 1st digit, 2nd digit, 4th digit, and 8th digit bit is set as the specific area, and the 3rd digit, 5th digit, 6th digit, and 7th digit bit are changed. The method of setting the corresponding area as the remaining area, or the area corresponding to the upper 4 bits (1st to 4th bits) as the specific area and the lower 4 bits (5th to 8th bits) The method of setting the corresponding area as the remaining area, or the area corresponding to the upper 3 bits (1st to 3rd bits) as the specific area, and the lower 5 bits (4th to 8th bits) For example, a method may be used in which the corresponding area is the remaining area. The areas corresponding to the 1st digit, 2nd digit, 4th digit, and 8th digit bits are defined as specific areas, and the areas corresponding to the 3rd digit, 5th digit, 6th digit, and 7th digit bits are defined. In the case of the remaining area, the area corresponding to the first digit, second digit, fourth digit, and eighth digit bit of the second bit table is the specific region, and the third digit and fifth digit of the second bit table. The areas corresponding to the 6th and 7th digit bits are the remaining areas. If the area corresponding to the upper 4 bits is the specific area and the area corresponding to the lower 4 bits is the remaining area, the upper 4 bits (1st to 4th bits) of the 2nd bit table are supported. The area to be processed is the specific area, and the area corresponding to the lower 4 bits (bits 5 to 8) of the second bit table is the remaining area. Furthermore, when the area corresponding to the upper 3 bits is a specific area and the area corresponding to the lower 5 bits is the remaining area, it corresponds to the upper 3 bits (bits 1 to 3) of the second bit table. The area to be processed is a specific area, and the area corresponding to the lower 5 bits (bits 4 to 8) of the second bit table is the remaining area.

  In addition, when the special symbol display unit is composed of 8 or less light emitting units and each light emitting unit is turned on or off according to the value of a plurality of digits constituting the symbol display data, the first bit table is specified. It is preferable that the bits constituting the area and the bits constituting the remaining area of the second bit table are irregularly arranged. For example, when byte data 1 to 15 exist in order and the specific area of the first bit table is composed of four bits, the bits of each specific area are set to “0100”, “0110”, “1100”, “0010”. , “1101”,..., “1010”. When bits constituting a specific area are regularly arranged, the bits of each specific area are in the order of “0001”, “0010”, “0011”, “0100”, “0101”,..., “1111”. It will be lined up. In this way, regularity is not easily generated in the light emission mode of each light emitting unit, and it becomes impossible to grasp which light emitting unit is lit up and the probability variation state is reached.

  In addition, as a method of changing the value of at least one of the upper digit and the lower digit in the changing process, a method of adding at least one value of the upper digit and the lower digit, a method of subtracting, and the like can be mentioned.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the determination result by the big hit determining means is a big hit, the game control means changes the probability that the big hit is derived in the symbol variation game with a high probability. Whether the probability variation state giving means for assigning the probability variation state and the special symbol determined by the special symbol determination means are symbols that are jackpots to which the probability variation state is given by the probability variation state giving means It is determined by the special symbol determining means that determines whether the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining means is a symbol that is a big hit to which the probability variation state is imparted by the probability variation state imparting means. A probability variation notification for determining whether or not to execute a probability variation notification effect for notifying the provision of the probability variation state after the symbol variation game. An outgoing execution determination means; and a probability fluctuation notification effect execution means for executing the probability fluctuation notification effect during a big hit gaming state when the probability fluctuation notification effect execution determination means determines to execute the probability fluctuation notification effect. The gist is to provide it.

  At the end of the symbol variation game, that is, when the special symbol is stopped, it is difficult to recognize the probability variation state from the special symbol, and it cannot be recognized from the decorative symbol. Therefore, in the invention according to claim 2, the probability variation notification effect is executed by the probability variation notification effect executing means after the symbol variation game to notify the provision of the probability variation state. That is, until the probability variation notification effect is executed, it is difficult to grasp the provision of the probability variation state, and the player will recognize the provision of the probability variation state only when the probability variation notification effect is executed. Therefore, the joy of giving the probability variation state is increased, and the entertainment of the game is further improved.

  Here, as the probability variation notification effect, an effect of notifying the provision of the probability variation state by displaying characters or characters, an effect of notifying the provision of the probability variation state by changing the background color, a lamp, or the like The light emitting means emits light, and the effect of notifying the provision of the probability variation state, the effect of notifying the provision of the probability variation state by the sound output means such as a speaker, and the like.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the game control unit determines that the probability variation notification effect execution determination unit does not execute the probability variation notification effect, after the jackpot gaming state ends. The gist of the present invention is to provide a concealment effect executing means for executing a concealment effect for concealing whether or not the probability variation state is given in the symbol variation game to be started.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the probability variation notification effect is not executed, the secret effect is executed by the secret effect executing means. Thereby, since the player can continue to have an expectation for the provision of the probability variation state, the interest of the game is further improved.

  Here, as the concealment effect, a probability variation state is given by performing a special display (for example, display of a telop “probability change?”, For example) instead of displaying a decorative design on the decorative design display section. For example, it is possible to conceal whether or not it is performed. In addition, as another concealment effect, an effect of concealing whether or not the probability variation state is given by covering the decorative design display unit with an accessory, or the like can be cited.

  As described in detail above, according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of the game by increasing the types of symbols while suppressing the data capacity of the program necessary for generating the symbol display data. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can be used. In particular, according to the invention described in claim 2, the interest of the game is further improved by executing the probability variation notification effect.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a gaming machine of the present invention is embodied in a pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
(1) Schematic configuration of the entire pachinko machine 10

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the surface side of the pachinko machine 10. The pachinko machine 10 includes a vertical rectangular outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the machine body. The outer frame 11 includes a synthetic resin waist plate unit 11 a that forms a lower portion of the outer frame 11. On the front side of the opening of the outer frame 11, a vertical rectangular middle frame 12 for setting various game components is assembled so as to be openable and detachable. Further, on the front side of the middle frame 12, a front frame 14 provided with a glass frame for protecting the game board 13 disposed inside the machine and a top ball tray 15 can be opened and closed in a laterally open state. It is assembled to. On the upper front surface of the front frame 14, a top lamp 16 projects toward the front surface side. The top lamp 16 includes a light-emitting body (such as a light-emitting diode) (not shown), and is configured by covering the light-emitting body with a lens member. In the top lamp 16, light-emitting decorations such as lighting (flashing) and light-off are performed in accordance with various game performance modes (big hit, reach, etc.) of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, speakers 17 are formed on the left and right sides of the front side of the waist plate unit 11a so as to be separated from each other. The speaker 17 outputs various sounds (sound effects, language sounds, etc.) according to the game performance state. Further, a lower ball tray 19, an operation handle 20, an ashtray 23 and the like are mounted below the upper ball tray 15 on the front side of the middle frame 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a frame-shaped center accessory 60 having a rectangular opening is attached to a substantially central portion of the game area 13 a of the game board 13. On the back side of the center accessory 60, a decorative symbol display unit 61 having a visible display unit (display screen) is disposed. In addition, the visible display part is exposed from the rectangular opening and is visible. In the decorative symbol display unit 61, a game effect (display effect) based on a varying image (or image display) is performed. In addition, the decorative symbol display unit 61 displays a symbol combination game in which a plurality of types of decorative symbols E1 are varied in three columns and a symbol combination is derived in relation to the display effect. The decorative design E1 is a design showing 10 numbers from “0” to “9”. The decorative symbol display unit 61 of the present embodiment is a liquid crystal type, but may be a dot matrix type, an electroluminescence element type, or a seven segment type symbol display unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a start winning device 21 having a start winning port 21 a is disposed below the center accessory 60. Behind the start winning device 21 is provided a start port switch SE1 (see FIG. 4) which is a “winning signal output means” for detecting a game ball won in the start winning port 21a. The start port switch SE1 is turned on while a game ball is detected, and outputs a winning signal. On the other hand, the start port switch SE1 is turned off when no game ball is detected, and no winning signal is output. When a winning signal is output, a symbol variation game is performed by the special symbol display unit 51 described later, and a symbol combination game is performed by the decorative symbol display unit 61 in relation to the symbol variation game. A number of (three in this embodiment) prize balls are paid out.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the start winning device 21 is integrally configured with an ordinary electric accessory 21 b. The ordinary electric accessory 21b is composed of a pair of blade members, and can be converted into a closed state in which a hit ball is not received and an open state in which the hit ball is easily received by an exciting action of the normal electric accessory solenoid SOL1 (see FIG. 4). ing. In the present embodiment, the “closed state” refers to a state where the pair of blade members are closed, and the “open state” refers to a state where the pair of blade members are open.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a big winning device 24 is arranged below the start winning device 21. A count switch SE3 (see FIG. 4) for detecting a winning game ball is provided in the back of the big winning device 24. In addition, the big prize opening door 24a of the big prize winning device 24 can be converted into a closed state in which a hit ball is not received and an open state in which the hit ball is easily received by the exciting action of the big prize port solenoid SOL2 (see FIG. 4). Yes. In the present embodiment, the “closed state” means a state in which the big prize opening door 24a of the big prize winning device 24 is completely closed, and the “open state” means a state in which the big prize opening door 24a is completely opened. Say. When a game ball is detected by the count switch SE3, a predetermined number (15 in this embodiment) of award balls is paid out.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a gate 25 having a function of detecting the passage of a game ball is provided on the left side of the center accessory 60. Behind the gate 25 is provided a gate switch SE4 (see FIG. 4) for detecting a game ball that has passed. It should be noted that when the game ball is detected by the gate switch SE4, a random number is acquired, and based on the result of determining whether or not the acquired random number is a predetermined random value, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid SOL1 is driven. The As a result of such determination (hit determination), the pair of blade members of the ordinary electric accessory 21b are opened, so that it is easy to win the game ball in the start winning device 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and the like, a special symbol display unit 51 including a visible display unit is disposed at a position on the left side of the lower central portion of the center accessory 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the special symbol display unit 51 includes eight liquid crystal light emitting units 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d, 55e, 55f, 55g, and 55h. Of the light emitting portions 55a to 55h, seven light emitting portions 55a to 55g constitute a 7-segment display in the visible display portion. The remaining one light emitting portion 55h is provided separately from the light emitting portions 55a to 55g in the visible display portion, and has a circular shape.

  Further, in the special symbol display unit 51, when the winning of the game ball to the start winning device 21 is detected, the symbol variation game by the special symbol B1 is executed, and as a result of the symbol variation game, the jackpot display result And the display result of losing is displayed. For example, when the result of the symbol variation game is a big hit, at the end of the symbol variation game, symbols indicating 240 numbers from “0” to “239” are displayed as the special symbol B1. On the other hand, when the result of the symbol variation game is lost, at the end of the symbol variation game, a symbol “-” indicating a loss is displayed as the special symbol B1. That is, there are 240 kinds of special symbols B1 that are big hits. In addition, special symbol B1 is comprised by the lighting part of each light emission part 55a-55h, and is a symbol (design which is not a character or a number) which does not make a meaning visually (refer FIG. 2, FIG. 3).

  Further, in the present embodiment, a symbol combination game by the decorative symbol display unit 61 is performed in accordance with the symbol variation game in the special symbol display unit 51. Specifically, the symbol combination game is started by the decorative symbol display unit 61 almost simultaneously with the start of the symbol variation game on the special symbol display unit 51, and the end of the symbol variation game on the special symbol display unit 51 (a big hit or a lost game) The result of the symbol combination game by the decorative symbol display unit 61 is displayed almost simultaneously with the display result). In the present embodiment, the symbol combination game performed in the decorative symbol display unit 61 and the symbol variation game performed in the special symbol display unit 51 are referred to as “variable game”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a special symbol hold display device C is disposed on the left side of the special symbol display unit 51 in the center accessory 60. The special symbol hold display device C is composed of a plurality of (four) light emitting means including a first hold lamp C1, a second hold lamp C2, a third hold lamp C3, and a fourth hold lamp C4. The holding lamps C <b> 1 to C <b> 4 are turned on when there is a game ball (special symbol holding ball) stored in response to a winning at the start winning device 21, and turned off when there is no special symbol holding ball. Each of the reserved lamps C1 to C4 is for indicating the number of special symbol reserved balls (the number of special symbol reserved balls). For example, when there are three special symbol holding balls, three holding lamps C1 to C3 are lit.

  Here, the “number of special symbol reserved balls” is the predetermined maximum value (4 in the present embodiment) that is the number of game balls won in the start winning device 21 during the fluctuation of the special symbol B1 (the decorative symbol E1). The value stored in the range of. The number of special symbol reserved balls is “+1” by winning a game ball to the start winning device 21 and “−1” by starting the variable game.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a normal symbol display device 53 having a visible display portion is disposed on the right side of the special symbol display portion 51 in the lower central portion of the center accessory 60. In the normal symbol display device 53, when a game ball is detected by the gate 25 (see FIG. 1), a normal symbol variation game by the normal symbol D1 is executed, and as a result of the normal symbol variation game, random number lottery is performed. A normal symbol D1 indicating the result is displayed. In addition, the normal symbol D1 of the present embodiment is of two types: a winning symbol “◯” or a lost symbol “X”. When the winning symbol is derived (when the normal symbol variation game is won), the normal electric accessory solenoid SOL1 is driven for a predetermined time, and the pair of blade members are opened.

  Further, a normal symbol holding display device F is disposed on the right side of the normal symbol display device 53 in the center accessory 60. The normal symbol hold display device F is constituted by a plurality of (four) light emitting means including a first hold lamp F1, a second hold lamp F2, a third hold lamp F3, and a fourth hold lamp F4. The holding lamps F <b> 1 to F <b> 4 are turned on when there is a game ball (ordinary symbol holding ball) stored with the passage of the gate 25 as an opportunity, and turned off when there is no normal symbol holding ball. Each of the reserved lamps F1 to F4 is for indicating the number of normal symbol reserved balls (ordinary symbol reserved balls). For example, when there are two normal symbol holding balls, two holding lamps F1 and F2 are lit.

  Here, the “ordinary symbol reserved ball number” is a value stored in a range of a predetermined maximum value (4 in the present embodiment), the number of game balls that have passed through the gate 25. The number of normal symbol reserved balls is “+1” when the game ball passes through the gate 25 and is “−1” when the normal symbol variation game is started.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lower left outer prize opening device 35a and a lower left inner prize opening device 35b are arranged on the left side of the large winning device 24 in the game area 13a. A winning port switch SE5 (see FIG. 4) for detecting a winning game ball is provided in the back of the lower left outer winning port device 35a and the lower left inner winning port device 35b. That is, in the lower left outer prize opening device 35a and the lower left inner prize opening device 35b, the winning of a game ball is detected by one winning prize switch SE5. In the game area 13a, a lower right outer prize opening device 36a and a lower right inner prize opening device 36b are arranged on the right side of the big winning device 24. A winning hole switch SE6 (see FIG. 4) for detecting a winning game ball is provided in the back of the lower right outer winning hole device 36a and the lower right inner winning port device 36b. That is, in the lower right outer prize opening device 36a and the lower right inner prize opening device 36b, the winning of the game ball is detected by the single prize opening switch SE6. These prize opening devices 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b are configured to pay out a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of prize balls when a game ball is awarded.
(2) Electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pachinko machine 10 includes a main control board 31, an overall control board 37, a display control board 33, and an audio / lamp control board 34. An overall control board 37 is electrically connected to the main control board 31, and a display control board 33 and an audio / lamp control board 34 are electrically connected to the overall control board 37.
(2-1) Electrical configuration of main control board 31

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main control board 31 includes a main CPU 31 a as “game control means” for controlling the entire pachinko machine 10. The main CPU 31a is connected to the start port switch SE1, the count switch SE3, the gate switch SE4, and the winning port switches SE5 and SE6. Also, the special symbol display unit 51, the special symbol hold display device C, the normal symbol display device 53, and the normal symbol hold display device F are connected to the main CPU 31a. In addition, the main CPU 31a is connected to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid SOL1 and the special prize opening solenoid SOL2.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a main ROM 31b and a main RAM 31c are electrically connected to the main CPU 31a. The main CPU 31a updates the values of various random numbers such as a jackpot determination random number, a jackpot design random number, a reach determination random number, and a variation pattern distribution random number used for various lotteries relating to the above-mentioned variable game at predetermined intervals. Then, the main CPU 31a sets the updated value in the random number storage area of the main RAM 31c and rewrites the value before the update. In the timer storage area of the main RAM 31c, various timers that are appropriately rewritten during operation of the pachinko machine 10 are stored (set).

  The big hit determination random number is a random number used when determining whether or not the variable game is a big hit (when determining the big hit). The jackpot symbol random number is a random number used when determining the special symbol B1 when the result of the variable game is a jackpot. The reach determination random number is a random number used when determining whether or not to execute the reach effect when the result of the variation game is a loss (during reach determination). The variation pattern distribution random number is a random number used when determining the variation pattern for specifying the content of the effect of the game effect in the symbol combination game.

  The main ROM 31b shown in FIG. 5 stores a variation pattern distribution table to which variation patterns for symbol combination games (variation games) are distributed. In each variation pattern, the symbols in all the columns displayed on the decorative symbol display unit 61 (the decorative symbol E1) start changing (the symbol combination game is started), and then the symbols in all the columns are stopped (the symbol combination game is This is for specifying the time and contents of the game effect (display effect, light emission effect, sound effect) until the end). In the variation pattern distribution table of the present embodiment, a variation pattern for a loss effect, a variation pattern for a loss reach effect, and a variation pattern for a jackpot effect are distributed. It should be noted that the variation pattern for losing effect indicates a pattern serving as a base of losing effect for deriving a losing symbol combination (a symbol combination from which a symbol combination that is a big hit or reach is not derived). The variation pattern for the hustle reach production shows a pattern that becomes the base of the hustle reach production where the middle symbol stops at a symbol different from the left symbol and the right symbol. The variation pattern for the jackpot effect indicates a pattern that becomes the base of the jackpot effect in which the middle symbol stops at the same symbol as the left symbol and the right symbol. Also, the production time (fluctuation time) of the lost production, the lost reach production, and the big hit production varies for each variation pattern. Each variation pattern is assigned a variation pattern distribution random number value (100 integers from 0 to 99 in this embodiment).

  The main ROM 31b shown in FIG. 5 stores a symbol number table. That is, the main ROM 31b has a function as “symbol number table storage means”. In the symbol number table, symbol numbers 0 to 239 for specifying the special symbol B1 when the result of the symbol variation game is a big hit are listed. Each symbol number 0 to 239 is assigned a value of the jackpot symbol random number (240 integers from 0 to 239 in this embodiment). Each symbol number 0 to 239 is displayed in hexadecimal, and is a number that includes two digits. For example, the symbol number 83 is a number “53H (hexadecimal number)”.

  The special symbols B1 of “0” to “239” are associated with the symbol numbers 0 to 239, respectively. More specifically, symbol numbers 0 to 73 are associated with special symbols B1 of “0” to “73” that are selected when the so-called “15R probability variation big hit”, and symbol numbers 74 to 140 are associated with symbol numbers 74 to 140, respectively. Are associated with special symbols B1 of “74” to “140” selected when the so-called “2R probability variation big hit” is selected. Furthermore, special symbols B1 of “141” to “195” that are selected when the so-called “15R normal big hit” is associated with the symbol numbers 141 to 195, respectively, and symbol numbers 196 to 239 are associated with each other. Special symbols B1 of “196” to “239” selected when the so-called “2R normal big hit” is associated with each other.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the special symbol B1 of “0” to “140” associated with the symbol numbers 0 to 140 is the specific symbol to which the special symbol probability variation state is assigned, and is associated with the symbol numbers 141 to 239. The special symbols B1 of “141” to “239” are non-specific symbols to which no special symbol probability variation is given.

  Here, “15R probability variable big hit” means that a special symbol probability fluctuation state is given after 15 round effects are executed in the big hit gaming state given when the result of the symbol fluctuation game is a big hit. This is a state. The “2R probability variable big hit” is a state in which a special symbol probability fluctuation state is given after two round effects are executed in the big hit gaming state given when the result of the symbol fluctuation game is a big hit. . On the other hand, “15R normal big hit” is a state in which the normal gaming state is given after 15 round effects are executed in the big hit gaming state given when the result of the symbol variation game is a big hit. . “2R normal big hit” is a state in which the normal gaming state is given after two round effects are executed in the big hit gaming state given when the result of the symbol variation game is a big hit. The special symbol probability variation state is a state in which the lottery probability of jackpots varies with a high probability in the symbol variation game (the symbol combination game), and the normal gaming state is a normal state that does not become the special symbol probability variation state. .

  Here, “15R probability variable big hit” and “15R normal big hit” are big hit gaming states in which a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. On the other hand, “2R probability change big hit” and “2R normal big hit” have a shorter opening time of the big winning opening door 24a than the “15R normal change big hit” and “15R normal big hit”, and it is relatively difficult to win a game ball. In this embodiment, when the special symbol probability variation state is given after the jackpot gaming state given as a result of the symbol variation game, the pair of blade members of the ordinary electric accessory 21b is opened. Therefore, it becomes easy for a game ball to win the start winning device 21.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the display contents of the decorative symbol display unit 61 (the above-mentioned) (whether the “2R probability big hit” or “2R normal big hit” is given) The decorative pattern E1, the background, etc.) are the same. Thereby, it becomes a secrecy mode which conceals grant or non-given of a special symbol probability variation state.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the game state is a jackpot game state to which “15R probability variation jackpot” is given, the special symbol probability variation state is not changed after the symbol variation game (until 15 round effects are executed). A probability variation notification effect for notifying the grant is executed. Similarly, when the game state is a big hit game state in which “2R probability change big hit” is given, the probability change notification effect is executed after the symbol change game (until two round effects are executed). . The probability variation notification effect of the present embodiment is an effect of displaying the characters “probability change” instead of displaying the decoration symbol E1 on the decoration symbol display unit 61.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the probability variation notification effect is not executed, the concealment effect for concealing whether or not the special symbol probability variation state is given is executed in the symbol variation game started after the end of the big hit gaming state. . The concealment effect of the present embodiment is an effect of displaying the letters “probability?” Instead of displaying the decorative design E1 on the decorative design display unit 61.

  The main ROM 31b shown in FIG. 5 stores a first bit table (see FIG. 6A) and a second bit table (see FIG. 6B). That is, the main ROM 31b has a function as “bit table storage means”. In the first bit table, the value of the upper 4 bits (bits of the first digit to the fourth digit) that are “bits of the specific area” is “1” or “0”, and the lower bits that are “bits of the remaining area” This is a table in which all values of 4 bits (bits 5 to 8) are “0”. In the first bit table, upper byte data 0 to 14 composed of upper 4 bits and lower 4 bits are distributed. The upper byte data 0 to 14 is data having a data capacity of 1 byte, and corresponds to the value of the upper digit in the symbol number (in this embodiment, the value of the upper digit when displayed in hexadecimal). For example, in the case of the symbol number “53H”, the upper byte data 4 (“11010000”) corresponds to the upper digit value “5”. Note that the values of the upper 4 bits of the first bit table are arranged irregularly. More specifically, the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 0 are “0100”, the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 1 are “0110”, and the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 2 are “1100”. The upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 3 are “0010”, the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 4 are “1101”, the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 5 are “0101”, and the upper byte data 6 The upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 7 are “1110”, the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 7 are “1000”, the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 8 are “1011”, and the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 9 The bit is “0111” and the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 10 are “1001”. 4 bits are “0001”, upper 4 bits constituting upper byte data 12 are “1111”, upper 4 bits constituting upper byte data 13 are “0011”, and upper 4 bits constituting upper byte data 14 are “1010”. "

  On the other hand, in the second bit table, all the values of the upper 4 bits (the first digit to the fourth digit) are “0”, and the values of the lower 4 bits (the fifth digit to the eighth digit) are “ The table is “1” or “0”. In the second bit table, lower byte data 0 to 15 composed of upper 4 bits and lower 4 bits are distributed. The lower byte data 0 to 15 are data having a data capacity of 1 byte, and correspond to the lower digit value in the symbol number (in this embodiment, the lower digit value displayed in hexadecimal). For example, in the case of the symbol number “53H”, the lower byte data 2 (“00000100”) corresponds to the lower digit value “3”. Note that the values of the lower 4 bits of the second bit table are arranged irregularly. Specifically, the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 0 are “0000”, the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 1 are “0010”, and the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 2 are “0100”. The lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 3 are “1111”, the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 4 are “1101”, the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 5 are “0101”, and the lower byte data 6 4 is “0111”, the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 7 is “0001”, the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 8 is “0011”, and the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 9 Bit is “1100”, lower 4 bits constituting lower byte data 10 is “1010”, lower byte data 11 is lower The lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 12 are “0110”, the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 13 are “0011”, and the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 14 are “1000”. The lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data 15 are “1001”.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the value (“1” or “0”) of each bit in the first bit table and the second bit table is the light emitting unit 55 a that constitutes the special symbol display unit 51. It is for determining the lighting mode of -55h. Specifically, the first digit bit (segH) corresponds to the light emitting unit 55h, the second digit bit (segG) corresponds to the light emitting unit 55g, and the third digit bit (segF) corresponds to the light emitting unit 55f. The fourth digit bit (segE) corresponds to the light emitting unit 55e, the fifth digit bit (segD) corresponds to the light emitting unit 55d, and the sixth digit bit (segC) corresponds to the light emitting unit 55c. The seventh digit bit (segB) corresponds to the light emitting unit 55b, and the eighth digit bit (segA) corresponds to the light emitting unit 55a. Each of the light emitting units 55a to 55h is turned on when the bit value of the corresponding digit is “1”, and is turned off when the bit value of the corresponding digit is “0”. .

  Next, various processes related to the symbol variation game (big hit determination, reach determination, etc.) executed by the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described. The main ROM 31b stores programs (random number acquisition program, jackpot determination program, probability variation state assignment program, special symbol determination program) used for the various processes described above.

  The random number acquisition program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a to function as “random number acquisition means”. That is, the main CPU 31a is a “design random number” that is extracted by a random number lottery and updated at predetermined intervals when a start winning condition is established (output of the winning signal from the start port switch SE1). The value of the jackpot symbol random number is acquired from the main RAM 31c, and the acquired value is stored (stored) in a random number storage area of the main RAM 31c. Also, the main CPU 31a acquires, from the main RAM 31c, the value of the jackpot determination random number extracted by a random number lottery and updated every predetermined period when the start winning condition is satisfied, and the acquired value is stored in the main RAM 31c. Store (store) in the random number storage area.

  The big hit determination program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to function as “big hit determination means”. That is, the main CPU 31a determines whether or not the result of the symbol variation game is a big hit. More specifically, the main CPU 31a compares the jackpot determination random number stored in the random number storage area of the main RAM 31c with the jackpot determination value stored in the main ROM 31b immediately before the start of the variable game to compare the variable game. A big hit determination (win lottery) is performed to determine whether or not the player is successful. In the present embodiment, the numbers that can be taken by the jackpot determination random number are set to 0 to 299 (all 300 different integers). Then, the main CPU 31a performs a jackpot determination by using one jackpot determination value from among the values that can be taken by the jackpot determination random number and setting the lottery probability of the jackpot to 1/300.

  When the determination result of the big hit determination is affirmative (the value of the random number for big hit determination matches the big hit determination value), the main CPU 31a determines the big hit. On the other hand, when the determination result of the big hit determination is negative (the value of the big hit determination random number and the big hit determination value do not match), the main CPU 31a determines the lost game state. Further, if the determination result of the big hit determination is negative, the main CPU 31a compares the reach determination random number value read from the main RAM 31c with the reach determination value stored in the main ROM 31b, and executes the lose reach? Reach determination is made.

  If the determination result of reach determination is affirmative (the value of the reach determination random number and the reach determination value match), the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 determines the loss reach. On the other hand, if the determination result of reach determination is negative (the reach determination random number value and the reach determination value do not match), the main CPU 31a determines a loss (a loss without a reach).

  The special symbol determination program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a to function as “special symbol determination means”. That is, the main CPU 31a determines whether or not the special symbol B1 is the specific symbol based on the value of the jackpot symbol random number stored in the random number storage area of the main RAM 31c. In this embodiment, if the value of the jackpot symbol random number is between “0” and “140”, it is determined that the special symbol B1 is a specific symbol, and the jackpot symbol random number value is “141” to “140”. If it is any of “239”, it is determined that the special symbol B1 is not the specific symbol but the non-specific symbol.

  The probability variation state provision program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to function as “probability variation state provision means”. That is, when it is determined that the special symbol B1 is a specific symbol, the main CPU 31a starts giving the special symbol probability variation state after the end of the jackpot gaming state. When the special symbol probability variation state is started in the variation game, the main CPU 31a uses the ten jackpot determination values from among the values that can be taken by the jackpot determination random number to determine the jackpot lottery probability for 300 minutes. The big hit is determined as 10 (= 1/30). That is, the number of jackpot determination values in the special symbol probability variation state is ten times that in the special symbol probability variation state. Note that the special symbol probability variation state may be continued until the next jackpot gaming state is started, or the symbol variation display is executed a plurality of times (for example, 10,000 times). It may be continued for a while.

  Next, based on the determination result of the jackpot determination and the reach determination, various processes (decision of the jackpot symbol, the lost symbol, etc.) related to the symbol variation game executed by the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described. The main ROM 31b includes programs used for the various processes described above (special symbol determination program, upper byte data selection program, lower byte data selection program, symbol display data generation program, display control program, change processing execution determination program, Change processing execution program) is stored.

  The special symbol determination program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a to function as “special symbol determination means”. That is, when the big hit is determined in the big hit determination, the main CPU 31a is the special symbol B1 which is a symbol related to the stop symbol (the decorative symbol E1) derived in the symbol combination game on the decorative symbol display unit 61. To decide. Specifically, the main CPU 31a determines the symbol number specified based on the value of the jackpot symbol random number stored in the random number storage area of the main RAM 31c from the symbol number table, and the determined symbol number The special symbol B1 is determined with reference to FIG.

  When the lose reach or the loss is determined in the big hit determination, the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 uniquely determines the symbol number 240 associated with the symbol display data (“01000000”), With reference to the determined symbol number 240, the special symbol B1 is determined to be a symbol “−” indicating a loss. That is, an offset process (change process), which will be described later, which is executed when a big hit is determined in the big hit determination, is not performed.

  The change process execution determination program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a to function as “change process execution determination means”. That is, the main CPU 31a determines the symbol number by confirming the value of the eighth digit among the eight digits constituting the lower byte data (see FIG. 6B) corresponding to the determined symbol number. It is determined whether or not to execute a change process for changing the value of the upper digit (in this embodiment, the value of the upper digit when displayed in hexadecimal) (change process execution determination). The change process execution program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a to function as “change process execution means”. That is, the main CPU 31a executes the change process when it is determined to execute the change process.

  More specifically, the main CPU 31a shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 starts with the values of the upper and lower digits constituting the determined symbol number (in this embodiment, the upper and lower digits when displayed in hexadecimal). (Digit value). For example, in the case of the symbol number “53H”, the main CPU 31a confirms that the upper digit value is “5” and the lower digit value is “3”. Then, the main CPU 31a confirms the value of the eighth digit bit among the eight digits constituting the lower byte data corresponding to the determined symbol number (lower digit value). If the value of the eighth digit bit is an even number “0”, the main CPU 31a adds +7 to the value of the upper digit constituting the symbol number. If the value of the eighth digit bit is an odd number “1”, the main CPU 31a does not change the value of the upper digit and the value of the lower digit constituting the symbol number. For example, in the case of the symbol number “53H”, the lower digit value is “3”, and the corresponding lower byte data is the lower byte data 2 (“00000100”). The value of this bit is an even number “0”. Therefore, the main CPU 31a sets the upper digit value “5” to +7 and the upper digit value “12”. Then, the main CPU 31a confirms the upper digit value (offset value) to “12” and the lower digit value (offset value) to “3”.

  The upper byte data selection program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to function as “upper byte data selection means”. That is, when the change process is not executed, the main CPU 31a determines the upper digit value corresponding to the upper digit value (in this embodiment, the upper digit value displayed in hexadecimal) constituting the determined symbol number. Byte data is selected from the first bit table (see FIG. 6A). For example, in the case of the symbol number “54H”, the lower byte data corresponding to the lower digit value “4” is lower byte data 3 (“00001111”), and the eighth digit bit constituting the lower byte data 3 is an odd number “1”. Since the change process is not executed, the value of the upper digit remains “5”. In this case, the main CPU 31a selects the fifth upper byte data 4 (“11010000”) from the first bit table. On the other hand, when the change process is executed, the main CPU 31a selects upper byte data corresponding to the value of the upper digit obtained as a result of executing the change process. For example, in the case of the symbol number “53H”, the value of the upper digit obtained as a result of executing the changing process is “12”. In this case, the main CPU 31a selects the twelfth upper byte data 11 (“00010000”) from the first bit table.

  The lower byte data selection program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to function as “lower byte data selection means”. That is, when the change process is not executed, the main CPU 31a determines that the lower digit corresponding to the lower digit value (in this embodiment, the lower digit value displayed in hexadecimal) constituting the determined symbol number. Byte data is selected from the second bit table (see FIG. 6B). For example, in the case of the symbol number “54H”, the changing process is not executed, and the value of the lower digit is “4”. In this case, the main CPU 31a selects the fourth lower byte data 3 (“00001111”) from the second bit table. On the other hand, when the change process is executed, the main CPU 31a selects lower byte data corresponding to the value of the lower digit obtained as a result of executing the change process. For example, in the case of the symbol number “53H”, the value of the lower digit obtained as a result of executing the changing process is “3”. In this case, the main CPU 31a selects the third lower byte data 2 (“00000100”) from the second bit table.

  The symbol display data generation program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to function as “symbol display data generation means”. That is, the main CPU 31a performs an OR process on the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data and the upper 4 bits constituting the lower byte data, and at the same time, the lower 4 bits constituting the upper byte data and the lower 4 bits constituting the lower byte data. By ORing the bits, symbol display data composed of 8-digit bits is generated. For example, in the case of the symbol number “53H”, the twelfth upper byte data 11 (“00010000”) is selected from the first bit table (see FIG. 6A), and the second bit table (see FIG. 6B). ) To the third lower byte data 2 (“00000100”) is selected. In this case, when the upper 4 bits (“0001”) constituting the upper byte data 11 and the upper 4 bits (“0000”) constituting the lower byte data 2 are ORed, the upper 4 bits of the symbol display data are “0001”. " When the lower 4 bits (“0000”) constituting the upper byte data 11 and the lower 4 bits (“0100”) constituting the lower byte data 2 are ORed, the lower 4 bits of the symbol display data are “0100”. It becomes. As a result, symbol display data (“00010100”) composed of 8 digits is generated. Thereafter, the main CPU 31a stores the generated symbol display data (that is, data corresponding to the special symbol B1) in the main RAM 31c until a process related to the next symbol variation game is performed.

  Next, the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 determines the variation pattern based on the determination results of the jackpot determination and the reach determination. Specifically, when the big hit is determined in the big hit determination, the main CPU 31a reads the value of the random variation pattern distribution random number from the main RAM 31c, and based on the value, the main hit effect for the big hit effect from the variable pattern distribution table Determine the variation pattern. When the lose reach is determined in the reach determination, the main CPU 31a reads the value of the fluctuation pattern distribution random number from the main RAM 31c and, based on the value, determines the change pattern for the lose reach production from the change pattern distribution table. decide. Further, when the loss is determined in the reach determination, the main CPU 31a reads the variation pattern distribution random number value from the main RAM 31c, and determines the variation pattern for the loss effect from the variation pattern distribution table based on the value. .

  The display control program is a program for causing the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to function as “display control means”. That is, the main CPU 31a performs control to display the special symbol B1 on the special symbol display unit 51 based on the generated symbol display data. More specifically, when the main CPU 31a determines the special symbol B1 and the variation pattern, the main CPU 31a sets (stores) the variation time associated with each variation pattern in the timer storage area of the main RAM 31c as a variation timer (special symbol timer). Then, the special symbol display unit 51 starts to change the special symbol B1.

  When the main CPU 31a instructs the overall control CPU 37a of the overall control board 37 to perform control, a control command or the like is used as a control signal (8-bit signal), and the signal is output via the output port 41 and the output buffer 42. Output at a predetermined timing. Specifically, the main CPU 31a first generates a variation pattern designation command for designating a variation pattern and instructing the start of symbol variation, and sets it as a control command (stored in the main RAM 31c). The control command set here is output in the next and subsequent output processing. Next, the main CPU 31a sets (stores in the main RAM 31c) a special symbol designation command that designates the special symbol B1 as a control command. The control command set here is output in the next and subsequent output processing. Further, the main CPU 31a subtracts the variation timer set at the beginning of the variation every interrupt (4 ms). When the variation time associated with the variation pattern elapses (when the variation timer reaches 0 ms), the main CPU 31a sets (outputs) a symbol stop command that instructs to stop the symbols in each column as a control command.

  Also, the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 displays the special symbol B1 on the special symbol display unit 51 in accordance with the passage of the variation time. Specifically, the main CPU 31a performs control to turn on the light emitting units 55a to 55h of the special symbol display unit 51 based on the generated symbol display data. For example, in the case of symbol display data (“00110100”), the main CPU 31a sets the light emitting unit corresponding to the digit bit having the value “1”, that is, the light emitting unit 55f corresponding to the third digit bit (segF). Control is performed to turn on the light emitting unit 55e corresponding to the fourth digit bit (segE) and the light emitting unit 55c corresponding to the sixth digit bit (segC). And the special symbol B1 is comprised by the lighting part of each light emission part 55a-55h.

  Further, the main CPU 31a outputs a read signal (INT signal or strobe signal) for instructing the overall control board 37 to read a control command constituting the control signal in accordance with the output timing of the control signal. And output via the output buffer 42.

  When the big hit is decided, the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 gives the big hit gaming state. In the big hit gaming state, one opening effect, a plurality (two or fifteen in this embodiment) round effect, and one ending effect are executed. The opening effect is executed when the big winning device 24 is in the closed state and the big hit gaming state is started. Each round effect is executed when the special winning device 24 is switched from the closed state to the open state by the exciting action of the special winning opening solenoid SOL2. The round effect per time is executed between the time when the special winning device 24 is switched to the open state and the switch to the closed state. Also, the ending effect is when the grand prize winning device 24 is switched from the open state to the closed state, and when the big hit gaming state is ended (in the present embodiment, at the end of the second or fifteenth round effect). To be executed.

Therefore, after the symbol stop command is output, the main CPU 31a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 generates an opening designation command for instructing the start of the opening effect, and outputs it as a control command. Next, the main CPU 31a outputs a round designation command for instructing start of a round effect as a control command. Specifically, the main CPU 31a has a case where the value of the jackpot symbol random number stored in the random number storage area of the main RAM 31c is any one of “0” to “73” and “141” to “195”. In addition, the first to fifteenth round designation commands for instructing the start of the first to fifteenth round effects are sequentially output as control commands. In addition, the main CPU 31a determines whether the jackpot symbol random number stored in the random number storage area of the main RAM 31c is any one of “74” to “140”, “196” to “239”. The first and second round designation commands for instructing the start of the second round effect are sequentially output as control commands. Thereafter, the main CPU 31a outputs an ending designation command for instructing the start of the ending effect as a control command.
(2-2) Electrical configuration of overall control board 37

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the overall control board 37 includes an overall control CPU 37 a as “game control means”. The general control CPU 37a is electrically connected to an input buffer 43 for inputting control signals and read signals output from the main CPU 31a. Further, an input port 44 is electrically connected to the input buffer 43, and a control signal and a read signal are input to the overall control CPU 37a via the input port 44.

  Further, a general ROM 37b and a general RAM 37c are connected to the general control CPU 37a. The overall control CPU 37a updates the values of various random numbers used for determining the game effect at predetermined intervals. The overall control CPU 37a sets the updated value in the setting area of the overall RAM 37c and rewrites the value before the update. For example, the random number storage area of the overall RAM 37c stores a random number for lost left symbol, a random number for lost symbol, a random number for lost right symbol, and the like. Note that the general ROM 37b stores programs (decoration symbol determination program, probability variation notification effect execution determination program, probability variation notification effect execution program, and secret effect execution program) used for the various processes described above.

  By the way, when the variation pattern designation command is input, the overall control CPU 37a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 stores the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command in the overall RAM 37c. When the special symbol designation command is input, the overall control CPU 37a stores the special symbol B1 designated by the special symbol designation command in the overall RAM 37c.

  The decorative symbol determination program is a program for causing the overall control CPU 37a to function as “decorative symbol determining means”. That is, the overall control CPU 37a generates the decorative symbol E1 that is stopped and displayed on the decorative symbol display unit 61 at the end of the symbol combination game, based on the special symbol B1 stored in the overall RAM 37c. Yes. For example, when the special symbol B1 stored in the overall RAM 37c is determined with reference to any of the symbol numbers 0 to 239, the variation pattern stored in the overall RAM 37c is a variation pattern for jackpot effect. Become. In this case, the overall control CPU 37a generates the decorative symbol E1 (decorative symbol left, middle, right) that is finally stopped by the decorative symbol display unit 61 so that all the columns have the same type of symbol. More specifically, the overall control CPU 37a generates a decorative symbol left, a decorative symbol right, and a decorative symbol right (each decorative symbol is the same type) based on the special symbol B1. For example, if the special symbol B1 is “0” to “24”, the decorative symbol E1 is “0”, and if the special symbol B1 is any one of “25” to “49”, the decorative symbol E1 is “ 1 ”. The generated decorative symbol E1 (decorative symbol left, middle, right) is derived as a symbol combination capable of recognizing a big hit on the decorative symbol display unit 61. The overall control CPU 37a stores data corresponding to the generated decorative symbol left, the decorative symbol, and the decorative symbol right in the overall RAM 37c.

  The special symbol B1 generated when the special symbol B1 is any one of “74” to “140” (when “2R probability variation big hit” is given), the special symbol B1 is “196” to “239”. "Is the same as the decorative design E1 generated when" 2R normal jackpot "is given). Thus, the player cannot determine whether or not the special symbol probability variation state is given even if he / she sees the decorative symbol E1, and thus the secret mode is set.

  When the special symbol B1 stored in the overall RAM 37c is “−” determined with reference to the symbol number 240, and the variation pattern stored in the overall RAM 37c is the variation pattern for the lose reach effect, The overall control CPU 37a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 determines the lose reach. In this case, the overall control CPU 37a determines the decorative symbols left, middle, and right so that the left column and the right column are the same type of symbols, and the middle column is a different type of symbols from the left and right columns. Specifically, a decorative symbol left and a decorative symbol right (both decorative symbols are of the same type) are generated based on the value of the random symbol for the lost left symbol. Then, the decorative symbol is generated based on the value of the random symbol for the losing symbol. When the value of the random symbol for the losing pattern and the random number value for the losing left symbol (or the value of the random number for the losing right symbol) match, the overall control CPU 37a determines whether the decorative symbol is left in the decorative symbol and the decorative symbol left (or the decorative symbol). The decoration pattern is generated so that (right) does not match. The overall control CPU 37a stores data corresponding to the generated decorative symbol left, the decorative symbol, and the decorative symbol right in the overall RAM 37c. In this embodiment, the numbers that can be taken by the random numbers for the left symbol for lose, the random number for right symbol, and the random number for middle symbol are 10 integers from 0 to 9, and one numerical value corresponds to each type of symbol. It is attached.

  When the special symbol B1 stored in the overall RAM 37c is “−” determined with reference to the symbol number 240, and the variation pattern stored in the overall RAM 37c is a variation pattern for loss effect, FIG. , The overall control CPU 37a shown in FIG. In this case, the overall control CPU 37a generates decorative symbols left, middle, and right so that all columns do not become the same type of symbols. Specifically, the decorative symbol left is generated based on the value of the random symbol for the lost symbol, the decorative symbol is generated based on the value of the random symbol for the intermediate symbol, and the decorative symbol is generated based on the value of the random number for the lost symbol. Generate the symbol right. In the case where the value of the random symbol for the lost pattern matches the value of the random number for the lost symbol, the overall control CPU 37a generates the decorative symbol right so that the decorative symbol left does not match the decorative symbol right. The overall control CPU 37a stores data corresponding to the generated decorative symbol left, the decorative symbol, and the decorative symbol right in the overall RAM 37c.

  The overall control CPU 37a uses, as control commands, a change pattern designation command for designating a change pattern stored in the overall RAM 37c as a control command. This is output to the lamp control CPU 34a. As a result, the specific contents of the game effects executed by the display control board 33 and the sound / lamp control board 34 are comprehensively controlled by the overall control board 37.

  Further, the overall control CPU 37a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 outputs a decorative symbol left designation command for designating the decorative symbol left of the decorative symbol E1 to the display control CPU 33a as a control command. Similarly, the overall control CPU 37a sends to the display control CPU 33a, as control commands, a decoration design right designation command for designating the decoration design right of the decoration design E1 and a decoration design middle designation command for designating the decoration design of the decoration design E1. Output.

  Thereafter, when the symbol stop command is input from the main CPU 31a, the overall control CPU 37a outputs the input symbol stop command as a control command to the display control CPU 33a and the sound / lamp control CPU 34a.

  When the opening designation command is input from the main CPU 31a, the overall control CPU 37a outputs the input opening designation command as a control command to the display control CPU 33a and the sound / lamp control CPU 34a. Next, when the first to fifteenth round designation commands or the first and second round designation commands are inputted from the main CPU 31a, the overall control CPU 37a uses each inputted round designation command as a control command. The data is output in order to the display control CPU 33a and the sound / lamp control CPU 34a. Thereafter, when the ending designation command is input from the main CPU 31a, the overall control CPU 37a outputs the input ending designation command as a control command to the display control CPU 33a and the sound / lamp control CPU 34a.

  Note that the overall control CPU 37a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 uses the control commands and the like as control signals (8-bit signals), and outputs the signals through the output port 45 and the output buffer 46 at a predetermined timing. Further, the overall control CPU 37a, in accordance with the output timing of the control signal, instructs the display control board 33 and the voice / lamp control board 34 to read a control command constituting the control signal (INT signal or , The strobe signal) is output via the output port 45 and the output buffer 46.

  The probability variation notification effect execution determination program is a program for causing the overall control CPU 37a to function as “probability variation notification effect execution determination means”. The probability variation notification effect execution program is a program for causing the overall control CPU 37a to function as “probability variation notification effect execution means”. That is, the overall control CPU 37a executes the probability variation notification effect after the output of the symbol stop command when it is determined that the special symbol B1 is a jackpot symbol to which the special symbol probability variation state is given. It is determined whether or not to do. In the present embodiment, if the special symbol B1 stored in the overall RAM 37c is any of “0” to “140”, the overall control CPU 37a determines execution of the probability variation notification effect. When the overall control CPU 37a determines to execute the probability variation notification effect, the overall control CPU 37a performs control to execute the probability variation notification effect during the big hit gaming state.

The concealment effect execution program is a program for causing the overall control CPU 37a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to function as “concealment effect execution means”. That is, when it is determined that the probability variation notification effect is not executed, the overall control CPU 37a performs control to execute the concealment effect in the symbol variation game started after the end of the big hit gaming state.
(2-3) Electrical configuration of display control board 33

  As shown in FIG. 4, the display control board 33 includes the display control CPU 33a as “game control means”, and a display ROM (not shown) and a display RAM (not shown) are connected to the display control CPU 33a. Has been. The display RAM temporarily stores (sets) various information that can be appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10.

  The display ROM stores a plurality of types of display effect data used when the symbol combination game is performed. The display effect data is information for the display control CPU 33a to control the display content (symbol variation or the like) of the decorative symbol display unit 61, that is, information for instructing the decorative symbol display unit 61 to execute the display effect. It is.

  Further, the display ROM has one kind of opening effect display effect data, 15 kinds of round effect display effect data, and one kind of ending effect display effect data used in the big hit gaming state after the symbol combination game. It is remembered. Display effect data for opening effects is stored in association with the opening effects. Each round effect display effect data is stored in association with each of the first to fifteenth round effects. Each ending effect display effect data is stored in association with the ending effect. The display effect data for the opening effect, the display effect data for the round effect, and the display effect data for the ending effect are displayed on the decorative symbol display unit 61 by the display control CPU 33a. It is information for instructing.

  The display ROM stores notification effect display effect data used when the probability variation notification effect is performed and secret effect display effect data used when the secret effect is performed. The display effect data for notification effect and the display effect data for secret effect are information for the display control CPU 33a to instruct the decorative symbol display unit 61 to execute the probability change notification effect and the secret effect.

  When the change pattern designation command is input from the overall control CPU 37a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the display control CPU 33a stores the change pattern designated by the change pattern designation command in the display RAM. It has become.

  Further, when the decorative design left designation command is input from the overall control CPU 37a, the display control CPU 33a stores the decorative design left designated by the command in the display RAM. Similarly, when the decorative design right designation command is inputted from the overall control CPU 37a, the display control CPU 33a stores the decorative design right designated by the command in the display RAM, and when the decorative design middle designation command is inputted. The decoration pattern designated by the command is stored in the display RAM.

  Thereafter, when the symbol stop command is input from the overall control CPU 37a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the display control CPU 33a displays the decorative symbol left, right, and center stored in the display RAM input at the start of the variation. If the game is related to a variable game, the decorative symbol display unit 61 is instructed to stop the decorative symbol E1 based on the decorative symbol left, right, and center. As a result, the designated decorative design E1 is stopped and displayed on the decorative design display unit 61.

  When the change pattern designation command is input, the display control CPU 33a shown in FIG. 4 controls the decorative design display unit 61 to display the decorative design E1 based on the decorative design E1 determined by the overall control CPU 37a. Is supposed to do. That is, the display control CPU 33a has a function as “display control means”. More specifically, the display control CPU 33a sets (generates) any one of the plurality of types of display effect data stored in the display ROM, and stores the set display effect data in the storage area of the display RAM. It is supposed to let you. Thereby, the display control CPU 33a performs display control based on the variation pattern designation command and the display effect data. More specifically, the display control CPU 33a converts the display effect data stored in the display RAM into a symbol signal and outputs the symbol signal to the decorative symbol display unit 61. As a result, the decorative symbol display unit 61 can perform a predetermined display (such as the symbol combination game) based on the symbol signal.

  Further, the display control CPU 33a shown in FIG. 4 sets (generates) the notification effect display effect data stored in the display ROM. The set notification effect display effect data is stored in the storage area of the display RAM. Accordingly, the display control CPU 33a performs display control based on the display effect data for notification effect. More specifically, the display control CPU 33a converts the display effect data for notification effect stored in the display RAM into a symbol signal and outputs it to the decorative symbol display unit 61. As a result, the decorative symbol display unit 61 can perform a predetermined display (probability change notification effect) based on the symbol signal.

  The display control CPU 33a sets (generates) the display effect data for concealment effect stored in the display ROM. The set display effect data for concealment effect is stored in the storage area of the display RAM. Accordingly, the display control CPU 33a performs display control based on the display effect data for the secret effect. More specifically, the display control CPU 33a converts the display effect data for concealment effect stored in the display RAM into a symbol signal and outputs it to the decorative symbol display unit 61. As a result, the decorative symbol display unit 61 can perform a predetermined display (concealment effect) based on the symbol signal.

  Further, when the opening designation command is input, the display control CPU 33a shown in FIG. 4 sets (generates) opening effect display effect data stored in the display ROM, and sets the opening effect display effect data. Are stored in the storage area of the display RAM. As a result, the display control CPU 33a performs display control based on the opening designation command and the display effect data for opening effect. More specifically, the display control CPU 33a converts the display effect data for opening effects stored in the display RAM into a symbol signal and outputs the symbol signal to the decorative symbol display unit 61. As a result, the decorative symbol display unit 61 can perform a predetermined display based on the symbol signal.

  When the first to fifteenth round designation commands are input, the display control CPU 33a sets (generates) any one of fifteen types of display effects data for round effects stored in the display ROM, and sets them. The display effect data for round effect is stored in the storage area of the display RAM. Accordingly, the display control CPU 33a performs display control based on each round designation command and the display effect data for round effect. More specifically, the display control CPU 33a converts the display effect data for round effect stored in the display RAM into a symbol signal and outputs it to the decorative symbol display unit 61. As a result, the decorative symbol display unit 61 can perform a predetermined display based on the symbol signal.

When the ending designation command is input, the display control CPU 33a shown in FIG. 4 sets (generates) the ending effect display effect data stored in the display ROM, and displays the set ending effect display effect data. The data is stored in a RAM storage area. As a result, the display control CPU 33a performs display control based on the ending designation command and the display effect data for ending effect. More specifically, the display control CPU 33a converts the display effect data for ending effect stored in the display RAM into a symbol signal and outputs the symbol signal to the decorative symbol display unit 61. As a result, the decorative symbol display unit 61 can perform a predetermined display based on the symbol signal.
(2-4) Electrical configuration of voice / lamp control board 34

  As shown in FIG. 4, the voice / lamp control board 34 includes the voice / lamp control CPU 34a. The voice / lamp control CPU 34a includes voice / lamp ROM (not shown) and voice / lamp RAM (not shown). Is connected. In the sound / lamp RAM, various types of information that are appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10 are temporarily stored (set).

  The voice / lamp ROM stores a plurality of types of light effect data and a plurality of types of sound effect data used when the symbol variation game is performed. The light emission effect data is information for the sound / lamp control CPU 34 a to control the light emission output mode of the top lamp 16. The voice effect data is information for the voice / lamp control CPU 34a to control the voice output mode (sound effect type, language voice type, voice output time, etc.) of the speaker 17.

  Further, the voice / lamp ROM has one kind of opening effect effect data, 15 kinds of effect data for round effect, and one kind of effect data for ending effect used in the big hit gaming state after the symbol combination game. It is remembered. The effect data for opening effects is stored in association with the opening effect. The effect data for round effect is stored in association with the round effect. Ending effect data is stored in association with the ending effect. The effect data for opening effect, the effect data for round effect, and the effect data for ending effect are information for the voice / lamp control CPU 34a to instruct the top lamp 16 and the speaker 17 to execute the opening effect, the round effect, and the ending effect. It is.

  In addition, the voice / lamp ROM stores a plurality of types of notification effect production data used when the probability variation notification effect is performed, and concealment effect production data used when the concealment effect is performed. ing. The effect data for notification effect and the effect data for secret effect are information for the display control CPU 33a to instruct the top lamp 16 and the speaker 17 to execute the probability change notification effect and the secret effect.

  4 and 5, when the fluctuation pattern designation command is input from the overall control CPU 37a, the voice / lamp control CPU 34a displays the fluctuation pattern designated by the fluctuation pattern designation command in the voice / lamp RAM. To come to remember.

  Thereafter, when the symbol stop command is input from the overall control CPU 37a, the voice / lamp control CPU 34a instructs the top lamp 16 to stop the light emission and also instructs the speaker 17 to stop the voice output. .

  When the variation pattern designation command is input, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a sets (generates) any one of the plurality of types of light emission effect data stored in the sound / lamp ROM, The set light effect data is stored in the storage area of the sound / lamp RAM. As a result, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a performs light emission control based on the light emission effect data corresponding to the variation pattern designation command. More specifically, the sound / lamp control CPU 34 a converts the light emission effect data stored in the sound / lamp RAM into a light emission control signal and outputs it to the top lamp 16. As a result, the top lamp 16 can perform a predetermined light emission operation (lighting, blinking, etc.) based on the light emission control signal.

  When a change pattern designation command is input, the voice / lamp control CPU 34a shown in FIG. 4 sets (generates) any one of a plurality of types of voice effect data stored in the voice / lamp ROM. The set sound production data is stored in the storage area of the sound / lamp RAM. Thereby, the voice / lamp control CPU 34a performs voice control based on the voice effect data corresponding to the variation pattern designation command. More specifically, the sound / lamp control CPU 34 a converts sound effect data stored in the sound / lamp RAM into a sound signal and outputs the sound signal to the speaker 17. As a result, the speaker 17 can perform a predetermined output operation (sound output) based on the audio signal.

  Also, the voice / lamp control CPU 34a sets (generates) any one of the notification effect production data stored in the voice / lamp ROM. The set notification effect data is stored in a storage area of the voice / lamp RAM. As a result, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a performs light emission control and sound control based on the effect data for notification effect. As a result, the top lamp 16 and the speaker 17 can perform a predetermined light emission operation and output operation (probability change notification effect).

  Also, the voice / lamp control CPU 34a shown in FIG. 4 sets (generates) the secret effect effect data stored in the voice / lamp ROM. Then, the set secret rendering effect data is stored in the storage area of the voice / lamp RAM. As a result, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a performs the light emission control and the sound control based on the secret effect effect data. As a result, the top lamp 16 and the speaker 17 can perform a predetermined light emission operation and output operation (secret effect).

  Further, when the opening designation command is input, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a sets (generates) opening effect effect data stored in the sound / lamp ROM, and the set opening effect effect data is set to sound / The data is stored in the storage area of the lamp RAM. Thus, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a performs light emission control and sound control based on the opening designation command and the effect data for opening effect. When the first to fifteenth round designation commands are input, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a sets (generates) the effect data for round effect stored in the sound / lamp ROM, and the set effect for round effect is set. Data is stored in the storage area of the voice / lamp RAM. Accordingly, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a performs light emission control and sound control based on the first to fifteenth round designation commands and the effect data for round effect. When the ending designation command is input, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a sets (generates) the ending effect effect data stored in the sound / lamp ROM, and uses the set ending effect effect data as the sound / lamp RAM. Are stored in the storage area. Thus, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a performs light emission control and sound control based on the ending designation command and the ending effect effect data. More specifically, the sound / lamp control CPU 34a converts the effect data for opening effects, the effect data for round effects, and the effect data for ending effects stored in the sound / lamp RAM into light emission control signals and sound signals, and the top lamp 16 and the speaker 17. As a result, the top lamp 16 and the speaker 17 can perform predetermined light emission and audio output based on the light emission control signal and the audio signal.

  Next, processing (timer interrupt processing) performed by the main CPU 31a of the main control board 31 will be described. Note that a program for performing this process is repeatedly executed at predetermined interrupt intervals (every 4 ms) in the main CPU 31a after the pachinko machine 10 is activated.

  In FIG. 7, the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step MC1 (input process) and executes the subroutine shown in FIG. The subroutine of FIG. 8 includes the processes of steps S1 to S4. In step S1, the main CPU 31a determines whether or not a game ball has won the start winning device 21 (that is, whether or not a win signal has been input from the start port switch SE1). When the game ball has not won the start winning device 21 (step S1: N), the main CPU 31a ends the present subroutine without performing the processing of steps S2 to S4. On the other hand, when a game ball wins the start winning device 21 (step S1: Y), the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step S2.

  In step S2, the main CPU 31a determines whether or not the number of special symbol reserved balls stored in the main RAM 31c is less than four. When the number of special symbol reservation balls is “4” (step S2: N), the main CPU 31a ends this subroutine without performing the processes of steps S3 and S4. On the other hand, when the number of special symbol reservation balls is less than 4 (step S2: Y), the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step S3.

  In step S3, the main CPU 31a adds 1 to the number of special symbol reservation spheres stored in the main RAM 31c, and proceeds to the processing in step S4. In step S4, the main CPU 31a acquires the big hit determination random number and the big hit symbol random number and stores them in the random number storage area of the main RAM 31c. Then, the main CPU 31a ends this subroutine.

  When the subroutine shown in FIG. 8 is completed, the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process (random number process) in step MC2 shown in FIG. In the process of step MC2, the main CPU 31a executes a random number process for updating various random numbers such as a jackpot determination random number and a jackpot symbol random number, and proceeds to the process of step MC3. In step MC3, the main CPU 31a determines whether or not a variable game (a symbol variable game on the special symbol display unit 51 and a symbol combination game on the decorative symbol display unit 61) is being performed. When the variable game is being performed (step MC3: Y), the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step MC5 without performing the process of step MC4. On the other hand, when the variable game is not performed (step MC3: N), the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step MC4 (special symbol start process) and executes the subroutine shown in FIG.

  The subroutine of FIG. 9 includes the processes of steps S10 to S18. In step S10, the main CPU 31a reads the special symbol reserved ball number from the main RAM 31c in order to confirm the special symbol reserved ball number, and proceeds to the process of step S11. In step S11, the main CPU 31a determines whether or not the number of special symbol reserved balls read in step S10 is greater than zero. When the number of special symbol reservation balls is 0 (step S11: N), the main CPU 31a ends this subroutine without performing the processing of steps S12 to S18. On the other hand, when the number of special symbol reservation balls is larger than 0, that is, when the number of special symbol reservation balls is 1 to 4 (step S11: Y), the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step S12.

  In step S12, the main CPU 31a subtracts 1 from the number of special symbol reservation spheres stored in the main RAM 31c, and proceeds to the processing in step S13. In step S13, the main CPU 31a reads the jackpot determination random number acquired by the input process (see FIG. 8) and stored in the main RAM 31c.

  In subsequent step S14, the main CPU 31a determines whether or not the jackpot determination random number read in step S13 matches the jackpot determination value (executes the jackpot determination). When the big hit determination random number does not match the big hit determination value (step S14: N), that is, when the loss is determined, the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step S16. On the other hand, when the big hit determination random number matches the big hit determination value (step S14: Y), that is, when the big hit is determined, the main CPU 31a proceeds to the processing of step S15.

  In the process of step S15 (special symbol big hit variation setting process), the main CPU 31a executes a subroutine shown in FIG. The subroutine of FIG. 10 includes the processes of steps S50 to S61. In step S50, the main CPU 31a reads the jackpot symbol random number acquired by the input process (see FIG. 8) and stored in the main RAM 31c in order to confirm the jackpot symbol random number.

  In the following step S51, the main CPU 31a determines a symbol number specified based on the value of the jackpot symbol random number read out in step S50 from the symbol number table, and determines the special symbol B1 with reference to the determined symbol number. To do. In subsequent step S52, the main CPU 31a confirms the values of the upper and lower digits constituting the determined symbol number (in this embodiment, the values of the upper and lower digits when displayed in hexadecimal), and the step The process proceeds to S53. In step S53, the main CPU 31a sets the value of the eighth digit bit among the eight digits constituting the lower byte data (see FIG. 6B) corresponding to the determined symbol number (lower digit value). After confirming, the process proceeds to step S54.

  In step S54, the main CPU 31a checks whether or not the value of the eighth digit bit is an even number “0”. When the value of the eighth digit bit is not an even number but an odd number “1” (step S54: N), the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step S56 without performing the process of step S55. On the other hand, when the value of the eighth digit bit is an even number “0” (step S54: Y), the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step S55. In step S55, the main CPU 31a performs a change process of +7 for the value of the upper digit constituting the symbol number (in this embodiment, the value of the upper digit when displayed in hexadecimal), and proceeds to the process of step S56. .

  In step S56, the main CPU 31a determines the special symbol B1 as the symbol number, so the upper and lower digit values (offset values) are determined, and the process proceeds to step S57. In step S57, the main CPU 31a selects, from the first bit table (see FIG. 6A), upper byte data corresponding to the upper digit value constituting the determined symbol number, and proceeds to the processing of step S58. . In step S58, the main CPU 31a selects lower byte data corresponding to the lower digit value constituting the determined symbol number from the second bit table (see FIG. 6B), and proceeds to the process of step S59. To do. In step S59, the main CPU 31a ORs the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data and the upper 4 bits constituting the lower byte data, and constitutes the lower 4 bits and the lower byte data constituting the upper byte data. By ORing the lower 4 bits, symbol display data composed of 8 digit bits is generated. In the subsequent step S60, the main CPU 31a stores (sets) the symbol display data generated in step S59 in the main RAM 31c, and proceeds to the process of step S61.

  In step S61, the main CPU 31a executes a variation pattern determination process. In the variation pattern determination process, the main CPU 31a determines the variation pattern of the variation game to be executed. Details of the variation pattern determination process will be described later. Thereafter, the main CPU 31a ends this subroutine, and proceeds to the process of step S17 shown in FIG.

  In the process of step S16 (special symbol loss variation setting process), the main CPU 31a executes a subroutine shown in FIG. The subroutine of FIG. 11 includes the processes of steps S80 to S83. In step S80, the main CPU 31a determines the loss symbol indicating the loss as the special symbol B1, and proceeds to the process of step S81. In step S81, the main CPU 31a stores the lost symbol (special symbol B1) determined in step S80 in the main RAM 31c as a symbol number. In the present embodiment, a symbol “-” is defined as a lost symbol, and a symbol number 240 indicating the symbol “−” is stored.

  In subsequent step S82, the main CPU 31a acquires a reach determination random number, performs reach determination for comparing the acquired reach determination random number with the reach determination value, and proceeds to the process of step S83. In step S83, the main CPU 31a executes variation pattern determination processing. In the variation pattern determination process, the main CPU 31a determines the variation pattern of the variation game to be executed. Details of the variation pattern determination process will be described later. After the end of step S83, the main CPU 31a ends this subroutine, and proceeds to the process of step S17 shown in FIG.

  In step S17, the main CPU 31a sets (sets) the variation time data corresponding to the variation pattern determined in step S15 or step S16 in the special symbol timer stored in the main RAM 31c, and proceeds to the processing in step S18. . In step S18, the main CPU 31a sets a special symbol designation command for designating the special symbol B1 determined in step S15 or step S16 in the main RAM 31c. Note that the special symbol designation command set in the main RAM 31c in step S18 is output to the overall control CPU 37a of the overall control board 37 by the next and subsequent output processing (not shown). Then, after step S18 ends, the main CPU 31a ends this subroutine, and proceeds to the processing of step MC5 in FIG.

  Next, the variation pattern determination process executed in step S61 of the special symbol big hit variation setting process (see FIG. 10) and in step S83 of the special symbol loss variation setting process (see FIG. 11) will be described.

  In step S70 shown in FIG. 12, the main CPU 31a acquires a fluctuation pattern distribution random number for determining a fluctuation pattern. In the present embodiment, the same variation pattern distribution random numbers are used in the processing related to the variation game. In step S71, the main CPU 31a determines a variation pattern from the variation pattern distribution table based on the variation pattern distribution random number acquired in step S70.

  In subsequent step S72, the main CPU 31a sets a variation pattern designation command for designating the variation pattern set in step S71 in the main RAM 31c. Further, in step S72, information (flag or the like) corresponding to the variation pattern designation command set in the main RAM 31c, specifically, information indicating that the special symbol display unit 51 variably displays the special symbol B1 is displayed in the main RAM 31c. set. In addition, the variation pattern designation command set in the main RAM 31c in step S72 is output to the overall control CPU 37a of the overall control board 37 by the next and subsequent output processing (not shown). In addition, when the information indicating that the special symbol B1 is variably displayed is set, the main CPU 31a executes the variation control for starting the variation display of the special symbol B1 by the next and subsequent output processing (not shown). Then, the main CPU 31a ends this subroutine.

  In the process of step MC5 (big hit process), the main CPU 31a performs the big hit determination similar to step S14 shown in FIG. When the determination result of the big hit determination is not a big hit, the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step MC6. On the other hand, when the determination result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, the main CPU 31a performs the following processing. That is, the main CPU 31a generates an opening designation command for instructing the start of the opening effect, and outputs it to the overall control CPU 37a of the overall control board 37 as a control command. Next, the main CPU 31a instructs the start of the round effect (one of the first to fifteenth round designation commands, the first to eighth round designation commands, and the first and second round designation commands). Are sequentially output to the overall control CPU 37a as control commands. Thereafter, the main CPU 31a outputs an ending designation command for instructing the start of the ending effect as a control command to the overall control CPU 37a. Then, the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step MC6.

  In step MC6, the main CPU 31a stands by until 4 ms elapses after the process of step MC1 is started. After 4 ms elapses, the main CPU 31a proceeds to the process of step MC1 again.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the symbol display data is not stored in the data table in advance, but only when the main CPU 31a determines the symbol number, the main CPU 31a has the upper byte data and the lower byte. It is generated by ORing the data. The upper byte data types are the same 15 types as the upper digit types constituting the symbol number when displayed in hexadecimal, and the lower byte data types constitute the symbol number when displayed in hexadecimal. Therefore, the number of byte data types (31 types) can be made smaller than the number of symbol numbers (240 types). Therefore, even if the number of types of special symbols B1 is enormous, the data capacity of the program used for generating the symbol display data can be suppressed, and the burden on the main CPU 31a can be reduced. In other words, if there are 240 types of symbol display data corresponding to the special symbol B1, 240 bytes of data can be replaced with 31 bytes of data (upper byte data and lower byte data). In other words, the data capacity of the program for realizing various game characteristics can be increased by the amount of compression of the data capacity of the program necessary for generating the symbol display data, so that the interest of the game is improved.

  (2) In this embodiment, since the symbol combination game by the decorative symbol E1 is performed, various game characteristics can be realized by the decorative symbol E1 without increasing the types of the special symbol B1. Accordingly, it is not necessary to increase the types of symbol numbers used for determining the special symbol B1, and it is not necessary to increase the types of symbol display data generated based on the symbol numbers. The data capacity of the program used can be more reliably suppressed. Therefore, since the data capacity of the program for realizing various game characteristics can be surely increased by the amount of compression of the data capacity, the interest of the game is further improved. Moreover, since the symbol combination of the decorative symbol E1 is in a state in which it is impossible to identify whether or not it is a jackpot to which the special symbol probability variation state is given, it becomes difficult to grasp the provision of the special symbol probability variation state in advance. Will further improve the interest.

  (3) For example, it is conceivable to turn on the light emitting portions 55a to 55h of the special symbol display unit 51 using the generated symbol display data as it is. However, since the regularity of lighting of the light emitting units 55a to 55h is likely to occur, for example, "If a specific light emitting unit is lit, a special symbol probability variation is given regardless of whether other light emitting units are turned on or off. May be discriminated by the player.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the values of the upper 4 bits constituting the upper byte data 0 to 14 are irregularly arranged in the first bit table, and the lower byte data 0 to 15 are constituted in the second bit table. The lower 4 bits are arranged irregularly. Further, a change process for changing the upper digit value of the symbol number when displayed in hexadecimal is performed, and the symbol display data is generated using the upper digit value obtained as a result of executing the change process. As a result, regularity is less likely to appear in the generated symbol display data, and regularity is less likely to occur in the light emission mode of each of the light emitting portions 55a to 55h. It becomes impossible to grasp. As a result, the player cannot determine the subsequent development based on the special symbol B1, so that the interest of the game is further improved. Since the change process is a relatively simple process, the data capacity of the program for executing the change process (change process execution program) does not have to be very large.

  (4) In the present embodiment, the decorative design E1 is created not by the main CPU 31a but by the overall control CPU 37a, so that the burden on the main CPU 31a can be further reduced.

  In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.

  In the above embodiment, the upper byte data 0 to 14 and the lower byte data 0 to 15 are each composed of upper 4 bits and lower 4 bits. However, it is not always necessary to divide the upper and lower bits into 4 bits. For example, the upper byte data and the lower byte data may be divided into upper 3 bits and lower 5 bits, respectively. Each byte data need not be divided into upper bits and lower bits. For example, each byte data is composed of a first bit consisting of the first digit, the second digit, the fourth digit, and the eighth digit, and a third digit, a fifth digit, a sixth digit, and a seventh digit. It may be divided into the second bit.

  In the above embodiment, when the big hit is determined in the big hit determination, the main CPU 31a displays the symbol by the upper byte data selected from the first bit table and the lower byte data selected from the second bit table. It was generating data. On the other hand, when the loss reach or the loss is determined in the big hit determination, the main CPU 31a has uniquely determined the symbol number 240 associated with the symbol display data (“01000000”). However, even if the loss reach or the loss is determined in the big hit determination, the main CPU 31a may determine the byte data from the first bit table and the second bit table and generate the symbol display data.

  In the change processing execution determination of the above embodiment, the main CPU 31a confirms the value of the eighth digit bit among the eight digits constituting the lower byte data corresponding to the determined symbol number (lower digit value). Was. However, the main CPU 31a may check the value of another bit (for example, the value of the fourth digit to the seventh digit) of the eight digits constituting the lower byte data. Further, the main CPU 31a selects a bit value (for example, the first digit to the fourth digit) out of the eight digits constituting the upper byte data corresponding to the determined symbol number (upper digit value). The digit bit value) may be confirmed.

  -In the change process of the said embodiment, main CPU31a changed the value of the high-order digit which comprises a symbol number. However, the main CPU 31a may change the lower digit value constituting the symbol number, or may change both the upper digit value and the lower digit value constituting the symbol number. Moreover, you may perform a change process by the method different from the said embodiment.

  -The special symbol display part 51 of the said embodiment consists of the light emission parts 55a-55g which comprise the 7 segment type display, and the circular light emission part 55h provided in the visible display part of the special symbol display part 51. FIG. It was. However, you may change the form of each light emission part 55a-55h. For example, all of the light emitting units 55a to 55h may be circular light emitting units made of light emitting diodes.

  Next, the technical ideas grasped by the embodiment described above are listed below.

  (1) In any one of claims 1 to 3, the game control means includes a large winning device that can be converted into a closed state in which a hit ball is not received and an open state in which the hit ball is easily received in a big hit game state. And a special winning device converting means for converting the special winning device into the open state and the closed state when the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining means is a winning symbol. Machine.

  (2) A start winning device, a special symbol display unit for playing a symbol changing game for changing a special symbol triggered by a winning of a game ball to the start winning device, and a plurality of types generated based on the special symbol A gaming machine comprising a decoration symbol display unit for performing a symbol combination game for varying a symbol pattern and deriving a symbol combination, and a game control means for controlling the entire gaming machine, wherein a game ball wins the start winning device In response to this, a winning signal output means for outputting a winning signal, a symbol number table storing means for storing a symbol number table in which symbol numbers expressed including a plurality of digits are listed, and a bit value in a specific area Is 1 or 0, and all the bit values of the remaining area are 0, and all the bit values of the specific area are 0, the remaining area Bit table storage means for storing a second bit table in which a bit value of 1 or 0 is stored, wherein the first bit table corresponds to a value of an upper digit or a lower digit in the symbol number, and The first byte data composed of the bits of the area and the bits of the remaining area are distributed, and the second bit table corresponds to the value of the upper digit or the lower digit in the symbol number, The second byte data constituted by the bits and the bits of the remaining area is distributed, and the game control means receives the winning signal input from the winning signal output means as a trigger, and the result of the symbol variation game is a big hit When the jackpot determination means for determining whether or not the value is received and the input of the winning signal, the value of the design random number extracted by random number lottery is obtained. The symbol number stored in the symbol number table storage unit based on the value of the random number for the symbol acquired by the random number acquisition unit when the determination result by the random number acquisition unit and the jackpot determination unit is a big hit The symbol number is determined from the table, the special symbol determining means for determining the special symbol with reference to the determined symbol number, and the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining means is a symbol that is a big hit, A decorative symbol determining means for determining a symbol combination of the decorative symbols capable of recognizing a jackpot based on the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining means, and first byte data corresponding to the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means And the second byte data corresponding to the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means. Whether to execute a changing process for changing the value of at least one of the upper digit and the lower digit constituting the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means by confirming a value of a predetermined bit among a plurality of bits formed A change process execution determination unit that determines whether or not the change process execution determination unit determines that the change process is to be executed, and a change process execution unit that executes the change process when the change process is determined to be executed. When the process is not executed, based on the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means, first byte data corresponding to the value of the upper digit or the lower digit constituting the symbol number is stored in the first bit table. And when the change process is executed by the change process executing means, the change process is executed as a result of executing the change process. When the change process is not executed by the first byte data selecting means for selecting the first byte data corresponding to the value of the upper digit or the lower digit from the first bit table, and the change process executing means, Based on the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means, the second byte data corresponding to the value of the upper digit or the lower digit constituting the symbol number is selected from the second bit table and the change processing is executed. Second byte data for selecting, from the second bit table, second byte data corresponding to the value of the upper digit or the lower digit obtained as a result of executing the change processing when the change processing is executed by means. Selecting means; bits in a specific area constituting the first byte data selected by the first byte data selecting means; and OR the specific area bits constituting the second byte data selected by the 2-byte data selection means and the remaining area bits constituting the first byte data selected by the first byte data selection means And symbol display data for generating symbol display data composed of a plurality of digits by ORing the bits of the remaining area constituting the second byte data selected by the second byte data selection means Based on the symbol display data generated by the generating means and the symbol display data generating means, the special symbol display unit is controlled to display the special symbol, and the decorative symbol determined by the decorative symbol determining means And a display control means for performing control to display the decorative design on the decorative design display unit. A gaming machine characterized by

The schematic front view which shows the pachinko machine in this invention. The front view which shows a symbol display apparatus etc. FIG. The front view which shows a special symbol display part. The block diagram for demonstrating the connection relation of a main control board and another board | substrate. The block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a main control board and a general control board. (A) is a 1st bit table, (b) is a 2nd bit table. The flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed in main CPU of a main control board. The flowchart which shows the input process performed in main CPU of a main control board. The flowchart which shows the special symbol start process performed in main CPU of a main control board. The flowchart which shows the special symbol big hit variation setting process performed in main CPU of a main control board. The flowchart which shows the special symbol loss variation setting process performed in main CPU of a main control means. The flowchart which shows the variation pattern determination process performed in main CPU of a main control board.

Explanation of symbols

10. Pachinko machine 21 as a gaming machine ... Start winning device 31a ... Game control means, jackpot determination means, random number acquisition means, special symbol determination means, change processing execution determination means, change processing execution means, upper byte data selection means, lower order Main CPU as byte data selection means, symbol display data generation means, display control means, probability variation state assignment means and special symbol determination means
31b... Main ROM as symbol number table storage means and bit table storage means
33a ... Display control CPU as game control means and display control means
37a: Overall control CPU as game control means, decorative symbol determination means, concealment effect execution means, probability change notification effect execution determination means, and probability change notification effect execution means
51. Special symbol display unit 61. Ornamental symbol display unit B1. Special symbol E1. Ornamental symbol SE1. Start port switch as winning signal output means

Claims (3)

A start winning device, a special symbol display unit for performing a symbol change game for changing a special symbol triggered by winning a game ball to the start winning device, and a plurality of types of decorative symbols generated based on the special symbol A gaming machine comprising a decorative symbol display unit for performing a symbol combination game for causing a symbol combination to be varied, and a game control means for controlling the entire gaming machine,
A winning signal output means for outputting a winning signal when a game ball has won the start winning device;
A symbol number table storage means for storing a symbol number table in which symbol numbers expressed by including a plurality of digits are enumerated;
The first bit table in which the bit values of the specific area are 1 or 0, and all the bit values of the remaining area are 0, and all the bit values of the specific area are 0, Bit table storage means for storing a second bit table in which the value of the bit is 1 or 0,
In the first bit table, corresponding to the value of the upper digit in the symbol number, the upper byte data constituted by the bits of the specific area and the bits of the remaining area are distributed,
In the second bit table, lower byte data corresponding to the lower digit value in the symbol number and composed of the bits in the specific area and the bits in the remaining area are distributed,
The game control means includes
A jackpot determining means for determining whether or not the result of the symbol variation game is a big hit, triggered by the input of a winning signal from the winning signal output means;
Random number acquisition means for acquiring the value of the design random number extracted by random number lottery with the input of the winning signal,
When the determination result by the jackpot determination means is a jackpot, the symbol number is determined from the symbol number table stored in the symbol number table storage means based on the value of the symbol random number acquired by the random number acquisition means A special symbol determining means for determining the special symbol with reference to the determined symbol number;
In the case where the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining means is a symbol that becomes a big hit, the decorative symbol that determines the symbol combination of the decorative symbols that can recognize the big hit based on the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining means A determination means;
A plurality of bits constituting upper byte data corresponding to the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means, and a plurality of bits constituting lower byte data corresponding to the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means A change for determining whether or not to execute a change process for changing at least one of the upper digit and the lower digit constituting the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining means by confirming the value of a predetermined bit. Processing execution determination means;
A change process execution unit that executes the change process when the change process execution determination unit determines to execute the change process;
When the change process is not executed by the change process execution unit, based on the symbol number determined by the special symbol determination unit, the upper byte data corresponding to the value of the upper digit constituting the symbol number is In addition to selecting from the first bit table, when the change process is executed by the change process execution means, upper byte data corresponding to the value of the upper digit obtained as a result of executing the change process is the first bit table. Upper byte data selection means for selecting from the bit table;
When the change process is not executed by the change process execution unit, based on the symbol number determined by the special symbol determination unit, lower byte data corresponding to the value of the lower digit constituting the symbol number is In addition to selecting from the second bit table, when the change process is executed by the change process execution means, lower byte data corresponding to the value of the lower digit obtained as a result of executing the change process is stored in the second bit table. Lower byte data selection means for selecting from the bit table;
ORing the bits of the specific area constituting the upper byte data selected by the upper byte data selection means and the bits of the specific area constituting the lower byte data selected by the lower byte data selection means, and ORing the bits of the remaining area constituting the upper byte data selected by the upper byte data selecting means and the bits of the remaining area constituting the lower byte data selected by the lower byte data selecting means A symbol display data generating means for generating symbol display data composed of a plurality of digits;
Based on the symbol display data generated by the symbol display data generating means, control to display the special symbol on the special symbol display unit, and based on the decorative symbol determined by the decorative symbol determination means, A gaming machine comprising display control means for performing control to display the decorative design on a decorative design display section. The game control means includes
A probability variation state giving means for providing a probability variation state in which the probability that a big hit is derived in the symbol variation game is highly probable when the determination result by the jackpot determination means is a big hit;
Special symbol determining means for determining whether or not the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining means is a symbol that is a jackpot to which the probability variation state is imparted by the probability variation state imparting means;
When the special symbol determining unit determines that the special symbol determined by the special symbol determining unit is a symbol that is a big hit to which the probability variation state is given by the probability variation state giving unit, the symbol variation game A probability variation notification effect execution determination means for determining whether to execute a probability variation notification effect for notifying the provision of the probability variation state thereafter;
Probability variation notification effect execution means for executing the probability variation notification effect during a jackpot gaming state when the probability variation notification effect execution determination unit determines to execute the probability variation notification effect. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   When the game control means determines that the probability fluctuation notification effect execution determination means does not execute the probability fluctuation notification effect execution determination means, the game control means gives the probability fluctuation state in the symbol change game started after the end of the big hit gaming state. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising a concealment effect executing means for executing a concealment effect for concealing whether or not it is performed.

Images