JP2014045929A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a pachinko game machine capable of suppressing meaningless push operation of a performance button in a non-operation period except an operation effective period for prompting push operation of the performance button.SOLUTION: When the number of push operations of a performance button performed by a player in a non-operation period exceeds a prescribed threshold value, a pachinko game machine selects a different performance sound mode different from a normal-condition performance sound mode and performs sound production control, and when the increase of the number of the push operations of the performance button stops, the pachinko game machine returns to the normal-condition performance sound mode. Thereby, the pachinko game machine shifts into the different performance sound mode by the push operation of the performance button in the non-operation period, and returns to the normal-condition performance sound mode by the stop of the push operation, so that the pachinko game machine can suppress the push operation of the performance button in the non-operation period to suppress occurrence of failure by the push operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a pachinko gaming machine provided with an effect button operated by a player at the front of a machine base.

  In a pachinko gaming machine, an image display composed of a liquid crystal display or the like is disposed on the game board. On this image display, various effect images are displayed according to the progress of the game in order to improve interest. In recent years, a pachinko gaming machine has been proposed in which a player is allowed to participate in the effect produced by the effect image (for example, Patent Document 1). This is an effect button that can be operated by the player at the front part of the machine base, and the effect image is changed by the player operating the effect button. Can raise awareness. And the effect of raising the expectation for profit acquisition is produced for the player by the change of the effect image, and the interest of the game is improved.

JP 2007-307163 A

  In the conventional pachinko gaming machine provided with the above-described effect buttons, a period for changing the effect image is set in accordance with the operation of the effect buttons, and the player is prompted to operate the effect buttons during the period. . Thereby, when it becomes the said period, a player expects profit acquisition and hits an effect button continuously. On the other hand, it is often the case that an effect button is repeatedly hit by a player outside of such a period. This is because the player repeatedly hits the effect button with the hope that some profit may be obtained even outside the period. However, such an action has a problem that not only has no influence on profit acquisition, but also contributes to a malfunction of the production button.

  The present invention is an attempt to solve the above-described problems, and proposes a pachinko gaming machine capable of suppressing meaningless repeated hitting of a production button.

  The present invention is an image display that displays an effect image, an effect button that is arranged at the front of the machine base and that can be operated by the player, and an operation effective period that prompts the player to press the effect button. A button game control means for variably displaying a predetermined operation effect image on an image display according to an operation signal generated in accordance with the pressing operation, a plurality of speaker devices disposed on a machine base, and a predetermined amount of the speaker device. In a pachinko gaming machine comprising speaker control means for controlling sound generation in accordance with an acoustic mode, the speaker control means includes a normal effect sound mode generated via a speaker device according to the progress of the game, and the normal effect sound A plurality of different effect sound modes different from the modes are set in advance, and includes a sound mode control process for controlling sound generation of the speaker device according to any of the sound modes, and the button game control means includes the button game control means, In the non-operation period excluding the work effective period, the number of occurrences of the operation signal is counted, and when the number of occurrences exceeds a predetermined threshold, one of the different performance sound modes is selected according to a predetermined sound selection condition, and the selection is made In accordance with the different effect sound mode, the sound transition process for controlling the sound generation of the speaker device via the sound mode control process of the speaker control means, and the generation of the operation signal in the state where the sound generation control of the speaker device is performed according to the different effect sound mode When the increase in the number of times is stopped, the pachinko gaming machine is provided with a return process for returning to a normal effect sound mode.

  According to such a configuration, when the effect button is operated in the non-operation period and the number of occurrences of the operation signal exceeds the threshold value, the sound effect different from the normal state by the speaker device according to the different effect sound mode different from the normal effect sound mode. Is generated. That is, the normal sound effect generated by the speaker device changes from the normal sound effect to a sound effect different from the normal sound according to the progress of the game. These changes in sound effects are audibly apparent to the player playing in front of the machine, so it is easy for the player to notice an anomaly that occurred in the machine being played, and the player's anxiety is felt. It can also be induced. Thereby, it is possible to notify the player that the pressing operation of the effect button during the non-operation period is an unnecessary action. Also, if you stop pressing the production button during the non-operation period, it will return to the normal sound effect according to the progress of the game, so this also indicates that the pressing operation during the non-operation period is unnecessary Can inform the player. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the pressing operation of the effect button by the player during the non-operation period, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of failure due to unnecessary repeated hitting of the effect button.

  Note that the sound mode for controlling the sound generation of the speaker device includes an acoustic pattern that is sounded according to a predetermined tempo and rhythm, an acoustic pattern that is sounded according to a predetermined music, and the like, and can be set in various ways. is there. The sound pattern constituting the normal effect sound mode is set so that a sound effect that matches the effect image displayed on the image display is generated as an effect of the game, and the effect of the game is enhanced together with the effect image. Have a role. On the other hand, the sound pattern constituting the different effect sound mode is set to be different from the normal sound pattern described above so that the player can easily notice the change when changing from the sound effect by the normal effect sound mode. What was made is suitable.

  In the pachinko gaming machine of the present invention described above, the sound mode control processing of the speaker control means is a multi-stage sound in which at least one of the volume, the pitch, and the sound tempo is reduced as compared with the normal performance sound mode. It has processing contents for selectively executing a plurality of different performance sound modes each set with a level, and the sound transition processing of the button game control means is that the number of occurrences of the operation signal counted in the non-operation period is the sound selection condition. When a predetermined threshold is exceeded, a configuration is proposed in which a condition for selecting a different effect sound mode is determined so that the sound level is sequentially reduced step by step as the number of occurrences increases.

  In such a configuration, since the different sound effect modes are sequentially selected so that the sound level gradually decreases as the number of operation signal generations in the non-operation period increases, the sound level The stepwise reduction makes it easier for the player to notice changes to the different performance sound modes, and the above-described operational effects of the present invention are further improved. Here, the step-by-step reduction of the sound level is any one of a step-by-step reduction in volume, a step-by-step decrease in pitch, and a step-by-step reduction in sound tempo. It can be realized by appropriately setting any two combinations or all three combinations. Such changes in volume, pitch, and sound tempo are relatively easy for the player to notice. Therefore, by reducing the sound level by these, the player can easily notice the stepwise change in the sound level as described above.

  In the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention described above, the return process of the button game control means is configured so that any different effect sound is generated so that the sound level gradually increases step by step when the increase in the number of operation signals generated is stopped. A configuration is proposed in which a mode is selected and processing contents for controlling the sound generation of the speaker device through the acoustic mode control process of the speaker control means are proposed.

  According to such a configuration, the sound level reduced by the operation of the effect button in the non-operation period is gradually increased to the normal effect sound mode by the stop of the operation, so that the operation of the effect button is stopped. This makes it easier for the player to realize the effect. Therefore, the effect of the present invention of suppressing the operation of the effect button during the non-operation period is further improved.

  In the pachinko gaming machine of the present invention described above, the button game control means starts the operation effective period when the predetermined start condition is satisfied, and expires the operation effective period when the predetermined expiration condition is satisfied The period process continues the non-operation period without starting the operation effective period when the start condition is satisfied in a state in which the sound generation control is performed by the speaker device according to the different effect sound mode. When the normal sound production mode is restored before the expiration condition is satisfied, a configuration including a processing content for starting an operation valid period is proposed.

  This configuration is such that the operation effective period does not occur in the state where no sound effect due to the normal effect sound mode is being generated, and the player operates the effect button during the non-operation period, In a state where a sound effect is being emitted, the operation effective period is not started, and the operation effective period is shortened or omitted. That is, so-called penalties that shorten or omit the operation effective period occur for the operation of the effect button during the non-operation period. Thereby, the effect of the above-mentioned this invention which makes a player suppress operation of the production button in a non-operation period further improves.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the number of times the player presses the effect button in the non-operation period exceeds a predetermined threshold, the sound effect is controlled by selecting a different effect sound mode different from the normal effect sound mode. When the increase in the number of operations of the production buttons is stopped, the normal production sound mode is restored, so that the production button changes to a different production sound mode by pressing the production button during the non-operation period, and By returning to the normal effect sound mode by stopping the pressing operation, it is possible to notify the player that the pressing operation of the effect button in the non-operation period is an unnecessary action. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the pressing operation of the effect button during the non-operation period by the player, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of failure due to unnecessary repeated hitting of the effect button.

It is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. 1 is a front view of a game board 10 of a pachinko gaming machine 1. FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram of a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation effect process. It is a flowchart which shows an acoustic transition process. It is a flowchart which shows a return process. It is a flowchart which shows standby processing.

A pachinko gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 fixed to a game island facility (not shown) and a gaming machine main body 3 that covers a front opening of the outer frame 2. The gaming machine main body 3 includes a front frame 5 in which a game board 10 (see FIG. 2) is attached to a substantially circular opening at the upper center, and one side edge of the front frame 5 is connected to the outer frame via the hinge member 4. It is pivotally attached to 2 so that it can be opened and closed. Further, the front frame 5 is provided with a glass plate 6 that covers the game board 10. In addition, an upper tray 7 and a lower tray 8 are vertically arranged at the lower portion of the front frame 5, and a launching handle 9 is projected on the right side of the lower tray 8. Further, an effect button 72 that can be pressed by the player is arranged on the right side of the upper tray 7. The effect button 72 is a main part of the present invention, and details thereof will be described later. Here, the gaming machine main body 3 constitutes the machine base of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 10. A substantially circular game area 12 is defined by a guide rail 11 on the front surface of the game board 10. In the center of the game area 12, a center case 13 incorporating various game members such as an image display 14 is disposed. The image display 14 includes a liquid crystal display, a CRT display, or the like, and various effect images are displayed on the screen.

  The center case 13 is provided with a special start memory number display device 17 and a normal start memory number display device 18 each having a predetermined number of LEDs. Further, a special symbol display device 15 and a normal symbol display device 16 each composed of a predetermined number of LEDs are also provided. Here, as will be described later, the special symbol display device 15 changes each special symbol by blinking each LED according to a predetermined opportunity, and then a special symbol mode (stop symbol) in which any LED is lit. Stop). Then, according to the stop pattern mode of the special symbol, the winning or losing is determined, and in the case of winning, the special game operation described later is executed. In addition, the normal symbol display device 16 changes the normal symbol by blinking each LED by passing the game ball through the normal start gate 19 provided on the left side of the center case 13, and the LED that is turned on thereafter Determine the hit or loss of normal symbols. When the normal symbol is a hit, the later-described normal electric accessory 20b is expanded.

  Further, the center case 13 is provided with a winning device 21a, various decorative lamps (not shown), and the like. The decorative lamp is composed of LEDs.

  Further, in the game board 10, a normal electric accessory 20b and a special electric accessory 20a are arranged vertically below the center case 13, and an out port 30 is disposed further below the special electric accessory 20a. Has been. Further, a plurality of winning devices 21b are also arranged on the left and right sides of the ordinary electric accessory 20b and the special electric accessory 20a. Here, the ordinary electric accessory 20b includes a start port 23 and a pair of left and right opening and closing blades that open and close the start port 23. When the normal symbol hits and is confirmed by the normal symbol display device 16 described above, The opening / closing blade piece is expanded from the closed position for a predetermined time to open the start port 23. The special electric accessory 20a includes a large winning opening 25 and a horizontally-long rectangular opening and closing piece, the opening and closing piece is used as a standing position, the large winning opening 25 is closed, and the opening and closing piece is tilted forward to win the large winning opening. 25 is released. This special electric accessory 20a is a special game that repeats a predetermined number of rounds of opening and closing to open the prize winning opening 25 by opening and closing the opening and closing piece when the special symbol is hit by the special symbol display device 15 described above. Perform the operation.

  The front frame 5 is provided with a plurality of speaker devices 32 each having a speaker, and each speaker device 32 is controlled by a sound source control board 66 described later to generate a predetermined sound effect.

Next, a control circuit for controlling the game operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The main control board 60 constituting the microcomputer is provided with a board circuit for controlling the game operation and the like of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The main control board 60 performs overall control of the game. On the substrate circuit, a central control CPU for main control is arranged. In this central control CPU for main control, a storage device ROM that stores an operation program used for arithmetic processing and a storage device RAM that can read and write necessary data at any time are unilaterally provided with information specifying addresses for reading and writing data. Are connected via an address bus (not shown) for transmitting data to and from a data bus (not shown) for exchanging data, and constitute a board circuit of the main control board 60. The storage device ROM stores various tables for determining a special symbol winning determination, a variation / stopping mode of the special symbol, a rendering mode, and the like with reference to a control program and lottery data. On the other hand, the storage device RAM is provided with a storage area for temporarily storing sphere detection signals from various sphere detection switches, a register area constituting various timers, random number counters, count counters, and a work area. It has been.

  Further, the board circuit of the main control board 60 is provided with a clock device (not shown) that outputs a predetermined clock pulse, and is connected to the main control central control unit CPU. The main control central processing unit CPU performs arithmetic processing in a time series by clock pulses at regular intervals, and sequentially executes a series of processing operations. A timer TM is also connected for counting time by counting clock pulses output from the clock device.

  Here, the central control unit CPU for main control and each central control unit CPU installed on each control board 62 to 68 to be described later are an arithmetic unit coupled with an arithmetic unit (ALU) for processing predetermined data, It is composed of a register for storing data to be inputted to and outputted from this arithmetic unit and a read instruction, a decoder for decoding the instruction, and the like. Then, the central control CPU for main control outputs data or commands generated in a predetermined format to the four control boards 62, 63, 64, 68, and the center of these control boards 62, 63, 64, 68. The control device CPU processes and executes predetermined control according to this data and the like.

  The board circuit of the main control board 60 is provided with an input port (not shown) and an output port (not shown) through which the main control central control unit CPU performs data communication with peripheral devices. A control command signal from the main control board 60 is output in one direction toward the input ports of the effect control board 62, the symbol control board 63, the payout control board 64, and the launch control board 68. In addition, various switches and sensors disposed on the special electric accessory 20a and the like are connected to the input port of the main control board 60 via a panel relay board 61. Then, every 2 ms, the main control board 60 checks the game ball detection state of each switch incorporated therein, and when there is a game ball detection, the ball detection signal is waveform-shaped by the waveform shaping circuit, and the main control center The information is input to the control device CPU and the information is stored in the storage device RAM. The output port of the main control board 60 is connected to a normal electric accessory solenoid, a special electric accessory solenoid or the like via a panel relay board 61, and the main control central control unit CPU selects a predetermined condition. In such a case, the solenoids and motors built in these are operated.

  The effect control board 62 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the overall effects executed in the pachinko gaming machine 1. This circuit board includes a storage device ROM in which fixed data relating to a variety of effects is stored, a storage device RAM in which necessary data can be read and written, an input port and an output in a central control device CPU for effect control that controls the effects The port is connected and configured. Connected to the output port of the effect control board 62 are an image control board 65 for controlling the image display 14, a sound source control board 66 for controlling the sound effect, and a light source control board 67 for controlling the effect by a light emitter such as an LED. ing. Then, when an effect command from the main control board 60 is input to the input port, the effect control board 62 performs calculation processing in the effect control central control unit CPU, and in accordance with the instruction with the effect command, the image control board 65, the sound source A control command is transmitted to the control board 66 and the light source control board 67.

  The image control board 65 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the display mode of the image display 14. The image control board 65 performs arithmetic processing on the data or command input from the effect control board 62 and causes the display driver to display the effect image by the display driver according to the data for displaying a predetermined effect image ( Not shown).

  The sound source control board 66 is provided with a board circuit for controlling sound effects and the like generated from the speaker device 32. The sound source control board 66 performs arithmetic processing on the data or command input from the effect control board 62, and causes the speaker device 32 to output sound effects according to predetermined data.

  The light source control board 67 is provided with a board circuit for controlling light emission of a decorative lamp (not shown). The light source control board 67 performs arithmetic processing on the data or command input from the effect control board 62, and turns on and blinks the LEDs of the decorative lamps by the light source operation board in accordance with predetermined light data.

  The symbol control board 63 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the special symbol display device 15, the normal symbol display device 16, the special start memory number display device 17, and the normal start memory number display device 18. The symbol control board 63 performs arithmetic processing on data or commands input from the main control board 60 via the input port, and lights and blinks the LEDs of the respective devices in accordance with predetermined optical data.

  The payout control board 64 is provided with a board circuit for controlling payout of game balls such as rental balls and prize balls. The payout control board 64 performs arithmetic processing on data or commands input from the main control board 60 and operates various solenoids such as a ball rental unit and a prize ball unit in accordance with the prescribed data, thereby providing a prescribed ball and prize ball. Execute payout. The payout control board 64 is connected to a prepaid card unit for reading and writing a prepaid card via a CR connection board, and exchanges remaining ball data and the like of game balls.

  The launch control board 68 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the ball launcher 41. This launch control board 68 drives the ball launcher 41 with a voltage intensity corresponding to the input signal from the launch handle 9 to hit the game ball with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9. .

  Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Note that the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the existing pachinko gaming machine, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the game ball launched by the player operating the launch handle 9 flows into the start port 23 of the ordinary electric accessory 20b, various counter values are extracted and a special start memory for a special symbol is generated. Then, by digesting the special start memory by a special symbol process (not shown), the special symbol display device 15 causes the LED to flash and the special symbol starts to fluctuate. The special symbol fluctuates and stops and the stop symbol mode is displayed and confirmed. In this way, a series of symbol generation processes from the start of variation of the special symbol to the fixed stop is executed by digesting the special start memory. Then, when the winning is determined by the stop pattern mode of the special symbol, a special game operation for opening and closing the special winning opening 25 is executed. This special game operation is an operation of executing a predetermined number of open / close rounds where the special winning opening 25 is opened and closed, and the player can acquire a large amount of prize balls.

  Normally, in a state where the symbol generation process is being executed, the speaker device 32 and the decorative lamp operate in a predetermined effect mode, and the effect image is displayed in a variable manner on the screen of the image display 14. Here, in the symbol generation process, a series of effect modes in which the effect image displayed on the image display 14, the sound effect generated by the speaker device 32, and the lighting / flashing of each LED by the decoration lamp are linked. Is executed. Such a series of effects is executed by special symbol processing (not shown). As this processing, a plurality of display pattern data for displaying and displaying the effect image on the image display 14, and acoustic pattern data and light emission pattern data respectively assigned to each display pattern data are set. The display pattern is selected when the symbol generation process is executed, and the acoustic pattern data and the light emission pattern data assigned to the selected display pattern are selected. Then, according to each selected pattern data, the above-described series of effects is executed by the image control board 65, the sound source control board 66, and the light source control board 67. Here, as the acoustic pattern data, various different pattern data such as rhythm, timbre, and music are set, and the sound source control board 66 controls and operates each speaker device 32 according to the selected acoustic pattern data. Sound effects are generated by the speaker device 32. Thus, the sound effect generated by the speaker device 32 is determined by the selected sound pattern data, so that each sound pattern data realizes the production sound mode according to the present invention. A plurality of types of effect sound modes are realized according to the above.

Next, the main part of the present invention will be described.
In the front frame 5 of the gaming machine body 3, as shown in FIG. The effect button device 71 includes a press detection sensor 74 that detects a pressing operation of the effect button 72, and the press detection sensor 74 is connected to the main control board 60 (see FIG. 3). Each time the effect button 72 is pressed by the player, an operation signal is generated by the press detection sensor 74 and output to the main control board 60. The operation signal is generated every time the pressing operation is performed, and when the pressing operation is continuously performed a plurality of times, the operation signal is generated in the same number as the operation number.

  Further, the effect button device 71 has a button LED 77 disposed therein, and by causing the button LED 77 to emit light, the effect button 72 is brilliant, and the player is prompted to press the effect button 72. be able to. The button LED 77 is connected to the light source control board 67 and is controlled to emit light so as to be lit during an operation effective period described later (see FIG. 3).

  As the effect button device 71 including the effect button 72 described above, a button structure for a general pressing operation can be applied, and the details thereof are omitted.

  In addition, during the execution of the above-described special symbol generation process, an operation valid period for prompting the player to press the effect button 72 is set. During this operation valid period, an operation effect image (not shown) is variably displayed on the image display 14. As the operation effect image, display control is performed in accordance with an operation effect image pattern that is displayed and changed in accordance with the pressing operation of the effect button 72. When the display of the operation effect image is selected by special symbol processing (not shown). , Selected from a plurality of predetermined display pattern data for operation effect image patterns. Then, display control is performed according to the display pattern data for the selected operation effect image pattern (operation effect display process in FIG. 4). Further, when the display pattern data for the operation effect image pattern is selected by the special symbol processing, the acoustic pattern data assigned to the selected display pattern data is selected from a plurality of predetermined acoustic pattern data. Then, sound generation control is performed on the speaker device 32 according to the selected sound pattern data (effect sound mode) (speaker sound generation process in FIG. 4). Thereby, even when the operation effect image is variably displayed on the image display device 14, a sound effect is generated in accordance with the operation effect image.

  Here, in the operation effective period (operation period flag = 1), the number of operation signals generated by the pressing operation of the effect button 72 is counted by the operation effect process of FIG. 4, and the accumulated number is stored as the number of occurrences. As the number of occurrences increases, the operation effect image is variably displayed on the image display 14 (operation effect display processing in FIG. 4). Further, a sound effect is generated in accordance with the fluctuation display of the operation effect image (speaker sound generation process in FIG. 4). The operation effect image is changed to an effect that expects to be confirmed in the symbol generation process a plurality of times as the number of occurrences increases, and the expectation increases every time the change is repeated. ing. This can increase the player's awareness of participation in the game. The number of occurrences counted during the operation valid period is reset as the operation valid period expires.

  Such an operation effective period is determined according to the operation effect image pattern selected by the special symbol process, and is started at a predetermined timing during the execution of the symbol generation process, and expires at a timing after the predetermined time has passed. That is, when the predetermined timing is reached during the execution of the symbol generation process, the start condition according to the present invention is satisfied and the operation effective period starts, and then the expiration condition according to the present invention is satisfied after a predetermined time elapses. Thus, the operation valid period expires (see FIG. 4). As a specific example, during the execution of the symbol generation process, the start condition is established according to the timing at which the effect image indicating the occurrence of reach is displayed on the image display 14, and the timing at which the special symbol is determined in the symbol generation process. Thus, the establishment of the expiration condition is set.

  On the other hand, a period excluding the above-described operation effective period is a non-operation period (operation period flag = 0), and the non-operation period is a period during which the player does not ask the player to press the effect button 72. Even during this non-operation period, when an operation signal is input from the effect button device 71, the number of times is counted and cumulatively added as the number of occurrences during the non-operation period. Then, according to the increase in the number of occurrences, an acoustic transition process (see FIG. 5) for changing the sound effect generated by the speaker device 32 is executed. In this acoustic transition process, according to the different acoustic pattern data (different effect sound mode) having a lower sound level than the normal sound pattern data (effect sound mode) matched to the effect image displayed on the image display 14. Processing for controlling the sound generation of the speaker device 32 is executed. In addition, the different effect sound aspect concerning this invention is implement | achieved by different sound pattern data.

  Here, as the different acoustic pattern data (different production sound mode), a plurality of data is set in accordance with each of the above-described normal sound pattern data (production sound mode), and each is set as the normal sound pattern data. In comparison, the sound level is reduced. In the present embodiment, the different acoustic pattern data with the reduced sound level is set as data in which only the sound volume is reduced as compared with the normal acoustic pattern data. A plurality of different acoustic pattern data in which only the sound volume is reduced stepwise is set for each normal acoustic pattern data. Specifically, when the volume of the sound effect generated by the normal sound pattern data is set to the normal level, the different sound pattern data of the first sound level (the sound volume of the sound effect is 80% with respect to the normal level) ( A different sound pattern), a second sound level different sound pattern data (60% of the normal sound level), and a third sound level sound pattern of 40% of the normal sound level. Data (different effect sound mode), different sound pattern data of the fourth sound level (different effect sound mode) set to 20% of the normal level, and different sound pattern data of the fifth sound level muted (different effect sound) Mode) is set for each normal acoustic pattern data. Therefore, the volume of the sound effect produced by the normal sound pattern data is the largest, and the sound volume is reduced only from the normal sound effect by performing sound generation control according to any of the different sound pattern data.

  Such different sound pattern data (different sound effects) of the first to fifth sound levels are sequentially selected as the number of operation signals generated in the non-operation period increases by the sound transition process as described above. As the frequency value of the number of occurrences for performing this selection, a plurality of different values are set, and from the smallest threshold value to the first determination value, the second determination value, the third determination value, and the fourth determination value The values are set so as to increase in order. In this embodiment, for example, the threshold is set to 20 times, the first determination value is 30 times, the second determination value is 40 times, the third determination value is 50 times, and the fourth determination value is 60 times. Is set. When the number of operation signals generated in the non-operation period is less than the threshold value, the sound generation control based on the normal acoustic pattern data is maintained, and when the threshold value is reached, the different sound pattern data of the first sound level is selected. When the first determination value is reached, the second sound level abnormal sound pattern data is selected, and when the second determination value is reached, the third sound level abnormal sound pattern data is selected and the third determination is performed. When the value is reached, the different sound pattern data of the fourth sound level is selected, and when the fourth determination value is reached, the different sound pattern data of the fifth sound level is selected.

  When the different sound pattern data of the first to fifth sound levels are selected by the sound transition process and the sound generation is controlled by the speaker device 32, a sound effect is generated according to the different effect sound modes by the different sound pattern data. That is, the different effect sound mode is a sound mode that generates a sound effect at a lower volume than the normal effect sound mode. Then, as described above, with the increase in the operation signal due to the non-operation period, the sound effects are sequentially changed to the different effect sound modes in which the volume is gradually reduced.

The process executed by the pressing operation of the effect button 72 during the non-operation period will be described below according to the sound generation control of the speaker device 32 according to the effect sound mode.
If the effect button 72 is not operated in the above-described operation effective period (operation period flag = 1) or non-operation period (operation period flag = 0), the normal state according to the effect image displayed on the image display 14 is displayed. The effect sound mode is executed under sound generation control by the speaker device 32 according to the sound pattern data assigned to the display pattern data for executing the display of the effect image. Thereby, in the operation effective period, the operation effect image is displayed and changed on the image display 14 by the operation effect process (FIG. 4) according to the pressing operation of the effect button 72, and the effect sound mode (normal state) according to the operation effect image is displayed. The sound generation of the speaker device 32 is controlled by the sound pattern data).

  On the other hand, for example, when the player presses the effect button 72 during the non-operation period (operation period flag = 0) during execution of the symbol generation process, the effect button device 71 generates an operation signal, and the operation signal Is input to the main control board 60. Here, because the operation period flag = 0 when the main control board 60 inputs the operation signal, the acoustic transition process of FIG. 5 is executed. Then, by this acoustic transition process, every time an operation signal is input, the input number is counted and cumulatively added as the number of occurrences in the non-operation period. If the number of occurrences is less than the threshold value, sound effects are continuously generated from the speaker device 32 according to the effect sound mode based on the normal sound pattern data, as in the state where the effect button 72 is not operated.

  When the pressing operation of the effect button 72 occurs continuously and the number of occurrences reaches the threshold value (20 times), the abnormal sound pattern of the first sound level is generated by the sound transition process according to the display pattern data currently being executed. Data is selected and the speaker device 32 is controlled to generate sound through the above-described sound source control board 66 (speaker sound generation processing in FIG. 5). As a result, the volume of the sound effect emitted from the speaker device 32 is lowered by one step compared to the normal state. In this way, the volume of the sound effect is lowered by one step, so that the player can easily notice the decrease in the volume. Here, when the sound level is lower than the normal state (when any one of the first to fifth sound levels is selected), a decrease flag = 1 is set. Further, in the present embodiment, a message image (not shown) calling for stopping the pressing operation of the effect button 72 is displayed on the image display 14 to prompt the stop of the pressing operation.

  Thereafter, when the operation signal is continuously input, the number of occurrences increases accordingly, and when the number of occurrences reaches the first determination value (30 times), the sound of the second sound level is determined according to the display pattern data. The pattern data is selected and the speaker device 32 is controlled to generate sound according to the different effect sound mode based on the data, thereby further reducing the sound volume by one step. Similarly, when the number of occurrences reaches the second determination value (40 times) due to continuous input of the operation signal, the sound pattern data of the third sound level is selected, and the volume of the sound effect is further lowered by one step. When the number of occurrences reaches the third determination value (50 times), the sound pattern data of the fourth sound level is selected, and the volume of the sound effect is further lowered by one step. Further, when the number of occurrences reaches the fourth determination value (60 times), the sound pattern data of the fifth sound level is selected and muted.

  As described above, as the number of operation signals generated in the non-operation period increases, the volume of the sound effect emitted from the speaker device 32 is gradually reduced in accordance with the effect image displayed on the image display 14. Since the control is executed in such a manner, the player is likely to notice the decrease every time the volume of the sound effect that excites the effect image decreases. Here, since the effect image and the sound effect are a series of effects, the interest of the effect is reduced due to a decrease in the volume of the sound effect, so that the player is less interested. For this reason, the player can be induced to feel the desire to eliminate the abnormal sound volume reduction. Then, the volume of the sound effect that is generated in accordance with the effect image gradually decreases in accordance with the pressing operation of the effect button 72. Therefore, the causal relationship between the change in volume and the operation of the effect button 72 is indicated to the player. This makes it easy to notice and makes it easy for the player to stop pressing the effect button 72.

  As described above, when the player stops the pressing operation of the effect button 72 due to the volume reduction (execution of the different effect sound mode) by the speaker device 32, the input of the operation signal is stopped. Then, when a predetermined input time has passed without any new input from this input stop, the return flag shown in FIG. 6 for returning the sound effect sound volume to the normal level is executed with the reduction flag = 1 and the return flag = 1. . In the return process, first, the speaker device 32 is controlled so as to increase the sound level by one step, and a sound effect is generated at a sound level having a higher sound level. That is, sound pattern data having a higher sound level is selected, and sound generation control is performed on the speaker device 32 according to the sound pattern data (speaker sound generation processing in FIG. 6). Here, when the sound pattern data that is one step higher is normal sound pattern data (normal effect sound mode), the number of occurrences in the non-operation period is reset, and the return flag is 0 and the return flag is 0. Expire processing. On the other hand, when the sound pattern data that is one step higher is the sound pattern data (different effect sound mode) of the first sound level or lower, the time interval of the preset interval time is started, and when the interval time has elapsed, Select and execute acoustic pattern data whose acoustic level is one step higher. Further, before the sound level returns to the normal level (normal production sound mode), every time the sound level is increased by one step, the number of occurrences in the non-operation period is subtracted by 10 times.

  For example, it is assumed that the return process (return flag = 1) in FIG. 6 is started in a state where the speaker device 32 is controlled to generate sound according to the different effect sound mode based on the sound pattern data of the third sound level (number of occurrences = 42 times). Then, the sound pattern data of the second sound level is selected according to the display pattern data of the effect image, the sound generation control is performed on the speaker device 32 according to the sound pattern data, and the sound effect is generated with a higher volume. Further, 10 times is subtracted from the accumulated number of occurrences (occurrence number = 32 times). Then, time digestion of the interval time is started. After that, when the interval time elapses, the sound pattern data of the first sound level is selected to control the sound generation of the speaker device 32, and the sound effect is generated with a further higher volume, and 10 times is subtracted from the accumulated number of occurrences. (Number of occurrences = 22). Then, the digestion of the interval time is started again, and when the time elapses, normal sound pattern data is selected, and a sound effect is generated with the sound volume at the normal level. Accordingly, the number of occurrences in the non-operation period is reset by setting the decrease flag = 0 and the return flag = 0. In this way, the normal effect sound mode is restored from the different effect sound mode having a low sound level.

  Note that when the player sequentially presses the effect button 72 when the sound level is sequentially returned to the normal level by the return process of FIG. 6, if a new operation signal is input, the return flag = 0 and FIG. In the acoustic transition process, the number of operation signal inputs is counted and cumulatively added to the number of occurrences. Here, the number of occurrences in the non-operation period is added to the value subtracted by the return process, and the number of occurrences is cumulatively added according to the input of a new operation signal, so that the sound transition process in FIG. A process of decreasing the volume of the sound in stages is executed. For example, when the acoustic pattern data of the first acoustic level is selected and executed by the return processing in FIG. 6 (occurrence number = 22 times), when a new operation signal is input, the number of times is converted into the acoustic transition process. The cumulative number is added to the number of occurrences, and when the number of occurrences reaches the first determination value (= 30 times), the sound pattern data of the second acoustic level is selected, and the speaker device 32 is controlled to generate sound effects. Decrease the volume of. In this way, if the effect button 72 is pressed even while the return process is being executed, the sound pattern data having a low volume level is selected accordingly, the sound effect volume is reduced, and the sound transition process and return are performed. The processing is controlled so as to be appropriately executed according to the pressing operation of the effect button 72.

  Further, as described above, when acoustic pattern data having a low volume level is selectively executed by pressing the effect button 72 in the non-operation period (operation period flag = 0) (decrease flag = 1), FIG. The standby flag = 1 is set by the standby process. Even when the start condition for starting the operation effective period is satisfied by the progress of the symbol generation process in the state of the standby flag = 1, the operation effective period is not started and the non-operation period (operation The period flag = 0) is maintained. Even if the sound level is increased stepwise to the normal level by the return process, if the sound level is lower than the normal level (decrease flag = 1), the standby flag is set by the standby process of FIG. = 1, the operation period flag = 0 is maintained (see FIG. 4). When the standby flag = 1 is restored to the normal level by the return processing, the standby flag = 0 is set by the decrease flag = 0 (see FIG. 7), and the operation period flag = 1 is set by the establishment of the start condition described above. (See FIG. 4). In this case, since the symbol generation process continues while the standby flag = 1, the operation valid period is shortened. On the other hand, after the timing at which the start condition is satisfied, the symbol generation process proceeds with the standby flag = 1, and when the expiration condition for completing the operation valid period is reached, the standby flag = 0. To do. Thereby, in the said symbol production | generation process, an operation effective period does not generate | occur | produce but a non-operation period continues. Thus, in the state where the volume of the sound effect matched to the effect image by the pressing operation of the effect button 72 by the player in the non-operation period is the first to fifth sound levels lower than the normal level, Even when the operation valid period is started, the non-operation period continues, and the operation valid period is not shortened or generated. This means that the benefit of game participation that the player should originally obtain is reduced or not generated. In other words, this is a penalty for pressing the effect button 72 during the non-operation period.

  As described above, the configuration of the present embodiment increases the number of times the player operates the effect button 72 when the player presses the effect button 72 in a non-operation period other than the operation effective period in which the player operates the effect button 72. Accordingly, the player recognizes the volume reduction because the speaker device 32 is controlled so as to reduce the volume of the sound effect according to the effect image displayed on the image display 14 step by step. It is easy for the player to catch this as the occurrence of an abnormality. Thereby, since it is possible to suppress the pressing operation of the effect button 72 by the player during the non-operation period, it is possible to suppress the failure of the effect button 72, and the stable operation of the effect button device 71 is relatively long. Can be maintained for a long time. Further, if the pressing operation of the effect button 72 is stopped in a state where the volume is lower than the normal level, the volume of the sound effect is increased stepwise to return to the normal level. The effect of informing the player that the operation is the operation of the effect button 72 is further improved. Thereby, the effect which suppresses that the production button 72 is operated by the non-operation period after the next time improves further, and the effect which suppresses generation | occurrence | production of an above described failure further increases.

  In this embodiment, the main control board 60, the effect control board 62, and the sound source control board 66 realize the button game control means according to the present invention. Further, the sound source control board 66 realizes the speaker control means according to the present invention, and realizes the acoustic mode control process and the acoustic transition process according to the present invention by the acoustic transition process described above. Moreover, the period process concerning this invention is implement | achieved by the above-mentioned operation effect process and standby process.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the acoustic level is lower than the normal level, and the configuration is such that only the volume of the sound effect is reduced compared to the normal level. As described above, an acoustic level with a reduced pitch and an acoustic level with a reduced sound tempo can be set. For example, a plurality of pieces of acoustic pattern data (different production sound modes) having an acoustic level that is lower than the normal level are set, and the acoustic pattern data is selected and executed so that the pitches sequentially decrease. It is good also as a structure provided with the acoustic transition process. Or it is good also as a structure provided with the acoustic transition process which sets and selectively performs multiple pieces of acoustic pattern data (different production sound aspect) which reduced the tempo of the sound. Furthermore, a plurality of sound pattern data (different effect sound modes) combining sound volume reduction, pitch reduction, and sound tempo reduction may be set and selectively executed. Furthermore, in addition to the volume, pitch, and sound tempo, the sound pattern data can be set so as to change the tone and rhythm of the sound.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the different effect sound mode is executed by selecting sound pattern data from a plurality of sound pattern data having different sound levels and performing sound generation control. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which control processing is performed so as to mechanically reduce the volume or pitch.

  In this invention, it is not limited to the Example mentioned above, About the structure other than the above-mentioned Example, it can change and implement suitably within the range of the meaning of this invention.

1 Pachinko machine 14 Image display 32 Speaker device 72 Production button

Claims (4)

An image display for displaying a production image;
A production button arranged at the front of the machine base and operable by the player,
A button game control means for variably displaying a predetermined operation effect image on the image display device in accordance with an operation signal generated in accordance with an operation signal during an operation effective period for prompting the player to press the effect button;
A plurality of speaker devices arranged on the machine base;
In a pachinko gaming machine comprising speaker control means for controlling the sound generation of the speaker device according to a predetermined acoustic mode,
The speaker control means is preset with a normal effect sound mode generated via the speaker device according to the progress of the game and a plurality of different effect sound modes different from the normal effect sound mode, An acoustic mode control process for controlling the sound generation of the speaker device according to the acoustic mode;
The button game control means includes
In the non-operation period excluding the operation valid period, the number of occurrences of the operation signal is counted, and when the number of occurrences exceeds a predetermined threshold, one of the different effect sound modes is selected according to a predetermined sound selection condition, According to the selected different effect sound mode, an acoustic transition process for controlling the sound generation of the speaker device through the sound mode control process of the speaker control unit;
A pachinko gaming machine comprising a return process for returning to a normal effect sound mode when an increase in the number of occurrences of an operation signal is stopped in a state where the sound generation of the speaker device is controlled according to a different effect sound mode . The sound control process of the speaker control means includes a plurality of different sound effects in which a plurality of sound levels are set, each of which reduces at least one of volume, pitch, and sound tempo as compared to a normal sound effect. It has processing contents to selectively execute
The sound transition process of the button game control means is performed as a sound selection condition, when the number of occurrences of the operation signal counted in the non-operation period exceeds a predetermined threshold, the sound level is sequentially increased step by step as the number of occurrences increases. The pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a condition for selecting a different effect sound mode is determined so as to be reduced.   In the return process of the button game control means, when the increase in the number of generations of the operation signal is stopped, one of the different effect sound modes is selected so that the sound level becomes higher step by step, and the sound mode of the speaker control means The pachinko gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising processing contents for controlling the sound generation of the speaker device through the control processing. The button game control means includes a period process for starting an operation effective period with the establishment of a predetermined start condition and expiring the operation effective period with the establishment of a predetermined expiration condition,
When the start condition is satisfied in the state where the sound generation control is performed by the speaker device according to the different effect sound mode, the period process continues the non-operation period without starting the operation effective period, and before the expiration condition is satisfied. The pachinko gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pachinko gaming machine has a processing content for starting an operation valid period when the sound effect is restored to the normal effect sound mode.

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