JP2010148952A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it extremely difficult to place-hit a jackpot and to facilitate optional probability allocation of displayed symbols in a pinball game machine provided with a symbol display device. <P>SOLUTION: Generation of a jackpot accompanying an entry to a specified winning pocket 11 is determined by a winning determination random number which is a hardware random number, and symbols to be displayed at the symbol display device 13 in the case of the jackpot are determined by a display symbol random number which is a software random number. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a random number referred to in the lottery in a ball game machine having a symbol display device that displays a predetermined winning symbol or an off symbol according to a lottery result performed in accordance with a winning at a specific winning opening.

In a ball and ball game machine having a symbol display device that can display multiple types of symbols (for example, three-digit numbers), if a specific symbol combination (for example, a doublet) is displayed, a significant benefit to the player The thing which gives what is called "winning" is provided conventionally. For this lottery, what is currently called a software random number is used.
The basic concept of software random numbers is as follows. That is, when the probability of occurrence of an event is m / n (m, n is a natural number, m <n), when a specific m pieces of n random numbers are acquired, the event occurs. To do. At this time, if m and n are relatively prime, the number of random numbers to be used can be minimized. Also, the smaller the probability is, the larger n becomes, so the total number of random numbers has to be increased. In reality, a parameter that increases by 1 every specified time and becomes 0 after (n−1) is adopted as such a random number.

For example, in the case where a win occurs with a probability of 1/320, a counter on software is usually used. For example, with 0 as an initial value, 1 is incremented up to 319, and a counter that becomes 0 again after 319 is constructed on the software. This addition of the counter is usually configured to be performed every time a winning monitoring process is performed once every predetermined time (for example, 4 msec).
Then, if there is a win when the counter indicates a specific number (for example, “7”), it is determined to be a win.
Since the number indicated by the counter changes regularly every specified time, it is not strictly a “random number”. However, since the timing at which a prize is received is considered to be random, the number indicated by the counter substantially functions as a “random number”. Hereinafter, the “random number” in the present specification includes a variable that periodically changes in a cycle as described above and that substantially functions as a random number because the acquisition timing is random.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of symbols displayed in such a winning case, the winning lottery may also be performed using software random numbers similar to the above. In general, the random number counter related to the symbol lottery is configured so that the numbers that each of the random numbers can take are relatively prime to prevent synchronization with the counter related to the winning lottery. For example, if there are 320 counters related to winning as described above, the number of combinations of counters related to symbols is selected from “320” and a relatively prime number (for example, “7”).

JP-A-11-57181

As described above, these “random number” values are acquired when the winning detection means detects winning of a game ball at a specific winning opening. The winning detection is normally performed in units of a specified time as described above. Therefore, even if a winning is detected at any time point within a specified time having a certain range, the acquired random number value is the same.
In addition, according to the above example, the random number value is regularly cycled, and thus the following problems occur.
For example, when the hit probability is 1/320 as described above, one of 320 random numbers from 0 to 319 (for example, “7”) usually corresponds to it. Then, if the specified time is 4 msec as described above, it takes 1280 msec for the random number to make a round. That is, a hit timing occurs every 1280 msec. It is not impossible for a skilled player to enter a specific winning opening in accordance with this timing. Therefore, unfairness has occurred with unskilled players.

Furthermore, as described above, it is assumed that there are, for example, seven combinations of symbols related to winning, and if one of them is “777”, for example, a larger profit is given. Then, “winning” and “777” occur once in 1280 × 7 = 8960 msec. Matching this timing is even easier.
In order to deal with this problem, it is conceivable to perform a winning lottery using what is called a hardware random number adopted in a gaming machine such as a slot machine.
The hardware random number is generated by counting a signal generated regardless of software processing by a counter using an IC or the like. This signal is generated from, for example, an oscillation circuit.

As described above, in the software random number, a change in the count occurs every specified time. However, it is easy to obtain a signal of about 10 MHz with hardware random numbers. That is, in this case, the count can be changed once in 0.1 μsec.
According to the hardware random number, it takes about 6.6 msec to make a round of 65536 random numbers. At this time, if the hit probability is 1/320 like the above, the hit is about 20.5 μsec. In other words, in order to aim at hitting intentionally, it is necessary to make sure that the ball enters during 20.5 μsec appearing every 6.6 msec. This is practically impossible.
As described above, if hardware random numbers are employed, at least hitting is not possible in reality, but another problem arises. That is, the hardware random number count must be a fixed numerical value represented by 2 to the nth power, such as 256 or 65536, due to the restrictions of the counter. Accordingly, it is impossible to accurately perform probability allocation using a divisor whose divisor is a number other than 2.

  Therefore, the present invention has an object to determine whether or not to win by hardware random numbers and to determine the symbols to be displayed by software random numbers, thereby making it impossible to hit the target and enabling arbitrary probability allocation. And

(First invention)
In view of the above-described problems, the first invention relates to the specific winning opening 11, the winning detection means 12 for detecting the winning of the game ball to the specific winning opening 11, and the winning detection by the winning detection means 12. According to the lottery result to be performed, in a ball game machine having a symbol display device 13 that displays a predetermined winning symbol or a lost symbol, the winning determination random number for the lottery is applied to the hit determination table 61 to win or lose A winning determination means 45 for determining whether or not a winning symbol corresponding to the acquired display symbol random number is displayed on the symbol display device 13 when the winning determination means 45 determines that the winning is determined. At the same time, based on the winning symbol corresponding to the displayed symbol random number, the subsequent gaming state is hit by the normal winning determination table 61a having a predetermined probability of being determined as winning. It is determined whether it is a normal game to be determined, or whether it is a special game for which a hit determination is made based on the special hit determination table 61b whose probability of being determined to be a win is larger than the predetermined value. The game state corresponding to the game state is stored in the game state storage means 56, and the hit determination is performed by the hit determination table 61 corresponding to the game state stored in the game state storage means 56 from the subsequent hit determination by the hit determination means 45. The winning determination random number determined to be a hit in the special hit determination table 61b includes a hit determination random number determined to be a hit in the normal hit determination table 61a.

(Second invention)
According to the second aspect of the invention, according to the specific winning opening 11, the winning detecting means 12 for detecting the winning of the game ball to the specific winning opening 11, and the lottery result performed in accordance with the winning detection by the winning detecting means 12. In a ball game machine having a symbol display device 13 for displaying a predetermined winning symbol or off symbol, hit determination table 61 is applied to the winning determination random number for lottery to determine whether it is a hit or loss Means 45, and when the winning determination means 45 determines that the winning state is based on the acquired gaming state random number, the subsequent gaming state has a predetermined probability of being determined as winning A special hit determination table 61b in which a normal game for which a hit determination is made by the determination table 61a or a probability that the hit is determined is larger than the predetermined value. It is determined whether the game is a special game for which a hit determination is made, and the gaming state corresponding to the determination result is stored in the gaming state storage means 56, and from the subsequent winning determination by the hit determination means 45, it is stored in the gaming state storage means 56. The hit determination random number determined to be a hit in the special hit determination table 61b is determined to be a hit in the normal hit determination table 61a. It includes a decision random number.

The “specific winning opening” refers to a winning opening associated with winning a game ball that will activate the symbol display device 13 described below.
The “winning detection means” refers to means for detecting a winning of a game ball in the specific winning opening 11. For example, a means for optical detection by an optical sensor, a means for mechanical detection by pressing a microswitch, or the like can be used. In any means, when a winning is detected, a signal to that effect is sent to the following “hit determination random number obtaining means”.
The “symbol display device” means a “success symbol” relating to a so-called “success” state, which results in a large profit for the player as a result of a predetermined lottery associated with the winning of a game ball to the specific winning port 11 or A device that displays one of the “missing symbols” that is not in the “winning” state. The symbol display device 13 is usually for displaying a winning symbol or a deviating symbol indicated by a combination of three numbers, letters, symbols, or patterns by liquid crystal, cathode ray tube, dot matrix or the like.

  The “winning determination random number generating means” refers to means for generating a “winning determination random number” related to the determination of the “winning” state independently of the control program of the ball game machine 10. That is, the “clock oscillation unit” outputs an electrical signal generated at a constant frequency by a quartz oscillation circuit or the like as a “clock signal” to a “clock counter” such as an IC. In the clock counter 22 to which the clock signal is input, the count is incremented by 1 for each input. The upper limit that can be counted by the clock counter 22 depends on the number of bits when using an IC or the like. When the upper limit is exceeded, the count starts again from zero. The cycle of the clock oscillator 21 is preferably shorter than a “specified time” described later.

The winning determination random number can be made to circulate in a cycle that is extremely shorter than the prescribed time required for the winning detection process according to the frequency of the clock oscillation unit 21. Therefore, it is practically impossible for the player to measure the timing and aim for the hit.
Further, the range of possible values for the hit determination random number is determined by the number of bits of the clock counter 22. For example, when an 8-bit counter is used, since the power of 2 is 256, it can take a value from 0 to 255. Further, when a 16-bit counter is used, since 2 16 is 65536, it can take a value from 0 to 65535. That is, when counting in binary numbers, there are as many counter values as a number represented by a power of two.

Here, for example, when a 16-bit counter is used, when trying to reduce the hit probability to 1/320, an arbitrary 205 (205 / 65536≈ 1 / 319.7) is selected from 0 to 65535. What is necessary is just to make it correspond.
The “winning determination random number acquisition means” receives a signal indicating that a winning is detected from the winning detection means 12, and receives the value of the clock counter 22 at that time from the winning determination random number generation means 20 as a winning determination random number. To get. The hit determination random number acquisition means 49 is normally configured as a part of the control program of the ball game machine 10.
The “winning determination random number storage means” refers to a storage means such as a RAM that temporarily stores the winning determination random number acquired by the winning determination random number acquisition means 49.

“Winning determination means” refers to the winning determination random number stored in the winning determination random number storage means 52 and compares it with the “winning determination table” to determine whether it is “winning” or “out of”. It is. The hit determination means 45 is usually configured as a part of a control program for the ball game machine 10. The hit determination table 61 is data in which a numerical value of a hit determination random number and a determination result for the numerical value are paired, and is usually configured as data stored in a storage device such as a ROM.
The “display symbol random number generation means” refers to a unit that generates “display symbol random numbers” that are random numbers corresponding to the winning symbols displayed by the symbol display device 13. This display symbol random number generation means 41 is configured as a part of the control program of the ball game machine 10. In addition, the value of the displayed design random number is regularly changed every predetermined “prescribed time” regardless of whether or not a prize has been won. For example, it increases by 1 at a specified time and changes to zero again when the maximum value is exceeded. The specified time is a unit of operation of the display symbol random number generating means 41, and is usually about 2 msec to 4 msec. The specified time can also be a time required for the winning detection process by the winning detection means 12.

For example, when there are a plurality of symbols that can be displayed in a winning state, these symbols can be made to correspond to the hit determination random number. In the above example, 205 numbers may be appropriately distributed to the plurality of symbols.
However, when it is desired to arbitrarily allocate the appearance probabilities of each of the plurality of symbols, the hit determination random number may not be possible. For example, there are three types of symbols, and even if you want them to appear with equal probability, the 205 in the above example is not divisible by 3, so it is impossible.
Therefore, in this case, according to the display symbol random number generation means 41, an arbitrary appearance probability can be realized. In the above case, if three display symbol random numbers 0, 1, and 2 are circulated and the symbols to be made to appear are assigned to them, these symbols appear with an equal probability.

The symbol corresponding to the display symbol random number can be determined by the following method, for example.
For example, the symbol displayed by the symbol display device 13 is a three-digit number, and the so-called “zolo” that is the same number in all three digits is a winning symbol, and the other numbers are assumed to be off symbols. In this case, as a first method, the display symbol random number generation means 41 generates only the display symbol random number representing the winning symbol, and does not adopt this when the determination result of the hit determination means 45 is out of place, It is possible to acquire the off symbol by a random number generating means provided separately.

Further, as a second method in the above case, the display symbol random number generating means 41 generates a display symbol random number representing a winning symbol and a display symbol random number indicating a disjoint symbol separately, and the determination of the hit determining means 45 Either one of them can be acquired according to the result.
Furthermore, as a third method in the above case, the display symbol random number may represent the highest digit of the symbol displayed by the symbol display device 13. At this time, according to the determination result of the hit determination means 45, the winning symbol or the off symbol having the numerical value of the display symbol random number in the most significant digit is displayed. For example, when the display design random number is “7”, “777” is displayed when the determination result is a win, and when the determination result is out of place, an appropriate number other than “777” having 7 as the uppermost digit is displayed. For example, “774” may be displayed.

The “display symbol random number obtaining unit” is a unit that receives the signal indicating that the winning is detected from the winning detection unit 12 and acquires the display symbol random number at that time from the display symbol random number generating unit 41. This display symbol random number acquisition means 42 is normally configured as a part of the control program of the ball game machine 10.
The display design random number generating means 41 generates a display design random number indicating a design that will be displayed if there is a prize within the specified time for each specified time. Whether or not it is acquired by the display symbol random number acquisition means 42 depends on whether or not there is a winning in the specific winning opening 11.

The “display symbol random number storage means” refers to a storage unit such as a RAM that temporarily stores the display symbol random number acquired by the display symbol random number acquisition unit 42.
The “symbol control means” refers to the display design random number stored in the display design random number storage means 53 when it is determined that the winning determination means 45 determines that the winning symbol is displayed. Means for displaying on the device 13. The symbol control means 47 is configured as a part of the control program for the ball game machine 10. Although there is no limitation on the display of the off symbol, it can be displayed according to the above example, for example.
With the above configuration, the hit determination random number related to the hit determination can be generated independently of the control program of the ball game machine 10, and can be changed at a higher speed than that performed by the control program.

In addition, since the display symbol random number is generated in the control program, it is possible to arbitrarily set the generation probability of a plurality of symbols.
A “special game” refers to a game that progresses under conditions that are more advantageous to the player, for example, a game in which a win occurs with a higher draw probability than a normal game.
“Game state storage means” refers to storage means such as a RAM for storing the game state parameters in the game.
This game state parameter can take, for example, “0” for a normal game and “1” for a special game, respectively.

“Game state changing means” means means for changing the game state parameter when transitioning from a normal game to a special game, or from a special game to a normal game. Configured as part of the control program.
Here, the case of shifting from a normal game to a special game means a case where all the following three conditions are satisfied in the game.
(1) The game is a normal game.
(2) The winning determination means 45 determines that it is a winning.
(3) The display symbol random number stored in the display symbol random number storage means 53 is a predetermined value.

In addition, the case of shifting from the special game to the normal game means a case where all the following three conditions are satisfied in the game.
(1) The game is a special game.
(2) The winning determination means 45 determines that it is a winning.
(3) The display symbol random number stored in the display symbol random number storage means 53 is a value other than the predetermined value.
In other cases, the game state of the game is maintained.
As described above, the “hit determination unit” refers to the hit determination random number stored in the hit determination random number storage unit 52 and compares it with the hit determination table 61 to determine whether it is “hit” or “out of”. Means. Here, the hit determination table 61 is a “normal hit determination table” that is determined to be a hit with a normal probability in a normal game, and a “special hit determination table” that is determined to be a win with a higher probability in a special game. And two types. These two types of hit determination tables 61 are referred to according to the value of the gaming state parameter.

As described above, the occurrence of a special game can be related to a specific winning symbol.
In addition, the hit determination random number is generated independently of the control program of the ball game machine 10, and the display symbol random number is generated in the control program of the ball game machine 10, in addition to a special change such as a so-called probability change. Random numbers relating to game generation can also be generated in the control program of the ball game machine 10.
“Game state random number generation means” means means for generating “game state random number” related to whether or not this special game is generated. This game state random number generation means 43 is configured as a part of the control program of the ball game machine 10. In addition, the game state random number regularly changes its value every predetermined time regardless of whether or not a prize has been won. For example, it increases by 1 at a specified time and changes to zero again when the maximum value is exceeded.

For example, if the probability of winning is 1/320 and the probability of occurrence of a special game is 1/3200, the gaming state random number generation means 43 may be set so that a special game is generated at 1/10. As an example, it is only necessary to set a special game when 7 out of 10 random numbers from 0 to 9 is acquired. Thereby, since the hit determination random number and the game state random number can be changed independently, it is possible to realize the probability of occurrence of any special game.
The “gaming state random number obtaining means” is for obtaining a gaming state random number at that time from the gaming state random number generating means 43 in response to a signal indicating that a winning is detected from the winning detection means 12. This gaming state random number acquisition means 44 is normally configured as a part of the control program of the ball game machine 10. However, even if the game state random number is acquired, the game state random number is not used unless a hit determination is made.

“Game state random number storage means” refers to storage means such as a RAM that temporarily stores the display symbol random number acquired by the game state random number acquisition means 44.
“Game state changing means” means means for changing the game state parameter when transitioning from a normal game to a special game, or from a special game to a normal game. Configured as part of the control program.
Here, the case of shifting from a normal game to a special game means a case where all the following three conditions are satisfied in the game.
(1) The game is a normal game.

(2) The winning determination means 45 determines that it is a winning.
(3) The game state random number stored in the game state random number storage means 54 is such that a special game occurs.
In addition, the case of shifting from the special game to the normal game means a case where all the following three conditions are satisfied in the game.
(1) The game is a special game.
(2) The winning determination means 45 determines that it is a winning.
(3) The game state random number stored in the game state random number storage means 54 is not intended to cause a special game.

In other cases, the game state of the game is maintained.
As described above, the occurrence of the special game is controlled by a random number different from the random number related to the winning determination and the determination of the symbol, and each of the winning determination, the generating of the winning symbol, and the occurrence of the special game is arbitrarily set. It is possible to carry out with the occurrence probability.
Further, the present invention is a random number corresponding to a loss symbol displayed on the symbol display device 13 when it is determined that the hit determination means 45 is a failure, and the value is changed every predetermined time. A random number generating means 48 for generating a random number is provided, and when the symbol control means 47 is determined to be out of order by the hit determination means 45, the off-set random number generating means 48 acquires the out-of-random number at that time point, The off symbol represented by the off random number may be displayed on the symbol display device 13.

“Outside random number generating means” means means for generating “outside random numbers” corresponding to the off-set symbols separately from the display symbol random number generating means 41, and usually as part of the control program of the ball game machine 10. Realized.
Also, the symbol control means 47 does not adopt the acquired display symbol random number when the hit determination means 45 determines that it is “out of”, and displays the error symbol corresponding to the error random number on the symbol display device 13. It is supposed to let you.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect described below.
That is, according to the description of the present invention, whether or not to win is determined by a hardware random number, and the symbol to be displayed is determined by a software random number, thereby making it possible to hit the target and assigning an arbitrary probability. .

It is a functional block diagram in the first reference form of the present invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the hit determination random number generation means in each form of this invention. In the first reference form of the present invention, it is a schematic diagram showing a storage area occupied by each parameter in the RAM. It is a flowchart which shows the winning detection process in the 1st reference form of this invention, 1st embodiment, and 2nd reference form. It is a flowchart which shows the display symbol random number update subroutine in the 1st reference form of this invention, 1st embodiment, and 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the loss random number update subroutine in each form of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol fluctuation | variation process in the 1st reference form of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the random value replacement subroutine in the 1st reference form of this invention, 1st embodiment, and 2nd reference form. It is a functional block diagram in 1st embodiment and 2nd reference form of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage area which each parameter occupies in RAM in 1st embodiment and 2nd reference form of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol fluctuation | variation process in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the display symbol random number update subroutine in the 2nd reference form of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol fluctuation | variation process in the 2nd reference form of this invention. It is a functional block diagram in 2nd embodiment of this invention. In 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is a schematic diagram which shows the storage area which each parameter occupies in RAM. It is a flowchart which shows the winning detection process in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the game state random number update subroutine in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol variation process in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the random value replacement subroutine in 2nd embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, a reference embodiment of the present invention and an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In addition, the structure and numerical value in description of each embodiment described below are the illustrations to the last, and it cannot be overemphasized that various embodiment is possible besides those.
(First reference form)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The ball game machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a specific winning port 11, a winning detection means 12, a symbol display device 13, and a winning determination random number generating means 20 as components.
The main board of the ball game machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a CPU 40 that controls the entire ball game machine 10, a ROM 60 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 40 and data for the same, and a control program And a RAM 50 for temporarily storing data generated in the course of execution.

The specific winning opening 11 is a winning opening relating to winning of a game ball that will operate the symbol display device 13 described below.
The winning detection means 12 optically detects the passing of the game ball to the specific winning opening 11, and at the time of detection, a signal to that effect is a hit determination random number acquisition means 49 and a display symbol random number acquisition means 42 described later. Send to. The detection by the winning detection means 12 is performed every specified time of 4 msec. That is, once detection is performed, the next detection is not performed during the specified time, and the next detection is performed after the next specified time.
The symbol display device 13 is a device that can display a symbol composed of three-digit numbers, characters, and the like on a liquid crystal display. In this embodiment, the symbol display device 13 displays only numbers as symbols.

When there is a winning at the specific winning opening 11, the symbol display device 13 displays either a winning symbol determined by a display symbol random number, which will be described later, or a missing symbol determined by a random number, after each digit fluctuates. It is supposed to be. The “hit symbol” refers to a so-called “zolo” symbol such as “222” or “777”, and the “offset symbol” refers to other symbols. When a symbol is displayed on the symbol display device 13, a special profit state is given to the player, for example, a special winning opening is opened for a certain period of time. Do not touch.
(Hit determination random number generator)
The hit determination random number generator 20 counts the electrical signal generated by the clock oscillator 21 by the clock counter 22.

Specifically, it is shown by a circuit diagram shown in FIG.
The clock oscillation unit 21 generates a 10 MHz clock signal by a crystal oscillation circuit.
The clock counter 22 is composed of two 8-bit ICs. One of these is the lower counter 22b and the other is the upper counter 22a. The RCO terminals of the lower counter 22b are arranged in series by being connected to the CCKEN terminal of the upper counter 22a. That is, the clock counter 22 substantially constitutes a 16-bit counter and can store a numerical value from 0 to 65535.
The clock signal generated by the clock oscillator 21 is input to the CCK terminals of the lower counter 22b and the upper counter 22a.

The lower counter 22b increments the count by 1 with the input of the clock signal from the CCK terminal unless the reset signal is input from the CCKEN terminal. When the lower counter 22b switches from “11111111” to “00000000”, a carry signal is issued from the RCO terminal to the CCKEN terminal of the upper counter 22a.
The upper counter 22a increments the count by 1 when a clock signal is input from the CCK terminal and a carry signal is input to the CCKEN terminal.
Here, when a winning signal is issued from the winning detection means 12 to a winning determination random number acquiring means 49 (described later) of the CPU 40, the acquired signal from the winning determination random number acquiring means 49 is sent via the output port 30 to the lower counter 22b and Each is input to the RCK terminal of the upper counter 22a. The acquisition signal that has passed through the output port 30 is also input to the G terminals of the lower counter 22b and the upper counter 22a, respectively. When there is an input to the RCK terminal and the G terminal, the counter value at the time of input is output from the QA or QH terminals of the upper counter 22a and the lower counter 22b to a buffer (not shown). The same numerical value is stored in a later-described retained random number storage means 55 via the same hit determination random number acquisition means 49. In addition, the numerical value of the upper counter 22a and the numerical value of the lower counter 22b are stored separately as will be described later. The numerical value of the counter 22b is converted into a 16-digit binary number having the last 8 digits.

  In addition, since a certain amount of time is required for the change of the symbol in the symbol display device 13, a prize can be given to the specific winning opening 11 even during the change of the symbol. However, it is not possible to make a hit determination during a change for a winning that occurred during the change of the symbol. This is because, as will be described later, the winning determination and the variation of the symbol are performed in a series of processing procedures. Therefore, in this embodiment, for such a winning, the winning determination is suspended until the variation of the symbol that is progressing at the time of winning is completed. This hold is allowed up to four winnings that occurred during the change of symbols. Hereinafter, the number of winnings for which such a winning determination is suspended is referred to as a “holding number”.

(CPU)
The CPU 40 functions as the following means by executing the control program of the ball game machine 10 (see FIG. 1).
The winning determination random number acquisition means 49 receives the winning signal from the winning detection means 12, and acquires the winning determination random number from the winning determination random number generation means 20. Then, the winning determination random number acquired by the winning determination random number acquiring means 49 is temporarily stored in a hold random number storage means 55 described later. The hold random number storage means 55 can store hit determination random numbers corresponding to the number of hold times up to four. In addition, the hit determination random number storage means 52 in the determination random number storage means 51 described later is supposed to move the hit determination random number used for the hit determination from the hold random number storage means 55 and store it.

  The display symbol random number generating means 41 is means for generating a display symbol random number corresponding to the winning symbol displayed on the symbol display device 13. As shown in Table 1 below, the display design random number takes an integer value from 0 to 9, and corresponds to a winning design where each value is sloppy.

表示図柄乱数は、前記規定時間ごとに１ずつその値を増すとともに、最大値の９の次は再び最小値の０へ戻ることとなっている。
表示図柄乱数取得手段42は、前記入賞検出手段12からの入賞信号を受信することで、上記表示図柄乱数発生手段41から、入賞信号受信時点の表示図柄乱数を取得し、これを後述の保留乱数記憶手段55に記憶させることとなっている。なお、この保留乱数記憶手段55には、４回までの保留回数に相当する表示図柄乱数が記憶可能となっている。

The displayed symbol random number is incremented by 1 at the specified time, and the value after the maximum value of 9 is returned to the minimum value of 0 again.
The display symbol random number acquisition means 42 receives the winning signal from the winning detection means 12, and acquires the display symbol random number at the time of receiving the winning signal from the display symbol random number generating means 41, and this is the holding random number described later. It is to be stored in the storage means 55. The reserved random number storage means 55 can store display symbol random numbers corresponding to the number of hold times up to four.

The outlier random number generating means 48 is means for generating an outlier random number corresponding to the outlier symbol displayed on the symbol display device 13. The value of the extraordinary random number is changed every predetermined time and is stored in the extraordinary random number storage means 58 described later each time. The details are left to the description of the progress of the game described later.
The hit determination means 45 refers to a hit determination random number stored in a hit determination random number storage means 52 of a determination random number storage means 51 described later, and compares this with a hit determination table 61 described later to determine a hit or a deviation. .
The symbol control means 47 acquires a random number stored in a display symbol storage means 57 described later in accordance with the determination of the hit determination means 45 and causes the symbol display device 13 to display the winning symbol or the off symbol.

(RAM)
The RAM 50 is provided with a pending random number storage means 55, a determination random number storage means 51, a display symbol storage means 57, and an off-random number storage means 58.
Each of the above means occupies an area as shown in FIG.
The reserved random number storage means 55 includes a first reserved random number storage means 55a, a second reserved random number storage means 55b, a third reserved random number storage means 55c, and a fourth reserved random number storage means 55d. Each of these can store a hit determination random number for the upper eight digits, a hit determination random number for the lower eight digits, and a display design random number.

In the hold random number storage means 55, the random numbers are stored in order from the first hold random number storage means 55a. Then, when the random numbers are stored up to the fourth reserved random number storage means 55d, they are not stored beyond that.
The determination random number storage unit 51 includes a hit determination random number storage unit 52 and a display symbol random number storage unit 53. The hit determination random number storage means 52 includes a higher order storage means 52a and a lower order storage means 52b. The determination random number storage means 51 stores a hit determination random number and a display symbol random number that are currently used for the hit determination and symbol variation.
Then, when the hit determination and the variation of the symbol are finished, the upper eight digits of hit determination random numbers stored in the first reserved random number storage means 55a are stored in the upper storage means 52a, and the lower eight digits of hit determination random numbers are stored in the lower order. The display symbol random number is moved to the display symbol random number storage 53 and stored in the means 52b. Along with this, each random number stored in the hold random number storage means 55 is sequentially moved to the upper hold random number storage means 55.

Outlier random number storage means 58 stores outlier random numbers generated by outlier random number generation means 48. Since this off-set random number is updated every specified time, the off-set random number storage means 58 always stores the off-set random number. The outlier random number is composed of a left random number indicating the left symbol of the outlier symbol, a middle random number indicating the middle symbol, and a right random number indicating the right symbol, which are respectively left random number storage means 58a of the outlier random number storage means 58, It is stored in the medium random number storage means 58b and the right random number storage means 58c.
The display symbol storage means 57 includes a left symbol storage means 57a for storing random numbers corresponding to the left symbol among the symbols to be displayed next, a middle symbol storage means 57b for storing random numbers corresponding to the symbols in the middle, and It consists of right symbol storage means 57c in which random numbers corresponding to the right symbol are stored.

That is, when the winning determination means 45 determines “winning”, the value of the display symbol random number is stored in any of the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b, and the right symbol storage means 57c. .
On the other hand, when it is determined as “missing”, the left symbol storage means 57a stores the left random number stored in the left random number storage means 58a of the deviation random number storage means 58. Similarly, a medium random number is stored in the middle symbol storage means 57b, and a right random number is stored in the right symbol storage means 57c.
Although not shown in FIG. 1, the RAM 50 is also provided with a hold count storage means 59 for storing the hold count at that time.

(ROM)
In the ROM 60, a control program for the ball game machine 10 and various data necessary for control are recorded, and a hit determination table 61 is provided.
The hit determination table 61 is data in which a hit determination random number acquired by the hit determination random number acquisition means 49 and a corresponding determination result are paired. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the winning is determined with a probability of 1/320, and the relationship between the value of the winning determination random number and the determination result is as shown in Table 2 below.

（遊技における処理）
次に、図４ないし図８のフローチャートを参照しつつ、本形態に係る遊技における処理について説明する。
まず、各フローチャートに現れる各パラメータについて説明する。なお、各パラメータのＲＡＭ50上に占める領域は、図３のようになっている。
Ｋは、保留回数を示すパラメータであり、０から４までの整数値を取る。このパラメータは、ＲＡＭ50の保留回数記憶手段59に記憶される。

(Processing in the game)
Next, processing in the game according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, each parameter appearing in each flowchart will be described. The area occupied by each parameter on the RAM 50 is as shown in FIG.
K is a parameter indicating the number of suspensions, and takes an integer value from 0 to 4. This parameter is stored in the pending number storage means 59 of the RAM 50.

A (0) to A (4) and B (0) to B (4) indicate hit determination random numbers.
In these A (0) to A (4), the numerical value of the upper counter 22a is stored. In addition, the values of the lower counter 22b are stored in B (0) to B (4). Both of these are expressed as 8-digit binary numbers. Among these, a numerical value expressed by a 16-digit binary number having the numerical value of the upper counter 22a as the upper eight digits and the numerical value of the lower counter 22b as the lower eight digits is the hit determination random number.
Of these parameters, A (0) is stored in the upper storage means 52 a of the hit determination random number storage means 52 of the determination random number storage means 51. B (0) is stored in the low-order storage means 52b in the hit determination random number storage means 52 of the determination random number storage means 51. Further, A (1) and B (1) are in the first reserved random number storage means 55a, A (2) and B (2) are in the second reserved random number storage means 55b, and A (3) and B (3) are The third reserved random number storage means 55c and A (4) and B (4) are respectively stored in the fourth reserved random number storage means 55d.

C (0) to C (4) indicate display symbol random numbers.
In C (0) to C (4), values at the time of obtaining the parameter S, which is the display symbol random number to be updated, shown in FIG. 5 are stored. Among these parameters, C (0) is stored in the display symbol random number storage means 53 of the determination random number storage means 51. C (1) is stored in the first reserved random number storage means 55a, C (2) is stored in the second reserved random number storage means 55b, C (3) is stored in the third reserved random number storage means 55c, and C (4) is stored in the storage medium. Each is stored in the fourth reserved random number storage means 55d.
L, M, and R are random numbers corresponding to the values of the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol, respectively, and are respectively stored in the left symbol storage unit 57a, the middle symbol storage unit 57b, and the right symbol storage unit 57c of the display symbol storage unit 57. Remembered. The symbols corresponding to these random number values are displayed on the symbol display device 13 by the symbol control means 47. Each of these random numbers takes an integer value from 0 to 9.

X, Y, and Z are left random number, middle random number, and right random number corresponding to the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol, respectively, and the left random number storage means 58a and middle random number storage means 58b of the deviation random number storage means 58, respectively. And stored in the right random number storage means 58c. Each of these random numbers takes an integer value from 0 to 9.
In this embodiment, the winning detection process and the symbol variation process are processed in parallel. Although these processes themselves are performed independently, some parameters used are common. Therefore, when this common parameter changes during one process, it immediately affects the other process.

(Winning detection process)
In the winning detection process shown in FIG. 4, winning detection to the specific winning opening 11 is performed, and a winning determination random number and display symbol random number associated therewith are performed. The winning detection process is configured so that all processing steps can be completed within the specified time.
First, in S100, the hit determination random number is reset. Specifically, the upper counter 22a and the lower counter 22b are both “00000000”.
In S101, the display symbol random number and the off-set random number are initialized. By initialization, S becomes 0, and X, Y, and Z also become 0, respectively.

In S102, the counting of the specified time is started.
Next, in S103, the display symbol random number (S) is updated. This stage is performed by the subroutine shown in FIG.
That is, in S130, 1 is added to the display symbol random number (S). Next, when it is determined in S131 that the display symbol random number (S) is 9 or less, the value of the display symbol random number (S) remains unchanged and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if it is determined that the display symbol random number (S) exceeds 9, the process proceeds to S132, the display symbol random number (S) is set to 0, and the process returns to the main routine. Since this subroutine is executed only once during the main routine started from S102, the display symbol random number (S) is updated in synchronization with the specified time. Then, in the main routine, the process proceeds to S105 in FIG.

In S105, the outlier random number is updated. This stage is performed by the subroutine shown in FIG.
First, in S150, 1 is added to the numerical value of the left random number (X). And when the same numerical value is 9 or less, it progresses to S159 (after-mentioned). On the other hand, if it exceeds 9, the same numerical value is set to 0 in S152, and the process proceeds to S153.
In S153, 1 is added to the numerical value of the medium random number (Y). And when the same numerical value is 9 or less, it progresses to S159 (after-mentioned). On the other hand, if it exceeds 9, the same value is set to 0 in S155, and the process proceeds to S156.

In S156, 1 is added to the numerical value of the right random number (Z). And when the same numerical value is 9 or less, it progresses to S159 (after-mentioned). On the other hand, if it exceeds 9, the same value is set to 0 in S158, and the process proceeds to S159.
In S159 and S160, it is determined whether the left random number (X), the middle random number (Y), and the right random number (Z) are all the same value. If they are all the same value, they correspond to winning symbols, so the process returns to S150 again and the updating operation is repeated. On the other hand, if at least one of them is a different value, it is assumed that the update has been made, and the process returns to the main routine and proceeds to S106 in FIG. Note that since this subroutine is executed only once during one round of the main routine started from S102, the outlier random number is updated in synchronization with the specified time.

In S106, it is determined whether the specified time has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S102, and counting of the specified time is started again. On the other hand, if it is determined that it has not yet elapsed, the process proceeds to S107.
In S107, it is determined whether or not a winning to the specific winning slot 11 is detected by the winning detection means 12. When not detected, it progresses to S106 and it is judged again whether specified time passed. On the other hand, if it is determined that it has been detected, the process proceeds to S108.
In S108, it is determined whether or not the number of hold times (K) has reached four. If it is determined that the predetermined time has been reached, the winning determination random number and the display symbol random number are not acquired, the process waits for the lapse of the specified time in S112, proceeds to S102, and starts counting the specified time again. On the other hand, if the hold count (K) is less than 4, the process proceeds to S109. Note that if the number of times of holding (K) changes in S202 (FIG. 7) of the symbol variation process described later, it immediately affects the determination in the step of S108.

  In S109, the winning determination random number acquisition means 49 acquires the value of the clock counter 22 at the time of winning detection and stores it in the reserved random number storage means 55. That is, the value of the upper counter 22a is stored in A (K + 1), and the value of the lower counter 22b is stored in B (K + 1). Note that “K + 1” means that the highest-order reserved random number storage means 55 is stored in the reserved random number storage means 55 for which no value is stored at that time. As described above, the value of the clock counter 22 is updated every 10 MHz, that is, every 0.1 μsec. That is, the update of the clock counter 22 value is performed completely independently of the winning detection process in units of a specified time of 4 msec. Then, the process proceeds to S110.

In S110, the display symbol random number acquisition means 42 acquires the display symbol random number (S) at the time of winning detection, and stores it in C (K + 1) of the reserved random number storage means 55. Note that “K + 1” is as described above. Then, the process proceeds to S111, 1 is added to the number of holding times (K), and then the process proceeds to S112. After the lapse of the specified time, the process proceeds to S102 and counting of the specified time is started again.
(Design variation processing)
In the symbol variation process shown in FIG. 7, winning determination and symbol variation and display in the symbol display device 13 are performed.

First, in S200, it is determined whether or not the number of holding times (K) is 1 or more. When the number of times of holding (K) is 0, this stage is repeated until the number of times of holding (K) becomes 1 in S111 of FIG. On the other hand, if the hold count (K) is 1 or more, the process proceeds to S201.
In S201, random number values are exchanged. This stage is performed by the subroutine shown in FIG.
First, in S250, the number of times of holding (K) at that time is substituted into a parameter J.
Next, the first random number replacement is performed from S251. That is, in S252, the values of A (1), B (1), and C (1) stored in the first reserved random number storage means 55a are respectively stored in A (0) of the upper storage means 52a of the determination random number storage means 51. ), B (0) of the lower storage means 52b and C (0) of the display symbol random number storage means 53 are substituted. Then, the process proceeds to S253.

In S253, it is determined whether or not the number of replacements (I) of the random number value has reached the number of reservations (J) at that time. Here, if the number of holdings (J) at that time is 1, the process immediately proceeds to S255 (described later). On the other hand, when the number of times of holding (J) at that time is 2 or more, the process proceeds to S254, and the random number value is replaced with the higher-order held random number storage means 55 in S252 again. This is repeated up to four times. In S253, when the number of replacements (I) reaches the number of times of holding (J) at that time, the process proceeds to S255.
In S255, the random number value stored in the lowest-order stored random number storage means 55 among the stored random number storage means 55 whose values are stored at that time is cleared, and the process returns to the main routine. Then, in the main routine, the process proceeds to S202 in FIG.

In S202, 1 is subtracted from the number of times of holding (K). The change in the number of holdings (K) at this stage immediately affects the determination in S108 of FIG. Then, the process proceeds to S210.
In S206 and S210, the hit determination means 45 obtains the hit determination random numbers represented by A (0) and B (0) stored in the hit determination random number storage means 52, and refers to this as the hit determination table 61. Make a hit judgment.
At this stage, when it is determined as “winning”, display symbol random number storage means is included in all of the left symbol storage means 57a, middle symbol storage means 57b, and right symbol storage means 57c of the display symbol storage means 57 in S211. The value of C (0) is substituted. In other words, a double-eyed part is expressed by these random numbers.

On the other hand, if it is determined as “missing”, the left random number (X), middle random number (Y), and right random number (Z) values of the outlier random number in the outlier random number storage means 58 at the time of determination are displayed in S215. Substituted in the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b, and the right symbol storage means 57c of the symbol storage means 57, respectively.
Then, in both cases of “win” and “out”, the process proceeds to S216, and the symbol control means 47 is stored in the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b and the right symbol storage means 57c of the display symbol storage means 57. The random number values (L, M, and R) obtained are acquired, the symbols on the symbol display device 13 are varied, and symbols corresponding to these random numbers (L, M, and R) are displayed in S217. Then, the process returns to S200, and the symbol variation process is repeated again.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment is characterized in that a special game occurs with the display of a specific winning symbol.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram in the first embodiment of the present invention.
The ball game machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a specific winning port 11, a winning detection means 12, a symbol display device 13, and a winning determination random number generating means 20 as components.
The main board of the ball game machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a CPU 40 that controls the entire ball game machine 10, a ROM 60 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 40 and data for the same, and a control program And a RAM 50 for temporarily storing data generated in the course of execution.

The specific winning opening 11, the winning detection means 12, the symbol display device 13, and the winning determination random number generating means 20 are the same as those described in the first reference embodiment.
(CPU)
The CPU 40 functions as the following means by executing the control program of the ball game machine 10 (see FIG. 9).
The hit determination random number acquisition means 49 is the same as that described in the first reference embodiment.
The display symbol random number generating means 41 is means for generating a display symbol random number corresponding to the winning symbol displayed on the symbol display device 13. As shown in Table 3 below, the display symbol random number takes an integer value from 0 to 9, and corresponds to a winning symbol where each value is punctuated.

表示図柄乱数は、前記規定時間ごとに１ずつその値を増すとともに、最大値の９の次は再び最小値の０へ戻ることとなっている。
また、表示図柄乱数のうち、「７」の値のみが特別遊技に係る図柄に対応することとなっている。なお、上記表３中の「特別遊技」の欄中の数値のうち、「１」は特別遊技が起こる旨を意味し、また、「０」は通常遊技が起こる旨を意味する。
表示図柄乱数取得手段42及びはずれ乱数発生手段48については、先述の第一の参考形態における記載と同じである。

The displayed symbol random number is incremented by 1 at the specified time, and the value after the maximum value of 9 is returned to the minimum value of 0 again.
Of the displayed symbol random numbers, only the value “7” corresponds to the symbol relating to the special game. Of the numerical values in the “special game” column of Table 3, “1” means that a special game occurs, and “0” means that a normal game occurs.
The display symbol random number acquisition means 42 and the off-set random number generation means 48 are the same as those described in the first reference embodiment.

The hit determination means 45 refers to a hit determination random number stored in a hit determination random number storage means 52, which will be described later, and determines whether or not a hit is made in comparison with a normal hit determination table 61a or a special hit determination table 61b described later. Which hit determination table 61 is applied depends on the gaming state stored in the gaming state storage means 56 described later.
The symbol control means 47 is the same as that described in the first reference embodiment.
When the determination result of the winning determination means 45 is a winning, the gaming state changing means 46 changes the gaming state from the normal game to the special game or according to the display symbol random number corresponding to the displayed winning symbol. The game is changed from the normal game to the game state storage means 56 described later.

(RAM)
The RAM 50 is provided with a pending random number storage means 55, a determination random number storage means 51, a display symbol storage means 57, a loss random number storage means 58, and a game state storage means 56.
Each of the above means occupies an area as shown in FIG.
The reserved random number storage means 55, the determination random number storage means 51, the off-set random number storage means 58, and the display symbol storage means 57 are the same as those described in the first reference embodiment.
The game state storage means 56 stores a game state of a normal game or a special game. This gaming state affects the winning determination table 61 used by the winning determination means 45 and is changed by the gaming state changing means 46.

Although not shown in FIG. 9, the RAM 50 is also provided with a hold count storage means 59 for storing the hold count at that time.
(ROM)
The ROM 60 stores a control program for the ball game machine 10 and various data necessary for control, and is provided with a normal hit determination table 61a and a special hit determination table 61b.
The normal hit determination table 61a is data in which a hit determination random number acquired by the hit determination random number acquisition means 49 and a corresponding determination result are paired in a normal game. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the winning is determined with a probability of 1/320, and the relationship between the value of the winning determination random number and the determination result is as shown in Table 4 below.

特別当たり判定テーブル61bは、特別遊技において、当たり判定乱数取得手段49により取得される当たり判定乱数と、それに対応する判定結果とが対になったデータをいう。本形態においては、通常遊技より高確率の１／１００の確率で当たりと判定されるものとし、当たり判定乱数の値と判定結果との関係は、下記の表５に示すとおりである。

The special hit determination table 61b is data in which a hit determination random number acquired by the hit determination random number acquisition means 49 and a corresponding determination result are paired in a special game. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the winning is determined with a probability of 1/100 that is higher than the normal game, and the relationship between the value of the winning determination random number and the determination result is as shown in Table 5 below.

（遊技における処理）
次に、図４ないし図６、図１１及び図８のフローチャートを参照しつつ、本形態に係る遊技における処理について説明する。
まず、各フローチャートに現れる各パラメータについて説明する。なお、各パラメータのＲＡＭ50上に占める領域は、図１０のようになっている。
Ｐは、遊技状態パラメータを示す。このパラメータは、通常遊技である旨の「０」及び特別遊技である旨の「１」のうちのいずれかの値を取る。また、このパラメータは、ＲＡＭ50上の遊技状態記憶手段56に記憶される。

(Processing in the game)
Next, processing in the game according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6, 11 and 8.
First, each parameter appearing in each flowchart will be described. The area occupied by each parameter on the RAM 50 is as shown in FIG.
P indicates a game state parameter. This parameter takes one of the values “0” indicating a normal game and “1” indicating a special game. This parameter is stored in the game state storage means 56 on the RAM 50.

Parameters other than P are the same as those described in the first reference embodiment.
(Winning detection process)
The winning detection process is performed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 as in the first reference embodiment described above.
(Design variation processing)
In the symbol variation process shown in FIG. 11, winning determination and symbol variation and display in the symbol display device 13 are performed.
First, in S400, it is determined whether or not the hold count (K) is 1 or more. When the number of times of holding (K) is 0, this stage is repeated until the number of times of holding (K) becomes 1 in S111 of FIG. On the other hand, if the hold count (K) is 1 or more, the process proceeds to S401.

In S401, random number values are exchanged. This step is performed by the subroutine shown in FIG. 8 as described in the first reference embodiment. Then, the process returns to the main routine and proceeds to S402 in FIG.
In S402, the hold count (K) is decremented by one. The change in the number of holdings (K) at this stage immediately affects the determination in S108 of FIG. Then, the process proceeds to S405.
In S405, the hit determination means 45 refers to the gaming state stored in the gaming state storage means 56. If the game state is a normal game (P = 0), the process proceeds to S406, and if the game state is a special game (P = 1), the process proceeds to S407.
(Normal game)
In the case of a normal game, the hit determination means 45 acquires the hit determination random numbers represented by A (0) and B (0) stored in the hit determination random number storage means 52 in S406, and this is acquired in the normal hit determination table. A hit determination is made with reference to 61a. Then, the process proceeds to S410 (described later).

(Special game)
In the case of a special game, in S407, the hit determination means 45 acquires the hit determination random numbers represented by A (0) and B (0) stored in the hit determination random number storage means 52, and this is obtained as a special hit determination table. A hit determination is made with reference to 61b. Then, the process proceeds to S410.
(Per hit)
In both the normal game and the special game, when it is determined to be “winning” in S410, in S411, all of the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b, and the right symbol storage means 57c of the display symbol storage means 57 Is substituted with the value of C (0) in the display symbol random number storage means 53. In other words, a double-eyed part is expressed by these random numbers. Then, in S412, it is determined whether or not the display symbol random number indicates a winning symbol “777”. If it is determined as “777”, the subsequent game state becomes a special game (see Table 3), so that the game state changing means 46 sets the game state as a special game in S413 (P = 1). It is stored in the game state storage means 56. On the other hand, when a winning symbol other than “777” is determined, since the subsequent gaming state is a normal game (see Table 3), the gaming state changing means 46 sets the gaming state to a normal game in S414 (P = 0), this is stored in the gaming state storage means 56. In either case, the process proceeds to S416 (described later).

(Out of)
On the other hand, when it is determined as “missing” in S410, the left random number (X), middle random number (Y), and right random number (Z) values of the outlier random number storage means 58 at the time of determination are displayed in S415. Substituted in the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b, and the right symbol storage means 57c of the symbol storage means 57, respectively. Then, the process proceeds to S416.
In both cases of “win” and “off”, in S416, the symbol control means 47 is stored in the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b and the right symbol storage means 57c of the display symbol storage means 57. The random number values (L, M, and R) obtained are acquired, the symbols of the symbol display device 13 are changed, and symbols corresponding to these random numbers (L, M, and R) are displayed in S417. Then, the process returns to S400, and the symbol variation process is repeated again.

(Second reference form)
The second reference form is characterized in that a special game occurs in accordance with the value of a display symbol random number corresponding to a specific winning symbol.
The functional block diagram in this embodiment is common to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The ball game machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a specific winning port 11, a winning detection means 12, a symbol display device 13, and a winning determination random number generating means 20 as components.
The main board of the ball game machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a CPU 40 that controls the entire ball game machine 10, a ROM 60 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 40 and data for the same, and a control program And a RAM 50 for temporarily storing data generated in the course of execution.

The specific winning opening 11, the winning detection means 12, the symbol display device 13, and the winning determination random number generating means 20 are the same as those described in the first reference embodiment.
(CPU)
The CPU 40 functions as the following means by executing the control program of the ball game machine 10 (see FIG. 9).
The hit determination random number acquisition means 49 is the same as that described in the first reference embodiment.
The display symbol random number generating means 41 is means for generating a display symbol random number corresponding to the winning symbol displayed on the symbol display device 13. As shown in Table 6 below, the displayed design random number takes values in increments of 0.5 from 0 to 9.5, and corresponds to the winning design in which the values of the respective integer parts are taken as a small value.

表示図柄乱数は、前記規定時間ごとに0.5ずつその値を増すとともに、最大値の9.5の次は再び最小値の０へ戻ることとなっている。
また、表示図柄乱数のうち、小数部分の値が0.5であるものが、特別遊技に係るものとなっている。なお、上記表６中の「特別遊技」の欄中の数値のうち、「１」は特別遊技が起こる旨を意味し、また、「０」は通常遊技が起こる旨を意味する。
表示図柄乱数取得手段42及びはずれ乱数発生手段48については、先述の第一の参考形態における記載と同じである。

The displayed design random number increases by 0.5 at each specified time, and after the maximum value of 9.5, it returns to the minimum value of 0 again.
Of the displayed design random numbers, the value of the decimal part of 0.5 is related to the special game. Of the numerical values in the “special game” column in Table 6, “1” means that a special game occurs, and “0” means that a normal game occurs.
The display symbol random number acquisition means 42 and the off-set random number generation means 48 are the same as those described in the first reference embodiment.

The hit determination means 45 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.
The symbol control means 47 is the same as that described in the first reference embodiment.
When the determination result of the hit determination means 45 is a win, the game state change means 46 changes the game state from the normal game to the special game or from the special game to the normal game according to the obtained display symbol random number. And the fact is stored in the gaming state storage means 56 described later.
(RAM)
The RAM 50 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.
(ROM)
The ROM 60 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

(Processing in the game)
Next, processing in the game according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 12, 6, 13, and 8.
Each parameter is the same as in the first embodiment described above.
(Winning detection process)
The winning detection process is performed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 as in the first reference embodiment described above. However, the display design random number in S103 is updated according to the subroutine shown in FIG.

That is, in S530, 0.5 is added to the display symbol random number (S). Next, when it is determined in S531 that the display symbol random number (S) is 9.5 or less, the value of the display symbol random number (S) remains unchanged and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if it is determined that the display symbol random number (S) exceeds 9.5, the process proceeds to S532, the display symbol random number (S) is set to 0, and the process returns to the main routine. Since this subroutine is executed only once during the main routine started from S102, the display symbol random number (S) is updated in synchronization with the specified time.
(Design variation processing)
In the symbol variation process shown in FIG. 13, winning determination and symbol variation and display in the symbol display device 13 are performed.

First, in S600, it is determined whether or not the hold count (K) is 1 or more. When the number of times of holding (K) is 0, this stage is repeated until the number of times of holding (K) becomes 1 in S111 of FIG. On the other hand, if the hold count (K) is 1 or more, the process proceeds to S601.
In S601, random number values are exchanged. This step is performed by the subroutine shown in FIG. 8 as described in the first reference embodiment. Then, the process returns to the main routine and proceeds to S602 in FIG.
In S602, 1 is subtracted from the number of holding times (K). The change in the number of holdings (K) at this stage immediately affects the determination in S108 of FIG. Then, the process proceeds to S605.

In S605, the hit determination means 45 refers to the gaming state stored in the gaming state storage means 56. If the game state is a normal game (P = 0), the process proceeds to S606, and if the game state is a special game (P = 1), the process proceeds to S607.
(Normal game)
In the case of a normal game, the hit determination means 45 acquires the hit determination random numbers represented by A (0) and B (0) stored in the hit determination random number storage means 52 in S606, and this is obtained as a normal hit determination table. A hit determination is made with reference to 61a. Then, the process proceeds to S610 (described later).
(Special game)
In the case of a special game, in S607, the hit determination means 45 acquires the hit determination random numbers represented by A (0) and B (0) stored in the hit determination random number storage means 52, and this is obtained as a special hit determination table. A hit determination is made with reference to 61b. Then, the process proceeds to S610.

(Per hit)
In both the normal game and the special game, when it is determined as “winning” in S610, all of the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b, and the right symbol storage means 57c of the display symbol storage means 57 are all determined in S611. The value of the integer part of C (0) in the display symbol random number storage means 53 is substituted into Note that “[]” in S611 is a Gaussian symbol and means the maximum integer value that does not exceed the value in this symbol. In other words, these values represent a doublet. Then, in S612, it is determined whether or not the decimal part of the displayed design random number is “0”. If it is determined that the game state is not “0”, the subsequent game state is a special game (see Table 6). Therefore, the game state changing means 46 sets the game state to a special game in S613 (P = 1), Is stored in the game state storage means 56. On the other hand, if it is determined that the game state is “0”, the subsequent game state is a normal game (see Table 6), so that the game state change means 46 sets the game state to a normal game in S614 (P = 0), This is stored in the game state storage means 56. In either case, the process proceeds to S616 (described later).

(Out of)
On the other hand, when it is determined as “missing” in S610, the left random number (X), middle random number (Y), and right random number (Z) values of the outlier random number storage unit 58 at the time of determination are displayed in S615. Substituted in the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b, and the right symbol storage means 57c of the symbol storage means 57, respectively. Then, the process proceeds to S616.
In both cases of “win” and “off”, in S616, the symbol control means 47 is stored in the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b and the right symbol storage means 57c of the display symbol storage means 57. The random number values (L, M, and R) obtained are acquired, the symbols of the symbol display device 13 are changed, and symbols corresponding to these random numbers (L, M, and R) are displayed in S617. Then, the process returns to S600 and the symbol variation process is repeated again.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment is characterized in that the occurrence of a special game is controlled by a random number independent of the display symbol random number.
FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The ball game machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a specific winning port 11, a winning detection means 12, a symbol display device 13, and a winning determination random number generating means 20 as components.
The main board of the ball game machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a CPU 40 that controls the entire ball game machine 10, a ROM 60 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 40 and data for the same, and a control program And a RAM 50 for temporarily storing data generated in the course of execution.

The specific winning opening 11, the symbol display device 13, and the winning determination random number generation means 20 are the same as those described in the first reference embodiment.
The winning detection means 12 optically detects the passage of the game ball to the specific winning opening 11, and at the time of detection, a signal to that effect is a hit determination random number acquisition means 49, a display symbol random number acquisition means 42, which will be described later. And the game state random number acquisition means 44. The detection by the winning detection means 12 is performed every specified time of 4 msec. That is, once detection is performed, the next detection is not performed during the specified time, and the next detection is performed after the next specified time.
(CPU)
The CPU 40 functions as the following means by executing a control program for the ball game machine 10 (see FIG. 14).

The winning determination random number acquisition means 49, the display symbol random number generation means 41, the display symbol random number acquisition means 42 and the off-set random number generation means 48 are the same as those described in the first reference embodiment.
The game state random number generation means 43 is means for generating a game state random number related to whether or not a special game has occurred. As shown in Table 7 below, the game state random number takes an integer value from 0 to 9, and only the value “9” is related to the special game.

遊技状態乱数は、前記規定時間ごとに１ずつその値を増すとともに、最大値の９の次は再び最小値の０へ戻ることとなっている。なお、上記表７中の「特別遊技」の欄中の数値のうち、「１」は特別遊技が起こる旨を意味し、また、「０」は通常遊技が起こる旨を意味する。
遊技状態乱数取得手段44は、前記入賞検出手段12からの入賞信号を受信することで、上記遊技状態乱数発生手段43から、入賞信号受信時点の遊技状態乱数を取得し、これを後述の保留乱数記憶手段55に記憶させることとなっている。なお、この保留乱数記憶手段55には、４回までの保留回数に相当する遊技状態乱数が記憶可能となっている。

The game state random number is incremented by 1 every predetermined time, and the value after 9 of the maximum value returns to 0 of the minimum value again. Of the numerical values in the “special game” column of Table 7, “1” means that a special game occurs, and “0” means that a normal game occurs.
The gaming state random number acquisition means 44 receives the winning signal from the winning detection means 12, and acquires the gaming state random number at the time of receiving the winning signal from the gaming state random number generating means 43, and stores this as a holding random number described later. It is to be stored in the storage means 55. In addition, in this on-hold random number storage means 55, it is possible to store game state random numbers corresponding to up to four on-hold times.

The hit determination means 45 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.
The symbol control means 47 is the same as that described in the first reference embodiment.
When the determination result of the hit determination means 45 is a win, the game state changing means 46 changes the game state from the normal game to the special game or from the special game to the normal game according to the obtained game state random number. And the fact is stored in the gaming state storage means 56 described later.
(RAM)
The RAM 50 is provided with a pending random number storage means 55, a determination random number storage means 51, a display symbol storage means 57, and an off-random number storage means 58.

Each of the above means occupies an area as shown in FIG.
The reserved random number storage means 55 includes a first reserved random number storage means 55a, a second reserved random number storage means 55b, a third reserved random number storage means 55c, and a fourth reserved random number storage means 55d. In each of these, a hit determination random number for the upper eight digits, a hit determination random number for the lower eight digits, a display symbol random number, and a game state random number can be stored.
In the hold random number storage means 55, the random numbers are stored in order from the first hold random number storage means 55a. Then, when the random numbers are stored up to the fourth reserved random number storage means 55d, they are not stored beyond that.

The determination random number storage unit 51 includes a hit determination random number storage unit 52, a display symbol random number storage unit 53, and a game state random number storage unit. The hit determination random number storage means 52 includes a higher order storage means 52a and a lower order storage means 52b. The determination random number storage means 51 stores a hit determination random number, a display symbol random number, and a game state random number that are actually used for determination of hit, symbol variation, and special game presence / absence.
Then, when the hit determination, the change of the symbol, and the determination of the presence / absence of the special game are finished, the hit determination random number for the upper eight digits stored in the first reserved random number storage means 55a is stored in the upper storage means 52a for the lower eight digits. The winning determination random number is moved and stored in the low-order storage means 52b, the display symbol random number is transferred to the display symbol random number storage means 53, and the game state random number is transferred to the game state random number storage means 54. Along with this, each random number stored in the hold random number storage means 55 is sequentially moved to the upper hold random number storage means 55.

The outlier random number storage means 58 and the display symbol random number storage means 53 are the same as those described in the first reference embodiment.
The game state storage means 56 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.
Although not shown in FIG. 14, the RAM 50 is also provided with a hold count storage means 59 for storing the hold count at that time.
(ROM)
The ROM 60 is the same as described in the first embodiment.
(Processing in the game)
Next, processing in the game according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 16, 5, 17, 18, 18, and 19.

First, each parameter appearing in each flowchart will be described. The area occupied by each parameter on the RAM 50 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
D (0) to D (4) indicate game state random numbers.
In D (0) to D (4), values at the time of obtaining the parameter T, which is the game state random number to be updated, shown in FIG. 17, are stored. Among these parameters, D (0) is stored in the gaming state random number storage means 54 of the determination random number storage means 51. Further, D (1) is stored in the first reserved random number storage means 55a, D (2) is stored in the second reserved random number storage means 55b, D (3) is stored in the third reserved random number storage means 55c, and D (4) is stored in the storage area. Each is stored in the fourth reserved random number storage means 55d.

Other parameters are the same as those described in the first embodiment.
In this embodiment, the winning detection process and the symbol variation process are processed in parallel. Although these processes themselves are performed independently, some parameters used are common. Therefore, when this common parameter changes in the course of one process, it immediately affects the other process.
(Winning detection process)
In the winning detection process shown in FIG. 16, winning detection to the specific winning opening 11 and acquisition of a winning determination random number and a display symbol random number are performed. The winning detection process is configured so that all processing steps can be completed within the specified time.

First, the hit determination random number is reset in S700. Specifically, the upper counter 22a and the lower counter 22b are both “00000000”.
In S701, a display symbol random number, a game state random number, and an outlier random number are initialized. By initialization, S and T become 0, and X, Y, and Z also become 0, respectively.
In S702, counting of the specified time is started.
Next, in S703, the display symbol random number (S) is updated. This stage is carried out by the subroutine shown in FIG. 5 as in the first reference embodiment described above. Then, in the main routine, the process proceeds to S704 in FIG.

In S704, the game state random number (T) is updated. This stage is performed by a subroutine shown in FIG.
That is, in S740, 1 is added to the gaming state random number (T). Next, when it is determined in S741 that the gaming state random number (T) is 9 or less, the value of the gaming state random number (T) is left as it is, and the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if it is determined that the gaming state random number (T) has exceeded 9, the process proceeds to S742 to set the gaming state random number (T) to 0, and then returns to the main routine. Since this subroutine is executed only once during one round of the main routine started from S702, the gaming state random number (T) is updated in synchronization with the specified time. Then, in the main routine, the process proceeds to S705 in FIG.

In S705, the extraordinary random number is updated. This step is performed by the subroutine shown in FIG. 6 as in the first reference embodiment described above. Then, in the main routine, the process proceeds to S706 in FIG.
In S706, it is determined whether the specified time has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S702, and counting of the specified time is started again. On the other hand, if it is determined that it has not yet elapsed, the process proceeds to S707.
In S707, it is determined whether or not a winning to the specific winning slot 11 is detected by the winning detection means 12. When not detected, it progresses to S706 and it is judged again whether specified time passed. On the other hand, if it is determined that it has been detected, the process proceeds to S708.

In S708, it is determined whether or not the number of hold times (K) has reached four. If it is determined that it has reached, the winning determination random number and the display symbol random number are not acquired, and after the lapse of the specified time in S712, the process proceeds to S702, and counting of the specified time is started again. On the other hand, if the hold count (K) is less than 4, the process proceeds to S709. If the number of times of holding (K) changes in S802 (FIG. 18) of the symbol variation process described later, it immediately affects the determination in the step of S708.
In S709, the hit determination random number acquisition means 49 acquires the value of the clock counter 22 at the time of winning detection and stores it in the reserved random number storage means 55. That is, the value of the upper counter 22a is stored in A (K + 1), and the value of the lower counter 22b is stored in B (K + 1). Note that “K + 1” means that the highest-order reserved random number storage means 55 is stored in the reserved random number storage means 55 for which no value is stored at that time. As described above, the value of the clock counter 22 is updated every 10 MHz, that is, every 0.1 μsec. That is, the update of the clock counter 22 value is performed completely independently of the winning detection process in units of a specified time of 4 msec. Then, the process proceeds to S710.

In S710, the display symbol random number acquisition means 42 acquires the display symbol random number (S) at the time of winning detection and stores it in C (K + 1) of the reserved random number storage means 55. Further, the value (T) of the gaming state random number at the same point is acquired and stored in D (K + 1) of the reserved random number storage means 55. Note that “K + 1” is as described above. Then, the process proceeds to S711, 1 is added to the number of times of holding (K), and then the process proceeds to S712. After the lapse of the specified time, the process proceeds to S702 and the specified time is again counted.
(Design variation processing)
In the symbol variation process shown in FIG. 18, winning determination and symbol variation and display in the symbol display device 13 are performed.

First, in S800, it is determined whether or not the hold count (K) is 1 or more. When the number of times of holding (K) is 0, this stage is repeated until the number of times of holding (K) becomes 1 in S711 of FIG. On the other hand, if the hold count (K) is 1 or more, the process proceeds to S801.
In S801, random number values are replaced. This stage is performed by the subroutine shown in FIG.
First, in S850, the number of times of holding (K) at that time is substituted into a parameter J.
Next, the first random number replacement is performed from S851. That is, in S852, the values of A (1), B (1), C (1) and D (1) stored in the first reserved random number storage means 55a are respectively stored in the higher order storage means of the determination random number storage means 51. Substituted in A (0) of 52a, B (0) of the lower storage means 52b, C (0) of the display symbol random number storage means 53, and D (0) of the gaming state random number storage means 54. Then, the process proceeds to S853.

In S853, it is determined whether or not the number of replacements (I) of the random number value has reached the number of reservations (J) at that time. Here, if the number of holdings (J) at that time is 1, the process immediately proceeds to S855 (described later). On the other hand, when the number of times of holding (J) at that time is 2 or more, the process proceeds to S854, and in S852, the random number value is replaced with the higher-order held random number storage means 55. This is repeated up to four times. In S853, when the number of replacements (I) reaches the number of times of holding (J) at that time, the process proceeds to S855.
In S855, the random number value stored in the lowest-order reserved random number storage means 55 among the reserved random number storage means 55 for which no value is stored at that time is cleared, and the process returns to the main routine. Then, in the main routine, the process proceeds to S802 in FIG.

In S802, the hold count (K) is decremented by one. A change in the number of holding times (K) at this stage immediately affects the determination in S708 of FIG. Then, the process proceeds to S805.
In S805, the hit determination means 45 refers to the gaming state stored in the gaming state storage means 56. If the game state is a normal game (P = 0), the process proceeds to S806, and if the game state is a special game (P = 1), the process proceeds to S807.
(Normal game)
In the case of a normal game, the hit determination means 45 obtains the hit determination random numbers represented by A (0) and B (0) stored in the hit determination random number storage means 52 in S806, and this is determined in the normal hit determination table. A hit determination is made with reference to 61a. Then, the process proceeds to S810 (described later).

(Special game)
In the case of a special game, in S807, the hit determination means 45 acquires the hit determination random numbers represented by A (0) and B (0) stored in the hit determination random number storage means 52, and this is determined as a special hit determination table. A hit determination is made with reference to 61b. Then, the process proceeds to S810.
(Per hit)
In both the normal game and the special game, when it is determined as “winning” in S810, all of the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b, and the right symbol storage means 57c of the display symbol storage means 57 are all determined in S811. Is substituted with the value of C (0) in the display symbol random number storage means 53. In other words, a double-eyed part is expressed by these random numbers. In S812, it is determined whether or not the gaming state random number stored in the gaming state random number storage means 54 is “9”. If it is determined that the game state is “9”, the subsequent game state is a special game (see Table 7). Therefore, the game state change means 46 sets the game state as a special game in S813 (P = 1). It is stored in the game state storage means 56. On the other hand, if it is determined that the game state is not “9”, since the subsequent game state is a normal game (see Table 7), the game state changing means 46 sets the game state to a normal game in S614 (P = 0). This is stored in the game state storage means 56. In either case, the process proceeds to S816 (described later).

(Out of)
On the other hand, when it is determined as “missing” in S810, the left random number (X), middle random number (Y), and right random number (Z) values of the outlier random number storage means 58 at the time of determination are displayed in S815. Substituted in the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b, and the right symbol storage means 57c of the symbol storage means 57, respectively. Then, the process proceeds to S816.
In both cases of “win” and “off”, in S816, the symbol control means 47 is stored in the left symbol storage means 57a, the middle symbol storage means 57b and the right symbol storage means 57c of the display symbol storage means 57. The random number values (L, M, and R) obtained are acquired, the symbols on the symbol display device 13 are changed, and symbols corresponding to these random numbers (L, M, and R) are displayed in S817. Then, the process returns to S800, and the symbol variation process is repeated again.

10 Ball game machine
11 Specific winning entrance 12 Winning detection means
13 Symbol display device
20 Hit determination random number generation means
21 Clock oscillator 22 Clock counter
22a Upper counter 22b Lower counter
30 output ports
40 CPU
41 Display design random number generator
42 Display pattern random number acquisition means
43 Game state random number generator
44 Game state random number acquisition means
45 Hit judging means 46 Game state changing means
47 Design control means 48 Outlier random number generation means
49 Hit determination random number acquisition means
50 RAM
51 Judgment random number storage
52 Hit determination random number storage means
52a Upper storage means 52b Lower storage means
53 Displayed design random number storage means
54 Game state random number storage means
55 Reservation random number storage
55a First reserved random number storage means
55b Second reserved random number storage means
55c Third reserved random number storage means
55d Fourth reserved random number storage means
56 Game state storage means
57 Display symbol storage means
57a Left symbol storage means 57b Middle symbol storage means
57c Right symbol storage means
58 Outlier random number storage means
58a Left random number storage means 58b Middle random number storage means
58c Right random number storage
59 Retention count storage means
60 ROM
61 hit judgment table
61a Normal hit judgment table
61b Special hit judgment table

Claims (2)

With a specific prize opening,
A winning detection means for detecting winning of a game ball in the specific winning opening;
In a ball game machine having a symbol display device for displaying a predetermined winning symbol or off symbol according to a lottery result performed in accordance with the winning detection by the winning detection means,
A hit determination means for determining whether the winning lottery determination random number for the lottery is applied to the hit determination table and determining whether or not the winning determination;
And a symbol control means for displaying a symbol corresponding to the acquired display symbol random number on the symbol display device when the symbol is determined to be a hit by the symbol determining means,
Based on the winning symbol corresponding to the displayed symbol random number, the subsequent game state is a normal game in which a hit determination is made by a normal hit determination table in which the probability of being determined to be a hit is a predetermined value, or It is determined whether or not the special game in which the hit determination is made by the special hit determination table whose probability to be determined is larger than the predetermined value, and the gaming state according to the determination result is stored in the gaming state storage means,
From the subsequent hit determination by the hit determination means, the hit determination table according to the gaming state stored in the gaming state storage means is configured to make a hit determination,
A bullet ball game machine, wherein the hit determination random number determined to be a hit in the special hit determination table includes a hit determination random number determined to be a win in the normal hit determination table. With a specific prize opening,
A winning detection means for detecting winning of a game ball in the specific winning opening;
In a ball game machine having a symbol display device for displaying a predetermined winning symbol or off symbol according to a lottery result performed in accordance with the winning detection by the winning detection means,
The winning determination random number for the lottery is applied to the winning determination table, and a hit determining means for determining whether it is a hit or miss is provided.
When it is determined that the winning determination means determines the winning, based on the acquired gaming state random number, the subsequent gaming state is determined based on the normal winning determination table in which the probability of determining that the winning is a predetermined value. It is determined whether the game is a normal game or a special game in which a hit determination is made based on a special hit determination table in which the probability of being determined to be a win is larger than the predetermined value, and the game according to the determination result Store the state in the game state storage means,
From the subsequent hit determination by the hit determination means, the hit determination table according to the gaming state stored in the gaming state storage means is configured to make a hit determination,
A bullet ball game machine, wherein the hit determination random number determined to be a hit in the special hit determination table includes a hit determination random number determined to be a win in the normal hit determination table.

Images