JP2022016693A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of suitably raising an attention degree to a game.

SOLUTION: A Pachinko machine includes an operation button unit 100 having an operation button that can be operated by a player. The operation button unit 100 includes a sensor device 120 that is capable of detecting execution of an operation to an operation screen of the operation button, and when the player operates the operation screen, an operation performance is performed on a first display screen of a pattern display device on the basis of a detection result by the sensor device 120. The Pachinko machine further includes an operation space where a displacing operation of an operation body such as a hand of the player is executed, and the sensor device 120 is provided so as to determine the operation space to be a detection area. An MPU of a sound and light-emission control device includes means for determining a state including a non-operation state where the operation screen is not operated by the operation body, from the detection result by the sensor device 120.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

For example, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine is known to have an operating means operated by a player. For example, in the pachinko gaming machine shown in Patent Document 1, an operating means is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine, and a special effect is produced according to the operation of the player in order to expect the player to generate a special gaming state or the like that is advantageous to the player. Is configured to be performed on the screen display or the like. In a gaming machine that employs operating means in this way, how to raise the degree of attention of the player to the game by using the operating means has become an important issue.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-29764

Here, there is a concern that simply performing a special effect according to the operation of the operating means will make the operation monotonous and the freshness will be diminished, and the interest in the operation itself will easily decrease. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in improving the degree of attention to the game by using the operating means.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-exemplified circumstances and the like, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably increasing the degree of attention to gaming.

The present invention
An operating means having an operating surface that is pressed and operated by the player,
When an operation is performed on the operating means, the effect performing means for performing the effect according to the operation and the effect performing means.
In a gaming machine equipped with
An operation space is provided on the front side of the gaming machine so that the player can displace an operating body such as a hand when operating the operating surface.
A detection means capable of detecting the presence of the operating body using the operating space as a detection area,
An operation state determination means for determining a state including a non-operation state in which the operation surface is not pressed by the operation body from the detection result by the detection means.
It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably increase the degree of attention to the game.

It is a perspective view seen from the front which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the main structure of the game machine main body by disassembling. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. (A) is a side view of the operation button unit, and (b) is a vertical sectional view of the operation button unit. (A) to (d) is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the position of the operating body is grasped by the sensor device, and (e) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the ON / OFF state of each sensor. .. (A) to (d) is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the position of the operating body is grasped by the sensor device, and (e) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the ON / OFF state of each sensor. .. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the principle of stereoscopic vision in a special display device. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of a pachinko machine. (A), (b) It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display content on the 1st display screen of a symbol display apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the contents of various counters used for a winning / failing lottery. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interrupt processing in MPU of a main control unit. It is a flowchart which shows the normal process. It is a flowchart which shows the game times control processing. It is a block diagram which shows the electric composition about a production. (A)-(f) It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the effect related to the operation button unit. (A)-(j) It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the effect related to the operation button unit. It is a flowchart which shows the fluctuation display control processing in MPU of a voice light emission control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process for a variation start. It is a flowchart which shows the variation mode setting process corresponding to the deviation. It is a flowchart which shows the process for changing. It is a flowchart which shows the operation correspondence processing for a button. It is a flowchart which shows the confirmation process of the preparation state. It is a flowchart which shows the confirmation process of the implementation state. It is a flowchart which shows the confirmation process of operation execution. It is a flowchart which shows the process for production. It is a flowchart which shows the operation correspondence processing for a character. It is a flowchart which shows the command correspondence processing in the control CPU of a display control device. It is a flowchart which shows the special effect setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the process for starting operation effect. It is a flowchart which shows operation correspondence processing. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the modification of the operation button unit.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as “pachinko machine”), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main configurations of the pachinko machine 10 in an exploded manner. Note that, in FIG. 2, for convenience, the configuration in the gaming area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted.

The pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main body 12 that is rotatably attached to the outer frame 11 in the forward direction. The outer frame 11 is formed by connecting a plurality of frame materials on four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island equipment. The outer frame 11 is not an indispensable configuration for the pachinko machine 10, and the outer frame 11 may be provided in the island equipment of the game hall.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine main body 12 includes an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 arranged in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 arranged behind the inner frame 13. ing. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main body 12 is rotatably supported with respect to the outer frame 11. Specifically, the inner frame 13 can rotate forward with the left side as the rotation base end side and the right side as the rotation tip side in front view.

The front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and is rotatable forward with the left side as the rotation base end side and the right side as the rotation tip side in front view. Further, the back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported on the inner frame 13, and is rotatable rearward with the left side as the rotation base end side and the right side as the rotation tip side in front view.

The gaming machine main body 12 is provided with a locking device at the rotating tip portion thereof, and has a function of locking the gaming machine main body 12 with respect to the outer frame 11 so as to be in a locked state. It has a function of locking the door frame 14 to the inner frame 13 so that it cannot be opened. Each of these locked states is released by performing an unlocking operation using the unlocking key on the cylinder lock 17 exposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10.

Next, the configuration of the front side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 21 having an outer shape substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 23 is formed in the central portion of the resin base 21. A game board 24 is detachably attached to the resin base 21. The game board 24 is made of plywood, and the game area PE formed on the front surface of the game board 24 is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 23 of the resin base 21.

An inner rail portion 25 and an outer rail portion 26 are attached to the game board 24 so as to partition a part of the outer edge of the game area PE, and the guiding means is provided by the inner rail portion 25 and the outer rail portion 26. As a guide rail is configured. The game ball launched from the game ball launch mechanism 27 attached below the window hole 23 in the resin base 21 is guided to the upper part of the game area PE by the guide rail.

Incidentally, the game ball launch mechanism 27 has a launch rail 27a extending toward the guide rail, a ball feeding device 27b for supplying the game ball stored in the precision plate 66a described later on the launch rail 27a, and a launch rail 27a. It is equipped with a solenoid 27c, which is an electric actuator that launches the game ball supplied to the guide rail toward the guide rail. The solenoid 27c is driven and controlled by the rotation operation of the launch operation device (or launch handle) 28 provided on the front door frame 14, and the game ball is launched.

Here, the configuration of the game board 24 will be described with reference to FIG.

The game board 24 is formed with a plurality of large and small openings that penetrate in the front-rear direction by being processed by a router. Each opening has a general winning opening 31, a variable winning device 32, an upper operating port (first starting ball entry section) 33, a lower operating opening (second starting ball entry section) 34, a through gate 35, a variable display unit 36, A main display unit 43, a display unit for accessories 44, and the like are provided, respectively.

On the back side of the game board 24, a detection sensor (not shown) is provided corresponding to each of the general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating opening 33, and the lower operating opening 34, and the general winning opening 31 is provided. When a ball enters the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33 and the lower operating port 34, it is detected by the corresponding detection sensor, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out based on the detection result. .. In this case, when a ball is entered into the general winning opening 31, 10 game balls are paid out, and when a ball is entered into the variable winning device 32, 15 game balls are paid out. Is executed, and when a ball enters the upper operating port 33, three game balls are paid out, and when a ball enters the lower operating port 34, four game balls are paid out. Is executed.

The number of game balls to be paid out is not limited to the above. However, in order to enhance the advantage of the lower operating port 34 with respect to the upper operating port 33, it is preferable to set a larger number of payouts related to the lower operating port 34 than the number of payouts related to the upper operating port 33. Further, in order to enhance the advantage of the variable winning device 32 for each of the operating ports 33 and 34, it is preferable to set a larger number of payouts for the variable winning device 32 than for the number of payouts for each of the operating ports 33 and 34.

In addition, an out port 37 is provided at the lowermost portion of the game board 24, and a game ball that has not entered various winning openings or the like is discharged from the game area PE through the out opening 37. Further, on the game board 24, a large number of nails 38 are planted in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game ball, and various members (accessories) such as a windmill are arranged.

Here, the entry ball means that the game ball passes through the predetermined opening, and not only the mode in which the game ball is discharged from the game area PE after passing through the opening, but also the game area PE after passing through the opening. It also includes aspects that are not discharged from. However, in the following description, in order to clearly distinguish from the entry of the game ball into the out port 37, the entry of the game ball into the variable winning device 32, the upper actuating port 33, the lower actuating port 34 or the through gate 35. Is also expressed as a prize.

The upper operating port 33 and the lower operating port 34 are unitized as an operating port device and installed on the game board 24. Both the upper working port 33 and the lower working port 34 are opened upward. Further, both actuation ports 33 and 34 are arranged in the vertical direction, more specifically in the vertical direction, so that the upper actuating port 33 faces upward. The lower working port 34 is provided with an electric accessory 34a as a guide piece made of a pair of left and right movable pieces. The electric accessory 34a is switched between a closed state (non-supported state or non-guided state) and an open state (supported state or guided state).

The variable winning device 32 includes a large winning opening 32a leading to the back side of the game board 24, and also includes an opening / closing door 32b for opening and closing the large winning opening 32a. The opening / closing door 32b is connected to a drive unit such as a solenoid provided on the back side of the game board 24, and is normally in a closed state in which the game ball cannot or is difficult to win. If the player wins the transition to the (open / close execution state), the game ball can be switched to a predetermined open state in which it is easy to win a prize.

Here, the open / close execution mode is a mode that shifts when a big hit is won. The open / close execution mode will be described in detail later. As an opening mode of the variable winning device 32, the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly opened with a predetermined time (for example, 30 sec) elapsed or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winnings as one round and a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) as an upper limit. There is an aspect to be done.

The main display unit 43 and the accessory display unit 44 are provided on the decorative member 39 arranged along the outer edge on the lower side of the game area PE. The decorative member 39 extends from the surface of the gaming board 24 to the front of the pachinko machine 10. More specifically, the front surface of the decorative member 39 faces the window panel 62 provided on the front door frame 14 in order to make the gaming area PE visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and further, the window panel 62. The distance between them is narrower than one game ball. This prevents the game ball from falling in front of the front surface of the decorative member 39.

The main display unit 43 and the accessory display unit 44 are provided so as to be exposed from the front surface of the decorative member 39. That is, the main display unit 43 and the accessory display unit 44 can be visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the window panel 62 of the front door frame 14, and the game ball can be seen in front of both the display units 43 and 44. It is prevented from falling.

When the variable winning device 32 is in the open / close execution mode (or in the open / close execution mode) due to the big hit winning, the main display unit 43 has the large winning opening 32a of the variable winning device 32 in the open / close execution mode. A round display unit RS for clearly indicating the number of times the is opened and a result display unit AS for clearly indicating the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the operating ports 33 and 34 are set.

The round display unit RS starts displaying the number of times of opening when the opening / closing execution mode starts, and ends the display when the opening / closing execution mode ends.

In the result display unit AS, the variation display of the pattern is performed with the winning of each operating port 33, 34 as a trigger, and as a result of stopping the variation display, the inside performed based on the winning of each operating port 33, 34. The result of the lottery is clearly indicated by the display. If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning of each operating port 33, 34 is the winning result corresponding to the transition to the open / close execution mode, the predetermined stop result is displayed on the result display unit AS and is displayed in a variable manner. After is stopped, the mode shifts to the open / close execution mode.

Here, based on the winning of any of the operating ports 33 and 34, the variation display is started on the result display unit AS, the predetermined stop result is displayed, and the game round 1 is until the variation display is stopped. Equivalent to times. However, one game round is not limited to the above contents, and for example, a result display unit is provided corresponding to each of the operating openings 33 and 34, and a prize is generated for the operating openings 33 and 34. If this is the case, in a configuration in which the variation display is performed on the corresponding result display unit, the variation display is started on the corresponding result display unit, and the variation display is stopped while the predetermined stop result is displayed. It will be one of the game times.

The accessory display unit 44 is a display unit for clearly showing the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the through gate 35. In this case, the accessory display unit 44 performs a variable display of the pattern triggered by winning a prize in the through gate 35, and as a result of stopping the variable display, an internal lottery performed based on the winning in the through gate 35 is performed. The result of is specified by the display. If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning of the through gate 35 is the winning result corresponding to the transition to the electric service open state, the predetermined stop result is displayed on the accessory display unit 44 and displayed in a variable manner. After the is stopped, it shifts to the electric service open state. In the electric service open state, the electric accessory 34a provided in the lower actuating port 34 is in the open state in a predetermined manner.

The main display unit 43 and the accessory display unit 44 are composed of a segment display device having a plurality of segments, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other display devices such as a liquid crystal display device may be used. May be good.

The variable display unit 36 is provided with a symbol display device 41 for variable display (or variable display or switching display) of the symbol. Further, in the variable display unit 36, a center frame 42 is arranged so as to surround the symbol display device 41. The upper portion of the center frame 42 extends forward of the pachinko machine 10. As a result, the game ball is prevented from falling in front of the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41, and the drop of the game ball causes a disadvantage that the visibility of the first display screen G1 is lowered. There is no configuration.

The symbol display device 41 is configured as a liquid crystal display device provided with a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. On the symbol display device 41, for example, symbols are displayed side by side in the upper, middle, and lower directions, and these symbols are variably displayed so as to be scrolled in the left-right direction. In this case, the variation display in the symbol display device 41 is started based on the winning of the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34. That is, when the result display unit AS performs the variable display, the symbol display device 41 performs the variable display accordingly. Then, for example, the game times for shifting to the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to 15 rounds in which the large winning opening 32a of the variable winning device 32 is opened 15 times as the opening / closing execution mode are set in advance in the symbol display device 41. A predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on the valid line.

A first reserved light emitting unit 45 corresponding to the result display unit AS and the symbol display device 41 is provided on the upper left portion on the front surface side of the center frame 42. The number of game balls that have won a prize in any of the operating ports 33 and 34 is reserved up to four, and the reserved number is displayed by lighting the first reserved light emitting unit 45. As described above, since the upper part of the center frame 42 extends to the front of the pachinko machine 10, the visibility of the first reserved light emitting unit 45 is not hindered by the falling of the game ball.

At the lower part of the center frame 42, a second reserved light emitting unit 47 corresponding to the accessory display unit 44 is provided. The number of times the game ball has passed through the through gate 35 is held up to four times, and the number of holdings is displayed by lighting the second holding light emitting unit 47. It should be noted that the reserved light emitting units 45 and 47 may be configured to be displayed by a part of the symbol display device 41.

The front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the entire front surface side of the inner frame 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the front door frame 14 is formed with a window portion 61 so that almost the entire area of the game area PE can be visually recognized from the front. The window portion 61 has a substantially elliptical shape, and the window panel 62 described above is fitted therein. The window panel 62 is formed colorless and transparent by glass, but is not limited to this, and may be formed colorless and transparent by synthetic resin.

Light emitting means such as various light emitting parts are provided around the window portion 61. A display light emitting unit 63 is provided on the right side of the window unit 61 as a part of the various light emitting units. Further, an error light emitting unit 64 is provided above the window unit 61. Further, a pair of left and right speaker units 65 for outputting sound effects and the like according to the game state are provided.

Below the window portion 61 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 66 and a lower bulging portion 67 bulging toward the front side are arranged side by side. An upper plate 66a opened upward is provided inside the upper bulging portion 66, and a lower plate 67a also opened upward is provided inside the lower bulging portion 67. The upper plate 66a has a function of temporarily storing the game balls paid out from the payout device described later and guiding them to the game ball launching mechanism 27 side while arranging them in a row. Further, the lower plate 67a has a function of storing the surplus game balls in the upper plate 66a.

On the side of the upper bulging portion 66 opposite to the launching operation device 28, an operation button unit 100 manually operated by the players is provided. The operation button unit 100 is an operation device manually operated by a player in the process of progressing a game in order to perform a predetermined effect on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41 or the like. The specific configuration of the operation button unit 100 and a predetermined effect based on the operation will be described in detail later.

Next, the configuration of the back side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, a main control device 81 that controls the main control of the game is mounted on the back surface of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24). The main control device 81 has a main control board housed in a board box.

The back pack unit 15 is installed so as to cover the back side of the inner frame 13 including the main control device 81. The back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 72 formed of a transparent synthetic resin, and a payout mechanism unit 73 and a control device collective unit 74 are attached to the back pack 72.

The payout mechanism unit 73 includes a tank 75 in which game balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall are sequentially replenished, and a payout device 76 for paying out the game balls stored in the tank 75. The game ball paid out from the payout device 76 is discharged to the upper plate 66a or the lower plate 67a through the payout passage provided on the downstream side of the payout device 76. The payout mechanism unit 73 is provided with, for example, a back pack board having a power switch for turning on and off the power supply while supplying a main power supply of AC 24 volts.

The control device collective unit 74 generates and outputs predetermined electric power required by the payout control device 77 having a function of controlling the payout device 76 and various control devices, and is accompanied by the operation of the launch operation device 28 by the player. It includes a power supply and a launch control device 78 for controlling the launch of the game ball. The payout control device 77 and the power supply and launch control device 78 are arranged so as to be stacked in the front-rear direction so that the payout control device 77 is behind the pachinko machine 10.

The back pack 72 is provided with an external terminal board 79 in addition to the payout mechanism unit 73 and the control device collective unit 74. The external terminal board 79 is installed on the back surface of the pachinko machine 10 at the upper corner portion on the rotation base end side of the back pack unit 15. The external terminal board 79 is a board for outputting a predetermined signal in order to make the management computer of the game hall recognize the state of the pachinko machine 10.

<Operation button unit 100>
Next, the configuration of the operation button unit 100 provided on the front door frame 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As described above, the operation button unit 100 is provided on the side of the upper plate 66a and on the side opposite to the firing operation device 28 in the upper bulging portion 66. FIG. 4A is a side view of the operation button unit 100 viewed from the upper plate 66a side, and FIG. 4B is a vertical sectional view of the operation button unit 100 viewed from the upper plate 66a.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the operation button unit 100 includes a button device 110 having an operation button 111 on which a player manually operates, and a sensor having a detection range (detection area) above the operation button 111. A device 120 and a special display device 130 for displaying an invitation image prompting the operation of the operation button 111 are provided, and each of these devices 110, 120, and 130 is a plate 66a in the upper bulging portion 66 of the front door frame 14. It is provided on the left side of (see FIG. 1).

More specifically about the mounting positions of the respective devices 110, 120, 130, the button device 110 is provided on the upper bulging portion 66 by exposing the operation button 111 from the upper surface of the upper bulging portion 66. No decorative member or the like is provided in the space above the operation button 111, and the operation space OE is secured so that the players can manually operate the operation button 111 (see FIG. 1). Here, the operation space OE is a space sufficient for the players to manually press the operation button 111, and is a space in which the operation before the pressing operation can be performed without any trouble.

The sensor device 120 and the special display device 130 are provided so as to surround the operation space OE. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a wall portion 68 is formed on the front portion of the gaming machine so as to surround the rear side and the side surface of the operation button 111, and the sensor device 120 and the special display device are formed on the wall portion 68. 130 is provided.

The wall portion 68 has a first wall portion 68a and a second wall portion 68b provided at positions intersecting each other, a sensor device 120 is provided on the first wall portion 68a, and a special display device 130 is provided on the second wall portion 68b. Is provided. The first wall portion 68a is arranged laterally (to the left) with respect to the operation button 111, and the second wall portion 68b is arranged behind the operation button 111.

That is, the sensor device 120 is arranged on the side of the operation space OE, and the special display device 130 is arranged behind the operation space OE. The detection range of the sensor device 120 is set to be included in the operation space OE, and it is possible to detect an operating body such as a hand existing in the operation space OE from the side. Further, the special display device 130 displays the invitation image from the position behind the operation button 111, and the invitation image is displayed in the operation space OE when viewed from the player.

The operation button 111 can also be pressed by an object held by the player, and when the pressing operation is performed by the object, that object corresponds to the "operation body".

The configurations of the devices 110, 120, and 130 arranged as described above will be described in detail below.

First, the configuration of the button device 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 (b).

The upper bulging portion 66 is formed with a receiving portion 66b recessed downward at the upper portion thereof. The upper surface of the operation button 111 is formed with an operation surface 112 on which the players manually operate. The operation button 111 is inserted from above with respect to the receiving portion 66b, and the operation surface 112 is provided so as to project upward from the upper surface of the upper bulging portion 66. The region inserted into the receiving portion 66b on the peripheral surface of the operation button 111 of the operation button 111 faces the peripheral surface defining the receiving portion 66b in a region close to the peripheral surface.

A protrusion 113 is formed on the peripheral wall of the operation button 111 so as to project outward. A plurality of the protrusions 113 are formed on the peripheral wall of the operation button 111. A receiving groove portion 66c recessed inside the receiving portion 66b is formed on the peripheral wall of the receiving portion 66b corresponding to each of the protrusions 113, and each protrusion 113 enters the corresponding receiving groove portion 66c. There is. The receiving groove portion 66c is formed long in the operation direction (vertical direction) of the operation button 111, and the operation button 111 can move in the vertical direction within a range defined by the receiving groove portion 66c.

A spring spring 115 as an urging means for urging the operation button 111 upward is provided between the bottom of the operation button 111 and the bottom of the receiving portion 66b. Then, the operation button 111 is arranged at the initial position located above by the urging force of the spring spring 115, and the operation button 111 is positioned below by pressing the operation surface 112 of the operation button 111 downward by the players. Move to position. Then, by releasing the push pressure, the operation button 111 returns to the initial position by the urging force of the spring spring 115 again. Specifically, when the operation button 111 moves from the initial position to the operation position, the upper surface of the operation button 111 moves downward by about 2 cm. The height dimension of the operation button 111 is formed to be longer than the height dimension of the receiving portion 66b, and even if the operation button 111 moves to the operation position, the operation surface 112 of the operation button 111 is the upper surface of the upper bulging portion 66. Placed above.

As described above, the button device 110 has a simple configuration in which the protrusion 113 of the operation button 111 and the receiving groove 66c of the receiving portion 66b are engaged with each other and urged by the spring spring 115.

Next, the sensor device 120 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the sensor device 120 includes a plurality of non-contact sensors 121 and a box base 122 accommodating each sensor 121, and the box base 122 is accommodated in the first wall portion 68a. Has been done. The sensor device 120 is configured as a non-contact sensor group by accommodating a plurality of sensors 121 in the box base 122.

Each sensor 121 of the sensor device 120 has a light emitting unit 123 that outputs infrared rays and a light receiving unit 124 that receives the reflected light reflected by the detection target (manipulator such as a player's hand). There is. The light emitting unit 123 and the light receiving unit 124 are provided toward the operation space OE via a transparent synthetic resin plate (not shown) provided on the first wall portion 68a.

The light emitting unit 123 and the light receiving unit 124 of each sensor 121 are electrically connected to a voice emission control device as a control device on the sub side. Then, the sensor 121 is turned on when each light receiving unit 124 is receiving infrared rays, outputs a detection signal of the HI signal to the voice emission control device, and is turned off when each light receiving unit 124 is not receiving infrared rays. The state is set and the detection signal of the LOW signal is output. As a result, the voice emission control device can grasp the ON / OFF state of each sensor 121.

The infrared rays output from each light emitting unit 123 have high directivity, and the directions of the outputs are parallel to each other. Further, the infrared rays have different wavelengths for each light emitting unit 123, and the infrared rays output from the light emitting unit 123 and the infrared rays received by the light receiving unit 124 are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis for each sensor 121. ..

Each sensor 121 configured as described above can detect a detection target within a range in which the reflected infrared light output from the light emitting unit 123 can be received by the corresponding light receiving unit 124, and more specifically. , The detection target can be detected within a range of about 10 cm away from the sensor device 120. The range includes at least the space above the operation button 111.

Further, among the sensors 121, the sensor arranged at the lower end is arranged at a position where a hand touching the operation surface 112 of the operation button 111 can be detected, and the sensor arranged at the upper end is about 10 cm above the operation button 111. Placed in position. Further, the sensor arranged at the back end is arranged closer to the special display device 130 than the back end of the operation button 111, and the sensor arranged at the front end is arranged closer to the player than the front end of the operation button 111. Each sensor 121 arranged in this way defines the detection range of the sensor device 120, and it is possible to detect the presence of the operating body in the space above the operation button 111.

Each sensor 121 is arranged in a matrix of m rows × n columns in the operation direction of the operation button 111 and the direction orthogonal to the operation direction. More specifically, they are arranged at predetermined intervals in the operation direction of the operation buttons 111, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in front of the special display device 130 in the direction orthogonal to the operation direction of the operation buttons 111. ing. That is, the sensor device 120 is located at the back in the operation direction of the operation button 111, in the direction orthogonal to the operation direction of the operation button 111 and the sensor 121 in the 1, 2, 3, ... m-1, m line from the lower end. It is composed of 1, 2, 3, ... n-1, n rows of sensors 121 from the end.

In the present embodiment, the above predetermined spacing is uniformly 1 cm, and the sensors in rows 1 to 10 in the operation direction of the operation button 111 and the sensors in rows 1 to 10 in the direction orthogonal to the operation direction of the operation button 111. The sensor device 120 has a total of 100 sensors 121.

Since each sensor 121 is aligned in the operation direction of the operation button 111, the pachinko machine 10 can be detected by checking the sensor 121 that is in the ON state. It is possible to grasp the position in the operation direction. Then, by utilizing the configuration for grasping the position in the operation direction, in the pachinko machine 10, the operation ready state existing in the standby position where the operation body operates the operation button 111 and the operation body operate the operation button 111. It is possible to grasp the operation execution status that is being performed.

The configuration for grasping the position of the operating body in the operating direction will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, only one sensor 121 out of the sensors 121 in each row is displayed, and they are displayed as # 1 to # 10 from the bottom. Further, the sensor 121 in the ON state is displayed by a black circle, and the sensor 121 in the OFF state is displayed by a white circle.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the operating body H exists in the operating space OE, the sensor 121 at the position corresponding to the operating body H is turned on (# 5 to # 7). In FIG. 5A, the sensor 121 in the OFF state exists below the sensor 121 in the ON state (# 1 to # 4), and the row of the sensor 121 in the ON state and the OFF state are obtained. By grasping the boundary with the row of the sensor 121, the pachinko machine 10 can grasp the distance between the operating body H and the operating surface 112. Further, in this case, since the sensor in the lower end (# 1) row (hereinafter referred to as the reference sensor) is in the OFF state, the pachinko machine 10 grasps that the operating body H is not touching the operating surface 112.

As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the sensor in the row above the reference sensor (# 1) (# 3 in this embodiment) (hereinafter referred to as the preparation confirmation sensor) is operated until it is in the ON state. When the body H moves, it is grasped as an operation ready state existing in the above standby position. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 (e), the state in which the preparation confirmation sensor (# 3) is in the ON state and the reference sensor (# 1) is in the OFF state is the operation preparation state in the present embodiment. Means.

When the operating body H moves further downward and the operating body H touches the operating surface 112 of the operating button 111, the reference sensor (# 1) is turned on as shown in FIG. 5 (c), and the subsequent operating body H is turned on. Whether or not the operation button 111 is pressed is grasped based on the amount of movement of the operation button 111. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (e), the situation in which the reference sensor (# 1) is in the ON state means the operation execution state in the present embodiment.

Regarding grasping whether or not the operation button 111 is pressed, specifically, when the reference sensor (# 1) is turned from the OFF state to the ON state, one line from the upper end of the sensors in the ON state. The sensor in the lower row is set as the operation confirmation sensor (# 2 in FIG. 5 (c)). The operation confirmation sensor changes depending on the existence position (existence area) of the operation body H in the operation space OE. Specifically, if the size and orientation of the hand are different, the position of the operating body H will be different. For example, if the upper end of the sensors in the row that is in the ON state is # 5 when the reference sensor (# 1) is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, the operation confirmation sensor is # 4.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5D, when the operation confirmation sensor (# 2) is changed from the ON state to the OFF state, that is, when the operation body H moves downward by two lines, the operation button 111 is pressed. It is grasped as being pressed. The amount of movement for these two lines corresponds to the amount of movement from the initial position to the operation position on the operation button 111.

When the operating body H moves in the operating direction in this way, the ON / OFF states of the sensors 121 (# 1 to # 10) are gradually switched (see FIG. 5E). The pachinko machine 10 is configured to be able to grasp the status of presence / absence of operation of the operation button 111 and the information before the operation based on the information of this switching. Then, the effect by the symbol display device 41 is performed based on the grasped information.

Further, since the sensor (# 2) is included between the preparation confirmation sensor (# 3) and the reference sensor (# 1), the range that can be recognized as the operation preparation state instead of the operation execution state is expanded to a plurality of stages. ing. This makes it possible to grasp the operation of the operating body H in the operation ready state in detail. Using this configuration, the pachinko machine 10 can also grasp the operating speed of the operating body H in the operation ready state. Specifically, the operation amount per unit time (unit period) of the operation body H is calculated, and the operation speed of the operation body H is grasped. Then, depending on the operation speed, the effect when the operation button 111 is subsequently operated is set to be different. The processing for grasping the position of the operating body H and the processing related to the effect will be described in detail later.

Further, since each sensor 121 is aligned in the front-rear direction in front of the special display device 130, the distance between the operating body H and the special display device 130 can be grasped by grasping the sensor 121 in the ON state. Is possible. Further, by analyzing the infrared intensity received by the light receiving unit 124, it is possible to measure the distance between the operating body H and the sensor 121. That is, the sensor device 120 can not only grasp the position of the operation button 111 of the operating body H in the operating direction, but also grasp the position in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Then, in the pachinko machine 10, the effect according to the moving direction of the operating body H is performed through the symbol display device 41 or the like. The processing related to these effects will be described in detail later.

Next, the special display device 130 will be described.

The special display device 130 is displayed on the second display screen G2, which is smaller than the first display screen G1 on the symbol display device 41 side, at a position opposite to the player (behind the operation button 111) across the operation button 111. , Is provided to urge the operation of the operation button 111.

The special display device 130 is configured so that the player can visually recognize the three-dimensional image by the paralux barrier method. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second display screen G2 has a second display screen G2. It consists of a liquid crystal display unit 130a and a barrier display unit 130b arranged in front of the liquid crystal display unit 130a at a distance from each other, and is made of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin arranged in front of both of the display units 130a and 130b. It is provided so as to be visible from the front of the front door frame 14 via the protective cover 131.

Here, the principle of making the player stereoscopically view the three-dimensional image by the special display device 130 will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 7, the special display device 130 superimposes the barrier display unit 130b on the liquid crystal display unit 130a and displays the vertical stripe filter on the barrier display unit 130b so that different images are shown to the right eye and the left eye. ing.

That is, the barrier display unit 130b allows the right eye to see only the image for the right eye and the left eye to see only the image for the left eye, so that the three-dimensional image can be seen three-dimensionally with the naked eye. Then, the image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 130a looks like the image pops out in front of the special display device 130 when viewed from the player. In detail, the position where the image pops out is set so that the image pops out above the operation button 111, that is, in the detection range of the sensor device 120 in the operation space OE.

As the three-dimensional image by the special display device 130, for example, a three-dimensional image of a button resembling the operation button 111 (referred to as a virtual operation button image in the following description) is set, and the virtual operation button image is projected. As a result, the effect is performed as if the operation button 111 protrudes (extends) toward the operation space OE side. Then, since the three-dimensional image is projected in the detection range of the sensor device 120, when the player holds his / her hand or moves his / her hand to operate this virtual operation button image, the pachinko machine 10 grasps it. It is possible to do.

In this case, the reference sensor used to determine the operation execution state in the operation of the operation button 111 corresponds to the operation surface of the virtual operation button image (referred to as the virtual operation surface in the following description) and is above the line. It is set to the sensor 121 of.

That is, the special display device 130 displays the virtual operation button image as a three-dimensional image in the area where the operation button 111 does not exist in the operation space OE. The virtual operation button image is an image extending from the operation button 111 so that the operation button 111 is enlarged. Then, the sensor device 120 determines that the operating body does not exist at a position overlapping the virtual operation button image in the operation space OE, so that the operation corresponding to the operation of the virtual operation button image is performed. Is configured to detect.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the present embodiment, the virtual operation surface Y of the virtual operation button image X is arranged above the operation surface 112 of the operation button 111 (about 3 cm). It is projected as. In this case, the reference sensor corresponding to the operation surface 112 is changed to the sensor of # 4 above # 1 as the sensor corresponding to the virtual operation surface Y. Further, the sensor (# 6) above the reference sensor (# 4) after the change is changed as the preparation confirmation sensor.

When the player tries to operate the virtual operation button image X, the operation preparation state and the operation are performed in the operation of the virtual operation button image X as well as the relationship between the operation preparation state and the operation execution state in the operation of the operation button 111 described above. The implementation status is grasped. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the operation body H moves to a position where the preparation confirmation sensor (# 6) is in the ON state, the operation preparation state is set. In this state, the operation body H and the virtual operation button image X do not overlap. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the operating body H moves to the position where the reference sensor (# 4) is turned on, the operation is executed. Further, the sensor (# 2) four lines below the sensor (# 6) at the upper end of the sensors 121 that are in the ON state when the reference sensor (# 4) is turned ON is set as the operation confirmation sensor. Will be done.

In this case, the operation confirmation sensor (# 2) is not always in the ON state when the reference sensor (# 4) is in the ON state. Therefore, by confirming that the operation confirmation sensor (# 2) has switched from the ON state to the OFF state, that is, the detection signal from the operation confirmation sensor (# 2) has switched from the HI signal to the OFF signal. The pachinko machine 10 is configured to grasp that the operation corresponding to the operation of the virtual operation button image X has been performed. In this case, the amount of movement of the operating body H includes the amount of protrusion of the virtual operation button image X in addition to the amount of movement of the operation button 111 from the initial position to the operation position in the operation direction.

Further, if the operating body H moves downward after the reference sensor (# 4) is turned on, the reference sensor (# 4) may be turned off during the operating state depending on the size of the operating body H. Therefore, the operation execution state in the operation of the virtual operation button image X includes a situation in which any one of the reference sensor (# 4) and the following (# 1 to # 4) is in the ON state (FIG. 6). See (e)).

When the operating body H moves further downward in the operation execution state, as shown in FIG. 6C, the virtual operation button image X is also displaced so as to move downward in accordance with the movement of the operating body H. There is. This makes the player feel as if he / she is operating the virtual operation button image X.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6D, when the operation confirmation sensor (# 2) is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, the pachinko machine 10 completes the operation corresponding to the operation of the virtual operation button image X. grasp.

In addition, instead of the configuration in which the operation corresponding to the operation is completed when the operation is performed to the position shown in FIG. 6 (d), the virtual operation button image X is displayed in the middle of the operation corresponding to the operation shown in FIG. 6 (c). It may be configured to grasp that the operation corresponding to the operation is completed. This also applies to the configuration for grasping the completion of the operation of the operation button 111.

Further, as a three-dimensional image by the special display device 130, for example, a three-dimensional image of a girl character is set. Then, when the player tries to stroke the three-dimensional image of the girl's character by utilizing the fact that the pachinko machine 10 can grasp the moving direction of the operating body H as described above. In addition, different productions are performed depending on the direction of stroking. The processing of the effect of these three-dimensional images will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the special display device 130 is arranged on the front surface of the gaming machine so as to be inclined forward toward the left side, and is arranged so as to be inclined forward toward the lower side. The surfaces of the display units 130a and 130b are installed so as to face the player's face.

Therefore, the player looking at the first display screen G1 on the symbol display device 41 side can see the second display screen G2 on the special display device 130 side substantially from the front by shifting his / her line of sight to the lower left. It will be possible. Here, if the operation button unit 100 is provided, for example, in the upper bulging portion 66 substantially in the center in the left-right direction, the line of sight is directly below for the player looking at the first display screen G1 on the symbol display device 41 side. Since it is only necessary to lower it, it seems to be preferable from the viewpoint of moving the line of sight.

However, in the case of this configuration, for example, when a hand is held up to operate the button device 110, the hand overlaps with the second display screen G2 on the special display device 130 side, and the second display screen G2 cannot be seen. .. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the operation button unit 100 is arranged on the left side, and even when the player holds his / her hand over the button device 110, the hand overlaps with the second display screen G2 on the special display device 130 side. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the visibility of the effect of the three-dimensional image on the special display device 130 even when the operation button 111 is operated.

Further, in the second display screen G2, the entry of light from the first wall portion 68a side is suppressed by the first wall portion 68a. This also makes it possible to suppress the deterioration of the visibility of the effect due to the three-dimensional image.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the operation button 111 as an operation means is provided and the effect is performed by the operation, not only the one-sided effect on the gaming machine side but also the two-way effect of the operation by the player. It is possible to actively participate in the game. Then, by using the operation space OE for operating the operation button 111 and performing various effects as described above, the hobby is improved and the degree of attention to the game is increased.

In particular, since it is possible to specify the state before the operation button 111 is operated, such as the operation preparation state, not only the effect depending on the presence or absence of the operation of the operation button 111 but also the operation mode of the player in the previous stage. It is a novel gaming machine that reflects the above in the production.

In addition, since the special display device 130 is used to encourage the operation of the operation button 111 and to project a three-dimensional image, the player tries to touch the projected three-dimensional image, which is a new effect. Has been added. In this case, since the configuration is such that the three-dimensional image is projected in the detection range of the sensor device 120, it is possible to specify that the player tries to touch the three-dimensional image without using a dedicated sensor, and the function is functional. It is possible to appropriately realize each production while reducing the installation area through consolidation.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, since the operation button unit 100 (more specifically, the sensor device 120) is provided on the front surface of the game machine on the opposite side of the launch operation device 28 in the left-right direction, the launch operation device 28 It is possible to suppress so-called erroneous detection in which the sensor device 120 of the operation button unit 100 detects a hand or the like for operating the button unit 100. In addition to the launch operation device 28, various operation units (game ball rental button, upper plate 66a, or lower plate) used for the normal game of the pachinko machine 10 (a game in which the game is performed without operating the operation button unit 100). A ball removal button on the plate 67a) is also provided on the opposite side of the operation button unit 100 in the left-right direction. From this point as well, it is possible to prevent the sensor device 120 from detecting a hand or the like performing the normal game when the normal game of the pachinko machine 10 is performed.

<Electrical configuration>
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

The MPU 202 is mounted on the main control board 201 provided in the main control device 81. The MPU 202 is a ROM 203 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 202, and a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when the control program stored in the ROM 203 is executed. It is an element that incorporates a certain RAM 204, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits as a random number generator, and the like. It should be noted that a configuration may be configured in which a part of the functions of the MPU 202, for example, the functions of the ROM 203 and the functions of the RAM 204 are provided as another element. This also applies to the MPU of other control devices.

The MPU 202 is provided with an input port and an output port, respectively. A power failure monitoring board 205, a payout control device 97, various detection sensors 211a to 211e, etc. provided in the main control device 81 are connected to the input side of the MPU 202. In this case, a power supply and a launch control device 98 are connected to the power failure monitoring board 205, and power is supplied to the MPU 202 via the power failure monitoring board 205. Further, as a part of various detection sensors 211a to 211e, a winning ball entry section (payout compatible ball entry section) such as a general winning opening 31, a variable winning device 32, an upper operating port 33, a lower operating port 34, and a through gate 35, etc. A plurality of detection sensors provided in the above are connected, and a winning determination (ball entry determination) for each ball entry portion is performed in the MPU 202 of the main control device 81. Further, in the MPU 202, a big hit generation lottery is executed based on the winning of the upper operating port 33 and the lower operating port 34, and a support generating lottery is executed based on the winning of the through gate 35.

A power failure monitoring board 205, a payout control device 97, and a voice emission control device 82 are connected to the output side of the MPU 202. For example, a prize ball command is output to the payout control device 97 based on the winning determination result for the winning ball corresponding to the prize. In this case, the command information storage area 225 of the ROM 203 is referred to when the prize ball command is output. Then, when the winning to the general winning opening 31 is specified, the prize ball command corresponding to the payout of 10 game balls is output, and when the winning to the variable winning device 32 is specified, 15 pieces are output. A prize ball command corresponding to the payout of the game ball is output, and when a prize is specified for the upper operating port 33, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of the three game balls is output and the lower operating port 34 is output. When the prize is specified, the prize ball command corresponding to the payout of four game balls is output.

Various commands such as a variation command, a type command, a variation end command, an opening command, and an ending command are output from the main control device 81 to the voice emission control device 82. In this case, the command information storage area 225 of the ROM 203 is referred to when outputting these various commands. Details of these various commands will be described later. It should be noted that each of the above commands is configured as information on a predetermined number of bytes, and includes various information as information on the predetermined number of bytes.

Further, on the output side of the MPU 202 of the main control device 81, a variable winning drive unit 32c that opens and closes the opening / closing door 32b of the variable winning device 32, and an electric accessory driving unit that opens and closes the electric accessory 34a of the lower operating port 34. 34b, the main display unit 43, and the accessory display unit 44 are connected. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 201, and the MPU 202 executes drive control of various drive units through the driver circuits.

Further, an external terminal board 79 is connected to the output side of the MPU 202. The external terminal board 79 is provided with a plurality of external terminals (output terminals). For example, eight external terminals are provided, and the types of information output externally to the management computer are different. These plurality of external terminals have a terminal for externally outputting an open / close execution signal indicating that the open / close execution mode is in effect and an external output of a high frequency signal indicating that the high frequency support mode is in effect. Includes terminals. The MPU 202 sets information according to the progress of the game in the external output buffer provided in the RAM 204. Then, according to the information set in the external output buffer, the setting for signal output is made to the external terminal board 79, and the state of the pachinko machine 10 is recognized by the management computer of the game hall. Each external terminal is configured by using a photocoupler in order to prevent the reverse flow while enabling transmission of an electric signal from the main control device 81 to the management computer.

The power failure monitoring board 205 relays between the main control board 201 and the power supply and the launch control device 98, and monitors the DC stable 24 volt voltage, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply and the launch control device 98. The payout control device 97 controls the payout of prize balls and rental balls by the payout device 96 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 81.

The power supply and the launch control device 98 are connected to, for example, a commercial power supply (external power supply) in a game hall or the like. Then, the operating power required for each of the main control board 201, the payout control device 97, etc. is generated based on the external power supplied from the commercial power source, and the generated operating power is supplied through a predetermined power path. do. Further, the power supply and the launch control device 98 are responsible for launch control of the game ball launch mechanism 27, and the game ball launch mechanism 27 is driven when predetermined launch conditions are satisfied.

Based on various commands input from the main control device 81, the voice emission control device 82 has an error emission unit 63 provided in each of the reserved light emission units 45 and 47 provided in the variable display unit 36 and the front door frame 14. It drives and controls the light emitting unit 64 and the speaker unit 65, and also controls the display control device 500. Then, the display control device 500 executes the display control of the symbol display device 41 and the special display device 130 based on the command input from the voice emission control device 82.

Further, each sensor 121 of the sensor device 120 in the operation button unit 100 is connected to the voice emission control device 82. The detection result of each sensor 121 is input to the voice emission control device 82, respectively. The voice emission control device 82 analyzes the detection result of each sensor 121 to specify the position of the operating body H, the operating amount of the operating body H when the operating body H operates, and the operating speed thereof. Then, the display light emitting unit 63 and the speaker unit 65 are driven and controlled based on the specified result, and the display control device 500 is controlled to perform an effect by the symbol display device 41 and the special display device 130.

Here, the display contents of the symbol display device 41 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41.

As shown in FIG. 9A, three symbol rows Z1, Z2, and Z3 of an upper row, a middle row, and a lower row are set on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41. Each symbol row Z1 to Z3 is configured by arranging a main symbol and a sub symbol in a predetermined order. Specifically, in the upper symbol row Z1, nine types of main symbols "1" to "9" are arranged in descending order of numbers, and one sub symbol is arranged between each main symbol. .. In the lower symbol row Z3, nine types of main symbols "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending order of numbers, and one sub symbol is arranged between each main symbol. That is, the upper symbol row Z1 and the lower symbol row Z3 are composed of 18 symbols. On the other hand, in the middle symbol string Z2, nine types of main symbols "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending order of numbers, and then between the main symbol of "9" and the main symbol of "1". The main symbol of "4" is additionally arranged in the above, and one sub symbol is arranged between each of these main symbols. That is, only in the middle symbol row Z2, 10 main symbols are arranged and composed of 20 symbols. Then, on the first display screen G1, the symbols of each of the symbol rows Z1 to Z3 are variably displayed so as to scroll in a predetermined direction with periodicity. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, on the first display screen G1, three symbols are stopped and displayed for each symbol row, and as a result, a total of nine symbols of 3 × 3 are displayed. It is designed to be stopped and displayed.

Further, five effective lines, that is, a left line L1, a middle line L2, a right line L3, a right-down line L4, and a right-up line L5 are set on the first display screen G1. Then, the variable display is stopped in the order of the upper symbol row Z1 → the lower symbol row Z3 → the middle symbol row Z2, and all the symbol rows Z1 are formed in a state where a combination of symbols with the same number is formed on any of the effective lines. When the variable display of ~ Z3 is completed, the jackpot moving image is displayed as the occurrence of the normal jackpot result or the probabilistic jackpot result described later.

In this pachinko machine 10, the main symbols with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) correspond to "specific symbols", and when a probability variation jackpot result occurs, the same specific symbols are combined. Is stopped and displayed. In addition, the main symbols with even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) correspond to "non-specific symbols", and when a normal jackpot result occurs, the combination of the same non-specific symbols is stopped and displayed. To.

The mode of variable display of symbols in the symbol display device 41 is not limited to the above, and is arbitrary, such as the number of symbol rows, the direction of variable display of symbols in the symbol row, the number of symbols in each symbol row, and the like. Can be changed as appropriate.

<About various counters>
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described.

The MPU 202 uses various counter information during the game to perform a big hit generation lottery, setting the display of the main display unit 43, setting the symbol display of the symbol display device 41, setting the display of the accessory display unit 44, and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a jackpot random number counter C1 used for a lottery for generating jackpots, and a jackpot type counter C2 used for determining a jackpot type such as a probabilistic jackpot result or a normal jackpot result. The reach random number counter C3 used for the reach lottery when the symbol display device 41 deviates and fluctuates, the random number initial value counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1, and the symbol on the result display unit AS of the main display unit 43. A fluctuation type counter CS that determines the fluctuation display time in the display device 41 is used. Further, the electric accessory opening counter C4 used for the lottery as to whether or not the electric accessory 34a of the lower operating port 34 is set to the electric accessory open state is used.

Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter in which 1 is added to the previous value each time the counter is updated, and the counter returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in the lottery counter area 231 set in a predetermined area of the RAM 204. The RAM 204 is provided with a hold area RE for a result display unit, an execution area AE, and a hold ball storage area 232 including a total hold number storage area. Then, in the reserved ball storage area 232, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are time-series in accordance with the winning history of the game ball to the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34. It is designed to be stored as a target.

More specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured to be incremented by 1 in order within the range of, for example, 0 to 599, reach the maximum value, and then return to 0. In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area 232 of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins in the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34. More specifically, it is stored in the hold area RE for the result display unit of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins in each of the operating ports 33 and 34.

The value of the random number that wins the big hit is stored as a hit / miss table (hit / miss information group) in the hit / miss table storage area 221 as the hit / miss information group storage means in the ROM 203. As the pass / fail table, a pass / fail table for the low probability mode (low probability pass / fail information group) and a pass / fail table for the high probability mode (high probability pass / fail information group) are set. That is, in the pachinko machine 10, a low probability mode (low probability correspondence state) and a high probability mode (high probability correspondence state) are set as the lottery mode in the winning / failing lottery means.

Under the gaming state in which the winning / failing table for the low probability mode is referred to at the time of the lottery, the value of the random number (that is, the winning information) for winning the big hit is two. On the other hand, in the gaming state in which the winning / failing table for the high probability mode is referred to at the time of the lottery, the value of the random number (that is, the winning information) for winning the big hit is 21 pieces. In this case, the value group of the jackpot random number counter C1 that wins the jackpot in the low probability mode is included in the value group of the jackpot random number counter C1 that wins the jackpot in the high probability mode. If the winning probability in the high probability mode is higher than that in the low probability mode, the number and value of the random numbers to be won are arbitrary.

The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by 1 in order within the range of 0 to 29, reach the maximum value, and then return to 0. The jackpot type counter C2 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area 232 of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins in the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34. More specifically, it is stored in the hold area RE for the result display unit of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins in each of the operating ports 33 and 34.

Here, in the present embodiment, a plurality of jackpot results are set. For these plurality of jackpot results, a plurality of jackpot results are set by providing a difference in the lottery mode in the winning / failing lottery means after the opening / closing execution mode ends.

Here, the support mode in the electric accessory 34a of the lower operating port 34 will be described. As the support mode in the electric accessory 34a of the lower operating port 34, the electric accessory 34a of the lower operating port 34 is compared in a situation where the launch of the game ball is continued in the same manner with respect to the gaming area PE. Low-frequency support mode (low-frequency support state or low-frequency guide state) and high-frequency support mode (high-frequency support state or high-frequency guide state) so that the frequency of opening is relatively high or low per unit time. ) And are set.

Specifically, in the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode, the probability of winning the electric role open state in the electric accessory open lottery using the electric accessory release counter C4 is the same (for example, both are 4/5). However, in the high-frequency support mode, the number of times that the electric accessory 34a is in the open state when the electric accessory open state is won is set more than in the low-frequency support mode, and one more opening. The time is set long. In this case, in the high frequency support mode, when the electric accessory open state is won and the electric accessory 34a is opened multiple times, the electric accessory 34a is closed from the end of one open state to the start of the next open state. The time is set shorter than the one-time opening time. Furthermore, in the high-frequency support mode, the minimum secured time for the next electric accessory opening lottery to be held after one electric accessory opening lottery is set is shorter than in the low-frequency support mode. Has been done.

As described above, in the high frequency support mode, the probability that the lower operating port 34 will be won is higher than in the low frequency support mode. In other words, in the low frequency support mode, the probability of winning the upper operating port 33 is higher than that of the lower operating port 34, but in the high frequency support mode, the lower operating port 34 is more likely than the upper operating port 33. The probability of winning a prize increases. Then, when a prize is won in the lower operating port 34, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. Therefore, in the high frequency support mode, the player plays a game while not reducing the number of balls held so much. be able to.

The configuration for increasing the frequency of the high-frequency support mode to be in the electric service open state per unit time is not limited to the above, for example, the electric motor open lottery. It may be configured to increase the probability of winning the electric service open state in. Furthermore, the number of times of opening is increased, the opening time is lengthened, and the minimum secured time for the next electric accessory opening lottery after one electric accessory opening lottery is performed is shortened. (That is, by shortening the one-time variable display time on the accessory display unit 44) and increasing the winning probability, by applying any one condition or any combination of conditions, the low frequency support mode can be obtained. The advantage of the high frequency support mode may be enhanced.

Returning to the explanation of the jackpot type counter C2. The distribution destination of the game result for the jackpot type counter C2 is stored as a distribution table (distribution information group) in the distribution table storage area 222 as the distribution information group storage means in the ROM 203.

In the distribution table, a normal jackpot result (low probability corresponding special game result) and a probability variation jackpot result (high probability corresponding special game result) are set as distribution destinations of the game results.

The normal jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open / close execution mode becomes the high-frequency winning mode, and after the open / close execution mode ends, the win / fail lottery mode becomes the low-probability mode and the support mode becomes the high-frequency support mode. However, this high-frequency support mode shifts to the low-frequency support mode when the number of games reaches the end reference number (specifically, 100 times) after the transition. In other words, the normal jackpot result is a jackpot result that shifts the gaming state to the normal jackpot state (low probability corresponding special gaming state).

The probability variation jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the open / close execution mode becomes the high-frequency winning mode, and after the open / close execution mode ends, the win / fail lottery mode becomes the high-probability mode and the support mode becomes the high-frequency support mode. The high-frequency support mode continues until the lottery result in the winning / losing lottery becomes a big hit state and the state shifts to the big hit state. In other words, the probability variation jackpot result is a jackpot result that shifts the gaming state to the probability variation jackpot state (high probability corresponding special gaming state).

In relation to each of the above game states, the normal game state means a state in which the winning / failing lottery mode is a low probability mode and the support mode is a low frequency support mode.

In the distribution table of the present embodiment, among the values of the jackpot type counter C2 of "0 to 29", "0 to 14" corresponds to the normal jackpot result, and "15 to 29" corresponds to the probability variation jackpot result. is doing.

The reach random number counter C3 is configured to be incremented by 1 in order within the range of, for example, 0 to 238, reach a maximum value, and then return to 0. The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area 232 of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34. More specifically, it is stored in the hold area RE for the result display unit of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins in each of the operating ports 33 and 34. Then, it is decided whether or not to generate the reach based on the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of the ROM 203. However, in the game round to shift to the open / close execution mode, the MPU 202 determines the reach generation regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. The number of reach random number counters C3 corresponding to the occurrence of the reach display is the same in each game state, but may be set individually according to the game state. For example, when the support mode is the high frequency support mode, the number of reach random number counters C3 corresponding to the occurrence of the reach display may be set to be larger than that in the low frequency support mode.

Here, the reach display (reach state) includes a symbol display device 41 capable of performing variable display (or variable display) of a symbol (picture), and the opening / closing execution mode of the variable winning device 32 is a high-frequency winning mode. In a gaming machine in which the stop display result after the variation display is a special display result, the stop display result is derived and displayed after the variation display (or variable display) of the symbol (picture) on the symbol display device 41 is started. This is a display state for making the player think that the special display result is likely to be a variable display state before the display.

In other words, by stopping and displaying some of the symbols among the plurality of symbols displayed on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41, the jackpot symbol corresponding to the occurrence of the high frequency winning mode can be displayed. It is a display state in which a combination of reach symbols that may be combined is displayed, and in that state, the remaining symbol strings are displayed in a variable manner.

More specifically, as a pre-stage for ending the variable display of the symbol, a jackpot symbol corresponding to the occurrence of a high-frequency winning mode is displayed on a preset effective line in the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41. A reach line is formed by stopping and displaying a combination of reach symbols that may form a combination, and in a situation where the reach line is formed, a variable display of the symbols is performed by the final stop symbol sequence.

Specifically, the display contents of FIG. 9 will be described in detail. Either is valid when the variable display of the symbol is first terminated in the upper symbol row Z1 and then the variable display of the symbol is terminated in the lower symbol row Z3. A reach line is formed by stopping and displaying the main symbols with the same numbers on the lines L1 to L5, and in the situation where the reach line is formed, the fluctuation display of the symbols is performed in the symbol column Z2 in the middle row. It becomes a reach display by being struck. Then, when the high-frequency winning mode occurs, the main symbol with the same number as the main symbol forming the reach line is stopped and displayed on the reach line in the middle symbol row Z2. The variable display of the symbol ends.

Further, in the reach display, in the state where the combination of the reach symbols is displayed as described above, the variable display of the symbols is performed in the remaining symbol rows, and a predetermined character or the like is displayed as a moving image on the background screen to reach the reach. Includes those that perform an effect, and those that perform a reach effect by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on substantially the entire first display screen G1 after reducing or hiding the combination of reach symbols. .. Further, when the reach display is performed or before the reach display, it is determined whether or not to perform the advance notice display using a predetermined image such as a predetermined character by using the reach random number counter C3 or another counter. You may.

The variation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by 1 in order within the range of 0 to 198, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The variation type counter CS is used in the MPU 202 to determine the variation display time in the result display unit AS of the main display unit 43 and the variation display time of the symbol in the symbol display device 41. The variation type counter CS is updated once every time the normal processing described later is executed once, and is repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal processing. Then, the buffer value of the fluctuation type counter CS is acquired when the fluctuation pattern is determined at the start of the fluctuation display in the result display unit AS and at the start of the fluctuation of the symbol by the symbol display device 41.

The electric accessory opening counter C4 is configured to, for example, add 1 in order within the range of 0 to 249, reach a maximum value, and then return to 0. The electric accessory opening counter C4 is periodically updated and stored in the electric accessory holding area 233 of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins the through gate 35. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed as to whether or not to control the electric accessory 34a to the open state according to the value of the stored electric accessory opening counter C4. For example, if C4 = 0 to 199, the electric accessory 34a is controlled to the open state, and if C4 = 200 to 249, the electric accessory 34a is not controlled to the open state.

As described above, in the MPU 202, the variation display time in the result display unit AS is determined by using at least the buffer value of the variation type counter CS, and the variation display time table storage area 223 of the ROM 203 is used for the determination. Be done. Further, in the MPU 202, the stop result in the result display unit AS is determined by using the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE. The result table storage area 224 is used.

<Structure of reserved ball storage area 232>
Next, the configuration of the reserved ball storage area 232 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

The hold area RE for the result display unit stores the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 in chronological order according to the winning history of the game balls to the operating ports 33 and 34. It is a holding area for. The configuration of the hold area RE for the result display unit will be described below.

The hold area RE for the result display unit is composed of four hold areas of the first hold area RE1, the second hold area RE2, the third hold area RE3, and the fourth hold area RE4, and the hold number storage area NA. .. Each of the holding areas RE1 to RE4 is a storage area for storing the value of the jackpot random number counter C1, a storage area for storing the value of the jackpot type counter C2, and a storage for storing the value of the reach random number counter C3. Each area is composed. With the four holding areas of the first holding area RE1 to the fourth holding area RE4, up to four winning histories of the game balls to each of the operating ports 33 and 34 can be held and stored.

The execution area AE shown in FIG. 10 is an area for moving each value stored in the hold area of the hold area RE for the result display unit when the variable display of the result display unit AS is started. The execution area AE has the same configuration as the storage area for one of the hold areas RE for the result display unit.

<About various processes executed by the main controller 81>
Next, the timer interrupt processing and the normal processing executed in order to advance the game in each game time by the MPU 202 in the main control device 81 will be described. In the MPU 202, in addition to the timer interrupt processing and the normal processing, the main processing activated when the power is turned on and the NMI interrupt processing activated by inputting a power failure signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal) are executed. , The description of these processes will be omitted.

<Timer interrupt processing>
First, the timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is periodically activated by the MPU 202 (for example, at a cycle of 2 msec).

In step S101, a process of reading various winning switches is executed. That is, the state of various switches connected to the main control device 81 is read, the state of the switch is determined, and the detection information (winning detection information) is saved.

After that, in step S102, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 204.

In the following step S103, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are each incremented by 1, and when the counter values reach the maximum value, they are cleared to 0, respectively. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 204.

After that, in step S104, a winning process for the operating port accompanying the winning of the operating ports 33 and 34 is executed. In the winning process for the operating port, based on the winning of the game ball in any of the operating ports 33 and 34, a prize ball command for paying out the game ball based on the winning is set, and a jackpot random number counter is set. Information acquisition processing is performed to store the values of C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3.

Specifically, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won a prize (starting prize) in each of the operating openings 33 and 34 based on the detection state of the detection sensor provided corresponding to each of the operating openings 33 and 34. When it is determined that the game ball has won a prize in the upper operating port 33, a prize ball command for paying out three game balls is set in the payout control device 97. Further, when it is determined that the game ball has won a prize in the lower operating port 34, a prize ball command for paying out four game balls is set in the payout control device 97.

Further, in the information acquisition process, the value of the reserved number storage area NA is incremented by 1 based on the fact that the value of the reserved number storage area NA is less than the upper limit value (4 in the present embodiment), and the step S103 is performed. The values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 updated in Store in the hold area corresponding to NA.

In the winning process for the operating port, when the game ball wins in each operating port 33, 34 and the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are stored, a hold command is set. .. This hold command is transmitted to the voice emission control device 82 in the external output process (step S201) of the normal process described later. When the hold command is received, the voice emission control device 82 executes a process for turning on the first hold light emission unit 45. The first reserved light emitting unit 45 is lit sequentially from the left side. For example, if the value of the reserved number storage area NA is 1, the leftmost first reserved light emitting unit 45 is lit and the value of the reserved number storage area. If is 4, all the first reserved light emitting units 45 are turned on.

After executing the winning process for the operating port in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, a winning process for passing through is executed in association with winning the winning through the through gate 35. In the through winning process, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won the through gate 35. Then, when the accessory holding storage number SN is less than the upper limit value (4 in the present embodiment), the value of the accessory holding storage number SN is incremented by 1, and the electric accessory release counter updated in step S103 is performed. The value of C4 is stored in the first free storage area of the electric service holding area 233 of the RAM 204. After executing the winning process for through, this timer interrupt process ends.

In the winning process for through, a process for lighting the second reserved light emitting unit 47 is executed. The second reserved light emitting unit 47 is sequentially lit from the left side. For example, if the accessory holding storage number SN is 1, the leftmost second reserved light emitting unit 47 is lit and the accessory holding storage number SN is lit. If it is 4, all the second reserved light emitting units 47 are turned on.

<Normal processing>
Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The normal process is a process that is started after the main process that is started when the power is turned on is executed, and in the normal process, the main process of the game is executed. As an outline, the processes of steps S201 to S207 are executed as periodic processes having a cycle of 4 msec, and the counter update processes of steps S209 and S210 are executed in the remaining time.

In the normal processing, in step S201, output data such as a command set in the timer interrupt processing or the previous normal processing is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Specifically, the presence or absence of the prize ball command is determined, and if the prize ball command is set, it is transmitted to the payout control device 97. If an effect command such as a variation command, a type command, or a variation end command is set, it is transmitted to the voice emission control device 82.

Next, in step S202, the variation type counter CS is updated. Specifically, the fluctuation type counter CS is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value, the counter value is cleared to 0. Then, the update value of the variable type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the lottery counter area 231 in the RAM 204.

In the following step S203, the prize ball counting signal and the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 97 are read. After that, in step S204, a game time control process for controlling the game in each game time is executed. In this game round control process, jackpot determination, setting of symbol variation display by the symbol display device 41, display control of the result display unit AS on the side performing variation display, and the like are performed. The details of the game times control process will be described later.

After that, in step S205, a game state transition process for shifting the game state is executed. By this game state transition process, the game state shifts to the open / close execution mode, the high probability mode, the high frequency support mode, and the like based on the result of the jackpot determination in the game round control process. Further, when the game state is the opening / closing execution mode, the large winning opening opening / closing process in which the large winning opening 32a is closed or opened is executed.

In step S206, an electric service support process for driving and controlling the electric accessory 34a provided in the lower actuating port 34 is executed. In this electric service support process, the information stored in the electric service holding area 233 of the RAM 204 is used to determine whether or not to open the electric accessory 34a, to open / close the electric accessory 34a, and to use the electric accessory 34a. The display control of the display unit 44 and the like are performed.

In step S207, a launch control process for controlling the launch of the game ball is executed. By executing the firing control process, one game ball is launched every 0.6 sec, which is a predetermined firing cycle, in a situation where the firing operation is continued for the firing operation device 28. Further, in the launch control process, when the launch operation is continued for the launch operation device 28, a signal corresponding to the launch operation being performed is output to the voice emission control device 82. By inputting the signal, the voice emission control device 82 can grasp that the firing operation is being performed.

In the following step S208, it is determined whether or not the execution timing of the next normal process has been reached, that is, whether or not a predetermined time (4 msec in the present embodiment) has elapsed from the start of the previous normal process. Then, within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process, the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counter CS are repeatedly updated (steps S209 and S210). That is, in step S209, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the lottery counter area 231 in the RAM 204. Further, in step S210, the variation type counter CS is updated. Specifically, the variation type counter CS is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the update value of the variable type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the lottery counter area 231 in the RAM 204.

Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S207 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant and varies. Therefore, by repeatedly updating the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1) can be updated at random, and similarly. The variable type counter CS can also be updated at random.

<Game times control processing>
Next, the game times control process in step S204 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S301, it is determined whether or not the open / close execution mode is in progress. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the open / close execution mode flag (open / close execution state information) is stored in the open / close execution mode flag storage area (open / close execution state information storage means) in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. The open / close execution mode flag is stored when the game state is shifted to the open / close execution mode in the game state transition process described later, and is deleted when the open / close execution mode is terminated in the game state transition process.

When the open / close execution mode is in progress, this game is performed without executing any of the processes after step S302, that is, the game round start process of steps S303 to S309 and the game round progress process of steps S310 to S313. Ends the control process. That is, in the open / close execution mode, the game round is not started regardless of whether or not the operating openings 33 and 34 have been won.

If it is not in the open / close execution mode, it is determined in step S302 whether or not the main display unit 43 is in the variable display. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the result display unit AS is in the variable display. In this determination, it is determined whether or not the variation display flag (variation display information) is stored in the variation display flag storage area (variation display information storage means) in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. It is done by. The variation display flag is stored when the variation display is started for the result display unit AS, and is cleared when the variation display ends.

If the main display unit 43 is not in the variable display, the process proceeds to the game round start process of steps S303 to S309. In the game round start process, first, in step S303, it is determined whether or not the value of the hold number storage area NA is “0”. When the value of the reserved number storage area NA is "0", it means that the winning history is not stored in any of the first reserved area RE1 to the fourth reserved area RE4. Therefore, the game times control process is terminated as it is.

If the value of the hold number storage area NA is not "0", in step S304, a data setting process for setting the data stored in the hold area RE for the result display unit for variable display is executed.

In the data setting process, the value of the hold number storage area NA is decremented by 1. Then, the data stored in the first holding area RE1 in the holding area RE for the result display unit is moved to the execution area AE. Further, the data stored in the first reserved area RE1 to the fourth reserved area RE4 is shifted to the lower side. Specifically, while clearing the data of the first hold area RE1, the second hold area RE2 → the first hold area RE1, the third hold area RE3 → the second hold area RE2, the fourth hold area RE4 → the third hold. The data in each reserved area is shifted, such as area RE3.

Further, when the data in each hold area is shifted, a shift command (shift generation) is information for causing the voice emission control device 82, which is a control device on the sub side, to recognize that the data in the hold area has been shifted. Information) is set. The set shift command is transmitted to the voice emission control device 82 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 12). The voice emission control device 82 executes a process for changing the display in the first hold light emitting unit 45 of the variable display unit 36 in accordance with the decrease in the number of holds, based on the received shift command.

After executing the data setting process, the process proceeds to step S305. In step S305, the pass / fail determination process is executed. In the win / fail determination process, it is determined whether or not the win / fail lottery mode is the high probability mode. Then, in the case of the high probability mode, the hit / fail determination process corresponding to the high probability mode is executed, and in the case of the low probability mode, the hit / fail determination process corresponding to the low probability mode is executed. When the winning / failing determination process is executed, it is determined whether or not the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the execution area AE matches the value set as the jackpot winning in each lottery mode. That is, in the win / fail determination process, it is determined which of the normal jackpot result, the probabilistic jackpot result, and the missed result corresponding to the jackpot non-winning correspond to. Further, when the jackpot winning is supported, whether the jackpot winning corresponds to the normal jackpot result or the probability variation jackpot result is determined from the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE. ..

Further, when the hit / fail determination process is executed, the fluctuation display time of the result display unit AS in the current game round is set. Specifically, it is determined from the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the execution area AE whether or not the game times this time correspond to the occurrence of reach. When the reach generation is supported, the variation display corresponding to the value of the current variation type counter CS is referred to by referring to the variation display time table for reach generation stored in the variation display time table storage area 223 of the ROM 203. The time information is acquired, and the fluctuation display time information is set in the fluctuation display time counter area (variation display time measuring means) provided in various counter areas 234 of the RAM 204. Further, when the value of the reach random number counter C3 corresponds to the non-reach occurrence, the variation type of this time is referred to with reference to the variation display time table for non-reach generation stored in the variation display time table storage area 223. The fluctuation display time information corresponding to the value of the counter CS is acquired and set in the fluctuation display time counter area. When the result of the hit / fail determination process corresponds to the big hit winning, the variation display time table for reach generation is referred to regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3.

In the following step S306, the stop result setting process is executed. In the stop result setting process, the stop result of the result display unit AS corresponding to the result of the hit / fail determination process is set. Specifically, the stop result corresponding to the normal jackpot result, the stop result corresponding to the probabilistic jackpot result, and the stop result corresponding to the deviation result are stored in the RAM 204 in advance. Then, in the stop result setting process, which of the stored stop results is to be determined is determined.

In step S307, a type command is set. The type command includes information on the game result. That is, the type command includes information on the probability variation jackpot result, information on the normal jackpot result, and information on the missed result as the information on the game result.

In the following step S308, a variable command is set. The fluctuation command includes information on whether or not reach has occurred and the fluctuation display time.

Each of the type command set in step S307 and the variable command set in step S308 is transmitted to the voice emission control device 82 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 12). The voice emission control device 82 determines the content of the effect in the game round based on the received variable command and the type command, and controls various devices so that the content of the determined effect is executed. Further, the voice emission control device 82 transmits the received variation command and type command to the display control device 500 as they are. The display control device 500 controls the display of the symbol display device 41 so that the variation display of the symbol corresponding to each game round is performed based on the variation command and the type command.

After that, in step S309, the variation display of the pattern is started in the result display unit AS. After that, the game round control process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the main display unit 43 is in the variable display in step S302, the game round progress processing of steps S310 to S313 is executed. In the game round progress process, first, in step S310, it is determined whether or not the variation display time of the current game round has elapsed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the value of the fluctuation display time information stored in the fluctuation display time counter area of the RAM 204 is "0". The value of this variable display time information is decremented by 1 each time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 11) is activated.

If the variation display time has not elapsed, the variation display process is executed in step S311. In the variable display process, the display mode in the result display unit related to the current game round is changed. After that, the game round control process is terminated.

If the variation display time has elapsed, the variation end process is executed in step S312. In the variation end processing, the result display unit AS is displayed and controlled so as to be displayed on the result display unit related to the current game round determined in step S306.

In the following step S313, a variable end command is set. After that, the game round control process is terminated. The variable end command set in step S313 is transmitted to the voice emission control device 82 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 12). The voice emission control device 82 ends the effect in the game round based on the received variable end command. Further, the variation end command is transmitted from the voice emission control device 82 to the display control device 500, and the display control device 500 receives the variation end command to confirm and display the combination of the final stop symbols in the game round ( Last stop display).

<Audio emission control device 82 and display control device 500>
Next, the electrical configuration of the voice emission control device 82 and the display control device 500 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

The voice emission control device 82 includes a voice emission control board 248 on which the MPU 249 is mounted. The MPU 249 is a ROM 250 that stores various programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 249, and a RAM 251 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing a control program stored in the ROM 250. It also has a built-in interrupt circuit, timer circuit, data input / output circuit, and various counter circuits as random number generators.

The MPU 249 is provided with an input port and an output port, respectively. A main control device 81 is connected to the input side of the MPU 249, and the game turn control commands (game turn control information) such as the variable command, the type command, and the variable end command already explained from the main control device 81 are transmitted. Receive. In addition, it receives hold display control commands (hold display control information) such as shift commands, and open / close execution mode commands (open / close execution mode information) such as opening commands and ending commands.

As described above, various light emitting units 45, 47, 63, 64, a speaker unit 65, and a display control device 500 provided on the front door frame 14 are connected to the output side of the MPU 249. The above-mentioned various commands are transmitted to the display control device 500 after the state in which the information form is maintained as it is or the information form is analyzed and new information is added.

Further, each sensor 121 of the sensor device 120 of the operation button unit 100 provided on the front door frame 14 is connected to the input side of the MPU 249, and the detection information (detection signal) from each sensor 121 is input. .. In the MPU 249, a command for executing an effect corresponding to the detection information is transmitted to the display control device 500 based on the detection information.

The MPU 249 recognizes that it is necessary to start the effect for the game round by receiving the variable start command transmitted from the main control device 81, and executes the variable start processing for the game round. Further, by receiving the end command transmitted from the main control device 81, it is recognized that it is necessary to end the effect of the game times, and the process for ending the variation of the game times is executed. Further, by receiving various commands for the jackpot effect transmitted from the main control device 81, it is recognized that the jackpot effect needs to be started or progressed, and the jackpot effect process is executed. Further, by receiving the demo display command transmitted from the main control device 81, it is recognized that the demo display needs to be started, and the demo display process is executed.

Note that receiving a command from the main control device 81 in the MPU 249 is not limited to a configuration in which the command is directly received from the main control device 81, but also includes a configuration in which the command relayed to the relay board is received.

The display control device 500 includes a display control board 501 on which a general CPU 510, a display CPU 520 for 2D, a display CPU 530 for 3D, a memory module 540, a work RAM 550, a VRAM 560, 570, and a video display processor (VDP) 580, 590 are mounted. There is.

The control CPU 510 has a function as a main control unit in the display control device 500, and reads (fetches), interprets (decodes), and executes a control program or the like. Specifically, the control CPU 510 is connected to the input port 505 mounted on the display control board 501 via a bus, and various commands transmitted from the voice emission control device 82 are input to the control CPU 510 through the input port 505. .. It should be noted that receiving a command from the voice emission control device 82 in the control CPU 510 is not limited to a configuration in which the command is directly received from the voice emission control device 82, but also includes a configuration in which the command relayed to the relay board is received. Is done.

The integrated CPU 510 is connected to the work RAM 550, the memory modules 540, and the display CPUs 520, 530 via the bus, and various data stored in the memory module 540 are stored in the work RAM 550 based on the command received from the voice emission control device 82. Give a transfer instruction to transfer to. Further, the control CPU 510 is connected to the display CPUs 520 and 530 via a bus, and outputs commands for operation to the display CPUs 520 and 530 based on the commands received from the voice emission control device 82.

Each display CPU 520, 530 is also connected to the memory modules 540 and VRAM 560, 570, and is transferred to the VRAM 560, 570 to transfer various data stored in the memory module 540 based on the operation command received from the control CPU 510. Give instructions. Further, the display CPUs 520 and 530 are connected to the VDPs 580 and 590 via a bus, and give a drawing instruction to output an image signal to the symbol display device 41 and the special display device 130 based on the command received from the control CPU 510. .. Hereinafter, the memory module 540, the work RAM 550, the VRAM 560, 570, and the VDP 580, 590 will be described.

The memory module 540 stores control data (control information) including a control program and fixed value data in advance, and stores various image data (image information) for displaying 2D images and 3D images in advance. It is a means of memory. The memory module 540 has a non-volatile semiconductor memory that does not require external power supply for storage retention, and in detail, a NAND flash memory is used as the semiconductor memory. By the way, the storage capacity is 4 Gbits, but such a storage capacity is arbitrary as long as the control in the display control device 500 is satisfactorily executed. Further, the memory module 540 is used as a non-write and read-only memory (ROM) when the pachinko machine 10 is used.

The various image data stored in the memory module 540 includes 2D image data such as symbols and characters displayed on the symbol display device 41, and a right-eye image and a left-eye image displayed on the special display device 130. Various image data (image information) including 3D image data and the like are included.

The work RAM 550 is a storage means for temporarily storing control data read and transferred from the memory module 540 and temporarily storing flags and the like. The work RAM 550 has a volatile semiconductor memory that requires an external power supply for storage retention, and in detail, a DRAM is used as the semiconductor memory. However, it is not limited to DRAM, and other RAM such as SRAM may be used. The storage capacity is 1 Gbit, but the storage capacity is arbitrary as long as the control in the display control device 500 is satisfactorily executed. Further, the work RAM 550 is used for both reading and writing when the pachinko machine 10 is used.

Control data is transferred from the memory module 540 to the work RAM 550 based on a data transfer instruction from the control CPU 510 to the memory module 540. In this case, the control data is transferred in advance before the execution timing of the process in the control CPU 510 corresponding to the control data. Then, the control CPU 510 reads the control data transferred to the work RAM 550 into the internal memory area (register group) as needed, and executes various processes.

The first VRAM 560 is a storage means for temporarily storing various data necessary for outputting an image to the symbol display device 41. Further, the second VRAM 570 is a storage means for temporarily storing various data necessary for outputting an image to the special display device 130. These VRAMs 560 and 570 have a volatile semiconductor memory that requires power supply from the outside for storage retention, and in detail, SDRAM is used as the semiconductor memory. However, the present invention is not limited to DRAM, and other RAM such as DRAM, SRAM or dual port RAM may be used. The storage capacity is 2 Gbits, but the storage capacity is arbitrary as long as the control in the display control device 500 is satisfactorily executed. Further, the VRAMs 560 and 570 are used for both reading and writing when the pachinko machine 10 is used.

The first VRAM 560 includes an expansion buffer 561, and image data is transferred from the memory module 540 to the expansion buffer 561 based on a data transfer instruction from the 2D display CPU 520 to the memory module 540. Further, the second VRAM 570 includes an expansion buffer 571, and image data is transferred from the memory module 540 to the expansion buffer 571 based on a data transfer instruction from the 3D display CPU 530 to the memory module 540. In this case, the image data is transferred in advance before the execution timing of the processing in the corresponding VDPs 580 and 590 using the image data. Further, the first VRAM 560 is provided with a frame buffer 562 in which drawing data is created by the first VDP 580. Further, the second VRAM 570 is provided with a frame buffer 572 in which drawing data is created by the second VDP 590. The VRAM 560,570 may be built in the VDP 580,590.

The first VDP 580 is an image that is drawn to the symbol display device 41 by specifically processing the data stored and held in the expansion buffer 561 based on the drawing instruction from the 2D display CPU 520. It is a generation device, and is a kind of drawing circuit for operating an image processing device 41b incorporated so as to drive and control a liquid crystal display unit 41a in a symbol display device 41. Further, the second VDP 590 draws on the special display device 130 by specifically processing the data stored and held in the expansion buffer 571 based on the drawing instruction from the 3D display CPU 530. It is an image generation device to be performed, and is a kind of drawing circuit for operating an image processing device 130c incorporated so as to drive and control a liquid crystal display unit 130a in a special display device 130. Since these VDPs 580 and 590 are made into IC chips, they are also called "drawing chips", and their substance can be said to be microcomputer chips with built-in firmware dedicated to drawing.

Specifically, the VDPs 580 and 590 include control units 581,591, registers 582,592, a moving image decoder 583,593, and display circuits 584,594, respectively. Further, these circuits are connected to each other via a bus, and the 1st VDP 580 is connected to the I / F 585 for the 2D display CPU 520 and the 1st VRAM 560 to the I / F 586, and the 2nd VDP 590 is connected to the 3D display. The I / F 595 for the CPU 530 and the I / F 596 for the second VRAM 570 are connected.

In these VDPs 580 and 590, a drawing list as drawing instruction information transmitted from each display CPU 520 and 530 is stored in registers 582 and 592. By storing the drawing list in the registers 582 and 592, the control units 581 and 591 start the program according to the drawing list and execute a predetermined process. In addition, all the control programs for operating the control units 581 and 591 may be provided by the drawing list, and a memory in which the control program is stored in advance is built in the control units 581 and 591, and the control program and drawing are performed. Depending on the contents of the list, the control units 581,591 may be configured to execute a predetermined process. Further, the control program may be read in advance from the memory module 540.

As the above processing, the control unit 581 creates drawing data for one frame in the frame buffer 562 using (or by processing) the image data expanded in the expansion buffer 561 of the first VRAM 560. The drawing data for one frame is necessary for displaying the image at one update timing in the configuration in which the image on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41 is updated at a predetermined update timing. It refers to data. Further, the control unit 591 creates drawing data for one frame in the frame buffer 572 using (or by processing) the image data expanded in the expansion buffer 571 of the second VRAM 570. Similarly, the drawing data for one frame is necessary for displaying the image at one update timing in the configuration in which the image on the second display screen G2 of the special display device 130 is updated at a predetermined update timing. It refers to data.

Here, the frame buffers 562 and 572 are provided with a plurality of frame areas 562a, 562b, 572a, and 572b, respectively. Specifically, the frame buffer 562 of the first VRAM 560 provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the 2D display CPU 520 has a first frame area 562a and a second frame area 562b, and is one-to-one with the 3D display CPU 530. The second VRAM 570 correspondingly provided in the above has a first frame area 572a and a second frame area 572b. Each of these frame areas 562a, 562b, 572a, and 572b is set to a capacity that can store drawing data for one frame.

Specifically, in each frame area 562a, 562b, 572a, 572b, dots (pixels) of the liquid crystal display unit 41a (that is, the first display screen G1) or the liquid crystal display unit 130a (that is, the second display screen G2) are formed. A large number of unit areas (unit setting areas) corresponding to each other at a predetermined magnification are included. Each unit area has a storage capacity capable of storing data for specifying which color is to be displayed. More specifically, a full-color method is adopted, and 256 colors can be set for each of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) at each dot. Corresponding to this, 1 byte (8 bits) is allocated to each RGB color in each unit area. That is, each unit area has a storage capacity of at least 3 bytes.

The method is not limited to the full-color method. For example, in a configuration in which only 256 colors can be displayed at each dot, the storage capacity required for storing color information in each unit area may be 1 byte.

Since the first frame areas 562a and 572a and the second frame areas 562b and 572b are provided in each frame buffer 562 and 572, the display devices 41 and 130 using the drawing data created in one of the frame areas. In the situation where drawing to is executed, drawing data to be used in the future is created for other frame areas. That is, in each frame buffer 562,572, the double buffer method is adopted.

In the display circuit 584 of the first VDP 580, an image signal corresponding to each dot of the liquid crystal display unit 41a is generated based on the drawing data created in any one of the frame areas 562a and 562b, and the image signal is displayed. It is output to the symbol display device 41 via the output port 506 connected to the circuit 584. Further, in the display circuit 594 of the second VDP 590, an image signal corresponding to each dot of the liquid crystal display unit 130a is generated based on the drawing data created in any one of the frame areas 572a and 572b, and the image signal is generated. It is output to the special display device 130 via the output port 506 connected to the display circuit 594.

<Regarding the production related to the operation button unit 100>
Here, an effect related to the operation button unit 100 performed by the symbol display device 41 and the special display device 130 will be described.

In the present embodiment, as a part of the special effects of various reach effects in the effects of each game, a button effect related to the operation of the operation button 111 in the operation button unit 100 and a character effect are set. As the button effect, in addition to the normal button effect performed only on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41, a special button effect for displaying the button of the three-dimensional image by the special display device 130 is set. Further, in the character production, the production is performed by the first display screen G1 and the second display screen G2.

In the normal button effect, that is, the button effect performed only on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41, first, as an operation start effect of the content prompting the pressing operation of the operation button 111 on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41. , As shown in FIG. 15A, for example, the character display of "Ready" is performed. Then, when the player holds the operation body H such as a hand over the operation button 111 and the operation body H is detected by the preparation confirmation sensor (# 3 in FIG. 5) among the sensors 121, the first step is made. As shown in FIG. 15B, for example, a character display of "Go !!" is displayed as a destination-specific effect indicating that the display of the display screen G1 is changed and the operation button 111 is ready for operation and is ready for operation. At the same time, the character of the bomb ignited in the middle symbol row Z2 in the reach display appears.

The above-mentioned prior identification effect is continuously performed unless the sensor 121 detects the operating body H and the operating button 111 is operated within a predetermined period. On the other hand, when the sensor 121 cannot detect the operating body H, for example, when the player withdraws his / her hand, or when the operation body H is operated above the preparation confirmation sensor before the elapse of the predetermined period after the prior identification effect is performed. When the body H moves, as shown in FIG. 15 (c), for example, the character "Suka" is displayed and the above is performed as a non-execution effect of displaying the changed contents in a state where the operation is not ready. Bomb character disappears. In this case, the operation start effect is returned to the condition that the above-mentioned predetermined period has not elapsed.

Further, when the player presses the operation button 111, an operation effect of a different display mode is performed depending on the speed leading up to the pressing operation. Specifically, when the moving speed of the operating body H is slower than the reference speed, as shown in FIG. 15D, the first operation effect in which the symbol in the middle symbol column Z2 in the reach display explodes is performed. However, when the moving speed of the operating body H is equal to or higher than the reference speed, as shown in FIG. 15 (e), a second operation effect is performed, which is a larger explosion than the explosion in the case of the first operation effect. Further, when the operation button 111 is not pressed even though a predetermined period has elapsed since the operation start effect was performed, the explosion of the middle symbol row Z2 occurs as shown in FIG. 15 (f). An unexploded production without operation is performed.

Further, the button effect includes a continuous effect that requests the operation of the operation button 111 a plurality of times. When this continuous effect is selected, for example, the character display "Still more!" Appears for the above-mentioned predetermined period even after any of the operation effects is performed. Then, if the player withdraws his / her hand before the elapse of the predetermined period even though the operation button 111 is operated at least once, a character display such as "Don't give up!" Is displayed as a continuous request effect. Will be.

When this button effect is a special button effect, the special display device 130 creates a virtual operation button image X as if the operation button 111 has moved upward from the initial position, for example, as shown in FIG. 16A. Is displayed. On the other hand, on the symbol display device 41 side, the above button effect is performed.

That is, when the operation start effect for prompting the operation of the button is performed and the operation body H is detected above the virtual operation button image X by the sensor device 120, the operation of the virtual operation button image X is ready for operation. Assuming that it is in a ready state, a specific production will be performed. In this case, as described above, the reference sensor used for determining the operation execution state is changed from the sensor in the first row from the bottom (# 1 in FIG. 6) to the sensor in the fourth row (# 4 in FIG. 6). The preparation confirmation sensor used for determining the operation preparation state has been changed to the sensor on the 6th line (# 6 in FIG. 6) on the line 2 above the reference sensor. Then, when the reference sensor is in the OFF state and the preparation confirmation sensor is in the ON state, the prior identification effect is performed.

If the preparation confirmation sensor cannot detect the operating body H before the elapse of a predetermined period, the non-execution effect is performed. Further, when the player moves his / her hand in the operation direction according to the virtual operation button image X in the situation where the prior identification effect is being performed, the first operation or the second operation is performed depending on the movement speed of the operation body H before that. An operation effect is performed, and if no operation is performed, a no operation effect is performed. Further, when the player moves his / her hand in the operation direction according to the virtual operation button image X, on the special display device 130 side, as shown in FIG. 16B, it is virtual according to the operation of the operation body H. Move the operation button image X.

Further, when the continuous effect is selected in the special button effect, for example, when the player withdraws his / her hand before the elapse of the predetermined period even though the virtual operation button image X is operated at least once. Is a continuous request production.

In this way, in the special button effect, the display on the symbol display device 41 side and the three-dimensional display on the special display device 130 side are linked, and like the button effect, it differs depending on the presence / absence and operation speed of the operation body H. By setting the display so that the player can be made to think that the virtual operation button image X is being operated.

In the following description, the term "button effect" refers to the case where only the effect by the symbol display device 41 is performed, and the term "special button effect" refers to the case where the effect by the special display device 130 is also performed.

In the case of character production, as shown in FIG. 16C, a three-dimensional image of the character is displayed above the operation button 111 as if a girl character appeared.

When a character effect is performed on the special display device 130 side, a super reach (see FIG. 16D) in which a girl character appears as a reach effect is performed on the symbol display device 41 side. In this case, as an operation start effect for the character effect on the symbol display device 41 side, for example, a three-dimensional image of the girl character projected above the operation button 111 after the character display "Gently stroke" is performed. When the players move their hands as if they were stroking, the character of the girl on the symbol display device 41 side changes along with the three-dimensional display of the character of the girl.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16 (e), when the player moves his / her hand so as to stroke the three-dimensional image of the girl character to the left and right, as shown in FIG. 16 (f), the girl character The three-dimensional display changes to smile and be happy, and on the design display device 41 side, as shown in FIG. 16 (g), the girl character also winks and changes to an image expressing joy. .. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16 (h), when the player moves his / her hand so as to scratch the girl's character up and down, as shown in FIG. 16 (i), the three-dimensional image of the girl's character is drowned and saddened. On the side of the symbol display device 41, as shown in FIG. 16 (j), the girl character changes into an image of tears and sadness.

In this way, in the character effect, the player can create a three-dimensional image by linking the display on the symbol display device 41 side and the three-dimensional display on the special display device 130 side, and performing different effects depending on the operation direction of the operating body H. It realizes playability that you can enjoy as if you are touching.

By the way, the button effect, the special button effect, and the character effect are set so that the higher the expectation that the game result of each game is a big hit result, the more likely it is to occur. On the other hand, in any of these effects, the game result of the game in which the effect is performed depends on the operation direction and speed of the operation body H and whether or not the operation body H is detected by the sensor device 120. Does not change. That is, although each of these effects is set as a part of the effect of the game times and does not affect the game result, the player is a big hit result by the occurrence of each of these effects in the first place. It is a production that attracts more attention because it is expected. However, these effects may be set to affect the game result.

Further, in addition to the operation direction and operation speed of H of the operating body, the game result may be added to one condition of the subsequent change in the effect. For example, when the game result is a big hit result in the special button effect, the second operation effect, which is a flashy effect even if the operation speed of the operating body H is less than the reference speed, may be performed.

<Variable display control processing>
Next, the variation display control process executed by the voice emission control device 82 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is a process that is periodically started by the MPU 249 (for example, at a cycle of 2 msec). Here, the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82 receives a command from the main control device 81, and the received command is temporarily stored in the command storage area 252 of the RAM 251. The command storage area 252 is configured as a ring buffer that can store a plurality of commands individually and can be read from the previously stored command, and even if a plurality of commands are received at the same time, they are used. The processing corresponding to each command can be executed well.

In the variation display control process, when the variation command transmitted from the main control device 81 is received, the symbol display device 41 starts the variation display of the symbol for one game, and is transmitted from the main control device 81. When the change end command is received, the process of displaying the change display of the symbol as the final stop is executed.

Specifically, first, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation display of the symbol is in progress. That is, when the variation of the symbol is being displayed, the variation flag is stored in the variation flag storage area provided in the various flag storage areas 254. This fluctuation flag is stored when a fluctuation command is received from the main control device 81, and is cleared when a fluctuation end command is received. In step S401, it is determined whether or not the variation flag is stored, and if the variation flag is stored, it is determined that the variation is being displayed. If the symbol variation is not being displayed, the process proceeds to step S402. In step S402, it is determined whether or not a variation command has been received from the main control device 81. If the variation command has not been received, this variation display control process ends.

If the variation command is received in step S402, the process proceeds to step S403, the variation start process is executed, and then the variation display control process ends.

If the symbol variation is being displayed in step S401, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S404, it is determined whether or not the variation end command has been received, and if the variation end command has not been received, the variable intermediate process is executed in step S405 to end the variable display control process. On the other hand, when the variation end command is received, the variation end process is executed in step S406 to end the variation display control process. In the variation end processing, the display light emitting unit 63 and the speaker unit 65 are controlled, various flags for variation display are erased, and then the received variation end command is transmitted to the display control device 500 as it is. The display control device 500 controls the symbol display device 41 so as to end the variation display of the symbol based on the received variation end command and stop the final stop symbol corresponding to the lottery result of the main control device 81.

<Process for starting fluctuation>
Next, the fluctuation start processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S501, the variation command received this time is read, and the information on the presence / absence of reach occurrence and the information on the variation display time are specified from the command. Further, as described above, when the main control device 81 transmits a variable command, it also transmits a type command. In step S501, the type command received together with the variable command received this time is read, and the game result information such as the probability variation jackpot result information, the normal jackpot result information, or the deviation result information is specified from the command. Then, in step S501, from the above-specified information, information on whether or not a jackpot has been won, information on the type of jackpot if the jackpot has been won, information on whether or not a reach has occurred if the jackpot has not been won, and variable display time. Information is grasped, and the grasped information is stored in the register.

In the following step S502, it is determined from the information grasped in step S501 whether or not the big hit is won in this game round. If the jackpot is won, the process proceeds to step S503.

In step S503, the button effect lottery process is performed. Such a process is a process for deciding whether or not to execute the button effect in this game round. Specifically, the value for the button effect lottery is acquired from various counter areas 253 provided in the RAM 251 of the voice emission control device 82. Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired value corresponds to the winning of the button effect lottery. In this embodiment, the probability of winning the lottery in step S503 is 50%.

In the following step S504, it is determined whether or not the button effect lottery has been won. If the button effect lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S505. In step S505, the button flag is stored in the button flag storage area provided in the various flag storage areas 254 of the RAM 251. This makes it possible for the MPU 249 to recognize that the button effect is executed in this game round.

In step S506, a special button effect lottery process is performed. Such a process is a process for deciding whether or not to execute the special button effect in this game round. Specifically, the value for the special button effect lottery is acquired from various counter areas 253. Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired value corresponds to the winning of the special button effect lottery. In this embodiment, the probability of winning the special button effect lottery in step S506 is 10%. That is, in the game times corresponding to the big hit, the button effect is executed with a probability of 50%, and once in 10 of the game times in which the button effect is executed, the special button effect is performed.

In the following step S507, it is determined whether or not the special button effect lottery has been won. If the special button effect lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S508. In step S508, the special button effect restriction process is executed. The special button effect restriction process is a process for adjusting the execution frequency of the special button effect within a predetermined period. The voice emission control device 82 is provided with a storage means capable of storing the special button effect and the time of the special button effect during a specific period from the present time to at least a predetermined period (for example, 1 hour), and in step S508, the specific period. When the special button effect is executed a predetermined number of times (10 times in this embodiment), the special button effect is set not to be executed.

More specifically, the RAM 251 is provided with an individual storage area for the predetermined number of times, and when a special button effect is performed, an executed flag is set in the storage area. Will be done. Then, the elapse of a specific period is counted for each storage area in which the executed flag is set, and when the specific period elapses, the executed flag is cleared. In step S508, by confirming the presence / absence of the storage area in which the executed flag is not set, it is possible to determine whether or not the number of executions of the special button effect in the specific period has reached the upper limit. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the player's tiredness due to the frequent occurrence of special button effects, and to reduce the player's eye strain due to continuous viewing of the three-dimensional image. .. The above-mentioned storage means also stores the special button effect performed at the time of disconnection, which will be described later.

The specific period may be defined by a predetermined number of games before that, based on the present time (winning timing of the special button effect lottery in step S506), or the game execution period (launch operation device 28 is operated). It may be specified by the period of time). Further, for example, when it is specified by an image sensor or the like that the player who plays the pachinko machine 10 has changed, the execution number of times in the specific period is measured again by deleting the executed flag in the storage area. It may be configured to be used.

In step S509, it is determined whether or not to limit the special button effect based on the process of step S508, and if the special button effect is not restricted, the process proceeds to step S510.

In step S510, the reference sensor and the preparation confirmation sensor are changed. As described above, the reference sensor is a sensor that serves as a reference for determining that the operation is being executed, and usually the sensor in the first row from the bottom is the reference sensor (# 1 in FIG. 5). ing. Further, the preparation confirmation sensor is a sensor that serves as a reference for determining that the operation is ready, and is usually a sensor in the third row above the above reference sensor (# 3 in FIG. 5). There is. Then, in the special button effect, since the virtual operation button image X is projected above the operation button 111, the operation surface in the virtual operation button image X, that is, the sensor on the fourth line from the bottom corresponding to the virtual operation surface Y is used as a reference sensor. (# 4 in FIG. 6). Further, the sensor on the 6th row above the sensor on the 4th row is changed to the preparation confirmation sensor (# 6 in FIG. 6). As a result, it is possible to determine whether the operation is in the operation ready state or the operation execution state in the special button effect, and it is possible to grasp the position of the operation body H according to the virtual operation surface Y.

In the following step S511, the special button flag is stored in the special button flag storage area provided in the various flag storage areas 254 of the RAM 251. This makes it possible for the MPU 249 to recognize that a special button effect will be performed in this game round.

If the special button effect lottery is not won in step S507, if it is determined in step S509 that the special button effect is restricted, or after the process of step S511 is executed, the process proceeds to step S512. In step S512, the stop symbol setting process corresponding to the jackpot is executed. In the main stop symbol setting process, the stop symbol when the current game round ends is determined. For example, if the current jackpot type is a probable change jackpot result, the same specific symbol combination is finally stopped and displayed, and if the current jackpot type is a normal jackpot result, the same non-specific symbol is displayed. The stop symbol is determined so that the combination of is finally displayed as a stop. Specifically, a stop symbol table storage area is set in the ROM 250 of the voice emission control device 82. Then, in step S512, the stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot is determined with reference to the stop symbol table corresponding to the jackpot stored in the stop symbol table storage area.

In the following step S513, the variable display mode setting process corresponding to the button effect is executed. In such a process, the variable display mode of the symbol is determined so that the button effect is executed as the effect of the first display screen G1 on the symbol display device 41 side from the start to the end of the current game round. Specifically, a variation mode table storage area is set in the ROM 250 of the voice emission control device 82, and the variation mode is stored with reference to the variation mode table corresponding to the button effect stored in the variation mode table storage area. To decide. In addition, the variable mode table corresponding to the button effect includes a continuous effect.

That is, when the button effect is performed, the effect performed on the first display screen G1 on the symbol display device 41 side is the same regardless of whether or not the special button effect is performed. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load in a configuration including a plurality of display screens controlled by the display control device 500.

In the following step S514, the button variation command is output to the display control device 500. The button variation command includes information on the stop symbol, information on the variation display mode, and information on whether or not to execute the special button effect. Based on receiving the button variation command, the display control device 500 controls the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41 so that the variation display corresponding to the button effect is performed, and also performs a special button effect. When this is done, the virtual operation button image X is controlled to be displayed on the second display screen G2 of the special display device 130. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later. After executing the process of step S514, the variable start process is terminated.

If it is determined in step S504 that the button effect lottery has not been won, the process proceeds to step S515. In step S515, a character production lottery process is performed. The character production lottery process is a process for determining whether or not to execute the character production in this game round. Specifically, the value for the character effect lottery is acquired from various counter areas 253, and it is determined whether or not the acquired value corresponds to the winning of the character effect lottery. In this embodiment, the probability of winning the character production lottery in step S515 is 10%. That is, in the game times corresponding to the big hit, the button effect is executed with a probability of 50%, and the character effect is executed with a probability of 10%.

In the following step S516, it is determined whether or not the character production lottery has been won. If the character production lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S517. In step S517, the character effect restriction process is executed. The character effect restriction process is a process of adjusting the execution frequency of the character effect within a specific period, similar to the special button effect restriction process of step S508. That is, the voice emission control device 82 is provided with a storage means for character production separately from the above-mentioned storage means for special button production, and in step S517, the specific is specified based on the information of the storage means for character production. When the character effect is executed a predetermined number of times (10 times in this embodiment) during the period, the character effect is set not to be executed. Since the configuration of the storage means for character production is the same as the configuration of the storage means for special button production, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the storage means for the character effect is stored including the character effect performed at the time of disconnection, which will be described later.

In this embodiment, the special button effect restriction process and the character effect restriction process are configured to count the number of times each effect is executed separately and limit the execution of each effect. It may be configured to be limited by using the total number of executions. With this configuration, it is possible to enhance the effect of reducing eye strain of the player. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the player's boredom due to the frequent appearance of each effect, it is preferable to use a configuration in which the player is restricted separately as in the present embodiment.

In the following step S518, it is determined whether or not to limit the character effect based on the process of step S517, and if the character effect is not restricted, the process proceeds to step S519. In step S519, the character flag is stored in the character flag storage area provided in the various flag storage areas 254. This makes it possible for the MPU 249 to recognize that the character production will be performed in this game round.

In the following step S520, the stop symbol setting process corresponding to the jackpot is executed. Since such processing is the same as the processing in step S512, the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S521, the variable display mode setting process corresponding to the character effect is executed. In such a process, from the start to the end of the current game round, the effect that the girl character appears during the reach display is executed as the effect of the first display screen G1 on the symbol display device 41 side. The variation mode of is determined. Specifically, the variation mode is determined with reference to the variation mode table corresponding to the character effect stored in the variation mode table storage area.

In the following step S522, the character variation command is output to the display control device 500. The character variation command includes information on the stop symbol and information on the variation display mode. Based on receiving the character variation command, the display control device 500 controls the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41 so that the variation display corresponding to the effect in which the girl character appears is performed. , The second display screen G2 of the special display device 130 is controlled to display a three-dimensional image of a girl character. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later. After executing the process of step S521, the variable start process is terminated.

If the character production lottery is not won in step S516, or if it is determined in step S518 that the character production is restricted, the process proceeds to step S523. In step S523, the stop symbol setting process corresponding to the jackpot is executed in the same manner as in steps S512 and S520.

In the following step S524, the variable display mode setting process corresponding to the normal effect is executed. In such a process, the variation mode of the symbol is determined so that the normal reach effect is executed as the effect of the first display screen G1 on the symbol display device 41 side from the start to the end of the current game round. .. Specifically, the variation mode is determined by referring to the variation mode table corresponding to the normal effect from the variation mode table storage area. In the variation mode table corresponding to the normal effect, a variation mode in which a girl character appears during the reach display is also set. Therefore, even if the girl character appears on the first display screen G1, the three-dimensional image of the girl character may or may not appear on the second display screen G2.

In step S525, the normal variation command is output to the display control device 500. The normal variation command includes information on the stop symbol and information on the variation mode. The display control device 500 controls so that the variation display corresponding to the normal effect is performed on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41 based on the reception of the normal variation command. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later. After executing the process of step S525, the variable start process is terminated.

If the jackpot is not won in step S502, the variation mode setting process corresponding to the deviation is executed in step S526, and then the variation start process is terminated.

Here, the variation mode setting process corresponding to the deviation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The variation mode setting process corresponding to the deviation is substantially the same as the process of steps S502 to S525 in the variation start process.

That is, in step S601, it is determined from the information grasped in step S501 of the variation start processing whether or not the variation display in the current game round corresponds to the reach generation. If the variable display corresponds to the occurrence of reach in step S601, the process proceeds to step S602.

In step S602, a button effect lottery process for disengagement is performed. Similar to step S503, such a process acquires a value for the button effect lottery from various counter areas 253, and determines whether or not the value corresponds to the winning of the button effect lottery for off. In the present embodiment, the probability of winning the button effect lottery for the deviation of step S602 is 10%, which is lower than the probability of winning the button effect lottery at the time of the big hit in step S503.

In the following step S603, it is determined whether or not the button effect lottery has been won based on the processing result of the above step S602, and if the button effect lottery is won, the buttons are displayed in the various flag storage areas 254 in the following step S604. Store the flag.

In the following step S605, a special button effect lottery process for disengagement is performed. Similar to step S506, such a process acquires a value for the special button effect lottery from various counter areas 253, and determines whether or not the value corresponds to the winning of the special button effect lottery for deviation. In the present embodiment, the probability of winning the special button effect lottery for the deviation of step S605 is 5%, which is lower than the probability of winning the special button effect lottery at the time of the big hit in step S507.

In the following step S606, it is determined whether or not the special button effect lottery has been won based on the processing result of step S605, and if the special button effect lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S607. In step S607, the special button effect restriction process is executed in the same manner as in step S508, and it is determined in step S608 whether or not to restrict the special button effect. If the special button effect is not restricted, the process proceeds to step S609, the reference sensor and the preparation confirmation sensor are changed in the same manner as in step S510, and the special button flag is stored in step S610.

If the special button effect lottery has not been won in step S606, the special button effect is restricted in step S608, or the process of step S610 is executed, the process proceeds to step S611. In step S611, the stop symbol setting process corresponding to the detached reach is executed. In this stop symbol setting process, the stop symbol is determined so that the combination of reach symbols is formed and the combination of the same symbols is not stopped at the final stop symbol. Specifically, the stop symbol is determined with reference to the stop symbol table corresponding to the out-of-reach stored in the stop symbol table storage area of the ROM 250.

In the following step S612, the variation display mode setting process corresponding to the button effect is executed. Specifically, the variation mode is determined by referring to the variation mode table corresponding to the button effect from the variation mode table storage area. Such processing is the same as in step S513.

After the process of step S612 is performed, in step S613, the button variation command is output to the display control device 500, and the variation mode setting process corresponding to the disconnection is completed.

If it is determined in step S603 that the button effect lottery has not been won, the process proceeds to step S614. In step S614, a character production lottery process for disengagement is performed. Similar to step S515, such a process acquires a value for the character effect lottery from various counter areas 253, and determines whether or not the value corresponds to the winning of the character effect lottery for deviation. In the present embodiment, the probability of winning the character production lottery for the loss of step S615 is 5%, which is lower than the probability of winning the character production lottery at the time of the big hit in step S515. That is, in the pachinko machine 10, a button effect is generated with a probability of 10% and a character effect is generated with a probability of 5% when a detached reach occurs. In addition, 5% of the button effects when the out-of-reach occurs are special button effects.

In the following step S615, it is determined whether or not the character production lottery has been won based on the processing result of step S614, and if the character production lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S616. In step S616, the character effect restriction process is executed in the same manner as in step S517, and it is determined in step S617 whether or not to limit the character effect. If the character effect is not restricted, the character flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 254 in the following step S618. Then, in step S619, the stop symbol setting process corresponding to the disengagement reach is executed in the same manner as in step S611, and in step S620, the variation display mode setting process corresponding to the character effect is executed. Specifically, the variation mode is determined by referring to the variation mode table corresponding to the character effect from the variation mode table storage area. Such processing is the same as in step S522. Then, in step S621, the character variation command is output to the display control device 500, and the variation mode setting process corresponding to the deviation is completed.

If it is determined in step S615 that the character production lottery has not been won, or if it is determined in step S617 that the character production is restricted, step S622 corresponds to the out-of-reach as in step S611 and step S619. The stopped symbol setting process is executed, and in step S623, the variable display mode setting process corresponding to the normal effect is executed. Such processing is the same as in step S524. Then, in step S624, the normal variation command is output to the display control device 500, and the variation mode setting process corresponding to the deviation is completed.

If it is determined in step S601 that the reach does not occur, the stop symbol setting process corresponding to the complete deviation is executed in step S625. In this stop symbol setting process, the stop symbol is determined so that the combination of reach symbols is not formed and the combination of the same symbols is not stopped at the final stop symbol. Specifically, the stop symbol is determined with reference to the stop symbol table corresponding to the complete deviation stored in the stop symbol table storage area of the ROM 250.

In the following step S626, the variation display mode setting process corresponding to the complete deviation is executed. Specifically, the variation mode is determined with reference to the variation mode table corresponding to the complete deviation from the variation mode table storage area. After the process of step S626 is performed, the complete disengagement variation command is output to the display control device 500 in step S627, and then the variation mode setting process corresponding to the disengagement is terminated.

<Processing during fluctuation>
Next, the variable intermediate process executed in step S405 in the variable display control process (FIG. 17) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S701, it is determined whether or not the game is a game time in which any of the special effects of the button effect, the special button effect, and the character effect is executed. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not any of the button flag, the special button flag, and the character flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 254. If none of the flags are stored, the variable processing process is terminated as it is, and if any of the flags is stored, the process proceeds to step S702.

In step S702, it is determined whether or not the operation start flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 254 of the RAM 251. The operation start flag is a flag stored when the operation start effect is started in the game times in which the button effect, the special button effect, or the character effect is executed.

If the operation start flag is not stored, the process proceeds to step S703, and it is determined whether or not it is the start timing of the operation start effect. Specifically, the start timing of the operation start effect is set in advance in association with the combination of the variation display time of the current game times and the variation display mode determined in the variation start processing. In step S703, it is determined whether or not it is the start timing of the preset operation start effect. The RAM 251 of the voice emission control device 82 is provided with a progress counter area for measuring the elapsed period from the start of the game round. The value of the elapsed counter area is updated at a predetermined cycle, and the period elapsed from the start of the game round can be grasped from the value of the elapsed counter area. From the value of this progress counter area, it is determined whether or not it is the start timing of the operation start effect. If it is not the start timing of the operation start effect, the process for during this change is terminated.

If it is determined in step S703 that it is the start timing of the operation start effect, the process proceeds to step S704. In step S704, the operation start flag is stored in the operation start flag storage area. Then, the infrared output from the light emitting unit 123 in each sensor 121 of the sensor device 120 is started. As a result, the sensor device 120 can detect the operating body H.

In the following step S705, the operation effect start command is output to the display control device 500. The display control device 500 that has received the operation start effect control the symbol display device 41 so that the operation start effect is performed. The processing on the display control device 500 side will be described in detail later. After executing the process of step S705, the variable intermediate process is terminated.

If the operation start flag is stored in step S702, the process proceeds to step S706. In step S706, it is determined whether or not it is the end timing of the special effect. The end timing of the special effect is set in advance in the same manner as the start timing of the operation start effect, and it is determined from the value of the elapsed counter area whether or not it is the end timing of the operation effect.

If it is not the end timing of the special effect in step S706, the process proceeds to step S707. In step S707, it is determined whether or not the special effect in this game round is a button effect or a special button effect. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the button flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 254. If the button flag is stored, the button operation corresponding process is executed in step S708, and then the variable process is terminated. On the other hand, if the button flag is not stored, the character operation corresponding process is executed in step S709, and then the variable process is terminated. The operation-corresponding processing corresponding to each of these special effects will be described in detail later.

If it is the end timing of the special effect in step S706, the operation start flag is cleared in step S710. Further, in step S710, the output of infrared rays from the light emitting unit 123 in each sensor 121 of the sensor device 120 is stopped. As a result, the sensor device 120 cannot detect the operating body H.

That is, it can be said that the period from the start of the infrared output from the light emitting unit 123 of each sensor 121 in step S704 to the stop of the output in step S710 is the period during which the sensor device 120 can detect the detection target. ..

In the following step S711, the operation effect end command is output to the display control device 500, and then the variable processing is terminated. The operation effect end command includes information corresponding to the end timing of the special effect. The display control device 500 controls the symbol display device 41 so as to end the special effect by receiving the operation effect end command. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later.

<Processing for button operations>
The button operation correspondence process corresponding to the button effect and the special button effect executed in step S708 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S801, a preparation state confirmation process for confirming whether or not the operation is ready is executed, and in a subsequent step S802, an execution state confirmation process for confirming whether or not the operation is in the execution state is executed. Then, in step S803, it is determined whether or not the operation is in the execution state, and if it is not in the operation execution state, the effect processing for setting the effect such as the operation effect is executed in step S804. If the operation is in the execution state, the operation execution confirmation process is executed in step S805. After executing the process of step S804 or step S805, the button operation corresponding process is terminated.

Hereinafter, the preparation state confirmation process (step S801), the execution state confirmation process (step S802), the effect processing (step S804), and the operation execution confirmation process (step S805) will be described.

<Preparation status confirmation process>
In the preparation state confirmation process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the operation preparation state has already been grasped. Specifically, the various flag storage areas 254 of the RAM 251 are provided with a detection flag storage area, and it is determined whether or not the detection flag is stored in the area. The detection flag is a flag stored when it is grasped that the operation is ready.

If the detection flag is not stored, the process proceeds to step S902, and it is determined whether or not the operation body H is detected by the preparation confirmation sensor. As already explained, the preparation confirmation sensor is usually the sensor on the third line from the bottom (# 3 in FIG. 5), and when the special button effect is performed, the sensor on the sixth line from the bottom (# 6 in FIG. 6). ). And these changes are made in step S510 or step S609. If the operating body H is not detected in step S902, the preparation status confirmation process is terminated as it is. When the operating body H is detected, the detection flag is stored in the detection flag storage area in the following step S903. As a result, in the subsequent processing, an affirmative determination is made in step S901.

After the processing of step S903 is performed, the destination identification command is output to the display control device 500 in step S904, and the preparation status confirmation processing is completed. The destination identification command is a command for causing the display control device 500 to recognize that the operation body H has been detected by the preparation confirmation sensor (# 3 or # 6). The display control device 500 that has received the destination identification command controls the symbol display device 41 so that the destination identification effect is performed. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later.

If the detection flag is stored in step S901, the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, it is further determined whether or not the operation body H is detected by the preparation confirmation sensor (# 3 or # 6). The case of making a negative determination in step S905 means that the operation preparation state is no longer in the operation preparation state in the current processing time, although the operation preparation state was in the previous processing time. In this case, it is determined in step S906 whether or not the operation is in the execution state. Specifically, the arrival flag storage area is provided in the various flag storage areas 254 of the RAM 251, and it is determined whether or not the arrival flag is stored in the area. The arrival flag is a flag stored when the operating body H is detected by the reference sensor (# 1 in FIG. 5 or # 4 in FIG. 6), that is, when the operation is executed.

To supplementally explain the relationship between these detection flags and arrival flags and the operation preparation state and operation execution state, the state in which the detection flag is stored and the arrival flag is not stored is the operation preparation state, and the arrival flag is stored. The state of being is the operation execution state. That is, the operation ready state is the state from the detection flag is stored to the arrival flag being stored, and the operation execution state is the operation of the operation button 111 or the virtual operation button image X after the arrival flag is stored. It is a state until the operation of the corresponding operation body H is performed and then the arrival flag is cleared.

Here, even when the detection flag is not stored, the operating body H may be present in the detection range of the sensor device 120. That is, there is a situation in which one of the sensors 121 is in the ON state, but the preparation confirmation sensor is not in the ON state, which is a state before reaching the operation preparation state. That is, when the operation body H is included in the detection range, it is in the state before reaching this operation preparation state, and when the operation body H moves to the standby position, it is in the operation preparation state, and the operation body H is in the operation surface 112 or the virtual operation surface Y. When it moves to the position corresponding to, the operation is executed. As described above, in the present embodiment, each state is grasped step by step according to the position of the operating body H, and the effect corresponding to each state is performed to enhance the sense of unity of the series of effects.

When the operation execution state is in step S906, it means that the operation preparation state has been changed to the operation execution state, that is, the operation body H has moved from the standby position to the pressing direction (downward) of the operation button 111. In this case, the preparation status confirmation process is terminated as it is. If it is not in the operation execution state, the state has changed from the operation ready state to the state before that, or the state before the operation body H is not included in the detection range, that is, the operation body H is pressed from the standby position. It means that the vehicle has moved in the opposite direction (upward) or out of the detection range, and in this case, the process proceeds to step S907.

In step S907, the detection flag is erased, and in subsequent step S908, it is determined whether or not the operation flag is stored in the operation flag storage area provided in the various flag storage areas 254 of the RAM 251. The operation flag is a flag stored when the operation corresponding to the operation of the operation button 111 or the virtual operation button image X is performed at least once.

If the operation flag is not stored, the non-execution command is output to the display control device 500 in step S909. The non-execution command is a command for causing the display control device 500 to recognize that the operation preparation state has been reached in the previous processing time but the operation preparation state has not been reached in the current processing time. The display control device 500 that has received the non-execution command controls the symbol display device 41 so that the non-execution effect is performed. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later. After executing the process of step S909, the process of confirming the ready state is terminated.

If the operation flag is stored in step S908, the process proceeds to step S910 to determine whether or not the button effect this time is a continuous effect. The case where the continuous effect is performed in step S910 means that the operation corresponding to the operation is performed at least once in the continuous effect, but after that, neither the operation execution state nor the operation preparation state is obtained. In this case, after the continuous request command is output to the display control device 500 in step S911, the preparation status confirmation process is terminated. The display control device 500 that has received the continuous request command controls the symbol display device 41 so that the continuous request effect is performed. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later.

If the continuous production is not performed in step S910, the preparation status confirmation process is terminated as it is.

<Confirmation process of implementation status>
Next, the execution state confirmation process executed in step S802 of the button operation corresponding process (FIG. 21) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23.

First, in step S1001, it is determined whether or not any of the sensors 121 is in the ON state. When any of the sensors 121 is in the OFF state, since the operating body H does not exist in the detection range of the sensor device 120, the confirmation process of the implementation state is terminated as it is.

In the following step S1002, the lowest position of the operating body H is specified. Specifically, among the sensors 121 that are in the ON state, the sensor 121 at the lower end is grasped.

In step S1003, it is determined whether or not the lowest position of the operating body H has reached the reference sensor. Specifically, in the button effect, it is determined whether or not the sensor 121 grasped in step S1002 includes the reference sensor, and in the special button effect, the sensor 121 grasped in step S1002 is lower than the reference sensor. It is determined whether or not it is a sensor of. As described above, the reference sensor is a sensor corresponding to the operation surface 112 or the virtual operation surface Y of the operation button 111, and is a sensor for identifying the operation execution state. When only the button effect is performed, the sensor on the first line is the reference sensor (# 1 in FIG. 5), and when the special button effect is also performed, the sensor on the fourth line (# 4 in FIG. 6) is the reference sensor. Is.

When the lower end of the operating body H has reached the reference sensor (# 1 or # 4) in step S1003, that is, when the operation is being executed, the arrival flag storage area is confirmed in step S1004, and the arrival flag is reached. Is stored. If the arrival flag is stored in step S1004, the execution status confirmation process ends.

If the arrival flag is not stored in step S1004, the arrival flag is stored in step S1005, and the highest position of the operating body H is grasped in the following step S1006. Specifically, the sensor at the upper end of the sensors 121 that are in the ON state is grasped. Then, the sensor below the grasped sensor is set as the operation confirmation sensor in the following step S1007, and then the confirmation process of the implementation state is completed.

As described above, the operation confirmation sensor is a sensor for confirming that the operation corresponding to the operation has been performed. In step S1007, the sensor below the sensor grasped in step S1006 is used as a button effect. In this case, the sensor one line below (# 2 in FIG. 5) is used as the operation confirmation sensor, and in the case of the special button effect, the sensor four lines below (# 2 in FIG. 6) is used as the operation confirmation sensor.

That is, in the case of the button effect, it is grasped that the operation corresponding to the operation of the operation button 111 is completed by changing the operation confirmation sensor one line below from the ON state to the OFF state, and in the case of the special button effect. It is grasped that the operation corresponding to the operation of the virtual operation button image X is completed when the operation confirmation sensor under the four lines changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

Here, as a configuration for confirming that the operation corresponding to the operation has been performed, there is also a configuration for grasping the movement amount of the lowest position of the operating body H as a reference and confirming the presence or absence of the operation. Conceivable. However, in the case of such a configuration, particularly when only the button effect is performed, the operation body H and the operation body H are operated after the operation body H reaches the upper end of the operation button 111 (after # 1 is in the ON state). It can be difficult to clearly distinguish the boundary with the button 111. More specifically, for example, a sensor is provided below the sensor (# 1) in the first line, and the amount of movement after the operating body H reaches the upper end of the operation button 111 is grasped from the fact that the sensor is turned on. Even if an attempt is made, the sensor is already in the ON state due to the presence of the operation button 111 even in a situation where the operation button 111 is not pressed, and the sensor is in the ON state due to the presence of the operation body H. It can be difficult to figure out if it is.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the operation execution state, the presence / absence of the operation corresponding to the operation is grasped with reference to the uppermost position of the operation body H, and the sensor set in step S1007 is changed from the ON state to the OFF state. When it changes, that is, when the operating body H moves downward by 2 cm or more in the case of the button effect, and when the operating body H moves downward by 5 cm or more in the case of the special button effect, the operation corresponding to the operation. Is configured to be determined to have been performed.

If the lowest position of the operating body H has not reached the reference sensor in step S1003, that is, if the operation is not in the execution state, the arrival flag storage area is confirmed in step S1008, and the arrival flag is stored. If it is, it is deleted, and if it is not stored, the state is maintained and the confirmation process of the execution state is terminated.

Therefore, when the operation is executed, the operation confirmation sensor is set at that time, and the presence or absence of the operation corresponding to the operation is grasped by using the operation confirmation sensor as described above. On the other hand, when the operation operation state is set and then the operation preparation state or the like is entered, the arrival flag is cleared, so that the operation confirmation sensor is reset after the operation execution state is set again. With such a configuration, even when the player changes from the operation mode in which the operation button 111 is pressed by the palm to the operation mode in which the operation button 111 is pressed by the fist in the continuous effect, each pressing operation can be performed. It can be suitably specified.

<Regarding the production process and operation confirmation process>
Next, the effect processing of step S804 and the confirmation processing of the operation execution in step S805 in the button operation correspondence process (FIG. 21) will be described. As described above, when the operation is not in the execution state, the effect processing is performed, and when the operation is in the operation execution state, the operation execution confirmation processing is performed. That is, in the time series in which the processing is performed, the effect processing is performed first, and then the operation execution confirmation processing is performed. However, here, first, the operation confirmation process will be described first, and then the effect processing will be described.

<Confirmation process of operation execution>
In the operation execution confirmation process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24, first, in step S1101, it is determined whether or not the button effect this time corresponds to the continuous effect. If it is not a continuous effect, it is determined in the following step S1102 whether or not the operation flag is stored in the operation flag storage area. If the operation flag is stored, the operation confirmation process is terminated as it is.

If the continuous effect is produced in step S1101 or the operation flag is not stored in step S1102, a process for confirming the operation corresponding to the operation after step S1103 is performed. That is, in the continuous effect, the processes after step S1103 are performed regardless of the presence or absence of the operation flag.

In step S1103, it is determined whether or not the current button effect is a special button effect by confirming whether or not the special button flag is stored. In the case of the special button effect, in steps S1104 and S1105, a process for changing the virtual operation button image X according to the operation of the operation body H is performed.

That is, in step S1104, the lowest position of the operating body H is grasped, and the grasped result is output to the display control device 500 as a position command in step S1105. Upon receiving such a position command, the display control device 500 executes a process for changing the virtual operation button image X so that the virtual operation surface Y of the virtual operation button image X comes to the lowest position of the operation body H. The processing on the display control device 500 side will be described in detail later.

If the normal button effect is used instead of the special button effect in step S1103, or after the process of step S1105 is executed, the process proceeds to step S1106. In step S1106, it is determined whether or not the operation confirmation sensor set in step S1007 of the above-mentioned implementation state confirmation process (FIG. 23) has switched from the ON state to the OFF state. When the state is switched to the OFF state, it means that the operating body H has moved downward by at least 2 cm (5 cm in the case of a special button effect). In this case, it is provided in the various flag storage areas 254 of the RAM 251 in step S1107. It is determined whether or not the second effect flag is stored in the second effect flag storage area. The second effect flag is a flag stored when the operating speed of the operating body H is equal to or higher than the reference value in the state before the operation execution state (operation preparation state), and this process will be described in detail later. explain. If a negative determination is made in step S1106, the operation confirmation process is terminated as it is.

If the second effect flag is not stored in step S1107, the first operation command is output to the display control device 500 in step S1108. The first operation command is a command for causing the display control device 500 to recognize that the operation corresponding to the operation has been performed when the operation speed of the operation body H is less than the reference value. The display control device 500 that has received the first operation command controls the symbol display device 41 so that the first operation effect is performed. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later.

If the second effect flag is stored in step S1107, the second operation command is output to the display control device 500 in step S1109. The second operation command is a command for causing the display control device 500 to recognize that the operation corresponding to the operation has been performed when the operation speed of the operation body H is equal to or higher than the reference value. The display control device 500 that has received the second operation command controls the symbol display device 41 so that the second operation effect is performed. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later.

After executing the process of step S1108 or step S1109, the operation flag is stored in step S1110, and then the operation confirmation process is terminated. As a result, an affirmative determination is made in step S1102 in the subsequent processing times.

<Processing for production>
Next, the effect processing of step S804 of the button operation correspondence process (FIG. 21) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 25. As described above, the effect processing is a process performed when the operation is not in the execution state, and is performed prior to the operation execution confirmation process (FIG. 24).

First, in step S1201, it is determined whether or not the operating body H is detected by any of the sensors 121. If none of the sensors 121 is detected, the effect processing is terminated as it is.

In the following step S1202, it is determined whether or not the operating body H exists at the screen limit position. In the present embodiment, a warning is given when the operating body H approaches a predetermined distance from the second display screen G2 so that the operating body H does not come too close to the second display screen G2 of the special display device 130. The position of the sensor in the first row from the back end arranged behind the rear end of the operation button 111 corresponds to the screen limit position. Then, in step S1202, when the sensor in the first row is in the ON state, it is determined that the operating body H exists at the screen limit position.

The screen limit position is in front of the second display screen G2 and is a position where the above warning is not frequently issued when the operation button 111 is operated, that is, in front of the second display screen G2. Moreover, it may be rearward of the operation button 111, and when the screen limit position is changed, a sensor may be separately provided at that position.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S1202, the speaker unit 65 is controlled to emit a warning sound in step S1203, and a warning command is output to the display control device 500. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later.

If it does not exist at the screen limit position in step S1202, or after executing the process of step S1203, the process proceeds to step S1204.

In step S1204, it is determined whether or not the preparation confirmation sensor is in the ON state, and if it is not in the ON state, that is, if it is not in the operation ready state, the effect processing is terminated as it is. When the operation is ready, in step S1205, it is determined whether or not the sensor one line below the preparation confirmation sensor (# 2 in FIG. 5 and # 5 in FIG. 6) is in the ON state. It is determined whether or not the operation of the operating body H has been started. If this sensor is not in the ON state but in the OFF state, the effect processing is terminated as it is.

When the sensor (# 2 or # 5) one line below the preparation confirmation sensor is switched to the ON state, the measurement of the period for calculating the operating speed of the operating body H is started in step S1206. Specifically, a period counter is provided in various counter areas 253 of the RAM 251, and the operation speed is calculated by counting (updating) the period counter by 1 every predetermined cycle (for example, 2 msec). The period can be measured. Then, in step S1206, the counting of the period counter is started. In step S1206, if the period counter count has already started in the previous processing times, the process proceeds to step S1207 as it is.

In the following step S1207, it is determined whether or not the sensor (# 1 or # 4) two lines below the preparation confirmation sensor has switched from the OFF state to the ON state. If it has not been switched to the ON state, the effect processing is terminated as it is. When the reference sensor is switched to the ON state, the operating speed of the operating body H is calculated in the following step S1208. Specifically, the period required from when the sensor one line below the preparation confirmation sensor is switched to the ON state until the sensor two lines below the preparation confirmation sensor is switched to the ON state, that is, the operating body H is 1 cm in the operation direction. The operating speed of the operating body H is calculated by grasping the period required for moving to (downward) from the value of the period counter described above.

In the case of the special button effect, the period required for the operating body H to move further in the operating direction (downward) may be referred to when calculating the operating speed. In this case, for example, if the period from when # 5 is switched to the ON state to when # 1 is switched to the ON state is referred to, a more average operating speed can be calculated in the operation of the operating body H.

In the following step S1209, it is determined whether or not the operating speed calculated in step S1208 is equal to or higher than the reference speed. The reference speed is 50 cm / sec in this embodiment. The value of this reference speed may be any value as long as it can distinguish between an immediate operation (operation) and a slower and less immediate operation (operation), and is arbitrary as long as it is possible.

When the operation body H is operated at a speed equal to or higher than the reference speed in step S1209, the operation time effect is set in step S1210. In such a process, the speaker unit 65 outputs a sound effect (for example, a “boom” sound) associated with the operation of the operating body H in the operating direction. Then, in step S1211, the second effect flag is stored. By setting the second effect flag here, affirmative determination is made in step S1104 of the operation execution confirmation process (FIG. 24) executed in the subsequent operation execution state. After performing the process of step S1211, the effect process is terminated.

If it is determined in step S1209 that there is no operation at a speed equal to or higher than the reference speed, the effect processing is terminated as it is. Therefore, when the operation of the operating body H is slowly performed at a speed lower than the reference speed, the operation during operation is not performed and the second effect flag is not stored. Therefore, the operation corresponding to the operation is performed in the subsequent operation execution state. If it is done, the first operation effect will be performed.

In this way, since the configuration is such that the effect when the operation corresponding to the subsequent operation is performed is determined by using the information of the effect process executed prior to the state in which the operation is executed, the operation is executed. When the operation is performed in the state, there is a grace as compared with the configuration in which the effect is determined based on the operation speed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load for performing the effect when the operation corresponding to the operation is performed.

<Processing for character operations>
Next, the character operation correspondence process executed in step S709 in the variable intermediate process (FIG. 20) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 26. As already explained, in the character production, the subsequent production is set to be different depending on whether the player strokes the three-dimensional image of the character to the left or right or scratches it up and down. A process of specifying the operating direction of the operating body H is executed.

Specifically, first, in step S1301, it is determined whether or not the operating body H is detected. Specifically, it is determined whether or not any sensor 121 of the sensor device 120 is in the ON state. If none of the sensors 121 is in the detection state, the character operation correspondence process is terminated as it is.

When any of the sensors 121 is in the ON state, it is determined in step S1302 whether or not the operating body H exists at the screen limit position. Such processing is the same processing as in step S1202. When the screen limit position is reached, a warning sound is output from the speaker unit 65 and a warning command is output to the display control device 500 in the following step S1303.

If the screen is not at the limit position in step S1302, or after the process of step S1303 is performed, the process proceeds to step S1304. In step S1304, it is determined whether or not the operation flag is stored, and if it is stored, the character operation correspondence process is terminated as it is. The operation flag is a flag common to the one used in the above-mentioned button operation correspondence process, and by sharing the flag for the effect executed at different timings such as the button effect (special button) and the character effect, the flag is common. The storage capacity can be reduced.

If the operation flag is not stored, the process proceeds to step S1305. In step S1305, a process of grasping the lowest position of the operating body H and storing the corresponding sensor 121 as position information in the position information storage area is executed. Such a process is a process performed to grasp the amount of movement of the operating body H in the vertical direction.

The position information storage area is configured to be able to store a plurality of position information of the operating body H, and stores the information for the maximum number of times that the operation corresponding processing for the character is performed at least during the valid period of the sensor device 120 in the order in which the information is grasped. It is possible to do. In the present embodiment, the effective period of the sensor device 120 is 10 sec at the longest even in the character production, and the above-mentioned position information storage area can store the information for 20000 processes corresponding to the longest period in the order in which it is grasped. It is configured in.

In the following step S1306, the infrared intensity received by the light receiving unit 124 of each sensor 121 is analyzed, and the infrared intensity of the sensor receiving the strongest infrared ray is grasped, so that the sensor device 120 and the operating body H Grasp the distance of. Then, the process of storing the grasped distance in the distance information storage area provided in the RAM 251 is executed. Such a process is a process performed to grasp the amount of movement of the operating body H in the left-right direction.

Similar to the above-mentioned position information storage area, the distance information storage area is configured to be able to store a plurality of distance information of the operating body H, and is an upper limit in which the operation corresponding processing for characters is performed at least during the period when the sensor device 120 is valid. It is possible to store the information for each number of times in the order in which they are grasped. In the present embodiment, the effective period of the sensor device 120 is 10 sec at the longest even in the character production, and the distance information storage area can be stored in the order in which the information for 20000 processes corresponding to the longest period is grasped. It is configured in.

In the following step S1307, it is determined whether or not the character grasping period (3 sec in the present embodiment), which is a predetermined period after the operation body H is detected, has elapsed. The RAM 251 is provided with a progress counter area for grasping, in which measurement is started after the operating body H is detected by any of the sensors 121 in the character production. Then, the update of the grasping progress counter area is started at the timing of affirmative judgment in step S1301, the update of the grasping progress counter area is stopped at the timing of negative judgment in step S1301, and the information up to that point is cleared. To. In step S1307, it is determined from the value of the grasping progress counter area whether or not the character grasping period has elapsed. If the character grasping period has not passed, the character operation support process is terminated as it is.

If the character grasping period has elapsed, in step S1308, the processing times performed before the above character grasping period from the timing when the current processing time is executed (processing times before 6000 processing times). In, the process of acquiring the position information stored in the position information storage area is executed. Further, in step S1309, the distance information stored in the distance information storage area is acquired in the processing times (processing times before 6000 processing times) performed before the above-mentioned character grasping period from the timing when the current processing time is executed. Execute the process to be performed.

In step S1310, the current position information stored in step S1305 and the position information acquired in step S1308 are compared to grasp the amount of movement of the operating body H in the vertical direction. Further, in step S1311, the current distance information stored in step S1306 and the distance information acquired in step S1309 are compared to grasp the amount of movement of the operating body H in the left-right direction.

In the following step S1312, either the vertical movement amount grasped in step S1310 or the left-right movement amount grasped in step S1311 is a predetermined value for the character (reference value for characters). In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not it is 5 cm) or more. If any of the movement amounts is less than the character reference value, the character operation correspondence process is terminated as it is.

When the amount of movement in either direction is equal to or greater than the reference value for characters, the amount of movement in the vertical direction grasped in step S1310 and the amount of movement in the left-right direction grasped in step S1311 in the following step S1313. , To determine whether or not the amount of movement in the left-right direction is larger than the amount of movement in the up-down direction.

When the amount of movement in the vertical direction is larger, it is determined that the operating body H has operated so as to scratch the character of the three-dimensional image up and down, and the first operation command is output to the display control device 500 in step S1314. .. On the other hand, when the amount of movement in the left-right direction is larger, it is determined that the operating body H has operated so as to stroke the character of the three-dimensional image left and right, and the second operation command is displayed in step S1315. Output to. Upon receiving any of these operation commands, the display control device 500 controls the symbol display device 41 and the special display device 130 so that the corresponding operation effect is performed. The processing of the display control device 500 will be described in detail later.

After executing the process of step S1314 or step S1315, the operation flag is stored in step S1316, and then the operation corresponding process for the character is terminated.

As described above, in the operation corresponding processing for characters, the amount of movement of the operating body H in the vertical direction is grasped by using the configuration in which the sensors 121 of the sensor device 120 are aligned in the vertical direction, and the operation amount of each sensor 121 is grasped. The light receiving intensity of the light receiving unit 124 is used to grasp the amount of movement of the operating body H in the left-right direction. It is also possible to use the configuration in which the sensors 121 are aligned in the front-rear direction to grasp the amount of movement of the operating body H in the front-rear direction. In this case, it is preferable that the display control device 500 performs the effect based on the grasped movement amount in the front-rear direction.

Further, in addition to the operation direction of the operation body H, the operation speed may be a condition for different effects such as the button operation correspondence process. In this case, for example, even if the operating body H moves up and down, if it is less than a predetermined speed, it may be determined that the operating body H operates as if it was stroked up and down instead of being scratched, or the operating body H moves left and right. However, if the speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, it may be determined that the movement is performed like a slap instead of stroking. Then, it is advisable to add an effect of changing the facial expression of the girl character by using the information of the operation direction and the operation speed.

<Command correspondence processing by the display control device 500>
Next, the command correspondence process executed by the display control device 500 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 27. The command correspondence process is a process that is started with the highest priority when a command is received from the voice emission control device 82, regardless of the process being executed at that time. Further, the command correspondence process is executed by the control CPU 510, and the display CPUs 520, 530 and the like operate in response to the command from the control CPU 510. In the present embodiment, in addition to the command correspondence processing, the main control such as the main processing executed at power-on and the timer interrupt processing executed periodically is executed by the control CPU 510, and the drawing data is drawn by the display CPUs 520 and 530. The processing load in the display control device 500 is distributed by configuring the configuration to execute various processes for generating the above.

Image processing such as generation of drawing data performed by timer interrupt processing can be processed in a shorter period of time than the cycle in which the command is output from the voice emission control device 82, and the command read by the command correspondence process. The image processing corresponding to the above is completed before the timing at which the command can be output from the voice emission control device 82 next. In the command correspondence process, when the image processing corresponding to the received command is performed via the timer interrupt processing, the displayed image is temporarily deleted and the image corresponding to the command received this time is displayed. Let the process be performed.

Further, in the description of the command correspondence process, the effect contents on the display screens G1 and G2 of FIGS. 15 and 16 will be described again with reference to them.

In the command correspondence process, first, in step S1401, it is determined whether or not any of the variable commands has been received. As described above, the fluctuation command is output by one of the button fluctuation command, the character fluctuation command, the normal fluctuation command, and the complete deviation command in the fluctuation start processing (FIGS. 18 and 19). Will be done. If any of the variable commands is received in step S1401, the process proceeds to step S1402. In step S1402, the stop symbol information and the variation mode information are acquired from the received variation command, and an internal command including the stop symbol information and the variation mode information grasped to the 2D display CPU 520 in the following step S1403 is output. Thereby, the effect of the variable display of the symbol on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41 is set.

In the following step S1404, it is determined whether or not the variable command received this time is a button variable command or a character variable command. If a negative determination is made in step S1404, the command correspondence process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made, a special effect setting process is performed in step S1405, and then the command correspondence process is performed. finish.

Here, the special effect setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 28.

In step S1501, it is determined whether or not the command received in step S1401 is a button variable command. If an affirmative judgment is made in step S1501, that is, if the special effect performed in this game is a button effect or a special button effect, the received button variation command is analyzed in the following step S1502 to perform a special effect. It is determined whether or not it is a game time to execute the button effect.

In the case of a game in which the special button is executed, the special button effect flag is stored in the special button effect flag storage area provided in the various flag storage areas of the work RAM 550 in the following step S1503. In the case of a game in which the special button effect is not executed in step S1502, or after the process of step S1503 is executed, the button effect is produced in the button effect flag storage area provided in the various flag storage areas of the work RAM 550 in step S1504. Store the flag. After performing the process of step S1504, the special effect setting process is terminated.

The case where the button variation command is not received in step S1501 means that the character variation command is received. Therefore, in this case, in step S1505, it is provided in various flag storage areas of the work RAM 550. The character effect flag is stored in the character effect flag storage area, and the special effect setting process is terminated.

Returning to the description of the command correspondence process (FIG. 27), if no variable command has been received in step S1401, the process proceeds to step S1406. In step S1406, it is determined whether or not the operation effect start command has been received. As described above, the operation effect start command is output in step S705 of the variable processing (FIG. 20). When the operation effect start effect command is received, the operation start effect process is executed in step S1407, and then the command correspondence process ends.

In the operation start effect processing, an internal command is output to the 2D display CPU 520 in order to perform the operation start effect according to the type of the special effect to be executed in this game round on the symbol display device 41 side. Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 29, it is determined in step S1601 whether or not the button effect flag is stored in the button effect flag storage area. When the button effect flag is stored, in the following step S1602, the internal command for the button is output to the 2D display CPU 520, and the operation start effect for the button is started on the first display screen G1. The symbol display device 41 is controlled. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15A, the display "Ready" is performed, and the operation of the operation button 111 or the virtual operation button image X is urged.

In the following step S1603, it is determined whether or not the special button effect flag is stored. When the special button effect flag is stored, the special display device 130 is controlled to start displaying the virtual operation button image X by outputting an internal command to the 3D display CPU 530 in step S1604. .. If a negative determination is made in step S1603, or after the process of step S1604 is executed, the operation start effect process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the button effect flag is not stored in step S1601, the internal command for the character is output to the 2D display CPU 520 in step S1605, and the operation start effect for the character is displayed on the first display screen G1. The symbol display device 41 is controlled so as to start. In this case, for example, the display "Gently stroke sideways" is performed on the first display screen G1, and the operation of stroking the three-dimensional image of the character to the left or right is urged. Further, in step S1606, the special display device 130 is controlled so as to start displaying the image of the girl character by outputting an internal command to the 3D display CPU 530. After executing the process of step S1606, the operation start effect process is terminated.

Here, since the operation mode by the player is a common operation mode of pressing operation in the button effect and the special button effect, the button operation start effect is the same regardless of the special effect. Be done. As a result, the storage capacity of the display control device 500 is reduced. Furthermore, the player is paying attention to the first display screen G1 in which the variable display of the symbol is normally performed, and it is assumed that the line of sight is shifted to the operation button unit 100 by performing the operation start effect for the button. However, even when the same button operation start effect is performed, the virtual operation button image X may or may not appear, so it is possible to enhance the unexpectedness when the line of sight is changed. It becomes.

Returning to the description of the command correspondence process (FIG. 27), if the operation effect start command has not been received in step S1406, the process proceeds to step S1408. In step S1408, it is determined whether or not a warning command has been received. As described above, the warning command is output in step S1203 of the effect processing (FIG. 25) of the button operation corresponding process and step S1303 of the character operation corresponding process (FIG. 26). If a warning command has been received, the warning effect processing is performed in step S1409, and then the command correspondence processing is terminated. In the warning effect processing, by outputting an internal command to the 2D display CPU 520, for example, "It is too close, please release" is displayed on the first display screen G1 of the symbol display device 41.

If the warning command has not been received in step S1408, the process proceeds to step S1410. In step S1410, it is determined whether or not the destination specifying command has been received. As described above, the destination-specific command is the case where the special effect is a button effect or a special button effect, and when the operation ready state is reached, the preparation state confirmation process (FIG. 22) in the button operation corresponding process. This is a command output in step S904. If the destination identification command has been received, the destination identification effect processing is performed in step S1411, and then the command correspondence processing is terminated. In the process for specifying the destination, the symbol display device 41 is controlled so that the destination specifying effect is performed on the first display screen G1 (see FIG. 15B).

If the destination specifying command has not been received in step S1410, the process proceeds to step S1412. In step S1412, it is determined whether or not a non-execution command has been received. As already explained, the non-execution command is a case where the special effect is a button effect or a special button effect, and after the operation preparation state is set, the operation is not in the operation execution state or the operation preparation state in the next processing time. , Is a command output in step S909 of the preparation status confirmation process (FIG. 22) in the button operation corresponding process. If a non-execution command has been received, the non-execution effect processing is performed in step S1413, and then the command correspondence process ends. In the non-execution effect processing, the symbol display device 41 is controlled so that the non-execution effect is performed on the first display screen G1 (see FIG. 15 (c)).

If the non-execution command has not been received in step S1412, the process proceeds to step S1414. In step S1414, it is determined whether or not the continuous request command is received. As described above, the continuous request command is a case where the special effect is a button effect or a continuous effect in the special button effect, and even though the operation of the operating body H corresponding to the operation is performed at least once, after that. This is a command output in step S911 of the preparation state confirmation process (FIG. 22) in the button operation correspondence process when the operation body H is moved to a position corresponding to the state before the operation preparation state. When the continuous request command is received, the continuous request effect processing is performed in step S1415, and then the command correspondence processing is terminated. In the continuous request effect processing, the symbol display device 41 is controlled so that the continuous request effect such as "Don't give up!" Is performed on the first display screen G1.

If the continuous request command has not been received in step S1414, the process proceeds to step S1416. In step S1416, it is determined whether or not a position command has been received. As described above, the position command is a command indicating the lowest position of the operating body H when the operating body H moves in the operation execution state when the special effect is the special button effect. When the position command is received, the three-dimensional display change process is executed in step S1417, and then the command correspondence process ends. In the 3D display change process, the special display device 130 is controlled so as to change the 3D image in accordance with the operation of the operating body H by outputting an internal command to the 3D display CPU 530 (FIG. 16 (b)). reference).

If the position command has not been received in step S1416, the process proceeds to step S1418. In step S1418, it is determined whether or not the first operation command or the second operation command is received. As described above, these operation commands are used in step S1108 and step S1109 of the operation execution confirmation process (FIG. 24) in the button operation correspondence process, or in steps S1314 and step S1315 of the character operation correspondence process (FIG. 26). Is the command that is output. If any of the operation commands has been received, the operation effect processing is executed in step S1419, and then the command correspondence processing is terminated.

In the operation effect processing, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 30, first, it is determined in step S1701 whether or not the button effect flag is stored, and if it is stored, the process proceeds to step S1702. In step S1702, it is determined whether or not the command received this time is the first operation command. In the case of the first operation command, the design display device proceeds to step S1703 and outputs an internal command to the 2D display CPU 520 so that the first operation effect for the button is performed on the first display screen G1. 41 is controlled (see FIG. 15 (d)). When the second operation command is used instead of the first operation command in step S1702, the internal command is output to the 2D display CPU 520 in step S1704, so that the second display screen G1 displays the second button. The symbol display device 41 is controlled so that the operation effect is performed (see FIG. 15 (e)). After performing the process of step S1703 or step S1704, the operation effect processing is terminated.

The case where the button effect flag is not stored in step S1701 is the case where the character effect is performed. In this case, it is determined whether or not the command received this time in step S1705 is the first operation command. do. In the case of the first operation command, in step S1706, by outputting the internal command to the 2D display CPU 520 and the 3D display CPU 530, the symbol display device 41 and the symbol display device 41 and the like so that the first operation effect for the character is performed. The special display device 130 is controlled (see FIGS. 16 (i) and 16 (j)).

When the second operation command is used instead of the first operation command in step S1705, the second operation effect for the character is produced by outputting the internal command to the 2D display CPU 520 and the 3D display CPU 530 in step S1707. The symbol display device 41 and the special display device 130 are controlled so that the above is performed (see FIGS. 16 (f) and 16 (g)). After performing the process of step S1706 or step S1707, the operation effect processing is terminated.

Returning to the description of the command correspondence process (FIG. 27), if no operation command has been received in step S1418, the process proceeds to step S1420. In step S1420, it is determined whether or not the operation effect end command has been received. As described above, the operation effect end command is a command output in step S711 of the variable processing (FIG. 20). If the operation effect end command has been received, the special effect end process is executed in step S1421, and then the command correspondence process ends. In the special effect end process, the control related to the special effect of the symbol display device 41 and the special display device 130 is terminated, and the process of erasing the special effect flags such as the button effect flag, the special button effect flag, and the character effect flag is executed. .. Further, at the end of the special effect, if no operation command is received within the period in which the special effect is performed, the symbol display device 41 so that the effect without operation is performed on the first display screen G1. To control.

If the operation effect end command has not been received in step S1420, other processes are executed in step S1422, and then the command correspondence process ends. In the other processing of step S1422, the processing for setting the effect based on the reception of the other command for the game round effect (variable end command) and the command for the open / close execution mode (opening command and ending command) is executed.

According to the present embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

The range in which the operating body H such as a hand moves in the operating space OE of the operating button 111, that is, the upper portion of the operating button 111 is set as the detection range of the sensor device 120. As a result, when the player tries to operate the operation button 111, it is possible to detect the hand before touching the operation button 111, and as a corresponding effect, a novel effect such as a prior identification effect or a non-execution effect is performed. It becomes possible.

After the operation start effect is performed, if the player holds his / her hand at the position where the operation ready state is set, that is, the position where the preparation confirmation sensor is set to the ON state, it is assumed that the player is in the operation ready state and the advance specific effect is performed. And said. That is, when the player prepares for the operation start effect as an operation command on the gaming machine side, the effect for that (previous specific effect) is performed, and then the player operates. When the above is performed, the effect (operation effect) for that is performed. As a result, it becomes possible to reproduce a series of actions of the player based on the operation command from the gaming machine as an effect, and it is possible to enhance the sense of solidarity given to the player by the effect.

The position of the operation preparation state is the position where the player does not touch the operation surface 112 of the operation button 111, that is, the position where the reference sensor corresponding to the operation surface 112 is in the OFF state. Therefore, it is possible to clearly distinguish whether the hand or the like is in the state before the operation surface 112 is pressed or the operation surface 112 is being pressed. As a result, the above-mentioned prior identification effect is performed before touching the operation surface 112, which makes the effect closer to the preparation stage and changes the effect even though the operation surface 112 is not touched. It can be a highly surprising production.

By configuring the non-execution effect when the player is no longer in the operation ready state at the timing after it is determined to be in the operation ready state, for example, if the player changes his mind and withdraws his hand, he / she can stand by again. Can be prompted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from not participating in the production using the operation button 111 prepared with great care, and to encourage active participation in the game.

The situation in which the operation button 111 is pressed, that is, the operation execution status is determined by using the detection result of the sensor device 120. As a result, it is possible to grasp the operation preparation state and the operation execution state, and it is possible to perform a series of effects from the stage of preparation for the pressing operation to the state of implementation.

By arranging the sensors 121 of the sensor device 120 in the operation direction (vertical direction) of the operation button 111 at predetermined intervals, it is possible to grasp the amount of movement of the player's hand or the like. It is possible to realize the accompanying effect, for example, the above-mentioned prior identification effect and the operation effect with a simple configuration.

When the operation speed of the player's hand is grasped in the button operation correspondence process, and then the type of operation effect to be performed when the operation button 111 is operated, the above-mentioned grasped operation speed is slower than the reference speed. The first operation effect is used, and when the speed is higher than the reference speed, the second operation effect is more flashy than the first operation effect. As a result, the operation mode of the player is clearly expressed as an effect, and the sense of unity that the player obtains can be increased.

Further, since the above-mentioned operation speed is the operation speed of the preliminary operation in the operation of the operation button 111, it is possible to determine the effect in advance before the operation button 111 is actually operated, and the operation is actually performed. It is possible to reduce the increase in the processing load as compared with the configuration in which the effect is determined by the operating speed of the case.

In the continuous effect, if the operation corresponding to at least one operation is performed and then the operation execution state or the operation preparation state is lost, the continuous request effect is performed. In other words, when the operation surface 112 is in the operation ready state at a predetermined distance, the continuous request effect is not performed. As a result, for example, there is no decrease in motivation to participate in the game due to the continuous request effect being performed even though the operation corresponding to the operation is being performed (in the operation ready state).

A special display device 130 is arranged at a position behind the operation button 111, and the second display screen G2 of the special display device 130 is configured to perform an effect (special button effect) by an invitation image for prompting the operation. Therefore, since the invitation image is displayed at the rear position of the operation button 111, the player can clearly grasp the portion where the operation is urged.

The effect of the invitation image is a three-dimensional image, and the three-dimensional image is displayed as if it exists in the operation space OE. This makes it possible for the sensor device 120 to detect a hand or the like that the player tries to touch the three-dimensional image. Therefore, it is possible to add not only the game of operating the operation button 111 but also a new game of trying to touch the invitation image, and at the same time, detecting a hand or the like trying to touch the invitation image, and as a result. Can be reflected in the production.

Further, since the three-dimensional image is displayed in the operation space OE of the operation button 111, it is not necessary to provide a separate space for the effect that the player tries to touch the three-dimensional image. Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize the limited space of the gaming machine.

Further, in the configuration in which the effect is performed using the operation space OE, the effect uses the three-dimensional image as described above instead of using the movable object, so that there is a concern about damage to the movable object or the like. It is also possible to facilitate the maintenance of the gaming machine.

In such a configuration, the first wall portion 68a is provided in the direction intersecting the second wall portion 68b where the special display device 130 is installed, and the sensor device 120 is installed on the first wall portion 68a. As a result, the first wall portion 68a can not only have the effect of being a member for installing the sensor device 120, but also have the effect of suppressing the entry of light from the side of the special display device 130.

By setting a three-dimensional image (virtual operation button image X) corresponding to the operation button 111 as the invitation image, it is possible to produce an effect as if the operation button 111 extends to the operation space OE side. Then, when the player tries to operate the virtual operation button image X, it can be detected as described above, so that the virtual operation button image X is displaced based on the detection result (step). S1417) can be performed. This provides the unexpectedness of moving the operation button 111 to the operation space OE side, and also provides the reality that the three-dimensional image is displaced when trying to operate it.

When displaying the virtual operation button image X, the positions of the reference sensor and the preparation confirmation sensor are also changed. As a result, it is possible to achieve the above-mentioned excellent effect using the reference sensor and the preparation confirmation sensor even in the production using the virtual operation button image X.

Since the second display screen G2 of the special display device 130 is arranged at a position where the player can touch it, not at a position where the player cannot touch it as in the first display screen G1, there is concern about dirt and damage. However, in the present embodiment, the sensor device 120 is used to give a warning when the operating body H is too close to the screen, that is, when the operating body H is located at the screen limit position. This makes it possible to suppress the above-mentioned concerns about dirt and damage.

In particular, the special display device 130 is configured to perform the effect of the three-dimensional image as described above, and the position of the second display screen G2 of the special display device 130 is determined by the relationship with the space where the effect of the three-dimensional image is performed. Be done. In the present embodiment, the space for producing the effect by the three-dimensional image is above the operation button 111 (operation space OE). Therefore, for example, if the second display screen G2 is provided behind the window portion 61, the second display screen The window portion 61 is present between the G2 and the operation button 111, which may hinder the operability of the operation button 111. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the operation button is provided by providing the second display screen G2 outside the game area PE while taking measures to avoid the inconvenience caused by the second display screen G2 and the operating body H being close to each other. It is possible to suitably realize the effect of the three-dimensional image without deteriorating the operability of the 111.

By providing the operation button 111 and the special display device 130 so as to be biased to the left side of the center position in the left-right direction, the player can operate the launch operation device 28 provided so as to be biased to the right side with his left hand. It is possible to perform an operation corresponding to the operation of the operation button 111 or the virtual operation button image X. In particular, because it is provided so as to be offset to the left side of the center position, the player's hand is the player's eyes and the first when the player tries to touch the three-dimensional image, as compared with the configuration provided at the center position. 2 It is possible to reduce the rate of intrusion between the display screen G2 and the display screen G2. As a result, the player can perform an operation corresponding to the operation of the three-dimensional image while confirming the display of the three-dimensional image, and can suitably perform the effect of the three-dimensional image.

The content is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Incidentally, each of the following configurations may be individually applied to the above embodiment, or may be partially or wholly combined and applied to the above embodiment.

(1) The operation space OE is defined above the operation button 111 with the operation direction of the operation button 111 as the vertical direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation button 111 may be pressed in the front-rear direction, and the operation space OE may be defined in front of the operation button 111. Further, the operation button 111 may be pressed in the left-right direction, and the operation space OE may be defined on the side thereof. In any case, the area used for the operation of the operation button 111 and the area in which the hands of the players and the like exist in the previous stage may be defined as the operation space OE, and the operation space OE may be used. It suffices if the detection range of the sensor device 120 is defined within the range in which the hand or the like moves.

(2) The position where the operation button unit 100 is provided is not limited to the position in the above embodiment. For example, it may be configured to be provided in the lower bulging portion 67. Even in this case, by providing the front door frame 14 so as to be offset to one end side from the center position in the left-right direction, the visibility of the second display screen G2 is in relation to the player's hand and the operation button 111. Can be suppressed.

(3) The trigger for executing the effect of the three-dimensional image is not limited to the above. For example, instead of or in addition to the configuration in which the effect of the three-dimensional image is performed during the reach display, the notice mode may be displayed, the opening / closing execution mode may be performed, and the standby mode in which the game rotation is not performed may be performed. You may go inside.

Needless to say, the production modes of the operation start effect, the destination specific effect, the non-execution effect, the continuous request effect, the operation effect, and the non-operation effect are not limited to the above.

Further, when the operation body H is not detected by the preparation confirmation sensor during the operation start effect, the operation start effect may be changed (for example, the character "Please prepare early" is displayed). By doing so, it is possible to prevent the operation buttons 111 and the virtual operation button image X from being wasted without being operated. Further, this effect may be adopted when the operation corresponding to the operation is not performed during the execution of the prior specific effect. That is, if the operation preparation state does not shift to the operation execution state, the target specific effect may be changed (for example, the character "Please press quickly" is displayed).

Further, the operation effect is configured to be performed when the operation corresponding to the operation of the operating body H is completed, but may be configured to be performed while the operation corresponding to the operation is being performed in the operation execution state.

Further, in the special button effect, the virtual operation button is arranged so that the virtual operation surface Y is arranged at the lowest position of the operation body H when the operation corresponding to the operation is performed in the three-dimensional display change process (step S1417). Although the configuration is such that the image X is changed, it is possible to add an effect that the virtual operation button image X escapes (moves downward) when the operation body H approaches the virtual operation surface Y. By using the three-dimensional image in this way, it is possible to set various effects as well as the effects corresponding to the operations, and it is possible to diversify the effects.

(4) The state in which the preparation confirmation sensor is in the ON state and the reference sensor is in the OFF state is set as the operation preparation state, but one of the sensors 121 is in the ON state and at least the sensor 121 including the reference sensor is in the ON state. The state in which is OFF may be set as the operation preparation state. In this case, the state in which the operating body H exists in the detection range of the sensor device 120 and does not touch the operating surface 112 is the operation ready state. By doing so, since the prior identification effect is performed even if the operation body H does not exist at the specific standby position, the player can operate the operation button 111 in any operation mode. In addition, in the case of this configuration, it is not necessary to change the preparation confirmation sensor regardless of whether the button effect is a normal button effect or a special button effect (the preparation confirmation sensor is not required), so the processing configuration should be simplified. Can be done.

(5) Although the configuration is such that the effect of the three-dimensional image is performed within the detection range of the sensor device 120, this may be changed. For example, the special display device 130 is used to perform two-dimensional display. Even in this case, it is preferable to display an invitation image prompting the operation of the operation button 111 on the second display screen G2.

Further, even if the special display device 130 is not provided, if the detection range of the sensor device 120 includes at least the range in which the operation body H operates in the operation space OE of the operation button 111, the symbol display device 41 side. Since it is possible to perform a pre-specific effect or a non-execution effect, it is possible to improve the degree of attention to the game.

On the other hand, in the case of the configuration in which the effect of the three-dimensional image is performed, the configuration may be such that the sensor device 120 is not provided. Even if the sensor device 120 is not provided, at least if the operation space OE of the operation button 111 is configured to produce a three-dimensional image, the operation space OE in the configuration in which the operation means is provided is used to improve the degree of attention to the game. Can be planned. In this case, it is preferable that the button device 110 has a built-in sensor for detecting the pressing operation of the operation button 111. Further, even with such a configuration, since the operation space OE is configured to perform an effect using a three-dimensional image instead of an effect using an actual movable object, for example, a player can have a movable object in the operation space OE. There is no inconvenience such as touching a moving object and breaking down when trying to operate the operating means even though it exists.

(6) The sensor device 120 of the operation button unit 100 is connected to the voice emission control device 82 to specify the position of the detection target, etc., but these are connected by connecting to the main control device 81 and the display control device 500. The control device may be configured to specify the position of the detection target, etc., and the information from the sensor device 120 may be output as it is to another control device via the voice emission control device 82, and the other control device may use the control device. May be configured to identify the position of the detection target by analyzing the above.

(7) The sensor 121 in the sensor device 120 employs a reflection type sensor using infrared rays, but is not limited to that of the above embodiment as long as the operation ready state can be detected at least in the operation space OE. For example, it may be a sensor using radio waves, a sensor using electromagnetic induction, or a sensor that grasps the position of a detection target by image analysis using a camera. Further, instead of the reflection type sensor adopted in the above embodiment, a transmission type sensor may be used. When a transmission type sensor is adopted, it is preferable to provide a light emitting unit 123 and a light receiving unit 124 on both sides of the operation button 111, respectively.

(8) A wall portion is provided on the opposite side of the sensor device 120 with the operation button 111 sandwiched in the front portion of the gaming machine, and the operation space OE is provided with the first wall portion 68a having the sensor device 120 and the wall portion provided on the opposite side. It may be configured to be surrounded by. Speaking of the configuration of FIG. 1, the wall portion is provided between the upper plate 66a and the operation button 111. Since the detection range of the sensor device 120 is a virtual extension space to the operation button 111 side of each sensor 121, by providing a wall portion on the opposite side of the operation button 111 in this way, the virtual extension space is extended. The amount can be limited. In particular, by providing the wall portion between the upper plate 66a and the operation button 111, even if the player tries to touch the game ball of the upper plate 66a, the hand is not detected by the sensor device 120, and the sensor. False detection of the device 120 can be suppressed. In this case, a transmission type sensor may be used as described in (7) above.

Further, although the sensor device 120 is provided laterally with respect to the operation space OE of the operation button 111, it may be provided below the operation space OE of the operation button 111. In this case, for example, in the upper bulging portion 66 where the operation button 111 is provided, each sensor 121 may be provided around the operation button 111 so as to output infrared rays toward the operation space OE. In this case, by analyzing the light receiving intensity of the light receiving unit 124 in each sensor 121, the distance between the operation surface 112 of the operation button 111 and the operation body H can be grasped. By doing so, instead of operating the operation button 111, for example, even if the player tries to touch the game ball of the upper plate 66a, the hand is not detected by the sensor device 120, and false detection is suppressed. can do.

Further, in this case, the infrared rays from the light emitting unit 123 in each sensor 121 may be crossed above the operation space OE, that is, the detection range of the sensor device 120 may be conical. By doing so, the detection range can be widened as it is closer to the operation button 111 and narrower as it is farther from the operation button 111, and the effect of suppressing the above-mentioned false detection can be enhanced. can.

(9) The operation mode of the operation button 111 may be limited by the structure around the operation button 111 on the front surface of the gaming machine. Specifically, as in (8), for example, a wall portion is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine on the opposite side of the sensor device 120 with the operation button 111 sandwiched between them, and the distance between the first wall portion 68a and the provided wall portion is set. If it is narrowed so that the hand cannot be put in the space unless the palm is made vertical, the operation mode of pressing the operation button 111 becomes more limited. In this case, the size of the operation button 111 is changed according to the narrowed interval. By doing so, the form of the operating body H can be limited as the operating mode of the operating button 111, so that it is possible to simplify the configuration for grasping the position of the operating body H.

(10) In the button effect, the special button effect, and the character effect, when the operation of the operation button 111, the virtual operation means image, and the operation body H corresponding to the operation of the character is performed, the operation effect is performed on the symbol display device 41 side. However, the timing of the operation of these operating bodies H and the timing of performing the operation effect by the display control device 500 may be different. Specifically, a waiting time is provided between the timing when the voice emission control device 82 detects the operation of the operation body H and the timing when the display control device 500 starts the operation effect, and after the operation of the operation body H, a waiting time is provided. The operation effect may be performed after a predetermined period corresponding to the waiting time has elapsed.

With such a configuration, after the player enjoys watching the effects (special button effects and character effects) on the second display screen G2 side accompanying the operation, he / she shifts his / her eyes to the first display screen G1. By the time the operation effect on the first display screen G1 is started, there is time to move the eyes from the operation button 111 side to the first display screen G1 side. In particular, in a gaming machine having an operation means such as an operation button 111, an effect generated by the operation, for example, an effect on the first display screen G1 for displaying whether or not it is a big hit, rather than operating the operation means. Is considered to be of great interest in. Therefore, when the operation on the operation means side and the effect accompanying the operation are continuously performed back and forth, at the time of operating the operation means, the first display screen G1 is already displayed instead of the second display screen G2 side. It is also possible that you are watching the production. Therefore, by providing the waiting time as described above, the player can enjoy both of the effects performed in different places.

(11) The parallax barrier method is adopted for the configuration of the special display device 130, but the method is not limited to this as long as the three-dimensional image can be seen protruding, such as the lenticular method, the integral photography method, and the holography method. Other methods may be adopted.

(12) In the above embodiment, the display control device 500 is controlled by the voice emission control device 82 based on the command output from the main control device 81, but instead of this, the main control device 81 The display control device 500 may control the voice emission control device 82 based on the output command. Further, instead of the configuration in which the voice emission control device 82 and the display control device 500 are separately provided, the configuration in which both the control devices 82 and 500 are provided as one control device may be used. Further, the configuration of the command output from the main control device 81 to the voice emission control device 82 is also arbitrary.

Further, although the display control device 500 is configured to control the symbol display device 41 and the special display device 130, instead of this, the display control device 500 may be configured to control the symbol display device 41 and the special display device 130 by separate control devices. good.

(13) The arrangement position of the second display screen G2 of the special display device 130 is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, it may be configured to be provided inside the game area PE. Further, instead of the configuration arranged at the rear position of the operation button 111, the configuration may be arranged on the left side, the configuration may be arranged on the right side, the configuration may be arranged on the upper side, or the configuration may be arranged on the lower side. It may be arranged. In these cases, from the viewpoint of ensuring visibility, it is preferable that at least the second display screen G2 is arranged so as to face the player's face.

The second display screen G2 may be arranged below the operation button 111, for example, the operation button 111 itself may have the second display screen G2. Specifically, the liquid crystal display unit 130a and the barrier display unit 130b of the special display device 130 can be curved as, for example, an organic EL liquid crystal display. Then, the protective cover 131, the barrier display unit 130b, and the liquid crystal display unit 130a are stacked in this order from above so that the second display screen G2 is exposed on the upper surface of the operation button 111. This makes it possible to reduce the installation area by integrating the button device 110 and the special display device 130.

(14) The arrangement of each sensor 121 in the sensor device 120 is not limited to the above. That is, they are arranged at uniform predetermined intervals in the operation direction, but the predetermined intervals may be non-uniform. In particular, in each line from 1 to m, the narrower the space between the lines on the side closer to the operation surface 112 of the operation button 111, the more finely the position of the operation body H can be grasped, and the operation of the operation button 111 can be performed. It is possible to grasp the presence / absence and the calculation of the operation speed in the previous stage (operation preparation state) in more detail. On the other hand, the interval between the rows on the side far from the operation surface 112 may be wider than that of the above embodiment because it is sufficient if the existence of the operation body H is known (as long as it can be grasped that the operation preparation state is reached).

Further, the sensor 121 having m rows × n columns is arranged in the operation direction and the direction orthogonal to the operation direction, and 10 rows × 10 columns are set in the above embodiment, but the numbers of m and n do not have to be the same. The numbers of m and n do not have to be equal. In particular, the arrangement of the m-row sensors 121 in the operation direction needs to be finely arranged in order to grasp the operation of the operation body H in the operation direction, whereas the n-column sensors 121 in the direction orthogonal to the operation direction are arranged. Since the arrangement of is only used for grasping the screen limit position in the above embodiment, it is sufficient that at least one row of sensors corresponding to the screen limit position exists. However, in the case of a configuration in which the operation of the operating body H is grasped in a direction orthogonal to the operating direction (front-back direction), it is necessary to arrange sensors in a row necessary for grasping the operation.

Further, the detection range of the sensor device 120 is not limited to the virtual extension space of a square of 10 cm × 10 cm, and may be a virtual extension space of a rectangle of, for example, 20 cm × 10 cm, which is a virtual extension space such as a circle or an ellipse. You may. In short, each sensor 121 may be arranged in the operation direction so that the operation of the operation body H in the operation direction of the operation button 111 can be grasped.

Further, each line of the sensor 121 may be arranged so as to be curved along the curved surface of the upper surface of the operation button 111. By doing so, it becomes possible to more strictly specify whether or not the player has moved his / her hand to the position corresponding to the operation button 111 or the virtual operation button image X, particularly in the reference sensor.

Further, in order to make it possible to identify that the operation button 111 has been operated, at least the interval between each line of the line below the sensor of the line that can be set as the operation confirmation sensor is from the initial position of the operation button 111 to the operation position. It suffices if it is set narrower than the movement amount of.

(15) Each sensor 121 outputs infrared rays from the light emitting unit 123 so as to be parallel to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, each sensor 121 can detect the operating body H in a different range at least within the detection range of the sensor device 120, and the position of the operating body H within the detection range of the sensor device 120 using the detection result of each sensor 121. It suffices if it can be grasped. For example, the sensors 121 in the sensor device 120 are not aligned in the operation direction but are collectively housed in one place or a plurality of places, and infrared rays from each light emitting unit 123 are output by shifting the angle in the operation direction. The sensor 121 may be configured to be able to detect the operating body H within a different range within the detection range of the device 120. However, in this case, the distance between the infrared rays output from one sensor 121 and the infrared rays output from the adjacent other sensors 121 becomes wider as the distance between the sensor device 120 and the operating body H increases. Understanding the position of the operating body H can be ambiguous.

(16) Based on the operation corresponding to the operation of the operation button 111 and the virtual operation button image X, the operation effect is performed on the first display screen G1 where the effect for the game round is performed. The operation effect may be performed by a notification means separately provided from the first display screen G1. Further, in the character production, the character on the first display screen G1 side is also changed by the player touching the three-dimensional image of the character, but the structure may not be changed.

(17) As the effect of the three-dimensional image, a pre-rendering method in which predetermined effects such as the first operation effect and the second operation effect are performed is adopted, but the operation space OE (within the detection range of the sensor device 120) is adopted. ), A real-time rendering method may be adopted in which the effect is changed each time by the operation of the operation body H.

(18) In the case of producing a three-dimensional image, the display control device 500 sets the position of the vertical stripe filter of the barrier display unit 130b in the special display device 130 and the liquid crystal display unit 130a in accordance with the positions of the eyes of the players. It may be configured to change the position of the image for the left and right eyes of. Specifically, for example, an image sensor is provided on the front surface of the game machine as a sensor for detecting the position of the eyes (face) of the players, and the display control device 500 bases the detection result of the image sensor on the players. For example, when the eyes (faces) of the players are moved horizontally, the vertical stripe filter of the barrier display unit 130b is also moved horizontally, and the images for the left and right eyes of the liquid crystal display unit 130a are also moved. If the position of is moved horizontally and diagonally, the filter and the image for the left and right eyes are also slanted. By doing so, when the player looks at the second display screen G2 of the special display device 130, even if the position of the eyes (face) moves, the effect of the parallax barrier is always exerted by the filter of the barrier display unit 130b. It can be obtained and a three-dimensional image can be preferably seen.

(19) In the button effect and the special button effect, the second operation effect performed when the speed is higher than the reference speed is made more flashy than the first operation effect performed when the speed is lower than the reference speed, and the satisfaction of the player is enhanced. However, on the contrary, if the speed is higher than the reference speed, a sober effect or a warning may be given to encourage the operation to be performed gently. In this case, it is possible to suppress the failure of the operation button unit 100 due to the banging of the operation button 111.

(20) Although the configuration is such that notification is performed when the operating body H is detected by the sensor in the first row at the back end, notification is also performed when the operating body H is detected by the sensor in the tenth row at the front end. It may be configured. If the operation body H is configured to notify when it exists only in front of the detection range (for example, a display such as "It is too far, please bring your hand closer" is displayed on the first display screen G1), after that. It is possible to prevent the operation from being missed, and the player can more preferably perform an operation corresponding to the operation. From this point of view, the distance between each sensor 121 and the operating body H is grasped, and when the operating body H is located on the sensor 121 side of the operation button 111 or on the opposite side of the operating button 111 to the sensor 121. When the operating body H is present, the notification may be performed as described above.

(21) The effect of the three-dimensional image is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment. For example, in the virtual operation button image X, it is displayed so as to correspond to the form of the operation button 111 and project above the operation button 111, but it is different from the form of the operation button 111 (for example, it is made thinner or thicker). The size may be changed and displayed so as to protrude above the operation button 111.

Further, the design such as the color and pattern of the virtual operation button image X may be different from that of the operation button 111. Normally, if a virtual operation button image X having the same design as that of the operation button 111 is displayed and a virtual operation button image X imitating, for example, a pudding is displayed with a predetermined probability, the player will be surprised. It becomes possible. In such a case, it is preferable to display the virtual operation button image X imitating the above pudding only in the case of the jackpot result in correspondence with the game result.

It goes without saying that the girl character is not limited to that of the above embodiment. In this case, at least the character displayed on the first display screen G1 and the corresponding character are displayed as a three-dimensional image on the second display screen G2, so that the operation of trying to touch the three-dimensional image is performed. It becomes easier for the player to understand the production corresponding to.

(22) The button device 110 may be configured so that the amount of protrusion of the operation button 111 from the button installation surface can be variably set so that the actual position (height position) of the operation surface 112 can be changed. In this case, in the game, the player presses the operation buttons 111 or the virtual operation button image X in (a) to (c) below.
(A) Operation button 111 in the initial position
(B) Operation button 111 with the amount of protrusion increased from the initial position
(C) Virtual operation button image X three-dimensionally displayed by the special display device 130
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 31, the button device 110 is provided with an elevating device 140 made of a motor or the like, and the elevating device 140 enables the operation button 111 to be elevated (that is, the protrusion amount can be changed). ). The elevating device 140 raises and lowers the operation button 111 based on a command from the voice emission control device 82. In this case, it is advisable to determine in which state (a) to (c) the button effect is to be performed by a lottery each time.

Here, FIG. 31A shows a state in which the operation button 111 is in the initial position (above (a)), and the amount of protrusion from the button installation surface (height to the upper end of the button) is T1. On the other hand, FIG. 31B shows a state in which the operation button 111 is in a predetermined protruding position ((a) above), and the amount of protrusion from the button installation surface is T2 (T2> T1). Further, FIG. 31 (c) shows a state in which the virtual operation button image X is displayed while the operation button 111 remains in the initial position ((c) above), and the amount of protrusion from the button installation surface is (b). It is the same T2.

In this case, assuming that the actual operation button 111 changes its form as shown in FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b), the virtual operation button image X is displayed with the same size as that of FIG. 31 (b). Even if the virtual operation button image X is an insubstantial virtual image, the player can understand its existence without any discomfort. The amount of protrusion of the operation button 111 in FIG. 31 (b) and the amount of protrusion of the virtual operation button image X in FIG. 31 (c) do not have to be the same, and the amount of protrusion of the operation button 111> virtual. The protrusion amount of the operation button image X or the operation button 111 may be less than the protrusion amount of the virtual operation button image X.

(23) When the virtual operation button image X is displayed by the special display device 130, the height of the virtual operation button image X (height from the button installation surface) can be switched at a plurality of heights, which is very good. In this case, if the height of the virtual operation button image X is higher, the degree of expectation of a big hit result is higher, the degree of attention to the special button effect can be increased.

(24) The sensor at the lower end of each sensor 121 in the sensor device 120 (# 1 in FIG. 5) is placed at a position where the operation surface 112 is not detected (a position where the operation body H touching the operation surface 112 can be detected), but the operation is performed. It may be configured to be arranged below the surface 112. In this case, as a configuration for grasping which of the operation button 111 and the operation body H is detected, for example, a configuration including a distance grasping means for grasping the distance between the operation button 111 and the sensor 121 arranged below the operation button 111 is conceivable. Be done. Then, the distance between the operation button 111 and the sensor 121 grasped by the distance grasping means is a distance farther from the distance in the initial state (the distance at which the operation button 111 is not pressed) than the distance in the initial state. In this case, the voice emission control device 82 may determine that the operation button 111 has been pressed. By doing so, the pressing operation amount of the operation button 111 is further reduced as compared with the configuration in which the operation body H itself whose size is not always constant is detected and the operation button 111 is pressed. It becomes possible to grasp accurately.

(25) In the above embodiment, since the configuration of the special display device 130 is a paralux barrier method, such tertiary development cannot be detected by the sensor device 120, but the special display is as described in (11) above. When the configuration of the device 130 is changed so that the tertiary development is projected on the operation space OE (holography method or the like), the tertiary development may be a configuration that can be detected by the sensor device 120. By doing so, it is compared with the configuration in which the position of the operating body H is grasped and the tertiary development is changed (the amount of protrusion from the operation surface 112 is changed when the virtual operation button image X is pressed, etc.). Therefore, it becomes possible to change the tertiary development more accurately.

(26) In the above embodiment, the sensor device 120 is connected to the voice emission control device 82, but the sensor device 120 may be connected to the display control device 500. For example, when the voice emission control device 82 and the display control device 500 are configured to be capable of bidirectional communication and the sensor device 120 detects the operation of the operating body H, the display control device 500 is a special display device as described above. In addition to controlling the display of 130, the display control device 500 outputs a command to the voice emission control device 82 to output a sound effect such as the operation thereof. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the effect shown in the above embodiment.

(27) In the above embodiment, at the start of the special effect (button effect, special button effect, character effect), a series of effects can be performed even in a situation where the operating body H exists in the operation space OE (27). More specifically, the operation execution state is detected from the operation preparation state, and each effect can be performed for a short time), but this configuration may be changed as follows. For example, when the voice emission control device 82 grasps that the operation body H exists in the operation space OE at the start of the special effect via the sensor device 120, the operation body H is moved from the operation space OE. (For example, "Please move your hand from the top of the button" is displayed on the first display screen G1), or when the voice emission control device 82 grasps as described above, It is conceivable to cancel a series of effects (start the effects from the middle according to the position of the operating body H).

(28) In the special effect, the operation button 111, the virtual operation button image X, or the like may be displayed on the first display screen G1 so as to be operated by the operation body H. In this configuration, for example, based on the detection result of the sensor device 120, the positions of the operating body H, the operating button 111, etc. are grasped and displayed by animation or the like, and the operation of the operating button 111 or the like is displayed. It is good to have a configuration. By doing so, the player or the like who is accustomed to the operation can operate the operation button 111 or the like while looking at the first display screen G1, and the first display screen G1 and the second display screen G2 can be operated. It is possible to enhance the interlocking (feeling of interlocking) of the production.

(29) A pachinko machine of another type different from the above embodiment, for example, a pachinko machine in which an electric accessory is opened a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, or a game ball is placed in a specific area of the special device. The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine, which is a big hit when a player enters, a pachinko machine equipped with other accessories, an arrange ball machine, a game machine such as a sparrow ball, and the like.

In addition, a non-bullet type gaming machine, for example, a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols attached in the circumferential direction is provided, the reels are started to rotate by inserting medals and operating the start lever, and the stop switch is operated. Or, after the reel has stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, if a specific symbol or a combination of specific symbols is established on the effective line that can be seen from the display window, a privilege such as paying out a medal is given to the player. The present invention can also be applied to slot machines.

In addition, a pachinko machine and a slot machine that are equipped with a take-in device and start the rotation of the reel by operating the start lever after a predetermined number of game balls stored in the storage unit are taken in by the take-in device. The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine in which the above is fused.

In these cases, the configuration of the operation button unit 100 may be applied to the operation unit related to the progress of the game, or the configuration of the operation button unit 100 may be applied to the operation unit for effect.

<About the invention group extracted from the above embodiment>
Hereinafter, the characteristics of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiments will be described while showing the effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for the sake of easy understanding, the corresponding configurations in the above-described embodiment are appropriately shown in parentheses or the like, but the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations shown in the parentheses or the like.

<Characteristic A group>
The following feature A group is described in "For example, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine is known to have an operating means operated by a player. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-29764). In the pachinko gaming machine shown in), an operating means is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine, and a special effect is displayed on the screen according to the player's operation in order to expect the player to generate a special gaming state or the like that is advantageous to the player. In a gaming machine that employs operating means in this way, how to raise the player's attention to the game by using the operating means is an important issue. Here, there is a concern that simply performing a special effect according to the operation of the operation means will make the operation monotonous and the freshness will be diminished, and the interest in the operation itself will easily decrease. There is still room for improvement in using it to raise the level of attention to games. ”This was done in view of the issues and technical background.

Features A1. An operation means (button device 110) having an operation surface (operation surface 112) that is pressed and operated by the player, and
When an operation is performed on the operation means, an effect execution means (a function of executing a command correspondence process by the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500) for performing an effect according to the operation, and
In a gaming machine equipped with
An operation space (operation space OE) is provided on the front side of the gaming machine in which a player performs a displacement operation of an operation body (operation body H) such as a hand when operating the operation surface.
A detection means (sensor device 120) capable of detecting the presence of the operating body using the operating space as a detection area, and
From the detection result by the detection means, the operation state determination means (MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) that determines the state including the non-operation state (operation preparation state) in which the operation surface is not pressed by the operation body. Function to execute button operation support processing) and
A gaming machine characterized by being equipped with.

According to the feature A1, since the detection area of the detection means includes the operation space of the operation means, when the player tries to press the operation means, the state before the operation surface is pressed is detected. be able to. Then, since the determination of the state including the non-operation state is determined by the operation state determination means, it is possible to perform the effect associated therewith. For example, in the non-operation state, it is possible to perform an effect before the operation means is operated, or to change the effect at the time of operation depending on the position and movement of the player's hand before operating the operation means. It becomes possible and it is possible to diversify the production. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of attention to the game.

Feature A2. It is provided with an operation instruction means (a function of executing an operation start effect process by the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500) for instructing the player to perform the pressing operation of the operation means.
In the operation state determination means, when the operation instruction is given by the operation instruction means, the operation body is set to a predetermined operation preparation position (the operation body is a preparation confirmation sensor) in the operation space as a determination of the non-operation state. The gaming machine according to feature A1, characterized in that it is provided with a preparation state determination means (a function of executing a preparation state confirmation process by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for determining that the player is at the reached position).

According to the feature A2, when the player moves the operating body such as a hand to a predetermined operation preparation position according to the operation instruction by the gaming machine, it can be grasped. It is also possible to understand that the operation instructions are not followed. As a result, it is possible to perform an effect according to the state of preparation for the pressing operation by the player. The effect according to the state of preparation for the pressing operation is, for example, the effect of prompting the operation again when the operation instruction is not followed as described above, or the effect of moving to the predetermined operation preparation position according to the operation instruction. Is conceivable to produce an instruction content that causes a specific pressing operation to be performed. In this way, by performing the effect according to the state of preparation for the pressing operation, in addition to the change in the effect depending on the presence or absence of the pressing operation, the change in the effect depending on the presence or absence of the preparation can be added, and the effect can be diversified. Can be planned.

Feature A3. The operation state determination means executes a contact determination means (execution state confirmation process by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for determining whether or not the operation body is in a reference position in contact with the operation surface in the operation space. Function to do)
In the preparation state determining means, when the operating body is detected by the detecting means and the contact determining means determines that the operating body is not in the reference position, the operating body determines the non-operating state by performing the predetermined operation. The gaming machine according to feature A2, which is characterized in that it is determined to be in the preparation position.

According to the feature A3, the preparation state determining means can determine the state in which the operating surface and the operating body are not in contact with each other. In this case, it is possible to distinguish whether the operation surface is in the state before the pressing operation or the pressing operation is performed by the hand or the like. As a result, it is possible to perform an effect according to the state of preparation for the operation at a timing prior to putting a hand or the like on the operation surface, and it is possible to produce an effect closer to the preparation stage.

Feature A4. In the situation where the operation instruction is generated, the preparation state determining means does not exist from the operation space from the predetermined operation preparation position without performing the operation according to the operation content. The gaming machine according to the feature A2 or the feature A3, characterized in that the means for determining the above (a function of executing the processing of steps S905 to S911 by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) is provided.

According to the feature A4, when the player moves the hand or the like to the predetermined operation preparation position according to the operation instruction and then moves the hand from the predetermined operation preparation position by changing the mind without pressing the operation, the player moves the hand or the like. It can be grasped, and for example, an effect corresponding to it can be performed. As a result, it is possible to enhance the sense of solidarity between the movement of the player and the production, and further increase the attention of the game.

Feature A5. The operation state determination means executes an operation execution confirmation means (operation execution confirmation process by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for determining that the operation body has moved from the predetermined operation preparation position to the pressed operation position. The gaming machine according to any one of the features A2 to A4, which is characterized by having a function of performing.

According to the feature A5, it is possible to grasp not only the non-operation state in which the pressing operation is not performed by the operating state determining means but also the pressing operation in the operating means. That is, as shown in feature A1, the detection means detects the state before the operation surface is pressed, and when the pressing operation is performed by the displacement of the hand or the like from the state before the operation, the operation is also the detection means. Is detected by. In this case, it is possible to grasp the non-operation state before the operation of the operating means and the operating state, and it is possible to grasp a series of operations from before the pressing operation by the player to the pressing operation. Therefore, for example, it is possible to perform a series of effects accordingly. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the sense of solidarity between the movement of the player and the production.

Feature A6. The detection means has a plurality of detection units (sensors 121), and has a plurality of detection units (sensors 121).
Each of the detection units has a different detection range in the pressing operation direction of the operation means in the detection area.
The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A5, wherein the operation state determination means determines the non-operation state based on the detection result of each detection unit.

According to the feature A6, the distance between the operating body and the operating surface (position of the operating body) can be grasped by a plurality of detection units in the pressing operation direction. Therefore, it is preferable in determining that the state is before the operation and that the operation is actually performed from that state, and it is possible to perform different effects based on the grasped result.

Feature A7. The operation state determining means grasps whether or not the operation body is present in the detection range of each detection unit in the detection means, and the detection unit and the operation body grasped as the existence of the operation body. The gaming machine according to feature A6, characterized in that the position of the operating body in the pressing operation direction is specified in the detection area of the operating body by specifying the boundary with the detection unit that is grasped as nonexistent. ..

According to the feature A7, the position of the operating body in the pressing operation direction can be specified by using the result of grasping whether or not the operating body exists in each detection unit. Then, by specifying the position from the boundary of each detection unit, it is possible to specify that the operating body has moved in the pressing operation direction by grasping the movement of the boundary.

Here, for example, if it is specified that the operating means has been pressed, a configuration in which a detection sensor or the like is built in the operating means can be considered. If the operating means has a built-in detection sensor or the like, it is possible to easily specify detailed operations of the operating means such as long pressing, continuous pressing, and half pressing of the operating means. However, the gaming machine of feature A1 is configured to determine a state including a non-operating state of the operating means. The non-operating state is a state before the operating means is pressed, and is built into the operating means. It is difficult to detect such a non-operational state with the detection sensor. Therefore, by adopting the detection means as the feature A7, it is possible not only to detect the non-operation state but also to specify the boundary of each detection unit as described above without incorporating a detection sensor or the like in the operation means. Since the movement of the operating body (operating means) can be grasped with, it is possible to specify the detailed operation of the detecting means.

Feature A8. In the situation where the operation body is arranged at a position where the operation body comes into contact with the operation surface, the detection unit, which is grasped as the absence of the operation body in the detection range, is the operation of each of the detection units. The gaming machine according to feature A7, wherein the surface is configured to exist on the side opposite to the side to be pressed.

According to the feature A8, in order to grasp that the operating means has been pressed, the operating body is not included in the detection range among the detection units existing on the side opposite to the side on which the operating surface is pressed. If the boundary between the detection unit that is grasped as being and the detection unit that is grasped that the operating body is included in the detection range is specified and the movement of the boundary is grasped, it is preferable that the operating means is pressed. Can be grasped. When an attempt is made to specify these boundaries in the detection unit on the side where the operation surface is pressed, each detection unit specifies whether the detection range includes the operation means or the operation body. Need to be done. On the other hand, if the configuration is such that the boundary of the detection unit on the side opposite to the side on which the operation surface is pressed is specified as described above, it is not necessary to distinguish between such an operation means and the operation body. In addition, it is possible to grasp that the operating means is pressed with a simple configuration.

Feature A9. The operation state determining means includes a speed grasping means (a function of executing the processing of steps S1204 to S1209 by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for grasping the operating speed of the operating body in the non-operating state. The gaming machine according to any one of the features A1 to A8.

According to the feature A9, it is possible to make the content of the effect by the effect executing means different depending on the non-operation state, that is, the operation speed of the so-called preliminary operation in the stage before the operation surface of the operation means is pressed. In this case, for example, when the operation speed of the preliminary operation is fast, if the effect is made flashy, the unity between the operation and the effect can be enhanced, so that the degree of attention to the game can be increased, and conversely, the preliminary operation. If the operation speed of is fast, it is possible to suppress the failure or damage of the operation means by urging the operation slowly next time.

In particular, since the content of the effect is different depending on the operation speed of the preliminary operation as described above, not the operation speed when the operation means is operated, the operation means is operated before the operation means is operated. It is possible to determine the production when it is done, and there is a grace period in the processing time. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an extreme increase in processing load.

Feature A10. Continuous operation instruction means for instructing the player to perform the pressing operation of the operation means a plurality of times (for example, step S513 and step S612 by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82, etc. It has a function to execute the process to be performed)
The operation state determining means is instructed to re-operate to encourage the continuation of the continuous operation when the operating body moves from the operation space during the period in which the continuous operation instruction means is instructing the continuous operation. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A9, characterized in that the means for performing the above-mentioned means (a function of executing the processing of steps S908 to S911 by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) is provided.

According to the feature A10, when the player is made to perform the pressing operation a plurality of times, for example, when the player stops the pressing operation in the middle, a re-operation instruction for prompting the continuation of the continuous operation is given. Will be. In this case, since the operation body is instructed to be re-operated when the operating body moves from the operating space, for example, the player (with a hand in the operating space) has an intention to continue the continuous operation. Regardless, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the instruction for re-operation is given.

Feature A11. A display means (special display device 130) that is visible from the front of the gaming machine and is provided at a position opposite to the player across the operation space.
A display control means (a function of executing a command correspondence process by the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500) for displaying an invitation image for guiding the operation body to the operation space by the display means.
The gaming machine according to any one of the features A1 to A10, characterized in that

According to the feature A11, the invitation image is displayed at a position opposite to the player across the operation space, and the player is urged to bring a hand or the like as an operation body to the operation space. It is easy to notice the relationship between the invitation image and the operating means to be operated. If the invitation image is displayed at a place away from the operation means, it becomes difficult to understand where the pressing operation should be performed, which may cause confusion especially for beginners of the game. Therefore, by adopting the configuration of the feature A11, it is possible to make the game easy to understand and prevent the player from being confused.

Feature A12. The display control means includes a three-dimensional display execution means (a function of executing a special effect setting process by the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500) for displaying a three-dimensional image.
The gaming machine according to feature A11, wherein the three-dimensional display executing means displays the invitation image by the three-dimensional image in the operation space.

According to the feature A12, by displaying the invitation image by the three-dimensional image, it is possible to recognize as if the image exists in the depth direction of the gaming machine. Since the image is displayed in the operation space in front of the display means, that is, above the operation means, the three-dimensional image can be detected when the player tries to touch the invitation image. As a result, it is possible to add not only the effect of pressing the operating means but also the effect of touching the invitation image. In this case, since the detection means for the operation means is used, it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor or the like, and it is possible to integrate the functions.

Feature A13. When the operating body is detected by the detecting means, the three-dimensional display executing means changes the display mode of the three-dimensional image in accordance with the operation of the operating body (general CPU 510 of the display control device 500). The gaming machine according to feature A12, characterized in that it is provided with a function of executing a three-dimensional display change process in the above.

According to the feature A13, when the player tries to touch the three-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image changes, so that the player can be given the pleasure of touching the three-dimensional image. In particular, in this case, since the three-dimensional image itself changes as compared with the configuration in which the effect is performed by other effect means, it is easy to show the effect when the player tries to touch the three-dimensional image.

Feature A14. The three-dimensional display executing means is characterized in that, as the three-dimensional image, a virtual operation means image (virtual operation button image X) is displayed in an area where the operation means does not exist in the operation space. The gaming machine according to feature A12 or feature A13.

According to the feature A14, since the three-dimensional display corresponding to the operation means is performed in the operation space, it can be made to appear as if it actually exists even if it does not exist. For example, even if the operating means is not actually deformed, it can be made to appear as if the operating means is deformed in the operating space. Deformation of the operating means may include changes in the size, shape, color, etc. of the operating means. In this case, since various things can be done by the three-dimensional display, the player can be interested in the operation of the operation means, and as a result, the operation of the operation means can be positively performed.

Further, if these modifications are to be performed by the actual operating means themselves, the operating means requires a complicated structure and control mechanism. In that respect, since the form of the operating means has changed as a virtual operation means image based on a three-dimensional image, the change in the form can be performed without using a complicated structure or control mechanism in the operating means, and the operating means can be changed. It is possible to easily perform an effect of deforming or the like.

Further, when the player tries to operate the three-dimensional image of the operating means, the detecting means detects it. Thereby, for example, when the operation corresponding to the operation of the three-dimensional image of the operation means is performed, the effect can be performed, and the unexpectedness and the reality of the game can be provided.

Feature A15. The three-dimensional display executing means displays an image extending from the operating means as the virtual operating means image so that the operating means is enlarged.
The operation state determination means is a state of preparation in the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82 for determining that the operation body does not exist at a position overlapping the virtual operation means image in the operation space. The gaming machine according to feature A14, which is characterized by having a function of executing confirmation processing).

According to the feature A15, the effect described in the feature A1 can also be obtained by the effect of the virtual operation means image.

Feature A16. The operation state determination means executes a contact determination means (execution state confirmation process by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for determining whether or not the operation body is in a reference position in contact with the operation surface in the operation space. Function to do)
The operation state determining means changes the reference position according to the virtual operation surface (virtual operation surface Y) of the virtual operation means image (step S510 and step S609 by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82). The gaming machine according to the feature A15, which is characterized by having a function of executing the processing of the above.

According to the feature A16, the effect described in the feature A3 can also be obtained by the effect of the virtual operation means image.

Feature A17. The operation state determination means is a state of preparation in the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82 for determining that the operation body does not exist at a position overlapping the virtual operation means image in the operation space. Equipped with a function to execute confirmation processing)
In the three-dimensional display executing means, when an operation corresponding to the pressing operation of the virtual operation means image by the operation body is performed, the virtual operation means image is the operation body based on the determination result of the overlap determination means. A14 characterized by being provided with means for changing the virtual operation means image so as not to exist at overlapping positions (a function of executing a three-dimensional display change process in the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500). The gaming machine according to any one of the features A16.

According to the feature A17, the change of the virtual operation means image in the pressing operation direction can be suitably realized by using the detection result of the detection means. That is, in a configuration in which the virtual operation means image is changed based on the operation of the operation body, the virtual operation surface of the virtual operation means image can be made to appear to operate integrally with the operation body, and the operation of the operation body can be changed. It is possible to realize the change of the virtual operation means image without discomfort.

Feature A18. The operating means has a height changing means (elevating device 140) capable of changing the height of the operating surface with respect to the installation surface on which the operating means is installed.
The three-dimensional display executing means can change the height of the virtual operation surface of the virtual operation means image with respect to the installation surface of the virtual operation means image.
A means for selectively performing either a control for changing the height of the operation surface by the height changing means or a control for changing the height of the virtual operation surface by the three-dimensional display executing means. The gaming machine according to any one of the feature A14 to the feature A17, which is characterized by being provided.

According to the feature A18, since the virtual operation means image is displayed on the premise that the actual operation means changes its form, even if the virtual operation means image is an insubstantial virtual image, the player does not feel uncomfortable. Can be understood.

Feature A19. A transition determination means (execution of a hit / fail determination process in the MPU 202 of the main control device 81) for executing a transition determination as to whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special state advantageous to the player based on the satisfaction of a predetermined condition. Function to do) and
A function of executing a game state transition process in the MPU 202 of the main control device 81 to shift the gaming state to the special state based on the determination result of the transition determination means being the result of the execution of the transition. )When,
An effect means (design display device 41) that executes a predetermined display effect, and
Based on the fact that the transition determination is made by the transition determination means, the game rotation effect is started by the effect means, and the game rotation effect is ended so as to have a stop result corresponding to the determination result of the transition determination means. The game turn control means (a function of executing the variable display control process in the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) and
Equipped with
The gaming machine according to any one of features A12 to A18, wherein the display means is provided separately from the effect means.

According to the feature A19, although the gaming machine provided with the effect means for performing the display effect for the game turn is a well-known configuration, by providing the display means separately from the effect means for performing the game turn effect, the game turn It is possible to achieve the above-mentioned excellent effect by the production using the three-dimensional image without specially changing the configuration of the production means for the production.

Feature A20. A game board (game board 24) provided with the effect means so that it can be visually recognized from the front of the game machine, and
A window portion (window panel 62) that divides a game area (game area PE) into which a game ball flows down by facing the game board, and a window portion (window panel 62).
Equipped with
The display means is arranged outside the gaming area.
The detecting means is configured to be capable of detecting the presence of the operating body at a specific position (screen limit position) at least in front of the display surface of the display means and behind the operating means. And
When the detection means detects that the operating body is present at the specific position, the detection means is provided with a means for executing a predetermined notification (a function of executing a warning effect process by the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500). The gaming machine according to the feature A19.

According to the feature A20, since the display means is provided at the rear position of the operating means, the operating body can touch the display surface of the displaying means when the player reaches out to operate the operating means, but the operating body is in a specific position. Since a predetermined notification is performed when the player is present in the display surface, it is possible to prevent the player from touching the display surface.

Feature A21. One game is defined as the start of the game rotation effect by the effect means and the end of the game rotation effect as a stop result corresponding to the determination result of the transition determination.
The three-dimensional display executing means performs a special button effect lottery process and a character effect lottery process in the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82 for determining whether or not to execute the effect by the three-dimensional image in the one game. Has a function to execute)
The determination means performs limiting means (special button effect limiting process and character effect limiting process in the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for limiting the number of times the effect of the three-dimensional image is executed by the three-dimensional display executing unit per predetermined period. The gaming machine according to feature A19 or feature A20, which comprises a function to be executed).

According to the feature A21, it is possible to suppress the tiredness of the effect of the three-dimensional image due to the frequent appearance of the effect of the three-dimensional image. In addition, when comparing a 2D image and a 3D image, it is considered that viewing the 3D image is more likely to cause eye fatigue, and by limiting the number of times the effect of the 3D image is executed per predetermined period, the 3D image is executed. It is possible to suppress eye fatigue caused by continuously viewing images.

Feature A22. The gaming machine according to any one of features A12 to A20, wherein the three-dimensional display executing means executes an effect using the three-dimensional image by utilizing the parallax of both eyes of the player.

According to the feature A22, since the player recognizes the three-dimensional image as a stereoscopic image by utilizing the parallax of both eyes, it is not necessary to separately prepare special glasses or the like for recognizing the stereoscopic image. In particular, in a game hall where a game machine is installed, an unspecified number of players play games. Therefore, if the above-mentioned special glasses or the like are separately prepared, for example, a game in which normal glasses are worn. It is necessary to prepare separate special glasses, etc. for the person and the player who does not wear the normal glasses. Further, for example, even if special glasses or the like are prepared separately in this way, there is a possibility that they will not bother to wear the special glasses or the like to play the game. In this case, the production by the prepared three-dimensional image is completely useless. Therefore, by adopting a configuration that does not require special glasses or the like, it is possible not only to facilitate the installation but also to preferably achieve the effect of increasing the degree of attention to the game by using the effect of the three-dimensional image.

Feature A23. A launch handle (launch operation device 28) that is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine so as to be offset to one end side in the left-right direction and can be operated by the player.
A launching means (game ball launch mechanism 27) that launches a game ball toward the game area based on the operation of the launch handle, and
Equipped with
The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A22, wherein the operating means is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine so as to be offset to the side opposite to the firing handle.

According to the feature A23, since the launch handle and the operating means are arranged on one end side and the other end side in the left-right direction in the front portion of the gaming machine, the player operates the operating means while operating the launch handle with one hand. It becomes possible to do. Further, with such a configuration, in the case of a configuration including the display means as in the feature A11, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the visibility of the display means due to the operation of the operation means.

<Characteristic B group>
The following feature B group is described as follows: "For example, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine is known to have a display device having a display screen such as a liquid crystal display device as an effect executing means. Further, for example, Patent Document 1 ( In the pachinko gaming machine shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-029764), an operating device is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine, and an effect corresponding to the operation of the operating device by the player is displayed in order to make the player expect the occurrence of a big hit state. It is configured to be performed on a screen or the like. Here, if the effect is simply performed according to the operation of the operation means, the operation becomes monotonous and the freshness is diminished, and the interest in the operation itself tends to decrease. In addition, when performing an effect according to the operation of the operation means on the display screen, the effect is performed at a distant place, so that the operation of the operation means and the effect on the display screen are related. However, if the structure is such that a movable object or the like is used around the operating means, the player may touch the movable object and there is a concern that the movable object may be damaged. There may be a new issue of securing an installation area for installation. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in increasing the degree of attention to the game by using the operating means. " It was made in view of.

Feature B1. Transition determination means for determining whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special state advantageous to the player based on the condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied (a function of executing the hit / fail determination process in the MPU 202 of the main control device 81). When,
A function of executing a game state transition process in the MPU 202 of the main control device 81 to shift the gaming state to the special state based on the determination result of the transition determination means being the result of the execution of the transition. )When,
A first display means (design display device 41) that performs a predetermined display effect, and
Based on the fact that the transition determination has been made by the transition determination means, the game rotation operation is started by the first display means, and the game rotation operation is terminated as a display corresponding to the determination result of the transition determination means. Control means (function to execute variable display control processing in MPU 249 of voice emission control device 82) and
An operation means (button device 110) having an operation surface (operation surface 112) that is pressed and operated by the player, and
When an operation is performed on the operation means, the effect is performed by the first display means (a function of executing a command correspondence process by the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500). ,
In a gaming machine equipped with
A second display means (special display device 130) provided separately from the first display means is provided.
An operation space (operation space OE) is provided on the front side of the gaming machine in which the player performs a displacement operation of an operating body such as a hand when operating the operating means.
The second display means is provided at a position opposite to the player across the operation space.
The second display means is provided with a three-dimensional display execution means (a function of executing a special effect setting process by the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500) for displaying a three-dimensional image in the operation space. Machine.

According to the feature B1, the operation space is an area where the player moves a hand or the like to perform a pressing operation of the operating means, and a three-dimensional image is displayed in the area. In this case, for example, a novel effect can be obtained by displaying a three-dimensional image of the operating means or a three-dimensional image of the character appearing in the effect of the first display means in this operation space.

In particular, when the operating means is operated, the effect corresponding to the operation is performed by the first display means in which the effect for the game round (the effect of whether or not to shift to the special state) is performed. In such a gaming machine, the production on the first display means side, that is, the first display means side, which is generally performed based on the operation of the operation means, is attracting more attention than the operation itself of the operation means. ing. Then, even if the operating means is provided, the freshness of the operation is diminished, and the interest in the production itself of operating the operating means tends to decrease. Therefore, in this gaming machine, an image based on a three-dimensional image is displayed in the operation space, and when the player moves his / her hand or the like to this operation space in an attempt to operate the operation means, the image is displayed in that area. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the unexpectedness in the production of operating the operating means.

In this case, it is possible to provide a new effect of trying to make the player touch the image of the three-dimensional image. Then, in this production, the movement of the player's hand or the like is performed in the operation space. As described above, the operation space is an area reserved for operating the operation means, and it is not necessary to separately secure the space for the above-mentioned effect to be newly added, and the limited space of the gaming machine is used. It is also preferable from the viewpoint of effective utilization.

Furthermore, as a configuration for producing an effect in this operation space, compared to a configuration in which a movable object or the like appears, the effect is performed by an image of a three-dimensional image, so that there is no concern about damage to the movable object or the like, and maintenance of the gaming machine is easy. It is also preferable from the viewpoint of conversion.

As a result of the above, it is possible to suitably increase the degree of attention of the game.

Feature B2. The three-dimensional display executing means is characterized in that, as the three-dimensional image, a virtual operation means image (virtual operation button image X) is displayed in an area where the operation means does not exist in the operation space. The gaming machine described in the feature B1.

According to the feature B2, since the three-dimensional display corresponding to the operation means is performed in the operation space, it can be made to appear as if it actually exists even if it does not exist. For example, even if the operating means is not actually deformed, it can be made to appear as if the operating means is deformed in the operating space. Deformation of the operating means may include changes in the size, shape, color, etc. of the operating means. In this case, since various things can be done by the three-dimensional display, the player can be interested in the operation of the operation means, and as a result, the operation of the operation means can be positively performed.

In particular, since the virtual operation means image is displayed in the operation space, this operation space is not provided with other members or the like for the players to move their hands or the like, and such other members or the like are not provided. However, there is no inconvenience that the player cannot see the virtual operation means image well because of the obstacle.

Further, if these modifications are to be performed by the actual operating means themselves, the operating means requires a complicated structure and control mechanism. In that respect, since the form of the operating means has changed as a virtual operation means image based on a three-dimensional image, the change in the form can be performed without using a complicated structure or control mechanism in the operating means, and the operating means can be changed. It is possible to easily perform an effect of deforming or the like.

Feature B3. The game according to feature B2, wherein the three-dimensional display executing means displays an image extending from the operating means so that the operating means is enlarged as the virtual operating means image. Machine.

According to the feature B3, in the gaming machine of the feature B2, an enlarged operation means is displayed as a virtual operation means image. Here, it is not preferable to have a configuration in which the operating means is mechanically realized as a configuration for increasing the size in the following points. That is, firstly, since the operating means itself needs to be housed inside the gaming machine in the size after the change, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of securing the installation area of the operating means in the gaming machine in a limited space. Secondly, since the size of the operating means is changed in the direction opposite to the direction in which the pressing operation is performed, if the operating means after the change is not pressed, the operating means before the change is performed. In order to return to the size of the above, it is necessary to prepare a mechanism for driving and controlling in the direction in which the pressing operation is performed without the pressing operation by the player, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of complicating the control mechanism. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the feature B3, the three-dimensional image makes it appear as if the size of the operating means has changed, so that the above-mentioned inconvenience cannot occur.

Feature B4. The first wall portion (first wall portion 68a) provided with the second display means on the front surface portion of the gaming machine and the second wall provided at a position intersecting the first wall portion and surrounding the operation space from the side. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B3, characterized by having a portion (second wall portion 68b).

According to the feature B4, at least the second wall portion surrounds the side of the operation space in which the second display means displays the three-dimensional image, so that the entry of light from the side is suppressed. Can be done. In particular, the higher the illuminance of the second display means itself, the better the visibility. There is a concern that the above-mentioned deterioration of visibility may occur due to the entry of light into the means and the operation space. Therefore, by providing the second wall portion so as to surround the operation space from the side, it is possible to suppress the entry of light from at least the side and improve the visibility of the second display means.

Feature B5. A detection means (sensor device 120) for detecting the presence of the operating body with the operating space as a detecting area is provided.
The three-dimensional display executing means provides a changing means (a function of executing a three-dimensional display changing process in the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500) for changing the display mode of the three-dimensional image based on the detection result of the detecting means. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B4, characterized in that it is provided.

According to the feature B5, when the operating body exists in the operating space where the three-dimensional image is displayed, it can be specified by the detecting means. Then, the display mode of the three-dimensional image changes based on the detection result. That is, for example, when a player tries to touch a three-dimensional image, it is specified and the display mode of the three-dimensional image changes. This makes it possible to diversify the production.

Feature B6. The three-dimensional display executing means displays a virtual operation means image (virtual operation button image X) as the three-dimensional image in an area where the operation means does not exist in the operation space.
The changing means changes the virtual operating means image in the pressing operation direction of the operating means in correspondence with the operation of the operating body.
The detection means has a plurality of detection units (sensors 121), and has a plurality of detection units (sensors 121).
Each of the detection units has a different detection range in the pressing operation direction within the detection area.
Based on the detection result of each of the detection units, the specific means for specifying that the operation corresponding to the pressing operation of the virtual operation means image is performed by the operation body (operation for buttons in the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82). The gaming machine according to feature B5, which is characterized by having a function of executing a corresponding process).

According to the feature B6, when the player tries to operate the virtual operation means image of the three-dimensional image, the detection result of each detection unit having a plurality of detection ranges arranged in the pressing operation direction is used to operate the operation body. The behavior can be specified. In this case, the virtual operation means image changes in the pressing operation direction depending on the changing means. By doing so, it is possible to make the player think that he / she is operating the virtual operation means.

Feature B7. The detection means grasped whether or not the operating body was present in the detection range of each of the detecting units, and grasped that the detecting unit and the operating body that were grasped as the existence of the operating body did not exist. The gaming machine according to feature B6, characterized in that the position of the operating body in the pressing operation direction is specified in the detection area of the operating body by specifying the boundary with the detecting unit.

According to the feature B7, the position of the operating body in the pressing operation direction can be specified by using the result of grasping whether or not the operating body exists in each detection unit. Then, by specifying the position from the boundary of each detection unit, it is possible to specify that the operating body has moved in the pressing operation direction by grasping the movement of the boundary.

Here, for example, in the case of a tangible operating means, the detecting means may be provided in the operating means itself in order to grasp the pressing operation of the operating means. However, the virtual operation means image does not have an entity in the operation space, and the detection means cannot be provided in the virtual operation means itself without the substance. Therefore, in this configuration, not the virtual operation means itself, but the operation of the operating body that tries to press the virtual operation means is grasped, and when the operation corresponding to the pressing operation of the virtual operation means is performed, it is virtual. It is intended to change the operating means itself.

In this case, image processing such as a camera may be considered as a configuration for grasping the operation of the operating body, but there is a concern that the processing load will increase and the manufacturing cost will increase. On the other hand, in this configuration, each detection unit only needs to grasp the information (for example, the ON / OFF state) that is switched depending on whether or not the operating body exists in the detection range, and also specifies the boundary. It is easily possible and does not cause an extreme increase in processing load. Further, since each detection unit can also use a general-purpose product such as an infrared sensor, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suitably realize the effect using the virtual operation means image of the three-dimensional image.

Feature B8. The specific means is an overlap determination means (processing for confirming the implementation state of the voice emission control device 82 in the MPU 249) for determining that the operating body does not exist at a position overlapping the virtual operation means image in the operation space. Has the ability to execute)
When the operation corresponding to the pressing operation of the virtual operation means image by the operation body is performed, the change means overlaps the virtual operation means image with the operation body based on the determination result of the overlap determination means. The gaming machine according to feature B7, characterized in that the virtual operating means image is changed so as not to exist at the above-mentioned position.

According to the feature B8, the change of the virtual operation means image in the pressing operation direction can be suitably realized by using the detection result of the detection means having different detection areas in the pressing operation direction. That is, in a configuration in which the virtual operating means image is changed based on the operation of the operating body, the virtual operating means image can be made to appear to operate integrally with the operating body, and the virtual operating means image can be seen with respect to the operation of the operating body. It is possible to realize the change of the above without any discomfort.

Feature B9. The specific means is an overlap determination means (processing for confirming the implementation state of the voice emission control device 82 in the MPU 249) for determining that the operating body does not exist at a position overlapping the virtual operation means image in the operation space. Function to execute) and
An operation instruction means (a function of executing an operation start effect processing in the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500) for instructing the player to perform the operation of pressing the virtual operation means image.
In the situation where the operation instruction is given by the operation instruction means, when it is determined by the overlap determination means that the operation body does not exist at a position overlapping with the virtual operation means image. , A means for specifying the state before the pressing operation as an operation ready state (a function of executing the preparation state confirmation process in the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82), and
The gaming machine according to the feature B7 or the feature B8, which comprises the above-mentioned feature B7 or the feature B8.

According to the feature B9, when the player moves an operating body such as a hand to operate the virtual operating means image according to the operation instruction by the gaming machine, it can be grasped. It is also possible to understand that the operation instructions are not followed. As a result, it is possible to perform an effect according to the state of preparation for the pressing operation of the virtual operation means image by the player. The effect according to the state of preparation for the pressing operation is, for example, an effect that prompts the operation again when the operation instruction is not followed as described above, or a case where the hand or the like is moved into the operation space according to the operation instruction. It is conceivable to produce an instruction content that causes a specific pressing operation to be performed. In this way, by performing the effect according to the state of preparation for the pressing operation, in addition to the change in the effect depending on the presence or absence of the pressing operation, the change in the effect depending on the presence or absence of the preparation can be added, and the effect can be diversified. Can be planned.

Feature B10. The specific means is a means (voice emission control device) for determining that the operating body does not exist in the operating space without moving from the operation ready state to the position where the virtual operating means image is pressed. The gaming machine according to feature B9, which comprises a function of executing the processes of steps S905 to S911 by the MPU 249 of 82).

According to the feature B10, when the player moves his / her hand or the like to the position in the operation ready state according to the operation instruction and then moves his / her hand from the position in the operation ready state by changing the mind without pressing the operation, the player moves the hand or the like. It can be grasped, and for example, an effect corresponding to it can be performed. As a result, it is possible to enhance the sense of solidarity between the movement of the player and the production, and further increase the attention of the game.

Feature B11. The specific means is characterized by including a speed grasping means (a function of executing the processing of steps S1204 to S1209 by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for grasping the operating speed of the operating body in the operation ready state. The gaming machine according to the feature B9 or the feature B10.

According to the feature B11, it is possible to make the content of the effect by the effect execution means different depending on the operation preparation state, that is, the operation speed of the so-called preliminary operation in the stage before the virtual operation means image is pressed. In this case, for example, when the operation speed of the preliminary operation is fast, if the effect is made flashy, the unity between the operation and the effect can be enhanced, so that the degree of attention to the game can be increased, and conversely, the preliminary operation. If the operation speed of is fast, it is possible to suppress the failure or damage of the operation means itself by urging the operation slowly next time.

In particular, since the content of the effect is different depending on the operation speed of the preliminary operation as described above, not the operation speed of the operation corresponding to the operation of the virtual operation means image, the operation corresponding to the operation of the virtual operation means image is performed. It is possible to determine the effect when the operation corresponding to the operation of the virtual operation means image is performed before the operation is performed, and there is a grace period in the processing time. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an extreme increase in processing load.

Feature B12. The specific means is an overlap determination means (processing for confirming the implementation state of the voice emission control device 82 in the MPU 249) for determining that the operating body does not exist at a position overlapping the virtual operation means image in the operation space. Has the ability to execute)
When the operation corresponding to the pressing operation of the virtual operation means image by the operation body is performed, the change means overlaps the virtual operation means image with the operation body based on the determination result of the overlap determination means. It changes the virtual operation means image so that it does not exist at the position where it is located.
Continuous operation instruction means (for example, step S513 and step S612 by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for continuously instructing the player to perform the pressing operation of the virtual operation means image a plurality of times. Equipped with a function to execute processing for directing)
When the operating body moves from the operation space during the period in which the continuous operation instruction means is instructed by the continuous operation instruction means, the specific means causes a re-operation instruction for prompting the continuation of the continuous operation. The gaming machine according to any one of features B6 to B11, which comprises means (a function of executing the processing of steps S908 to S911 by the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82).

According to the feature B12, when the player is made to perform the pressing operation a plurality of times, for example, when the player stops the pressing operation in the middle, a re-operation instruction for prompting the continuation of the continuous operation is given. Will be. In this case, since the operation body is instructed to be re-operated when the operating body moves from the operating space, for example, the player (with a hand in the operating space) has an intention to continue the continuous operation. Regardless, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the instruction for re-operation is given.

Feature B13. The operating means has a height changing means (elevating device 140) capable of changing the height of the operating surface with respect to the installation surface on which the operating means is installed.
The three-dimensional display execution means displays a virtual operation means image (virtual operation button image X) as the three-dimensional image in an area where the operation means does not exist in the operation space, and the virtual operation About the means image The height of the virtual operation surface of the virtual operation means image with respect to the installation surface can be changed.
A means for selectively performing either a control for changing the height of the operation surface by the height changing means or a control for changing the height of the virtual operation surface by the three-dimensional display executing means. The gaming machine according to any one of feature B1 to feature B12, which is characterized by being provided.

According to the feature B13, since the virtual operation means image is displayed on the premise that the actual operation means changes its form, even if the virtual operation means image is an insubstantial virtual image, the player does not feel uncomfortable. Can be understood.

Feature B14. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B13, wherein the three-dimensional display executing means executes an effect using the three-dimensional image by utilizing the parallax of both eyes of the player.

According to the feature B14, since the player recognizes the three-dimensional image as a stereoscopic image by utilizing the parallax of both eyes, it is not necessary to separately prepare special glasses or the like for recognizing the stereoscopic image. In particular, in a game hall where a game machine is installed, an unspecified number of players play games. Therefore, if the above-mentioned special glasses or the like are separately prepared, for example, a game in which normal glasses are worn. It is necessary to prepare separate special glasses, etc. for the person and the player who does not wear the normal glasses. In addition, for example, even if special glasses or the like are prepared separately in this way, the effect of the display means itself does not affect the game result, so there is a possibility that the game will not be performed by wearing special glasses or the like. There is also. In this case, the production by the prepared three-dimensional image is completely useless. Therefore, by adopting a configuration that does not require special glasses or the like, it is possible not only to facilitate the installation but also to preferably achieve the effect of increasing the degree of attention to the game by using the effect of the three-dimensional image.

Feature B15. A launch handle (launch operation device 28) that is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine so as to be offset to one end side in the left-right direction and can be operated by the player.
A launching means (game ball launch mechanism 27) that launches a game ball toward the game area based on the operation of the launch handle, and
Equipped with
The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B14, wherein the operating means is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine so as to be offset to the side opposite to the firing handle.

According to the feature B15, since the launch handle and the operating means are arranged on one end side and the other end side in the left-right direction in the front portion of the gaming machine, the player operates the operating means while operating the launch handle with one hand. It becomes possible to do. Further, with such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in visibility of the second display means due to the operation of the operating means.

<Characteristic C group>
The following feature C group is described as "For example, in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device which is arranged in a portion that can be visually recognized from the front of the gaming machine and produces an effect as the game progresses. (For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-78904). In these display devices, the effect during the game is produced by diversifying the variation mode of the pattern for the effect. The effect has been enhanced. However, there is a limit to the diversification of the production, and there is still room for improvement in raising the degree of attention. " Is.

Features C1. Transition determination means for determining whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special state advantageous to the player based on the condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied (a function of executing the hit / fail determination process in the MPU 202 of the main control device 81). When,
Based on the determination result of the transition determination means being the transition correspondence result, the game state transition means (function for executing the game state transition process in the MPU 202 of the main control device 81) for shifting the gaming state to the special state, and
A first display means (design display device 41) that performs a predetermined display effect, and
Based on the fact that the transition determination has been made by the transition determination means, the first display means starts the game rotation operation, and ends the game rotation operation as a display corresponding to the determination result of the transition determination means. The game time control means (a function of executing the variable display control process in the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for controlling the first display means, and
A game board (game board 24) provided with the first display means, and
A window portion (window panel 62) that divides a game area (game area PE) into which a game ball flows down by facing the game board, and a window portion (window panel 62).
In a gaming machine equipped with
A second display means for displaying a predetermined effect regarding the progress of the game is provided.
The second display means is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine outside the gaming area separately from the first display means.
A detection means provided so as to include a space on the player side rather than the second display means in the detection area is provided.
The detection means is a predetermined distance detecting means (step S1202 or step S1302 in the MPU 249 of the voice emission control device 82) for detecting that the distance between the detection target and the second display means is a predetermined predetermined distance. Has a function to execute processing)
A gaming machine characterized by being provided with a predetermined distance notification means (a function of executing a warning effect process in the control CPU 510 of the display control device 500) that executes a predetermined notification based on the detection result of the predetermined distance detection means. ..

According to the feature C1, a second display means is provided separately from the first display means of the game rotation action, and since the second display means is provided outside the game area, the front portion of the gaming machine is provided. It is possible to use it as a whole to produce a production. Since the first display means is provided in the game area partitioned by the window portion, the player cannot touch the first display means by hand or the like, but the second display means is provided outside the game area. Because it is, you can touch it with your hands. In this case, there is a concern that the player may get dirty or malfunction due to touching the second display means. However, the gaming machine of feature C1 further includes a detection means set to include the player side in the detection range rather than the second display means, and the hand of the player to be detected reaches the second display means. When a predetermined distance is reached, a predetermined notification is performed. Therefore, by giving a warning to the player as a predetermined notification, it is possible to suitably increase the degree of attention to the game while suppressing the dirt and failure of the special display means, which is a concern.

A configuration limited to any one of the features A1 to A23 and the features B1 to B15 may be applied to the feature C1.

The basic configuration of the gaming machine to which each of the above features can be applied is shown below.

Pachinko gaming machine: An operating means operated by a player, a game ball launching means for launching a game ball based on the operation of the operating means, a ball passage for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area, and a game. A gaming machine that includes each gaming component arranged in an area and grants a privilege to a player when a gaming ball passes through a predetermined passing portion of each gaming component.

Rotating machine such as a slot machine: Equipped with a picture display device that variably displays a plurality of pictures, the variable display of the plurality of pictures is started due to the operation of the start operation means, and is caused by the operation of the stop operation means. A gaming machine in which the variable display of the plurality of symbols is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time, and a privilege is given to the player according to the symbols after the stop.

10 ... Pachinko machine, 12 ... Game machine body, 24 ... Game board, 28 ... Launch operation device, 41 ... Design display device, 61 ... Window part, 66 ... Upper bulge part, 66a ... Upper plate, 68 ... Wall part, 68a ... 1st wall part, 68b ... 2nd wall part, 81 ... main control device, 82 ... voice emission control device, 100 ... operation button unit, 110 ... button device, 111 ... operation button, 112 ... operation surface, 120 ... Sensor device, 121 ... sensor, 123 ... light emitting unit, 124 ... light receiving unit, 130 ... special display device, 202 ... MPU, 249 ... MPU, 510 ... general CPU, H ... operating body, OE ... operating space, PE ... gaming area , X ... Virtual operation button image, Y ... Virtual operation surface.

Claims (1)

An operating means having an operating surface that is pressed and operated by the player,
When an operation is performed on the operating means, the effect performing means for performing the effect according to the operation and the effect performing means.
In a gaming machine equipped with
An operation space is provided on the front side of the gaming machine so that the player can displace an operating body such as a hand when operating the operating surface.
A detection means capable of detecting the presence of the operating body using the operating space as a detection area,
An operation state determination means for determining a state including a non-operation state in which the operation surface is not pressed by the operation body from the detection result by the detection means.
A gaming machine characterized by being equipped with.

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