JP3725444B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a ball game machine, and more particularly to a mechanism for displaying a screen on which a player can easily recognize a current gaming state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional ball game machine, first, when a certain condition is satisfied, such as when a game ball passes a predetermined area, a symbol displayed on a display device provided on the board surface of the ball game machine is displayed. Fluctuate. In this case, since the symbols displayed on the display device are usually composed of a plurality of symbols, they are changed sequentially or at different times. Then, when the symbol that is stopped and displayed matches the predetermined symbol, that is, in the case of “winning”, a special benefit is given to the player. This special benefit is to provide a state in which game balls are easy to win, such as opening a tulip or a big prize opening for a certain period of time.
[0003]
Such a ball game machine is disclosed in JP-A-6-15045, JP-A-5-237234, JP-A-5-228246, and the like. According to this technology, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation in the process until “winning” by changing the symbols displayed on the display device.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the player is not always gazing at the display device provided on the board surface of the ball game machine, and usually is nervous about the trend of the game ball. In particular, when a plurality of symbols are displayed on the display device, it takes time to search for the target symbol and the like, and it is difficult to recognize the current gaming state at a glance.
The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a ball game machine that can easily recognize the current gaming state.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The bullet ball game machine according to the present invention is a bullet ball game machine provided with a display device capable of displaying the symbols by changing the symbols in a plurality of rows. As means for displaying a symbol that best represents the gaming state by switching in units of columns, a symbol storage means for storing a symbol to be displayed on the screen of the display device, and the symbol is read out from the symbol storage means and output as symbol data. And a data control means for outputting control data for display on the screen of the display device, and a video signal converted according to the symbol data and the control data outputted from the data control means and outputted to the display device. Display control means for displaying symbols, and the symbol storage means displays corresponding to each divided screen obtained by dividing the screen of the display device into a plurality of columns. A divided symbol storage means for storing the divided symbols to be displayed, wherein the data control means increases each time the divided screens in each column stop in the order of stop of the divided screens obtained by dividing the region for displaying the divided symbols into the plurality of columns Control data setting means for setting, symbol data setting means for setting a division symbol transfer source in the divided symbol storage means for display, control data set by the control data setting means and the symbol data A transfer means for transferring the symbol data set by the setting means to the display control means, a transfer source setting by the symbol data setting means and a data transfer by the transfer means are repeatedly executed until a predetermined period elapses. And divided display data control means for displaying while changing the divided symbols by the display control means, the display control means Based on the variation display command signal for variably displaying the symbol, the video signal related to the divided symbol is output according to the symbol data and control data output from the divided symbol data control means, and the divided symbol is varied on the display device. It is characterized by displaying.
[0008]
[Action]
According to the present invention, the size of symbols is displayed non-uniformly on a display unit on a display device, and the symbol that best represents the current gaming state is displayed in large size while being switched on a column basis . Thus the switching of the column unit can easily recognize the current gaming state.
[0011]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the external appearance of the bullet ball gaming machine 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are views showing the external appearance of a bullet ball game machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a front view and FIG. 3 shows a back view. The same numbers are assigned to the same elements.
[0012]
In FIG. 2, on the game board surface 102, a game area and a rail 114 that partitions the periphery of the game area are provided in a clockwise direction. The rail 114 is provided with a lower left portion of the game board surface 102 as a starting end and an upper left portion that is slightly inwardly rotated as an end. Accordingly, a path for the game ball B passes from the lower left portion to the upper left portion of the game board surface 102. Further, a return rubber 140 is provided at a substantially middle point of the rail 114 (that is, the upper right portion of the game board surface 102), and a return ball prevention holder 110 is provided at the end of the rail 114. When the player operates a launching device (not shown) by hand, the game ball B is launched in the direction of arrow A along the rail 114.
The return rubber 140 is provided to return the game ball B in the reverse direction when the game ball B is strongly hit. The return ball prevention holder 110 is provided to prevent the game ball B returned by the return rubber 140 from entering back into the passage.
[0013]
In the game area (that is, inside the rail 114 provided in a spiral shape), the special winning opening 116, the special symbol device 120, the ordinary electric accessory 126, the gate 130, and the out opening 136 are appropriately disposed. Yes. Similarly, nails and windmills (not shown) that scatter the game ball B, or indicator lights 112 and 142 that entertain the eyes of the player are provided on the game board surface 102 in an appropriate manner.
[0014]
The special symbol device 120 includes a special symbol display device 122 and a number of times display device 124. The special symbol display device 122 is one of the display devices 30 and is a device that displays special symbols. The special symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 122 varies at a predetermined time. After the change, a case where the special symbol displayed in a stopped state matches a predetermined symbol is defined as “big hit”. The number display device 124 is a device that displays the number of times the special symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 122 is changed. As the special symbol display device 122, for example, a color or monochrome liquid crystal display device is used. Similarly, the number display device 124 is provided with, for example, four LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) horizontally.
[0015]
The ordinary electric accessory 126 includes an ordinary symbol display device 128 and an electric pair of movable wing pieces (so-called tulips). The normal symbol display device 128 is a device that displays a normal symbol, and changes the normal symbol at a predetermined time. After the change, a case where the normal symbol displayed in a stopped state matches a predetermined symbol is defined as “winning”. For example, a number corresponds to the normal symbol. For the normal symbol display device 128, for example, a 7-segment LED is used.
[0016]
The big winning opening 116 is a horizontally long winning opening provided at the lower center of the game board surface 102 and includes a lid that is opened in the case of a “hit”. In this horizontally long winning opening, three winning openings are provided horizontally, and the central winning opening 132 is set as a “special area”. In addition, winning openings 118 and 134 are provided on the left and right sides of the big winning opening 116.
The gate 130 detects the passage of the game ball B. The out port 136 is a lower part of the game board surface 102 and is provided with the rail 114 interposed therebetween.
[0017]
In FIG. 3, on the back of the game board 104, there are a guiding path 150, detection switches 152, 154, 156, 158, 162, 164, 168, an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 160, a prize winning solenoid 166, mounting holes 112a, 120a, 126a, 142a and an out-hole 136a are provided.
Here, the attachment holes 112a and 142a are holes for attaching the indicator lights 112 and 142, respectively. Similarly, the attachment holes 120a and 126a are holes for attaching the special symbol device 120 and the ordinary electric accessory 126, respectively. Further, the out port hole 136a is a hole for the out port 136.
The guide path 150 wins the ordinary electric accessory 126 and guides the game ball B that has passed through the detection switch 162 as indicated by an arrow C.
[0018]
The detection switches 152, 154, 156, 158, 162, 164, and 168 are all switches that detect the passage of the game ball B, and a proximity switch that determines the passage based on a change in magnetism is generally used.
The detection switch 152 detects the game ball B passing through the gate 130. The detection switches 154 and 164 detect the game balls B that have won the winning holes 134 and 118, respectively. The detection switch 162 detects the game ball B that has won the normal electric accessory 126 as described above. The detection switches 156, 158, and 168 detect the game ball B that has won the big winning opening 116. The detection signals detected by these detection switches 152, 154, 156, 158, 162, 164, and 168 are all sent to the control unit 220 shown in FIG. 5 to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls. It is also used as a detection device for controlling the operation of the special symbol device 120, the ordinary electric accessory 126, and the like.
[0019]
The ordinary electric accessory solenoid 160 is a solenoid for opening and closing the pair of movable blades configured in the ordinary electric accessory 126 to the left and right when “hit”. Further, the special winning opening solenoid 166 is a solenoid for opening and closing the lid provided in the special winning opening 116 at the time of “big hit”.
[0020]
Next, an electrical connection for operating the ball game machine 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 is a wiring system diagram of the ball game machine 100, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control unit 220. The same elements as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0021]
In FIG. 4, the ball game machine 100 is roughly composed of a board surface portion 200 and a frame portion 300. The panel surface part 200 includes a terminal part 210, a control part 220 and a relay part 240. The frame unit 300 includes a crime prevention unit 306, a launch control unit 330, a relay unit 302, a terminal unit 340, and a relay unit 324.
[0022]
First, the board surface part 200 will be described.
The control unit 220 includes a CPU (processor) 230 shown in the following figure, and has a function of controlling the whole of the ball game machine 100. The relay unit 240 is connected to the detection switches 152, 158, 162, the detection switch 156, etc. (that is, the detection switches 154, 156, 164, 168), and relays detection signals sent to the control unit 220. The terminal unit 210 includes four connector terminals, and sends a signal sent from the control unit 220 to a terminal unit 340 described later using one of these terminals 212. Here, the control unit 220 and the relay unit 240 and the control unit 220 and the terminal unit 210 are all connected by a cable having a connector.
The antistatic device 312 provided in the frame unit 300 is connected to the ground through the control unit 220 and prevents malfunction of the ball game machine 100 due to static electricity.
[0023]
Next, the frame part 300 will be described.
The crime prevention unit 306 is for preventing fraud during a game, and is connected to a speaker 320 and a prize ball payout prohibiting switch 322. Here, the speaker 320 sounds a sound effect and a warning sound. The prize ball payout prohibiting switch 322 is a switch for prohibiting the payout of prize balls.
[0024]
The launch controller 330 includes a motor drive circuit 334 for launching the game ball B, and a touch terminal 314, a handle switch 316, a launcher stop switch 318, and a motor 332 are connected to the launch controller 330. Here, the touch terminal 314, the handle switch 316, and the launching device stop switch 318 are all terminals or switches for the player to manually operate the launching device in order to launch the game ball B. The touch terminal 314 is a terminal that detects that the player's hand is touching the launching device. The handle switch 316 is a switch for driving the motor 332 to fire the game ball B. The launcher stop switch 318 is a switch for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball B.
[0025]
The relay unit 302 is provided between the control unit 220 and the crime prevention unit 306 and relays signals transmitted and received between them. The relay unit 302 is connected to a prize ball payout motor 308, a prize ball payout solenoid 304, and a prize ball detection switch 310. Here, the prize ball payout solenoid 304 is a solenoid for opening and closing a prize ball payout lid. The prize ball payout motor 308 is a motor for paying out prize balls. The prize ball detection switch 310 is a triple switch that detects the payout of a prize ball.
[0026]
The terminal part 340 is connected to the right side of the crime prevention part 306 in the drawing, and includes an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 160, a large prize opening solenoid 166, an outlet 344 connected via a fuse 342, indicator lights 346, 348, 350 and a prize ball. A cut detection switch 336 is provided. The relay unit 324 is provided between the security unit 306 and the launch control unit 330 and includes a frame detection switch 326.
The indicator lights 346, 348, and 350 are indicator lights 112 and 142 that are appropriately disposed on the game board surface 102 shown in FIG. 2, and the prize-ball-out detection switch 336 is a switch that detects the expiration of the prize ball. It is.
[0027]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 220 and shows the minimum configuration necessary for carrying out the present invention. For this reason, for example, when the game ball B wins the prize opening 118, 134, etc., description of the configuration and operation for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls is omitted. In the figure, the control unit 220 includes a CPU 230, a ROM 222, a RAM 224, an input processing circuit 226, a music processing circuit 232, a display control circuit 234, a special symbol display device 122, and an output processing circuit 236.
[0028]
The CPU 230 controls the entire ball game machine 100 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 222. The ROM 222 uses an EPROM or an EEPROM, and the control program includes programs such as an accessory control program for controlling the ordinary electric accessory 126 and a special prize opening control program for controlling the special prize opening 116. The RAM 224 embodies the symbol storage means 40, and an SRAM or a flash RAM is used. The RAM 224 stores various data or input / output signals such as a gate counter, an accessory counter, and a jackpot counter, as well as divided symbols to be described later.
[0029]
The input processing circuit 226 receives the respective detection signals sent from the detection switches 152, 158, 162, the detection switch 156, etc., converts them into data formats that can be processed in the control unit 220, and the CPU 230 via the bus 238. Alternatively, the data is transferred to the RAM 224. The music processing circuit 232 converts the sound data sent from the CPU 230 via the bus 238 into an analog signal and sends it to the speaker 320.
[0030]
The display control circuit 234 is one of the display control means 20, and is a circuit that performs display control of the special symbol display device 122 also shown in FIG. 2 according to display control data sent from the CPU 230 via the bus 238. Specifically, display control of the special symbol display device 122 is performed according to the control data and symbol data sent from the CPU 230. That is, the display control circuit 234 divides the special symbol display device 122 into one screen or a plurality of screens according to the coordinate data which is one of the control data, and the special symbol or the like according to one screen or a plurality of screens. It has a function to display.
Here, the screen displayed on the entire special symbol display device 122 is referred to as “full screen”. Each divided screen is referred to as a “divided screen” (also referred to as a “window”). If a plurality of divided screens are appropriately combined, they can be displayed as a full screen.
The display control circuit 234 controls not only the special symbol display device 122 but also the number-of-times display device 124, the normal symbol display device 128, the indicator lights 112 and 142, etc. shown in FIG. In this case, display control of the number display device 124 is performed according to the value of the jackpot counter.
[0031]
The output processing circuit 236 converts the driving data sent from the CPU 230 via the bus 238 into driving signals for driving the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 160 and the special prize opening solenoid 166, and sends them.
Note that each of the above components is coupled to the bus 238. Further, the control data includes coordinate data for designating a region for displaying a symbol on the special symbol display device 122.
[0032]
Next, a processing procedure for executing the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
6 to 10 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure for carrying out the present invention, which is a processing procedure embodying the data control means 10. These processing procedures are realized by the CPU 230 executing a control program stored in the ROM 222 shown in FIG. Also, these processing procedures are executed every certain period (for example, 1 millisecond). 11 and 12 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the special symbol display device 122. FIG. In these figures, the number following S indicates a step number.
[0033]
In FIG. 6, it is detected whether or not the gate switch is on (step S10). If the gate switch is on (YES), the gate counter is incremented (step S12). Specifically, when the game ball B passes through the gate 130 shown in FIG. 1 and the detection switch 152, which is one of the gate switches, detects the passage of the game ball B, a detection signal is output, and the RAM 224 shown in FIG. Increase the stored gate counter by one. In this case, when a predetermined value (for example, 4) is exceeded, this predetermined value is maintained. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 7 is executed in parallel with the processing procedure shown in FIG.
[0034]
In FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the gate counter in step S12 is greater than zero (step S20). If the gate counter is greater than zero (YES), normal symbol variation processing is performed (step S22). Specifically, the normal symbol of the normal symbol display device 128 shown in FIG. 2 is changed, and is stopped after a predetermined period (for example, 1 second). Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the normal symbol variation process in step S22 is “winning” (step S24). If “winning” (YES), the ordinary electric accessory 126 is opened for an open period (for example, 0.5 seconds). ) Only (steps S26 and S28), and then closed (step S30). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol stopped in the normal symbol variation process in step S22 matches a predetermined symbol. If the normal symbol matches the predetermined symbol, the electric motor 126 is driven. The pair of movable wing pieces is opened only during the opening period.
[0035]
Thereafter, a countdown process of the gate counter is performed (step S32). Specifically, the gate counter is decreased by 1. In this case, if the value of the gate counter is less than zero, it remains zero. Note that the processing procedure of FIG. 8 is executed during the opening period of the ordinary electric accessory 126.
[0036]
In FIG. 8, it is detected whether or not the accessory switch is turned on (step S40). If the accessory switch is turned on, a bonus counter is counted up (step S42) and a prize ball is paid out (step S42). Step S44). Specifically, when the game ball B wins the ordinary electric accessory 126 shown in FIG. 1 and the detection switch 162, which is one of the accessory switches, detects the passage of the game ball B, a detection signal is output. The bonus counter stored in the RAM 224 shown in FIG. In this case, when a predetermined value (for example, 4) is exceeded, this predetermined value is maintained. The process procedure shown in FIG. 9 is executed in parallel with the process procedure shown in FIG.
[0037]
In FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the accessory counter in step S42 is greater than zero (step S50). If the accessory counter is greater than zero, a window switching process is performed (step S52). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11B, from a screen state in which the entire screen displayed on the special symbol display device 122 as shown in FIG. The screen displayed on the special symbol display device 122 is divided into a plurality of screens, and the screen state is switched to displaying independent contents on each of the divided screens.
[0038]
Next, special symbol variation processing is performed (step S54). Specifically, the special symbol of the special symbol display device 128 is changed and stopped after a predetermined period (for example, 3 seconds). For example, FIG. 12 (A) shows a screen state in which the special symbols in the left column are changed on the screen shown in FIG. 11 (B). FIG. 12B shows the screen state after the special symbol in the middle column and the special symbol in the right column are changed and stopped, similarly to the variation in the special symbol in the left column. After that, the screen state shown in FIG. 12B is maintained for a predetermined period (for example, 3 seconds).
[0039]
Then, it is determined whether or not the result of the special symbol variation process in step S54 is “big hit” (step S56). If “big hit” (YES), the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. S60), the jackpot counter is counted up (step S62). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the special symbol stopped in the special symbol variation process in step S54 matches a predetermined symbol. The jackpot counter stored in the RAM 224 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is “out of” that does not match the predetermined symbol, the window switching process switches to a single screen state as shown in FIG. 11A (step S58).
[0040]
Thereafter, after a countdown process of the accessory counter is performed (step S64), a prize ball payout process is performed corresponding to the winning of the ordinary electric accessory 126 (step S66). Specifically, the accessory counter is decreased by 1. In this case, if the value of the accessory counter is less than zero, it is kept at zero. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 10 is executed in parallel with the processing procedure shown in FIG.
[0041]
In FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the jackpot counter that has been counted up in step S62 is greater than zero (step S70). If the jackpot counter is greater than zero (YES), the lid of the big prize opening 116 is opened. (Step S72). Next, it is determined whether or not a special period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed (step S74), and it is determined whether or not a predetermined number (for example, 16) of game balls B have been won in the big winning opening 116. (Step S76). During this time, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of prize balls is paid out every time the game ball B wins the big prize opening 116.
[0042]
Thereafter, when the special period has elapsed or when a predetermined number of game balls B have won the big prize opening 116, the cover of the big prize opening 116 is closed (step S78), and the countdown process of the big hit counter is performed (step S78). S80). Specifically, the jackpot counter is decreased by one. In this case, when the value of the jackpot counter is less than zero, it remains zero.
[0043]
Thus, by switching the screen state according to the current gaming state, the player can easily grasp the gaming state. That is, when the game ball B wins the ordinary electric accessory 126, in step S52, the screen is switched from the single screen state to the divided screen state, and in steps S58 and S60 where the predetermined condition is released, the divided screen state is changed to the single screen state. By switching to the screen state, it is possible to recognize at a glance the progress status of “Lottery” performed electrically and what the result has become.
For this reason, even if the player is in a situation where the player is nervous about the game ball B rolling on the game board surface, the contents displayed on the special symbol display device 122 can be easily confirmed. In particular, in the case of “big hit”, since the win display is performed on the full screen of the special symbol display device 122, the player can be satisfied.
[0044]
Next, a specific processing procedure of the special symbol variation process in step S54 and the window switching process in steps S52, 58, and 60 shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 are flowcharts showing processing procedures for carrying out the special symbol variation processing and the window switching processing. These processing procedures are realized by the CPU 230 executing a control program stored in the ROM 222 shown in FIG. Further, these processing procedures are executed at regular intervals in the same manner as the processing procedures shown in FIGS. FIGS. 16 to 18 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the special symbol display device 122. In these figures, the number following S indicates a step number.
[0045]
In FIG. 13, it is detected whether or not it is divided display (step S100). If it is divided display (YES), divided display processing is executed (step S104). If it is single display (NO), single display processing is executed. (Step S102).
Specifically, when step S52 shown in FIG. 9 is executed, the divided display is performed, and a divided display process shown in FIG. 15 described later is executed. Further, a single display is performed during the period excluding the period from step S52 to step S58, 60 shown in FIG. 9, and the single display process shown in FIG. 14 is executed.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 14, in the single display process, first, an area setting process for setting an area for displaying a single symbol (that is, the entire screen of the special symbol display device 122) is performed (step S110), and the display is performed. A transfer source setting process for setting a single symbol transfer source is performed (step S112). Thereafter, the symbol data is transferred from the transfer source to the display area (step S114). Here, the single symbol is a symbol displayed on the entire screen of the special symbol display device 122, and is a partial area of the RAM 224 shown in FIG. 5 (that is, a memory different from a storage area for storing divided symbols described later). Area).
Specifically, the control data for displaying a single symbol on the entire screen of the special symbol display device 122 is sent to the display control circuit 234 shown in FIG. 5 and the display in the single symbol stored in the RAM 224 is displayed. Set the address of the symbol to be performed. Thereafter, the symbol data stored at the address of this single symbol is sent to the display control circuit 234.
In the above processing procedure, the transfer source setting process is performed after the area setting process is performed, but conversely, even if the area setting process is performed after the transfer source setting process is performed, the target single symbol is displayed as a special symbol. It can be displayed on the display device 122. In addition, the single symbol may be configured by appropriately combining divided symbols described later.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 15, in the divided display process, first, one-screen display is performed (step S120), and an area setting process for setting an area for displaying a divided symbol (that is, a divided screen) is performed (step S122). Here, the divided symbol is a symbol displayed corresponding to each divided screen obtained by dividing the special symbol display device 122 into a plurality of segments.
Specifically, in step S120, the single display process shown in FIG. 14 is executed to display a single symbol representing the divided symbols on the entire screen of the special symbol display device 122. For example, when it is executed for the first time, a symbol as shown in FIG. 12 (B) is displayed, and when it is executed for the second time or later, a symbol obtained by combining the divided symbols displayed and displayed last time is displayed.
In step S122, control data for displaying the divided symbols on the special symbol display device 122 is sent to the display control circuit 234 shown in FIG. For example, in a screen divided into three vertical columns as shown in FIG. 12B, coordinate data for enlarging the divided screen 502 displayed in the center is sent to the display control circuit 234.
[0048]
Then, a transfer source setting process for setting the transfer source of the divided symbols to be displayed is performed (step S124), and the symbol data is transferred from the transfer source to each divided screen to be displayed (step S126). The procedures shown in steps S124 and 126 are repeatedly displayed while changing the divided symbols until a variable period (for example, 10 seconds) elapses. (Step S128)
Specifically, in step S124, an address of a symbol to be displayed in the divided symbols stored in the RAM 224 shown in FIG. 5 is set. Thereafter, in step S126, the symbol data stored at the address of this divided symbol is sent to the display control circuit 234. Then, when the fluctuation period elapses, the divided symbols to be stopped and displayed are determined.
[0049]
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there are other divided screens to be changed (step S130). If there are other divided screens to be changed, the above steps S120 to S128 are executed.
Specifically, in FIG. 12B, first, the divided symbols displayed on the divided screen 500 are changed. Then, when the fluctuation period elapses, the divided symbol displayed next on the divided screen 504 is changed. Further, when the fluctuation period elapses, the divided symbols displayed on the divided screen 502 are changed, and the process ends after the fluctuation period elapses.
[0050]
By performing such display control, the divided screen 502 displayed at the center of the special symbol display device 122 is displayed large. Therefore, the player can recognize the current gaming state at a glance by looking at the divided screen 502 at a glance. That is, even if the player is nervous about the trend of the game ball B, the player can recognize the current game state.
[0051]
In the above case, the symbol that best represents the current gaming state is configured to be displayed on the split screen 502. However, in order to display the special symbol that fluctuates in steps S124 to S128 shown in FIG. The coordinate data of the divided screen on which the special symbol to be changed in S122 is displayed may be included in the control data and sent to the display control circuit 234 shown in FIG.
For example, in a screen divided into three vertical columns as shown in FIG. 16A, first, the divided screen 510 is enlarged and displayed while changing the design. Then, after the symbols displayed on the divided screen 510 are stopped and fixed, as shown in FIG. 16B, the divided screen 514 is enlarged and displayed while changing the symbols. After that, when the symbols displayed on the divided screen 514 are stopped and fixed, as shown in FIG. 16C, the divided screen 512 is enlarged and displayed while changing the symbols. That is, one of the divided screens is displayed in a large size in order to display a special symbol in a large size. As is clear from FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C, the symbols displayed on the special symbol display device 122 are in units of columns.
In this way, by performing display screen division control, the graphic (divided screen) that best represents the current gaming state in the divided screen is displayed in a large size, so that the player recognizes the current gaming state more. It becomes easy.
[0052]
Similarly, the coordinate data of the divided screen on which the special symbol to be changed in step S122 is displayed in order to display the special symbol changed in steps S124 to S128 shown in FIG. The brightness level data for setting (high brightness or low brightness) may be included in the control data and sent to the display control circuit 234 shown in FIG.
For example, in a screen divided into three vertical columns as shown in FIG. 17A, first, the divided screen 520 is enlarged and displayed while changing the design. Reduce the brightness. Then, after the symbols displayed on the divided screen 520 are stopped and fixed, as shown in FIG. 17B, the divided screen 524 is enlarged and displayed while changing the symbols, and the divided screen 524 is displayed with high brightness. The divided screens 520 and 522 are set to low brightness. After that, when the symbols displayed on the divided screen 524 are stopped and fixed, as shown in FIG. 17C, the divided screen 522 is enlarged and displayed while changing the symbols, and the divided screen 522 is made bright. The divided screens 520 and 524 are set to low luminance.
In this way, by controlling the brightness level, the screen that most closely represents the current gaming state among the divided screens is displayed in a large size and is displayed with high brightness, so that the player can display the current gaming state more It becomes easier to recognize.
[0053]
Further, in order to display only the special symbols changed in steps S124 to S128 shown in FIG. 15, the coordinate data of the divided screen on which the special symbols changed in step S122 are displayed and only a part of the divided screens are displayed. The display availability data to be displayed may be included in the control data and sent to the display control circuit 234 shown in FIG.
For example, in a screen divided into three vertical columns as shown in FIG. 18A, first, the divided screen 530 is enlarged and displayed while changing the design, the divided screen 530 is displayed, and the divided screens 532 and 534 are displayed. Do not show. Then, after the symbols displayed on the divided screen 530 are stopped and fixed, as shown in FIG. 18B, the divided screen 534 is enlarged and displayed while changing the symbols, and the divided screen 534 is displayed. The split screens 530 and 532 are not displayed. Thereafter, when the symbols displayed on the divided screen 534 are stopped and fixed, as shown in FIG. 18C, the divided screen 532 is enlarged and displayed while changing the symbols, and the divided screen 532 is displayed. The split screens 530 and 534 are not displayed.
In this way, by controlling to display only a part of the screen, only the screen that best represents the current gaming state among the divided screens is displayed, so that the player can more easily recognize the current gaming state. .
[0054]
In the control for displaying only a part of the above screen, in the reach state in which the special symbol displayed on the split screen 530 or the split screen 534 may be a “big hit”, only the special symbol in this reach state is displayed. According to the display control for displaying “”, it becomes easier to recognize the current gaming state. Here, when the special symbol becomes “777” as “big hit”, the “reach” state is set when the symbol displayed on the divided screen after the change is “7”.
[0055]
Although one embodiment of the ball game machine has been described above, the structure, shape, size, material, number, arrangement, operating conditions, etc. of other parts in this ball game machine are also limited to this embodiment. It is not something.
For example, the special symbol display device 122 is configured to display the special symbol by dividing it in a non-uniform manner in a column, but may be configured to display the special symbol by dividing it in a non-uniform manner. Similarly, a special symbol may be displayed by dividing a column and a row at the same time non-uniformly. In this case, the number of screens to be divided is not limited to three in either the column or the row, and the same applies to the case of dividing by two or more.
In such a configuration, if the special symbol that best represents the current gaming state is displayed on a large screen among the screens of the special symbol display device 122 that is divided unevenly, the special symbol is displayed in a large size. The player can easily recognize the current gaming state at a glance.
[0056]
In addition, in the embodiment, it is configured to display one divided screen in a large size, but even if the player displays a divided screen that displays a special symbol that is highly necessary to be recognized by the player, that is, a highly important special symbol, The current gaming state can be recognized at a glance according to the importance.
[0057]
In the symbol data transfer process (step S114 shown in FIG. 14 and step S126 shown in FIG. 15), the symbol data stored in the RAM 224 is transferred to the display control circuit 234 as it is. When the compressed symbol data is read out and displayed on the special symbol display device 122 after being compressed in a predetermined format and stored in the RAM 224, the compressed symbol data is expanded (restored) and displayed. It may be configured to forward to H.234.
In this configuration, by compressing the symbol data and storing it in the RAM 224, the capacity required to store the symbol data can be greatly reduced. For this reason, the required RAM 224 can be reduced, and as a result, the cost of the ball game machine 100 can be kept low.
[0058]
Here, as a method for compressing the symbol data, an MR (modified READ) method or an MMR (modified modified READ) method is desirable. In these methods, the first row is encoded by the MH method (modified Huffman: a method in which a continuous length of black or white generated one-dimensionally in the row direction is encoded shorter as the frequency of occurrence increases). Subsequently, the second and subsequent lines are encoded by the difference, the number of differential encoding lines (k) is limited, and encoding is performed by the MH method for each k-th line. Therefore, efficient compression can be expected (about 1/10 to 1/15 when k = 2, 4). Therefore, the storage capacity of the memory can be greatly reduced.
Similarly, encoding methods such as a run-length encoding method, an LZ (Lempel-Ziv) encoding method, an arithmetic encoding method, an LZSS encoding method, and an LZW (Lempel-Ziv-Welch) encoding method The symbol data may be compressed by According to these encoding methods, a compression rate comparable to that of the MR method or the MMR method can be obtained.
In addition, the symbol data may be compressed by another compression (encoding) method suitable for compressing symbol data (image data). For example, there are a Huffman method (a method for giving a short bit string to a pattern having a high appearance frequency), a continuous code compression method (a method for converting a continuous code to a short length), and the like.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the symbol that best represents the current gaming state is displayed while being switched in units of columns , the player can clearly recognize the current gaming state.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a ball and ball machine of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an external appearance of a ball game machine.
FIG. 3 is a back view showing the external appearance of the ball game machine.
FIG. 4 is a wiring system diagram of a ball game machine.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit.
FIG. 6 is a first flowchart showing a processing procedure for carrying out the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a second flowchart showing a processing procedure for carrying out the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a third flowchart showing a processing procedure for carrying out the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a fourth flowchart showing a processing procedure for carrying out the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a fifth flowchart showing a processing procedure for carrying out the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device.
FIG. 12 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device.
FIG. 13 is a first flowchart showing a processing procedure for screen display processing;
FIG. 14 is a second flowchart showing a processing procedure for screen display processing;
FIG. 15 is a third flowchart showing a processing procedure for screen display processing;
FIG. 16 is a third diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device.
FIG. 17 is a fourth diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device.
FIG. 18 is a fifth diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 data control means 20 display control means 30 display device 40 symbol storage means

Claims (1)

In a ball game machine equipped with a display device that can display by changing the design in multiple rows,
A symbol for storing a symbol to be displayed on the screen of the display device as means for making the symbol size non-uniform on the display device in units of columns and displaying the symbol that best represents the current gaming state by switching in units of columns. Storage means, data control means for reading out the design from the design storage means and outputting it as design data, and outputting control data for display on the screen of the display device, and the data output from the data control means Display data is converted into a video signal in accordance with the design data and the control data and output to the display device, and the display control means displays the design.
The symbol storage means includes a divided symbol storage means for storing a divided symbol displayed corresponding to each divided screen obtained by dividing the screen of the display device into a plurality of columns,
The data control means includes a control data setting means for setting the display area of the divided symbols to be larger each time the divided screen in each column stops in the order of stop of the divided screen divided into the plurality of columns, and a display. The display control of the symbol data setting means for setting the transfer source of the divided symbols in the divided symbol storage means to be performed, the control data set by the control data setting means and the symbol data set by the symbol data setting means Transfer means for transferring to the means, and variable display execution for displaying while changing the divided symbols by repeatedly executing the setting of the transfer source by the symbol data setting means and the data transfer by the transferring means until a predetermined period elapses A divided symbol data control means comprising:
The display control means outputs a video signal related to the divided symbols according to the symbol data and control data output from the divided symbol data control means, based on a variation display command signal for variably displaying the divided symbols. A bullet ball game machine, wherein a divided symbol is variably displayed on the display device.

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