JP4143009B2 - Game machine, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a so-called pachinko gaming machine that provides a game using a game ball as a medium. Further, the present invention relates to the control technology.

  As this type of gaming machine, for example, gaming machines that are classified as “first type” in the internal rules of customs law (rules concerning customs business and laws concerning optimization of business) are known.

  This gaming machine has a display device for displaying symbols and the like at the center of the game board, and various symbols, such as numbers “1” to “7”, symbols, etc. are displayed on the effective line of the display device. The player is notified of the current gaming state by displaying the effects of the game.

  In addition, a control device is incorporated inside the gaming machine, and the control device regards the start winning as a result of the game ball entering the start chucker (start winning device) provided on the game board, and the start winning is established. As a result, the jackpot lottery control corresponding to the determination of whether or not the special game state is won is executed.

  In addition, with the execution of this jackpot lottery control, the contents to be notified on the previous variable display device, that is, “Atari” and “Lose” are determined, and then the effect pattern is determined to determine the effect pattern related to this notification. Random number lottery is executed. Then, according to the effect pattern determined by this random number lottery, various symbols are displayed in a variable manner together with the background image on the active line. For example, when each symbol is stopped by a combination having a certain regularity such as “7-7-7” Is set to “Atari”, and thereafter, the control state of the gaming machine is switched to the control state for the special game state.

  In addition, the special game state here corresponds to a game state such as a so-called “bonanza” and “bonus with probability variation”, and the player receives a big prize on the game board under the continuation of this special game state. Along with the execution of the opening / closing control of the device (attacker), it is possible to enjoy the game advantageously compared to the normal time.

  Also, the opening / closing control of the above-mentioned winning device is to open and close the open / close door of the winning device, which is normally closed, to allow the game ball to enter (win) the winning device. Control. In addition, under the special gaming state, the unit operation period of this open / close door is set as one round, and rounds are usually digested with 15 to 16 rounds as the upper limit. And it is the structure in which opening and closing control occurs sequentially with digestion of this round.

  More specifically, the opening / closing control of the door is started upon the start of the first round, and after the opening / closing control is started, the number of game balls that have reached a predetermined time or entered the grand prize device (winning) The first round ends with the establishment of a condition such that the number reaches the upper limit value, and the opening / closing control is also terminated upon completion of this round.

In addition, a V zone (continuous winning area) is provided inside the open / close door. During the first round, a game ball enters the V zone, and after the end of the first round, The following second round is started. Then, with the start of the second round, opening / closing control of the opening / closing door is started again. In the same manner, the subsequent rounds are developed into the third and fourth rounds on condition that a prize is won in the V zone.
As described above, when the special gaming state is continued, the round is sequentially digested with the unit operation period of the opening / closing door as one round and the predetermined number of times as an upper limit.

  In addition, as a supplement, when there is no winning in the V zone during the round, the special game state is ended after the end of the round without waiting for all the rounds to be consumed. In other words, when the round cannot be continued in a situation where the round can be continued, the special gaming state is ended at the end of the current round, and the normal gaming state in which it is difficult to obtain a prize ball compared to the special gaming state. The control state of the gaming machine is restored.

  In this way, the player recognizes that a special gaming state has been reached when symbols having a certain regularity are arranged on the active line. Also, at the time of transition to the special game state, opening / closing control of the big winning device is performed by digestion of the round, and by this opening / closing control of the big winning device, the player can enjoy the game more advantageously than usual.

  By the way, as described above, the conventional gaming machine returns to the normal gaming state upon completion of the special gaming state. For example, when winning with a jackpot with a probability variation, the probability of reaching a jackpot after this winning is increased. Therefore, after this special gaming state is completed, there is a case where the so-called “continuous change” in which the special gaming state is won again is developed.

  However, with the existing control technology, a new jackpot lottery control is started after the end of the preceding special gaming state, and the winning in the jackpot lottery control shifts to the following special gaming state. If you try to be a poor player, you simply recognize that a new special gaming state has occurred accidentally, and digest the subsequent special gaming state.

  In addition, when winning with a jackpot with a probability variation, in order to make the player recognize the variation in the probability, a symbol that does not normally appear is displayed on the variable display device. For this reason, players who are rich in experience and knowledge can predict future development by referring to this symbol, and sometimes feel lazy in the transition period until the big hit lottery control started after the end of the special gaming state Sometimes.

  Further, in the case of developing into a continuous chain as described above, a special gaming state is repeatedly provided to the player, so that a gaming machine with many opportunities to develop into this continuous chain tends to be preferred by the player. However, if the frequency of development into the continuous channel is increased more than necessary, it is difficult to appropriately adjust the payout, and the payout is biased. In other words, while increasing the frequency of reaching the continuous chain, the customer attraction rate increases, but various problems occur in design such as payout adjustment.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such technical background, so that even a player who lacks experience or knowledge can more clearly grasp the control changes related to the special gaming state, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of continuing a game without causing a lazy feeling during a transition period to a new special gaming state. It is another object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can continuously provide more rounds to the player while optimizing dividends.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, the gaming machine of the present invention, opening and closing the opening and closing control by receiving the shift to the special game state advantageous gaming state as compared to the normal time provided on the game board that region game balls falling is formed is made A prize-winning device with a door,
Under this special gaming state, the open / close control means for sequentially executing the open / close control by setting the unit operation period of the open / close door as one round and digesting this round up to a predetermined number of times,
A lottery control means for executing a pending lottery process for digesting the start winning right under the continuation of the special game state, and determining a jackpot for the start winning right stored before the start of the process;
On the condition that the jackpot is won, the number of new rounds based on the jackpot is added to the specified number of rounds that can be digested in the special gaming state that is currently ongoing, and after the end of the prescribed round of the previous special gaming state, Addition processing means for continuously executing the new round;
It is provided with.

The gaming machine of the present invention having this configuration is provided with opening / closing control means for sequentially processing opening / closing control of the opening / closing door as the round is digested. In addition, there is provided an addition processing means for adding the number of new rounds to the number of rounds that can be digested while continuing the special gaming state.
Further, the addition processing means adds the number of new rounds on condition that the lottery control executed before the end of the special gaming state is won.

For this reason, as the number of new rounds is increased , more rounds are provided to the player in the special gaming state, so even inexperienced players may have more rounds than the normal time. By digesting many special game states, it becomes possible to recognize more clearly that there has been some control change related to the special game state. In addition, in this configuration, in order to prefetch the result of the lottery control that is originally executed after the end of the special gaming state and reflect the lottery result in the addition process of the new round number , Thus, it is possible to provide the player with a game in which the number of new rounds is consumed without executing the lottery control. That is, an experienced player can enjoy a new round without feeling bothered by the lottery control that has been executed after the end of the special gaming state.

In addition, in this configuration, the lottery control result that is originally executed after the end of the special gaming state is prefetched and reflected in the addition process of the new round number . Therefore, when the new round number is added, A round is borrowed, and the actual number of rounds does not change. For this reason, it is not necessary to adjust the payout accompanying the provision of a new round, and various advantages can be obtained in design.

  In the present invention, “round digestion” corresponds to a control operation for processing a flag to cause the opening / closing control means to execute the opening / closing control. In addition, the above-mentioned “can be digested up to a predetermined number of times” does not require a predetermined number of digestions, but at least a part of the digestion is sufficient. In addition, the opening / closing in the opening / closing control may be an opening / closing operation in which each opening / closing operation is performed only once in the unit operation period, in addition to the opening / closing operation repeated a plurality of times in the unit operation period.

  Moreover, the structure provided with the addition number setting means which performs the lottery control which sets the number of the said rounds which should be added may be sufficient.

  According to this configuration, the number of rounds to be added is set by the lottery control executed by the addition number setting means, and the addition processing means executes the new round addition processing up to the set round number (addition number). To do. For this reason, by setting the probability of the lottery control (lottery probability) executed by the addition number setting means to an appropriate value, the number of rounds to be added should have a certain range, and should be added in the long term. It becomes possible to converge and maintain the number of rounds to an appropriate value. That is, adjustment related to the payout such as increase / decrease adjustment of the addition number can be performed by a simple operation such as setting change of the lottery probability. Further, when paying attention to the gameability, since the number of rounds to be added is left to the result of the lottery control, it is possible to provide a variety of rounds when providing a round to the player.

  The lottery effect control means for executing the lottery effect control for notifying the player of the result of the lottery control for determining the presence or absence of the addition in a recognizable manner while the special game state continues. Good.

According to this configuration, a lottery effect for notifying the player of whether or not to add a new number of rounds is executed under the continued special gaming state. For this reason, even if the player is in the special gaming state, the player can more clearly grasp the presence / absence of addition of the new round number by executing the lottery effect by the lottery effect control means. In the notification, the notification mode is not particularly limited as long as it can be recognized by the player, such as a notification using an image and a notification using sound or light.

  Further, it may be configured to include addition effect control means for executing addition effect control for receiving the execution of the addition processing by the addition processing means and recognizing the fact to the player.

  According to this configuration, since the addition effect control for notifying the player that the addition process has been executed is executed, the player indicates that the new round has been added by the execution of the addition effect control. It becomes possible to grasp more clearly. In the notification, as long as it is recognizable to the player as described above, the mode of the notification is not particularly limited.

In addition, a continuous effect control means for executing continuous effect control for notifying the player of whether or not the special gaming state is continued is provided, and the continuous effect control means is an open / close control associated with the digestion of the number of new rounds. In response to the start, the image data may be changed to image data different from the image data used for the previous production, and the subsequent continuous production control may be continued.

According to this configuration, in response to the start of the opening / closing control accompanying the digestion of the added number of new rounds, the continuous effect control with contents different from the previous continuous effect control is started. For this reason, the player can more reliably grasp the control change related to the special game state by resuming the continuous effect control. Here, the continuation effect control is a control that allows the player to recognize the progress status of the round digested under the continuation of the special game state, for example, by displaying various image data, etc. The player is informed of whether or not the special gaming state is continued, that is, whether or not the round is continued.

In addition, the present invention provides a winning device having an open / close door that is controlled to open and close in response to a transition to a special gaming state that is an advantageous gaming state as compared to a normal game, and the opening / closing operation under the special gaming state. A program for a gaming machine having a control means for executing control,
An opening / closing control function for sequentially executing the opening / closing control by using a unit operation period of the opening / closing door as one round and digesting this round up to a predetermined number of times,
A lottery control function for executing a pending lottery process for digesting the start winning right under the continuation of the special game state, and determining a jackpot for the start winning right stored before the start of the process;
On the condition that the jackpot is won, the number of new rounds based on the jackpot is added to the specified number of rounds that can be digested in the special gaming state that is currently ongoing, and after the end of the prescribed round of the previous special gaming state, An addition processing function for continuously executing the new round;
Is also a program for causing the control device to realize the above.

According to the program of this configuration, the lottery control on whether or not to add a new number of rounds is executed before the end of the special game state, and the game can be digested under the special game state on condition that the lottery control is won. The logic for adding the number of new rounds to the correct round is established in the control device by the introduction of this program to the control device.

In addition, the present invention provides a winning device having an open / close door that is controlled to open and close in response to a transition to a special gaming state that is an advantageous gaming state as compared to a normal game, and the opening / closing operation under the special gaming state. A recording medium having a control means for executing control and recording a program for a gaming machine,
An opening / closing control function for sequentially executing the opening / closing control by using a unit operation period of the opening / closing door as one round and digesting this round up to a predetermined number of times,
A lottery control function for executing a pending lottery process for digesting the start winning right under the continuation of the special game state, and determining a jackpot for the start winning right stored before the start of the process;
On the condition that the jackpot is won, the number of new rounds based on the jackpot is added to the specified number of rounds that can be digested in the special gaming state that is currently ongoing, and after the end of the prescribed round of the previous special gaming state, An addition processing function for continuously executing the new round;
It is also a control device-readable recording medium that records a program for causing the control device to realize the above.

  Here, as the recording medium, a tangible object that can distribute the program is sufficient. Preferably, a recording medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HD (Hard Disk), an MO (Magnet Optical), or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) is desirable. Further, the program of the present invention recorded on the recording medium can be distributed alone, for example, distributed via a communication medium such as the Internet.

  The present invention also corresponds to a control method for a control device realized by executing the program. Further, various contents described in the means for solving the above problems can be combined as much as possible without departing from the problems and technical ideas of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to more clearly grasp the control change related to the special game state, and further, it is possible to continue the game without making the transition period to the new special game state feel lazy. A gaming machine can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of continuously providing more rounds to the player while optimizing the dividend.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine that is classified as “first type” in the internal rules of the Act on the Optimization of Business Administration (the Rules on Customs Business etc. and the Act on Business Optimization) will be described as an example.

  The gaming machine 1 shown in the present embodiment has an outer frame 3 fixed to a so-called “island” of a game store where the gaming machine 1 is installed as shown in FIG. 1, and one side held by the outer frame 3. A front frame 4 provided to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 3 and a window frame 5 provided to be openable and closable at the upper front of the front frame 4 are provided. The main components of the gaming machine 1 are attached to the front frame 4 in a collective manner.

  As main components provided in the table frame 4, a game board 6 having a game area formed on the board surface, a game ball (game medium) to be supplied to the game machine 1, and a prize ball paid out from the game machine 1 are temporarily stored. Receptacle 2, launch drive device 7 for launching the game ball onto the top of the game board 6, operation handle 8 for operating the launch drive device 7, and paying out a predetermined number of prize balls into the saucer 2 as required. Examples include a game ball payout device 53, a main control device 50 that processes main control relating to games, a sub-control device 60 that controls various devices based on commands output from the main control device 50, and the like.

  The window frame 5 provided on the front frame 4 includes a see-through window 9 through which a player can look into the previous game board 6 in the frame. Further, glass is fitted into the see-through window 9, and a decoration LED 10, a decoration lamp 11, and a speaker (sound generator) 12 are provided on the outer periphery of the see-through window 9.

The tray 2 provided on the front frame 4 is attached below the window frame 5. Further, a spiral slope is formed inside the tray 2, and a game ball borrowing port 2 a leading to the CR unit 70 is provided at the most upstream part. Further, a prize ball payout exit 2b for prize ball payout is provided downstream thereof. A storage ball alignment path 2c that aligns the game balls in the tray 2 in a line and guides them into the game machine 1 is formed in the most downstream portion. A game ball supply port 2d communicating with the launch drive device 7 is provided at the end of the storage ball alignment path 2c. Further, on the front surface of the tray 2, ball removal buttons 2 e and 2 f for discharging the game balls in the tray 2 to the outside of the tray 2 are provided.

  An ashtray 20 is provided at the lower left of the tray 2. An operation handle 8 is provided at the lower right of the tray 2. The operation handle 8 incorporates a main switch for operating the firing drive device 7 provided on the back surface of the front frame 4 and a touch antenna for detecting the presence or absence of the operation. The batting force of the game ball can be adjusted by the opening operation for the operation handle 8.

  The outputs of the main switch and the touch antenna are input to a launch control device 52 provided on the back of the gaming machine, and the launch drive device 7 launches a game ball onto the game board 6 under the control of the launch control device 52. ing. Further, the launch drive device 7 incorporates a launcher for launching the game ball, an electric motor (both not shown) for continuously swinging the launcher, and the like. The hitting force of the game ball is adjusted by reflecting the output on the amount of movement of the launcher.

  In addition, regarding the launch of the game ball, in the present embodiment, a firing stop button 21 is provided on the left side of the tray 2. The launch stop button 21 is an external operation device for temporarily stopping the launch operation of the game ball with the operation handle fixed, based on the player's judgment. The player operates the launch stop button 21 ( By pressing the button, it is possible to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball at an arbitrary timing while maintaining the opening degree of the operation handle 8.

  A game ball payout device 53 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the back side of the front frame 4, and stores a game ball as a prize ball, a prize ball counting device for counting game balls to be paid out as a prize ball, and the gaming machine 1. And a prize ball alignment rail for sending the game balls in the game ball tank provided to the prize ball counting device to the prize ball counting device (both not shown). Then, the required number of game balls required at that time are counted by a prize ball counting device and paid out as prize balls in the previous tray 2.

The game ball payout device 53 is connected to the payout control device 51.
The payout control device 51 controls the award ball payout operation by the game ball payout device 53 based on the control command output from the main control device 50. In addition to the game ball payout device 53, the payout control device 51 is connected with a ball lending signal control device 71. The payout control device 51 operates the CR unit 70 via the ball lending signal control device 71. The required number of game balls are supplied into the tray 2.

  The game board 6 is made of a substantially square plywood as shown in FIG. 2, and is stored and fixed in a game board storage frame (not shown) formed on the back surface of the front frame 4. Further, a guide rail 13a and a game ball regulation rail 13b are provided on the front surface of the game board 6, and a game area is constituted by an area surrounded by the guide rail 13a and the game ball regulation rail 13b.

  In the game area, an obstacle 14 such as a game nail or a windmill, various winning devices 25, 26, 27, and 28 in which a winning opening through which a game ball can enter and a game ball that has not won a prize are played. An out port 15 for discharging to the outside of the area and a variable display device 17 for displaying various designs based on effects are provided.

Further, on the upper portion of the variable display device 17, a normal symbol display device (LED display device) 18 for notifying the result of the determination of success / failure related to the opening control of the start chuck 26, which will be described in detail later, by symbols such as “O” and “X”. And a pass hold number display lamp 16 for displaying the hold number of rights related to the execution of the determination, a specific hold number display lamp 19 for displaying the start winning hold number, and the like. In addition, on both sides of the variable display device 17, there are provided through-chuckers 49 that trigger the random number lottery executed in the open / close control determination.

  The obstacles 14 such as game nails and windmills have a function of changing the direction of the fall of the game balls launched on the game board 6 to make the processing of the game balls interesting, and various winning devices 25, 26, 27, 28 and the function of guiding the game ball in the vicinity of the through chucker 49.

  In addition, as a winning device, a general winning device 25 that leads to payout of a predetermined number of winning balls (game balls) by entering a game ball and a jackpot lottery control, which will be described in detail later, or a variable display of symbols A start chucker (starting winning device) 26 serving as a trigger for starting, a big winning device 27 having an opening / closing door 27c that is opened at the time of transition to a special gaming state, and a trigger for opening the start chucker 26 for a certain period of time; An opening winning device 28 can be exemplified.

  Each winning device has a built-in sensor (not shown) for detecting the passage of the game ball, and the output of the sensor is input to the input port of the main controller 50. Further, in the present specification, an operation in which a game ball enters a winning opening provided in these winning devices 25, 26, 27, 28 is referred to as winning. In particular, when a game ball enters the start chucker 26, this winning may be referred to as a “start winning”.

  The start chuck 26 is disposed below the variable display device 17 provided in the center of the game board 6. Further, on both sides of the start winning opening 26a formed in the start chucker 26, a movable portion having a function of moving outward from the starting winning opening 26a under the execution of the opening control and further expanding the opening area of the starting winning opening 26a. A piece 26b is provided.

  The movable piece 26b is connected to a solenoid incorporated in the start chuck 26 via a link mechanism, and moves outward or inward of the winning opening 26a depending on whether or not the solenoid is energized. The solenoid is connected to the movable object control device 67, and the control relating to energization is processed by the movable object control device 67 under the control of the main control device 50.

  The normal symbol display device 18 is a display device for displaying a normal symbol for notifying the result of the determination on whether or not the start control of the start chucker 26 is executed. For example, “O”, “X”, etc. Display the symbol. More specifically, “○” is displayed in response to winning / failing determination, and “×” is displayed in response to a loss.

  In addition, this win / no-win determination is referred to as “small hit” by those skilled in the art and players, and the opening control of the start chuck 26 is started on the condition of the win for the small hit. In addition, when the opening control is executed, the movable piece 26b provided in the start chuck 26 moves outward at a predetermined cycle, and the opening of the winning opening 26a is widened compared with the normal time, so that the game ball wins the winning opening 26a. It becomes easy to do. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game advantageously during this time.

  Also, the right to execute the determination is established by passing the game ball to the previous through chucker 49. In other words, when the game ball passes through the through chucker 49, the lottery right for random lottery related to the determination of whether or not the bonus is won is obtained, and the main control device 50 performs the determination of whether or not the bonus is made on the condition that the lottery right is established. Yes. In addition, for example, the lottery right may be suspended with an upper limit of the number of reservations 4, and the number of reservations can be confirmed from the number of lighting of the passage reservation number display lamp 16. In this specification, the term “hold” corresponds to a control operation that temporarily waits for digestion of a flag that is established upon establishment of a right. Moreover, the number of reserved is equivalent to the number of flags that can be digested thereafter.

  The big winning device 27 includes a big winning opening 27a having a wider opening than other winning openings, a V zone (continuous winning area) 27b opened inside the large winning opening 27a, and a normal gaming state. An open / close door 27c is provided for preventing the game ball from entering the large winning opening 27a. In addition, the open / close door 27c is opened / closed under open / close control that is executed while the special game state continues, and a passage leading to the inside of the special winning opening 27a is secured.

  The open / close door 27c is connected to a solenoid (not shown) provided on the back surface of the game board 6 via a link mechanism, similar to the start winning opening 26 described above, to manage the main controller 50. Originally, the opening and closing of the movable object control device 67 is controlled.

  In addition, the open / close control is a control that allows the game ball to enter (win) the big winning opening 27a by opening / closing the normally closed open / close door 27c under the execution of the open / close control. Further, under the special gaming state, the unit operation period of the open / close door 27c is set as one round, and the round is normally digested with 15 to 16 rounds as an upper limit. And it is the structure in which opening and closing control occurs sequentially with digestion of this round.

  Next, the opening winning device 28 will be described. The opening winning device 28 is formed with an opening 28a through which a game ball can enter, and in the present embodiment, a total of two locations are provided on both sides of the large winning device 27. Further, when a game ball is won through the opening 28a, the movable piece 26b provided in the start chucker 26 is opened for a certain period of time, so that the game ball can easily enter the start chucker 26.

  The specific number-of-holds display lamp 19 includes a plurality of lamps, and displays the number of held start prizes according to the number of lighting of the lamps. The lamp lighting control is managed by the lamp control device 62, which is one of the sub-control devices. When there is a start prize worth a hold, the number of lamps to be lit is received in response to the start prize. It is a mechanism to increase one. Further, when the held start winning is exhausted with the execution of various controls, the number of lamps to be lit is controlled to be reduced by one.

  The variable display device 17 is arranged substantially at the center of the game board 6 and displays image data (identification information) having a motif as a pattern based on various effects. More specifically, each image data is displayed on the effective line of the variable display device 17 as if it were a symbol attached to the cylinder, and a character image and a background image are also displayed together with the symbol. The display of the image and the background image provides the player with the fun obtained visually.

  In this specification, these character images and background images are included, and may be simply referred to as “symbols”. Further, the visual effect obtained by changing the display mode of these images is simply referred to as “production”. In addition, the “effective line” is a virtual line defined in the display area of the symbol, and the control system of the gaming machine 1 displays various information on the effective line by displaying various symbols. Notifying and notifying players.

  Further, the outline of the control method of the variable display device 17 will be described. Under the execution of the program required for controlling the variable display device 17, the main control device 50 is triggered by the establishment of the start prize for the player. A jackpot random number lottery control process (hereinafter simply referred to as a jackpot lottery control) is executed to determine whether or not to shift to an advantageous gaming state.

Further, in order to notify the player of the determination result, main controller 50 further executes random number lottery for determining a symbol variation pattern, a temporary stop symbol, and a final stop symbol. In this random number lottery, a random number lottery is executed for a data selection table corresponding to “Atari” or a data selection table corresponding to “losing” based on the lottery result of the previous jackpot lottery control. Then, a control command corresponding to the variation pattern data set to the random number range value including the random number extracted in the random number lottery, the type data of the fixed stop symbol, and the like is generated and transmitted to the symbol control device 61.

  More specifically, the data related to the gaming state such as “Atari” and “Loose” is used as a preceding command, and a subsequent command such as variation pattern data is transmitted to the symbol control device 61 together with the preceding command. The symbol control device 61 analyzes the received control command, reads out the image data of the temporary stop symbol and the fixed stop symbol corresponding to the control command from the ROM 61a of the symbol control device 61, and variably displays them based on various effects. It is displayed on the device 17.

  The “temporary stop symbol” is a symbol displayed on the active line of the variable display device 17 in a display manner as if it is temporarily stopped. The “determined stop symbol” is a symbol that stops on the active line of the variable display device 17.

  The main control device 50 is a device that executes the main control (basic program) related to the game, and the CPU 50a that is the basic processing device, the RAM 50c that temporarily stores data used for processing by the CPU 50a, and various programs that are processed by the CPU 50a. Is stored in the ROM 50b.

An example of a program recorded in the ROM 50b will be described. A random number lottery execution program used for jackpot lottery control and the like, and control commands to be output to the various sub-control devices 60 based on the judgment result of the jackpot lottery control. An output control program to be generated / output can be exemplified.
In this embodiment, in addition to the above program, a round addition program according to the present invention is stored. This round addition program will be described in detail later.

  Further, the main control device 50 is connected to a sub control device 60 such as a symbol control device 61, a lamp control device 62, and a sound control device 63. The main control device 50 is connected to each sub control device 60. A control command including a preceding command and a subsequent command is transmitted.

The lamp control device 62, which is one of the sub-control devices, controls an effect using an electrical accessory based on a control command output from the main control device 50.
More specifically, the control program for the specific hold number display lamp 19 and the passing hold number display lamp 16 and the program for controlling the light emission of the decoration LED 10 provided on the front of the game machine and the electric decoration incorporated in various winning devices are recorded. ROM 62b, a CPU 62a for processing a program recorded in ROM 62b based on a control command output from main controller 50, and a RAM 62c for temporarily storing data used for processing in CPU 62a.

  The voice control device 63 is a device for controlling the speaker 12 provided on the front surface of the gaming machine 1, and the ROM 63b in which a program used for controlling the speaker 12 is recorded, and the program recorded in the ROM 63b is the main control device 50. CPU 63a that processes based on the control command output from the CPU 63, and RAM 63c that temporarily stores data used for processing in the CPU 63a.

  The symbol control device 61 generates image data based on a control command output from the main controller 50 and transmits it to a video display processor (VDP) 65, and various symbols are transmitted via the video display processor 65. A function for displaying on the variable display device 17 is provided.

  More specifically, the main control device 50 analyzes the control command received from the main control device 50 and records an image generation program for generating image data suitable for each time, and the image generation program recorded in the ROM 61b. CPU 61a for processing based on the control command output from the CPU 61, RAM 61c for temporarily storing data used for processing in the CPU 61a, and the like.

  Next, various controls processed by the control system of the gaming machine 1 including the main control device 50 and the sub control device 60 will be described. In the following, the main control (basic program) of the gaming machine 1 that mainly executes the processing in the main controller 50 will be described, and then the round addition program according to the present invention will be described.

[Basic program]
First, as shown in FIG. 4, the main controller 50 starts up a basic program upon power-on, and executes an initial setting process (S100). In this initial setting process, a power-off check process, a RAM area initialization, a normal activation command transmission process to each sub-control device, an error state recovery process, and a system timer interrupt process are executed.

  Among these, the power-off check process distributes whether or not the power is turned on after the power-off occurs, that is, whether the power-on is restored from power-off or is activated from the normal state (operating state). In this embodiment, the items to be checked in the distribution are (1) the RAM clear switch shut-off state, (2) the flag value set when the power-off occurs, and (3) the contents of all RAM areas. Are set as check items.

  If it is determined as a result of the power-off check processing that the power-off recovery has been initiated, initialization of the RAM and transmission of a normal activation command to each sub-control device are executed. The error at the time is released.

Further, the main control device executes a system timer interrupt process after initialization of various data.
This system timer interrupt process is a process for periodically executing the main routine as a machine cycle during operation of the gaming machine with steps 101 to 113 described later as a main routine. The timer is updated based on the reset signal of the built-in clock, and the machine cycle is established based on the value of this timer.

  Subsequently, after the initial setting process, the main controller 50 proceeds to the subsequent step 101 to set a random number range value for random number lottery executed in the jackpot lottery control described in detail later. In addition, a random number update process that continuously updates random numbers within the set random number range value is executed.

  Further, after the random number update process, the main controller 50 performs a start winning ball detection sensor (specific winning ball detection sensor) 47, a special winning ball detection sensor (special winning ball detection sensor) as one process of the input management process (S102). 48) Read the sensor output obtained from the passing ball detection sensor 46 etc. via the input port.

  Here, the starting winning ball detection sensor 47 is a sensor that detects a game ball that has won the start chucker 26. The big winning ball detection sensor 48 is a sensor that detects a game ball won in the big winning device 27. The passing ball detection sensor 46 is a sensor that detects a game ball won in the through chucker 49.

In the winning management process, the input port is checked and the edge of the switch provided in the main controller 50 is detected. In addition to these port and switch checks, the winning information of all winning devices can be individually counted, and the signals obtained by these checks and the winning information of all winning devices can be used in various processes thereafter. Execute data conversion processing to convert data. Here, the winning information corresponds to whether or not a game ball has been detected, the timing of establishment of a winning game ball, and the like.

  Next, the main controller 50 executes an abnormality monitoring process such as a supply ball run-out error or a pan full error (S103), and then executes a normal symbol control process (S104).

  In the normal symbol control process, the success / failure determination related to the success / failure of the small hit is executed. In this determination of success / failure, random number lottery is executed using the winning information acquired by the passing ball detection sensor 46 (for example, winning establishment timing) as a parameter for random number extraction. Further, based on the result of this determination, normal symbols such as “◯” and “x” to be displayed on the normal symbol display device 18 are determined.

Next, main controller 50 executes a special symbol control process (S105).
In the special symbol control process, the jackpot lottery control is executed based on information obtained by the establishment of the start winning prize (for example, the winning timing), and a preceding command corresponding to the lottery result of the jackpot lottery control is prepared. In addition, designation of a symbol corresponding to a fixed stop symbol to be displayed and variation pattern data used for displaying this symbol are selected by random number lottery, and a subsequent command corresponding to the selected data is prepared.

Next, main controller 50 performs output management processing (S106).
In the output management process, a control command to be transmitted to each sub control device (symbol control device 61, voice control device 63, lamp control device 62, payout control device 51, etc.) is edited and sent to each sub control device at an appropriate timing. In response, the control command is transmitted. In addition, the desired data is also transmitted to the central management device 54 outside (hall, test laboratory, etc.).

  Subsequently, the variable symbol display control process is executed (S107). In this process, the control command generated in the special symbol control process is transmitted to the variable display device 17 and the normal symbol display device 18 to display various symbols on the variable display device 17 and the normal symbol display device 18 as described above.

  Subsequently, the main control device 50 executes a normal symbol electric accessory control process (S108). In the normal symbol electric accessory control process, referring to the result of the small hit / no-go determination obtained in the previous normal symbol control process, the movable piece 26b is opened / closed based on this determination. More specifically, opening control is executed under the condition of winning a small hit, and under this opening control, a voltage is applied to a solenoid provided in the start chuck 26 to open the movable piece 26b.

Next, the main controller 50 executes a special winning area control process (S109).
The big winning area control process refers to the lottery result of the big hit lottery control, and executes the open / close control of the big prize device 27 in response to the winning of the big hit lottery control.

  More specifically, in response to the start of the first round accompanying the transition to the special gaming state, the main controller 50 applies a voltage to the solenoid of the big prize device 27 through the movable object controller 67 at an appropriate timing. Then, the open / close door 27c is operated. In addition, energization of the solenoid when a predetermined time is reached after the operation of the opening / closing door 27c is reached, or when the number of game balls (winning number) entering the big winning opening 27a reaches an upper limit value is satisfied. Is stopped, and the opening / closing control of the opening / closing door 27c is once ended. Further, the end of the opening / closing control is regarded as the end of the first round.

Further, the main control device 50 receives a game ball entering the V zone 27b inside the special winning opening 27a during the first round, and starts the subsequent second round after the end of the first round. . Then, upon the start of the second round, the opening / closing control of the opening / closing door 27c is started again. In the same manner, on the condition that a winning is made in the V zone 27b, the round is further developed into the third round, the fourth round, etc., with a maximum of 15 to 16 rounds as an upper limit.

  In addition, if there is no winning in the V zone 27b during the round, the special game state is terminated after the completion of the round without waiting for all the rounds to be completed. The control state is returned to the control state corresponding to the normal gaming state. In this way, in the special winning area process, the opening / closing control of the opening / closing door 27c is executed up to, for example, 15 to 16 rounds based on the presence / absence of continuation of the round.

Subsequently, main controller 50 performs a payout control process (S110).
In this payout control process, the presence / absence of a winning is determined based on the outputs of various sensors obtained in the input management process in step 102, and at the time of winning, a payout of a winning ball corresponding to the winning is executed via the game ball payout device 53. To do.

Further, a lamp / LED control process (S111) and an audio control process are executed (S112).
In the lamp / LED control process, the player is provided with light effects by flashing the decorative lamp 11 and the decorative LED 10 based on the lottery result of the big hit lottery control. In addition, the number of lighting of the specific hold number display lamp 19 is changed.
Also, in the audio output control, the result of the big hit lottery control is read into the audio control device 63, and a sound effect according to the progress of the game is provided to the player via the audio generation device 12 constituted by a speaker or the like. .

  Then, as the final process of the main routine, main controller 50 determines whether or not the power has been turned off (S113), and once exits from the process routine when the power is turned off. If it is determined that the gaming machine is still in operation, the process returns to step 101 and the main routine from step 101 to step 113 is repeated again.

  Thus, various controls are executed in the control system of the gaming machine 1, and various devices of the gaming machine 1 are controlled by executing these various controls. In addition, a game is provided to the player through these controls.

  By the way, the gaming machine 1 shown in the present embodiment, as one program of the special symbol control process described above, changes the probability of the jackpot lottery control and sets the winning rate to a higher value than normal. It has.

  This probability variation program is activated when winning with a jackpot with probability variation, and the CPU 50a provided in the main controller 50 launches the program for probability variation under the condition of winning with a jackpot with probability variation, Thereafter, the random number range value used for the jackpot lottery control is switched to the random number range value for probability variation to increase the winning probability of the jackpot lottery control. For this reason, when winning with a jackpot with probability variation, after the end of the special gaming state, it may develop into a so-called “continuous chain” that wins the special gaming state again, and the player wins with the jackpot with probability variation. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the game more advantageously than a normal jackpot.

  In addition, when winning with a jackpot with probability variation, a fixed stop symbol or the like is selected for the table corresponding to the jackpot with probability variation in the special symbol control process. For this reason, at the time of probability variation, the symbol corresponding to the jackpot with probability variation (hereinafter referred to as probability variation symbol) stops on the active line of the variable display device 17. For this reason, a player who is rich in experience and knowledge will recognize the winning in the jackpot with probability variation by stopping the probability pattern.

  However, as described in the subject of the present invention, if a player who has little experience or knowledge about the game is considered, a new special game state will be generated accidentally even at the time of winning again due to a change in probability. By recognizing that it was done, this special gaming state is digested. That is, the game tends to end without realizing the fun of the probability variation function.

For this reason, the gaming machine 1 shown in the present embodiment executes a round addition program that prefetches the result of the jackpot lottery control that is originally executed after the end of the special gaming state and reflects the lottery control in the current special gaming state. Makes it possible for the player to clearly understand the existence of the probability variation function.
More specifically, a lottery control for determining whether or not to add a new round to a round that can be digested under the continuation of the special gaming state is executed before the end of the special gaming state. Is executed by the main controller 50.

Hereinafter, this round addition program will be described with reference to FIG.
The round addition program is executed as one process of the basic program described above, and the processing result is reflected in various processes of the basic program at an appropriate timing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in addition to the round addition program, the basic program described above, the control device necessary for the processing of these various programs, and auxiliary devices such as various sensors fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention. The various configurations and various means described are realized.

[Round addition program]
First, after starting this round addition program, the CPU 50a of the main control device 50 executes the pending lottery process (S202) on the condition that the above-described winning area control process starts (S201: YES).

  In the hold lottery process, information related to the start winnings stored (held) before the start of this process is read from the RAM 50c, the start winning right that has been reserved is digested, and the jackpot lottery control is executed.

  More specifically, when the first round is started after the start of the big winning area control process, the CPU 50a executes the big hit lottery control using the start winning timing as a parameter as described above. In addition, in order to notify the player of the result of the jackpot lottery control, the lottery control for determining the fixed stop symbol and its variation pattern is performed, and the control command generated based on the information obtained by the lottery control is displayed. It transmits to the control apparatus 61. And the result of this jackpot lottery control is notified to the player via the variable display device 17.

  Subsequently, the CPU 50a refers to the result of the jackpot lottery control executed in the above-described pending lottery process, on condition that the jackpot or the jackpot with probability variation is won (S203: YES), and subsequent round addition process (S204) , And the round addition effect process (S205). In addition, if the result of the jackpot lottery control is not yet won, the present processing routine is temporarily exited.

  Subsequently, in the round addition process (S204), the number of rounds in the special gaming state provided for the game in response to the winning of the jackpot lottery control is counted, and at least a part of the round is added to the special gaming state currently being continued Add as In addition, in the addition of a new round, in this round addition process, the number of rounds to be added is determined by lottery control, and the new round is added up to the set number of additions.

More specifically, the lottery control is executed for the random number range value to which the number of rounds of 1 to 15 is assigned, and the round number corresponding to the random number value acquired by the lottery control is set as the round number to be added. Yes. In addition, the lottery method illustrated here is an example to the last, and the setting method can be variously changed.

Subsequently, the CPU 50a receives the addition of the number of new rounds, and proceeds to a round addition effect process to notify the player of the addition of the number of new rounds (S205). In this round addition effect process, for example, a control command for causing the variable display device 17 to display a message that tells the addition of the number of rounds is generated, and this control command is transmitted to the symbol control device 61 to change the effect of round addition. It is displayed via the display device 17.

Then, CPU 50a, subject to digestion of digestible defined number of rounds (usually 15-16 rounds) during the non-addition of the round number (S206: YES), starts the big winning area control of digesting new round (S207).

In addition, the CPU 50a receives the start of the big winning area control process after digesting the new round, and executes the effect changing process for changing the control mode of the continuous effect control performed under the continuation of the previous big winning area control. (S208).
In this effect change process, image data different from the image data provided for the effect under the previous winning area control process is read from the ROM 61b of the symbol control device 61, and the read image data is used for continuous effect control. Allocating to the variation pattern data, the subsequent continuous production control is continued.

  Under the execution of the continuous effect control, as the continuous effect, the character image and the background image that notify the player of the progress of the round in a recognizable manner are displayed on the variable display device 17 together with various effects. When the change process is executed, a visually recognizable change occurs, for example, the character image is changed to another character image.

Subsequently, the CPU 50a receives the start of the big prize area control process accompanying the digestion of the new round, executes the holding lottery process again (S209), and when the big hit lottery control is won again in this process. (S210) In the same manner as described above, the processing described in step 204 to step 208 is executed again.
In addition, when the winning is not achieved by this re-winning lottery control (S210: NO), the process routine is exited.

As described above, the gaming machine 1 shown in the present embodiment adds the new round number to the prescribed round number that can be digested in the special game state under the special game state (big prize area control process). A round addition process is being executed. In addition, in the addition of the number of rounds, it digests the reserved start winning right, executes the jackpot lottery control before the end of the special gaming state, and on the condition that the winning in the jackpot lottery control, A new round number addition process is being executed.

In other words, when adding a new number of rounds, more rounds can be provided to the player under the special gaming state currently offered to the game. As a result of digesting the special gaming state having a larger number of rounds, it is possible to more clearly recognize that there has been some control change related to the special gaming state.

  In addition, by introducing this round addition program, the result of the jackpot lottery control originally processed after the end of the special gaming state is grasped prior to the end of the special gaming state, so the jackpot lottery control is performed after the end of the special gaming state. There is no need to execute the game, and an experienced player can enjoy a new round without feeling bothered by the execution of the jackpot lottery control.

In addition, since new rounds are replenished in the form of borrowing a round in a special gaming state later, there is substantially no change in the number of rounds provided to the player, and dividend adjustment accompanying the provision of new rounds is also substantial. It is unnecessary.
As described above, the present round addition program provides an advantage that the dividend can be managed to an appropriate value while providing more rounds to the player.

The above-described embodiment is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and details thereof can be variously changed according to various specifications.
In addition, some examples of the modification are exemplified. In the round addition effect process (S205), a message for simply notifying the player of addition of a round is displayed on the variable display device 17, but for example, the number of round additions It is also possible to output the number of rounds added by changing the contents of the presentation so that the player can recognize each time.

Note, by way of example, in accordance with the addition number of rounds, changing the color of the message each time its, and the display area of the message can be illustrated control mode such as to change.

In the above-described embodiment, fine adjustment of the dividend accompanying the addition of the number of rounds is not particularly mentioned, but a dividend adjustment program that adjusts the dividend by using the number of rounds as a parameter or the like as a payout control process in the basic program. It is also possible to consider a configuration such as incorporating in

As an example of the payout adjustment program, each time a new number of rounds is added, the number of prize balls that are paid out by reducing the number of rounds is reduced, and a desired prize ball acquisition rate can be obtained in a short time. It is possible to consider a program structure that keeps the price low.

In addition, the restriction on the upper limit of start prizes that can be held is released for a certain period prior to the start of this round addition program, or the upper limit setting function such as setting the upper limit to a higher value than usual is added to the round addition program. It is also possible to consider a configuration such as incorporating in
In this configuration, prior to the start of the round addition program, it is possible to secure a higher upper limit of the number of starting winnings than in the normal case, for example, “4”. The number of jackpot lottery controls to be performed is increased, and the frequency of adding the number of new rounds can be increased.

In the present embodiment, the number of new rounds is added in the form of borrowing a round of a later special gaming state, but this is not necessarily required, and a new round is provided separately from the round provided in the later special gaming state. May be prepared separately and added.

The perspective view which looked at the game machine shown to this Embodiment from diagonally upward. The enlarged view of the game board provided in the gaming machine shown in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the gaming machine shown in this embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the basic program processed in the control system of the gaming machine shown in this embodiment. The flowchart explaining the round addition program shown in this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Receptacle 2a Game ball borrowing port 2b Prize ball discharge port 2c Reserving ball alignment path 2d Game ball supply port 2e, 2f Ball release button 3 Outer frame 4 Table frame 5 Window frame 6 Game board 7 Launch drive device 8 Operation handle 9 Transparent window 10 Decorative LED
11 Decorative Lamp 12 Speaker (Sound Generator)
13a Guide rail 13b Game ball regulation rail 14 Obstacle 15 Out port 16 Passed hold number display lamp 17 Variable display device 18 Normal symbol display device 19 Specific hold number display lamp 20 Ashtray 21 Launch stop button 25 General winning device 26 Start chucker 26a Winner Mouth 26b Movable piece 27 Large winning device 27a Large winning port 27b V zone 27c Open / close door 28 Opening winning device 28a Open port 46 Passing ball detection sensor 47 Starting winning ball detection sensor 48 Large winning ball detection sensor 49 Through chucker 50 Main control device 51 Discharge Control Device 52 Launch Control Device 53 Game Ball Discharge Device 54 Central Management Device 60 Sub Control Device 61 Design Control Device 62 Lamp Control Device 63 Voice Control Device 65 Video Display Processor 67 Movable Object Control Device 70 CR Unit 71 Ball rental signal control device

Claims (5)

A prize-winning device provided with an opening / closing door that is provided on a gaming board in which an area where a game ball falls is formed and is controlled to open and close in response to a transition to a special gaming state that is an advantageous gaming state compared to a normal time;
Under this special gaming state, the open / close control means for sequentially executing the open / close control by setting the unit operation period of the open / close door as one round and digesting this round up to a predetermined number of times,
Whether the special game state has been won with the start-up prize being held on the basis of the start of the opening / closing control that is started in response to the transition to the special game state under the continuation of the special game state by executing the pending lottery process to digest whether rights starting winning the triggered the jackpot lottery falls determination, is pending before the start of the hold lottery process a right start winning being the pending a lottery control means for performing the jackpot lottery the rights of the starting winning was,
On the condition that the jackpot is won, the number of new rounds based on the jackpot is added to the specified number of rounds that can be digested in the special gaming state that is currently ongoing, and after the end of the prescribed round of the previous special gaming state, Addition processing means for continuously executing the new round;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:   The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising addition number setting means for executing a lottery control for setting the number of new rounds to be added.   The lottery effect control means for executing the lottery effect control for notifying the player of the result of the lottery control for determining whether or not to add is recognizable to the player under the continuation of the special game state. The gaming machine according to 1 or 2.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising addition effect control means for executing addition effect control for receiving the execution of the addition processing by the addition processing means and recognizing the fact to the player. 5. The gaming machine described. A continuous effect control means for executing continuous effect control for notifying the player of the presence or absence of the special game state in a recognizable manner, and the continuous effect control means starts the opening / closing control accompanying the digestion of the number of new rounds The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game data is changed to image data different from the image data used for the previous performance, and the subsequent continuous performance control is continued.

Images