JP2011104420A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinball game machine capable of increasing excitement and enjoyment for players who enjoy playing while expecting a good result. <P>SOLUTION: An LCD display includes three display zones vertically divided in three. When a hit ball enters a symbol actuation gate, variable display is started in each display zone. The variable display is stopped first at a left section 31a, followed by a right section 31c and then a center section 31b. As a result of the stopped display, if three symbols of the same kind are aligned diagonally, a jackpot is obtained and a specific winning pocket is kept open for about 6 sec. If the two symbols of the same kind are displayed diagonally at the left and the right sections 31a and 31c during the variable display at the center section 31b, a ready-to-win state is made. In the ready-to-win state, the jackpot may be hit depending on the result of display at the center section 31b. Therefore, by displaying the remaining time by means of a clock 35 until the variable display at the center section 31b comes to a stop according to the ready-to-win state, and thereby excitement and enjoyment for the player can be increased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball and ball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine and the like that plays a game by hitting a ball into a game area, and more particularly to a ball and ball game machine that can enhance the interest of the player.

  This type of pachinko gaming machine is provided with a display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols. This display device is configured using a mechanical rotary drum having a plurality of types of symbols drawn on the surface of a reel, and an image display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). When the hit ball that has been driven into the game area passes through a predetermined gate, the variable display on the display device is started. The display device includes three display areas divided in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, and such variable display of symbols is performed in each display area. In the display device in which the display area is divided in the vertical direction, the variable display is stopped and displayed in the order of left, right, and center after a predetermined time has elapsed. When the variable display is stopped in all the display areas, and the combination of the symbols that are stopped and displayed matches one of the predetermined combinations, a predetermined game value is generated. The predetermined game value here means that a winning opening such as a specific winning opening provided in the gaming area is opened so that a hitting ball can be easily won.

  For this reason, when the symbol variation display is started, the player plays the game while expecting that the combination of symbols to be stopped and displayed will produce a predetermined game value. Specifically, after the variable display is started, the symbols in the left and right display areas constitute a part of a combination of symbols to which a predetermined game value is given and are stopped and displayed. In the state where the display is still variably displayed, a predetermined game value can be generated by the symbols stopped in the center display area, so the player pays attention while expecting the state of the center display to be stopped and displayed at the end. To do.

  However, the symbol variation display is monotonous in that a predetermined symbol sequentially moves in each display area, and there is a problem that the interest of the player cannot be sufficiently enhanced. In addition, in the monotonous symbol variation display, the symbols in the left and right display areas constitute a part of the combination of symbols to which a predetermined game value is given and are displayed in a stopped manner, and only the central symbol is variably displayed. Since it is also performed in the same state, that is, in an important situation where the player is most expected to expect, the opportunity to enhance the player's interest is missed. As a result, there was a problem that the interest of the player could not be increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a ball game machine that can enhance the interest of a player who enjoys a game while expecting a good result.

In order to achieve this object, a ball game machine according to claim 1 suspends the variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information in the display area, and the variation display of the identification information by the variable display means. And a stop display means for stopping and displaying identification information in the display area, and a predetermined game value is given when predetermined identification information is stopped and displayed by the stop display means, and the variation There is provided time display means for displaying the time until the change display is stopped and displayed by the stop display means while the change display of the identification information is performed by the display means.
According to the ball game machine of the first aspect, the identification information displayed in the display area is variably displayed by the variability display means and then stopped and displayed by the stop display means. At this time, the time during which the variation display of the identification information is stopped is displayed by the time display means together with the variation display of the identification information.
The bullet ball game machine according to claim 2 is the bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the display areas are provided, and identification information of at least two display areas stopped and displayed by the stop display means is provided. When forming a part of the combination of identification information that produces a predetermined game value, the time display means displays the time until the identification information that is variably displayed in the remaining display area is stopped and displayed.
The bullet ball game machine according to claim 3 is the bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the time display by the time display means is superimposed on the variation display of the identification information by the fluctuation display means. The
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the ball game machine according to claim 4 variably displays a plurality of types of identification information in a plurality of display areas, and stops the variation display of the identification information by the variation display means. Stop display means for stopping and displaying identification information in each area, and when the identification information is stopped and displayed in a predetermined combination by the stop display means, a predetermined game value is given. The remaining amount display means for displaying the remaining amount until all the change displays in the display area are stopped and displayed by the stop display means. According to the bullet ball game machine of the fourth aspect, the identification information is variably displayed by the variability display means in each of the plurality of display areas, and then stopped and displayed by the stop display means. The remaining amount until all the variation displays of the identification information are stopped and displayed is displayed by the remaining amount display means.

  According to the ball game machine of claim 1, a predetermined game value is given according to the identification information stopped and displayed in the display area, but the time until the variable display of the identification information is stopped is a time display. Since it is displayed by means, there is an effect that the interest of the player who enjoys the game while expecting a good result can be enhanced. Further, since the time until the identification information is stopped and displayed is displayed in a variably displayed state, the player cannot predict the display result, and thus the player's interest can be further enhanced. There is an effect.

  According to the ball game machine according to claim 2, in addition to the effect played by the ball game machine according to claim 1, the display of the time until the identification information is stopped and displayed is the identification information that has already been stopped and displayed. Since it is performed when a part of a combination that generates a predetermined game value is configured, the display of time makes it possible for the player to expect a good result, and the player's interest can be further enhanced. On the other hand, when the identification information that has already been stopped and displayed does not constitute a part of a combination that produces a predetermined game value, the time is not displayed, and there is an effect that the game can be performed smoothly.

According to the ball game machine according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the ball ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, the time until the identification information is stopped and displayed is superimposed on the variation display of the identification information. Since it is displayed, there is an effect that the player can see the change display of the identification information and the display of the time together.
According to the bullet ball game machine of the fourth aspect, a predetermined game value is given according to the combination of the identification information stopped and displayed in the plurality of display areas, but the remaining until all the identification information is stopped and displayed. Since the amount is displayed by the remaining amount display means, there is an effect that the interest of the player who enjoys the game while expecting a good result can be enhanced.

It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko game machine which is one Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the control part of a pachinko game machine, and its display apparatus. It is a figure showing an example of the display state of a liquid crystal (LCD) display. (A) is a diagram showing a state in which the fluctuation display of the left and right display areas is stopped and only the central fluctuation display is performed, and (b) is a diagram showing a state in which a countdown reach clock appears. (C) is a diagram showing a state in which the countdown reach is performed by the clock. It is the time chart which showed the mode of the variable display in each display area of an LCD display. It is the flowchart which showed the design fluctuation process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as a ball game machine. FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. Around the game board 1, there are provided a plurality of normal winning holes 2 through which 5 to 15 game balls are paid out when a hit ball is won. A liquid crystal (LCD) display 3 for displaying a plurality of types of symbols and the like is provided at the center of the game board 1. The display screen of the LCD display 3 is divided into three parts in the vertical direction, and symbols are displayed in a variable manner in the three divided display areas 31a, 31b, 31c (see FIG. 3A).

  Below the LCD display 3, a symbol operating gate 4 is provided. When the hit ball passes through the symbol operation gate 4, the variable display on the LCD display 3 is started. A specific winning opening 5 is provided below the symbol operating gate 4. This special winning opening 5 is a prize that is opened for a predetermined time so that the hitting ball is easy to win when the combination of symbols after the change display on the LCD display 3 (stop display) matches one of the predetermined combinations. The mouth. Therefore, the player plays a ball game while expecting that the specific winning opening 5 is opened. That is, when the variation display on the LCD display 3 is started, the ball game is performed while expecting the combination of the symbols after the variation to be a predetermined combination.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the control unit of the pachinko gaming machine and its display device. The control unit C of the pachinko machine has a CPU 11 that is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 12 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 11, a cycle transition timer used in the symbol variation process of FIG. RAM13 which memorize | stores. These CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to each other via a bus line 14. The bus line 14 is also connected to an input / output port 15, which is connected to the display device D and other input / output devices 16. That is, the control unit C sends operation commands to the display device D and other input / output devices 16 via the input / output port 15 to control these devices.

  The display device D includes a CPU 21, a program ROM 22, a work RAM 23, a video RAM 24, a character ROM 25, an image controller 26, an input / output port 27, and the LCD display 3. The CPU 21 of the display device D performs display control of the LCD display 3 in accordance with the operation command output from the control unit C, and the program executed by the CPU 21 is stored in the program ROM 22. The work RAM 23 is a memory that stores work data used when the CPU 21 executes a program.

  The video RAM 24 is a memory for storing data to be displayed on the LCD display 3, and the display content of the LCD display 3 is changed by rewriting the content of the video RAM 24. The variable display of symbols in the display areas 31a, 31b, 31c is performed by rewriting the contents of the video RAM 24. The character ROM 25 is a memory for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the LCD display 3. The image controller 26 adjusts the timings of the CPU 21, video RAM 24, and input / output port 27 to intervene in reading and writing data, and displays the display data stored in the video RAM 24 at a predetermined timing with reference to the character ROM 25. 3 is displayed.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the display state of the LCD display 3. With reference to FIG. 3, the display state of the LCD display 3 will be described. The LCD display 3 includes three display areas 31a, 31b, and 31c divided into three in the vertical direction. FIG. 3A illustrates a state in which the variable display of the left and right display areas 31a and 31c is stopped and only the variable display of the remaining central display area 31b is performed among the three display areas. Yes. The variable display starts in the order of the left 31a, right 31c, and center 31b of the display area, and stops in the same order. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, the variable display in the central display area 3b is finally stopped.

  In the display areas 31a, 31b, and 31c where the variable display is stopped, three symbols are displayed in a vertical and vertical arrangement. The symbols 32 and 34 stopped and displayed above and below the left and right display areas 31a and 31c in FIG. 3A are winning symbols. If three of the same type of winning symbols 32 and 34 are aligned on the horizontal or diagonal hit line, a special gaming state (big hit) is given with a predetermined gaming value, and the specific winning opening 5 is opened. Is done. On the other hand, the symbol 33 stopped and displayed in the center of the left and right display areas 31a and 31c in FIG. 3A is a lost symbol. For example, even if three of the lost symbols 33 are aligned on the winning line, Must not.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the state in which the center display area 31b is displayed in a variable manner, the two winning symbols 32 and 34 are aligned on one of the winning lines in the left and right display regions 31a and 31c. And reach. That is, the reach state is a state that can be a big hit based on the display result of the remaining central display area 31b. In FIG. 3A, a reach state is reached on two hit lines in the diagonally lower right direction and the diagonally lower left direction. The appearance of this reach state increases the player's sense of expectation. In this embodiment, when this reach state appears, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the remaining time is shown until the change display at the center 31b is stopped. A clock 35 is displayed on the LCD display 3 to enhance the interest of the player.

  The clock 35 displayed in the reach state is displayed below the LCD display 3 9 seconds before the change display of the central display area 31b is finished (FIG. 3B), and then over 4 seconds, FIG. The display is moved to a position slightly above the center of the LCD display 3 shown in FIG. The clock 35 includes a first count unit 35a that counts down and displays the time until the variable display at the center 31b is stopped in units of 1/100 second, and a second count unit 35b that counts down and displays it in units of 1 second. And. The first count unit 35a is always displayed in the timepiece 35, while the second count unit 35b is in the timepiece 35 and is counted down at the same position as the middle fluctuation display in the central display region 31b. Will be flashing. The player pays attention to the middle display of the middle display in the central display area 31b and the countdown display until the display of the change is stopped. . In addition, since the display of the second count unit 35b is a blinking display, it is not difficult to see the change display of the symbols. When the second count unit 35b is blinked, the countdown display disappears. However, since the countdown display of the first count unit 35a is always displayed, the countdown display of the second count unit 35b is displayed. Even when it disappears, the remaining time until the variable display is stopped can be grasped by the first counting unit 35a.

  The clock 35 is gradually moved to a predetermined position in FIG. 3C from 9 seconds to 4 seconds before the end of the variable display in the central display area 31b. Thereafter, the clock 35 counts down the time until the variable display is stopped at the predetermined position in FIG. Therefore, the first count unit 35a displays a countdown in units of 1/100 seconds from 5:00 to 0:00, and the second count unit 35b is in units of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and 1 second. Display countdown. As described above, since the second count unit 35b is provided in the middle stage of the central display region 31b, after the variable display is stopped, the second count unit 35b is provided in order to make it easy to see the stopped and displayed symbols. 35b is configured not to be displayed. For this reason, “0” is not displayed on the second count unit 35b.

  Next, based on the time chart of FIG. 4, the state of the variable display on the LCD display 3 in the pachinko gaming machine configured as described above will be described. This variable display is performed by the display device D executing display control of the LCD display 3 based on the operation command sent from the control unit C to the display device D. That is, the variable display is controlled by the control unit C. Note that the variable display is provided with five types of variable speeds, which are referred to as “low speed”, “low speed”, “medium speed”, “medium speed”, and “high speed” from the slowest. The variation time of one symbol is 0.64 seconds at ultra low speed, 0.32 seconds at low speed, 0.16 seconds at medium speed, 0.08 seconds at medium high speed, and 0.04 seconds at high speed.

  When the hit ball passes through the symbol actuating gate 4, a stop symbol or the like of each display area 31a, 31b, 31c is determined based on a random number (cycle 1), and after 0.02 seconds, the variable display of the left display area 31a is displayed. Starts at low speed (cycle 3). 0.64 seconds after the start of the variable display in the left display area 31a, the variable display in the right display area 31c is started at a low speed (cycle 4), and 0.64 seconds later, the central display area 31b The fluctuation display is started at a low speed (cycle 5). As a result, all the display areas 31a, 31b, and 31c are in a variable display state.

  0.64 seconds after the display of fluctuation in the central display area 31b is started, the fluctuation speed of all the display areas 31a, 31b, 31c is accelerated at a high speed (cycle 6). When this high-speed fluctuation is continued from 0.92 seconds to 5.84 seconds (cycles 6, 7, 8), the fluctuation speed of all the display areas 31a, 31b, 31c is again reduced to a low speed (cycle 9). . The reason for the high speed fluctuation time in the cycle 7 is that the high speed fluctuation time is adjusted according to the number of hit balls that have passed through the symbol operating gate 4. When the number of hit balls that have passed through the symbol actuating gate 4 is large, the high-speed fluctuation time of the cycle 7 is short. Conversely, when the number of memories is small, the time is long.

  When all the display areas 31a, 31b, and 31c are displayed with a fluctuation of 0.96 seconds at a low speed (cycle 9), first, the fluctuation display of the left display area 31a is stopped (cycle 10). After 0.64 seconds, the fluctuation display in the right display area 31c is stopped, and the fluctuation display speed in the center display area 31b is accelerated to a medium speed (cycle 11). FIG. 3A illustrates this state. When the symbols of the left and right display areas 31a and 31c are stopped and displayed in the reach state, after the middle-speed variation display is continued for 1.76 seconds (cycles 11 and 12), Further, the fluctuation speed is accelerated at a high speed, the display on the LCD display 3 is changed, and a notice display of the countdown reach start by the clock 35 is performed (cycle 13).

  When the notice of countdown reach in cycle 13 is displayed for 1.12 seconds, the changing speed of the central display area 31b is reduced to a medium speed, and along with this deceleration, as shown in FIG. To start the clock 35 (cycle 14). The clock 35 is moved and displayed to a predetermined position in FIG. 3C over 4 seconds. When the timepiece 35 is moved to a predetermined position in FIG. 3C, the fluctuation speed of the central display area 31b is accelerated at a high speed, and the first and second count portions 35a and 35b of the timepiece 35 are Second countdown, i.e., countdown reach, is initiated (cycle 15). As described above, during the countdown reach by the first count unit 35a and the second count unit 35b, the symbol of the center 31b is displayed in the fastest and fastest manner. It cannot be predicted whether the symbol is stopped and displayed, and in combination with the countdown reach, the interest is further enhanced.

  Simultaneously with the end of the 5-second countdown, the display of the clock 35 is erased from the LCD display 3. As the timepiece 35 is erased, the variable display at the center 31b is stopped (cycle 16), and the symbols of all the display areas 31a, 31b, 31c are arranged. When the winning symbols 32 and 34 are aligned on any of the winning lines, it becomes a big hit and the specific winning opening 5 is opened.

  On the other hand, when the jackpot is missed, the fluctuation display of the central display area 31b is started again at a high speed again with a probability of 1/2 after 0.4 seconds (cycle 17). Then, after the high-speed fluctuation display is performed for 0.72 seconds, the fluctuation display at the center 31b is stopped (cycle 18), and as a result, the winning symbols 32 and 34 are placed on any diagonal hit line. If you have it, you will win. The player expects a big hit by the countdown reach, but is disappointed when the big hit is lost by the countdown reach. However, as described above, by displaying the variation again to give a jackpot opportunity, the player's discouragement is recovered, and the interest is enhanced more than before it is disengaged by countdown reach.

  Next, processing such as countdown reach after the cycle 14 performed in the control unit C will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The control unit C is provided with a 2 ms interval interrupt, and the symbol variation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed once every 10 times the 2 ms interval interrupt occurs. That is, the process of FIG. 5 is executed once every 20 ms. Note that the symbols 1 to 13 in the symbol variation process are not shown in FIG.

  When the hit ball passes through the symbol operating gate 4, the symbol variation process of FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 11 of the control unit C. In the symbol variation process, first, the value of the cycle transition timer is checked (S1). The cycle transition timer is set to the cycle time at the start of each cycle. If the value of the cycle transition timer is not “0” (S1: No), the value of the cycle transition timer is subtracted by 20 ms, which is the symbol change processing execution interval (S2), and then the display areas 31a, 31b, The symbol change process of 31c is performed (S3), and this interrupt process ends (S5). The symbol variation process in S3 is performed by sending a symbol display position command, which is one of the operation commands, from the control unit C to the display device D, and the display device D performs display control based on the display position command. The design of the LCD display 3 is variably displayed. The display area to be subjected to the variable display and the speed thereof are set by processing in each cycle.

  If the value of the cycle transition timer is “0” in the process of S1 (S1: Yes), the process branches to each process according to the number of cycles (S6). In cycle 14, first, 4 seconds, which is the time of cycle 14, is set in the cycle transition timer (S7). Next, the medium symbol changing speed is set to the medium speed (S8), and a countdown reach command is sent to the display device D (S9). Upon receiving the countdown reach command, the display device D displays the timepiece 35 from below as shown in FIG. 3B, and then moves to a predetermined position in FIG. 3C over 4 seconds. To do. After sending the countdown reach command (S9), the control unit C performs the left / right / middle symbol variation process according to the variation speed set in S8 (S3). Since the fluctuation speeds of the left and right symbols 31a and 31c are already set to “0” in cycles 10 and 11, only the middle symbol 31b is variably displayed in the process of S3 in cycle 14. After the middle symbol variation process (S3), the interrupt process in the cycle 14 ends (S5).

  In cycle 15 (S1: Yes, S6: cycle 15), 5 seconds which is the time of cycle 15 is set in the cycle transition timer (S10), and the variation speed of the medium symbol is set at a high speed (S11). Thereafter, the middle symbol variation process is performed at the set variation speed (S3). With the start of the cycle 15, the countdown display is started in the first and second count units 35a and 35b of the timepiece 35 displayed on the LCD display 3. The countdown process by the display device D is performed in series by the countdown reach command sent in the process of S9.

  Since the cycle 16 is executed at the end of the countdown reach (S1: Yes, S6: Cycle 16), first, the symbol in the center display area 31b is replaced with a stop symbol (S12). Thereafter, the presence / absence of re-variation is checked (S13). If there is no re-variation (S13: No), the variation end process is performed (S14), and the symbol variation process of FIG. On the other hand, if there is a re-variation (S13: Yes), the process proceeds to cycle 17, so that the cycle transition timer is set to 0.4 seconds, which is the time of cycle 16 (S15), and the medium symbol variation speed is changed. Is set to pause (S16).

  In cycle 17 (S1: Yes, S6: cycle 17), 0.72 seconds, which is the time of cycle 17, is set in the cycle transition timer (S17), and the medium symbol variation speed is set to a high speed (S18). Then, in the next cycle 18 (S1: Yes, S6: cycle 18), the symbol in the center display area 31b is replaced with a stop symbol (S19), and the variation end process is performed (S20), and the symbol in FIG. The fluctuation process ends.

  When the winning symbols 32 and 34 are stopped and displayed on any diagonal hit line in the display areas 31a, 31b, and 31c in the display areas 31a, 31b, and 31c by the processing of S12 or S19, the control unit C performs FIG. A jackpot process different from the symbol variation process is executed, and the specific winning opening 5 is opened.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment, the time until the variable display is stopped is displayed on the LCD display 3 together with the variable display at the time of the countdown reach. It is possible to enhance the interest of the player who plays the game while expecting the result of the variable display.

  In addition, the process of S3 of FIG. 5 corresponds to the variation display means according to claims 1 to 4, and the processes of S12 and S19 correspond to the stop display means. Further, the time display means according to claims 1 to 3 and the remaining amount display means according to claim 4 correspond to the processes in S9 and the display device D.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be guessed.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the electronic LCD display 3 is used to display the variation of the symbol, but a CRT display or a mechanical rotating drum using a reel with a symbol drawn on the surface may be used. . In the present embodiment, the remaining time is displayed by directly displaying the remaining time, but the remaining time may be indirectly displayed using a bar graph or the like. Further, instead of displaying time, for example, the remaining number of fluctuation symbols may be displayed to indicate the remaining amount of fluctuation display. The display of the remaining time may not be a countdown, but may be a count up to a predetermined time or a graph corresponding to the count up. In the present embodiment, the display screen of the LCD display 3 is divided into three parts. However, the display screen is not necessarily limited to this, and may be divided into one part, two parts, or four parts or more.

  In the present embodiment, the countdown display by the clock 35 is performed while the symbols in the center display area 31b are variably displayed at high speed. However, the countdown display may be performed while the symbols in the center display area 31b are variably displayed by frame advance. In addition, the remaining amount until the stop display at this time may be changed to a time countdown, and the number of symbols remaining until the stop display is displayed.

  The ball game machine of the present invention is not limited to a pachinko game machine, but can be applied to all ball game machines capable of displaying a change. The symbols displayed in the display areas 31a, 31b, and 31c include letters and numbers in addition to pictures and figures.

3 Liquid crystal (LCD) display 4 Design operation gate 5 Specific winning opening 31a, 31b, 31c Display area 32, 34 Per design (identification information)
33 Lost design (identification information)
35 Clock 35a First count unit 35b Second count unit C Control unit D Display device

Claims (1)

Fluctuation display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information in the display area, and stop display means for stopping variability display of the identification information by the fluctuation display means and stopping and displaying the identification information in the display area, In the ball game machine to which a predetermined game value is given when the predetermined identification information is stopped and displayed by the stop display means,
A bullet ball comprising time display means for displaying a time until the change display is stopped and displayed by the stop display means while the change display of the identification information is performed by the change display means. Gaming machine.

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