JP4197232B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball game machine, and a revolving game machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine that does not interfere with the original game control even if the variation of the production operation is increased. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a detection gate that detects the passage of the game ball, a normal symbol display that starts the fluctuation of the normal symbol in response to the detection operation of the detection gate, and the display result of the normal symbol display The special symbol start port that is released for a predetermined time when the winning symbols are displayed together, the special symbol display unit that starts changing the special symbol when a game ball wins the special symbol start port, and the special symbol display unit When the display result stops at the jackpot symbol, the jackpot game is configured with a big prize opening and the like whose opening / closing plate is driven to open and close.
[0003]
Here, whether or not to arrange the jackpot symbol in the special symbol display part is determined in advance by a lottery lottery, and if this jackpot lottery is won, further symbol lottery processing is performed and which special symbol is stopped Decide what to do. Regardless of the success or failure of the big hit lottery, the special symbol display unit starts the changing operation in response to the winning of the game ball at the special symbol start port.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, after starting normal fluctuation of three special symbols (FIG. 9 (1)), when the right and left special symbols are aligned (FIG. 9 (3)), reach fluctuation is performed. Is supposed to start. In addition, after reach fluctuation is temporarily stopped (FIG. 8 (6)), only the central symbol may change again (FIG. 9 (7)). Then, when three symbols are prepared, an operation called re-drawing variation is started (FIG. 9 (8)), and a symbol effect is finally executed in which special symbols are aligned and stopped. Sometimes (Fig. 9 (11)). In addition, in accordance with such a design effect, the lamps flash and various sound effects are also executed.
[0005]
Such a fluctuating motion is a series of production operations until the already determined lottery result is notified, but for the player, it is determined whether or not a big hit game in which the big winning opening is repeatedly opened is won. It will be the most tense time waiting while pounding. Therefore, the suitability of the production of the variation operation and the richness of variations are important factors that determine the value of the gaming machine.
[0006]
However, in order to increase the variation of the variation operation and realize a complicated performance, the program processing time for that is consumed, and therefore it is not possible to simply increase the performance variation. That is, if the production variation is simply increased, there is a risk of hindering the original operation of the gaming machine that must finish each process within a limited time.
[0007]
In addition, pachinko machines and other gaming machines need to be examined by a public institution as a healthy popular entertainment device, but it is not appropriate that a complicated inspection process is newly required to pass the conformity test. . In other words, it is not appropriate that the compatibility test becomes complicated as a result of enriching the variation of the presentation operation, and a gaming machine that can be inspected by the same method as the conventional one is strongly desired.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it does not interfere with the original control operation of the gaming machine and does not complicate the compatibility test. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can increase variations in operation.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to claim 1 is advantageous to a player in relation to a gaming operation.JackpotA lottery process for determining whether or not to generate a state, and a main control unit for controlling a game operation based on the lottery result, and receiving a command signal from the main control unitFirst production operationA first sub-control unit for executing the command and receiving a command signal from the first sub-control unitSecond production operationAnd a second sub-control unit for executingThe first effect operation or the second effect operation is a symbol effect that is executed by a display device that variably displays the specific symbol related to the jackpot state, from the main control unit In response to a predetermined command signal received directly or by transfer, in the display device, a first means for starting a temporary operation of a symbol effect that does not specify the effect content;,Then, a second means for specifying the production content by the distribution process executed in response to the predetermined command signal, and starting the main operation of the design production whose production content is specified following the provisional operation, Provided.
[0012]
According to each of the above inventions, the type of effect operation executed by the first and second sub-control units can be increased more than the effect type determined by the main control unit, which hinders the original control operation of the gaming machine. The variation of the production operation can be increased. In addition, when a command signal is received from the main control unit, a related command signal is immediately transmitted to the second sub-board, so that the compatibility test is not complicated by the same inspection method as in the prior art. In addition, the characteristic part of each said invention can be combined suitably, and the invention combined suitably is further suitable.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the gaming machine of the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. The illustrated pachinko machine has a main control board 1 that mainly controls game operations, a symbol control board 2 that controls the operation of the display device 8, and a sound lamp control that drives the speaker 3 and causes the lamps 4 to blink. A board 5, a payout control board 6 for paying out game balls, a launch control board 7 that is controlled by the payout control board 6 to launch game balls, and a power supply board 9 that receives AC 24V and supplies a DC voltage to each part of the apparatus It is structured around.
[0014]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a normal symbol display unit 39 and special symbol display units Da to Dc are realized in a single display device (liquid crystal display) 8. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the main control board 1 receives various switch signals (game board information) from the game board and uses them as a test test signal together with game control information indicating the operation state of the game machine. Output is possible. In addition, the symbol control board 2 can also output a signal indicating the operating state (such as a symbol variation state) of the display device 8 as a test firing test signal. These test test signals are supplied to a dedicated test test machine in a conformity test by a public institution. In the suitability test, for example, various tests are performed such as whether or not the display device 8 immediately starts symbol variation due to the variation start signal output from the main control board 1.
[0015]
The main control board 1, the symbol control board 2, the sound lamp control board 5, and the payout control board 6 are each configured by a computer circuit having a one-chip microcomputer, and each of the sub control boards 2, 5, and 7 is a main control. Individual control operations are realized based on control commands from the substrate 1. Specifically, this control command is transmitted to the symbol control board 2 via the main control command transmitted from the main control board 1 to the sound lamp control board 5 and the payout control board 6 and the sound lamp control board 5. Divided into sub-control commands.
[0016]
Further, the sub-control command output from the sound lamp control board 5 is not only a control command for transferring the main control command received from the main control board 1 as it is, but also a control newly generated by sorting lottery based on the main control command. Commands are also included. Specifically, when the sound lamp control board 5 receives a symbol variation pattern designation command from the main control substrate 1, it transfers the symbol variation pattern designation command to the symbol control board 2 as a temporary variation pattern designation command. Thus, the contents of the effect are determined, and the newly generated variation pattern designation command is transmitted to the symbol control board 2. In accordance with this, a lamp effect and a sound effect are started.
[0017]
The symbol control board 2 and the sound lamp control board 5 drive the display device 8, the speaker 3, and the lamps 4 to execute various effect operations, but the control command for specifying the effect content (effect pattern) varies. This is a pattern specification command. This variation pattern designation command is transmitted to the sound lamp control board 5 when a game ball wins at the special symbol start opening, and the production operation of the production pattern based on this variation pattern designation command is started. Yes.
[0018]
However, in this embodiment, the production pattern is not determined on the main control board 1 but on the sound lamp control board 5. FIG. 2 illustrates this relationship, and illustrates N types of effect patterns determined by the main control board 1 and M types of effect patterns determined by the audio lamp control board 5. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, one or a plurality of effect patterns Pa to Pe are prepared corresponding to the effect pattern P determined by the main control board 1, and when there are a plurality of effect patterns, Any one of them is selected by sorting lottery on the sound lamp control board 5.
[0019]
Specifically, the effect pattern is specified by a variation pattern specifying command as a control command, but the operation time of the effect operation and the specific effect contents are specified. The production patterns Pa to Pe selected by the sound lamp control board 5 have the same operation time for the production operation regardless of which production operation is selected.
[0020]
As described above, in this embodiment, the effect patterns such as the symbol variation and the lamp effect are determined not by the main control board 1 but by the sound lamp control board 5, so that the main pattern can be increased regardless of the number of types of effect patterns. There is no possibility of affecting the game control operation on the control board 1. In addition, since a part of the production pattern distribution process (random number lottery process) is executed by the sound lamp control board 5, a rich variety of productions can be performed in this sense without burdening the control operation of the main control board 1. Can perform actions. Moreover, since the lamp effect and the sound effect are executed by a single control board (the same CPU), the lamp effect and the sound effect can be accurately synchronized.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the main control board 1 (main control unit). As shown in the figure, the main control board 1 includes a CPU circuit 50 composed of a one-chip microcomputer incorporating a ROM and a RAM, a decode circuit 51 that generates a chip select signal CS for each part based on an address signal from the CPU circuit 50, and a CPU. An output port circuit 52 for outputting data from the circuit, an input port circuit 53 for taking external data into the CPU circuit, an output drive circuit 54 for outputting a control command or the like to each control board, and each part of the game board A switch input circuit 55 for inputting the ON / OFF state of the switches is mainly configured.
[0022]
The ON / OFF signals of the switches input from the switch input circuit 55 to the input port are supplied to the output connector 56 as game board information. Various control commands such as a variation pattern designation command are also supplied to the output connector 56 as part of the game control information.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the sound lamp control board 5 (sub-control unit). The sound lamp control board 5 includes a one-chip microcomputer 60 and an attached circuit (not shown). The one-chip microcomputer 60 includes an input port 60d, an output port 60e, and a D in addition to the CPU core 60a, the RAM 60b, and the ROM 60c. / A converter 60f is built in.
[0024]
Here, the input port 60d is a part that receives a main control command from the main control board 1, and the output port 60e is a part that outputs a sub-control command to the symbol control board 2. Further, the lamp driving signal generated based on the control command from the main control board 1 is supplied to the lamps from the output port 60e, while the sound generated based on the control command from the main control board 1 is used. The data is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 60f and then supplied to the speaker.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt processing program (TIMER INT) among the control programs of the main control board 1. By starting this timer interruption process every predetermined time (2 ms), substantially all the central game control of the gaming machine is executed. Hereinafter, a description will be given according to the flowchart of FIG.
[0026]
When the CPU is interrupted, first, the contents of each register are saved in the stack area (S1), and then random number generation processing is performed (S2). This random number generation processing includes update processing of the winning counter RG and the big hit counter CT used in the lottery operation in the normal symbol processing S9 and the special symbol processing S11. In the special symbol processing S11, the variation pattern that defines the variation operation in the display device 8 and the lamps, and the big hit symbol and the lost symbol to be displayed in the subsequent stop state are also determined. Symbol counter ZU that determines symbols Includes H updates.
[0027]
On the other hand, the symbol counter ZU that determines the lost symbol The effect counter that determines N and the variation pattern is updated in an infinite loop in the main routine interrupted for interrupt processing. The production counter is circulated within the range of 0 to 250, and is acquired before the start of the variation of the special symbol, and determines the variation pattern designation command to be transmitted to each of the sub control boards 5 and 6. At the time of winning the big hit lottery, the value of the production counter and the symbol counter ZU A special symbol variation pattern is determined based on the value of H or the like. On the other hand, if the big hit lottery is lost, the value of the production counter and the symbol counter ZU The variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on the value of N or the like.
[0028]
In any case, after the random number generation process S2 is completed, after the subtraction process is performed for the timer that manages the time of various game operations (S3), the detection switch of the special symbol start port and the detection gate 38 The signals of various switches including are input and stored (S4). Each timer subtracted in the process of step S3 is error, normal symbol change time, special symbol change time, normal symbol stop time, special symbol stop time, normal electric accessory operating time, special symbol. This is for managing the operation time, game effects, and the like.
[0029]
Subsequently, after transmitting the control command generated at this stage to the sub-control board (S5), an error management process is performed (S6). The error management process is a determination as to whether or not an abnormality has occurred inside the device, such as whether or not the supply of game balls has stopped or the game balls are clogged. Next, the number of award balls is calculated based on input signals from various switches provided at a winning opening on the board surface, and a control command for the payout control board 6 is created (S7). The generated control command is transmitted to the corresponding sub control board (S8).
[0030]
Next, a normal symbol process (S9) and a normal electric accessory process (S10) are performed, followed by a special symbol process (S11) and a special electric accessory process (S12). The normal symbol process is a determination as to whether or not to operate an electric tulip or the like. Specifically, when it is determined from the switch input result in step S4 that the game ball has passed the detection gate, the winning counter RG updated in the random number generation process S2 is compared with the winning winning value. Done. And if a comparison result is a winning state, the operation | movement of normal electric accessories, such as an electric tulip, will be started (S10).
[0031]
The special symbol process (S11) is a determination as to whether or not to open / close the special winning opening. Specifically, when it is determined from the switch input result in step S4 that the game ball has passed through the special symbol starting port, the big hit counter CT updated in the random number generation processing S2 is set to the big win winning value Hit. In contrast. If the comparison result is a winning state, the operation of a special electric accessory such as a big prize opening is started (S11).
[0032]
Thereafter, the control command generated in each of the above processes is transmitted to the corresponding sub control board. For example, when the special symbol process (S12) is executed, a control command (variation pattern designation command) corresponding to the lottery result is transmitted to the voice lamp control board 5, and the voice lamp control board 5 receiving the control command is received. Then, while transferring this to the symbol control board 2, the process for finalizing an effect pattern is started. In addition, when the variation pattern designation command is transferred from the sound lamp control board 5 to the symbol control board 2, the symbol variation operation is started in the display device 8.
[0033]
Next, as external terminal information processing, signals such as the occurrence of jackpots, special symbol confirmation, normal symbol confirmation, game ball detection such as detection of game balls at the special symbol starting point, games such as computers used for game island management of the game hall Output to the outside of the machine (S14). Further, as the test fire test information processing, a large number of various game information signals to be used for inspection of the gaming machine are output to the outside of the gaming machine (S15). Next, the timer variable NUM is incremented on the condition that the value of the timer variable NUM has not reached the maximum value MAX (S16, S17). This timer variable NUM is used when transmitting a control command for designating symbols (S39 in FIG. 6). Finally, the register saved in the process of step S1 is restored (S16), and the interrupt process is completed. As a result, the processing returns from the interrupt processing routine to the main routine.
[0034]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart specifically illustrating the special symbol process S11 (FIG. 5). First, based on the detection result of the switch detected by the process of step S4, it is determined whether or not a game ball has won a special symbol start opening (S21), and if a game ball has won, it is suspended. It is determined whether the number has reached the upper limit (= 4) (S22). Here, the number of reserves means the number of reserves in the winning state that are reserved without starting the changing operation in the special symbol display unit. Since the fluctuating operation is continued for a considerable period of time, game balls may win one after another in the meantime, and in such a case, for example, the winning state is put on hold with 4 as an upper limit value, for example. .
[0035]
Therefore, if the number of holds has already reached 4 at the time of the determination in step S22, only a predetermined number of prize balls can be obtained even if the game ball wins the special symbol starting port. A process for acquiring the jackpot random value is performed (S23). Specifically, the value of the jackpot counter CT updated in the random number generation process in step S2 is acquired and stored as the jackpot random number value RND. In this embodiment, the big hit counter CT circulates in the range of 0 to 630.
[0036]
Next, after the number of winning holds is incremented (+1) (S24), it is determined whether or not the present is the big hit mode (S25). The big hit mode means that the special winning combination relating to the opening / closing of the big prize opening is activated in the big hit lottery of step S31, and is set to the big hit mode by the process of step S45. . Assuming that the first game ball has won a prize at the special symbol start port, the special symbol display section has not started to change, so it is not the big hit mode. Therefore, it is next determined whether or not the operation mode is in standby (S26).
[0037]
The standby operation mode means that the special electric accessory is inactive or the special symbol display unit is inactive. At present, since this is the standby operation mode, on condition that the number of winning holds is not zero (S27), after decrementing the number of winning holds (S30), a big hit lottery process related to special symbols is performed. The lottery result is stored (S31). On the other hand, if the prize-holding number is zero and the current demonstration screen is not being displayed (S28), the control command for the demonstration screen is transmitted to the voice lamp control board 5 and the subroutine processing is terminated (S29). The voice lamp control board 5 transfers the received control command as it is to the symbol control board 2, so that a demonstration screen is displayed on the display device 8.
[0038]
The jackpot determination in step S31 means a jackpot lottery performed by comparing the jackpot random number value RND acquired in the processing of step S23 with the winning value Hit, but in this embodiment, the numerical range of the jackpot counter CT Is 0 to 630, while the winning value Hit is two specific numerical values in the low probability state, so the winning probability is 2/631. On the other hand, in the high probability state (so-called probabilistic variation state), the winning value is 10 specific numerical values, so the winning probability is 10/631.
[0039]
When such a big hit lottery process (S31) ends, next, a stop symbol and a variation pattern are determined (S32). The stop symbol differs depending on the result of the determination in step S31. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S31 is a lost state, the lost symbol counter ZU Based on the value of N, a combination of lost symbols is determined.
[0040]
When the above processing is completed, after the operation mode is set during the fluctuation of the special symbol (S33), a fluctuation pattern designation command as a control command is transmitted to the voice lamp control board 5, and the value of the counter NUM is initialized to 1. Set (S34). The control command related to the symbol variation is controlled by the value of the counter NUM, and the variation pattern designation command CM1, the left symbol designation command CM2, the middle symbol designation command CM3, the right symbol designation command CM4, and the variation stop command CM5 are sequentially executed a plurality of times. However, in the process of step S34, the variation pattern designation command CM1 is transmitted to the sound lamp control board 5. Since the variation pattern designation command CM1 is transferred to the symbol control board 2, the display device 8 starts the variation operation.
[0041]
The main control board 1 completes the subroutine processing (special symbol processing) by transmitting the variation pattern designation command CM1 (S34), and therefore the process proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 5. At this stage, the special electric accessory processing (S12) is performed. Then, virtually nothing is executed, and the timer interrupt processing ends.
[0042]
At the next timer interrupt, the special symbol display unit is in operation, so that it is not the standby operation mode. Therefore, after the processes in steps S21 to S25, the determination in step S26 is NO, and it is determined whether or not the operation mode is changing the special symbol (S35). Here, since the fluctuation | variation operation | movement in a special symbol display part is not complete | finished, determination of step S35 is Yes and determination of step S36 becomes NO.
[0043]
Next, the value of the counter variable NUM is determined (S39), and any one of the left symbol designation command CM2, the middle symbol designation command CM2, and the right symbol designation command CM3 according to the value (2, 4, 6) of the counter variable NUM. Is transmitted to the sound lamp control board 5 (S40). These control commands are transferred to the symbol control board 2 and stored. In this embodiment, since the counter variable NUM is incremented every time a timer interrupt with a time interval of 2 mS (S17), after transmission of the variation pattern designation command CM1 (S34), 4 mS, 8 mS, and 12 mS, respectively, The symbol designation command CM2, the middle symbol designation command CM3, and the right symbol designation command CM4 are transmitted. Note that the control commands CM2 to CM4 can be transmitted at an arbitrary time interval (2 ms × N) only by changing the determination condition in step S39.
[0044]
If such timer interruption processing is repeated several times, the production time (T + τ) obtained by adding the margin time τ to the fluctuation operation time T determined by the fluctuation pattern will eventually expire. Becomes Yes. The margin time τ is the time when the main control board 1 transmits the temporary fluctuation pattern designation command CM1 and the voice lamp control board 5 receiving this determines the fluctuation pattern designation command CM1 ′ by the distribution process. This is the time until transmission, and a large number with a margin is adopted.
[0045]
Here, when the production time (T + τ) expires, after the operation mode is switched to the symbol stop (S37), the variable stop command CM5 is transmitted to the symbol control board 2 to finish the subroutine processing (S38). . Note that the operation mode being in the symbol stop state means a transitional time period until the change symbol completely stops, and is set to about 1 second, for example.
[0046]
In the next timer interrupt, after the process proceeds from step S21 to S26 to step S35, the determination result in step S35 is NO. Accordingly, it is next determined whether or not the operation mode is the symbol stop (S41), the result is Yes, and then it is determined whether or not the stop time has elapsed (S42). Since the stop time is set to 1 second, for example, the process proceeds to step S43 after several timer interruptions corresponding to that time.
[0047]
In step S43, the jackpot winning result stored by the process of step S31 is read, and the winning result is confirmed (S44). If the winning state is selected, the operation mode is switched during the big hit (S45), and the subroutine processing (special symbol processing) is finished. If the operation mode is switched during the big hit, then the special electric accessory processing (S12) is activated, and the big hit game in which the big winning opening is repeatedly opened and closed is started.
[0048]
As described above, the main control board 1 transmits the variation pattern designation command CM1, the left symbol designation command CM2, the middle symbol designation command CM3, and the right symbol designation command CM4 at an appropriate time interval (2 mS × N). FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the sound lamp control board 5 receiving this.
[0049]
When the sound lamp control board 5 (sub-control unit) receives the control command (ST1), it checks the validity based on the reception history of the control command (ST2), and if it is valid, the received control command is subjected to symbol control. Transfer to the substrate 2 (ST3). Of course, among the control commands received from the main control board 1, control commands unique to the lamp effect and the sound effect are not transferred.
[0050]
After the process of step ST3, it is determined whether or not the transferred control command is the variation pattern designation command CM1 (ST4). If it is a variation pattern designation command, a control command distribution process is performed (ST5). In this embodiment, for each of the N types of change pattern designation commands CM1 received from the main control board, a plurality of effect operations having the same effect time but different specific effect contents are prepared (FIG. 2). reference). Then, M types of variation pattern designation commands CM1 'are defined corresponding to the plurality of presentation operations (M> N).
[0051]
Therefore, the sound lamp control board 5 performs random number lottery based on the received temporary variation pattern designation command CM1, and selects one of M types of variation pattern designation commands CM1 '(ST6). Then, the selected variation pattern designation command CM1 'is transmitted to the symbol control board 2 (ST6). Next, in order to perform a lamp effect and a sound effect synchronized with the effect operation on the symbol control board 2, an effect operation corresponding to the determined variation pattern designation command CM1 'is started (ST7).
[0052]
FIG. 8 is a diagram including the above relationship, and the sound lamp control board receives the temporary variation pattern designation command CM1 at the timing t1 and transfers it to the symbol control board 2. Thereafter, after the time τ is required for the process of step ST5, the variation pattern designation command CM1 'determined at the timing t2 is transmitted again. In addition, after the timing t1, control commands CM1, CM2, CM3, CM4 transmitted from the main control board 1 at an appropriate time interval (2 mS × N), and control commands transmitted after the performance time (T + τ) has elapsed. CM 5 is transferred to the symbol control board 2 as it is.
[0053]
FIG. 7B is a flowchart for explaining the operation content of the symbol control board 2 (sub-control unit). When the control command is received (ST10), the received control command is analyzed (ST11), and it is determined whether or not it is the variation pattern designation command CM1 (ST12). The fluctuation pattern designation command includes a temporary fluctuation pattern designation command CM1 and a confirmed fluctuation pattern designation command CM1 ', and it is determined whether any of them is present. In this apparatus, all the control commands have a 16-bit configuration, but the N types of variation pattern designation command CM1 and the M types of variation pattern designation command CM1 ′ are both bits having the same number of upper bits. It is a pattern.
[0054]
If it is determined that the command is a variation pattern designation command, it is determined whether or not the value of the flag FG is 1 (ST13). If FL ≠ 1, the variation operation corresponding to the variation pattern designation command CM1 is started. At the same time, the value of the flag FG is set to 1 and the processing is terminated (ST15). In this embodiment, the flag FG = 0 means reception of the temporary variation pattern designation command CM1, and the flag FG = 1 means reception of the confirmed variation pattern designation command CM1 '.
[0055]
As described above, the operation started in the process of step ST14 is an operation based on the temporary variation pattern designation command CM1 transmitted and transferred from the main control board 1 to the sound lamp control board 5, and from the main control board 1. Is started immediately in response to the output of the control command. Therefore, there is no delay time with respect to the test test signal output from the main control board 1, and there is no problem in the conformity test performed by the public organization.
[0056]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST13 that FL = 1, the flag FG is returned to zero (ST16), and then an operation based on the confirmed variation pattern designation command CM1 'is started (ST17). As shown in FIG. 8, the symbol variation of the display device 8 is started when the temporary variation pattern designation command CM1 is received, so the total effect time is T + τ. On the other hand, the operation time of the sound effect and the lamp effect controlled by the sound lamp control board 5 is T, but since it is the same as the operation time of the symbol variation by the confirmed variation pattern designation command CM1 ′, there is no problem. Synchronize correctly with each other.
[0057]
If it is determined in step ST12 that it is not a variation pattern designation command, it is determined whether or not it is a symbol designation command (ST18). If it is a symbol designation command, processing corresponding to that is executed (step 18). ST19). If it is determined that the command is not a symbol designating command, it is determined whether the command is a variable stop command (ST20). If the command is a variable stop command, processing corresponding to the command is executed (ST21).
[0058]
Subsequently, a bullet ball game machine to which the present invention is preferably applied will be described for confirmation. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine 21 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a side view of the pachinko machine 21. A plurality of pachinko machines 21 are arranged in the length direction of the island structure of the pachinko hall while being electrically connected to the card-type ball lending machine 22.
[0059]
The illustrated pachinko machine 21 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 23 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 24 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge H fixed to the outer frame 23. It consists of A game board 25 is detachably attached to the front frame 24 from the back side, and a glass door 26 and a front plate 27 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.
[0060]
The front plate 27 is provided with an upper plate 28 for storing game balls for launch. A lower plate 29 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 28 and a launch handle 30 are disposed below the front frame 24. And are provided. The launch handle 30 is interlocked with the launch motor, and a game ball is launched by a striking rod 31 (see FIG. 13) that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle.
[0061]
On the right side of the upper plate 28, an operation panel 32 for lending the ball to the card-type ball lending machine 22 is provided, and on this operation panel 32, a card remaining amount display unit 32a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number. A ball lending switch 32b for instructing lending of game balls for a predetermined amount, and a return switch 32c for instructing to return the card at the end of the game. On the upper part of the glass door 26, a big hit LED lamp P1 indicating a big hit state is arranged. In addition, in the vicinity of the big hit LED lamp P1, abnormality notification LED lamps P2 and P3 are provided to indicate a replenishment state or a full state of the lower plate.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 12, the game board 25 is provided with a guide rail 33 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and a display device 8 (liquid crystal display) is provided at the approximate center of the game area 25a on the inside. Color display). In addition, at a suitable place in the game area 25a, there are a special symbol start opening 35, a big winning opening 36, a plurality of normal winning openings 37 (four on the left and right sides of the big winning opening 36), and two detection gates 38 that are passing holes. It is arranged. Each of these winning openings 35 to 38 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.
[0063]
The display device 8 is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. The display device 8 has special symbol display portions Da to Dc in the center portion and a normal symbol display portion 39 in the upper right portion. The normal symbol display unit 39 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the detection gate 38 is detected, the displayed normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and when the game ball passes through the detection gate 38. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery extracted in is displayed and stopped.
[0064]
For example, the special symbol start opening 35 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 35a, and when the stop symbol after fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 39 displays a winning symbol, The opening / closing claw 35a is opened for a predetermined time. Then, when a game ball wins the special symbol start opening 35 which is a variable winning opening, the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc fluctuate for a predetermined time, and according to the winning timing of the game ball to the special symbol start opening 35 It stops at the stop symbol determined based on the lottery result.
[0065]
The big winning opening 36 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 36a that can be opened forward, but when the stop symbol after the symbol change of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, “big hit” Is started, and the open / close plate 36a is opened. There is a specific area 36b inside the big winning opening 36, and when the winning ball passes through the specific area 36b, a special game advantageous to the player is continued.
[0066]
After the opening / closing plate 36a of the big winning opening 36 is opened, the opening / closing plate 36a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, if the game ball does not pass through the specific area 36b, the special game ends, but if it passes through the specific area 36b, the special game is continued up to, for example, 15 times, which is advantageous to the player. To be controlled. Furthermore, when the stop symbol after the change is a special state occurrence symbol among the special symbols, a special state is generated.
[0067]
Any of the following is suitable as an example of the special state. (1) A special symbol high probability state in which the probability that the stop symbol after symbol variation of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc becomes a big hit symbol such as “777” is increased compared to the case of the non-special state, or (2) Compared to the non-special state, the extra prize opening opening time is extended to increase the number of game balls to make it easier to win more games. Compared to the state of increasing the number of times of opening the large winning opening to increase the number of opening of the large winning opening so that more balls can easily win, or (4) large in order to make it easier to win more gaming balls than in the non-special state. The probability that the stop symbol after the symbol change of the normal symbol display unit 39 becomes a winning symbol is increased as compared with the case of the large winning aperture opening amount increasing state which increases the opening amount of the winning port or (5) the non-special state. Compared to the normal symbol high probability state and (6) non-special state, more game balls will be easier to win. Electric tulip opening times that increase the number of opening times of electric tulips so that more game balls can be won more easily than in the case of electric tulip opening time extended state that lengthens the opening time of electric tulips and (7) non-special state Electric tulip opening increase state that increases the opening amount of the electric tulip so that more game balls can win more easily than in the increased state or (8) non-special state, or (9) non-special state Compared to the special symbol fluctuation shortening state that shortens the variation time of the special symbol, (10) the effective stop line increase state that increases the special symbol effective stop line compared to the non-special state, (11) Compared to the case of the non-special state, a normal symbol variation shortened state in which the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened can be considered.
[0068]
Any of these may be combined, and the generated special state is preferably terminated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Here, the predetermined condition means that a predetermined symbol is changed after a predetermined number of special symbol display portions Da to Dc, a predetermined number of normal symbol display portions 39 is changed, a predetermined time has elapsed, and a normal symbol display portion 39 has been changed. When stopped, when a predetermined symbol is stopped and displayed after the symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change, when a game ball wins a predetermined winning opening, when a game ball passes a predetermined detection gate 38, etc. Typical.
[0069]
As shown in FIG. 13, on the back side of the front frame 24, a back mechanism plate 40 for holding the game board 25 from the back side is detachably mounted. An opening 40a is formed in the back mechanism plate 40, and a prize ball tank 41 and a tank rail 42 extending therefrom are provided on the upper side thereof. A payout device 43 connected to the tank rail 42 is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 40, and a passage unit 44 connected to the payout device 43 is provided below the back mechanism plate 40. The game balls paid out from the payout device 43 are paid out to the upper plate 28 from the upper plate discharge port 28a (FIG. 10) via the passage unit 44.
[0070]
The opening 40a of the back mechanism plate 40 is fitted with a back cover 45 mounted on the back side of the game board 25 and a winning ball discharge basket (not shown) for discharging the game balls won in the winning holes 35 to 37. Has been. The main control board 1 is disposed inside the case CA1 attached to the back cover 45, and the symbol control board 2 is disposed on the front side thereof (see FIG. 11). On the lower side of the main control board 1, an audio lamp control board 5 is provided in a case CA2 attached to the back cover 45.
[0071]
A power supply board 9 and a payout control board 6 are provided inside the case CA4 attached to the back mechanism plate 40 below the case CA2. On the power supply board 9, a power switch 53 and a RAM clear switch 54 are arranged. The parts corresponding to both the switches 53 and 54 are notched, and both switches can be operated simultaneously with a finger. Inside the case CA5 attached to the rear side of the launch handle 30, a launch control board 7 is provided. These circuit boards 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9 are configured independently, and the control boards 2 to 6 except for the power supply board 9 and the launch control board 7 are computer circuits provided with one-chip microcomputers Is installed.
[0072]
As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described concretely, the content of description does not specifically limit this invention, It can change suitably. For example, the sound lamp control board checks the validity of the received control command and discards the control command determined to be an error (ST2 in FIG. 7A), but the main control unit 1 and the sound lamp control It is also preferable to connect the substrate 5 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and to request retransmission of the control command when an error occurs. The sound lamp control board 5 and the symbol control board 2 may be configured to be capable of bidirectional communication. In the embodiment, when the variation pattern designation command is received from the main control board 1, the voice lamp control board 5 transfers it as it is. However, instead of this configuration, a dedicated symbol variation start command is transmitted. You can do it. In this case, since the bit length of the control command can be set to 8 bits, the transmission / reception program burden can be reduced.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the variation of the production operation, although it does not hinder the original control operation of the gaming machine and the compatibility test is not complicated. A gaming machine that can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an effect pattern determined by a main control board and an effect pattern executed by a sub-control board.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main control board.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an audio lamp control board.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing in the main control board.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of FIG. 5 in detail.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation contents of a sound lamp control board and a symbol control board.
FIG. 8 is a time chart for explaining the operation of each control board.
FIG. 9 illustrates a symbol variation operation.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.
11 is a side view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG.
12 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine shown in FIG.
13 is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Main control unit (main control board)
2 Second sub-control unit (design control board)
5 1st sub control part (voice lamp control board)
ST3 First means
ST4 to ST6 Second means

Claims (7)

A lottery process for determining whether or not to generate a big hit state advantageous to the player in relation to the game operation, and a main control unit for controlling the game operation based on the lottery result,
A first sub control unit that receives a command signal from the main control unit and executes a first effect operation, and a second sub control unit that receives a command signal from the first sub control unit and executes a second effect operation A gaming machine configured with
The first effect operation or the second effect operation is a symbol effect executed by a display device that variably displays the specific symbol related to the jackpot state,
In response to a predetermined command signal received directly or by transfer from the main control unit, in the display device, a first means for starting a temporary operation of a design effect that does not specify the effect content ;
Then, a second means for specifying the production content by the distribution process executed in response to the predetermined command signal, and starting the main operation of the design production whose production content is specified following the provisional operation, A gaming machine characterized by being provided . When the first sub-control unit receives the predetermined command signal, the first sub-control unit transfers this to the second sub-control unit, while the second sub-control unit, based on the predetermined command signal received by the transfer, The gaming machine according to claim 1, configured to start the temporary operation . 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the first sub-control unit, when receiving the predetermined command signal, determines the production content of the main operation by the distribution process by random number lottery . The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first sub-control unit executes a sound effect and a lamp effect. The main control unit
A first transmission means for transmitting the predetermined command signal specifying the effect time T to the first sub-control unit after the lottery process for determining whether or not to generate the big hit state;
Each time a predetermined time elapses from the transmission process of the first means, a command signal defining a stop symbol to be stopped and displayed on the display device is divided into a plurality of times and transmitted to the first sub-control unit. Two transmission means;
The command signal to stop the first and second effect operations after the elapse of time determined by the effect time T and the processing time τ consumed by the first sub-control unit to specify the effect content, The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a third transmission unit that transmits to the first sub-control unit . 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5 , wherein the first sub-control unit that has received a command signal defining a stop symbol from the main control unit transfers the command signal to the second sub-control unit as it is . The first sub-control unit, the claims and includes an input port for receiving a command signal from the main control unit, a one-chip microcomputer having a built-in output ports for outputting a command signal to the second sub-control unit The gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 6 .

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