JP2010200987A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for preventing variable performance that does not reflect a player's game button operation from appearing and a player from becoming angry by not performing selection of a variable mode that uses a game button, when the game button is out of order. <P>SOLUTION: When a sub-controller receives a command to instruct a variable pattern from a main controller, it determines whether or not the game button is out of order, and selects the variable mode which does not use the game button on the condition that the game button is out of order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of gaming machines provided with buttons for performance that can be operated by a player.

  In a ball game machine, a lottery of lottery is performed based on the essential condition that the game ball has entered the starting area (for example, whether the random number extracted at the timing of entering the starting port or starting gate is a winning value). A special game (so-called jackpot game) that is advantageous to the player on the condition that the lottery result is winning after the winning symbol or the off symbol corresponding to the lottery result is confirmed and displayed after changing the symbol on the screen of the liquid crystal display or the like. ) Is generally executed.

  In recent years, such gaming machines have been provided with game buttons that can be operated by the player, and the game buttons are used during the fluctuation of the symbol (pseudo symbol), and it seems that the player has been involved in the big lottery process. There is a gaming machine that enhances the interest of the game by playing.

  For example, if a player operates the game button after a display prompting the operation of the game button on the pseudo symbol display device, a character or character appears on the pseudo symbol display device, and the expected degree of big hit is announced. (Patent Document 1) Similarly, after a display that prompts repeated operation of the game button is performed, the character or pseudo pattern displayed on the pseudo symbol display device is changed in conjunction with the continuous operation of the game button. There is a ball game machine that expects a big hit (Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-105247 A JP 2005-143819 A

  Since the game buttons operated by the player are handled according to the mood when the player operates, there are not a few cases where an unexpected force is applied to cause an electrical and mechanical failure.

  The sub-control device that controls the pseudo-symbol display device selects and displays an effect pattern that uses the game button without determining whether or not the game button has failed. Even when a button prompting the operation of the button is displayed, the operation of the game button is often not reflected in the performance pattern.

  In such a situation, although it is a game button originally provided to enhance the interest of the gaming machine, the gaming machine does not respond to the operation according to the display for prompting the operation, resulting in the player being jealous. It was.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a gaming machine in which a sub-control device determines whether or not a gaming button has failed and does not select an effect pattern that uses the gaming button when the gaming button is broken. .

The ball game machine according to claim 1,
A main controller that controls the entire gaming machine;
A sub-control device that controls the pseudo-symbol display device;
A game button connected to the sub-control device and operable by a player,
The sub-control device is provided with a failure detection means for detecting a failure of the gaming button,
The sub-control device that has received the specific variation pattern transmitted from the main control device selects a variation mode that does not use the game button on the condition that the failure of the game button is detected by the failure detection means. It is a bullet ball game machine characterized by comprising the fluctuation mode distribution means.

  The sub control device that controls the pseudo symbol display device may be any device that controls the display on the pseudo symbol display device in accordance with the progress of the game according to the information received from the main control device. It is good also as a structure which performs the determination of the variation aspect according to the information to perform, and the display control to the pseudo | simulation symbol display apparatus of the determined content with a different sub control apparatus. Further, in the current pachinko gaming machine, it is preferable that the signal transmission is one-way communication from the main control device to the sub-control device.

  The failure detection means only needs to detect a state in which an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the game button cannot be received, may detect an electrical disconnection or a short circuit, or may be a failure related to the structure of the game button itself. May be detected. In that case, it is good also as a structure containing the member for failure detection, and an electric circuit. Note that the game button may be any device that can transmit a signal based on the player's operation to the sub-control device, and may transmit a signal based on a mechanical operation such as pressing the button. It is also possible to detect a player's movement using this sensor and transmit a signal based on the movement.

  The specific variation pattern transmitted from the main control device may be a command indicating a specific variation time (variation time). Upon receiving the command, the sub-control device receives a plurality of variation times corresponding to the variation time indicated by the command. A configuration in which one type of variation mode is selected from the variation modes is desirable. In addition, there are “variation modes using game buttons” for “variation modes not using game buttons”, and “game buttons are used among multiple variation modes corresponding to a specific variation pattern”. "Variation mode to be used" and "variation mode not to use the game button" may be mixed. In this case, either variation mode is selected according to the failure detection by the failure detection means, and when the failure detection means detects a failure of the game button, select “variation mode not using the game button”. To do.

The ball game machine according to claim 2
The variation mode distribution means, on the condition that when the sub control device receives a specific variation pattern transmitted from the main control device, the failure detection means has not detected a failure of the game button. 2. The ball game according to claim 1, wherein either a variation mode in which the game button is used or a variation mode in which the game button is not used is selected based on a value of the distributed random number extracted at a predetermined timing. Machine.

  The condition that the failure of the game button is not detected by the failure detection means indicates a state in which the sub control device can normally receive a signal based on the operation of the game button by the player. Further, the distribution random number only needs to be configured so that one variation mode can be selected from a plurality of variation modes, and the distribution random number has a large total number of distribution random numbers, and the variation mode may be selected by setting a range of values. The distribution random number value and the plurality of variation modes may have a one-to-one relationship.

The ball game machine according to claim 3 is:
If the variation mode not using the game button is selected on the condition that the variation mode distribution unit has detected the failure of the game button by the failure detection unit, the fact that the game button has failed is notified. 3. A ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

  The notification of the failure may be performed by a pseudo-symbol display device that displays the variation mode, or may be performed in accordance with the implementation of the “variation mode that does not use the game button” based on the failure detection of the game button. Further, in this case, the notification may be continuously performed during the implementation of the variation mode in which the notification is started, or may be performed in a predetermined time during the implementation (for example, 5 seconds from the start of the variation). Furthermore, once the notification is performed, the notification may be continued regardless of whether or not the variation mode is being implemented. Different notifications may be performed when the variation mode is being performed and when the variation mode is not being performed. You may display the icon which notifies the failure state of a game button on a screen. Moreover, you may alert | report using other production | presentation apparatuses, such as LED and a lamp | ramp, and it may change to the aspect which alert | reports a failure with the light emitting member with which the game button was equipped. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which outputs the signal which notifies failure of a game button to the exterior of a game machine.

  According to the bullet ball game machine of the first aspect, it is determined whether or not there is a failure of the game button, and in the case of the failure, the player does not select an effect using the game button. Without making it happen, it is possible to enhance the interest with the optimal performance that matches the state of the gaming machine.

  According to the ball game machine according to claim 2, the same effect as the ball ball game machine according to claim 1 is achieved, and if there is no failure, the game button is used according to the value of the distributed random number. It is possible to enhance the interest by selecting an effect or an effect that is not used, and an optimal effect that matches the state of the gaming machine.

  According to the ball and ball game machine according to claim 3, in the situation where the game button is malfunctioned by notifying the player that the game button is broken, the effect using the game button is not selected. It is possible to suppress a decline in the interest of gaming machines without causing distrust. In addition, by constantly displaying an icon indicating a failure of the game button during normal time and standby, it can be used as a judgment material when the player selects a gaming machine.

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. 2 is a back view of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board 8. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a pending storage process executed by the main control device 50. It is a flowchart of the special symbol fluctuation process which the main controller 50 performs. It is a flowchart (1) of the fluctuation | variation information reception process which the sub integration apparatus 53 performs. 10 is a list of commands related to symbol variation display received by the sub-integrating device 53. It is a list of a plurality of change modes with which sub integration device 53 is provided. It is a chart which shows the example of the contents of distribution of the change mode which sub integration device 53 performs. It is a figure which shows the display which prompts operation of the game button 14 on the effect symbol display apparatus 54b. It is a figure which shows the display which alert | reports failure of the game button 14 on the production symbol display apparatus 54b.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following examples, and various forms belonging to the technical scope of the present invention can be adopted. Differences in contents described in the respective examples are possible. Needless to say, the portions can be appropriately combined.

  FIG. 1 shows a front view of a pachinko machine 1 which is a kind of gaming machine, and will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which each part is held by a casing that becomes a large rectangular outer frame 2, a front frame 3, a design frame 4a, and a design frame 4b.

A metal fitting 5a is provided on the upper left side of the outer frame 2, and a metal fitting 5b is provided on the lower part. The metal fittings 5a and 5b form a hinge mechanism, and the front frame 3 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. A front frame closing switch 38 (see FIG. 4) (not shown) is mounted so as to detect the closed state of the front frame 3. The front frame closing switch 38 constitutes closing detection means in the present invention.
A metal fitting 5c is provided in the middle of the left side of the front frame 3. The metal fitting 5a and the metal fitting 5c form a hinge mechanism, and the design frame 4a is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the front frame 3. Further, the metal fitting 5c and the metal fitting 5b form a hinge mechanism, and the design frame 4b is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the front frame 3.

  On the opposite side (here, the right side) where the hinge mechanism is formed, the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3 are locked, the front frame 3 and the design frame 4a are locked, and the front frame 3 and the design frame 4b are locked / unlocked. A slide lock 6 (see FIG. 2) having a keyhole 6a for locking is provided.

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described as a so-called CR machine in which the CR prepaid card unit 7 is provided on the left side of the outer frame 2. However, the pachinko machine 1 may be a so-called cash machine in which the CR prepaid card unit 7 is not provided. Absent.

  The design frame 4a protects the speaker 10 on the front surface of the speaker 10 provided on the window portion 9 and the front frame 3 provided with a transparent resin plate or a glass plate so that a game board 8 to be described later can be visually recognized. A protective sound passage portion 11 for passing sound is provided.

  In addition, the design frame 4b has an upper plate 12 and a lower plate 13 for storing game balls in the approximate center, and a game button 14 that can be operated by the player (a game that can be operated by the player in the present invention). Button), a payment display device 15, a ball rental button 16, and a payment button 17 connected to the CR prepaid card unit 7 via a CR unit terminal board 60 described later.

On the lower right side of the front frame 3 (on the right side of the design frame 4b), a launch handle 18 for adjusting the launch strength of the game ball is provided, and in the vicinity of the launch handle 18, a launch stop button 19 (FIG. 4) and a touch plate 20 (not shown).
A speaker unit 21 including a speaker 10 is provided below the front frame 3 (below the design frame 4b).

Then, the back view of the pachinko machine 1 is shown in FIG. 2, and it demonstrates in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the front frame 3 to which the game board 8 is detachably attached is housed in the outer frame 2.
The front frame 3 is provided with a ball tank 22, a tank rail 23, and a payout device 24 from above, and the payout of the payout device 24 is based on a game ball entering a winning opening described later provided in the game board 8. When the motor 24a is driven, the game balls stored in the ball tank 22 and the tank rail 23 are paid out to the upper plate 12 described above.

Further, on the back side of the game board 8, a main control device 50 (main control device that controls the entire gaming machine in the present invention) and a sub-integration device 53 (sub-control device that controls the pseudo symbol display device in the present invention) Applicable), an effect symbol unit 54 is provided, and on the back side of the front frame 3, a payout control device 51, a launch control device 52, and a power supply device 55 are provided. The power supply device 55 includes a power switch 55a and a RAM clear switch. 55b, a backup power source (not shown) is provided.
Although the launch control device 52 is not shown, it is disposed at a position hidden by the payout control device 51.

Further, the front frame 3 is provided with an external connection terminal board 61, and signals indicating a gaming state, a game result, fraud and the like are sent from the external connection terminal board 61 to the hall computer 70 (see FIG. 4). It is configured as follows.
In this embodiment, the external connection terminal plate 61 is used for both the board and the frame. However, the external connection terminal plate 61 and the frame may be provided separately.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a front view of the game board 8 and will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 8 is provided with a substantially circular game area 26 surrounded by known guide rails 25a and 25b, and a large number of game nails 27 are implanted therein.
A liquid crystal frame decoration 28 having a window portion 28a is provided substantially at the center of the game area 26, and the LCD screen of the effect symbol display device 54b (see the pseudo symbol display device in the present invention, see FIG. 4) is visually recognized by the player. A known warp inlet, a warp passage, a stage and the like (not shown) are also provided.
Further, a special symbol display device 29 and a normal symbol display device 30 constituted by a light emitting member such as a 7-segment LED are provided above the window portion 28a.

A normal symbol operation gate 32 having a normal symbol operation switch 32a (see FIG. 4) to be described later is provided on the left and right sides or the left side of the liquid crystal frame decoration 28, and a special symbol start switch 31a (FIG. 4) to be described later is provided on the lower side. A normal electric accessory 31 having a reference) is provided.
Below the ordinary electric accessory 31, a big prize opening unit 33 having an attacker-type big prize opening 33a is arranged, and an out opening 34 is provided below the big prize opening unit 33.
A special symbol reservation number display device 29a composed of four LEDs is provided on the left side of the big winning opening 33a, and a normal symbol reservation number display device 30a composed of four LEDs is provided on the right side. .
In addition, on both the left and right sides of the big prize opening unit 33, a prize opening unit 35 provided with a plurality of general prize opening 35a including a general prize opening switch 35b (see FIG. 4) described later is provided.

By configuring the game board 8 as described above, when the normal symbol operating gate 32 enters the ball (the game ball is detected by the normal symbol operating switch 32a (see FIG. 4)), the normal symbol is displayed on the normal symbol display device 30. The variable electric display 31b (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is driven in accordance with the mode of the normal symbol that starts the variable display and stops after a predetermined time.
When the normal electric combination solenoid 31b is driven, the blade member of the normal electric combination 31 is driven almost synchronously, and the rate of entering the normal electric combination 31 (with the special symbol start switch 31a (see FIG. 4)) The detection rate is increased.

In addition, when a ball is entered into the ordinary electric accessory 31 (a game ball is detected by the special symbol start switch 31a (see FIG. 4)), the special symbol starts to display a change, and according to the state of the special symbol stopped after a predetermined time. Then, a special winning opening solenoid 33c (see FIG. 4) described later is driven.
When the big prize opening solenoid 33c is driven, the door member of the big prize opening unit 33 is driven almost in synchronism, and the rate of entering the big prize opening 33a (detection rate at the count switch 33b (see FIG. 4)). Is configured to increase.

  In addition, the pachinko machine in this embodiment is comprised as a probability fluctuation machine. More specifically, games by the pachinko machine of the present embodiment are roughly divided into games that close the grand prize opening 33a and jackpot games that open the big prize opening 33a. In general, there are a normal probability state (hereinafter referred to as a normal state) and a high probability state (hereinafter referred to as a probability variation state) that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. In the probability variation state, compared with the normal state, the variation time of the special symbol and the ordinary symbol is shortened, and further, the opening time of the blade member of the ordinary electric accessory 40 becomes longer, and the probability of transition to the jackpot game by the right / wrong lottery is increased. Since it becomes high, it is a game state advantageous for the player.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical wiring of the pachinko machine 1 and will be described in detail. The block diagram does not include a complicated power supply circuit, but is configured to be supplied directly or indirectly from the power supply 55 to a control device or actuator that requires power.

  As shown in FIG. 4, at the input end of the main controller 50, a special symbol start switch 31a for detecting a game ball that has entered the normal electric accessory 31 via the game board relay terminal plate 62, and a normal symbol operation gate 32, a normal symbol operation switch 32a for detecting a game ball that has entered the game, a count switch 33b for detecting a game ball that has entered the big prize opening 33a, and a general prize for detecting the game ball that has entered the general prize opening 35a. Front frame closing switch 38 for detecting that the front frame 3 is closed via the back switch 35b, the back wiring relay terminal plate 63, and a design frame closing for detecting that the design frames 4a and 4b are closed Switches 39a and 39b are connected.

The front frame closing switch 38 and the design frame closing switches 39a and 39b are each provided with a battery (which may be either a primary battery or a secondary battery), and at normal times (power is supplied and the power switch 55a is ON) operates with DC12V supplied from the back wiring relay terminal plate 63, which will be described later, and when power is not supplied (power cutoff or power switch OFF), the front frame 3 or the design frame 4a using the battery power supply. 4b is configured to output a closed state.
In addition, when a primary battery is used as a battery, it will be replaced due to battery consumption (only the battery is replaced or the limit switch is replaced). It is desirable to configure it so that it can be used repeatedly.

  At the output end of the main controller 50, a large winning opening solenoid 33 c that drives the door member of the large winning opening 33 a through the game board relay terminal plate 62 and a normal electric combination that drives the blade member of the normal electric accessory 31. A special symbol display device 29 that displays a special symbol via a solenoid 31b, a symbol display device relay terminal board 64, a special symbol hold number display device 29a that displays the number of special symbols held, and a normal symbol that displays a normal symbol The display device 30, the universal figure reservation number display device 30 a that displays the number of normal symbols retained, and the hall computer 70 are connected via the back wiring relay terminal plate 63 and the external connection terminal plate 61.

The main controller 50 includes electrical components such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU executes processing in accordance with a program stored in the mounted ROM, and progresses the game based on various input detection signals. Various related commands are generated and output to the payout control device 51 and the sub integration device 53.
Further, the main control device 50 receives the detection signal output from the front frame closing switch 38 or the design frame closing switches 39a and 39b when the front frame 3 or the design frames 4a and 4b are closed. A signal indicating that the front frame or the design frame is in a closed state (signal corresponding to the detection signal) is output to the hall computer 70 via the plate 61.
Here, the main control device 50 and the payout control device 51 are configured as a bidirectional communication circuit, and the main control device 50 and the sub-integrating device 53 are sub-integrated from the main control device 50 via the production relay terminal board 65. A one-way communication circuit to the device 53 is configured.

At the input end of the payout control device 51, a ball break switch 22a or 23a for detecting a shortage of game balls in the ball tank 22 or the tank rail 23 via the back wiring relay terminal plate 63, and a back wiring relay A payout switch 24b for detecting a game ball paid out via the terminal plate 63 and the payout relay terminal plate 66, and a full switch 13a for detecting that there are a large number of game balls on the path to the lower plate 13 without passing through various terminal plates. And are connected.
A payout motor 24 a for paying out game balls to the upper plate is connected to the output end of the payout control device 51 via the back wiring relay terminal plate 63 and the payout relay terminal plate 66.

The payout control device 51 includes electrical components such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The payout control device 51 performs processing by the CPU according to a program stored in the mounted ROM, and is input from various detection signals that are input and from the main control device 50. Based on the command, various commands relating to payout of the game ball are generated and output to the main controller 50 and the launch controller 52.
Here, the payout control device 51 and the main control device 50 are configured as a bidirectional communication circuit, and the payout control device 51 and the launch control device 52 are configured as a one-way communication circuit from the payout control device 51 to the launch control device 52. Has been.

Connected to the input end of the firing control device 52 are a firing stop switch 19a for stopping firing and a touch switch 20a for detecting that the player is touching the firing handle 17.
A launch motor 36 for launching a game ball to the game area 26 is connected to the output end of the launch control device 52.
The firing control device 52 does not include a CPU, ROM, or RAM, and is a digital circuit composed of an IC or the like. The firing control device 52 controls driving of the firing motor 36 based on various detection signals inputted and inputs from the payout control device 51. ing.

A game switch 14 a disposed on the game button 14 that can be operated by the player is connected to the input terminal of the sub-integrating device 53. The game switch 14a detects the operation of the game button 14, but the electrical connection between the game switch 14a and the sub-integrated device 53 is broken or short-circuited due to unexpected hard hits or overshoots by the player (game) For the player, a failure state of the game button 14) frequently occurs. In consideration of such a situation, the sub integration device 53 includes a circuit (corresponding to the failure detection means in the present invention) that checks for disconnection or short-circuiting of the electrical connection with the game switch 14a.
Note that the failure of the game button 14 may be a failure of the button pressing mechanism other than an electrical failure, for example, the gaming button 14 cannot be pressed or cannot be restored from the pressed state. It is more preferable to provide a device for detecting the failure state.

Various LED / lamps 37 provided in the design frames 4 a and 4 b and the game board 8 and the speakers 10 provided in the front frame 3 and the speaker unit 21 are connected to the output end of the sub-integrating device 53.
The sub integration device 53 and the main control device 50 are configured as a one-way communication circuit from the main control device 50 to the sub integration device 53 via the production relay terminal board 65 between the sub integration device 53 and the production symbol control. The device 54a is configured as a one-way communication circuit from the sub-integrating device 53 to the effect symbol control device 54a.

The sub-integrating device 53 includes electrical components such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The sub-integrating device 53 executes processing by the CPU according to a program stored in the mounted ROM, and is input from the input of the game switch 14a and the main control device 50. Various commands related to effects are generated based on the input command, and are output to the effect symbol control device 54 a of the effect symbol unit 54.
In this embodiment, the game information stored in the RAM of the sub integration device 53 is not held when the power is cut off. However, the game stored at the time of power recovery can be stored by supplying VBB from the power supply device 55. There is no problem even if the game is resumed before the power is cut off based on the information.

Further, the sub integration device 53 is provided with a volume adjustment switch 10a for adjusting the volume, detects the state (position) of the volume adjustment switch 10a, determines the detection result and the content to be transmitted to the speaker 10, and determines the speaker. 10 is configured to control the volume of sound output from 10 in a software manner.
For example, the production voice and the part of the error notification (such as front frame 3 and design frame 4a, 4b frame open / close notification, etc.) are accompanied by a volume changed according to the state of the volume control switch 10a. Other error notifications (such as special notifications) output from the speaker 10 can be configured to be output from the speaker 10 at a preset volume regardless of the state of the volume control switch 10a.

  Next, the hold storage process performed by the main controller 50 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. Note that the main routine performed by the main controller 50 is omitted because it is the same as the prior art. The reserved storage processing is acquired when the normal electric accessory 31 is entered (the special symbol start switch 31a detects a game ball) when the number of reserved memories stored in the main controller 50 is not the maximum value. In this process, various random numbers are stored in the main control device 50 as reserved storage. Note that the hold memory stored in the main controller 50 every time a game ball enters the normal symbol electric accessory 31 is the number of lighting of the special symbol hold number display device 29a shown in FIG. It can be recognized. In the present embodiment, the maximum number that the main controller 50 can store various random number values as reserved storage is four.

  When the on-hold storage process is started, it is determined whether or not the special symbol start switch 31a detects a game ball (enters the normal electric accessory 31) (S10). If S10 is affirmative (S10: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of pending storage already stored is less than the maximum value (= 4) (S11). If S11 is affirmative (S11: YES), various random number extraction processing for extracting various random numbers such as jackpot determination random numbers is performed (S12), and random number value storage processing for storing the extracted various random numbers in the storage area of the RAM (S13), and a pending ball number instruction transmission process (S14) for transmitting to the sub-integrating device 54 a pending number command that is updated to increase with the entering of the ball. After the process of S14, or after a negative determination in S10 (S10: NO) and a negative determination in S11 (S11: NO), the process returns.

  In S12, the big hit symbol determining random number, the reach determining random number, and the variation pattern determining random number are extracted in addition to the big hit determining random number. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which determines the various random numbers memorize | stored (whether a notice effect can be implemented) in order to implement the notice effect which raises the interest of a game after the process of S13. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not the jackpot determination random number value matches the jackpot determination table, and if it matches, a configuration is possible in which an instruction such as changing the hold storage display to a mode in which the player can expect a jackpot is considered. . In that case, it is desirable to determine whether or not the symbol that is a big hit is a symbol that varies in probability, and to transmit the symbol determination result as well.

  Next, a special symbol variation process performed by the main controller 50 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The special symbol change process is a process of reading various random numbers such as the success / failure random numbers stored as the hold storage in the hold storage process of FIG. 5 described above, and according to the result of the read random number value 7 of the special symbol display device 29. A variation time and a definite symbol regarding the variation display of the special symbol performed by the segment LED are determined, and the special symbol display device 29 is directly controlled by the main controller 50. At that time, a process of transmitting a variation pattern designation command (specific variation pattern in the present invention) (see FIG. 8) for instructing the sub-integration device 53 to display the variation of the pseudo-pattern for production is performed.

  In addition, the sub integration device 54 that has received the variable time command from the main control device 50 determines the variation mode (effect pattern) of the pseudo symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device 54b based on the received command, and the pseudo symbol. The process which transmits the various commands for carrying out the variable display to the production | presentation symbol control apparatus 54a is performed.

  When the special symbol variation process is started, the special symbol display device 29 determines whether or not the variation of the special symbol is stopped (S20). If the determination is affirmative (S20: YES), it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is 0 (S21). The probability variation flag is a value stored in the main controller 50. When the probability variation flag is 0, the big hit probability is in a normal state. When the probability variation flag is 1, the probability variation state This is a value for the main controller 50 to determine that If S21 is affirmative (S21: YES), it is determined whether or not a special symbol hold memory is stored (S22). If the determination is affirmative (S22: YES), the reserved storage is read and the reserved storage area is shifted (S23). In the case where there are a plurality of hold memories, reading is made from the hold memories that have been stored for the most time.

  It is determined whether or not the read / write random number of the stored storage matches the determination value of the determination table 1 (using another determination table with a higher probability of winning during the probability variation state) (S24). If the determination is affirmative (S24: YES), it is determined whether or not the value of the probability variation random number read from the reserved storage matches the probability variation determination table (S25). If the determination is affirmative (S25: YES), it is determined that it will be a jackpot symbol of the probability variation symbol, and the type of the special symbol that will be the probability variation that is finally displayed is selected (S26). If S25 is negative (S25: NO), it is determined that the jackpot symbol of the non-probability variation symbol is selected, and the type of the special symbol that becomes the non-probability variation that is finally displayed is selected (S27). After the processes of S26 and S27, a process of selecting a variation pattern for winning from a table dedicated to the normal state is performed (S28).

  If S24 is negative (S24: NO), the type of the special symbol outlier that is finally displayed as the outlier display is selected (S29). After the process of S29, a process of selecting a variation pattern for detachment from the table dedicated to the normal state is performed (S30). Subsequent to the processes of S28 and S30, a process of controlling the display of the special symbol on the special symbol display device 29 is performed based on the determined symbol type and the variation pattern determined by the above process (S31). Subsequent to S31, processing for transmitting a variation pattern designation command to the sub-integrating device 53 is performed (S32) (a specific variation pattern transmitted from the main control device in the present invention). When the process of S32 is completed, or when S20 and S22 are negative (S20: NO, S22: NO), the process returns.

  If S21 is negative (S21: NO), a special symbol variation process at the probability variation is performed as a probability variation variation process. The difference between the variation process at the time of probability variation and the special symbol variation process at the normal state is different from the determination table used for the above-described determination of success / failure only in the variation pattern selection process. A variation pattern is selected from the above. Accordingly, since the other parts have the same contents, a detailed description of the variation process at the time of probability variation is omitted.

  The above is the special symbol variation processing in the present embodiment, which is processing including processing for transmitting a specific variation pattern (variation pattern designation command) from the main control device to the sub-control device in the present invention.

  Next, the fluctuation information reception process performed by the sub control device 53 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. The variation information receiving process is a process including a variation mode distribution unit according to the present invention and a process of notifying (instructing notification) that the game button 14 is out of order (not responding to an operation).

  When the sub integration device 53 starts the variation information reception process, it is determined whether or not a variation pattern designation command has been received (S40). This variation pattern designation command is a command name variation time on the second line from the top of the chart of FIG. The variation time types of several minutes (30 in this embodiment) are provided. Further, when the sub integration device 53 receives one (specific) variation time, the random number value obtained by the distributed random number extraction process is selected from a plurality of variation modes (see FIG. 9) corresponding to the variation time. The variation mode to be displayed on the effect symbol display device 54b is selected.

  If S40 is affirmative (S40: YES), distributed random number extraction processing is performed (S41), and it is determined whether or not the game button failure flag is 0 (S42). The game button failure flag is a value stored in the sub integration device 53. When the game button failure flag is 0, the signal communication state from the game button 14 to the sub integration device 53 is normal (the player's game) When the game button failure flag is 1, the signal communication state from the game button 14 to the sub integrated device 53 is abnormal (the player cannot detect the game button 14 operation). This is a value for the sub-integrating device 53 to determine.

  If S42 is affirmative (S42: YES), whether or not the gaming button 14 is out of order is determined from a circuit that checks whether or not the electrical connection between the sub-integrated device 53 and the gaming switch 14a is broken or short-circuited. It judges with the signal which shows the check result of (S43). In the present embodiment, the disconnection or short circuit of the electrical connection is detected as a failure, but from a device that detects other failures (for example, the game button 14 cannot be pressed or does not return from the pressed state). A configuration in which these signals are determined together is preferable.

  If S43 is affirmative (S43: YES), the game button failure flag is set to 1 (S44). After the process of S44 or if S42 is a negative determination (S42: NO), the distribution random number extracted in S41 is used to select one of the plurality of variation modes corresponding to the received variation time (in the effect symbol display device 54b). A variation mode selection process 2 for selecting a variation mode to be displayed is performed (S45). Although the detailed description of the variation mode selection process 2 (1) will be described later, the variation mode selection process 2 is a process of selecting a variation mode that does not use the game button 14 on the condition that the game button failure detection means has detected a failure. It is.

  If the gaming button failure flag is set to 1, when the RAM is cleared (initializing the gaming state) when the gaming machine is turned on again, the gaming button failure flag is set to 0. If the electrical connection between the switch 14a and the sub-integrating device 53 has not returned to the normal state (not repaired), when the sub-integrating device 53 receives the variation pattern instruction command, the gaming button failure flag is set to 1 again. The

  Following the process of S45, a game button failure notification process (S46) is performed. This process is instructed to the effect symbol control device 54a in order to display on the effect symbol display device 54b that the game button 14 is out of order as the variation mode being processed starts to change. Is a process of transmitting a signal to be performed, and a process of notifying a failure of the game button 14 using a speaker and various lamp LEDs which are other production devices controlled by the sub-integrating device 53, for example, light emission provided in the game button 14 For example, the member may be caused to emit light in a manner of notifying a failure that is different from a normal one. Based on this process, the player recognizes that the game button 14 is out of order. Therefore, even if a variation mode using the game button 14 does not appear during the game, it understands the reason and It is possible to proceed with the game without playing.

  In addition, the content of the failure alert | report of the game button 14 displayed on the effect symbol display apparatus 54b performed in a present Example is shown in FIG. When the game button failure notification process (S46) is performed and the variable display related to the process is started, the graphic representing the game button 14 shown in the broken line at the top of the screen (the effect symbol display device 54b) simultaneously with the start of the change A letter indicating the failure is displayed for 5 seconds. In addition, an icon simulating the failure state of the game button 14 appears in the lower right portion of the screen simultaneously with the start of the first failure notification, and the game button failure flag is continuously displayed for a period of 1 thereafter. When the notification is performed, an icon indicating a failure of the gaming button is constantly displayed regardless of whether or not the pseudo symbol is fluctuating. Therefore, when the player selects the gaming machine, the presence or absence of the icon indicates the gaming machine. It becomes the material to select. As a matter of course, the notification content is not limited to this, and may be any content that allows the player to recognize the failure of the game button 14.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 7, if S43 is negative (S43: NO), the variation mode selection process 1 is performed using the random number value extracted in S41 (S47). This variation mode selection process 1 is based on the condition that a failure of the game button 14 is not detected by the failure detection means (provided that the normal state is a condition), based on the value of the distributed random number extracted at a predetermined timing. This is the process of selecting either the variation mode using the game or the variation mode not using the game button. Therefore, the processing of S45 and S47 becomes the variation mode distribution means in the present invention.

  Following the processing of S46 and S47, effect symbol variation processing is performed in which an instruction signal for displaying the variation mode selected by the above processing on the effect symbol display device 54b is transmitted to the effect symbol control device 54a (S48). After the process of S48 or if S40 is negative (S40: NO), return to return.

  Next, a plurality of variation modes corresponding to a specific variation pattern instruction command (variation time) provided in the sub integration device 53 will be described with reference to the chart of FIG. When the sub integration device 53 receives the change time (change pattern instruction command) of 30H00H from the main control device 50, it has four types (35H00H to 35H03H) of change modes corresponding to the change time. All of the four types of variation modes corresponding to 「are“ variation modes in which the game button 14 is not used ”.

  Similarly, when the sub integration device 53 receives the fluctuation time (fluctuation pattern instruction command) of 30H1DH from the main controller 50, four types (35H00H to 35H03H) of fluctuation modes corresponding to the fluctuation time are provided. Among these four types, one type of 35H03H “Trick D + Character C” is “a variation mode using the game button 14”. When this variation mode is selected, when the variation starts, 20 seconds elapse. On the screen, along with the character C, a display prompting the user to operate the game button 14 appears. After that, the character C and the pseudo symbol are linked with the player's operation of the game button 14 while changing the pseudo symbol of the trick D for 5 seconds. Fluctuation display that changes the aspect is performed.

  Similarly, when the sub-integrating device 53 receives a variation time (variation pattern instruction command) of 30H1EH from the main control device 50, there are four types (35H00H to 35H03H) of variation modes corresponding to the variation time. Among these four types, the two variations of 35H02H “Trick C + Character C” and 35H03H “Trick D + Character C” are “variations using the game button 14”, and either variation is When selected, when 25 seconds have passed since the change started, a display prompting the player to operate the game button 14 appears on the screen together with the character C, and after that, the pseudo symbol change of trick C (35H03H is trick D) is displayed for 8 seconds. While performing, the display is changed in accordance with the player's operation of the game button 14 to change the character C and the pattern of the pseudo symbol.

  In this way, depending on the specific (one) variation pattern designation command (variation time) transmitted by the main control device 50, the sub integration device 53 can change all the variation modes from among the “variation modes not using the game button 14”. And a variation mode is selected from a mixture of “a variation mode using the game button 14” and “a variation mode not using the game button 14”. In the present embodiment, there is no case where all the variation modes to be selected are “variation modes using the game button 14”.

  Next, FIG. 11 shows a display that prompts the player to operate the game button 14 displayed on the effect symbol display device 54b, which is performed in this embodiment. For example, when the sub integration device 53 receives the variation time of 30H1EH and selects the variation mode of 35H03H “Trick D + Character C”, it is shown in a broken line at the center of the effect symbol display device 54b 20 seconds after the variation start. The graphic and characters representing the game button 14 are displayed blinking for 5 seconds. Of course, the display is not limited to this, and any display that can recognize that the player can operate the game button 14 is acceptable.

  Next, the variation mode selection process 2 of S45 and the variation mode selection process 1 of S47 described with reference to FIG. 7 will be described using the example shown in FIG. The difference between S45 and S47 is when the disconnection or short circuit is detected in the electrical connection between the game switch 14a and the sub-integrated device 53, and when it is not detected. Or it shows that it becomes the selection contents of a different variation mode depending on the difference of normal.

  When the sub integration device 53 receives the variation time of 30H1EH as the variation pattern instruction command from the main control device 50, the variation mode selection process 1 (FIG. 7, S47) if the game button 14 is in the normal state as described in FIG. The change mode to be displayed is selected by. At that time, if the distribution random number value extracted in S41 of FIG. 7 is “0”, the “variation mode not using the game button 14” of 35H00H “Trick A + Character D” is selected, and the extracted distribution random value is “ If “1”, select “variation mode not using game button 14” of 35H01H “Trick B + Character D”, and if the extracted random number is “2”, “Game” of 35H02H “Trick C + Character C” If “variation mode using button 14” is selected and the extracted random number is “3”, “variation mode using game button 14” of 35H03H “Trick D + Character C” is selected.

  In this way, when the game button 14 is normal, the random value is distributed so that either the “variation mode in which the game button 14 is not used” or the “variation mode in which the game button 14 is used” can be selected. In other words, when the game button 14 is normal, the random number value for selection is distributed to all of the plurality of variation modes including the “variation mode using the game button 14” corresponding to the specific variation pattern instruction command. Either the “variation mode in which the game button 14 is not used” or the “variation mode in which the game button 14 is used” is selected.

  Next, when the game button 14 is out of order when the same variation time as described above is received, the variation mode to be displayed is selected by the variation mode selection process 2 (FIG. 7, S45). At that time, if the distribution random number value extracted in S41 of FIG. 7 is “0” or “1”, the “variation mode not using the game button 14” of 35H00H “Trick A + Character D” is selected, and the extracted distribution If the random value is “2” or “3”, the “variation mode not using the game button 14” of 35H01H “Trick B + Character D” is selected.

  In this way, when the game button 14 is malfunctioning, even if there is a “variation mode using the game button 14” among a plurality of variation modes corresponding to the received variation time, the variation mode selection disorder The distribution of numerical values is performed only in the “variation mode in which the game button 14 is not used”. Therefore, when the game button 14 is out of order, the “variation mode using the game button 14” is not selected.

  When the plurality of variation modes corresponding to the received specific variation time are all “variation modes not using the game button 14”, the same selection process is performed in the variation mode selection process 1 and the variation mode selection process 2. Regardless of whether or not the game button 14 is out of order, the extracted distributed random number value is distributed to all of the plurality of variation modes.

  In addition, a plurality of variation modes corresponding to the case where the 30H1EH variation pattern command is received as an example in the present embodiment are two “variation modes using the game button 14” and “variation modes not using the game button 14”. "Is two and is composed of a total of four variation modes, but only one of them may be a" variation mode that does not use the game button 14 ". In this case, if the game button 14 is normal, the “variation mode using the game button 14” is surely selected (if there is no failure, the “variation mode using the game button 14” is exclusively used). If the distribution ratio of the distributed random numbers is changed and the game button 14 is out of order, it is desirable to adopt a configuration in which one “variation mode not using the game button 14” is implemented.

  In this embodiment, when the variation mode is selected when the game button 14 is not out of order (variation mode selection process 1), the distribution relationship between the distribution random number value and the variation mode is one-to-one. It is good also as a structure which selects a fluctuation | variation aspect by enlarging the width | variety (increasing the number of random values), and setting the range of random values. In this case, when the game button 14 is out of order (variation mode selection process 2), the “variation mode using the game button 14” may not be selected by changing the range of the random number value.

  The above is the explanation of the embodiment, but it is possible to determine that the player who is performing the symbol variation game can determine that the variation mode during the variation is the “variation mode using the game button 14”. This is because a display prompting the user to operate the game button 14 appears on the display device 54b. When the display for prompting the operation of the game button 14 does not appear, the player does not hesitate even if the game button 14 is operated and no change appears on the screen. Therefore, even when “variation mode using the game button 14” is selected and executed, if a display prompting the operation of the game button 14 does not appear during the implementation, the variation mode for the player is “the game button 14 is changed. It can be said that "variation mode not used".

  Under such circumstances, the variation mode selection process 2 performed when the game button 14 is out of order is the same as the variation mode selection process 1 performed when the game button 14 is normal. If the “variation mode using the game button 14” is selected at that time, the operation of the game button 14 is performed during the execution of this variation mode. It is also possible to perform a process for preventing the prompting display from appearing.

  The gaming machine of the present embodiment recognizes to the player whether the game button is used or whether the game button is used depending on whether or not a notification for prompting the operation of the game button 14 is given to the pseudo symbol display device. The variation mode distribution means for selecting the variation mode prompts the operation of the game button when the variation mode using the game button is selected when the game button is out of order. It is good also as a structure which does not implement alerting | reporting.

  As described above, according to the ball ball game machine of the present invention, depending on the failure detection of the game button that can be operated by the player, “variation mode using the game button” or “variation mode not using the game button”. Choose one of these. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a ball ball game machine that includes a game button that can be operated by a player and is designed to improve the interest of the game by operating the game button.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 14 Game button 14a Game switch 31a Special symbol start switch 50 Main control device 53 Sub integration device 54a Production design control device 54b Production design display device

Claims (3)

A main controller that controls the entire gaming machine;
A sub-control device that controls the pseudo-symbol display device;
A game button connected to the sub-control device and operable by a player,
The sub-control device is provided with a failure detection means for detecting a failure of the gaming button,
The sub-control device that has received the specific variation pattern transmitted from the main control device selects a variation mode that does not use the game button on the condition that the failure of the game button is detected by the failure detection means. A bullet ball game machine characterized by comprising fluctuation mode distribution means. The variation mode distribution means, on the condition that when the sub control device receives a specific variation pattern transmitted from the main control device, the failure detection means has not detected a failure of the game button. 2. The ball game according to claim 1, wherein either a variation mode in which the game button is used or a variation mode in which the game button is not used is selected based on a value of the distributed random number extracted at a predetermined timing. Machine. If the variation mode not using the game button is selected on the condition that the variation mode distribution unit has detected the failure of the game button by the failure detection unit, the fact that the game button has failed is notified. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

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